Chapter Text
Nerissa Ravencroft was great at her job. Head of sales and marketing at such an early age, she had revolutionized the way people do business. Her honeyed voice, unmatched charisma and incredible beauty was enough for her to be loved and adored by not only her clients but her team as well.
The million-dollar deal she had just closed proof of how she had earned her moniker the Demon of Sound. An unlikely contract forging a 3-year deal sealed with one of the biggest players in the audio market.
It was a rush like no other. The thrill of securing her prey, coaxing them into submission, bending them to her will. The harder the challenge the greater the pay off.
Currently she was in the lunch room of AdJust Media popping the cork off an expensive bottle of sparkling champagne. She hated the taste of course but silly celebrations like these were symbolic.
“Nice work Rissa” Shiori congratulated her. The woman affectionately dubbed the ‘Archiver’ raised a glass filled with sparkling water in toast, the non-alcohol beverage a fine substitute to those unwilling to drink during a work day.
“I couldn’t have done it without all your research, thank you for working with me on this once again Shiwowi” Nerissa attempted to hug the woman who stepped out of the way at the last second leading the raven-haired woman pouting.
The smaller two-tone haired woman a close friend of Nerissa’s who she had brought with her from her previous employer. The pair had worked on multiple projects and Nerissa could not imagine being where she was without her partner in crime.
Shiori Novella was the best of the best when it came to getting background information on potential clients. No fact left unchecked or avenue left unexplored. Her skills coming in clutch for Nerissa in some of her toughest negotiations.
“Congrats on closing that contract Nerissa, looked like a tough one” Kiara also chimed in, the head of client retention nodding her head in approval, the compliment making the saleswoman puff up in pride.
Kiara Takanashi was her idol in the retention field. She had watched that woman work miracles to keep clients on the brink from leaving and bought her enough time to smooth things over.
“It really was” she does her best to sound humble. Honestly, she had worked really hard to pull this off, it was the biggest deal she had ever made.
“Excuse me” A familiar Great Exardian tone interrupted her thinking. Her face smile faltering slightly as she registered the woman moving past her.
“Have you come to celebrate my amazing accomplishment, Elizabeth?” She asked, careful to keep the snark out of her tone.
While Nerissa was generally loved by all, there was one woman who consistently refused to fall at her feet. Head of Contracts and Compliance – Elizabeth Rose Bloodflame.
Years of professional disagreements on project proposals, contract renewals and promotional tactics have left them constantly on opposite ends of every situation.
Sometimes Nerissa suspected the rigid woman’s favorite thing to do was to deny her and it frustrated her to no end.
The red head was notorious for being strict and antisocial. Her small team consisting of Gigi, Cecilia and Raora, the only people she was regularly seen talking with outside of work-related matters.
Apart from them, Elizabeth did not tend to socialize during or even after work hours.
At first the persistent demon had tried to win the woman’s favor. Bridge the gap, offering her invitations to outings, thoughtful gifts such as home-made cookies and attempts at friendly banter. Each effort met with rejection.
Eventually she had given up, a loss that had never sat well with her.
“Huh? Oh no, I just came to refill my water. Don’t mind me” Nerissa hand clenched around her glass in irritation. “I’m sure whatever you accomplished was wonderful though Nerissa, good job”
That tone. That darn polite Great Exardian tone that crawled under her skin like no other. The fake pleasantries dipped in insincerity. The casual dismissal of her achievements. All of it far too familiar.
“A bunch of us are going out to celebrate after work if you want to join” Kiara offered, unaware of the mounting tension.
“Elizabeth is normally too busy to hang out with the likes of us folk Kiara” There is a bitterness to her voice that goes unnoticed.
“I’m afraid, Nerissa is correct. I have something very important on Saturday mornings that I need to be in top shape for. Thank you for the offer though”. More politeness.
“I see, that’s a shame. Maybe some other time then” Kiara responds looking slightly disappointed.
“Some other time” Elizabeth nods in agreement, before walking towards the water dispenser.
“One day I will get her to come to one of our outings” Kiara spoke, eyes following Elizabeth as she maneuvered herself out of the kitchen before making her way back to her desk on the far end of the office.
“I wouldn’t bother, she never says yes” Nerissa warned, not wanting Kiara to go through what she went through.
“Never saying never is how I got as good as I did at what I do Nerissa” The phoenix of retention smirked as she moved away to grab some food.
Shaking off the irritation, Nerissa rejoined the celebrations. Choosing to banish the infuriating red head from her mind.
Since it was a Friday, the team would all be finishing early. A local bar is their chosen destination. It had open karaoke and the drinks were reasonably priced. The perfect location to let off some steam.
Most people are a few drinks in when she sees her phone light up from its place on the table. It was unusual for her mother to be calling this late on a Friday evening, so she excuses herself to answer.
The chill outside catching her by surprise as she exits the building, a shiver running through her making her with she had brought her coat out with her.
“Hi mum, what’s up?” She asks, teeth chattering slightly as she paces a little to warm herself up.
“Hi Honey, sorry to call so late. We need to ask you for a favor for tomorrow morning. Your father and I were going to see your grandma at the retirement home, but we have had something come up.” Rissa can see where this is going.
A few months ago, her grandmother had been relocated to a nursing home that specialized in independent elders who were looking for a little bit of extra assistance.
The place carried a heavy price tag according to her father, but it was worth it to see their matriarch comfortable and cared for. It wasn’t like her family couldn’t afford it.
Nerissa had been meaning to visit but the last few weeks had been dedicated to closing this big deal. Now that it was done, she would have her freedom back,
Tomorrow would be the perfect opportunity for her to finally stop in. She loved her grandmother and missed her dearly. Maybe she could pick up a chocolate cake from that place she liked so much.
“I can go” She volunteers happily, making her mother pleased with her response. Rissa makes sure to grab the details before ending the call promising to let her know how things went.
It was 10pm when she decided it’s time to head home. Truthfully, as much as she loves her team, the diva was actually more of a home body. Her body sags into her designer couch with relief.
One of her cats leaped up to snuggle into her side. She resists the urge to pat him knowing the second she does Little Darling will surely move away.
“Hi Little Darling” she coos affectionately instead, smiling when he turns at the sound of her voice. His little meow in reply making her melt.
Nerissa looks around her fancy upscale apartment. Her first major purchase after the money started rolling in with each deal she closed early in her career. It was decorated with the finest of furniture, each item having a purpose.
It was perfectly imperfect. Everything and nothing at the same time. Late at night she often found herself longing for someone to share it with. A reason to come home aside from the need to sleep and care for her beloved cats.
The Demon of sound didn’t even remember the last time she had been on a date. Sure, she had people interested in her. The diva was well aware of how desirable she was.
Men and woman would often flirt with her on a regular basis, but she was looking for something deeper than a fleeting connection. Something more meaningful than just her looks or money.
She imagined coming home and wrapping her arms around a lover, kisses exchanged as they snuggled on the lounge talking about their days. Maybe share some take out as a treat after a long week of hard work.
The raven-haired woman sighed. “That’s certainly the dream” she mutters to herself as she finally gets herself up from the lounge. Those thoughts would have to wait for another time. Best she gets herself to bed now that she has an early morning tomorrow.
Her morning alarm made itself known loudly at 9am. Nerissa groaning as she switched it off. Careful not to knock Little Baby from his resting place on her stomach.
It was too early to be awake on a Saturday in her opinion. Still, she smiled remembering why she was waking up so early.
Freshly showered and ready in 30minutes, Nerissa waited for her driver to arrive. Most of the time she would use public transport but, on the occasion, where she had to travel a little but further the successful woman would treat herself to a driver.
Luckily the baker had stock of the specific cake she desired, and she managed to make it to the nursing home by 10:30am.
She was surprised by how beautiful the place was. Gardens carefully aligned with the walkways creating a spectacular path to walk along as you entered the main building.
From the information she had been provided, the residents here had their own separate dwellings detached from the main building. Guests were required to check in at the front desk before being guided to their loved ones.
Aside from their living quarters, the facility also contained a dining hall and community space where residents could choose to gather for social interactions, family visits and sometimes events.
Nerissa could faintly hear the sounds of singing coming from her far left as she approached reception. The voice was gorgeous even if she couldn’t hear it very well. It piqued her curiosity. She felt the strange urge to follow the sound, almost like a siren song luring her to its depths.
Who was behind that enchanting voice? Her feet almost moved towards it automatically, before a clearing of throat reminded her, she still needed to check in.
The person behind the desk looked amused. “It’s our Saturday karaoke event.” The person with the name tag ‘Irys’ informs her with a shrug. “Our residents love it”
“They sound beautiful” Rissa replies ears straining to hear better. The sounds of cheering and clapping indicate the end of the song. It made her smile. Whoever it was, they were clearly good at their job.
“Can I assume you aren’t here for the karaoke?” This Irys woman asks her still looking amused. She flushes slightly before regaining her composure.
“Erm no” a sheepish laugh follows “I am here to see my grandmother actually. I am Nerissa Ravencroft for Cleopatra Ravencroft” She pulls out her ID for verification before signing the log book provided to guests.
“Lovely to meet you Mrs Ravencroft, please allow me to escort you to your grandmother. Right this way”
“Miss” She corrects, much to the confusion of the woman in front of her “It’s Miss Ravencroft”
“Oh, my apologies. You are just so beautiful I assumed you would be taken” Nerissa can’t tell if that was a compliment or if the woman was hitting on her. She decides not to think too hard about it.
It is only slightly disappointing that she is led away from the source of the singing. She isn’t here for that a voice in her mind chastises.
“Ms Cleo, your granddaughter is here to visit you” Irys introduces as she opens the door revealing her grandmother sitting contently on an arm chair looking out the window to even more beautiful gardens.
Her grandmother looks her way immediately, a big warm smile lighting up her face. Eyes brightening with joy at her favorite (at least in Rissa’s mind) coming to visit.
“Nerissa, darling” The elder Ravencroft standing up and opening her arms wide “Come give me a hug” She complies immediately, the small woman fitting easily in her arms.
She breathes in the familiar smell of her grandma’s perfume, hit with a warm nostalgia of a childhood filled with love, visits filled with sneaky treats, wise advice and eternal acceptance. It made her hug a little tighter.
“It’s so good to see you” she murmurs, not ready yet to let go. The sensation of a comforting hand rubbing up and down her back soothing as they stand there embracing.
Eventually she does let go and once there is enough distance, she presents the gift she brought with her. The chocolate cake was top of the line indulgence, only the best for her grandma.
“Oh sweetheart, I haven’t had this is so long. This is why you are my favorite” Rissa loves the way Grandma Rissa’s eyes sparkling with mischief as she says it. If anyone ever wanted to know where she got it from, they needn’t look too far.
“Shall we enjoy some with tea?” Nerissa offers, looking at Irys, she asks, “Where would be the best place to do that?”
“Oh, at the moment the best place for be our residence hall.” Rissa doesn’t like the smirk that crosses the woman’s face “You know that place you wanted to check out when you arrived” She blushes slightly.
Her grandmother looks at her curiously. “That’s right, today is karaoke. You always did love music. We should go and watch. The lady that comes every week is very talented; she sings all kinds of songs. Does requests too.” Her grandma winks “She is also mighty beautiful as well”
Nerissa almost trips over her own feet at the statement. Just what was her grandmother trying to say. There was no way she was trying to play matchmaker at a retirement home.
Still, it was hard to ignore the way her heart sped up slightly the closer they got the voice. The strange happiness she felt at the laugh the performer let out when she messed up her lines.
What was happening to her. She hadn’t had this kind of visceral reaction to a person’s voice in a long time. The only other time was one she wished to forget.
The anticipation of seeing the woman behind the voice was killing her. In a few more steps she would have her answer. Was this woman truly as beautiful as her voice implied.
Nerissa stopped dead in her tracks from the pure shock of her discovery. There was no way what she was seeing was real. This had to be some strange hallucination.
The woman behind the voice also looking at her in surprise, faltering slightly on her current lyric. A slip up barely noticeable if you didn’t know what to listen for.
She had to admit Elizabeth’s recovery was smoother than hers would have been if the situation had been reversed.
“What is she doing here?” She asked quietly to herself, her grandmother looking at her in surprise.
“Do you know this young lady?” Grandma Rissa’s tone curious as Rissa had yet to take her eyes off the person currently causing the storm of confusion flooding through her.
“We work together” She answered finally pulling her eyes away as they moved to sit at a nearby table. The shocked demon of sound stopping by the nearby service station on autopilot collecting the items required for tea and some plates with utensils.
“Oh, that’s wonderful, Elizabeth is such a sweetheart. She comes here every week to sing for us, sometimes she brings games to play or trivia. It is rather enjoyable”
The information makes Rissa frown “I have something very important on Saturday mornings” hadn’t been a false nicety Liz told people to avoid going out.
She felt so confused. The Elizabeth in front of her performing right now was unlike the version she had come to know from their years working together at the office.
Her long red hair free from its usual bun, swaying loosely behind her as she moved to the beat of the current song.
The glasses were missing too, did she only wear them for reading? The lack of them making her fiery red eyes shine in way only those who loved performing could.
Absent were her stiff office clothes, her usual button up blouse and slacks replaced with a soft-looking off the shoulder green sweater and loose well-worn light-colored jeans, finished with a pair of converse. The outfit looked effortlessly stylish and undeniably comfortable.
This Elizabeth was singing so beautifully it was magnetic. Rissa was struggling to pay attention to anything other than this woman, and it filled her with an unexplained irritation.
“Alright folks, this will be my last song for today” The announcement taking her out of her thoughts. “I know, I know” She laughed carelessly at the sounds of protest. A sound so beautiful that Rissa couldn’t resist looking her way again, only to find those red eyes already look directly into hers.
“Here is Blackbird”.