Chapter Text
The Northwest Mansion foyer was extremely quiet save for the warm, crackling fire. Contrasting it was the cold, displeased Preston Northwest. Priscilla stood by his side as Pacifica looked down at her shoes. Looming over his daughter with his arms crossed and unwaveringly glaring eyes, Preston finally spoke.
“Young lady, do you have any idea how much trouble you are in?” boomed Preston.
“I’m sorry, father” squeaked the submissive Pacifica. “I shouldn’t have given that homeless man any money.”
“Pacifica, dear, I thought we raised you better than to waste our hard-earned inherited cash” replied Preston. “However, that is not what I am upset about.”
“What then?” asked the timid girl.
Pricilla interjected. “We saw your interactions with that girl from the woods. What was her name? Maple?”
“No, darling, I believe that’s a syrup” stated Preston. “Though I suppose it would be sensible for someone of her stature to be named after such an item” he thought aloud.
Perhaps a little too loudly, Pacifica shouted, “Mabel!…” Pacifica cleared her throat. “Her name is Mabel.”
“Ah, yes, well you are not to see any more of that girl” said Preston bluntly. “You’re a Northwest, her kind must not mingle with ours.”
“Her kind? How could you say something like that?! I like her and she likes me, why can’t you support me?”
“Pacifica Elise Northwest! Where are your manners?” questioned Priscilla.
“No, Priscilla, it’s all right” remarked Preston. “This is my fault.”
Stunned, Priscilla looked over at her husband. “It is?”
“Yes” he replied. “This has been going on for far too long. We give her an inch and she takes a mile” gestured Preston.
“What are you saying?” asked Pacifica nervously.
Preston sternly looked his daughter in the eyes. “You know very well. Though your mother and I were skeptical at first, we supported your transition to a female. We only did so because of the financial opportunities a wealthy male suitor would present this family, but you’ve clearly gone too far with this femininity of yours. You are a confused young man and it is time to put an end to this nonsense.”
Horrified, Pacifica took a step back and put a hand on her forehead. She felt like she was going to pass out. Sure, her parents were classist fools, but this was beyond harsh even for them. Pacifica never thought it would come to this, that her parents would be unable to support her for who she is.
With tears beginning to well up in her eyes, Pacifica mustered, “I… I don’t believe it… My own parents…”
Priscilla cut in. “Your father and I have been talking, and we’ve decided to send you to St. Helga’s Reform School.”
Preston nodded in approval. “They’ll turn you back into a real man. One day, you’ll come to realize how childish this phase of yours was and thank us.”
Pacifica was outraged. “Thank you?! Are you kidding me?! It’s not a phase, this is who I am! Just because I identify as a girl doesn’t mean I have to be attracted to boys! How can you not understand that?!”
Preston ignored his daughter’s outburst. “The train leaves tomorrow at noon. Your mother and I will accompany you.”
Pacifica stormed upstairs, shouting back at her parents, “Those places should be illegal!”