Angel of Music

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Angelique had a brilliant idea. She was going to put on a play, and she was going to invite all of the children in Storybrooke to attend and play a part. Normally she strictly used adults, but now that Esmerelda had a dance studio - complete with a children's dance class - more and more kids were wanting to do more things that had to do with dance, and theater. She loved it! And she loved kids. The girl who was starring in the play was named Grace, and she was absolutely adorable. Normally the practices were after school, and she left as parents were picking the children up. Today would be the first time meeting Grace's father, whom Grace very sweetly volunteered to make outfits for the production.
 
Of course the help would be appreciated, but she didn't want to agree to Grace before meeting her father and discussing it with him first. She asked him to meet her in the theater, and told him that if he liked, he could bring Grace as well. She merely told him about the play - which she was sure Grace had already told him about - and that she was wondering if he might lend a hand. She also told him to meet her in the theater of the school. She was normally based in the high school, but for now, it was the Elementary school.

While she waited, she decided to practice some of the choreography that she was setting up. It was quite simple since she was working with children, but she wanted to make sure she'd get it right. Although, during her choreography session, she began to turn in to some ballet that she had been teaching herself since she was young. Okay, so it wasn't in the  play..but it was fun to do still. In fact, it gave her an idea for her next adult production.. The Black Swan. Perfect.

[Jefferson]

"Oh please, Papa! It would help so much if you could!" Jefferson looked at his pleading daughter, often lacking the strength to ever tell her no. The guilt over everything she had endured burdened his heart, and yet she never held any resentment against him. How he was the father to such an angel, he would never understand. Nor ever feel he deserved. All he could do was spend the rest of his life making it up to her, loving her, and never -- ever -- abandoning her again. "Grace I . . . " "PLEASE!" Grace hardly ever asked for anything. And so hearing her want him to do this -- not even something regarding money, but rather, time and sentiment . . . well, how could he refuse.

"How could I possibly say no," he conceded. Grace beamed with happiness as she leaped into her father's arms, wrapping her own arms around his neck. Jefferson lifted her and kissed the side of her head, feeling his heart swell over having made her so happy. "By the way Papa, one more thing . . . " She moved her head back to look at him. "I already told Ms. Angelique that you would, so she's hoping to meet you say right about . . . now!" Jefferson raised his eyebrow at her, not angry but feigning disapproval, which Grace understood and giggled at. He lowered her to the ground as she took his hand and started leading him toward the door, then to the car and before he knew it, they were on their way to meet her theater instructor.

Once he parked the car and they got out, Grace took her father's hand once again, skipping into the building, knowing exactly where to go. Once there, Grace had no problem doing the introduction. "Ms. Angelique!" She cried out excitedly, waving with her free hand while pulling her father with the other. As they neared closer, she spoke in what she believed was a whispered voice but really . . . it could be heard by them all.

"See Papa! I told you her name has Angel in it for a reason!" She stated before turning back to her theater instructor. Jefferson just gave a bit of a smile, not the slightest bit embarrassed by Grace. "You must be the Angelique I've heard so much about." He wasn't exactly a massive people person. He didn't trust the people in this town, but he was doing this for his daughter. And as Grace had only wonderful things to say about her theater instructor, well, Jefferson could play nice to the woman who brought his beloved daughter so much excitement and joy.

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If it wasn't for the fact that she heard Grace shouting to her from across the theater hall, she would have likely started to break out in to some sort of free form dancing. The kind you wouldn't want someone to see you doing.  The kind of dancing that you do at home in the mirror while lip syncing your favorite song in to a hair brush. But she was thankfully saved from that level of mortification for the time being. "Gracie!" she called out, smiling brightly. "Hey there!" She leaped off of the stage, and walked half the distance to meet Grace and who appeared to be her father. "And hello to you Mr.. Um." She fluttered her lashes. "Grace's dad." She laughed to herself at a joke that likely only she found funny, before pushing her glasses back up on her nose. "Yes! I'm Angelique.. and what have you heard? Because I swear.. if she told you I've been feeding them loads of chocolate and other sweets before being sent home, it's a total lie." She glanced at Grace and gave her a wink and a bright happy grin.

She then looked back at Jefferson.. which..wasn't hard.. wow he was cute. "So, Gracie told me that you could help make costumes for the production...but I thought I'd check with you on that first. Grace is always so eager to help, and I just wanted to make sure she wasn't jumping the gun a little." As a teacher, she wasn't supposed to play favorites..but secretly, she took quite a shine to her little star. "Has Grace told you that she has the lead? She's going to be playing Alice, from the story of Alice in Wonderland." She picked up a book from the table that had several stories in it. This one was a pink leatherbound book of Lewis Carrol tales. "I've heard that you're quite familiar with this one." She quirked a brow. "Or at least you have your own version of it." She used her free hand to once more adjust her glasses. She felt so geeky.

[Jefferson]

Her instructor met them with almost equal zeal as she greeted them, referring to him as Grace's dad which, elicited a giggle from his daughter. He just gave a small polite smile. "Jefferson," he answered simply, extending his hand as it was the polite thing to do. He wasn't exactly a people person . . . but as his daughter seemed to really like Angelique, he wasn't going to do anything to strain the bond that his daughter had formed with her instructor. She then went on to say that anything regarding the eating of chocolate and sweets was a lie. He glanced down at Grace as she raised his hands to her lips and giggled again, a small smile catching his lips at his daughter's joy, before he turned his gaze back to Angelique.

"I think your energy is enough to make her pretty excited." He of course, meant that as a compliment. "She comes home from every class, over the moon." Grace was bouncing a little from the excitement of having her instructor and father finally meet. Angelique then went to the matter at hand, which was most excellent. Straight to business, just how Jefferson liked it. He remained silent as he listened to her explain that she wanted to check with him before committing him to the costumes. "I appreciate that. Consider me at your disposal for all costume requirements." He had already promised Grace he would, and he was not about to break his promise . . . not like last time.

He had heard she got the lead, but had yet to discover what play they were doing. And that was when it was revealed. Alice in Wonderland. Jefferson paused, his smile fading, as he slightly clenched his jaw at the mention of the story the play would be based off of. His eyes fell to the book she picked up, not taking it or even wanting to look inside. He suppressed his emotions, forcing indifference to show, for he was in the presence of his daughter and he had not told Grace the horrors of Wonderland. "My version of it, is the truth." His tone wasn't overly defensive, but it was clear he didn't appreciate any doubt in how he perceived Wonderland, was anything but the truth. It's where he had obtained that god awful name; where he had been beheaded and trapped for so many years.

"And believe me when I say that if you had ever been there, you wouldn't be creating a play glorifying it." His tone lacked emotion, feeling his daughter's gaze lifted up at him as he forced back the painful memories that Wonderland entailed. He then forced a smile on his lips, though it was far from jovial. It was merely for show. "So why don't you tell me what you had in mind for costumes, based on your version of Wonderland." Of all the damn plays. But he could easily do this. He could separate his personal experience of that place. This was for his daughter. That was all he needed to remind himself of. It was for Grace. 

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As Jefferson introduced himself, and spoke of how Grace seemed to enjoy Angelique's classes as much as Angelique enjoyed having Grace attend them, she couldn't help but think that things were going rather swimmingly so far. He also seemed pleased that she asked him before making any solid plans - but that was just common courtesy. However, the conversation took a bit of a turn once she mentioned what play she wanted to do. He got defensive, and seemed to be a bit upset. In hindsight, she should have known.. Perhaps she shouldn't have done a play based on something that upset him. It would be like her doing.. Cinderella, and portraying herself as an ugly step sister. Feeling a little embarrassed, she cleared her throat and nodded. "Uh.. yes, um. I've done some sketches," she held up her index finger, and shuffled toward a table that faced the direction of the stage.

Angelique grabbed a sketch pad, and then took it to Jefferson, and held it out to him. "Gracie? There are some cookies and punch back stage for later. Why don't you go try them to make sure they're tasty enough for the rest of the kids for tonight's rehearsal?" She asked with a grin. It would give her a little more time to talk with Jefferson about business, and maybe even give him a reason as to why she chose that particular play. If Grace did decide to go sample the treats back stage, Angelique continued. "I feel like I should apologize.. I didn't know it would um.." She cleared her throat, and then glanced down at the pink leatherbound book she held in her hand. "I guess I didn't realize that I wasn't the only one who had a story twisted." She gave him a small smile. "I just fell in love with the book. I'm sorry your time in the real Wonderland was so dark.. but the story that's based on it is beautiful.. I'm a sucker for pretty stories."  

[Jefferson]

She stated that she had done some sketches and Jefferson just continued to silently look at her as she went off to collect what she had. She then suggested to his daughter to get some cookies and Grace happily skipped off to do so. Jefferson was obviously aware of what was coming. She apologized, her voice trailing off between sentences. "Didn't know it would what? Be a sore spot for someone who's gained the charming nickname of Mad Hatter?" He was being sarcastic. He hated his nickname. His name was Jefferson yet it seemed others were rather frequently referring to him by his attained nickname. She then went on to say that she hadn't realize that hers was the only story twisted, that she fell in love with the book.

A sucker for beautiful stories it would seem. And then of course, the apology, for his time being so hard there. He had not yet taken her sketch pad nor responded to her words. "I tend to be a sucker for the truth, no matter how dark, it is the reality of our lives." The way these tales glorified Wonderland and made it seem like such a beautiful place . . . frustrated Jefferson. "Maybe next year you would consider doing your own story, and try to find what semblance of good you can in an otherwise twisted tale." It wasn't easy when it was your own. He reached out to take the sketch pad, starting to look through some of the designs she had made.

No matter how much he would disagree with the portrayal, he need only remind himself that he was doing this for his daughter. She was excited about the play and he was not going to take that away from her. "I will start looking at fabrics," he stated, going by what she had put on paper rather than his own experience of the attire he had seen there. "What sort of budget do you have for this?" He questioned. Money was no object for him and he was willing to donate if it was necessary. He had been given a massive home and all the money he needed . . . yet it had not given him happiness, for it had all been given to him in the absence of his daughter.