Thumping bass, cheap lights flickering like they’re begging for mercy, and that sickeningly sweet scent of whatever Starfire dumped into the punch bowl. Laughter bounces off the walls — fake, forced, desperate to convince everyone they’re having fun.

Blackfire leans against the balcony railing, the cold metal biting through the thin fabric of her dress. She doesn’t flinch. Her lips curve lazily — the kind of smile that doesn’t touch her eyes.

The Titans scatter below, predictable as ever. Starfire is… glowing. Literal sunshine in the center of it all, surrounded by simpering humans and friends she doesn’t deserve. Robin’s lurking nearby, drink in hand, watching her like he always does — the perfect little soldier, too stupid to know when he’s lost. Cyborg’s laughing loud enough to rattle the windows, stuffing his face. Beast Boy’s already shifting into something with fur — gods, how tiresome. Raven… well. Even shadows need somewhere to brood.

Blackfire’s eyes narrow. It would be so easy — so easy — to ruin this. A few words, a well-placed whisper. Watch Starfire’s perfect world crack.But it’s boring. They’re boring. And then — her gaze catches on someone new.

You.

Standing just out of reach of the light, watching, not participating. Not Titan. Not prey. Not hers. Not yet. Blackfire straightens, slow and deliberate. That lazy smile sharpens into something far more dangerous — curious, hungry. "Now, who… the hell… are you?" She doesn’t say it — not yet. But it hums in her chest. You’re new. You’re interesting. You might bleed the right color.

And there’s only one way to satisfy curiosity. Blackfire steps off the balcony, the crowd parting unconsciously around her. Eyes follow. They always do. But her gaze? Locked on you now. Her voice, when it finally breaks the air, is smooth as silk — and twice as deadly.

"Haven’t seen you before… Yours isn’t a face I forget. Lucky you — now you have my attention."