She was 4 years old, with a purple princess gown and a crystal tiara. Glitter coated her cheeks, sparkling like the North Star, reflecting the promise Sabine saw in her little girl. The cameras flashed bright around the little girl, pinpricks of light that would confuse anyone unused to it. The girl just smiled shyly, ducking her head and peeking out from her eyelashes, remembering what her mother taught her. Even if the lights hurt, she must always accept it gracefully.
He was 5 years old, stuffed into a suit and tie. The green of his vest brought out his eyes, brought out the promise Gabriel saw in his little boy. The cameras flashed bright around the little boy, sharp and painful to those beautiful eyes. The boy smiled boisterously, the picture of ease and comfort, remembering what his father told him. Even if the clothes are uncomfortable, he must always act comfortable in them.
She was 7 years old, having a tea party with her 'friends.' Everyone ignored the fact that the other girls hated her, that they were jealous and petty, even at their young age. She still smiled, sitting and posing in her pink fluffy dress and the same tiara that she wore three years ago. There was no glitter on her cheeks. Instead, thick blush and concealer masked the freckles that ran across her cheeks, Sabine's efforts hide the imperfections and blemishes she found on her daughter. The cameras flashed, dazzling some of the girls into crying. They were sent home. She wondered what would happen if she sobbed and put up a fuss, but knew better than to try. The lessons Sabine had taught her remained impressed upon her memory. Accept the lights gracefully, smile, unless directed not to.
He was 8 years old, dressed in a soccer team uniform, for a team that he was not on. Grass stains were smeared across the uniform and his face, strategically position to hide any marks and scars on his face that Gabriel found. He posed with other models his age, pretending to run across a field, pretending to pass the ball and to score a goal. Pretending that they won and forcing a smile to his face. His cheeks hurt from all the smiling, and he wondered what would happen if he dropped the act, if he put up a fuss. He knew better than to try. The lessons Gabriel taught him remained impressed upon his memory. He must always act comfortable, always act happy, unless directed not to.
She was 10 years old. Too old to be dressed in princess gowns and too young to wear elegant dresses. Sabine dressed her in everyday clothes, still designer, still extravagantly priced, but positioned for everyday, not just special occasions. Sabine lightened up on the makeup, allowing freckles, but not any pimples that were bound to show up soon. Marinette pretended to play a board game, pretended to be friends with the same girls she had fake tea parties with. The cameras flashed, and they all smiled, the ones who used to cry were gone. She smiled her signature soft smile, the lessons her mother taught her branded to her mind. Smile, but remember: smile too brightly and it looks fake. Find moderation.
He was 11 years old. He continued to wear sports uniforms and suits, but now he also wore everyday clothes. It was a move Gabriel took from the Cheng designs, although he was too proud to admit that, and Adrien was too scared to suggest it. He wore everyday clothes, still designer and still expensive, and the shoots were more indoors. He posed with friends and with girls, and he posed doing things he never would have a chance to really do. He still smiled and acted like an expert, the lessons his father taught him branded to his mind. Always act happy, always act confident, unless directed otherwise.
She was 14, and back to the age of dresses and glitter. She wore a midnight blue dress unlike any she had worn before. It lacked the poof and fluff of her childhood, accentuating her slim figure, collecting in tucks and knots at her waist, falling like water to brush the ground. Glitter was back, but instead of being carelessly smeared across her face, it was a light sheen to her skin, in jewels upon her eyelashes. Her hair, in a French braid across her head, had diamonds and jewels woven into it, catching and reflecting the light in a rainbow of colors. Reviews and critics went crazy over the magazine, oohing and aahhing at the shining star of the Cheng fashion line. She smiled from beneath the glittering lashes that magnified the flashes, holding the hands of strange boys with smooth words and good looks. She posed in their arms, forcing herself to blush and laugh charmingly, acting as if she was in love. Remember: Accept everything gracefully.
He was 14, dressed in suits and ties and tuxedos. He wore deep emerald greens and spring leaf greens and everything in between. He wore grey suits and black suits and the occasional navy blue suit, but there was always green or gold in the outfit to show off his eyes. He forced a loving smile on his face as he held a strange girl's hand. He posed and faked a laugh and blush as he held the girl in his arms, acting as if he was in love. Remember: Act happy and confident.
They were sixteen and there were no pictures of them in magazines. Rumors floated around of them eloping, of them having a relationship, forbidden of course, and their parents found out. Others said they died for love. Gabriel and Sabine hurriedly squashed the rumors, the first thing in almost 3 decades that they agreed on. The act only sparked more rumors.
AN: Before we go on, I wanted to give a fair warning: this story has the potential to be confusing.
I'm going to try to make it as clear as I can in the story, and for things that might need a bit more clarification, I'll explain it after the chapter is done. So if you are confused in the middle of the chapter, chances are at the end I will have added some notes to help you. If I still fail at sending my points across, you can just ask, and I'd be more than happy to explain.
I'm more of a one-shot writer, I just wanted to stretch my comfort zone a little. I would like to hear your opinions on how I am doing, so I can work to improve it!
Peace, Love, and Baby Ducks!
~Spots