—Chapter Eight: Clothes for Lore, Plans for Ray, and Questions for Artemis—
"Aura," Raven said simply. "His aura must be distinctly different from a normal person's. I'll have to do research on the subject." Without waiting for an answer, she turned around and left the room, the frown on her face showing she was already puzzling over the mystery that was Lore.
Lore stood there, slightly surprised, and clearly with no idea what an aura was, why it was important, or what it had to do with him. Why the purple-caped girl had seemed so annoyed was beyond him, and he'd already shoved the memory of her being angry at him straight out of his mind, but still… there was something. Perhaps she was in pain? She must hide it very well, as he didn't sense anything from her. That would explain why he bothered her. She must not want to be healed, like Robin.
"Lore?" asked Beastboy, waving a hand to get the white-haired boy's attention.
Lore glanced up and noticed his new friend right in front of him.
"Don't mind Raven. She can get a bit overprotective sometimes. It just means she loves her friends."
The boy frowned in confusion. "Overprotective? How so?"
Beastboy's green eyes shot up to stare at Lore's. Had the boy completely forgotten something that had happened all of a minute ago? How Raven's blunt comments had practically had him in tears?
That worried him. He liked Lore. The guy was really nice, and pleasant to be around – well, when he wasn't accidentally messing with Beastboy's animal instincts, but it wasn't like he did that on purpose.
"I meant the whole 'controlling other people is evil' thing with Raven," explained Beastboy, speaking a little slower.
"Ah, that," said Lore casually. "I'd rather not think about it, if that's alright."
Beastboy let out a sigh of relief. Okay, so Lore didn't have some sort of short-term memory loss. That was good. He happened to glance down at Lore's outfit. The robe that seemed to be made of purest white silk and the most elegant of embroidery and brocade was now stained beyond repair from the boy kneeling on the grease and ash stained ground.
"Dude! You're filthy!" he exclaimed.
Lore glanced down. "Oh, it's not that bad," he said, not sounding at all worried.
"But it must have cost a fortune!" Beastboy said. "It just looks expensive!"
"I hate this thing anyway. And it's not like they don't have a couple hundred more where it came from."
The word 'hate' flowing so easily out of such an easygoing person's mouth even interrupted Robin and Cyborg where they had been discussing Ray's abilities and what to do next. What to do that wouldn't involve the possible destruction of another room.
"Hate?" asked Ray, as surprised as everyone else.
"Yes," said Lore, his dislike showing on his face as he looked down at the robe. "At least they let up on the makeup. Do you have any idea how humiliating that is?"
None of the guys there could answer him, but the horror at the idea of being forced to wear makeup showed on all their faces.
The silence quickly becoming embarrassing, especially for Lore, who realized he had let slip a little more than he was comfortable with others knowing. Especially other guys. He turned slightly pink and covered his face with a hand.
"Would you like another outfit?" Cyborg suddenly asked, breaking the silence. "A normal one? We could get one for you."
Lore looked up at him in surprise. "Really?" he asked, surprise clear in his voice. "Yes!"
Cyborg and Beastboy looked to Robin, who frowned for a minute, then nodded. "That would be fine. Beastboy can take Lore to get a normal outfit, and ask the others if they would like something more casual as well. Ray?"
"I'm good. I'd feel strange in anything else."
"Alright! Shopping trip!" cheered Beastboy, grabbing Lore by the sleeve and hauling him out of the room. "Star will come with us!" he was saying excitedly. "Would you prefer the mall or the downtown outlets? Wait, you wouldn't know. This is gonna be so much fun!"
Robin turned to Ray after the diversions known as Lore and Beastboy had left the room.
"We'll let Beastboy take care of Lore for the time being, and Star should still be with the others." The boy wonder checked the clock and frowned at it. "I still want to run a few more tests before I figure out what to do with you, Ray, but it looks like Cyborg will need a bit more time before we tackle measuring your powers again. Why don't we spar a little?"
"Actually," began Cyborg, "as the one in charge of all our systems, Robin, I'd like to override you in this one instance."
Robin looked over to Cyborg in shock.
"Let me make this clear," the bionic teen began, his stance and voice making it clear he would not be backing down. "I do not want that walking electric generator anywhere near me or my systems until he figures out how to handle our processed electricity. Certainly not fighting, because I'll bet anything he uses his powers when he fights."
Ray shrugged when Robin glanced at him. "Yes, I do."
"Can't you just not use your power?"
Ray looked doubtful, and more than a little shamed. "It's… not something I consciously turn on and off. I don't even think about it." He licked his lips. "Well, I'm sure the other elementals could keep themselves from using their element, except maybe Wisp, but the only time I've ever felt… Well, light's always there, so I guess I always have some sort of… connection? to it." He was clearly having a difficult time explaining himself.
"I figured as much," said Cyborg. "He needs serious training, Robin. And until he gets that, he's a walking hazard in our world." He gestured around the destroyed room to make his point clear.
Robin thought about it for a moment, then nodded. "What do you suggest, Cyborg?"
"I'll take him under my wing for a bit. Show him the mechanics of how our technology works, how we produce and direct electricity. Hopefully get him to recognize and control current and direction, instead of just randomly pulling anything and everything into himself."
It was a very good idea, Robin had to admit. "Sounds good," he said. "The sooner the better."
Ray looked uneasy, but Cyborg grabbed his shoulder and directed him out of the room, towards doubtless another lab. The elemental rubbed his hands together nervously, not noticing the blue sparks of static that the movement created.
Cyborg did, and groaned. He had his work cut out for him. At this rate, he'd have to be careful for his own safety, not just for the Tower's.
Robin consulted his inner chart of what he needed to find out about and discuss with each of these four 'heroes' that Hige guy had sent him.
Ray's fighting capabilities were still a mystery, but Cyborg had made a valid comment that it was more important to get the elemental's powers under control before they did any more.
He needed Raven to do anything with Reville, but she was busy doing research on Lore's powers. Lore himself was probably being dragged to a clothing store by Starfire and Beastboy.
Robin suddenly frowned. Then who was watching Artemis and Reville?
He had been walking through the Tower and just entered the main room, finding the answer to half his question.
Reville was sitting on the couch, leaning back, his eyes closed. He appeared asleep, but his eyes opened bright and observant when Robin entered the room.
"You Titans are fascinating," he said, smiling. It was quite a different look from what he'd shown before. "I do rather think I'll enjoy your company." He leaned back, closing his eyes, his whole body relaxing. "It seems too good to be true that anyone could be so genuine, but I doubt you could keep up such a convincing charade this long."
"Where's Artemis?"
"Artemis?"
"Arthur."
Reville frowned, then smiled. His whole face lit up, those big black eyes sparkling. "Oh, I get it! No wonder he felt so off at times. Anyway, Arthur's in the kitchen."
"The kitchen?"
The empath shrugged. "Starfire gave him permission."
That made Robin seriously worried. Starfire was far too trusting, and she apparently already classified their guests as 'friends'. He quickly rushed to the kitchen, and was greeted by a strange, yet familiar, sight. One he hadn't seen since he'd left Gotham City and Wayne Manor.
Artemis had a white apron on over her stiff black suit and was calmly making dinner with a precision and grace that would even have Alfred, Bruce Wayne's butler, impressed. Or at least satisfied.
She could've been a fantastic butler if she wasn't a bodyguard.
Robin frowned and took a seat, watching her. She really did look like a girl, other than the clothes. Once he knew, it was obvious. Even knowing she was an elf, she was far too pretty. Even in the suit, which his keen eyes now noticed as custom tailored to hang straight rather than outline form, and even with her shoulder-length dark blue hair slicked down and tied back in a low ponytail, she gave off a decidedly feminine vibe, despite her flawless acting.
If she smiled, she would give Starfire a run for her money.
With that surprising thought, considering Robin earnestly believed Starfire to be the most beautiful girl in the universe, Robin quickly cleared his throat and got down to business. He'd have to cross this bridge sometime.
"I know, Artemis."
CLANG!
She'd dropped an enormous pot. Thankfully she had not yet filled it with anything.
The seconds ticked by, and she didn't move a fraction, not even to pick up the pot.
"Artemis?"
She took a deep, shuddery breath. Her back straightened, her hands clenched and unclenched, then she turned around. Her face showed an alarming contradiction of emotions. She was pale and sweating in shear terror, yet her eyes were harsh and threatening.
"Do NOT call me that. My name is Arthur."
"I know why you were sent here. Along with that information, I learned who you are."
"I do not care. You are not to call me THAT name. I am Arthur."
Robin frowned. "I am sure at least half of my team has already figured it out. Besides, there is no reason for you to hide who you are while you're here."
"So says the boy in a mask," Artemis said defensively, finally reaching down and retrieving the pot.
"We have to always be ready to fight crime in the city. It is rare to find anyone in my team not in uniform. Besides, my identity could bring harm to those I love. Your identity, in this world, is worth nothing and can hurt no one."
"I am Arthur," she said, though now it sounded like she was desperately trying to convince herself. She busied herself with filling the pot with water and setting it on to boil. "I am Arthur," she repeated. "Artemis is dead. She can't come back." Her voice almost broke.
She turned back to Robin, her eyes fierce. "How much do you know?"
"That your race is enslaved, and that if your family doesn't provide a male bodyguard to the royal family you will all be slaughtered. That the king already knows you're female, but is keeping it from you so that if it ever gets out, he can have you executed and claim ignorance."
Her eyes widened. "He knows?" Her hands trembled and she abruptly pulled up a seat across from Robin and collapsed into the chair. "What is the point of it all, then?"
Robin shrugged. "Politics." He frowned at her. "You don't have to go back, you know. They can't punish you or your family if you completely disappear. The logical conclusion would be that you were killed."
She closed her eyes for a second and rested her head in her hands, then looked up. "She's a good girl."
"Who? The princess?"
"Yes. Princess Isalla is a wonderful person, and a true friend of mine. She found out who I am when I slipped up, and she's been helping to protect me and my family since. I can't leave her."
Anyone else would argue, but Robin sighed, then nodded. He would never tell someone not to fulfill what they considered their duty, especially if it was to a friend. "I understand. So you can't lose 'Arthur' and return to 'Artemis'."
"I don't think I would be able to go back," she said, meeting Robin's eyes as best she could with his mask on. "It was hard enough the first time. I haven't even heard my mother call me… that since Arthur died." Her voice was shaking slightly. "Please don't say it again."
Robin stood and patted her shoulder as he passed her on the way out.
"Then we'll call you Arthur, and you can continue to be a guy. But we will know. I will explain the situation to everyone, and you don't need to be so on guard around us."
"Thank you," she said softly.
"Oh, and one more thing?" asked Robin, turning around before leaving the kitchen.
"Yes?"
"Would you like to spar with me? When you're done preparing dinner, of course."
She smirked. "You sure about that? I'm quite good."
Robin smirked back. "So am I, so this will be fun."
Artemis laughed, and Robin found himself thinking that he had been right. She was nearly as beautiful as Starfire.
Cyborg, Ray, Beastboy, Lore, Starfire, and Reville were all in the main room as Robin left the kitchen.
"You know," began Cyborg uneasily. "Maybe you should keep those sorts of conversations to rooms with doors?"
"And without pans that, should they fall, alert everyone in the building?" added Beastboy.
Robin had to check the smirk that almost came to his lips. Well, this made explaining easier.
"Is everyone fine with this? Arthur is Arthur, who just happens to be female."
Everyone nodded, and from the tears in Starfire and Lore's eyes, it was clear they'd heard everything. Reville's eyes were filled with concern, which was only to be expected of an empath after hearing, and no doubt feeling, such an emotionally charged conversation. Cyborg, Ray, and Beastboy looked quite uncomfortable, but none were the type to deliberately hurt a girl. Robin would let Raven know himself.
"Umm, I was just coming to let you know Ray and I would be in the garage," said Cyborg. "I've got a couple old generators in there."
"Just letting you know we would be at Nancy's before we run off," said Beastboy, gesturing to himself, Starfire, and Lore.
Author's notes: Again, the characters are running away with the story! This time it was Artemis, with her way too heavy baggage. Anyway, next chapter I WILL finally get to some training. Raven researches auras, Cyborg tries to keep Ray from blowing up the Tower, and Artemis and Robin spar. Don't worry, I know better than to make Robin lose to an OC.
Oh, and don't worry about Robin/Artemis. I know it comes across a bit in this chapter, but I am a firm supporter of Robin/Starfire! Artemis needs someone special, but that someone won't be Robin. (Feel free to send ideas/opinions. It's still in the air if I'll couple her with someone.) Regardless, this will NOT be turning into a romance fic, as I don't even know how to write those.
Hope you enjoyed, and all reviews welcomed and taken seriously! I am completely open to ideas, questions, comments, and complaints.