Arlo Closed

Marion,

What a surprise it was to get a letter from you. I thought that after the incident in the Owlry you would be mad at me like you were with the others, but I’m glad that you think I’m nice. Don’t worry about crying. Grandmother always said it was ok to cry and those spiders were really scary. Plus those other people were being huge jerks that day. Forget them! Right?!

I don’t care that you’re Muggleborn. I’m part Goblin if you didn’t know. People don’t like that too for whatever reason. Grandfather always said it’s because people are afraid of stuff that’s different from them. He says forget them too! Well, except he uses the bad word. Mother always yells at him for it. It’s really funny. 

Anyways, I think you’re nice too and it’d be really fun to go to the dance with you. 

-Arlo

Oh! When is it? 

She cracked a smile when she got a reply by owl. It was from Arlo and it was a yes. She let out a squee that seemed to concern the person adjacent. She gave the Ravenclaw a sideways glance as he quirked a brow. "I got a yes!" She smiled.

"A yes?"

"Yeah, to the ball-thing," her eyes lit up. "Not going to like sit out another one," she claimed. "You should ask someone too, some fancy pure-blood o'something. Can't go with me and Vic forever y'know." Not that Victor has been around much as of late. 

"Who asked you?"

"Oh he didn't ask me," she laughed. "You know I am nothing special," she folded the letter in half and tucked the piece of parchment into her pocket. "I asked him."

"You sure that is a good idea?" His tone suggested that it was not a good idea.

It halted Marion's smile for a moment. "I-- am tired of hiding." She wanted to have friends. To do things, participate. It was not as if Victor and Vladimir were bad, they just were not enough. She wanted something more.

Marion took a spare piece of paper from her bag and started to write a reply.

Arlo--
I am like so super excited. Thanks for giving me the opportunity. I will be wearing a pink dress!

Marion

“Good god!” Arlo yelped with shock as a flurry of wing flaps intruded into his space. The owls were wonderful creatures and provided a much needed service, but damn they were messy. Yet another spilled ink pot and ruined parchment. “Thank you.” The boy offered as he plucked the letter from the bird’s leg. It was a return letter from Marion. “Just a moment please, I’d like to send a return letter.” He asked the messenger. 

Marion,

It is really I that should be thanking you! Can’t wait to see you. I’ll keep my eyes out for the prettiest blonde in a pink dress. See you soon!

Arlo.

P.S. Cool wax stamp by the way!

“Back to Marion Davenport, please.” Arlo instructed as he offered payment in form of a treat.

She did not have a fancy ballgown like the other girls. She was a muggleborn and she had muggle clothes. It made her a stand out in comparison to the other girls, many of them with dresses that twinkled like the night sky or were so large it was a wonder they could stand up. She presumed that if they toppled over, like a turtle on their back, they would never get on their feet unassisted. 

Still she owned something 'nice' and she would wear that. She did not need to dress like a princess, a fairy would do. Besides, she wondered how some of these girls would get their massive gowns to the changing area for the ball. 

She read the letter, a final confirmation. She felt a bit sick when he mentioned the wax stamp. That symbol on his ring gave her the heebie geebies, she was not entirely certain why. Also, he hid it, after he stamped the letter he slid his palm over the ring and it shown the face of a raven over a blue stone. Cool stamp... she thought to herself. Yeah...

Not the response she wanted to give over it. Cheerful and happy. Not this grim and drab stuff. Still she should say something.

Arlo,

Super excited. I will be waiting near the stands. I have a feeling the dancefloor with be packed with people so I might not be able to find you otherwise.

Also, the stamp. That's Athanatos' mark. He sealed it for me. He marks his stuff with it. With the exception of that letter, don't touch things with his mark. He gets really mad.

Marion

“OH MY GOD!” Arlo cried as the owl swooped back down into his work area. “Seriously, dude!” He threw his arms up in frustration as the ink splattered across his lap. “Why can’t you just wait at the window sill like the others!” He unreasonably tried to reason with the bird. It simply just stared back at him, head cocked to the side. With an inpatient ‘Whoo’ it stuck it’s leg out.  Arlo’s frustration quickly subsided as he realized it was another letter from Marion. He was starting to like the correspondence. With a quick scribble, he would write a response. 

Marion,

Great thinking! I will meet you by the stands. 

Athanatos? Think I might know him. Sold me some candy once I think. Anyways, seems weird to have “a mark”, but whatever. Maybe he shouldn’t go around putting it on stuff if he doesn’t want people to touch them. Can’t just mark stuff and call it your own. You know, grandfather always says the true owner of stuff is the one who makes it. Sorry, I’m rambling. See you at the dance!

-Arlo

P.S. Please don’t send this Owl back. It’s very messy!