Board Thread:Role Play Discussion/@comment-5999656-20170619043145/@comment-25582638-20170627232954

Basilia listened in silence as Zanipher explained the current status of the Syndicate. Just as what Brunhilde had said, there was a “violent get-together” (she has her ways) that had taken place after stalking the Syndicate for weeks back then. Initially, the information didn't concern the young girl. But now that the Syndicate became a valuable ally of the Bluthardt, she thought that it was important to inquire a bit about the faction. Hearing all of this, Basilia thought that it was rather comforting to know that the Syndicate was strong enough to stand on its ground. A strong ally indeed.

Then out of the blue, Zanipher asked her a question about being a celebrity, disrupting her internal pace.

“Oh,” was all she could utter while running her hand through her hair again.

Interviewers have had always asked that since her singing debut a decade ago. But she didn’t anticipate hearing it from Zanipher. Her mind was just about to settle that their preceding conversations would be limited to “formal business” kind of thing. A bit of betrayal of her expectation. Nonetheless, she was pleased of this change.

The young girl opened and closed her fists alternately, humming as she thought of how she will answer and breaking eye contact with Zanipher. In all those past interviews about being a celebrity, Basilia had only rehearsed and tweaked the same dreamy and superficial responses over and over. It’s hard but with more effort et cetera was in the top of her “response list”. But if she were to give an answer that went beyond the norm, it would flip her “good and optimistic girl” status upside down into something embarrassing.

Right now, she wasn't in an interview session. No cameras nor microphones hawking over her. Just a person who may benefit from her honest answer. Basilia breathed out quietly and looked back at Zanipher, clasping her hands together.

“Being a celebrity…. is like everyone thinks they know everything about you,” Basilia revealed a small smile. “From your birthdate to how many rivals you have, well, even body measurements, I think it pleases people to search for the answer to the question of ‘what makes you so special’, and they’ll put you in their pedestal.”

Her family name alone was enough for that to which the bar was set.

“Everyone will be watching every move you make. Disappoint them, they'll make a fuss over it. Reach their expectations, they’ll set it even higher. It's not to say it's a bad thing but people tend to forget that you're just like them, not a deity. But that's beyond your control. All you can do is manage your image you're projecting because that way, you're the one running the show, not those faceless people who doesn't know any better. Oh, and give your sweetest at those who hate you for whatever reason. It's like saying ‘thank you for thinking about me day and night. I love you too.’ Brunhilde taught me that. I learned a lot from her.”

If her older siblings were to hear that last sentence, they'll be shaking their heads by now.

At this point, Basilia was grinning. She remembered giving weak and empty smiles at certain people when she was in her preteens, feeling helpless against her bashers. Basilia didn't know why she had to smile and why it worked for others. She didn't want to appear weak without being too offensive. As if to answer her plea, she encountered a beautiful and confident raven-haired girl four years ago.

“Your sister…. Fen…..Suzhen, right?” Basilia asked, feeling perplexed on why Zanipher didn't have the same surname as the other heiress. But she kept it to herself. Better than poking on someone else's family affair. Her thumbs fidgeted as she continued.

“I hope this helps her in later when she gets more publicity. And… hrm, I think it'll be nice to meet her too in the future. I only heard a few things about her from Rina, I mean, Cyzarine. She looks very interesting.”

More like the person that her fraternal twin was afraid of other than their mother.