[right][sub][color=crimson]LOCATION[/color] ⤑ [color=hotpink]Auditorium[/color]
[color=crimson]TIME[/color] ⤑ [color=hotpink]Evening[/color]
[color=crimson]INTERACTING WITH[/color] ⤑ No one
[color=crimson]FEELING[/color] ⤑ [color=hotpink]Heart pounding nervousness. So business as usual.[/color]
[/sub]
[/right]
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[img]http://jennifer-helene.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/divider_ribbon1.png[/img]
[/center]

"[color=lightsalmon]I can't do this![/color]"

Gigi entered the house just in time, it seemed, as Helene was having a nervous meltdown. The girl was on the couch, her knees pulled up to her chest with a look of terror painted on her face. She wasn't dressed, still in her uniform, but Gigi had a feeling she hadn't budged from that spot since school ended. Gigi had to duck out to recieve some paperwork Evan had requested for the evening, although she had stopped home to make herself just a little more presentable. Nothing special, just her black jacket, white button up, a pair of slacks, and her holster holding her personal gun. Her earpiece was under her hair, although she doubted it or her gun would be used tonight. Evan was still in his suit, trying to comfort his sister, though it seemed he was failing miserably. At Gigi's arrival, Helene looked up, and she could see the fear in her eyes. Evan sighed, beckoning Gigi over even though he knew she was just as bad at comforting people as he was.

"[color=orangered]What's wrong?[/color]" She asked, placing the folders on the kitchen counter.

"[color=darkorange]Pre-show jitters,[/color]" Evan explained, patting Helene's shoulders. "[color=darkorange]She's just a little nervous.[/color]"

A little was an understatement. The only person that had a tendency to get that nervous was Alyssa whenever she had something big happen, although she usually paced to relieve herself; Helene refused to move. The door opened again, and in stepped Ariadne, much to Gigi's surprise. She was also dressed relatively simply, almost matching Gigi's outfit, although her pencil skirt and heels differed. She seemed to notice, and gave Gigi a wink. "[color=coral]Great minds think alike![/color]" She complimented her, although she looked at her hair. "[color=coral]I'm going to request you put yours up, though. We don't want to give off the wrong impression, have your earpiece in your pocket.[/color]"

Gigi nodded as she did was instructed, walking over to the bathroom to find something to tie her hair up with. Ariadne turned her attention to Helene, kneeling down. "[color=coral]You're still not dressed? It's almost time to go,[/color]" She told her gently. "[color=coral]You've come too far to just let this go to waste, right?[/color]"

"[color=lightsalmon]I'm pathetic,[/color]" Helene mumbled, putting her feet on the floor. "[color=lightsalmon]I can't stop thinking about everything that could go wrong. We could very well end up never coming out! We could get shot! Kidnapped! Drugged![/color]"

"[color=darkorange]She's been like this all day,[/color]" Evan explained as he would stand, choosing to look over the documents one last time. "[color=darkorange]Here, Helene, this is what Oncle Gaspard is offering.[/color]"

"[color=lightsalmon]Why is it in Francs? Shouldn't it be in Euros?[/color]" Helene asked, her eyes zipping through the document.

"[color=coral]Those are conversion rates, Helene,[/color]" Ariadne answered. Letting out a whimper, she pushed the papers away, her head in her hands. The entire scene was extremely jarring to Gigi, who in ten years had [i]never[/i] seen Helene so distressed. She was always the type to keep her head on straight, who didn't so much as flinch even with a gun pointed at her face. But apparently this meeting was either too much or was just the straw that broke the camel's back, and the girl was a mess. She looked at Ariadne, who gave her a smile as she sat down next to Helene. "[color=coral]You're underestimating yourself. Just think of it as practice, you'll have me and Evan right there to help if you need it,[/color]" She said, hugging her. "[color=coral]Oncle is so proud of you, you know? He thinks you're going to take us far. But to get there, we need to get ready. You can wear whatever you want, pay no mind to us, you're the star of the show, okay?[/color]"

Evan watched them for a moment, although his phone began to ring. "[color=darkorange]Bonjour? ...Ah, elle est juste ici, laissez-moi la mettre,[/color]" He prodded Helene with his phone. "[color=darkorange]It's for you.[/color]"

For her? But he had answered in French, who was it? Taking the phone rather nervously, Helene put it to her ear and heard a very familiar, warm laugh. "[color=darkkhaki]Mon Étoile est nerveux, elle? Dites à l'oncle Gaspard ce qu'il peut faire pour aider,[/color]" Even though she couldn't see his face, she could tell he was grinning from ear to ear. "[color=darkkhaki]Étoile! What is going through that beautiful head of yours right now?[/color]"

Ariadne and Evan gave each other a look, the two giving Helene some space. Ariadne noticed Gigi's rather poor attempt at a bun, taking the girl by the elbow and leading her back to the bathroom. "[color=lightsalmon]I'm so happy to hear your voice again,[/color]" Helene admitted, leaning back to relax her stuff shoulders. 

"[color=darkkhaki]And I am happy to see you hard at work. Look at you, not even graduated and diving right into the heart of the underground. I would have liked for you to enjoy your childhood just a little longer, but if this is where life takes you, then can we really go against it?[/color]" Gaspard cleared his throat, a sign that someone had tried to ask him something. Helene knew he hated being interrupted when he was on the phone. "[color=darkkhaki]Tell me what troubles you.[/color]"

Everything, but she wasn't about to admit that. "[color=lightsalmon]Just...nervous...[/color]" She mumbled. "[color=lightsalmon]I feel like everything can go wrong if I mess it up, and it won't just be me that suffers for it.[/color]"

"[color=darkkhaki]Étoile, that is the life we live. Your siblings and I, we think like that every time we have a decision at hand. We think of ourselves, we think of our people, we think of you and your well being--the thoughts going through your head are the right ones,[/color]" He explained. "[color=darkkhaki]I do not have very long, as Carmela is insisting whatever she has to say is more important than talking to my niece, but whatever the Patrone family wants, you give it to them. Their reach is exactly what I am looking for. Of course, if they insult you, you let Oncle know, and I promise I'll make sure they all suffer for it.[/color]"

"[color=lightsalmon]That's not necessary, I swear![/color]" Despite the threat, Helene found herself laughing. "[color=lightsalmon]You're all the way across the sea, how are you going to accomplish that, hmm?[/color]"

"[color=darkkhaki]If I have to go to the sea in a row boat then so be it, the honor of my Étoile is second to my own,[/color]" Gaspard boasted, although he quieted down for a moment. "[color=darkkhaki]Be afraid of nothing, Étoile. Fear is only there to remind you that you have things in life you care about. Now, Carmela is about to drag me out of the office, so I must go. Take care of yourself, je t'aime.[/color]"

"[color=lightsalmon]I love you, too,[/color]" She said, the call ending a few seconds later, but not after her getting to hear Carmela's angry ranting. Putting Evan's phone down on the couch, she jumped up, running to her room. She noticed her phone on her bed blinking at her, and she opened it up to see Terrance's text. For him? She giggled, going to her closet and knowing exactly what to wear. Ariadne simply smiled just as she finished Gigi's bun, letting out a giggle at Gigi's unamused expression. She had basically replicated her own hairstyle onto her. "[color=orangered]I feel like my hair is going to be pulled out of my scalp,[/color]" Gigi grumbled.

"[color=coral]Nonsense, you look magnificent![/color]" She said, procuring a rather long, particularly sharp hair pin with a silver butterfly at its end. "[color=coral]I think it's best if we go in without our guns, you'll be the only one armed.[/color]" She said as she put it through Gigi's bun, and she noticed that Ariadne had one as well.

"[color=orangered]If you are going to go unarmed, these might give off the wrong impression,[/color]" Gigi pointed out.

"[color=coral]I said without our guns, Giselle, I did not say unarmed~[/color]" She giggled, hugging the girl from behind. "[color=coral]You know, I think I can make your lips pop with this lipstick I have--[/color]" She said, her hug trapping the squirming Gigi as she reached for her bag.

"[color=orangered]Please, don't--[/color]"

The two began to bicker as Evan walked into Helene's bedroom. She had changed at record speed, sitting at her vanity in a light blue dress. Despite the amount of cleavage it showed, her jewels seemed to draw attention to it, and he approached her as she put on her earrings. "[color=darkorange]Good to see he managed to calm you down,[/color]" Evan said, picking up her hairbrush and running it through her hair.

Helene put on her lipstick, sending her reflection a kiss "[color=lightsalmon]I don't do 'nervous',[/color]" She said, though she winced as he found a knot. "[color=lightsalmon]Evan, if things go wrong, I...[/color]"

"[color=darkorange]I'll make fun of you for all eternity in the afterlife, so no worries there,[/color]" He dismissed her concern, earning him a glare from her. "[color=darkorange]No time for glaring, we need to go,[/color]" He said as his watch beeped, taking the comb and making sure it was secure in her hair before pulling her to her feet.

Once her heels were on, Ariadne and Evan went to the garage, and she spotted Gigi's very pretty looking scowl. "[color=lightsalmon]It's just lip gloss,[/color]" She teased. Gigi rolled her eyes, and together they would enter Helene's car. Her nerves started acting up again as they drove, and Gigi had to take the documents from her to make sure she didn't end up accidentally ripping them. A reminder on her phone popped up, and though it didn't list the event, she suddenly remembered it was for Eva's recital. Shoot, she was really slipping up in the friendship department. She scooted closer to Gigi, who got the hint and threw up a peace sign as Helene took a picture of them. [i][color=lightsalmon]Good luck! We're rooting for you!![/color][/i] As the message was sent, she let out a sigh, although she perked up as she realized they had arrived. "[color=lightsalmon]If I throw up, make sure no one gets a picture of it,[/color]" She told Gigi as she got out of the car.

Having to go somewhere like this without her gun made Gigi feel exposed so she was glad she got to keep hers on hand, though as Evan secured his in the car, she wondered why they were approaching the house so underhanded. Evan had briefed her that the three of them would be acting as the 'muscle', although she couldn't help but note even the three of them was just a little overkill depending on how you looked at it. Despite not having numbers, Helene's entourage was pretty dangerous; Ariadne was pretty well known for her ruthlessness despite having the smile of an angel, Evan interrogated people with any means needed without so much as blinking an eye, and herself...who learned how to kill before learning how to read. Well, she was sure Evan was going to be purely diplomatic. Hopefully. As if reading her mind, he nodded at her as Helene rang the doorbell. "[color=lightsalmon]S'il te plaît, laisse tout aller bien ...[/color]" Helene couldn't help but mutter to herself.


[sub][1]Hello? ...Ah, she's right here, let me put her on. [2]My Étoile is nervous, is she? Tell Uncle Gaspard what he can do to to help. [3]Please let everything go well...[/sub]
[hr]

As her phone chimed, Eva opened up the picture Helene had sent her. She must have had to go to one of her brother's events again. After making sure to send her back a thank you, she made sure her phone was on silent and pocketed it. Her violin was tuned, her bow all resined up, and she had her nerves under control. Performing was second nature to her at this point, though it was relatively normal to get all jittery. Her black heels tapped the ground as she listened to the other performances, mentally preparing herself. She had managed to squeeze in some last minute practice after school, and with Alyssa's help had the proper clothing. Alyssa herself had plans for the night but had wished her luck, though she figured it could be a little boring for her friends, so it was fine if they didn't come. She adjusted her ponytail, making sure it was tight, though as her name was called, she figured it was time.

With instrument in hand, Evangeline stood behind the curtain, and as soon as her name was called, she walked out. She had to resist the urge to look at the audience to see if Arthur had come, though she kept herself under wraps as she took center stage, waiting for the clapping to die down completely. No hangover to impede her this time, though as her eyes looked at the audience, she spotted Arthur standing. Ack, no, focus, focus! Though it didn't stop her from smiling. Placing her violin on her shoulder, she took in a deep breath, and [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpnIrE7_1YA]began[/url]. She felt she had to make up for her previous performance, throwing herself into the music. Yeah, this was way easier with proper rest and no pounding headache. Although she was pretty sure she wouldn't trade that day for any other. Despite her thoughts threatening to distract her, she focused on herself and the music, and once the last note sang, it melted away into the applause. Taking a bow, she brought her head up and waved at Arthur, hurrying backstage to put her things away.

Once she was done, she excused herself from the rest, making her way to Arthur. Just as she was about to reach him, she spotted Marshall approaching her, and her smile faded as she noticed her mother with him. Stopping completely in her tracks, Eva frowned slightly, rubbing her arm. She was genuinely surprised they had showed up, clearly not expecting them. "[color=darkred]You were amazing![/color]" Marshall greeted her enthusiastically, hugging her. 

"[color=palevioletred]Your pizzicato needs work,[/color]" Evelyn decided to comment as they parted. "[color=palevioletred]I thought I told you that last time.[/color]"

Of course she would decide to critique. No greetings, straight to the flaws. "[color=pink]Good thing I made sure to finish with a flourish,[/color]" She snapped back, though she caught herself. No need to make a scene. "[color=pink]I thought I did well.[/color]"

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