Marry Who?
Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans. Do I really have to copy and paste this over and over again?
Chapter 4: Wishful Thinking
Etiquettes. Etiquettes. Etiquettes.
Raven's head is starting to ache. She hated how she had to take up and learn various etiquettes for her upcoming wedding. She didn't understand why she had to do those. It's not like she's going to trip when she walks down the aisle nor was she gonna sneeze in front of the priest. She knew her manners well enough.
She massaged her temples, clearly not listening to the instructor who did nothing but tell her to do this and that. She gave the instructor a bored look but it seems that she's too blind to notice it. She kept blabbing and blabbing around about how a girl must walk with grace and how she must carry her gown. For some reason, her eyes were twinkling after every word she'd said. She was indeed a weird instructor.
She rolled her eyes. After this, she's totally gonna complain to Azar and ask her to stop this nonsense. It was nothing but a waste of time. She just hopes that this thing's gonna finish fast. She groaned in frustration as she stood up and did what was told.
-/-
Meanwhile, at the Titans' tower…
Chace, shape-shifted as Raven, smoothly created an excuse for the titans since they found out that Raven's things were all gone. They all seem to accept the said excuse and she was nowhere near any trouble for now.
She had to admit. She's very thankful with the super thick spell books back in Azarath. With their awesome help, Raven was able to change her not only the physical appearance but also every aspect of her body, even her voice matched Raven. Everyone would be so confused which was which.
All she had to do was the finishing touches. That is to act and speak like Raven does. It was easy for her since she spent almost 3 years of her life with Raven plus, she was a good actress herself.
She had learned a lot with a day with the titans. She'd easily identified each titan based on the descriptions Raven gave her. She'd learned that Raven didn't exactly give all the information about each member.
Raven didn't mention that Starfire and Robin were in a relationship. She just discovered it when the leader took the Tamaranian to a surprise date and gave her a gift. She heard from the other two that it was actually the couple's anniversary.
The boy's gestures and actions towards Starfire were indeed sweet, but she knew something was lacking. She can't identify it but she knew about it. She just knew.
Chace also almost forgot the fact that Raven can't actually cook food. Luckily, the lunch she was preparing for herself got burnt and she was saved from further explanations.
For the crime-fighting, she enjoyed kicking butts of villains, such as Mumbo, who tried robbing another bank, and Plasmus, still gooey and yucky as ever. She hadn't used her powers that much since Azar banned her to do so. She used her actual powers but in the eyes of the others, it was as if she was using Raven's regular one.
Tiring, but good. That's what she'd describe her first day at the tower. She can't wait to tell all the happenings to Raven. Speaking of Raven, she totally forgot that she had promised that she'll contact her this afternoon!
Oh she just wishes that Raven wasn't in a bad mood.
-/-
Noon time came in Azarath. Raven let out an at-last-it's-done kind of sigh and headed out to speak to Azar. She gave the door three soft knocks before she entered.
Azar was standing by the terrace's doors. She was holding a long scroll that seemed to be a never ending list of something. Her gaze went to Raven. Raven lowered and bowed down her head.
"I come before you, my Queen. I do have something important to discuss with you." She noted with her monotone voice. Azar smiled at her.
"No need for the formalities, child. You're my student and almost like a daughter to me. Now tell me… What brings you here?" She motioned Raven to sit down in front of her as she as well sat.
"I want the etiquette teachings to be stopped. I am already 18 and I don't need those kinds of lectures. Besides, you've taught me too well, so why the sudden teachings appear?"
"Oh you didn't have to flatter me. And it's not that we think that you can't be well-mannered during your wedding, it's just that the council wanted it for some purposes. No worries, I'll have it requested to be stopped in no weeks' time." Raven breathed a huge sigh of relief. She then decided to open up a new topic.
"So, what's with the long list?" Azar smirked at her.
"Now, now, Raven. This long list is the list of candidates for your future husband." Raven felt her eyes dropped deep inside her but her emotionless face hid it pretty well.
"You've got to be kidding me. There's too many of them. How do you suppose you and the monks can pick the right guy when there are almost thousands in that list?"
"Well, we are not going to choose like what we traditionally have. Apparently, Justine suggested that we should let the candidates compete with each other. That way, the last man standing can prove that he's the one and at the same time, we could provide entertainment to the people of Azarath." Raven rolled her eyes inwardly.
'So it was Justine's idea again, huh?' She scoffed.
"What kind of trials are there?" She couldn't help herself but ask.
"You'll see my child. You'll see soon enough." With that, their conversation ended, leaving her curious.
She went back to her room. She waited for hours and hours for Chace's call. She was starting to get annoyed due to waiting. Soon enough, water droplets again formed and were collected together. Only this time, it was on the wall.
"Hey. Sorry for the late call. Had some things to finish though. I hope you're not in a bad mood." Christina called to her.
"No, I'm not. Now, please tell me you have good news." She heard her chuckle.
"Of course I do. Well, they bit my reason about how all your things were gone and I'm blending in smoothly, without any suspicions. We fought villains and all. Never thought your job's amazing!"
"I know. Any other information to share?"
"Oh yes! I still have one. Apparently your leader, the Robin guy, that, well he and his girlfriend had their awesome surprise date and gift-giving for their anniversary. He looked so sweet. Starfire can't even describe to me the feeling she felt. They look so in love, I tell you."
Raven smiled bitterly when she heard the names Robin and Starfire. Her heart was torn between being happy for them for the success of their celebration and being sad and jealous because she knew she'd never experience that thing.
What's the use of being sad or jealous? She's getting married for heavens' sake. She shouldn't feel upset. She heaved a deep breathe. But the thing is; she can't just deny her emotions too easily.
Oh how she wished she didn't ask for more information from her.