It worked. “I’ve convinced him to allow me to try, at the very least,” the count didn't offer his help, instead opting to allow her the chance to do as she planned. It was… annoying. “Everything would be solved easily if he would just snap his fat fingers,” letting her annoyance out with a sigh, Ravina sank back into the cloth comfort of the couch in her room. It was so… fluffy.
She allowed herself to enjoy the comfort, allowing the tension from the meeting to absorb into the couch and leave her fatigued body. “Still, at least he is on my side, so to say.” She felt bad that Madam Pelmen might be offended at her, but it couldn't be helped. From what the count told her, war was coming, and while it might not encompass the world, it would decide who owned this continent. Honestly, if the empire lost, that might be worse. But there was nothing she could do about that. Instead, she needed to focus on what she could do, and what she could do was prepare everything that would ensure her safety.
The count might fall, but if she proved worth negotiating, she may be able to save her own skin and keep the noble comforts. It’s not like she was cut from noble cloth anyway. Besides, even after the war, there was the disaster to be had after—being sent to the fringes of the continent wasn't such a bad thing after all.
With those thoughts in mind, Ravina drifted off to sleep, perchance to dream of electric sheep.
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She was beautiful, yet something was off about her. Her porcelain skin was tainted with a green hue as if it were poison running through her veins. Yet her figure was well-cut, and she had some charming assets to forgive anyone for ignoring the unsightly hue. Even the black eyes, broken by an iris of glowing red as it looked down upon the child before her. She smiled as she tilted her head, the dark brown hair moving slowly behind her as a pulsating red glow danced between each strand like lightning.
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She took a moment to adjust herself, shifting the black wrappings that clung dangerously to her figure with care. Then she smiled and spoke with the voice of an angel. “How are you doing, my dear?” she picked up Ravina and held her delicately in her arms as she sat on a rather earthy seat.
Ravina was rather surprised at the warmth she felt from the woman; it was familiar. “Awful…” she found herself answering. “Everything seems to be going well, but it’s never going to be enough…” she felt her heart burn from the weight of its beat. “I just want to live.” It was odd to put it into words. She would have normally answered fine, but for some reason, she spoke the truth. “I can manage, though,” she quickly added, embarrassed by her rather sudden bout of honesty. Ravina hid her face in her hands.
“It’s okay,” the woman replied. “I’ve been watching and think you are doing well.” Again, the words were unusually warm. Ravina felt herself relax to each and every one. Feeling a bit heavy, she moved her hands away and rested in her arms, as if it was the most natural thing.
“I’m rooting for you, little one,” a warm blanket covered her as she drifted away. “I’ve been watching you… ever… rescu…” Ravina’s mind wandered, drifting away…
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With a start, Ravina woke, her eyes snapping open and widening in the dark so potent it took her a moment to remember it was night. Eventually, her eyes adjusted enough to realize she fell asleep on the sofa. She blinked her tired eyes as she sat up and groaned at the pull at her abdomen. Rubbing her stomach, she rose from the couch and stumbled to her bed.