Large House, Larger Happenings

Chapter 2

"This day went by pretty quickly." Alya rubbed her lower back as the trio headed to their quarters. All three were aching from the extensive work they were put to.

"Pretty good for a Thursday." Mari rubbed her eyes and yawned. "Doesn't mean I'm not completely exhausted. Chloe really loves her exotic parties."

"And her Italian food." Alya groaned, extremely bitter. "The spices are interesting from what I heard. But 'Ravioli', 'Lasagna', 'TORTELLINI'?!?! Cut a girl some slack!"

"So they have complicated names. Doesn't mean they're extremely complex," Luka tried to reason with Alya. Which was not the brightest idea on his part.

"Have you ever tried to make sauce from tomatoes? It's not just squash and stir." Alya almost blew up in Luka's face. Now's a good time to cut in. Mari thought to herself.

"Alya, you need sleep more than I do, as hard as that is to believe." Mari helped her friend not stumble when they reached the servant's quarters. "Now both of you get to bed. Strength is exactly what we'll need for tomorrow."

"Same goes to you, alright?" Alya and Luka said.  I stay up all night ONCE, and all of a sudden I'M the one who can't be trusted to go to sleep.

Mari rolled her eyes, tilting her weight to one hip. "I was planning on it."

"Alright. Good night, Mari."

"G'Night."

                                                                                   * * * * *

Mari opened the door to her room. Her living space was in the attic, which was only accessible via secret passage. She had made the attic less drafty and more of a warm home to those willing to come up. Marinette laid down on the ledge by her window, looking up to the stars.

The girl had been worn down to her worst state by the end of the day, but anyone would still say she was gorgeous. Her normally braided hair was dark as the night sky in contrast to her fair skin just barely tanned by outdoor work. Yet the most captivating feature she had was her eyes. Her father always said she had bluebell eyes. Those eyes reflected her stronger moods, Sparkling like stars when she was happy, and overcast when she felt extremely meloncholy.

"Hello, Maman, Papa. It has been awhile." Marinette laid her hand down on the hair clip her mother gave her just before they left for their last business trip. It was a silver flower with four metallic petals. Marinette had never seen a flower like that, but silently prayed she could see one like it. Thoughts of the mystery flower floated in her mind until she drifted into a deep sleep.