The Way the World Works PV Vivienne Thorne

interacting: @Antoine de Laurent	date: 30 Dec 2025
location: de Laurent Manor	time: afternoon
outfit: vivi's clothes	speaking:#8b2909(this)

───────────────── ୨୧ ────────────────

Vivienne could count down the minutes she'd spent in the black car on their way to the de Laurent manor. Primarily because she'd been deprived of entertainment and couldn't wait to get this over with.

A trip to France was what they were on. She'd made the mistake of letting herself get excited over it. Upon reflection, she realized it was her oversight to assume that it would be anything like a family vacation. Her parents had been occupied with their own matters for the entirety of the trip, leaving Vivienne to take care of her younger brothers as an act of responsibility in the hotel they had booked. Connections, her father had told her, were what their society was based upon. It was important to have influence and say in things that mattered most; which was achieved partly by their heritage and partly by her parents' insistence on socializing with every powerful witch or wizard alive.

They'd made visiting the de Laurents a bigger deal than it needed to be. Her mother had personally approved her clothes and nitpicked her appearance. Every instruction Vivienne received prior to setting foot in that car was something she could actively recall. They'd do this every time—she was taught how to act no matter how many times she proved that she already knew.

She would've loved to stay at the hotel she had spent her past days in, but it was her father's insistence on her getting to know powerful heirs her age that made her come along. According to him, these visits were 'valuable experiences', which meant they were unavoidable. He had briefed her about the family they were going to meet; told her all about their work and their child she was supposed to get to know. Antoine de Laurent. Only child, apparently.

The conversation her parents were having with her brothers warning them not to cause mischief acted like background noise she gazed absentmindedly out the window. Then the Manor came into view.

It looked exactly like the sort of place her parents would approve of, which meant she already disliked it.
Not that anyone would know.

As they got out of the car, she could already see activity at the door. Probably someone coming out to greet them. A pleasant smile settled onto her features as she followed behind her parents, every movement practiced and elegant. Years of social gatherings had taught her precisely how to present herself; when to speak, when to laugh, and when to remain politely invisible while adults discussed matters they assumed children neither understood nor cared about.

As they approached the door, she spotted a boy she would assume was Antoine, judging by his body posture and demeanor. He was tall; definitely a lot taller than her, and seemed strangely intimidating. Or maybe it was just the fact that Vivienne was seeing him for the first time or maybe that upon looking closer, she could tell that his smile was fake just like hers. Well, observance had always come naturally to her. Whatever it may be, Vivienne diverted her gaze from him and looked ahead.

It was time to put up the pretense.

───────────────── ୨୧ ────────────────

date 30 December 2025 outfit speech #24245c word count 409 notes xxx THE CAGE IS OPEN BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW TO FLY @Vivienne Thorne

It wasn't long before the Thornes entered their home. Antoine, of course, greeted the adults before turning his attention to the girl. He'd been told her name was Vivienne, in a rare moment of conversation with his parents. However, he didn't know much else about her. She was dressed in neutrals, contrasting Antoine's dark clothes. He almost rolled his eyes. Here was another child who simply bent to their parents' will, being exactly the kind of person who didn't have an identity of her own. Hypocritical, because Antoine was exactly that sort of person, even if he hated being it. He resigned himself to another boring day, and greeted Vivienne pleasantly, striking a balance between polite and genuine.

"Vivienne, right? I'm Antoine. It's lovely to meet you." He offered a soft smile and a nod, before stepping aside so as not to block her way. The adults walked by them, and his mother gave him a subtle look that meant behave. Although they shouldn't have worried. Today, Antoine was under no impulsions to act out. He would be polite, kind, entertaining, everything his parents wanted him to be.

"I hear you'll be attending Hogwarts soon. Are you nervous?" There was an understanding note in his voice, even if the boy himself had never experienced nervousness for school in his life. No, for him, Beauxbatons had been a goal he couldn't wait to reach, anxiously counting down the days until he could escape the nest. He hoped Vivienne might be the same way. That would mean that he would have something mildly interesting to talk about.

And then, without realizing what had happened, Antoine offered some information about himself, something he hardly ever did unless prompted. "Personally, I've enjoyed Beauxbatons. Hogwarts must be similar I expect." For a brief moment, there was a sparkle in his eye, as if his smile was genuine, before returning to the robotic approach he had formerly taken. Antoine tended to encourage people to talk about themselves, just so he wouldn't have to share anything about himself. He preferred being private and alone, always. One never knew what people wanted, and so it was best to give them nothing. To him, everyone had an ulterior motive, and perhaps this was fueled by he himself often having an ulterior motive when speaking to people. Antoine would never approach someone of his own volition, no, he needed a reason, and that, too, would be met with reluctance.

interacting: @Antoine de Laurent	date: 30 Dec 2025
location: de Laurent Manor	time: afternoon
outfit: vivi's clothes	speaking:#8b2909(this)

───────────────── ୨୧ ────────────────

The de Laurent manor was magnificent, just as she would've expected. And it's residents were also predictable; warm enough to appear welcoming, yet measured enough to ensure every interaction remained perfectly controlled. She would be lying to herself if she said that she was anything above fake smiles and polite handshakes, because truthfully, Vivienne wasn't much different. She had long since mastered the art of pleasant smiles, graceful introductions, and saying precisely what was expected of her. But in no way did that diminish her longing to be more.

Upon entering the gold and white architecture, greeting the adults was the easy part. She'd done it a hundred times already; anyone looking at her would immediately see a well-mannered and sophisticated 10 year-old.
What didn't feel as easy, though, was having to hold a one-on-one conversation with a boy she just met. However unpleasing that idea felt to her, she was aware that she had no escape. This is what her parents would've wanted, and she couldn't do much except respect their wishes. If they wanted her to make conversation and possibly make him an acquaintance, she'd try her best.

Conversation often came easy to her when not forced. Although never overly cheerful, Vivienne had always been the type of person who'd approach people first. However, there was no place for unnecessary traits in her world, and so she only revealed as much about herself as absolutely necessary—there was absolutely no reason for her to be her true self in front of people who'd not appreciate it.

She watched the boy introduce himself with an unimpressed look in her eyes, although her smile remained unwavering. He looked so typical; she knew she was in for boring pleasantries. She stepped inside as he moved aside, her gaze briefly wandering across the entrance hall before returning to him. His next statemen brought her attention back to his words. He had mentioned Hogwarts, a topic she could go on and on about. Vivienne's smile widened slightly, and she was almost sure her expression softened a little.
“It's pleasant meeting you too, Antoine.” She began, keeping her tone polite and interested, which suddenly didn't feel that hard.“Nervous?” she repeated, considering his question. Not really. She had never been nervous about the place. Hogwarts had never felt distant to her. She had heard stories of the castle for as long as she could remember, if anything she'd want to go there sooner.
“Not really. I'm looking forward to it.” Vivienne paused, taking her time. “I've heard a lot about Beauxbatons. It's a beautiful place, apparently.” She continued, keeping her tone conversational. “France is an exceptionally charming country in general, I've noticed. It's my first time here.”
Her gaze lingered on him for a moment, curious despite herself. Most children their age would've jumped at the opportunity to speak about their school, yet Antoine carried himself with a sort of detached composure that made him difficult to read.
“Do you miss it when you're away?” she asked after another brief pause. “Beauxbatons, I mean.” A personal question she almost regretted asking. He would most likely not appreciate it.

word count: 522

───────────────── ୨୧ ────────────────