[MM] Welcome To The Mansion [Marc + Clarissa]

[Wind Vestal]

Clarissa walked into her kitchen, satisfied by the job the maids had done. ,She nodded at the help with a smile, to tell them they had done good. Tonight was crucial to Clarissa, as it was the first time Marc and his family would be over, and her family had to make a good impression. She left the kitchen, followed by a small crowd of maids. She waved her hand, and they dispersed, going off to touch up various areas of the house. Clarissa walked up the stairs to her bedroom, and stood in front of the mirror to make sure she looked okay. She wore a short black strapless dress, with a silver necklace and shiny silver flats. Her hair was brushed over one shoulder, and her nanny had done her makeup to accent her blue eyes. She constantly complained about how she was sixteen and did not need a nanny, but today her whining had ceased as she prepared. Clarissa was sure her parents had sent the letter to the Adairs, and hoped they hadn't gotten lost. She walked back down the stairs, and sat down on a couch in her living room, waiting for the doorbell to ring.

[caffeinecraving]

Marc had grown up well. His scrawny body growing into more muscles. Not... meat head ish but he really wasn't bad to look at. His mother had fussed over the fact they were going to meet with his betrothed and her family. While there was nothing to be done about the contract now... they wanted to make sure that Marc didn't do anything to screw this up until after the wedding at 18. two more years and they were free.

Marc pulled on his tie. It was a mustard Yellow. While he didn't like the color he was happy that it made him look good. Plus... he could show his hufflepuff pride. He had just gotten his hair cut. His sleek black suit was the mirror image of his father's and his mother was in gold.

With a small look at his mother she squeezed his arm and then locked her arm with the duke's. He sighed and rang the doorbell. Waiting his hands behind his back, he was only mildly surprised to see a maid open the door to let them in. He was half hoping that the she would open the door in her excitement to see him.

He followed his parents into the house and they were announced to a room. He leaned against the door frame. His parents made their way to the couch. His mother sat delicately on the edge of the sofa and his father moved to stand by a window to wait. Marcellus moved across to sit in the small chair.

The maid that had blushed the whole way down the hall as she led them to the room had disappeared to supposedly go fetch the family. He sighed. He could make it through this.

[Wind Vestal]

Clarissa tapped her foot in anticipation. Eventually she heard a door opening, and she knew they were entering. She checked her appearance on more time, and once she was satisfied by this, she walked down a hall, taking a left into the door frame of a room specifically meant for hosting guests.

She was surprised at how good Marc looked. He was most definitely very handsome. She walked in to the room with a slight sway to her hips, smiling. "Welcome!" she said cheerily, as her parents entered the room behind her, not looking quite as cheery. Her father's mustache twitched as his way of welcoming them, and her mother simply flashed a thin smile.

Clarissa walked over to Marc, pulling him into a welcoming hug. She then seated herself on another small chair next to his. Her father went over to shake the Duke's hand, while her mother seated herself at the opposite end of the couch from Marc's.

A small black cat wearing an orange collar slipped into the room, heading for Marc. Duchess rubbed up against his legs, purring, happy to see Marc. "Duchess, naughty kitty, bothering Marc." Clarissa said quietly, picking up the cat and placing her on her lap. Clarissa rubbed her under her chin. "Mrrrow?" Duchess questioned her owner, meaning "Can I go see Mister Marc now?". Clarissa turned her attention back to Marc, and this question went unnoticed.

[OOC: Duchess is the kitty I won from the apple game. I plan for her to take a liking to Marc xD]

[caffeinecraving]

Marc stood as Clarissa wandered in. His eyes were drawn to her hips and he assumed she had practiced that swagger. Or was it a sashay... He only had a small chance to muse over this before she was in his arms. He tightened the embrace quickly and then let go. Her parents right there he decided that distance was probably the key.

He bowed over her mother's hand and waited for their fathers to shake hands and then he offered his hand to her father. Once that was over he reclaimed his chair. He sat and balanced one ankle on his knee and glanced down as Clarissa's cat rubbed against him.

He watched the play between her and the cat. He smirked. His Father was speaking and that meant he was to be seen and not heard.

The Duke of Adair retracted his hand from the other man's wife's. He watched her take her seat next to his wife and he watched as his wife, the perfect portrait of a duchess, sat a bit straighter and nodded at the other woman.

"Richard, Vivian... Thank you for inviting us to your home. It is lovely..."

Marc was surprised to hear his father give the complement. He watched his father carefully take in his surroundings. "And I see that Clarissa has grown into herself... This pleases me."

Marc rolled his eyes, but caught himself and coughed to cover his faux pas.

[Wind Vestal]

Clarissa watched as Marc stood up and greeted her parents. She waited, smiling all the while. She saw her mother nod at the Marc's mother. Normally she would be snotty and make her parent's lives absolute hell, but tonight was special. "And I see that Clarissa has grown into herself... This pleases me." she beamed at the Duke. Of course this smile was faked, but she was trying to be as polite as possible.

Clare waited for a pause in the Duke's speech. She stood up, set Duchess down, looking around. "I'll get us some drinks. Marc, would you like to come with me?" she turned to him. Duchess returned to rubbing up against Marc's legs. Clarissa thought about the drinks they had and if she and Marc could slip away from the adults so they wouldn't have to sit through their parents talking about them like possesions rather than actual people.

[caffeinecraving]

Marc was well and truly surprised. He had simply assumed that clare would throw herself into a fit as his father spoke about her like she wasn't there. And then she surprised him a second time as she devised a way to escape their parents malicious chatter. Nodding carefully he stood

He held out his arm for her to take and motioned for her to start walking. As the moved into the hall he motioned to the maid to follow. His father had warned him to do everything by the book and that ment finding a babysitter for when they were alone. He glanced back to see his father nod and turn back to the other man and the conversation they were having.

Waiting until they were out of earshot from the other room. Marc looped his arm around her shoulders and smirked. "And how does Clare really feel about the whole 'Clare growing into herself' comment?"

He grinned and looked back at the maid. "Thank You. If you make yourself scarce until we get back to the parlor... I will make sure to make it worth your while." He was of course talking money. But the way the maid blushed he got the feeling she had something else in mind.

OOC: I'm on my phone so I can't color code but I'll get it later. Otherwise its done lol

[Wind Vestal]

Clarissa glanced at the maid, leading Marc down a long hallway, and into a kitchen. She wasn't prepaired to speak with the help in earshot. She waited until the girl had left the room. "They are speaking about us like we are items and I absolutely hate it!" she said cheerily, still smiling her fake smile. She was making absloutely sure she did not go out of character. Clarissa poured herself some coffee, then turned back to him, leaning on the counter. She gulped down the caffinated drink in one long gulp. It was her third cup in an hour. "What's up with that tie, it's like, baby vomit yellow." she said, not insulting him but rather the tie. "And do you want anything? We have soda, root beer, coffee, tea, and wine." she poured herself another cup of coffee, sipping it this time rather than chugging it.

[caffeinecraving]

Marc smiled and removed his arm from her shoulders as she headed for the coffee pot. He raised an eyebrow at the smile. He wasn't about to tell her to stop smiling but her happy face and bitter words made him grin all the more.

"I think its in their job descriptions as parents with money. To treat us like items. I mean... My father swears his most intelligent move was having a son... It meant I could bring in the extra income of a dowry." he shrugged. Over the years his father's insistent talking about how financially having a son was better... Marc had come to find some forms of logic in what his father was doing. However, it didn't change the fact that he had always regarded Clair as a friend...and nothing more.

He eyed her second cup of coffee. "I would love a cup of coffee." he shrugged thinking it may help with the butterflies. "Clarissa... What is your favorite color?"

He couldn't help but think...that in two years from Clair's birthday... He would marry the woman in front of his eyes... And yet...he knew nothing about her.