Rosewood and the legend of the Unicorn

Chapter 10 - A Royal Invitation

The rest of that day, and all through the night, Ariana tries to come to terms with what she heard the mermaids talking about.

She wasn't a threat! She had no intention of disrupting the way of life here, she just wanted to fit in, and finally be accepted. Ashton seemed to think nothing was wrong. But she has now heard from too many sources about people being afraid of her. About Ridge not being fond of her arrival.
Well today she was to find out more. As this morning a letter arrives through the front door.

Both Ariana and Falcon perched on his sofa, not saying much this morning, footsteps are heard slowly heading towards their front door.

Falcon had spoke so little to Ariana when she returned form the beach last night, that she begins to wonder if Falcon was at all interested in Ariana's newly found soul. But she decides to not engage the topic with him, and instead goes towards the door to prepare for what's on the other side.
Expecting a knock, or another loud arrival from Nixon, she's surprised when the small letter box in the door is flapped open, and a gold, shining piece of paper is pushed to the floor.
She slowly bends down to pick it up, and lays the envelope encrypted with Diamonds at its seal, in her hands. This is the first item she has seen with a little bit of colour, and something a little less outdated, and not made from wood.

Too fearful of disrupting its stunning presence, she instead walks over to falcon and hands it to him.
"Why Thankyou Ariana. I suspect this is the invitation from Ridge."
"Oh yes. Ridge. The mayor." Although Ariana has never met the man, she knows enough about him, and his attitude towards Ariana, to already take a disliking to the sound of his name.

Falcon gently opens its delicate seal, and surprisingly all of the diamonds remain intact.

He pulls out the letter, opens it up, and reads the words written in beautiful Italian - style ink.

'Dear Falcon and Ariana Dawson,
I invite you to attend the royal dinner tonight at our Mayors residence. He is indeed excited over Ariana's arrival and is intrigued to learn more about her story, and to discuss future plans.
Many other people will be attending the dinner, including important souls who contribute much to our town in Rosewood.
5pm is the time we expect to see you.
We are all looking forward to meeting you both more formally,

Yours sincerely,
Clin Farley,
Head of the department of secrecy.'

Falcon looks up to Ariana and hands her the letter without saying anything.
She also reads every word very carefully, and immediately becomes nervous.
"That's nice... isn't it Ari?" Falcon says but in a doubtful tone.
"It's um - very - nice. But it's sounds important. I'm not that important... am I Falcon?" Ariana says hoping to get some answers out of Falcon, as to why he seems to still be holding back some secrets.
"You know your important to me Ari-"
"Not to you falcon. To him. To everyone! I know it's amazing that I have returned but people just seem so suspicious over me. I've found my true soul haven't I? I've proved what they wanted me to prove? I'm one of you guys, am I not?"
"Of course you are Ari. You have always been one of us. What makes you think all these negative things?" Falcon asks but Ariana can tell he already knows the answer to this question.
"I just... you know what, it doesn't matter. Lets just go tonight, meet Ridge, and then maybe I'll feel a little more like one of you."
Ariana resits from telling Falcon what she overheard yesterday. She has noticed that her powers seem to be a little different, or maybe even, a little 'stronger' than others.
For example, Ashton couldn't hear the 4 voices, when Ariana could hear them clear as day. They have the same powers, but Ariana's seem to be stronger.
She still hasn't questioned the night of the bonfire when she managed to stop time. No one noticed. Other than one man she saw for a split second who seemed to be aware of what she was doing. Yet Ariana wasn't even aware of how she was doing it. She hasn't seen the man since, and is too afraid to go looking for him.