Hey guys, I changed the description of the story, tell me if you guys like it and if it really matches the story. Now I know I haven't updated in a while but that family stuff I mention before got worse. The shit didn't just hit the fan, it's flinging it all over the place. it's gotten even worse the past two days so I'm not going to get much time to write. I'll try my best though.
Oh before I forget, thank you to those that have reviewed the story or messaged me. I'm so happy people like this story. I've made this chapter a little longer for my long absence and in thanks for you guys supporting me.
Raven spent the next few days away from people, she was too raw, the only exception being early the next day when she went to the community building to check it out. The only thing that was different was that she could read the gold scroll, which was basically a wish list from the Junimos. So along with gathering what was on the list, she spent the majority of the two days working on her farm, clearing out space for a coop and other things, building things and cleaning out the lake near the bottom of her property.
Friday, after her usual routine, Raven settled into a bubble bath and thought about what she was going to do today. She still felt a bit raw, she didn't know if she could face people again, let alone go into a bar. Then again she needed to be social and she might be worrying people she's gotten close to. Sebastian and Abigail would be hanging out with Sam at the bar, and she wanted to see both of them. However, with her recent mini breakdown, she didn't think she could go after Sebastian.
"Meow?" Pumpkin mewed from beside her
"What? No! Pumpkin I can't go after that cute tall emo." Raven said and was rewarded with another meow, "Why? Because I'm a piece of shit with a bunch of baggage." Another meow, "what man wants a woman that could kick his ass and might kill herself if she so much has a fucking beer!" another meow, "Oi! You're supposed to be trying to convince me to go after him not calling me insane! Wait what the fuck I'm having an argument with a cat I am insane!"
Raven groaned and sunk into the water. She couldn't believe she had an argument with her cat, well more like she argued with herself just using her cat because he was there. Raven sighed as she pulled her hands out of the water and dried them off with a towel. She then took the top off a clue crystal jar, grabbed the silver flip lighter and what looked like a cigarette. She popped it into her mouth, lit it and took a deep drag. After holding it in her lungs, she let out the smoke in rings, she was a little rusty but she quickly got the hang of it again. Pumpkin meowed at her and Raven groaned.
"Stop being my couscous Pumpkin, I can't be expected to stay sober throughout all this shit. I'll give up cigarettes and alcohol, but like hell I'm giving up pot!" Raven said, took another drag, held it, and then let it go. "Besides, pot is better than those two things, I can't overdose or die off it, and it kills cancer cells, which I still need to worry about. Really if you can get past all the bullshit, you'll find that weed isn't a bad drug… and I'm talking to you like you were a person again. Damnit I need to stop that."
Raven took another drag and went back to relaxing in her bath. She should probably go see Robin about a coop. Yeah, that's what she'll do first, then just wing the rest of the day. Maybe she'll hang out in the community center with the Junimos, or the gum drops as she likes to call them. They were cute little things, she hoped they did ok once she finished the bundles for the community center. Raven finished off her joint, got out of the tub, dried off, did her hair, and got dressed.
For her hair she French braided the top and both sides of her head, pulling them into a high pony tail. For cloths she opted for black stretchy pants, similar to yoga pants, a white tank top that showed the sides and a bit of the front of her bra and the front was tucked into her pants, her silver rings adorned her fingers, and she placed her ever present pocket watch around her neck. She put her backpack on and headed out.
It didn't take her long to get to Robin's house and get inside. She quickly talked to Robin, paying her and telling her where the coop would be. After that was done, she quickly left and went over to the lake, sitting down at the edge. She dug out her pack of cigarettes, took one out and popped it into her mouth. She didn't light it, just played around with her rings as she stared out into the water. It was peaceful here, she could see why Linus chose to live here and why Sebastian chose to smoke out here. Speaking of Linus, footsteps alerted her to his presence.
"Hey Linus." Raven said closing her eyes for a few moments before opening them and looking up at Linus
"Raven, don't tell me you're going to start smoking like the young man you hang out with sometimes." Linus said eyeing her
"Don't worry Linus, I quit cigarettes, cancer isn't exactly fun and I got a taste of it not too long ago. This is just made to look like a cigarette. It's weird how alcohol and cigarettes are more accepted than weed. They're deadlier, more addictive, and have no medical uses." Raven said as she took a flip lighter out and played around with it, debating on whether or not to light up.
"I feel like you smoke not for its ability to kill cancer cells." Linus said raising an eye brow at her
"I do, but it's more for its calming effect. I have a rage issue and more. Yoga and meditation can only do so much." Raven said, looked up at him and sighing, "I had a bit of an episode, this is the first time I left my farm in two days."
"You never forget, all you can do is keep moving." Linus said and Raven nodded
"That doesn't mean it's easy. Sometimes it's the little things that trigger you, a box of photos or a bottle of gin." Raven sighed
"Alcoholic?" Linus asked
"Yup, with an alcoholic father that doesn't understand that alcohol can lead to me to be dead as a damn doornail." Raven sighed before turning on the lighter and lighting her joint. "Sorry if you don't like this, but I need to not drink and this calms me. It does the exact opposite that alcohol does to me."
"I don't mind, Raven, just be careful not to replace one addiction with another." Linus said watching as Raven blew smoke rings
"Weed won't be an addiction for me. Now cake, cookies, and all things sweet and yummy, oh those I cannot live without." Raven hummed, closing her eyes and grinned. "Hmm cake."
"Getting the munchies?" Linus chuckled
"Maybe, but I always want to stuff my face with sweets. I'm in the process of learning how to make all my favorites since I can't always run to the store for a junk food run." Raven said and looked up at Linus, "Anything you're particularly fond of Linus?"
"I do like blueberry tarts." Linus said
"Well I'll be sure to try making it when I start baking." Raven said and then sighed, "I suppose I could spend the rest of the day baking or I could do what I should do and talk to people."
"Why do you feel the need to talk to people?" Linus asked
"Because I had an argument with my cat and I haven't been alone in a long time. I've always had one of my brothers with me, now that I'm down one brother and my other one is back in the city, I find it hard living alone." Raven sighed
"What was the argument about?" Linus asked and Raven sighed
"Rather not talk about that." Raven said not wanting to talk about her crush on Sebastian and her decision to no longer go after him
"If you change your mind I'm here." Linus said
"Thanks Linus." Raven smiled softly at him, finished off her joint, and put the remainders in a metal container, which then put it back in her bag. "I think I'll go hang out with Sebastian and Abby, they're with Sam at the Saloon on Fridays."
"Good luck, and take care of yourself." Linus said patting her head
"Will do, Linus. Be sure to come to me if you're having problems alright? I don't think anyone in town would bother you but Joja might." Raven said as she stood up
"You are a good person Raven, I do not know what demons you face, but just keep that in mind." Linus said and Raven smiled as her eyes watered slightly
"Thank you, I try to believe that but it's hard. They tell me its survivor's guilt or survivor syndrome or whatever, but I can't help but think that I should have been the one that died." Raven's voice cracked as she tried to calm herself before she started to cry, "I was the violent, alcoholic smoker twin."
"Somethings happen for a reason, perhaps the universe needs you for some reason. You are a kind woman, you try to protect people, you are one of the few people to want to befriend me, and you are helping this town." Linus said putting his hands on her shoulders as Raven rubbed her eyes. Memories and self-hate swirling around in her mind.
"What are you talking about?" Raven sniffed
"Do not think I didn't notice how out of it you were a little over a week ago. I can only assume you took a potion called the Essence of Nature." Linus started but Raven quickly latched onto that memory and was running with it.
"You mean the day I tripped balls and saw nothing but green, trees and leaves?" Linus nodded, "Nothing really changed but I was able to read this scroll in the community center."
"Things changed more than you think. Essence of Nature is a quick way to become one with nature, unfortunately since you didn't get there the normal way you're a bit clueless to the changes. Anyway, what I was talking about is that you're working with these spirits to fix the town and the community center. You're selflessly giving gifts to these spirits so that the town will be a better place. You are a good person Raven. You may have your faults, but you are a kind woman that strives to do what is right, even when you are in pain and fighting your own demons." Linus said and this time tears escaped Raven's emerald eyes
"Thank you Linus…." Raven hugged Linus, hoping he knew how much this meant to her. "I'm trying so hard to move on and be a good person. Trying so hard to make up the good that the world lost when my brother died."
"You must remember that you are a good person, worthy of happiness and love. You should listen to your cat, he's a smart one." Linus said smirking when Raven looked at him confused, "I can only assume you were putting yourself down and your cat was telling you what I am now, or at least to some extent. You must remember that you are close with nature now and can understand it when it speaks to you. You should listen and not dismiss it."
"You're saying I might not have been having an argument in my head and just used Pumpkin as someone to bounce the argument off of?" Raven asked and Linus shrugged
"It's certainly possible. I have a connection with the trees, you might have a connection with animals." Linus said and Raven sighed
"As much as I love my Pumpkin, I don't know if I want him to be my Jiminy Cricket." Raven sighed
"I said it was a possibility. You might just be getting the jist of what he says, as I said you're not trained." Linus said
"I'll have to decide if I want to continue being one with nature or if I'll just move on. It's a thought for another time." Raven said and smiled at Linus, "Thank you again, you're a great friend."
"You're welcome my young friend." Linus said and then Raven walked away
As she walked toward town she, checked the time and saw that her friends should be at the saloon by now. She would swing by the community center, drop of some things for the bundles and then head to the saloon. It was on her way so she might as well. she called out a greeting to the Junimos as she entered and dropped off the things they wanted and then left for the Saloon. Once inside she greeted the regulars and headed toward the game room.
"Hey guys." Raven said as she walked into the game room in the bar
"Hey Raven." Abigail and Sam greeted while Sebastian waved at her
"So you guys up to the same old shite?" Raven asked plopping down next to Abigail
"Yeah, the boys play pool, I sit here and we talk." Abigail said as she looked over Raven's hair, "Oh I love your hair, how did you come up with it?"
"You love my hair way too much and I found it playing the Sims Four and fell in love it. I had to look up some tutorials on how to french braid though." Raven said
"Well I haven't had a friend that was a girl for a long time, and we have similar tastes. It's hard when you're different, especially in a small town." Abigail said
"I get it, I had trouble too. Actually this is the first time since high school that I had friends outside family." Raven said
"I still don't believe you weren't a people person, Raven you're so nice and friendly." Abigail said
"Abby I can beat the tar out of men two to three times my size, and back in the city people knew it." Raven rubbing her earlobe, a nervous habit she always tried to stop but could never totally quit. "It didn't help that I had the unfortunate luck of attracting men that never grew out of being a school yard bully. I usually had to break a nose or jaw every six months or so."
"You're kidding me." Abigail said
"I got the fight bites to prove it." Raven said showing the back of her hands.
"Fight bites are injuries that a person gets when their opponent's teeth cut into your fist right?" Abigail asked as she looked over Raven's hands. There were multiple scars along her knuckles on both hands, some were long, some small. They weren't all fight bites though, some were different, and Abigail couldn't tell what they were from.
"Yup, you know that from your crime shows don't you?" Raven smirked as she took her hands back
"Naturally." Abigail said, eyeing her friend, something was off with her, "so what have you been up to for the last few days?"
"Working like usual, but I needed to get out and talk to people or else I would get into another argument with my cat." Raven said rubbing her ear lobe again, "I am so not used to living alone."
"Yeah maybe you should not work for days on end, it can't be healthy." Abigail scolded
"I know but I wanted to get that coop and clear out the lake. The lake will probably never be a fishing spot, I would have to fill it with fish that could live in it and maybe more since I have no idea how to build the lake back up to what it was before some asshole destroyed it." Raven huffed still ticked about her polluted lake.
"You have a love of nature don't you?" Abigail asked
"Yup, I mean I have yet to be able to cut the ethernet cord, but I do enjoy the outdoors on a cloudy day or at night." Raven said
"Oh yeah you're a gremlin, not a fan of the sun." Abigail chuckled
"Nope, the sun is only my friend when it comes to my crops, any other time I turn red as a lobster without sunblock." Raven said and perked up when a piano rift came from her bag. She quickly pulled out her phone and looked. "Oh it's my brother checking in on me. Oh Abby come take a selfie with me, it'll show him I'm actually out socializing."
"Sure!" Abigail chirped as they moved closer and grinned at Raven's phone. They moved back to their original positions once Raven took the picture and sent it. "Your brother is the one that keeps calling you right?"
"Yeah, we've always been close, it feels weird to be away from him." Raven said as she texted, before going into her pictures and pulling up one of her and Ryan
"He's cute." Abigail said making Raven chuckle
"Unfortunately he's dating this chick called Alice, I call her Ally just to piss her off." Raven giggled evilly as she thought of how she would sometimes wind up Ryan's girlfriend just for laughs
"Oh my god don't do that." Abigail laughed nervously
"What? This? Muhahaha!" Raven laughed evilly as she wiggled her fingers near her face as she leaned closer to Abigail
Abigail shrieked and ran over to the boys, Raven ran after her continuing to laugh evilly. The two guys looked up from their game and stared at them oddly as the girls ran around the pool table. Emily walked into the room and raised an eye brow at them. Sebastian and Sam shrugged at Emily, they didn't know what was going on. Then, Abigail ran to Sebastian and put him in between her and the evilly laughing Raven. Green eyes widened as Raven tried to stop, but the two collided when Abigail pushed Sebastian into the short woman. A yelp, several curse words, and a thump later, resulted in the two on the floor. Raven laid rigid, her arms spread out on either side of her, preventing her head from hitting the floor. Sebastian was on top of her, in between her legs, his head right next to hers, and his face was bright red as one hand was on the floor and the other was on her breast.
"Holy Yoba!" Sam yelled as Abigail and Emily discreetly high fived and Sebastian quickly got off Raven
"Sorry! I didn't mean to!" Sebastian franticly explained but looked at Raven confused when Raven burst out laughing
"You move fast, skipped right to second base." Raven laughed as she got up, "did you steel that move from the 2003's FMA?"
"You're not mad?" Sebastian asked everyone else looking at Raven like she grew a second head
"Nah, you were pushed into me and my boobs aren't small. There was a high probability that if you fell on me, you would touch them one way or another. Besides it reminded me of my favorite anime and manga." Raven waved off his concern as she fixed her shirt, the fall had moved it and shown another one of her tattoos. It on her left breast, in a place that was usually covered by her tank tops. It was a red cross with a snake wrapped around it in a question mark form, on top was a crown and small wings.
"Oh that's from Fullmetal Alchemist!" Abigail said quickly going over to Raven to get a closer look
"Yeah, I only get tattoos of things I have an unconditional love for. FMA is my favorite anime and manga ever." Raven gushed as Emily chuckled and went back to the bar
"Fullmetal Alchemist? Never seen or read it." Sebastian said
"You never watched or read Fullmetal Alchemist?" Raven asked Sebastian looking at him in shock, before going over to him, grabbing his arms and shook him, "dude what kind of geek are you?! It's the holy grail of anime and manga!"
"I've actually watched the anime, its good." Abigail chimed in
"Abigail has seen it and it's out of her comfort zone! I am digging through my massive pile of books and dvds and getting my favorite anime to you." Raven exclaimed and Sebastian chuckled
"Ok, ok, I'll check it out." Sebastian said trying to not smile at her excitement while Raven squealed in excitement, "the internet was right."
"About what?" Raven asked
"Introducing your friend to your fandom." Sebastian said making Raven laugh
"Oh yes, this is exactly how it is and if you resist I will make you watch by force." Raven said and laughed evilly
"How? You're kinda small." Sam asked and Raven raised an eye brow at him
"I lived in the bad of town and can beat down men three times my size. I think I can throw string bean here over my shoulder and run away with him." Raven said gesturing to Sebastian
"String bean?" Sebastian asked frowning
"You might be tall Seb but you're skinny. I've picked up a dude about your size, little shorter but he had more muscle mass." Raven stopped and tilted her head at him, "at least I think so, it's hard to tell with that baggy hoody you always wear."
"Then why didn't you pick me up when we had to get my mom's tools?" Sebastian asked crossing his arms
"It didn't even occur to us to have you pick me up, how would I have occurred to me to pick you up?" Raven asked hands on her hips, "Besides, we were busy geeking out over my fan shit, including my Supernatural tattoo."
"Speaking of tattoos, how many tattoos do you have?" Abigail asked
"Yeah, not a lot of people have tattoos here, if any." Sam said
"Hm, good question." Raven thought about it, before pointing to different parts of her body, "There's the FMA one on my left breast, a sibling tat on my wrist, my stars and galaxy one on my back, dream catcher that starts on the side of my left hip and goes down my thigh, music notes behind my right ear, an owl on my left ankle, and an anti-possession tatt on the front of my right hip."
"That's a lot." Sam said with wide eyes, "did they hurt?"
"Some, but it was worth it." Raven said smiling
"I remember seeing some on that Tuesday when you come in shorts, it showed part of the dream catcher and the cute little owl on your ankle. The one on your back almost always is showing." Abigail said
"Well I'm most proud of the one on my back, it's huge and fucking gorgeous. It's of a beautiful galaxy full of stars and lots of colors." Raven gushed and grinned, "I'll either find a picture of it or ill have Abby take a picture at some point, maybe on a girls night."
"That girls night was fun, Emily's cool. I don't think I would have hung out with her if you hadn't introduced us. Oh did you ever find your wii and Mario party game? That could be a cool game to play next time." Abigail asked
"Oh yeah, I got all my game systems set up along with my house. You might not even recognize it." Raven grinned and then got an idea "Hey next Friday night why don't you guys come over to my place? I'm cooking and it would be cool to do something together. Instead of you guys playing pool while me and Abby talk on the couch."
"I like that idea, it would be nice to do something together." Abigail said and the two looked at the boys
"Sounds cool." Sam said and Sebastian nodded
"Awesome, any allergies I should know before I start cooking?" Raven asked
"No allergies for us, what are planning on making?" Abigail asked
"My taco lasagna so far, but I have been craving some mac and cheese…" Raven said getting distracted by her stomach for a moment before getting back on track, "I'll probably also be baking a bunch. I have so many recipes I want to try."
"were you much of a cook before you came here?" Sam asked
"Not really, I cooked sometimes back in the city, but the kitchen was really small and had shit appliances. Now I have a nice kitchen with bran new shit. And since I can't make runs to get my favorite food now that I'm out here, I'll make them." Raven said grinning
"We're going to be your taste testers aren't we?" Sebastian asked
"Not for my taco lasagna, that thing is like an orgasm in your mouth." Raven licked her lips at the thought of it, "but for everything else the whole town will probably be my taste testers."
"I really hope you're as good at cooking as you are with video games or else this could end badly." Abigail said
"Abby you wound me." Raven said hand over her heart
"You'll live." Abby chuckled
"Oh by the way, you check out those games I told you about?" Raven asked Abbigail, who blushed bright red while Raven laughed evilly, "Revenge is a bitch aint it?"
"You are horrible!"
"Yeah well you and Emily got to tease me on our girl's night so I tease you when I get the chance." Raven said grinning
"What are you teasing her about?" Sam asked
"Sorry girls only." Raven said and raised an eye brow, "unless you want to know all the uncomfortable topics girls talk about."
"No, no thank you." Sam said shaking his head
"Thought so." Raven said smirking
"I wouldn't pry Sam, she's got knowledge from several fandoms where death is normal." Sebastian said and Raven grinned
"Dexter, Supernatural, Bones, all CSIs, NCIS, and Criminal Minds, to name a few." Raven said
"Do you have a thing for death?" Sam asked wide eyed
"I have a thing for a lot of things. Currently I have a thing for the romance of a fox and bunny." Raven said getting odd looks, "What? You guys never watched Zootopia?"
"Isn't that a kid's movie?" Sam asked
"It's a Disney movie, filled with cute animals, a mystery, Breaking Bad and the Godfather references, a kick ass song and the fandom is awesome too." Raven said and pointed at the three, "Do not make me force yall to watch it."
"I've seen it, it's cute, but I think the fox and bunny are just friends." Abigail said
"Nope! They're meant to be and no one can tell me otherwise." Raven said firmly
"But foxes eat rabbits." Sam said
"I'm sure Nick does but I'm sure Judy isn't complaining." Raven snickered, while Sebastian and Abigail groaned
"Why do you make everything dirty?" Abigail asked
"Because I have a dirty mind." Raven stated in a matter of fact way
"Besides your dirty mind why are you set on two animals from a movie being a couple?" Sebastian asked
"Because I'm a sucker for a good romance." Raven said and then snapped her fingers before looking at the two males in the room, "you guys know if anyone likes Emily?"
"Raven I don't think you should look for a match for Emily when she's right in the next room." Abigail said
"Good idea, tell me later guys if you know someone." Raven said Abigail grabbed her shoulders and steered her toward the arcade games
"Let's play some games Raven." Abigail said
"Alright, let's see if I can help you get past level one." Raven teased
The rest of the night went on normally. The four playing their games, with some conversation thrown in. when it got late, everyone went their separate ways. Raven was tempted to go the long way and hang out with Sebastian a little longer but decided not to. She still felt like she didn't deserve a nice guy like Sebastian. Maybe that would change, only time would tell.