Jeanne Compton

Reaching out to someone hadn’t been easy for her, but the thoughts and memories had been picking at Mina’s mind all night. It was early, so early the sun had barely started to rise as she paced her small living room. Even before this all happened, she hadn’t really been sleeping. Seeing what she had the weekend of the Seraphim party had left her shaken. To add her own brush with death to the mix, Mina could hardly recognize the person she had become.

The thoughts alerted her before she ever heard the knock on the door. Fully expecting Jeanne, she pulled the door open quickly, eyes lifting up to meet her friends. Color draining from her face, she took a step back before she could stop herself. It didn’t make sense. Those thoughts, that mind clearly belonged to Jeanne’s but it was the King who stood before her. “Y-Your Majesty?” she asked, brows furrowed as she gently tried to prod their mind.

Emilia smiled softly when Jeanne agreed to her plan. She felt trapped in this room. A trip to the labyrinth was just what she needed— for what was a better way to get over feeling trapped than to go through a maze one knows by heart? She had spent too many hours in that maze to be confused by it. It was practically her and Lucian’s little hideout when they didn’t want to participate in royal activities. 

Emilia closed her eyes when she stepped outside. The cool air made her relax almost instantly, and she was already feeling less upset about the events that have been occurring lately. No kings, no deaths, only the outside to focus on. Her eyes fluttered open when she heard Jeanne speak, and she couldn’t help but nod at the question.

“Lucian and I would race to see who could get to the middle first. Normally he’d win because his legs were longer than mine, but he still let me swing on the swing first every time.” It made her a bit sad to talk about her childhood. It was hard to think about a time when everyone in her family was alive and living within the castle walls.It felt like a distant memory now.

“Lucien’s a good kid,” Jeanne murmured. She believed that. Before Lucien had run off he and Jeanne had been close and there was a period of time that she’d even considered attempting to seduce him. Now she realized they weren’t compatible romantically. Still, she wouldn’t say no if the option presented itself. “You’re lucky to have him as a brother,” she nudged her with her shoulder, “then again, he’s lucky to have you too.” 

“Did Jean-Pierre or Belle ever play with the two of you? Or were they too concerned with important business?” she laughed at the idea of two children in business attire. “You know I can’t picture Jean-Pierre as a child.” 

Sam pouted, put out by the idea of anyone resisting an urge as simple as jumping in a fountain because they were too worried what people would think.

Sod it, it was boiling hot today. 

“People wouldn’t bat an eye anyway as long as you weren’t alone.” They pointed out with a wicked grin. ‘Course, now that the idea had been planted they wanted to do it either way, but people always felt more comfortable doing something they’d already seen someone else do.

Without further preamble Sam shifted, nudging themselves off the ledge of the fountain and into the cool waters. They didn’t care if people ‘batted an eye’ at them. “Oh yeah, that’s the ticket.” They sighed happily, laying on their back and bringing their hands up to splash more water over their face. Yeah, this had been a good shout. “You’ve got some good ideas blondie, care to join me?”

Jeanne watched, not believing her eyes as the other person dropped into the waters. She laughed, dodging as the water splashed up at her. For a moment she hesitated, the fear of other’s gaze still lingering but one more look at the other person in the water made her forget.

She stepped into the water, grinning as the relief hit her. “I’m Jeanne,” she offered with a grin. 

Jeanne’s words reassured her. She was still upset at how quickly everyone else had moved on, but the anchor made her feel like she wasn’t strange for not being over the news of their demise. Her older siblings had always been more guarded when it came to their emotions. Her and Lucian were always the ones who wore their heart on their sleeves. She just thought that going through a tragedy like this would bring her older siblings closer to her, but they’ve felt more separate than ever. She understood that both of them had new responsibilities, but no one seems to make the time to see if she’s doing okay.

A small smile fell on her lips when the shapeshifter suggested they take a trip outside. She felt trapped within these walls, a claustrophobic feeling sinking into her chest the longer she stayed at this party, and a trip outside was just what she needed. Her head nodded in response.

“It has been a while since i’ve wandered through the labyrinth. Perhaps we shall make our way through it and swing on the swing set in the middle.” Her eyes scanned the room before falling on her brother. He was mingling with some socialites from Keigan. “I don’t think anyone will notice our disappearance.”

Jeanne grinned. “I think that sounds like a perfect idea.” She took her arm and lead her outside. “They won’t. Don’t worry,” she reassured her. Everyone was locked in their own conversations. The princess’ well being was far more important than whatever mindless conversation she’d be dragged into if they stayed. 

“Did you play here as a child?” Jeanne asked, feeling the cool air hit her face. “I can’t imagine what growing up in the castle was like.”

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Location: Seraphim Pit. Date: August 2nd, 2019. Time: 11:23 pm.

The Sinners were nestled comfortably in her purse, waiting for her to consume them, but for the sake of pretenses, she’s opted to not take them outside the confinements of her four walls. She was popular, well known, a celebrity. If the tabloids caught her having too much fun on her night out, it wouldn’t bode well for her career, so she resisted the urge to feel her illusions a little more intimately. To reap chaos. No, tonight she wanted to be as normal as someone like her could be; just a girl having fun on a night out. While the Sinners were hidden in her purse ( waiting to be used at a later time, and when she’s away from photographers that might lurk in the shadows of the Seraphim ), she had a drink in her hand, a dirty martini, and she sipped on it as she watched the spectacle in the centre of the room.

The crowd was wild, placing bets, rooting and advising the fighters, but there were a few individuals who seemed completely disinterested by the fighting, rather deciding to mingle with each other, talking about God knows what. Her fingers itched to conjure an illusion, to drive a little chaos through their isolation, to remind them that this was a party, not a place for shady deals; every other day was more than fruitful for that. She narrowed her eyes as she continued to watch them, but in doing so, her attention was diverted from her side, so when a woman spoke close to her, Elise’s heart jumped to her throat for a moment, before she turned around with a light chuckle. “Gods above and below, Jeanne! What are you, a ninja? As happy as I am to see you, please don’t sneak up on me like that. Almost gave me a heart attack.”

“Did they follow you in?” Jeanne asked, referring to the photographers who seemed to always be with Elise. “Did I really scare you?” she questioned, slightly amused. Elise didn’t seem like one it was easy to get the drop on. “I didn’t mean to.” 

Glancing at the fighting. “Imagine how crazy the press would go if you got in here.” She gestured to the fight pit, a grin on her face. “I think their heads might explode.”

He’d been fascinated by Jeanne ever since he’d seen her at one of the Anchor parades with Lucian still nearby. Now, with Lucian gone, most competition had left the picture and Vittorio could freely reach the Anchor without much to worry. Surely there’d be ways to convince her to work for him, see the world through his own eyes, be his shadow if needed. Both skilled in the art of deception and wearing masks, Vittorio knew Jeanne could be one of his most valuable allies and he wanted to intensify their loose link through Seraphim, strengthen their bond. 

“Miss Compton,” he greeted her after two guards opened the door for him. These two hunks guarded her chambers like two dogs, trained to smell all sorts of fear and would react accordingly. The castle did have its perks, especially for Saints like them. “I hope I’m not interrupting you in any way.” he stated politely, but before she could say anything he’d already sat down and leaned back, one arm resting across the sofa. “Why are you still here, anyway? Mh? Nostalgia? Afraid Seraphim might not be the right choice after all and you need a back up? He’s gone, alright? We need you, completely.”

She laid across her bed, a book idly in her hand as she texted Dexter. At the door opening, she jumped up, raising an eyebrow at the man who entered the room. “Mr. Parrino,” she greeted in return but before she could say anything else he sat down, making himself comfortable. “Of course not,” she answered, a touch of bite in her words. “I work for the king now. Surely, you understand the value of that.” she pointed out, taking a seat on the bed opposite where he sat. “What would you have me do? Walk out on our king? I was under the impression the two of you had an understanding.” She tilted her head to the side, observing her guest.

“Only two years now,” Minx said truthfully. “I’ve been born and raised in Omerta.” Not exactly raised, she had to do that part herself since her parents hadn’t done that… But that was the saying apparently. “You are a native from Athos?”

Work for the King. That could be anything but that was a subject for later to pry on. For now Minx was going to leave it for what it was. It was common knowledge to many people which power belonged to which person so she indeed knew what the person in front of her was able to do. It was interesting; to be able to change in someone else completely. This blonde young woman could not even be the real face of Jeanne.

“What makes it so much fun to change into someone else all the time and not be yourself?”

“How is Omerta? I haven’t had the pleasure of visiting.” She hadn’t had the pleasure of visiting anywhere if she was being honest. Though she’d always wanted to she never had the resources when she was younger and now that she did she didn’t have the time. Perhaps when things settled down. She took a sip from her glass, eyeing the girl. “I am.”

“I never said it was fun,” Jeanne pointed out. “Though there are some perks.” The woman’s words weighed on her. Not be yourself. She’d struggled with that ever since she’d discovered her gifts. Who was she really? At the start, she’d edited things about herself that she didn’t like, the shape of her nose or her chin but now she couldn’t remember who she was originally. “What about you? Are you a saint?”