On most nights, the Jardin botanique de l'Arquebuse was quiet and tranquil, almost devoid of life. Though popular during the day, it was generally deserted at night save for the occasional young couple, hoping to find a place of romance where they were undisturbed.
Not this night, however. Instead it was full of the noise of excitable Kindred, engaging in insignificant small talk. The Prince had chosen the place to host Court for the night and he sat, practically drowning in regalia, in a small gazebo overlooking the still waters of the lake. All around there were beautiful gowns and finely-tailored suits of every colour and style. The neonates gabbled excitedly amongst themselves and the Elders stood off to the side, cold and aloof as they surveyed the surrounds.
It was amongst this overwhelming pandemonium that a young Daeva found herself experiencing the pomp and glamour of a European Court for the first time. Reaching into her pocket, she felt for the small envelope there and sighed with relief that she had not lost it.
"I don't remember things being this complicated when I went to Court in Adelaide for the first time," she thought anxiously to herself. Granted, that Court had been much smaller and it wasn't really functioning properly at the time, but even when she was warned that the Court of Dijon was very different, nothing could have prepared her for the reality.
She was broken out of her confused reverie by the realisation that a young gentleman had addressed her and she began to panic even more. "What on Earth did he just say? I have no idea what he said but judging by the look on his face it was important! Oh crap!"
"Erm, sorry, I er don't speak French," she stammered. Whether or not he understood her she couldn't really tell, but he looked angry and suddenly she wondered if she'd already blown it. Her eyes widened and she froze as he let out a furious stream of words she did not understand.
"Mademoiselle Trentworth?" A voice called from afar. A voice the young Kindred had not heard for several years and it was with both relief and apprehension that she turned to the one who had interrupted them.
Clairesse had changed so much that for a few seconds Ariana didn't recognise her. She couldn't help but stare as the other woman conversed in hurried French with the gentleman. Eventually he left them alone and Clairesse took Ariana's arm, leading her a bit away from the crowd.
Ariana was so surprised that she forgot to mention that her Title had changed since they'd last met. She'd heard rumours of Clairesse skipping the country but everyone had assumed she'd gone to Paris, after all her boasting about how much better Parisian unlife was. Why was she here?
"Maybe she was too much of a coward to face Paris after her little stunt with the Invictus," she thought sourly. But again, her thoughts were interrupted.
"Mademoiselle Trentworth, what brings you here? You could not have chosen a worse night to arrive," Clairesse muttered anxiously.
"Funny, I don't remember her accent being that thick," Ariana thought to herself, biting her lip as she tried to think of a response. "Why? What's so bad about tonight?" she asked curiously, a question she regretted almost instantly as Clairesse's face darkened.
"Oh boy. She's still got that temper. Shit!" but contrary to Ariana's assumption, when Clairesse opened her mouth to respond there was not a trace of anger in her voice.
"Mademoiselle, there is talk of an execution tonight. For breaching the Second Tradition. An act mirroring the circumstances of your Embrace, remember? If the Prince finds out you're here... he's very angry and there's no telling what he might do."
"It's Madame, actually," Ariana blurted out. "And if you must know I'm here because I... needed to get away." She took a step back just in case the other woman Frenzied, but to her surprise Clairesse looked sympathetic.
"Oui, I think I understand," Clairesse murmured. "When is your Appointment?" she asked.
Ariana pulled the envelope out of her pocket. "Um, midnight I think?"
Clairesse glanced at her watch. "Sacré! Not much time! Wait here Madame; I will be right back."
And so Ariana was left on her own again. Alone to muse silently and to wonder. True, she hadn't known Clairesse very well but the difference was still a surprise. Everything about her appearance seemed to have changed, from the style of gown she wore, to her jewellery, to the way she styled her hair. In fact, if Ariana hadn't heard her voice she would have assumed it was some random stranger.
"I don't remember her ever having her hair down like that. It was always in that fancy 'do. And since when does Clairesse wear plain white cotton? What happened to her fancy ballgowns?" she wondered to herself as said woman returned.
"Almost time ma cherie. You must follow my lead if want to live through the night." Clairesse said and again Ariana was confused. It all sounded so mysterious. "I'll need to know your full Title if this is to work," the older Kindred told her as they walked, leaving Ariana even more confused.
"Um, Madame Ariana Trentworth ye Penthrieve, Advocate," she recites breathlessly. "What is going..."
But she was unable to finish as the pair of them reached the gazebo and were greeted by a tall man in black. Ariana shrank back shyly as Clairesse fired off something in rapid French and the man stood aside, gesturing for them to pass.
"You're lucky the Prince speaks English. Follow my lead and you'll be fine," she whispered quickly as they climbed the steps and Ariana found herself face to face with the Prince of Dijon.
Clairesse immediately sank into a graceful curtsey, gently yanking Ariana down with her. "Your Excellency, I hope you will permit me to present my sibling minor, Madame Ariana Trentworth ye Penthrieve, Advocate, as my personal guest."
Ariana had to bite her tongue from crying out in shock. Clairesse had openly denounced her membership of House Penthrieve years before and though Ariana had been taken in as a Ward of Clairesse's Sire, strictly speaking they were not siblings. And why was Clairesse speaking in the manner of the Invictus when she was long since removed from the covenant? But she remembered the instruction to follow Clairesse's lead, and so instead of voicing her protestations she bowed her head.
The rest of the night was a blur. Clairesse never let the young woman out of her sight and there were a few moments, when Ariana's mind was free from other thoughts, when she vaguely wondered if this was how Clairesse's childe had felt when she'd returned oh so briefly to Adelaide. They met and greeted and mingled until Ariana was exhausted just from trying to remember everyone's names. Finally at about 3am Clairesse excused them and led Ariana back to her Haven.
Ariana waited until they were completely alone with no chance of being overheard before she let loose with the questions. "What happened back there? I'm so confused! I thought..."
Clairesse smiled weakly as she interrupted. "You thought I would abandon you to the dogs? The Court thinks you belong to a powerful and respectable lineage. Would you prefer I told them your Sire was Bloodhunted for his blatant disregard of the Traditions?" she responded calmly.
"Well, why wouldn't you?" Ariana demanded hotly. "You're the one who called that Bloodhunt! "Your "First Bloodhunt" is something to be proud of, isn't it? Ten years ago you were too good for that 'powerful and respectable lineage', but now it's nice and convenient, isn't it? Family isn't some toy you can pick up and play with when you feel like and then abandon when you don't want it any more!"
Clairesse looked taken aback. "Madame, you have no idea what I suffered at the hands of the Patriarch of that House. You think the decision to cover for you was one I made out of convenience? Why would it be convenient too remind myself of that? I did not leave House Penthrieve out of being 'too good' for it. I left because I saw my dear Sire for the first time without my sight being clouded by his conditioning, and I had no desire to continue to be a pawn in his game. As for the Bloodhunt, I did not want to call it but I had little choice if I wanted the Court to survive."
Ariana looked like she was about to argue, but Clairesse raised a hand. "Madame, I never wanted to call that Bloodhunt and I am truly sorry that your Sire fell victim to it," she said firmly. "I do not expect you to forgive me but surely by now you have seen enough of Court politics to realise I had very few options."
The younger of the two pursed her lips and sat down and for a minute or two the silence between them was uncomfortably palpable. Finally Ariana opened her mouth to speak.
"You could at least have let me talk to him first," she muttered, to which Clairesse chuckled darkly.
"That is a matter you would need to take up with his Grace. Unless I'm mistaken it was he who landed the killing blow? You would remember I was not actually present at the scene when it occured," she responded.
"No, but..." Ariana began, only to be interrupted again.
"I have said I am sorry. Would you have me pay you a boon for his life? I rather recall you as one who might find such a thing insulting. What's done is done and I cannot change the past, however much I would like to."
"What a curious thing to say," Ariana thought to herself. Clairesse has always seemed so sure of herself that Ariana never thought it possible for her to have any regrets. Could that have been a mask? There had been a shadow pass over Clairesse face as she spoke of wishing she could change the past. She looked to the dress Clairesse was wearing; so much simpler and less extravagant than anything she'd ever worn in Adelaide. Had this been a gradual or sudden change, and what had caused it to come about? She was broken out of her reverie by Clairesse's tired voice.
"The sun will be up soon. You should get some rest. There's an extra room down the hall a bit."
The older woman left the room, and Ariana was sure she caught a pained expression on her face. But then she was left alone again with her thoughts, and her utter confusion over the unexpected turn of events.