Qouth, not the Raven
Everyone thinks Raven Branwen's story inspiration is the Raven from Edgar Allan Poe's famous poem, The Raven. But we already have a Raven-reference in the Nevermore Grimm. After thinking about it, I wonder if Raven (Branwen) is actually based on Qouth, from the PTerry Pratchett's Soul Music and Hogfather.
(^Image taken from animated adaptation of Soul Music)
For those not in the know, in Soul Music, the Death of Rats recruits Qouth the raven (Who does NOT say the N-word) to help him explain to Death's granddaughter Susan Sto Helit about how she needs to take over Grim Reaping while Death is missing. Qouth is introduced as the familiar for a wizard, a duty he doffs for the Death of Rats. (To be fair, in the Discworld series, wizards are generally useless, spending most of their time eating big dinners and arguing. I don't disagree with Qouth wanting something more out of life)
See what I'm saying?
We've got a snarky blackbird...
Who used to work for a useless wizard...
And is now being connected to the next Grim(m) Reaper...
Of course, it's not a perfect comparison. Raven doesn't come before Ruby to peacefully explain, but now the narrrative is giving Ruby her own reason to seek out the feathered fiend, to get answers about the previous Death, EI, Summer Rose.
But it's something to think about.
(Greenlight Volume 10!)