Just browsing ((Pandora))

[ariana]

Ariane turned slowly inspecting the slightly shimmering green dress she was wearing fro every side. The dress looked good – not over-exaggerated with decorations as that would be tacky as well as inappropriate considering Ariane’s young age. She still needed a formal gown no matter her age however. The dianne family was in a high enought position in the magical world for Ariane to be expected to attend some formal gatherings. And ariane naturally always had to look impeccable.
Ignoring the tailor Ariane made three full turns in front of the mirrors before nodding to her mother: „It’s good enough. I’ll take it.“
Her mother in turn nodde to the tailor who looked relieved. Ariane hadn’t accepted the previous dress she had made. Stepping into the dressing cabin Ariane changed her clothes quickly. A long white skirt, a blue blouse and a pair of shoes. Throwing a light green summer-cape with silver lining carelessly over her houslders Ariane stepped next to her mother as the tailor assured them that the dress would be sent at their home-manor today.

Her mother nodded to the tailor as she nad Ariane walked out of the parlor gracefully. „I expect you ahve all your school things already?“ Ariane’s mother asked her as Ariane nooded obediently: „Yes, mother, I have everything I need.“
„Good. Come, you can pick out an owl for you then while I send a few parcels,“ sweeping downt he street Arian’e smother took off making other people step out of her way, with Ariane walking next to her. Reaching a prestigeous and private office where they sold owls – Ariane and her mother would never stoop as low as to shop at Eeylops Owls – Ariane watched as her mother moved to the counter and then to the back of it while writing a short message to go along with the parcel she was sending.
Averting her eyes Ariane started to slowly walk down the isles with different owls on display looking for one she might like. Mother was going to buy her an owl now after all. She couldn’t very well go to Hogwarts with out a way to deliever her mail.

[pandora]

The door to the owl office swung open and a tall imposing woman stood in the doorway. She was dressed regally in a sweeping maroon dress of fine silk. Her thin wrists were bejeweled with graceful glittering bracelets and she held herself with an air of importance. As she swept into the room and made her way to the front counter, a young girl was revealed behind her. Her hair was short and neatly kept and she was dressed in a small black silk dress with silver buttons down the front. She carried with her a large black book and a small purse. The older woman glanced back over one shoulder and said, “Pandora, dear, find us a new owl.” With that she turned back to the counter and stood waiting for her turn.

Pandora shot her mother a curious look and asked “Mum, don’t we already have an owl?” Pandora’s mother didn’t even look back over her shoulder as she stated, “We did dear, but he had just passed his prime and was slowing so I got rid of him yesterday. Now go get us a new one.” Pandora raised an eyebrow and then shrugged her acceptance. She never cared for that animal anyway. Slowly she began wandering up and down the isles looking into the various cages to determine which owl was best. Ahead of her, a girl her age was also looking at the cages. Pandora nodded in courtesy at the young girl when their eyes met. Obviously this girl was of some high birth judging by the way she carried herself and her presence in this store. Perhaps she would be going to Hogwarts as well.

[ariana]

Ariane heard voices after the door had opened once again obviously allowing new costumers to enter. Ariane didn’t look up. Showing such curiosity would be tactless. Besides anyone of any importance would make an appearance and offer some sort of greeting sooner or later. Ariane inspected a brown owl for a moment before moving forward. It looked to disheveled. A small ball of feathers was discarded immediately. It could never carry letters with proper speed.

Ariane glanced up from lowered lashes as someone entered the isles as well. A girl. About Ariane’s age. As she was here, then someone of class. Opening one of the cages Ariane took the big grayish-brown owl out looking at it while she assessed the girl. Her last name started with M… Mone, Muna, Muno, Munio? Ariane was relatively sure it was Munio. Ariane inspected the owl on her hand after giving the other girl a curt nod in greeting. Her up-brining demanded some sort of acknowledgement for someone from her own social circle. Before Ariane could say something the owl flapped it’s wings taking off. Ariane let out a small sound of distaste the store-assistant came rushing over.
“That bird is a bloody maniac! I don’t want it in my sight!” Ariane said and with an apology the irritating birds cage was taken away with him.
Throwing a sneer at the store-keepers back Ariane turned back towards the cages almost stepping into the other girl in turn as she had moved a bit as the crazy bird took flight.

“Excuse me,” Ariane said with a strifle of irritation. Not towards the girl, but at the owl as she side-stepped the Munio girl and observed the different cages once again.

[pandora]

Pandora took a cautious step back when the owl took off from Ariane’s arm. She threw an un-approving look at the store keeper as he ran around getting the bird and it’s cage. She tried to step out of Ariane’s way when Ariane turned around but they almost ran into each other regardless. She accepted the other girl’s apology with a short nod and said, “No apology is necessary on your behalf, it was obvious that animal was unstable.” Pandora turned to Ariane and put out one slender pale hand. “Pandora Elia Munio, of the Italian Munios,” She said with all the air of an aristocrat, “I believe I recognize your mother from a recent society function. Your last name is….Dianne?”

[ariana]

Ariane turned her head slightly as the girl said no apology was needed. One eye-brow rose only by a bit but Arian refrained from a comment as she gracefully turned and shook the other girls hand briefly: “Pleasure. And you are correct. Ariane Phyllis Dianne.”
Ariane’s lonk silk skirt swayed a bit around her ankles just the way Ariane liked it. She had always liked dresses and skirts because of that small effect. The swished and swayed around your legs, giving you mystic and grace. Well, a person had to be graceful to proper wear out a skirt, but Ariane had grace. She was a good dancer too. And it wasn’t just some stiff walking and making sure her back was straight and head held high at all times. It came naturally to Ariane. She really was her parents sweet little angel. One day she would make the best sort of Death Eater. Just like her parents before her. Only Ariane would be better. Stronger, smarter, more powerful, more valuable, more prettier even.

Her eyes lingering over one more cage Ariane stopped to inspect one other good-looking owl specimen. She wasn’t even completely sure what kind of an owl she wanted. Something royal and powerful that could carry her letters. Good-looking, proud and intelligent. Just like Ariane was.
“Looking for something special?” Ariane asked calmly striking up an innocent topic while she valued the other girl and where her loyalties laid, “A lot of these owls are merely passable.”

[pandora]

Pandora smiled in courtesy to Ariane, she didn’t know the girl well enough to be friendly but one could not be rude either. Pandora noted how well dressed Ariane was. Good. She had taste obviously. Pandora watched Ariane mostly from the corner of her eye as she continued to browse the cages of owls. Ariane moved with a fluid grace. Pandora envied her that. It had taken many years of having books on her head to correct Pandora’s posture. Pandora sniffed her agreement with Ariane’s assessment of the owls so far. She hadn’t seen any that she approved of yet. “I was rather hoping to find a Northern Hawk Owl or a Snowy but I don’t see any,” Pandora noted as she continued down the aisle. “I wouldn’t mind a White-faced Scops-owl either. They have such a magnificent color to their eyes. What about you? Any particular breed you were looking for?”

[ariana]

Ariane listened to Pandora’s answer about what owl she wanted. Norther Hawk Owl and what ever the others were. She didn’t have a clue – not caring about animal breeds – what those owls looked liked. If an owl did it’s job, wasn’t to annoying and looked good, then that was it to Ariane. Animals were loud, needed attention, bothered you at the most inappropriate times and were dirty. Ariane didn’t want anything more to do with them herself than was absolutely necessary.
“I’m looking for a suitable owl,” Ariane stated simply. Suitable for her naturally consisted the requirements – behaving, intelligent, strong enough to carry letters and parcels quickly, “No preference of breed. As long as it looks good.”

Ariane stopped and looked at a relatively big owl. The owl stopped arranging it’s feathers on it’s right wing and looked at Ariane. The bird had big eyes, strong beak and black feathers with only a few white stripes under it’s head. It looked big enough to be strong and fly quickly too. It didn’t look very friendly, but this was a bonus too. Ariane wouldn’t want an owl that would hoot and let just anyone pet him – she would never keep such an owl.
“I like this one,” Ariane opened the cage and let the owl step on her arm as she looked at the owl, “It’s breed doesn’t matter for as long as it has a suitable personality.”

[pandora]

Pandora glanced over at the Owl on Ariane’s arm. She nodded her approval. “If you want to know its breed I can tell you. Mother thinks it wise to know the different breeds of owl so you are never sold an inferior animal. It’s true in the end, that it’s the personality that is the deciding factor on a bird’s worth, but knowing which breeds tend toward which personalities is useful at times. I know what look and personality I want and if the shopkeeper doesn’t have it, I know exactly what to tell him to get.” Pandora stated as if she were discussing a project with a colleague. Her tone of voice and posture spoke of the fact that while she was not “friendly” towards Ariane, she held a respect and newfound interest in the other girl’s opinion.

[ariana]

Ariane looked at the owl standing on her arm. He’s breed didn’t really matter to her. But should the owl ever be a pester, knowing it’s breed might be useful. “What breed is he then?” Ariane asked calmly stroking the owls head thoughtfully. She didn’t want to get too attached to the owl, but the owl needed to be familiar with her. Ariane had learned that much from a friend who liked animals. “The shop wouldn’t dare to sell me an inferior animals,” Ariane drawled out calmly with the sneer missing from her voice. It was true. With her father being the Head of the Department of Mysteries Ariane belonged to the highest social circle. Centuries old blood-line and tons of wealth didn’t hurt either.

“I am going to take this one however. He looks strong and intelligent enough as well. And calm. I couldn’t stand a hyper owl,” Ariane said half-thoughtfully as she eyed Pandora once again, “Forgive me, if I’m mistaking but as far as I know you should be starting Hogwarts this autumn? A future Slytherin I presume?” Well, you didn’t really know your house before you were sorted. But Ariane knew she would be a Slytherin. Not only had all her ancestors gone to either Slytherin or Durmstrang, but Slytherin was also the only worthy house. Her friends and acquaintances had all always told her that she had true Slytherin character. Ariane had always accepted the compliment with an angelic smile.

((Well, the owl whose picture I picked out for Ariane is a Great Horned Owl if you were wondering.))

[pandora]

Pandora glanced over her shoulder, diverting her attention from the cage before her back to Ariane. “It’s a Great Horned Owl. Good breed. One of the largest. It can carry large loads for long distances and they usually attach fairly well to only one master.” Pandora noted the absolute certainty with which Ariane asserted that the shop would never try to cheat her and Pandora knew it was true. Ariane’s father was the Head of the Department of Minitries. She held a lot of sway with the upper league of society. ‘This is someone worth getting to know,’ Pandora mused. It’s always wise to ally oneself with people in powerful positions…..or their children. Pandora turned her attention back to the cage before her. Inside, pair of large bright yellow eyes gazed unblinkingly back at her. The owl had not moved since she approached him. Good. He wasn’t flighty with meant he was stable enough to be trusted. He was also quiet, another bonus as Pandora simply hated the continuous cries of most people’s pets. Lower classes simply didn’t know how to control their animals. The owl in the cage before her watched Pandora carefully; from a distance it could easily have been mistaken for a hawk. Its striated feathers were white and brown and it had a long hawk-like tail. The large yellow eyes were framed with a pale ring of feathers, which were, in turn, lined along their edges with a striking ring of black. The colors and patterns of feathers around his face gave him an almost stern look.

Pandora opened the cage as Ariane began speaking about Hogwarts; the creak of wood was heard as the great bird shifted on its makeshift perch and Pandora gently offered her slender arm to it as a substitute. The owl wrapped one immensely strong set of talons around Pandora’s forearm and shifted it’s weight easily over until it ad settled both feet firmly in place on the pale skin offered to it. Pandora pulled her arm from the cage, and with it, the beautiful animal now calmly seated upon her exposed flesh. The owl was careful not to dig into the skin, a sign of good breeding. Pandora turned her attention back to Ariane as the other girl made a guess on which house Pandora would be in. Pandora’s pride swelled just a bit when Ariane said she presumed Pandora would be in Slytherin. If someone with good breeding like Ariane could see she belonged there, then there simply was no question which house she would be in. “Yes,” Pandora stated simply, “I will be sorted into the noble house of Slytherin like my family before me. I can only draw the conclusion that we have that in common. I can see no other house you should belong to. Slytherin is the greatest of the houses and someone of your standing and obvious class wouldn’t be anywhere else.” The tone of Pandora’s voice spoke not of someone trying to flatter but merely of someone stating a fact, as if she had said the sky was blue or grass was green. It was obvious Pandora simply could not see Ariane in any other house.

Pandora stepped forward and held her arm aloft so Ariane could get a better look at the proud animal perched there. “This store has just redeemed itself a bit. This is precisely what I was looking for. It’s a Northern Hawk owl. This one seems to have a very good temperament and good breeding as well. He’s quiet and knows how to perch without doing harm. I think I’ll take this one.” She stated as she brushed one slender fingertip from the tip of his beak, back up over his head. The owl did not nip at her. Another good sign. “I think Damacles is a suitable name.” She said easily. “Have you decided on the Great Horned?” Pandora looked back over to Ariane and waited for the girl to make a decision on the owl perched on her own arm. Damacles fluffed his chest feathers slightly as if it realized it had been chosen and fixed it’s great yellow gaze on the owl on Ariane’s arm.

((google a northern hawk owl to see a picture))

[ariana]

((Ariane’s father isn’t the Minister of Magic. Ariane’s father is the Head of the Department of Mysteries.))

Ariane looked at the owl upon hearing he was a Great Horned Owl. Not that it mattered much, but maybe being big could be an advantage too. Perhaps he could tear apart smaller owls that belonged to people who annoyed Ariane then. He was calm however with big eyes staring fiercely
Ariane glanced at Pandora. She seemed to be more or less alright. A Slytherin, which was good. Had she showed the slightest hint of hesitation about ut, then Ariane wouldn’t have bothered with her. She seemed sure of herself, so Ariane just acknowledged her words.
“What other house would bw worthy?” Ariane answered simply as a sneer curled her lips as she thought back to some rather… unpleasant… meeting with people in Slytherin. Not everyone in the house seemed to deserve to carry on the legacy of Salazar Slytherin. Yet, Slytherin was the only house that would

Arian’es eyes shifted over to the bird Pandora had picked out and she tilted her head a bit, approving the choice. The bird wasn’t tittering around or making those awful noises. “Looks good. Damacles,” Ariane tasted the name on her lips thoughtfully while eyeing the owl, “It fits him.”
Ariane looked at the owl who made a soft sound as if understanding Ariane was going to name him now. Ariane looked at the owl with a calm mask covering her face as she thought. She wanted something with a meaning and with a hidden meaning under the name.
“Phospor,” Ariane stated simply as she smiled a cold smile slowly, “The ‘god’ call Phospor was called the light-bearer. An owl bring information, news, knowledge that gives you measures to be better – brings you to sources of ‘light’ others haven’t learned yet. He was – is – also call the ‘star that brings in the day’, which also fits my purpose. A much less known fact is that one other name for Phospor is Lucifer.”
Green eyes shifted towards Pandora as Ariane’s lips curled into a beautiful, but in a way for-bidding smile, “But fallen angels are always much more intriguing, don’t you agree?”
Phospor made a small sound in the back of it’s throat, almost as if agreeing to Ariane’s choice of name while Ariane sauntered down the isle once again: “Let’s go and find the assistant of this place so the deal would be closed.”

[pandora]

Pandora watched Ariane closely while the other girl came up with a name. This was a test; one of many Pandora would lay out for Ariane from time to time. So many people tried to be something they were not, it was important to watch every movement, listen to every word someone says, eventually their true nature will shine through. So far, Ariane had passed every test with flying colors. The name she chose for the owl would be a reflection of what she was thinking. People usually didn’t fret over such frivolous things, it meant their reactions were that much more truthful. As the name and its meaning poured from Ariane’s lips, Pandora let herself indulge in a small smile. Good, Ariane would prove very interesting indeed, she had a wicked streak in her and was intelligent enough to use it. Perhaps Pandora would make a point of spending time with Ariane at school. As Ariane turned and began heading down the aisle toward the main counter, Pandora fell in step with her. She would not walk behind Ariane like a servant but nor would she be so stupid as to try to pass the girl either. Pandora carefully chose to walk just at Ariane’s left side, offering the other girl the opportunity to walk on the right, the position of respect. The right side is where those of higher station should always be allowed to stand and Pandora acknowledged that Ariane’s father gave her the right to that additional respect.

As she matched pace with Ariane, Pandora glanced back over at the other girl. “I like the name Phospor. It’s subtle, same meaning as Lucifer without being so blatant about it. As for fallen angels, I whole-heartedly agree, though I must say that it’s the act of falling and all the subtle nuances that lead to it that intrigue me most.” The smile she flashed to Ariane had made more than one kindly old lady back away cautiously. There was a dangerous mirth in the girl’s stormy eyes that spoke of something dark and unpleasant; and the smile held a note of secrecy as if she had just told a joke only the devil would laugh at or understand. The next moment, the smile was gone and the calm repose of someone supremely confident in their own worth had slipped back over Pandora’s features.

As they rounded the end of the aisle and the front counter came back into view, the store-keeper could be seen scurrying about to finish the order for Ariane’s mother. He bustled about looking frazzled as he put the finishing touches on her package and then turned back to the woman before him and bowed his obedience. “That will be 2 galleons for the shipping. Anything else, my dear Lady?” Pandora watched him blankly for a moment and then turned back to Ariane. “He should give her the shipping for free just for making your mother wait so long. My house-elves could have done eight packages by now.” She sneered before turning back to watch the proceedings before them.

[ariana]

Ariane let a small smile curve her lips. Pandora obviously had good up-bringing behind her not to mention the so necessary subtle tact. You didn’t have to be known and do everything yourself. It was much easier – and much more satisfying – to ‘persuade’ others to do your work. Much more challenging to manipulate different personalities and make them bend to your own will. However you couldn’t do it to all. You had to have someone who would stand independently in case of trouble-makers, yet these persons had to be picked carefully. But Pandora certainly had potential.

“Fallen angels always seem to look better as well,” Ariane mused calmly, “How ever I would but more intrigue into the state of taking others with you and leaving, while making it look like the other party has the blame. But yes, the nuances are interesting.” Ariane’s noticed the dark mirth in Pandora’s eyes as she turned her slightly: “Makes you really wonder about religions, doesn’t it? Your name – Pandora – itself symbolizes a gift of gods. A gift that was meant to be the downfall of those the gads didn’t like. More precisely – the downfall of Prometheus. You have to admire the idea. Attack him but not through the straightest way. Gods went after his brother, knowing that would hurt Prometheus more than an attack too his own person.” Ariane’s eyes met her mothers in silent understanding understanding the impatient fury in her eyes immediately. Her voice as she mused over the topics of mythology didn’t waver however.

“Slow, but sometimes there are things that need more discretion than your own owl. One shouldn’t spoil surprises by making mistakes in small things,” Ariane replied to Pandora simply. It couldn’t be taken as if her mother was sending someone a surprise birthday present. Completely innocent. Arian knew it had something to do with her parents Death Eaters work, but she had known better than to ask. It would depend on Pandora herself if she would catch the innuendo in Ariane’s words or not.
Stepping to the counter Ariane spread her arm towards Pandora, signalizing that she should handle the buying of her owl first.

[pandora]

Pandora watched the interplay between Ariane and her mother. Her sharp grey eyes fell once more to the package on the counter that the clerk had just finished wrapping and she studied its outline and the curve of the plain brown wrapper for any clue of it contents. Unfortunately for her, the clerk had wrapped it a little too well and no hint of what secrets lay just within the simple wrapping could be discerned. She shot a little inquisitive look at Ariane and then quickly left it fall from her face, not her business after all and some things were best left unknown. If she hoped to gain some measure of trust from Ariane, then it would be best to let the other girl see her as someone who didn’t put their nose where it doesn’t belong. There was a time and place for demanding or easing information out of others; this was most certainly not it. Ariane gestured to Pandora to purchase her owl first so Pandora stepped up to her own mother and held the owl aloft to be approved. “A Northern Hawk Owl. I have named him Damacles.” Pandora did not openly ask for her mother’s permission as that was undignified but it was obvious to any on-lookers that her mother demanded the utmost respect from Pandora and the girl was expected to gain her mother’s approval on all matters such as this.

Clarissa Munio was not the most pleasant of women to say the least. Her long, pinched face was off-set by a pile of jet black curls which cascaded down her back. She was dressed impeccably and jewels glittered on her wrists and fingers. She stood above Pandora, a sparkling tower of intimidation and scrutinized the owl carefully for any signs of defect. When none were openly found, a smile found its way onto her stern features and she nodded her approval to her child. “Good,” she said with a haughty note of approval in her voice. “Clerk, I’ll have this one. How much?” Pandora stood quietly at her mother’s side as the woman’s attention shifted to the unfortunate man before her and internally Pandora sighed her relief that she was no longer under that gaze. She could not possibly compare to Ariane in Clarissa Munio’s eyes. She did not posses that natural grace or elegant beauty that Ariane flaunted easily. Pandora had to work hard to maintain appearances and Ariane seemed to have been born with them. The less time her mother spent seeing those differences, the better.

The clerk on the other side of the counter, most likely, did not share that opinion. He smiled like a Cheshire cat as he eyed the jewelry clinging to Pandora’s mother and stated a price of 50 galleons. Clarissa Munio simply raised one eyebrow at the man and he stepped back defensively. Glancing nervously at Ariane’s mother and realizing his folly in raising prices in front of some one that important, he quickly changed his tone and quoted a lower price of only 25, a far more reasonable fee for a well bred owl. Clarissa flashed him a smile that told him he had made the correct choice and placed the 25 galleons on the counter without another word. With that, she turned to Ariane’s mother and the smile on her face became a bit warmer, though still not overly friendly. “It has been a pleasure to see both yourself and your beautiful young daughter again.” Clarissa’s eyes fell on Ariane with a warmth Pandora had rarely ever received and she placed one possessive hand on Pandora’s shoulder. “I certainly hope young Ariane will share a house with my Pandora. I should think it would do Pandora such good to spend time with others of her own standing. And of, course, I should love to have you over to the house sometime for tea.” She offered politely. With one last nod of her head to Ariane and her mother, Clarissa Munio swept from the store and emerged onto the street like royalty. Pandora looked to Ariane one last time and nodded her goodbye. “See you at school.” She looked over at Ariane’s mother and acknowledged her with a curt nod of deference before quickly following her mother from the store; Damacles still perched proudly on her arm like some magnificent statue.

[ariana]

Ariane’s eyes locked with her mothers while Pandora stepped up to her mother presenting the owl. The interaction between the mother and daughter was quick. Respectful, which obviously gave the girl a point in her mothers eyes who was observing it keenly. Her parents trusted Ariane to make her own decisions and had given her good enough education to know exactly who was worth socializing with and who was not.
Both eyebrows arching at the preposterous price for Pandora’s owl Ariane’s eyes fall onto the clerk who seemed to understand his slip-up and quickly reduced the price to half. Ariane sneered towards him. It was so hard – practically impossible to find good help not to mention shop-keepers who wouldn’t try to rob you at every second. This one was no exception.

„There are so many families who have lost their values nowadays. I’m glad to see your family remaining as strong as ever,“ came Psychera’s – Ariane’s mother – swift reply with a collect smile as she nodded to Pandora. A surprising display of politeness considering the fact Pandora was still that young, but tha tonly made it even more polite as Ariane understood. A slight smile curved Ariane’s lips as she observed her mother. However good she was a manipulating people and being polite – she still ahd a lot to learn. Her mother played the political games with ease as she turned back to Clarissa Munio, „And I am truly flattered of your generous invitation.“
Psychera moved her head for only a fraction but it was enough for Ariane to catch her clue for speaking as she stepped forward and gave a deep nod to Pandora’s mother: „Pandora certainly seems like someone I would really like to meet again as she has been of great help while I was choosing my owl. As for the house I truly expected to be sorted into the noble house of Slytherin. It would be a pleasure to have Pandora as a house and year-mate.“

Ariane nodded as Pandora said her good-bye: „We will. I’ll look forward do it.“ Turning to the counter Ariane watched as her mothers packaged was sent away immidiately and watched with a cruel smirk as her mother used a memory-charm on the man, making him believe she had just sent an order for a new dress from Italy.
„I want this one,“ Ariane said to her mother wh o looked at Phospor and nodded her approval paying the price of 20 galleons easily before they both turned and left the store.
Phospor took flight immidiately Ariane noted with pleasure. She most certainly would not have wanted to carry the relatively large nad therefor heavy bird around on her arm for long as the mother and daughter sauntered down the street.