Current Events > Teen Titans CYOA: Romance Resurrected Part 21

(+) Yeah! (+)

another bump

B

B

You decide to go with semi-formal attire. The boys still have their slacks and button-up shirts but no need for ties or vests, and the same goes for yourself. Melvin has a second dress that isn't quite as frilly as her formal dress, and Raven puts on her favorite T-shirt dress, though she does go with the Louis Vuitton sandals you got her in Hawaii.

"Lovely," you say to her as she walks over.

She smiles and you all go to the garage.

"Uh oh," you say as you look at the car, Shadowfax and Bobby. "Not sure how this is going to work..."

"Yeah," Raven says, also seeing the issue. "I don't drive..."

"But you do fly," you say.

"I have to fly alone to the restaurant?" Raven says. "On a cold day after Christmas?"

"You wouldn't be going alone," you say. "You'll take Bobby since there's not enough room for him in the car."

"So there's going to be a huge teddy bear flying over the city?"

"It's either that or you take Shadowfax," you say.

"But I'm in a dress," she says. "I can't ride a motorcycle in a dress."

"Then fly with Bobby," you say.

Raven looks at the car, the motorcycle and the stuffed animal.

"Fine," Raven says. "C'mon, Bobby."

The garage door opens and Raven walks out with Bobby. She makes a construct in the form of a harness and has it strap to her. She rises up and manages to bring Bobby up with her.

"Okay, here we go," you say as you open the rear passenger door.

The Todder Titans file in, Melvin in the middle between the boys, and you of course go to the driver's seat. You back out of the garage and roll down the window.

"I'm pretty sure you'll arrive first," you say, "so go ahead and have them set up the tables in the VIP area."

"Alright," Raven says. "Should there be anything done with the food?"

A) Serve the Horchata as people arrive
B) Wait until everyone has arrived to serve

Bbbbbbb

bump

B)

B

"Only that they should wait until everyone is there," you say. "And that includes drinks outside of water."

"Okay," Raven says. "See you there."

Raven lifts off, Bobby limply going along. You finish pulling out onto the street and make your way to the restaurant. Traffic seems moderate to you, perhaps those visiting for the holidays have already left. As such, you make it from Ledyard in Silver Terrace to 3rd Street just under 20 minutes.

You lead the way into the restaurant from the front, getting only a few odd looks, and go to the VIP section in the back. Raven and Bobby are already seated at one of the three tables, each one set up for ten, as your group has almost 30. You of course sit with them, with four seats leftover being perfect for when Robin, Starfire, Cyborg and Beast Boy arrive.

"Your staff did ask," Raven says, "so they know to wait."

"Thank you," you say.

"So what are we having?" Raven asks.

"A three course meal, though second servings are allowed," you say. "Rainbow Terrine as the appetizer, your choice of Natto Curry Rice or African Ramen for the main dish, and Queen's Apple Tarts as dessert."

"Natto are those really sticky beans, right?" Raven asks.

"Yes," you say. "We had them in the rice balls the other day."

"Right, right," Raven says.

"I want mac 'n' cheese," Timmy pouts.

"But you'll like Rainbow Terrine," you say. "Carrots, corn, zucchini, all very good vegetables."

"But mac 'n' cheese is better than vegedebulls," Timmy counters.

"Timmy, Rorek's chefs already started making the other food," Raven says. "You can have mac 'n' cheese some other time."

"But mac 'n' cheese is easy to make," Timmy counters again. "It's jus' noodles 'n' cheese!"

"Timmy..." Raven reprimands.

She frowns at Timmy but Timmy just frowns back.

A) Stick by the menu
B) Make the mac 'n' cheese

A.

B

A.

bump, been busy today

dang it, sry guys, got busy again. I'll try to get this before turning in for the night.

A

"I'm sorry, Timmy, but we're sticking with the menu," you say. "But trust me, you really will like what's in the terrine and in the ramen."

Timmy grumbles but he leaves it at that.

The rest of the Titans enter and your waiting staff directs them over to you. As you expected, Robin, Starfire, Cyborg and Beast Boy sit with you, Raven and the Toddler Titans. At the middle table, Herald, Jericho, Wildebeest, Red Star, Gnark, Kole, Bushido, Speedy, Argent and Jinx sit together. This leaves the third table to Pantha, Mas, Menos, Hot Spot, Blue Beetle, Aqualad and Bumblebee.

Now that everyone's here, your wait staff serves the Horchata. Everyone enjoys the sweet mix of milk, vanilla, almonds, sugar and rice, with a hint of cinnamon from the whole cinnamon sticks stuck in the drink.

The Rainbow Terrine is served next, hot and fresh, with a streak of a golden yellow sweet 'n' sour sauce and a green herb sauce.

"See?" Raven says to Timmy. "Look at how nice that all looks."

Timmy grumbles as he pokes at the terrine. The terrine is tender, so Raven is able to cut into the terrine with her fork. She has a scoop of the corn, okra and cauliflower and has it as is.

"Mmm~!" she says. "It's good."

"Really?" he says.

"Yeah," she says. "And it has cauliflower. If even the cauliflower tastes good, then you know it's all good."

You chuckle, and Timmy seems to be coming around. He chops a piece off with his fork, looks at it, then puts it in his mouth. He chews, perhaps considering the mix of flavors and textures, and then swallows.

"I guess it's okay..." he grumbles. "I still want mac 'n' cheese."

"How about this?" you say. "What if we put cheese on the terrine?"

"Really?" Timmy says.

"Of course," you say. "Have you ever had cheese melted onto broccoli? It's not bad."

You wave Sibbie over and explain about the cheese.

A) Get a slice of cheese
B) Grate the cheese

B

B)

B

"Bring a grater, we can have it done to how Timmy likes it."

"Right away, Chef," Sibbie says.

Sibbie heads to the kitchen and Timmy patiently waits. Two minutes later, Sibbie returns with the grater and a small block of American cheddar cheese.

"Okay," Sibbie says as she leans over his plate. "Say when."

Sibbie grates the cheese, and grates, and grates, and grates and grates and grates and grates and grates-

"When," Timmy says.

Sibbie stops and Timmy has quite a lot of shredded cheese all over the terrine. The terrine is still warm enough to melt the cheese, and he seems to enjoy eating it more than before.

"Could I have some cheese, too?" Hot Spot asks.

"Y-Yeah," Blue Beetle says. "Me, too."

Sibbie walks over and grates cheese for them, and they seem to have her put as much cheese on the terrines as Timmy did.

"Maybe I should've considered a cheese based appetizer," you say.

"I'm not sure cheese is the reason they called Sibbie over," Robin says.

"Yeah," Raven says.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" you say.

"That your female waiting staff are all varying degrees of physically attractive," Starfire says.

"Yeah," Raven says.

"Oh," you say. "Well, yes, I suppose Sibbie has a girl next door kind of charm."

"I like her hair," Melvin says. "It's really wavy."

"It is pretty nice," Starfire says.

"The skirts could be a little less snug," Raven says.

"It's meant to be professional," you say. "Like business casual."

"More like business se-"

"Anything else before the main course?" Sibbie asks, making Beast Boy stop himself.

"Nope," Beast Boy says.

"No, I think we're good," you say. "I will have..."

A) Natto Curry Rice
B) African Ramen

B...

B

B

"... the African Ramen."

Sibbie nods and writhes that down.

"What's in African Ramen?" Speedy asks.

"Muamba chicken soup, with garlic, red peppers, onions, tomatoes, and peanut butter," Sibbie says. "But also, chashu, which is rolled pork shoulder roast in a glace made with garlic, soy sauce, sugar, wine and peanuts. It's also served with a side of harissa paste, made out of chili peppers, paprika, caraway seeds, lemon juice and garlic."

With that explained, Beast Boy of course goes with the Natto Curry Rice. Kole, Wildebeest, Teether, Timmy, and Mas join him in having that, while everyone else joins you in having African Ramen.

Given the large difference in number of orders, Beast Boy, Kole, Wildebeest, Teether, Timmy and Mas have their Natto Curry Rice first.

"Mmm," Kole says. "I like it. The beans are kinda sticky and chewy, but not too chewy."

Wildebeest nods in agreement as he eats a big spoonful. Timmy and Teether also nod in agreement.

After waiting ten minutes, the African Ramen is served to everyone else.

"Mmm, the peanut butter makes the soup creamy," Hot Spot says.

"The red chili peppers stand out, too," Menos says.

"The bits of chicken meat makes this like, African chicken noodle soup," Jinx says.

"But what's the point of the harissa?" Argent asks.

"You can either add it directly to the broth to spice it up," you say, "or you apply it to the choshu meat."

You demonstrate by taking just a little bit of the harissa and stirring it into the soup.

"Harissa is from Maghreb," you say, "a region that includes the Northern African countries of Tunisia, Libya, Algeria and Morocco."

Not everyone tries, but more apply the harissa directly to the meat. Starfire puts it on the white onions and then eats the onions...

"Wow, that packs a punch," Cyborg says.

"It might be even better than mustard!" Starfire says.

"How are you liking it, Raven?" you ask.

"It's really good," she says. "The chashu is thick, but also tender."

Alarms go off, and you realize it's the Titan communicators. The group groans.

"Of course someone tries something after Christmas," Robin says.

"What is it specifically?" you ask.

"Not that you could go," Raven says, leaning in. "After all, you're just the rich restaurant owner who happens to know the Titans."

"R-Right," you say, understanding what she's getting at. "Just asking out of curiosity."

"It doesn't have specific villains yet," Speedy says. "But it's happening at Jump City Arena."

"The home of the Jump City Sharks hockey team?" Cyborg says. "Odd place to hit."

"Who wants to go?" Robin asks.

"Not the Toddler Titans," Raven says. "If we don't know what's over there, we can't risk it. And they need to finish their dinner."

"Which means you should probably stay behind to help watch them, too," you say.

"Not everyone has to go, either," Robin says.

"I drove the T-Car, I might as well go," Cybrog says. "But remember, it only seats five."

"We should also try for some balance in the team," Red Star says. "Strength, speed, range of attack."

The discussion doesn't take long, and the unique formation of Cyborg, Robin, Red Star, Bushido, Argent, and Speedy head out. Red Star and Argent can fly, so that allows the other four plenty of room in the car.

"It's alright, everyone," you tell your normal patrons. "The emergency is a little ways away but the Titans are taking care of it. And there are plenty more staying here just in case."

The customers are still a little flustered.

A) Serve Horchata on the house
B) Serve ice cream on the house
C) Serve pie on the house

A

bump

C

bump, got busier than I expected to be

C

"Alright, alright," you say. "A free slice of pie for everyone! Apple, cherry, pumpkin, I think we have some pecan pie. One slice per person, absolutely free."

The customers sound happy to hear that, and you can even tell some are considering dessert now.

"Can we have pie, too?" Teether asks.

"Well... I suppose so. We can have a tart, and a slice of pie. But we're already having apple tarts, so apple pie would be redundant."

"Or, would it be more of a good thing?" Beast Boy says with a smirk.

Everyone eats up their dinners, and you're enjoying the harissa's enhancing of the chicken broth.

As dinner gives way to dessert, the apple tarts are served, one for everyone, and everyone is given a choice of pie.

A) Cherry
B) Pumpkin
C) Skip the pie

A.

A

A

You decide to go with cherry pie to be different from the apple flavor of the tart. But plenty of the group seem to agree with Beast Boy in doubling down on apple pie with their apple tart. Kole goes with pumpkin pie and Gnark follows her example. Raven has pecan pie, and the Toddler Titans follow her example. Those who have cherry like you are Jinx, Jericho, Mas and Menos.

Everyone bites into the tarts, and enjoys the incredible mix of textures. The frosting on top is soft and sweet, the crust is warm and flakey, and the apple filling inside is just as warm, very gooey and very, well, tart.

"These are so good," Raven says. "Hopefully Cyborg and the others get back to have theirs while they're still fresh."

"This is where someone would say 'I'm sure whoever is causing trouble there can't be that hard,'" Hot Spot says, "but that'd be like, foreshadowing something."

"Yeah," Blue Beetle says. "Major irony warning."

"You guys can say 'jinx it,'" Jinx says. "I wouldn't be offended."

"Would being self aware of the irony and jinxing in itself jinx it?" Aqualad says.

"Not sure," Bumblebee says. "I guess we'll know when someone calls."

Everyone is quiet a moment, all expecting a call to come in for the same foreshadowing, dramatic irony reasons. But nothing happens, so you all go back to dessert.

The slices of pie are served next. Kole and Gnark get the pumpkin pie at the same time as Raven and the Toddler Titans get the pecan. You, Jinx, Jericho, Mas and Menos get your cherry pie slices second, and then everyone else gets apple.

Whipped cream is served from the spray cans to get it nice and fluffy on the pumpkin pie. Gnark is rather impressed by the whip cream can technology. You have a bit of whipped cream on your cherry pie, and Jinx does the same.

The cherry pie crust is a bit stiff at the bottom, but the cherry juices should soften that up after a moment. The filling is very sweet, and just the right consistency.

As dessert continues, the group is all clearly wondering what's taking the others. There are no televisions in the restaurant, so youc an't even be sure if the news is still covering what's going on.

A) Ask an employee to check
B) Have someone call the group
C) Try not to worry

A

bump

B

B

"We should probably have someone call them, right?" you say to Raven.

"Yeah," Raven says. "I'll take care of it."

Raven brings out her communicator and makes the call. But you're all waiting for a response as it rings. After the fourth time, someone picks up.

"Hey, Robin," Raven says, "are you- Wait, Argent? What're you doing with Robin's communicator?"

"Robin's a bit busy fighting hand to hand," Argent says. "Who knew a sports themed villain would be so tough?"

"Wait, sports themed?" Raven says. "That Sportsmaster guy is in Jump City?"

"Yeah and he brought some rather surprising sidekicks," Argent says. "Some bloke named 'Kid Kold,' and his sister, 'Ice Kate.' They keep calling him 'Sports Uncle' or something."

"Wait, Kid Kold?" you and Jinx both say.

"Somehow connected to Captain Cold?" you say.

"Jinx recognizes him?" Starfire asks.

"Uh..." Jinx says nervously, "he's kinda... An ex-boyfriend of mine."

"What do you mean 'kinda?'" Bumblebee asks. "Either he is or he isn't."

"Okay, yes, he's an ex," Jinx says. "It was my early days in HIVE Academy, but he and Kate weren't even there that long. Their dad wasn't happy about their grades but put it more on the teachers than on Kold or Kate. There was a big fight, and I mean like an actual fight because Captain Cold has his ice gun and the teachers-

"Ugh, look!" Jinx says, cutting herself off. "Point is, they're HIVE drop-outs who clearly joined their dad in the family business, and I think both Captain Cold and Sportsmaster were in that, uh, Injustice Society from like a long, long time ago. Probably explains the connection."

"And Jump City Arena hosts a hockey team," Bumblebee says. "They're obviously after items relating to hockey history there."

"A talented, sports based fighter," Pantha says, "and a team that is good with ice. The group we sent should be able to handle things, so what is the delay?"

"Well, for starters," Argent says, "Kate quite literally cut Cyborg's legs out from under him."

"Ow!" the whole group lets out.

"Yeah," Argent says. "Red Star flew him to safety so he can repair, but then Kid Kold put up ice walls at all the major entrances. He literally froze Cyborg and Red Star out. And with their combo of Kold making ice and Kate skating on it, she's going so fast, it's hard to pin her down with my lasers or Speedy's arrows, and we can't stand in her way or she'll just cut us up."

A) Send reinforcements
B) Help them strategize

A

A

A

"We should definitely send reinforcements," you say. "Or, uh, you should send reinforcements."

"Definitely," Raven says. "Okay, um, Starfire, Hot Spot, Jinx, Mas y Menos. You five should head over to get Cyborg and Red Star back inside the arena, as well as counter Kid Kold and Ice Kate."

"Yes!" Starfire says. "We shall cause Kold and Kate to have the melt down!"

"Wow, great joke, Star," Beast Boy says.

"Why me?" Jinx asks.

"You said Kold's your ex so maybe you can affect him," Raven says.

"Then how am I supposed to get there when everyone else flies or goes really fast?" Jinx says.

"Starfire can fly you there," Raven says.

"I shall be very careful," Starfire says.

Jinx is still hesitant but this new set of five heads out.

"Ten Titans to handle three villains," Aqualad says. "Who would've thought it'd take that much."

"Control Freak had enough gadgets to make all five of us run around and save the city," Bumblebee says.

"Jinx, Gizmo and Mammoth were a lot for us five when they first showed up," Raven also points out.

"Honestly, anything Slade did was a lot for an entire team," Beast Boy says.

"Yeah, I guess so," Aqualad says.

With almost half the group absent, it's a bit hard for the rest of you to enjoy your dessert quite as much as before. You really hope things finish up over there before it gets any later.

You finish your tart and your slice of pie, and it seems most of the others are also finishing their dessert.

"What should we do if the others aren't done there before we're done here?" Raven asks.

A) Go back to Titans Tower
B) Go to Jump City Arena

A.

B

bump

A)

A

"We can probably just go back to Titans Tower," you say. "Well, you and I should stop by the house to get the Toddler Titans' things, and then we'll get them to Titans Tower. Then we'll all wait there for the others."

"I suppose that's fine," Raven says. "For all we know, the battle will be done by the time we get there."

"Right," you say.

You hope that didn't just jinx things. Which would be interesting since Jinx is headed over there.

"Sibbie," you say. "Please pack the leftover Queen's Apple Tarts, we'll make sure our friends get them later."

"Yes, Chef," Sibbie says.

Sibbie goes to the kitchen, and a minute later, comes out with a box. You thank her, and you let Beast Boy take the box to take to Titans Tower. He rides with Titans East's Bumblebee and Aqualad.

"Um, are you going to be okay driving the truck?" Raven asks Kole in reference to what the Titans North brought to the restaurant.

"Umm..." Kole says. "Well, I've only had a couple lessons. If I could get room to transform it back into a helicopter, that'd be easier."

"Wow, the helicopter turns into a truck?" you say.

"Well, yeah," Kole says with a chuckle. "Where'd you think we got the truck?"

"I guess that's a good point," you say.

A) Help it transform back into a helicopter
B) Have someone else drive it for her

A

A.

A

"Alright, then," you say, "we'll make sure you can change the truck into a chopper."

The Titans East "E-Car" as well as the Titans South "S-Truck" head on ahead and you watch the street traffic.

"Okay, start up the transformation," you tell Kole.

Kole presses whatever buttons and flips whatever switches she needs to, and the process begins. Obviously, the first thing is the tires being tucked away to be replaced by the landing skids. The truck bed extends to be the tail, complete with producing a rotor, rudder, and stabalizers.

A car turns the corner but slows to a stop as they see the still-transforming vehicle in front of them.

"Sorry, sorry," you tell them. "It'll just be another moment."

From the truck's roof, the mast emerges, and out come the main rotor blades themselves. Kole and Gnark give you thumbs up, you and Raven give the thumbs up back, and the rotors start moving. You and Raven go back to the door as the wind gets blowing and the T-Copter takes off.

"Thank you for waiting," you say to the car.

The car finally continues on, and you bring the Toddler Titans to your very normal car.

"Oh, wait," Raven says. "How are we supposed to get the Toddler Titans and their things to the tower? Your car is, well, a normal car, and Shadowfax is a motorcycle. Even with a sidecar, that's not going to be enough."

"Hmm... That's all true. Should've had the others join us in going to my place. But okay, we can all go to my place, the Toddler Titans get their luggage, we all go to the coast together. Raven will use magic to fly the Toddler Titans all across the water, then I go back to get Shadowfax so that I can cross the water."

"That should work," Raven says.

You and the Toddlers get in the car, same as before dinner. Raven flies Bobby and you drive home. You pull into the garage, exit the car with the Toddlers and enter the main house. The Toddlers gather up the sleeping bags and their luggage. They pack their things, hurry back into the garage with you, and Raven takes off with Bobby once again.

It takes a bit longer to get to the water than the restaurant, but it's still a smooth trip. Raven is already waiting with Bobby as you pull up. The Toddlers file out, you make sure they have everything, and then Raven makes a large platform with her mana. The five of them fly across the water with that while you drive back home.

A call comes in on your Titan communicator as you wheel Shadowfax out.

"Hey, Rorek," Raven says. "Good news, the others finished up with Sportsmaster and the ice siblings."

"Wonderful," you say. "Then perhaps we can all relax with..."

A) A movie
B) A game