Ravenia Rose
|End Point|
Guard's Station
Julius Iron-Root
|End Point|
Medical Center
It was the wee hours of the morning; it wasn’t even time for the sun to rise yet. There was no sleep for the wicked, was what the young woman always thought. Sometime between midnight and three she always found herself curled up in her large plush chair, simply staring out into her back yard at the roses that were blossoming in her garden. On the nights when the stillness of her house became to unbearable she could be found patrolling the city and walls. It was no secret in the Paradise Lands that Ravenia didn’t sleep much these days. She held the warm mug of tea between her hands, rolling the cup between her palms. Her bright green eyes slowly focused more and more on the roses, getting caught up in her thoughts. She chewed the inside of her cheek until she tasted blood. An old habit that would never die. Sighing gently, Ravenia set her mug upon her small table and made her way to her bedroom. She decided she would prepare for the day. Sliding out of the large shirt she had been sleeping in, Ravenia began to pull on her normal gear and clothes. She laced her skin-tight light leather pants up, pulling her high boots on up next. She opted for a loose, white shirt that would breath well in the heat. As she slid the cloth of her head, she caught the scars that riddled her body in her peripherals of her mirror. Fixing the shirt comfortably, she pulled the leather brace on that she always wore. It hugged right under her bust and laced tight. On the sides there were sheaths for her favorite pair of short daggers, it was made for quick access.
Ravenia piled her long, wildly curling mane atop her head and fastened it with a bright red scarf. She knew that by the time high noon rolled around that most of it would have fallen down. For now, it was out of her face and way. Once that she was satisfied with her appearance, Mother headed out of her house. The sun was just slowly starting to peak the horizon and she could hear a rooster crow in the distance. The markets would be starting up soon and people would be out and about. The woman took her time in her stroll to the wall, lost in her own thoughts. She created familiar faces with a gentle nod but really didn’t say much as she moved along. She quietly hummed a tuneless song to herself as she thought about the duties she had to perform today. There was construction on one part of the wall that she needed to see how the progress was going. A quick travel to the High Tops was also in order today, she would need to make sure that there was no discord there.
In the five years since the 3-Day War, much had changed in Ravenia’s face. Her bright green eyes no longer sparked, they were almost dull in color. She very rarely smiled, and when she did, most times the look did not reach her eyes. Even her closest friends couldn’t recall the last time she had laughed. Ravenia had almost made it to the wall when a courier came to her with a message. Her adoptive brother was in the medical center with her adoptive sister and niece. Apparently her niece had fallen when trying to climb the wall. The little girl had just turned five. Ravenia said nothing as her cape suddenly swallowed her up, condensed into itself, and a black raven shot out. A few feathers floated to the ground as the raven flew quickly across Paradise Lands towards the medical center.
The raven swooped low to the ground and it suddenly exploded in a mass of feathers; however instead of a mutilated mess the feathers began to writhe and duplicate. They doubled and doubled until Ravenia fell from the feathers. She hit the ground running with the mass of feather following behind her, now connected to create her familiar cape. She burst through the doors and found her adoptive family in no time. She calmed almost instantly when she saw her sister and niece sitting on a bed with Tank sitting in a chair beside them, all three laughing.
Tank stood as soon as Ravenia walked into the room, noticing the look of concern on her face. Almost immediately, though, the look fell away as a look of relief washed over it. He grinned sheepishly at the younger woman and rubbed the back of his head. “Hey, Rave. Didn’t mean to scare you. Emerald attempted to climb the wall today and fell on her head. I kind of just freaked, y’know.” He said and looked down to his niece. He saw Emerald’s little face light up at Ravenia’s presence. “Aunt mommy!” The little girl squealed as she wriggled from her mother’s hands and scrambled off the bed. She dashed to Ravenia and giggled when the woman swooped her up. “Emerald, remember she is either Aunt Raven or Mother, you can’t combine the two.” Her mother, Flora, scolded. Ravenia patted the little girl’s back and strolled farther into the room. “Your mother is right, Emery. Call me Aunt Raven, okay?” Ravenia agreed as she handed the little girl off to her mother and sat at the end of the bed. “So, what happened?” Ravenia asked, looking from Tank to Flora.
Tank produced another sheepish smile as his sisters both fixed him with a look. “Well, you see, I took Emerald out to the wall this morning since she was up so early. Well I was talking to a guard posted at the door when she tried to climb the lines. She was a good five feet up when I finally saw. She got scared when I yelled for her to get down and fell straight on her head. She was unconscious so I thought she was really hurt so I rushed her and sent two couriers to collect you and Flora. I’m sorry, I only took my eyes off her for a minute.” Tank explained as he shrugged in response to the withering look both Flora and Ravenia shared. “I’m sorry, I scared you Ju-Ju. I won’t do it again.” Emerald said as she smiled to her uncle. Julius smiled to the small girl and affectionately rubbed her head. “I hope not!” He turned to Ravenia as she stood and began to leave. He held up a hand to Flora and Emerald, following after his adoptive sister. “Rave, wait.” Tank said as he rounded the corner into the hallway. “Not now, Julius. I have too much to do. Keep me updated on Emerald.” She said, suddenly realizing where she was.
Tank caught Ravenia’s wrist and forced her to turn to look at him. “Rave, have you been sleeping any?” The big brute of a man questioned as he held Ravenia’s chin in his hand and tilted her face up to look at her tired eyes. “You know how it goes, Julius. Please, let go. I need to get out of here before somebody shows up.” Ravenia said as she pulled away from her brother’s grip. “Bring Flora and Emery by later today when I’m in the office. Tell them I’m sorry for leaving so abruptly.” Ravenia said as she rushed out of the hospital center. Tank sighed and leaned against the wall. “Damn.” Julius murmured as he stood there for a bit, thinking to himself.
Ravenia made it out with no awkward encounters. Standing outside the doors, she tilted her head back and looked to the sky. She closed her eyes for a moment and took in a deep breath, taking in the hot air. With a sigh, she shook her head and went to the guard’s station and collected the nightly reports. She leaned against the make shift shack they had created as she thumbed through the reports, listening to the two guards tell her about certain notes that had left in the reports.