A New Dawn: Raven's Revelation

The Caller

It had been weeks since the Festival of the Roses’ first annual ball. Poor Raven still didn't have any callers to be her potential suitor. Raven felt a bit insecure. “Maybe I'm just not pretty enough,” she thought. She had a world pool of emotions over this that was threatening to drown her. What if she isn't able to find a suitable suitor? If there wasn't a suitor who wanted her, would she even be able to become a contracted courtesan, or would she have to submit herself to being a lowly prostitute? Raven began to fear for her future.

Raven was downstairs in her loft when Crescent had come down the stairs. “Raven,” she called. Raven came out of the bathroom to see her. “Yes, ma'am,” she replied.

Crescent looked at her tenderly, “You have a caller upstairs in the bakery.” She paused, “I'm going to close the downstairs sitting area, so that the two of you may have some privacy, to get to know each other,” she said, looking at Raven.

“I'll give you a few moments to prepare yourself before I send him down,” Crescent said as she started to head back up the stairs.

“Yes, ma'am,” Raven whispered. She had her first caller, after weeks of not having none. She was excited and nervous at the same time. “Who could it be,” she wondered. She had spoken to so many different gentlemen at the ball and all of them seemed like genuinely nice people. She tried to prepare herself, reminding herself she had to breathe.

Before she knew it, she could hear her caller coming down the stairs. Her heart pounded, but she had to keep her composure. Dissenting down the stairs was the mysterious white pirate-looking Bunny boy. Raven’s eyes widened as she took a step back. She didn't expect it to be him. They had only had a brief encounter, and she felt he was annoyed by her then.

The white Bunny boy smiled at her, “No need to be afraid of me. I won't bite,” he said.

“I'm… I'm sorry” Raven said softly, looking at the ground. She was super uncomfortable. She didn't know what to say or do.

The white Bunny boy picked up on how uneasy she felt. He walked up to her and tilted her head up gently to face him, searching her eyes. He said, “It's OK, just be yourself with me.”

“I'm sorry, I'm just a little surprised, that's all,” she said.

“You didn't expect me to call on you, did you” he questioned.

She shook her head. “No I didn't” she paused, “How did you find me? I didn't even give you my name,” she asked.

The white Bunny boy laughed “Raven, when you want something, and you have resources, it's not hard to find it” he replied.

“You… you know my name,” she said, shocked. How did he know her name or find her, when they never formally introduced themselves? They had only run into each other once or so, she thought.

“Yes, I know your name” he chuckled “My name is Loki,” he said with a smile.

“Loki Akuma,” she said, “so I take it you know my situation as well,” she questioned.

Loki looked at her gently. “Yes, I am aware of your situation,” he said, tilting her head back up again “I am willing to court you, Miss. Raven,” he said, looking deep into her eyes. He had a gentle glaze that gave Raven shivers down her spine. She wouldn't deny that she was somewhat attracted to this man.

“Court me” she asked softly. She felt sick to her stomach, she was so nervous. Raven was scared. She didn't know what to do or say. Courting her meant he wanted to potentially marry her, and that he wanted to be her suitor.

“Yes, but here's the thing, Miss. Raven, if I court you, you can no longer hang out with your friend unattended. It wouldn’t look good for me or you and could potentially be considered a scandal. Do you understand” he asked.

Raven swallowed. She enjoyed spending time with Greer. He was easy to talk to, and he was her first and only friend she had. However, she understood what Loki was saying, if she was seen courting him and then hanging out with Greer at local bars and pubs it would seem like she was cheating on him. “I understand,” she said softly.

“Good,” he said with a huge smile “Our first adding together will be this evening. We will be attending a ball together,” he said to her.

He then rang a bell that was near the stairs that guests used to ring for services. After he did, a gentleman came down the stairs carrying a huge box, he set it on the table and headed back up the stairs.

Raven looked at Loki. Her eyes widened “What's this” she asked, looking at the huge white box that had a purple ribbon on it.

Loki smiled. “This is for you my lady” he paused, “I hope to see you in it tonight,” he said.

Raven blushed. She had never been given such a grand gift before. “Thank you,” she said politely.

Loki kissed her gently on the forehead. “Till tonight then, my lady,” he said with a smile. He then left, ascending back up the stairs.

Raven smiled. She was being courted. Maybe just maybe she would be able to save her family after all. She went to the table that had the box on it. She untied the purple ribbon and opened the huge gift box. Inside was a beautiful ball gown. She lifted it from the box. It was a light purple and white color. Its quality was amazing, made from finer silks. She had never owned anything like it. Even when her family was in good standings, they never had anything like this. There was also matching jewelry to go with it and a note.

The note read, “I hope this is to your liking. I believe you will look truly stunning tonight in this. Yours truly Loki.”

She smiled as she went to prepare herself for the evening.

^^^^^^^^^

Greer got done with his hunt. Another troll was terrorizing another village. It never got old. He looked forward to his days as he hunted down beasts helping the city he loved and his evenings talking to Raven. He got himself all cleaned up and headed to the bakery.

When he got there, Raven wasn’t upstairs serving the guests. So, he headed downstairs. He passed the sitting area and went straight to her loft. He froze when he saw her coming out of the bathroom, she was surely a sight to see. His jaws dropped. He had never seen her wear anything like what she was wearing now. She looked like a beautiful goddess.

“W-wow” he stuttered “You look amazing,” he said, unsure why she was all dolled up.

“Oh, hi Greer,” she said, moving out to the sitting area where people were currently dining so it didn't seem like she was alone with him.

“So, what are you all dressed up for” he asked nervously, feeling a bit undressed.

Raven looked at him tenderly, “I’m being courted “she said, with a slight smile.

Greer looked at the floor, scratching his head. “Oh, wow. Well, that's a great thing,” he said, pausing “Who's the lucky guy?” he asked.

“Um” she plundered “Well it's the mystery white Bunny,” she said as she started to walk up the stairs.

Greer froze. “Wait what” he said. “Do you mean that guy who confronted us that day?” he asked.

As he followed behind her.

“Yes, I do,” she said softly, entering the upstairs dining area of the bakery.

Greer scratched his head again. “I don't think that's a good idea,” he said, concerned.

Raven turned to face him. “And why not?” she asked, “It's not like I have a lot of options to choose from,” she said.

Greer held her by her shoulders gently. “Because I don't get a good vibe from him, and I know you feel it too” he paused “I know he scares you.”

Raven removed his hands from her shoulders. “I was wrong to feel that way towards him” She paused. “He seems like he could be a very nice guy,” she said.

Greer shook his head, “He's just grooming you, Raven”, he paused. “He is just making you soft putty in his hands, and you're falling for it,” he said sadly.

Raven looked at him. “It's not like I have many options. He is the only person who has called on me. I have to do what I must for my family's sake” she said, walking out the door and leaving him there.

As Raven stepped outside, a white carriage rolled up. The driver got up and opened the door. Loki peered out of the carriage. He was wearing a light purple tuxedo to match her dress. He grabbed her hand gently and kissed the top of it. Raven smiled and blushed. She tried to turn away, so he didn't see her red cheeks. She had never been treated this way before, and it made her all giddy inside.

“My lady, you look absolutely beautiful tonight” he praised her, looking her up and down.

Raven blushed even more. “Thank you, my Lord,” she said. He led her into the carriage, and off they went.

Greer watched the entire encounter from inside. It made him sick. “Oh Lord please protect her”, he prayed.