[i]Duty. Diligence. Determination.[/i]

Isabelle turns her champagne flute around in her hand, watching the bubbles refract the various spotlights as they play over the models. Her mind racing down two parallel pathways.

[i]"You are unique. And your importance to this family cannot be understated." Her mother proclaims, hands clasped behind her back as she paces behind her husband's desk. Isabelle watches, counting the steps. She knows better than to stop paying attention to her mother's words, but some part of her brain latches on to the rhythm of her footfalls and refuses to let it go. One two three four five six. Turn. One. One two three four five six. Turn ... [/i]

In the present, she finds herself counting once more, watching the models on the runway. The way they hold themselves erect, heads high, backs straight. Not so much walking as gliding. One two three four five six. Turn. One. Turn again. One two three four five six ...

[i]"While otherwise an impressive candidate, your brother lacks your affinity with the neural interfaces necessary to be a pilot. It's unfortunate. Adriana is a competitive woman, a proud one. She will not entertain a protege who cannot follow at least in her footsteps in the arena." Stop. Turn. One two three ...[/i]

... four five six. Those projections, the way they can show things through another's eyes. Couple that with the designer from earlier, with the drones ... The possible applications ...

[i]"... are worth the risk." Her mother says, now staring at her directly. "Our family has come far, but we are destined for more. We will have more. And it is imperative that you impress Adriana with your debut tonight." she leans forwards, spitting Isabelle with her glare and the young woman finds herself reflexively sitting straighter in the chair. "We will ensure that appropriate recommendations are made to pave the way into her 'Young Leader's Program', but you [i]must [/i]make an effort to be seen and heard by her. Anything to catch her attention and hold it. Do that, and our family will be one step closer to realising our destiny. Your destiny. [b]You [/b]must make this happen Isabelle."[/i]

"Lo que quiero, debo hacerlo realidad."

"I beg your pardon, miss?" says a voice by her side, snapping her back to the present.

She turns and favours the reporter with a smile. He wants a story? She'll give him one.

"I was just saying that you will want to record this moment, my dear Signor Emido." she says, before gesturing to one of her attendants to go and fetch Madame Toledo.

"I won't be sponsoring a line of fashion tonight." she declares, casting her eyes out over the models gracing the runway.

"I'll be sponsoring [i]two[/i]."