thank you so much to everyone who contributed to this: @thenewsomelibrary @ladyhollygwen @scarlettviliana , couldn’t have done it without you!
I was utterly, completely stuck. I had been brainstorming for days, trying to come up with anything. Nothing popped into my mind. And this time we were on our own. I had to be able to do this.
I tried everything: talking to the Seven and Eight children, asking the other Selected if they had any ideas how to help me get an idea, I even tried to do a cookie eating contest with Holly (that one was mostly fun and it turned out both of us could do impressive accents with cookies stuffed in our mouths).
I had finally got a half-decent idea after those cookies (food usually helped a lot for my mind) and hurried to my room. I had the worst memory possible, so I rummaged around for a pen. I had no time at all; the deadline was coming in a couple days, so I quickly grabbed an eyeliner and messily scribbled down something half-decipherable on my forearm. I pulled down my sleeve (thank God I was wearing longer sleeves) and hoped no one would notice the sloppy black ink. I shrugged on a large trench coat to cover my dress and donned a pair of sunglasses before heading out.
The other girls were all busy, probably with the newest challenge. Some girls were waiting in the hallway for their turn with the Queen. I had first went to Liz to ask for advice: she had simply told me to do whatever I thought was meaningful; after all, this was supposed to also be revealing what the role of Queen meant to us. Holly had also advised to pick what was dear to me, but that was a little difficult. I mostly kept things at a distance, not quite wanting to get associated with things. The closest thing I had to my heart was probably my cat Tigress back home, and we were supposed to do something for the people of Illea, not the animals.
I snuck out of the palace without anyone noticing. By the time I reached my destination, it was late afternoon and time was running out. I went in, took the elevator, and went up several floors. The doors opened with a cheerful ding! and I looked around in wonder at a white room of scientists, doctors, nurses, and more; all scurrying around and helping. I immediately picked out someone from the entire midst of the group, standing in a white lab coat with her white heels, red lipstick, and unmistakably impeccable blonde hair.
Scarlett.
“Scarlett!” I called out and she turned, her eyes wide with surprise before she smiled brightly. “Avalon,” she said warmly, pulling off her gloves and setting down her tools. Scarlett straightened up before shrugging off her lab coat, revealing a simple white dress and leading me to an office.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, sitting down. “I could ask the same of you,” I laughed. Scarlett shrugged. “I need help,” I sighed, leaning back in my chair and taking a cookie. She pushed the plate forwards. “The Selection?” she inquired curiously, eyebrows raised. I nodded wordlessly. Perhaps she could help me. “Honestly I’m quite relieved that I got eliminated,” Scarlett smiled genuinely, “it just wasn’t quite the scene for me. But whatever to help, of course. What do you need?”
Scarlett had been a friend of mine in The Selection on the way to the palace on the plane ride (I had helped when she spilled her orange juice). She was a bit unusually quiet but very intelligent and open-minded. Scarlett had explained to me, just before she left, with quiet solemnity about what had happened. I was a bit sad to see her go, of course, but I knew that she was much happier doing what she really wanted to do: working to help scientists for medicine for the people who couldn’t afford it.
I explained to her all that had happened in the past days, her muttering and nodding to herself quietly as I proceeded. We discussed for awhile, catching up with one another as well. After I finished explaining everything to her, she got up and started walking down a pristine white hall, talking to me as her shoes tapped against the floor. “Alright,” Scarlett said finally, “I may be of some help. Let’s find Caroline.” We located a young woman, quite young, with blonde hair and dark eyes found their way to me curiously.
It was a challenging hour. Caroline was tough; she focused on things that I hadn’t seen earlier and tried to cover all areas that might come to any sort of difficulty. I didn’t realize it would be this hard.
How did Ashton deal with this? I scoffed at myself, realizing how much of a disorganized and unprepared Queen I would be. I doubted I could do it, but I would, for the most part, try. I hadn’t quite realized it but I did miss him. I hadn’t spoken to Ashton for awhile now, but it felt like ages. Sometimes I missed just simply speaking to Ashton. It hadn’t helped with all the extra tension with the other Selected now. I remembered bits of my last conversation with him. You can fall in love more than once, but not all at the same time.
It was tedious work; organizing everything and trying to get it just right. But after 3 incredibly long hours, a pair of asleep legs, a box of cookies, and pure willpower, I was awake and we had practically mapped it all out.
The plan was mostly for education as I realized that education had a large impact on society. It could affect so many things: population, the castes, the jobs, poverty. My original idea was that since so many people like Charlotte (the Eight girl who aspired to be a doctor) wished to pursue things they couldn’t possibly do, others who were advanced in those could help them. It was a bit like an exchange program: where people would exchange ideas, concepts, and learn things from one another. I also added in that we could do some sister areas; perhaps a school in one place could be a sister school in another place and they could support each other. Education was a strong foundation of the country and it affected so much of it. Especially educating women. The next generation would be educated, therefore making a better economy and environment. This would especially be training people in more rural areas. The exchange program would be designed to provide expertise and skills training. It would strengthen jobs, homes, the economy, not to mention that feeling like you were part of your country.
With the enlisted help of Caroline and Scarlett, we managed to make several phone calls: connecting some hospitals as sister hospitals, schools, even shelters. The exchange program was a bit harder. We didn’t quite put it into action yet but we had it all planned out. For people pursuing multiple areas like science, math, teaching, anything really, we found people offering to teach others. It was like the country was supporting itself: nationally yet locally. It started in small areas, but it would affect the entire country of Illéa.
. . .
The day had finally come. I reviewed everything through my mind, mentally preparing myself for my presentation. Unfortunately, nobody else was here with me. It was alright, I didn’t need them. I could rely on myself. I calmed myself, breathing in and out.
As I walked into the room, I noticed the Queen first, smiling graciously. It was the presentation and explanation that terrified me the most, especially in front of the Queen, of all people. My eyes met hers hesitantly and I remembered the last piece of advice I had received: Now is later. As I began my presentation, there was that simple thought running through my mind. Now is later. Now is later. Somehow that thought gave me hope and comfort.
much love and thanks to @thenewsomelibrary and @kilewoodwork for the rp-ing for this!
I was ecstatic when we received our newest challenge. Finally, something that would benefit the people! Truthfully, I had felt a little guilty lavishing in jewels and exquisite gowns for months, while others had to work to the bone to scrap the tiniest amount of money for food.
It was even better when we were allowed to work in pairs. I would be teaming up with Liz; that went untold. We both agreed this was one of the best chances that we could put our entire effort into. It was a great way to see how the others would accomplish this.
After all, one of us would become Queen and this was a chance to prove what the future Queen could do for the people.
Liz and I spent most of the night together, formulating our plan to fulfill the challenge after I had successfully retrieved photos of Ashton in a tight dress and heels. The plan had gone perfectly. I had burst in Liz’s room afterwards and we had looked over the photos of Ashton in a dress, laughing so hard the other Selected were probably wondering if we had gone insane.
We both agreed on doing something for the children, and the next day, we snuck out of the palace through a hidden passage that Liz found out through Ashton. Both of us had kept our hair down and we donned simple clothes, trying not to be noticed. It felt wonderful to be free of pinching heels and tight pins in my hair.
We were going to talk to the children first to see what they wanted, especially since they practically had no voice in anything because of their youth. I was looking around the city as we came out and I sighed, missing the sweet smell of the air and the warm sunshine. I did walk in the gardens usually but I still felt somehow confined, as much as I did enjoy the benefits of being at the palace.
A wave of homesickness hit me. I longed for the days of sitting on the wooden porch, watching the snow fall back in Hansport. I would be jumping onto the railing, walking dangerously on the thin handles with hot chocolate in my hand, Brooklyn and Landon with me. I shook myself out of my trance and decided to focus on something else: my growling stomach.
While Liz was scanning our surroundings, I quickly bought something to eat. I saw Liz near a girl and boy, around twelve and fifteen years old and I hurried over. The boy introduced themselves as Marco and Avila, and offered to show us around for a couple dollars. Liz and I exchanged glances and she shrugged, as they brightened and tugged us along. As they took us around Angeles, showing us some sights (I made us all stop for awhile so I could buy more food; it smelled delicious (except for the tomato products eugh) and we learned a bit about them.
Marco and Avila had no home except the orphanage after their parents had died. They earned little money from the tours they gave. Their story immediately made me feel awful. How many times had I complained about my life? Compared to theirs, mine was practically paradise. And they weren’t even over 16 yet.
We strolled around Angeles, which turned out to be quite nice actually, and once we arrived back to where we came from, Avila offered Liz and I to eat with them.
I immediately accepted and tugged Liz along, giving her a small smile. She was lost in thought and I could only imagine what would be going on in her head.
They explained how we all had to bring something to share. I was eager to go buy more food; it turned out I was hungry. Again.
Liz and I purchased some food: bread and some fruit (I managed to sneak in some muffins too) and Marco and Avila lead us towards a alley-like street, smaller than the normal streets. I looked over at Liz, who had a strange expression on her face. We continued and turned in, leading to a group of kids, all younger than us.
I scanned the area; they had little to no possessions and I was astounded as to how the monarchy didn’t know about this. Either they didn’t know or they weren’t doing much, which I figured was the case. I couldn’t believe this was how they were living.
We sat down with curious eyes staring at us. It was only a matter of time until one voice pierced the air. “You’re not just any tourists!” one boy said accusingly. I tensed, my food pausing mid-way to my mouth. “You’re in the Prince’s Selection!”
There was a brief silence before mouthfuls of harsh insults and comments were thrown our way. One girl with bangs swept to the side of her face called out, “The Prince is a dirtbag who won’t ever care about people like us. Why would you care?”
I felt no urge to defend myself or the monarchy. The children were right. They were younger than us, and they had seen more than we would ever possibly see. All of us were lounging around, in handmade dresses with maids to do our hair, wearing jewels that would be enough to feed one family for a year. We had all the food we wanted and yet there was still wasted food. We probably even had bed sheets that were worth more than one of them could make in a year. The complaints that were circling the Women’s Room awhile ago, which seemed terrible then, now seemed selfish and weak in comparison.They were absolutely right.
“I agree with you,” I spoke, my voice ringing out through the sounds of argument and complaints. “Me too,” added on Liz. The sounds of argument ceased and I digressed.
I thought for a minute before saying, “It’s true that this is all unfair. Plus, Ashton is an idiot, but maybe there still is hope for him.” Liz nodded and continued, “Yesterday, he told us all to think of a project to improve the situation of the Sevens and Eights in Angeles, so, you.”
Liz kept speaking and explaining, with me throwing in a couple words. We asked them what they wanted. They started throwing out things: food, shelter, money, clothes; only the basic necessities. And here I was with more than enough food, the top of the top security measures, plenty of money, and in my closet were some of the finest clothes I’d seen.
The girl who had insulted Ashton earlier spoke up. “I want to go to school and be a doctor.” There was a silence until someone shouted, “Charlotte, you know that’s a Three job. You’re a freaking Eight!”
“So what? Sevens can become nurses if they go to school, and so can I. If I’m good, I can be a doctor,” she retorted, pushing away her bangs and giving a confident grin.
The others started to catch on, calling out things they wanted to do: goals, dreams. They put their hands in the middle which I remembered vaguely doing a lot in primary school, something silly to motivate us. I thought it was sweet though and joined hands in the middle, right along with Liz.
“We’re going to make it possible,” Liz said, “promise. Do you want to meet here tomorrow again?” We agreed and I felt an urge to ask, “Do you want us to bring food from the palace?”
There was a silence but I could see the eagerness in their eyes. Charlotte said, “If that’s no problem.”
“No one will bat an eye,” I promised and smiled. After all, I would be sneaking down to the kitchens later, and I would be hoarding as much food as I could for the sweet kids who needed it.
The next few days were quite productive. Liz, in all her splendor and talent, convinced some teachers to teach the children for a couple extra hours for free. We brought baskets of food to them daily (exclude the bran muffins, I decided not to put them through the misery of trying bran muffins). The teachers offered to let them use the school as a shelter and I proposed that we could bring them blankets.
I was quite surprised that I didn’t worry about the other Selected as much. I was mainly focused on working with Liz and helping the children that I didn’t think worrying about something as trivial as how the other girls were doing was that important anymore. Maybe there was something more to the Selection than pretty dresses after all.
Liz and I shared a smile and I couldn’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, the role of future Queen, whoever that would be, wasn’t such a bad thing after all.
