Work Text:
Construction on the church was going worse than Shiori had planned for, took more work than she had anticipated. Just the mere raw materials exceeded that which she had in her possession, and neither did she posses the riches to buy them.
Nevertheless, she persisted, building up it's foundations with a steady hand and sheer willpower. Not even daring to think about the construct she'll make under the church, that will be a concern for later.
All is going well, or as well as it could. Until she notices someone approaching. Black hair, two asymmetrical horns attached to them, wings fanned out more than usual and the bident she had grown familiar with clutched between hands.
Curiously however, no second person to be seen. She narrows her eyes and concentrates her mana to be sure, just in case this is some elaborate set-up from the other witch.
She detects nobody else.
How interesting.
"Welcome Nerissa Juliet, is your mut not with you today?"
Nerissa's eyes darken, she smirks at the response. The other woman doesn't stall her advances however, and she even has the decency to look somewhat guilty.
"She's not, she's her own person. She does not require for me to always be at her side, nor do i require her to be at mine"
"Oh? Is she aware of this?"
The grip on Nerissa's weapon strengthens, she can almost see the knuckles turn white even underneath the leather material of Nerissa's gloves. She cools of quite quickly however, the bident lowered in a way that proves to not be a threat.
"Let me assist, sister Shiori"
Now that surely was a response she did not anticipate. She turns to look at the demon, Nerissa Juliet. Just Nerissa now?
Nyavella wonders where the difference lies, archiver can't find it in themselves to care.
For all it's worth, Nerissa had hurt them, hurt them badly. Not just by her own selfish actions, but specifically so by allowing that mut to stick to her side like a lover. Something simmers and burns under the surface, and Shiori bites her lip to prevent anything unsavory slipping out.
Showing her hand here would be a death sentence, and she is not exposing that she has known of their pasts all this time purely because she was getting jealous about Nerissa's potential relationship. Not only would that be embarrassing, it would also destroy any chance she has of ever winning her heart back in the future. And since their host is pretty dependent on that, they decide against it.
And to her account, Nerissa doesn't lie when she asks to assist. She knew the other witch was filthy rich, maybe even wondered how she acquired those riches in the first place, but as of now it only comes to her aid. Nerissa has plenty of money to afford all the raw materials she needs, and an extra set of arms is appreciated. Especially with Nerissa's own magic leaking our of her horn, adding to their physical abilities.
Over the time spend together, the shift happens gradually. Nyavella starts asking, begging even, to come out. And with Nerissa seemingly being in good spirits, and not a real danger, they let her. Nerissa eyes her as the fuzzy ears and tail slowly reveal themselves, but she makes no comment on it specifically.
They continue working through out the day, Nyavella slowly but surely opening up the slightest bit, asking and poking for more information. Nerissa Juliet, or just Nerissa now, seems not too bothered by it either, responding with her fair share of information.
Their banter progresses more and more, subtle teases start being made an even some light flirting that makes Shiori's mana race underneath her skin every time even if she doesn't show it openly. Archiver makes sure to chastise her feeble hope the entire time, but doesn't interfere directly. Leading to some moments where the two of them have a bickering session tucked away in Shiori's head, that leaves Nerissa stumped to the side.
Nyavella tries her best to not be hopeful for something more, but with lady Bloodflame nowhere in sight she dares to dream. Nerissa came here for her, her attention is focused solely on her.
Archiver calls her delusional, Novella seems apprehensive, Nyavella feels herself falling all over again at record speeds. Especially when the day ends with good process on the construction, and all the materials she could want delivered to her. There's a moment where they touch hands and both flush, but neither comment on it. There is a moment where stone topples over, and on instinct she uses her magic to ensure it doesn't fall on Nerissa. And by the time night falls Nyavella feels herself overflowing with emotion, but also with hesitation.
Hesitation she needs answered before the end of the night.
"May i ask, Nerissa Juliet, what your case was for assisting with this project? Surely not just from the good of your heart, was it?"
There's a truly mischievous smile on Nerissa's face as she approaches, only stopping when they are barely separated. Nerissa eyes the fuzzy ears escaping the material of her hat, crouching down a bit so they are closer to being eye level.
"You see, nyavella"
Her hand tucks away a stray piece of hair from Shiori's face, the contact between her face and Nerissa's finger making the archiver push into it in forgotten desperation.
Her ear twitches at the specific of the name. Nyavella, not sister Shiori this time.
Nerissa knew the difference, did the memory retrieval cause that?
She isn't granted the time to ponder on it for much longer, as the hand that tucked away her hair now trails down to the bottom of her chin, gently raising her head to look deep into Nerissa's red eyes. Red brighter than she has ever seen it in recent memory, predator eying up prey. She swallows heavily, Nerissa's eyes trail the movement of her throat. Oh my gods.
"I think you are long overdue to feel loved"
The press of lips against her own is so fast, she almost doesn't notice it at all.
Nerissa giggles and turns to leave, to gather more materials or to leave her alone for the night, she does not know.
The second she's sure the other woman is far enough away, she sinks to her knees. A muffled scream behind her hands as her face flushes as red as Nerissa's eyes. Her tail upright and quivering.