The poor, confused Feliciano awkwardly clutched his bag and guitar case, staring up at the only three people he really knew.

"But Mother, you only told me two and a half hours ago. Do I have to leave right now? I need to sleep on it, make sure this is what I…"

"Two and a half hours is plenty of time for thinking, child. Just go for a few months, and if you don't like it, you can come home to the abbey."

"A few months?! But Mother…"

"It's okay." Sister Alfred slapped his back and pulled him into a one armed hug. "It'll go by quick. Till then, have fun."

Sister Francis shoved him away. "Au revoir, Feliciano!" He laid a peck on both cheeks, holding him in an "affectionate" embrace. His hands "slipped", and he "accidentally" made another "affectionate" gesture.

"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" Mother Arthur yanked them apart. "DID YOU HONESTLY HAVE TO GROPE HIM AT THE TRAIN STATION?!"

"I was just being friendly, salaud." He stuck his nose in the air in an offended manner.

"WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?!"

"Salaud. I believe the English term is bastard." The corners of his lips were upturned in a smug smile.

"YOU FUCKING WANKER! I OUGHT TO…" He trailed off, his eyes flaming. He'd realized what a scene they'd been making, as all eyes were staring confusedly at the three swearing nuns and the wannabe.

Feliciano, embarrassed, boarded his train in silence, waving half-heartedly at the group. "Ciao." His voice fell flat of it's usually peppy tone, instead coated with a shaking fear and anxiety.

As he sat down in an empty seat, he recalled a list of things he'd been told to remember; children cannot be bribed with pasta, sleep with clothes on or you'll end up arrested-

"Hi!"

He was interrupted by a small boy who sat down beside him.

"I'm Peter. What's your name?"

"Feliciano."

"That's a nice name. What are you on the train for?"

He shrugged. "I guess I'm going to watch little kids."

"Oh really? My dad and his wife Tino put me on the train and told me to go far away, so I am." The boy smiled as though this was the most normal thing in the world. "I'll keep going until I have no money left for the train."

"Then what?"

"I guess I'll walk home."

"Oh, that makes sense." He nodded, grabbing tighter to his belongings as the train sputtered into motion.

"Doesn't it?" The little boy helped him, keeping the guitar case upright. "You play?"

Feliciano nodded happily.

"That's so cool!" Peter was quite interested, staring at the case and day-dreaming. "Maybe if I played the guitar, people would treat me like a grown-up."

"Nobody treats me like a grown-up, and I am one."

"Oh, so some of us are always stepped on!" His smashed his fist into the palm of his hand. "Taken for granted, belittled, MISTREATED!" He was angry now, ready to start a riot. "That's just not FAIR!"

"I guess."

"'I guess'?" He mocked. "Where's your strength, determination?"

"…"

The boys face lit as though he had an elaborate plan to change the world. "Someday, they'll all see, Feliciano. We'll be the grown-ups, they'll respect us. They'll all see." His eyes darted to the window, still looking angry and powerful. "They'll all see."

The Italian nodded his head in fear of the child's wrath and listened to him babble for the rest of the ride.

"It was nice to meet you!" Peter said as the man seated next to him rose to get off. The boy stood, letting himself be passed.

"It was nice meeting you too!" Feliciano waved to him as he dragged his luggage behind.

He almost tripped on his way off, and he was almost knocked over in the stampede of people zipping away to get places. They were not people like him, they were not people who actually admired the blueness of the sky or the greeness of the grass. So he continued along, despite best efforts, feeling alone and unwanted.

He stopped briefly to learn which direction the von Trapp home was, and he began to press down a dusty dirt road that he was told would lead him to the front door of the house.

Several pairs of eyes followed the skipping young man who was donning a dress until he went out of sight.

"What will this day be like? I wonder.

What will my future be? I wonder."

He let out a huff of anxious air before continuing.

"It could be so exciting to be out in the world, to be free

My heart should be wildly rejoicing

Oh, what's the matter with me?"

"I've always longed for adventure

To do the things I've never dared

And here I'm facing adventure

Then why am I so scared?"

Feliciano swung himself in a circle for dramatic effect, but due to the laws of physics, his luggage kept moving when he stopped. The result was his arms swung at odd angles, and the weight of his guitar knocked him over.

"Ow!" He squeaked, head sore. He lay flat on his back, staring up at the summer sky, his belongings on his chest.

It took several moments for him to return to his feet to keep going, and he was convinced his fall was a clear sign from God this whole affair was a bad idea. He placed one foot in front of the other cautiously, his body stiff as though he was trying to keep from getting knocked over again.

"Oh, I must stop this little doubts, all these worries

If I don't I just know I'll turn back

I must dream of the things I am seeking

I am seeking the…VE!"

He stopped in his tracks to observe the large mansion before him. It was almost surprisingly so, a house that could house fifty children, let alone seven. The marble was cut and shined perfectly, and the grounds were immaculate. It seemed as though somebody had gotten on their hands and knees and measured out every blade of grass so they were all one length. Feliciano found little sense in that, he believed grass to be the prettiest when it was long and swaying, imitating the look of uncooked pasta. Without a doubt, they were the most flawless house and yard he had ever encountered, but they lacked a friendly, personal element.

He puffed out his chest, a firm look on his face, suddenly overcome with courage.

"I have confidence in pasta!" He stormed toward the door. "I have confidence in…" He swallowed, watching as a tall, threatening looking child peered at him from a window. "pain."

"I have confidence that spring will come again

OH, WHO AM I KIDDING! I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN ME!"

He knocked, practically fainting on the doorstep.

"May I help you?" A dark eyed man met his gaze. "Oh, never mind. I know who you are. Come in."

"Are you the-"

"Captain? No. But I'll go get him for you miss. My name is Kiku, I'm the von Trapp butler."

"My name is Feliciano, and I'm the von Trapp governess." He picked up his case and bag, oblivious to the fact that he had just been mistaken for a woman.

"Don't get attached to the idea. You won't last long." The man gestured for him to follow.

However, the Italian was too taken back by the vast entry hall to notice. "THIS PLACE IS HUGE!" His bright voice disturbed the calm.

"I suppose you'll stay here, then?" Kiku sighed. "Very well, I'll be back in a moment." He made no sound as he exited.

All the man could do was stare. The house was absolutely gorgeous, and it was clear no expense had been spared in anything. It was magnificent, but too clean cut, it was impossible to tell that an actual family inhabited it. The furniture was all coordinated, and there was no touch of anything to the grey atmosphere.

It was then that crisp, precise footsteps made their way closer.

He brought his attention down from the ornate ceiling to two men approaching him.

"Miss Feliciana has arrived." The butler walked beside who must have been the Captain.

"Actually, my name is Feliciano."

"Oh, excuse me." He found that a very strange name for a woman.

"Fraulein Feliciano?" The Captain spoke, slightly amused. He was muscular and frightening, his icy blue eyes seemed to be scrutinizing every aspect of the strange young man. "Is that what you wished to be called, boy?"

He shrugged, mainly because he hadn't a clue what "Fraulein" meant.

"Boy?" Kiku turned to him, whispering. "I thought he was a woman?"

The Captain rolled his eyes, retrieving a whistle from inside his coat. "Very well, Fraulein." He sneered, keeping a perfect military stance as he beckoned the boy forward. "Your purpose here is simple: supervise the children. They're a well behaved bunch, something I take great pride in. I have no idea why so many governesses have quit before you." He laid the whistle to his frowning lips. "I'll call them down." After releasing seven distinct chirping patterns, seven children began marching in a row down the grand staircase.

"Why didn't you just say their names?" Feliciano asked under his breath.

"What was that?!" The Captain growled. He must not have really expected an answer, because his first sentence was quickly followed. "I will take no lip, no trouble, no anything from those who work for me. If you do not understand that, you may take your belongings and leave, Fraulein."

A couple of the children smirked, enjoying the display.

When there was no word from the Fraulein, he continued with the introductions. He called each child forward with their whistle pattern, beginning with the oldest, the only daughter.

"I'm Elizaveta and I'm sixteen. You'd better not underestimate me, or you're in for a big surprise. I don't need anyone to watch me like I'm a child." Her voice was harsh and arrogant, her emerald eyes burning.

"Not to say I'm mean or anything, but you're probably just better off leaving me alone." She flipped her light brown hair behind her shoulders and returned to her place in line.

Her father shook his head in annoyance, calling the next child forth.

"I'm Matthew and I'm fourteen. I really don't have as much to say as my sister." He blushed, and adjusted his glasses, drawing back. He held close to a white bear, making him seem innocent and childlike.

"Matthew, you are far too old for that thing! Dragging toys around the house." The Captain tsked. "I won't put up with it for much longer." He blew again.

"I'm Feliks and I'm thirteen. Just like, leave me alone too." He huffed, still eyeing the new governess warily. But behind his look of annoyance and distrust, he seemed to be planning something.

The next child could not have been a child. He was taller than Feliciano (who recognized him as the child in the window), and could have quite easily crushed him in his massive arms. But he looked like a child, and behaved perfectly like one. In fact, he seemed to be the kindest of them all. "I'm Ivan and I'm eleven. I think you and I are going to be friends." His violet eyes widened as he smiled. "And don't listen to what Toris and Raivis say about me, they're just little kids, they like to make up stuff." His eyes remained wide, fixated only on Feliciano.

"Can you like, stop that? You're freaking me out." Feliks said to his younger brother, apparently a little afraid.

Ivan, instead of ignoring him, turned to stare at him. "Is this better?"

Feliks found it difficult to look away from the hypnotic gaze. He visibly grew more uncomfortable until they were interrupted.

"Boys…" The Captain's voice revved up like he planned on shouting if they didn't stop. When he was met with cooperation he continued the process.

"I'm Eduard and I'm ten." He looked Feliciano over from behind his glasses, thoroughly examining him. "That's a pretty ugly dress. The ugliest I've ever seen."

"I…" He grabbed fistfuls of his dress, offended.

"Eduard!" His father shot an angry look in his direction.

"I'm sorry Father, but it is an ugly dress. It's illogically so."

"I agree it's hideous, but you aren't allowed to speak to adults like that."

"Fine Father." He hugged his book tightly to his chest.

The second to last child was called, and he reluctantly stepped forward.

"I'm Toris and I'm seven." He shifted his weight awkwardly from foot to foot. "I…don't have anything to say. Um, my favorite color is pink."

"That's my favorite color too!" Feliciano grinned, finally feeling at ease.

The Captain rubbed his temples, his eyes shut as though he didn't want to watch this strange scene unfolding before him. He brought the whistle to his mouth and blew the final combination.

Nobody moved.

After a moment of silence, Toris spoke up, grabbing the smallest child's hand. "He's not going to say anything, Father. I'll do it for him." He coaxed his blond brother forward, trying to ease his shaking. "This is Raivis and he's five. He doesn't say much, so just get used to it."

Surprisingly, the Captain tolerated this substitution, and his eyes seemed a bit softer when he looked at the two youngest of his children. "You are free to return to your rooms. And Matthew, you'd better get rid of that bear."

The children disbanded into several groups and walked rather orderly up the staircase.

The Italian had been too quiet for too long. "You have nice children, Ludwig."

Kiku couldn't help but smile at the fatal mistake.

"Did you call me Ludwig?" He began coolly, not making eye contact.

"Yes…"

"You are not to call me that. You call me "Captain," that's it." He didn't seem to be getting any angrier, much to Feliciano's relief. "I'll see you at dinner." He turned and began to walk away as though each of his footsteps had been perfectly planned.

The butler remained, watching the moment in silence. "You should probably get to your room." He muttered as a woman came near.

"Hello." She smiled at the pair. "Are you Feliciano?"

His head rose and fell in a quick nod.

"Alright, want help?" She began to reach for his bag.

"Uh, sure."

"So, you've met Kiku? Well then, I'm Yekaterina, the housekeeper." She heaved up the bag and flashed another smile. "So, your going to be the governess? I wish you luck, few governesses make it past a month. The von Trapp children are…an interesting group. Just watch your back."

Feliciano began to follow, holding on to his guitar.

"Dinner's in an hour." She placed his bag on the bed. "I hate to seem rude, but wear the nicest thing you have. That dress certainly doesn't make the greatest impression." She tucked a stray piece of hair behind her hair and started to leave.

"Yekaterina?"

"Yes?"

"What's wrong with the Captain?"

She sighed in a manner similar to the butler and shook her head. "There's nothing wrong with him. It's quite tragic, actually. He went off to war and witnessed disgusting sights at a young age, even though he did return home a hero. Then he marries and starts a family, only to lose his wife and be left with seven children. He's a strict man, his order is the only reason he hasn't lost his mind."

He had never really encountered tragedy himself, so he simply agreed. "Sad, yes."

She nodded and began to leave. "His children are crying for attention, it's all just awful."

After she had left, Feliciano silently vowed to brighten the house.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Again, I didn't use the full lyrics. I don't think I will for many of the songs.

Also, I just HAD to add in a scene on the train. I love Sealand, and I had to put him in somewhere after it was decided he wasn't going to be one of the children.

I'm pretty sure a governess is a woman, but I honestly don't care xD

I hope to have a forth chapter up sometime this weekend. =)

-Alison