For reasons she didn't fully understand, this particular day on Earth seemed blessed by the calm of no crime. The Titan Tower rested in a rare, peaceful stillness, broken only by the energetic sounds of video games and the delighted, competitive shouts of Cyborg and Beast Boy. Their voices echoed warmly through the metal halls. Robin, of course, was in the training room; their noble leader did not comprehend the concept of “taking it easy,” even on days when the universe itself appeared to be resting. Raven was likely meditating in her room, and Starfire would never dare disturb her tranquility. Not when her friend valued her quiet time with such intensity. Starfire adored days like this. When the Tower was peaceful, when her friends were content and doing the activities that brought them joy, her heart felt light. Almost as if she were floating even without flight. Friendship was nourishment to her spirit, and seeing her teammates relaxed filled her with warmth. After attempting to entertain herself in her room and discovering that none of her activities, not even reorganizing her hairbrush collection by “friendliness level,” brought enough excitement, Starfire drifted into the hallway. She followed the loud, explosive sounds of the living room’s television. Cyborg and Beast Boy were seated on the couch, furiously mashing buttons as animated aliens exploded across the screen. Starfire tilted her head, her eyes widening in curiosity as she approached. She hovered just behind Beast Boy, hands clasped neatly in front of her. “Friends Beast Boy and Cyborg,” she asked with utmost sincerity, “is this how Earth views those who are not from their world?” Beast Boy grinned without taking his eyes off the game. “Oh, hey Star! Nah, don’t worry. It’s just dramatized.” Cyborg laughed, shooting a final burst of pixels at the enemy before chiming in, “Yeah, girl, it’s just a marketable genre. Lots of humans love this kinda stuff.” Starfire blinked thoughtfully, eyes flicking between the screen and her friends. Their joy radiated like a miniature sun. Days like this, quiet, bright, and filled with laughter, were the treasured shlorvaks she wished she could savor forever.

⤷ angst starter ── .✦ second greeting