Midsummer Meandering

[Aurélie Benoit]

*decides to take a short stroll though the lush gardens*

*hums a childhood song to herself, translating it in her head from French to English to pass the time*


*bends down to smell a particularly lovely rose that looks as if it is actually sparkling*

[Narcissa Malfoy]

*Floats into the gardens in need of some fresh air.*

*As she quietly floats past the hedgerows toward the rose bushes she hears a soft humming, and grows quite curious as to who could be humming so sweetly. Upon lifting her eyes from the bushes she notices the newest addition to the manor, the handmaiden.*

*With her jaw set she walks right up to the young witch.*

I see you've found some free time for yourself.

[Aurélie Benoit]

*is rather startled by Narcissa coming up*

Oh, hello. Er, yes, I hadn't much else to do....

*starts to fidget with her long silky sleeve then stops, trying to compose herself*

Lovely day...

[Narcissa Malfoy]

*Allows her cold gaze to pass over the hand maiden, her expression blank.*

You mean, Lucius hasn't asked any duties of you, yet, today? Hmmm... I wonder... Is he bored with you already?

*Leans down, smirking, to smell a beautiful group of roses.*

[Aurélie Benoit]

*has a moment of self-doubt, wondering if perhaps she isn't exciting enough*

I....

*once more takes in a deep breath and composes herself*

I believe that he said he had some work to do this morning...

[Narcissa Malfoy]

*Rises slowly from the rose, turning her eyes on the hand maiden.*

Ah, yes, it seems my husband is always too busy. Perhaps he is busy with the interview.

*She suggests, hoping that it bothers the girl. Turns her head away from Aurelie to watch one of the peacocks strut confidently through the gardens.*

It seems you shall find yourself with even more free time.

[Aurélie Benoit]

*decides that the best way to combat the woman's obvious cruelty is with... kindness*

*swallows a bitter taste in her mouth*

*smiles pleasantly*

Then I will have all the more time to admire your beautiful gardens. You keep a dazzling home.

*looks fondly at a lilac coloured rose bud*

[Narcissa Malfoy]

*Narcissa would never admit it, but she admires the how strong this young witch appears to be, not letting Narcissa's sharp tongue seem to affect her at all.*

Thank you, yes it is beautiful isn't it. I do hope your rooms are most satisfactory for you, we can't have Lucius' pets living in squalor.

*An icy smirk on her lips, brushing aside her silvery hair.*

Even if you are just the help, not unlike a house-elf.

[Aurélie Benoit]

*nods agreeably*

Yes, they are quite lovely. Thank you.

*smiles, doing her best to keep the bitterness out*

*nods once more*

I do know my place... I seek only to use the talents that I do have in the best way possible. I really doubt that I'm any threat to... your home life.

*hopes that she hasn't gone too far in her assumptions of what Mrs. Malfoy implied*

[Narcissa Malfoy]

*Narcissa's gaze remains cold, scoffing.*

Obviously your talents are why my dear husband hired you.

*She eyes her scornfully.*

No dear, you are not a threat at all.

*Raises her right hand, flicking it in a shooing gesture.*

Perhaps you should go find Lucius, and see if any of your talents can be put into use.

[Aurélie Benoit]

*carefully caresses a gentle white lilly*

*smiles gently at the the other woman. She would never say it but, she really admires Mrs. Malfoy*

I'm glad to hear it. Though, I suppose it'd hardly be appropriate if we got along.

*laughs lightly then turns away from the flowers*

*looks at her a little confused. She knew for a fact that Lucius was out of the house for the morning*

*licks her lips gently and turns toward the Manor anyway*

Yes, ma'am, I shall.