Celestia Ludenburg: Rose Whip Enthusiast
Celeste was bored. She was totally and utterly bored. She was so bored you could make a table out of her pure, undiluted bored. She had nothing to do, since the school's recent gambling tournament had finished (she was barred from participating and served with the Ultimate Journalist as a commentator for the entire event, which was surprisingly fun) and was now sitting in the dining hall. It was, to make it even worse, the height of summer. Celeste hatted summer. It made you all hot and sweaty and yucky and there were bugs everywhere. She just wished she could go back to her room and stay there for the rest of her day, playing an online poker tournament she'd recently been forced into doing by, surprisingly enough, Toko (she'd made a bet that Celeste couldn't win £10,000 in a week so now she was proving her wrong), but unfortunately it was a school day.
Then, Makoto walked in. It was only the beginning of the hour break they had on Saturdays, so Celeste was, up to this point, alone. But, finally, there was someone who could alleviate her boredom. She stood up and began to walk over to Makoto. But that was when she noticed what was in his hand. Then, everything she may have been thinking of doing with Makoto stopped in her mind. 'Where the hell did he get that, why does he have it and I really want it' thought Celeste. So, she walked up to Makoto.
"Oh, hey Celeste."
"Good afternoon, Makoto. I hope you are well"
"Yeah, you too Celeste."
There was a brief, yet awkward silence. Then, Makoto spoke.
"Oh yeah, I remember why I came here now! I got this in a prize machine that Junko was heavily advertising in the hall, something called... the StereoMachine? No, the MonoMachine! I got this from the MonoMachine or whatever, and then she said to give it to Celeste for some reason? Care to elaborate?" Makoto explained. Indeed, what was in his hand would be weird to most people, but not Celeste. Because this... this was a Rose Whip. She had first seen these in Novoselic when she had taken place in an underground Gambling tournament and won, obviously. One of the prizes she had been presented with was a Rose Whip. This was very befitting of her love of gothic Lolita things, and she immediately took more interest in what these mystical Rose Whips were.
It turns out they originated from Queen Marchia de la Rosa Formosa of the small kingdom of Laronia, a country that was annexed by Novoselic 1000 years previously. It was said that this Queen ruled with an iron fist and took no qualms from punishing anyone who disobeyed her, and enjoyed it, as a matter of fact. However, she could never settle down with a partner, mainly because of her reputation. But that all changed when she met with Marcus Recilio, an embroider from the capital city. Marcus was a commoner, but was known for his intricate embroidery, and was such often commissioned by Dukes, Duchesses and even the Royal Family. And, one day, he requested to visit Queen Marchia, to present a new creation of his. This, as you might imagine, was the Rose Whip. Queen Marchia was so in love with the Rose Whip that she immediately commissioned Marcus to make 1000 more, which he did. She then requested that he marry her, which he did. Now, this story was only apocrypha, but there was evidence to back it up.
Celeste had massive admiration for Queen Marchia (her and Marie Antoinette were here inspirations), and had immediately taken up finding and collecting as many Rose Whips as possible. She had found them in Brazil, China, India, France, Russia and even in Morocco. So, when she saw what was in Makoto's hand, she immediately wanted it. But, if what Makoto had said was true (which, knowing Makoto, it was), then that meant that Junko... knew about her love for Rose Whips? Putting that weird thought aside, Celeste decided to ask Makoto if she could have it.
"Hey, Makoto. Can I have that?"
"Huh? So Junko was right! Cool. And sure, you can have it, I wouldn't want it either way."
Celeste nodded in satisfaction. This was surely a welcome turn of events.
"Uh... Celeste? May I... ask you something?
"Yes?"
"Why do you want this?" Makoto innocently asked.
Celeste was quiet for a moment. How to answer that question, huh? How to answer it? Makoto was still speaking.
"I mean, what is it, just a Rose Whip?"
Celeste's mind stopped. Just a Rose Whip? JUST A ROSE WHIP? DID HE HAVE ANY IDEA ABOUT WHAT HE JUST SAID? Celeste was about one second off going totally ballistic on Makoto before she realised- he didn't. Makoto, being a totally normal high school student, was probably totally oblivious too the glory of the Rose Whip. Celeste smiled.
"Ah, my dear Makoto, let me enlighten you."
"Uh... okay Celeste, I guess that's okay...?"
"Ehehehehehehe. Thank you Makoto. It all started one thousand one hundred and thirty six years ago..."
Celeste proceeded to 'enlighten' Makoto about the Rose Whip. She began to get very animated, and got really into it. She didn't realise that it was almost the end of break when she finished.
"And that, THAT is why the Rose Whip is so great! Now do you see, Makot- Makoto?"
Makoto had left about halfway through, and in his place was a boy she'd never seen before. He had white hair and some very tatty clothes. She felt sick just looking at him.
"Vey good story! Just as I'd expect from an Ultimate, who's as well travelled as you, Celeste! It must be AMAZING to see all the things you have. What hope! Ahahahahahahahahahahaha-"
Celeste ignored the strange boy and walked off. She needed to find Makoto. And, she had finally found a reason to use the Rose Whip. And it wasn't going to be pretty for Makoto when she did. Or maybe it would. Maybe he'd be into it. Maybe he'd be her Marcus. And that thought pleased Celeste. She laughed a small laugh, and began to walk away.
Sayaka was concerned. Makoto had disappeared. The only person who'd seen him was apparently Celeste, who said she'd seen him walk away into the dining hall about thirty minutes prior. But no sign since. She hoped he was okay. She had no idea Celeste was with him. She had no idea what hell Makoto was going through. But, sometimes ignorance is bliss.
FIN
