Meeting You

Seeking Solace

*Solace*

January 12th: In the future

Jump City, California

*Refer to character index*

Despite the weather and how cold it was, there was still a lot of people at Wildlife Safari which was Jump City's local zoo. It was a popular area for children to visit as it also consisted of: Adventure town that was down the street. Beast boy had insisted that the titans celebrated his 28th birthday at the zoo. It was kid oriented but Raven knew that he enjoyed it all the same.

"Oh, let's check out the reptile house!" Beast boy held up a zoo map.

Shawn smiled at his suggestion. "Hurry up Uncle B. Let's look at the lizards!"

"Snakes are better than lizards." Ryand'r said and pulled his green beanie over his ears with a tuff of black hair poking out. "Because they can poison you."

"Not uh." Marcus shouted back at the two seven-year-olds. "Lions are."

Raven stared at the ant eater that was behind the thick glass wall. She visibly grimaced, she wasn't fond of such creatures. "Right now?"

"Of course right now." Beast boy said, his voice was light hearted. He gave off the impression that he was happier. And only Raven knew why he acted such a way. It was just a mask he wore in front of their family. But when he was with her, she could see that he was pained and scared like she was.

As the titans made their way to the reptile house, Raven couldn't help but stare. Starfire's belly was more defined as she waddled along with them. She was about seven months along now and Robin had grown more nervous. Raven would never admit to anyone but she felt a pang of jealousy towards Starfire. Even if it was irrational.

Ryand'r and Shawn ran ahead of the adults with Marcus following. "I want to see the biggest snake." Shawn said.

As they neared the entrance Raven let her cold hand slip from his. "I'm going to wait outside with Starfire."

"What? You don't like reptiles?" Beast boy gave her a teasing look.

Raven tucked both her hands into her coat pocket. "You know I don't." She shifted her gaze between him and the door.

He nodded; understanding. "Alright, we'll be out in a few minutes." Beast boy studied her face before he followed after Robin and Bumblebee.

"Do you wish to see the animals with the long necks?" Starfire raised the white styrofoam cup to her lips and drank the warm liquid.

Raven shrugged her arms. "We should probably stay close. Do you want to sit down?" She gestured towards the café. It was the only place that would have dry benches as there was an overhang.

"That would be nice."

The two chatted quietly with each other and people watched while they waited. A light mist hung in the air that wasn't quite a drizzle. While they talked Raven silently wondered why Beast boy had suggested the zoo of all places. Starfire of all people shouldn't have been on her feet this much since she was so pregnant.

"Raven, did you hear me?"

She snapped out of it and looked at the tanned woman. "No. What is it?"

"Are you the okay?" Starfire narrowed her eyes as she looked Raven over.

Raven nodded. "Yeah, I am." She had meant the words too. Even if it didn't seem like it on the outside, she was somewhat improving. "You never did tell me how the visit went with Bruce." She referenced Robin's mentor that had basically adopted him when he was a child.