[color= #e07c4f]Roughly 5 years Ago - Beaumont’s Estate[/color]
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[color= #dd868c]“And why do you think that is appropriate to wear? I said that pink dress ever so conveniently placed on that mannequin!”[/color]
The once serene hallways that could catch the most miniscule of noise, with each wall ornated with the finest of paintings, were soon pierced by her mother’s voice. And a voice that sang a harmonious rage, that was. Celestine had debated with herself about the event that is happening below her feet, an event that predetermined that string of luck that a good omen has begun to bless the family and the legacy that is engrained within all of them. Her brother Dennis recently graduated with high remarks, Lilibeth marking her 21st birthday with an attention-grabbing cover that took notice of her wondrous voice, her father’s brother’s announcement on a new child that they had hoped for a long while, and her father’s copious contributions on building settlements and community lots that strengthened ties and businesses. Such events that happened in a linear fashion are worthy of being boasted, and yet this luck worried Celestine, as she had brought nothing despite her standing as the star child of the Beaumont’s.
Naturally, all she wanted was to blend as soon as the music died out and the guests lost steam as they reek the vestibule with wine. What better way to blend than to take advantage of the estate’s title, “The Blue Palace”? It was a glamorous choice, simple and understated enough to distract the guest with the ornate decorations and glistening accents. To put it simply, she looks good in blue and would look horrid with such a statement piece that lingered in the corner of her room. [color= #e07c4f]“Mother, pink won’t look good on me. I… think there would be better options that could make me look nicer and-”[/color]
[color= #dd868c]“And waste thousands on a dress your mother carefully picked for you? Nonsense! You will wear that dress and you will go downstairs looking your best. And fix your hair; you haven’t even brushed those curls properly! Sit on that chair and fix your face while your mother fixes your hair.”[/color] Celestine, without another word, sat unto the dresser as she reapplied the makeup that had creased on her face. After a few minutes, both came out of the room looking like matching sisters with matching dresses, albeit Celeste looking a little paler than she had anticipated. They were fashionably late, however, as the Alstones started their performance.
With both reunited with the whole family, Celestine saw the marble stairs formed into a scene of glistening nature that reflected on the decorated walls and golden filaments. Its enchanting scenery made it difficult to look away, distracting everyone from the surroundings that were once a spectacle of awe. But with her eyes entranced by the scenery, the sound next to her was a sound out of beat—a grinding of teeth. Naturally, her mother was not impressed. Words uttered underneath her smile: ‘Of course they’d pick that song to sing, showoff.’ and ‘Look at that kid, so meekly. I’m sure Marielle noticed her son’s faulty.’, all the more making it unharmonious to Celestine, barely enjoying half of the performance. Those comments soon ended with the illusions coming to a close, and a roaring applause followed suit alongside the view of her mother rolling eyes, looking at her.
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With the small intermission, the Beaumonts had a quick opportunity to greet the Alstones, each giving the proper greeting, but none more entertaining than the two ladies giving shallow compliments and awkward laughter. Celestine had noticed a missing member, wondering where he had left off. Her mother wondered the same, with both parties hinting at the children moving elsewhere. Her mother made sure she’d meet Atlas, especially since they were the same age and status, signaling where he’d been and signing her to smile. And just as she looked back, the families faded alongside the guests, eating and drinking.
Reaching the stairs, she was met with a plethora of passing exchanges: a meeting at the garden alongside coquettish language, ending a business affair with an agent among them, rebuking a plan on spiking a noble’s drink, and a heist on her mother’s favored jewels. All but familiar conversations that she had heard since the age of 7, fully tuning out the repetitive plans and giving courtesy by nodding with a slight smile on her painted face. As soon as she was about to reach the platform, however, she heard a slip unusual to hear on marbled steps and saw a head of hair as she looked down. Thereafter, the awkward man laughed and could barely stand up, leaving Celestine to help him raise him a little with a confused look on her face.
"You look familiar. Have we met? ”
[color= #e07c4f]“I’m afraid we have not talked that much, despite our family’s relations. But I understand your unfamiliarity.”[/color] Celestine had made sure to give him a hand, directing him in a much more stable space than the steps, looking atop of the vestibule as she let go and held unto the railing with such a delicate manner, [color= #e07c4f]“Now that we are in a… controlled space, allow me to introduce myself. I am Celestine Beaumont, youngest of the Beaumont siblings. I come here to say that… I adored your performance, such light and melodious arrangement your family has planned. And I am the first to say that I am impressed with the illusionary spectacle.”[/color]
Before making any comments, she looked besides the decorations to garner some compliments and reflected a ghastly reflection that let out an unladylike sound out of her mouth. She knew it would happen—one with red locks looked dreadful in pink. It was fine moments before, as she looked warm, but that shock somehow took the color and also broke a barrier of formality expected of her. With a weak voice, she uttered, [color= #e07c4f]“Do I look bad? Be honest.”[/color] Realizing her faltered state, she pinched her cheeks to regain that warmth and weakly smiled, [color= #e07c4f]“Erm, how’s the party? Does it meet you expectation? I apologize for that comment, this… is not my style. I wouldn’t say I’m too fond of this night… I mean- no, I loved your family’s performance, it’s just… well… I am speaking too much, I apologize.”[/color]
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@idiot.exe - Atlas Theodore Alstone