Scales and Arpeggios

[Marinette Roquefort]

They’d done well!

The winter sun shone clear and bright through the wide bay windows and into the ballroom where all evidence of the Yule Ball had been cleared away. The open space rung with notes just as clear as the light, each one plunked rather unceremoniously by the young Olivia deGrey . It might not have much finesse, just yet, but it was the makings of music.

They’d been through quite a bit today– learning to find A and C on the keyboard anywhere, what a sharp and a flat were, half steps and whole steps, and how to number your fingers. For a seven-year-old, that was a major accomplishment (pun intended)! They were reviewing, now, and getting a little practice in.

“Okay, find me a C. Good…now the next one is D…E…F…G… Good! Ok, go back to your C. What’s on the other side? Right!” Marinette’s cheerful guidance never ceased. Perhaps she ought to have allowed a little more silence for her student to process, but she felt an active approach was a good one with Olivia. Now that they’d finished their lesson, though… Perhaps it was time to try another song?

“Want to try something different? Here, put your left hand here…finger number five on the C… three on the E, here, two on F, then one, we’ll put that on the G. Ok… here we go!” She tapped the little girl’s fingers in rhythm to teach her the part to repeat. “Now you try. Just do it over and over, just like last time.”

Once Olivia had it under control, she chimed in with her left hand as well, playing the upper part. It soon sounded like the song, and she sang quietly along. Her voice was nowhere near as nice as her sister’s but it wasn’t awful, at least.

“Do mi so do, Do so mi do. Every truly cultured music student knows…”

She was too absorbed in the song to notice that their time had run out, and Olivia's father, William deGrey , was there to get her.

[Olivia deGrey]

She had been learning things! And for once, she hadn't gotten bored after just a half hour. Dinah had even been toying with the lace on the hem of her dress as she sat there with Marinette at the grand piano, and she didn't stop to pet her or even get distracted! Alright, maybe once earlier, but that was it. Just once. Daddy would be so proud. Maybe soon she would be able to play him a tune all by herself!

Although she seemed a little hyper at first, Olivia managed to calm down enough to concentrate on what Mari was showing her, doing her best to remember everything when she quizzed her afterwards. Concentrating so hard, her brow was furrowed and her little tongue began to creep out the corner of her mouth as she attempted to find the right notes. The smile on her face was beaming after, listening to Marinette's praise- it meant she was doing something right! And she really wanted to be good at this.

When she was asked to try something different, Livi nodded her head eagerly before doing as instructed once more. She was surprisingly quiet because she was concentrating so much. Her little legs swayed as she sat there on the bench, her head bobbing each time Marinette tapped her fingers to show her the rhythm. Lips pursed in thought, and she did her best to repeat it on her own, only messing up a little here or there.

The excitement overcame her and she had to hold back a squeal of delight as Mari joined in and it sounded like an actual tune. She was playing part of a song. Her smile widened, listening to her friend and instructor sing along as she tried not to fumble too much.

[William deGrey]

If he were being honest, he was a little nervous to find out how Olivia's first lesson went. He knew his daughter was eager to learn, but she was often this way for a lot of things, and he didn't want to have to tell Marinette that she would no longer have to teach her.

He was half expecting to walk into that very empty room to Olivia's rambling voice. Yet, to his surprise as he approached the doors, he was hearing the sound of the piano instead, accompanied by Livi's gentle fits of laughter every so often.

Not wishing to interrupt anything, William was careful to nudge open one of the doors a little to peer in. Olivia was, indeed, seated there beside Mari, and from what he could tell, she was actually playing. The smile that spread across his face was instantaneous, and he was already so proud of her. Somehow, Lady Roquefort had managed to keep the girl's attention long enough for this lesson, and that was possibly a miracle in and of itself.

Slowly, he stepped further inside as he remained quiet; standing there a short distance away off to the side behind them, happily waiting until they were finished. And whenever the song concluded, he gently applauded so as to not startle them...too much, at least.

[Marinette Roquefort]

As soon as she ended the song, Marinette turned to grin at Olivia.
Magnificent work! You're a natu--" She heard the soft applause and footsteps approaching, and whirled around to find the source. Even after staying with Helene for this long, the first reaction to any sudden noise was still to expect her father. As such, there was worry on her face for a moment, until she saw who it was. "William! When did you--?"

Immediately she brightened, although her cheeks were turning rather red for any number of reasons. First of all, she didn't mind if a child heard her singing, but anyone else was rather another story. Secondly, she was still getting over the disaster she'd made of things at the ball, what with her silly fantasies winning out over her rational mind half the night. She'd been almost waiting for him to bring it up, or tell her he'd found a better stepmother for Olivia than that horrid Decant woman.

Well, talking to her wasn't what he was here for, anyway. So even if he had heard her sing, or thought she was crazy, the more important thing was that he'd also heard Olivia playing.

"What did you think of our song? Your daughter's a natural-born musician, I'd say!"

The youngest deGrey truly was doing excellent work and learning faster than Marinette had expected. Time had positively flown by while the two of them were having such a grand time together, and Marinette was actually a little disappointed that the lesson was over, for today. But then, there was always next time.

[William deGrey]

When the music died off, William could see Olivia's beaming smile as she turned her head to regard her teacher. She was bouncing in her seat, seeming more happy than she had been...and his daughter was usually always happy. She was rarely seen without a smile, and she appeared to be so proud of herself right now.

But then he managed to startle them both, and he appeared only slightly apologetic about it. As Marinette tried to stammer out her words, he chuckled lowly; hands lifting up in apology, "I'm sorry. I didn't want to distract or interrupt." She appeared embarrassed about something, but he didn't think too much on it. In all seriousness, he adored the sight he had walked into. And if William allowed himself to even think beyond that, it might have been more. It might have made his heart stop and ache in confusion and memories that would never exist, or beat faster for memories that could.

That was just not a road he ever thought he would go down again. Maybe he thought he couldn't, so he wouldn't. And didn't.

Dark eyes blinked, brushing the strangeness aside as Mari complimented his daughter. Olivia was turning to hop down from the bench to rush over to him, leaping up into his arms. A light grunt, he managed to catch her before hoisting her up into his arms. She was beginning to get a bit too big for that! It was almost a sad realization.

"Daddy, did you hear?" she asked excitedly.

"I did, sweetheart. You're doing so well already, I'm very proud of you." The smile on his face grew before he followed Olivia's attention back over to Mari, but she was still talking to him.

"I still get to take lessons, right?"

Another soft laugh, he nodded. "If Marinette is still available, of course." It was softly implied as a question to the woman.

[Marinette Roquefort]

Marinette smiled warmly as she watched Olivia half tackle her father before he hoisted her up. She threw her arms around her neck and chattered to him excitedly, somehow making the woman's heart swell and ache all at once. How good it was to see that little girl so happy and loved. She deserved every good thing, and Marinette could tell that William would do all he could to give them to her. It was the little pang of envy that hurt, making her feel like a traitor to her friends--both father and daughter. She didn't examine it too closely, not enough to consciously note that she was envious in two very different ways.

"If Marinette is still available, of course."

"Of course! It would be my pleasure," Marinette instantly replied. Helene had no trouble with her coming and going as she pleased, unlike her father had. And, actually, Angus and Darragh had seemed rather pleased to have the opportunity to get out of the house for a bit. She'd told them they were welcome to wander as they pleased, so long as they were back in time to pick her up.

"Oh! Also…" Marinette bent to retrieve a box she'd tucked away with her bag on the other side of the piano. She held it out to William with a shy smile. "I hope you'll forgive that it's a bit late...but happy birthday."

Inside the box was a two-layer chocolate cake, with raspberry filling and chocolate frosting. Marinette had laid out fresh raspberries on the top in the shape of a W. She'd been a little frantic while she was working on it, but Angus, who'd snagged some of the extra frosting, assured her that it was delicious and that the duke would be happy to get it. She hoped he was right.

[William deGrey]

"Well then, it's settled." Both William and Olivia's faces seemed to brighten at Marinette's reply, but the little girl's smile beamed wider and she was already squirming to get down from her father's arms. Once he placed her down, she was bending to pet Dinah on the head who had wandered over.

Mari was gaining his full attention again, retrieving a hidden box from the other side of the piano. Before he could voice what it was, she was bidding him a happy birthday, and he appeared confused for a split second. Right, it had been his birthday the other day, hadn't it? He'd already forgotten because he never made a big deal about it nor ever asked his family to, either.

Trying to not look so surprised (but also in a rather grateful way), he took the box from her to open it and see the beautifully baked cake. "This is...wonderful, Marinette, thank you. You didn't have to." Olivia had come over, rising up on her toes in order to look at the delicious treat from over the rim of the box. "How did you even know?" he was asking the woman, but it was his daughter who replied in that matter of fact tone of hers.
"Oh, I told her." She smiled up at both adults, rocking back on her heels. "Can we eat it now?"
"What time even is it?" William looked around for a clock. "How about after dinner, hmm?"
"Alright, but...then can Mari stay to eat? She did make it..."

The duke blinked at his daughter's forwardness before looking somewhat apologetically at her piano teacher. Then, his expression softened somewhat. Deep down, he knew if he had reason for her to remain in the castle at all times, if only to avoid her father, then he'd give it. Still, he supposed this was something, if she was willing. "Marinette is always welcome to stay," he answered Olivia, but gently watched the woman as he spoke.

[Marinette Roquefort]

Mari laughed softly behind her hand as Olivia quickly supplied the answer to her father's question. She'd been calling the girl a little bunny, for all her sweetness and energy, but maybe she'd better pick something with more cunning! And a bigger appetite, based on the girl's eagerness to eat every sweet she could get her cute little hands on.

Marinette's amusement was cut short, though, as Olivia asked if she could stay to dinner as easily as if she were inviting over a friend her own age. Her cheeks flushed bright red, and she tried to shake her head at the little girl, to remind her that was rude. She froze, though, when William looked over at her in apology. Of course, he didn't want to disappoint her or his daughter, but Olivia couldn't just tell her father that someone was coming to dinner! Marinette was already opening her mouth to say that it was fine, that she hadn't planned on imposing for dinner anyway when he said she was welcome to stay. That surprised her into silence for a moment.

"I, um--" She began with a false start, trying to put her thoughts in order. "I don't want to impose, really. The cake was for you two, not me, and it's awfully short notice, isn't it? I mean..." She realized a bit too late that might sound like she didn't want to stay, which wasn't the case at all. She looked helplessly between father and daughter, trying to puzzle out what was really alright.

"That is, if you really want me to, of course, I'll stay, but are--Are you sure it's alright?"

[William deGrey]

William often wondered how much Olivia realized what she was doing. Did she understand that she was saying things that could be borderline inappropriate? She was being very forward and saying so like it was no sweat off her brow. And it wasn't. It was simply leaving the adults in awkward silence, and right now, the duke didn't know how to exactly handle it.

He wasn't going to say no, of course. Not that he necessarily wanted to, because Marinette was always pleasant company, but now he wondered if he should be inviting others to a dinner he didn't plan much of anything for. It was just to be himself and Livi as with most nights when any other family was busy. Yet, Olivia's question was only making it clearer to him that she was growing a bit attached to Mari, and it wasn't often that his daughter had others to look up to.

Regardless, he would have to have a talk with the girl. She hadn't exactly been rude, but she had already been assuming.

How was he going to handle her teenage years? Lord help him.

Will watched Marinette carefully, a light shrug of his shoulder to indicate through his silence that it was alright either way. She shouldn't stay if she didn't want to or felt uncomfortable, and he struggled to find words to express that clearly without being blatantly obvious in front of Olivia.

When the woman finally stammered out a reply, his expression softened a bit more. "It's more than alright, I assure you. You are not imposing. Half the time I can't even get her to sit still for more than a minute to eat with that kitten running around..." Case in point, just as Olivia was exclaiming her happiness that Mari seemed to be staying, she was running around the two of them with Dinah close at her heels. He wished he had her energy.

[Marinette Roquefort]

Marinette relaxed slightly when William assured her it was alright. She was still a tad worried that he was doing it just to make his daughter happy (such a far cry from her own father) but she couldn't really argue. Truth be told, she'd do just about anything to see the petite lapin as happy a she was just then.

With a gentle laugh, Marinette crouched and nabbed the kitten by scooping a hand up under the little thing's stomach as it scurried past. She scratched under the little kitten's chin as she rose to her feet and bumped her nose against Dinah's.

"Kittens are just as hyperactive as little girls, but a good scratch can calm them right down," she answered, and the kitten seemed to agree as it yawned and stretched in the crook of her arm. "See, you're not just a little terror, are you, Dinah?" she cooed. "You can be just as cuddly as your sister."

Marinette lifted her smile to William. "I've heard having something rough for them to scratch on can help keep them occupied, too. I haven't had any trouble with sleepy little Sasha, but if Dinah winds up ruining any of your things…" She shrugged slightly and kissed the kitten's head before passing her back down to Olivia.

"But of course, children are a whole other beast!" She joked, lightly tapping Olivia on her nose. "Now, ma petite, do you promise to sit down and eat your dinner nicely?"

[William deGrey]

William always tried to do right by his daughter, but he certainly wouldn't do something if it made him horribly uncomfortable. Olivia would need to learn about drawing the line at some point, yet, that wasn't the case here. The duke genuinely liked Marinette's company. He didn't feel strange around her, as though he could be himself without the slight mask he often had to wear with those he didn't know or trust. There was this hint of kinship, this understanding that Mari only seemed to have...and it was almost like a blessing after all that had recently happened.

He felt like she didn't judge him, and he prayed she knew that he never had and still didn't judge her. For anything. William found himself pausing sometimes, astounded by the mere fact that the woman didn't have to say or do anything for him to go, you, too? I thought I was the only one. It was the air around her, a quiet realization and understanding inside a comfortable silence.

Even when they had danced at the ball, that one, brief moment...

Perhaps, though, he was the only one sensing it. And he didn't fully understand it, either.

Watching her scoop up the kitten and instantly gaining Olivia's attention, his brow lifted in mock surprise. '...but if Dinah winds up ruining any of your things...' "Oh, she seems to like the table legs quite a lot," he answered in soft jest.
"And the blanket on my bed!" his daughter announced, giggling in her amusement. She was rising up on her tiptoes again to watch how Mari managed to calm the hyperactive kitten down with just a few scratches. When Dinah was passed down to her, Livi cradled her in her arms and tried to mimic what Marinette had done. She laughed again when she was tapped upon the nose. "Yes, I promise!"
William took a step back, feigning offense. "And why is it that you don't listen to me when I ask you to eat?"
Olivia continued to pet the kitten- who seemed to be quite happy in her owner's arms now- and she gave a little shrug. "I'm going through a phase," she told her father so matter-of-factly.
That had him blinking, and he was clearly on the verge of laughter. "A phase?"
"Uncle Wes says I must be going through a re...reb-rebellious phase, and...and that...even he went through one."
He had to press his lips together and look away, because he was definitely trying not to laugh. This girl was how old again? "Well, your uncle hasn't grown out of it, unfortunately. I pray that will not be the case with you."

[Marinette Roquefort]

"Oh, she seems to like the table legs quite a lot," he answered in soft jest.
"And the blanket on my bed!" his daughter announced, giggling in her amusement

"Oh dear…"

Apparently, Olivia had gotten a far more active kitten. But perhaps that was a good thing--the little girl clearly had a great deal of energy herself.

Marinette watched the banter between father and daughter with amusement, one arm wrapped around her middle and the other hand straying up to cover her growing grin. She actually had to cover her mouth and turn away to keep from laughing at the explanation about her having a 'rebellious phase' from Wesley.

"Wesley seems to bring out the rebellion in others," she commented to William from behind her hand, leaning a little closer so that Olivia might not hear.

It seemed an accurate assertion to her--after all, he'd driven Helene to new heights during Yule, and she seemed practically distraught now that he'd gone away. She was quite looking forward to his return bringing that spark back into her sister's eyes. She didn't know where she herself might wind up if the two married, but it would certainly solve a number of problems. It was clear to Marinette that it was meant to happen. All she could do now was hope that the two of them were wise enough to come to that same conclusion.

With a softening smile, she turned and offered her hand to Olivia. "Alright, ma petite, lead the way. Where are we headed?" She thought that would be a good way to get her going in a more responsible direction than proving to her father how rebellious she could be.

[William deGrey]

Maybe it was a good thing that Olivia got the more active kitten- it kept her busy and seemed to tire her out a little more. Well, she went to bed faster, that is. Not that it slowed her down any during the day. The only thing that ever slowed his daughter down was her illness, and even then she would get antsy and want to go play. She was a trooper, but she was also still a handful. She kept him on his toes, at least.

His daughter cradled Dinah in her arms like one of her baby dolls, continuing to scratch behind the cat's ear while Marinette leaned in, murmuring something about his brother. William was clearly struggling not to laugh but his lips were beginning to twitch back into a smile; dark eyes almost rolling up into white. Oh yes, that brother of his was very much a troublemaker, but he was harmless enough. Usually.

Right?

"I'm sorry for any problems he might have caused..." he quietly said back, and he meant it in humor. Mostly, anyway. He knew Wesley had been spending time with Marinette's sister, and he didn't want to pry, but something had happened. There was no denying it, and he could tell something went wrong just by the abrupt way his brother decided to leave Tresteria for a couple of weeks. But, that wasn't exactly his business.

Still holding the kitten close, Olivia freed one hand in order to take Mari's offered one. William hung back a little, simply watching as his daughter so happily and easily began to lead the woman from the ballroom. He didn't really know why that struck him in both a good and bad way. No, not bad per say...maybe "sad' was the proper word for it? There was this brief ache in his chest until he blinked and slowly began to catch up to them.

"Well, normally we just stay in our chambers, but-" the girl began before looking over her shoulder at him as they walked. "Could we use one of the dining halls, Daddy? I never get to eat in any..."
He knew his daughter was talking to him, but it took him a moment to realize what she was saying. "Uh, well...we can check to see if it's alright, sure." More than half the time, they weren't used unless there was a party or the royal family was hosting a private gathering.

They headed towards the living quarters that he shared with his daughter. It was two chambers with a door in between so that he could have his own privacy but still be close to Olivia. Once she was older, of course, she'd be moved to something more private and accommodating, but William tried to care for his daughter as much as he could without relying upon nannies and governesses. It would certainly be easier once he was able to transition out of the ambassador role. He'd be able to remain home and not miss anymore of her young, hyperactive years.

William unlocked the door, and Olivia was practically dragging Marinette inside. "Alright, go wash up, Livi."
But she was still hanging onto Mari's hand. "Do you want to see my room? I hung some of the ribbons on my bed canopy!"
Perhaps that was why Dinah was so interested in climbing onto the bed. When she couldn't easily reach the dangling ribbons, she decided to claw at the blanket. Will just found himself laughing gently over his daughter's excitement.

[Marinette Roquefort]

Marinette listened attentively to Olivia's chatter as she was led down the hall. The girl was a chatterbox, but actually, it was because she had quite a lot to say! She paid better attention to what was going on around her than some adults, Marinette had noticed, and Olivia's quick wit was delightful. (Although sometimes it blindsided her with questions she didn't know how to handle…)

"Well, normally we just stay in our chambers, but-" the girl began before looking over her shoulder at him as they walked. "Could we use one of the dining halls, Daddy? I never get to eat in any..."
He knew his daughter was talking to him, but it took him a moment to realize what she was saying. "Uh, well...we can check to see if it's alright, sure."

"Oh goodness, that seems a bit over the top. You shouldn't do anything extra just because I'm around. Half the time I just eat in the kitchen at Helene's house. Or if Lini has anything to say about it I wind up with breakfast in bed. She seems to think that I need to be spoiled all the time." She laughed, softly, thinking that Lini and Livi were really very alike. Perhaps that was why she took so naturally to spending time with the little girl.

William unlocked the door, and Olivia was practically dragging Marinette inside. "Alright, go wash up, Livi."
But she was still hanging onto Mari's hand. "Do you want to see my room? I hung some of the ribbons on my bed canopy!"

"Oh wow, a canopy bed? How fancy!" Marinette exclaimed, already following the girl without hesitation. Somehow she just didn't feel the same compulsion to hide or make herself smaller when she was around Olivia. She was constantly being drawn out of her shell instead, letting down her guard.

The room was practically covered in ribbons tied on every surface, and Marinette suddenly couldn't help herself, she just burst into laughter so hard she could barely breathe. She had to catch herself on the dresser with one hand and cover her mouth with the other as she laughed. The ribbons were everywhere! She'd known they were creating a monster, but she hadn't realized how out of hand it truly was. No wonder part of getting a kitten was that she had to put away the rest! And this many were still left behind! She couldn't imagine what it must have been like before.

Tears pricked at the edges of her eyes as she tried to catch her breath, but she caught sight of the kitten trying to reach the ribbons on the canopy and lost it again, dissolving into helpless giggles.

[William deGrey]

William, of course, didn't mind doing something a little extra. Not only did it seem to make Olivia happier, he felt like Marinette could also use a bit more happiness. Sometimes, it was just the little things that helped, from personal experience.

His daughter didn't seem to heed his request as she was dragging Mari towards her room. Oh yes, that abomination. Although it made him cringe at times, and at others get a little frustrated, he was still chuckling quiet at himself as the girl dragged her new teacher away.

And then he heard Marinette's fit of laughter.

The sound brought him closer to Livi's room where he would find the woman struggling- and failing- to suppress her giggle, and Dinah was already trying to attack every ribbon in sight. "Oh, you find this funny, do you?" he said. It was clear he was teasing and not annoyed, even if he was pointing a finger at her. "All your fault, remember." William found it impossible not to find the humor in all of this chaos, if only because her laughter was becoming close to infectious. "Thank you...for all of this nonsense." A dramatic, waving gesture with his hand around Olivia's room, he didn't bother trying to mask the humored grin on his face as he turned back around.

Hearing both of them laugh as he walked away was like music to his ears.

[ end scene ]