A scream echoed throughout the castle, waking its residents. Already awake, Count Bleck rose from his bed and carefully crept down the hallway. Of his three minions, he knew which one had cried out, and went directly to her door. Cracking it open, he peered inside and, sure enough, saw the little green girl he'd met just a few days ago sitting straight up in her bed, crying.

She saw him and gasped, not recognizing the glowing red eyes in the dark.

"Mimi?" Count Bleck spoke softly.

She calmed down some, recognizing his voice. "O-Oh, count...You scared me."

"Ah, he is sorry. The dark becomes him too well..."

Mimi bunched up her big pink comforter in her hands, kneading it nervously. She swallowed, trying to still the tremors that still racked her small frame.

Count Bleck entered and hesitantly stepped up to the bed. "Nightmare?" he asked.

She nodded. "Y-Yeah..."

The count didn't reply.

"W-What did you come in here for?"

He smiled warmly and sat down next to her. "To check on you, my dear."

Mimi looked up at him, her eyes watery with disbelief. "Y-You did? Why...?"

Count Bleck took her hand and didn't reply for a long time. Finally, he said, "Because... Someone taught... Count Bleck...a long time ago, that everyone had value, no matter how bad or good..."

Mimi frowned at her lap, biting her lip. "My master didn't think so..."

"Well, Count Bleck is not them, is he." It wasn't a question, more like a statement. "There's nothing to fear here."

"I-I know... It's hard to believe that..." Mimi said sadly, not meeting his eyes.

Count Bleck's gaze softened even more. He let go of her hand and gently massaged her shoulder with his thumb. "Things will turn out for the better. We must always believe that..."

Mimi smiled slightly, but didn't move.

"Now, would you like to tell Count Bleck about your nightmare?"

The little green girl blinked up at him with surprise. "Um... Golly, I don't even remember it anymore!"

Count Bleck smiled and stood. "Ah, then Count Bleck's work is done."

Mimi returned his smile. She crawled back under the covers. Count Bleck hesitated for a moment before reaching out and tucking her in, to her shock. She met his gaze, a question in her eyes. His own amber eyes conveyed only kindness.

With a murmured "goodnight," the count crept out of the room and softly shut the door. "Goodnight..." Mimi whispered after he was gone, hardly daring to believe she'd found a real home.