bakerstreet | (no subject)

[... Well, you can't just leave a guy hanging. With an odd expression she bumps her fist against his, then moves the hand she used behind her back to clutch her elbow.

Terra takes a big gulp, her brow knitting. it was hard enough to lie about her trace memories to Beast Boy when he came around... but Robin was...

if anyone did, Robin probably understood what she'd been through. He knew how Slade's abuse worked, and how even if he did nothing to hold you to him, you'd find yourself walking back to his side.

Her knees began to shake under her, and a cold sensation shot up and down her arms.]

Is there... Is there something you want from me? I should really get going... S-Some guys from Chem are waiting on me to... T-to...

[She'd began to get to the point where her shaking interfered with her words. She'd had way too much of living in a lie... It just wasn't making her happy anymore.]

Oh my god... What have I done? Is he okay? Beast Boy?

[ okay, that fist bump felt good. he was pathetic. after all she'd done, he was still attached.

that's why he was here, wasn't it? because he couldn't let go.

when she starts asking about beast boy, starts breaking down, he starts to doubt whether or not she's all in his head -- if she's just his imagination, how come he can't control her? he wouldn't do this.

no, he needs to stay firmly rooted in reality. this is just his sad attempt at closure, that's all. ...but why does it feel so real? ]

He's fine. [ or he will be. ] Mostly.

Got a second? [ he doesn't wait for her to respond. he's used to bossing people around. ] Chem guys can wait.

[ he crosses his arms. it's hard to determine exactly what he wants, so he keeps it vague. he's got questions, but if he's being realistic, he probably knows the answers already. he just doesn't like them. ]

The Chem guys might be largely a fabrication...

[She drops her head into her hands a moment, attempting to pull her thoughts together. When the throbbing stream of suppressed memories stopped, she lifted it, peering up at him through a small part in her newly messy hair.

There was so much to say, but no words to say it. She took in a deep breath and sighed before using her arm to flip her bangs over the top of her head.]

... Yeah, dude. I've got time.

[ he cracks the tiniest of smiles at the chem guys comment. blink and you might miss it. ]

Great. [ he spots a bench nearby and moves to sit on it, assuming that she'll follow. if those shaky knees are any indication, a seat would be a welcome change. and as much as he doesn't want to admit it, he doesn't think he should be standing up for this either.

he takes a deep breath, then blurts out the first thing that comes to mind. ] I've been watching you. [ which sounds so horrendously creepy and almost sladelike that he wishes he could take it back. ]

Did you watch us? [ which is probably a stupid question for a multitude of reasons. he might as well get the stupid aside before he gets down to the painful, though. leave himself something to look forward to. ]

[as robin sat, terra moved with him, using the back of the bench as a support. She lowered herself down on shaky knees beside him... And then his mouth creates the weirdest string of words she'd heard since she was freed from stone jail.

She slid a few inches away from him, eyebrows knit in concern before his next statement came.]

No, I haven't. it... Kinda hurts too much, you know?

[She falls silent a moment, gazing at her shoes before sliding back over to him. She gives a pebble a kick before proceeding.]

Every time I see the Titans... I see Slade, you know? I know he's not there, but he might as well be standing behind you... just laughing at me. He... Did things to me that I don't think I'll ever be able to say out loud. Every reminder just... it stings, dude. I still feel his one eye on my back everywhere I turn. I haven't used my powers since, hoping if he saw me he'd think I didn't have them anymore. So he'd leave me alone.

Edited 2013-05-19 05:44 (UTC)

[ that's what his brain comes up with? no, he'd rather forget slade's entire existence. the last thing he'd want is to bring it up -- thinking about him is less like closure, more like torture. he almost asks her point blank if she's just in his mind. he knows it's impossible for her to be sitting there right next to him, but there she is. ]

Slade's a psychopath. [ matter-of-factly. if anyone knows this, it's them two. they're not so different in that regard. ] That's why I tried to help you.

[ if there's a time to spill his guts, this would be it. at least then he might stop seeing things. ] You could've stayed with us. We would've taken you back. [ if she had just broken it off. come back to them. it would've taken a long time to regain their loyalty, but... once a titan, always a titan. ] We really trusted you.

[ ...and it's straight into painful. ]

[Her expression broke into one of an injured animal. She could feel her heart dropping into her stomach.

She knew all that already. She knew by the way everyone had tried to stop her from dying and convince her it wasn't th only way, but maybe...]

The trust of the Titans wasn't the problem... I think I was. I don't know if I can trust myself like that again...

[A few tears began to dot her eyes, but she quickly wipes them away, sucking in her breath and holding it until her lip stopped wobbling.]

I'm not strong like you, Robin. I hated the constant battle between good and evil... I just wanted to be normal and get away from all this. I haven't had a chance to just be a normal girl in my entire life... And I don't think I ever will be. Not unless I can just... Forget.

Pretending to worked for a little whole, but it's not making me happy anymore. I don't even know why I bother staying alive right now. I'm right back where I started.

[With another sharp intake of breath, Terra flops back onto the backrest with her hands crossed in her lap. She slid down it with her slouch, just kinda staying in the uncomfortable position she's in.]

I... I'm not a hero. I did a better job as a villain, and that really bothers me. Who's to say I wouldn't get lead astray again? I only act on what I want anyway...

[ strong? he knows more than anyone that there's an incredibly fine line between good and bad. it's not his own strength that keeps him on the good side, it's the rest of the team. ]

We've all fought that battle, but you didn't have to fight it alone! [ so being calm and collected is out, for a moment. it's sort of a touchy subject. ]

Listen. You made your bed, now you need to lie in it. [ harsh? maybe. his intentions are good. ] You can either give up or you can make a change. What's it going to be?

[ intense stare. don't disappoint him!! it's probably putting her way on the spot, but it's what he does. ] You're not normal, and you're not a villain.

But, Rob, that's just not fair!

[Terra shot up from the bench to face him, pointing a finger. She was completely indignant over this treatment. He was doing something that she had always used to do, and it was really pissing her off.]

You're making this about you and how you feel without even stopping to think that, I dunno, maybe I don't want to live life like that anymore? You know, like I just said I didn't?

[With a huff she blew hair from her face, crossing her arms.]

What do you really want from me, Robin? Are you, like, secretly in love with me or something and need me around like some sort of human life support? I don't understand what your problem is!

[ dang terra chill. her last comment earns a smirk because, come on. does he seem like the secretly obsessed type? sure, he sort of stalked her but he's not creepy.

at least, not that creepy. ]

Not exactly. [ beast boy is cast in the pathetically lovesick role. romance isn't really in his own job description.

he leans back -- might as well get comfortable. he's not really planning on bolting. ]

I just wanna talk. Thought you had time. [ he puts his hands up in the universal sign for surrender. so he might have preferred a reaction more along the lines of "gee thanks robin, you're a real pal!! you changed my entire worldview and i'm good now" but he's not about to start a fight over it. not yet, anyway. ] Don't worry, I'm not interested.

[ especially not if she's going to say it like that. human life support, come on, he's better than that! ] Alright, fine. You talk, I'll listen. That is, unless you've got some other guys to get to.

Not interested? What, is something wrong with me? Am I too broken for you?

[That had nothing to do with anything but, hey, hormones happen. Plus she was already kind mad!! He was asking for that one, if you ask her

She turned her back to him, crossing her arms again.]

Whatever. It doesn't matter. I don't have anything more to say to you.

[She starts making her way away, muttering behind her shoulder.]

Time's up.

[ girls. is there really any acceptable answer to that? he just pointedly ignores it, as there's really no good way he can see that situation panning out. instead, he just watches her go. he doesn't bother going after her, but he does call out. ]

Five minutes - a personal best, but I'm not quite done.

[ time's up when he says it is! she can't run away forever. ] Sorry, but I've got some questions. Answer them, and I'll leave you alone. [ for the time being. ]

...Or I could just follow you home. [ he might be enjoying this. what could be sketchy about a weird guy in a mask tailing a student? ]

Fine. Whatever. Just get it over with.

And I swear, dude, if you follow me home I'll put up such a fuss someone'll call the cops.

[Wait a second Terra, Robin practically is the cops... Well, whatever. It was just an idle threat. She didn't actually feel unsafe - Just unstable.

She takes a deep breath and attempts to cool down, her chest still heaving from being all huffy with rage. She just stands there, looking at him and at her empty wrist on and off, as if looking at a watch. Talking about this stuff reaaaaaaally sucks.]

Don't worry, dude.

[ before he starts, there's a small disclaimer: ] Look, I'm not trying to hurt you, so just chill out.

[ which is a totally hypocritical thing for mr. uptight to be saying, but that's not important. he's a little offended by her looming above him and checking her wrist, but it only shows a little bit. ] I came here to prove that you were all in my head, but it turns out you're a little more grounded in reality than I thought. [ ...as far as he can tell. ]

Aren't you supposed to be solid rock right about now?

I dunno what happened... When I got out of the stone, there were a bunch of other people looking around all confused and picking stone off themselves...

[Of course, she had no idea about the whole Raven's dad fiasco, but that's what she was referring to.

Her cheeks were best red, but she was doing her best to do as he had asked. After all, he was one of the best friends she'd ever had. He spent enough time with her he had begun to learn what she was all about before she blew up and left everyone behind... Twice. She kept repeating to herself in her mind to give up some slack for him. After a little while it seemed to be working.]

I'm real and I'm alive. I didn't ask to be or expect to be, but I'm 100% real.If you touch me, I'm solid; If you cut me, I bleed.

[She extends a hand to him palm up, the aggression in her face subsiding.]

Test it all you want, dude. The first part, though. Not the second.

[ terra'd see his expression change throughout her explanation, if not for the. you know. mask. ]

Relax. I'm done fighting you. [ wailing on one of your best friends doesn't exactly make you feel good about yourself. not something he'd like to make a habit of doing.

he stares at her hand as if it's going to bite him. then sloooowly reaches out with a gloved hand to touch it. so far, so good. ]

...Huh. [ he sinks a little bit. it's not that he's upset, it's just that this... complicates things. things were simpler when the past was the past, and the situation was resolute. unalterable. he doesn't know how to approach the situation, how to deal with a circumstance he wasn't prepared for. are they friends or foes? or nothing at all? it's evident -- he doesn't know if he should shake her hand, slap it, whatever. so after a few initial pokes, it just hovers in all of its green glory. ]

I've gotta say, I wasn't expecting that this morning. [ he's not quite adept at expressing himself, so that's all terra's going to get. ]

[Though he was a hard person to read, she could tell he didn't quite know how to act around her. For a moment she considered taking his hand as a show of good faith, but that might come off a bit creepy. She just pretends to be casual, lifting her hand and putting it behind her neck in a fake yawn so he doesn't need to poke at it anymore.]

I'm done fighting period. We're cool.

[She moved back to the bench they had sat on before and flopped onto it, peering up at him with a neutral expression.]

You should probably raise your expectations if you wanna keep asking me questions. Technically I'm a dead supervillain.

[ unreadable is just the way he likes it. he doesn't know if things can be "cool" forever, but they can be for now. ...maybe they'll just go their separate ways after this. who knows?

looking off into the distance is preferable to making eye contact (eye-to-mask contact?) right now. it helps him clear his mind. and there's the added bonus of looking cool. ]

Technically. [ she's also technically a dead superhero, isn't she? she was one once. ]

But you feel remorse for your actions. Could a supervillain say that?

...That doesn't count as a question, by the way.

You should know as well as I do that supervillains say whatever's easiest.

[She rubs at her arm a moment before turning her chin up to him, resting her elbows on her knees.]

Slade would... Never mind. Let's... Both not go there. Too many skeletons in the closet on all sides.

[She didn't know anything about Robin's time as the apprentice, but if it were anything like her's...]

H-How is everyone? The Titans?

Yeah, it's probably best if you don't go there. [ do they really want to spend the day reminiscing about slade? probably not. if he wanted to relive the memories, he'd have made a scrapbook. "the wacky misadventures of robin and slade".

he leans back, using his hands as neck support. jeez, what to say... alright, he still doesn't really trust her. and he's pretty sure raven wouldn't want him chatting up terra about her life, so that conversational topic's out. cyborg's an uncertain variable. there's always beast boy and starfire as safe bets, but it almost feels wrong talking about them. why should she know about them when they're left in the dark about her? ]

If you really wanted to know, wouldn't you have found out for yourself? [ and there he goes, being abrasive again. there's too many conflicting feelings swirling around -- and he's not so good with those to begin with. ] If you're that curious, maybe you should ask them yourself. [ somehow he thinks this is unlikely. but it's how he feels. ]

Edited (how do i english) 2013-05-20 04:41 (UTC)