Blaire narrows her eyes at the object. What?! Is it haunting me?! Is it someone else's? That would make more sense—but, huh?! Why would someone abandon their juice in the corner of the classroom? I wouldn't be surprised if it was my hometown…Do rich people even drink from cartons?!
Blaire would never know.
She looks away instantly for a sudden click in the wall catches her eye. A section in the back wall shifts and an old maid further slides it to reveal a cabinet of books. The girls file in a line, almost instinctively. Back in Blaire's hometown, the trend was to elbow your way to the front or the good stuff would be gone within minutes. In here, Blair could see the designated books becoming thicker as the line neared its end.
"What are the books for?" Blaire whispers in Harriets ear, from behind.
"They're to force a perfect posture on you," Harriet whispers, slightly arching her head back.
Blaire is reasonably confused by the explanation but nods along anyway. They submit their tablets with the older woman. Harriet and her were at the very end of the line, so, the books handed to them are three fingers thick. Blaire's book is a hardcover about General Etiquette and she skims through it to find a good number of coloured illustrations within.
"Stand straight, my lovelies!" Professor Agatha claps gently, yet firmly, demanding attention.
Blaire looks up to find three thick books stacked over Agatha's head.
'I thought we were supposed to read and walk…like keep them on eye level or something while reading. WHAT IS THIS CIRCUS BEHAVIOUR?' Blaire laughs in her head as Agatha demonstrates walking with the three books on her head.
"Look at me, glide! Glide! And glide! Remember! Smooth small strides! Chin parallel to the floor and glide! Bend your knees, slightly, no robotic stick walking and glide my swans!" Agatha sings as she floats around the classroom. "Try it for yourselves!"
How tough would it be?
Blaire places the book over her head and tries balancing it as she walks. Within three seconds, it falls off with a resounding thud. Eyes leer at her, whispers arise and her face flushes as she bends over to pick it up.
"Lady Arnie, please do not walk with your hands out! Your hands should either remain comfortably by your side or rest over our stomach, elegantly. Right over left, those are Bersileron's rules!" Agatha interrupts, withdrawing scrutiny from Blaire.
'Are you okay?' Harriet whispers, strolling leisurely at hand.
Blaire merely nods for her mind is grappled with the way Harriet moves, ever so gracefully, as if she were a hand-drawn animated princess. Her back is small yet stiff as a board and her soft shoulders straighten up in a sharp line. Her small chin is horizontal to the floor and her dainty head is held high with the pride of nobility.
She is beauty, she is grace, she could punch me in the face and I'd say thank you.
"Lady Winston!" Agatha pulls Blaire out of her reverie.
"Y-yes ma'am!" Blaire jolts on instinct, stomping her right foot. The bang is loud enough to make Professor Agatha wince visibly. "I-I am so-" Blaire begins only for Agatha to hold up a firm hand.
"Apologies mean nothing within these walls. It is with actions only that you may redeem yourself."
"Yes ma'am!" Blaire exclaims, loud enough to make Agatha squirm. Her dark eyes showcase her earnestness, a trait which Agatha liked in her students.
"For starters, have you been slumping all your life?" the professor pats her hand over Blaire's curved spine, "It is a horror in the making. Straighten it up right this instant!"
Blaire thought she had been standing straight enough but apparently not. She tries holding her breath and standing straighter only to receive slaps over her nape and shoulders.
"Oh, you're a case study in wonders of this world!" Agatha gasps, grimacing.
No…I'm quite common, I believe, Blaire frowns.
Agatha pinches Blaire by her shoulders, "Roll them back," she instructs. Blaire follows. "Maidservent, bring me the ribbon!" Agatha orders as she pulls Blaire's shoulders further into the back.
"Ah-uh-I- it hurts!" Blaire gasps only to be shushed away.
"Beauty is pain. Posture is health. I am saving your future here," Agatha says as she grabs the black satin ribbon brought by her maidservant. She loops the middle of the ribbon behind Blaire's neck then takes each end under her arms, crosses them over her back and brings them to the front. She pulls the ends to tighter to straighten up Blaire's back and ties them in a strong yet elegant knot under her bust. "This helps all the lottery girls during their first week, you shall get used to it," Agatha says, proudly patting her handiwork.
Blaire's mouth is agape as she feels her muscles pull uncomfortably. Her head holds higher and she loses ground surface vision which she desperately loved. The front knot restricts her in taking deeper breaths and her shoulders feel mechanically squared. Blaire feels like a stitched-up doll, being held straight and moved around by her owners playing house with a variety of different toys.
Agatha takes the liberty of placing Blaire's assigned book over her head. "Walk now!" she claps, excitedly.
Blaire takes a step forward. The book slips down. Blaire struggles to bend in order to pick it up. Everyone laughs.
This is a circus and I am the clown…Blaire realises as she drops to her knees.
"No, Lady Casano, you cannot help her. Also, Lady Winston, that's the wrong posture to kneel. Ladies mustn't kneel in the first place but I guess you shall learn it later."
Blaire manages to pick the book and stands up, head held high (not like she has a choice). She did not mind constant injuries, the pain, or the restrains, but the malicious laughter surrounding her is something entirely new. Mirabel had a tendency to compliment and cheer her daughters over every little step and as long as Blaire could remember, no body had ever looked down on her.
It made sense that she would be an outcast at Charmity, she is; yet, to be publicly humiliated for something as simple as walking…Blaire shakes her head.
I mustn't let this get to me! They hold no power over me! I've got a goal and I must stick to that!
Blaire looks around and flaunts a charming smile, mumbling, "Oops, I'll get better!" to the faces laughing at her. She strains against the ribbon to put the book over her head and tries walking again.
"Yes, we must learn from Ms. Winston's spirit. Come on girls, show me what you've got!"
"Learn from Winston how to make connections with the Crown Prince!" someone sneers.
"I have no idea what he sees in her," Someone scoffs.
"At least she's doing something. Tsk."
"Fall in a line, I want you all to gain coordination!" Professor Agatha claps. The girls compile and within minutes a shaky line is formed.
Most girls could balance their books perfectly but a handful struggled to take two steps before pulling stunts or each other. Though Blaire's back wasn't slouching anymore, she could very well stand with the crowd that said, 'Walking is difficult!' if it were ever to form.
Blaire's limbs prickle with gratefulness as soon as the bell rings, indicating the end of the period. Her mood perks up as she is about to untie the ribbons but a quick slap on her hand deters her.
"You cannot take it off!" Professor Agatha exclaims, voice wispy, brows raised and eyes widened.
"Huh?" Blaire utters, dumbfounded.
"You're required to keep it on for at least ten days, taking it off only before bed time. And don't even think of fooling me, Lady Winston, trust me, I would know."
With that, Blaire was successfully harnessed into the system. The ribbons were a constant physical reminder of her detainment and her aching muscles would be the lasting impact. But…good posture is healthy…so, is this good for the long run?
Blaire's mind is muddled. The older maid returns Blaire her tablet and the ravenette eyes her silver head. Why was she still working at such an old age? Surely her limbs weren't ailing, or were they? Was she like Juniper…was she serving for her family's crimes as well?
"Thank you," Blaire manages to say before the maidservant turns and tip-toes back to the hole in the wall. Blaire cannot see it but the older woman smiles gratefully.
Blaire walks out of the classroom, stiff as a fish out of water, and wonders if Harriet too owes her perfect posture to such torture. I'm being so dramatic about it…Blaire sighs.
Harriet, who was waiting for Blaire by the door, grabs her hand, saying, "Walking is tough, don't worry, you'll like Sports and Social Education that follow!"
"Mhm…"
"Don't be so glum—"
Harriet's words are cut short when she spots Courtney staring them down by the main glass gates of the auditorium building.
Disregarding any prying eyes, Courtney doubles down on Blaire with an accusatory finger in her face, "I know what you did with the Crown Prince!" her voice carries anger but all Blaire can notice is the way she glides towards her. Elegant.
Blaire realises that she prefers Courtney's in-the-face rage and straightforward confrontations way over the snide remarks and side-eyes that her classmates were armed with.
"How'd the breakfast treat go?" Blaire smirks as Courtney halts momentarily.
"That is none of your business! It is between the Crown Prince and I!" she declares proudly, a well-manicured hand placed over her heart. Her glitter nail paint shimmers over her purple tower badge.
"Ditto," Blaire snorts.
"Laugh while you still can," Courtney whispers, stepping in Blaire's personal space, "But remember, nobody truly wins at Charmity. You can never win, lottery girl, so stay put before you actually get hurt."
"You don't even pretend to be good anymore," Blaire says before blowing in Courtney's eyes. The brunette jolts, gliding two steps back with utter ease.
"Mark my words, you will soon pay in kind!" Courtney huffs, twists on heel and elegantly walks out of the auditorium building. Did she have more time on her hands than most people? How does she manage to be everywhere, all the time, all at once?!
"How could she be so mean to you…?" Harriet grumbles, shaking her head.
"Rich people shenanigans." Blaire attempts to shrug but fails.
"I do not think Courtney to be rich; don't you see it?" Harriet points her hand in the senior girl's direction, "Ladies do not confront. They send their maidservants to squabble for superiority. Also, Courtney is third year's lottery girl."
Now that's some hot piping tea to perk Blaire up!