Meeting destiny ((Closed))

[ariana]

Ariane snacked lazily on a piece of vanilla zephyr as she looked over the number of gowns the house-elves paraded before her eyes closely. Mother had told her to look her best and Ariane was going to do just that even if Mother had not included anything about why in her brief note her owl had delivered late last evening. Ariane wrinkled her nose and raised her left arm to sing the house-elves to stop. Leaving the zephyr on the small table, Ariane took a sip of milk and used a linen napkin to clean her fingers before walking over to the house-elf holding the dress. Ariane took hold of the skirt and spread the blue silk with white slashes in it becoming visible. The bodice and straps of the dress were also white and as it went downwards the fabric started to turn light blue that grew darker and deeper with every inch up to the dark-blue hem. Ariane stared at the dress for a few moments before snapping her fingers: “Turn it around. I want to see the back of it.” The house-elf obeyed immediately and Ariane looked at the simple back-side before nodding with satisfaction and turning away.

“I’ll wear this gown. Send Marien upstairs to do my hair while you clean and iron the dress,” Ariane ordered as she walked back to the small table and finished her glass of milk quickly. Turning around Ariane looked coldly at the bowing house-elf who was clutching her dress: “Take the dishes with you. Why are you still standing there dumbly! Get going and you better do a proper job!” The house-elf bowed even more deeply it’s freakish ears wobbling a little as it muttered an apology before popping away. “Incompetent little freaks,” Ariane muttered moodily as she was left alone. Untying the belt of her morning-gown Ariane let it drop carelessly on the floor as she walked to the arched window of her room. The heavy drapes had been pulled back earlier and the sunrays were peeking in. One half of the window was also opened to let in a little bit of a breeze as it was warm. Ariane stopped before the window as she looked out over the garden watching as the big summer-pavilion was decorated by the house-elves. An other unexplained order from Mother, but she had told to cover enough seats for seven. It was curious yet Ariane knew better than to question. Everything would be explained in due time.

The light breeze was ruffling the lace on her nightgown as Ariane looked over the work before leaning her hands on the window-sill and leaning a little bit out of the window to see the flowers. There weren’t many natural flowers yet so the gardeners were order to obring in potted plants, ever-green trees and bushes, huge vases of roses and tulips to make the surroundings of the pavilion look marvelous. And Ariane knew that delicious dishes were cooked in the kitchen. Everything should be ready in time. Ariane straightened up just as there was a knock on the door. Turning around Ariane started to walk across the thick white carpet towards the make-up table to take a seat while calling “come in” at the same time. Ariane took a seat looking at the bit corpulent older woman whose long black hair was in two French braids. The older woman had proven to be resourceful and loyal so Ariane nodded graciously.
“Come in, Marien. Mother has told me to prepare myself. You saw the dress I’m about to wear I presume?” Ariane questioned as she idly picked up a string of white pearls and let them glide between her fingers. Upon fearing an affirmative Ariane continued, “Something to go with it. Something formal to suit the dress and yet something light and simple enough to suit the garden-dinner and my youth.” “As you wish,” Marien said as she stepped closer and picked up a brush with a bronze handle and started to comb Ariane’s hair with quick practiced moves.

After some negotiation Ariane decided with some advice from Marien that simple would be the best. A dark-blue half-circle was attached to her hair and hidden under her thick locks at the temples to hold her hair back and at the same time give her an innocent and youthful look. “It looks perfect,” Ariane decided after having looked at her long golden locks flowing up to her waist for a few moments with the help of two mirrors from behind too before standing and nodding at Marien, “Good work.” “Thank you,” Marien said with one more curtsy as she stepped back and spread Ariane’s dress out on her bed, “Your outfit?” “Yes,” Ariane murmured absent-mindedly as she pulled off her night-gown and then took hold of the dress. Slipping into the fabric Ariane raised the straps over her shoulders and then raised her hands to let Marien close the sip on the left side. Pulling the skirt in a couple of direction to make it fit perfectly on her body that didn’t have any womanly curves yet the dress was tailored after her so it fit perfectly. Raising the hem of the skirt Ariane stepped into white satin shoes before twirling once before mirrors. “You look gorgeous,” Marien said approvingly clapping her hands once and smiling at Ariane. Ariane looked in the mirror going over her appearance once again before smiling as dressing up always cheered her mood. With her long blond hair and the dress that created the perfect background, not porcelain, but light and tender skin and big green eyes – Ariane did look amazing. Mother would approve too.

[ariana]

Ariane played with the string of white pearls she had closed around her neck as she descended the staircase from the second floor of their mansion to the main lounge. The garden was ready, the cooks were ready to serve at any given moment as the word had came from the kitchen. There was nothing else to do now but to wait for Mother and Father. Ariane was dearly hoping that she wound understand the urgency of Mother’s note then. While Mother and Father were bound to come with visitors everything should be cleared during the visit or at the very least after the guests had left. Ariane felt a bit nervous for some reason however. This had been the first time she had been forced to do all the decisions for a light get-together settings herself. Yet her Mother had prepared her for this all her life and as Ariane let her mind go everything once more she couldn’t think of anything that might not be already covered or done.

She didn’t’ have long to wait however. Ariane had barely picked up a book when an house-elf made it’s appearance. Bowing deeply the creature stated it’s purpose quickly: “Mr. and Mrs. Dianne have just portkeyed to the front lawn with their guests.” “Perfect,” Ariane said with a grin as she tossed the book at the house-elf, “Put it back in it’s place.” Ariane gathered her skirt into her hands raising the hem a little so it wouldn’t get stuck under her feet as she rushed through the hallway towards the doors of the manor. Father would expect her there to greet them and Ariane had to admit to herself that she was anxious to see what had caused the note Mother had sent. A servant in his uniform opened the manor door for Ariane as she approached down the hallway slowing down to a walk a few moments before stepping out of the manor into the bright sunlight. Ariane noticed her parents first and also four others she did not know. Ariane stopped on the edge of the highest step for a moment her eyes meeting Mothers for a moment. At a light, almost unnoticeable nod from her Mother Ariane rushed down the staircase quickly.

Father turned as well as all the others as they watched Ariane’s flight down the staircase. A display Ariane was used to and performing a move she had done dozens of times before she ran to Father. Taking hold of the hand reached out to her Ariane let herself be pulled closer by her Father who bowed and kissed the top of her head. “I’m glad you are finally back home, Father! And you too, Mother,” Ariane stated with a bright and sincere smile on her face as she turned and took a step before hugging Mother too. Ariane did love her parents and she was loved as well. She was the only heir and child to them after all. While Ariane had been brought up to always know her place, but she was also allowed pretty much everything she wished.
“This is our daughter, Ariane Phyllis,” Father said while placing a hand on Ariane’s shoulder and directing her to take a step forward as she now for the first timed observed the stranger closer. An older lady who had a sour grimace on her face, and a married couple by the looks of it who were looking at her curiously. “These are Mr. Meave, Mrs. Meave and Mr. Meave’s most respected mother, Ariane. They will be our guests for the week to come, so I hope you’ll be on your best behaviour.”

“I will try, Father,” Ariane said while lowering her head respectfully, “It’s a pleasure to meat you Mr. Meave, Mrs.” “It’s our pleasure, young Ariane. But do call me Chandra and my husband Rodrigo. You will after all soon be our daughter as well,” the younger woman said as the man turned and gestured for a boy on his other side step forward. “This is our son Richard Ricardo Meave. Your fiancé, my dear,” Mr. Meave said with a small smile and Ariane felt her breath catch. This was the man - boy she was supposed to marry as her parents had arranged the engagement that would one day become a marriage. Magical contracts about it had already been signed.