Why Raven Wears a Leotard
She had refused to participate in the discussion over dinner. How talk had even turned to the subject, I'm not quite sure. She just sat there listening to the rest of us as one by one we all explained why we wear the uniforms we do. Starfire had explained all about why her uniform was the traditional colors of her home world. Things had become a bit more subdued as Cyborg explained about his wild past and what led to his accident. He didn't get a choice he just woke up with the look he has now. I had expected some off the wall story from Beast Boy, but was surprised to learn he was once a part of the doom patrol. He had never changed his uniform when he joined the Titans-then came the joke that being green-there weren't any other colors he could pull off-unless he wanted to look like a walking Christmas tree. Raven kept silent, so I explained about growing up in the circus. These colors were ones my family had worn for generations as performers. I may not be in the circus anymore, but at least in some small way, I'm still carrying on a family tradition. The others turned to look at Raven at this point, but she only got up and left the room without saying a word. I left soon after as they all started coming up with ideas as to why Raven hides under a cloak, yet at the same time exposes so much of herself by wearing a leotard. I knew that answer, but I kept it to myself as I left the room.
Anyone who really pays attention to the graceful way she move, could easily figure it out, but not many people give her a second glance. That's a shame really, because underneath all the Gothic style and attitude is a wonder caring soul. Now I stand in the shadows just outside the training room where soft and serene music plays-something no one would ever believe Raven to listens to. As I watch Raven, it's all to clear why she wears a leotard...because she dances.
This is another short story set in Robin's point of view. My nickname in college was Raven-why is in my profile. I wrote lots of these short stories because at the time they were written, I had a crush on a guy that was very much like Robin and his name was even Richard. Things never worked out as I would have liked, but he did become the best friends I've ever had. He also once posed this question which is how I came up the story.