The Simple Life (Solo)

The Dior crest has been around just as long as the Dior Family. The snake representing the families long lineage and the creativity through that. The cup representing truth and the world of possibilities. And the jumper berries representing good health and a long life. The Dior family has always had one rule, family first. To produce heirs and heiresses to continue the line is of upmost importance. But further from that, it is important to only marry into families that benefit you. They want to create the perfect prodigies for their many affairs, whether it be scientific geniuses, trained pianist, professional horseback rider or the many other hobbies that are seen as acceptable by the family. If born into this family, you had to be it all. The perfect student. Fluent in multiple languages. Proficient in several instruments. You had to be able to present yourself as educated and witty. A conversationalist and a realist. This life was a balancing act only meant for those born into it. You couldn’t expect someone to perfect such skills while worrying about making rent. It wasn’t a life meant for normal people.

Normal people.

That was funny even to the Dior’s. You see, with such power and money comes a price. Now the Dior’s were far from normal, their billions of dollars and multiple mansions can speak for that aspect alone. But the top 1% weren’t even aware of the differences that the Dior family posed. Every rich family has their closet of skeletons , theirs are just a little more physical than most. You see, as long as the family can remember, every two generations one of the family members paid the price for their fortune. This curse, for lock of a better term, will always be in the family. For without sacrifice, there is so fortune.

As soon as Nicolette was born, she had the family locket with her at all times. As a child, the curse only manifested itself In small ways, falling apart during temper tantrums or when in need of food. Having this tiny child just wither away into ash at any point is enough to traumatize anyone, especially a new mother.

Anne-Marie Dior was prepared for this, she knew of the curse and attempted to be as educated as possible. But how prepared could you be watching your first born slip between your fingers?

Before long, Jean-Marc and Anne-Marie found ways to soothe their child. They had plenty of help in their house, but no one knew of this curse better than Genevieve. She was close with Nicolette’s grandmother, the one who inherited the curse before Nicolette. She was a few years older than her grandmother, so Genevieve had first hand experience with this. Her experience was apparent to Nicolette’s parents, so Genevieve was quickly named as Nicolette’s Soubrette. Lady-In-Waiting, Attendant, Baby Sitter, whatever you want to call it, it meant that Genevieve was there.

Growing up, Nicolette didn’t see her parents much. With their frequent travels and business plans, they didn’t have the time for their child, soon to be children. This led Nicolette to fight to be number one at everything she did. She trained, studied and practiced to gain the approval and attention from her parents she desperately wanted. However, her parents reactions were never good enough for Nicolette. They never truly praised her, just critiqued her on what she could do better.

She would fall apart.

Genevieve would be there to pick up the pieces.

This toxic cycle would continue for years. There were good moments, times Nicolette truly felt the love from her parents. But those were far and few between. It seemed now, more than ever, that their reactions were completely lackluster to her. Every time she looked for their approval and found none, she fell apart. Each time got worse.. harder.. longer... her sobs would tear through the air as she crumbled into ash.

Nicolette was now 16. She was losing control more and more frequently, but instead of focusing inward and being self destructive like Nicolette’s predecessors. She focused it outward. Nicolette lashed out, using the ash, what was part of her, to inflict pain on others. She wanted everyone to know how it felt to hurt. She needed them to know....

And then she would find herself in control again.

This was not good enough for her parents. They had finally decided to show Nicolette the underside of the Dior business. She met with some of her parents colleagues, those she had never met before. They talked and seemed to asses the girl at everything she did. From how she carried herself in a room, to what family member seemed to make her fall apart the quickest.

The night was over and Nicolette didn’t hear much from her parents after that. A week had passed with minimal contact, the usual. She spent her days with Genevieve, studying and perfecting her arts. Her nights were at family dinner parties and lessons on how to control her curse. However, tonight was different. She returned to her room to her entire wardrobe was packed into many large suitcases that were stacked by the door. Her parents and Genevieve were sat by her fireplace. They told her she was being sent to a boarding school to continue her education, but to receive special training in help maintaining control. She didn’t have a say either way.

HIVE

2/15/2021

The United States. That’s where they were sending her. Nicolette had been to the states on numerous occasions and usually came home with more negative things to say than positive. Her family owned a home there, but instead of being surrounded by the luxury she was used to, Nicolette was required to move into some dormitory. Genevieve was to keep a close eye on her, and to give her the additional school work and extra curricular work that the Dior parents required. Great. Needless to say, Nicolette was not thrilled.