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Post by yooom on Jul 20, 2020 14:16:47 GMT -6
Ravenna dozed, oblivious to Celaine’s words, or her gentle gaze, as the hypnotic song came to a gradual end. She felt only peace, gratitude to the woman who had eased her mind, who had lulled her into a much needed sleep, her fears and worries long forgotten. For a split second, Ravena was vaguely aware of Celaine’s presence growing closer, her breath against her lips, but the moment passed, as Celaine pulled away, gently slipping out of her own bed, and leaving Ravenna to sleep in privacy. As Celaine slipped away the hypnotic light show she had set behind Ravenna’s eyes slowed to a stop, and Ravenna lapsed into dream.
It hadn’t been the first time she’d slept in a religious structure, and her subconscious, seemingly aware of the irony of her situation, sent those memories to fill her dreams.
“Ravenna! Ravenna!” The girl’s voice cried out to her, and Ravenna glowered into the pillow.
“Give me a few more minutes,” she grumbled, rolling deeper into the sheets.
“Not a chance! It’s already seven, all the rest of us are waiting for you,” her voice came back, prim and proper, and Ravenna growled, already remembering why she disliked everyone in the abbey. She rose, unsteadily, squinting in the bright sunlight that streamed in through the high windows of the dormitory. The girl was already rushing off, disappearing around the doorway, and she grumbled again before following in her wake, barefoot.
The abbey was exactly how she remembered it. The high, vaulted ceilings overhead, the long hallways covered in ornate decorative carvings, the perfect mosaic floors, cool against the soles of her feet, the soft peales of song from the Cathedral itself that always set her into a panic. She felt her legs speed up into a run as she raced for the hall.
The doors parted for her without her having to so much as touch them and a moment later she was in the hall, the high halls echoing with song. The rest of the girls were at the end of the hall, in their usual long, flowing, cream gowns and there, her back to Ravenna, was the distinctive silhouette of the Reverend Mother. Even barefoot Ravenna’s steps echoed across the abbey, and the song died out, as the girls giggled at her, and the Reverend Mother turned to cast her imperious gaze over Ravenna who felt shame and embarrassment flush through her body, worsening with the outbreak of whispers and giggles from the other girls.
“S-sorry I’m late, Reverend Mother,” Ravenna said, bowing her head sheepishly, her eyes focusing on the mosaic patterns on the floor, as she heard the Reverend Mother step towards her, drawing closer and closer to her, until she was mere feet from her.
“You are very late.” Ravenna frowned, the voice was not the Reverend Mother, but Saveria. She turned up to gaze, perplexed, into Saveria’s face, as she continued to speak. “How long has it been Ravenna? How long have you been sleeping, shying away from the abbey. How many years has it been, Ravenna?” Ravenna backed away, frightened, but Saveria followed her, stepping forward, her eyes gleaming.
“Three years, Ravenna? Or was it five...you’re not even sure, are you?”
“You weren’t even there!” Ravenna protested feebly.
“You have so much forgiveness to ask for, Ravenna. It’s been so long since you’ve confessed, and you’ve been such a sinner since you left us,” she said, and now it was the Reverend Mother talking to her, scolding her as she cried.
“But...but I don’t want to,” Ravenna sobbed, childishly. “I never wanted to be there, Reverend Mother. I didn’t like any of it...and anyone there…”
“Well then,” Saveria’s voice came ringing down to Ravenna, alive with malice. “Perhaps it’s fitting that you spend the rest of your days with me, little thief.” The clank of chains echoed across the abbey, as Ravenna called out for the one person she wanted, the one person who cared for her.
“Celaine!” She awoke calling out her name, and it took her a moment to realize that she was not in the abbey, but in Celaine’s chambers within the Sanctuaire Sacre. She sighed, wiping her eyes with a hand.
It had been nothing more than a dream, even if, Ravenna reflected, there was some truth to it. She had spent these past 5 years running from the abbey, running from everything her childhood had been, deliberately taking as hostile position as she could to places like it, and now she was locked up in the one place she could say without doubt was worse than the abbey. A whole mountain of magical items under the jealous eye of the most dangerous mage in the world, with no chance to escape, thanks to the magical manacle she had tagged her with. She glowered at it for a moment, before turning her gaze to Celaine’s room. It was the first time she’d been in the room by herself, and her eyes fixed for a moment on the hearth, where she’d last seen the dancing figures in the flames, but the fire was long dead by now. She sighed, and rolled out of bed, wincing as her bare feet touched the cold stone floor. Somewhat nervously, scared to be alone in the place, she called out again: “Celaine?”
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Post by Emiko on Jul 20, 2020 19:47:06 GMT -6
Celaine may very well have been the one person Ravenna wanted to see, but...she was no where to be found this morning... Even as Ravenna called out her name twice, deafening silence was the only reply she would receive back. The room was totally silent and still now after the lively magical event that had taken place in it the night before. And the conductor of that magical orchestra was no where to be found making the room feel almost empty and lifeless... If she were left to her own thoughts for too long, it wouldn't be inconceivable if Ravenna were to question if she had been abandoned by Celaine at some point in the night...
Thankfully for Ravenna, she wouldn't end up staying in this seemingly lifeless room by herself for too long. Not more than a minute after calling out her name, the sound of high heels could be heard walking casually down the hallway towards the bedroom. Someone, obviously a woman...had just heard Ravenna call out and they were now making their way to the bedroom to seemingly tend to the newest resident of the cathedral. Despite who Ravenna might have been expecting, when the bedroom door opened and it was revealed who the individual was, she might find herself disappointed and...even a little frightened to discover their identity...
"Oh good, you are finally awake!" Came the chipper voice of Stephanie, one of Saveria's highest ranking maids. "We were all beginning to wonder when you would wake up. You've almost slept the entire morning away!"
With a giggle, in walked this...unusual girl who seemed like an guest of some sort of formal party. She was dressed in a beautiful black dress with a long ruffled skirt and a form-fitting long sleeve top. Black high heeled boots, an emerald broach around her neck, and a golden bracelet around her right wrist were accessories that only heightened her beautiful appearance. And that combined with a decorative, ornate hair pin that held her long, beautiful blonde hair up made her look like she were some sort of living porcelain doll...
Despite her beautiful appearance, it soon became evident just what status this girl held as she made her way into the room carrying a tray containing an assortment of breakfast foods intended for Ravenna. Stephanie joyfully walked over towards the bed Ravenna was sitting in and wasted no time carefully setting the tray by her side. Once that task was completed, she took a couple of steps back and giggled as she offered Ravenna a very formal, polite bow to introduced herself with.
"Good morning, Miss Ravenna! My name is Stephanie, and I am the head maid of this estate. It is my duty to oversee and ensure that all of the tasks Lady Saveria desires are completed in an orderly and timely fashion. It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance!"
After offering her introduction, Stephanie quietly raised herself up to reveal a beautiful woman perhaps in her early 30s who obviously took great care of herself. Her skin was nearly flawless and the makeup lightly applied to her face just highlighted her attractive appearance. What really stood out about Stephanie however, one thing Ravenna would notice almost immediately were her eyes...
Around the lovely, natural blue iris of Stephanie's eyes was this...strange sort of dark, shadowy ring that encircled around her iris. The way it formed and curved around the iris of her eyes almost made it seem like her iris had been chained by tiny, shadow-like shackles of sorts. While Ravenna might have been able to guess at what was going on, Stephanie's eyes ere displaying the end result of having been filled to the brim and overtaken by Saveria's darkness... A dark collar around one's iris was the physical manifestation of Saveria's hold upon a poor human's soul...
Still...despite the clear signs that Stephanie had been an unfortunate soul who had fallen totally to Saveria's dark spell, she didn't seem to display any negative emotions at all. In fact, she seemed quite happy to perform her duties no matter what they were... Almost...a little too happy... Even just in the company of Stephanie for a few moments, it might be obvious to Ravenna that the poor girl seemed like something of an emotionless doll who could only smile... Was this really the end result of Saveria's spell...?
"I'm sure you must be quite hungry this morning as it is two hours until noon. So I've brought you an assortment of foods to choose from for your meal!" Stephanie happily said as she pointed to the tray to make sure she understood it was for her. "...After your eat, I've been instructed to bring you a change of clothes and assist you however you may need. Requests courtesy of Miss Celaine. Is there anything that I may do to assist you in this moment?"
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Post by yooom on Jul 21, 2020 10:51:07 GMT -6
Ravenna didn’t have much time by herself, for only a few moments after she had called for Celaine the door swung open. Ravenna turned, eager to see Celaine’s face, but instead found herself gazing into an unfamiliar, and uniquely threatening face.
Stepahnie was beautiful, exquisitely beautiful, too beautiful, dressed in a tight black dress and long black boots, the black of her outfit contrasting with her delicate, pale skin. Ravenna instinctively moved away from her, almost falling out of the bed as Stephanie lurched forward, but the woman only went into a polite little bow. Ravenna smiled vaguely at her, a little thrown off by the overly bright attitude of this woman, far more cheery than anyone she had ever encountered before.
“Thank you, um, Stephanie,” Ravenna said sheepishly. She generally felt a little awkward talking to maids and servants. Ravenna hated the idea of serving anyone, and she couldn’t wrap her head around people who did that as a job, much less how they could be a servant and be so energetically subservient, as Stephanie was.
Stephanie’s long, blonde hair swept upwards as she rose, and Ravenna’s awe at the beauty of this woman turned to horror, as she gazed into Stephanie’s eyes. The woman’s soft, blue eyes were surrounded with smoky black, a dark chain around each of them to match the chain on Ravenna’s ankle,and immediately everything about Stephanie, her bright, happy attitude, her beautiful, perfect face made horrible sense. She didn’t simply look like a doll, for all intents and purposes she WAS a doll, a human Saveria had reduced to this harmless, helpless, happy shell. Ravenna felt sick at just the sight of her overly pretty face, and, despite the tray of delicious looking food she sat by Ravenna’s side, and the fact that Ravenna hadn’t eaten anything since she’d arrived at Sanctuaire Sacre almost a full day ago, she did not feel the least bit hungry, gazing in sadness at this pretty face Saveria had stripped of everything but obedience. It was a sick, horrible thing to see, especially as Ravenna was painfully aware of the fact that she had been excruciatingly close to being just like Stephanie, a mindless drone eager only to serve that heartless witch.
Ravenna swallowed, and tried to give Stephanie another polite smile, but failed, looking only scared as she caught another glimpse at the shadows within her eyes, and she looked quickly down at the sheets, feeling herself draw shaky breaths, her hands shaking in her lap. She balled them up into fists, trying not to cry from the fear that was filling her throat. “no...Stephanie...I...I don’t need anything. Please...please just go...I’ll find clothes on my own, I promise, just...please...please go.”
Ravenna’s mouth felt dry, her heart pounding in her chest. She needed to get out of here. The further she could get, the less chance there would be of her becoming like Stephanie, of being erased of her personality, her soul, everything that made her her, of becoming just a blank empty body for Saveria to have clean her house and protect her artifacts. But she couldn’t leave, she realized, and cursed the magical chain. It might have been a lie, and Saveria was hoping to keep her here simply with an untethered chain, but the risks, Ravenna realized, were far too great. She felt a wetness on her cheeks, and realized that she had started to cry. She closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. Panicking would do nothing. She needed a clear head.
Another thought came to Ravenna, one that only slightly reassured her. Celaine had promised that she wouldn’t come to any harm here. She believed Celaine, with all her heart but...how much power did Celaine have to stop Saveria from making Ravenna like Stephanie have. All Celaine had was Saveria’s word, and Ravenna personally did not value that at much. Still...it wasn’t like she had any other options.
She reached forward, plucking some food from the tray that Stephanie had brought and, trying to forget the horrific sight that was Stephanie’s beautiful, blank face, began to eat.
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Post by Emiko on Jul 21, 2020 15:22:06 GMT -6
Ravenna's comments came off as...rather peculiar to Stephanie who could tell just by the sound in her voice that she seemed frightened, sad even. If that was indeed the case, her instinctive duties lead her to believe that she had not been doing her job properly. She knew she HAD to do better as it was her duty to ensure EVERYTHING in the cathedral were done up to the expectations of the head Mistress. And that included tending to the newest guest who clearly needed her to do her job more effectively. And Ravenna being upset? That would not do at all!
"You just want me to go? Oh come now, darling! I can't do that!" Stephanie chimed in with her uplifted voice letting a giggle escape her shortly after. "My duties are to ensure you're well take care of, and you clearly are not! How do you intend to get your own clothes if you don't even know where they are? How are you going to find your way around after only your first night? You need help, darling. Lots of help! And I'm here to provide it for you as long as I'm needed."
With yet another giggle, Stephanie made her way over to the dresser that belonged to Celaine and opened it without a second thought. After rustling through it a bit, she finally grabbed an outfit not unlike her own and brought it back to Ravenna laying it near the tray she was forcing herself to eat from. After doing this, she casually went around the room inspecting the area to see if there was anything that needed her attention while she went on to try and converse with Ravenna.
"After you eat, I figured I could take you on a grand tour of the cathedral. You know, to...help you familiarize yourself with the place so you don't get lost. Knowing where to go and where not to go is very important here. Even understanding your place is critical as if you act out of order... Well...that just won't do! Oh, but don't worry! I'll make sure you understand everything and are well taken care of. I won't leave your side until you feel right at home and can put a smile on her face!"
Finishing her statement, Stephanie made her rounds completely around the room and returned popping her feet together with a joyful smile on her face. With glee she looked at Ravenna never once letting anything bring her down or detour her from her duties. If nothing else, she was...quite passionate at her job and really did just have the best intentions for Ravenna. But...that didn't exactly make it any easier for someone who had been through what Ravenna had been through to just overlook it... It seemed like short of knowing Ravenna was taken care of and satisfied, she wasn't going to leave her alone... It was ingrained into Stephanie to serve and...that same sort of attitude was one Ravenna came dangerously close to acquiring herself...
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Post by yooom on Jul 21, 2020 16:36:49 GMT -6
Every vapid little giggle from Stephanie sent a shiver down Ravenna’s spine, every time she flashed her that too bright smile she could see only the black in her soulless eyes. Every second with her was torture for Ravenna, an in her face reminder of how bad things could be for those who crossed Saveria. What had this poor blank thing’s crime been? Had she crossed Saveria, and this had been what Saveria deemed a fitting punishment, doomed to brainlessly serve her forever? Or was she some poor girl who had simply struck Saveria’s curiosity, who she’d decided to make her permanent pet? The thoughts made Ravenna very sick, and she swallowed, wiping the tears off her cheek.
“I’m sure I can figure my way through this place,” Ravenna said confidently, pawing at her plate. “I’ve been through many places like this.” She decided to neglect mentioning that she had been through these places looking to steal from them; she did not like to think what would happen if she mentioned anything Saveria wouldn’t like to her little doll here.
Ravenna frowned slightly as Stephanie set a tight little dress, like her own, on the bed beside her, and immediately resolved to never wear anything like it. It was decidedly not Ravenna’s style, Ravenna was more a fan of loose, baggy clothes, mostly because of all the stuff she could hide within those loose clothes. More than that, however, she refused to dress like she was one of these broken girls that Saveria kept. She was still herself, and she was determined to dress like it. What she wanted was her coat, though she doubted she’d be able to get that back any time soon. Still, Celaine didn’t wear these humiliating dresses, and Ravenna wasn’t about to either.
Still, judging by Stephanie’s reaction to telling her to go, she doubted that that reaction would help her either. Swallowing her fears, she flashed Stephanie with a smile as wide and empty as Stephanie’s own. “Wow! Thank you so much for it, I’ll be sure to try it out!” she said, struggling to match Stephanie’s brightness. “Um, would you mind giving me a little privacy to try it out? I bet I’ll just love it!” she said, grinning until it hurt.
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Post by Emiko on Jul 21, 2020 16:53:10 GMT -6
Stephanie was so glad to see Ravenna's 'happiness' when she expressed her joy for the dress she had been given. Her eagerness to put it on was such a change from her previous demeanor which...should have caused a bit of suspicion inside of Stephanie. Unfortunately, one of the byproducts of being turned into this...giddy servant girl was the obvious lack of cognitive functions that would allow her to clearly analyze things for more than what they were. It was why she could tell Ravenna was down by the sound her voice, but couldn't see past her fake emotions now.
"Oh, of course! How silly of me!" Stephanie commented as she let out a soft giggle making her way over to the door. "I actually have a few other things that I should attend to first anyway before we take our tour, so I'll make sure those are in order. It should give you all the time you need to eat and the privacy to get changed. I'll be back to check on you shortly and I very much look forward to helping you settle in as much as I can. If you need anything at all while I'm away, just let one of the other maids know and I will attend to you shortly."
With one last giggle, Stephanie casually made her way out of the bedroom and closed the door behind her to give Ravenna the privacy to do what she needed to do. Afterward, she would go about the cathedral making sure that the staff was up and hard at work doing their respective duties. As...everyone besides Celaine and the priest were Saveria's obedient dolls, there was no reason to think they wouldn't be. Still, it was up to Stephanie to keep the trains running so to speak, and she was quite good at her job.
Ravenna would probably have half an hour or so before Stephanie returned to check in and start their tour. It wouldn't grant Ravenna a great deal of time to herself, but it would be enough to at least have some peace. But...there was still probably one burning question on her mind... Where on earth was Celaine? Did she really just abandon the girl she had risked her life for the previous day just like that...? Honestly, where Celaine most likely was wouldn't be hard for Ravenna to figure out. All she needed to do was think about what her duty had been and where they had met to start with. Doing that while retracing her steps would most likely take her to the only soul in this whole place who had any sort of genuine compassion or concern for her well being.
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Post by yooom on Jul 21, 2020 19:44:33 GMT -6
Ravenna’s wide smile vanished the moment Stephanie was out of the room, and she scowled at the plate of food she’d brought up, and the dress she’d set for him. They were both bait, an attempt to get Ravenna to embrace this new life of subjugation to Saveria, and Ravenna was not about to have any of that. Still, now that Stephanie had gone, and that grisly reminder of what her fate still could be had passed, Ravenna’s appetite began to return, and she bent eagerly over the tray, and began to eat in earnest.
It took only a few minutes for the try to be bare, and Ravenna let out a satisfied sigh, rising from the bed, and striding past the dress Stephanie had set out. She doubted she had much choice of what outfits she deemed were acceptable, but she wasn’t about to dress like that, Celaine must have had something else, something more appropriate, fitting for Ravenna. But, as Ravenna confidently swung open the dresser’s door, her face fell, for Celaine had only dresses, more or less the same dress, in a few different shades. She snarled, gazing at the dress on the bed, then out the window. Sadly, it was much too late to make her escape. Gnashing her teeth, she set about changing.
A few minutes later, Ravenna stepped quietly out from Celaine’s room, her expression half nervous, half furious. She was dressed in Celaine’s black dress. It was a bit small on Ravenna, Celaine was a few inches shorter than her, and a bit tight in the middle, but it was a fresh change of clothes. Ravenna’s fingers brushed at her hair, a nervous tick, one hand awkwardly fidgeting with the chain on her wrist. She had kept the large boots she had arrived at Sanctuaire Sacre, but, excluding that, she had completely changed, and did not much seem to like it.
Ravenna moved quietly, her preferred method of moving, taking care to not alert Stephanie or the rest of Saveria’s mindless minions, as she made her way back up the hallway, stealing her way towards the reliquary once more, her goal not to steal again, but to meet with Celaine, quite certain that this would be where she would find her, or, better yet, her coat. Making her way up the little staircase, she opened the door, and entered the bell room.
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Post by Emiko on Jul 21, 2020 20:30:08 GMT -6
When Ravenna first entered the bell room for a second time, it was just as silent and dark as it was the previous day. The only source of light that illuminated the room again were from the very few scattered windows spread throughout the otherwise large room. And just like before, the room itself seemed lifeless and empty save for Ravenna and Saveria's many treasures in the display cases. It...certainly seemed to be exactly the same way it was the first time Ravenna was here, but she rightfully knew better this time. And after a few moments of utter silence, there came the sound of faint foot steps moving about on the wood floor walking towards the searching woman.
"...Ravenna?" Came the voice of Celaine as she stepped into a dimly lite area with a warm smile on your face. "...Oh good, it is you. For a moment I thought you were an intruder trying to steal something. I really don't feel like getting blood on my hands right now after everything that's happened recently..."
As Celaine came closer towards Ravenna, the young thief would be able to see that she had changed her clothing as well. Though, while no longer wearing that burgundy dress she had on yesterday, this new outfit was remarkably similar in design and style. Today she was wearing a navy blue skirt with a matching colored top only having white mid-length sleeves on her arms this time. She still had the same pair of black flats on her feet and once again had her shoulder length hair waving behind her save for her bangs and that eye patch concealing the left side of her face to which...Ravenna understood why most likely now...
While Celaine's clothing may not take Ravenna by much surprise, Celaine however found herself momentarily stunned when she could actually see the black dress that Ravenna was wearing. And instantly upon seeing it, she froze in place and just stared at her quietly. Ravenna was wearing her dress, that much was certain, but what stopped her wasn't that as much as how different Ravenna looked IN that outfit... Yesterday she was dressed in a long overcoat with a pair of baggy pants and shirt. This...was far different, more...feminine and it was honestly hard for Celaine to contain a blush at how nice Ravenna looked.
"...I...I see that you um...found something new to wear..." Celaine lightly commented as she turned to the side to try and conceal her blush. "...You look nice... I mean...that dress isn't...quite your size, but...it looks really pretty on you... I really like it..."
...Celaine in no way meant to stumble with her words or make the moment awkward, but...Ravenna just looked so different from how she did the previous night. She honestly didn't take Ravenna as the type of girl that would ever put on a dress. Even though it wasn't necessarily her choice...it didn't change the fact that it made Ravenna look very attractive to Celaine's eye... As hard as Celaine tried to conceal how she was really feeling, you'd have to be flat out oblivious to not take notice of her awkward words and actions...
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Post by yooom on Jul 22, 2020 7:30:04 GMT -6
Ravenna smiled, happy to finally be with a familiar face, and rushed over to Celaine. “No, I’m not here to steal from here again,” she said, with a halfhearted laugh, trying to joke about her humiliating defeat last night, and, she thought, carrying it rather well. “Still, it’s good to see you. I just met Stephanie, she’s…”
Ravenna’s voice trailed off, as she noticed Celaine staring at her, gazing at her dress. “Oh, um...Sorry, I helped myself to one of your dresses. I should have asked first,” she said quietly, bowing her head apologetically. “Stephanie offered it to me,” she added, quick to pass blame on, but, as she looked back to Celaine, she realized that she didn’t look upset. Instead she was turning, apparently supremely concerned with a glass case beside her, a deep blush on her cheeks. Ravenna immediately her even more self conscious, pacing slightly in place as Celaine stuttered out compliments, feeling her own cheeks start to grow hot. Her hands rose, to nervously toy with the chain on her wrist, feeling awkward.
“Um…thank you, Celaine.” she said, a little quieter than before. “You’re, um, you’re right, it is a bit small for me, it’s not a very good fit,” she said, her fingers locking together, trying to find some way to change the subject from her outfit, and her body. “I’m, um, not as petite as you,” she mumbled, digging herself deeper.
“Oh!” A thought came to Ravenna, and she urgently looked across the floor, her embarrassment forgotten, or at least deliberately pushed aside. “I think I left my coat up here. I lost it when we…” the awkwardness returned, as the memories returned, of Celaine pressing up against her, whispering her name into her ear, easily tugging her coat away from her, her blue eye gleaming with power. Ravenna shut her eyes, trying to force the memory back. “when we…” it took an agonizingly long silence for Ravenna to finally mutter out the last word: “danced.”
A mixture of shyness and nervousness to approach Celaine, keenly aware of the huge bells overhead, Ravenna stepped to the side, between some of the glass cases. “Have you um, seen it up here?” she asked, quietly.
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Post by Emiko on Jul 22, 2020 11:36:08 GMT -6
The rather awkward moment between the two girls may not have really mattered to anyone else, but for Celaine though...it was rather special. To her, it felt like one of those potentially magical moments where something beautiful and romantic could blossom out of it. And sad to say...that was secretly what she was hoping for in her heart when she complimented Ravenna on her dress. Maybe it was just how fated and enchanted everything had been ever since she met Ravenna. Or perhaps it was the foolish naive hope that Ravenna might have grown to feel something after everything Celaine had risked and done for her well being alone. Regardless of what Celaine romanticized and hoped would come out of the moment...it wasn't going to happen.
Like any other moment, this came to an abrupt halt as Ravenna went on to inquire about her coat... She didn't talk about how she slept the previous night, or how she was feeling this morning... Nor did she come to offer any sort of thanks for all that Celaine had done... She just...asked for her coat; a piece of cloth which contained her magical artifacts. When she made this request and followed it up it up by acting in a very shy and nervous manner while also showing a great deal of uneasiness about what had happened yesterday, it suddenly occurred to Celaine that they weren't feeling the same ways... Ravenna's heart wasn't here, or even in this moment... She didn't feel anything and...if she were seeking her coat, that could only mean she wanted to use the illusions and tricks she owned for something... Obviously, to get out...
With a sigh, Celaine stood quietly for moment needing just a bit to gather her thoughts and feelings. She felt a bit down after seeing that Ravenna could only think of her tools after everything that Celaine had done to ensure she'd be perfectly safe with her around. Not wanting this to detour her from her duties however, she quietly made her way to a display case purposely away from Ravenna. Once there, she grabbed a cleaning cloth that had been resting on top of the case, opened the case very carefully, and with great care began to dust and clean the relics inside...
"...I don't understand why you would need your coat, but...yes it's up here. Or...was, rather... You may not exactly remember, but I had to slip you out of it when we danced while you were entranced. Disarming intruders is essential for my duties to ensure my safety as well as the safety of Mistress' treasures..." Celaine commented in an almost calloused, cold tone of voice. It seemed that...despite her best efforts, Ravenna's desire for protection and to escape bothered her a lot. Even if she didn't say as much, Celaine knew what she was thinking... Still, the girl of duty that she was, she didn't let it stop her from her chores or dismantle the lines of communication...
"...I found your coat again last night when I came back to clean up the mess we made after you fell asleep. When I found it, I knew Mistress Saveria had to see it for the sake of transparency. So...I took your coat to her this morning and she examined the contents you had hidden inside. She decided that...for the time being at least, she needed to confiscate and hold your magical trinkets just to be safe. Mistress doesn't likes those she doesn't trust having hold of anything that could be used to undermine and betray her... And it's a position I agree with her on..."
For a moment, Celaine stopped cleaning the relics to glance towards Ravenna quietly. When she looked at her, she didn't have the same warming and caring look she had displayed just a few moments ago... Instead, she looked a bit upset, even a little cold... It was a look not unlike the look she had given Ravenna the first time they had met aiming a musket right at her head... Her words that followed would easily reveal why...
"...I'm sorry that you don't feel safe enough here with me that the first thing you need to ask for in the morning is for your coat of magical items... If...after risking my life, sacrificing my future, and going out of my way tend to your needs doesn't provide you the same level of security that coat offers you, I'm sorry... For now, she doesn't trust you with that coat, or anything in it... And I think I can understand why..."
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Post by yooom on Jul 22, 2020 20:11:00 GMT -6
Ravenna stared at Celaine, watching as her pose, her expression, her very posture shifting, drawing back from her, going from warm and accepting to cold, almost hostile, and Ravenna felt herself grow anxious. She hadn’t meant to offend the guardian, she would never, considering she was currently the openly person she could think of as anything close to a friend. After she’d been so gentle, so calming last night, it was alarming for Ravenna to see Celaine suddenly grow hostile at the slightest question. She felt hot, ashamed, and cast her eyes down at the floorboards, wondering what she’d done wrong, what she needed to do to get back on this girl’s good side.
And then, somewhere, as Celaine told her about how she had risked her life to keep Ravenna safe, something snapped within Ravenna. There was a sudden flush of memory, and she was in the same apologetic pose before an angry nun, ranting about her sinful existence, and felt her fists ball up. She hadn’t asked to be born. She had left that damned abbey because she hated being made guilty for her own existence, and she was not about to let this half-standoffish, half-seductive woman guilt trip her like the nuns had. She wasn’t a little girl, she wasn’t that person any more.
“I never asked you to save me,” Ravenna snapped. “Or for you to risk your life, or whatever it is that happened. I wasn’t even conscious for it. And as for that coat, it’s been with me a lot longer than you have, and it’s certainly never shot at me or,” anger catching up to Ravenna she lost her words for a moment, gesturing in mute frustration at the bells towering above the both of them. Throwing her hand down, she began to pace, frustration taking over.
“I’m sorry that I’m not overjoyed to be here, I’m sorry I’m not overjoyed to still have my head, to not be like…” Stephanie’s dark, shadow-rimmed eyes came back to Ravenna, and she screwed her eyes shut, struggling again not to cry. She came to a stop, leaning a glass case, her fingers white against the glass.
“And you sent her to me!” she said, her voice cracking into an awkward squawk. “You think that’s what I want to wake up to, that...that poor, broken thing…” Ravena let out a quiet sob, a black ocean of dread overpowering the fire of her rage, and she slumped against the case, in broken silence, her chain clanking loudly against the glass. It was a long few moments before she spoke again.
“I...I’m sorry I...it’s been a lot of new things, and I don’t...I don’t usually dress like this, or get waited on by..people like that.” She looked up, eyes teary, desperate. “I...I just want to be me. And this place...She...she can take that away...she can make me like that,” her voice was growing quieter, in a terrified whisper, and she sank back into the case, trying to regain her composure. She rose, somewhat unsteadily, and took a few shaky breaths. “And...and I know you stopped that from happening last night...and...and I know you don’t trust me, and...and I can’t promise I won’t try to get out of here when I get the chance, it’s…” the word caught in her throat, but she knew that she needed to tell Celaine, needed to explain why she’d exploded at the one person who had kept her safe, who was all who stood between her and a fate like Stephanie’s. “I’m sorry, but...she scares me.” She took a step towards Celaine, gritting her teeth slightly. “Please...I...I don’t want to be like that...if...if she does that to me, please…please kill me,” she said, her voice firm, unwavering, as she gazed over at Celaine.
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Post by Emiko on Jul 22, 2020 21:06:21 GMT -6
The entire time that Ravenna spoke to her, venting out her frustrations and rage, Celaine never once took her gaze off of her... She just quietly stood by letting Ravenna say what she needed to say neither interrupting or showing any signs of judgement to what she threw out. Celaine just...stood there listening like she were a lifeless statue or something. And even after Ravenna came to a screeching halt, she remained still for several more moments... When she did move however, the first gesture she'd make was to wipe a single tear that rolled down the right side of her cheek.
"...I know you didn't ask me to save you..." Celaine softly commented as she turned her attention back to cleaning the contents of the display case trying just...to find someway to keep busy so she didn't break down... "...I know you feel animosity towards me for performing my duties against you so aggressively and seductively... And I understand that you feel uneasy after seeing that maid and what could have been your fate... And I am sorry...I truly am..."
For a brief moment, Celaine fell into complete silence as she cleaned the last relic in the display case and gently closed it shut. Afterwards, she made her way to the next one in the line and opened it up proceeding to clean its contents as well. For first few moments that she did, she remained silent honestly trying to find the words and even the strength to remain civil and not fall into tears herself...
"...I tried so hard yesterday to warn you to leave... I know it was in a threatening way, but...I didn't want you to experience this hell I've lived in for 3 long years... I gave you every opportunity to leave and...you wouldn't take it... I did what my duties dictated and to do otherwise would have meant my own conversion into one of those poor girls... I had mesmerized you yesterday to simply do a job, but...I couldn't kill you when I had the chance... I couldn't hurt someone as special as you... Nor could I sit by in the end and see your precious life stripped away like so many others... So many other...poor girls..."
Saying all of this was so hard on Celaine... She literally had to stop cleaning momentarily to let a tear roll down her face and sob just a little. Again not wanting to slack in her duties, she took a deep breath and continued to wipe and dust down the contest of this display case to make sure it would ultimately be up to Lady Saveria's satisfaction when she came to inspect it a bit later... Nor did Celaine let all this stop her from saying what she felt needed to be said...
"As long as you're in good standings with me, Saveria will never touch you. She is many things, but not one to break her word ever, which I have..." Celaine softly replied, as she finished cleaning the last of the relics and closed that display as well. Once finished though, instead of going to the next one in line, she turned her attention directly to Ravenna to let her see the sincerity in her only visible eye...
"...I am so sorry that you are trapped here and I wish that I could have done more for you... I've already sacrificed everything that I can just to give you a chance to stay as you are and stay alive... And I've done everything I could at my own expense to make sure you are as comfortable as you can possibly be until we figure this arrangement out better... I've already done so much already... Do you honestly think I wouldn't try to accommodate anything else you might need or desire like clothes, food, and other luxuries? I'm not your enemy, Ravenna... We were, but...I chose to save you... Not as some sick joke but...because you and your life are precious and special... And I didn't want to see that thrown away... I chose this and accepted all of the consequences it entails..."
With another tear softly rolling down her cheek, Celaine quietly walked past Ravenna and went to yet another display case. Once there, like the others she wasted no time carefully opening the door to it and cleaning out the contents inside. She honestly didn't have a lot more she felt like she needed to say. Before she fell back into dead silence again however, she did allow Ravenna to hear her say one last thing...
"...I just wish you would trust me... You've seen my life and I poured out my heart to you... You've experienced my kindness and seen who I truly am... I don't know what more that I can do to help you trust me... I could have twice now just taken your trust like Mistress Saveria would have, but I haven't... I won't steal your trust... However, if you can't trust me...how do you expect me to trust you and to continue trying to help you?"
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Post by yooom on Jul 23, 2020 8:24:19 GMT -6
As Ravenna ranted at Celaine, she was keenly aware of Celaine’s silence, her face expressionless, her body completely still. As gazed up from the case she’d been slumped over, she looked up at her, afraid that she had broken her ties with the last person she could truly say she wanted to talk to, to get to know. When she finally spoke, Ravenna was relieved to hear that the frostiness in her voice had gone, replaced by a softer, more tender voice. Ravenna watched Celaine move from case to case , her voice quiet, quivering with emotion as she told her about all the other woman she’d seen taken by Saveria, crushed into a mindless husk like Stephanie.
It felt foolish, but it was only then that Ravenna realized that Celaine was under many of the same pressures she was feeling now, indeed, had been for several years. Where Ravenna had panicked at the mere sight of Stephanie, Celaine had watched helplessly as woman after woman had been transformed like that, and had spent three years with them, surrounded by people, and yet, alone amongst them.
Celaine moved past her, and set about cleaning one of the cabinet’s contents, continuing to talk, continuing to apologize sincerely for Ravenna’s fate, and Ravenna felt a rush of affection for the only person in the world who could understand what Ravenna was going through. Ravenna stepped forward, and gently eased her arms around Celaine, gently hugging her from behind. Her skin was cool against Ravenna, and Ravenna kept her voice quiet, murmuring into Celaine’s ear.
“I don’t feel animosity for you, Celaine. You’re...you’re the only person I can trust here.” Saying it was a horrible realization, that there was no one else in her life that she could rely on, but it was true, and, more importantly, Ravenna felt it was something Celaine needed to hear. Her arms around Celaine, Ravenna tensed ever so slightly at the thought that Celaine was just as capable of “taking her trust” as Saveria. What did that mean? Sure, she’d seen Celaine’s magic, had been entranced by it, but...could she really erase her the way Saveria could? Happy that she was behind Celaine, that she couldn’t see the momentary panic in Ravenna’s eyes, Ravenna continued to talk, gently breaking away from her.
“It’s just...it’s hard to open up for me. It’s not something I’ve done before,” Ravenna said, leaning against a case, eyes on the floor. “I’m...I’m not good at trust,” her fingers traced along the chain on her wrist. “Especially here...but I...I know you mean the best for me.”
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Post by Emiko on Jul 23, 2020 15:58:15 GMT -6
When Celaine felt Ravenna hug her from behind, she let out an audible gasp as a blush spread over her face... Not expecting Ravenna to start showing her affection, she was understandably surprised. However...she found herself more touched by the fact that Ravenna was showing her this level of affection for the first time without the influence of trance... It was a genuine act of kindness and affection from someone she didn't need to coax into it and...it practically melted Celaine's heart with warmth... As sweet and wonderful as the moment was though, Celaine soon came to find some...contradictions because of it...
With her words, Ravenna seemed to tell Celaine one thing by proclaiming that she was actually one of the few people she could trust. However, Ravenna's body seemed to say something totally different as it suddenly tensed up behind her in the way that Celaine recognized as a fearful response to something... Ravenna may have kept her face hidden to hide the fact she was concerned about what Celaine had said, but...her body basically said it all. And after a bit, her words followed suit...
Celaine watched quietly as Ravenna released her embrace from around her and wandered off to another case going on to say how it was hard for her to open up and that she wasn't good at trusting... That moment, with those words were all Celaine needed to know that despite what she had previously claimed, Ravenna didn't exactly trust her... If she seriously had any doubts, any fears in her heart and mind whatsoever whether or not Celaine would hurt her, that meant that she didn't have Ravena's trust at all... By the sounds of it, it seemed as if the only thing Ravenna had towards Celine in her own words was a foolish naive hope that the room guardian had her best interests at heart and that was it...
The revelation of that proved a difficult pill for Celaine to swallow. It just didn't seem like anything she had done or said to this point had made any impact... Celaine fully understood what Ravenna was going through was a lot to take in, and she certainly didn't fault her for finding her ordeal scary and hard to manage... As it was, the arrangements for her life were fragile at best and the situation was less than idea. But still...Ravenna didn't seem to fully grasp what Celaine was trying to tell her, to show her... It was at that moment that she realized that if Ravenna was ever going to trust her, Celaine had to take drastic measures... And so without hesitation...she decided it was time to resort to such matters so that Ravenna would understand...
Putting the last of the treasures away and closing the case door, Celaine quietly turned her attention towards Ravenna. Without uttering a single word, she suddenly started to hastily make her way over to where the nervous girl had been standing. With utter silence, she gently took Ravenna by the hand and...somewhat forcefully pulled her away from the case she was leaning against. She lead Ravenna a short distance away before purposely twirling Ravenna until she was facing forward with Celaine at her back. Once she was facing forward, Celaine lightly wrapped her arms around her waist and pulled her in close against her body in an embrace quite similar to the one she had given to Celaine earlier. As she held her though, Celaine started to say some...unusual things...
"...The thing about holding onto someone like this is...that you can feel many different things if you know what to look for. For instance, you can easily feel a true friend's hug..." To this, Celaine lightly held Ravenna in a noticeably casual way from behind... "...Or perhaps even a lover's embrace..." Like before, Celaine manipulated her arms to hold Ravenna in a more sensual way letting her experience the full grip of that hold. The kicker though that was sure to strike Ravenna hard would be the last move... "...You can even feel someone's fears if they move with just the right amount of tension..." Following this, Celaine mimicked the same tense actions Ravenna had done to her earlier when she thought about what Celaine could do to her... All of that done just to drill in the point that...she wanted Ravenna to know that she knew how scared she was and that her feelings weren't hidden in the slightest...
"You see, I know how you feel and what you're thinking. You can't say you trust me and then let your body reveal to me that you don't... I know that even after all I've done, you're still scared of me in some ways... You fear that I might try to do something to hurt you, and...I very well could..." Celaine lightly replied as she slowly lifted her left hand up allowing Ravenna to see the chain talisman around her wrist just...to prove a point... "...I had you in a vulnerable position just like this with my chain ready to wrap around your neck and didn't do it... While you were in that trance, I could have so easily just manipulated your thoughts a little and made you see me in a whole different light... But I didn't..."
Very gently, Celaine lowered her hand so that it rested against Ravenna's waist once more. From here, she allowed her embrace on the timid girl to turn to one that seemed to be a mix from a friend's hug and a lover's embrace. Celaine did it to show Ravenna that she was totally safe in her arms and to offer her the greatest of secure feelings. And...as long as Ravenna would let her stay there to hold her, she would to offer her this sense of security... She made sure that at the very least...Ravenna knew about it...
"...With me at your back, you are at your most vulnerable right now... Yet, I hold you warmly with no malice in my heart... You don't ever have to be afraid of me, or what I can do... I chose to save you yesterday and see you as valuable as Mistress views these treasures up here... You can trust me for anything that you need... A friend, an ear, a guardian, a servant...I'll be all that for you if you'll just...give me a chance... Please...trust me so...I can trust you..."
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Post by yooom on Jul 23, 2020 20:39:21 GMT -6
Celaine was quiet, and Ravenna stared down at the case she was leaning against, a handful of what looked like ceramics against a white background, tiny descriptions written in delicate Latin set on a little white card in the corner, though she hardly cared much about what it said. In truth, she was keeping an ear out for Celaine, while her own thoughts swirled like an angry hurricane. She wanted to trust Celaine, she really did, but...it was hard to, knowing that she could magically worm her way into her head, change who she was...it wasn’t something she liked.
Ravenna let out a yelp of surprise as Celaine suddenly materialized by her side, tugging her forward, twirling her in a way that immediately reminded Ravenna of their dance the day before, in this same room, being twirled by Celaine. Despite what had happened because of it, despite the fact that it had been a trap...it was still a happy memory, for both of them. Celaine pulled her into another hug, much like the one Ravenna had taken her in a moment ago, and yet, it felt keenly different. Celaine’s voice quivered with something that wasn’t quite anger, but not very far from in. She stood there feeling Celaine hold her, telling her about holding her, leaning casually against her, talking about a true friend. And then quite suddenly, her pose shifted, pressing close to her, holding Ravenna in quite a sensual way, and Ravenna had to suppress a gasp. But, just as soon as the moment came, it passed, and Celaine tensed against her, the way Ravenna had, and Ravenna felt her face grow hot with shame. She wasn’t quite as good at hiding her emotions as she thought, it seemed.
Ravenna began to speak, but Celaine continued, and Ravenna fell silent, listening. Was it so bad that she was nervous around someone who could talk so casually about making her a mindless drone? As Celaine spoke, her hand slowly raised up, and Ravenna found herself staring at the gleaming chain talisman on it. Trying not to break away from their hug, Ravenna moved her head further and further from it, nerves taking over again, as Celaine spoke of how easy it would be to strangle her with her magical chain. She was again about to speak, but Celaine drew it back, holding her more tenderly, not quite as sensually as before, but no longer quite as threatening, consoling her, telling her to trust her, that she held no malice towards Ravenna. Ravenna knew it already, she knew that Celaine had risked so much for her, and yet...every time she gestured with her chain she found herself shying away, every time she mentioned her own magical powers, she found her fears rising up...why couldn’t she trust her?
The answer came to Ravenna quickly. It was simply that she’d only known the girl for less than a day, and in that day, she’d demonstrated great power, and had shown Ravenna how dangerous those powers were. Still, Celaine had made a bond with her, and Ravenna was grateful for it. She couldn’t simply say she needed more time.
“I...I know I can trust you,” Ravenna admitted, turning her head slightly, so that she could look down towards Celaine’s face. “I know it, I really do. But I’m...I’m not used to trusting people. Please, I’m...I want to trust you, I promise. It just might take some time for me to get used to trust. Can you do that? Just give me some time to get to really know you,” she said, with a sincere smile on her face.
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