Robot calamari, anyone?

Hello again. It's been a while since I last updated, my apologizes for that. I've been busy lately and nothing of interest has happened since the giant robot squid attack on Steel City. Well, I've been fighting minor crime, the weather has been getting colder, but that's not a really interesting thing to talk about, is it?

So, giant robot squid attack. On Steel City. I helped to stop it. And then Aqualad and Bumblebee went and broke it. And that's it.

...

Okay, maybe I need to give a bit more detail.

A giant robot squid had been pulling hit and run attacks on Steel City. It would burst out of the sea, go on a rampage though the city, destroying buildings and stealing what's in them and then vanish back in the sea again before Titans East could arive. Aqualad had tried to chase it underwater, but since most of the team is bound to land (or air in Bumblebee's case), they had some issues fighting it. They needed some way of trapping it on land and that's why I was called (well, to be honest they called Raven first, but she was busy over in Jump City). Bumblebee figured that if someone like me could lift huge objects, we should be able to stop them as well. So... I came over, and when the next attack happened, I helped by holding the giant robot squid down while Aqualad, BumbleBee and Mas & Menos (is that spelled right?) tried to break it into pieces. Which... Sort of went well. I did keep the robot in one place, but it was difficult doing so. And I couldn't stop it's tentacles from trashing about. So, with me being in open view of giant robot squid thrashing it's tentacles about...

Let's just say I'm very glad Mas & Menos are so fast on their feet.

At any rate, eventually, Bumblebee and Aqualad broke through it's armour and started taking it apart from inside. They got out before it blew up and... Well, that's that. I started picking up the scrap left behind so it could be properly disposed of and everyone started clean-up. Dealing with reporters, getting the Titan Urban Rebuilding Fund to repair whatever was damaged, things like that. There's still the matter of finding out who actually send the robot squid here, but Bumblebee assures me they can handle things from here on end. I quietly left after that, just saying goodbye to everyone and sneaking past the droves of press. I don't like being the center of attention.

Come to think of it... Where's Speedy? I haven't seen him at all. Hmm. Maybe he was busy tracking whoever sent the robot?

Meeting mr. Wayne

Hello again.

The weather in Gotham has been getting worse. Rain turns into rain storms, the wind has been picking up and it's growing colder by the hour. Yesterday night, there was some sleet hitting me in the face. It's been getting difficult to tell day apart from night (dusk is easy - there's a bright yellow-orange sun shining above the horizon but below the clouds. Seeing it shine on the buildings is beautiful). Good thing I'm done with my guard assignment.

Speaking of which, when I had finished it and went to collect my pay, mr. Bennett (he's the chief guard who hired my services) told me that mr. Wayne wanted to talk to me. That... Was a bit of a surprise, really. I've often worked for Wayne Enterprises, but I've never actually met anyone higher in the hierarchy than mr. Bennett. He did mention something about the higheruppers being the ones who asked him to hire my services first time we met. So I quietly nodded and followed him up to mr. Wayne's office. I don't think I have to mention that I was really nervous.

Mr. Wayne was facing the window when I entered. Mr. Bennett announced my presense and promptly left, closing the door behind him. So... I just stood there, by the door, not saying a word. After half a minute or so, mr. Wayne turned around and invited me to sit with him. I have to admit, he was kind. In a business-related way. No nonsense kindness. I had heard rumors he was somewhat of a thrillseeker of some sort, but that really didn't show. Anyway, the reason he wanted to talk to me was because he wanted to thank me for my services I'd provided for Wayne Enterprises over the years. But he was also curious how a Teen Titan (I'm only a honorary member) ended up straying so far from the Towers and why I 'sold' my powers like that (... They're more abilities than actual powers, I think...).

I... Didn't really know what to say. I basically told him what I've told you in former updates. How my abilities have drawbacks which might endanger people I work with (so I work on my own often) and how I don't exactly get funding while having to feed and clothe myself. I... Didn't really say anything about feeling like a fish out of the water. Mr. Wayne kept quiet for a moment, then asked how I got my abilities. He said something about 'bang babies', but didn't continue. Probably because of the look I was giving him. I kept quiet. Even if I knew how I got my abilities, I'm pretty sure I shouldn't be telling people how they work.

"All right. I don't mean to pry. At any rate, thank you for your services, Anathema. I hope you'll work for us again."

"Um... You're welcome sir. Is there anything else you wanted to know?"

"No, not really. Mr. Bennett has your payment. Goodbye."

With that, our meeting was over. I said goodbye and left to get my payment from mr. Bennett (making sure they didn't overpay me again. Which they did. Why do they keep doing that?). Meeting mr. Wayne was interesting, though I wonder why he wanted to know where I got my powers from. Maybe he's dealt with a lot of lab accidents involving superheroes or something. And on second thought, maybe I should've asked why they insist on paying me too much.

Anyway, I'm off to Metropolis Steel City. Bumblebee called - there's a giant robot squid terrorising the town and Titans East are having trouble fighting it. Guess my holiday got cancelled.

Long nights and loney days

 

One of my 'pets'. It's a summoned
demon. Most definitely not a piece
of my own anatomy!

Hello again.

Warehouse guard duty is... Boring. When you're guarding a shipment (like I usually do), you can at least look out the window and see the changing landscapes. With warehouses, you just keep walking the same route over and over again and things grow old fairly quickly. Every now and then, I just leave a 'pet' of mine to continue the guard route and go off the beaten path to mix things up a bit, but it's still quite monotonous.


The last few days have been quiet. I have seen one of the guard occasionally, making his rounds. There's an alley cat which walks by every so often. The rain even let up once or twice, but aside from that, nothing has really happened. Still, it gives me time to practice with my abilities - fine motor control with psychokinesis, teleportation precision, things like that. And, it gives me time to think about stuff. About the Titans, criminals... Myself.

Maybe it's the incessant rain outside. Maybe it's the general pall of twilight that falls on this city, but I can't say I've been thinking positively about myself. I mean, what kind of heroine am I? Instead of using my abilities for 'good', I stay out of the fight by protecting shipments of dangerous chemicals, valuable objects or powerful technology. And then ask money for it - though I do kind of need it. If I asked, any of the teams would probably have me. If they even know who I am.

But... No.

My abilities work better if I'm alone than if I'm in a group - or rather, there is less danger involved for others if I work on my own. I might ask money but it's not that much. And the stuff I guard... The transports are weak links in security and so far there's only been one guy who managed to give me the slip. Stupid cross guy. And I go places other Titans might never go and help people there if there's a need for it. Little towns. Out of the way places. You'd be surprised how many giant scorpions, spiders and sandworms I've encountered so far.

Lousy rain. When I'm done with this assignment, I'm heading to Metropolis for a few days.

Gloom city

Hello again! Third update so far. It'll slow down eventually.

So patrol the day before yesterday was interesting. Robin had me tag along with him and basically acted as a mentor, pointing out things I missed and showing me signs of a burgular breaking in. I just 'picked up' whoever we managed to catch and ended up floating them in the air like balloons. Without strings. If the thieves are just ordinary thugs with little more than crowbars, there's little else I have to do. Except maybe dodge the crowbar they throw out of spite. I'm a little overpowered when dealing with normal people. Guns even the odds, though, especially the ones that fire bullets. Spikey is good at knocking those out of people's hands.

Right now, I'm in Gotham. Gloom city. Bat country. A criminal's paridise, or so I'm told. Robin and Phantom's home towns. To be honest, during my short stays here I haven't really noticed Gotham's ugly side, but maybe that's because I've been staying in relatively safe areas and haven't been looking for trouble. There's a certain person here and I don't want to meet him. The nastiest I've seen so far is the weather. Why is it always raining in this city?! Does nature consider this city's forboding architecture to be a series of mountians to drain clouds on? It doesn't make sense. Gotham's as gloomy as Metropolis is bright. For some reason, it makes me feel more relaxed about... Showing my 'wings' or having some tentacles poke out. That can't be good.

I swear, this city just creeps under a cloud when no one is looking.

My job today and the coming week is to guard one of the low-priority warehouses of Wayne Enterprises, instead of securing a tech transport to Stone City which turns out to be cheese or making sure the Titans' new toys aren't tempered with during transport. That way, some of the guards can be reassigned to higher-priority stores which are in danger of being robbed. Or something like that. It's probably going to be boring and uneventful, but hey, each piece of technology Chang fails to get his hand on is one less weapon in the hands of a madman threatening cities. I may not be a heroine like Starfire or Raven, but at least I'm helping, aren't I?

Hitting the floor running and falling flat on your face

Hello again! It's another update... Because I keep having this feeling I haven't done a proper introduction for myself. And... Because Beast Boy is right. I have been rather distant, to anyone really. I never hang out with anyone or do stuff together which is not directly related to fighting crime. I'm sorry, but part of that is because I'm out in the field a lot, protecting shipments. For money. I don't know where you get your funding, but since I don't get any, I have to do something to pay the bills. Another reason would be because... Well you noticed the horns, haven't you? Well... I'm no demon, but I am something which would be called that way. And I don't want to harm anyone.

Okay. Saying that is the reason for my timidness would be unfair - I'm not the only monsterous Titan out there. But it's not helping. This world is as alien to me as I am to it, and I'm being reminded of it constantly. So I feel out of place, all the time. Socialising becomes difficult then. And... Well, I am a little shy by nature.

So though I don't like to admit it, Spikey forcing me to make this blog might've been a good call on his part even if his decision to break all communicators wasn't. In any case, I'll try to make this blog an interesting one from now on. I wish I could add some more to this update, but not a lot has happened since yesterday. Seems heroes do get a day off every now and then. If I even qualify as one. And normal Tower life has been... Normal. Though given the antics of some Tower inhabitans, maybe that should be abnormal instead?

I don't now... I want some tea. I'm gonna go out on patrol tonight, if Robin lets me, and then I'm off to Gotham city. There are some Wayne Enterprises warehouses that need protecting. Yes, I'm nearly broke again.

Oh. If I made Beast Boy sound as if he was angry with me yesterday, that's poor penmanship on my part. Raven told me he's helping a friend who is going through a rough patch of life right now and it's been stressful for him, too. Some of that stress must've shown, yesterday.

A forced start

Hello! I... Ah... Um... I don't really know what I'm doing. This whole blog thing is kinda new to me, and, to be honest, I'd rather not do it. But, if I don't, Robin said he would take my membership away. So, first things first, I guess. Though I don't really know where to begin. I guess a short introduction is in order?

Pleased to make your aquiantance. I am Anathema. I am one of the many, many honorary Teen Titans members flocking about the US, fighting crime and saving the day and generally having a fun time so long no one gets hurt. Except... Well I'm not really one of the forefront members - I stay at the back in complete obscurity and protect the supply lines, sort of. If you have never heard of me before, don't worry about it. I am currently staying at the West Tower, because Cyborg had me protect various pieces of hardware that needed replacing after Beast Boy poored soy juice over them Raven's meditation went wrong Gismo blotched a hacking attempt Cyborg danced a jig they mysteriously started sparking and blew up.

Anyway. After delivering the goods, I headed to the main room and saw some of the other Titans. Illusion, Beast Boy, Starfire and a couple of others. I noticed in particular that Illusion was working on one of the computers, writing an article of some kind. When I asked about it, she told me she was working on her blog. A kind of online letter. Apparently, it was a lot of fun to do and she said I should also make one. Several others already had one (and I will be adding their blogs somewhere on this page, Starfire, please stop reminding me - I just need to figure out how).

As I said before, I was rather hesitant about it. As such, both Starfire and Beast Boy decided I needed more convincing, and started pointing out how it was highly theraputic, how fun it was (they told me this several times, in fact) and how people would get to know me better and all that. It went on for a hour or so. But at the end, I still didn't want to make a blog. I told them I kinda liked not being known by the greater public. I... Have my reasons. Starfire abated, but BB didn't.

"Dude! We never hear anything from you! You're only here when Cy or Robin needs parts and even then you're gone as soon as possible! Are you trying to be more distant than Raven?!"

I didn't have an answer for that. Then Robin joined in and said I did need to do something to get involved with the other Titans. To let them hear from me. In case something happened, so they'd remember who I was. I don't think he needed to be so grim about it - if something happens that I can't deal with, there's an emergency button I can press, can't I?

"And if you don't, I'm revoking your honorary status."

So... After a few instructions from Starfire and Illusion, I've set up this blog to let you know how I'm doing. Because Spikey forced me. I'm still setting up the page, so I am sorry if things appear confusing at first (yes, Starfire, I will also try to find a picture of me when my body is more human-y. That's going to take a while, okay?). For me, they certainly are confusing right now. I can't promise frequent updates, but I will if I'm at one of the towers.

... Can I go now?