TIME | 4:00 pm DATE | 10 july, 2023 INTERACTING WITH | @name name

“ it’s where my demons hide ” 00:00⠀──────── ◉ ──⠀00:00 . .

elegant dress | OUTFIT #000000 | DIALOGUE @name name | MENTIONING

What animal do you wish to purchase? bewitched midnight stalker
What do you want to name it? poseidon
Is this a boy or a girl? boy
What is your pet's date of birth? 2022.12.09

Upon the last chime of the four o'clock bell, two impeccably dressed figures appeared by the brick wall of Diagon Alley. People seemed to recognize the esteemed Lord Swann, in his high-collar robe and silver cane. Or perhaps one would have noticed his young heir standing in the shadows, a seriousness in her piercing blue eyes that far exceeded her age.

“I will give you twenty minutes, do not linger.” He had a sophisticated voice, firm and commanding.

“Yes father,” Cherishing her words, a crisp tone no doubt from a life of aristocracy.

“Good, I will be waiting in Flourish and Blotts,” His gaze lingered on the girl for a moment, “I believe you know the way.”

“Yes father,” She said again, blue hues meeting the green.

And with a curt nod and a swish of his cloak, Mr Swann was gone - apparated - leaving a silk pouch on Arianna's hands, perhaps a reward for finishing her purchases of the upcoming school year. Without looking back at the the gaping wizards - no doubt hoping to meet the mysterious Lord Swann - she disappered into the crowd, people edging away as she strode past.

Arianna wouldn't put herself as the intimidating type - father was the perfect example of one. Intimidating. Yet the witch felt many eyes on her as she wandered through, avoiding her gaze when she looked back to try and find who the glances belonged to. Ah well, being the heir of a noble pureblood family isn't easy.

“Oooo! Look at that!” Arianna looked up to see a couple of girls huddled in front of a shop nearby, loving glints in their eyes. It was the Magical Menagerie. She could see the Pygmy puffs and bunnies inside, innocent wide eyes looking curiously through the tinted gold windows. No wonder those girls were attracted.

And herself apparently.

“Excuse me.” Arianna said curtly at the girls who immediately started whispering among themselves. She sneered, pressing a gloved finger to the bell -

The door opened. All the creatures, so lively and vibrant, became instantly motionless. She had the impression that dozens of eyes from animals of all sizes, colors, and shapes were following her as she approached the counter. As much as how she liked the feel of attention, the witch had occasionally pondered what could have transpired if her father's curse of an intimidating aura hadn't been handed down to his daughter.

“Good afternoon,” It was Arianna who broke the silence as she greeted the couple - Ernest and Anita Whittaker - with a falsely confident tone that indicated, quite clearly, that she wasn't quite ready about getting a pet. “I would like to get a cat please.” Her words were instantly rewarded by a warm smile from the two, and the cozy little shop seemed to have awoken from its trance as the animals started talking among themselves once again.

“A great idea dear,” Mrs Whittaker said as she led the girl over to a particularly big area filled with cats of all sorts. “We have all breeds of felines in this area, so don’t be shy.” Arianna nodded hesitantly, but it was enough for Anita to head back to the counter, with a jolly “and do take your time dear!”

There were certainly enough kinds of cats to keep her occupied, and even if she wouldn't purchase a pet in the end, it would be a lie to pretend that she didn't like them. Even though Arianna was quick to give the more gregarious cats plenty of room, they were still attractive to gaze at. It didn't take him long to travel deeper into the enclosure and go over to some play areas where she admired several baby kittens and a cat that was far too energetic for her taste.

She was much too interested in the kittens to acknoledge a black shadow slowly walking closer and closer, until a furry black paw curiously poked her in the cheek.

Arianna turned round. Only to face two piercing blue eyes staring at her with the most intrigue. The eyes looked familiar. It strangely resembled her eyes - cutting through people like a knife on butter. A slight smile graced the girl as she held out a hand and rubbed between his ears; he gave a pleased purr as she did so.

“I think he likes you dear,” Mrs Whittaker had suddenly appeared behind her, smiling energetically as usual, “This is a bewitched midnight stalker we received from a muggle shelter, he's quite aloof most of the times, but terribly clingy to people he likes. Would you like to hold him?” The cat was carefully placed into the young heir's arms. There, it snuggled up happily, his paws resting comfortably on hers and purred contentedly.

“Please help me get everything he would need.”

With her pouch considerably lighter, Arianna exited the shop as the doorbell chimed happily, and the couple waving her off with a “have a nice day dear!”

She gazed at the black cat who was now playing with the bracelet on her wrist. “Poseidon, lord of the earth.”

STATS | sta 6 • eva 7 • str 0 • wis 7 • arc 2 • acc 8