Chapter Text
Every town, no matter how mundane and unassuming, had its charms. On particular days especially and for this day, as a young woman strolled the streets of her hometown, the weather was exceptionally pleasant. The air was crisp from the previous night's rain and the streets were calmer than usual, the echo of the woman’s shoes making an audible satisfying clack with every step on the stone path.
She takes a deep breath and exhales just as heavily, appreciating the day’s blessing. Upon approaching the monastery, the woman slows her pace to a stop in front of one of the buildings along the street. She clutches the handful of books she was carrying close to her chest with one arm and carefully swings the door open with the other, a familiar chime signifying her arrival. She places the books on the front desk with a huff before running a hand through her black shoulder length hair as she catches her breath.
“You’re here early,” a soft-spoken voice notes. The woman laughs softly.
“Wanted to beat the crowds,” she reasons. The old woman at the desk glances at her from over the rim of her glasses that were halfway down her nose. She snorts, “Typical Shiori. You’re in luck though, there were some new arrivals yesterday. The usual place. Feel free to borrow a few and don’t worry about sorting them today. You can do that tomorrow on your shift.” Shiori beams, turning on her heels to head to the back of the library. “Thank you Ms. Meriwether.”
“Hope you find what you’re looking for sweetheart.”
Shiori walks past the rows of bookshelves, humming to herself as she absentmindedly glances at certain sections as if they could've changed in the single day she’d been away. The mystery section. The thriller. The fairytale. The romance.
She reaches a door and fishes out a set of keys from the pocket in her satchel to unlock it. Shiori coughs as she opens the door, not bothering to turn on the light as she enters. It had been broken ever since she started working there and she knew her way around well enough anyway.
As Shiori navigates around looking for the new arrival of books, she returns the ones in her satchel. A majority of them the romance genre. A bunch of them she hadn’t finished reading.
As of late, she had been trying her hardest to get into the romance genre. Honestly. Going through book after book after book. From the most popular to the most obscure. The most grounded in reality to the most unbelievable. Yet none of them piqued her interest.
She always said they were just too boring and cliche but the truth was, what she doesn’t want to admit out loud, was that none of the protagonists felt right to her. Shiori read stories, experienced them by living vicariously through the characters. So when a protagonist didn’t click? It was hard for her to get invested. She tried to give it the benefit of the doubt but they were always so obsessed with the idea of love, so fixated on the cult of Eros, she couldn’t relate no matter what kind of headspace she put herself in.
A heavy sigh escapes Shiori's lips as she places the last of the books she borrowed on the shelf. As much as she loved this town of hers, she wishes she could leave for a new change of scenery. At least for a little bit. For a new experience.
Maybe even some better books . But anyone would tell you that traveling alone was never ideal.
But, Shiori remained optimistic. Hopefully, with the new day and with the new books Ms. Meriwether mentioned, she would finally find a romance story that would fit. And maybe, just maybe, it would change her life. Shiori scoffs. That would be something wouldn’t it?
Shiori starts skimming the shelves row by row until she finally starts seeing titles she doesn’t recognize. She goes through them slower this time, checking one by one when she spots a title that catches her eye. Just as she reaches out to take it, her pointer finger on the top edge of the book, something brushes against it. Shiori flinches back, her breath hitching in her throat. What the– Just as quickly as she had flinched, the fear on her face morphs into a scowl as she leans back forward closer to the shelf.
“Damn rats and mice…” I thought the exterminator got rid of them all.
As she examined the shelf, looking through the small gap between the books and the upper shelf for the culprit, what she didn’t expect was to be met with a pair of red eyes staring directly at her from the other side.
Shiori recoils back further than before, nearly slamming herself into the bookshelf behind her and slapping a hand over her mouth lest the scream lodged in her throat is heard throughout the entire town itself. What was that?! Her mind races to come up with a reason. It tries to tell her what she saw was merely a figment of her imagination. A consequence of missing sleep but the voice that speaks to her makes it all the more real.
“Ope– sorry! You okay over there? Didn’t mean to scare you.”
Shiori backs herself up against the bookshelf for safety, her lower lip quivering uncontrollably. “You… you shouldn’t be here,” she stammers. “Oh, isn’t this a public library?”
Shiori bites her lip as her brow furrows, her expression caught between confusion and fear. It at least gives her a sliver of confidence to talk back. “This section is closed off to the public. Staff only,” “But I borrow books from here all the time.” This little- Shiori gulps after some difficulty, “That doesn’t change anything. You’re supposed to inform the staff before you do that with the books outside .”
“Oh.” “Yeah.”
A moment of silence falls between them and with each passing second, more goosebumps form on Shiori’s skin. Her mind nags at her that she still doesn’t know who she was speaking with nor does she know how this person got in in the first place. The door had been locked and there were no other ways in.
Taking a deep breath, Shiori shuffles sideways to the edge of the bookshelf and boldly makes the decision to peek at the person on the other side. What she sees causes a shiver to run up her spine and a gasp escapes her lips.
It was a woman. The normal features ended just about there.
With long intimidating horns that curved upwards, raven hair with unnatural blue highlights underneath, dressed as if a part of the nobility, there was no room to think any further beyond that. Shiori had never seen this woman in the library before, in the town or in her whole life. The horns were more than enough proof of that and that meant she didn’t know what to expect. All sorts of alarms blare in Shiori’s head but it only fuels her to stay calm.
The mysterious woman must’ve caught sight of Shiori because she turns to her before having the audacity to gasp as if she wasn’t the more threatening one of the two. “Aha… okay so I may have been borrowing books from this section specifically and illegally… are you going to arrest me for it?” she says meekly. Shiori, noticing an opportunity, presses her advantage.
“That depends. How did you even get in here in the first place? It was locked when I walked in.” Shiori hopes desperately the woman she was talking to doesn’t catch the waver in her voice. “Would you believe me if I said demon magic?” Forgetting her composure, Shiori’s jaw drops open. “Wha–”
Then it clicks. You’re kidding,
For all the mundaneness of this town, there was one feature people from across the lands often recognized them for that Shiori regularly pushed aside.
Looming over the town, on a hill not too far away, with its dark and gothic exterior was the Ravencroft Manor. Its presence, like a large palace overseeing its kingdom and despite its name, it was more akin to a palace than a manor. But there were no rulers who ruled over their town and as far as the locals were concerned, it was uninhabited. Has been for years. Maybe even centuries.
There were rumors of course like all things shrouded in mystery did. The usual. Hauntings. Vampires. Cannibals even. The list went on but only kids believed those tales. After all, the manor was also a common method parents used to scare their children into returning home early. The general consensus was that, at worst, there were just squatters in the palace and no one batted an eye or bothered to check.
So demons live up there?
“Y-You’re a Ravencroft?” Shiori stutters. It was a shot in the dark. For all she knows, the name could have no connection and this demon could be from somewhere else entirely.
“Nice guess!-” I stand corrected .
“Must be the rumors in town huh?” she chuckles. “Nerissa Ravencroft at your service,” the demon, Nerissa, does a little bow, “What about you my fair lady? May I earn the pleasure of knowing what your name is?” In any other situation, Shiori would’ve scoffed. She chews on her lower lip in contemplation.
“Shiori. Shiori Novella.”
Nerissa smirks, “Novella? That’s a little on the nose isn’t it?” Shiori snorts, rolling her eyes and glancing at the feathery wings on Nerissa’s lower back. “Am I supposed to assume the name came after or before the wings?” Shiori’s eyes widened as soon as the words left her mouth. An apology at the tip of tongue.
“Fair enough,” Nerissa laughs instead, unbothered by the comment whatsoever. Shiori breathes a sigh of relief while she still can. She glances at the door that was left slightly ajar then looks back at Nerissa. “So, why exactly are you stealing books from here?”
“I got bored of the books at home so I decided to visit the local library to see if there was anything different.” She says it so matter-of-factly. Shiori quirks a brow, “Not conventionally?” “Well, it’s kind of hard when you have–” Nerissa gestures to her horns. “I could use demon magic to conceal that but walking all the way here and using magic? I might as well just, poof! Teleport, grab what I need and go.”
“Right…” Shiori doesn’t think arguing morals with a demon is a worthwhile pursuit, so she doesn’t bother.
“What about you?” Nerissa asks. “What about me?” Shiori repeats and the former nods. “Yeah, what are you doing here?” “I… work here?” Nerissa smacks her lips. “I mean why are you here looking for books?”
Shiori had a half a mind to remind Nerissa that she was the one intruding but since she had been nice so far, what with not condemning her to hell on the spot or anything, she figures why not return the treatment. She would like to very much avoid condemnation at all costs. “The same reason as you, I guess. Got bored of the catalog outside and wanted to find a new book to read.”
Nerissa visibly lights up. “Oh, what kind of genre?”
Shiori’s cheeks color, “Uh… romance.”
“Oh! Why didn’t you say so!” Nerissa exclaims. “I happen to be an expert and I’m sorry to inform you, I don’t think there are any good ones here unfortunately. At least last I checked.” In lieu of questioning how Nerissa knew that, Shiori is instead mildly disappointed. “Darn, really?”
Nerissa hums. “Yeah… but! That brings me to my impromptu proposition!” Shiori tilts her head to the side slightly. “How about you come over to my manor?”
“...what?”
“Don’t give me that look, this is a perfectly valid ask!” Nerissa defends.
“Say, do demons have the phrase ‘don’t make deals with angels’? Is that a thing? Maybe one about not trusting strangers?” the demon in question huffs at Shiori’s obvious jab. “First, no we don’t. Second, I’m offering a trade here. You’re looking for more books, I don’t want to get caught. You get access to the library in my manor, castle whatever, I can keep borrowing from here. Legally of course. If you’ll help me since I don’t really wanna show my face.”
Shiori furrows her brows. “Wait wait wait wait- Are you really just expecting me to follow a demon home?” Nerissa shrugs, nodding. “Yeah? I mean, you haven’t freaked out yet. Figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask,” she smirks, “Do you want a compliment for that? It’s impressive, don't get me wrong but is it my beauty that’s so alluring that you’re not scared or concerned at all? Are you perhaps tempted by me?” Shiori shakes her head.
“I don’t see a reason to be worried,” she answers. “Talk about a bold statement.”
Shiori gives her a look. “It’s not like you’ve tried eating me or anything.” “Point proven,” Nerissa clicks her tongue, “Oh you’re good at this also–” She smirks again a little too widely for Shiori’s liking. “ Eat you? Is that how humans see demons? Are you perhaps also-” “Why the offer?” Shiori interjects as Nerissa laughs, delighted.
“You were going to report me weren’t you? Exorcize me maybe?” she says. “You highly overestimate my power. The authorities likely wouldn’t have done anything at all,” except call me crazy and have me exorcized instead. “Well the offer still stands. I haven’t really had the chance to socialize that much so it’s still a win to me,” Nerissa smiles sweetly. Shiori winces despite the tone. That’s rough.
“How ‘bout it? You can say no you know?”
Shiori looks down at the ground, her previous bravado now gone as she bites down hard on her bottom lip. No person in their right mind would say yes to this . But aside from the pity, the temptation to see what others have not? The Ravencroft Manor no less plus the possibility to find new books without having to travel far?
The offer was simply too seductive for Shiori to decline.
And so a day after their first meeting, Shiori is granted access to the Ravencroft Manor library directly, courtesy of Nerissa using her demon magic to let her in via a portal. The process of going through a portal was definitely an experience, leaving Shiori struggling to keep the breakfast she had eaten that morning in her stomach. Unfortunately, Nerissa had informed her that was the quickest way in and out so she had no choice but to get used to it.
Once Shiori recovered though, the sight that greets her makes every second of that arduous battle worth it and just about convinces her that portals aren’t actually so bad. She spins around for a bit, trying to take in every exquisite detail of the interior.
“I take that you like it?”
“Like it? Are you kidding me? I’ve literally never seen anything like this before,” Shiori mutters. She doesn’t even think she’s ever been so in awe in her life. The library was wide, it was vast, it was grand . It was like walking into those novels that featured fairytale-like libraries that Shiori had read countless times before. She remembers wondering if such a place could exist yet here she was, walking in one of those libraries in the flesh.
Shelves that spanned from the bottom of the floor all the way to the ceiling. Absurdly long ladders to get to hard to reach places. Multiple floors . A grand chandelier. More chandeliers. And of course the books. There were so many of them. Shiori estimates that the place could fit the catalog of the local library by at least five times minimum.
“You’ve read all of this?” Shiori asks. Nerissa laughs sheepishly, “Only the ones I like really.” She stops walking and Shiori does the same, watching as Nerissa turns to her then gestures to a particular shelf. “I’ve fully read all of the books in this section.” Shiori skims through, checking out some of the titles. “All romance.”
“Exactly what you’re looking for right?” Shiori hums, “Then go through as you wish and pick whatever you like. I’m gonna grab something real quick. Later come over and meet me in the middle.” Nerissa walks off and Shiori starts picking books to read. She clicks her tongue as she goes through row after row. Nerissa was right , there were a ton of books here she hadn’t heard the name of, let alone the name of the authors. There was so much, she had to limit herself to only a select few lest she walk back to Nerissa with a stalk of books taller than her. She picks the most interesting and begins making her way over to where Nerissa mentioned earlier.
“You need help there?” she hears Nerissa ask. “I’m good,” she wheezes, placing the books down on the table. She brushes off Nerissa’s look of concern. “Library work. I’m used to it.” Nerissa’s mouth forms an o, “That makes sense. Don’t feel shy to ask though.”
Shiori takes a seat on the couch opposite Nerissa and notices the tea set as well as various plates of biscuits laid out on the coffee table. “Tea?” Nerissa offers to which Shiori smiles gratefully, “Thank you.”
Nerissa pours Shiori a cup then hands it to her, the tea still steaming. Shiori mutters another thanks then blows on it to cool it down. “Do you live here alone?” she inquires absentmindedly. Nerissa presses her lips together into a thin line.
“No. My parents and my siblings also live here.” Shiori freezes, stopping just before she takes a sip. “T-They are?!”
“Oh don’t worry.” Nerissa assures her. “They won’t know. There’s no security measure in this place since rarely if ever does anyone check on it. At least, I don’t think there is…” Shiori frowns as she shakily places her teacup down. “That doesn’t really inspire confidence, Nerissa.” The demon waves her hand around offhandedly, “My dad would’ve asked me about my escapades to the library in town a long time ago if there was. We’re fine.”
Nerissa leans forward with an exaggerated pout, “Did you think I lived in this large castle all by my lonesome? Is that why you agreed to keep me company, Shiori?” Her pout turns into a grin, “That’s really sweet of you if it is.”
Shiori looks away with a huff, “I did think that yes.” “Wait, really?” “Yes,” Shiori finally takes a sip of her tea, still avoiding eye contact with Nerissa. “Besides, you mentioned wanting company when you first gave me this offer. I’d be doing it either way regardless if I intended to or not.”
Nerissa giggles, leaning back into the couch and letting herself sink into the plush cushions. “Alright, you got me there. And just to reiterate, don’t worry about my family finding out you’re here. Aside from the no security thing, they almost never come in here. And if they do find you,” she flashes Shiori a charming smile, “I’ll make sure to protect you.”
Shiori stares, then blinks. Once. Twice.
“Wow. Okay Nerissa.”
Nerissa laughs as she wriggles in place. “I couldn’t help it!” she exclaims. “This is so exciting ! It’s like those romance stories where the main character brings their lover into their house in secret. The forbidden love trope– oh! You’ve read those before, haven't you Shiori?” The woman in question blushes at the connection but decidedly chooses not to dwell on it and simply move on like Nerissa has. “Yeah, I’ve read a few.”
“Do you have a specific one in mind?” Shiori scratches the back of neck, glancing at the stack of books she placed on the table. “I… don’t have any,” she chuckles awkwardly, “It’s kind of why I was looking for romance books in the first place?” Nerissa’s eyebrows raise. “I thought you were just looking for new books to read, not that you were looking for romance to read in general.”
“I mean I have read them, it's just that I never finish them. They don’t interest me so I wanted something else,” Shiori explains, shrugging. “Huh.”
“Do you have any recommendations for me maybe? Since you’ve read so many?” Shiori asks. Nerissa beams instantly, shuffling closer to Shiori until she is only sitting at the edge of the couch. “Oh where do I begin?” she pauses for a second. “Well… I do like most romance tropes to be honest so it might be-... Oh! No, I got it! I’m a total hopeless romantic. Soulmates? Love at first sight? Definitely up my alley,” she gushes and Shiori politely allows her to continue.
She may not like the trope herself but she’s not one to judge others. If anything, she takes this chance to understand better and get a new perspective on things. Maybe she’ll even end up liking it.
“What do you like about those books?”
“The power of love, Shiori! Think about it, I’m a demon and I don’t think I can even manage to do half the things love does for you. To live in complete bliss with your lover and lose sight of all your troubles? The setting? The passion? The ability to do things you couldn’t do before at the last second?” Nerissa sighs dreamily, “It just seems so fulfilling.”
Shiori stares with intrigue in her golden eyes when Nerissa suddenly snaps out of her daze, sitting back up as if renewed with vigor. “That reminds me!” she snaps her fingers. “You’re looking for recommendations right? Well there was this one really good book I read recently with these two protagonists okay and–”
And so Nerissa would explain in great detail every plot element in that book. From the two lead protagonists and their backstories, the fantastical setting they were placed in, the two main character’s struggles to love each other while navigating the dangers they faced, to all the nuances the author left for readers to interpret.
“But it doesn’t make any sense! Cause if you remember–”
The final cherry on top would be Nerissa telling her own theories to explain certain plot points in the middle then continuing on as usual. In Shiori’s opinion, she thinks it was nothing more than a mistake on the author’s part.
“-so it has to be that they’re still alive. That’s why–”
She listens anyway. Attentively and chiming in whenever she can and appropriate.
So lost in storytelling and listening are the two that they don’t notice night has fallen until Shiori lets out a loud yawn. Nerissa giggles at the cute display, glancing out the window when her eyes widen at the view outside. “Oh my god–! It’s so late, I’m so sorry Shiori-” “It’s fine, it’s fine. I noticed a while ago but you looked like you were having fun talking about that book. I didn’t want to stop you,” Shiori assures, rubbing her tired eyes with the back of hand. “Yeah sorry… I have a tendency to do that a lot,” Nerissa laughs sheepishly.
“I don’t mind.” Despite her mixed feelings towards the genre, Nerissa’s passionate storytelling made it easier to stomach and there were times where she did feel engaged with the story. Definitely a motivator for her to continue her little endeavor.
“It’s just a shame I didn’t have a chance to read any of these,” Shiori says, picking up the forgotten books on the table. Nerissa holds out her hands, stopping Shiori from taking another step. “Wait, are you going to put those back?’ Shiori raises a brow. “...yeah…?”
“Keep them.” “Keep them?” Shiori repeats as if she had heard wrong. “Yeah, bring it back home with you then you can return them when you’re done,” Nerissa says. Shiori stares at the books in her hands incredulously. “You sure?” The demon rolls her eyes lightheartedly, “Absolutely. Gives you an excuse to come see me again doesn’t it?” “You mean an excuse for you to see me again?” Shiori counters and Nerissa smirks. “Oh tomato tomatoe Shiori. Now tell me, do you want something to carry all of that back?” She did. Shiori returned back with everything the very next day.
From then on, the Ravencroft Manor library became Shiori’s second home.
There she and Nerissa would spend time with one another, sometimes reading in silence, sometimes engaging in heated discussions and sometimes not even reading at all. Instead, sharing stories with one another, whether it be from their past and about themselves or anything that came to mind. Day after day, Nerissa would sneak Shiori into her home and everytime she would leave just a little after the sun sets.
And with time came familiarity.
The two women learned to confide with each other, bond with each other and inevitably, they bared their hearts to each other. And with so much talk on the topic of romance, it was hard to avoid the flames these open matches would ignite.
Especially one late evening, as the sun set, casting an orange glow into the library, the setting perfect and the moment never more right.
That day, Shiori and Nerissa got a taste of the romance they so often read in books in the form of each other's lips. Sweet and soft and innocent. Passionate and quick and simple. Leaving them both with rosy cheeks that stayed there for what felt like an eternity to them and them only.
Alas, like every other book they read, that chapter was closed and another chapter was opened.
“Ugh! When is that author going to publish the next book!” Nerissa yells in frustration. “That cliffhanger was cruel Shiorin! Cruel!”
“It was a pretty nice castle at least.”
Nerissa whines as she lays her head dramatically on Shiori’s lap, “But she’s separated from her lover! She’s stuck there! Alone !” Shiori giggles at Nerissa’s antics at first but when she takes notice of the demon genuinely getting disheartened, she does a complete one eighty. She reaches down and begins to comb her fingers through Nerissa’s hair, carefully untangling any knots she comes across. “There there Rissa,” she coos, “I’m sure the author will publish soon. How about you tell me all about your ideas and theories on it to get it off your chest?”
The demon sighs, her eyes fluttering shut as she tries to do just that but instead, an entirely new idea forms then comes to mind. She sits up abruptly, startling Shiori and then some when Nerissa pounces on her. “...is it a different timeline again?”
Nerissa shakes her head rapidly, smiling from ear to ear. “Shiorin, what do you feel about the idea of just running away from it all?” Shiori thinks about it for a second. “It’s a good plot device…? It’s versatile with good and bad endings and has a lot of possibilities, I don’t mind.” “No no, I meant like, actually running away from it all,” Nerissa re-emphasizes and Shiori’s expression borders on complete bewilderment and confusion.
“Like us? Running away from town for real? Like now?!” “Yeah? You said it crossed your mind a few times right? How ‘bout it?” Shiori splutters, “Don’t just say that so matter-of-factly–! Where is this coming from?”
Nerissa takes Shiori’s hand between both of hers, her eyes filled with barely contained excitement. “Come on Shiori! It’ll be the adventures of our lives!” “But your place is so nice. And what about your parents? Your siblings?” Shiori points out. Nerissa groans, pulling away from Shiori to stand up. “It’s just like the story Shiorin,” she opens her arms wide, “I’ve been locked up in here for ages! I want to see the world and what it has to offer. And what better way to do it than with you?”
Shiori doesn’t seem one bit convinced. “But, your parents…” “My parents won’t find out,” Nerissa tells her. “And my sisters? They won’t mind, they’re married! You hear me? Married ! They’ve had their adventure, what about me? And don’t bring in my brother, he doesn’t count.”
Nerissa stares at Shiori pleadingly, looking at her with that puppy dog stare. Though Shiori often likened it more to a cat for Nerissa specifically and she hated that cause that meant it always worked. She liked cats. A lot.
“Please Shiori? Our own adventure…”
It wasn’t like Shiori was completely against the idea. She has thought of wanting to leave this town but the plan right now seems way too sudden and out of the blue.
“What about my job at the library?” she mutters. “No offense Shiori, to you and Ms. Meriwether but this is exactly why we should go,” Nerissa kneels down in front of her, “You make so little in that library and with your level of intelligence, there are better opportunities for you out there to make use of that I’m sure.” The demon takes a hold of both of Shiori’s hands this time, chuckling softly.
“It’s also a chance to read more, you know? Not just romance but all manner of genres.”
Shiori nibbles her lower lip. Nerissa had a point. Again. As she usually did in these times.
Nerissa knows of course. Aside from romance, Shiori’s read and reread the catalog of books in the local library more times than she can count and though the Ravencroft Manor library was vast with a wide range of books, she discovered early on there were countless books here she couldn’t read. They were in a different language entirely and whenever she did try to decipher it, it led to terrible headaches.
She weighs the pros and cons carefully in her head. It was hard to deny that her life here has long reached a stand still and to be honest, she would be lying if she said traveling with Nerissa wasn’t something she wanted to do. But this was her home. All she knew. There was comfort in safety and safety in everything familiar.
Shiori feels Nerissa squeeze her hands as if she had read her mind. “We’ll figure it out, okay?” she says softly, “With you by my side and me by yours, I’m sure we’ll be okay.” Shiori screws her eyes shut.
The answer was obvious then.
“Okay...” This town, though her hometown, was only that. Nostalgia and memories. Too much of those would stop her, have stopped her, from moving forward with her life so she decides at that very moment, It’s high time I see something new. Besides, it wasn’t like she’ll forget. She’ll never forget.
“What’s the plan?”
Nerissa beams as jumps up to engulf Shiori in a bone-crushing hug. “Yes yes yes! Thank you Shiorin!” the demon peppers Shiori’s entire face with kisses. She pulls away and laughs at the look on Shiori’s face, blushing all the way to the tip of her ears. Nerissa’s cheeks hurt from just how hard she’s smiling. “Leave everything to me, okay? I’ll get us all prepped.”
Like the last time a change happened in their lives, a day after their mutual agreement, they prepare for a new step. They don’t bring much with them aside from as much money as they can carry, the essentials like clothes as well as food for the journey. They arrive in the back room of the local library before first light and leave through the front entrance using the spare key Shiori had on her. After locking the door behind her and leaving the key with a note for Ms. Meriwether in a discreet place, Shiori turns to face Nerissa who giddily awaits for her.
It was strange seeing Nerissa without her signature horns and Shiori briefly wondered how the concealing magic she used worked but that could wait for another time. They would have a lot of time with each other after all.
“Ready to go?” Nerissa asks. Shiori takes a deep breath and nods. “As I’ll ever be.”
Together they make their way to the edge of town, looking at every building they pass by. Nerissa with eagerness and Shiori with a heavy feeling in her heart. The place where she grew up and now this would be the last time she would see it for a while. She wonders when she’ll come back but for now, she has a new adventure ahead.
Little by little, the sun starts to rise and more people start to litter the streets. Without a word, the two unconsciously start picking up the pace.
Shiori feels Nerissa take her by the hand and interlace their fingers together. She looks up at the taller woman who was slightly ahead, her height giving her a larger stride. “Come on, let’s hurry before it gets too crowded.” Grinning, Nerissa pulls Shiori along and together the two break out into a run, laughing without a care in the world as they say goodbye to the only town they’d ever known.
Back at the Ravencroft Manor, a large imposing man sat upon a throne, his throne, his large horns akin to a cattle’s casting long shadows across the throne room floor. At his side, on a throne similar to his was a woman, his wife. Not as intimidating but carrying an air of elegance and grace with just the same amount of power. Her horns were more modest in size and they curved forwards instead of up.
The woman gazes down at a crystal ball in her lap, chuckling to herself as she watches two people make their way out of town. “Seems like they’re finally going out in the world dear,” she informs her husband, touching the ball to get a better look at one of them. Their daughter. Nerissa.
Contrary to Nerissa’s belief, her home did in fact have security measures. From the very beginning, her entire family was aware of Shiori’s presence but none of them chose to intervene. They knew how their youngest daughter was after all and it wasn’t like Shiori posed any threat so they allowed the meetings to continue. It definitely helped that Nerissa seemed happier after meeting Shiori.
“Should we stop them? Maybe tell them to at least bring a little more on their journey?”
The man huffs, glancing at the ball from the corner of his eye. “Let ‘em be. They’ll learn.” His wife smiles knowingly at him, already fully aware of the kind of tough love he gave but she didn’t argue. He had a point. As much as her motherly instincts always told her to keep her children close and safe within an arm's reach, there were some things in the world they had to learn for themselves. Nerissa included.
You’re on your own now dear. Good luck.
Shiori feels a shiver run up her spine. Feeling as if she was being watched. Just then, she hears a strange whisper in her ear.
Take care of her for me would you darling? And yourself too.
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