Variations on a Theme.

[insulatedraven]

Who: Raven.
What: Getting away from things.
When: Night, near midnight.
Where: Somewhere in Gotham, on top of a skyscraper.
Interactions: Red X, closed.
Warnings: There might be a lot of sexy in this thread.

Comments

[red_sex]

[No rest? Heh, yeah, that was the God's-honest-truth. Red X had been traveling from city to city with the inactivity of the do-gooder brigade, robbing a bank, casino, or any other challenging vault in every major city across the country. He had amassed millions of dollars now in stolen funds, all hidden in fake bank accounts under hacked names that didn't exist in the real world. It was all too easy, and he had enough money now to never work a day in the rest of his life. But really, why stop there? More money is always preferable to less money, and besides; robbing people blind was fun.

The anti-hero had snuck up on Raven, who seemed way too distracted to notice Red X approaching her like a wildcat stalking its prey. Raven, Starfire... they were both way too hot to be prancing about in a superhero entourage. Especially Raven; her personality didn't fit the whole 'justice for the sake of justice' persona. What kind of demon-princess enforces earthly law, anyway? It was an irony among ironies. She should be out seducing people into

[insulatedraven]

In all honesty, he had snuck up on her. Raven had only her careful schooling of her emotions to keep her from jumping in surprise. Even a reaction so innocuous could cause something horrible to happen on the other side of the world. Gently lowering herself to the ground, her boots landed with a clack! and she turned to face Red X, her mouth set in a grim line. Typical. Just like him to show up where he wasn't wanted.

"The 'boyscout' has nothing to do with it," she replied, impassively, though she could feel her temper raging slightly at the implication that she was anything to Robin other than a friend. Strangely enough, Red X was the only one with any such delusions. "I wouldn't waste my time coming after you. You'll get yourself caught, without my help."Raven eyed him warily, lowering her shoulders as she slid into a stance that was both balanced and feigning some sort of calm. She wasn't really in top form for a fight; hadn't slept in days, eating was just a matter of going through the motions .. But Raven couldn't imagine another

[red_sex]

Sure he didn't. Raven just wandered all the way to Gotham for the sake of a vacation, just as Red X happened to be there, and on the night he stole three quarters of a million dollars from a bailout fund. Just as the money was going to be delivered, there Red X was, swiping it right from under the nose of the business. It was absolutely hysterical; he only wished he could have been there to see their reaction, when they found the briefcase totally empty.

"Get myself caught? By who, a bunch of faceless cops?" Red X said, nearly laughing. If the Teen Titans couldn't stop him when they were united, how could a bunch of faceless Joes even cause him to break a sweat? "Simple. I caught wind of one of your group in the city, so I just had to find out which of Robin's little friends it was. Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be you."

[insulatedraven]

Was she never going to escape the idea that she was working ''for'' Robin? She had been the one who had gotten the gang back together in the first place, and now she was trapped, ever associated with the Teen Titans. It was a testament to his narcissism that he dared to think she was on that rooftop waiting for him, or even watching him. It was an insult, and under the surface, anger bubbled.

"You'll get caught somehow. They always do in the end," she replied, with a hint of weariness in her voice. Tracking down criminals .. was that really her purpose in life? Robin was the one with the passion, passion that had been passed on to him by Bruce Wayne. Kori would follow Robin to the end of the earth. Beast Boy & Cyborg were on their own planet. But Raven. Was she really meant to be tracking down scum like Red X for the rest of her (extended) life?

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "What is that supposed to mean? I would have thought you would want me to be Starfire, the way you gape and gasp over her. I'm sorry to be such a disappointment

[red_sex]

Red X shook his head at first. He wasn't going to answer her. They may always get caught in the end, but he doesn't. He's evaded every one of the Titans' best efforts, took down police like fish in a barrel when they tried to arrest him, and have enough xenothium stockpiled to last him a year without gaining more. Narcissistic? Perhaps. But being skilled at what you do warrants pride, doesn't it?

What she said later piqued his interest, though. "Raven's pretty, that's all she has going for her," he said, crossing his arms and leaning against an air conditioner on the rooftop. "Disappointment? Not at all. Given the choice, you're better than Starfire." He grinned behind his mask, and nodded a bit.

[insulatedraven]

Pulling herself up on the ledge of the building, she sat and crossed her legs, eyeing him curiously. It wasn't often that she got to study one of the ''enemy'' so closely and she was curious. He seemed so relaxed all the time; very different from her. After a moment, the annoyed look in her eyes faded, and softened slightly. It didn't seem like he was up to anything. But her guard was still up, regardless.

"And I just thought you did it to annoy Robin," she mused, looking up at the sky. "But I don't believe you. Starfire is smarter than people give her credit for. She .. wants to do good things for people. It's unfair to write her off like that. There must be a reason.. for Robin." Raven stumbled over the words awkwardly. Relationships weren't her thing. And they were the last thing in the world (usually) she would be caught dead talking about, with anyone. Least of all Red X.

Err, meant to write "Starfire's pretty, that's all she has going for her."

[red_sex]

Red X laughed at her response. "Of course it was to annoy him. I'm not into the goody-two-shoes type... but I won't lie and say she's unattractive." He said this with a shrug, and stood to an erect position. He secretly watched her position with her legs crossed from behind his mask, his arms crossed. The way she said that suggested she, herself had something for Robin. Interesting.

"You want a reason? Robin is into girls who think exactly like him," he said, his eyes narrowing. "All he cares about is helping others, and following any law that's written. He doesn't have the balls to do anything differently."

Re: Err, meant to write "Starfire's pretty, that's all she has going for her."

[insulatedraven]

If she carried any torch for the Boy Wonder, it had died long ago. Despite the pair not being married, it was generally assumed by friends and family that Kori and Dick were meant for each other, and that was the way it was going to be. That and the waves of love that rolled off them when they were together were almost strong enough to make Raven physically ill. "She does have that affect on people. Tall, bronzed women generally do," Raven replied, shrugging herself.

Before she & Starfire had become close, Raven had hated that part of the girl. She'd hated how her team mate was the one who turned heads, hated that no matter what Starfire did (good or bad) she always got attention. Now, she understood that it wasn't like that. Starfire didn't ask for it. And it wasn't Raven's place in life, either. "There isn't anything wrong with helping others," Raven pointed out, uncomfortable with the change of subject. Behind the mask, who knew what he was thinking? "Breaking the law doesn't take any more courage than making yourself a target by

[red_sex]

"Most superheroes have the luxury of being strong enough to not need to fear going out in public," Red X said. "Same goes for people like me. I'm not looking to take over the world or destroy your precious cities; I'm only out for number one. But even still, you guys are on me like flies on roadkill. Does that mean, though, that I'm afraid? Hell no. I came here because I'm not the type to run away." Red X shrugged after finishing his monologue, and sighed. "But if you're not here for me, or any other so-called villain, then I have to ask; why are you here, and not with your little friends?"

[insulatedraven]

Raven's eyes narrowed. It was easy for him to speak freely, behind that mask. He could make whatever expression he wanted- he could even be laughing at her right now! She had to guard her emotions.

"I've already told you. We aren't here for you. And Robin's vendetta with you is none of my business. We're a team; last time we met, you were doing wrong. End of story," she said flatly. She was tired of talking about it, tired of him insinuating that she was trying to 'catch' him. Hell, she was tired in general.

"My little friends are back home. I'm .. here. I don't have anywhere else to go," she replied. It wasn't like her to pity herself, and she delivered the line monotonously. No reason to be all upset. "My apartment was too loud. I couldn't sleep."

[red_sex]

Well, that was unexpected. Nowhere else to go? What, was she kicked out of the Titans? No... they wouldn't kick Raven out. She was one of the founding members. His position relaxed, almost as if he was shocked and confused. "You... don't have anywhere else to go?" he repeated, his head tilting somewhat. "Wow... I didn't know that," he added, confused and bewildered.

What the hell was Robin doing? Raven is all the way out here, and she's by herself, with 'nowhere else to go.' Some leader. "I'm... uh... sorry." He turned away from her, facing the ground below him. He didn't have much of a reason to stay around if she wasn't here for a fight, and it was clear Raven didn't feel like talking (as if she ever did). "I'll just leave you alone, then." He waited for a moment before he teleported away, half-expecting her to say something before he did.

[insulatedraven]

It was an awkward situation. She'd been away from the team long enough that she no longer felt comfortable just showing up at the tower. There was a chance that awkward questions would be asked; questions that she just couldn't answer for them. In light of recent events, it was better for her to keep a low profile .. but it was nights like these when she missed her surrogate family and her room at Titan Tower. "Why would you? It's not common knowledge," she replied, blinking a few times. He seemed shocked. Why?

She had always worked better on her own, right?

And wait, he was sorry? About what? It wasn't as though it was his fault, or anyone's fault! If she cared less about her friends and more about herself, she could go back right now, but Raven didn't feel like she was wanted there. Things were going right for everyone, finally. Sometimes, it felt like she was just interrupting. "Don't be. It happens," Raven said, watching as he left her. "It's something I'm a little bit used to."

[red_sex]

Red X took a moment to look back at her, but shook his head, and teleported away. It was a shame, but... somehow, he knew he would be seeing her again, and maybe next time, it wouldn't be so hostile.

[insulatedraven]

She couldn't understand why he seemed so taken aback by it, or uncomfortable by the fact that she was alone. It wasn't truly bothering her. She was used to it.

In any case, on some level she was disappointed when he left, if only because he deprived her of something to do while she waited for the light of day and perhaps the quiet that came with the rest of her apartment mates going to work. "Criminal," she muttered, before folding her legs underneath her and going back to meditating.

Still. The entire encounter had been confusing.