Adam exited the shop wearing a drab old grey suit that was also a size too big for him. He carried a guitar case in one hand and a bag in the other that held all of his few possessions. Before Adam closed the door behind himself, he gave the shop one last sad, wistful frown then closed the glass door.
Sadly, he turned away from the door and faced the street.
"What will this day be like? I wonder." Adam sang as he began walking down the street.
"What will my future be? I wonder.
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
Now here I'm facing adventure
Then why am I so scared?"
Adam stopped to lean against a stone wall a look out to the mountains where the green grass and tree were once again beckoning him. But he didn't have time to go out into the mountains today, he had a bus to board.
"A Captain with seven children. What's so fearsome about that?" Adam wondered. Pushing off the wall, he started walking through town square where he spotted a large fountain.
"Oh, I must stop these 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 courage I lack."
Adam stopped by the fountain to run his fingers through the cool refreshing water. He knew he was wasting time but that didn't really matter.
"The courage to serve them with reliance
Face my mistakes without defiance
Show them I'm worthy
And while I show them
I'll show me."
"So, let them bring on all their problems
I'll do better than my best
I have confidence they'll put me to the test
But I'll make them see I have confidence in me."
Adam entered the doors of the bus, handed his ticket to the driver and found a seat somewhere near the back.
"Somehow I will impress them
I will be firm but kind
And all those children - Heaven bless them!
They will look up to me
And mind me with each step I am more certain..."
He glanced wistfully out the window while they were driving down winding paths, past many open meadows and large trees. What he would give to be out there, dancing and singing.
When the bus stops, Adams grabs his bags and gets off the bus.
"...Everything will turn out fine
I have confidence the world can all be mine
They'll have to agree I have confidence in me."
He skipped and danced down the tree-lined road, swings his bags and kicking his heels together as he did.
"I have confidence in sunshine
I have confidence in rain
I have confidence that spring will come again
Besides which you see I have confidence in me
Strength doesn't lie in numbers
Strength doesn't lie in wealth
Strength lies in nights of peaceful slumbers
When you wake up – Wake Up!
It's healthy!
All I trust I leave my heart to
All I trust becomes my own
I have confidence in confidence alone–"
Panting, Adam stumbled to a stop in front of a large black iron gate that opened to a rather elegant looking manor. Adam's confident smile faltered as a feasted his eyes in the manor. It was quite large, bigger than anything he'd ever lived in. It was even bigger than the shop.
"Oh, fuck" Adam whispered.
He griped the cold metal of the gate and pushed gently. Luckily it opened without any extra effort needed. Adam slipped through the small gap he had made and leaned back on the gate until it clicked shut.
Adam closed his eyes and took a deep hesitant breath. When his eyes flicked open, he smiled and marched forward opening his mouth to once again sing. "I have confidence in confidence alone
Besides which you see I have confidence in me!"
He sprinted across the circular gravel driveway and stopped at the door. Setting his luggage down, he pressed on finger to the doorbell and rang it. Adam casually leaned against the wall next to the door bell and took a few breaths.
"Oh" Adam gasped.
The door had opened suddenly to reveal a dour-faced man in a black suit.
Adam immediately straightened up, "Hello! Here I am!"
The man looked him up and down then gave him a doubtful look.
"I'm the new tutor, Captain" Adam said.
"And I'm the old butler, Herr" the man said, introducing himself.
"Oh" Adam said disappointedly, "How do you do?" Adam asked smiling once again. He reached out a hand to the butler and shook his hand. The butler did not look amused.
The butler turned away from the door and beckoned Adam inside. Adam quickly grabbed his bag and guitar case and rushed in after the butler.
Adam's eyes widened comically at the cavernous, opulent front hall.
"You'll uh," Adam eyes turned back to the butler when he started to talk, "wait here please." With one last dubious glance at Adam, the butler stalks away through door leading to another hallway.
As if in a trance, Adam walked down the few front stairs and set his baggage down on the floor. He starred at the gilded furniture and glittering crystal chandelier that shimmered like a thousand fireflies. Balconies lined he upper walks on either side of the vast, spotless white room.
Walking across the gleaming wooden floor, Adam stopped in front of a closed door and peered through a tiny crack. He gently pushed the door open and stared into a dark, ornate ballroom line with gilt-edged mirror and dusty windows. It looked like it hadn't been used in years. Adam entered the beautiful room hesitantly. Cloth dustcovers hung from the chandelier. Adam wandered across the dance floor and clasped his hands together in excitement. Adam quickly preformed a deep bow and a small twirl before both of the doors to the ballroom suddenly flew open. Adam just barely managed to bite his lip to hold his mouth shut from the yelp that was on the tip of his tongue.
A tall, elegantly handsome man with sharp aristocratic features stood on the doorway. He wore a trim grey suit with green cuff and lapels and an angry look on his face. Startled, Adam gazed fearfully at him and hurried out of the ballroom.
"In the future, you will kindly remember there are certain rooms in this house which are not to be disturbed." The man –Captain Novak– growled angrily.
Adam gulped, "Yes, Captain. Sir."
Captain Novak hurriedly closed the doors to the ballroom. Adam stared at him a smiled.
"Why do you stare at me that way?" Michael asked.
Adam wondered why he was staring, "Well, you don't look anything like a sea Captain, sir."
Michael cocked his head to one side, "I'm afraid you don't look very much like a… tutor. Turn around, please."
"What?"
"Hmm," Michael hummed with narrow eyes "Turn."
Adam did a slow spin while the captain scrutinized his clothes, eyes lingering lower than they should have for a few seconds.
"Hat – off" he commanded.
Adam removed his hat, letting his short blonde hair show.
Michael frowned, "It's the suit. You'll have to put another one on before you meet the children."
Adam looked dumbfounded "But I don't have another one. My family isn't the richest and this is a second hand suit I got from my older brother."
"Didn't your brother have any better suits?"
Adam shook his head "He didn't want to give me his best suit."
"Hmmm" Michael hummed again, "We'll have to get a new suit for you."
"That really isn't necessary" Adam started, the captain shouldn't spend his money on clothes for him.
"I'm afraid it is" Michael said in a serious tone that left no room for argument. "I'll see that the tailor comes today, if possible. Now, Herr…uh…"
"Adam, sir."
"Herr Adam, I don't know how much your father has told you" Michael said.
"Not much."
"You are the twelfth in a long line of governesses, who have come to look after my brother and sisters since our parents died and I was made legal guardian. Obviously you are not a governess. I hoped that a tutor might be able to last longer and I trust that you will be an improvement on the last one. She stayed only two hours." He explained.
Adam gave him a worried look, "What's wrong with the children?"
Michael paused, "There is nothing wrong with the children – only the governesses."
"Oh."
"They were completely unable to maintain discipline. Without it, this house cannot be properly run. You will please remember that, Herr" Michael said, crossing his arms.
"Yes, sir" Adam nodded.
"Every morning you will drill the children in their studies. I will not permit them to dream away their summer holidays. Each afternoon, they will march about the grounds, breathing deeply. Bedtime is to be strictly observed, no exceptions..."
"Excuse me, sir, when do they play?" Adam interrupted halfway through Michael's speech.
Michael ignored him and kept talking, "...You will see to it that they conduct themselves at all times with the utmost orderliness and decorum. I'm placing you in command."
"Yes, sir!" Adam said enthusiastically, giving a little mock salute.
Michael gave him a sharp look as if to ask 'Are you mocking me?' which made Adam raise his eyebrows. Then Michael abruptly drew out a silver boatswain's whistle from his pocket and blew out a shrill sound. Adam's mouth dropped open in surprise and he ducked for cover beside Michael as loud thunderous footsteps were heard from above.
Up the stairs on the second floor, six children, wearing identical blue sailor uniforms dashed out from their rooms and lined up according to age along the balcony. Adam silently counted them and was confused because his father had told him there were seven children not six. Michael blew his whistle again but this time in a rhythmic pattern. Swinging their arms, the children marched briskly down the stairs and into the hall.
The oldest is a pretty, fresh faced sixteen year old girl with long red hair. The next is a brunette, golden-eyed boy. Behind him marches another boy with dark blonde hair. Then, a chubby-cheeked boy, another boy with brown hair and bring up the rear is a little five year old boy with wide blue eyes and black hair.
Adam immediately notices a gap between chubby-cheeks and younger brunette boy. One of the children was missing.
Responding to Michael's whistle, the children line up and stand at attention. The missing child, a dreamy-eyed girl with long blonde hair, wanders in, her nose buried in a book. Michael holds out a hand, she gives the book to him and turns to take her place in the line-up. Before she turns back around, Michael gave her a gentle scolding tap on the rear as a punishment.
Michael paces back and forth before them like he was inspecting his troops. He fixes one of the boys collars and drops the girls' book onto a nearby table.
"…This is you new tutor, Herr Adam" Michael introduced him.
Adam smiled kindly at the children but only received disapproving looks.
"As I sound your signals you will step forward and give your name" Michael commanded the children, and then he turned to Adam and said "You, Herr, will listen carefully, learn their signals, so that you can call them when you want them."
Michael blew a variety of whistle signals. Each child, responding to their signal, stepped forward in a military manner, announced his or her name, and then stepped back in line.
It was the oldest first, "Anna!"
Then the older brunette boy, "Gabriel!"
The dark blonde haired boy turn was next, "Balthazar!"
Who was followed by chubby-cheeks, "Uriel!"
It was the blonde hair girls turn now, "Rachel!"
And after her was the younger brunette boy, "Zachariah!"
The littlest boy forgot to step out and Michael had to blow his signal twice. He stepped out and in but forgot to say his name. Adam found this rather amusing and desperately tried to hide his laughter.
Michael cleared his throat, obviously embarrassed, "And Castiel."
Castiel made a face as Michael took another whistle from his pocket and held it out for Adam.
"Now let's see how well you listened" he challenged.
"Oh, I, I, I won't need to whistle for them, Captain. I mean, um, I'll use their names. And such lovely names they are." Adam said, astonished that the Captain thought he would use a whistle for children.
"Herr, this is a large house, the grounds are very extensive, and I will not have anyone shouting. You will take this, please - learn to use it. The children will help you" Michael pleaded, he tried not to let his anger show but he was so frustrated with this boy… Adam.
Adam accepted the whistle reluctantly, already fully knowing that he would never use it.
"Now when I want you, this is what you will hear", Michael then proceeded to blow a particularly obnoxious sound on his whistle.
Adam shook his head "Oh, no, sir, I'm sorry, sir! I could never answer to a whistle. Whistles are for dogs and cats and other animals, but not for children and definitely not for me. It would be too - humiliating."
"Herr, were you always this much trouble?" Michael sighed.
Adam responded truthfully "Oh, much more, sir."
"Hmm" Michael hummed as he started to walk away.
Adam frowned at the captain's back, put the whistle to his lips and blew. Michael turned back around with an annoyed look on his face.
"Excuse me, sir, I don't know your signal" Adam smiled.
Michael's cold eyes were fixed to his "You may call me – Captain."
Adam could see more anger brewing in those grey brown eyes but he just smiled smugly to himself as Michael stormed out from the room. Adam heard the children start to giggle and he turned to them. They immediately snapped back into attention mode and stared straight ahead, laughter forgotten.
Adam sighed, "At ease."
In unison they placed their hand behind their backs and stared forwards.
"Well," Adam started, "now that there's just us, would you please tell me all your names again and how old you are?"
The red haired girl stepped forward again for the second time, "I'm Anna. I'm sixteen years old, and I don't need a tutor."
Adam smiled kindly, "Well, I'm glad you told me, Anna. We'll just be good friends."
"I'm Gabriel. I'm fourteen. I'm impossible" said the older brunette with golden eyes.
Adam laughed, "Really? Who told you that, Gabriel?"
"Fraulein Jo, four governesses ago."
Next was the dark blonde haired boy, "I'm Rachel."
Adam raised an eyebrow, Rachel was a girl's name not a boy's. "You, um, didn't tell me how old you are, Balthazar."
Rachel, the bookworm, stepped out. "I'm Rachel He's Balthazar. He's thirteen years old, and you're smart. I'm ten, and I think your suit is the ugliest one I ever saw."
Rachel stepped back in line and Uriel, the chubby-cheeked boy, turned to her. "Rachel, you shouldn't say that."
"Why not? Don't you think it's ugly? "Rachel asked.
Uriel nodded, "Of course. But Fraulein Ellen's dress was the ugliest."
Uriel stepped forward, "I'm Uriel. I'm eleven. I'm incorrigible."
He stepped back and Adam said, "Congratulations."
Uriel tilted his head, "What's incorrigible?"
Adam paused, not knowing what to say. "I think it means you want to be treated like a boy."
Uriel seemed appeased with his answer and Adam smiled at him. There was a weird tugging sensation on his sleeve, Adam looked down to see the small brunette boy tugging on his right arms sleeve.
"Mm-hm?"
"I'm Zacheriah, and I'm going to be seven on Tuesday, and I'd like a pink parasol." The little boy said.
Adam grinned at him, "Well, pink's my favourite colour too."
Adam looked up when he heard a small foot stamp against the ground. Looking over at the youngest, he saw big impatient blue eyes watching him.
"Yes, you're Castiel" Adam said.
The littlest held up five small fingers. "And you're five years old. My, you're practically a gentleman."
Castiel and Zachariah laughed at this while Adam looked down the line of children from Anna to Castiel.
"Now, I have to tell you a secret. I've never been a tutor before." Adam informed them.
The children looked at one another with mischievous looks on their faces.
"You mean you don't know anything about being a tutor?" Balthazar asked curiously.
Adam nodded, "Nothing. I'll need lots of advice."
Balthazar smiled evilly, "Well, the best way to start is to be sure to tell our older brother to mind his own business."
They crowed around Adam, all with the same evil smiles.
"You must never come to dinner on time" Gabriel advised.
"Never eat your soup quietly" Rachel added.
Gabriel started making slurping sounds as a demonstration.
Uriel then announced "And, during dessert, always blow your nose."
"Don't believe a word they say, Herr Adam" Castiel piped in.
"Oh, why not?" Adam questioned with one eyebrow raised.
"Because I like you!"
Adam lifted his eyes away from the small child when he heard a clapping sound erupt in the front hall. Adam saw an older woman appearing from one of the many doors.
"All right now, children. Outside for your walk. Captain's order. Now hurry up. Hurry up. Quick, quick, quick, quick, quick." She said, flicking her hands at the children in a shooing motion.
The children reluctantly walked to the front door.
The woman narrowed her eyes on Adam, "Uh, Herr Adam. I'm Frau Deanna, the housekeeper."
"How do you do?" Adam asked, tipping his hat at her.
"How do you do? I'll show you to your room. Follow me." Deanna said while shaking Adam's hand.
Deanna let go of Adam's hand and walked forward, grabbing his bag and began leading him up the stairs. Adam quickly picked up his guitar and followed her up the stairs. Adam raised an eyebrow when he passed the children who ad stopped at the door to look at him with expectant faces.
Just then Adam felt something move in his pocket, "What? Oh. Ha, that tickles." He reached down into his pocket and pulled out a medium sized frog.
Some of the children faces looked disappointed with his reaction. Adam smiled at them and asked, "Look children, a frog. Will one of you please take it outside? It's not really an inside creature."
Sluggishly, Gabriel stepped forward to take the frog from him.
"Thankyou" Adam grinned at him.
"You're very lucky," Deanna said. Adam looked at questionably. "With Fraulein Ellen it was a snake."
Adam's eyes widened, "Oh!"
Adam turned back to watch the children turn and walk sombrely out the front door.
A/N: Now that's a long chapter (for me anyway). If I could ask for some advice, I'm not really sure if I'm using the word Herr right. I can't use Fraulein because that's for women and apparently the male equivalent is Herr. If it isn't the right word does anyone know what is? Help would be appreciated.