Chapter Text
To say Rissa felt like she was being serenaded by Elizabeth Rose Bloodflame would be an understatement. The red head’s voice was curling around her with each line, eyes daring her to look away as a strange sense of contentment washed over her.
Elizabeth didn’t move closer as she sang. Her body language calm and open as she weaved magic into each word. It was beautiful. She was beautiful.
Nerissa blinked as the song came to an end. Like a spell had been broken and she could finally breathe again. What on earth had just happened to her? She shook her head slightly to clear out the remaining haze from her mind.
Her grandmother was looking at her knowingly, like somehow, she was aware Nerissa’s world had just shifted temporarily.
She didn’t have much time to process it before she felt a hand on her shoulder.
“Nerissa, I am surprised to see you here” Elizabeth’s Great Exardian accent making her stiffen a little. The hand was warm, steady and it irked her a little how nice its weight felt on her body.
Was she really that touch starved that Elizabeth’s hand felt that good. She really needed to get back into the dating game. This was embarrassing.
“I am here to visit my grandmother; it is more surprising to see you here” Rissa was still struggling to work out what universe she had woken up with where Elizabeth was singing at a retirement home.
“Oh Ms. Cleo, how wonderful to have a visit from your granddaughter. How silly of me to have never asked your last name.” Elizabeth smiled brilliantly at her grandmother, her coworker removing the wayward hand from her shoulder as she moved closer to her grandma.
Rissa frowned as she realized her hand had moved to touch the now vacant spot. Quickly she moved her hand back to her cup of tea, taking a sip to compose herself.
“It has been a wonderful visit indeed; she even brought me my favorite chocolate cake” The pride that swelled in her chest quickly disappeared when the senior Ravencroft added “Would you like some dear?”
It was like a sense of déjà vu washed over the Raven-haired woman as she waited with bated breath for Elizabeth’s usual rejection.
“Ooh chocolate cake, I would love some” Nerissa’s head snapped up as the redheaded woman moved to take a seat next to her grandmother who immediately cut her a slice and handed it over.
“You, you accepted? Hello?” It was impossible to hide her confusion as she picked her jaw up from the floor. Flabbergasted was the only way to describe the feeling coursing through her in that moment.
“Was that not ok?” Elizabeth asked her suddenly looking unsure “I do not want to intrude on your visit. If you prefer, I can go” Her hand was already moving to push the plate away, preparing to stand back up. “I apologize”
A guilt unlike any other washed over her, Elizabeth looked so much like a kicked puppy in that moment that Nerissa wished she could rewind time. The relaxed Elizabeth, who was all smiles, gone in an instant. Replaced with apologetic eyes and stiff shoulders.
“Don’t be silly dear, I offered. Though it appears my granddaughter needs to learn some manners” Cleo placed a hand over Elizabeth’s preventing her from leaving. The redhead still looked unsure but was no longer making a move to stand.
Nerissa offered an apologetic smile “No no, I’m sorry. I just..I was surprised you accepted. You always rejected my offers when we are in the office. So, it just caught me off guard” she finished lamely, staring down at her plate a little embarrassed.
“Oh, well that’s because I always thought you were trying to bribe me” Nerissa’s head snapped up so fast at the calm declaration. Mouth gaping at the audacity of the statement. She would never!
“EXCUSE ME!”
“Mhmmm, can you believe it Ms Cleo.” Elizabeth’s tone was conspiratorial as she faux whispered in her ear loud enough for the Demon of Sound to hear. She was really trying to frame her in front of her grandmother.
It was only when her grandmother cackled that Rissa realized she had been baited. Elizabeth rocking a smirk as she took a bite of her cake. Eyes sparkling with mirth. It lit a familiar fire within her. The accusation infuriated her.
“Elizabeth, stop telling lies to my grandmother. I have done no such thing. I am good at what I do, and everything I do is always above board” She declared, a snarl forming her lips.
Elizabeth looked at her surprised. The venom dripping from her words seeming to startle her. “I know” she said softly. Brow furrowing as she seemed to realize Nerissa was actually upset with her joke.
“I hardly need to bribe anyone” Rissa allowing irritation to rise.
“Nerissa” Her grandmother cautioned. Aware of the bite in her tone.
Elizabeth raised a hand, indicating that she was fine. Her own face had shifted to something more solemn. “It’s alright Ms. Cleo, I understand why Nerissa may be annoyed with me”
The head of compliance turns her gaze to Nerissa, displaying the calm and collected body language the demon of sound was more familiar with. Elizabeth took a deep calming breath. Hands clasping in front of her.
“I realized perhaps too late that I had mistaken your intentions back then, I do apologize that I have upset you with my previous rejection of your efforts.” Elizabeth actually looked sincere. “Your predecessor tried those tactics when he first started, I should not have lumped you in with him, please forgive me”
Those words took a moment to sink it. Nerissa had heard the stories of the previous head of sales. A vile man who took and took from his employees until it was discovered by Elizabeth’s team that he was committing fraud and thrown out of the building.
She thought about how she had used the excuse of pending deals as a reason to approach Elizabeth with the gifts she intended as branches of friendship. Thought about how that could look from the perspective of a person who had been used before by someone in her position.
Elizabeth had been protecting herself from scrutiny. She let out a sigh.
“I guess I can see why you thought that” She conceded. A look of understanding passed between the two of them. They both lowered their guard a little, letting the tension ease.
“To think I could have been eating delicious cakes like this the whole time” Elizabeth broke the tension further with a goofy lopsided grin before taking another bite, her toothy smile covered in chocolate. It was adorable and Nerissa melted a little.
She couldn’t stop her giggle as Elizabeth cocked her head to the side, confused by the laughter. Why did this woman suddenly remind her so much of a puppy?
Nerissa passed a napkin to her as she indicated the issue. Every bit of previously held resentment she felt towards Elizabeth bleeding away.
“Well now that all that silliness is out of the way, what is it like working with my Nerissa?” Grandma Rissa asked.
“Oh, Nerissa is wonderful.” Elizabeth said after wiping her mouth. “You would be proud of her, she is extremely competent at her job, and everyone loves her” The praise made her blush. She didn’t realize Elizabeth saw her this way.
“Everyone aye” Nerissa didn’t miss the mischief in her grandmother’s eyes. What was that old woman plotting.
“Indeed, though I am convinced more than half might actually be in love with her” Elizabeth continued innocently unaware of the wheels turning in Cleo’s mind.
“And which half are you Liz dear?” The question made Elizabeth choke on her water. A slight blush also appearing on her cheeks. Suddenly Nerissa was very interested to know the answer to that question. Her body moving closer in anticipation.
“Well, I…we work in different departments, so we don’t see much of each other” Liz wheezed out not really answering the question and Rissa was surprised to find herself a little disappointed by the lack of answer.
“Elizabeth is the head of our compliance and contracts team. So, we only really see each other if I’ve done something wrong that needs fixing.” She supplied, drawing the attention back to herself.
“Indeed, it’s my job to make sure Miss Ravencroft here stays out of trouble” The playful smirk from earlier returns, this time Nerissa is ready for it and doesn’t take the bait.
I see you now Elizabeth, I won’t lose to your games, she thinks to herself. Eyes locked in silent battle. Again, she is surprised when Elizabeth eyes narrow, a singular eyebrow rising slightly in unspoken challenge. Only this time it feels like a friendly rivalry brewing, not a bitter one.
“Which is why we don’t see each other much” Her voice drops to its usual honeyed tone, one she had perfected for moments just like this one “I am after all, a very good girl. Right Liz”
She feels a sense of victory when Elizabeth gapes at her. Two can play this game.
“I suppose” Liz mumbled out. Not making eye contact.
They sat in silence for a few minutes until they hear an announcement over the loud speaker that morning visiting hours would be ending soon. Snapping them both back to the real world.
Suddenly things felt a little awkward. What had gotten into her today?
“I guess I should probably start packing up before they kick me out” Liz joked as she moved to stand up, collecting the plates to take to the dishwasher.
“Nerissa, help her wont you?” Her grandmother instructed, her face leaving no room for objection.
“Yes grandmother” She agreed unwilling to aggravate her elder.
“Oh, no need Ms Cleo. I can handle this, its no trouble” Elizabeth objected politely
“There is no point arguing with her, you wont win” Rissa advised as she stood, placing a kiss on her grandmother’s forehead.
The pair moved to pack up the equipment Liz had used earlier in her performance.
“So, what made you decide to come here and perform?” Nerissa asked curiously as she unplugged the microphone.
“Well, as you know I am not exactly from around here” The Great Exardian stated as she gathered some of the cables, wrapping them up into a neat bundle. “My nan loved to listen to me sing back home, I missed her, so I thought what better way to spread her joy than with the wonderful people here” Her eyes brimming with affection as she looked at the residents still seated at various tables.
“I see” Had Elizabeth always been this sweet? “Well, you sing beautifully” She compliments. It earns her a beaming smile.
“Thank you.” Liz pauses, almost hesitant “Ms. Cleo says you are also a wonderful singer. I hope to hear it someday” The request is spoken softly, almost shyly. The redhead not making eye contact.
It’s so cute Rissa doesn’t respond right away, too busy processing this bashful side to one of the strictest people she knows.
“Its, well…you have such a lovely speaking voice, I assume you would also sound lovely when singing. And I love music and singing and I mean only if you want to. I shouldn’t have asked.” Elizabeth sputters out, clearly nervous she had upset her.
It makes her heart stutter. She moves closer, placing a hand on Elizabeth’s arm to stop her rambling. “I think I can make that happen” Her smile is genuine.
Liz finally relaxes “Huzzah”
They pack things away in no time, two hands making light work. Once it’s complete, they just stand awkwardly again. Rissa reluctant to end this bizzarro situation she had found herself in.
One where Elizabeth was an absolute dorky sweetheart. Where she had finally cracked the shell of the one person who she thought would never accept her. It felt like once they exited this bubble, and went back to being coworkers this would all end.
Elizabeth, to her surprise, seemed a little reluctant for things to end too. Hands tapping nervously against her pockets.
“Well,” They both say at the same time and then look at each other and laugh.
“You go” Liz offers politely.
“I don’t know what I was going to say” She admits with a shrug. Elizabeth’s laugh is precious. It wouldn’t be the worst thing to hear more of it.
“I should get going”
“Yeah” Neither move.
This was getting ridiculous, Nerissa chastised herself. She needed to force herself to move. “I guess, I’ll see you around the office”
“I’ll see you on Monday”.