"Breathe in…" A soothing chorus of inhalations held for a few seconds at Raven's instruction. "... And out…"
Raven was hovering cross-legged on the grassy patches of her sanctuary. In front of her was a colorful handful of young magic users, following her lead.
It had been a couple of weeks since Starfire proposed to Robin. Thus, her friends must be in the trenches of stressful wedding planning.
"Inhale and focus on your breath," she instructed, restarting the process. "When you exhale, release all the tension that you've been carrying around. Just let it go."
The group took a few deep breaths and let out a collective sigh. Raven used to look introspectively for that calmness. After all she had gone through, it was refreshing to find calmness from the external as well.
She smiled at her guests - many of them former mentees. After going through all of the rest, her gaze ended on Traci Thirteen. "There you go. That wasn't so bad, was it?"
The rumble of engines sounded as a jet lifted off with all but one of Raven's guests a few hours later.
Making themselves comfortable in the hut, Raven had offered Traci a cup of herbal tea, telekinetically handing it to her.
Raven was about to sit on her chair, only to find Traci's lizard familiar sauntering on it.
"Leroy!" Traci beckoned, casting a spell to levitate Leroy out of the chair and on to a plant, to his cheeky disgruntlement, now dangling on a stem in search of something interesting to fondle.
"So, what do you think?" Raven, now seated, asked the young magician. "Does it feel like a sustainable service?"
Traci nodded after a sip. "It's simple, but effective. Personally, you know my urban magic depends on busyness, but you've always recommended I explore different avenues of connecting with and disconnecting from my magic source."
Traci glanced at Raven's cup levitating between her hands before looking back at her face, devoid of tiredness.
"Tell me," Traci began, "After going through Doctor Fate's numbing spell to simmer down your powers, do you still recommend doing that?"
Raven huffed, considering her query.
"It depends on the person and the situation. Some people find it helpful to disconnect from their magic in order to focus and learn, or to simply take a break from wielding such power. For others, it can be a disruptive force that interferes with their ability to perform at their best. But, a balance must still be maintained." Raven summoned her cup to her lips for a sip. "As for me, putting my powers on a chokehold was always going to lead to consequences in one way or another.
"I relied on the numbing spell for far too long, and lacked faith in my other outlets amidst my turmoil."
"Robin told me about your projections."
At that, Raven released her cup from her telekinesis, now holding it in her hands.
"Sorry I never told you or Doctor Fate about it," she confessed, a look of guilt creeping up. "Apparently, the numbing only tames 99.9% of magic. Quite the disinfectant."
Traci almost did a spit take.
"Dang it, Raven, I forgot about your sarcasms!" She laughed.
Raven continued, "It was irresponsible of me on multiple levels. For one, something more drastic could have happened to me. And, it took weeks to regain my powers. Perhaps there's a missing gap there for catering services to varying magic users for rehabilitating situations like mine. A talk with Doctor Fate on that should get that ball rolling."
Traci raised her eyebrows in agreement.
"After all of that, you still inspire me," Traci admitted. "It can't be easy wielding so much power but not wanting to unleash them, and thus bottling up your emotions seemed to have always been the go-to."
Raven sighed. "As cliche as it is, love is indeed the most powerful force…"
Traci looked down at her finished cup of tea, staring at the leftover leaves, wondering if she could read her future in them.
"That look on your face." Raven uttered. "How are you and Blue Beetle?"
Traci looked up. For a brief moment, her face lit up at the mention of her boyfriend's name, but just as quickly dimmed.
"He's amazing, but seeing the result of you and Gar's relationship makes me hesitate to… you know… go further."
Traci was caught off-guard when Raven leaned forward, and grabbed Traci's hand firmly. They locked eyes.
Wanting to be heard loud and clear, Raven articulated, "Don't hesitate. While you should be reasonably wary, there's no point in always putting your guard up if you know you can't do it on your own."
Raven heard a hiss. She glanced at the iguana glaring at her.
"Okay, you've got Leroy, but you know you need someone to love like you do Blue Beetle. Traci, I may not be your mentor anymore, but you can still learn from me. From my experiences."
Traci smiled, radiating thankfulness. She wanted to point out how there was a positive change in Raven's aura, but that was disrupted by the opening of a portal outside their hut. Traci did not recognize the woman that stepped out of that portal, but she noted she did resemble Raven a bit.
"Is that…?" She looked at Raven, emerging out of the hut and flying toward the woman.
"Mother?" Raven asked as the portal closed, and Arella stood, finding her ground before greeting Raven. "What are you doing here?"
Raven got a closer look at her mother. She still had her cloak on, but her hair was not full-on straight like she'd always known it. It had been intentionally curled up at the ends, as if she had gotten a slight makeover.
"I wasn't sure whether you were busy or not, so I took my chances," Arella replied. She noticed Traci behind Raven. "Are you currently occupied?"
Traci raised her hands in a disarming, reassuring manner. "All good, ma'am. I can go. We were just finishing up."
Leroy the iguana scuttled from her back to her shoulder, surprising Arella.
Raven glanced at her former mentee, narrowing her eyes at her. "... The jet's left, so is Leroy gonna…?"
Traci smiled. "Can he?"
Raven sighed. "Just, make sure he doesn't burn anything on the way out."
Still out of the loop, Arella gasped as Raven pulled her back, and the iguana walked to Traci's outstretched palm. He hopped out, and began to mutate.
Leroy became engorged, his tiny green scales growing as wings protruded out of his back, and his teeth and claws sharpened.
He roared as he flapped his reptilian wings. Traci held on to his tail and he whipped it, with Traci landing on his back as he soared.
"Can't wait for the next session, Raven!" she yelled as Leroy flew out.
Arella was still wide-eyed.
"That's quite a dramatic exit," Raven uttered before calm silence befell upon them once again. "Why are you here, mother?"
Arella took a deep breath. "I wanted to see you, apologize, and chat."
Arella was hesitant on how to approach her daughter in terms of gesture, considering the last awkward time they had reunited.
Raven looked out at the site where she had just ended her session, the mats still there.
"If you're open to it, we can talk while helping me tidy up?"
Arella smiled. "Gladly."
As they were cleaning up, Raven couldn't help but look at Arella's slightly altered style.
"Have you been spending time with Rita?" she asked. "I rarely see you, but you've always had your hair straight. And now it kind of looks like Rita's."
Arella looked bashful, but happy as well.
"Yes, actually. She and Steve had offered to keep in touch. They're wonderful people, especially Rita. Does that make you uncomfortable?"
Raven shook her head. "Not at all. In fact, that sounds nice."
She hesitated a bit.
"Your hair looks lovely."
Arella straightened up after bending down to pick up a mat. Her face glowed.
"Thanks, dear. How has your work been?"
Raven shrugged, but her guard down. "Wonderful."
After minutes of catching up, they were almost finished when Arella switched topics.
"May I ask about Gar?"
Raven stopped. She wasn't alert, but she was mildly curious.
"Um, sure. I haven't seen him in a while."
"That's a good thing, yes?"
Raven nodded. The two were now standing on the open field.
"I actually want to read Gar's letter to you," Arella added, revealing the letter that had been passed to her.
Raven stared at the open envelope, curiosity building.
"But why? Not that I don't want to see it. I kind of do."
"Rita thinks I ought to. For never having met me, Gar seems to be able to express feelings I struggle to articulate."
A smile almost escaped Raven.
"Okay, let's hear it."
Raven summoned chairs for them to sit on as Arella unfolded the letter.
"Dear Arella
Thank you for taking this letter, and if you accepted my friends' invitation to Raven's party, thank you for that as well.
If you declined, that's okay as well. But that means you're not up to speed with Raven's life. I'm Gar. As of writing this, I'm her lovable shapeshifting green-skinned elflike doofus of a boyfriend and part of the group of buttkicking superheroes with her as the Titans. But as of you're reading this, I no longer am. Because by the flaws in my altered genetic design, I have kicked the bucket. That means I'm dead, in case Azarath doesn't do Earth idioms.
Why am I writing to you, you ask? Simple. We never got to meet even though I desperately want to. After all, Raven did not get her beauty from Trigon."
Both Azarathians' cheeks flushed light red. With that one sentence, Gar had managed to compliment both his girlfriend and her mother. They read on.
"And I want to connect with as many parts of her life as possible. But she's been more open to engaging herself in my life than allowing me to engage in hers. Sadly, that can't happen anymore. Because life. Because death.
You will sadly never be my mother-in-law, but that doesn't mean you still can't forge new friendships with my family members - the Titans, and the Doom Patrol (I don't have any biological family left). Raven's been reluctant despite my constant encouragement. Now that I've run out of time, I'm taking matters into my own hands.
Raven cares about you. She talks about you now and then and how much she misses you, just wishing you'd get past your guilt of being with Trigon. Because of looming in that guilt, there's a sense of regret that you'd ever given birth to Raven. And that's only matched by her guilt of being Trigon's gem. Despite being vigilantly excellent at facing her demons, unfortunately Raven struggles with facing her angels.
Well, I'm proud to inform you that over the past few years, I've worked my tail off making Raven realise that she has nothing to feel guilty for. We Titans have celebrated Raven's birthday with so much gusto that in some years, I look forward to her birthday more than mine (only some years, because let's not get ahead of ourselves - I've had some bitchin' birthdays thanks to the Titans and Raven!).
And neither should you feel guilty, Mama Arella. You may feel like the most horrible person in the entire dimension, but everyone makes mistakes, especially when manipulated. Hey, I almost caused a nationwide virus epidemic by infecting my friend Cyborg all because of a video game. We've all been there in some form. The fact that you feel so much remorse is why you're far from a horrible person.
To be fair, I understand Raven's reason for staving off the 'Meet the Parents' after the last experience with her dad. Fun fact: I gave him the wettest of willies!"
Arella giggled while Raven rolled her eyes with a snicker.
"It's not about me, and it's not about you. Again, it's too late to meet you now, and I don't regret respecting her choices, but it's not too late to rekindle. And I highly recommend it. I don't know if you want to (I hope you do), but hearing from Raven, I feel she really does. After all, she will always be your baby."
Raven groaned at the reference. Under her breath, she mumbled, "Gar, I swear…"
Arella looked up at her. "Sorry, what?"
"Nothing. Carry on."
Arella shrugged, flipping the letter around. "That's the end of it. It ends with 'With you claw-ways' and a cute drawing of, I presume a raven. I understand 'kicked the bucket', but what is 'claw-ways'?"
Raven sighed, her reaction out of adoration and a smidge of annoyance. "It's a thing he does."
Arella chuckled. "He's quite cheeky, and definitely wears his heart on his sleeve. But the manner in which he hopes to connect with me, is how I've been meaning to connect with you."
Arella's eyes quivered, and Raven noticed.
"Raven, the more time I spend with the Doom Patrol, the more used to Earth I am becoming. So, instead of you returning to Azarath, I am willing to visit Earth more often instead. If you will have me back in your life, that's a promise I will make. To visit you, and we can do Earth activities, I don't know…"
"Then…"
Raven stood up, pulling the hood of her cloak back on, concealing her face. Arella got up as well, alarmed by this, worried that Raven was retreating once more.
Raven continued, "Then… I look forward to showing you around."
Arella smiled, and she couldn't see it, but Raven reciprocated said smile.
Raven walked to her mother and held the letter, as if feeling Gar's presence on its ink, recalling his message.
With a single nod, she said, "You know what? My session for the week just ended. I'm going with you back to Azarath today."
Arella blinked, unsure if she misheard her daughter. Raven was already walking on a more open field, her eyes glowing with portal-summoning magic.
She looked back at her mother as a vortex revealed itself. "Let's go, mom. I'm still regaining this part of my powers, so I'm gonna need your help."
The quiver in Arella's eyes instantly went away, and in their place a glistening. Arella arrived by Raven's side, committed to rekindling their mother-daughter relationship as she summoned a portal with help from Raven as they both set foot into it.