Tucked away behind the gates of Buckingham Palace, the royal family lives a life of wealth and privilege. With fine dining, extravagant parties and a myriad of loyal subjects, they are envied and admired in equal measure. But with the recent death of Queen Beatrice is has become increasingly difficult to determine who is a FRIEND and who is a FOE.
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Graeme has yet to be released. However, both Dominic and Nathan are brilliant and are both on our list of most wanted characters. My advice would be to start writing apps for both, and see which one you connect with the most!
when are your acceptances? I'm super interested in Juliette Vanderbilt! :D
Weāre glad to hear that you are interested in Juliette! We set acceptance dates as we get apps. We currently have no applications in our inbox, but if we get one then we shall make a post as to when weāll be accepting.
Will Katherine become playable anytime soon? I waited patiently for her to become available and then she was made an NPC.
Katherine was written specifically for the person (Ellie) who played her, so when she decided to leave the roleplay indefinitely, we thought it was only fair that we make Katherine an NPC until such a time when Ellie returns. However, if she chooses not to return (which we hope she does), Katherine will be rewritten and we will allow someone else to play her. She is an integral part of the roleplay, so writing her out of the roleplay is not an option at this point.
Do you know when you'll be releasing bios for the characters that are on the masterlist but don't have a bio posted?
We have no time estimate for those biographies, as they are part of our second batch of characters, but we will probably begin releasing them throughout January.
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Heās onto us. We have to let her go.
Charlotte had just begun awakening from her most recent dosage of the drug that was being used to keep her immobile. She didnāt know what was going on, nor was she in the right mindset to really process that she might finally be gaining her freedom, but she could only imagine that they were speaking about her. The brunette woman walked in with her two cronies; Charlotte had yet to know any of their names, but the woman was the one who had been administering Charlotteās dosages.
āYouāre going home soon, Princess. Say hi to your Daddy for us, and your siblings. And your little ladies-in-waiting. Happy holidays,ā the brunette spoke with that same fake sweetness that she had been greeting Charlotte with every day for the past couple of days, before injecting her with a much more powerful dosage.
āCall Samuel Ellis on the burner phone. Sheāll be out for the next seven hours,ā the woman instructed one of her henchmen. With the Head of Security at Buckingham Palace getting closer to finding out about DOMINO, the best thing to do at the moment was to release Princess Charlotte, safe and unharmed.
Panicking slightly and hoping that Charlotte would not wake up any time soon, a nervous boy dialed Samuelās number from the burner phone that he had been given by a superior. He was a DOMINO recruit and he would be punished if he could not finish the simple task of leaving Charlotte somewhere for Samuel to collect her, all while remaining undetected. āSheās at this location,ā he told the older man once he had answered the phone, giving him the exact location in which he could find the unconscious princess. It was secluded, yet safe enough for him to drive off and be unconcerned about her safety. Once they were done, the young boy picked the princess up and gently laid her on the floor. āIām so sorry, Your Highness,ā he whispered nervously, before getting into his car and driving off, hoping that Samuel would arrive soon.
Charlotteās blue eyes fluttered open, and she was unable to recognize the room in which she was in. She knew for a fact that it was not the room that her kidnappers had kept her in. Attempting to sit up, she noticed a nurse rushing to her side and attempting to calm her down. āDonāt worry, Your Highness. Youāre alright, youāre safe. Your sisters are outside, and your brother is on his way. Try to relax for now, youāre still in a state of shock,ā the older woman spoke smoothly and sweetly. Charlotte had no idea how she had managed to escape, or why they had even decided to let her go, especially after expressing how important her cooperation was.
She was finally away from the monsters who had kept her captive and could breathe a sigh of relief. She would have many demons to fight off in the coming weeks, but for those few brief moments, she was able to feel some sense of security.
That concludes our very first plot drop! We would like to thank everyone for participating and for including Princess Charlotteās disappearance in your paras and your interactions; it was absolutely wonderful to see how everyone reacted to her kidnapping. We hope this has given everyone a little more insight into the minds of the DOMINO members and given you a glimpse of what is in store for the future of the roleplay. Charlotte had been missing for SEVEN DAYS --- from December 21st until December 28th, when she was let go from DOMINO and retrieved by Samuel Ellis. Interactions on the dash can continue as normal, with everyone welcoming the safe return of the princess; you are also more than welcome to complete any existing interactions and paras for as long as you need.
CONGRATULATIONS ROGUE, YOU HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED AS DIANA HOWARD.
We continuously went back and forth between two outstanding applications for Diana, but Rogue brought so much to the table where this character is concerned that there was no doubt she would be a wonderful addition. Rogue, you delved into many aspects of Diana's complex personality and explored the potential that she has as a person. While Diana is an ambitious character whose reasoning and desires are totally valid, you did not fail to mention that there may very well be negative consequences to this young lady achieving her ultimate goal. Your paragraph sample was also very intriguing and exciting to read, and there were many parts that completely blew us away and further proved how well you understand this character. The quotes you provided and the aesthetic paragraph were an extra touch that we absolutely adored as well. We are so glad that you chose to re-apply and we cannot wait to see Diana on the dash!
OUT OF CHARACTER
ā INTRODUCTION
Rogue, nineteen, PST, she/her.
ā ACTIVITY
I wonāt ramble on as much here again for you; Iāll be on as many times as is necessary to churn replies out 1-2 days after receiving them and reply to as many starters as I can.
ā ROLEPLAY EXPERIENCE
Removed
ā HOW DID YOU FIND US?
Lsrp tag and friends saying they were tracking the rp!
ā OTHER
Removed
IN CHARACTER
ā DESIRED CHARACTER
Diana (Nicolette) Howard.
ā REASON FOR CHOSEN CHARACTER
Iām a big fan of characters who think before they act, who consider all possibilities, who donāt always talk, so that when they do speak, their voices carry weight. I actually linked you to a character I played who was similar in that regard. Itās one of my favorite dynamics, because Iām a very bubbly, say-whatās-on-my-mind type of person, and roleplay gives me the freedom to be the opposite. I also like the fact that, while Diana is an insecure person with a lot of self-hatred and self-doubt stemming from an emotionally abusive household, sheās also someone who knows just enough about self-worth to understand that she should have more. And in her own way, sheās fighting for it, even though society would call it greedy or over-ambitious to try to āmarry upā. Sheās doing something that is both entirely expected in her society and frowned upon when acknowledged; itās a shadow market of sorts, where she has to pretend as though everything is natural even though it couldnāt be farther from it. Sheās also at a sort of turning point, deciding who sheās going to be now that sheās started down the road to elevating herself. If she can rise from under the thumb of her parents, who will she become? Sheās a generous, selfless person, but part of that doesnāt stem from kindness, it comes from the fact that sheās been downtrodden. Sheās not an immediately likable person, someone people flock toward, and yet, she holds her ground. She doesnātwant to be the voice heard above a crowd. Diana wants attention from those who are important and who are important to her, but she doesnāt crave fame as much as she craves security. Sheās a snake in a lionās den, so to speak. She wants to be warm and happy and she wants to be better than anyone expected of her, but sheād hate to get her hands dirty to accomplish it, and sheāll try not to step on anyone along the way. But what happens when that becomes inevitable? Whether itās Eleanor or someone unexpected, people will be hurt if she continues to drive herself down one path without variation or adaptability. Her sort ofā¦need for a better life, the hunger for it to the point where sheād rather have a loveless marriage than end up a lady-in-waiting forever, a practical spinster, is what intrigues. It betrays a need to at the very least be respected, even if she cannot be loved, because perhaps she doesnāt think that others are too capable of it. Her parents didnāt love her at all, and her brothers? Debatable. So instead sheās latched onto security, because that seems obtainable. Love and happiness seem like far away dreams. That drive is something that I love.
ā CHARACTERāS SEXUALITY
Hetero-performative, tentatively Heterosexual. I donāt want to limit Diana to being straight forever, because for me, sexuality and discovery of it within the narrative can be fascinating and lovely to explore, especially when the character themselves doesnāt realize itās a possibility. I think Diana is so focused on marrying well and gaining her own independence from her parentsā legacy, so to speak, that she wouldnāt dream of looking elsewhere. On the other hand, if there was a lot of chemistry and something happened organically between her and a woman, it would be an interesting storyline to explore. When thereās no worry about separating them, itās possible for her (subconsciously) to believe that if she marries for wealth and power, she may also find love. If she finds love outside of the ability to also obtain her financial freedom or the title she desires, she will have to choose between the two and truly define which is more important to her, which would be a turning point in her character. For now, however, she has never considered the possibility of being anything other than straight.
ā FUTURE PLANS
The plot that I mentioned in her sexuality would be interesting to explore in the future, but itās only a possibility, not a concrete plot.
Diving headfirst into her feelings on the situation with Edward; I know itās mentioned that sheās pursuing him, but thereās no mention really of whether they have actually spoken much before. Have they met in passing, or is she attempting to start a new acquaintance? It would be a good plot to dive into, having Diana approach him with the idea that she desperately wants him as her husband, despite knowing little to nothing about him. Diana is a woman who tries very hard to harden her heart, but in the end, she feels a lot of selfless emotion for the royals, and I think she would sympathize very easily with Edward if she allowed herself. Or does she attempt to keep things strictly professional, not wanting to bring any kind of complex emotion into what, for her, is far more about stability than love? Either way, itās a rich plot.
Dianaās struggle with Eleanor was also very human to me, and I think very cool. Sheās nottrying to be jealous, she doesnāt revel in it, and she does her best not to let it affect their interactions, but she canāt seem to stop herself. Eleanor had exactly what she wanted, but didnāt have her title to back it up. That must eat away at the other girl, but it causes an odd sense of self-satisfaction in Diana that she both loathes and loves. I was better than someone. Itās the worst sort of pride, and sheās always thought of herself as a kind and generous person, so the fact that this awful envy bubbles up in her and makes her cruel would be upsetting. On the other hand, it feels a little bit good, delving into that feeling of being good at something for once, even if itās only the luck of the draw that makes her better than Eleanor. Itās the thought of it, the feeling that for once, she is the better choice, a good option rather than in last place, that makes her feel almost giddy and full of revulsion all at once. Sheās only human, after all. Seeing whether her better nature prevails or if this relationship that was once built on mutual respect will dive toward animosity on Dianaās end.
I would like to actually tie in the jealousy aspect in another regard: Arabella. In a way, Arabella is getting what Diana wants, and sheās incredibly happy for her friend, but that envy must still be there, just under the surface. Diana can control it because Arabella isnāt actively standing in her way, but it must still hurt her to watch someone else get that freedom sheās seeking, especially as she helps Arabella prepare for the wedding. How does that affect her interactions with Arabella and with others on the topic? Itās going to be interesting to find out. It may make Diana wonder whether thereās something that sheās not yet noticed, some flaw that makes her less good at this or less important than Arabella, and that will be a tough insecurity to hide.
Adeline is one of Dianaās best friends, so it would be good to figure out where exactly Diana stands on her recent behavior. The worry she feels over her friendās relapse mixing in directly with her own grief at the Queenās death, but at the same time, Diana has never been someone to judge Adeline for the ways in which she drowns her emotions. Having someone there who loves her no matter how fucked up they get is a comfort to Diana, in certain ways, and I think the Princess would be someone that Diana will gravitate toward during this time of mourning. Not as much as Edward, but then again, not for the same premeditated motives. Adeline is someone that Diana understands and who she feels understands her in turn, so it will be a lot of fun to develop that friendship and see where it goes.
When Maisie enters the fray, it would be fun to develop them, too. Diana is only just beginning to see the difference between her own aspirations and a true social climber, and as Maisie gets ahead, I imagine it would start to lookā¦ appealing, to say the least. Breaking hearts and climbing ladders wherever she went. The problem is that Diana is fundamentally not quite like Maisie, and instinctively, she thinks of others first. Itās one of the reasons that she worries sheāll never manage to truly rise above her parents and marry a suitable man, especially Edward. She can calculate out exactly what sheās meant to do politically, but doing it, actually making a difficult decision that hurts others, is not quite the same. Maisieās courage can easily spark an awful sort of admiration and obsession in someone like Diana, who wants to be stronger, better, and more desirable. On the other hand, it may just make her learn to defend herself the first time Maisie tries to throw her under the bus in order to fuel her own selfish games.
ā HEADCANONS
Limited, of course, by what the others playing these characters would want, but:
When Adeline parties, Diana stays sober. Itās not that sheās entirely disinterested in liquor or even in drugs, though sheās never been as inclined to use them as Adeline. Itās her selflessness kicking in. She doesnāt feel as though she can have fun when it would better serve her closest friends if she was there looking out for them, and Adeline is no exception. She tries to play guardian angel in the gentlest way possible, never judging, but always trying to make sure Adeline doesnāt fall so far off the wagon it endangers her life. She slips condoms into the princessās purse and watches to make sure no one slips something into her drink when they go out, but she doesnāt ever tell Adeline to stop. Itās not her business to judge her; itās her business to be her friend.
Diana loves strategy games. Itās something about her personality, the way she observes and listens rather than always talking, that makes her so good at figuring out what someoneās next move will be. This quickly devolved into required reading such as the Art of War or studies on behavior and body language, and itās quickly become one of her favorite subjects. Figuring people out is so much easier than figuring herself out, and a lot more fun. It gives her an advantage that people never see, and makes her feel safe.
Maisie is the one who makes her want to be rebellious. When they go out, sheāll drink and dance and have a lot more fun than she would with someone else. Maybe itās that after seeing more and more of Maisieās less-friendly side, Diana also cares less and less about protecting her. It also feels good, not to have anyone judging what she will or wonāt do ā Maisie doesnāt quite care enough for that. Itās a release of sorts, to hang out with someone who will let her fall on her face as easily as allowing her to spread her wings. Everything happens based on her own merit, and she hopes sheāll soar.
Ever since Edward became available, Diana has slowly started changing. Little ways that she thinks might help her stand out to him. She isnāt quite trying to copy Eleanor, but she isnāt trying to act less like her either. Every little change counts, and she tells herself that it wonāt matter if he doesnāt love her, as long as sheās free. As long as she gets to rise.
One of the reasons her parents always showed her particular disdain is her clumsiness. Now, when she walks, people often note that her steps seem sure of themselves, but it is the surety that gives her away. She is constantly thinking about how she walks, trying not to trip or run into anything. When alone with her closest friends, she often trips over her own two feet, and it can be a bit of a nightmare.
ā THREE POSITIVE TRAITS
(+) Agreeable ā It isnāt difficult to get Diana to agree to do something or go somewhere. Especially not if itās her friends asking, and who else would ask something of her in this place? She is devoted to her position and to her closest friends, and would do anything for them, even as simple as going to a party. She rarely, if ever, says no. Itās also partially a by-product of low self worth; she doesnāt quite feel she has the right to say no, because thatās putting someone else out, and she still struggles with the concept of letting others down.
(+) Contemplative ā Above all, Diana is the one who thinks things through. If given a difficult decision, she will, for lack of a better term, agonize over it. She will consider all avenues, any possibilities, and decide the right course based on how far she can project the outcome. This is what makes her an excellent strategist and a good advice-giver. Sheās always trying to think ahead, always noticing small details others might forget. It seems as though sheās always thought of something youāve barely forgotten.
(+) Generous ā She tries, honestly, she tries to be a little bit selfish. Courting Edward is the first time she can remember thinking, I want this for myself, and Iām going to try and have it, even though others want it also. She rarely puts herself before others, rarely thinks she deserves it, and as a result is very giving and selfless in nature. She is the sort of friend who would get up at four in the morning to drive you to the airport, or sneak you out of the house so your parents donāt see. The sort of friend who will get herself into trouble helping you out.
ā THREE NEGATIVE TRAITS
(-) Aloof ā While Diana is a very empathetic person to the very few people who are close to her, to most, she is almost too quiet. She holds her emotions back from others and rarely tries to make further connections if they arenāt absolutely necessary. This stems from both her fear of messing up and embarrassing herself, as well as her desire to keep one step ahead. If no one knows her, no one knows what sheās thinking, and she is easily underestimated. This is compounded by the way Diana is constantly seen in the company of Arabella and Adeline, two women who speak their mind and act as they wish, making her seem even more haughty or closed-off than she would standing next to anyone else. This suits all parties, and while sheās easily known to give in, those who know her by reputation would think her cold or removed.
(-) Sensitive ā Cruel words hurt Diana easily, far easier than it is to hurt others. They very quickly bring her back to exactly who she was before she became a lady-in-waiting. A mouse of a girl who waited day by day for the next harsh phrase or cold stare, whether it was teasing at school or her parentsā harsh words over the phone, since they were so rarely home. They still somehow seemed to know when her grades were poor or sheād done something to hurt her precious brothers, and she was always to blame. Itās easy for her to be hurt and devastated by the words or actions of others.
(-) Impressionable ā Because of her low self-esteem, itās easy to make Diana believe that sheās on the wrong path. Sheās eager to take the advice and teachings of others, which can be dangerous if anyone ever tried to exploit her. Sheās a follower, not a leader, and at times this can hurt her, especially if she follows the wrong advice.
PARAGRAPH SAMPLE
Diana had never cried at a funeral.
Sheād been to a few, some long-distant relatives of hers that had passed away. Royals were always dying, and their wills were often more important than the fact that a particular loved one had died. So it was, directly outside the inner circle anyway. It wasnāt until sheād become a lady-in-waiting that sheād discovered royal families did love each other sometimes, even if it was messy and imperfect and painful. As a little girl, perhaps she would have been happy with an imperfect, raw sort of family. But she hadnāt gotten it.
A sensitive little girl, Diana had seemed to cry at everything. From skinned knees to tattered dolls to her parents disapproval, there was nothing that didnāt make her eyes sting. Yet the funerals somehow didnāt manage to penetrate the soft heart she wore on her sleeve. It was probably, looking back, the tears of her parents that had done it. She knew what it was to cry. Big, fat, ugly tear drops down her face, so blotchy and unbecoming. Her motherās tears were almost like performance art, the sort she had to stare at on field trips and decipher. Her fatherās red-rimmed eyes never quite seemed real. The world was their stage, and the game was one theyād played since before she could remember.
Now, listening to the words spoken about Queen Beatrice, looking at Adelineās morose expression and Arabellaās shoulders curved inward, Diana felt tears well up in her eyes. It wasnāt fair. It certainly wasnāt right. If anyone was to be assassinated, why couldnāt it have been her parents? Unimportant, never around, and impossible to please. She regretted the thought as soon as she had it, tears spilling over, both from her shame and her grief.
Her Majesty had always treated Dianaā¦ kindly. There was a distance between them, as one always had with the Queen when under her employ, but her eyesā¦ her eyes were nice. It was the brightest memory Diana had of her. Warm eyes, welcoming her to their home. Sheād been so shocked. Mothers only looked that way on the television, or in the schoolyard, so distant she could almost say sheād imagined them. But the Queen hadnāt faltered. Always, she greeted Diana with courtesy and kindness, and the thought stuck in her throat, making it hard to swallow.
Sheād spent all morning consoling her friends, both of whom had been closer to the Queen and, thus, had been hit far harder by her death. It was so easy to let her feelings bury themselves beneath the need to protect her friends, to support them and comfort them as best she could. Now, when they could be nothing but silent, when she was unable to offer any kind words or gestures beyond the squeeze of a hand, she let herself have this. The moment to be true to her heart, to cry and mourn for the person whoād showed her more respect and decency than her own mother ever had, in such a short time. Her friends would understand. Though she sometimes expected them to, they never did berate her for feeling so much in front of them. That was her own battle. Private and safe in the comfort of her mind.
Adeline, too, was crying, and Dianaās part had come into full focus once more. She gently put an arm around her friend and let her cry it out, her own tears slowly subsiding as her purpose shifted from introspection to caring for another. The instinct to nurture and protect her friends surprised her once; sheād never quite felt the same living at home, but these were the people who loved her. For them, she would be strong.
And for her country, she would stay. Even if it put her own life at risk. For Adeline and Arabella, she would risk worse.
EXTRAS (OPTIONAL)
quotes ā
āI myself do not know what I want, and shiver in midsummer, burn in winter.ā
āI am someone who has been irretrievably wounded by the needs of others. They took and took until I had dried out.ā
āāHave you thought much about your legacy?ā
Iām a legacy prisoner.
No Iām not.ā
āI even like your deceit, your treachery. It seems aristocratic to me.ā
āGod occupies me as a shapeless hunger.ā
(this poem, which is too long for me to retype)
āEach morning is a means of survival, the way in which you carry tenderness by the neck, how you love like a match-stick, bent and beginning to turn black.ā
āā¦ Feeling like a person whose blood has been sucked, leaving all the nerve-centres pale.ā
āRemember this, girl, you are half sea. No one ever asks the ocean to quiet her storm, so why do you keep apologizing for yours?ā
āLift with your knees, Atlas, the heavens are a burden but in the starlit ink of constellations you have written: ENDURE.ā
āHer suffering became her armor. Gradually it became her skin. Then she could not take it off.ā
āYou have a cold cold smile. You were burned, you were about to burn, youāre still on fire.ā
āIt is true that I was endowed with an absurd sensitiveness; what scratches others tears me to pieces.ā
playlist ā
wake me up | avicii.
perfection | oh land.
heavy rope | lights.
cold water | major lazer.
white tiger | izzy bizu.
nervous | x ambassadors.
diet soda society | the maine.
hard on myself | hemming.
rise | katy perry.
physicality/aesthetic ā
A black fascinator over downcast eyes and full, dark lips. The person in the corner of the dance floor, watching her friends and their drinks while they party. Flashes of fierceness in eyes that hold nothing readable, nothing easy. Splotchy red cheeks in the dark, and the rough breathing of someone who has cried. Gentle, nurturing hands pulling you up after you fall down. Long, dark waves cascading like water down a graceful back. Perfectly maintained nails that are always painted in clear polish; never a lot of color, unless done by someone else. Sharp, thin heels and a woman who knows how to walk in them. A head held high but not quite steady. Trembling hands looking for anything to latch onto. White teeth often hidden by a close-lipped smile. Arched brows that seem to return to normal when anyone looks directly at them. A purse that always hold exactly what you needed and forgot to bring. Cool, soft thumbs brushing tears from someoneās cheeks. A whisper of reassurance and a kiss on the cheek. Hunger and longing and defeat. A silhouette that stands with every inch of pride and yet falls flat. A laugh that doesnāt quite ring true, most of the time. A short woman who rarely tires to appear taller. Snow that has turned to slush, delicate and muddy and breakable.
CONGRATULATIONS NATALIA, YOU HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED AS OLIVIA PRESCOTT.
This application absolutely blew us away! It was so intricateĀ and detailed and just so accurate that we knew immediately that you would be the perfect person to portray this wonderful woman. My favorite part about this application is how you provided an in-depth analysis of Oliviaās relationship with DOMINO and how that has affected her and the person she has become, as well as her relationship with other characters. Oliviaās friendship with Charlotte and Grace is a complex one and we are confident that by completing the trio, you will do their friendship justice! Your headcanons went above and beyond, and your character traits perfectly encapsulated who Olivia is as a person, which both impressed and enlightened us. Thank you for taking the time to write this application, we have no doubt that you will bring her to life in the most unique way possible!
OUT OF CHARACTER
ā INTRODUCTION
Hey, Iām Natalia! Iām twenty-one years old, I live in the CST timezone, and my pronouns are she/her.
Also, apologies for any little typos you might notice from here on out. I was on a bit of timecrunch and wrote this app on little sleep, so thereās good chance I missed a few typos when trying to proofread. Again, sorry!
ā ACTIVITY
Iām currently on winter break, so I have a lot of free time to get online (and actually apply after weeks of just admiring this RP from afar) until my spring semester starts in January. After that Iāll be more preoccupied with school, though I shouldnāt have too much of a problem logging on in my free time. If thereās any reason I canāt get online, Iāll make sure to let the admins know.
ā ROLEPLAY EXPERIENCE
Removed
ā HOW DID YOU FIND US?
@holtbekahā reblogged this promo and I saw it on my dash! Iāve been lowkey stalking you guys ever since.
ā OTHER
Removed
IN CHARACTER
ā DESIRED CHARACTER
Olivia Mary Prescott
Olivia ā In Latin, the meaning of the name Olivia is āolive,ā a symbol of peace.
I donāt need to explain how incredibly ironic the meaning of her name is when you consider the professions of the people who named her. DOMINO seeks to tear down the royal family, and eradicate the structure and order of the crown. Peace and vengeance do not go hand in hand, and Olivia is somewhat of a black sheep for desiring the former while her entire family is fueled by the latter.
Mary ā Of Hebrew origin, the meaning is not known for certain, but there are several theories including āsea of bitterness,ā ārebelliousness,ā and āwished for child.ā
When choosing Oliviaās middle name, I tried to get into the headspace of her parents and figure out what kind of name they would want to give to the child that represented the future of DOMINO. They passed down their own beliefs and ideals and aspirations onto Olivia, and I wanted her name to reflect that, even if itās not what Olivia herself wants.
I went looking for names of female revolutionaries throughout history (and that list of names was tragically a lot shorter than I had hoped for), then I simply started looking up names by their meaning. Mary, although a rather common and unmagnificent name, caught me by surprised because of how much meaning it held in so many different languages.
āRebelliousnessā does fit her parentsā aspirations for their daughter, as they want for her to rebel against the crown. But you can also say that it fits into Oliviaās relationship with her parents, and by extension DOMINO, and how she wants to rebel against her parentsā wishes as well as the organization that brought her up.
āWished for a childā immediately made me think of Oliviaās brother, and how her parents didnāt simply wish for her to replace him, but still wished that he was alive with them, and when they look at Olivia they might just see all the missed opportunities they had with him.
Prescott ā From Old English preost, meaning āpriest,ā and cot, meaning ācottageā and ādwelling.ā
I found it a little bit ironic that, for a family who is trying to dismantle a system that caters to the wealthy, the Prescottsā have such a haughty and pompous name. And āholyā is definitely not a word I can attribute to them.
ā REASON FOR CHOSEN CHARACTER
I almost shied away from applying for Olivia, because right off the bat I knew this character would break my heart. Sheās someone who is prone to a lot of conflict, with herself and with those around her, and I had to ask myself, āDo I really want to suffer?ā Olivia isnāt a princess; she isnāt someone with a good chance of getting a happy ending, and deep down she probably knows it. But in the end, I caved in and chose her, because I am a masochist and I absolutely love writing about characters with a lot of inner turmoil.
Olivia is a very conflicted character. Itās easy to regard her as a villain on the surface, but when you dig deeper it becomes a lot easier to sympathize with her. As a result we get this beautifully complex and tormented character.
In a much broader sense, Olivia is at a crossroads in her life, and is stuck between the life she was raised into and the life she wants to lead. I believe that this is such a universal and relatable situation. I especially also love characters who are searching for freedom, who are trying to forge their own path and discover who they are and what they want. Olivia has found her freedom, but it comes with so many strings attached, and Iād love to write about her journey to attain her freedom permanently.
I see her as a complex character with the potential for so much growth and depth. I want to be the one who explores all the different aspects of her character, and see how she develops with time.
ā CHARACTERāS SEXUALITY
Panromantic pansexual.
ā FUTURE PLANS
[ NOTE: When I get excited about my ideas, everything tends to go all over the place and itās hard to organize it all, so this section will be a bit messy!
Also I talk a lot about Oliviaās relationships and how I can personally imagine them progressing. I totally understand that the other players might have totally different ideas and I donāt want to force people into anything! This is just what comes to my mind when I read the biographies. ]
DOMINO:
Although she doesnāt agree with DOMINOās methods of achieving their goals, I canāt imagine that itād be easy for her to completely abandon the kind of philosophies that had been forced upon her all her life. And although she does not think highly of her parents, I can see how itād be so difficult for her to completely turn her back on them. For the longest time, this was the only life sheād known. This was her familyās legacy, and sheād basically been groomed to take down the crown. Iād love to explore that part of Olivia that is still tethered to DOMINO, the part of her that canāt fully hate her family while knowing all the horrible things theyāve done.
At the same time, Olivia is absolutely horrified by the lengths DOMINO would go to just to achieve their goal. Thereās a much greater part of her thatās desperate to leave the organization, but thatās a terrifying idea itself. If it was even possible for her to defect, that wouldnāt mean the terror would end. People could still die, the crown would still be threatened, and Oliviaās loved ones would still be at risk of being harmed.
CHARLOTTE & GRACE:
Olivia has always desired freedom, and has found it in the most unlikely place, and I just love how messy and emotional these connections are. Though Olivia came into Charlotte & Graceās lives with cruel intentions, in the end she was the one who had been screwed the most. They taught her what it meant to have some semblance of a normal life, filled with warmth and laughter and sisterhood. Iām such a fan of the whole āgroup of strangers become familyā trope, and although the girlsā friendship was based on a lie, the fond feelings Olivia has for them are true, and that just makes everything so much more difficult for her! Itās almost heartbreaking, how she feels happiest surrounded by the people sheās been taught to despise. I love this dilemma, how Olivia has become forced to choose between the family she was born into and the family she has found. Itās been done before, but I honestly never get tired of it.
I want Grace and Olivia to hold tightly onto each other as they wait for news about Charlotte. I want Olivia to come to the scary realization that even though the princess royal is her target, she cannot fathom the thought of living in a world without her friend. When Charlotte returns to the palace, I want the girlsā group hug to be so tight that the wind is knocked out of their bodies. I want those fluffy moments of sisterhood when Olivia just forgets that sheās not actually meant to be a lady-in-waiting.
I also love the idea of Charlotte trusting Olivia (which actually is not a good idea) enough to confess her crush. maybe Olivia uncovers it herself after noticing the way Charlotteās gaze lingers on Grace for far too long to be considered platonic. Olivia realizing that sheās become somewhat of a third wheel, and how she simultaneously wants to help Charlotte but at the same time doesnāt want to get in the middle of something that could ruin the trioās friendship. Perhaps she might try to play Charlotteās wingwoman for Grace, or help her move on by finding someone new. Itās not the most ideal situation to be in, but I can imagine Olivia would be almost relieved to be handling a problem thatās so normal and almost trivial in comparison to the ones she has related to DOMINO.
But I also want those angsty moments, the ones that make my heart break just thinking about them. Charlotte eventually finding out the truth about Olivia, whether itās through an accident or Olivia can no longer handle all the lies and the guilt and just confesses everything to Charlotte. Perhaps in the future, Olivia believes that by being honest she has a better chance at protecting Charlotte. And maybe she does, or maybe Charlotte canāt handle the betrayal and turns her back on her, with DOMINO being the only home left for Olivia to go back to.
LIAM:
Just like with Oliviaās relationship with the girls, I can tell that Oliviaās relationship with Liam could very easily hurt me.
When you look at just the bare bones of their biographies, it doesnāt make much sense for these two to be friends. Liam is everything that DOMINO despises; he is privileged and only seems to care about achieving his goals and increasing his wealth. But the two of them make the most unlikely of friends, and itās such a unique dynamic.
Although her relationship with Charlotte is meaningful, itās was founded on false pretenses, and with Charlotte sheās forced to juggle between her role as DOMINO agent and lady-in-waiting. But with Liam, none of that guilt is there. Neither of them expected the other to enter into their lives, and so there was no pressure for them to be anyone other than themselves. With Liam, she is not a DOMINO agent or a lady-in-waiting ā she is simply Olivia, and very rarely has anyone given her the chance to be herself.
Liam offers her a brief escape from her own life, but nothing in Oliviaās life can ever be that easy for long. Iād love to write through Oliviaās confusing feelings for him, and how she wants to be friends with him but doesnāt want to get too close out of fear of DOMINO getting to him.
āHis life was no longer his own, and he had merely been used in order to serve a greater purpose for the family name.ā ā This sentence from Liamās biography could also very easily be written into Oliviaās, in regards to her own parents and how she has essentially been raised to take over DOMINO one day. On the surface theyāre totally different people, but they could possibly understand each other on another level and I would definitely love to explore that as well.
GRAEME:
I absolutely loved what I read about him in Oliviaās biography that I was so heartbroken to see that his biography wasnāt up yet! What a tease. But this relationship is so different from the others Olivia has, because Graeme actually knows who she is! More importantly, he understands her feelings towards DOMINO. Theyāre both on the same sinking boat, and they have to find a way to stay afloat together. I can imagine the two of them just unloading on each other, because although she can speak candidly with Liam about most things, Graeme is the only person with whom she can speak freely with about everything.
I also like the fact that Olivia shows more of her soft side with Graeme. Her parents tried to make her harden her heart, but Graeme seems to rely on Oliviaās kindness. She doesnāt have to hide with him, and the both of them are able to lean on each otherās shoulders. I can also imagine a lot of discussions between the two where they just unload on each other ā about how awful DOMINO is, or maybe they create little inside jokes about the other members, or maybe spend a lot of time bitching about what an ass Oliviaās uncle is. More importantly, have the two of them plotting their own kind of plan to take down DOMINO, or leave the organization? It might seem fruitless, but I canāt imagine these two not searching for some kind of solution.
ā HEADCANONS
I. āI approach language as if it will contain who I am.ā āJimmy Santiago Baca
II. āMusic expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.ā āVictor Hugo
Though her parents seldom showed any affection towards their own daughter, they did manage to pass along their love of classical music. Olivia has been listening to Beethoven and Mozart since she was in the womb, and their shared love for this genre of music is perhaps one of the only things that ties her family together. Whenever Olivia is feeling particularly sentimental, she wonders if all the all emotion and compassion her parents failed to show her was instead transferred through the music they played for her, but the thought is formed more out of a stubborn desire to be loved rather than anything concrete.
III. āAlmost nobody dances sober, unless they happen to be insane.ā āH.P. Lovecraft
Claims she doesnāt like to dance, which is the truth, but she also actually canāt dance. Olivia discovered very early on that she was cursed with two left feet and a bad habit of stepping on her partnerās toes. Even Taylor Swift would beat her in a dance-off, but no one would ever know because Olivia is not the type to put herself in embarrassing situations.
IV. āIn the end we had the pieces of the puzzle, but no matter how we put them together, gaps remained, oddly shaped emptinesses mapped by what surrounded them, like countries we couldnāt name.ā āJeffrey Eugenides
Has an immense joy for solving with jigsaw puzzles. Oliviaās version of a āTreat āYo Self Dayā involves going to the toy store and buying a shipload of those 10,000-piece puzzle sets, then spending hours putting them together while drinking wine and listening to Vivaldi. Itās not the most exciting hobby, but Olivia finds it incredibly therapeutic. Her mind is filled with secrets and her heart is drowning in guilt, and she needs something to distract her before she explodes. While others might turn to drugs or hard alcohol to take the edge off, Olivia turns to jigsaw puzzles, while wishing that every messy problems in her life was as easy and fun to solve.
V. āThe Libran woman embodies fairness, justice, and balance. She is represented by the scales, ideally weighted, flawless and complete. Librans are sociable and have a gift for communication. She is charismatic and captivating, drawing people to her naturally and easily. The very epitome of yin and yang, Libran women are a fascinating mix of rationale logic and erratic emotion, shooting holes in your flawed opinions then making up for winning the argument with her charm. However she is always open to reason and common sense and will good-naturedly admit her mistakes if you can logically talk her onto your side.ā āThe Libra Woman
I might change my mind on this later, but for now Oliviaās birthday is September 24th, which makes her a Libra. She is capable of understand every side to every story, and sympathizing with those with whom she shares no common ground with. Sheās also rather likable and amiable person, and is easy to befriend. Itās a good quality to have as a person, but itās also what makes her such a valuable asset to DOMINO. She can get close to important people and get their guard down, for people fall for her charms so easily that they never suspect she might be holding a knife to their back.
ā THREE POSITIVE TRAITS
ADAPTIVE ā Truthfully, Olivia doesnāt entirely fit anywhere, but does an incredible job of making it seem like she does. With Graemeās guidance, it was easy for her to transition into her role at the palace,. This is mostly because it was a refreshing change from the life sheād lead so far, but also due to how well Olivia can adjust to her surroundings. It doesnāt take long for her to familiarize herself with the social circles and know exactly what to say to the right people. Itās a valuable skill to have in DOMINO and in the palace.
COMPASSIONATE ā What sets Olivia apart from her family and at odds with DOMINO is how intrinsically kind she is. While her parents were cold towards her, Olivia has always been a warmhearted person. She could never learn how to be truly callous and unfeeling, and although her parents might find her compassion to be a flaw, her friends appreciate her for it.
CHARISMATIC ā Olivia knows how to be likable, and soften up even the most stoic people. While most people would use this skill to broaden their social circles, Olivia has been taught to use her charisma as a weapon against Charlotte utilizing a positive trait for a negative purpose.
ASTUTE ā Olivia is incredibly observant, and has a tendency to pick out the tiniest details in her surroundings and in people. By studying others, she can know what say in order to get their guard down. Sometimes, though, sheāll catch herself nitpicking at things when she probably shouldnāt be.
ā THREE NEGATIVE TRAITS
PASSIVE ā Itās very easy to get frustrated at Oliviaās character when reading her biography. Itās clear that the relationships she formed within the castle are becoming more meaningful to her, and that she can no longer identify with the ideals of the society that she was born into. A true hero would be quick to turn their back to evil and do the right thing, but Olivia still cannot act out, even after everything thatās happened. From an outsiderās perspective, I just wish she would do the right thing and stand up to DOMINO, but when I put myself in her shoes, I can definitely understand why sheās so hesitant to act out. A part of her does want to choose her freedom and stand alongside her friends, but she knows the full extent of DOMINOās power and cannot take Her situation doesnāt have a clear solution, but continuing with her charades is not the right path to take. Olivia is aware that things will only get worst if she continues to lie and ignore her conscience, but sheās afraid of what will happen if she does go against her birthright.
DISLOYAL ā Given her track record, itās safe to say that Olivia is not the most trustworthy person around. With her connections to DOMINO, she is a threat to the monarchy. But although sheās working for DOMINO, she isnāt on their side and wishes to leave. Olivia is aware that neither side has any right to trust her, and sheās struggling to find a way to be fully committed to one cause.
DISHONEST ā Her parents were never the type to open up, so Olivia has learned how bottle everything up. She had more practice telling lies than the truth, and rarely is she given the chance to speak her mind. Although she does enjoy the opportunities she does have to tell the truth, itās also not easy for her to break old habits. Sheās also often in situations where she believes sheās canāt be honest, or believes that itād be better to lie. Olivia is someone who is capable of saying anything if it means achieving her goals, and even her closest companions arenāt safe from her lies.
MANIPULATIVE ā Though she has been trained by DOMINO since she was young, Olivia has a natural knack for knowing what to say in order to get what she wants, which makes her the perfect person for this job. Her words are her most powerful weapon, and sheās capable of drawing out someoneās darkest secrets without divulging anything about herself. Although she may have a kind disposition and a friendly smile, she is always taking notes on other people.
PARAGRAPH SAMPLE
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā The lump lodged in Oliviaās throat blocks out her airways and smothers her words, leaving her lightheaded and incapable of making any sound. Her brain is filled with static, and pure white noise occupies her ears. Someone is calling her name, but she registers absolutely nothing. It was as though sheād just come face-to-face with a Gorgon, and every inch of her being had been magicked into alabaster. The entire palace could collapse into rubble around her, but Olivia would have still remained statuesque in the midst of the chaos. In that moment, nothing mattered at all, nothing but those four terrible words.
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Charlotte has gone missing.
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā The first clear thought that she manages to conjure up is, This is my fault. This is exactly what was supposed to happen, this is what she was sent to do. Olivia knew that this would be the end to her story, for happily ever after was not something DOMINO strived for. Although Olivia had believed Charlotte was far greater than a character in a childās storybook, she shouldāve known that the princess royal was still destined for the same horrific ending all Grimm heroines succumbed to.
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Immediately her mind jumped to her parents, and her uncle, and every DOMINO member that wouldnāt hesitate bringing harm to the eldest daughter. Had the game plan changed, without her knowing? Olivia tries to think of when the first piece could have fallen, but all that comes to mind is Charlotte. Just yesterday they were gorging on the chocolate truffles sheād swiped from the kitchen, and failing to hide their giggles as the flustered chef futilely searched for his missing desserts. Now it was Charlotte who had vanished, and somewhere someone was giggling while she was afraid and hurt and all aloneā
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā This is my fault. Those four words are burned into her mind, and they pass by her lips so suddenly that she catches herself off guard. No one can hear her properly, for her voice shakes so hard and is no more audible than a whisper. But with her words carry her fear, bringing out into the open, leaving her more vulnerable than sheās ever felt within the palace.
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā But right as Olivia starts to feel as though sheās going to crumble into pieces, itās Grace holds her together. The other womanās arms wrap around her shoulders, and Oliva finds herself reaching for her fellow lady-in-waiting at the same time. That tether inside her finally snaps, and Olivia feels her eyes stinging with saltwater right as she buries her face in Graceās dark locks. In return, Grace trails her fingers through Oliviaās chocolate brown tresses, smoothing out any invisible knots with soft strokes. Olivia can feel herself breaking, can feel all the cracks forming inside, but she doesnāt fall apart.
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā We will find her. Those four words are filled with hope, but Olivia isnāt sure if Grace was the one who said them aloud, or if sheād thought them to herself, or if it was something that didnāt need to be said at all, yet still clearly understood between them. Charlotte was missing, but they knew she wasnāt gone.
And this isnāt relevant to anything, but I want you to know that the chorus of this song has been stuck in my head ever since I began working on this app.
CONGRATULATIONS KATRINA, YOU HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED AS CHARLOTTE HENSTRIDGE.
We thoroughly enjoyed this application from start to finish and found ourselves immediately drawn in and eager to gain more insight into Charlotteās thoughts and decisions. This application was beautifully written and it is clear that you not only connect with the princess, but you understand her completely. We are eager to see how your future plans develop, especially Charlotteās relationship with Grace, and we cannot wait to see how the Henstridge siblings react to the aftermath of the kidnapping --- something which is of the utmost importance. Your headcanons were detailed and interesting, and it is clear you put an immense amount of thought into each and every one of them. Everything about this application and your portrayal of Charlotte has made us confident that you will do this wonderful woman justice. We welcome you with open arms and we are so excited to see her brought to life on the dash!
OUT OF CHARACTER
ā INTRODUCTION
Katrina, 18, GMT +9, she/her!
ā ACTIVITY
Iād give myself a 6 or 7 out of ten. Iām out of school until the 3rd, so if Iām accepted Iāll probably be around at least three hours a day until then. After break ends Iāll do my best to get on for a couple hours every day, at least.
ā ROLEPLAY EXPERIENCE
Removed
ā HOW DID YOU FIND US?
I think it was through the lsrpg tag, initially.
ā OTHER
Removed
IN CHARACTER
ā DESIRED CHARACTER
Charlotte Henstridge
ā REASON FOR CHOSEN CHARACTER
After Charlotteās bio was released, I was honestly about to start an app right before I realized that she was taken. I think that what drew me to her immediately was her steel backbone. Out of all of her siblings, I think Charlotte handles the weight of the crown the best. While I imagine that there have been inevitable moments in which she has wished that she could have been born into another life, perhaps one with fewer obligations, she hasnāt let herself escape into that idea so much that itās made her any less willing to fulfill the responsibilities that she needs to fulfill. Even though her independence is something that she values so greatly, it doesnāt take precedence over her duties and her family, which is a type of selflessness that could have very easily escaped her had she been born with a weaker constitution, a selflessness that I love to explore (and exploit) in characters. Of course, sheās not unfailingly responsible, which I like about her as well, but her ability to draw the line between pleasure and decadence is something that I admire, because she could have easily failed to draw that line.
Thereās this quote from Richard Siken that goes something like āwhich brings us back to the heroās shoulders and the gentleness that comes not from the absence of hardship but despite the abundance of it,ā and I think that fits her well regarding the events of the past few months and the actions sheās taken in response to them. Even though she is so proud of the fact that sheās made something of herself outside of her family, she hasnāt forgotten her loyalty to them and her duties as a ruler. Despite her insecurities as a princess, she is still doing her best to do her motherās work well, putting the practice of her own passion on hold, and to appear indestructible for her siblings, because her loyalty to them is unfailing. She doesnāt allow herself to be crushed under the pressure, but instead uses her strength to bring others ease. I love that sheās capable of steeliness, but that her gentleness in the face of adversity is what she allows to define her.
ā CHARACTERāS SEXUALITY
At the moment Charlotte identifies as bisexual, but she does so somewhat tentatively. She is physically attracted to men and women, but she has yet to form a significant romantic attraction to a man ā certainly nothing close to the attraction sheās developed toward Grace. Aside from Edward, the men in her life have had the tendency to disappoint her and sheās developed a certain weariness toward males in general. She feels hesitancy toward the idea of falling in love with a man, whereas she has already become enamored with a woman.
ā FUTURE PLANS
ONE | KIDNAPPING
The biggest problem in Charlotteās immediate future is how sheās going to cope with being kidnapped. I donāt know what you guys have planned for her release, but I find it unlikely that Charlotte would betray her family unless her captors placed her under very great duress.
However, either way ā whether sheās forced to give information or not ā she wouldnāt be immune to the instinct of self-preservation. As desperation mounts and days go by without a rescue, she wouldnāt be able to stop the thought that maybe, if she gave up just enough, her captors might let her go. Iād love to explore her devastation in response to the thought or maybe even the act of betraying her family on top of the trauma of being kidnapped, and how that would shoot her confidence not only as a monarch, but as a sister as well.
TWO | GRACE
Admittedly, I am an absolute sucker for unrequited love plots. What I love particularly about Charlotteās connection to Grace is that Charlotteās first priority is always keeping Grace in her life, even if it means not being able to act on her own feelings. I imagine that sheās spent a certain amount of time picturing herself on a porch somewhere with Grace, both of them old and gray, but whatās most important to her is that theyāre together, not why theyāre together.But, even though Iām a huge fan of pining, Iām a bigger fan of angst, and Iām so eager to see how much of it Charlotteās inevitable revelation of her feelings could bring. Whether or not Grace reciprocates her feelings and how she would react to a not are things that would be really important to Charlotteās development because Grace has been such a boon for her. Losing her would mean losing one of the only people she had to lean on and confide in completely. Conversely, should Grace return her feelings, I want to see Charlotte testing the waters of a serious romantic relationship, as I think sheād be so desperate not to make any mistakes and ruin the porch scene that she so desperately wants to be reality.
THREE | CLOSURE
Being in the public eye so often, Charlotte hasnāt allowed herself to fully grieve her motherās death. Sheās been too busy taking care of royal issues and her motherās charities and her siblings to give much thought to her own feelings. Many of the characters Iāve played have had the tendency to reject feelings that are difficult to cope with, only for them to come bubbling to the surface and sometimes exploding. I would love to reach a moment with Charlotte in which everything becomes too much to bear and she allows herself to break a little. One of the things I admire about her is her ability to be strong, but everyone has their breaking point, and Iād love to explore what happens when Charlotte reaches hers.
FOUR | SIBLINGS
The Henstridge siblings are so important to me. I think that, if their father wasnāt around to call the shots, the four of them could be such a force of nature. I want to see Charlotte helping Edward through the trials and tribulations of ruling and becoming more confident in her abilities as a leader, I want to see her forgive Sophia and reach the same kind of closeness that they had before she left, I want to see her empathize more with Adeline. Charlotte knows that the four of them are strongest together, and she desperately wants them to be able to own that power someday. Iād love to see Charlotte step even more into her role as the motherly figure family and reach a point where sheāll allow herself to open up even more to them.
ā HEADCANONS
Her earliest memory is also one of her favorite memories. She can recall being in a bathtub with Edward when she was around three, both stubbornly refusing to allow themselves to be bathed by their nanny. Together they turned on the poor woman, splashing water onto her and throwing their toys out of the tub while laughing hysterically. Itās a simple memory, but itās so happy and unmarred that Charlotte always keeps it close to her heart.
In its early days, Charlotteās label was called āIridescent,ā as it was one of her favorite fashion terms and pink iridescence is her #aesthetic. After her garments started to take off, she changed the labelās name simply to āCharlotte Henstridgeā a la Marc Jacobs or Louis Vuitton.
Her first girlfriendās name was Delilah, and she met her while on vacation in Positano the summer before she started at the London College of Fashion. It was very much a summer romance ā the two spent almost every waking second with one another, despite knowing that it would all have to come to an end when the season did. They parted ways amicably, promising to keep in touch. Even though they didnāt, Charlotte still remembers her fondly.
Despite hating the lessons she was forced to take growing up, Charlotteās quite good with a piano and she adores classical music ā the works of Debussy, Rachmaninoff, and Liszt in particular. Music in general is something sheās always felt close to; one of her favorite ways to spend an evening is to attend the symphony, dragging Grace and Olivia along to try to make them love it as much as she does.
Charlotte hates to fulfill too many British stereotypes, but she loves tea more than most things in her life. Thereās a scene in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World where Ramona rattles off a huge list of teas, and that strikes me as so Charlotte. Sheās an absolute connoisseur of tea and almost always has a cup of it with her when sheās at home.
The first dress that she ever made specifically for someone was commissioned by her Aunt Eveline, who had heard of her young label from Queen Beatrice. Charlotte spent long nights trying to come up with something perfect, but the pressure to impress was weighing her down. It wasnāt until Beatrice assured her of her talent and collaborated with her a bit on the design that Charlotte felt completely confident in what she had created. She hadnāt needed her motherās help after that, but she still recalls the memory when sheās feeling uncertain about her garments.
Charlotte adores cats but is afraid of dogs. When she was young, she had a tabby cat named Dobby that she took care of herself, while one of the employees that worked on the grounds of the palace had a huge, vicious dog that would obey no one but its owner. Dobby went missing one day when Charlotte was eleven, and while everyone swears that he ran away, sheās positive that the dog had something to do with the disappearance.
The money from her label goes to a charity called WaterAid, which helps provide people in impoverished areas of the world with clean water and sanitation. Itās always puzzled Charlotte that there are people who donāt have access to something as fundamental as clean water and that thereās not more being done to remedy that, so sheās become a close partner with WaterAid over the years.
She spent all of her college years living on campus, and during that time she felt more normal than she ever had before. After her classmates got over the initial shock of living with a princess in their midst and got used to her being followed by an intimidating bodyguard at times, they started to look past her title and treated her more like she was one of them.
Charlotte has a sweet tooth. When she was young, she would sneak down to the kitchens at certain times of the day and beg the chefs to make her a cobbler or tart, and they would usually oblige under the condition that she wouldnāt tell her parents. She still visits the kitchens on nights when she canāt sleep and attempts to make some of the desserts in the way she remembers them from her childhood.
ā THREE POSITIVE TRAITS
judicious ā Charlotte prides herself on being able to make smart decisions. There are many traits that sheās inherited from her mother, and I think that her abilities to be rational and unbiased are two of them. Of course, there are moments that she looks back upon, knowing she didnāt choose correctly (sleeping with Pierre being one of the most obvious), but overall she has a good sense of right and wrong.
independent ā She revels in the idea of freedom. Everything in her life has been closely examined by the public or her parents, so she jumps at every chance she can find to feel disconnected from everything and everyone other than herself. She has a strong sense of loyalty but sheās first and foremost her own person, and she would never jeopardize that for anyone else.
dutiful ā Her awareness of her responsibilities as a princess and a sister has definitely heightened since her motherās death, but sheās always been aware of the duties that accompany her title. Thatās not to say that sheās always been very happy fulfilling them, but her obligation toward her role in the monarchy is more potent that her own discomfort.
ā THREE NEGATIVE TRAITS
pedantic ā Being so successful in the fashion industry, Charlotte has developed an eye for detail that can sometimes get out of hand if sheās not reined in. Sheās very much a perfectionist when it comes to how she does things and how others do things, although she would prefer to be called āparticular.ā It translates into how she operates as a princess and how she handles royal affairs.
overprotective ā If her attitude toward Sophia and Adelineās former suitors is any indication, Charlotte wonāt stand for the exploitation of the people she loves. As a royal, her first instinct is usually that others will want to exploit her and her family. If she feels even the slightest bit suspicious of someone, she does what she needs to in order to keep that person far away from her family or friends.
stubborn ā If Charlotte makes up her mind, itās hard to change it without a struggle. She trusts her own judgement more than anyone elseās, so she doesnāt do well when people disagree with her. Itās not wholly impossible to change her mind, but it takes an admirable amount of effort to do so.
PARAGRAPH SAMPLE
As she walked through the garden, Charlotte had the acute sense that she was being watched. Sleep deprivation could do that to a person, she supposed, but the feeling wasnāt a foreign one. Sheād spent 26 years being watched; she was sure that sheād never experienced a truly private moment in her life, and she was sure that she never would.
A full moon and a sky dotted with stars were the only sources of light to illuminate her path. Her bare feet dragged through the perfectly trimmed grass, slippers long abandoned by the bench closest to the palace. If Charlotte closed her eyes, she could imagine herself walking among the visitors who would come in the late summer ā parents herding their children along, old married couples walking arm and arm, college students enjoying their last days before the fall term started, tourists with large hats and larger cameras. She could hearthe chatter so clearly in her memory that it almost seemed real.
She really did need to get more sleep.
Her mother had loved these gardens, and the memory of her walking beside Charlotte, their arms linked as they spoke in hushed tones about inconsequential matters in between giggles. Charlotte could hear them more vividly than the anonymous chatter of visitors; she could hear it so vividly that she could swear that her mother was just on the other side of a hedge or just around a corner.
Charlotteās steps slowed as her legs seemed to grow heavier with the knowledge that she wasnāt.
Nostalgia had never been Charlotteās preferred method of coping ā usually, she liked a glass of red wine ā but it seemed to be all that she could feel on certain days. Out of the corner of her eye, she swore that she could see her siblings having a picnic in the shade, young and impossibly happy. She could see herself ā nineteen years old and invincible ā pushing a girl up against a tree and kissing her silly.
These days, it was all too easy for her to lose herself in the idealization of easier times. It was simpler than acknowledging that her mother was dead, that her father seemed more distant by the day, that everything seemed so much more fragile now. As complicated as her life could be, it had never felt so much like an impossible knot. There were strings attached to so many people and events and thoughts. Sometimes she wished that she could cut them all away, but they had always been bound around her wrists.
āPrincess Charlotte,ā a voice cut into her reverie. Aha, she thought, a smile appearing on her face as if to tell herself āI told you so.ā
She turned, unsurprised to find her bodyguard standing a few paces behind her, clad in sweatpants and a fluffy sweater and looking more nonthreatening than sheād ever seen him. His eyes didnāt hold the certain heavy-lidded quality of someone who had just woken up, and dangling from his fingers were her slippers.
Private moments were never truly private. Maybe sleep deprivation accounted for less of her ailing than she had thought.
āYou should be in bed, your highness. The press conference tomorrow isāā
āYes, Robert, Iām aware,ā she cut in gently, taking a few steps forward to accept her shoes from him. āI just thought a midnight walk might be nice. You should join me sometime.ā
āI would let you stay, princess, but your father sent me.ā
Ah. If she inherited anything from her father, it was his insomnia. āWell, then. We shouldnāt keep him waiting, hm?ā She laced her arm through his and they started back toward the lights of the palace. āRobert?ā
āHm?ā
āThere must be certain passages that lead outside of the palace, right? Ones that not even my father knows about?ā Her companion was quiet, and that was enough of a confirmation for Charlotte. āItās about time we visit those, donāt you think?ā
