starfire

koriand'r. 23. starfire. princess of tamaran.

[ofbalance]

.

"Star," It was a nickname from youth and it hadn't meant to leave him. Dick was usually better at secret identities then to let slip such a thing, but seeing her couldn't help but take him aback. It had been so long since they had seen each other face to face let alone had a conversation. It made him wistful of the old days, when life had been a lot more simple. "Kori." He amended himself, deciding he would cover it up as a nickname if anyone cared to ask. "I can't believe you're here, in Gotham." Then again he himself was supposed to be stationed in Bludhaven and yet-- "What are you doing here? I mean, I'm happy to see you." He needed to make that clear, he didn't want her to feel unwelcome at all. "But I'm just surprised is all."

[from-starbolts]

Koriand'r sucked in a breath at the mention of her old nickname. She reminded herself to calm down, but emotions always bubbled to the surface with her people. She masked it with a smile and took a long sip of her drink. It would take another five drinks for her alien body to feel anything, but she could always pretend. Kori tried not to read into Dick's flustering and chalked it up to surprise, as he claimed. "I can hardly believe it either." She laughed, thinking about how she barely fit in here. She often had to fly above the cloud line just for sunlight—Gotham was unnaturally dark. "I did not know where to go after I returned from space... I heard that Gotham was having a surge of trouble, so here I am." It was the truth. She had thought about returning to the Titans, but without Dick it didn't feel the same.

[all-blades]

Jason scoffs, holstering his gun as he kicks the body to the side. "Yeah, like Mr. Talk Dark and Broody actually asked for help." He takes a step back, creating more distance between himself and Kori. One eye on his exits, the other on her. "You do know that most of these assholes will just be back on the streets in a couple weeks, yeah? Well," He gestures towards some of the more... incapacitated ones. "The ones that won't be needing some physical therapy, that is." And the ringleader that's now dead at his feet.

A beat of silence follows. He doesn't hear any sirens yet. She probably hasn't thought to contact the authorities or other capes before or while engaging. "You're smart. Do I really have to spell it out for you, Kori?" She's not supposed to be here. He did not plan for people from outside of Gotham to be sticking their nose in business that wasn't there.

"The name's Red Hood. An' this part of Gotham's my haunt. You an' the others ought to stay out of it. Do you understand?" That's what he was, at the end of the day: a ghost of that dead kid who by all rights should've stayed six feet under. He takes another step back, the heel of his foot making contact with the shadows. One escape route secured. "Jason's been dead for a long time, sis. Or did you think he was just away on vacation?"

[from-starbolts]

Koriand'r wasn't sure what to say to this version of Jason. She watched as he kept his distance, like he was afraid of letting someone close to him, letting someone in. She kept her distance. "I understand." She said. Kori wished that the justice system would do its job correctly, but this was Gotham.

"Jason..." She breathed as she listened to him. As she listened to the hate in his voice. She wanted to hug him and tell him that he didn't have to be like this. That he had people who loved him. But she knew that he was in an unreachable place right now... she knew, because she had been there. "I am here to help, in whatever way I can. I will not back down because you feel that this city if your responsibility." She shook her head. "You cannot take all of that on your shoulders. It is a heavy burden and it will crush you."

She sighed and closed her eyes tightly for a moment. Teenagers were so... dramatic. "I am not stupid, as you said, Jason. If you do not wish to tell me about what happened, that is fine. It is none of my business... But if there is anything I can do, please do no hesitate to ask."

[ineedtherpmesmes]

First Meeting / Icebreakers

“Hi, I’m ______.”

“Oh fuck! Are you okay?”

“Crap! Sorry about that! Wasn’t looking where I was going. Here, I’ll get you a new jacket…”

“Need a ride?”

“How are you?”

“Seems like we’re gonna be stuck on this train for an extra three hours.”

“What’s your name?”

“Thank you.”

“You just saved my life!”

“Move the fuck out of my way.”

“Watch where you’re going!”

“Asshole.”

“Would you like anything?”

“You’re gorgeous.”

“Do I know you?”

“Uh, that’s my spot.”

“Oh, God, sorry! Let me buy you a new one.”

“Is that your dog? He is so CUTE!”

“Here, take my seat. You look tired.”

“Checking in?”

“Can I sit here?”

“May I buy you a drink?”

“I can spot you, if you want.”

“How’d you even get stuck in a locker, anyway?”

“Can you turn it down?! Some of us are trying to sleep!”

“Hi, I’m your new roommate.”

“I think I found your dog. Is he yours?”

“You look cold, take my jacket.”

“Hey, I think the mailman gave me your mail by mistake? [Name], right?”

“You’ve had a guy/girl over every night this week! And you’re really loud! You know how I know? I know because I live below you!”

“So, your kid apparently punched my kid in the face.”

“Bride or groom?”

“Can you switch seats with me? I can’t see!”

“Okay, look, if you’re gonna be airsick, aim the other way.”

“[Sir/Ma'am], if you don’t stop being rude to me, I’m going to give you decaf.”

“Don’t drink that! I saw some guy slip something in there.”

“Hey, is he bothering you?”

“Don’t give up your day job.”

“…Dude, your fly’s down.”

“I think you have the wrong number.”

“I’m [muse’s child]’s teacher.”

“[Muse’s child/younger sibling] was in my yard again!”

“Get out of here! This is my hiding spot!”

“YOUR STUPID MUTT RIPPED UP MY YARD AGAIN!”

“SHUT UP. And learn to stay on key.”

“Good Evening/Afternoon/Morning/Day/Night.”

“Watch where you’re going!”

“Is this seat taken?”

“Here you dropped this.”

“You remind me of someone.”

“Will you be taking this?”

“May I take your order?”

“How are you?”

“You look familiar, have we met before?”

“Be careful next time.”

“Hey, could you help me?”

“Help me!”

“I’m so sorry!”

“Are you alright?!”

“I know we’ve never met, but I think you’re beautiful.”

“I think I may have seen you before…”

“Hey! Watch it!”

“Oh my god are you okay?”

“Have we met…?”

“Were you at that one party?”

“Remember me?”

“I know you don’t know me but I love your shirt.”

“Quick, pretend to look like you’re talking to me.”

“Hey, is that your dog?”

“Service takes forever here.”

“Don’t mean to sound cliche, but do you come here often?”

“I wouldn’t sit there if I were you.”

“This is gonna be a long plane ride.”

“Can you turn that music down?”

“People are trying to sleep!”

“I’m your new neighbour.”

“Is that who I think it is?”

“Be quiet!”

“Is that your son/daughter?”

“I’ve read about you.“ 

[thejokerswilde]

@thedetectiverobin @supesclark

[thenotoriousscuttlecliff]

Loving these Titans variant covers.

[all-blades]

"Yeah, you could say that." He hums, carefully telegraphing his movements as he hops over the railing. He does a couple flips in the air before landing nearly on the ground. He keeps his hands in his coat's pockets as he makes his way over.

He doesn't head towards Kori. Instead, he makes a beeline for one of the still conscious dealers. Said dealer who very clearly recognizes him. The dealer shouts, scrambles to try and crawl away.

"Jones. You know what you did. I had one rule when it came to the drugs and you broke it." His voice is deceptively light, despite the modulator, as he easily closes the distance. He steps on the man's back. Digs the heel of his boot in. "Don't. Involve. Kids."

He doesn't listen to the man's begging. He's still keeping an eye on Kori, but at this moment his priority is the scumbags in this building. The message that he has to reiterate today. In a swift, practiced movement, he pulls out one of his pistols and promptly adds a new red stain to the warehouse's floor.

The shot rings loudly through the large space. He scans the area again. He'll probably have to give most of these guys home visits, if they don't remember the example made here today. Jones was their ringleader. Without him, hopefully the others will listen. A lot of his groupies weren't much older than high schoolers still. Same as him, not that anyone asks.

He keeps an eye on his exits as he shifts his focus back to Kori. "This is my haunt, Kori. You shouldn't be here. Shouldn't be in Gotham at all." He pauses. He hopes it comes across as for dramatic effect, and not him trying to compose himself in front of a variable he didn't expect. He should've known better. Been more prepared for these kinds of surprises. "Lemme guess. Here to keep ol' Dickie-Bird company?"

[from-starbolts]

Koriand'r watched the young man carefully, analyzing his movement patterns and listening intently to his words. She was trying to figure out how she knew him. He was vaguely familiar and her curiosity was overriding her common sense (which was telling her that this man was bad news).

The redhead winced as she watched the man in the mask dig his heel into the drug dealer's—Jones'—back. She moved to stop him, but then stopped herself when she heard the words. This drug dealer was involving children in his crimes. She frowned and crossed her arms. Perhaps he deserved what was coming to him. Kori would love to ensure that this criminal rotted in jail for his crimes.

Kori gasped and lurched toward the man when he pulled out his gun, but he was fast and the criminal was dead before she had a chance to save him. She halted and covered her mouth with a gasp. While it was true that she had killed before, she had only ever done it when absolutely necessary. This was not necessary.

She clenched her fists at her side and dragged her gaze up from the spreading pool of blood on the floor. She furrowed her brow when the man referred to Dick in such a way. Then, it hit her.

"Jason?" She asked, incredulous. It wasn't possible. He was dead. "The Titans moved here to assist Batman with the rise in crime—" She said quickly and waved off the topic. "Jason, what happened to you?"

[ofmarkov]

These events unnerved her. All these people so loud, all over each other, fake laughter filling the air. Tara didn’t trust it. It left her with the need to be on guard, as if they were soon to be attacked quite easily. Less ‘they’ more she. There was little else she cared about after all. She regretted coming out, but all the same she couldn’t allow herself to be unaware of what occurred in the city. Being clueless wasn’t something Tara could ever allow herself to be again. Taking a sip of red wine her face quickly churned. “This is awful.” She remarked.

[from-starbolts]

"I have definitely tasted better fermentations," Koriand'r agreed and set the glass of cheap red wine down on the nearest surface. She and Tara had an interesting relationship—Tara had betrayed her team and almost killed them all, but Kori blamed that all on Slade and decided that everyone deserves a second chance. She was still a little wary of the girl, though, because she wasn't stupid. "I am surprised to see you here, Tara. If I recall correctly, this is not exactly your 'scene'."

[bohemian-nights]

THE LITTLE MERMAID 2023 🧜🏽‍♀️

[jestergirls]

Ecco usually paid more attention to her surroundings, but she was watching Jeremiah talking to someone across the room. It was still such an unusual sight, to see him in a crowd of people. She wanted to ask what had happened to him, what had stopped him being so afraid, but she didn't know how to. She had known him for years. But they had never had that sort of conversation. So, she wasn't paying attention when the young woman tripped and spilled her drink onto the back of her jacket.

She turned around quickly, surprised and tense, as the girl started to apologise. It was obviously not an ambush, and she calmed down immediately and smiled, though it didn't come naturally to her. "Don't worry. It'll dry." She took off her jacket and hung it on her arm. There was a pause. "Did you say X'Hal's light?"

[from-starbolts]

Koriand'r blushed with a hint of embarrassment. It had taken her a long time to adapt her language to Earth and she still did not have it all down. She still slipped up, got things wrong, mentioned a goddess that existed 26 light years away. "Yes... X'Hal is the goddess that my people worship." She said, brushing off the comment. "Is there anything that I am able to do to help? I can retrieve paper napkins." Koriand'r offered, glancing around for where the bar was.

[mobqueenfishmooney]

Fish held her arms out wide and stared down at the splash down the front of her gown. For a second, the anger was white-hot, flashing through her. She could've reached out and made this girl sorry, made her do anything -- but Fish wasn't an animal. She wasn't a man. She was classy. She was in control, always. "It's a big crowd, honey, accidents happen," she crooned, after only a second. "Besides," she drawled, picking up a napkin from a server who came over to help. "It's not the worst thing someone's ever done to me. I think I'll survive. What's your name?"

[from-starbolts]

Koriand'r blinked at the woman's reaction. She had expected this woman (who looked like she could eat Kori alive) to verbally destroy her. She sighed with relief. "I appreciate your kindness," She replied and fought the urge to help the woman clean herself up. Koriand'r had learnt the importance of 'personal space' over the last four years, thanks to Raven. "I am Koriand'r of... Apologies. Just Koriand'r." She amended, shaking her head. Tamaran was gone, she was of nothing. Nowhere. She contained her despair, for now. "May I ask your name?"

[all-blades]

@from-starbolts a chance reunion.

As Jason watched the scene at the warehouse unfold from his sniper's nest, he can't help but think: what the fuck? Because what he's seeing is not something he even remotely thought he'd have to deal with. The only Titan that should be in Gotham should be the big bird himself — not Starfire. Yet, there she was, making quick work of the thugs that he was supposed to bust.

He does not want to fight her. Doesn't even want to deal with her possibly recognizing them. Because she'll inevitably tell the very people that he doesn't want to know about him yet. He's not ready for that. He bites back a growl, holstering his rifle before closing the distance; leaping from his perch to the roof of the building. He enters through an upper window, and watches her from the catwalk.

Well... His face is completely obscured by his mask, and the modulator is doing its job of distorting his voice. Hopefully enough for a Tamaranian to not pick up on any familiar notes. If not, hopefully the fact that he's been dead for years will do the trick.

"Guess I should be thankin' ya, Kori, for rounding them all up for me. Now they're all sitting pretty. Though, what's a bright star like you doin' in a dump like this, eh? This ain't your haunt." He lets out a short, dry laugh, making himself appear as non-threatening as possible as he seems to casually lean against the railing.

[from-starbolts]

Koriand’r never used her starbolts on civilians, even the bad ones, which made fighting difficult because she also tried her best to pull her punches. She was naturally a lot stronger than these men and they were trying their hardest to bring her down after she crashed their drug trafficking party. 

Kori dodged their blows easily, her moves almost like dancing in the air around their rage-induced fists. She punched one in the gut and another in the face, both going down quickly. Then, she sent another flying into a wall with a kick. She cringed at the unmistakable crack of bones. 

“Apologies,” She huffed. “I do hope your selling of illegal pharmaceuticals pays for the medical bill.” Koriand’r then wiped the blood off of her fists with a wince. At the sound of an unfamiliar, somewhat unnatural voice, she spun to face her next target. He was shorter than her—but who wasn’t?—and wore a red mask that obscured his entire face. 

The redhead frowned at the mention of her nickname. “I— are we acquainted?”

[plxntbasedbitch]

Pam pressed her lips together to keep from shouting in frustration, her fingers curling into fists. She glanced down at her dress. It was a deep green, suiting her hair and her fair skin, and she had to admit that -- after the first wave of anger passed -- it wasn’t so serious. The material was dark enough that the stain barely showed, unless you knew to look for it, especially considering the attempt at elegant mood lighting which blanketed the room. “It’s fine,” she said, though her jaw was still tight with irritation. She forced herself to loosen her fingers and let her hands fall to her sides, a soft huff leaving her lips. “Did you trip?” It was an inane question, but it helped to soften her annoyance.

[from-starbolts]

Koriand'r was perceptive, so of course she noticed how the other redhead clenched her fists. She bit her lip a little, a nervous gesture. She wasn't here to make enemies. But then, the woman calmed herself a little and Kori relaxed too. She smiled to try to ease the tension. "Yes, I am not sure why someone wore a gown with a train to this sort of event." She glanced back at the gown in question behind her, but the woman had already moved along, uncaring about the people she affected.

[ofbalance]

SO. Dick knew Gotham like the back of his hand. Not that it was quite his home town but it was the closest thing he had. There was never quite a normal to Gotham, and the city was never at rest. Nonetheless Dick was not here in an enforcement capacity, nor Nightwing or Officer Grayson. Today he was just Dick, enjoying the festivities and keep an eye for the inevitable weirdness center that would pop up. “Could I have a drink with one of those tiny pink umbrellas?” He asked the bartender, only to frown at their response. “I mean-- it’s cool they come in blue but I asked for pink.” And so came the drink with the little pink umbrella. “Thank you.” Dick said.

[from-starbolts]

Koriand'r watched Dick weave through the crowd as she sat on a bar stool, draining the last of her pink drink. She got that electric feeling in her stomach that she always felt when she saw him, leftover from a secret unrequited crush from their youth. It had been a while—Kori had been off-planet for a few months after she left the Titans, looking for scattered Tamaraneans after their planet was destroyed and sending them to her sister. She may harbour resentment for Kom, but she was a good leader to their people. The redhead smiled to herself as she listened in on Dick's conversation with the bartender. She nearly let him go back into the crowd, but it had been months and she had to admit that she missed him more than she realized. "Excellent selection," She said, a little loud since he was further down the bar. "Though I do wonder why people chose miniature umbrellas to garnish their beverages..."

[from-starbolts]

@cluebustersteph

Koriand'r spotted Steph over by the refreshments table and sighed with relief. She had been wandering around for the last ten minutes, making polite conversation and dodging older men who looked at her chest more than her face. Kori was familiar with Steph in the way that most heroes knew each other--through patrols. She always had a soft spot for the blonde; it wasn't easy to be the child of a villain. Kori's father wasn't a villain to some, but selling her to the Citadel when she was a child made him a villain in her story. "Stephanie," Koriand'r said brightly in way of greeting. "I hope you are having a better time than I am."

[supesclark]

Clark could see it coming from the corner of his eye, but a little too late. Even though he could move out of the way with his super-speed... he knew better to risk it. So, he braced himself for the spill. Flinching at the liquid against his only dress shirt and his best tie. The girl in front of him bumbled out an apology and he held out his hands. "It's alright," He assured her. "You don't have to apologize profusely. It was just an accident." Clark told her, glancing down at the pink stain on his shirt and brushing off a raspberry. "Are you okay? You didn't sprain an ankle, right?" He moved his glasses to quickly check her foot with his x-ray vision. Glancing up her only to note that she didn't really seem all that human internally. His heart pounded from the idea that she could be an alien like him and he blinked away his x-ray vision. He didn't have a lot of people he could talk about it... but what if he was wrong? He couldn't just ask: Hey, are you an alien? That was weird!

[from-starbolts]

"You are kind," Koriand'r smiled, even as she was blushing from embarrassment. "There are many in this room that would verbally destroy me in an instant for ruining their finery." She said in a lower voice so that said elites would not take offence. "I am well, thank you for asking." Koriand'r smiled softly and took a napkin from a passing server. She dabbed at the stain on the man's shirt, but soon gave up as it was already soaked in. "May I pay for your dried-cleaning service, at least?" The Tamaranean laughed.

[from-starbolts]

Koriand'r made her way around the crowd, wandering aimlessly as she searched for-- well, she was not sure what she was searching for. A friend to speak with, perhaps? Or maybe she was watching for trouble. She approached a server and took the fruitiest drink on the tray. The glass was tall and filled with a pink liquid. Strawberries and raspberries floated among the ice cubes. Koriand'r took a sip and grinned at the sweet taste with the hint of heat that followed. The girl moved to go through the crowd again but she tripped over the unusually long train of someone's gown and spilled her drink all over the person in front of her. "X'Hal's light, I apologize profusely, I am not usually so careless."

[smilingjerome]

"I thought everyone in Gotham was off at that little soiree," Jerome called out, laughing wildly. He turned around slowly, brick in hand. A knife in the other "Oh, this isn't for you, don't worry. This is for fun," he said, brandishing the knife. "And this brick is for that window. I was gonna smash it, you see, it's so quiet -- and I hate the quiet." His voice went low, dark, his whole clouding over. But then he smiled, his scarred skin stretching and twisting horrifically. "But! It's to be expected when everyone's invited to a big party and you're not -- Not my scene anyway, too stuffy, too --" Jerome made a face, gagging. "Boring." He shuddered dramatically, and looked back with a smile. "Except there's you now. Saw your reflection in the glass, ain't that something. Tell me," he drawled, dragging the blade of the knife along the brick. "What's it gonna take to make you smile?"

[from-starbolts]

Koriand’r clenched her fists at the man’s words. She always had a habit of walking into trouble, but she was at least lucky enough to have strength and power on her side, unlike many of Gotham’s more helpless citizens. She took a moment to access the situation. The man had a brick and a knife--nothing that could do any real damage to her alien body unless he was stronger than he looked. He sounded insane, which could turn out poorly for her. “I was under the impression that the event was open to all.” Koriand’r said slowly. “And I am not sure that I want to discover what your idea of fun is.” She took a step back and let her hands glow with the power of her starbolts. “I would give you a smile if you turned yourself in to the authorities.” Kori tried, but somehow she knew he would not go easily.

[from-starbolts]

Is that [Halle Bailey]? No, that’s [Koriand'r], AKA [Starfire]! [She] appears to be [23]. [She] has/have the abilities of [flight, starbolts, alien physiology] which makes them a powerful [hero].

BASICS

Name: Koriand'r of Tamaran Nicknames/Alias: Kori

Face Claim: Halle Bailey

Age: 23 Gender: Female Sexuality: Pansexual Place of Birth: Tamaran Currently: Gotham Occupation: Hero

HISTORY

Past: Koriand'r was the second daughter born to King Myand'r and Queen Luand'r on Tamaran. Despite being the second born child, Kori became the heir to the throne since her older sister lacked the strength that her parents deemed necessary to become queen. Koriand'r grew up wondering why her sister hated her when she had no choice in the whole situation. When they were old enough, they were sent to the Warlords of Okaara to train to become warriors so that they could protect their people and themselves. Koriand'r did not follow when her sister ran away and was almost glad to see her bitter sister leave. This would prove to be a fatal event in her life, as Kom sold secrets to the Citadel, who then used that information to attack Tamaran. The king sold Koriand'r to the Citadel to ensure peace and Kori had to suffer six years of slavery, enduring abuse of all kinds before she was experimented on by the Psions. Koriand'r broke free using her new ability of starbolts (destructive blasts of solar energy) acquired through the experimentation. Against her better judgment, she decided to free Komand'r who was still absorbing energy. However, far from grateful, Komand'r struck her sister down with the same - but much stronger - starbolt power and had her restrained for later execution. Koriand'r escaped and eventually found her way to Earth, where she gained the help of the Teen Titans. She chose to remain with the team and took the name Starfire.