PETITE POTINS: Astercalia

[amyselia 2962]

THE CHILDREN’S SOCIAL COLUMN

Active since 1827

 

1st Article:

The Tempore of 1856: New & Improved by Her Majesty’s Aster Court

 

 

The Debut of 1856.

 

Catherine Anastasia, Princess Imperial

The Imperial House of Novellen

Year of Birth; 1838 

 

The Princess Imperial came out with a beautifully tailored eccentric gown befitting of her status. She walked with pride and dignity, fitting for her role as the eldest of the Imperial Household. The Princess Imperial also wore, alongside her elegant gown, the famous sash of Ophelia worn by many members of the Imperial Household, including Empress Lorena. Her Imperial Highness received high praise from her mother, stating “You have grown into a beautiful, intelligent woman.” and “I look forward to your future serving our empire as a member of the Imperial Family.” We at Petite Potins truly applaud the Princess Imperial on her elegance and her intelligence. 

 

Below the notes is written in a child’s print:

“ NERD - lysa “

 

Laurentina Marigold 

The Ducal House of Helvets 

Year of Birth; 1842 

 

After the Princess Imperial was the supposed jewel of the season. The Helvets came out with a golden-orange gown with rubies and pearls adorning her person. She walked with the grace one would expect from someone whose un-glassed eyes could hardly make out the debut floor before her feet, wobbly and unsure. As she approached the dias, her Imperial Majesty called upon her, stating how she reflects her house well, though we wonder if she wasn’t lauded simply to please her miserly brother into a marriage with the Princess Imperial. The children of Petite Potins would’ve liked to see more from the Ruby, but it’s not easy to outshine a ducal bachelor during his tempore. Besides that, her gown served orange peels and creme facial masks.

 

Anne Josephine 

The Ducal House of d’Arkent 

Year of Birth; 1836 

 

Lady Revel d’Arkent wore a black velvet dress embroidered with rose designs, channeling the rebellion of Claude Pruvia’s debut. On her head, she adorned the tiara of Tatiana of Alban, a former duchess of Sunholdt. It seems like even new jewelry is too expensive for the waning and displaced Sunholdt family. To many in the court, including us at Petite Potins, think the Lady d’Arkent better resemble her late grandmother, Josephine Augusta, who she can thank for her bulging lower chin, much like the horse that Prince Peter brought in a few ladies after! Nonetheless, she was praised by her Majesty: “Quite stunning, Lady Anne.” Is this true..? Tell us readers!

 

Analiese Juliana 

The Ducal House of Azor 

Year of Birth; 1837 

 

The first to walk towards the dias out of the two d’Azor ladies debuting this evening came out with a silk gown. We did notice before coming out that the Lady Analiese Juliana d’Azor appeared to be nervous once her name was called, freezing for a second. This sort of composure is expected from the d’Azors women, who have seemed to fade into obscurity during the transitional regime, leaving them without an audience to practice their speaking with. Like her fellow debutantes, the noblewoman offered a lowered courtesy before standing up being praised alongside her cousin that “You must offer your seamstress my compliments”. A most proud family! We too here at Petite Potions are truly amazed by Lady Analiese’s etiquette. 

 

Madeline Rose 

The Ducal House of Azor 

Year of Birth; 1832 

 

The second to walk towards the dias was Lady Madeline Rose d’Azor-Vuiller. The blonde maiden adorned a light blue gown and a more darker blue colored sash around her waist. She also wore silver jewels which are allegedly imported from Aeldin, although imports from the continent seem a curious oddity during wartime, which beckons the question of the material’s true origin. We hear the dwarves’ silver mines are plentiful in the winter months.... Like her relative, she also had gotten high praise from her Imperial Majesty while she walked towards the dias, but a certain Rev Vuiller broke it all down when he displayed a gross performance of tears on behalf of his step-daughter. Get a grip!

 

Annabelle Augusta 

The Comital House of Novellen-Huntshill 

Year of Birth; 1840 

 

The first of the two Huntshill sisters was Lady Annabelle Augusta. The young heiress walked out with a beautiful maroon gown with a velvet red sash around her waist. The empress offered the heiress praise alongside her younger sister, then asking a question: “Tell me lady Anabelle, what do you wish for in ten years to come?” She responded:“I plan to bring forth my family and household to new heights, serving the Empire with my all. Endeavoring in efforts of expansion for our accomplishments. In all, strive for the ability to protect and serve our great Empire, and of course my own family.” What a boring response from a boring Novellen. Challenge-less lives truly do make women mundane. Nonetheless, she was later seen to be jealous of Lady Laurentina getting ruby. We hope that the Heiress doesn't do anything brash and foolish out of spite (do it Annabelle).

 

Catherine Marie 

The Comital House of Novellen-Huntshill 

Year of Birth; 1842 

 

The second of the two Huntshill sisters was Lady Catherine Marie. She well adorned herself with a red gown, matching with her elder sister, whose question she was haphazardly slung over like leftover cake. We assume this is a common occurrence for her, the dejected rival of the heiress. To it, she responded: “I wish to marry someone who has a large library.” The empress seemed quite disapproving of such a dream, critiquing how she could create her own library and marriage shouldn’t come first to her own endeavors. That critique made us wonder where the Empress would be now without her marriage, but even so, what does Catherine bring to the table on her own if she has her nose stuck in a book all day?! Let us hope that Huntshill will learn from this and become better. 

 

Eloise Helen 

The Comital House of O’Rourke 

Year of Birth; 1831 

 

After the two Huntshill sisters, Lady Eloise Helen sported a classical ivory dress with pale blue silks - an aged reference to the Social Seasons of Augustine past. However, she was suddenly interrupted by the Prince of Providence on HORSEBACK, the lady staring the creature directly in it’s arse as she strut towards the dias! The Prince paid her no mind or apology, securing Eloise’s place in the imperial running beneath the dirt under the horse’s hooves. Her Imperial Majesty seemed quite annoyed but quickly brushed it off, apologizing to Lady Eloise before praising her for clinging onto traditions by the late Princess Imperial, Elizabeth Anne. We think the Empress was gritting her teeth beneath her words, for why would the O’Rourke insult the new themes of Astercalia? After the empress gave her compliments, Eloise not only responded in Elven, but also New Marian and Common! What an obtuse and quirky girl… One might wonder where exactly she picked up the elven tongue. Her high-elven features do not help her in that regard.

 

Countess Amadie Marléne 

The Comital House of Pruvia 

Year of Birth; 1836 

 

The first of the Madames de Provins entered with a beautiful gown reminiscent of the Nouveau Savoie fashions, adorning herself with all sorts of jewels and silks. She wore the ancient Diadem of Pruvia, fitting for such a graceful Countess! It is a shame she is already engaged to those poverty-ridden Carringtons, for this could’ve been quite a catch this season for any eligible bachelor. Ignoring her completely (likely due to her betrothal), the Empress spoke with Lady Sophie, who happens to be about the same age as her eldest! Countess Amadie and her other younger sister, Lady Anastasie, were both praised for their beauty to make up for being shunned. On the sidelines, their mother Claude bore a grimace. They’ll await punishment for their imperfection when we get home, we all assume.

 

Anastasie Thérèse 

The Comital House of Pruvia 

Year of Birth; 1839 

 

The second daughter of the Madames de Provins came out with a beautiful gown like her elder sister. Standing on the Countess’ left flank, she too walked in a unison of three, mirroring the earlier Madames de Savoie. The Auvergnat women always know how to put on a good show! She wore a white gown and a laurel around her blonde locks, who she inherited from GOD knows who! After the Empress spoke with Lady Sophie, Anastasie was given high praise of her beauty like her older sister Lady Amadie. Everyone knows that blondes have more fun, though we hope she isn’t as ditzy as the Countess Renzfeld, who she mirrors in her foul attitude and decorous fashion. Surely, Anastasie is an Amadea to come. Whether that is a good or bad thing, we shall have to see…

 

Sophie Cléméntine 

The Comital House of Pruvia 

Year of Birth; 1842 

 

The last and youngest of the Madames de Provins stood out the most of her sisters. Donning a shining chestplate around her beautiful azure gown. Walking in complete unison with her sisters while all three approached the throne, her Imperial Majesty, out of nostalgia when she wore armor at her showcase within the Social Season, questioned the Pruvia on her outfit choice. Pruvia gave out a long explanation which seemed to impress her Imperial Majesty, but her response took so long to form, we wonder if the girl’s brain is rotting from too much commendation! Besides that, some of us do think that Lady Sophie surely should have gotten to the runner up for the Ruby of this season compared to Lady Laurentina. 

 

Ioanna Elisheva 

The Viscomital House of Basrid 

Year of Birth; 1842 

 

After the Pruvian horde was Lady Ioanna, walking in with a tight-fitted iron corset akin to the wanton Maude of Copper Court, mistress to Emperor John II. However, she added an interesting detail in the brandishing of a shield. When asked by her Imperial Majesty why she took on the shield, Lady Ioanna explained that it was a tribute to her late grandmother, the Princess Imperial, Elizabeth Anne. The tribute seemed made up on the spot, however, as the Princess Imperial never wore such attire, which looked more like the clothing of renatians. After the explanation, the Empress seemed impressed and was heard saying: “May you one day walk in her footsteps.” Why! Such high praise! One wonders if she’ll live up to it.

 

Théa Helaine 

The Baronial House of Halcourt 

Year of Birth; 1840 

 

Thea Helaine! What an interesting girl! Not really. She walked well like all the others, but was rumored to be wearing Maude Fitzpeter’s debutante gown. Is it a trend for the Fitzpeters to pass down their rags to the lower noblesse? We wonder why the revived House of Halcourt would ever acquaint themselves with a non-ennobled house, especially one as foul-to-the-mouth as the Fitzpeters. Despite this, it is also alleged that when the Halcourt walked towards the dias, her Imperial Majesty told the young girl that the Baroness Artois would have been proud. 

 

Coraline Antonia 

The Baronial House of Carrington d’Arkent 

Year of Birth; 1840 

 

My. My lord. Have the Carringtons gone mad, or have they just always been so? To think that the Baron Carrington would allow his daughter to wear nothing to her own debut! Such a shame! The crowds within the throne room were in utter turmoil, and the Empress’ face was nothing short of unamused when that Madame Rothesay wannabe stepped onto our courts. We cannot allow such promiscuous and unethical behavior to be allowed within the Aster Court, like the cursed courts of New Helena. Think about us, the poor uncorrupted children of the City of Providence. I heard my friend say that she’s going to start wearing shoulderless dresses…

 

Bianca Mariya 

The Baronial House of Sarkozy-Pompourelia 

Year of Birth; 1838 

 

Lady Bianca waltzed into the court with her head raised high wearing the styles of the haeseni! We would greet cultural exchange with applause if it made sense, but frankly we wonder if the raevir Adrian monarchs of yore ever worse kokoshniks in the haeseni style. Regardless, her dress was a beautiful reprise of the northern cultures in Oren, with some illatian accents in the sleeves no doubt attributed to her Montelliano parentage. We see a bright future in stock for the girl, and for the bountiful- if not excessive -numbers of the Sarkozy family, especially in marriage, as we have overheard many bachelors whispering of the vesnan curves attached to the name of Bianca.

 

Elspaith Caitrin 

Sponsored by The Foreign Royal House of Savoie 

Year of Birth; 1842 

 

Has the Royal House of Savoie gone very pious or very basic? The sponsored foreigner walked into the court with a plain and boring maroon gown of the Savoyard stylings, except an imperialized corset. One wonders if she hasn't just come out of a convent of murder nuns! While she walked up to the dias, she tried so hard to conceal her accent, many debutantes cheered her on in a united front. The imperial women are the most benevolent around, no doubt about it. 

 

Clairessa 

Sponsored by The Baronial House of Halcourt 

Year of Birth; 1839 

 

Clairessa was slightly timid in her debut, but her sweet-cheeked innocence and juvility made her a fan-favorite among the court, as well as among the judges, who appointed her one of the three in the running for the choice of the ruby! A commoner arisen from seemingly nowhere, Clairessa is expected to do great things in the future, and the House of Harcourt's sponsorship has styled her up to possibly even be a future lady… We shall see how Clairessa fares!

 

Chloe Giselle 

The Baronial House of Rosius 

Year of Birth; 1838 

 

The de Rosius girls came into the debut in matching tones of greens and browns, channeling the new Campagnois culture’s forest affinities. Theirs was a wonderful display of cultural pride, another exemplar of the various identities within the borders of Oren. However, beside their gowns, their debut was utterly forgettable. The one thing everyone wanted to speak about was the lightening of Chloe Giselle’s skin! It matches her complexion and dress quite beautifully, although we wonder where exactly this condition arose from? Perhaps because it was nearing the final moments of the debut, no one remarked on the girl’s unique ailment!

 

Elara Sylvie 

The Baronial House of Rosius 

Year of Birth; 1840

 

Beside her sister was Miss Elara de Rosius, straps of ribbons and fabrics making up her beautiful green dress. She did a splendid job of standing out from her sister, which is deeply necessary because of their crazy resemblance! Elara mirrored the House of Rosius in her debut, simple, ethereal and majestic. There isn’t much else to say about her except her good mannerisms and presentation!

 

Miss Giuseppina 

Sponsored by The Baronial House of Carrington-d'Arkent 

Year of Birth; 1842 

 

Miss Giuseppina wore white! A bold choice it was to stand out against the new regulations, which would have entitled the culturally-rich house of Falcone to stand out in their colors. Instead, she donned a veil and a fluorescent ensemble of golds and cremes. The only thing which was of great interest was her being sponsored by the House of Carrington-d’Arkent. A jewel out of the muck of water! Overall, Miss Giuseppina seems to have a high intelligence! So perhaps instead of her beauty, it will be her intelligence which shines the brightest among the ladies. 

 

Spoiler

DEBUTANTE PICTURES

 

Catherine, Princess Imperial

 

Lady Laurentina Helvets

 

Lady Anne Josephine

 

Ladies Analiese and Madeline d’Azor

 

Ladies Catherine and Annabelle Novellen-Huntshill

 

Lady Eloise O’Rourke

 

Ladies Sophie and Anastasie flanking Countess Amadie of Provins.

 

Miss Ioanna Basrid

 

Miss Thea Halcourt

 

Lady Coraline d'Arkent-Carrington

 

Miss Bianca de Sarkozy-Pompourelia

 

Miss Elspaith Baruch

 

Miss Clairessa

 

Miss Chloe and Miss Elara de Rosius

 

Miss Giuseppina Falcone

 

The Ruby, Laurentina Helvets, beside the Countess Vanderfall.

 

An astonishing choice is displayed by both Her Imperial Majesty and the Countess Vanderfall as we witness their pick for the gold laden Helvets to represent the Ruby, the maiden of the Empire and of the House of Helvets. We believe that she is all deserving of such a title, for her efforts for the empire in recent years have been much to spirit the morale of soldiers! However, the 'Ruby' itself is what is questioned this season. Is it her grandeur displayed in her clothing or  the way she walked that made her be chosen? We would like to know! The Ruby has always been a rather ambiguous choice, as there is always girls begging to know why a certain lady was chosen over the other. Perhaps, alongside the Astercalia reforms, the position of the Ruby should be more clearly defined and elevated upon their announcement!

 

 

 

The Imperial Dynasty had quite a row yesterday following the Astercalian debut! It all started with Princess Anna, who began her usual anti-Pruvian dramatics when spotting her brother, Prince Peter, beside the Provins sisters. Peter began to take her side, leading to Sophie’s heated accusation that Anna was an unholy girl! When the moment got much too tempestuous, Princess Amelia cut in, attempting to demand obeisance of her nephew. Peter would have none of it, and the growing crowd witnessed his reprimanding of his aunt, screaming that she didn’t know who she was talking to! The next thing we know, the imperial family is being dragged off by their earlobes!

 

What happened afterwards? Potins readers are free to speculate on the theatrics of the imperial family…

 

 

 

The opening ball of the tempore! Named for the Countess of Renzfeld, the Amadistus was packed with pairs of couples all night. We got a brief look over people’s shoulders to look at dance cards, and collected the the most illustrious matches. They included a Duke, a Ducal Heir and an Imperial Heir, all enchanting the room with their lordly presences. We must never promote girls to be marriage-chasers, but this is the most exciting race in years! 

 

Spoiler

 

Sophie and Anastasie Pruvia, the Princess Imperial, Laurentina Helvets, and Anne Josephine d’Arkent c. 1856

 

The Princess Imperial danced with both Dukes (a determined girl - GO KITTY), making us envision a future for her as a Duchess of one place or another. Deservedly so, though the girl will gain her own title without marriage whatever she pleases. Close in the running was Sophie Pruvia, followed by Laurentina Helvets, Ioanna Basrid and Anne Josephine!

 

It amazed the Potins of this Tempore that the Duke of Sunholdt was more popular than the Prince of Providence himself among the ladies, filling the list of many a potential wife. The younger Peter A. must step his game up if he wishes to secure an empress before he is forced in the Imperial State Army…

 

Besides that, there wasn’t much drama enhoffed in the opening ball. A shame to all the do-goody debutantes out there!

 

 

The Baroness of Halcourt is caught in a tizzy with two bachelors this tempore, the fabled bastard of Prince Philip and Mary of Carrington being one of them. A pale boy with a disgusting facial scar, he seemed heartbroken when she was asked to dance by Richard d’Azor before his very eyes! That d’Azor is a BOLD fellow, though we suspect it is the politician’s soul that makes him reach for what he wants without regret! Will we be seeing a baronial marriage in the works for the lady?

 

 

It is almost a given that an unmarried heir within the tempore will have women flocking to him, but it seems the stalwart heir to Cathalon would have none of it! He refused the hands of various ladies for dances, only allowing a discreet Princess Imperial to be his first dance. WHEN WILL THIS HEIR MARRY? He may as well die a spinster if he will not take Princess Catherine’s hand. However, we do note that imperial marriages with Cathalon have been a place of tumult in the past to say the least. Perhaps the new pair can revive the idea, whilst they work on reviving the Duchy to its rightful place?

 

---

The Imperial Scrivener’s Office©.

[Mannyy 982]

"Madame Rothesay!?" The Baron cocked his head back, wide eyes "I find fun in idle gossip though there are some comparisons that are to never be made.." Wilhelm sighed "I think she looked lovely.."

[ncarr 2806]

Sophie trembles.

 

[reserved]

[Cubicita 640]

Shortly after the dismissal of chaos in which the d'Azor fell upon, he would slowly read over the tabloid, scanning the entirety of its content. Waves of acceptance, content, and even anger swarmed the lordling whilst reading until he immediately was found tossing it into the canal. "If only these little women know the true story." Richard curled his nose as he watched the paper slowly drown into the short-flowing water.  "Is there a true point of continuing with this theatrics?" He pondered over before rushing to the Azor estate and beginning to write. "No longer will I tolerate this nonsense." 

[Azie 657]

The grumblings of a certain Heiress can be heard from her family's estate. "IS THIS KARMA FOR WRITING THESE WHEN I WAS YOUNGER????" 

[amyselia 2962]

r

[zuziee 4004]

Catalina scowled 'pon reading Anne Josephine's area - throwing the gossip column across the room "Those jewels have history! They are not old - they are historic!"

[latte 2238]

"again, what word does an lazing orenian noble have to me," uttered Giuseppina "Although.. ha ragione, io ovviamente sono la più intelligente," She'd delight, clearly over confident in her abilities. 

[TheHeftyDonut 706]

Théa Helaine entered the palace room that the Halcourts held now, gasping as she fount the paper upon the table, the girl had a bright smile upon her face as she read until she got down to her name. The girl's happy expression flipped now, as she continued to read about her gown and herself. "Not interesting? I'm one of the most interesting girls around... Uhm-" Her face had went red out of anger as she placed the parchment back on the wooden table, tears slowly filled her eyes after reading such. "No, Don't do it Théa" She'd say calming herself down. "A fool! The person wrote this is- they know nothing of me, I taught myself how to bake, and I'm one of the best! I have talent which is something most of those girls can't relate to, and I practiced for days!" she'd say before going to burst into the bedroom now,  laying down on the bed. "I'm stupid for even signing up for these stupid events!" She'd say in anger as she sat on the bed, minutes passed and she finally began to slowly drift off to sleep. 

[Proddy 2415]

"It is a birthmark." frowns the Bastard of Adria as he read the pilot issue of the recently revived Petite Potins. Pallid fingertips grazing against his wine-stained mark with a sigh as he crumples up the paper and tosses it into a nearby bin. "What a load of rubbish."

[clonky 1976]

Maude Fitzpeter gives a thumbs up as she sees someone sporting her beautiful debutante gown! She smiles the sun's smile as the missive reaches her in the far off deserts, somehow still keeping tabs on the Empire.

Countess Amadie Marlene was rather proud that she was spoke so highly of, and fanned herself to rid of her red-hot cheeks. She giggled and giggled. 

[TheNunnery 1853]

Writer, Heloise Therese, had a bright smile after reading the article by Petite Potins. 

 

[milkyi 1986]

Ioanna Elisheva was at least proud she was the Prince of Providence's first pick for a dance, forgetting about the haters!

 

Meanwhile, The Baroness of Artois fled the ballroom after the altercation which had occurred with the Lord of d'Azor and the boy of Trissingham, sobbing herself to sleep.

[Benjikhei 698]

A foreigner tosses the missive into the crackling PYRE that lingered nearby, a shake of his head ensuing as he scorned the accursed authors. "Oh, shut up." Scolded he, going to try and take back his former wealth.

[Harald 2875]

Rev still cries from being proud of Madeline