Peek: The Raven

There are precious few moments for the Raven to relax and reflect.  What few he does manage to acquire, he finds he spends on thoughts of Fourdock.  While the Neverrest dungeon was the smallest of annoyances to his sensibilities, it never really warranted his attention.

And then it died.  And shortly after that, Yvonne died.  He would usually not remember the names of those he comes to collect, but she sticks in his mind.  Her situation was one he hasn't seen in quite some time, and he doesn't believe he's been in that situation with a birdkin of any type before.

She was also one of the few he's spoken to, and even fewer still take what he says as seriously as they should.  She thought over the deal the new dungeon was offering, instead of immediately accepting it, which further raises her in the Raven's estimate.  Perhaps he will attempt further conversation when he eventually comes to collect her properly, at least for as long as it takes to bring her where she needs to go.

He puts that thought aside, suspecting he'll have ample time to consider what to do in that situation.  More interesting, and potentially more pressing, is the dungeon that has bound Yvonne to it.  To him, rather.

Dungeons are not the Raven's specialty, but this one in Fourdock is very plainly odd.  He didn't have a chance to investigate when he came for Yvonne... but he does have some small time now.  Distance vanishes beneath his wings, and he soon settles atop the belfry of the dungeon.  Looking around, he sees the mortals doing mortal things.  He blinks as he realizes he has not had reason to come here before.  A dungeon this busy should have needed his attention at least a few times by now.

He Feels, and senses an answer in the reclaimed Neverrest... now Ever-Rest cemetery.  A skeleton scion, with life, death, and fate affinity.  He can see the scion staring in his direction, unable to see him, but able to sense his presence, if only slightly.

Yes... that one is why he hasn't had to come here.  The skeleton's master does not wish death to have a place here, and so the scion has worked to ensure the Raven need not darken the skies with his presence.  It's very strange, though.  He knows there is a raven scion not far from where he is currently perched, but the large bird seems utterly unaware of him.

In fact... the raven scion doesn't have death affinity at all.  Very strange.  Every raven scion he's seen has had death affinity, has had some connection to himself, but not this one.

Questions flit through his mind before he shakes them off and spreads his wings.  He should be able to get answers by simply taking a closer look at the heart of this dungeon.  Most of them are fairly simple, thinking as clever beasts or birds.  Older ones are as intelligent as people, and often belong to some domain or another as the rules for people dictate.

Knowing the destination can give him insight.  He soars through the manor and the earth towards the core of this dungeon, but halts himself as he glimpses the soul inside the heart.

It's... impossible.  Not simply something new, or something rare, but something impossible.  It is something that can't exist, yet seems to exist anyway without care, or perhaps without knowledge that it simply should not be.  He tilts his head as he tries to understand.  It's... a loophole, perhaps?  That idea has some merit, especially since the idea of gathering that soul has no merit in the slightest.

That soul already has a destination, and it is not one the Raven will be able to deliver to.  There will be another to come gather... no, to come shepherd it along, when the time comes.  One that allowed the soul to wander far, and one that watches over it still.  What that one could be, the Raven could not guess.

He turns and flies towards his next goal, curiosity sated for now.  There are more questions in his mind now, but none he will be getting answers to.  For now, he is satisfied to know the soul will be properly handled when the time comes for handling.

Inspired by P Dp, who was curious about what the Raven thought of Yvonne.