Chapter 3
Raven woke to the sound of Starfire's ever chipper voice ringing in her ears. Still feeling the after effects of the poison that D-Hunter had used she was not in the best of moods. She rolled out of bed and immediately thought of Adrian.
"He was willing to risk everything to save me. His gamble with his Smite could have failed and then they would have both died;" she thought to herself.
"Friend Raven, Adrian has left a message for you;" bubbled Star.
"Where is he? I have a few things to discuss with him;" said Raven in curiosity.
"He left just a few minutes ago. He told me to give this to you before he left;" explained Star.
Raven took the sealed envelope and opened it. Inside was a ticket in the front row for Open Mic Night at Club Jump, with it was a letter:
"Hey Darlin'
I volunteered for the annual Open Mic Night fundraiser for the Endangered Youth Home here in Jump City. I was kinda hopin' you could bring your pretty self down to Club Jump and watch me perform. I'll see you there Hon.
Signed A&D"
She shook off the goose bumps that came every time he called her Darlin'. He wanted her to watch him perform it was the least she could do for the man who had saved her life. She had already heard him play and knew he was damn good.
"Well, What does it say Raven?" Asked Star a bit nosey.
"He wants me to come watch him play at Open Mic Night tonight;" said Raven still astounded that he had called her pretty, Of course he was using words like pretty and darlin' more frequently in reference to her lately since their talk on the roof.
"That's wonderful news he has asked you out on the date. Oh this is a joyous occasion we must prepare you for your date come me and the other girls are taking you to the mall. We will do your nails, and your hair, and then there are clothes…" Yammered Star. Raven tried to speak but she just would not shut up, so she let herself be led out of the comfort of her room.
If there is one thing Raven learned about Star is over the years she has taken to Earth fashion like a demon to darkness. And when she had one of her fashionista moments she was a force to be reckoned with, it was best to just go with the flow.
Adrian plucked the strings on his guitar thoughtfully. He tried a series of difficult notes but did not like the way they sounded. He gazed out over the Jump City sky line thinking hard as to what
"Damn you are really effing dense do you know that? It has nothing to do with the sequence of notes or how the melody flows just as long as you play from your heart. Man you're a dumb ass;" said Devil sounding a little frustrated.
"Wow D that was really deep. Who are you and what have you done to the homicidal lunatic in my head?" Asked Adrian sarcastically.
With that aside he picked up his guitar once more and began to play without trying to restrain his music to the guidelines he was taught. Then he began to sing the words coming to him easily.
"Yes I think we've got it. She'll love this;" he said.
And so began the most torturous four hours in the history of the known multiverse. Raven had never been the mall type but was still amazed at how fast they had repaired the damage. There was almost no sign of what had happened the first day Adrian arrived.
They started off at a nail salon getting mani-pedi, Raven was already miserable; she hated to have people touching her feet. After the attendants spent nearly half an hour cleaning, buffing, and polishing their nails, Raven had both the ones on her hands and yes the ones on her feet painted a dark almost black blue. She listened while the others chattered with the attendants.
Then there was the Hair Salon where the hair dresser was oh so happy to finally get the chance to help Raven change her look. She did a damn good job too; she put her hair into a tight bun on top of her head leaving two thick strands to fall on each side framing her face; then she topped it all off with a pair of dark lapis lazuli hair sticks through the bun.
They then traveled across the mall to the clothing store. As they walked into the shop Raven leaned her head toward Terra.
"How are we going to pay for all this stuff?" Asked Raven extremely confused.
"Robin issued one of these to every Titan. You haven't even seen yours because you never go out unless it's on mission. You never go shopping. You just stay in your room and hell I have no idea what it is you do in there, but I have yours here go find something you like, hell go find several somethings you like;" said Terra handing Raven a credit card stamped with her name baring the Wayne Enterprises symbol.
"It has no spending limit so don't worry about over doing it;" smiled Bumble-Bee.
Raven took the card and made her way to the back of the store.
"Hell if I had known about this I would have been using this to buy spell components;" she thought.
She wound her way through the racks of clothes not having the slightest clue what she should buy.
"Can I help you find something miss?" Said a small voice.
"Raven; my name is Raven, and yes you can. I'm preparing for my first date and I've never done anything like this so… I could use a little help;" smiled Raven to the little thirteen year old girl.
She grew rigid at the mention of her name. Raven at first thought she was afraid until the girl let loose a Starfire worthy squeal of delight.
"Amazing, I've seen the other Titan girls here before, but I never thought I'd see you here. . God. Don't you worry Raven I'll help you out girl. Follow me have I got some things for you. My name is Stephany by the way;" Chattered the girl.
"Well Stephany lead the way;" Laughed Raven at her enthusiasm…
Later that night Adrian prepared for the one thing he felt comfortable doing in front of other people. When he sang in public his shy nature just disappeared; this way he can communicate his feelings better than if he was actually speaking.
He traded his hoodie in for a tight fitting white tee with the same cross and wings design. He relaxed his nerves by lightly playing his guitar. He hopes that she likes his song and is not scared away by the forwardness of it. Then he heard it his stage name being called.
"Ladies and Gentlemen allow me to introduce a first timer for our event He's the newest Titan in town, his name is Devil but his stage name is Cajun Devil;" said the stage announcer.
"Well its do or die time;" smiled Adrian as he stepped out into the sound of polite applause.
Raven was seated at the end of a cat walk attached to the front of the stage. When Adrian stepped onto the stage after the announcer's Introduction Raven's breath hitched, Adrian was dressed in a white tee with the same cross and wings design as his black hoodie. He had his steel gray guitar on the shoulder strap slung low and plugged in. He was ready to play.
He began a slow and soulful melody that suddenly increased in rhythm and aggression. It was a strange but appealing combination of raw sensuality and deep primal need. Then he walked down the cat walk right to where Raven was sitting flashed her a wicked grin and began to sing.
"I feel it inside burning like a hot southern sun;
And I see you and know I'm not the only one;
I know you are afraid to take that step and take a stand;
You don't have to do it alone Darlin' take my hand.
I know something that will make this simple;
Don't think just act on Impulse
Stand up if you can feel that fire;
Lift your voice let it take you higher;
Give up don't deny no more;
Come on honey give me some more.
I feel the heat burning into the night;
Let's keep it going till the morning light;
I feel you tremble when I brush your skin;
The perfect smell of the sweetest sin.
I know something that will make this simple;
Don't think just act on impulse.
Stand up if you can feel that fire;
Lift your voice let it take you higher;
Give up don't deny no more;
Come on honey give me some more."
Sang Adrian, his voice was warm and powerful. It wasn't deep nor was it overtly feminine. It vibrated deep into Raven's bones, awakening her from the inside. Like his guitar playing it was both sensual and primal.
He played for a few more minutes and with wail of his guitar his song was over.
"So what did you think me, petite?" he asked silkily.
"I…um…Why you!" Growled Raven using her powers to slap Adrian across the face she then turned and ran out of the club.
Adrian held his red marked cheek with a dazed dreamy look on his face.
"Yeah D it's official I'm in love;" he said matter-of-factly.