Yeah so I decided to toss Ari into the entire series ;)

I sit up straighter as Damon walks in. I can't be weak in front of him. I will not allow myself. He smirks as he looks at me, reminding me silently that I will never be able to shut him out. I glare at him even as my lips traitorously try to form a smile. His smirk just grows wider and he bows sarcastically to father, keeping his eyes on me. "Father, Ariana, so nice to see you two. Now if only Stefan were here the circle of disapproval would be complete." He says mockingly. I clench my fists in the fabric of my red skirt. Don't let him get to you, Ari. I think.

But another smirk forces me to stand, hand raised to smack him. He raises his eyebrows, and I realize that striking him will only give him ammunition to use against me. I instead tilt my chin up and look at him down my nose. Without my gaze leaving the eyes of my arrogant brother, I turn to our father. "May I be excused, father? I fear I cannot spend another moment in his wretched presence without vomitting." I say lightly. My father nods. I nod back and whirl out of the room, smiling internally as my long, thick braid smacks Damon's chest with a satisfying thwap.

I encounter Stefan on my way out, and shake my head at him. "Damon's here. Smack him for me, would you?" And then I brush past him.

I come out of my memories with a start. Damn, why am I thinking of Stefan and Damon all of a sudden? I shake my head to clear it. And then I hear a slight rustle and quickly change into a small blackbird, flying up to a branch above the clearing.

The last person I expected to see comes through.

Stefan! I think to myself, eyes flicking over the familiar form of my baby brother. Same curly hair, same oak green eyes, the regal features shared by all three of the remaining members of our family, the tall, lean frame... Oh my god. I flutter my wings in protest. I've been successfully avoiding both him and Damon for five hundred years, and now he just SHOWS UP? I quickly fly over him, not being able to resist ruffling his curls as I pass. It would make me smile if I didn't currently have a beak. Feels like I'm a big sister again, after five centuries. Hmm.

Suddenly I become aware of another familiar presence, lurking around my brother... or should I say our brother? I wheel back, alighting on a different branch next to a large black crow. What are you doing here, Damon? I send the angry thought to the crow.

I could ask you the same damn question, Ariana. The thought comes back to me, and I can almost see him smirk.

I flutter my wings angrily, ignoring the size difference between the two of us. Hurt Stefan again, Damon, and I will kill you. The predicament we're all in now is your fault. I've been wanting to stake you for half a millennia, don't push me into doing it. I jump up and peck his neck. Capito? Without waiting for his reply, I fly off again as Stefan leaves... wondering when my relationship with Damon detiriorated to this point. I shake my head and sigh internally, keeping mental tabs on both of my brothers as I scope town for someone to eat.

Picture of the dress from the flashback is on my profile.