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Ragatha is furious.
Caine has a bad habit of making them do dangerous adventures, but at least everyone involved were adults. Now that Pomni has joined the Digital Circus, she had hoped that he would tone it down a little, but she was a fool to put any faith in him. Because he didn’t adjust to Pomni, a teenager, and now she’s been hurt.
Not just hurt. Choked. Strangled.
One of the mannequin NPCs went a bit haywire, and it attacked Pomni. Ragatha got alerted by the terrible sound of stifled cries, and she rushed over like she had wings on her heels, where she was met by a horrific sight: little Pomni on the ground with one of the mannequin NPCs on top of her, its wooden hand wrapped tightly around her throat.
And in that moment, Ragatha saw red.
She went into what a person would call “Mama Bear Mode.” She did not hesitate, charging right at the mannequin NPC holding down Pomni’s limp body and tackling the thing off her and onto the ground. Her eyes full of atavistic fire, she began pummeling the mannequin NPC until its face cracked and her hands bled, and she only stopped when she registered the faint whimpering from behind her. That made her bloodthirsty rage stutter to a halt, and she looked over her shoulder to the crumpled figure on the floor.
Pomni had curled herself into a little, shaking ball, crying her eyes out. Seeing this put out Ragatha’s fury completely, and she abandoned the mannequin NPC to wallow on the floor while she went to go check on the little one.
“Oh honey, oh Pomni,” Ragatha said, kneeling down beside the girl. She wiped the blood on her hands off on her dress, then reached out to Pomni, expecting Pomni to shy away, but instead, Pomni reached for her in return. Ragatha scooped her up into her arms and held her close to her chest. “You poor thing… I’m right here, Pomni. You’re okay now…”
Pomni was in pain, Ragatha could tell. That was to be expected after being literally strangled. And that was why Ragatha took Pomni to her bedroom- to tend to the little girl.
Pomni is now seated on Ragatha’s bed, sniffling and holding her neck. There’s a thick, dark purple band of bruises wrapped around Pomni’s throat in the vague shape of hands, and seeing them only makes Ragatha furious all over again. She stamps down this anger, however, as right now, she needs to make sure Pomni is okay.
Ragatha presses a cool, damp rag to Pomni’s neck to try and reduce the swelling, and Pomni flinches back, whimpering softly.
“I know, I know,” Ragatha says. “But this will help you. I won’t hurt you, I promise.”
Pomni nods softly and even leans into Ragatha’s hand, something that makes Ragatha’s heart flutter slightly in her chest. She smiles softly and applies the rag again.
“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry this happened to you, Pomni. But you need to know: it’s never going to happen again.” Ragatha says the last few words slowly and distinctly, to make sure Pomni understands: there won’t ever be a second time. Not on her watch.
Pomni looks up at her, and there’s so much trust in her eyes. It’s amazing how far the girl has come since she first arrived. She’s relying on Ragatha much more now, slightly less afraid.
“This wasn’t your fault,” Ragatha says softly, wanting to make sure Pomni knows that. “You did nothing to deserve this. Do you understand?”
Pomni nods faintly.
“Good girl. You were so brave, do you know that? So, so brave.”
The praise gets a small ghost of a smile out of Pomni. She shifts closer to Ragatha, her silent way of asking for affection, and Ragatha doesn’t hesitate, immediately wrapping her arms around the girl. She pulls her in close and rocks her, stroking her hair back.
“Such a brave girl,” Ragatha coos.
Pomni nuzzles into Ragatha’s chest, clinging to her dress, and Ragatha holds her securely.
“I’ve got you, sweetie. I’ve got you…”