Streams of Starlight

2. A New Name & Beginning

The Auberts' were a kind couple, if perhaps slightly delusional. When they found an infant at their back doorstep, I became the child they lost only a few days prior. I was well-taken care of, but I soon became an orphan not long after when their carriage crashed one winter's night.

The Auberts' had placed in their will that if ever they were lost, their dearest friends, the DeChagny's, would take in their child as their own.

The DeChagny's had no choice but to do so, for the Auberts were the reason that they'd gained the Count title. Through the Aubert sacrifice, a remarkable deed was awarded solely upon the DeChagny's patriarch rather than their own.

So I was taken in, and the Countess renamed me. Her little star, "Estelle". She knew that I wasn't the lost child however she still kept it a secret so that I could receive the benefits and privilege of the noble name Aubert.

When we first arrived at the estate I was about two and she handed me off to one of the many nannies that looked after the youngsters of the Chateau.

I was asleep for most of those days only waking to be fed.

One night I found the Countess leaning over me, her figure haloed by the candlelight. Her soft fingertips grazing my plump baby cheeks, her brows furrowed with some unknown worry.

"You will meet your sisters soon. They have been quite enthusiastically awaiting the day they'd be let in to see you. You'll meet your older brother, too; he'll be joining us shortly.." Her lips pursed, "I hope they will accept you, little one." She shook her head a couple of dark mahogany almost ebony curls falling to brush against her lace collared neck.

The failed experiments of the 'Social Workers' had exhausted me. Paired with the small infant body they'd de-aged me into there hadn't been much I was capable of.

One night they invaded my dreams for a 'check-up'. I was in a silver iridescent walled room with the strange being known only as my 'social worker' for their names were 'far too complicated' for my puny mind as it was now (at least according to them).

They stared at me with their multiple bulbous eyes.

"What did you do to me?" My voice sounded strange in my ears, it had been so long since I'd been able to speak.

Multiple mouths grinned sharp incisors glinting in the light, a long tentacle-like arm that shimmered in the dark gestured towards the room's windows that looked out upon their ship's city-like innards.

"We saved you."

"Why?"

A hum came from the being that almost sounded like a purr, "You humans have such potential. Some more than others, but none are completely useless."

"You will find your body has been healed as promised." A couple of the appendages steepled long slender fingers of two tentacles in front of them as the 'Social Worker' leaned forward. "The enhancements we've given come with a price."

The being didn't speak any further.

"What must I do?"

I let out a sigh when silence reigned in the echoing space.

"Save him." The being leaned forward, "Save Erik."

I woke to two pairs of eyes peering over the rim of my bassinet.

The two young ladies of the De Chagny estate were no more than five years old, the only discerning features between the two was the straightlaced expression on one and a bright grin on the other. Long flowy dark brown hair tied with purple and silver ribbons, large brown almost black eyes, and small hands tilting the bassinet toward themselves as they peered more at me.

I waved my hand at the kids, "Hi..."

The smiling young one squealed, turning towards someone behind her, "She spoke, she spoke, nounou."

The withered features of the oldest nanny in the chateau peered over, "Anglais, as well, how curious."

The remaining set of brown eyes looking over the bassinet's age stared at my face before rocking the carrier towards herself so she could lean in.

Serious eyes looked into my own before a prim voice spoke out, "It is 'bonjour' not 'hi'. Say it."

I pursed my lips and stared at her.

"Bo-n-jo-ur. Say it."

"She's still young, Lady Geneviève."

"Maman said she was smart." The bassinet rocked back as she let go of the edge.

"..on...our." My voice came out stuttering, the 'b' and 'j' not quite forming properly in my mouth as they should.

"Bon travail!" A proud smile alighted the young child's features. "Now, we shall take you on a walk."

What proceeded was the maids placing me on a settee as the girls dressed me up as they saw fit. Each running to get their favorite dresses from when they were 'my age'. Soon enough I was dressed in a sky blue bonnet and dress with pretty lace trim, and a pair of the smallest 'victorian' pair of boots I'd ever seen. In my past life I'd seen some preserved through the New Age in the virtual museums that still had a few artifacts, they had to be suspended in a special light that kept them frozen in time and well preserved. In that life, my parents had been some of the very ancient history archeologists that placed the artifacts in 'safety'. It all seemed so long ago.

The sound of a carriage arriving caused the youngest of the twins to perk up and run from the room. "Phillipe is here!"

The eyes of the 'young master' of the DeChagny were far too sharp for a boy of only ten.

He gazed at his younger sister running from the house to greet him with a grim expression.

"How much longer are you going to act like a child? You will be going to school soon, Chantel."

I arrived in the arms of the older nanny in time to see the interaction and watch as Chantel's eyes filled up with tears before she ran away bawling her purple ribbons in her hair flying behind her.

I didn't realize I was glaring until the boy stood in front of the nanny peering down at me over his aristocratic nose in disdain, "Another troublemaker it seems....well let's see you then." He outstretched his arms towards me..

This time I glared at him full power, a tsking sound came from me before I put my own little nose in the air.

In the corner of my eye I saw Geneviève, and I stretched my arms out to the little girl.

"S'il vous plaît!" My 's' was drawn out and the 'v' nearly completely non-existent and don't get me started on the 'plaît!' But from the small gasp from the boy and the awe in the five year old young lady I seemed to have said it well enough.

I would later learn it was the first time that the young heir of the DeChagny estate had ever been rejected.