The common room of Titans Tower buzzed with energy as the team gathered around their newest arrival. Koriand'r's heart still pounded from the battle with the probe. Her sister—her big sister Komand'r—stood before her now, alive and whole. After everything Starfire had endured since leaving Tamaran, to see a familiar face and hear her native tongue felt like finding water in a desert.
"Sister!" The word burst from her lips, joy overriding the questions that lingered at the edges of her mind. "You must meet my friends!"
She spun toward the Titans, her smile bright enough to rival her starbolts. Donna wiped dust from her bracers while Beast Boy shook debris from his hair.
"I wish to introduce my big sister."
But before Starfire could continue, Komand'r stepped forward in a confident and commanding way that Starfire had almost forgotten.
"Allow me," Komand'r approached Cyborg first. She extended her hand. "The warrior of metal and flesh. Your reputation precedes you."
Cyborg grinned and accepted the handshake—then winced as Komand'r's grip tightened. "Whoa, okay, yeah, you're definitely related."
"Strong genes." Komand'r released him and turned to Raven. Her violet eyes settled on the gem in the center of Raven's forehead with genuine interest. "Beautiful work on the gem in your Ajna chakra."
Raven's eyebrows rose, disappearing beneath her hood. "You... know about chakras?"
"I got way into meditation on Altara Prime." Komand'r moved on, already approaching Beast Boy with an easy smile. "Beast Boy! What's up?"
"Nothing but the ceiling, baby."
Komand'r laughed—a bright, infectious sound that made Beast Boy's chest puff out. "Good one!"
"See?" Beast Boy shot a triumphant look at Raven. "She thinks I'm funny."
"Statistically, I suppose someone has to," Raven deadpanned.
Starfire watched as her sister worked through the team, complimenting Kid Flash's speed, praising Donna's combat form, and complementing Robin's cape with apparent fascination.
"Thanks." Robin's tone carried professional pride. "It's a high-density polymerized titanium, ten times stronger than steel."
"Fascinating." Komand'r turned toward Hikaru next, her smile unchanged. "And you must be Seraph. The angel-powered protector I've heard a lot of whispers about you on my brief time on Earth."
Hikaru stood apart from the others, his golden eyes unreadable beneath his hood. "That's me. Welcome to Earth, Blackfire."
Starfire noticed something in his tone—a subtle distance. But before she could analyze it, Robin was speaking.
"Those probes that attacked you," he said, leadership mode activated. "What were they after?"
Komand'r's expression shifted seamlessly to distress. "I'm a victim here. I have enemies across the galaxy—villains who would go to various means to capture me out for revenge or to satisfy their petty grudges. They've been hunting me for weeks."
"What kind of villains?" Hikaru asked.
"Does it matter?" Komand'r spread her hands. "I'm innocent. But try telling that to bounty hunters and corrupt authorities. I came to Earth because I knew my sister was here, and I hoped—" She paused, vulnerability creeping into her voice. "I hoped I could find sanctuary."
Starfire felt her chest tighten. Komand'r needed her. Her only sister needed her protection.
"You are welcome here," Starfire said immediately. "The Titans will help you."
"Of course we will," Robin agreed, and the others nodded—she noted Hikaru's nod was half a beat delayed.
The team gathered on the curved couch while Komand'r settled into the center, naturally drawing their attention like gravity.
"So I'm zooming through the Draconis Nebula," Komand'r said, gesturing dramatically, "approaching light speed—"
"Wait." Starfire looked up from where she'd been standing near the kitchen. "The Draconis Nebula? But sister, that region is forbidden. The black holes—"
"Most fun things in life are." Komand'r waved dismissively. "Now be a sweetie and bring me one of those sodas I've heard so much about." She turned back to the boys without waiting for a response. "So anyway, I'm zooming over an event horizon when all of a sudden..."
Starfire stood frozen for a heartbeat, the casual dismissal stinging more than it should have. She was overreacting. Komand'r had always been like this—confident, commanding. It was just her way.
She moved to the refrigerator, pulling out a can of the grape soda Cyborg favored. "I see you have not changed either," she muttered to herself.
"You good?"
Starfire nearly dropped the soda. Hikaru had arrived beside her while she was distracted, eyes studying her face.
"I am... yes. I am good." She managed a smile. "Do you not wish to hear my sister's stories? They are quite exciting."
Hikaru shook his head, glancing toward the couch where Komand'r had Beast Boy and Kid Flash hanging on her every word. "I'd actually prefer your company."
Warmth bloomed in Starfire's chest, bright and unexpected. "Truly?"
"Truly." His smile was gentle, honest in a way that made something inside her warm. "Come on. You want to fly with me? I've been meaning to track down that new Korean-Mexican fusion truck that just opened."
"Yes!" The enthusiasm in her voice surprised even her. "I would enjoy that very much."
As they headed toward the roof, Starfire didn't notice the calculating look Komand'r shot their way, her story continuing without missing a beat.
The next day arrived with morning sunlight painting the bay in shades of gold and pink. Starfire found Komand'r in the common room, examining the city through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
"Sister! Would you like to explore Jump City with me? I know many wonderful places—the park, the arcade, the mustard store—"
"Actually," Komand'r turned with a smile, "I was thinking about spending time with your teammates. Getting to know them better. You don't mind, do you?"
"Oh. No, of course not." Starfire tried to ignore the small pit that began to form in her stomach. "I will... I will organize our movie collection. It has become most chaotic."
She told herself it was fine. Natural, even. Her sister bonding with her friends. This was good.
But throughout the day, as she attempted various tasks around the Tower, Starfire couldn't help but notice the scenes that unfolded.
In the training room, she found Komand'r demonstrating an advanced Tamaranean combat technique to Robin and Donna.
"See, the key is using their momentum against them," Komand'r explained, effortlessly flipping Donna despite the Amazon's superior strength. "It's all about timing and precision."
"That's incredible," Robin said, his tactical mind clearly racing. "Could you show us the defensive applications?"
When she visited Raven to invite her to favorite depressing café she learned she had already gone and of course it was with Blackfire even enjoying the poetry she shared at the open mic event.
In the game room she happened upon a tournament between Cyborg, Kid Flash, and Beast Boy. They faced each other for the chance to challenge Komand'r, who had become the reigning champion.
Starfire approached, hopeful. "May I play the winner?"
"After Blackfire crushes them," Beast Boy said, eyes glued to the screen. "This is epic!"
"Oh." Starfire's fingers twisted together. "I see."
She wandered the Tower, feeling increasingly like a ghost in her own home. Rounding a corner toward her room, she stopped abruptly.