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The highlight of my stay in Manchester was Saturday night. I met up with two female friends, Edith and Rachelle. They knew about Ariane but this was the first time we had met in person. For this occasion I was wearing a new black cocktail dress and heels – I had told them I would look posh because I don’t know any other way.
We started off with a party in my hotel room with some champagne and music and we made a plan. We left the hotel room and walked out of the hotel and into the street. It felt very natural for me to be dressed as Ariane. It’s also becoming easier to walk in heels. No one took any notice as we headed towards Canal Street.
First stop was somewhere to eat. We walked along Canal Street and ended up in Kampus at the eastern end where we chose a selection of small plates and some drinks. This was like a pitstop for various groups who came and went quite quickly, on their way to the pubs and clubs that line the street.
With so many places to choose from, we settled on the small downstairs bar at Oscars. They had a singer-pianist playing a selection of favourites and everyone sang along. Edith and Rachelle shared a bottle of Prosecco (this is their session drink) and I went on to the gin. It was a friendly crowd, mostly men, and we got talking to some of them. It wasn’t a night for Tgirls to be out though – I only met one (a northern lass called Marie) and we chatted for a while.
Eventually the evening came to an end. Edith and Rachelle took a cab back to their accommodation and I walked back to the hotel. I did think of stopping off at another bar en route but it was very late so I decided against.
It was very good for me to be out as Ariane in public in a safe environment where everyone was either polite and friendly or just left me alone. I wish everywhere was like this. Part of me was glad that I was able to blend in and be accepted. But another part of me wanted to be noticed as the beautiful girl I was. So much more human. Edith and Rachelle had asked what my plans were long-term. I don’t have any firm plans at the moment. I’m not in a space where I can transition, much as I would like to do that, but just being able to live part of my life as Ariane is a wonderful feeling.
