"Western Medicine", a Work in Progress

Western Medicine is another novella I'm currently working on, alongside The Velvet Hall.  Though they both take place in the fictional St. Verde, and they both have a d'Auvigne presence, they have a vastly different feel.

For those of you who are dark and demented, The Velvet Hall is your cup of tea.  For those of you who like your darkness and dementia in moderation, Western Medicine will be more your taste.

The story begins at a lavish Catholic funeral, when two young adults from a wealthy family bury their mother.  Having buried their notorious father only six months earlier, one of them is amused at the staggering turnout of mourners for their mother.

Hamaliel James Clarke (inspired by actor Tyler James Williams)

Hamaliel is the older sibling, and heir to his father's empire.  A student of ethics, business, and economics, Hamaliel is an avid chess player who views the world with his father's infamous cynicism.  Though his a family's often been a hot topic, sometimes spending time in the public eye, Hamaliel is a fiercely private person.

While at university, he was known for his reserved, discerning demeanor and his refusal to make close friends.  Like his father, he distrusts everyone but his own family.  And as his younger sister is all he has left now, he's extremely protective of her.

Orianne Idelle d'Auvigne (inspired by actress Keke Palmer)

Because the d'Auvignes did not approve of their father, their parents never legally married.  Thus, Hamaliel is his father's heir, while Orianne is her mother's.

However, despite her charming nature and talent with languages, Orianne is no typical d'Auvigne.

A gentle, kind-hearted young woman, Orianne is wasting away from a terminal illness.  She's increasingly fragile, and her medical regimen seems to do little more than just buy her time.  Orianne worries about what will happen to her brother if and when she dies.

Suriel Deming Zhou (inspired by comedian Kevin Kai-Wen Wu)

A pre-law student, Suriel once took an ethics class with Hamaliel.  They briefly bonded over the fact their moms named them after angels.  Suriel attends the funeral at the behest of Cyndi Rhodes, the daughter of a billionaire whose company's assets have been seized due to a fraud scandal. Suriel was an intern at the company when the investigations began; he was a favorite of Cyndi's father.

Suriel knows the only reason Cyndi asked him to accompany her is that she hopes to gain financial help from Hamaliel - one way or another - and Suriel is her way in.  However, Suriel hopes he can manipulate their time together to his advantage.

I don't think it will take too long to get this story out, so I'd like to say it should be available from the MCP eBookstore this year.