Aboard the Liberty

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Marinette was aboard the Liberty, the houseboat her friend Juleka from school grew up on. Today was music festival day and she was with her friends helping to tidy up the houseboat for the concert that Rose, Juleka and Ivan's band was going to give for them.

She picked up a box and stumbled back and bumped into Mylene putting up some decorative bunting.

'Oops, sorry Mylene! My bad!' she apologized to her friend who smiled.

Marinette found a microphone in the box as she was rummaging through. She went over to Rose who was standing by a microphone stand.

'I think this is yours Rose!' Marinette said as she handed her the microphone.

'Thanks Marinette!' Rose replied as she slid it into the stand. 'Can you believe that this is going to be our very first concert! It's going to be awesome!' Rose exclaimed. Marinette smiled.

'He's not here yet' Marinette said to Alya. 'What if he got the date wrong, or he doesn't know Juleka's address?'

'Relax girl!' Alya replied. 'Don't stress! You know how busy he is!'

'Do you think you could ask Nino, but you know just...casually!'

'Hey Nino,' Alya called to Nino who was up a ladder fixing up some bunting. 'Did you hear from Adrien by any chance?'

'He said he had something to do with his old man. He said he'd come by straight after!' he replied.

Marinette smiled at Alya who winked at her.

Juleka's mom Arnaka came up from downstairs. 'Okay me hearties, ready to give the people a show?' She saw Marinette picking up stuff off the deck and putting it in the box she found.

'Whatcha up to there matey?' she asked her.

'Oh, I'm just cleaning up for tonight! Your ships going to be clean as a whistle!' Marinette smiled.

Arnaka laughed. She grabbed the box off Marinette and took the papers out of it and threw them on the ground as she spoke. 'You're cleanin'? We don't clean aboard the Liberty! Didn't me daughter tell ya? We like the lived in look! Through chaos comes creation! Messiness is life!'

Adrien meanwhile was practicing his piano for his dad.

'I've heard enough!' Gabriel said as Adrien stopped playing. 'Are you sure you've been practicing enough Adrien?'

'I've just been practicing the same chords over and over. I think I'd make better progress if I could play with other musicians. After all, music is meant to be shared, don't you think?' Adrien asked.

'We Agrestes are soloists, not mere group members. You will keep practicing and play again for me later today' Gabriel replied.

'But Father, you promised I could attend my friends concert!' Adrien protested.

'Not after that performance you've just given, which is probably due to their influence. You will perform it for me again later tonight. End of discussion.'

Gabriel left the room. Adrien was sad. He called Nino.

After the bunting was all up, Alya and Marinette were hanging out near the helm with Nino. Alya had found a cool metal statue.

Nino got a call from Adrien and answered his phone. 'What up dude? You on your way?....ohhh bummer dude. Ok, see you at school!'

He hung up and gave a sad look at Alya. Marinette had heard everything and was disappointed. Nino left them to chat.

'Don't worry girl, it's not the first time his dad has stopped him from hanging out with us. In fact, I would have been super surprised if he hadn't!' Alya said as she put the statue down near the ships compass.

'Woah there lassie!' Arnaka cried. 'Never place a metal object next to a compass, you hear lass? See metal attracts the needle just like a magnet! That's why you can't get them anywhere near each other!'

'Maybe I'm like the statue and Adrien's my compass.' Marinette said sadly.

'I think it's the other way around!' Alya replied. 'Adrien's the statue and you're the compass that goes crazy whenever he gets close!'

Marinette sighed. Alya hugged her.

'Maybe just forget about Adrien and enjoy the concert today. You'll see him at school on Monday!' Alya said.

'Yeah! Okay!' Marinette replied and felt a little bit happier.

Rose popped her head in. 'We're ready Captain! Uh, but Luka's missing!'

'Marinette right?' Arnaka asked.

'Yes ma'am?' Marinette replied.

'Since you're free from your cleanin duties I have a job for you. Can you go tell Luka that we're waitin fer him to start rehearsals?'

'Sure but, who's Luka, and where is he?' Marinette replied.

'Luka's my son. You'll find him in his cabin' Arnaka winked.

'Okay, sure!' Marinette said as she walked away.

Arnaka smiled a wry smile. Alya saw this and asked, 'Ma'am, if you don't mind my asking, what's your game?'

'No game. Just tryin to distract her from her disappointment. Luka is good at cheering people up' she winked.

Alya smiled.

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