I've never been in a situation like this before. When you're having sex with two girls at the same time, knowing that one of them isn't indifferent to the other guy. I'm not a hypocrite, and I can admit that Starfire interested me sexually, and if there was a chance to get what I wanted from her, why not? After all, I'm not a "hero," and I have slightly different moral values. And in the end, it's just a one-time thing. Right? I wonder who I'm trying to convince. Myself? Am I still trying to be a good guy who cares about other people's feelings? Either way, it was too late to back out...
I wasn't xenophobic or racist towards other alien races from different planets, but I still asked in advance: would it be safe and would this act really be any different from our earthly act? After all, comics are one thing, but actually entering the world of comics is quite another. Starfire assured me with a mysterious smile that it was safe and, even more than that, that I would have a "unique" experience. Well, if anything really happened, the system would definitely notify me. And I didn't think Starfire would want to ruin our close relationship like that. I had no reason to distrust her.
... It all started with a normal kiss with Rose and slowly getting rid of our clothes. I lifted her black T-shirt slightly, interrupting our intimate embrace for just a couple of seconds; she raised her arms to get rid of the T-shirt completely, revealing a plain black bra. Nearby, slightly to the side, levitating in the air of my bedroom, Starfire watched us with envy and waited for her turn.
As I said, I didn't have any sexual experience with multiple partners, so I decided to just stick with one for now and switch to the other later. I think that would be fair. I don't like being teased, and as for girls? Well, it would be silly to ask them about that, so let's just trust our intuition.
We sat down on the bed at the same time and broke off our kiss, her hand barely touching my cheek, while I removed the black "pirate" eye patch from her face.
"You've changed."
"Really?" I smiled slightly, shrugged my shoulders, and spread my arms wide. She sighed a little tiredly, but still smiled to herself.
"A little. I feel like I could lose sight of you if I turn away. It's a strange feeling.
"Well, a lot has happened since we last saw each other...
"Let's talk about it later..." she mumbled discontentedly, frowning slightly.
"Okay, okay," I humbly raise my hands in a gesture of surrender. "I'll shut up. It's just that, you know, I'm still inexperienced. After that time, I somehow couldn't find the time or desire to satisfy such 'needs'," I shrugged again and returned to the intimate part of our pastime.
She falls back onto the bed and helps me get rid of the rest of my clothes. There was no need to play any more games. All that was needed was to aim well and enter. Slowly and carefully, because I didn't like to be particularly rough. Although... if I recall that time when we were alone after the mission with her father, she has a very vague idea of "normal" sex. I gradually picked up the pace, periodically switching from slow to fast and back again. Sometimes I kissed her neck and gently touched her breasts until at some point she simply got bored and literally straddled me.
"Don't try to be romantic. It annoys me...
"Really? I thought you liked it.
"I didn't say I didn't like it. It's just that rough sex is the best. Remember that.
"Everyone has their own tastes," I shrugged, smiling slightly.
My smirk became a challenge for her, and I had to use all my strength not to lose this "battle." I grinned predatorily and stood in a half-squat position, hugging her from behind so that it was easier for her to control the situation and keep up this crazy pace. She could no longer hold back her sweet moans and sighs. I licked my lips with a victorious smile. So you wanted this from the very beginning? I don't think that's even a question. It's a simple fact.
We weren't destined to keep up this pace for long, and the first round could be called a draw. I didn't want to leave Starfire unattended for so long, I'm not a big fan of "sex watchers" myself. Here, you either join in or go about your business. Others just get in the way and annoy with their presence. They create... an uncomfortable atmosphere.
Starfire's clothes are quite functional. Like her powers, they could transform or disappear at any moment. I don't really understand how it works, I wasn't particularly interested in the special clothing of the Tamarans. Unlike Rose, Starfire was a little older and had... a pretty compelling argument in the form of a third (or more?) breast size.
"Try to be strong," she asked me with a slight angelic smile. What does that mean?
Starfire let me be behind her, and every time I entered her, it felt like my whole body was on fire. Was this the "special feature"? Was it dangerous?
At some point, events began to happen as if in a fog. Could this have been because she raised the overall temperature of our bodies and stimulated our organisms to a more prolonged state? Starfire, lost in voluptuous madness, lost control of it all. Time ceased to have any meaning for us. All that mattered to us was the lust of our bodies. Another change of position, and now I was dominating her from behind, gathering her hair in my fist, the ends of her locks emitting a faint flame that, for some strange reason, did not react when it came into contact with my skin, while with my other hand I left a red mark on her buttocks with a light slap. I could have been gentler, but there was not a shred of love in this sex. There was no reason to be gentle.
The next morning, I felt like a squeezed lemon and was terribly thirsty. It was as if I had been dried out from the inside. Literally. I pulled on my underwear and hobbled to the fridge. I took out some orange juice, and as I was closing the fridge door, I saw Starfire's satisfied face, who doesn't really like standing on the floor and always "floats" a little in the air.
"You're strong! Few can control themselves after Tor'Va'Shot.
"And in English?
"In short, we establish a special connection with our partner that allows them to... let's say... exceed their limits. However, the male partner could also enter a state of...
"Berserk? Are you all so reckless on your planet, or is it just you?
"No! What are you talking about? Without this act, no one, well, almost no one, can get the right sensations.
You're savages, barbarians and monsters in bed, that's what you are, not Tamarans, if that's okay with you!
"Oh, if that's the case, then fine," I reply carelessly, thinking something completely different.
I even feel a little sorry for Robin or Dick Grayson with his "fiancée." He's flighty and a "monster" in bed. And if I remember correctly, he's supposed to have his own affair with Batgirl, isn't he? Argh! Why do I suddenly care about the relationship between these two? Am I like someone who cares about them?
"When you've finished breakfast, you'd better go back to your friends. I hope you've come up with a good excuse for your absence?
"Of course!
And why am I so reluctant to believe that naive smile and cheerful tone? I sighed heavily. Even if Robin finds out, I don't care. He doesn't have the strength to do anything to me.
And yet, for some reason, I want to explore this world more. The thing is, after what happened with Rose and the last dungeon, I hardly left the United States and just stayed put. I didn't want to go to the next dungeon because I didn't want to lose to someone stronger than me. After all, what would happen if someone took away my ability to summon my ghosts? What if someone else could also disable my ability to control time? Rely on my "miracle eye"? There's nothing worse than relying on the whims of a higher power. The result is the same — death. I will lose. I wouldn't be able to learn and move forward in this game called life. I had to find a weapon, develop my skills, and learn what I didn't know before in order to overcome all my weaknesses.
Maybe I should go on a little journey? Disappear for a while to come back stronger? I quite like that idea. What about my plan? It can wait. Everything in its own time.
"Still, it's an unusual thing, don't you think?
I asked Starfire that, looking at the blue sphere that emitted an aura of the same colour. The only thing that bothered me a little about this artefact was the presence of a toothy mouth — a "piranha" — from which a thin little red tongue protruded.
Do you want to transfer your mana to the Mana Core?
I gave a short confirmation command, and my supply of magical energy began to be rapidly sucked into it.
"It's quite amusing," commented Starfire.
"That depends on how you look at it. Are you sure you're a Mana Core and not a carnivorous hamster?" I muttered indignantly when I noticed that my mana reserves had been completely absorbed in a matter of minutes.
Are you sure you want to name the Mana Core "Carnivorous Hamster"?
Yes/No?
Alright, I won't hurt your feelings and just call you Hamster. After all, even a living object has feelings. I don't like treating my things badly.
I informed Starfire and Rose of my temporary absence. While Starfire took it in stride and shrugged, Rose may have had plans for us, but she didn't want to be a burden to me again. Despite the fact that she seems to have already decided on her path in life, she still wants to be a "hero." She admitted that she likes the company of the Young Titans and is ready to help them until "that moment" comes...
Everyone knows that heroes don't kill their enemies, but Rose has no problem killing her enemies. She even promised Robin that if this situation ever arose and the Teen Titans couldn't accept the consequences of her decision, she would be forced to leave them.
"Murder without a valid reason is a sign of madness and a loss of one's place in the world, but what do you call a person who kills one person to save many? Let me guess, it makes no difference to Batman? A murderer will always be a murderer. So tell me, Robin, who do you see in front of you?"
I stood in front of the Tower of the Young Titans. I decided to stage a farewell scene, because I didn't want to look like someone who didn't care about our... mutually beneficial relationship.
"Well, it was fun spending time with you, but I need to see the world, start a revolution, and learn all the secrets of the universe! It's a shame that these so-called 'heroes' have no sense of humour. They're always tense, serious, and looking for a hidden meaning where there isn't one. If Robin took my words as a serious commitment to future actions, then Starfire, Rose, and, oddly enough, Beast Boy, wished me luck on my journey. They say it right: "Be simpler, and people will be drawn to you."
"Come on, Robin. Be more relaxed. I'm a man of my word — if I promise something, I'll definitely keep it. I already told you, right? As long as none of you get in my way, you won't have any problems with me. I'll give you some final advice, so to speak: step out of your mentor's shadow and find your own path. That way, you'll become much more mature and much more impressive in the eyes of others. I'm sure it's unpleasant to constantly hear from others that you're just Batman's sidekick, right? Although... in my opinion... other people's opinions aren't that important; what matters is what you believe is right.
"You know, a lot has happened since we first met, but I think I was unfair to you. Maybe... the world really isn't as simple as it seems, and people like you make me think about it.
"It's good that I at least gave you a chance to think about it. Your... let's say... 'adoptive father' has too strong principles and morals, and therefore it's pointless to have this kind of dialogue with him. It's a waste of time," I shrug and look into the distant expanse of the seemingly endless ocean. "It's his choice. Conscious and voluntary.
"Do you... know him?
"His entire... um... 'legend'," I say with a slight sarcastic smile. "Okay, I think I got a little carried away with this farewell ceremony. I just wanted to say a few words goodbye.
"You'll come back, won't you?
"Of course. Where would I go?
"For long?
"I can't say for sure. It depends on certain... 'circumstances'. Maybe in a couple of months? A couple of years? Who knows," I shrugged and, moving close enough, put my hand on his shoulder and whispered a few last words of advice: "Be honest and open with her. She'll appreciate it."
I don't think he's stupid enough not to understand who I'm talking about. I patted him lightly on the shoulder, took my favourite black fedora out of my inventory with my right hand and put it in its place.
"We'll meet again. You can be sure of that, Robin," my image gradually began to fade beneath a veil of invisible mist until there was no trace of me left.
Well, where should I go first?
One year later...
Los Angeles. The Black Star Club.
It was a fairly well-known and popular club that hosted concerts for fans and lovers of heavy metal on weekends. Among the many bands, there was one that was unlike the others. It was led by a young teenager with green hair that covered his eyes. He preferred to wear a plain black T-shirt, ripped blue jeans and unremarkable trainers. Typical teenage attire. But the most surprising thing was that almost all of his musical instruments played their own part in the composition. It was as if a magician or wizard had come on stage to perform his own personal concert. Only an electric guitar was in his hands at that moment.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the moment you've all been waiting for! Please welcome... 'Silent Ra-a-a-a-age'!!!
Mick Gordon — The Only Thing They Fear Is You (DOOM Eternal OST)
The music had no voice. It... was as if it were filled with emotion. This was a striking difference from other musical groups. However, the true purpose of these performances was beyond the comprehension of ordinary humans. People's emotions. Their hatred, malice and rage seemed to pour out of their bodies like a black and red mist and flow slowly in a single stream somewhere behind the scenes. That was why people liked to come to his concerts. Afterwards, they felt... "lighter".
It was precisely this... that caught Raven's attention.
As luck would have it, she managed to seal her father, a great, evil and very dangerous demon named Trigon, and escape to this planet. After all, he had destroyed everything she loved... Her mother, her home, her native planet — Azarat. She swore with her life that she would find a way to stop her father.
In her so-called "home," she was able to master many aspects of magic, including telekinesis, mind reading, empathy, the ability to create astral projections, barriers, and so on. Her main ability was to split her soul and transform it into various forms, most often crows.
She understood that her father's servants would not simply leave her alone. Last time, she was lucky to escape them by using a spatial rift that transported her to Earth, but she was sure that she would not be able to escape so easily next time.
The most frightening thing for her was that if she lost control of her emotions for even a moment, her demonic nature would reveal itself. Yes, at such moments she was overwhelmed by power, but in return she lost control of herself. Only through numerous meditation exercises was she able to maintain her human form and remain human.
She still had little idea what she should do. She still had time, but she couldn't say exactly how much. Perhaps she would be able to find someone on this planet who could help her... The task was quite difficult, because no local magician in their right mind would willingly help a half-demon, let alone the daughter of the greatest and most dangerous demon she wanted to imprison forever.
Flying over the city in the form of a black bird created by the magic of her soul, she felt a high concentration of negative emotions with her heightened empathy. Out of curiosity, she decided to find its source. If she didn't like what she saw, she would intervene. Raven slipped in, making her body an intangible black veil. She expected to see occultists summoning a demon, a madman torturing an innocent victim, or just a bloody massacre, but her expectations were not met. Instead, she was left with a lot of questions.
A crowd of people dressed in the same shade of black, their faces full of joy, distorted into some kind of wild grin, their eyes fixed only on the main figure of this spectacle, their hands in "goat" gestures, some wanting to reach out to him, to touch him, to feel him!
Unfamiliar aggressive music seemed to intoxicate them, hypnotise them and turn them into a mass. As soon as he gave the order, they would start destroying everything around them, driven by feelings of rage, hatred and malice.
"RIP!" — AND!!" — TEAR!!!
For the first time during his performances in front of his audience, Alex raised his voice, accompanied by powerful drum beats, and after a couple of moments, the audience repeated the words. When the music stopped abruptly for the fourth time, the fog of negative emotions suddenly dissipated, and the audience seemed to wake up from a trance. Alex smiled slightly, spread his arms wide and bowed, then quietly slipped backstage, while the fans and listeners gradually began to disperse and leave the club, as most of them had come only for this performance.
Raven decided to follow him. She was curious to find out why he needed a cluster of people's negative emotions.
"As always, an excellent performance! Who would have thought that you could get what you want from people in such a harmless way!" said a pale-looking man with grey hair and round old glasses with a cracked lens over his left eye, pacing happily in Alex's private room.
"Stop sucking up, Yorm. Do all you demons like to lick feet, or is it just you?" The man shrugged, spread his arms wide and smiled with his toothy mouth. His eyes turned crimson and his pupils became vertical. "Let's get down to business. Is that enough?"
"Quite! You've saved my life twice now, after all!
"Feeding a weak demon of anger with the emotions of ordinary people for some knife. I've sunk as low as I can go...
"A knife?! A piece of junk! If Yorm said he'd do it, he'll do it!
"Come on, Yorm. I'm just teasing and testing you. Who knows, maybe you'll decide to back down and run away... And then I'll have to come looking for you.
"Have I ever given you a reason to doubt me?! We have a blood pact! You should know that this is serious business!
"Yes, yes, yes, you've said that many times, but you demons are cunning and deceitful creatures, so who knows, maybe you'll find a loophole in the contract that I didn't see...
"If you want your dagger so badly, we can start preparations right now!" — tearing the sleeve of his white shirt, he recreated in reality a handle that looked incredibly like a human bone in a crimson glow."Wait, we have an uninvited guest, Hunter," — the nickname of his personal "hero," the ghost archer, instantly materialised and, without wasting any time, fired a spiritual arrow from his bow at the invisible observer. The arrow hit the stranger in the shoulder... or rather, the stranger, who clutched her wounded arm in pain, but after a couple of seconds removed the invisible veil, stood up straight and recreated a black sphere with sparks of purple lightning in her other hand, preparing for battle.
But Alex was in no hurry to act and simply looked at her closely, and, as if instantly... recognised her?
"Ho-o-o? So it's you? I thought I'd be the one looking for you, but you found me yourself. How funny.
"What are you talking about?
"Just thinking out loud. I'm sorry we started our acquaintance on such an unpleasant note. It's just that I can sense those who are watching me. I can feel their inner essence. Let's start over. My name is Alex Ti. Keeper, and what is your name, lovely lady?
"I'm Raven. I can't say with complete confidence that I'm pleased to meet you.
"Well, Raven, I have a feeling that our meeting is not accidental. Perhaps you would like to join my friend and me? After that, I promise to help you... with your global problem.
"How do you know me and my 'problem'? Who are you? I don't sense anything from you. This is very strange.
"Are you afraid of me? There's no need to be. Well, I know many things. As a sign of our future cooperation, I can reveal a secret to you. I killed my Aura.
"Killed... your Aura?! Do you realise what you've done?!
"To be completely honest, no.
"Hah... since you've already done it, there's no point in discussing the consequences. How careless people are here...
"Such is life. Well, now that we've met and cleared up our misunderstanding, we should get back to business, right, Jorm?
"A-as you say...
It seems that very soon, his usual routine will change slightly. This brings a smile to his face.
***
patreon.com/posts/chronos-in-dc-in-134034864