Lending a Hand

After placing my order, I was sent a confirmation e-mail telling me that my Raven would find me on its own since I didn't specify another way. They included a wavier of sorts, making it clear that I understood that the company was in no way responsible for any damage or inconveniences the meeting caused. After replying with my electronic signature, I was set.

Days passed with no sign of her. I had to wonder where she was. I could only assume she had been created and released by now. Was tiny Titan wandering around, looking for me? Was she in trouble? Had she been damaged? ...would I be reimbursed if she had? Would...?

My worrying was interrupted by the sound of dogs barking. Like, right outside my house. "Get! Scram!" I heard a familiar voice shout from outside. It couldn't be... Springing from my chair, I ran to my window and looked out to a shocking sight.

Clinging to a tree was my Raven. It had to be mine because she was positively pint sized. Alarmingly, she wasn't in winter wear. Those legs must have been freezing...and it clearly wasn't the worst part of her situation. At the base of the tree were three dogs. One of them was hanging off Raven's cloak by its teeth. Hm. Stronger than she looked to be keeping herself in the tree with a medium sized dog dangling off her.

Grabbing the nearest object...which was a broom, I ran outside. Raven yelped as her cloak tore, the dog dropping to the ground. One of the other dogs grabbed some of the cloth from its mouth and they started tugging. "Hey! Go on, get!" I shouted as I swatted at them with the broom. Apparently they didn't like brooms or something...or maybe I was just too tall for their tastes...as they ran off.

I turned to ask if Raven was alright just as she fell from the tree. Dropping the broom, I dove forward, catching her. Her cheeks were red as she laid in my arms, looking frazzled. "Th...thanks," she stammered. Judging from her shivering, it wasn't shyness that was making her stutter, but her chattering teeth.

She looked a tad confused when I started carrying her inside. "Let's get you warmed up. What are you doing outside dressed like that?" I said, chastising her slightly. She huffed, crossing her arms as I brought her inside.

"I have no idea," she told me, trying to slow her chattering. "I juh...just woke up in the snuh...snow." I placed her on my couch. "Hang on, I'll fetch you a blanket...hm. And maybe something hot to drink," I offered. "...do you have tea?" I did indeed. Nothing fancy, just some mint herbal tea I had bought some time ago to see if it would help me sleep. ...it didn't. After returning with her blanket (which she quickly balled herself up in, her head just sticking out of a mass of heavy fabric), I put a kettle on.

As I waited for it to heat up, I decided it was best to introduce myself. After hearing that she simply woke up in the snow, I had to wonder what else she remembered. Like, was she always that size? Best way to find out was to start a conversation. "I'm John," I called from the kitchen.

"Mmm...Raven..." I could barely hear her reply. Curious, I peeked into the room to see if she was okay. She was snuggling up to the blanket, rubbing her cheek along it, clearly enjoying the warmth. It was actually pretty cute...