Melanie Karasu

* 2018
* 2017

Melanie Karasu is the deuteragonist of The Ravenblack Court.

## Appearance

Melanie has a fairly tall stature, with a braided ponytail that reaches down to her shoulders with hair ties that have two distinct jade colored spheres that decorate the hair tie. She has medium sized black bushy eyebrows and Two long eyelashes at the top corner of her eyes. For her age she has subtle wrinkles by the corners of her mouth, a black choker around her neck and at times would wear a white surgical mask with a black beak design drawn over it.

In 2017 she is wearing a beige trench coat while wearing short-short jeans and a purple shirt underneath. By early 2018 she is wearing a black Varsity jacket with a white accent, a purple NYU t-shirt, and a long dark grey skirt. Melanie's Death Toll would be worn around her neck.

## Personality

Melanie is a very cautious individual with a short temper and an ego. Hyping herself up as the one and only "Black Raven" only to feel disheartened with the news that Willow is one of the newest members of The Ravenblack Court. She also finds amusement from playing mind games with individuals like with her reaction joking that Willow is one of the dead and ordering Willow to drink an entire glass of Draft beer. She also has a habit to talk back to Authority and even correct them to how she should be called such as when she corrects The Crowmother to call her The Black Raven instead of Melanie.

## History

Melanie is an active member of The Ravenblack Court, being a Ravenblack for more than a decade by the time of Episode 1. By 2018 she would still be serving the Court and frequently travelling to the otherworld and back as part of her duty as a Ravenblack Witch.

## The Initiate Arc

After briefly Introducing the reader to New York City, Melanie descends into the 91st Street Station to call The Conductor and his R1 train to transport her to The Otherworld. She is then Encountered months later by Willow within the subway tunnels leading to the lower platform of the Bergen Street station. Initially she is hostile towards Willow and pins her against the wall, questioning her before learning that Willow has been summoned to become the newest Ravenblack.

Disheartened she leads the way to the maintenance and storage room where the court resides, Allowing Willow to be introduced to The Crowmother and The Ravenblack Court. She would then be tasked to take Willow to The Otherworld for the first time, finding amusement as the experience will be a first for Willow. They would return to the lower platform of the Bergen Street station where Melanie would reveal her Death Toll, calling the Conductor's train once more.

As they ride through the tunnels, Willow would begin to see the spirits of the deceased who are being transported by The Conductor. Melanie would tease Willow, saying the reason she can see the dead is because Willow herself, is among the dead herself. Once they cross the Threshold and into the Otherworld, Melanie welcomes Willow to the "World of The Dead".

Sometime later, the two would return to the court as Melanie would witness Willow accept to the offer to become an initiate of The Ravenblack Court.

## The Malbone Arc

Melanie has very little involvement during the Malbone Arc. Though she is mentioned by The Crowmother to assist with the investigation of a missing Witch from The Beigesparr Court. She is seen at the conclusion of The Malbone Arc as a Bartender working at the Raven's Head Public House, where she tests Willow's ability to follow orders, and provides her with her old Map of New York City.

## Trivia

* Melanie's Death Toll is the "Solid Brass NYC" Token which was minted from 1980 to 1985.
* Melanie's appearance is inspired by **Makoto Kino's** appearance from Sailor Moon and the Sukeban in Japanese Culture.