Rosabella Sorrento (italianraven) wrote in carpediem_rp, @ 2015-08-14 19:09:00 |
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Current mood: | melancholy |
Entry tags: | character: ash redfern, character: bella sorrento, character: lily snow, character: nico sorrento, character: ophelia sinclair, character: orestes sinclair (dropped), thread: complete |
Who: Bella, Nico, Ophelia, Orestes, Ash, Lily
Where: Sorrento Household
When: August 14th, Dinner time
Warning: TBA
Status: Closed. Complete.
Bella had a bad feeling about this dinner their father was hosting. He wouldn’t give them the details on why they were having a formal dinner but demanded them to get dress and to behave. The Sorrento name was on the line.
So with silent threats looming over the twins, Bella got dressed and ready for this unknown dinner party. She wore an elegant white dress and she made sure Nico’s tie would match it. Nervous and feeling unsure Bella waited in the grand foyer to welcome their guests. Nico hadn’t arrived just yet but Bella couldn’t help but wonder if her brother knew anymore than she did about what was going on. Their father was off somewhere either getting ready or making sure everything was ready for their guests. Bella pitied the house elves if he was making sure everything was ready.
Nico did not know what was happening, but it was something stressful and would end good for their father. That was the extent of what he knew. Nico had on just a grey suit, the best that money could buy, and a white tie to match his sister’s dress. He came down from his room to see his sister look beautiful. “Bella.” He said, joining his twin and taking her hand. “You look beautiful.” He wanted to ask if she knew what was going on, but he stopped. They both had fading marks on their faces and he didn’t want to add any more to either of them. So he just squeezed her hand to let her know that he was right here is she needed him.
Ophelia had put up her own form of argument to going to this dinner, and she had the marks on her skin to prove it. She didn't want to deal with the other families and she didn't want to dress up. Dress up she did though, and she followed her parents and brother, silent as always. Why should she bother talking? It wouldn't do any good. She was with others, not just Orestes, and she doubted anyone would care just how much she didn't want to be there at the moment.
Her father knocked on the door and she shifted her body, half concealing herself behind Orestes and lightly grabbing onto his sleeve as a comfort mechanism, of a sort.
Orestes looked quite ready to kill something now that he was stuck in the antiquated suit that any proper pure blooded male would be wearing, the tie was tighter than he liked and there was little room to move.
What was worse though was just how anxious Lia was. He felt her hide behind her and immediately reached his hand out and over her’s in order to offer some comfort for his obviously panicking sister. Instead, he stood taller, his need to protect her heightened as he watched his father standing there waiting for the door to open and all of them to be let if, glancing back at his children as if he gave half a shit.
“Thank you,” Bella said softly giving Nico a smile even if she really wasn’t feeling it. She was too nervous and anxious about the dinner party. She opened her mouth to ask Nico if he knew what was going to happen when there was a knock on the door. That must be our guests.
Taking a calming breath Bella moved and opened the door, putting on a fake smile when she saw it was the Sinclair family. “Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair, welcome!” Bella greeted them in a fake cheery voice before she backed out of the way so they could come in. “Come in. Welcome to our home. Dad would be here to greet you but he is putting the final touches on the dinner.” What were the Sinclair’s doing there? Nico had a meeting with them about a week ago. Was this about Nico getting a job when he graduates? So many questions popped into Bella’s head.
Nico saw her mouth open to speak, maybe to tell him what was going on or to ask it, but the door interrupted them. Straightening up he let Bella get the door. At once he saw Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair. What were the doing there? Then it dawned on him that the ‘tea’ with the Sinclairs meant more than just a job. There was something else going on here.
Walking up to his sister he also put on a fake smile. “Please follow us into the sitting room. The house elves can take your coats and bags.” Nico was just understanding. Father meant to marry him off to Ophelia Sinclair. He wanted a merger in the family, bring pride back into the family that he felt was shamed.
Ophelia stood quietly, her eyes on the linked hands of her and her brother. This was disgusting. She didn't want to be here, and she was starting to get a sinking feeling in her stomach as the door opened and she saw Bella and Nico. This wasn't going to be a good night, she could tell, and her free hand moved to the pocket she'd seen in her dress, touching the small Quartz dragon and the container of bruise salve she brought with her. Those helped too, knowing she had not lost anything on the trip.
Orestes gave a polite nod to Bella, but his body language was straight and closed off, a clear sign of his irritation. But he would stay calm because if he did not then Lia would pay the price. “Thank you for having us. It is a pleasure to be here.” He said, his voice calm and polite as always.
Gently, he slid his hand against the middle of Lia’s back and guided her inside before giving a polite nod in greeting to Nico as well. He had no qualms with the other boy. They were in the same house as well. “Good evening Nico. “
The Redferns were always fashionably late. Alder also always had an excellent excuse prepared. Late at the office. So much work to be done. A humble-brag here and there as he excused himself for his lateness. He'd arrived home and took his time getting ready, barking angrily at a few insipid house-elves that moved around him as if they were walking on glass. Ash finished preparing as his father called to him, and joined the rest of the family. His father made a remark to Ash that told the Slytherin all he needed to know. He was going to meet his future wife today. The marriage was merely a formality. Another contract. His mother's parents made the same sort of deal with his father's, and so the tradition would continue.
But was it too much to hope that Sera would be at the dinner? At least with her as his future bride, he was marrying someone of a similar mindset to him. They were friends with a number of benefits, and a few he'd enjoyed not long after his family's return from Indonesia.
Ash wore a simple gray suit with a light sheen to it. Much like the clothing his father and mother wore, it fit him immaculately. He looked like he was ready to walk the runway at a European fashion week. His blond hair was combed neatly and he looked more put together. This wasn't a meeting of casual friends. This was business. And Ash looked just as handsome in his sleek appearance as he did when he lounged on any comfortable surface he could find. The family arrived at the door and Alder knocked on the door.
"Dear," Ash's mother commented to Ash and smiled at him. It wasn't a motherly smile. It was like a snake poised to strike. His mother always did have that sharpness to her, but it was what made her so well-suited for his father. Ash stood up a little straighter and then waited for the door to be answered.
The Snow family always seemed to appear as though they had just stepped out of an official portrait, clothes pristine, Enoch Snow’s tie tied perfectly even, all all three with haughty expressions firmly in place. This was how they arrived at the front door of the Sorrento home. Little conversation had taken place prior to their arrival, and little had to. Lily had been consulted as necessary, as her father had pursued marriage plans through the summer. She expected little of surprise today, but found herself exactly thus, when she spotted Ash Redfern. Apparently, she was going to learn about more than just her own future tonight.
Bella felt like she was missing some big secret. Both Orestes and Ophelia were tensed and not looking at all happy. She looked to Nico for understanding saw something cross over his face but it was quickly replaced by a fake smile so she didn’t know what he had figured out. She kept her smile on though as she watched everyone shed their coats and hand them to the waiting house elves.
There was another knock on the door and since Bella was closest once again she answered it. She opened it not only to see the Redferns but also the Snows waiting to be let it. What was going on? “Welcome!” Bella said cheerfully not letting on to her confusion, “Welcome Mr. and Mrs. Redfern and Mr. and Mrs. Snow. Please come in. The house elves will get your coats and lead you into the dining room where my father is no doubt waiting.” The grand foyer was becoming crowd but it was organized chaos as the house elves took coats and ushered people towards the dining room. Bella was able to grab onto Nico and pull him to the side before they entered the dining room and whispered to him, “what is going on?”
"Orestes." He nodded to the boy in his same house. They were about to make their way out of the entryway when there was another knock. Worry flashed across his face before putting his call mask back on.
The Redferns and the Snows. This was turning into a party of who's who of Pureblood families. This was not good. As they moved to the dining room Nico answered Bella's question. "Nothing good." Why were the Redferns and Snows included? "Try not to panic and stay calm. I think father is trying to marry me off. Remember the 'tea'?" Then another thought struck him, but he didn't voice it.
Ophelia lifted a hand in greeting to the other twins, though she didn't really want to. She just knew it was what she had to do. Her body turned slightly to Orestes and she spoke very quietly so that only he could hear. "They're really doing this?" Because she had a feeling she knew what was going on now that the other families were arriving.
She did note the yellowing bruise on Nico's eye and this did provoke a frown as she touched her pocket again thoughtfully. A momentary pause and she stepped away from her hold on Orestes, handing him the flat container from there and touching her own cheek, an attempt to communicate what it was for.
Orestes knew exactly what this was. He’d been hoping that they could survive to the end of school and escape before any marriage contracts were made on their behalf, but it didn’t look like that was going to happen. The question though was who was it that was being married off. There were three of each gender. Bella was nice enough that he hoped that he ended up with her and Lia could perhaps end up with Ash? That would be the most beneficial to their situation.
He watched though as his sister moved away, offering her kindness to Nico. He gave a small ghost of a tender smile before looking up to meet Nico’s eyes. “She says it will help heal your cheek.” But as he spoke, he could see the glare on his father’s face as he reminded Res that his sister could speak for herself and it was time to.
Ash was greeted by Bella with a smile on her face and a cheerful voice. The Redferns all reacted with false sincerity, with Alder thanking Bella and his wife telling the young woman she looked wonderful before turning to the Snows. It was interesting to see his father work. The charm hid everything. Ash never knew when his father was actually being sincere. It wasn't as bad as his grandfather though. Hunter Redfern was quite possibly the master of deception. Ash was familiar with all these niceties and compliments here and there because that's what this level of society did. Masks were their greatest weapon, not magic.
He felt cheated though. Sera wasn't anywhere in sight, which meant that either her grandmother couldn't get a leg in with his father, or they found interest somewhere else. Ash kept his disappointment hidden as well as his father kept that smile on his face, everyone turning their things over to the house elves to hold until all of this business was done. Ash didn't need guidance from his parents though and instead took it upon himself to reach for Ophelia's hand, "Ophelia, Orestes. Good to see you. Bella, Nico, and Lily, of course, always a pleasure." A perfect smile placed there, even though they all knew better than to think he was as well-behaved as he acted now.
As hard as she tried, Lily couldn't help but notice the fact that the room was heavy with twins. Damien didn't often enter her mind anymore, his memory slowly erased by time and her training, but she knew that if things had been different he would be at the dinner with her. Instead, Ash seemed to fill the empty place, another odd man out, so to speak.
It was easy to feel the edginess in the room, the air of uncertainty that seemed to radiate off even her most stalwart classmates. Perhaps she had been more privy to her own future plans than the rest of them had been.
"Good evening everyone," Lily replied to the greetings, before focussing her attentions.
"Orestes."
He wouldn't have been her first choice, but he was pure blooded and a Slytherin, so it could have been worse. There was also the possibility that the boy wouldn't go along with the plans that were falling into place, and in that case, he wouldn't be around for long.
Before anymore ‘pleasantries’ could be exchanged between the teens they were being ushered into the dining room and shown where they were to sit. The Sorrento’s were of course at the head of the table, a twin on either side of daddy dearest, with the Sinclairs to the right, the Redferns to the left, and the Snows at the other end of the table. The dinner conversation was held mostly by the adults with the teens piping up now and then, some more than others, though the air of seriousness never left the room.
It was at the end of the dinner when Valentino stood up with a glass in hand and a rather happy smile on his face. He was going to be bringing honor back to the family name so of course he was actually happy. “Ladies and gentlemen I have the great privilege of making a wonderful announcement for the four great houses that sit here tonight. I know all of you know why we are here but it is time to make if officially known. We are going to be combining our great houses.” Valentino looked as pleased as punch. “Nicolo will marry Ophelia, combining the Sorrentos and the Sinclairs. Rosabella will marry Ash and combine the Sorrentos and the Redferns families. And Orestes and Lily will marry, combining the Sinclairs and the Snows. No dates have been set but there is time for that now, isn’t there?” Valentino laughed and raised his glass, causing everyone else to as well. “To the happy couples!” But Valentino wasn’t done. No, the bonding between couples would start tonight. “Now that the dinner is over the adults would like to talk a little bit of business. The kids should go and make themselves acquainted with their future partner.”
Bella knew when she was being dismissed and it was happening right now. With a happy fake look on her face she stood up from her place and headed out of the dining room. There was talking about her but she didn’t hear it, like she really hadn’t heard anything at dinner. The moment Nico had told her that he was being married off Bella’s world came a stand still. Not only was she going to lose her brother but she had no doubts that she would to be married off to either Orestes or Ash. Neither were unpleasant choices but they weren’t her choices. So Bella sat numb throughout the dinner, barely picking at her food, and the moment she was allowed to escape she did.
Bella thought she heard her name being called but she didn’t care. She kept moving, almost running, until she burst out of the house and into the backyard and the warm night air. She kept walking until a heel sunk into the grass forcing her to come to a stop. She was going to marry Ash Redfern. She knew Ash but at the same time she didn’t. She didn’t know him on a personal level. They went to the same functions and she was sure they dance maybe once or twice but anything she knew about the older male was through reputations. And his reputation wasn’t good.
Trying to calm her racing heart, Bella stood in the middle of the grounds, her heel stuck in the grass taking breaths and wondering what she had done in a past life to deserve this.
Moving along to sit on one side his his father Nico was still wondering what was going on. He doubted that both of the Sinclairs would be marrying into the family, but that left the Snows and Redferns. He was almost positive that he was marrying Ophelia, so who did that leave Belle? Ash? This answer came a moment later as everyone raised a glass to the ‘happy’ news. Nico sat there looking at his sister. It was just as bad as the thought it would be. Parents thought they knew best for their children.
Once dinner was over, not that Nico ate at all, they were expected to go and talk with their new fiances. Belle took off and Nico tried to go after her before his father grabbed him and pushed towards Ophelia with a stern look on his face. Nico was itching to hit but he stopped and turned to his redhead fiance.
Ophelia was stiff and uncomfortable through the meal even though she knew what was coming. When she was told to go bond with her new fiancé she quietly rose to her feet, tossing a pleading look and trying to get closer to her brother, though she was firmly grabbed and pushed toward a room where she assumed she would be expected to be alone with Nico. It didn't mean she would talk. She didn't like this and obviously he wouldn't either. She just had to get through.
The announcement was made and Ash looked at Bella from where he sat. It was with better posture than he normally had, but instead of looking like a lazy cat, he looked like one that was ready to pounce in a heartbeat if he saw something he wanted. He observed his bride-to-be with mild interest and after finishing his meal, he was given the order from his father. Go, speak to Bella, spend some time with her and seal the deal as he saw fit. Ash wasn't sure if his father was honestly telling him to have sex with her or if he was just telling him to make sure that Bella wasn't going to throw a fit. Not that she seemed the fit-throwing type.
Bella was gone though, hurrying out of the house and Ash sighed, irritated that he was going to have to chase the girl down. He really hoped that this wasn't going to turn into dramatics. They were so boring and they didn't lead to anything useful, only a headache for everyone involved. Bella really should know by now that this was all part of being who they were. This wasn't some fanciful novel where you could fight the system and be happy. And really, he didn't think he was so bad of a catch that she had to go running off that way. Many girls would kill to be in her situation. She should consider herself lucky.
Dinner was a pleasant enough affair. Lily always enjoyed watching her father interacting with other people of his stature and she even participated in the conversations as much as her father saw fit to allow her. It was politics, mostly for the men, and a discussion of hats for the women. As the last few plates were being cleared, Valentino Sorrento stood to speak. Lily had always looked down her nose at the Sorrentos, although in a way she felt sorry for Valentino. It was only after he had sullied his bloodline that he had realized the damage he was doing and changed his ways. Nico perhaps had it in him to stay on the straight and narrow path, but Bella certainly didn’t and proved so when she tore out of the room at her father’s announcement. Lily would have rather stayed and spoken with the adults, but a look from her father told her it was best to move along.
As it was, she knew that given a chance her new fiance would take off after his sister in a heartbeat. She needed to start work on getting them apart, and formulating a plan to keep them that way.
“Orestes,” she purred, linking her arm through his own, whether he was prepared for her or not.
“I hope you aren’t too disappointed in tonight’s announcement. I don’t know the house well, but perhaps we could take a walk through the halls.”
Orestes watched with a cold disinterest. He’d expected this to happen sooner or later. He was his parent’s spare after all. Should anything happen to their brother it was Orestes responsibility not to disgrace the family. He’d been hoping that they would’ve put it off until after graduation so he and Lia could have escaped in time.
Instead he was now sitting here with one of the most dangerous snakes in the Slytherin house to be his wife. And she seemed quite content with the idea as she linked her arm through his, dragging him away from his terrified sister. He swallowed, chancing a single glance back at her before turning to face Lily. He wondered how hard would it be to flee not only his parents, but her as well.
“Not at all.” He managed to say, his tone perfectly calm despite the raging emotions in him. “And I would be honored to walk through the halls Lily.” He said, dreading it already. This was a night none of them were going to forget.