𝒜𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓂𝒶𝓉𝒽 | 𝒟.𝑀.

82 | ﴾ A Thoughtful Commitment ﴿

A tangerine sun began to set in a lazy descent from it's position in the sky, hot and sweltering over the Southern French landscape in late August. The temperature was blistering, even for that Mediterranean region of the Earth, having snowballed over the year into a staggering inferno with the drought that ensued in the year 2002.

Dangerously high up in the rugged and steep hills towering over coastal Monaco, the relentless whining of insects within the scraggly vegetation was suddenly flattened out by the deafening roaring of two generation four, NASCAR-grade vehicles taking the switchback roads at hair-raising speeds. Dust flew up into the air as they rolled through the heavily graded alps, leaving behind an indication of their coordinates the entire ascension.

Both highly modified Chevrolet Monte Carlo's were drafting lethally close in a race to a location far above them, where a hidden twelfth-century castle stood crumbling under the watchful care of witches and wizards for centuries. It was nestled on a monstrous façade of archaic stonework, looking out over the Ligurian Sea for as far as the eye could perceive until the horizon disappeared entirely into a flat blue line of endless water.

The racecars were not visible to muggle vehicles that were in contrast, sauntering along the precarious terrain, comprising of tiny and mostly simplistic two-cylinder, outdated European automobiles. They were few and far between on the precipitous, two-way climb, although when the racers did come up behind a VSP of some sort who's maximum velocity did not exceed forty-five kilometers even on a flat topography, it became a game of opportunity for the car in the losing position to treacherously attempt passing on the narrow passage.

It was this very instance that allowed the bright blue racecar to boost past the matte black one which had held the lead for some time. They spoke over the intercom between the vehicles, the black car scolding the blue, "Easy tiger, that's an L1 - L2 bobby at best up ahead - keep out and don't cut, any of these crests could be deceptive."

The other driver made a maddening and volatile pass, wrenching the car in a perfect drift around a tightly wound switchback turn, "Speak for yourself. Not my problem if you can't keep up."

The black car waited until the turn had concluded before also pulling out around the miniature jalopy in it's way to rapidly tailgate it's opponent with controlled skill, "We agreed to respective pacenote communication, just trying to prevent a disaster. I'll remind you that some of us have children at home to get back to in once piece."

They drifted in unison, the blue car maintaining it's hold at the front by a fraction of time with intentional blocking maneuvers, "Oh really? Does dat mean I can finally call you daddy?"

At the precipice of a viewpoint the invisible blue car veered into what would appear to be a fatal accident begging to happen, however the car passed smoothly through a large face of metamorphic rock and into a hidden tunnel leading to the castle.

It was followed closely by it's obsidian twin version, the other driver scoffing at the conversation, "Technically yes, but not in the perverse context you're referring to."

Both V8 engines growled unforgivably in reverberating chaos off of the timeworn channel until it opened up to the majestic Gothic castle on the high point of a cliff. The RPM grind was highly offensive; as though a trillion mosquitos were all buzzing at once in the vicinity.

The blue car skidded purposefully sideways, spraying gravel like a sheet of water at the grand entrance to the Medieval megalith.

The driver stepped out in a very long and slender golden dress that glistened in the sunlight above. She was a blinding beauty, removing her helmet to reveal sensational strands of straight platinum hair. She bite her tongue coyly, leaning on the hood of her steaming vehicle with a sly grin as the black car stopped next to hers in equal alacrity.

At the double door entrance a singular, elderly valet watched with a wince at their exotic entrance which had been extravagantly out of place for the typically holy energy that embodied the clandestine property.

The pretty boy with ivory hair in a slick black suit that had been fighting with her to reach their destination stepped out of his car.

His hair stuck up everywhere as he pulled his helmet off with his sapphire eyes rolling sarcastically. He placed sharp sunglasses on the bridge of his pointy nose to combat the bright conditions, "You cheated back there. We agreed no low groove drag close to hairpins, Madeleine. You're completely insane." He shut the heavy door of his car harshly with a smile on his face regardless of his accusations, looking her up and down hungrily.

She shrugged without a care in the world, throwing her helmet into her car seat and pulling out a large bouquet of dusty blue flowers from the roll cage dashboard, "You're de one who taught me to slingshot, Mr. Malfoy - you know 'ow reckless I am wit' sports. I always win, whatever de cost." She tucked the stems of her flowers under arm to straighten his bowtie before her.

He lightly danced the tips of his fingers over the sides of her scintillating dress that trailed far behind her, "Hmmm, my mistake then. Reckless is an understatement when describing your approach to everything. I could have sworn that I warned you these cars aren't toys, Mrs. Malfoy. Not a very fair race if you're going to go complete daredevil on me out of the blue."

She finished messing around with his suit, then leaned back into her own car to grab more things before shutting it.

Her now nearly golden eyes were almost entirely rehabilitated to their natural honeypot tones, appearing excessively brilliant in the shine of the day. She sent them skywards while adjusting a matching golden crown on her head that had Moonstones embedded into it and held a glittery veil off of the back. She spoke as he watched her move, "Who said anything about staying in de lines? I 'ad to beat you, you're not supposed to see me beforehand, remember?"

"Let's face it, it's a little late for that," he smirked crookedly, running his fingers along her jawline lustfully. "Even though you did beat me it was never going to be a huge lead, you cocky little heathen. Nevertheless, a deal is a deal."

He reached into his pocket and slunk an incredibly beautiful, sleek watch around her wrist, adorned with white jewels. On the underside he'd engraved her initials, MM. He stared at her through the impermeable sunglasses, clasping it shut on her body, "My gift to you today, as promised for your win. Now you can watch our entire relationship, any part of it, from my eyes of course. I hope that's suitable."

She smiled romantically down at the precious present, twirling her thin wrist around with elation, "You would 'ave given it to me anyways."

He snorted, "Perhaps I even went so far as to let you win just so I could ensure it's provision." He raised his eyebrows and she swatted him in the chest.

"I won, admit it. But thank you, Draco. I will not get any sleep for weeks watching everything." She slowly slunk her arm around his neck, toying with the hair at his neckline before pulling him into a tight hug with her arms over his shoulders, then kissed him sensually in front of the poor valet who had no idea where to look but at the wild and ferocious couple getting ready to redo their wedding.

He chuckled under his breath, "That's a guarantee, but not because you'll be spending our honeymoon watching memories, darling."

She started putting on actual high heels in place of where she had been driving barefoot like a maniac, hanging onto his sleeve for support, "And you're sure your mother is okay to take care of Adaleus and Minnie?"

He held out his arm at an angle for her to take, "Sure. Her and that army of free elves you've been collecting at the Manor. Are you ready to do this properly?"

She took his arm, grinning up at him over her shoulder, "Call it a thoughtful commitment dis time, because yes, I finally am."