Saturday 18 November 2006, Dublin, Ireland
"As I've already shown you, I'd been drawing and colouring what would be the future Shiny Chariot cards fora few days, I'd already finished making them, at least the drawings were done, what I needed to do was tocontinue working on one more thing and that was to create a captivating advertisement, As well as spendingtime at home making a variety of cards to spread around, which I'm sure everyone would enjoy, as we werestarting to sell all the hype behind Shiny Chariot for a big world tour that was coming up, I was really lookingforward to it all."
It's new for me to come here to Mum Laura's house, well I'd just finished drawing the cards and sending them to Croix, I want to see what's going to happen here, is there going to be a party? Let's hope so, Halloween was already very interesting, Meridies also came with me, just the girls who stayed in Luna Nova, we landed there and saw Mrs Jordan waiting for us, so we waved to her and even had a hug.
"You've finally arrived" said Aunt April.
"Yes, we're here, we're ready to start" said my mum.
"Start what?" I ask them.
"Ah, we haven't told you yet, but we're about to start recording their commercials, since it's been a long time since Shiny Chariot has advertised anything on the internet, it's a good time to get the word out and with some commercials it could help, especially around the cards, I'm sure they'll buy more if you appear with your little face promoting them" That's marvellous, my eyes even sparkle.
"Is it like a TV advert?" I ask excitedly.
"It's almost like that, we're going to get some money to try and publicise it on television, since in a fortnight' time the cards are going to go out in the shops, which we've already started to produce some of" Mrs Jordan said, showing them to me and I took them in my hand and wow, this is beautiful.
"They're perfect, they're marvellous, I really love them! The children will really like the cards like this, you're marvellous" Wow, you've really put everything together, imagine when the packs come out for sale, it's going to be wonderful.
"So come on, let's go to an empty room, you're going to record some takes in a green, well-lit room, so in the edit we can put you anywhere" said Aunt April.
I nod my head, I'm very excited about this, and we go into a part of the McLaren house, which on the way I can see that my little sisters are watching cartoons on the telly, they're cute together, until we get to the bedroom, where you can see that not only does it have a green background, but it also looks like there's a wall dividing it with glass, with some foam on one side.
"We haven't thought about what you said yet, that's why we've called you here, we can think of something that could be said to publicise the letters in a video of up to 30 seconds" said my mother.
"I can improvise a few takes, I'll just need to put my clothes on, I don't know where they are now, if I think about it, when Alan brought down my career he took the bus that had all my costumes, I think most of my clothes were there" I say to them while rubbing the back of my neck.
"That's not a problem, we've sewn new ones with a much better quality than the ones you used to wear, we've seen where we can improve and that without affecting your mobility, since I imagine your concern must be about your parts popping out of your clothes and you exposing yourself too much" Mum Laura said and my eyes lit up.
I follow her through the house, where we go to another room, it used to be the room where I stayed every time I came here, I remember well some nights sleeping here in Ireland receiving affection before going to sleep, it brought me a feeling even a little nostalgic, after years this beautiful place has not been abandoned.
"You'll still be able to stay in this room a lot, Chariot, we've made a point of keeping it and I imagine you'll need a house when you graduate, don't you?" I nod my head in agreement, this is going to be marvellous, while I admire the texture of my new clothes.
"Wow, this is very well finished, even the seams aren't showing, the quality of this is the pinnacle, the previous suit was getting very tight on me and with some rips threatening to appear, but this will fit very well, even too much" I say smiling.
"So feel free to get changed, we'll wait for you when you're ready, then we'll help you with your make-up" I nod my head cheerfully.
Right, it's time to start being Shiny Chariot again, they leave my room and close the door, so I take the opportunity to take off my clothes, I look at myself in the mirror, a smile comes over me, I remember when I was a child and so small, I was even a little afraid of the big mirror, but today I'm almost the size of it, the moments I spent here in this house, it was always so good to stay here, it seemed like I would stay here forever.
I change and look at myself in the mirror, the clothes fit so well, it looks like they've taken everything just right to make it fit, perfect, it's even comfortable, I remember how the other one bothered my back and also a bit inside, now everything is perfect, I take a deep breath and walk out the door, which I see my mum smiling when she sees me.
"Wow, the clothes fit just right, Bernadette made them wonderful, she's the best at sewing without a doubt, that girl has divine hands" said my mum.
"It's even comfortable, I can move with enormous ease like this, it's great to be able to move my body like this without anything bothering it, now I feel the sensation of freedom in my body flowing everywhere" I say happily and excitedly.
"We're glad you're feeling well and comfortable, above all that's what we're trying to do, so you can finally feel more at ease, but also comfortable and happy, our darling's wellbeing is the most important thing" Mum said, stroking my head and then I went into the bedroom where I sat down and she started to put me back together.
"I don't remember seeing you know how to put make-up on, you're just one of the people I've never seen put make-up on" I say as she goes to comb my hair.
"I've got a bit of experience with make-up, I learnt a bit from... your late aunt Chelsea, we used to do each other's make-up, she loved it. Your late aunt Chelsea, we used to put make-up on each other, she loved it... Well, let's not think about things like that, I know you're going to look great" said my mum, fixing her hair.
I think there's even a feeling of rememberingAunt Chelsea, even with everything she's done and happened, Mum Laura doesn't forget her, I can only imagine what a memory it must be deep down inside, after so much time and so many things it must still hurt her to think ofAunt Chelsea.
Now I start to close my eyes and she starts to put make-up on me, it's going wonderfully, I feel the lightness of her hands on me, I open my eyes and see myself in the mirror and wow, the make-up looks marvellous.
"There you go girl, that's the best I could do" it's perfect.
"Mum, you're perfect, I can't do my make-up like that for the nine witches!" I say happily and get up from the chair to look at my mum.
"Well, it's time to start recording the commercial" I'm ready, I can see how we're going to do it.
I go back to my seat, I take a deep breath, I have to imagine as if I were on stage and stay calm, it's good that the nerves don't go to my head, that's for sure, I go into the soundproofed room and the girls go in with me, I think we have to formulate what to say first.
"So have you thought of anything to say?" Wow, the voice comes out perfectly, without any echo, this is marvellous!
"Ahhhh!" Croix and I start shouting because it's bizarre, while they both laugh.
"We did the same thing after putting it all together, and it's curious how well it all comes together, and the best thing is that nobody hears anything, you just use a loudspeaker to hear what you're saying" that's very interesting.
"We can also use magic and intensify the effect, so that the voice is as perfect as the sound in a microphone, so it will come out well" said my mum Laura.
"And we're also going to use a microphone with you, the sound quality will be perfect and synchronised, with Croix's video editing, you just have to go for it, just tell us your ideas" said Mrs Jordan.
"I know a few, you can leave it with me and record a few takes, it's for publicising the letters, isn't it?" They nod.
"The cards will be released on 2 December somewhere, otherwise I know that Chariot Du Nord's improvisation will shine through" said my mother, and I smiled and nodded.
They come out of the part where there is soundproofing, and they set up the cameras so that everything is well filmed, you can see that there is a part where you can adjust the angles, right in the middle of the glass, you can install everything I'm positioning myself and getting a better angle, where the girls indicate that my face is well framed and I can also appear with better lighting for the part where the effect is going to come, I see that the glow is starting to appear on the walls too, it must be the magic, for a brief moment, I take a deep breath and it's time to shine.
"Your magic is believing in yourself, and it's time to put that magic into play with the new release of the Shiny Chariot card game!" This one looks terrible, but I think the movements as I introduce myself help.
I even try to do something, but without using magic it doesn't look as cool and natural, since Croix is going to put the effects on afterwards, the girls keep looking at me and I keep doing it, at least that's what I have to get right, finish doing everything.
"Put your heart into the cards and show that you're the witch who believes in herself the most, this is the Shiny Chariot card game!" I try to give a quick presentation and do a few more twirls and then ask them to cut, that was awful, but I can't think of what to do, it was so out of the blue.
"Look Chariot, you did well in that one, I found it captivating, try to embody more of that spirit of what you feel on stage, that strong love, I know you can do better than that" said Croix.
"I'm trying, but it's difficult, I need to loosen up more, but how, I have to be inspired" I tell her.
"I can lift up my shirt and show my breasts, is that OK?" Not inspired like that, not that I think it's bad, but not like that.
"Not Croix either, I need to relax a bit, can you give me some time here to think a bit, clear my head and think as if I were on stage?" They nod.
"Just give us a signal and we'll go back to recording and get the best cuts for the edit, remember that you don't need to talk much, just show the product, it's a short commercial that you can then narrate what you're going to show later, this is just the part where you appear, in a short commercial of maybe 15 or 30 seconds" I get it, I'll just be a bit calmer about it.
I take a few deep breaths, close my eyes and try to imagine being back on stage, that's what I have to imagine, me in front of everyone, doing a show, just like before, that summer, yes, people clapping and remembering my name, I start to imagine myself in the night looking out at that huge audience, which I take a deep breath, I open my eyes and imagine myself doing the performance, which I snap my fingers signalling and there I am inspired.
"Welcome to this marvellous world of magic! I am Shiny Chariot and I will guide you through this curious world full of fascinating things! A world that you too can have at home!" Now inspiration strikes, I hope you're recording because in my head I'm just acting like I'm on stage.
Now the choreography is getting more and more improvised, I'm remembering the stage and I'm even loosening up more, since the clothes allow me to do that, so I'm not so trapped, so I think it's a perfect cue for the part where the Chariot cards are shown and I'm already very close, showing my shoulders and looking at the camera.
"Hurry to the nearest newsagents and get your hands on the Shiny Chariot cards, a card game where you and your friends can show off the wonders of magic and face off to see who has the true heart of the cards! Have fun and don't forget that your magic is believing in yourself!" I think that's pretty good now.
I look at everyone and they're even clapping, I really didn't imagine it would be like this, but I had to let myself go, if I record these short films for the commercial it will be perfect, I'm sure everyone will like it, I hope so at least, I even smile, which I already expect from the girls' voices judging me.
"That's what I wanted to see Chariot, it's this animation that you brought to the stage, you did very well, this is the first version of our commercial, now let's prepare the next ones" said Croix.
"The next ones? I thought there was only going to be one" I say a little wearily.
"This card special is going to be very varied, we wanted to bring you an experience that would be very interesting and eye-catching, I'm sorry I didn't say it before, but we haven't thought about it yet, what do you think the next one could be?" I think if it's like this, I'll have another idea.
"A table, bring a table over here, I think I know how I'm going to do this" I even take a deep breath.
"A table? Great, it'll be like I'm playing, so the kids will love it too, I like the idea Chariot" I even smile a bit, that's how I really want to do it.
Then there's a table in the room, which is being compacted and then we make it normal size, so we put the cards on it, and there's also a chair where I'm going to sit, maybe this way it'll be much better for me to start presenting myself, in this commercial, maybe this way I'll be able to show another perspective.
Then they signal that everything is ready and I'm already in a pose holding the cards that are spread out on the table, this is certainly going to be very interesting to show while I'm presenting, those fans more in search of obscure facts about me will like some of the things that will appear here, now it's signalled that the recording is going to start and I'm already looking at the camera with a duelist expression.
"Oh, so you've come here to duel my cards, will you have a heart of cards strong enough to go head-to-head with Shiny Chariot?" I've already made a very interesting introduction, and I'm preparing another pose to close and move on to a second part.
"Buy now at the nearest stall and run before your opponents get their hands on the most powerful deck, believe in yourselves that you'll get cards so powerful that you'll be able to beat even Shiny Chariot in a duel!" I even make a shocked face when a card appears on the table right next to me, and I see some clapping coming from the girls.
"You did very well with this Chariot, I liked the idea of you appearing like this, it could be an interesting version to use, we have to think a lot about publicising these things, I can already imagine it's going to be such a success" said Croix.
"The idea of the table was brilliant, the children will really want to buy this if it continues like this, what is the next idea you have in mind?" Mrs Jordan asks.
"Croix I have an idea, since you're going to edit the screen behind me, put a dragon following me, I'll have my back to the camera, then you'll focus on my deck and I'll watch everyone announcing the cards" I tell them.
"Like using the cards to fight the dragon? That'll be great, how come I didn't think of that before, then the card will project what's on it, perfect Chariot, the more variety the better" That's exactly it.
We even take the table out of play, I think I'm going to throw the card on the floor and that will make the monster appear, well it's time to start, I stand at the edge of the projection, which I look at the screen and see that the girls are signalling to start.
As there's nothing there, I get a bit carried away in my imagination, I run off to one end of the room, I turn round and look at the dragon, I pull the deck out of my sleeve, I stand in the pose and then I throw one of them on the floor, I even gesture with my hand pointing to the wall where the dragon is going to be.
"Now you've messed with the wrong witch Noir Dragon!" I say as I point to the wall.
"Oh I didn't even see you there, do you want to help me fight more monsters? Come with me and buy Shiny Chariot cards, together we'll fight Noir Dragon and other creatures with our magic, the heart of the cards will be with you!" I think it's pretty interesting, what I see is the girls laughing, but that's the way it is.
"Well, this Chariot is pretty funny, are you sure it's going to be good? I'm sure it'll get a few laughs" What's perfect in reality is the intention, these commercials are meant to be fun in reality.
"That's the point Croix, looking at nothing like that is really funny, but when you have your edit in the middle it will seem like something else, but if you keep bantering it's not a problem, children love a moment like that" I even smile.
"Well, we've already made three versions, will they appeal to the children?" My mum asks.
"We can make seven of them, so it matches the seven words, I can think of even more versions that we can take from all this, what's enough is creativity and for the children to see that it's not always the same thing on television, different commercials really catch the eye" I say excitedly.
"Well then, let's do it following that logic, I hope it doesn't tire you out Chariot, let's take a break now and then we'll think about the other four versions, it's better that way" Mum's right.
"If it was Alan he'd make me record all seven at once, it's good to have someone like you Mum" I say happily.
"The important thing is that everything looks good for when you appear on television and with a genuine smile from my girl, I can tell you're having fun doing this and that's what really matters most" said my mum, opening the door.
Then I go out of the room and hug her, lifting her off the ground a little as Mum has been very low lately and her head is on my chest, then I hug Croix and we have a good rest, I've taken three ideas here on how to make the commercials and I'm sure the children will love the Shiny Chariot cards even more like this, there will be lots of adverts to make and prepare for the launch.
[...]
I think we've now done all seven versions of the commercials, this was undoubtedly the most fun part of my career to do, as everyone's support and sponsorship is perfect and wonderful, that's how I wanted it to be, without Alan, Mum's direct help has been perfect, we even did the advert for one of the games they're making, Shiny Chariot, I did an introduction, that'll be nice to see on television one day.
"Look girl, you've got a lot going for you, I never thought we'd be able to get so much off the drawing board with you, you did a great job today, the day is free, you can do whatever you want, go for a walk, eat, play games, call your friends, here the work of recording has already been done, rest up as Croix is going to focus on editing everything later" Said my mum hugging us who were sitting and eating.
"Mum, I just wanted to help, I'm glad I can bring reality to the world, appearing on television as an advert is wonderful, but can I really do it?" I ask her.
"I've already managed to close a deal with local television, your grandmother Joanne is a journalist, she's pulled out all the stops and has already secured a slot for us, we've also given a little money to the others, it's going to be worth all this publicity, added to the internet, the production of the letters is going to be costly, but this part of your career is to really drain the Cavendish family coffers" I hope nothing bad happens.
"But what if something happens? Whether it's with Mum Bernadette or with me, or even with you, Mum, the Cavendish family could be worse off" I say to her.
"It's not going to happen, we'll be prepared for everything, when the whole plan works we'll be very relevant, apart from the fact that maybe when the curse wears off it will be the moment that Daryl leaves, even if unfortunately it will take more than 10 years for that to happen, I have to try, I know that Bernadette will leave the ground ready for my return, we've been planning this for years" I know that, it's going to be quite a return.
"I hope nothing goes wrong then, but I'll feel guilty if nothing works out and the Cavendish family's money goes to waste, we'll put them at risk of bankruptcy because of me" I say to my mum.
"It's Bernadette's wish, Daryl won't want to be in charge and have the power of a family that's going back to being humble and leaving the aristocratic part completely aside, if she keeps taking our money like that, she won't be able to do it any more, because she won't have any money and there's nothing wrong with staying in another state, that castle will have to cease to exist one day, it's an offence to the witches for it to be standing and to be considered part of the Cavendish history" said my mother as always with good reason.
I hope everything works out, I'm going to do everything I can to make my career the most fruitful of all, people will see my evolution, they'll see me getting there with Claiomh Solais, the children will want to be witches like me and things can change a lot in that, I trust they can at least.
I keep eating and looking at them, I feel this responsibility to be the Shiny Chariot, but I don't feel the pressure, Mum really makes things easy for me and that's what matters most.
[...]
I think that after all this I'll be on the balcony of the house looking at the tree house where Croix comes to my side, even after everything, she's been helping me a lot with Claiomh Solais and my career, even from the outside, I think that in the end she's forgotten the fight we had, she's accepted me as the chosen one, that's what I'm happy about.
"Thank you Croix..." I say to her.
"Thank you for what? I'm just doing the basics, I'm just helping you with your career in any way I can, it's not because of a piece of wood that I'm going to stop helping in the witches' revolution, you're still an important part" Ah it makes perfect sense, she sees me as the one who's going to change things.
"You know I didn't want to do any of that out of spite, don't you?" I ask her because I still feel a bit bad.
"I know that Chariot, I was a bit of a jerk for reacting like that, I feel bad, I really wanted the power of Claiomh Solais for myself and I felt I deserved it, but I know you've been doing an excellent job, I just feel... I wanted to express it, but I feel useless, after all this, I see that my importance is just being an extra, even after trying so hard to be the protagonist, I ended up being a villain and now I'm the extra who can't swallow and accept the truth, but that's it Chariot, I'll never be you" She's also very insecure these days and depressed, I don't like to see that kind of behaviour.
"It's not that much Croix, you help a lot, without you I wouldn't have achieved the greatness of my career, people wouldn't be talking about me, I became Shiny Chariot with your help, you're going to become the protagonist you already are, the witch revolution is going to happen and who else knows how to work technological magic? There you'll be supporting millions and billions of people who will change their lives by seeing what you can do with magic, after the seven words, there will be people admiring the genius of Croix Meridies, my fashion may even be faddish and admired by children, but your creations will be things that people can take with them forever, have you ever stopped to think about how in a while you'll be the person who will influence the lives of every person in this world, your inventions will bring the world to new horizons, I believe in you Croix" I say hugging her so much that she blushes.
"I don't know Chariot, you may be very influential and I don't doubt that, but while people will use my things in the future, they'll never know the face behind it all, whether they like it or not, but the children who saw you and started acting like better people have a face to look up to, they'll look at you and know, this woman changed their lives" I even blush a little.
"Just don't be so ashamed to show yourself Croix, I guarantee it'll be worth it" I say to her and she turns her face away.
"It's not time yet, when I'm ready and prettier I'll make a point of changing my look to be more eye-catching, for now I prefer to carry on like this, like the girl who nobody wants to give anything to, but has enormous hidden potential" and I mean potential.
"Well, I'm not going to be pressurised into anything, you know what's best for you and the witches, I know that Croix, we'll be in this together, me and you for the seven words and the future of magic" I hold her hand and smile.
"When I'm mature enough we'll manage, just be happy Chariot, I know you're getting things done with my help, but even I'll be the one to bring you that happiness, I've only brought you trouble" Oh don't give me that now.
"Don't be so negative, don't be insecure Croix, I know you want to improve and you can do it, it's not going to be by putting your head down and crying, you have to go for it, I didn't stand there and do nothing, I know you can do it, I believe in you, remember the words you said to me" I even put my finger on my chest and left the balcony.
I don't know what she's going to gain by showing insecurity like this, but I honestly don't want to get too negative right now, I think I'll go downstairs and play a bit, cool off and I also think it's better this way, I've already done so much today, I've made great strides in my career, now all that's left is to believe that I'll get there.
"And that explains why I made so many versions of the Chariot card commercials, including the Frenchversion I had also recorded that day and it was a lot of fun, as I was able to use my own voice, while the restof the adverts kind of spread around the world with voiceovers that Croix arranged to do my voice, beingfrom fans themselves, people who had a voice very similar to me and who liked Shiny Chariot, and were
even well rewarded for bringing the cards to many places in the world, I think you must have loved collectingthem all."
See you, card witches...