CHAPTER 18: HARSH WORDS

Beast boy's face lit up when he saw Raven approach them. Finally! He wondered why she ended work later than usual today. But that doesn't matter now, she's here and they can finally sit down to eat dinner. On his request, the Titans had waited for Raven to join them before they can even take a bite out of their cheese toast.

He watched Raven scan the logs for a place to sit. Beast boy waved her over, but for some reason, she did not notice … or pretended not to notice. He saw her eyes rest on him and his frantic waving and patting of the empty spot beside him but then, she looked away quickly.

Raven picked up a bit of toast and turned away from the group. "I'm going to meditate."

Then, nibbling lightly on the crust, she walked away deeper into the forest.

Beast boy frowned, was something wrong? Or maybe he was thinking too much. Raven had always had her own preferences and mood swings, he shouldn't be surprise. But he felt a sense of loneliness without her sitting beside him like the other night.

Finishing his toast, Beast boy left to search for Raven. Maybe, whatever's bothering her, they could talk it out.

"Raven? Raven?" he called, trudging through the thick forest floor and pushing aside vegetation.

The sky was turning dark and Beast boy felt a chill run up his spine. Had something happened to her? It was so quiet, the only sounds here in the forest, were crickets and other insects.

"Raven?" he cried.

"Raven …" he whispered as he kept his eyes to the ground, letting the moonlight lead the way. He had no idea how much time had passed or how deep inside he went. But he felt afraid, he was alone, cold and in the dark.

"Ra - AAAaaah!" Beast boy shrieked as something dark shot down from the trees right in front of him! He fell backwards, stumbling over huge tree roots.

Lifting her head, her pale face was illuminated in the moonlight. Her violet eyes shone with irritation and she had a cloak billowing around her. She looked frighteningly stern and … not very happy.

"Raven? Dude! You almost scared me to death!" Beast boy cried.

"What do you want?" she asked quietly, yet, with just the tiniest bit of hostility.

"I … uh … came to check on you. You were gone for so long …" stammered Beast boy.

Raven took a step forward and gave him a long hard stare, "Next time, just don't bother."

"But -"

"It frustrates me when people disturb my peace and quiet." Raven cut him off, "You of all people should know that." she said, irritation clearly evident in her tone. And with that, she brushed him aside and strode away quickly, yet silently, her cloak flying behind her as she did.

Beast boy stared as she disappeared into the dark shadows of the night. What had gotten in to her? He hoped the old woman wasn't giving her a hard time at work. But she seemed nice, so he highly doubted that was the reason. Perhaps some angry customer had tried to boss her around? That would most likely be the case but even so, Raven wasn't one to let little things like that get to her.

It took a while for him to find his way back to the Titans. But when he transformed into a dog, he eventually located their scent and followed it back. It was surprised to see Raven already there, and marveled at how fast she could get back. The best thing was, that now, she was talking to Robin and Starfire happily, while helping Cyborg rebuild the fallen tent that Beast boy had accidentally knocked down during the day.

Smiling, he went up to join them.

"Beast boy, where've you been?" Robin asked when he saw him come.

"Around."

"Fine, just help Raven collect the big leaves." Robin instructed.

Beast boy nodded and went over to Raven who was picking up the big pieces of leaves for the roof of the tent. Seeing Beast boy, annoyance suddenly flashed across her face before being replaced by a neutral expression. Beast boy stopped suddenly.

"Is he supposed to help me?" she asked, calling out to Robin.

"Yes, friend Raven." Starfire confirmed while Robin nodded.

Raven frowned, "I can do this on my own." Then, she surrounded those leaves with her powers and arranged them neatly in a roof shape, before settling them down on the frame of the tent. Cyborg proceeded to tie the leaves together.

Raven then, without even a single glance at Beast boy, walked away.

Beast boy blinked and started to walk after her, but Raven seemed to know he was following her so she looked back and gave him a glare. He decided it was best to leave her on her own.

But why was she being like this? Hurt, and confused, Beast boy turned away towards the forest again.

He couldn't for life, understand why Raven was being like this? He climbed up a tree and rested there, hoping, everything would be fine and cleared up in the morning.

"So, my dear!" The old woman said as she handed her the glass vial. "Did you have a good rest?"

Raven drank the liquid down and nodded, smiling.

"How wonderful!" the old woman then hurried over to Raven, taking the empty vial and whispering, "You know, dear, I have a surprise for you!"

Raven tilted her head a little, pondering. A surprise?

"Come morrow, you shall attend the ball and -"

"But wait. Don't I need a gown?" Raven asked.

"Yes, patience, dear, I am coming to that. Today, you are supposed to pick your dress, but I have decided, you shan't!"

Raven looked at the cheerful old woman. Was she saying that she will be unable to sell the gowns to her? But why?

"I have decided, I shall make you a gown!" the old woman laughed lightly at her expression.

Raven smiled back and her tensed shoulders relaxed. She thought she was going to fail her mission. And how nice of her to make a special gown for her! So for the next half an hour, the old woman took Raven's measurements, wrote notes on her features and sketched out a rough design of the outline of the dress, saying she will start sewing tonight when Raven leaves.

Then, she remembered, the rest of the Titans. She can't be the only one going to the ball! They all had to be present to protect the Royal family! So, while the old woman was scribbling something on a piece of parchment, Raven asked whether the other Titans' clothes will also be specially tailored by her.

But the old woman shook her head, and the cheerful smile slipped away suddenly when Raven asked, but came back on again just as quickly.

"They'll have to buy, dear."

"Will you lower the prices?" Raven wanted to know.

The old woman blinked and looked unwilling but eventually nodded her head when Raven put on her most hopeful expression. She breathed a silent sigh of relief. Tonight, when she collected her last ten shillings. She will have thirty shillings in all. Hopefully enough for at least three people. The other one can probably keep watch if there was one that did not have a gown or suit.

Raven hummed as she worked, while the old woman talked. Most of the time, the conversation revolved around the masquerade balls … and Prince Alexander. Raven's heart skipped a beat whenever the old woman mentioned his name, and she found herself to be fantasizing about him during work.

Then, the old woman wanted to know about the Teen Titans.

"Well … Robin's our leader. He can be very serious," Raven said, "But he's a good and loyal friend." she added. Then smiling, "He's also in love with Starfire."

The old woman chuckled, "Young love, how sweet. Tell me dear, do you like anyone now?"

Raven paused, her fingers stopped moving. Did she like anyone? She wasn't so sure … Then blushing, she realised a voice in her head kept calling out Prince Alexander's name. But she couldn't admit that, it was just too strange … and embarrassing. However, there was some sort of fog in her mind too, it acted like a curtain, as if covering up something … or someone …

"No." Raven finally said, then she continued her work.

"Ah well," the old woman sighed, "The time will come soon. Now tell me about this Starfire."

She smiled, thinking about the Tamaranian whom she was strangely fond of, "We're close … since we're the only girls in our group of friends. And she's nice and so happy. You can throw a stone at her but she'll still be smiling."

The old woman nodded, "She must be a very special friend."

"She is." Raven agreed, "Then, there's Cyborg. He's a whiz at science and all things modern." She really couldn't say technology or go on about his computer games since she was sure the old woman wouldn't understand, not in this era anyway.

"I see, the bright one."

"Yes."

After a moment's silence, the old woman spoke up, "What about that young lad?"

"The young lad?" Raven frowned, then she realised who she was talking about, "Oh."

Well, what about him? She really did not know how to answer. For some reason, she didn't really like Beast boy, hated him in fact, but then, she felt that saying that, would somehow be lying to herself.

"I … don't know."

The old woman looked at her quizzically, "You dislike him, don't you?"

Raven nodded, then shook her head, "Yes, wait, I mean … no. But …"

Then, she felt a headache coming on. Finally, she took her deep breath and suddenly, some strange sensation came over her and she knew what was the answer, "Yes. I dislike him."

She thought she almost saw the old woman smile.

"Alright dear, that will be all. Bring your friends over so they can pick their gowns or suits." the old woman said, stopping her from her stitching. Raven nodded and disappeared out of the shop.

The old woman wanted to laugh. All was going well, the child trusted her, and she had successfully gotten rid of that connection between her and that boy and now, she was almost certainly in love with the young prince.

And tomorrow night, if everything goes to plan, the prince will also fall under her spell, Raven's spell. The old woman smiled, she would make Raven the most beautiful lady at the ball.

In about fifteen minutes, Raven's friends arrived. What an odd bunch, thought the old woman. One was big and bulky but wearing long sleeves and a huge hat which kept his face in the shadows. And one was well-toned but skinny and was holding hands with a red-haired pretty girl with the sweetest smile. Raven stood at the front, leading them all in and the old woman had noticed, the Boy was trailing behind the whole group, looking glum.

Each of her friends greeted her politely and the old woman faced them all with smiles. It was important to keep up a convincing and good front. Then, Raven whispered how many clothes can they buy with thirty shillings.

The old woman pondered this. She didn't care for money, with a snap of her fingers, she could have more, but she didn't want a certain lad to go to ball. Even though Raven had drank the potion, and it was evidently working, there might still be a small chance for him to mess things up.

Then, the young lad who was holding the girl's hand came over and started to plead. He even offered up some … berries and a weapon-like thing, shaped in a curve and unlike any she's seen before. The old woman relented, after all, how much trouble can just one boy cause? So she told the both of them that thirty shillings, the berries and the weapon would be enough for each of them to buy something.

Robin shook her hand and smiled his thanks. Raven smiled also.

Finally, once everyone had gotten what they wanted, they paid her and left the shop, each thanking her.

When they all left, Raven went off to. The old woman locked the doors up quickly. Now, it was time to work.

This was going to take all night, but it was worth it, the old woman would gladly do it. Making a dress wasn't hard, not for her, who's had years and years of practice, but this one was special. This was going to be the most elaborate dress she's ever created, and it will be tailored, just specially for Raven.

The old woman drew out a yarn of gold and a shiny silver needle, and began to sew.

A/N: Thank you so much for being patient! I'm trying my best, I really am! But ugh! I have a Math paper tomorrow then Geography! So I must study. I may not be able to update so often but I will definitely try. To all those who are having exams too, good luck and keep calm! All the best! :)