A Promise Across Time [Completed]

Echoes of the Future

1st of September 1963
Frida

It's been two weeks since Raven arrived, and in that time, we've settled into a routine that feels natural. Despite her age, Raven has a talent for songwriting and can play the piano like a professional. Though I haven't heard her sing yet, I have this feeling that her voice must be as remarkable as her other musical skills. Her thick British accent, which instantly gives her away as a Londoner, draws attention wherever we go.

"Okay," I asked her one morning as we sat at the bar, sipping tea. "When exactly did you say I meet Benny?"

"In the original timeline, you meet him in 1969," Raven answered matter-of-factly. "That's six years from now."

I raised an eyebrow, stirring my tea thoughtfully. "And you said I get married next year? To... what was his name again?"

"Ragnar Fredriksson," Raven said, wincing a little. "Yes. Can we not talk about it? I mean, if you're determined to marry him, I can't stop you, but sometimes I think that's why I'm here to stop that from happening."

I chuckled at her reluctance. "Oh? So this is a mission then? You're here to alter my love life?"

"Something like that," she mumbled, turning her gaze to the piano in the corner of the bar.

Before I could probe her further, Erik, one of my co-workers, sidled up to me and whispered, "So... she looks normal."

I laughed softly. "Of course she does. What did you expect, an alien?"

He shrugged. "Well, she's... smart. Smarter than any ten-year-old I've ever met."

"She is smart," I agreed. "Smarter than most people, regardless of age."

"And she can play the piano," Erik said, watching Raven with fascination. "I have an idea. People love a young musical prodigy. They loved you when you were younger, remember?"

I shook my head before he could continue. "Erik, she's ten, not thirteen. There's a big difference."

"What's the difference?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

I felt a protective instinct flare up. There was something about Raven—this mysterious, gifted child—that made me want to shield her from the world. "No, Erik. The first day she came here, she begged me to bring her, and I told her it wasn't safe. I don't want her exposed to this environment, especially at night."

"Then why did you bring her now?"

I sighed. "Because it's daytime, and it's quieter. No drunks, no rowdy crowds."

Erik scoffed but couldn't take his eyes off Raven as she played Brahms' Lullaby on the piano. "Such talent to waste."

I frowned. "She's not wasting anything. Let her be a child."