Rhodanthe Jamie Ravie (Dannie)'s Story

Bells cracked the door open as she heard someone approaching the door. She could see as she poked her head out that it was a big, rather built man. Since it was so quiet, it was easy to hear anyone’s footsteps really. But his were kind of quiet for someone his size. What could someone like him possibly be doing here, she thought. Bells got intimidated as he got closer to the door, but as a maid, it was her duty to answer the door … or at least one of her duties. She opened the door wide and smiled the best I’m-totally-not-scared-right-now smile. “Welcome to the Ravie home. Are you going to be working here as well?” Her hand was only shaking slightly as she held it out. “I’m the maid, Bellachay … but you can call me Bells.”


Dannie had been watching everything happen from the shadows. The two that were in the kitchen, the people that kept arriving, the boy flirting with her sister. She was in her room now, all the light blacked out and only a few dim candles were burning. It was plenty of light, enough for her to see. “What do you think of all these strangers coming to our humble abode, Josephine?” I think it might be fun. Now you can cast more people spells. You could on your siblings, because you loved them, but now strangers are here, Josephine told Dannie. Dannie had never thought it weird that she could hear Josephine talk, she had had Josephine since before she could remember. “But Ellie, Ava and Charlotte might get cross with me for doing such things.” They wouldn’t. They love you more then them. They wouldn’t get cross with you. You’re the Dark Princess. Dannie thought about it a little before answering Josephine. “Maybe we should just lay back for a little while … watch how things go. Alright?” Whatever you say, Princess.

Bells closed the door behind the man, staring at the ground. “How many more people are going to show up,” she asked herself. She quickly ran up the stairs and to the closet she noticed at the end of the hall. The door kind of dragged on the ground, but low and behold, there was the rest of the cleaning supplies. Bells grabbed the glass cleaner and an old cloth before struggling to close the closet door again. She rushed down the stairs and took all the pictures down, cleaning them frantically. It only took a minute or two to clean all the pictures and hang them back up. She stood back and admired her work, somewhat proud of how much cleaner it looked. My little Bells! Such an amazing maid! Good job sweetheart, she imagined her father would say, making her smile a bit.

Dannie stared at the girl from the top of the stairs, Josephine balancing on the railing beside her. “Such a small, quiet girl,” Dannie said to Josephine. Obviously she is the type who hates being alone. Just look at her aura. But she’s alone right now. Dannie nodded and leaned on the railing, making it squeak. “Well, she isn’t to alone. This house is full of people now … so technically, she isn’t alone.” I guess your right. Should we speak with her, Josephine asked curiously. “No … I have a feeling something interesting is about to happen.” A small, interested smile slowly appeared on Dannie’s face.

Ellie blushed, having Daemyn put his arm around her shoulders. She had never been touched so openly by a boy before, and it made her heart leap up into her throat. She took her sister's hand and smiled sheepishly at her, then whispered, "Charlotte, love, please tell Mr Artz hello. He's going to be helping us out a lot. And I'm sure he'll put in any flower you like."

She wanted everyone to get along, especially her siblings with the employees. Charlotte was so silly, only ten years old and already so strong, and protective of Ellie herself. It was truly sweet, and she couldn't help but love her sister even more for it. A jolt ran through Ellie's body, and she blinked a few times, feeling the rush of energy that always came when Rhodanthe awoke. And yes, she was awake, and watching, as she always did.

Rhodanthe was only six, and already so smart, so sweet, so independent, that it sometimes made Ellie sad. Ellie had nursed all of her siblings through fevers and nightmares, and kissed each one goodnight before bed, but Rhodanthe--Dannie for short--always seemed as though she were pulling away. She hid in the shadows and spoke to her kitten, which Ellie had no problem with. She just wished she could do more and make Dannie smile a bit more.

Good morning, Dannie. I hope you slept well. I'll get you some breakfast as soon as I can, alright? I love you, dove.

Ellie thought strongly, fully confident that Dannie would hear it and know it was from her. She believed that her sister was special, and powerful; the whole family was, in one way or another, but Dannie was certainly one of the strongest. She blinked, then rubbed Charlotte's hands lovingly, and smiled again. There was a lot going on, especially for the new head of the Ravie household, but she could handle it. She'd handled worse things in the past few months, and she could handle this now.

Charlotte grows extremely stiff at the touch of Daemyn's hand. She glares, ready to jerk her hand away, but then remembers her sister's wishes and decides to put up with it until they get outside. At least then she can wander off to get some peace and quiet. Then she too feels the jolt from when when Dannie wakes up. Dannie... there are annoying men all over the house that sister hired to help around the house. Be careful. Dannie would be able to tell which sister Charlotte meant. The only sibling she ever called 'sister' was Ellie; the others she always called by their names.
Charlotte casts a sideways glance at Daemyn. He was trying too hard. It ticked her off, but of course she wouldn't let it show. She bites her lip and keeps walking, glaring at the floor.

Bells jumped slightly as the doorbell rang. But she let a long breath out, in an attempt to calm down. She opened the door enough to peek out, saw it was a boy ... about the same age as her, maybe older, and opened it fully. "Hello, welcome to the Ravie household ... are you here for a job?"

Dannie recieved her sisters thoughts and debated for a quick second whether she should send some back or not. Okay. Thank you, Ellie. She giggled slightly at Charlotte's thought, responding quickly. I already knew, Charlotte. But thank you for the warning. I'm watching the maid right now. Me and Josephine that is. "This is bound to be amusing, Josephine. Do you see his aura? Its just like hers." They are one in the same, Princess. Are you going to introduce yourself at all to anyone? "Not until dinner. I'm juust going to watch my puppets play for now."

Bells jumped slightly. This boy was definitely in need of a job, so Bells smiled best she could and said, “Well … I’m just the maid … I can ask my … my boss. I’m sure she’ll let you work here.” Bells bent over a little to see his face, since he was looking at the ground, and saw he was tearing up. Since she naturally thought she scared him, she began to tear up too. “I’m sorry … I didn’t mean to make you cry,” she sniffled. She never had made anyone cry before, except her father when she accidentally got hurt every now and then. Bells definitely felt like a horrible person now. She wanted to apologize more, but all she did was hide her face in her hands. She didnt know that David was behind her until he spoke. Bells jumped at least three feet in the air. "Umm ... do you know where Ellie is? This young man was looking for a job ...," she said quickly wiping her eyes.

“This really is interesting,” Dannie said. Now they are both crying. What is with that? Strange humans, Josephine said as Dannie looked on. She had never really seen anyone but her siblings interact, so this was a good time to study other humans. They were on her land … now they were her subjects, her puppets. It would be rude if she didn’t know anything about them. Dannie had to know their patterns … each and everyone of them.

Bells inhaled sharply as the boy fell. “Oh! Are you alright!?” She stood at the top of the steps and looked down at him. Her eyes teared up fast again, “I’m sorry … I didn’t mean to make you fall.” She covered her face with her hands again. “I’m such a mean person … I made someone fall and get hurt.” Bells uncovered her face, went down the stairs and picked up the board game, since it scattered all over. “I’m really sorry about making you fall,” she said her eyes concentrated on the game and the ground.

Dannie felt Ellie’s sadness and Charlotte’s frustration. “Maybe I should go look for them. See what is going on.” But this is just getting good, Princess. Dannie sighed, “Alright, we’ll stay until this is finished.”

Josephine jumped onto Dannie’s shoulder as she sensed that Dannie was about to move. Dannie walked down the stairs and poked her head out the door, hiding her body behind the doorframe. “His name is Jack. And your Bellachay,” she said as she pointed to Bells, “and you are David,” she said, pointing to David. “Now you all know each other.” Dannie moved back into the shadows, moving quickly and nimbly to her room. How did you know his name, Josephine asked. “The Dark One told me his name.” Josephine nodded and leaped onto Dannie’s bed as Dannie sat at her desk. “I need to start reading more about the human sacrifice. I never found it relevant before, but no it might be.” Dannie immersed herself in one of her many large books about the dark side of magic.

Bells started to look back as she heard someone speak, but by the time her eyes reached the door, it was empty. She turned her attention back to the boy, standing up and holding out a hand. “I’m really sorry, here … let me help you up." She smiled to make him feel more comfortable, though the tears in her eyes might not be helping that much. “Don’t worry … about David … he’s really nice … I mean, as far as I know.” She tried to laugh at her own lame attempt at a joke. "Is your name really Jack?"

David turned just in time to see a whisp of black hair disappear back into the house. His eyebrow arched curious as to who spoke.

“Don’t worry … about David … he’s really nice … I mean, as far as I know.” She tried to laugh at her own lame attempt at a joke. "Is your name really Jack?"

Bells said as she helped to calm Jack.

"Yeah nothing to worry about man. C'mon, you can wait inside with Belle while I go find Ms. Ravie."

He said with a friendly smile as he led the other two back into the house.

"Have a seat, but I'm going to have to ask that you don't go anywhere by yourself until you get the ok from the boss."

He said as he motioned to one of the luxurious sofas in the foyer. He turned and gave Bells a quick half smile.

"Keep an eye on him for me will you?"

He asked jokingly before he reached to his back and pulled out his walkie, hoping to get a hold of Ellie. He took a few steps away from the others and stood on the steps outside the front door before trying her a second time on the radio.

"Ms. Ravie, it's David. Do you copy?

Bells looked back at Jack and reached a hand out to him. But something felt weird, someone was running through the hall, and fast. Her and Jack were in the middle of the hallway, which was going to end bad if they didn’t move. She rushed over to Jack and pushed him against a wall, right as Miss Ellie and Daemyn passed. They were going top speed … maybe they were playing a game of tag? She moved away from Jack, knowing he had personal space and coughed. The dust had gotten stirred up quite a bit, so Bells went into a sneezing fit.
After the dust settled, so did Bells’ sneezing, and she turned to Jack. “It’s not your fault … I was scared that David was going to be angry that I didn’t do as he said. But are you alright?” She probably saved them both from major injury, but there might have been a nail in the wall or a piece of wood sticking out that jabbed him. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”


Dannie could feel something going wrong, and Josephine could obviously feel it too. They both jumped up, glided out the door and through the halls, staying in the shadows. They both reached the kitchen, where many others were gathered around her older sisters body. Looks like introductions are going to have to wait, Josephine said, staying in the shadows. Dannie emerged, standing over Ellie’s body. She kneeled down next to her and put a hand on her head. “Everyone leave the room, now,” the young girl said. Dannie was a scary little girl no matter how you looked at her, so she was hoping that her looks would be enough to get the humans to listen to her. If she had to, she would use force. “No one must be in here … I need to help here.”

Everything went to hell really fast. Before Salem had a chance to answer Davids question Ellie came sprinting in, screaming, asking what they had touched. He was about to reply when she suddenly collapsed. Salem was uncharacteristically worried. What the hell was that about? David scooped the girl up and told them to sit tight. Salem racked his brain quietly for any way to help. This was partly his fault.

He looked at the faces around the kitchen. Luna was paralyzed once more, how much more excitement could she take? A new boy had entered. A dark haired, solemn looking boy around Salems age. He seemed upset, and wasnt giving a very nice look to Salem. He thought nothing of it. Behind him a dark haired younger girl was standing in the shadows. She had been the first to act on Ellie when she fainted. Could this be a sister? The girl was now menacingly standing alone. She gave Salem the creeps. What the hell was going on?

Salem stood straight and silently opened the pantry. He retrieved a number of various vegetables and some fettucini noodles and placed them on the counter. He then moved to the freezer and pulled out a chicken breast. He figured he might as well do something useful. He began washing his hands in the sink. Hopefully some chicken noodle soup would make Ellie feel better. Once his hands were clean he pulled an apron from the hooks on the wall and went to work.

Dreams of drowning, struggling to push to the surface of the ink waters, but something was holding her down. Arms and fingers tangled in her hair, shoving her down into the depths. Someone once called a sweet name was now a monster, there only to hurt her, to press her into the gloom and pull her away from her family, her sisters, those that she loved and cared for.

Oxygen bubbled from her lips, her vision growing increasingly dim, disappearing as quickly as sand through fingers. Her face was being pushed into the silt at the bottom of the water, filling her nose and mouth, clouding her vision, choking her. She would die here, with no one to mourn her, no body to bury.

But she could not die, not here, she couldn't leave her family alone in that house. They were able to function by themselves, live quite well without her, it wasn't that. No, it was a purely selfish reason that she couldn't die here; she was afraid that they would forget her, all about her. They would begin to depend on Ava, and any memory of Ellie would disappear from their minds.

It was not Ellie that had held Charlotte through many fevers, but Ava pressing the cold rag to her burning forehead. Not Ellie, but Ava, who held Dannie's hair when she was four as she emptied her stomach contents into the bowl at her bedside. Ava reading bedtime stories. Ava burning the breakfast and taking them all out. Ava assuring them things would be alright, that she would take care of them, now that Mommy and Daddy were gone.

And Ava herself...she would forget her own twin sister, forget the secrets they had shared, the nights they had clambered onto the roof and sung songs to the moon, the tears spilled after stupid quarrels. Ellie would be wiped away from the face of the earth, with no one to guide her to the Afterworld, to Hell, where she would ultimately go. She had no choice.

Fear gripped Ellena's heart, and she let out a scream, years of pain, anguish, and fear put into a single guttural yell. Rhodanthe, Charlotte, Ava, Mommy, Daddy, and all the others...she screamed for them, for the love that she needed. And then the hands holding her down were gone. And she wasn't drowning anymore.

Ellie sat up in bed with a start, pulling the sweat-soaked sheets away from her body. She whipped her head around wildly, desperate to feel her baby sisters in her arms again, to feel their hearts beating beside her own. As she began to sob, she croaked her sister's names, reaching her arms out to feel them as soon as they came into the room. She didn't exactly remember what had happened, why she was in this room, where everyone had gone. But she knew she was alive.

For the moment.

Bells looked around, frantically trying to locate a bathroom. "Um ... um ...," she said. Then she heard David yell for everyone to get out. Bell grabbed Jacks hand and ran outside, stopping near a bush. "I'm sorry Jack, but David said we had to get out ... so ... if you have to get sick, she said, covering her eyes with her hands, "you'll have to use the bush." Bells hated making Jack be outside when he wasn't feeling good but they really didn't have a choice. She walked a few feet away before bumping into something large and stationary. Bells looked up and saw David. "What happened David?"

Dannie closed her eyes as she placed her hand on Ellie's head. What happened, Josephine asked. Dannie sighed and motioned for Josephine to go. Josephine knew to do ... she needed to get the gun and put it back. She padded out to the front and spotted the gun almost immideatly. Its dark aura was huge. Give me the gun, Josephine said to the man holding the gun. Hopefully the man listened to her. Even though she was a cat.

Ellie was crying, quietly, softly, holding Dannie's hand tightly, holding it against her cheek. She pulled her sister into her lap and held her for a long time like that, wrapping her arms around the small girl and pressing against her. Dannie had heard her, even in her dream. Dannie was here for her.

"Please," she begged, "please, Rhodanthe...do you love me? Please, please..." she felt foolish, begging a little girl to love her, but she had to know, had to be sure of her feelings.

David entered the room, with Rhodanthe's beautiful kitten Josephine, and Ellie looked up at him, smiling with the tears still streaming down her face.

Yes, I...I'm sorry I scared you. I was feeling poorly since this morning. I'm sorry. I'll go appologize to the others later." Memories were pouring into her head, yelling at them all. Terrible. She was a terrible person. "And where's the--ah."

She saw the gun in his belt, and her body grew heavy again, sagging slightly, as though the very sight of it burdened her.

"Yes. That," she glanced at Dannie, not knowing exactly what she would do, but knowing she could do something, "please, ah, give that to Rhodanthe. She...she knows what to do with it."

Salem came into the room with a bowl of soup, his attitude guarded, but polite. It smelled good, but even thinking of eating made her want to retch. He must be terrified of me, she thought sadly, and how can I blame him? I was so rude, so scary...

"I'm...so sorry, Salem. I shouldn't have...you must be terribly upset with me. After all I did, you're still here to care for me. You are a far better person than I am."

She held her sister tighter, placing her lips against her tiny forehead and kissing her gently. Ellie could only pray that her sister knew how very much she loved her, and with that, she released her. Tears rolled down her cheeks, and she climbed out of bed, walking uncertainly towards the door, one hand on the wall at all times, the other on her amulet.

"I need to go apologize to the others now. I'll come back to bed soon."

Bells jumped when Jack yelled snake and turned quickly, only to cover her eyes and turn back just as quickly. "Um ... Jack ...," she said, crouching down, facing the opposite direction.

{EDITED}
Dannie looked at her sister as she cried."I do love you, and so does Josephine and Charlotte and Ava. Your like our mother," Dannie said, her eyes going soft for a moment, then hard and cold again. “Give me the gun.” The command was short and blunt, but scary and full of control. “Give me the gun, then show me who removed it from its resting place … actually … gather everyone in the dining room,” Dannie said, snatching the gun out of David’s hand. “And do it now, David.” She quickly handed the gun to Josephine, and the small cat began to drag it down the hall, the trigger loop in her mouth. Dannie stared at her sister and pet her sisters head. “Good morning, Ellena. I’m sorry you had to dream such a foul dream. I’ll prepare you a tea that will make you forget it if you wish.” Dannie took out a small knife and cut the tip of her finger, drawing blood. “Or I could do it the easy way.” When Ellie began to get up, Dannie’s eyes went cold. “Ellena, lay back in the bed. You have no need to apologize to anyone. You need to rest. Josephine and I are taking care of this.” Dannie didn’t mean for her cold eyes to be directed at her sister, but at the intruders. Dannie took her sisters arm, took her back over to the bed and began drawing a symbol on Ellie’s arm.

Josephine came back, having put the gun back where it was found and leapt onto the bed where Ellie was. Whatever was stirred up has settled a little, but not completely, she said to Dannie. “Well, we might have to make a human sacrifice then,” Dannie replied. Your sisters wouldn’t approve of that thought.

“You’re probably right. I guess we’ll have to find something else … although I’ve always wanted to do a human sacrifice,” she mumbled the last part.

Your time will come, Princess. Just be patient.
{EDITED}

David was vastly out of his element. The unique power of Rhodanthe, the sudden and jarring episode Ellie had in the kitchen, the cat which David was still trying to wrap his head around. Rhodanthe was lovingly tending to her sister but what exactly she was doing was a mystery to Grayson. Her fingers drifting over her older sisters skin as they mapped out some mystical pattern. David decided now was a good time to take his leave.

"I'll give you two some privacy."

David said, still very unsure of what was going on. He took a few steps out, ushering Salem out with him as he went along so the siblings could have their time. Once in the hall he closed the door behind them before breathing out a sigh.

"What the hell did you get yourself into Grayson?"

He muttered to himself before looking at Salem.

"C'mon, they want everyone in the dining room. Better get to it."

He said sounding more tired than he was. The strain of his mind trying to grapple with the recent events of the day were beginning to exhaust him. Once downstairs where the others were gathered David spoke up so they all could here.

"Ellie awake. She's ok. Her sister's with her now checking on her. They want everyone in the dining room asap so if you all just head there for me."

Once the group began to make their way toward the dining room David spoke up a second time, this time his voice distinctly less booming and more reserved as if he was regretting having to speak.

"Salem, Luna... Hold on a second."

"I'm alright, Rhodanthe," Ellie whispered to her sister, and stood again, "it isn't angry with me anymore, I'll be alright. I need to go talk to them all, you know that." She stooped to kiss her sister's head, then swept out of the room, down the stairs and towards the foyer, confident everyone would be waiting. She felt stronger already because of her sister's abilities, but worried that she would tire herself out. She had apologies, as well as discipline, to hand out to everyone here.

She stopped short when she saw Salem, David and Luna all standing in the midst of it, Luna obviously worried. Taking a deep breath, she took a few steps forward, then cleared her throat so that her presence was known. She smiled weakly, then closed her eyes thoughtfully.

"Luna," she began softly, "I'd like to speak with you, if you don't mind."

Bells looked at Daemyn with wide eyes. He was being so forceful and angry. “Umm, he didn’t tell me anything.” Then David came out and said that everyone needed to gather in the dining room. “Maybe we can find out what happened now,” she said, standing up. Even though she knew she hadn’t done anything wrong, at least as far as she knew, she was still worried. I really hope I don’t get yelled at, she thought. She looked down at Jack and smiled gently. “We should probably head in. Coming,” she asked, holding a hand out for him to take. Once he grabbed it, she ran into the house and towards the dining room, which she remembered passing once. Everyone was gathered in there, looking worried and scared. Bells walked to the back and stood there, hiding somewhat behind one of the chairs.



Dannie sighed as her sister stood up, but followed her out anyways. Why did her sister have to be so forgiving? She felt as though she would never figure that out. “Come Josephine,” she called to her kitten, who obeyed her owner. Be careful, Princess … I don’t want you getting angry. Dannie looked somewhat sweetly at her kitten, eyes soft. “Don’t worry, Josephine. Everything is going to be fine as long as the puppets learn their place, right Sister?”

As they arrived in the dining room, Dannie saw that everyone had gathered. She moved silently over to David and smiled up at him. “Thank you, David.” Then her sister spoke.

"Luna," she began softly, "I'd like to speak with you, if you don't mind."

Dannie could see that anyone who touched the gun still had somewhat of a black mist staining their hands. It sent a chill down her spine … even her. Dannie might have been powerful, but she was weak compared to some of the things that called this place home also. It made her angry, and a little upset that something was more powerful than her, that she couldn’t protect her family like she wanted to. That’s why she studied so much. Princess, don’t worry. We will protect them, Josephine said, sending a kitty smile her way. Dannie smiled, “Thanks Josephine.”

She entered the dining room and looked around at all the faces she had been observing all morning. She knew just about everything about everyone by now, except their pasts. Just their names and personalities. What they loved the most and what they hated the most. Dannie smiled to herself in satisfaction. She was getting better results than she thought.

Daemyn followed behind Bells and the new guy through the house and into the dining room. He wasn’t kept waiting long before Ellie showed up. She asked to speak with Luna before he could run over and start babbling away, so he stood there, waiting politely. Then a smaller girl appeared, looking around the room like she owned the place. It must have been another sister of Ellie’s. He loved how they all had beautiful, long black hair … at least as far as he knew. He had only seen three Ravie children so far, met only two of them. Ellie’s eyes were a beautiful blue, Charlotte’s were a deep captivating black and this girls eyes … they were a knowing red that seemed as though they could paralyze with a simple look. But she was so small, couldn’t be older than seven. How was it that her eyes could be so knowing and powerful. It definitely sent spiders down his back. But there was something odd about this house, so it only made sense that its inhabitants would be so … unique.

The ex Navy Seal was standing near the doorway keeping an eye on everyone, making sure no one left the room. His broad arms crossed across his chest as the silent man stood watch over the group. His mind lost in the quagmire of the mystery. What was going on? How was Rhodanthe able to do what she did? What happened to Ellie? What was the connection to the gun? It wasn't long before Ellie walked in, looking a little weak but none the worse for wear. He was impressed with her strength. Most young women who have a black out episode wake up tentative to walk around on their own. She took a few deliberate steps forward before taking a breath and speaking.

"Luna," she began softly, "I'd like to speak with you, if you don't mind."

Rhodanthe walked in shortly before she took up a position at David's side. He looked down at her giving her a half hearted smile. She looked up at him in return. A sweet, warm smile dawned on her face as her sharp ruby eyes looked deeply into his own.

“Thank you, David.”

Her voice soft, little more than a whisper. Like a baby bird chirp on an icy winter morning. The 'thank you' soothed his nerves. David smiled, her words spurred his mood to brighten significantly. If the mysterious enigmatic young Ravie sister could warm up to him enough to thank him maybe he had a chance of helping these girls after all.

"Any time."