A/N: Since I've got a little more of a break than I anticipated, I'm going to try to post as frequently as possible! In any case, the continuing support is much appreciated! Shall we? :)

_._

Mr. Carson thought that, in all his years as maintaining his reign as the choir director of Downton Academy, students would 1) be sufficiently intimidated by presence that they wouldn't question his observing extra rehearsals and 2) be going out of their way to avoid even glancing in his direction at said extra rehearsals.

In the case of Daisy Robinson, he was quite wrong.

"So, he doesn't even take his eyes off her even when you lot mess up?"

"Yes, Mrs. Patmore." The joy of being a clarinetist in the band and a member of the choir department meant your rehearsal schedule was even more intense than the average student.

It also meant you had really mixed loyalty in regards to who's your favorite music teacher.

"And, what about her? How does she act around him?"

Though, truthfully, Daisy has always felt a kinship with Mrs. Patmore. Far more of a connection than the one she has with Mr. Carson, that's for sure.

"I think she likes him. I don't know how much, but she does seem to like him."

In essence, because of that kinship between the two women, Mr. Carson was not going to be spared from being talked about until it was time for the first class of the day.

And nor was Mrs. Hughes for that matter.

_._

"Jimmy," Mrs. Hughes had been surprised to see the tenor drop by so early in the morning - classes would be starting in ten minutes, after all. "Is everything alright?"

He glanced around the room, scanning for something in particular. After a moment, he turned back to her and focused all of his attention to this one conversation.

"Well, Mrs. Hughes, I actually had a question for you."

"What is it, Jimmy?" He flashed that charming smile - the one that had eighty percent of the female population within this school unashamedly swoon, regardless of their age.

Unfortunately for him, Elsie had had decades of experience with charismatic singers just like him. Therefore, she was interested only in hearing out his question, nothing more.

And she certainly had no intention of swooning.

"It's just that, I know the solo for 'Breath of Heaven' is meant for a soprano. However, it is also a solo that is in the range of a tenor." She couldn't quite nod in response, picturing the scenario he was beginning to describe. "And, so, I was wondering if tenors could audition as well?"

"Well," It was her only response for a solid minute.

She wasn't shocked or scandalized by the thought - you really couldn't be scandalized by "audacious" ideas if you wanted to get far in a singing career. Rather, it was the fact that a tenor from one of Mr. Carson's choirs asking about a solo that traditionally goes to a soprano - emphasis on "traditionally". Therefore, it'd be incredibly unprofessional for her to call the shots on this: it's not her choir and it's a break in tradition - the latter being one of Downton's most prized values.

Not only that, Elsie just couldn't see how the voice director would agree to this in the first place.

"I take it you've already run this idea by Mr. Carson?"

Now it was Jimmy's turn to be flustered into silence.

"You see, I had figured once you approved of the idea, then we could try it out on Mr. Carson." The tenor confessed, momentarily losing his nerve even as he phrased his request in a most reassured manner.

"I see."

"So," He awkwardly started again, regaining a bit of that charm. "What do you think?"

_._

"Is it just me or does Mr. Carson seem different than normal?" Ivy Stuart - a First Soprano from Bel Canto - was always the inquisitive type, that's for sure.

"You noticed, too?" Gwen glanced up from today's questionable lunch from the cafeteria, content to focus on anything other than the food.

"Maybe he's retiring?" Andy Parker - a Tenor II hailing from the Men's Ensemble - looked a little too hopeful at that suggestion, something that William took a little offense at.

"Even if he were retiring, and I'm not saying he is, wouldn't he have announced it already?"

"Well, maybe he-"

"Maybe he's just happy Mrs. Butte will be coming back." Daisy accidentally interrupted, have been thinking aloud. At this, the mood significantly dampened.

"But, doesn't he like Mrs. Hughes?" Gwen rebutted, trying not to think of that possibility. "We certainly like Mrs. Hughes."

"I don't think it's that simple, Gwen," William confessed over Ivy's darkly muttered, "He probably wants Mrs. Butte back because we like Mrs. Hughes."

"I'm sure Mr. Carson-" Quick to defend one of his favorite teachers at the institution, William was still unintentionally cut off by his friend.

"I honestly had forgotten about Mrs. Butte," Andy remarked into what he believed was an attempt at - well, he honestly didn't know what came out of the cafeteria today. And frankly, having tried one of Mrs. Patmore's cookies last year, he was of the belief that the band director missed her true calling.

"Lucky you." Ivy came back into the conversation with ease. "But if you'd had the year we had in Beginner's last year." She trailed off, shuddering at the thought.

"Maybe she'll get sick again and will have to miss next semester." Daisy offered, trying to redeem herself in the conversation. Though, it was too late - the rest of her friends were already slumping further and further into their chairs, radiating frustration and defeat.

"Maybe we could poison her- I"m absolutely joking, guys, we wouldn't dare do such a thing!"

"... How about food poisoning?"

_._

While Daisy and her close friends were content to bemoan the future semester over lunch, a young woman was making her way up to the second fourth floor. Having already been wished good luck by the friend she cared most about this morning, she felt it was time to audition for that solo.

"Anna? Was there something you wanted?"

The soprano smiled at Mrs. Hughes, feeling a bit more relaxed about everything in the presence of the older woman.

"I was interested in auditioning for the solo, actually." The voice teacher nodded encouragingly at this.

"That's wonderful, Anna!" The older woman thought something over for a few seconds, debating. "Now, Mr. Carson is currently running an errand. But, he should be back in a few minutes and then he'll be able to listen to you. How does that sound?"

"That sounds wonderful."

"Perfect." She gestured for Anna to accompany her towards the piano, "Now, even though you've already sung today, let's warm up a little, shall we?"

_._

"Mr. Carson," He had been wrapping up a quick errand to the first floor - some menial excuse to stretch his legs and stress about the concert in peace - when he bumped into one Violet Crawley.

"Mrs. Crawley," He greeted the woman as though he were a butler in a grand house instead of the choir director. Though, if he were to be honest, it was always in her presence that everything seemed to be far more prestigious than it really might be.

"Mr. Carson, it looks as though I've caught you in an unsuitable moment," No doubt she had noticed the stack of papers and the harried look he currently held.

"Not at all, Mrs. Crawley," It was strange that, for as long as he'd known her, 'Milady' always seemed the most appropriate title to bestow. "Nothing that can't wait."

"In that case," It seemed that he'd just given her the answer she'd been expecting - or, possibly, hoping for. "I was wondering if I might inquire into the nature of this semester's choral selections?"

He blinked.

Violet Crawley had been attending the choir concerts since before Charles took over as the director. She knew the beautiful patterns of tradition that all directors faithfully followed by heart. She quite possibly could recite the programs for the last ten years without much, if any, hesitation.

Which meant there was only one real curiosity she held:

The a cappella selections.

_._

"Where you headed off to?" Thomas wasn't really interested in Sarah's current plans, whatever they were, but he was bored.

So, clearly anything went for entertainment.

"What does it matter to you?" She scowled, knowing that his interest was now piqued by her avoidance.

"Going to audition for the soprano solo, are we?" The alto's eyes narrowed, her mouth thinning quite easily.

"I am tired of the cafeteria's disgusting attempts at food." She lied easily. "But, if this is going to be your attitude, you are not welcomed to join me."

The baritone saw through the lie with ease, having known her for several years.

But, like he said, he didn't really care.

"Have fun singing for Mr. Carson!" Thomas sarcastically stated, even giving a bit of a mocking wave as a send-off for her.

Her responding gesture did nothing but amuse him.

"Hope your voice is better than your attempts at wit!"

_._

"Mrs. Hughes," Mary Crawley regally entered the room only a few minutes after the final bell of the day had rung.

"Yes, Mary?" At the sound of the prim pupil, Elsie already made a start towards the piano in anticipation. "Can I do something for you?"

"I would like to audition for the soprano solo in 'Breath of Heaven'." She announced grandly to the practically empty room, as though she were on the stage. Elsie nodded, not really impressed by her demeanor. But, before she could properly respond, Mary's one admirer in the music department was already speaking up.

"I'm sure Mrs. Hughes is quite ready to listen to what I'm equally sure will be a lovely audition, Mary." Charles had somehow appeared out of what seemed to be nowhere, unintentionally straining patience Elsie was already quite low on.

The problem was that the older woman had a feeling that, regardless of Mary's talent or the talent of others, the soprano would be receiving the solo. Especially since Mr. Carson recently confessed that he was looking forward to hearing the eldest Crawley sister audition.

Well, not if I have something to say about the matter.

Now, if Mary indeed deserved the solo, so be it. But, if she were just handed it as though it were a title inherited - that is where Elsie drew the line.

"Yes, well, I will need a minute to find the appropriate music." And, if she took her sweet time scanning the pages of her binder filled of choir music, in order to keep her calm from slipping into pure exasperation, then so be it.

"Ah, yes, here it is."

Yes, here was the piece. Exactly where she knew it would be: situated in the same section of the binder that had given her a lovely paper cut earlier. Hadn't moved at all in the course of the last twenty-four hours.

But, really, was there a need to announce such a fact to the room?

"I am ready whenever you are, Mary." The soprano in question nodded her thanks before taking a moment to ready herself. Her features shifted, as her eyes closed, and soon she was taking on the character.

Even if this particular student tended to rub Elsie the wrong way, the older woman had to admit:

Mary certainly knew the basics to performing.

_._

It was with a weak attempt at an exhalation that pushed Elsie back to her feet.

Let's just say that Mary was not the last to audition that day.

And now the voice teacher felt she would never get the notes of that wretched solo out of her head.

"Wasn't that quite a treat, Mrs. Hughes?" She glared at her director, irritated that all he had to do was listen to them. "I do enjoy the fact that there's so much enthusiasm for performing."

"'A treat'." Elsie faintly repeated, quite close to banging her head against the wall. She would've banged it against the piano, but Elsie knew the instrument didn't deserve such treatment.

Her colleague, on the other hand...

Well, that was still debatable.

_._

A/N: Still open to hearing suggestions for the soloist. As previously mentioned, I'm quite open to options!