"MERRY CHRISTMAS!" The Light Music Club clinked their cups of tea together gently before taking sips.
"Finally, Christmas together," said Alya, helping herself to a Christmas cookie. After their performance, the club learned they would all be relatively free for the holidays, with Alya staying in town, Nino's family not coming over, and Adrien wouldn't be traveling. So they decided on a Christmas party shortly after the holiday at the Agreste mansion, everyone bringing one dish, with the exception of Adrien who also provided the tea along with the ham.
Gifts had been exchanged and food had been eaten. Alya (and maybe Mr. Agreste, considering some pieces were too high for Alya to reach) had hung several strands of mistletoe wherever Adrien and Marinette might go, Marinette embarrassed as Adrien assaulted her cheeks with kisses. As revenge, Adrien had bumped Nino under the mistletoe with Alya, Alya taking the plant and chucking it back at Adrien. Juleka brought her Christmas Songs for Guitar book for the group to play, Mr. Agreste and Nathalie their only audience this year. The group currently sat at a table in front of the fireplace, finishing off the tea and Christmas desserts. Everything was right in the world this holiday.
"Now, we have official club business to discuss," announced Nino as he straightened his posture.
"No work on the holidays," groaned Marinette, settled in Adrien's lap.
"No, no, we need to talk now so we can make preparations for next year."
The group all turned to Nino, confused. They had mutually agreed mentioning the word "last" was forbidden.
"We need to add our contribution to the Light Music Club Time Capsule. Record our favorite songs on a CD or flash drive. Maybe add one of the shirts and sign it. A photo of us too would be good."
"No scrapbook," asked Juleka as she took another sip of tee.
"Oo, let's write the link to my blog on the shirt, or on the back of the picture," suggested Alya.
"I'm sure I could get another shirt, or see if Chloe has the extras," Said Marinette, looking up at Adrien, who hummed in agreement, resting his head on top of Marinette's.
"We would just need to record our songs then," said Juleka, everyone immediately looking to Adrien. He opened one eye when he felt Marinette's head look up.
"My mother's side of the family has only music stores in Paris. Any recording studios would be in England, where their headquarters are."
"Nino, aren't you going to school to be a sound engineer," asked Marinette?
"Yeah, but that means I operate the equipment. I don't produce."
"You'll probably have to take a class for it anyway. May as well learn now."
Marinette reached over to grab the last cookie, smirking at Nino as she raised the cookie to feed Adrien.
Nino just frowned.
"You are our president after all, technically its your job to find us something," added Alya as she sipped her tea.
Nino looked over to Juleka for help, the girl looking away to the fire, causing the antlers Alya made her wear to jingle.
"Fine. I'll figure something out."
"Julekat!" Alya jumped on her younger classmen the first day back to school, squeezing the girl in a hug.
"I missed you!"
Juleka patted her arm, Mylene and Ivan watching the interaction and trying hard to contain their laughter.
"I missed you too."
"Hi Mylene! Hi Ivan!" Alya slid off Juleka to hug the other students before turning back to her club mate. "When can I cash in my Christmas present to learn more Jagged Stone songs? Can we start today?"
"Maybe, depends on the time capsule."
"Well, I already printed out the picture." Alya opened her backpack to show the picture Chloe had taken of the Light Music Club after their last Christmas performance. Even Ivan had been included.
"Time capsule," asked Ivan looking between the two girls. He had family in Marseille and had been celebrating the holidays with them.
"Yeah, we're going to put together, oh right, we need to show you the time capsule. Come after school for your Nino lessons and I'll show you."
The group kept walking together, stopping at Alya's classroom first.
There, prostrating himself before their teacher, was Nino Lahiffe.
Marinette and Adrien sat smugly at their desks, enjoying watching Nino beg.
"Dare we ask," mumbled Juleka.
"I dare." Alya went to her seat, sliding in close to Adrien. "What's going on?"
"This is Nino's resort to asking about a recording studio."
Alya looked back to the scene, finding the situation quite humorous. Even Juleka, Ivan and Mylene were watching.
"I humbly, beseech Caline Bustier, please help us get a recording room."
"I don't exactly have that kind of pull you know."
"But Jagged and Penny love you, they'll do anything you ask."
""You expect me to 1, recommend you to Penny to work as an intern for their studio when you've barely turned in your assignments for the past four years, and 2, borrow a studio for recording a CD?"
"Pretty please with macarons on top?"
"Are you bribing me?"
"If I say yes, will you help us?"
Ms. Bustier looked around at the other members of the light music club, still grinning mischievously. She smirked back before frowning again, looking down at Nino.
"I request one macaron everyday for the rest of the school year then. I expect it here, on my desk, first thing in the morning. Any late with result in double the next day."
Nino scrambled to stand back up, extending his hand to shake upon their agreement.
"Agreed."
Ms. Bustier nodded, shaking her student's hand. The light Music club clapped.
"See Nino, you're already learning to cut deals like a producer," teased Marinette as Nino took his seat. Juleka waved goodbye to the group before heading off to her class with Mylene and Ivan.
"Still would rather be a sound engineer."
That Saturday, the Light Music Club met in front of the recording studio, boasting for recording the albums of famous artists like Jagged Stone and Clara Nightingale. Alya took a picture to post on the blog, then returned to the huddle for warmth.
Ms. Bustier said to wait outside for either herself or Penny to let them in, Jagged taking some personal time after holiday concerts. They had brought all their instruments, even Nino's drums packed up on dolly borrowed from the school.
"A-any i-ideas f-for t-the c-cd-d c-cover," chattered Marinette, despite Adrien doing everything in his power to keep her warm. She had turned him down at giving her his jacket, but had allowed him at least to open it and attempt to swallow her smaller frame.
"M-maybe j-just a p-p-picture," suggested Juleka.
"I-I c-can sh-show y-you p-pictures l-later," offered Alya, Marinette nodding her head.
"I-if n-no o-one o-opens th-the d-door i-in f-five, I-I s-say w-we w-wait a-at t-the Mc-McDonalds," stammered Nino, everyone nodding.
"Ch-chicken n-nuggets s-sound s-so g-good r-right n-now," said Adrien, shuffling a little in place as he rubbed Marinette's sides.
"I-I c-can sm-smell th-them fr-from h-here," moaned Marinette.
Everyone could smell the fresh scent of McDonalds, sighing at the delicious smell.
"What are you lot doing all out here?"
Everyone turned to see a poorly disguised Jagged Stone nearby with a bag of McDonalds. But he looked warm in the puffy jacket much to big for the slender man. Like a golden marshmallow on top of a leather and metal studded stick.
"C-caline," started Nino.
"Right-tttt, Penny mentioned you would be poppin' by today. Sorry about Caline though, came down with a cold or partying again. Couldn't tell. Now get it, get it."
He pushed the teens inside, waving to the attendant at the check-in before pushing them further in.
"Penny sent me out a while ago to grab food, since she helping get the room ready. She's really excited for this you know. Your Christmas performance was a banger. So inspirational! But I had so many concerts between then, plus family, the wedding, it's all been crazy. So, can't wait to actually see you in person. You don't mind if I watch do you? I'll just be in the recording booth so it's like you won't even notice I'm there."
Jagged rambled on, leading them around the recording studio.
"Ah, here we are. Penny! I found the kids!"
Penny whipped around, her hair growing out a little since they last saw her.
"Sorry, you must be freezing," she and Jagged ushered the kids inside the studio, passing the recording booth. They shut the door to the room, the temperature warming the students.
"So much better," murmured Alya as she shrugged off her winter jacket.
"Do you need help with anything? Everything is set up to record, you just need to plug in your instruments," said Penny as the Light Music Club took off their heavy winter wear and set down their instruments.
"Thank you Penny, but we should be good-Nino?" Marinette looked around the room, their drummer away from his drum dolly. "Nino?"
"I'll go find him, its easy to get lost here," offered Penny.
"No need love, found him." Jagged pointed at the window to the recording booth, Nino inside examining the controls.
Penny shook her head and smiled, "Do you need him to set up or can I show him the controls for a bit," she asked the group.
"We can handle the drums," said Adrien, lifting the bass drum.
Penny nodded, leaving the room to join Nino.
"I like how you say that, but know only I will be setting up the drums," chided Marinette.
"But I can lift them at least, you just tell me where to put them."
Marinette rolled her eyes, but did as Adrien suggested.
"Are you two a thing yet?"
Oh right, Jagged Stone hadn't left the room when Penny did. Alya looked over to Marinette and Adrien for an answer. Adrien set down the drum before grabbing Marinette, wrapping her under one arm.
"Yep, I finally have my girl!"
"Rock and roll! Invite me to the wedding!"
"Will do!"
Marinette was turning red as Adrien gave Jagged a high five, Alya raising an eyebrow. That was probably at least the second time Adrien hadn't said no to marriage, despite Marinette's lingering doubts on a long distance relationship.
"Hey guys," came Nino's voice over the speakers. "I can totally hear everything you just said."
"Then hear this. Boyfriend trumps best friend," Adrien taunted.
"I still knew her longer. Bet you don't know who her crush was in junior high!"
"Jagged Stone! Ha!"
Marinette tried sinking to the floor in shame.
"Well, she certainly has good tastes," teased Jagged, Adrien laughing with the musician.
"Jagged, you're embarrassing the poor girl," warned Penny.
"Alright, Alright. Sorry to disappoint you Marinette, but I have my own favorite girl."
"It's fine. Penny seems like the best girl for you anyway," Marinette said as she painfully tried to smile.
"Besides, now she has me," announced Adrien, hugging Marinette tighter.
Jagged gave the group a two finger salute before leaving, exchanging spots with Nino.
"My bad," said Nino, grimacing.
Marinette weakly smiled before falling to the ground in a daze, holding Adrien's leg for support. Adrien looked completely lost before jumping to the ground, trying to wake Marinette from her dazed state.
Alya was trying hard not to laugh, glancing over at Juleka who had her back turned to the group, but her hand was up to her mouth and shoulder's shaking.
"Dude, not even I am capable of breaking Marinette that bad."
"But you helped!"
"You didn't have to answer!"
"Boys! Can we please set up," asked Alya.
The boys murmured their agreement, Nino setting up his drums while Adrien dragged Marinette, still clinging to his leg, to set up his keyboard.
"Is Marinette going to need a snack or water," asked Penny over the speaker. Alya looked over to see a concerned Penny, Jagged standing in the corner. Whether it was to hide his laughter like Juleka or Penny sent him to a corner of shame, Alya didn't know.
"I think waters for everyone," said Alya.
Penny nodded, sending Jagged out to get the group waters.
"Jagged gone Marinette," said Penny. The girl started blinking looking around the room. Adrien was immediately by her side.
"I'm sorry Marinette, I got carried away."
"We are never speaking of this again," she grumbled as she stood up to get her bass set up, Adrien still apologizing as he followed her. To shut him up, Marinette kissed his cheek, quickly turning back around to sling her bass over her shoulders. Adrien smiled like a dork on Christmas, holding his cheek.
"You know, as flattered as I am by your crush, I ship you two a lot more," announced Jagged as he returned with water bottles for everyone, "Is that what it's called Penny? Ship?"
"Jagged, get back over here," scolded Penny, the man quickly retreating to the recording booth as Adrien quickly covered Marinette's so she could only hear him whisper.
The group watched as Penny scold Jagged, the singer retreating to the corner with his McDonald's.
"Sorry about him, Jagged just thinks very highly of you and the band," apologized Penny.
"Best High School Band ever. After yours, love."
This got Marinette to smile, giggle a little even when Penny gave Jagged an unimpressed look.
"Are we ready to record," she asked as Adrien retreated back to his keyboard. The group looked around, making sure everything was properly plugged in.
"I think so," said Nino.
"Alright, we're going to do some sound testing first, then see if we need a break before recording," she explained.
The group nodded.
"Now let's start with lead guitar."
"I don't see what's so wrong with my pictures," pouted Alya. Marinette skirted around the group, final touch ups to one of their older costumes rather than make something entirely new.
"If we're going to have a cd, we need the cover to look like a professional cd," explained Marinette as she took a seat.
"But my pictures are nice."
"Nice for the web, not so much print," said Adrien, looking apologetic as he said it.
"Plus, it'll be cool for future light music club members to see our cd with a professional picture," added Nino.
"Everyone ready," asked Ivan, official photographer with assistance from Nathanael for art direction.
"Good, everyone has their cups," Nathanael mumbled before rearranging the macarons one more time. "Now we're good."
Ivan nodded, looking back at the screen of the camera.
"Say Tea Time!"
The Light Music Club stood ceremoniously around the Light Music Club Capsule/Bass Case, everyone holding something.
"For our great shows," said Nino as he put in a Afterschool Tea Time shirt, signed by all club members, Ms. Bustier and Ivan included
"For our wonderful songs." Marinette put in the cd case, a pose picture of the group looking at each other as they drank tea around their tables, the club logo on top.
"From beginning." Alya set inside a picture of the four original members. Ms. Bustier had taken the picture right after their first performance, Adrien and Marinette still blushing from their first kiss. They had written the date of the photo and their names on the back.
"To the end." Juleka set inside their latest picture, the club after their last performance, with Ivan, Juleka, and Ms. Bustier. The date of the picture and their names listed on the back.
"For all the tea and macarons." Adrien held out a toy tea pot, Marinette setting inside a toy macaron while Alya put in a laminated piece of paper with their blog info on it. Adrien closed the lid and set it gently on top of the other items.
The boys grabbed the lid, closing the bass case. Adrien picked it up and set it on it hangers underneath Ms. Bustier's old guitar. They had even taken to decorating the outside with paint, reading "Light Music Club Time Capsule, if lost, please return to Francois Dupont High School".
The group stood back to admire their work, everyone silently crying to themselves as each grabbed the hand of the other. They looked at each other, smiling at the memories, ever thankful for the light music club.
