Post by Elaine Bonnefoy on Jun 11, 2014 6:32:57 GMT -8
Ladies and gentlemen and those otherwise concerned, tonight we would like to proudly present our debut act...
ELAINE RENéE
WALKER-
BONNEFOY
WALKER-
BONNEFOY
La Reine
Prologue
France | French |
27 | Female |
Bisexual | Fashion Designer, Socialite |
5 years as a professional designer 3 years as a socialite |
Act 1
Brunette | Violet |
Fair | 5'7" |
Slim, Fit
Her hair is naturally wavy, always in an up-do style. Her headbands all resemble crowns, which is where her title originates.
While her clothing does well to reveal her shape, she wears many outfits that don't show a lot of skin - i.e. long skirts/dresses, tall boots, shoulders covered.
She would say that her bust size is average.
There is a small birthmark on the right side of her chest, just below the collarbone.
While her clothing does well to reveal her shape, she wears many outfits that don't show a lot of skin - i.e. long skirts/dresses, tall boots, shoulders covered.
She would say that her bust size is average.
There is a small birthmark on the right side of her chest, just below the collarbone.
Act 2
Personality
Elaine retains refinement and elegance while professing the sort of haughtiness and social confidence that France had trickled into her. Her face often holds an expression of content or serenity, like an attractive mask that makes one wonder what else is built underneath—but before she can expose any of those deeper details about herself, she prefers that she is perceived as someone looking well-composed and graceful. This might make her seem indefinite and easy to judge to some, but she holds strong self-confidence that enables her to think solely of her own dignity and not what others might initially think of her.In terms of her appearance, Elaine takes studious care toward how she looks. She believes that a kempt and tidy appearance will reflect positively on how she is as a person, and that is a wall of self-esteem not easily broken down by others. She takes pride in each of her physical attributes and does not abide by anyone who disagrees with or tries to insult her along those lines. She is not one to deny or dismiss a compliment she receives, and will gladly take them as an accommodation to her ego—though it's very likely that she will reflect similar compliments toward whoever it is that’s speaking. While she thinks highly of her own beauty, she likes to let others know of theirs as well.
She often takes advantage of her most feminine attributes and hopes that people will know to treat her in a dainty and respectful manner—she is well-mannered in public and considers herself to be proper, after all, most notably to those with whom she is first getting acquainted. She was raised to believe that a proper lady’s mannerisms will earn her respect in return.
Leaning strongly into feminism, she believes in equality among all genders—and will treat each equally so long as they prove to her they are decent people. She means it genuinely when she flatters someone, as that is something she loves to do, though there are times where she is more internally judgmental at the start of meeting someone. Her general prideful attitude leaves her on faulty terms with anyone who proves themselves as snobbish as she can often be. On the other hand, Elaine is most accepting when faced with someone who thinks less of themselves. She does enjoy helping another person have confidence with who they are, whereas that provides her an opportunity to share her own methods of doing so.
She is able to handle and care for herself—not only in terms of appearance but of her emotions and health as well. She fares quite well on her own and does not mind being independent, so long as she knows there is someone to reach out to if she so needs it. In her own way, Elaine is a reserved person. She is not forward or inclined to discuss personal matters about herself with anyone she doesn’t know so well, unless it is strictly prompted of her. Even so, she will begin with vague and dismissive details and plunge only into more personal stories as her relationship with that person grows.
She is a generally neutral person over most matters, for she has a sort of uncertainty when it comes to other people; be that a matter of trust or decency. It isn’t likely she'll get along with absolutely everyone, for even the smallest thing that someone does might irk her. She tends not to get herself involved in troublesome or heated situations unless something happens to personally bother her, at which point she will be more than glad to stand her ground. Though more often than not, she is a stubborn woman if someone tries to sway her. It isn’t that she’s always thinking of her importance over others, she only wishes to steer herself clear of any unwanted situation.
If there’s anything that hinders her, it’s her phobia toward germs. She keeps herself as neat as possible to ensure that she’s keeping clean, and it’s when she’s exposed to dirty areas or potentially dirty objects that her more snobbish and picky tendencies appear. This paranoia has lead her to become an organized person over all, and she prefers seeing that whichever room she resides in is kept nice and orderly—in addition to that, she always has on a pair of white silk gloves to keep her hands clean. Arrangements of rooms and whatnot are what tend to make her the most indecisive. She can be awfully squeamish in regards to anything gruesome, as well as anything having to do with sickness and hospitals or insects and other unsettling creatures. While she isn't trying to come off as overdramatic, her reaction to being in close vicinity to any of these things is quite the spectacle. Her shrieking is shrill and she can be surprisingly nimble in making a panicked escape.
She feels more at ease when she is around people, however. While she is not much of a touchy person, she’ll be more inclined toward affection so long as those gloves of hers are in place (and she will take them off if that affection is very close). Not only does she enjoy that sort of closeness from time to time, she is a social person in general—not only because she likes the sound of her own voice, but because she likes interaction in itself. She has an experienced charm when it comes to conversing or making a first impression upon somebody, as she is well versed in the field of flattery and flirtation. If someone seems decent to her—that is, someone who is not rude or vulgar or anything along those lines—she will love to see them glow. It's easy to find at least one thing that makes someone beautiful or unique to her, and those are the sorts of things she likes to point out about them: their levels of self-confidence, their own ability to charm, any quirk that they might have or even just how they make their appearance.
This is where her confidence strives as well, for she isn’t much of a sensitive person and can easily pass off any insults that are made to her in turn. She has a decent sense of humor and just as well enjoys making another laugh, though her words can have a cynical and sarcastic snide to them every once in a while. It won’t be often, as she chooses to stick with her more smooth speech—though if someone happens to get her in the right (or, in this case, snarky mood) she won’t refrain from those types of remarks.
There is always a benefit to having a clever charming tongue, and that is Elaine’s experience with romance and sex in general. She may not outwardly express it, but she does have a strong love for romance and occasional desire for affection. Outside of the bedroom, she keeps her hands to herself and refrains from being touchy (though really, this is something she often holds back until she is very comfortable with someone else), chooses not to wear revealing clothing, and makes sure that her words are laced with clean and non-vulgar vocabulary. Whenever she is interested in or already has a significant other, she will absolutely spoil them with flattery and time spent together. Gifts are common if she ever finds something that strikes her (and, honestly, it gets her hopes up that she might receive something in return—getting expensive or thoughtful gifts is wonderful).
While doing her best to ensure that a loved one is happy, she is also extremely protective over anyone she cares for; family or anyone else who comes close. She tends to gush over everyone she becomes fond of, especially if they are younger than she is - and that gives off a motherly or big sisterly composure about her.
Another emotion that is not often touched upon is her anger. Her temper is fiery, and as aforementioned she does have the occasional spit of a sarcastic tone when speaking to a provoker. Although she is not saddened or disheartened by most insults, she can be short-tempered if they persist—and that’s when she drops her usual lady class and chooses to show what underlying strength she has. She does not care much for physical violence but her words can be brash and nasty if she so feels. Violence doesn’t exactly bother her if she has no choice but to get involved, but on most occasions she tries to keep herself out of its reach. Depending on her mood, she won’t bother to deal with people if they are the ones being hot-headed. If worse comes to worse and she is prodded in that direction, at least she always bears sharp fingernails and heels (or just a swing of her fist) that can come to her benefit.
That is one thing that she does try to keep under control. If someone catches her in her commonly fair and classy attitude, she shouldn’t have to worry about letting her manners get out of line. She expresses herself as a matured woman while keeping her personal passions underneath the surface—as an understanding older sister type or an experienced lover, she holds her charm and her grace as one while only occasionally letting a hint of rebelliousness slide through.
Quirks
Whether or not she's aware that someone's around to hear her, she'll be caught whispering or muttering low things to herself. Plenty of people are probably used to it. It's usually when she has a lot on her mind, or while she's working. Most of the time she just doesn't realize she's doing it.Whenever she's faced with a decision or a challenging task, she has a habit of fretting over every detail. She tries her best to keep her thoughts to herself, but her trouble is often suggested by the biting of her lower lip or the wringing of her hands.
When she's feeling particularly authoritative, she puts her hands on her hips. It's super serious.
She likes to use a lot of French pet names when talking to people. Alice gets them the most, of course.
There is always a pair of gloves worn on her hands. They're of a delicate material and are usually white or black, depending on the color scheme of her outfit.
Act 3
Likes Fashion | Dresses are her favorite, and she has a knack for making her looks match as well as uniquely resemble old-fashioned styles. She finds clothing that is of dark or pastel colors particularly beautiful.France | She is prideful of her country and its heart capital, not only for its cultural values but for its people and its history as well. She loves to talk about it to other people, and if there is no one interested in listening, then she’ll just keep her thoughts to herself. Food | While she does prefer keeping her portions small and her body healthy, she can't help indulging once in a while. Decadent desserts and pastries are hard to resist. Early Modern History | From the 1400s to the times of the Ancien Régime; these were the times of France that she loved to learn about the most. Books on France’s history or biographies on historic figures were the only nonfiction she ever cared to read (save from shopping catalogs/magazines, if those even count). She’d always particularly been fascinated by three things: Gothic architecture, the wealth of the monarchy (how their outfits and their castles looked and everything), and the most powerful or famous women. She also loves the Fleur de Lys design. Sad Movies | She especially likes movies that can invoke heart-wrenching emotions like that while maintaining a more beautiful story: romance, friendship and the like. French movies are good at ending on pessimistic notes. Americans don't really like that. Lady Treatment | She does like to be pampered and treated like the socialite she is. Compliments are received with vigor and she often likes to see someone try and charm her—some people truly are bad at it, but at least they make an effort. They hardly get anywhere, though, as her loyalty to Alice is the only thing that matters. Classical Things | This goes for a number of things: classical music, old movies (not necessarily all in black and white), historic relics and pieces of art. It often reflects in her art. Hygiene | She can hardly tolerate not feeling clean. Even if she’s in an area that isn’t very hygienic or isn't spotless as she usually prefers it to be, she’ll do whatever she can to make herself feel free of grime and look most presentable. Herself | One thing she was taught at an early age was to appreciate herself. Don’t ever let others get you down, and always think highly of your appearance and who you are as a person. This did always stay true to her, and to this day she doesn’t ever look down upon herself. The spouts of confidence that she has allows her to aid others if they ever feel the opposite about their own images. Arguments | Arguments don’t always have the potential to end badly or become heated in the worst ways. If they do involve a topic that she enjoys or feels strongly about, she will like to get her opinions and points across—and perhaps sway the minds of others who disagree with her on something. Manners | It helps not to present yourself as crude when you’re making a first impression on someone. That goes for anyone she is meeting and vice versa. Everyone should have some knowledge of basic manners and polite behavior. Wine | She was never much of a frequent drinker, but if she ever is in that rare mood, wine is the only alcoholic beverage she'll choose. It’s good to wind down and relax with if she ever gets the chance, but she—most of the time—knows how and when to limit herself. Shopping | Because having money and not spending it is almost impossible. She always loves to go shopping for supplies, bringing her wife along for a supporting opinion on what she buys. Dark Novels | Books written to the brim with drama are always the most invigorating. She certainly likes to read books that are of older French writers, such as Molière or Victor Hugo. | Dislikes Unwelcome Touch | She'll be irritated by someone placing their hands somewhere where they only think will be 'innocent and teasing', and will make sure that they are appropriately scolded.Spicy Food | It isn’t popular at all where she came from and she never could get used to it. She won't refuse it if there is no other choice, but it still is all awful. Alcohol that isn't wine | She never feels the need to drink something harder than wine. Due to her low tolerance, she'd rather not go getting herself drunk. Vermin | Rats, mice, insects, anything that falls under the category of EEK! She'll never get used to them and is squeamish if there's something nearby, or even if someone brings them up. Being Rushed | This goes for mornings and times where she is sewing or designing. Rushing means that she might miss and make mistakes, and it is easier for her to focus when she has the proper time. Bossiness | She doesn’t fare well with being rudely told what to do and will be stubborn under that circumstance. Heavy PDA | Hugs and kisses are just fine, because they are light affections she herself will often engage in with others—but it is most distasteful when people decide that they will get frisky or too clingy in front of others. Sports | She finds sports are rather boring to watch, and participating is out of the question. Sweating and becoming that physically active with someone is better reserved for behind closed doors. Intoxication | Elaine has little tolerance for dealing with drunkards, so she just tries to steer clear of them until it passes. She’d probably not even want to deal with herself if she were intoxicated. Gore | Blood alone is tolerable, but anything worse than that makes her queasy. Repetition | She tries to make daily tasks a bit different every day, so that procedures don't ever become dry or boring. A good imagination always helps. Mistreatment of loved ones | The gloves will come off (just not literally). That’s part of her protective nature to snap at anyone who mistreats someone she’s close to. Misogyny | If someone treats her badly simply because she is a woman, they will more than likely be kicked where it counts. She’ll be as strong as she wants to in regards to equal rights. |
Aspirations Her own family | She often imagines having a little one or two in the household. She's used to being the elder of her family, after all, and likes to dote on those younger than her. She gets the hint that Alice might appreciate a little family, too, but it's hard to figure whether they'd be too busy or not.Broader fame | She'd love to hear about her fame beyond Hollywood - especially if it reached all the way back home. She hopes to continue fashion designing for all the years to come. Success for others | Not only does she dream about her own success, but that of Alice's and her family's as well. She supports every little aspiration that they have and would always be willing to help them get further. | Insecurities Helplessness | Not knowing what to do in a situation or how exactly to help someone is one of the worst feelings. This is why she can be indecisive when it comes to helping others, because she can never be sure whether or not she should drag herself into a situation… though sometimes it just happens either way.Dealing with Accusations | Pointing fingers and making false accusations is both irritating and a bit hurtful. She truly does hate to be taken the wrong way or misconceived as someone she’s not, so she’ll try hotly to express herself in the way that she does want to be seen. Absolute Solitude | When she was little and the house became too quiet, she would have to peek outside of her bedroom at times to make sure she could still find Francis and her parents. Nowadays she's used to surrounding herself with people, but that fear still hasn't gone away. She's honestly grateful each time she wakes up and sees her wife beside her. The parties and company are fun and all, but they'd feel duller if she were ever to lose her wife. Francophobia | It startles her to hear that someone dislikes France. She tries to defend her home country, of course, but the thought of someone disliking everything about it seems impossible. There are too many things to consider, and stereotypes are not always true. Needles | Anything about hospitals in general will make her anxious, but it's needles of any sort that get her the most. |
Epilogue
Background
Elaine was born in Paris as the first child to a happily married couple. They were both connoisseurs of fashion in the fashion capital of the world - their names were well known and they certainly knew what they were doing. They adored their work and the idea of a family, and Francis was born roughly a year after Elaine. The house they owned was large and perfect for two growing children.As Elaine grew through her toddler years, her mother was the most active in teaching her the fundamentals—walking and beginning to learn her words. She was eager to raise her daughter into a well-mannered young woman, and whenever she was busy working on clothing she would hand matters over to Pierre. Granted, both parents had frequently busy jobs, but they made as much time possible for their children. They spoiled them and can certainly be credited for Elaine's later love of fashion, although that wasn't the only interest that Elaine grew with.
Her mother sewed outfits for Francis and Elaine both, though Elaine always loved to sneak on her mother's clothes as well—dresses, shoes and scarves that were far too big for her—pretending she was a model. (Unsurprisingly came a phase of 'I want to be a world famous French model when I get bigger!' - though it was Francis who later became the model.) Aside from fashion, a young Elaine loved hearing her father talk about history and the stronger women of France, and she liked to listen to his old Édith Piaf CDs. ("Her voice was so unique that absolutely no one was able to mimic it.") She and her family watched old movies, listened to music boxes and symphonies, read about heroines, ate chocolate éclairs with Papa ("don't make a mess! Use your napkin, dear!"), looked at the birds on a warm spring day in Paris. Everything about the country was beautiful to her.
These were all vivid memories that danced like the melodies of the music boxes themselves, twirled like Elaine in her new dresses, faint and distant, firm and distinct in the back of her mind. It's what makes her miss Paris sometimes.
Not only did she adore her parents, she adored her little brother. Their ties remain close today, as their careers are quite closely connected and they still seem to have similar tastes. Francis is someone she can always dote on, even if their ages aren't quite so far apart. (Even their cousin Sebastian is not safe from her doting. Any family is precious.)
She learned to sew by the time she was fifteen. Francis was headed for a career in modeling. When their parents were offered a bigger job in California, they up and moved there. Elaine was homesick for a long while, but she'd grow to love her life there in Hollywood. She studied art and design in high school and college. While in college, she took jobs as as intern for rising fashion designers; and some of them were very impressed with her work. She knew by then that that was the work she wanted to pursue.
Two years after earning her degree and starting her own business, she met someone much like the others Elaine had dated in the past - a younger woman who had taken interest in her talent and designs. It was clear to her that Alice Walker wasn't nearly as feminine as she was, nor did she fit the designs that Elaine was so used to - but Alice ended up being the one that the Frenchwoman hoped would keep returning. When the two began to date, she was always more than eager to focus her work on the blonde woman. Their differences were strong but Elaine's mind was certainly set. She'd married the woman when she was twenty-four.
Amused by Francis's commentary about their being attracted to the English, Elaine has been happy enough with her married life. (She also likes to tease that Arthur seems even more of a grump than her cute little wife.) Her constant attendance of parties and celebrations of high social status cause noticeable tensions in their marriage, but Elaine does the best she can to keep things stable. She knows she's loyal and that she can handle herself at each party she goes to - of course, Maman's wise teachings of manners and classy lady behavior are something she's always stuck to.
Credits
Name: Jen
Birthday: March 28
Skype: jennac211
Tumblr: rusamee
Birthday: March 28
Skype: jennac211
Tumblr: rusamee
Welcome to Hollywood
May all of your dreams come true...