Skip to content

Meet Selene Colette Delanciennes

Posted in Exalted Bloodlines

Selene Delanciennes
Portrait of Selene by artist Kyle McGill.

In the lead up to the release of The Most Special Chosen, coming March 3, 2018, Miss Selene Colette Delanciennes (SD) was kind enough to respond to my request for an interview and grant me a few minutes of her time to let you all get to know her.

For those of you unfamiliar with Miss Delanciennes, she is Damien’s youngest sister, and the 5th child (of 6) to Donovan and Selini Delanciennes.

She invited me to join her at her family’s house, and treated me to authentic, according to her, chocolat chaud. It was delicious.

I hope you enjoy getting to know Selene a bit better.


Rachel de la Fuente (RdlF): Selene, thank you for introducing me to chocolat chaud. My only complaint is that I won’t ever appreciate hot chocolate again.

SD: [carefully cradling her own cup of chocolat chaud] You’re more than welcome to come back when you’re craving it.

RdlF: Thanks! I’ll take you up on that offer. Now, you’re my first interviewee, so I hope you’ll forgive any mistakes I might make.

SD: I’m sure you’ll do quite well.

RdlF: [grinning] I appreciate your confidence. Perhaps it would be best to start by having you pronounce your name properly.

SD: Yes, that’s probably wise. It’s a French name, so it may be difficult for some to pronounce. It is Deh-lon-see-ehn.

RdlF: Thanks! Now, I understand your Grand Coming Out is less than a year away. Have you started planning it?

SD: Absolutely. My parents and I have been working on the plans for nearly a year already.

RdlF: In that case, I suppose it’s safe to assume you’re happy with the planning so far. Are you getting excited yet?

SD: I am. My parents have been kind enough to allow me to take the lead in the planning. As to being excited [she shrugs nonchalantly], there is still too much to do. I’ll be excited when the planning is over.

RdlF: I can understand that. If I recall my etiquette lessons correctly, you’ll have an official escort that day. Is there anyone special in your life to take on that role?

SD: No. Not at the moment. While I suppose that may change, I’m inclined to ask one of my brothers to be my escort. It will be easier for long-term planning. [she smiles, conspiratorially and leans forward] I can’t break up with any of them.

RdlF: That’s a good point, and a smart choice. What about your outfit? Is there something special that’s been passed down through the generations, or will you have something new?

SD: My mother offered me the gown she wore for her Grand Coming Out, but it’s hardly in fashion now. I’m working with the best designer I know to create a custom gown.

RdlF: That’s amazing. I find myself very envious of you. I buy everything off the rack, so there’s always something wrong with the fit. Is there anything, in particular, you’re hoping to accentuate or downplay in the design?

SD: [her eyes lose focus as she stares off into space for a few moments] Not exactly. I want the dress to make me look and feel good as a whole, rather than focusing on any one aspect of my appearance. I am quite comfortable in my own skin and feel no need to highlight or conceal any features.

Rdlf: I think the world would be better off if more people felt the way you did. Moving on from your Grand Coming Out, I’d like to let people get to know the real you a bit better, so I hope you’ll indulge me with the next few questions.

SD: Very well.

RdlF: What’s your favorite scent?

SD: I don’t think my absolute favorite scent is appropriate to share with you, considering the audience for this interview. [she winks] But I am particularly partial to the yeasty smell of three-quarters baked bread that hits you when you first walk into the room where it is baking.

RdlF: Baking anything smells delicious. Although I’m curious as to your absolute favorite smell now.

SD: [whispers] -REDACTED-

RdlF: [blushes] Well, then. Moving on…what’s your favorite hobby?

SD: I like to tend to my flower garden. And I very much enjoy reading.

Rdlf: I’m always happy to find a fellow reader. What are you currently reading?

SD: I’m re-reading Dante’s Inferno. It really is a marvelous book. Have you read it?

RdlF: No, I, um, I tend to prefer other genres.

SD: Oh. [looking sad] No one seems to read the old classics anymore.

RdlF: Is that a pet peeve?

SD: No, it’s just a little disappointing. My pet peeve is actually disingenuous people. Life would be so much easier if people would be genuine. Can’t we all just say what we’re thinking and be ourselves?

RdlF: If only. I imagine it isn’t made any easier with your family’s wealth.

SD: Not at all. You never know if someone likes you or your status.

RdlF: Surely some people have proven themselves over the years?

SD: Oh, yes, of course. I was referring to meeting new people. For example, my best friend, Philomène, has shown me that she can be trusted more times than I can count. We have shared many experiences.

RdlF: Let’s change topics a bit…what are your favorite and least favorite colors?

SD: Favorite is definitely periwinkle. It’s simultaneously happy and sad, and I find that so interesting. My least favorite is harder…I think it’s the pinkish-brown color of foie gras. [she shudders] although that may have more to do with my hatred of foie gras than the actual color.

RdlF: Ok, let me get your mind off of that with my next set of questions. What superpower would you most like to have?

SD: I would love to be telekinetic. Could you imagine being able to retrieve something when your hands are otherwise occupied? [she winks]

RdlF: Selene, please —

SD: [with an innocent expression] I only meant you could have a book follow you to the sofa when your hands are full. Or you could carry drinks for everyone at once! Rachel, where did your mind go.

RdlF: Precisely where you wanted it to, Selene. You don’t fool me. But moving on, If you could have dinner with any person, living or dead, who would it be?

SD: I would very much love to meet Leonardo da Vinci. He’s such a fascinating man. So brilliant. His ideas were centuries before their time, you know.

RdlF: Yeah, it would be really interesting to meet him. If you could have the answer to any question, what would that question be?

SD: Who will I bond with; who will I marry? I could go find that person, get to spend more time with him. Ensure were are *ahem* fully compatible.

RdlF: I’m not touching that one, Selene. If you could speak to everyone in the world at the same time, what would you say?

SD: It would be lovely if everyone would be more kind to each other. There is too much meanness in the world. Travel more, and you will see that we are not so different, really. [sounding sad] And those differences are not worth the hate we throw at each other.

RdlF: Ok, hopefully this last question will cheer you up a bit. What’s your best memory?

SD: My best memory is undoubtedly the night I shared with —

RdlF: Selene! PG interview here, remember? What’s your best PG memory?

SD: [grinning] Oh, right, of course. There are so many other good memories, it’s hard to choose. When I was very young, my family vacationed at a small cabin in an idyllic clearing in the woods. It was one of the few times the family traveled completely alone. We spent all of our time together. I especially enjoyed swimming in the nearby lake. It’s such a shame the cabin isn’t there anymore. But the memories are eternal, even if the cabin was not.

RdlF: It’s too bad the cabin is gone, but perhaps it’s better. Now there’s no chance your favorite memory can be tarnished.

SD: Yes, that’s true. I’d never thought of it that way.

RdlF: Well, Selene, thanks for spending some time with me. I really appreciate it.

SD: Of course, Rachel. Would you like to stay for dinner?

RdlF: Sure, that would be great, thanks!


I hope you’ve enjoyed meeting Selene. If you want to know her real favorite scent and memory, sign up for my newsletter, I’ll be including the answers in the next issue. And if you want to know more about Selene, make sure to pick up The Most Special Chosen when it releases on March 3, 2018.

Be First to Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *