What's the Occasion? pv Closed

DATE & TIME ❀───────────❀ Three Years Prior, A Pureblood Ball

OUTFIT ❀───────────❀ Reducio

TAGS & MENTIONS ❀───────────❀ @Charlotte Winfield

An 8-year-old Danielle and her younger sister had spent the last hour being dragged along by their mother, being introduced to other rich pureblood wives and their daughters. Her pink dress flowed around her figure as she walked her heels, soflty clicking against the floor of the room, the noise being drowned out by the chatter and music around her.

She sighed. She didn't love the pureblooded balls she was always dragged to, yet she didn't hate them either. She didn't mind actually dancing, even though most of the time, it was with someone she didn't know. For her young age, she was a very good dancer, having been taught how to ballroom dance properly from the moment she could walk. The side of the balls that she did hate, was walking around for nearly two hours with her mother, standing respectfully be her side as she talked with others.

Danielle fought the urge to roll her eyes as her mother soon found her good friend and the host of the ball they were attending, Delphine Winfield. Dani sucked up her annoyance and being dragged around again before smiled polietly at the woman, thanking her for inviting them and commenting how lovely the ball was.

After saying her piece to the woman, Danille kept silent as her mother chatted away with Delphine, the noise of their laughter getting futher away, and the rest of the sound in the room blending together as she zoned out.

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Lottie tried to calm her thoughts, which swam through her mind with concerns about the volume of the music, the cramped feel of the room, the tightness of her dress, and many more small worries the overwhelmed her senses. Of course, none of this showed on her face. Her mother would kill her if even a hint of discomfort bled through onto her features. Anything that didn't uphold the image of perfection she had carefully crafted for the family sent her mother spiraling, and Lottie really didn't need that on top of her worries.

She made her way swiftly through the crowds of people, occasionally catching little shreds of conversation in the practiced posh accent that she had become so accustomed to. There was a strange air of prestige that floated thickly through the room. Lottie wondered if she was the only one who caught it. But perhaps that was just the point of these things: to brag.

She was mostly searching for her eldest sister, who could surely take the edge off her mood. Anadil had always been a grounding force to Lottie, her ease of speech and bold personality contrasting nicely with Lottie's more reclusive, quiet exterior. Instead of her sister, though, she found her mother.

"Charlotte!" Delphine put on a contrived smile, her albino features raw and divine. She never wore makeup, for she didn't need it. Her Veela ancestry was enough to keep her looking her best no matter the circumstances. "Have you met the Aldens? They've come all the way from Southampton. You'll be attending school with their daughter in a few years. Isn't that exciting?"

Lottie nodded politely, twisting her mouth into a smile and looking over at the others.

@Danielle Alden

TAGS & MENTIONS ❀───────────❀ @Charlotte Winfield

Dani snapped out of her trance-like state at the sound of their host calling out a name. Charlotte. The noise in the room came rushing back to normal as she glanced at her younger sister (also Charlotte) on the other side of her mother. She seemed to be looking off towards the side, behind Danielle's head as another young girl approached.

The girl, assumed to be the other Charlotte, seemed to be around her age. Her features were pale and soft, her brown hair was twisted into an elegant half-up-half-down look that gorgeously framed her face. Green eyes were the perfect compliment to her features and she had dark, angular eyebrows. Tonight, she wore a simple black dress with a turtleneck-like collar, the clicking of her heels almost completely drowned out by all the chatter, music, and laughter around them.

Danielle turned back towards Delphine as the woman announced their family to her daughter, indeed stating the fact that both of them were the same age. She fought the urge to smile proudly at her correct guess from earlier. Dani watched as Charlotte nodded politely to her mother, smiling at Danielle and her family in a way that nearly seemed forced. Clearly, Charlotte didn't want to be there any more than Danielle did.

Danielle shot a quick smile over to the girl in return as her mother began to chat with Delphine again. She shared a look with her sister before sighing, politely cutting into the conversation, making sure to plaster an innocent look on her face so she'd get away with it.

"Excuse me, Mother, but could Charlie and I head out to the gardens?" she started, keeping her voice sweet, "Charlotte too if that's alright with you Mrs. Winfield. Since we're attending school together in a few years, as you said, maybe it would be beneficial to acquaint ourselves a bit better."

Danielle's mother, Amélie, pondered for a second before giving her permission for Danielle and Charlie to escape to the gardens. "Why yes. I suppose that's alright as long as Delphine is alright with it."

______________________________

Lottie attempted to hide the grimace that was slowly inching onto her face. Being in the company of pureblood families always gave her a feeling of alienation that she just couldn't push back, one her mother made endless attempts to clear away with her prestigious demeanor and posh accent. But beneath it all, there was an overwhelming knowledge that they themselves were not purebloods. They were half-breeds.

Delphine, the daughter of a Veela, showed it clear in her inhuman beauty and pale features that she was not the same as the purebloods she invited into her home. Lottie often wondered if her marriage to a pureblood was just another drastic attempt at fitting in with rich society. Everything she did was a cover up, from her hatred of muggles to her lavish parties.

Delphine placed a hand on Lottie's shoulder, attempting to ease her into the conversation despite her defiance. Lottie gave a look to the other girl, the one whom she would be attending school with soon. She had long blonde hair curled neatly cascading down a fashionable pink dress with an elegant floral design. She fit in nicely among the others, but Lottie could tell there was some reluctance to staying in the crowded room.

At the girl's suggestion, Lottie's face lit up slightly. Though she rarely spent much time in the gardens, she enjoyed the shelter they provided her when she wanted to escape the busy parties and overworked nannies. She looked to her mother hopefully, and the woman sighed.

There was a small undertone of frustration in her voice as she replied, "Yes, I suppose that's fine." She finished shortly, and pressed a hand on Lottie's back, "Please show these young ladies to the garden. Be back for dinner."

Lottie nodded impatiently, before motioning politely for the two girls to follow her past the staircase and into a short corridor that led down into the gardens. A pregnant silence filled the air as the chatter of the party grew quieter and quieter and the three girls were left to each others company.

@Danielle Alden

TAGS & MENTIONS ❀───────────❀ @Charlotte Winfield

Danielle watched as Charlotte's face lit up at her suggestion to go outside. So it had been the right choice. Looking up at Delphine, a small smile found its way onto her lips as the woman frustratedly agreed that they could find their way to the gardens, but to be back in time for dinner. She nodded, muttering a quiet "of course" before glancing back to Charlotte, who'd motioned for them to follow her.

Dani followed Charlotte past the stairs and into a short corridor. Once out of eyesight of their mothers, she quickly whispered in her sister's ear that she could wander on her own, but to be on her best behavior and find the two after a while. Her sister nodded eagerly before going ahead of the two, finding her way to the gardens.

Finally letting out a tired sigh, Danielle relaxed, happy to be away from the festivities. "Oh thank goodness. I don't think I could've stood another minute of that party. No offense of course." Dani stated, still following Charlotte out to the gardens. "If you didn't know, I'm Danielle Alden. It's a pleasure." she said, smiling at Charlotte as she sped up slightly to be right beside her.

Backdated three years prior

______________________________

Lottie flexed her fingers, tensing them absentmindedly as a small fidget she had developed over the years. She felt the nerves slip out of her only slightly, though her body was still trained into a pin straight line of professionalism and class as she walked alongside the other girl.

She was broken from her thoughts a bit as she watched the little one scurry away eagerly, reminding her of her little siblings who were currently stuffed into their bedrooms upstairs. Then, the two were alone, footsteps echoing off the walls. She peered over for a moment and saw the relief clear of Danielle's face.

"You can call me Lottie," she said, surprised by the relaxed tone of her own voice, "I understand that there may be some confusion with your sister and I having the same name." She gave a thin smile.

The door to the garden was at the end of the hall, and Lottie placed a gentle hand to the cool surface and pushed it open. Immediately, a cool breeze filled the hall, and the rustle of leaves sounded out like music to Lottie's ear. She gave an expectant look to her guest, already taking the first few steps out onto a stone path.

@Danielle Alden

TAGS & MENTIONS ❀───────────❀ @Charlotte Winfield

The small movement of Charlotte's fingers caught her attention, her eyes glancing over to the motion of the girl flexing her fingers repeatedly. Dani quickly switched her attention back to the corridor in front of her, not liking the idea of running into something and making a fool of herself in front of the other girl. After she'd introduced herself, all was quiet between the duo, the sound of echoing footsteps filling the silence in place for the lack of conversation before Charlotte finally decided to speak up.

The sound of Charlotte's voice drew her eyes to the girl next to her, catching the thin smile gracing her features despite her deceivingly friendly tone. Lottie seemed almost hesitant to speak with her. Danielle just watched Lottie curiously with calculating eyes, trying to get a good read on the girl as she gently opened the door to the garden, the cool evening breeze blowing through her perfectly styled hair as the sounds of rustling leaves reached her ears.

Seeing the expectant look on Lottie's face, Danielle took a few steps through the door and onto the stone path, a feeling of relief and happiness washing through her as she admired the gardens. A soft smile settled on her lips as she slowly walked the path of the gardens, admiring the beauty of nature.

"Your gardens are stunning." Danielle nearly whispered to Lottie, feeling almost as if a voice too loud would shatter the delicate beauty before her.

Backdated three years prior

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The gardens were a place of sanctity for the children of the Winfield family, and Lottie had never once taken the peace of the location for granted. Prickly vines trailed the side of the house, dotted with slowly blooming roses that glowed elegantly in the moonlight. When she was much younger, Lottie's older sister had told her that they were called "climbing roses", and for years Lottie thought that when everyone was sleeping the roses would scale the walls, using their petals as feet. She used to be so imaginative.

Now, though, she knew better. But that didn't take away from the beauty of the area. The wisteria that draped from the low archways looked like purple clouds, and the large bed of dark blue tulips was like a small ocean, rippling in the gentle breeze. She brushed a hand over them, her smile warming at the soft tickling sensation.

At Danielle's quiet remark, Lottie nodded serenely. "I know. My father says they were here long before my family took claim over the house."

There were many tall tales about the mysterious Winfield family, but the ones that prevailed were those regarding their home. Built many decades ago during the Victorian era, it held lots of history within its walls. The garden, though, was different. While the house was constantly changing, the garden's beauty had stayed exactly the same. Perhaps that was what Lottie liked so much about it. It was the one thing she could be sure of.

@Danielle Alden

TAGS & MENTIONS ❀───────────❀ @Charlotte Winfield

As the seconds turned into minutes, Danielle grew increasingly more and more grateful that she'd been allowed to escape the festivities and ball for this gorgeous garden, the fresh air inviting and silence between the two young girls peaceful.

Danielle admired the beauty of the gardens before she turned to the other young girl, curious about the house after Charlotte had spoken. "And how long has your family had claim over the house?" she asked, wondering just how long these beautiful gardens have been kept thriving and growing.

She turned away again as she awaited the response of the other young girl, slowly walking around and admiring all the flowers in the garden. The prickly wall of vines with rose buds blooming, the beautiful purple wisteria and blue tulips, and other gorgeous and extravagant flowers and plants made the young girl feel like she was in heaven.

She took a deep breath, inhaling through her nose to smell the mixed scent of fresh flowers. A smile rested on her lips as she walked around the gardens. It was incredibly tempting to just carefully puck some of the flowers to take home with her, make a bouquet, and set in a vase of fresh water on her bedside table. Resisting said urge, she settled for just gently brushing a hand over the smooth, soft, and delicate petals or bending down slightly to smell the scent of a particular flower.