Hope you like this new story, please please review, I would enjoy helpful criticism, or hearing what you like, it helps.

There are those born to work their way to greatness, others destined for a life without fame or glory, then, there are those simply born into the universe, with the world at their fingertips. These people, the rich and noble, are those lucky few, who have the money to latch onto a high place in society, the manners and grace to hoist themselves up, the attitudes and intelligence, to remain there safely.

I was not born this way, my family had to work, suffer, and climb the social ladder, until a mere coincidence landed us a spot in higher society, complete with formal affairs, beautiful friends, large homes, and blissful ignorance of the woes of the world around us.

My father made a few lucky investments, and soon tripled his income, expanded his business, and created an empire. You couldn't enter any city without seeing one of his famed wineries, or grape orchards. But, that wasn't enough. We had to move to central, away from the home where I grew up, in the middle of no where. My father invested in local businesses, bought some hotels, and now here I am, sitting in the formal dining room with my parents, older sister, and younger brother. While being carefully watched by the families new, and gossip prone butler who was just dying to see me screw up so he could call the gossip section of the newspaper and make some quick cash.

I had adjusted quite well though, so this butler would have to wait for my brother to say something obnoxious. I was young when my father made his fortune, which gave my mom the opportunity to get me schooled in the ways of etiquette, make the right friends, and learn to love the luxuries I was given.

I sat there quietly, observing, calculating. True, I had adjusted well to the life of a proper young lady, but I was left bored, and thus chose to use the intellect that very few knew I had acquired, and find new ways to rise up the social ladder, and gain the respect and awe of everyone worth caring about. I wasn't easily satisfied, but one never is, when they are constantly second best all their lives.

"Vanessa, please. You know I hate when you stare off into space like that. You will get wrinkles." My mother said calmly, as she sipped some of her champagne.

"Of course."

"So what were you scheming?" my father asked, eyebrow raised and a smirk that said he understood my thought process.

"Oh nothing of great importance. But, we have attended so many balls and events; it's just rude and inconsiderate that we haven't hosted anything as of late." I said, with a smirk of my own while I pushed a loose strand of black hair behind my ear.

"She's right! I won't stand to have Leon thinking that I can't properly host a party!" my sister, Brittany exclaimed.

I rolled my eyes, Leon being the son of the wealthiest man in town, next to the Fuhrer of course. Though marriage was a common practice to gain social standing or move up in the eyes of society, it was a practice I found utterly stupid and foolish. It was brainless, and way to simple, in other words, not my type of fun.

I became bored after this, allowing my parents and sister to begin the planning. I had planted the seed, now to sit back and watch it grow.

"I'm afraid that today's shopping trip wore me out, ill just retire early. See you all in the morning." I said, excusing myself, mentally slapping myself at how rude I appeared to the butler. Oh well, this wasn't the sort of thing that would interest a gossip column.

I made my way to my room, and sighed as I leaned against the door after shutting it. while I did enjoy the game of manipulation and social climbing, I could easily do without the etiquette and stuffiness.

I walked across the room and got ready for bed, and caught sit of my reflection. thick long black hair that just reached my elbows, dark blue eyes that turned slightly up at the outer corners, small mouth, lightly tanned skin, and a small face with a strong jaw. The overall effect creating a face that could easily feign shyness, stare down an opponent, or seduce with a catlike gaze. I wasn't the traditional beauty of the times, but I was a different type of beauty. I knew, because of all the invitations for strolls in the park, offers to dance at balls, and the stares I would receive. I was not vain in any case, but I knew what I had, and I knew how to use it. If flirting with the owner of a competing hotel would help me aid my father in crushing the competition, then I would gladly do so.

The next day I would water the seed, and make my father aware of the need to make it a ball honoring the military and current achievements, especially when regarding the state alchemists. It was always good to get the military on your side, especially when the military governed nearly everything, and when you never knew who would attempt to kidnap you for ransom.

But I had planned enough for one day, it was time to sleep, and dream of a nicer things, and prettier days, when I didn't need to maintain appearances to keep friends, when I didn't require a new dress everyday and be forced to stand in a small room with too many candles getting fitted for a dress. Those days may be far behind me, but it didn't hurt to relish their memories in my dreams.

YAY! Chapter one is done. It was short but the next chapters wont be. Vanessa is a much more complex character than my usual ones, and though this chapter highlighted her flaws. (her vindictive, methodical, manipulative side,) her positive traits are there, waiting to be seen in the next chapter. PLEASE REVIEW!