Curse
"Raven?"
I look up from my book to see Starfire in front of me.
"Seeing as how you are a most devoted bibliophile, perhaps you can assist me in learning the meaning of this word?"
"Sure, Starfire." I say as I put my book down, "What-"
She hands me a piece of paper, and I take a look at the word in question.
Oh...dear God.
"Starfire...where did you learn this word?"
"I was reading through the vast works of fiction Beast Boy introduced me to..."
"Fan fiction?" I grimace.
"Yes! I thought that I might perform a search using our names, and I happened across of number of stories that used this word...as well as speaking much of the consumption of cats, for reasons unknown."
"Okay, I think..."
"And when I expanded my searching, I discovered the word used in other stories revolving around the pairings of two female characters, the touching and devouring of felines remaining a constant. And when I proceeded to investigate the Google..."
"Starfire!"
...My temples throb. The day just became a whole lot longer.
"I know what Robin would have done, so did you ask Cyborg or..."
I pause.
"Did you go to Cyborg?"
"Yes. He adamantly proclaimed that he refused to make physical contact the subject- even with a pole that was approximately ten feet in length- and suggested that I wiki the pedia. I did so, but the results of my inquiry proved fruitless."
"You...didn't go to Beast Boy with this, did you?"
"No. I shall go-"
I jump up and grab her arm just as she starts to leave.
"No! For the love of everything holy, Starfire, don't say anything to him about this."
"Then please, Raven, will you enlighten me as to the meaning of this word?"
With a deep, deep breath, I speak.
"Um..."
Another deep breath.
"Alright. Um...do they have...curse words on Tamaran?"
"Yes." she nods, "I-Is this a word of curse?! Are there truly so many that condemn us?!"
"W-Wait, no..." I stutter out as tears begin to well up in her eyes, "It's not like that. It's...do they have words on Tamaran that children aren't allowed to speak?"
"Well, there are certain words uttered during great battle rites which the young and inexperienced are not allowed to utter."
"Uh, not quite what I mean."
I rest my head on my hand as I try figure out how to be rid of this problem, one way or another.
"That word...it's a bad word..."
She squeals and drops the piece of paper the word in question in written on.
"A bad word?" she whispers.
"It's not...well, I guess it sort of is...that bad...alright. It's-"
"Raven? Can a word truly be so full of malevolence that it can, indeed, be...bad?"
"It's not like that. It's...well, remember the time when I told Beast Boy to 'go to Hell'?"
"Yes. There are numerous time you cursed our friend-"
She gasps.
"So...this is a word that is meant to condemn? B-But in the stories I read, all parties involved seemed to derive great pleasure from-"
"No, no! It's not like that! Not in the context you found it in, at least."
"Is context important?"
"For many words in the English language, yes. That word...it's generally considered a vulgar term for..."
I tense up.
"Sexual intercourse." I say in the absolute tiniest, quietest voice I can.
Starfire's eyes widen as a whole new world opens up to her.
And she smiles.
A gleefully wide, gleefully disturbing smile.
"I have read stories of you and I having-"
"Don't...say it..."
"And you and Jinx-"
"Don't...Jinx?"
"And you and Terra-"
"Terra?! And why is it always me? Why am I the one in all these scenarios?"
"I am uncertain, but I also found a number of im-"
I cover my ears and close my eyes.
"Raven?"
But, hiding away in my own psyche, I'm still not safe. Starfire has firmly planted certain ideas in my head, and despite fancying myself to be so mature and stoic, I'm nigh helpless to stop them from taking form.
...Damn you, Starfire.
"Have I said or done something to offend you?"
Damn everyone who put those ideas in that sugary sweet head of yours.
"Have you not wondered what it would be like if..."
I retreat to the sanctity of my room.
Damn it all to Hell...