Chapter Three
Robin was busy poring over a clipboard, marking things off. The gentle morning breeze wafted in through the open garage door as the leader of the Titans found himself in the launching room for the T-Ship. It was a large room of steel with high vaulted ceilings covered by industrial rafters of immense strength. The T-Ship had been pulled forward. Together, Raven and Cyborg were placing cargo in the storage units on each quadrant. Cyborg had asked Beast Boy to 'shine the headlights' just to keep him out of the way, but still the small boy took pride as he stood on his step stool, wiping the ship so shiny. Robin paced as he checked off another box. However, he noticed purple boots shifting just beyond his clipboard. When he looked up, he was confronted with Starfire, who had that eternally sad look etched on her face. It sincerely pained him in his gut to know she was unhappy. He would go to the edges of the world, even the universe, if it meant making Starfire her bubbly-self again. The idea of Starfire leaving the Teen Titans still hadn't quite sunk in on Robin. He couldn't imagine the team without her. There'd be an empty seat in the T-Car and an empty quadrant in the T-Ship. There'd be an extra bedroom at the end of the hall. But the worst of all; there'd be no Starfire. Robin didn't want to think about it, but it was crashing in on him as he looked at her emerald green eyes.
"I do not think it is necessary that all of you go with me," Starfire told him. "The city needs you more."
"Already called Titans East," Robin replied, lowering his clipboard to his side. "Jump City is just a leap away for them. We want to go with you, Star. This is important."
"I must apologize," Starfire lowered her head. "I should have been honest with you sooner. Then our goodbye's would not have to feel so rushed."
"It's not goodbye yet, we're going," Robin said. "It's not our first rodeo on Tamaran."
Starfire blinked for a moment. "I do not know what that refers to, but I fear things may be different than last time."
"Last time we were there, a maniacal jewel-swiping sorceress was power crazy on the throne and had us thrown in jail and tried to marry you off to a blob," Robin managed a weak grin. "I think, this time, arriving with the soon-to-be Queen, it will be very different. In a good way."
Starfire smiled for a moment and turned to look at the T-Ship. Cyborg had plugged a rolling computer into a side panel, doing a final diagnostic before engine start up. "I only wish I did not have to burden all of you with the things that are from my past. I thought if I did not think about any of this, that day would never come. I thought I could run away from it and I have bound the rest of you in my problems."
"That's not how we see it, Star," Robin placed his shoulder on her shoulder. "We all knew you were a princess. The people are ready to accept you."
"Yes, but will they?" Starfire drooped at the thought. "I have been working so hard to assimilate to earth-people's customs and their traditions. They may see me no better than a traitor or even worse... a Troq."
"That's not true. You're a hero. The rest of us can attest to that."
The T-Ship began to hiss to life as Cyborg clambered into his compartment, tapping away at the control console. "I only wish the task of becoming Queen was as easy as being your friend, Robin."
...
The ship was rather silent once they left earth's atmosphere. Around them, the silent vacuum of space only pronounced the quietness amongst the team. Robin tilted his head to look towards Starfire. She was busy watching a belt of meteors. He gripped the wheel of his console tight as they navigated through the belt, separating the quadrants of worlds. No matter how many times the Titans took to space, the abundance, the utter size, never faded. Around them it was a dizzying encirclement of stars and planets and soaring rocks. There was no rhyme or reason to any of it. They could swear planets were upside down. They passed many worlds, some they recognized. But the abundance of space reminded them just how minuscule they were in the grand scheme of things. As they pressed on through the silent space, the stillness in the T-Ship waned on.
Starfire fell back in her cushy chair fearing it was the last time she'd ever sit in it and feel its splendor. As she stole glances towards the other quadrants of the ship that contained her friends, she couldn't help but feel like sinking, like a rock in water. She thought about how she'd never again hear a cheeky joke from Beast Boy. Or how Cyborg would never give her pointers on cooking or throwing a football ever again. Starfire would miss all the depressing caffeine trips to Raven's favorite coffee house and the fun snapping after someone read about their misery. But most of all, she'd miss Robin. The leader of the team was staring aimlessly into the abundance of space, his face hard and stoic. Never again would Starfire hear that raspy familiar voice. Never would she feel the warmth of his body beside her. Starfire's heart thundered in her chest and she cast her eyes down. She felt like there was still so much to do and there were many things she'd miss out on.
The white and dark streaked familiar planet began to grow in size before them. Starfire was stiff in her seat, knowing the planet she had learned to call home was very far away now. As Cyborg began to engage the rockets to steady them above the landing pads, Starfire was absolutely motionless. If anything, she felt like she would be sick. Starfire gripped the wheel in her quadrant, trying to steady her breath as she felt the T-Ship descend. So many memories flew past her in that moment. She could see Robin smiling with his face tilted up into the golden sun. She saw Beast Boy morphing into a cheetah and sliding between Cyborg's legs during an intense basketball game. She saw Cyborg deftly spinning a pizza like a ball on the tip of his mechanical finger. And she saw Raven taking her time in a book store, comparing covers and feeling the embossing. Starfire's eyes grew misty and she took an uneven breath, lowering her head. She couldn't be queen, she thought to herself. She was a Teen Titan.
The T-Ship engines disengaged as the ship clunked onto the white and somewhat squishy landing pad. The entire ship groaned as the functions shuddered to a stop. Starfire could feel her hands shaking as she reached up, unclasping her seatbelt. She looked out the window to see the tall doors of the kingdom opening. She let out a sigh and lowered her head, her strawberry red hair falling around the frame of her face. She should have been happy, she told herself. On Earth, there were several enchanting stories of girl's wanting to be a princess. Starfire only wished she could have told someone about the actual burden it was. From across the T-Ship, Robin stole glances at Starfire's unhappy demeanor as he and Cyborg finalized the ships landing. The ship hissed as the window pods opened. Beast Boy stretched upwards and glanced at the sky. Raven lifted herself weightlessly from the ship, standing on the edge and watching the guards with long pikes approach.
Starfire lifted herself from her seat, bumping her knee against the console control. She looked over the dash of wacky lights and intricate mapping systems before she sighed and let herself down from the ship. The guards stared pensively at her as she approached with the group of her friends not far off her heels. They were all so tall. Beast Boy sheepishly rubbed the nape of his neck upon realizing he was at least two feet shorter than the fierce looking protectors of Tamaran. After a beat, however, the guards all fell to their knees.
"Princess Koriand'r, welcome home, Your Majesty," The leader of the guards said, holding his elaborate pike encrusted with gems at his side.
"Koriand'r? Like... the spice?" Beast Boy furrowed his brow, but Raven elbowed him in the side.
"Your Majesty, we are preparing the Klorthog for your arrival," The guard continued. "Let us take you to your chambers."
"Star, wait," Robin came forward as Starfire took a few paces. He reached for her arm and remembered as soon as he brushed her skin, he wasn't supposed to do that. The guards lurched towards him, drawing their pikes up around the team. Robin leapt back, holding his hands up where they could see them. Starfire's large eyes looked passively between the guards. She seemed utterly drained.
"At ease," Starfire said and after a moment, in unison, the guards stood at attention. "My friends are most honored guests on our planet. Please see to it that they are treated as such."
"Yes, Your Majesty," The guards saluted crisply.
"Starfire," Robin was quick to follow in her steps as she approached the tall gated walls of the city. The structure was so massive, it made everyone feel rather minuscule. "What's going to happen next? What's a 'Klorthog'?" He furrowed his brow as he looked at the side of her face. He had never seen such a stony expression before. From behind, Cyborg, Raven, and Beast Boy didn't trail too many feet back. They all glanced hesitantly at the guards as they came closer to Starfire's home kingdom. Above them, a swirling sky of purples greeted them with beautiful clusters of stars. But it all seemed not to matter in that moment. Starfire paused at the gates, seeing just beyond the threshold the bustle of Tamaran. People of similar purple clothes whizzed by and the city seemed to be alive with energy despite the waning day.
"It is an annual feast," Starfire turned to Robin, looking at him with a still expression. Beneath everything, however, Starfire's heart was bleeding and looking at Robin only made it worse. "It usually begins sooner than this. But tradition states it can only begin with the ruler's permission."
"Star, it's all happening so fast..." Robin shook his head. "Will you become Queen tonight?"
"Of course not," Starfire replied. "That is but a separate event."
A guard appeared behind the couple, gesturing forward with his pike. "Come along, Your Majesty. A tailor awaits you in your chambers to fit you in the ceremonial gown."
"Star, wait," Robin reached his hand out, stopping just short.
"I am sorry, Robin," She turned her head away, doing her best to keep the tears at bay. "We can speak later."
"Starfire!" Robin shouted, but the guards formed a wall around the thin girl and they disappeared into the crowd of people who lifted themselves from the ground to get even a glance at the fresh arrival of Princess Koriand'r. The leader of the Titans sagged his shoulders, watching as she disappeared amongst the throngs of gathering Tamaraneans. Raven, Beast Boy, and Cyborg came to stand beside the deflated Robin.
"So... what now?" Raven asked, casting a glance at the lingering guards who eyed the group just as much.
"I guess we get ready for the Klorthog?" Beast Boy shrugged.
"We shall show you to your chambers," A guard said, brushing past them. "It is important you stay out of Princess Koriand'r's way during your stay. Only speak when spoken to. Use of one's powers is strictly prohibited within the city walls. The curfew is nine o'clock sharp and curtains for one's private living chambers must be closed by no later than ten o'clock with absolutely no light shedding out from the windows."
"Why's that?" Robin cocked a bold brow up, glancing towards the tall and slender guard.
"It is a matter of security," The guard replied, showing them towards an interestingly shaped building, that almost twisted like a tangled tree branch. It was in close proximity to the castle which only accentuated how small the building seemed. It was painted a beige shade and was darkened and damaged in some parts of the color. "This is where distinguished guests of the throne reside." The guard stamped his pike to the ground, turning towards the rather tense Titans. "Despite being honored residents of Her Majesty, you are not permitted to enter the castle without an escort. Your meals shall be taken in the royal dining hall with Princess Koriand'r. You are not permitted to be alone with Her Majesty at any time. Any concerns or requests you think to make must be directed towards only the civilian soldiers you'll find in the city itself. Never must a complaint be waged against Her Majesty. Do you understand the terms of your stay?"
"Uh... yeah," Cyborg nodded, sheepishly running his hand along his smooth head. "Though, to be honest, you have more rules than the hotels on earth do."
"Dinner shall be served in promptly two hours. Please be in your room to be escorted by the castle staff. Good day," The guard walked away stiffly and the team took a moment to eye their new residence that resembled more of a dying tree trunk rather than a T. They then looked at each other.
"I wonder what's for dinner," Beast Boy said, taking the first steps to lead the Titans into their accommodations.
"It'd be best to probably not think about it," Raven drew her hood down around her shoulders.
Upon opening the front door, the Teen Titans were greeted by a long and windy flight of stairs that hugged the narrow walls and lead upwards. Everyone was somewhat exhausted by the time they reached the plain wood door at the top. They all breathed a sigh of relief, however, upon being greeted with a moody purple room. Four round beds cluttered the perimeter with inviting velvet blankets. There were some tables with dewy, alien flowers and interesting looking glazed rolls awaiting the guests in wicker baskets. Robin felt his heart pang inside him as the room reminded him of Starfire's very particular taste in decor. Slowly, Robin approached one of the wall length windows, gazing down at the bustle of the street life. It seemed the grinning red headed and dark haired people were already chatting exuberantly as they funneled towards the large castle that was beginning to glow against the sanguine and purple swirled sky. How could it be? Robin thought to himself as his pensive face looked at nothing in particular. In just the matter of twenty-four hours, it seemed his entire world had been turned upside down. It was really beginning to set in on the young man that Starfire was going to be the Queen no matter what. And she wouldn't remain a Teen Titan. What would happen to the crime fighting group? Robin ground his teeth together. He was convinced they would never be whole without Starfire, but what could he do? For once in the martial artists life, he was backed against a corner with no way to leap out of it. This was really happening and there was nothing he could do to stop it or control it.
"Oh, man, these beds are awesome," Beast Boy sighed as he stretched out across one. He began to to tug at his shoelaces, however, from the table where she admired the flowers, Raven retied Beast Boy's shoes, shooting him a weary look. "The Tamaraneans might eat weird food and have an unhealthy obsession with purple, but there's one thing they do right and that's bed time." Beast Boy found himself cuddling up against the dozen of throw pillows.
"We got a good view," Cyborg said, coming to stand beside Robin. "I wonder how much regular alien tourists pay for a castle view?"
"This isn't vacation," Robin stated flatly, his eyes never leaving the kingdom sprawling before him.
"We know, Robin," Beast Boy sat up, balancing a pillow on his head. "But what can we do beside try to be light hearted? I mean, in a way, I'm happy for Starfire."
"Yes, but is Starfire happy?" Robin turned towards his team, gesturing widely with his arms. "Do you think she really wants this?"
"She has no choice," Raven looked over her shoulder.
"Well, if Wildfire was able to be found, Starfire wouldn't have to take the throne," Cyborg said, easing himself down onto the foot of another bed. "Only problem is the T-Ship navigation doesn't have anything beyond the Vegan System. We'd be going totally blind."
"The guards are watching us very closely," Raven shrugged her shoulders, allowing her dark blue cloak to encase her. "It's best we just wait until we know what Starfire wants to do."
"Yeah, Raven's right," Beast Boy nodded. "I'm sure Starfire already has a plan, anyway, Robin."
Robin pursed his lips and turned to watch the glowing castle in the evening light.
...
The ceremonial garb of Klorthog was exactly how Starfire had remembered in her youth. Her mother had worn it. When Blackfire had become tall enough, she also sported it at her celebration of becoming a full-fledged woman. It was a dark purple gown with gold embroideries that followed the hem of the flowing sleeves and long, languid skirt. Starfire stared pensively at herself in the mirror as the tailor fitted the gray belt around her waist to accentuate her slender figure. Not much needed to be altered besides drawing back the sleeves and only taking an inch or two from the length. Starfire was the closest in shape and size to her own mother. As the silky fabric ran against her skin, Starfire was flooded with memories of her late parents. She hadn't thought of them in quite some time. Briefly, she wondered if they had even crossed her mind since she took up residency on earth.
"That should be all the changes I should have to make," The tailor bowed and her crimson red hair fell over her shoulders. "Is Your Majesty happy with the adjustments?"
"I am, thank you," Starfire turned and swayed in the mirror though it did nothing to lift her spirits.
There came a knock on the door and immediately the tailor fell to her knees in respect as a tall, thin man with wispy red hair entered. His body was rigid in movement and sharp at his elbows and shoulders. He wore dark armor that protected his wiry body. The black satin gleamed in the overhead light of the royal chamber. He had been blinded in his left eye, with a scar that ran towards his jawline. It reminded Starfire of Galfore. She pursed her lips, however, watching as the man emerged into the large room. He held his hands respectfully clasped in front of him, his arms nearly swallowed by his over dramatic sleeves. He was watching Starfire intently with each growing step towards her. Starfire recognized him. It was Yalfore, a senior adviser to her parents, and a war buddy of Galfore's. She hadn't seen him in nearly five years.
"Greetings, Koriand'r," He said with a velvety voice that made the young girl want to shiver. "I trust your journey to Tamaran was safe and uneventful."
"It was, thank you. A pleasure to see you again, Yalfore," Starfire bowed and the man laughed stiffly.
"Please, please, young Koriand'r. You are the soon-to-be crowned Queen. It is I, your adviser, who shall bow to you."
"You have done so much for my family," Starfire told him. "It need not be that way, Yalfore."
"Princess, I know it is but your first day on Tamaran and the feast is on the horizon," Yalfore folded his hands behind his back, walking towards a window that overlooked the glittering town that surrounded the castle's tall structure. "But as the budding Queen, and as your adviser, I must ask... what are your first goals as the leader of this planet?"
Starfire turned towards the mirror, observing herself in the somewhat foreign feeling fabric. It felt so heavy against the frame of her body. She much preferred her normal gear that kept her light to her feet and the ability to maneuver. Beneath her mother's garb, she felt trapped. Starfire tilted her chin up in the reflection, however. "To find my brother, of course. And Blackfire."
"What will you do with them, Your Majesty?" Yalfore slowly looked over his shoulder with his single brazen eye.
"Wildfire is the rightful ruler of this kingdom," Starfire said, stiffening beneath her ceremonial gown. "I wish no more than to know Blackfire is unharmed."
"As you wish, Your Majesty," Yalfore turned and bowed. "The ceremony shall begin in the hour." And with that, his thin body began to move towards the door.
"May I ask that my friends be brought to my chambers?" Starfire turned, the skirt of her dress picking up air along her slender legs. Yalfore paused.
"Your friends shall be seated near you at Klorthog, it is only proper as imperial guests," Yalfore told her. "I believe, as your adviser, Your Majesty, you should spend some time alone. K'althore, we shall take our leave and leave Princess Koriand'r to herself." The tailor hastily followed in his wake and the doors shut, leaving Starfire all alone in the large room. The tall vaulted ceilings only pronounced her loneliness even more. A social bee, Starfire found herself utterly lost.
She hugged herself for a moment, the long fabrics ran against each other and crumpled. Starfire sighed, glancing around the familiar room, before she slowly found herself walking out on the balcony. It had been a long time since Starfire had been in Tamaran. Not since the sham of a marriage Blackfire thought she'd get away with. She inhaled deeply the sweet smelling evening of Tamaran. The large balcony budded wildly with the nearly lost fauna of the planet and she sighed at the thought of what her home planet had become. Beyond the rigid structures of where civilization lay, it was barren and nearly decrepit. It was not at all what she had grown up with. Starfire ran her hands to the railing and lowered her head, dearly wishing Robin would climb into the space with her. But her friends were amongst the glowing buildings and rich architecture that surrounded the castle. Her only solace was that she would see them at the annual Klorthog.