Changing Scenery

<Raven stepped through the door into one of the Tower's lounges with a sweep of her dark blue eyes, her expression locked into that casual neutrality she was known for. The place seemed so different from when they'd been youngsters, both smaller and more daunting, in a sense. Raven remained in her Titans costume, the snug-fitting violet dress and heavy cloak, her features largely hidden under her heavy hood. As one of the team leaders, she'd asked Cyborg to meet her to discuss a pending shift in her life, and had been grateful he'd been available to talk. The collared empath moved to one of the couches and settled herself into place with a quiet breath. A lift of her chin saw her dark eyes sweep the room, lingering over the furnishings, pale fingers smoothed her skirt over her thighs as she waited. She was early, it was only fair she be patient.>

<Cyborg - Raven would probably notice a few things had definitely changed. Some of the changes were subtle - A monitor that had been on a stand was now mounted on the wall -- and others were more overt -- a large display case with various tools where there had previous been none. They did sort of have that touch. Whatever the official chain of command was, Vic had left his personal touches all over Titan Tower. It was a little before the agreed upon time that Cyborg strolled down one of the hallways engrossed in some tablet or other. It looked like he was reading, though what was always a question. He did spare a glance upward as he neared, nose back again into the tablet, though this time subjecting the instrument to a few random key taps before it was tucked away into a holder at his hip, and he smiled. "Hey Rachel!" he said brightly, coming to embrace her. "Glad to see you. You've been well I hope?" The hug was firm, but brief, and as he pulled back, his visage darkened slightly when he saw the collar. "They still have you in that thing, eh?">


<Koriandr peeks in.>

<Spidy lands hard on the surface of one of the widows and sticks there, shaking his head. He looks down into the widow and waves yelling, "Don't mind me!" then Web zips onto a passing copter and sails away!>

<Raven rose to her feet as she heard Vic's approach, her pale hands coming to her sides in a brush along her hips along the skirt's cleaving grasp. The grasp of the elder Titan was hardly surprising, Vic had always been easily affectionate, she was one of the only Titans not to be, after all. Raven quietly endured the grip, hardly stiffening at all to the contact. Her dark eyes averted as she was released, Cyborg's mention of the collar enough to see her shoulders rise, her tone measured and pensive, "They do, yes. Though I have been informed that I should prepare for its removal." The inquiry as to her state saw the empath tilt her head a few degrees, "I am as well as can be expected, one could say. That is part of what I had wanted to discuss, really." The sight of Kory's unruly curls drew her gaze to the Tamaranean, and Raven lifted a pale hand in a quiet greeting to the green-eyed beauty.>

<Koriandr finally walked into the room. She was still wearing her work uniform. It was a bright green top and a pair of jean pants. It wasn't appealing on most, but Kori never seemed to get the concept of human fashion anyways. She smiles to everyone "I brought frozen treats for every one!" she said with a smile as she entered. She'd also brought a guest. Another hero, she'd met.>

<Spidy keeps his mask on as he enters behind Kori, at first glance he was just a slender guy in a bright red and blue outfit, nothing that special about him at all really. He lifts a hand and waves, "Nice place," he says turning his head and looking about.>

<Cyborg made his feelings known in one word. "Finally." Of course, having electrocuted your friend multiple times in an effort to get the collar off in the first place would probably do that for you. "You tell them I wanna see that collar after." Left unsaid was yet another apology for having done so when he was unable to reverse engineer the thing while it was on her. "I have no idea why they won't let me see a schematic of the thing, since they apparently just have the ability to take it off or tone it down whenever they please." A breath. Let it go. "Regardless, I am glad to see you--" and here he looks up as Kori enters. "--And Kori, apparently--" And Kori's friend. Cyborg's cybernetic eye narrows, quickly scanning the new person.>
Cyborg (to Koriandr): Who's this?

<Raven blinked from behind her hood, the flicker of her deep blue eyes enigmatic as she settled her gaze onto Kory, "Smoothies?" What was she, psychic? Nope, she just recognized the work outfit on the alien woman and the implication was evident. "That was very considerate of you." Her dark eyes swept over to the red-clad masked man after he spoke in turn, her expression hidden from the nose up by the shadows cast by her hood. Vic spoke on her behalf then, and she tipped her head his way in a silent assent to his question. Who was this? And why did he seem vaguely familiar? Maybe it was that sleek male build, so common among vigilantes. Vic's mention on the collar saw Raven's eyes flit his way as she spoke on the matter more obliquely, "You may need to speak with Nightwing on that matter. He said much the same thing." The collared woman's shoulders lifted in a shrug on mention of the League's ability to remove the inhibitor. She was mostly relieved her costume hid the collar from view.>

<Spidy blinks behind his mask at the two, he was actually used to other members of the super community not recognizing him, and those that did usually believed the papers and news when they label him as a menace. He hitches a thumb at the spider symbol on his chest and says, "Me? Why, I'm just your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man," who just happened to be far from his neighborhood in Queens

<Koriandr smiled to them all and she takes a deep breath "He's called Spiderman...he's a super hero and I thought it would be nice to have a new face around," she said softly. She took off her hat and she shook her hair out as she starts to pass out the treats to everyone. She finally down, but she refused to have one herself. She didn't want to have another smoothie for the rest of the night at least.>


<Cyborg took the smoothie given to him, though he still stared doubtfully at this... Spiderman. "Never heard of 'em," he replied in a flat voice upon introduction. He had to trust Kory, though. Looking at the Tameranian, he spoke again. "He doesn't go anywhere unescorted. Kori, you're responsible for him, since he's your guest." He had no idea how many security protocols were affected, though it wasn't like Titan Tower wasn't an obvious building. Still, he dismissed the 'spider-man', whoever he was, and returned his focus to Raven. "Well it's good that he and I are of the same mind on this case." He didn't want to say more, considering their audience. "So. You're thinking of moving back in, right? You can have your old room back, if you want it. Nobody else has wanted to move in." To say nothing of him deliberately keeping that room empty in hopes that she'd return.>

<Raven turned her indigo eyes onto the red-clad male and Kory as they each spoke, realization seeming to strike as she dipped her chin in a nod, "Ah, yes. I have heard of you. Given how close our territories run, it is surprising we had not yet met." The half-demon's voice was guarded, though when was it not, really? Her hooded featured canted a degree or two as she splayed a set of pale fingers over her chest, "I am Raven." A sweep of her hand indicted the cybernetically enhanced male, "This is Cyborg." Her gaze lingered on the masked figure as she blinked, "Actually, I apologize for the lack of recognition, I do recall some rather incredible photos of you in one of the local papers." Cyborg's voice drew her eyes back, "That is something that could prove beneficial for both of you, really. I would suggest you work in tandem." The smoothie settled into her hand was eyed, it was a rather... vivid shade of purple. The hybrid blinked, then gestured with one finger down to the unusual concoction, "Kory? What is in this?">

<Nightwing sets the items he'd been carrying down on the nearest empty surface, a manila folder and what appears to be a toolbox--wait, when did he arrive? How long has he been listening? The masked man takes a lean against the wall as he looks over the newcomer his former teammates are focused on. Easily recognizable, but what is Spider-Man doing here of all places? He's obviously skeptical, eyes narrowed as he surveys the outsider through those blank, white lenses. Well, he had intended to ask Cyborg for use of the lab, what with Batman presently sapping up practically all their forensic resources in the cave... and it's not exactly easy to get this work done in his apartment. The acrobat soon readjusts, subtly favouring his right side in the process, though he gives no further indication of discomfort. He waits for a break in the conversation before jumping in, gesturing towards the red-clad hero. "What's he doing here?" Having caught Cyborg's words, he looks to Kory.>

<Koriandr nods her head at Cyborg and she planted a smoothie in Dick's hand and Spiderman's hand. She turned to all of the questions and she frowned at Cyborg "I'm not a child," she said to him kindly. She finally turns to Raven and she smiles to her "Kale, strawberries, blueberries, grapes, and kiwi, along with some crushed ice," she responds. Finally, she turned to Dick "I am trying to make new friends and he is a very good hero. He's the Spiderman." She'd met him on her way back to the tower after he'd taken down some crook who was trying to steal from others. She cleared her throat and she sat down at the kitchen table.>

<Spidy was having a bad week as it was, the Bugle and G Godfrey had both taken to bashing the Web head in the news, and he was used to it, sure, but the red and blue hero didn't really have a team to confide in, the closet he had to that was Jonny in the FF and they weren't even in this section of the galaxy (again), getting the cold shoulders from these other heroes was something he wasn't going to take lightly. "Listen here, Sparky," he says at Cryborg, "I'm one of the good guys, alright? I don't Know what you've herd about me, or read about me, but you don't need to get your bolts in a knot. Heck, just last week I stopped a burning building from collapsing," which was true, but the news accused him of starting the fire. He took the smoothie Kori offered and lifted up the front of his mask to revile an all to human mouth, "Sorry, it's just been a long week," he sighed and sipped at the drink, "Wow, this is g-gah!!" Nightwing had just appeared out of nowhere and got the Web head completely off-guard, he almost dropped the smoothie, but a quick webline stopped it from hitting the floor not many could sneak up on him, How in the world did Nightwing manage that!? Oh geeze, give a Spider a heart attack why dontcha!

<Cyborg started blankly at Spiderman while he got all the information that he needed. There was, of course, a file on him, so now he had, officially, heard of him. Duelling narratives in the media, the one particular paper had it out for him for some reason. It was all very sensationalist. He did, however, catch the quick twip of webbing that allowed the interloper to recover his smoothie. A neat trick. "Don't care about what the media says. I don't trust you. I got sources other than the paper, but I still don't want you wandering around my tower unattended," he said, with a slight emphasis on 'my'. "Maybe if we work together in the field, I might be able to trust you more. In the meantime, Kori, Spiderman is your guest, make sure he doesn't break anything." A nod was given to Nightwing while he transmitted a message to Nightwing's communicator. 'Please keep an eye on the spider' it said. Finally, he looked at Raven. "You wanna check out the room?">

<Raven let her gaze drift Nightwing's way for a moment, long enough to note the faint favouring of his side, before she averted her focus back Kory's way. The itemization of the drink in her hand saw those indigo eyes dip a moment to the eccentric-hued beverage, her wrist twisting to examine the viscosity of the slushy concoction. "Fascinating." Raven lifted a dark brow under her hood, then lifted the drink to her mulberry lips to give it a test sip. Her eyes lifted and roamed amidst the rest of the conversational elements. Irritability from the spider was visible without her empathy, and she tensed as he tore into Cyborg, lifting her dark-tipped fingers as she drew a forward step between the Titan leader and the interloper, her voice firmly measured, "Do pardon me, Spiderman, but Cyborg is well within his rights as a Titan commander to be wary of unfamiliar elements in our headquarters. I advise you to mind how you speak to someone in their home." Her piece said, the empath drew silent again, her dark eyes giving a faint glow from within her hood. Her eyes found Kory again, and she lifted the drink, "It is quite pleasant, thank you." Raven paused, "Though I am agreed with Cyborg, he requires an escort while within the Tower itself." Cyborg drew her focus with a question about the subject she'd come to discuss, "I do not see why I would need to examine the room, you mentioned it is the one I used to occupy. I am familiar with it." Her dark eyes swept over the cybernetic commander's expression, well, the organic elements of it, "Unless, of course, you need to speak with me further on the matter." Subtle, Raven.>

<Nightwing doesn't seem terribly satisfied with the answer Kory gives, responding in that usually cold, blunt tone that communicates his aversion to something. "Escort or no, I say he stays in common areas only." Whoa there, Mr. Territorial. Do you even leave any of your stuff here anymore? He sets the smoothie down without even looking at it, clearly reluctant to take his gaze off the stranger. The impulse to react strikes with Spider-Man's sudden movement, but he refrains. He doesn't trust him, but he's done his homework. There's no reason to believe the Spider is out to get them... certainly not presently, anyway. Still, when the newcomer tears into Cyborg, Nightwing bristles, tensing as he assumes more domineering posture. There are clearly unpleasant words on his tongue, his scowl makes that perfectly clear, but Raven moves in to handle the matter gracefully before he can snap. Probably for the best. The bluebird balls his fists, muttering something under his breath as he withdraws from reach of Spider-Man, offering Cyborg a subtle nod to indicate he'd received the message.>

<Spidy knew he was in the wrong here, and everyone else let him know it as well, it wasn't fair that he would take on his fuse rations on another hero he only just met, it takes a lot of pride swallowing, but Spidy offers his hand to the machine man, "Alright, I'm sorry, that was pretty rude of me, I will respect your house," he says, "I'd be the same way if someone came into my Web and started yelling at me." like he even has a base that he calls his web, he was just trying to sound cool. "I have to admit, there are some amazing things in that would even give the Baxter Building a run for its money, like that [Very High Tech Science Device] that I saw on display in the corridor back there." He catches view of the widow, and the small spot that he had made when he landed (crashed into) it earlier and laughed slightly, "I uhh, can clean that off if you want...that was kinda my fault."

<Koriandr bit her bottom lip gently and she floated over to Spiderman. She took his hand and she gave a glare to Dick. She didn't know why he was acting like that, but she didn't like it. She sat down next to him "You're a good hero. No worries. We all get a little hotheaded at times. This guy I dated...he has an ex that can be a real pain in the backside," she said to him softly. She smiled softly to Raven. She'd keep Peter here. She wasn't sleeping with him or dating him at all. He was her friend and she was trying to make more of those. She takes a deep breath and she smiled to him "Could you show me more neat tricks with your web?">

<Cyborg was watching Nightwing out of the corner of his eye. The vehemence with which the blue bird had come to his defense was a bit surprising but... he did used to run the place. "Agreed," he said. "Common areas or your room, if... that's where things go." Sometimes that happened with Kory. The spider himself seemed to come to a realization about where he was, and he accepted the apology with a nod. "I don't doubt you're one of the good guys. There is just a lot of sensitive equipment around here. Even certain members of our organization aren't allowed everywhere." Granted, that was generally after some kind of screw up. "No need to try and repair that, I can queue up a repair bot to handle it. You just... do your web tricks." There was a small amount of disdain that let slip into his voice, which he covered up with a cough. Another message sent to Nightwing. "Maybe he's harmless. Don't interrupt your lab work if you don't have to." Finally, to Raven. Her... less than subtle words earned a slight wince. "Yes, actually. It's the same.. but the rest of the tower has gone through some upgrades and I've tried to integrate them into your room as well, though I don't know if they've screwed with the ley lines. You'll need to check them out, particularly if you are gonna go into that room again.”>

<Raven was perhaps finding it easier to read body language than she had when her empathy had first been silenced, Nightwing's stance was made note of. With a flit of her dark eyes, the hybrid gave the tensed acrobat a sharp look, as much a warning as a chide for his lapse of manners. There were measures in the Tower to handle the matter, should the agent have forgotten. As such, the half-breed simply gave her head a subtle side to side shake, then returned her focus to the various words being cast about by those gathered. Spiderman was addressed with a mild dip of her chin and a composed, "Your compliance is appreciated." Wait, wasn't Vic the one who was part robot? Kory's attention to the masked man's bruised pride was noted with a mild rise of a single dark brow under the drape of her hood, her own response perhaps less conciliatory, "I recall that ex of yours, Kory. Though I would venture his taste in women is hardly the trait I would complain of." The empath squared her shoulders and turned her eyes Vic's way again as he addressed her, the wince noted, but not remarked upon. Cyborg's comment about the enhancements made to the room saw her cant her head a little to one side, "Lead on, then. It will not take me long to assure all is well.">

<Nightwing catches the looks from all three of his teammates, though the women approach it a little more blatantly. It's hard to tell behind that mask, but his expression appears to have gone slightly sheepish. "What...?" Like you don't know, Birdboy. That was a bit of an overreaction, don't you think? Although, after a day of getting yelled at and bossed around, it's to be expected that he might be just a little on-edge. Cyborg's message pulls his attention again, but he doesn't look to Vic, focusing instead on the items he'd brought in with him. He sighs, unsure of whether or not he's comfortable leaving Kory to escort a stranger through their dwelling... and even less sure of the reasons for it. Still, he's comforted by the fact that he no doubt has more information on Parker than the Boy Genius could have possibly gathered on the rest of them... although it's hard to say with the resources he likely has access to. Raven's remark to Starfire makes him look back to the others once more, a faint smile on his face as he regards the blackbird for a moment. He glances down, contemplating a reach for the empath's hand, some gesture to acknowledge her. He refrains, albeit reluctantly. Hardly the time or place.>

<Spidy is left slightly vexed, "Tricks, what am i, a circus preformer?" he asks looking at Nightwing, was that a car fully chosen phrase, or just dumb luck? Either way he turns to Kori, taking another sip of his smoothie, "Alright, here, watch this," with both hands he fires up strands of web, small subtle movements on his wrists and fingers have them form into a huge spider Web on the ceiling of the room a good 15 feet around, "Don't worry, it will dissolve in an hour or so," he assures them, "And now,” he goes to fire off more, by his web shooter fails and 'explodes on his wrist, covering his had in the sticky goop, and just at that moment, his phone goes off (phone!?! was he carrying a blutooth?) "Of all the luck..." he grumbles " One moment please, I swear this doesn't usually happen..." he taps an earpiece under his mask, "Hello? yeah...oh man, that was tonight? No ml, I'm still coming over, but I'm across town right now. I know Aunt May...yes, yes alright, red or white? Alright pretty lady, see you as soon as I can." he hangs up and looks back at NW and Star, "So....I don't suppose I could get a ride back to Queens, could I?" he asks. Yep, this was Parker luck in its purest form.

<Koriandr winced at the barb from Raven. She didn't respond, though. She kept her focus on Spider-Man. She knew that would be brought up. She wasn't planning on sleeping with Spider-Man. It wasn't that she didn't find him intriguing or anything like that, but she wasn't looking for a lover just a friend. She turned to him and she smiles as he webs up the ceiling. Her eyes wide in wonder as she stares at it. She flies upwards and let her fingers gently brush along the web before she flies back down. Kory smiled and she nods her head "I can take you to Queens. Can you show me...you'll have to show me how to get there," she said. Maybe if he had to leave, it would be a lot less tense, though she was sure her presence caused as much tension as his did.>

-	- - -

<Cyborg shrugged. "I guess that's that, then." He nods to Raven and makes his way down the familiar, yet unfamiliar halls. "...just really hope that this stupid collar comes off soon," Vic was saying as he went down the hallway. But then they got to the door. "Anyway... home sweet home." He probably should have stopped harping about the stupid collar the moment they left the foyer. But he couldn't help it, he was passionate about that. "I've tried to disturb as little as possible," he continued, opening the door. "If you want some kind of lock, I can have that installed in a few hours, depending on the complexity of the lock. I know you have spells and stuff, but sometimes practical is better." Within, the room would look much how Raven would remember it, but for the addition of what looks like a window, bringing natural light to a room that previously did not have much. "That's the biggest change, right there. Made sure that there's a special switch that can hide the window entirely, if you don't want it.">

<Raven followed along behind Cyborg as he led the way through the Tower's corridors, her stiletto heels clipping crisply in time. Her cloak billowed out around her shoulders with each pace, ripples of fabric flowing fluidly behind her. She listened as he went on about the collar, though there was no outward reaction from the hybrid as they pressed on. His opinion on the collar was welcome, but she'd spent so much time adjusting to its presence that by now it was only an item. Yes, an item that held her empathy at bay, but even that was something of a mixed blessing. Raven let silence draw between them, beyond the occasional sounds from Vic's cybernetics and the click of her heeled boots, though she broke it just before he spoke again, "As do I." She kept her voice low as he opened the door to the room, at first simply peering in, though soon stepping past that familiar threshold. It was Spartan, cold. Had she really lived like this? The double bed stood off to one side, the space she'd used for meditation left cleared, a few empty bookshelves mounted to the walls. Home. Had any other place ever been as much of one? "I have no need for a lock, I would encourage transparency with the team. That is part of my concern." The window was examined, "Interesting modifications, I see no way this would interfere with metaphysical phenomena. But allow me a moment to confirm." The pale hybrid stepped to the middle of the room with a few short steps, sweeping her hood back from her delicate features as she extended her hands out to the sides, those indigo blue eyes closing as she began to quietly turn in a circle, extending her senses out around her into the room's energy.>

<Nightwing moves along silently behind the pair, looking back over his shoulder every now and then, still unsure of how to feel about the exchange in the foyer. He's brought his things along with him, of course. Never good to leave important case files and materials just lying about, after all. That was... uncomfortable. He's eager to remove himself from it, and if it means he can look into a few matters regarding Rachel's inhibited state, so much the better. The acrobat seems to hang back, keeping to the doorway once Cyborg leads the way into the bedroom. It's a bad habit of his, or maybe he just remembers how protective the hybrid was of her space back in the day. As soon as Raven comments on transparency, it offers some confirmation of his suspicions. Embracing a team again, surrounded by professionals, going out of her way not to keep secrets... Prudent moves, really. The only one he really takes issue with is the matter of the talisman, but that can wait. He'll steal it, if necessary, it's not like the Batcave's 'impenetrable' storage compartments have ever stopped him before. Still, it's something to be discussed once the collar is no longer in the picture.>

<Cyborg could hear Nightwing. Cybernetic ears on the side of his head, of course. It was pretty easy to determine that it was Dick, but he kept his attention on Raven. Why had she kept the place so sparse? He hadn't entered the room until she moved out in respect for her privacy but... still. Folding his arms, he once again executed a scan over the room, seeing what levels he could detect over various spectra. In truth, he still had no sense for magic, or whatever it was that Raven commanded. Well, no computer method of discerning what and where things were. However, in the part of him that was still human, he could feel a sort of difference as he stepped across the threshold, that first time and every subsequent time. However, he kept himself out of the room, so as not to disturb her own abilities.>

<Raven pushed the rest of the world away and wordlessly focused on the metaphysical elements of the room around her. She could feel the residual traces of previous spells, including the portal she'd once opened to her father's domain. That one saw her right brow give a mild tic and brought a small measure of tension to her limbs. Those pale fingers flexed mildly, and the empath's delicate nose gave a faint wrinkle, as though she'd picked up an unpleasant scent. All of it was her own, even the underlying veins of energy she felt flowing through the Tower, wards and spells she'd lain into the edifice itself years ago, still intact. Excellent. Eddies of arcane energy greeted her like old friends, bringing her features back to her casual neutrality, and then gradually lifting the corners of those full mulberry lips. Memory flowed in the wake of the sensation, past conversations, arguments, strange events. The hybrid eased her hands back to her sides before she opened her eyes, her voice that same low, measured alto both of the male vigilantes were used to, "I can find nothing having interfered with ley lines or my previous spell work. All arcane guard measures remain in place for the Tower." The pale woman shifted her dark eyes over to Vic, and then past him to the lurking figure of the bluebird. "Oh for..." Raven rolled her indigo eyes and waved a hand officiously, "Come in, you dolts.">

<Nightwing watches quietly while Raven executes her arcane sweep of the room and beyond. He looks to Cyborg for a moment as the two of them share in that hesitance... or is it simply respect? Some mixture of the two? Regardless of what it is, the empath soon calls them out on it. The masked man looks down with a subtle smile, taking a deep breath before making his way into the bedroom. That's new, really, being told to enter her space so... bluntly. Amazing how much the hybrid has opened up, though it's hard to say whether this was brought on by the collar or other factors. He'd been so detached from the Titans for so long, it's difficult to say where the shift began. Regardless, the summons breaks him out of the nostalgia that had been creeping in. Everything in the decor and lighting seems familiar, even that which has faced change, but it's the smell of the place that really gets him. It's both comforting and somewhat painful.>

<Cyborg shrugged as he was called out. "Just tryin' to make sure I don't interfere with anything. Magic is the thing I know the least about." Noting Dick's sheepish entrance, he chalked that up to something else. It struck him that, of the three, he was probably the one most used to the room as it currently stood. "I'd have made a few more changes, but I'm not sure what you would have wanted or what might screw with the magic. Though I seem to have done okay with the rest of the building, aside of a few quirks." He shrugged, internally reviewing the log that had "Magic" listed as a reason why the change hadn't taken place, everything else being equal. "But everything's okay, right?">

<Raven took a moment to wonder just how long the two men would have stood outside without that abrupt summons. Could she have kept them both at bay with only a threatening look and a veiled threat, as she had when they'd been younger? The thought was strange, and enough to let the half-demon woman drift back into memory, snippets of conversation coming to play through her mind like echoes of some distant dalliance, 'On second thought, I'm not sorry, and you're a jerk.' Interactions from the past, each a little piece of the sum of experience and friendship. 'We're going to play a new game. It's called 'don't bother Raven'!' Whispers and reminders, how could something as simple as a room remind her of so much? 'They went into my room. No one should ever go into my room.' The half-demon paused at the remembered words, the last of them sinking into her a little further than the last. No wonder the two men were so wary of setting foot, this space had once been her only sanctum, when she'd been younger, and she'd defended her privacy fiercely. "Do not worry about that. The wards and spells lain into the Tower were all done on a structural level. It is very unlikely they could be disturbed." The half-breed took a step toward one of the walls, letting her fingers drift along the fine layer of dust on one of the shelves, "The room is perfectly acceptable. I will put a few minor measures into effect in preparation for my empathy being restored." She kept her back to the two men as she lifted her head, a slow breath pulled before releasing in something like a sigh. "I feel as though the room speaks to me.">

<Nightwing finds a place to set his things down, swiftly locating something to casually support himself against, settling on the edge of a nearby chest of drawers, his right elbow braced against the surface. It's taken a while but the acrobat finally decides to speak up. "Old habits, I guess." He watches curiously as the empath continues her sweep, albeit in a more physical sense now. The memories are a little less direct for him, lacking her arcane sense, but they assert themselves in his mind with surprising clarity. When Raven opens the topic of the collar, he moves in to run with it. "Any word on when that's going to happen? I assume the move has something to do with it, is there good news on the horizon?">

<Cyborg nods. "Well, that much is good. Still, some quirky stuff has been happening when I try to upgrade the place." Another shrug, and yet another useless scan. He did remember respecting the sanctum of Raven's room, to the point where entering it when he assumed leadership of the tower had been... weird. "Maybe you can tell us what it says," he said, honestly curious. "The magic is everywhere, but I can't seem to touch it, just... sense it. Maybe I've spent too much time as a cyborg; a lot of my thinking seems to boil down to what will or won't compute.">

<Raven drew a single slow breath as Nightwing leapt right to the collar on the peripheral mention of it, her dark eyes closing as she swiftly buried a faint note of irritation. Over two months without her core nature's essence, she'd been making her peace with the device in baby steps, each series of forward steps pushing her back one for two in advance. And now that she'd just felt she had a hold on how to exist happily with a fraction of her abilities, those close to her focused on the article. It wasn't that she didn't appreciate their interest in her restoration, but it hardly helped her keep her mind away from the topic. "I have been informed that deliberations have begun on my case with the Justice League. It could be days, it could be weeks, even months more before they agree to release my empathy." Her hand rose gingerly to the side of her neck, tracing the turtleneck cowl of her costume over the top of that offending item, "I have begun taking steps." She turned then to face the two men, her indigo eyes and stoic features not even letting an inch of expression slip over their mask-like composure, "That is one reason I am seeking transparency with the team. I have begun to meditate in earnest again, to pull myself back under control in an effort to mitigate any influence from-" Raven's voice caught, but she cleared her throat and pressed on, "- her." Pride. She couldn't even say the name, really, and those reflective indigo eyes averted a moment before she forced them back to Nightwing and Cyborg, "I intend to communicate this to the team myself. That what I have been while collared cannot continue." Being expressive, demonstrative, sentimental. "It is not of a lack of desire to share what I feel," her eyes drifted Dick's way in a second or two's linger, then shifted back to Cyborg as she continued, "It is wholly about re-establishing control over myself. I anticipate the first few weeks will be hard on all of the Titans, due to my reclaiming rein on my abilities. I apologize in advance for any difficulty this could cause the team." Not to even mention those outside of it. Her mind went to Kara's recent upset at her guarded state, causing those dark brows to give a faint knit.>

<Nightwing notes some hint of the empath's irritation. Perhaps being free to express herself has made her easier to read in that regard, though it likely has more to do with how close they've become over the past several months. More so than when they were younger. Exploring these new elements have certainly been illuminating. As such, he drops his gaze apologetically, but he still listens with intent as more information is offered on the matter. Only when Pride is mentioned does he look up again. If he'd felt anything beyond attentiveness to the empath's words, it doesn't read in his facial features. Admittedly, being able to hide moments like these from the half-demon has been refreshing. He'll have to work on his ability to tuck things away once she's operating under the full range of her abilities again. Silence lingers longer than it should before he speaks up once more. "I can't speak for everyone, but I understand how things need to be." He looses a sigh, breath hitching for a moment. "And I'll do what I can to help with damage-control." His meaning should be obvious. With things having progressed with Kara, he might actually be able to pick up some emotional slack. Cyborg's remark on the nature of the magic is a welcome distraction from the topic he really shouldn't have touched... but at least he knows now.>

<Cyborg let out a small sigh. "That's a shame. I was actually kinda enjoying the new you. But.. you gotta do what you have to do." He kept his face impassive the whole time, keeping his emotions to himself. He did hate that she had to do it, as it seemed like she was freer this way... but it came with a price. As always. "Well, that's the room... unless there's something else you need, I should get back to the rest of my improvements." A pause. "It's gonna be nice to have you around again, Rachel.">

<Raven turned her dark eyes Vic's way and dipped her chin in a slow nod, her gaze giving away nothing of what hid beneath the surface. Gratitude, shame, slowly building uncertainty, relief. Everything, every inch of it buried under that porcelain pale mask, "Magic is difficult to explain. Perhaps it is best summed as an electric current, energy. Always moving, but it can be harnessed and bent. It is kind of like crafting light from a spark." She was trying to explain, which more than she’d done previously was. The mention of Vic's having enjoyed her present state sent a pang through her core, though she didn't even let an ounce of that little ache show in her expression, guarding her tone as she replied, "I have found it pleasant, mostly. But not everything is meant to last." Nothing yielded, perhaps she was having success in her focus on measuring her emotional state. Cyborg's departure saw silence stretch between the remaining vigilantes, and Raven watched the door for a moment as it closed behind the cybernetically enhanced man before she turned her reflective indigo eyes onto Nightwing. "I know you have enjoyed it too. My being this way. You do not need to say it." The half-demon shifted to the dresser against the wall, placing her hands onto the surface before lifting herself smoothly up onto the surface in a seat. "I do appreciate your aid. I am concerned at her possible response while I re-assert control. She does not react well to my being-" Raven paused, though offered no other sign of uncertainty, "-well, in a sense, me.">

<Nightwing offers a nod to Cyborg as the mechanical man takes his leave, looking down for a moment before Raven addresses him. Though his gaze is obscured, it's easy to tell when it finds her. The shift in his expression is subtle, but it's there nonetheless. A faint, somewhat sad smile steals his lips fleetingly. She graciously spares him having to comment on the matter, but he still addresses the acknowledgement of his feelings with an affirmative nod. Her move to settle next to him is met with a gentle lean, his temple coming to rest against the arcanist's bare shoulder. The pain in his side gnaws again, but he ignores it, carefully steadying his voice before letting it slip forth again. "It's the least I can do with how shitty I've been to both of you recently. And I think it's more that she reacts poorly to your restrictions... She's aware of the more passionate you under all of that, but you're at two opposite ends of that spectrum." He pauses before polishing that comparison up some. "Not in opposition, mind you. More of a balance, I'd say." The detective laughs softly. "Though I'm in no position to speak on that with any authority.">

<Raven inclined her head in a wordless assent to his comment in relation to her restricted nature, those indigo eyes sweeping along the mess of his dark hair as his temple found her shoulder. She listened as he spoke, those stoic features never shifting, save perhaps for a faint softening of those reflective blue eyes into something more open. "Shitty is a matter of opinion. My opinion is perhaps not one you would care for on this matter." But you're going to subject it to him anyways, aren't you, blackbird? His continued commentary on Kara saw a faint flicker pass through her pale features, but it was gone before it could be identified, "I have said as much. She is fire, I am ice. She is rampant emotion, and I am subdued control. We are opposed in many senses." Was she going somewhere with this? "But one element we are matched in is honesty, Dick." Aha, there it was. "That is one thing we share that has been paramount to the closeness we have shared." The hybrid sat up a little straighter in her seat, those indigo eyes fixing on his downturned features, but she pressed on, that composed voice offering no inclination of the sentiment beneath the surface as she drifted her hand down to guide his chin up toward her features. "In the field, I trust that my leader may not give me his innermost thoughts. I believe that he has the team's interest in mind, that he knows what is best for all involved." She pivoted in place and leaned back enough that she could reach for his mask, her partially gloved hands easing the black and white article away from his features so that her darker blue eyes could meet his piercing gaze, "But there are moments when you should not mask what you think, what you feel." She paused, turning his mask over in her fingers as she held his eyes, "A mask is required in the field. Deceit can be a tool on a mission." Raven lifted her fingers to offer him the mask back after a moment, "Neither trait should be present with those you are close to. Relationships, whatever else they may be, are not missions. Sometimes it is better to let people see you, know you." Her eyes softened as she held his features, her voice softening as she admitted something that pained her, "In the field, I trust you. But when we are alone? When we speak as... whatever we are?" She pressed his mask back into his hands this time, "I find it hard to trust you. I want to, but you make it difficult. I want to see Dick Grayson. I have seen his mask for a decade.">

<Nightwing falters noticeably when Raven dips into a potentially threatening topic. He's reluctant to look up, seemingly aversive to even taking deep breaths. Tense. However, everything about his posture that doesn't betray his discomfort indicates attentiveness. She has him, to the point that when she moves to direct his gaze upwards, he doesn't attempt to pull away. He seems surprisingly relaxed, all things considered, up until she reaches for his mask. It's more instinct than anything that drives him to respond to the move. Raven has, after all, seen him unmasked countless times, more often than not these days. She's actually seen about as much of him as is possible, really. The muscles of his right arm seize, but he manages to refrain from redirecting her touch. Instead, he holds steady, meeting the hybrid's eyes when his own are exposed. It's amazing how naked you can feel in a full bodysuit, though it's not the removal of his mask that strikes him, but the words that accompany the gesture. She's right, he knows she is, it's something he's heard many times before, yet he can't seem to separate his work from other aspects of his life. Sad, really, he'd always believed he had that over Bruce. Experience would suggest otherwise. Her remark on the issue of trust swiftly has his stomach in knots, the discomfort a rather potent motivator to hide away again once his mask is offered back, but what good would that do? It's not physical exposure he's presently struggling with, is it? There's a lump in his throat now. Speaking is going to be a challenge. What she said, he can't help but think back to Barbara's rejection. 'The real Dick Grayson'. It's hard to remember who that guy is sometimes. When he finally does speak, his voice is somewhat strained, lacking his usual confidence. "I spent the first ten years of my life being raised on honest principles..." He pauses, taking a deep breath. "And the last fifteen learning to suppress all of those. To cover my tracks, physically and emotionally. Nothing that could lead back, nothing that could make me vulnerable--" Another breath. It shakes slightly. Those piercing blue eyes find her deeper pair again. He looks terrified, and yet there's nothing but certainty in his voice as he pushes his mask back into the empath's hand. "I don't want to do it anymore." The challenge? Learning how to stop.>

<Raven watched the turmoil in his features and fought with all of her might to keep the same from reflecting in her own expression. She felt for him, she understood, but the truth was often painful, inconvenient, and piercing. He'd promised to be more present for their Kryptonian companion, this was a step she could see being his largest challenge. But then, when had Dick Grayson balked at a challenge? "I know how you were reared, Richard." Her voice was low, though soft, meted to temper the blow she'd delivered. "And trust me, I can empathize with being taught to bury everything that feels natural. It is a state I would wish upon no one, I know the impact it has on a mind." Her eyes lingered on his, meeting his terror with understanding, his trepidation with calm resolve, counterpointing him with nothing but wordless acceptance. His eyes wavered, but her own held firm, every moment she held his eyes stripping away the layers of composure and guarded focus, leaving only Raven beneath it all, the woman he'd seen in the past few months, the creature of fierce passion and intense sentiment. The push of the mask back into her hand saw her gaze dip to the article her fingers curled around, lingering a moment as he spoke. Her darker eyes rose to his cerulean ones again at those words, she knew he meant it, he wouldn't be so afraid if he didn't. Raven's expression drifted into something thoughtful and acceptant as she set Nightwing's mask down on the dresser by her hip. The collared empath then turned, her motions at first delicate as she gathered the costumed man to her, wrapping her arms securely around his shoulders. It wasn't long before her grasp on him tightened, the embrace she offered laden with more than either of them could really articulate. When she spoke, her voice was barely more than a murmur, though earnest affection and quiet pride swelled in her words, "That is wonderful, Richard. I will help you in any way I can.">