Marisson Family (One Shot-Collection)

The Photo

"Daddy, you gotta sit up!"

"Hmm...?" Alain's eyes flickered up and he found himself looking into the gazes of two girls, narrowed amber and green eyes watching him. The older of the girls, who was no more than seven, had her hands on her hips.

"It's proper for princesses to sit up, Dad!" Faith said sternly. "You gotta sit up!"

Alain let out a sigh, but straightened his back. "Can't I be the king or something?"

Faith rolled her eyes, looking towards her younger sister with a look that said 'Can you believe him?'

"We're playing princess tea party, Daddy!" Faith said, giggling slightly. "You can't be a king at a princess tea party! Besides, even if you were a king you'd have to sit up too, it's only proper," Faith tapped her toy fairy wand against the small play table, right next to where her Fennekin doll was placed. "Now pass the sugar, Princess Daddy!"

Alain reluctantly reached for the small pink, plastic dish in front of him, picking up the plastic spoon resting there. He looked towards his youngest daughter, his voice monotone. "One scoop or two?"

Varya's eyes were glued to her father's mouth as he spoke, and it was only after he finished the question that she raised her gaze to his eyes. Alain watched as she raised her hands, making several swift gestures.

'Two please.'

Alain gave a small smile, and pretended to place two scoops of sugar into her small cup. The four year old happily picked up the small toy cup, stirring the imaginary drink around. He then placed two more scoops into Faith's cup, who started stirring the fake tea in a vigorous manner. A real smile spread across Alain's face, though it faded slightly as he was reminded by his daughter that he had to place sugar into his tea as well.

He sighed, but humored his two daughters, then raised his little pink cup up for a 'cheers' with them. Varya mouthed the word, though only a small hum came from her. Alain's back slowly started to slouch again as the tea party continued– sitting cross-legged on the ground did not encourage good posture.

But it was the only way he could be at the play table with his daughters– who had decided that they were not going to play tea party without their father. Alain remembered the look of desperation he had thrown at Mairin as his two daughters had began to drag him towards the playroom upstairs. Mairin had betrayed him, merely laughing as he was lead away to his doom, with her just reminding the girls that they had until dinner to play with their daddy. And so with no hope left in sight Alain had found himself brought to the dress-up box, were the girls had wasted no time getting the newest 'princess' ready for their tea party.

He was slightly insulted that they had deemed his scarf princess-y enough for the tea party.

Of course it wasn't the same scarf from his original journey– that old one had lost its fluffiness years ago– but Alain had never failed to get himself another one. His current scarf was a darker blue, and was wrapped snugly around his neck– the only accessory he felt he needed. But today he had many more.

A plastic silver tiara had been placed in his hair, and the glares from his daughters everytime he even lifted his hand to touch it was enough to leave it in place. A sparkly pink cape had been draped over his shoulders, and they had tied at least a dozen ribbons around his dark hair. If that wasn't bad enough, they had also dragged out their makeup kit.

Alain wasn't too knowledgeable about makeup, but he was quite sure that lipstick wasn't supposed to go on his cheeks and forehead.

A flash of movement caught his attention, and Alain's gaze shifted to Varya. His redheaded daughter was signing to him, and his eyes quickly focused on her moving hands. It was a simple gesture– she was hungry. Alain gave her a smile smile, and signed back that they would be having dinner soon.