The entryway was decorated perfectly, as per usual. Odile had to say, if anything was truly good about her step-mother, it was her eye for home decor. Candle flames floated across the ceiling, their wax counterparts nowhere to be seen. Autumnal leaves fluttered down from invisible trees, never hitting the floor but merely flitting back up. The carpet was a deep red velvet, stainless despite the multitude of guests walking across it. It stood out perfectly against the dark marble floor, cutting an evident path towards the ballroom. Large garlands of gold and amber leaves with chestnuts and acorn entwined adorned the walls, bright colours stark against the black walls. It was akin to walking in a forest during the throws of the autumnal season, something about it filling her with warmth despite the circumstances.
"Pardon me madam, may I take your coat?"
"Oh I don't have a-" Odile's sentence cut off when she turned to see a man looming over her from behind, features crinkled from age, and the widest smile on his face. Odile's heart soared and she let out a small cry of delight before wrapping her arms around him. He chuckled and embraced her just as tightly, making her feet lift off the floor slightly. She was slightly breathless when he put her down, but couldn't help but giggle as he patted down his crisp suit.
"Buxtley, you have no idea how good it is to see you." She said finally as he adjusted his tie, his smile still as evident.
"I'm sure, just as wonderful as it is to see you once more, Mistress Reisinger." He replied, his Welsh accent bleeding through the posh one he put on during events. He had found it was easier for everyone involved if he put his elocution lessons to work whenever her father's coworkers came around. "A right judgy lot of gits," as he'd so elegantly put it once.
"So… where is dear old Dad?" She asked finally, putting a dampener on her happy mood. Buxtley sighed lightly, recognising the unhappy look on her face. When Odile had first entered the household he'd already been working for Sir Reisinger for some time, around 15 years. The job paid well, and even if it meant him taking on the role as babysitter more than once when Matthew's mother decided parties were more important than her child. It was no wonder the boy had such a sour disposition, he spent a majority of his childhood alone with only a butler to keep him company. That's not to say he wasn't spoiled rotten, but he always seemed to hold everyone at arm's length; as if he was too scared to care about anyone should they leave him. Odile was much the same, but had always been kind in comparison to her half brother.
He glanced around before leaning closer, and dropped his voice in a conspiratorial whisper.
"Master Reisinger is currently greeting guests in the dining room. Pass through the drawing room and you can avoid him for just a little bit longer." She smiled widely at the man, and flung her arms around him once more causing him to jolt slightly. He'd expected the first hug, but the second took him by surprise. She'd never been the most affectionate person in the world, and never much of a hugger.
"I'm so glad to see you again Bucky, it's been too long." He chuckled at that familiar nickname, patting her on the back. She pulled back after a moment before winking and disappeared into the crowd, heading towards the well known path. He grinned and shook his head before fixing his eyes on the waiter that nearly threw an entire plate of champagne on a guest.
"Andrew, what did I say about the flutes?" He cried after him, hurrying towards the boy.
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Odile wandered through the endless hallways before settling in the library, a glass of champagne in one hand and crab cake in the other. At least she thought it was a crab cake, she wasn't entirely sure what the waiter had said to her as she walked past his tray. She glanced around the grand room, the one she'd spent most nights. She had never been a particularly big reader until she'd moved to the UK, finding it better than listening to her father waffle on about mudbloods. She ran her finger along one of the wall sized shelves, the lack of dust reminding her of the little faces she'd occasionally see while wandering the house after midnight. They'd only be visible for a flash before a squeak and poof of smoke came from where the house elf once stood.
She sighed lightly as she reminisced about the many evenings she spent hidden away. She bit into, what was decidedly not a crab cake, before quickly spitting it back into the napkin, forcing away the gag building in her throat. She unceremoniously dropped it in the bin, retching slightly as she gulped down some champagne to rid herself of the taste.
"So this is where you've been hiding." Odile jumped and turned to see a young man with a mop of carefully styled blond hair and a scowl looking back at her. She groaned under her breath and gave the boy an attempt at a smile.
"Matthew, how… wonderful it is to see you again." She tried to be as pleasant as possible but her voice dripped with venom.
"Ah, it has not been long enough Odile." He replied, tone flat. She rolled her eyes but crossed the room to where he stood, arms clasped behind his back like a little old man.
"Yes, a year really hasn't been quite right, let's shoot for two next time."
"Never would be even better." He cut back, voice a sickly sweet that she recognised as his "purposefully trying to annoy Odile" voice.
"Ah brother, how I missed your unending wit." He smirked at her blank face, before extending his arm out, gesturing to the corridor.
"Father wishes to see you, and you know how he hates to be kept waiting." She mocked his grin, but followed after his quickly receding steps, mimicking his sentence under her breath.
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"Ah, Odile. I was wondering when you would decide to turn up. Exploring the grounds I take?" She gave her father a strained smile that came off more of a grimace than anything else.
"What can I say, I couldn't resist a little wander." And I was trying to avoid you for as long as possible, she thought grimly.
"I love your dress darling, it's so... unique. And it's so lovely to see you dressed nicely for once." Odile began physically biting her tongue to hold back the various insults she had for the woman in front of her. Her step mother and Odile had never had the best relationship. For most of the girl's childhood, Evgeniya Reisinger tried to pretend her step daughter didn't exist. When she had been forced to see the girl everyday after she'd moved in with their family, she became very cold. The reminder that her husband had loved another, had cared for someone else beside her irritated her to no end. When they had their first child, Eve had figured that would be the last she'd ever hear of the girl and her mother. After all, she had birthed an heir for the family fortune, a son he could pass his legacy onto. To see him bring the girl into their home, fight for her to live with them was something she never understood, and something she resented very much.
"Eve, a pleasure to see you again, as always." The sarcasm in her voice was clear as a bell. The woman's smirk became a sneer, and she sniffed with intent snottiness. This had been Odile's life for far too long, and she was, in a word, tired. Tonight was a mystery, she had no idea why she'd been called here, but she was determined to find out. After all, her father was nothing if not calculating. He had a reason for this, she just hoped it was a good one.
A/N: Thank you for your patience, I know my updating schedule is a lil all over the place. A special thank you to the always incredible M-chanchen for your always insightful reviews. It's so cool to see readers that understand a lot about where the story is headed, or how certain scenes are meant to foreshadow or convey a point, and they pull through every single time. Thank you to and PurpleElm23723 for following! See y'all next time!