Sky Shopping (Red X)

[Starfire]

The red haired girl walked out of the mall, staring at the sky. The stars shone as if suspended bulbs from an unreachable ceiling, and no matter how much you tried, you could never fully reach it. Out there, Starfire knew, was Tamaran, her sister and her brother. Was he even alive? Maybe he was one of those stars, lighting up the sky for her to see. That's what stars were to her. Spirits that guided your way.
Starfire's mind took in the crowd of late night lovers and druggies, a normal night, oddly enough. The men who weren't latched to a ladies' arm was taking her in, as if they would run out into the street to stop her. They had not learned about Robin yet, had they? And he was to pick her up as well, correct? At least, he said he could if she needed. At this time, she could fly home, but noticing the crowd even more, she became aware that flying may not be the best idea, no matter how normal it seemed to her,they were bound to gravity. So, though flying was easier, she decided to take the route less traveled by (to her, at the least) to the tower, and get there the way Robin did. A change of pace was nice once and a while.

[Red X]

This city was becoming more dull every day. It would seem that just being a thief was not enough any more. So Red X was now on his way to changing it up a bit for a bigger thrill. Also to play around with some new ideas. All of his plans were being put together and he just needed a few more things to move it along. Running across the roof of a building Red X found himself looking down on an all to familiar sight. It was Starfire, one of the Teen Titans. A personal favorite to bird boy. Letting out a slight chuckle Red X wasted no time in putting on a little show. Forming a red "X" like shuriken in his hand Red X threw it having it fly right into the direction of her little communicator so that his time with Starfire wouldn't be ruined. Now calling out his ghost like voice thanks to his voice changer Red X spoke.

"Hello Princess. Beautiful night isn't it?"

Red X wasted no time now in taking off fairly sure that the girl would follow. Though Red X knew that as long as he was running across all these roof tops that were thin enough for her to break with her powers she wouldn't attack him. That's just what he wanted cause all he wanted to do was chat for a second. After all if you need information the best thing to do is go right to the source. Leaping up onto a much higher building now Red X dived into the shadows on the top of a building that also held a giant strobe light sign. Waiting to see if Starfire would follow Red X stood out in the open to assure her it wasn't a trap. The last thing he needed was her running for help.

[Starfire]

Starfire scared easily, even more so at night. It was no surprise then when a starbolt came out of her at the 'X' that destroyed her communicator. Knowing instantly who it had come from, her eyes glowed a green as if a embodiment of envy itself. Where was he?
At her title being named, her body flew into the air, almost ready to attack. The building were too fragile, though. Like paper....

Like the stars that lit up the sky, as if with one touch, they'd burn out, and sizzle back to life only when the ones they loved were gone. Her heart hurt with a thought of Tamaran. One touch, and it could be gone, too. But enough of that, Red X tried to hurt her. She was a Tamaranean, she was not to be disgraced as such.
"What do you want?" The tone was rough, angered and ready to fight. Her hands lit up with starbolts, the color of her glowing eyes.

[Red X]

"Easy now princess. I just want to talk. I wouldn't think about firing any blasts at me thought. I placed a few charges on this sign behind me if something were to shake them up to much they may go off. That would be a lot of trouble for those people below."

Red X of course didn't place none there but instead just red markings that looked like an "X". Though he knew Starfire was to caring of the innocent people to give that a test drive. If that didn't work though there was always plan B which involved getting her tied up and then chat. Staying with his body placed in front of the sign Red X started to speak again.

"It's been a long time Princess. I bet Robin thought I left town? You guys missed a few of my heists. Your getting a little slow these days?"

Red X wanted to make sure that he had everything under control and he had plenty of ways of finding that one out. As he watched Starfire he made sure to watch just encase she had any tricks up her sleeve. Last thing Red X needed was to waste a load of energy with a teleport right now. Plus he still needed information.

"Any ways Starfire. I wanted to ask you if you knew anything on the HIVE headquarters here. If you tell me anything I can assure you it would be good for the both of us."

[Starfire]

Starfire refused to let anything in her demeanor drop, keeping it all up for the sake of a...poker face. She was taught that face back at home, and it was useful here. She would do anything to make sure everyone was safe, and if that meant not firing, she would do so. Her bolts disintegrated, and her eyes got soft, a good thing for Red if any.
"No, I do not. Planning to steal again?" she asked, getting a bit closer. Stealing was wrong, even from a place such as the HIVE. What was this little crook up to, and why talk to her? Made no sense to her.
"I need to go now." she said, starting to fly away, as if he didn't matter even for a crook.

[Red X]

"I'm planning on stealing something. Yes."

Red X watched as the girl seemed to be a little upset. Though he didn't really care to much. Though if she thought she could leave so easy. Then she was very mistaken for what Red X had planned she needed to hear for it to work. Just as she started to fly of Red X just turned around and started walking toward the sign on the building. He yelled out loud so she could hear him and started to mark something into the sign with a blade.

"You may not care about me. Though what about your Bird Boy wonder Robin? You walk away now I promise you he will be hurt. Not by me of course but...You shouldn't be so blind when someone is just trying to help."

Red X pulled out a small computer and typed in a few things before putting it away. He figured she would come back if it meant the safety of Robin though if it really came down to it he could always do things the more violent way. Red X had no time for games. The Hive was something standing in his way now that robberies were becoming more frequent by some of the members. Though it would figure Starfire or any other Teen Titan had a one way mind. You either good or your bad. Some people didn't understand sometimes things are just done for the better of one or even many.

[Starfire]

At the sound of a threatened Robin, rage insued, and her eyes turned pure green. "You will not hurt Robin!" she told him, coming at him with a speed that was unnormally fast. Then again, he had just threatened her friend.
"Got it?" she was now in his face, her eyes staring with hate at him, unlike her. It took her patience and pride not to shove him off the building, causing issues to the people below who watched intently. She backed away, but only an inch or so. "What do you want?" she asked again, her anger still in her voice. She wasn't going to back down. It wasn't the Tamaran way, no, it wasn't her way. She stared at him, only taking a moment to look at the sky. Robin needed her back at the base. This was wasting time.
"As you Earthlings say, cut to the chase."

[Red X]

Red X watched as the alien girl came in like a missile at him. He just stood there not flinching as she got close to his face. After he let her blow off a little bit of that over powered steam he tilted his head slightly and started to speak once more.

"You really should learn to listen. I'm not the one trying to hurt Robin. My plan is to start hunting the bad guys from the HIVE."

Red X looked at Starfire and felt like it was no surprise how she was acting. Though once again it just left Red X feeling a bit sorry for her. In his own way he wished that people like her didn't get blinded by what they saw as good or wrong. Though it had nothing to do with him now. So he really didn't care any more.

"You want to me to explain it? Fine it's simple. The HIVE is getting new members every day. You guys get one maybe every few months if they can deal with you that is. I'm here to pick up the slack cause I'm sick of having second rate bad guys run around. In other words for now we on some what of the same side. So if you help me I'll help you. I saved you all twice before I don't owe you Titans nothing now."

Red X pulled out a the computer again hitting a few more buttons that shut it off. This was all going to plan so far. Though what he needed from Starfire was simple. If she gave him the information or not didn't really matter. He had his own way by force to get what he needed. Though it didn't mean he couldn't try to be nice from time to time. Plus it would save him some energy. The less villains the more he is paid and the closer he can get to robbing the HIVE blind of it's tech.

"For a girl who wants to try and bring peace to the world you sure do like solving things with your fist when someone wants to talk. Just stay out of my way if your not going to doing anything. Plus you can tell Robin the score is tied."

[Starfire]

"The same side?" she asked, tilting her head in confusion. He did everything to help himself, from what she knew. Her temper boiled down just enough for her starbolts to fade again, but her eyes stayed the threatening green. She wasn't sure if she could trust him, but if Robin did, she might as well. Backing up to a somewhat non-threatening distance, she listened somewhat respectively, though weary of his words.
After listening, she debated. This should be told to Robin, not to her. But it seemed Red X needed to tell a Titan. She must have been the only one in his sight. She shrugged mentally, since the only thing that had ever annoyed her about him had been calling her princess. It reminded her of Tamaran and of her family which she'd rather not remember because it was so painful.
Her hand went to her side, but remembering that the communicator had been destroyed, she spoke.
"You need to talk to Robin about this."

[Red X]

Glad that she finally took the time to listen him. Red X was very pleased that now a bit more of his plan can go on without much trouble. He knew that Robin would be trying to look into all this. Trying to find and edge to it all. Really Red X only wanted to do one thing and that was clean the place up a bit. Nothing of the Teen Titan's things Red X wanted. So after he had the suit he had no reason for them. Though it was fine with Red X if they tried to confront him later.

"I'll let you tell Robin. Me and him are not what you would call good friends. Just tell him everything I told you. I work fast so don't be surprised when a few days from now you really start hearing my name. If the Teen Titans want to really help the city you may want to go on the offensive from time to time."

Red X pulled out a communicator with a red "X" on it and let it slide across the floor over to Starfire. Speaking once again Red X held out another one that was in his hands. He based the design much like his suit so that he had control over who would get them. He knew that if the Titans had one Robin would seek him out.

"Tell Robin if he wants to chat. I'll be waiting. Don't get me wrong. I'm not in this to be a hero. I'm just looking for what's best for me. Right now that just so happens to be what's best for you."

[Starfire]

"Okay...Red X." his name came out as if she'd never heard it before, a confused tone to her voice. He was an ally, at least or now. She stared at him for a few seconds, unsure whether this meant goodbye or not. Sitting down on the ledge, she looked at him for a few more seconds. He reminded her of Robin, so secretive and mysterious. But major differences were there as well. Red looked out for himself, whilst Robin did not. Why was this. Robin would never show his eyes to her, and Red X would never show his face to anyone. Curiosity got the best of her, and she inquired.
"Why do you never show your face? You're just like Robin with that." she said, not sure if the last sentence was needed to be used or not. But if he was an ally (partially) she needed to know. And if he ever took off this mask, maybe they could catch him off guard. She wouldn't tell him that, though.

[Red X]

"I have my own reasons for keeping my face hidden. Other than being a thief. Maybe one day you'll catch me and you'll find out. Wouldn't that be more exciting than me just showing it? Not knowing and wondering is so much more exciting."

Red X walked a little closer looking over the edge to the city. This place was not an enemy to him. It was a playground. Red X had a few rules even though he was a thief. Never get caught was at the very top. Though along with those was never do anything that would compromise your way of life. As well as never take something for no reason. Then at the top right under never being caught was never owe anyone anything.

"You and your friends look down on me. I know you see me as nothing but a thief. You have no idea how wrong you all are. I'm the best at what I do. More importantly I have rules that even I don't break."

[Starfire]

"But what you do is to save yourself. To owe nothing to anyone. Don't you realize...you could be something more?" she offered. If they were allies, maybe she could show him there was more to be. Then again, he had chosen to be what he was, only looking out for himself. It was nice to try, though.

Looking out across the city, she knew the lights were as they called it, 'artificial'. They guided the way, but not with what she had hoped for. The held nothing but gas, not any kind of meaning, and Tamaran, though they did use these, loved starlight. He was right; they did look down on him, but right now he was a city light. For good, but only artificial good. Teen Titans were the starlight, the villains the darkness.

[Red X]

"No one has ever given me a reason to want to save them. So I have no problem with it."

Red X spoke out as he soon turned from the city. Walking back towards the middle of the building he could only wonder just how everything will end. This was a life filled with a sort of thrill he loved. Though at the same time dealing with such closed minded people wanted him to just walk off a cliff. If a giant diamond was at the bottom that is. Red X had goals and he wanted to see them through. These people had no idea how much like them he was.

"The line between good and evil is very thin. You may not see it but Robin does. That's why he doesn't like me. The line is even blurry sometimes. When a soldier goes to battle and kills a man is he evil for protecting his home? Does that glorify the death. Anyone can play the bad guy or a good guy. I just live my life the way I want."

Red X jumped up onto the glowing sign and looked down at the city. It was a place where he could run free. He wasn't worried about being caught. He plans and he out smarts. Red X has never been caught and only be stopped once or twice. It would only be a matter of time when Red X gets what he wants and the Teen Titans will be chasing him again. Thing was Red X was more excited for that day.

"This town is going to know my name. Once it's all said and done I'll make my own symbol."

[Starfire]

"But when it does..they will scream your name in hate." she said quietly, tensing on the word hate. To her, that word should not exist, nor should the feeling. They did not hate on Tamaran. Tamaran, even so horribly mistreated, were kind to everyone. At most, until they were pushed. They were not going to be pushovers. Kind but strong, that's the description of Tamaran's people.
"Why do you steal?" she asked, quiet enough to be a whisper. This conversation was long past its due, she knew, but she convinced herself it would help them in the end. But she stayed, even though an uncomfortable feeling rose as she looked out to the city. She flew up to the sign as well, but stood, floating above it instead of sitting to show him of her leaving feeling.