The Raven

Chapter 1: Charm

The young Vanessa Chambers walked through the lobby of the stage hall with such poise and grace in her heeled boots, that she caught the attention of everyone. She was pretty, no supermodel or anything, but she had long, wavy black hair and sweet, dark blue eyes. She was graceful, and had an air about her that she was high-class, even when she toted a large, bulky saxophone case.

“Good morning, Miss Chambers!” said Vanessa's favourite usher in his Australian accent.

“Hello.”

He opened the door so she would enter backstage. She was then greeted by many of her fellow bandmates as she set up her shining tenor. Vanessa was the head of Gotham's best Jazz Ensemble, taking most of the solos; she had become kind of a celebrity within the city. She stepped out onto the floor minutes later, feeling the intense heat of the stage lights. She waved enthusiastically to the house as she took her place next to the director.

After wailing on her horn for nearly an hour, the concert was done, Vanessa getting a standing ovation from the audience. She smiled bright and blew kisses into the crowd as she strode into the wings.

“Exhausted?”

“Completely,” she replied to the jazz flautist Renee. She knelt down to take apart her sax and put it into her case.

“Have you ever noticed, you're a completely different person when on stage.”

Vanessa smiled. “Yes, I know. That's why I persued music; to be on stage and to entertain people.” She stood, towering above Renee.

“Yes,” said Renee. “Well, I wish you'd be more entertaining offstage. You can be so boring!”

Vanessa pushed her shoulder as they laughed and headed for the lobby.

Vanessa and Renee were speaking of Charlie Parker when, CRASH!

Vanessa's sheet music flew in the air when she collided with another person.

“I'm so sorry!” said a handsome dark-haired man as he helped Vanessa with her music.

“It's alright,” said Vanessa. “I should have been watching, I sometimes don't pay attention when I'm going places!”

She accepted the hand he held out to pull her up. He kissed it once she had stood, making her blush slightly.

“Hi, I'm Bruce, Bruce Wayne. And you are?”

“Vanessa. Vanessa Chambers.”

“I saw you in the concert-”

“I'll see you later, 'Ness,” said Renee, smiling widely and heading for the door.

“Sorry,” Vanessa said, grinning. “You were saying?”

Bruce had loved her performance and told her how much he loved jazz, much to her disbelief.

“So, if you're not doing anything on Thursday, do you suppose I could take you out to dinner?”

Vanessa's grin faded. “Um, well, thank you, Mr. Wayne-”

“Call me Bruce.”

“Mr. Bruce, um, I'm sorry, but I'm seeing someone at the moment,” she lied. Bruce smiled. “Understood, but I'd love to talk with you more sometime.”

At that, he slipped a Wayne business card into her hand as he kissed it once more.

“Good night, Miss Chambers.”

Vanessa watched him as he strode away. “Night, Mr. Wayne,” she whispered under her breath.