Fusion in Paris

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Meera Gupta

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OOC First Name
Khushi
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Yew Wand 14" Essence of Fairy Dust
Holidays were a fun time of year for some people. Meera Gupta was proud to be one of them. She had the best loving and understanding parents, a naughty and adorable younger brother and because of these people her holidays were always fun. One other interesting thing about her holidays was her training. She had come a far way in her training with her mentor Arjun and now she was almost as good as him in archery and sword fighting but she always wanted to practice and train more so that she could be the best. Her other skills like painting and swimming came to her naturally and she loved doing those in her holidays and their modern house enabled her to do that. Music was something that she loved and shared with her mother who sang and played the sitar and the piano too. She enjoyed the holidays because got to do all her favorite things and just be herself, there was no hiding and no lies. She could act royal and not have to hide her talents and this was what she loved most. She also enjoyed celebrating the Hindu festivals that fell during that time of the year when she was on a break. Her mother usually hosted parties and they celebrated the festivals with food and other prayers and rituals.

It was her first day back from school and she was out in back garden come lawn of their house practicing swords fighting with her mentor and friend Arjun. This time they had taken it to a new level. They were fighting blindfolded. It had taken much time to convince Arjun that she was ready but he had finally agreed to give it a try. After a good forty five minutes training he was finally convinced that she could do it. Meera beamed up at his mentor and gave him a hug. It then came to her notice why he had actually asked them to stop. Her sword had sliced his left arm, just barely but a lot of blood was flowing through the cut. "I'm so sorry" she apologized quickly and taking his hand she led him into their house. Telling him to take a seat in the living room she quickly ran to get the first aid kit and cleaned up his cut with some antiseptic before putting a bandage on it. "You always tell me to wear my armor. How can you have forgotten?"she asked, a little too sharply forgetting that he was seven years elder than her and more importantly was her mentor. Meera was still wearing her armor and Arjun had just been wearing a cotton shirt. Before he could answer they were interrupted by one of the maids who announced that their new chef was soon going to arrive and they should get ready.

"I'm all prepared" Meera said with a smile suddenly forgetting all about her mentor and the rudeness of her tone. She removed her armor suit and the head protection and untied her messy bun. Her brown, long, curly hair fell from the bun and she ran her hand through them a few times and they were all set. She was very exited to meet Tara Sitara. "Please take my armor into the room" she instructed the maid in French before she turned her head back to Arjun. "Won't it be nice to have someone else with Indian origin living with us?" she asked in delight. The maids in the house were living there and when they left once a year, a simple memory charm was performed on them to make them forget about Meera's family heritage. They could not do the same with Tara so her parents had decided to see if they could trust her and then ask her to keep this news a secret. Meera sat in the living room with her mentor as he said he was looking forward to it too.

(The mansion. Its located on the outskirts of Paris in a hilly area. All the parts on the page are surrounding and interior of the mansion)
 
Tara was somewhere she had never been before. France. she had taken the floo network to a floo hub before catching "le bus de chevalier" to the guptas address. she had passed her apparating but only just and she didn't want to splinch when she was about to start a new job, and splinching was far more likely going somewhere that was new, and going long distances, this was both. she had been looking forward to this job for a lot of this last semester and any spare moments she had were in the kitchen practicing different foods, curries, techniques. both classic indian food, as well and food of other nationalities that either her friends or the house elves showed her.
the countryside here was very different both from new zealand and her home in india. she had have nose pressed against the window as the bus zipped around the country dropping different passengers off, one in a set of mountains somewhat similar to home but the buildings were so totally different. the next lady was in a small town that was like a scene from a book her friend had leant to here a few years ago when she had found out she didn't know any "proper fairy tales", next was a seaside town, then the middle of a city and finally her stop in the country. she moved to the thanking the bus driver as best as she could she checked the address berfore walking up the drive. the house was spectacular. so huge, and stylish, she didn't need to be an architect to know it was extremely tasteful. just before she she reached the porch she straightened the clothing and ran her hand down the braid hanging down her back. giving herself a little courage she stepped up to the door and knocked. when she she reached it she knocked a couple of times. she then stepped a little back to a polite distance.
 
Meera watched Arjun over the top of the book she was reading.For a few seconds tried to remember if she had said anything to upset him because he seemed different. He wasn't as chatty as she was but he was pretty friendly around people he knew and she was one of them. It was not common for Meera to be distracted by any thoughts when she was reading. This like all other hobbies seemed to take her in but not today. Finally giving up as she couldn't figure out what was bothering him she decided to just ask him. "I'm sorry if I said or did anything that hurt you.." she began, her voice calm and yet concerned. The look of surprise came over Arjun's face. Meera expected him to explain something but just then they heard knock on the door.

"I'll get it" said Meera switching language and coming back to French. She did not want the maids to open the door if it was Tara Sitara. She did not care that Tara Sitara was here to work and would soon discover more things about her family than she signed up for but right now Meera wanted to welcome her on a friendly level and sending maids would come out more as a show offs, which Meera's family was not.

Getting up from the comfortable couch, Meera quickly made her way to the entrance and opened the wooden door that was the main entrance to their house. She smiled as her eyes fell on the Indian girl standing in front of her. Her skin was more tanned than hers and she looked one or two years older but she was just the way Meera had imagined her when she had written to her. "Hello Tara Sitara" Meera said changing her language once again but this time to English. She knew that Tara would probably be fluent in Hindi too but she did not want to throw in a lot of Hindi because she was taught the kind that was used in royal places and that would certainly start suspicion. "It's good to finally see you" she added with a grin as she welcomed the girl into their house. "I hope your bus ride was comfortable" Meera continued talking to the girl she was so excited to finally see. She closed the wooden gates behind her and then turned to face the living room. All the maids seemed to be occupied in the kitchen or somewhere else with chores. It was only her and Arjun and their new guest in the living room. Arjun was on his feet and Meera quickly introduced them. "Tara, this is Arjun. He lives with us" she hoped that would cover it for now. As the introductions were made, Meera stood there smiling. She heard voices on the staircase which meant her parents had heard Tara's arrival and were coming down to meet her
 
a minute or so after she knocked the door opened. and there was a girl standing there. She bowed slightly as was deemed polite for her showing respect for her employers "Namaste" she said. before the girl spoke to her in english. she was beautiful. and her dress was very fine. Tara knew she was pretty but not in the same league of class. it was her green eyes that made her looks special, as they were such a rarity in india. as for her clothing she was neat and clean. the top was shorter than fashionable more practical more of a tunic than a dress length, in a muted red and edged with a thin yellow boarder, and the trousers were slightly narrower than some for the same reasons. it was one of her favourites that she kept nice for occasions. "Miss Gupta, It is nice to meet you too. but please just call me Tara" she said as she entered the house, it was just as stylish outside as it was inside, sleek and refined the girl seemed very friendly too "the bus rise was enjoyable thank you. france looks like such a beautiful country" she said smiling. it was then she saw someone moving across the room she turned to him and bowed her head. "hello" she said deciding it would be better to stick with english. "It's nice to meet you Arjun" she said smiling at him. she turned back to meera. "thank you very much for hiring me, I means a lot to be able to help support my family" she said she hoped that when she left school she may be able to get a full time job as a cook somewhere and be able to fully support her family so that her brother would be able to start in the temples like she knew he wanted to.
 
Meera was a little surprised with the bow. Normally she would touch her parents or elders feet for their blessing but the custom of the slight bow for politeness was something she had long forgotten as she hardly had to use it for anyone else in France. Meera smiled and said as Tara allowed her to just call her by her first name. Meera was usually referred to as Miss Gupta in school or some parties but not at home and Tara was going to be her friend, she did not want to have unnecessary formalities between them. "And you can call me Meera" she said with a excited smile. "You should wait until we go shopping" Meera said, still maintaining her excited tone. Her parents would have probably wanted her to be calm and everything, just in case something went wrong and they couldn't tell Tara their family secret but she seemed like a very nice person, and Meera couldn't see how there could be a problem.

Her parents had made their journey down the staircase and joined them. Meera looked very much like her mother, she had the same hair, chocolate brown eyes but she was now in her thirties, twice of Meera's current age. Mr.Gupta or rather, the future King was a muggle man who loved his wife and daughter despite the magic that they brought in the family. The magic had saved them and was the reason they survived. He was currently a Professor and at University dressed up in suits but at home he was in a sherwani while Meera's mother was in a purple embroidery saree with with embroidery in the border. They smiled as they looked at the girl that was going to work for them. "Namaste Tara. Its very nice to have you here" Radhika Gupta said, in her sweet motherly voice. Meera's father was still debating whether they could let someone in on what they had been protecting for past fifteen years. He needed time, he would have to watch the girl and then decide. He was nevertheless to be helping her so she could support her family. He had plans that if the girl did well they could help her start a restaurant of her own once she graduated. "We are happy to help" said Samarjitsingh giving the young girl a smile.

Meera smiled, happy to see that her parents seemed to like Tara too. "How about I show you to your room, so you can relax and freshen up. Then we can all have lunch" Meera suggested. They had six bedrooms in their house, the master bedroom was for her parents and it was on the ground floor too. The other five bedrooms, one for Meera, one for her younger brother, one for Arjun and two guest bedrooms were all one on the upper level. The study which had the mini library was upstairs too. All the rooms had attached bathrooms and all the luxurious furniture like plasma television, phones, internet connection. She liked living in Beauxbatons but missed the muggle technology whilst she was there. Meera was not allowed to have accounts on social networking website but she did like other things like muggle music, movies, books which she accessed via the internet. All these facilities would be in Tara's room too but Meera was not sure whether she would be using them or not but it was good to have back up. Tara could start working from tomorrow. She would get used to their kitchen and they had a big party in a week where she would have to cook a lot of different varieties of food.

(ignore the male model's face)
 
Tara felt comfortable in this house. meera seemed as friendly in life as she had done in her letters. "of course Meera if that's what you would rather" she said dipping her head again. she was never usually this formal with her friends but she knew the indian etiquette and she was meant to be respectful of her employers. however the next thing she said took her by surprise. "shopping, I thought i was here to cook" she said, unless the girl meant food shopping but as she was unable to speak french it may not be a very successful trip.
she heard some other people arriving. and saw two people on the stairs who could only be Mr and Mrs Gupta. "Namaste" she said greeting them the proper way. "I am very grateful to be here, and would like to thank you a lot for hiring me." she said honestly. a job here certainly looked a lot better than anywhere else she could work, though she would be thankful for them if she had ended up there. "that would be very nice thank you" she said accepting Meeras offer. she followed meera to a room upstairs. she was expecting a dorm or something and was very surprised when she came to a room that was almost as large as her house back at home the bed looked so luxurious she thought she would never be able to get out if she went to sleep and did she see right she had her own bathroom, a computer and a TV, at home they had to go to the school or library for a computer and she didn't know anyone who had a television that big, not even the patils. no this couldn't be her room surly. "it's a very nice house you have" she said her small suitcase still in her hand.
 
Meera laughed as Tara seemed a little uneasy at the thought of shopping. She had no idea how much fun she was going to have. Tara would have breaks whenever their family would be going out to dinner or parties and that was very often. Work would be hectic when they would throw a party but that was just once in two months or so. Radhika informed Meera that she was leaving for a while with Samarjitsingh and she should make sure Tara felt at home. Nodding to show that she understood her mother very well, Meera turned back to Tara and said "Yes you are. I can't wait to taste some of your cooking." After they reached Tara's room Meera said "I picked out this room for you." The other guest room was more business like and she thought Tara wouldn't like it as much as this. "Let me show you the rest of the house" Meera offered excitedly. Meera wondered if Tara would enjoy swimming. They had a great swimming pool and the late summer was just perfect for a dip. "Thank you. My mother likes to make sure to do all the interior designing herself and she's quite a pro. She's just busy so she can't start her own company" Meera told Tara, a little more about her mother. She walked the hallway between the rooms pointing her brother and Arjun's room to Tara. They were opposite each other and Meera's room was between Arjun's and Tara's. "This is my room" she said welcoming Tara to her bedroom which was her favorite place to hangout in the house. She didn't get to use it much when she had school but she maximized the usage during the holidays. Her room was bigger than Tara's and this made Meera wonder if she should have offered Tara the other guest room that was bigger too. But then her mind raced to something Tara would loved to see "The kitchen will be a treat" she said grinning widely as she accompanied Tara back to her room. "But first you can relax and when you come down for lunch you can see the rest of the house"Meera said knowing that Tara must be exhausted.
 
Tara was a little nervous when Meera said that she was looking forward to trying her food. she was an alright if not fairly good cook at home and she had been practicing like crazy over the last few months but it seemed very simplistic now. "I hope that I will be good enough" she said. she didnt want to let them down. she tried to think of what she could think of what she should cook to stat with. maybe she would maybe make a list of things and decide from there.
they Taras jaw dropped as she inspected the room. "this is mine? It's beautiful and huge, the size of my dorm at school, must be half the size of my whole home" she said her jaw had dropped and it took a dew moments to notice and shut it again. she had expected a small room in the attic, or an anexe, maybe shairing with somone else a maid or something, not her own room in the main house.
at the sugestion of looking around the house further tara nodded, it would be important to know where things were. incase she had to serve the food or help with the cleaning. she followed Meera along the corridor. "your mother is very talented" she said glancing into each room as she passed. they were all stunning. "wow, your room is so amazing. Meera" she said as they entered her room. she would have loved a room like this if she had been of a higher caste, she would have loved a room like hers if she had the money. "I am looking forward to the kitchens" she said heading back to her room. "thank you, where should i go for lunch" she asked having only seen the bedrooms and hall and she wasn't sure where the kitchen was.
 
Meera hoped Tara wasn't feeling too nervous.She didn't want to scare the poor girl. Meera had never imagined herself having, well, a job. For her it was fixed all along that after graduating from Beauxbatons she would go back to India and prove to her people how her father and her were rightful for the throne and how her step uncle had betrayed her entire family. After that it would just be muggle world for her. She knew one day her brother would grow up and become King but he was younger than her and she had to back up her father for now. Maybe if there was a Prince or a King who her father thought was fit for her she would happily get married to him.She could only hope that her luck would be good and he would not mind her magical powers or better he could be a wizard too. But other than that she didn't see herself doing anything as witch. It was sad sometimes thinking all her magical education would be put up to no use but she had come to terms with it now.

Meera laughed as Tara admired the room with surprise. Most of the maids lived in a separate house, a few blocks away from their house but they were not Indian. She knew some might consider it as racism but she didn't care. They just wanted to make Tara feel comfortable and even if she was a employee she was very young. Meera would have expected the same had she been working for someone in a foreign country and sacrificing her holiday and family time. "Its downstairs. You'll find me in the living room" Meera told Tara as she left the girl to be on her own for a while. She peered down into the living room and found it empty. She knew they would not be training unless they did it in the nearby thick forest or Tara had left the house and Arjun's absence confirmed her guess. She decided to take a bath because her skin and hair needed some scented soap and shampoo and moisturizing.

OOCOut of Character:
sorry for the lameness and lack of conversation. I promise the next one will be good
 
Tara headed back to her room and looked around. it was huge and amazingly well decorated the more she looked the more she agreed. this is how upper class people lived, it was worlds away from her mattress in the small room at home. she set her case on the floor she unpacked her soap bag and some clean clothes and her towel (as she didn't feel like it would be polite to use their towels even if they were there) she unpacked some of her things, hanging the more delicate clothing (although she didn't have that many really delicate things) in the wardrobe and the rest in draws. she then stepped into her bathroom, HER bathroom the words felt funny together in her head. she turned on the shower and soon the water was running hot and fast. she tied her hair up to keep it ry and stepped under the water washing quickly. it was only a couple of minutes before she was out with her towel wrapped around her.
as she dried she put her brush through her waist length hair before once again braiding it down her back the way she always had it. she then got dressed this time in pale green and headed downstairs. in the hall she looked around there were a few doors off but only one was open she guessed that one was the living room. she went through and saw meera was there and she had been right. "Hello, sorry if i was too long" she said although she had rushed as quick as she could. she looked around the room and saw that his too was grandly decorated. if her mother could see what kind of family she was working for both class and kindness she was sure she would be super impressed and proud of her daughter.
 
Meera usually took a long time in bathing herself but today she was quick and efficient. After the shampoo she quickly used the hair drier and her hair was good as always. She knew they would be busy this afternoon preparing the guest list, deciding on the decoration, themes and menu for the party.In the coming days they would have to shop for the necessary items and hire people to take care of music and decorations. It was going to be very busy time in the Gupta household and Meera was glad that her mother now had Tara to help. But all that was going to be starting after lunch. For now she wanted to have a proper meal because all the training made her hungry. Many children did not like eating their green vegetables but Meera was a vegetarian and apart from needing her body to be fully functioning she also needed her skin to be glowing and fruits and vegetables were her answers.She decided to get dressed in a stylish saree in case her mother invited some guests over for lunch or tea in the evening.

She exited her room and climbed down the stairs and went straight to the kitchen. Asking the maids to set the table and warm the food, she walked back to the living room and continued reading her novel. After a few minutes Tara Sitara came down and Meera gave her a smile. She was dressed in a very nice churidar. "You look so pretty" she said, happy to know that Tara too had a nice sense of fashion. Her travel must have made her tired but now that she had changed she was looking way better. "You're right on time" Meera told her new friend pointing at the dinning table. It was set and the maids were placing the warmed food on the table. "Come, let me show you the kitchen" Meera said guiding Tara into the dining room and then through a wooden door that led to the big kitchen of their house. She was sure Tara was going to love it. Meera knew how to cook a few things herself and sometimes she cooked and baked food stuff. The Kitchen also had a view of the outdoors and the lake by which their house was build. The location of their house was truly unique. Not only did it have a lot of surrounding space for her training but also the forest for protection and the lake. Meera usually prefertred swimming in the pool but sometimes she even had a dip in the lake.

Just as she was showing Tara Sitara the kitchen her parents entered the kitchen, smiling as usual. Meera's guess had been right they had brought some guest. It was a woman in her mid thirties and was dressed in a nice summer dress.She was of Indian origin and this surprised and frightened Meera a little. Meera was not sure if she was a witch or not but her father quickly gave an introduction. "Its so good to have you at our home, Miss Joshi"Meera said to the woman who her father had introduced as a college from work. Meera had heard about her father talking about Miss Joshi a few times. She had recently come to France to teach Indian literature and Meera had always wanted to meet her. "Lunch is ready" Meera said to her parents hoping they didn't have to wait any longer. She was starving but could not say that out loud because it was rude.
 
Tara smiled when Mera complimented her outfit. It was one of her favoraits and shethought she wouldnt have much chance to wear anything particually fancy whilst she was working so she may as well wear it now and make a good impression. "Thank you very much. you look very nice yourself" she said shereally did the Saree she was wearing was very nice at the end how one could see through the fabric with just the floating flowers. she looked at the table and saw it was set for a formal meal. she hadnt realise it was anything fancy, just lunce, like a sanwich or something. she smiled anyway nodded then followed the firl into the kitchens. it was a modden kitchen with stone work surfaces, and a large shing mettal fridge. she would enjoy cooking in here. and if she ever had a spare minute or so, the view from the window was extreamly picturesque. and the smell was that of delicious homely food. "this is an amazing kitchen" she said. she felt a little odd saying that about everything but who whole house blew her away by its neatnes, style and grander. before she could say anything else she heard someone else coming in and turned to see Mr Gupta with another lady who was soon intraduced as Miss Joshi. she dipped her head in welcome. "Hello Miss Joshi. It is a pleasure to meet you" she said feeling slightly uncomfortable. she had expected to be here as a cook not a house guest, though she didnt let this discomfort show, though she would have felt a little more comfortable serving the meal right now. she was greatful when it was served and she was able to walk to the table. she took the seat that was left and sat down. "this all looks very nice" she said wondering why they needed a new cook the ones they had seemed to be doing a good job and she doubted she would do better.
OOCOut of Character:
sorry it sucks. I have very little muse today
 
Meera was glad when her mother told her to head to the table for lunch. She sat in her usual seat and it was opposite Tara Sitara. She was starving and the aroma of the fried onions in the food was making her mouth water. She continued making small talk as the food was served. She inquired if Miss Joshi was attending the party they were throwing this weekend. Meera learned that her father's college was traveling this weekend and would not be able to attend. "We have so much to do" she told Tara, slightly excited on planning the party. "We have prepared a menu but we need to run it through you. You'll need to know most of the stuff on it so you can help mother cook" she explained. All the Indian food was at their home was cooked by Radhika Gupta and this party was going to have a lot of Indian food being served. All the wizarding as well as muggle folk loved when they put Indian food in their parties and there was only so much her mother could manage on her own. "Once we're set on the menu, I'll take you to the fresh vegetables and fruit market and we'll get groceries and all the other items that we may need" she continued. Meera knew how to cook a few things but she had no idea on how to buy vegetables. She knew that sometimes they need to be just right for some recipes and her mother was not going to trust her with something so crucial. The maids were good for other household work and cooking some continental dishes.

The food was served. There were three curries. One was of red tomato gravy with paneer(cottage cheese) in it, the second one was of all mixed vegetables and the third curry was of potatoes and peas in gravy. There was chapatis and rice and dal to go with all the food. They even served salad and fruit and pickles. Meera closed her eyes like all other family members and prayed silently thanking God for the food they were about to have. Once the prayer was over Meera served herself some cottage cheese and chapati, with salad and fruit and begun eating. She had been taught to eat her food slowly, enjoy eat bite and chew properly. "I hope you're not too tired, we'll have to get to work today" Radhika Gupta said to her new employee. The party was not far and she wanted everything to be perfect. "And please don't feel shy and make yourself comfortable"she added with a smile. She knew people usually ate little when they had meals at new places but she wanted her employee to be fueled up to work.
 
Tara was happy to hear they had party coming up. it would be fun cooking so much food. at home they often had parties with the whole family though she had been away recent years when she was home she would help cook. all of her aunts and many of her cousins would be in one or two of their houses each working together on all the dishes. the younger girls would be in charge or rice, or cutting, where as the older women would be in charge of the curries, and then her grandmother would be supervising tasting everything, telling people to add a little of this, or do something quicker or help someone else. she smiled at the memory. it had always been a fun afternoon. full of chatter and some singing. "I am sure it will be perfect. and i will see what I already know, and what i will need to learn from it" she said. she had tried to practice as wider range of cooking over the last few months, but even still with no one to guide her the best food would always be that local to her area of Uttarakhand. at the thought of fresh vegetable shopping she nodded. it would be fun. back home her mum grew as much as she could and the rest they traded or bought at the market. "That should be fun, though you will need to do the talking or i may end up asking for apples instead of potatoes or something" she said. she had found a basic french phrase book in the library at school but wasn't too confident speaking it, though she could remember that potato and apple was similar she wasn't sure what they were.
once the food was served she bowed her head in prayer. thanking for the food. and for the kind hospitality of the Gupta family. before serving herself some of the delicious looking foods. she didn't take much, she wasn't too hungry. as Radhika addressed her she listened. "I am feeling fine and happy to work this afternoon. I made sure I had plenty of sleep last night. early night tonight and I should be well and truly over any jet lag" she said. although she didn't travel by jet floo lag just didn't sound right. "thank you very much you have already made everything so comfortable for me. I just hope I don't let you down" she said. the food here was already delicious she just hoped she was good enough to keep the standard up.
 
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