Scath Roth (Jinx x Raven)

Chapter 6: Pride Parade

Tuesday, February 23, 1999
Wayne Manor 06:00

*Raven POV*

I wake up, sweating and panting from a nightmare that wasn't mine. It's a lot harder to keep control over my abilities when I'm asleep, so they slip loose and invade my dreams. Being in this city, for such a long amount of time, is going to take some getting used to.

I slip out of my bed from the room reserved for me. The room next to me is also mine.

Bruce and Alfred gave it to me to store my magical items, such as books, crystals, plants (that Father takes care of), and other magically charged miscellaneous items. The walls are all covered in floor to ceiling bookshelves and there are many small tables where all my items are laid out in an organized fashion. It also holds four alchemy tables, two large and two medium, and a meditation area.

In my bedroom there's: my Queen sized dark wood canopy bed, my dark wood dresser and nightstands, an average sized closet, and an adjourning bathroom that has a large shower stall, a spa, a toilet, and a sink. My dresser has a mirror attached at the top.

I unpack my suitcase, after retrieving it from one of my small pocket dimensions, so the closet has my spare uniforms in it, and one of the nightstands holds: a few books, my spare utility belt, and my backup Titan communicator.

I grab my civilian clothes and head to the bathroom to clean up and get my morning routine done.

*small time skip*

I head downstairs to the dining area, when I spot Father, already making breakfast for everyone. "Good morning, Father." I greet him with a kiss to his aging cheek and accepted the tea he hands out, already having made it the way I like it.

"Good morning, dear heart." He said happily. "How did you sleep?"

"As well as I could, given the situation. Bruce has some terrifying dreams. I didn't even know Commissioner Gordon could sound like that. And the thought of Barb dying like that is haunting," I said with a shudder. "I know Bruce said his dreams repeat Scarecrow's toxin nightmares, but I didn't realize they were so... ya. Also I didn't know Bruce and Gordon we're dating. Why was I not told?"

"Bruce hasn't told anyone yet. He thinks not even I know," he explained with a small laugh. "And I'm sure miss Gordon suspects Master Wayne's involvement with her father, but doesn't want to make either uncomfortable."

"Oh. That's understandable. But I wish he would open up to us about it. I mean, he's not the only gay one here."

"Who's gay here?" Barbara asked, entering the kitchen and accepting the cup of coffee Father held out for her. He's kept up cooking this whole time; how he multitasks so perfectly without any magical help is a mystery that no one can figure out. He says it's all part of being a butler, but I'm positive that's not how life works.

"Thank you, Alfred." She thanked him and took a seat at the kitchen island, next to me. "Now who's gay? Besides us, obviously."

"You're gay? Wait, how'd you know I'm gay?" I questioned in shock.

"Well. I'm actually bi. Celina and I had a small thing a while back, but it was too weird being with someone Bruce had been with, Harley and Ivy let me in on a three way, and I currently have a friends with benefits arrangement with Diana and Kara, though I think they are a bit more interested in each other than "just friends"." She said, laughing a bit at the end.

"Wow," I breathed out, rather surprised.

"Oh. And of course I could tell you like girls. You never pay any attention to any guys in that way. Plus the last time you were here, you like you want to stuff your tongue in my-"

"OKAY!! I get it!" I yelled cutting her off before she could finish her undoubtedly lewd sentence. I could tell I was blushing in embarrassment because my face felt like it was on fire.

Father laughed at our antics and evenly placed the, now finished, food onto plates four plates. He handed us ours just as Jason stumbled in, eyes bleary with sleep and hair a mess.

"Father, where's Bruce? You didn't make him a plate." I asked, though I had an idea of where he went to.

"He left half an hour ago," he told me, eyes twinkling in amusement as he looked at me, then Barbara, then back at me. That was all the confirmation I needed to know I was correct in my theory.

We finished breakfast while discussing our plans for the day. Father had "butler duties" to take care of and Jason was going out with a few friends from school. Barbara had no plans so she's tagging along with me to get some shopping in; she wants to get some new parts for her motorcycles and some other smaller things.

We told the guys goodbye with me pausing to hug Father again. I can't tell he's still surprised at the physical affection and emotional openness, everyone is, even myself. But he doesn't shy away or try to demean it, he actually seems to enjoy the attention. After everything that happened with Trigon, it's really put a lot things into perspective for me.

Me and Barbara take one of her bigger motorcycles that has two spacey compartments under the seat and a bigger box attached to the back to put our purchases in.

When we arrive to one of the many shopping areas we dismount from the bike and Barbara drags me to a clothing store she frequents. I pick out several shirts, pants, and under garments in various shades of blue, purple, and black. I also bought a pair of black leather combat boots and two pairs of shoes, one of which is open toed and heeled and the other is black and white checkered converse. We then moved on to a little, hole in the wall, junk store where I bought several incense, candles, a few crystals, and a new book; and Barb bought her new tech stuff and a few other things.

While Barb was making her purchase I felt a familiar aura go by, but just as I was about to investigate; Barbara pulled me towards the next store and I eventually shrugged off the feeling. Though it never left my mind, just who's aura that felt like; but as my mind conjured images of purple stripes and pink hair and magic, I did my best to ignore it completely.