"Ztenares Ahoraton Nelamsehon." "Tenares--" "Ztenares." "Right, Ztenares Ahoration Nel....Nel.." "Nelamsehon." "... Right.."
Odette could still hear her mother's gentle voice in her ear, even as her driver sped farther and farther away from the home she had grown up in. A sudden panic gripped her heart, and she shifted around in the backseat to stare longingly out of the back window. Would she ever see her home again? She could just make out her father fading in the distance as he waved from the front porch. He was incredibly proud of her. Odette continued to stare out the window, even as the world started to blur away. As she slowly closed her eyes, warm tears streamed down her face. What if her husband was ugly? Or worse, cruel? Would they be near the same age? Would he even like her? Would they have anything at all in common? Worry, confusion, and fear rose up like Cerberus in her mind. The three headed beast tore away at her enthusiasm and confidence.
Odette pulled her journal out of the seat beside her and opened it up, trying to ease her mind. As she did so, a worn piece of parchment nearly slipped away from her. Surprised, Odette caught the paper and turned it over. It was a note in her mother's handwriting. Things to Remember: 1. Breathe. She had to smile a little. 2. Smile. Her smile began to turn downward, as fresh tears brimmed in her eyes. 3. His name is Ztenares Ahoraton Nelamsehon.
Odette reached up and used her thumb to gently brush away her tears. Thank you, mama. Odette folded and tucked the piece of paper into her journal once more. Words spilled onto the page in bumpy car handwriting for the next hour or so. Once she had her fill of writing, Odette gently placed her mother's note into the book and tied it closed with a leather cord. She decided to pass the time with a small nap, but with her mind so full of thoughts Odette wondered if she would ever get to rest.
"We're here, Miss Kennington." Neal's voice pulled her reluctantly from her dreams. Her blue hues opened, staring at the ceiling of the car. "I've changed my mind. Let's go back." A chuckle came from the front seat. "A little late for that, Miss." "Oh. Well... Alright then, if you're absolutely sure." A soft sigh followed her into a seated position as the car rolled up the long gravel driveway. Trees lined the drive neatly on both sides. Odette's hues took in the growing landscape, the rolling green of the front yard, and the fenced off hills in the distance. "I didn't know they had horses here," she said thoughtfully. "Perhaps this place will be full of surprises, Miss." "Perhaps.."
The car came to a stop, and Neal was kind enough to get the door for her. As she stepped out, the life time friend and butler could only chuckle at the girl. "What?" "Miss Kennington, where on Earth are your shoes?" "I packed them," she replied simply, as if that were completely logical and obvious. Neal gave her a skeptical look, and then shook his head. "I'll get your bags." The weather was incredibly nice outside, with a warm summer breeze and not a single dark cloud in the sky. Odette made her way into the mansion, finding that the brass key she as given was not needed due to the doors already being unlocked. "The letter said to just... pick a room," she said, eyes scanning over the entry room. "Lead the way."
With Neal following close behind with her bags, Odette made her way through the rooms on the west side of the house. It didn't take her long to find a lovely room just to her liking. After a tearful goodbye to her faithful friend, Odette was left alone in the room. The room was large, much larger than the room at her family's home. She had chosen a room on the west side for one particular reason; sunset. From her balcony she would be able to watch the sun dance away from the moon every evening. The room was decorated in a blue and white color scheme, aside from the mahogany furniture frames. She noticed too that her room was directly connected to a private bathroom which was equally as impressive as the bedroom. Decorated in mermaid and oceanic themes, with a Victorian architectural layout, the bathroom was just as lovely as her room.
Leaving the bathroom, Odette strolled out onto her balcony by pushing open the double doors that led outside. The air was quite warm, but the lightness of her flowing white dress kept her cool. She stood there, watching a herd of deer grazing lazily in the distance for some time before deciding that she should probably freshen up and go see if anyone else had arrived. Reluctantly leaving the scenic view, she tiptoed into her bathroom and took a gander at her reflection. Aside from her car/bed head, she looked alright. Her cheeks were a little warm in color, from sleeping against her arm but that would fade. Odette rummaged through one of her trunks before finding a brush. After making sure she was presentable, she made her way across the room to the door. She was just about to leave when she remembered the look on Neal's face. Shoes. Right. Retreating back into the room, she fished out a pair of white sandals and slipped them on. There. Shoes.
Once fully dressed, and decent, Odette made her way from her room back to the main room. It was on her trip back to the entrance that she really realized how big the mansion really was. I wonder if anyone has ever gotten lost.. She would probably never know. As she rounded the corner to the double stair case that led down to the main floor, she noticed a blonde headed boy just disappearing from her sight. Her heart clutched in her chest. Was that him? Taking a slow and deep breath, she pulled her courage together and proceeded down the stairs with her hand guided by the wooden railing. As she reached the bottom, she caught sight of the boy again, walking with his back to her. "Excuse me," she called, slowly releasing the banister. "Are you here with the arrangement?" What a stupid question, Odette.. look at his clothes, does he look like a butler to you? Of COURSE he is here with the arrangement. Stupid girl.
Odette managed to keep her expression relevant to her question instead of revealing the internal lashing she was giving herself. "I'm Odette Kennington," she added, as if that might repair some of the previous damage to his first impression of her. "You must have arrived just before me... Did you have far to travel?" Much better. Now you sound like an educated young lady, and not a blundering idiot.