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While it was useful that she'd been able to learn English nearly instantaneously when she arrived, language transfers weren’t quite the exact science people seemed to think they were.
It was like having a new dictionary downloaded into her head. She knew that cyve meant ‘yes’ and jouefokn meant ‘breakfast,’ but communicating with people was so much more complicated than just translating her thoughts word for word. In context, putting these new words and meanings together could be difficult, unwieldy.
Some caught up quickly, like her sister. Blackfire never seemed to have a problem sifting through the more intricate details of languages. Unfortunately it did not come as naturally for Starfire, and even after three months on Earth she was still parsing exactly how one should speak in her new home.
Mostly it was fine, but she still struggled to express herself properly from time to time. One such blunder was during a training session with Robin.
They had sparred for a while, leaving him tired and breathless as he gave each match every ounce of energy he had.
Getting up off the mat after his eighth consecutive loss, he got back into position — feet set apart, knees bent for stability, and fists clenched in front of him. He kept his weight shifted forward, ready to spring.
“Again.” He requested of her between heavy breaths. She watched his chest heave and fall, sweat dripping down his temple. His determination was evident on his face, and it always impressed her. What they were doing now was simply practice, he didn’t need to give it his all, yet he did every single time.
It dawned on her how well he embodied a true warrior.
There was a specific word for it in her language, a high compliment that every soldier (herself included) strived to be worthy of. It was hard to translate, however, and nothing seemed to fit quite right in English. She thought through a variety of possible options until settling on the closest one, hoping it was an acceptable substitute.
“Robin,” she began. “You are beautiful.” Her voice was soft and sincere, wishing for him to know just how greatly she admired his spirit and skill.
His lips parted wordlessly and his stance faltered, taken aback. As she’d seen a few times before, his cheeks turned bright pink. He was the only one of her teammates who ever changed color like that; she hadn’t yet figured out if it was a human thing or a Robin thing.
“I, um…” He swallowed, the heat spreading along his face. “Th-thanks.” His body language looked nervous, like he was about to sprint out of the room. Hopefully she hadn’t misstepped.
“Have I said something wrong?” She inquired. Ever since she decided to stay here, Robin had been very patient while she worked through the difficulties of the English language. He was always more than happy to answer her questions and explain the different meanings of various words and phrases. Surely he would tell her if she’d said something offensive by mistake.
“No!” His eyes widened, quickly reassuring her. “Not- Not at all. I just wasn’t…expecting it.”
“I intended it as a compliment.” She clarified. Robin nodded his head slowly up and down in understanding.
“I know.” A long pause spread between them. “And, um-” He cut himself off, clearing his throat and turning an even brighter shade of red as he looked away briefly. “You too, you know.” He finished, a hand coming up to rest on the back of his neck.
Her cheeks split into a beaming grin as pride welled up inside her, she hadn’t realized she’d already proven herself so well as a fighter here.
“I thank you.” Her feet lifted slightly off the ground, and she clasped her hands in front of her in joy. There were many more things she could say to express her gratitude, but she’d found that humans often preferred actions over words. “You…still wish to spar again?” She offered, smile never fading.
“Yeah.” He finally replied after a few moments lost in thought, a hint of a smile pulling at the corner of his lips too. “If you still do.”
“Mhm.” She hummed in affirmation, ready to defend her title as today’s champion once more.