A New Dawn: Raven's Revelation

Exploring Eden

Raven got up early and started her work at the bakery. She wiped down tables and swept the floor, preparing for the day ahead. Soon customers came and went, getting some of their most delicious moon cookies. Raven served and greeted each guest with grace and a smile on her face. Crescent came in today to check on things for the bakery. Soon, it came close to Raven to end her shift. The time really did fly by for her when she was there. Greer walked in and up to the cash register. He smiled at Raven.

"What are you doing here" Raven said, happily surprised. She was glad to see him.

"I figured since I got off a bit early today, I'd come pick you up here... Are you off soon" he asked?

Raven smiled "Yeah I just still need to get ready," she said, not wanting to wear her server's outfit out in public.

"No worries," he paused, “Take your time. I'll just wait for you up here," he said.

Raven smiled as she left to get ready.

^^^^^^

Greer watched as Raven walked down the stairs. He thought her black server’s outfit was pretty cute on her. He decided to sit at a booth that had a crescent moon painted in a cloudy sky on the wall beside it. As he waited, a gray wolf girl came over to the table he was sitting at. "So, I take it you are aware of Raven's predicament" she questioned.

"Umm," he squirmed uncomfortably in his seat, "Yes, I am aware of her dilemma" he spoke quietly, not making direct eye contact with the wolf girl.

"Then what are you doing when you have nothing to offer her?" she spoke boldly, staring him down sternly with her arms crossed.

Greer was uncomfortable with how she approached him, but he understood quickly that this Wolf girl was probably Raven’s caretaker. The one who is supposed to be looking after her. "You're right. I may not be able to offer her what she truly needs, but I can offer her my friendship and I can at least watch over her so that she doesn’t get hurt," he said confidently.

The Wolf girl laughed, "You will only get in her way. No one will want her if they see her hanging out with an unmarried man as she is also an unmarried woman, and you are not courting her, so they will only get the wrong impression of her," She paused, taking a deep breath, "And you can't be her friend because you will only confuse her in the end.... Don't think I don't see how you look at her," she said sternly.

Greer got the hit that the Wolf girl suspected he had feelings for Raven, “Oh it's nothing like that. I believe she is a sweet girl. I do not want to see her spirits get crushed by the self-seeking man out here. I don't want them to take advantage of her innocence," he said firmly "I'm terrified for her," he admitted, with a sad look in his eyes.

The Wolf girl laughed at him more, "It may be too soon for you to realize it yet. Come back to me when you understand your true feelings," she said, as Raven came back upstairs. She wore a white and black ruffled short dress that had a long white bow on the back. She wore it with white knee-high stockings that had a laced rim. She wore them with short ankle-length boots. Raven looked truly stunning, it took Greer's breath away.

"Oh, hey Crescent, this is my friend Greer. He's showing me around Eden today" she said happily, smiling from ear to ear.

Crescent nodded as she left, heading to the front bar to assist a customer.

Raven smiled at Greer. "That's Crescent, she is my mother's best friend. She doesn't speak much but when she does, she gets straight done to business,". She paused. " My mother says she doesn’t speak much because she can read the emotions of those around her. If I remember correctly, I believe my mother said that ability was called being an empath," she said.

"I see" Greer responded, "Are you ready," he asked, ready to get out of there.

"Mhm," Raven says cutely.

"Then let's be on our way," he said, getting up from his seat and leading Raven out the door.

When they left, the sun was still blazing brightly outside. It was such a beautiful day to be out in the city. Greer showed her place after place, happy to see her expressions change with happiness and excitement with each one.

"I figure it would be nice to show you around since you are new around here and today marks the first day of the festival of the Rose," he said.

Raven looked at him intently, "What is the festival of the rose," she asked as she noticed now how many places they passed by that had beautiful roses out on display, even some vendors selling them.

Greer smiled at her, "It's the start of our love season around here. It's where lovely ladies such as yourself go out to balls and parties to find suitable suitors. Most hoping to find love." he paused, "The whole city of Eden gets prepared for it. It is a very festive season around here and most who are searching find what they are looking for," he said as he grabbed a rose from a nearby vendor. He breaks the stem as they continue to walk down the alleyway. They stopped in front of a glorious grand marble foundation. It had a cupid as its center. Several roses were floating in the fountain's pool of water. It was a beautiful sight to see.

Greer looked at Raven tenderly. He gently places the rose in her hair. She touched his hand, looking into his eyes as he did. "There," he said, "beautiful."

"Thank you" Raven said politely, as she moved away from him and looked around. Her cheeks grew red, and she didn't want him to notice it.

He watched her, "It's my pleasure," he said, hoping he didn't make her uncomfortable. Things just came naturally to him when he was with her.

"ooo" Raven pointed. She had spotted a little dwarf band playing lovely music in the distance. " Can we go there?" she asked excitedly.

Greer laughed "Sure," he said as Raven dragged him all the way over there.

As they got there, Raven let go of him. She smiled and laughed with glee. Out of nowhere, she began dancing and spinning in the sunset as the band played.

Greer watched her as she twirled elegantly around and around. She danced beautifully, and her skin dazzled in the sunset. His heart pounded at the sight of her pure genuine smile. She was amazing. Even under her circumstances, she could be so happy and free. Shining in the sunlight. Greer wasn't the only one who caught her attention.

"Who is escorting this young woman," a strange bunny man said. He looked like a pirate. He wore a black scarf covering one of his eyes and a long white petite coat. He had long white hair, and his eyes were a grayish blue.

"I am," Greer said firmly, not sure how to feel about the strange man before them. Raven stopped dancing, her smile faded, and she stood behind Greer.

The strange bunny man looked at Raven intently, noticing she had no ring on her finger. "You look a little young to be accompanied by the opposite s*x but also a little old to be searching for your first suitor", the strange bunny man spoke directly to Raven.

"What's it to you," Greer said, getting defensive. Raven placed a hand on Greer's shoulder. "My parents never wanted to marry off any of their children. They wanted us to be able to choose our own paths", she spoke softly. Greer took deep breaths trying to calm himself down.

The strange bunny man plundered her words for a moment. "Wanted" he questioned. "Does that mean you are currently searching for your first suitor?" he asked.

"Yes sir" Raven spoke respectfully, looking at the man that stood before them.

The strange bunny man looked her up and down, "hmmm" he hummed as he walked away plundering.

Greer looked at Raven, sad to see her smile was gone. "Hey, are you OK" he asked.

"Yeah," she said "There was just something about him that made me feel a bit nerve-racked," she said.

"Well, thankfully he's gone now" he paused, "I don’t like guys like him that seem all high and mighty.”

Raven giggled "He looked like a pirate," she said.

Greer smiled, happy to hear her laugh again," Yeah he did". He paused. "We should get going," he said.

Raven looked at Greer. "Get going," she asked. "The sun is only starting to set," she said sadly.

"Don't worry" he laughed "I still have one last place I want to show you" he said, knowing she would love the last stop.

Raven smiled as Greer led the way.

^^^^^^^

It wasn't long before they stood in front of this grand mansion, which was all white with marble pillars and a gold trim. There were people everywhere as they all gathered to enter the mansion. They were all dressed up. There was smiling and laughing everywhere.

"Wow," Raven said, taking a step back. "Where are we?" she asked.

"We are at the festival of the rose's first ball of the season," Greer said with a smile.

Raven turned pale "B-ball". She stuttered, "I can't be here," she said, feeling uneasy. She tried to breathe.

Greer looked at Raven feeling concerned. "Well, of course you can", he paused. "As tradition, the first ball welcomes all who are in search of love. No matter if you’re a low-status or high-status patron with the belief that everyone deserves to find love," he said softly.

Raven still wasn't comfortable. "But look at me" she shook her head. "Look at how I am dressed," she said sadly, looking at the ground.

Greer took his hand and gently placed it under her chin, tilting her head back up. He looked deeply into her eyes," Raven, you look absolutely stunning today. Let your beauty shine in here for everyone to see. I promise you this ball is your best shot at finding an eligible suitor and I honestly thought you would enjoy it” he said honestly.

"Thank you," she said, blushing as she looked away from him. She had never had anyone look after her before or even had a man be so nice to her before.

Greer watched her intently," Hey, if you don't want to go in. We don't have to," he said.

"No" she shook her head "You've been so nice to me and that would be extremely rude of me. I believe we should at least check it out," she said, "I just don’t know what to do is all”?

Greer led her into the Galleria, "Just follow me. I'll guide you" he said.

He led her to the grand ballroom where most were already coupled up dancing and others stood along the wall chatting and watching.

"We must make you look desirable," he said as he stroked her cheek with the back of his hand gently. He then led her into a dance, taking her gently into his bold arms.

"Desirable" she asked, as she allowed him to lead her through the dance.

He spun her and then dipped her slightly to the ground, making eye contact with her as he did. He slowly led her back up and whispered, "Just be yourself, the rest will fall into place."

As they danced together, Raven's beauty radiated, making other gentlemen start to notice her. Greer ended their dance and they both bowed to each other. "Now go mingle and don't worry about nothing, I’ll be right here, and I won't let anything happen to you," he said, parting ways with her but never letting her out of his sight.

Raven got to chat with a few other gentlemen. Some made her laugh and smile, while others made her uncomfortable, making her feel weird and out of place. There were dukes, princes, and people of all different kinds of statues, races, and backgrounds.

As she mingled, she felt safe. For she knew Greer had her back no matter what. However, what they both didn’t know that the mysterious pirate-looking white bunny boy was lurking, watching Raven’s every move as well.

^^^^^^

Later that night, Greer decided it was time to see Raven off home. At least this time he'd see her off safely and would know without a doubt that she was okay.

As they stood in front of the bakery, he said "Welp, I surely do hope you had a good time tonight, mis. Raven"

Raven beamed with pure joy at him. " Oh yes, I ensure you I did" she paused. " I hate to see it all end" she replied. She blushed a little. “I am truly sorry about earlier,” she said, a bit embarrassed.

Greer smiled, knowing that he truly made her happy. "I'm glad you enjoyed it and don’t worry about it. You were scared, which is understandable given your circumstances," he said.

Raven, not wanting to seem rude, “Would you like to come inside? “She asked.

Greer didn't want to disappoint her, but he had to decline her offer out of respect for her. "Unfortunately, I don't believe that would be a good idea," he told her.

Raven looked confused. "Why is that?" she asked.

"God she was so innocent," Greer thought, "Because, Raven, you are a young unmarried lady and, although it may not seem like it, you never know who is watching, and I don't want to tarnish your name. You've been through enough already," he explained.

Raven looked away from him. "So, is this goodnight then" she asked sadly.

Greer hated to see her look so disappointed, "This is until next time," he said.

Raven smiled a bit." Goodnight Greer" she said.

"Farewell Raven," Greer replied as he watched her safely enter the bakery café, shutting the door gently behind her. He could rest easy tonight. He smiled, knowing he had seen her safely home.