Fiery images of agony flashed through Raven's mind, causing shudders to run up and down her spine. Curse that being who had brought her memories to the forefront of her mind. Her teeth ground together as she rubbed her temples, coaxing those thoughts away. Letting out a huff, her narrowed eye focused on the spot the Puppeteer had stood, its emptiness seeming a tad melancholy. Even still, it was a relief to be alone. The normalcy of it was refreshing, not to mention comforting at this moment.

Focusing on the snow, she urged the throb in her head to melt away. Her expression was once again monotone, not a hint of an emotion in sight. If the Puppeteer had still been there, she knew he would have some witty, yet uncouth, remark about it. That roguish smile he seemed to show off would grow ten fold. It seemed he enjoyed her misery. Twisting his words, that on the surface sounded concerned, yet held a hidden demeanor.

Raven's thoughts were pulled to an abrupt stop, as a knock on her door sounded. She scowled, noticing how the knock clearly mimicked the pounding in her head. Letting out a sigh, she stood, walking to the door. Standing on the tips of her toes, she peered through the peephole, shaking her head at the sight. Your daily visitor, her mind scoffed. While clenching her teeth she unlocked the door, opening it to her sheepish neighbor, who at the moment, stared at his feet.

"Good morning, Raven," Stewart awkwardly chuckled, holding out her mail in his gloved palm. Raven eyed it, not a bit surprised. Her odd surprise this morning was the only thing that caused her to forget about her normal expectation.

Stewart Riley, her bashful neighbor who made it his personal obligation to hand deliver her mail each day. When she had first questioned him on his reasoning, he stated that since their mailboxes were next to each other, he found it sensible to bring hers on over as well. Who exactly can reject that?

His azure eyes sparkled as he stood, running his free hand through his gold hair to shake the stray snowflakes off. Raven paused, noticing that golden color. Looks like the Puppeteer's eyes and smile, doesn't it? Her frown deepened due to her thoughts, as she tried to shake it away.

"Good morning to you as well, Stew," Raven nodded, offering the best smile she could. "Thank you once again," she added, reaching out and taking her mail.

"No problem. How have you been lately?" he asked, leaning against the doorway.

Her smile instantly fell, the irritation due to the small talk beginning to rise. Not to mention she was starting to get cold, standing in the doorway. He was bundled up, unlike her. "Same as ever. You're doing good as always, I'd imagine," she chuckled, tapping her fingers against the envelopes within her grasp.

A warm laugh tumbled from his lips as he shook his head. "You should know, Ray." She scowled due to his nicknames, personally hating them. It would be like her calling that Puppeteer fellow 'pup'. She could only imagine how he'd take to that. "Anyway, I was wondering... would you by any chance like to have dinner one night?" he asked, a hopeful gleam in his eyes.

Raven's eyes widened as she took a subconscious step backwards. "I... I don't think that would be the best idea," she murmured, her eyes nervously flashing around, yet refusing to land on him.

"Come on, Raven, you barely ever leave the house. You're going to turn into an old hermit before you're even thirty," he chuckled, causing a flash of anger to cross her face.

Looking away, she couldn't help but notice the tinge of gold in her shadowed corner. Two eyes. But no smile. The shiver that ran down her spine could not be missed, as she knew that he had already returned. Turning back to Stew, as much as she hated doing so, she accepted his offer. Getting away from this empty house and the strange being that loomed in its corner would probably be best... Even though she would hate every minute.

"Great! I'll be back at around... lets say six to pick you up?" he smiled.

Her peace drained just as sudden as it had come. "Six?" she breathed, realizing that the Puppeteer would have plenty of time with her if that was the case.

"Yes... is there something wrong?" Stewart asked, concern glinting in his blue eyes.

"No, no... that's fine," she chuckled, rubbing the back of her neck.

"Alright. See you then, Raven," he smiled, before turning and heading back to his house.

Roughly swallowing, she shut the door, trying to convince herself to turn and face the being that she knew was there. Turning, she saw that the golden eyes were no longer in sight. The corner was empty. Letting out a sigh of relief, she walked back to her room, only to pause in the doorway. There he sat in her rocking chair, his golden eyes focused on the snow out the window.

"I see you have returned," she croaked, frozen to where she stood. There was a part of him, that she did fear, in the oddest of ways. The other part thought no different. Why should it matter?

"And I see that you are to be going out this evening," he replied, his bright eyes flickering to her.

She nodded one stiff bob, biting her lip. Then again, it wasn't like he should be mad. She had a life... well, not really much of one. If anything, this being who acted like her angel should be glad. "Yes, I am," Raven replied, walking further into her room. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she looked out the window from afar.

"I did not think you were much of a fan of others," Puppeteer scoffed, his usual impish smile pulling across his face. Then again, it did not meet his eyes.

"I'm not," she stated, crossing her arms.

He raised his dark eyebrows, chuckling beneath his breath. "Well, that doesn't make sense at all, darling. Most whom are not fond of others typically do not go on dates," he sneered, shaking his head.

"I don't recall it being labeled as a date," she hissed, narrowing her visible eye. "It was called dinner. To eat food. To get out of the house for a little bit."

"I do not believe that is how that young man took it," he snorted, kicking his feet out to rock in the chair. "Besides. You don't seem to be the type of person who willing goes out and about. In fact, when was the last time you left your home?"

"Last week," Raven snapped, heat rising within her cheeks.

"Is that so? To do what?"

"To go... to the grocery store."

"No, no. What I am referring to, is going out and about with others. Now when was that last time?"

"Just shut up!" she growled, baring her teeth. "It's like all you enjoy doing is castigate me! I am a grown woman, and I can make my own decisions. If I decide I want to go out to dinner, then I can damn well do as I please. No strange being who popped into my home one day can make me do otherwise," she snapped.

The Puppeteer's smile was mocking, although he did appear impressed. "Well, then. I must admit I did get the wrong impression after all. It just seemed like the girl who sat and stared out her window consistently did not have much else to live for," he chuckled. "Was I wrong?"

She stared at him, unable to help the tears pricking in her eyes. "That is none of your business." The Puppeteer sighed, looking back out through the window. "Why don't you tell me why you're really here," Raven spat, it coming out nearly as an order.

"For a reason that is obviously unknown to you," he chortled. "But, I am obviously not doing an exceptional job so far, am I? You seem to want to hit me upside the head with a rake instead of befriend me," he sneered, shaking his head.

"Befriend you?" she questioned, blinking furiously. That wasn't at all what she had gathered from him.

"Of course," he nodded, smiling. "I don't believe you would understand if I told you all the minor details. Lets leave it at the angel definition you threw out earlier, shall we? Also, why don't we just start over again, miss Raven. Agreed?" he smiled, softly.

Unable to refuse that enchanting voice, she nodded. "Agreed."

"Until the day you die, I shall be here to guide you, Raven..." he nodded, a warm hint to his smile.

The oblivious young girl returned his smile, not knowing the true meaning behind the disguised angel's words.

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