Meryll and Annette in: A Show to Die For

[CowpokeRobin]

It's an odd feeling. Having fondness for a place and yet loathing what it represents. Seeing the way others get to have the experiences that you long for and being denied even the opportunity to try. Another visit to The Fountain was just a reminder to Annette of everything she isn't. Her face read it plainly as she tugged at the tailored suit which always seemed simultaneously too tight and too loose. She may not have minded it so much had it been an outfit she picked, but the very act of being forced to wear it made it unbearable to the young maiden.

"Annette..." She heard a sweet, yet somber voice say from behind her. She relaxed a little as she felt her mother's hand meet her own on the railing of the ship. The famous Kit Lyrebell, and the only person who has ever called Annette by her name. "You know your father will be upset by your hair."

The young songstress tried not to be upset by her mother's words. It was said out of compassion, but it still stung. Annette's hair bobbed comfortably above her shoulders, the longest it had ever managed to grow given the length expected of a "gentleman" within her family. She leaned up against her mother and closed her eyes for a moment. They didn't often have moments alone as her father feared that his wife would indulge Annette's "little phase". 

"I know..." Annette sighed as she gripped the railing tight. As much as she hates family trips, she couldn't deny that getting to watch her mother perform more than made up for it. Having to sit by her other immediate relatives was another story. She thought about how she had all evening to look forward to their company as the boat found its way into one of the more luxurious resting spots lining The Fountain.

"I like it. It's very pretty," Kit responded as she brushed a few strands out of Annette's face. It was a small compliment, but one that wasn't lost on Annette in the slightest. As the boat came to a rest Annette turned to her mother and, primarily in an effort to hide some building tears, gave her a hug. It was a short lived moment however as she heard footsteps approaching from behind. She quickly pulled away and turned to see her father approaching the two of them. His solemn stare burning holes into Annette as she squirmed a bit. It was the first time they'd seen each other in close to a month since their last spat. 

"For a boy your age to cling to his mother like that. You'll crease her dress," he chided, which would normally be followed by some form of physical reprimand. Annette was only spared given that tonight the family had to look presentable. 

"Get out of my sight," he commanded as he hoisted his cane up, clearly threatening to use it as a tool of punishment if he felt so inclined. Annette was confident that she could easily throw him overboard, but all that would accomplish is her becoming a criminal. "Go do something about that mop on your head. It's hardly a look for a Lyrebell man."

Annette closed her eyes and breathed deeply. She was nearly ready to give in and put her foot directly through her father's face, but she relented. 

"Yes father," she said with a defeated tone as she moved her way past him and towards the boarding ramp that had been set up to disembark. She stood on the dock for a moment and took in the shining glass and astonishing architecture of the place she'd likely never perform. Adjusting her suit once more she made her way inside, planning to do little about her hair. She figured she'd just find somewhere to hide until the show started, and hopefully avoid having to pose as an eligible bachelor of house Lyrebell.

[SnowDog]

The Fountain; A place where many an artist could only dream of visiting! Less an island and more of a mobile theater floating across the seas; performers, musicians, and all other kinds of creatively gifted individuals would travel far an wide for a chance to showcase their works here! To be surrounded by so much talent is a dream come true for many up and coming artists! A place where-

~SPLORRRSSSH~

The sound of a wet mop plunging into its bucket awoke Meryll out of her daydream. She shook her head and pulled the handle back from the bucket and continued to clean away at the west wing's pristine marble flooring.

"Where I'm doing janitorial work..." The clownfish girl murmured under her breath reminiscing on that daydream still fresh in her mind. Each push and pull on the mop danced across the wet marble like a giant paintbrush on canvas, Meryll's head beginning to fill with delusions of grandeur based around presenting the pièce de résistance for the Art Gala nights. "Hehe, yeah right..." she mused with a sigh.

Looking down into the puddle. Meryll wondered how much longer she'd have to put up working with The Fountain so that she may afford her way off this boat, surrounded by all this talent... Did the Great Buggy the Clown have to start off living paycheck-to-paycheck like this?

~KER-KLISSSHHH~

"Oh heavens, me, my wine! You there, janitor woman! Come clean this up!"

Meryll sighed and began to haul her bucket over to the mess.

"Buggy give me strength..."

[CowpokeRobin]

As Annette walked the marbled floors and followed along the red carpets that spanned the entirety of most rooms she couldn't help but be amazed by the grandeur of The Fountain. It was truly a spectacle that ceased to be amazing despite her many visits since childhood. She knew her way around fairly well, but always found new hallways or dressing rooms she'd been unaware of. It was almost a game at this point. Looking for places to hide out until the performances began and then having to scramble to be in her seat so that she could be told how disappointing she was by her other relatives. Today was no different as she slowly meandered about with no real direction in mind.

In no short amount of time she had found herself pushing through some of the more stuffy patrons to get to a hopefully more secluded area. She tried to pay as little attention as she could to the people around her, which is a recipe for disaster in a crowded room. 

~BANG~

Annette had been so distracted by her own thoughts that she had managed to bump directly into what appeared to be a Fishmen. She fell to the ground as the bucket the young lady was using managed to topple and spill directly onto Annette, the mixture of mop water and wine soiling her outfit.

"I'm so sorry..." She said as she tried to scramble to her feat. It was only then that she realized her suit was anything but presentable. Her face turned white as she realized the consequences of her absent mindedness. 

"This can't be happening. You... Um... janitor lady?" She stammered clearly not wanting to come off as demanding, but being beyond the point of panic had left her a bit more demanding than usual. "You... I have to clean up. You have to know somewhere private, right?" She asked in a tone that sounded almost akin to begging for one's life.

[SnowDog]

There, spick and span again. Meryll gave her mop one final ringing out following that last spill leaving the marble flooring clean and spotless once more. The fishwoman proudly looked down at her hard work before she felt someone then bump into her. Unprepared and caught off guard, the young woman and Meryll fell over upon themselves. Through the tumble, Meryll's mop bucket spilt over, the lady that bumped into Meryll seeming to catch most of the spill onto herself.

Meryll felt her own clothes begin to soak underneath the jumpsuit she was provided, a wave of discomfort begin to wash over her as the bumper began to apologize to the bumped.

"Aww c'mon, that's twice now..." Meryll murmured with a sigh, half in reference to cleaning a sudden spill as well as being referred to as "Janitor Lady." "I have a name..." Standing up and quickly trying to get her bucket back up and standing. Moving over to the young girl, Meryll reached down and could see the panic on her face beginning to settle in.

"Oh, hey it's alright!" the clownfish tried to console her as she reached down to offer a hand up. Meryll's own anxiety was beginning to flare seeing this lady get blanche in the face. If she was starting to worry, then Meryll's gonna start to worry, and that might cause more of a scene which would make the fishwoman worry even more... "Let's not fret too bad, I was already in the middle of cleaning stuff anyhow, heheh... Here, let's get you up and dried. I can show you to where the restrooms are otherwise next best place might be 'my office...' Well, I say office but's it's more like a small closest where- Yeah let's just call it an office, much better ring to it!"