MJ + Bubbles, OTP Who: Melody (and her NPC mother and NPC sister’s familiar >_> When: Early evening Where: the Hathaway mansion
In the beginning, when Melody had first been cut off, her parents had changed the code to the gate and taken away her house key. The privilege of a house key was something that had only recently been returned to her, in case of ‘an emergency’. She still had to buzz at the gate like anybody else though, which gave the maid more than enough time to meet her at the door. This was not favorable when you were trying to smuggle a swan into your parents’ home. In the end, Melody had said ‘fuck it’, and simply tucked Ginevra under her arm. She had warned the familiar not to say a word. She didn’t. The maid didn’t say a word about said familiar. She was too busy trying to take Melody’s suitcase away.
“Really, I can take care of myself. No worries!” She was largely ignored. The maid hurried up the grand staircase with the suitcase, leaving Melody in the foyer with a swan under her arm. She shrugged and headed to the steps, just to look up and see her mother looking down at her. Katharine Hathaway looked immaculate, as always. Her grey-blonde hair was swept up in an elegant bun, and she wore a perfectly fitted red silk pantsuit. The buttons appeared to be real pearls. This was very casual for her mother.
“Melody…” Katharine spoke slowly, more of an acknowledgement than it was a greeting. She slowly descended the steps, looking somewhat puzzled.
“Hey, Mom. How’s it going?” Melody replied easily. As if she wasn’t standing in the foyer with a guitar on her back, a bird under her arm, and mud on her shoes.
Katharine finally paused on the landing. “You have… a bird, with you.”
Ah, shit. She noticed. Melody looked down at Ginevra, and then back up at her mother. “She is my spirit animal,” she announced, her face perfectly straight. Her tone, perfectly serious. Like this was completely normal. “It calms me to have her near.”
Katharine shifted uneasily, and had her uncomfortable look that always reminded Melody of a commercial for constipation. “Well… of course, dear. And she’s… just… lovely.”
Melody nodded, solemn as could be. “I know.”
Katharine shifted again. “Well… good. Then. I’ll… let you settle in.” Melody’s mother couldn’t get out of the room fast enough. Melody grinned in her absence, and happily took to the stairs. That went well!
“Guess what, Ginny. To my family, I am Michael Jackson in his crazy years. And you? Are my Bubbles.” Melody left the swan no time to reply. She was too busy moonwalking and shamone-ing all the way to her old bedroom.