happilyeverbeginning | And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon... (scrooge and minnie)

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And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon... (scrooge and minnie)

It wasn't as if Minnie had intentionally gone through with this with the idea she'd do it alone, but after the first couple of people she asked for help seemed appalled and aghast at the very notion of what she was doing, she gave up and decided she'd go at it herself.

Although, to be fair, months ago she would have been appalled and aghast herself at the notion. Giving away things from the castle? It was unheard of. But that had definitely been Scrooge McDuck's influence, which not everyone approved of. One of the things Minnie had learned from him was the usefulness, and connected to it the uselessness, of certain material items. If she didn't need them, nor did any of the servants, why not hand it to someone less fortunate? (At least Scrooge had finally convinced her to stop calling them "commoners". Now that had been a struggle.)

It was a lovely day outside, so instead of being cooped up, Minnie brought the - rather heavy - trunk outside to rifle and check through, with paper and ink quill in hand. All employees of the palace were free to come and go in her gardens, so she wouldn't have minded any company.

Currently, she was finishing folding away some very unique, and sparkly, dresses that she could tell would never fit her. "Mm-hmm." She said out loud, jotting something down. "Away that goes."

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"Maybe by giving it the Princess Seal of Approval, they'll have to believe it's all true!" She could have just as easily been joking as she was serious.

"But I really do think more people should hear your stories. It'd give them an appreciation for so many walks of life."

"Lass, I won't lie to you: Some of my stories of my travels are significantly less than glamorous. I was a city boy who went out to sea and it took me a week to fully get my sea legs. I was a sorry sight to see even if I did keep working through it all."

Honestly, he was amazed he hadn't died of dehydration...

"But that's all the more reason to hear them!" Minnie insisted. "So many people must think that going to sea must be easy, when it's really a lot of hard work! Why, I used to think 'sea legs' were what mermaids had."

This time, she was serious.

His lips twitched in amusement, but he kept himself from laughing.

"Well, lass, maybe I might try to write them down once I've got less work on my plate," he said. "In the meantime, I suppose you'll have to settle for asking me for a tale or two."

She smiled at that, pleased that - for once - she'd gotten him to do something she wanted, instead of the usual other way around. It was a silly little win.

"I'm always happy to." She closed the trunk, finished with the contents inside for now. "And maybe someday I can have more stories of my own."

"I imagine you'll have quite a tale to tell yourself. Being a ruling queen doesn't seem like it'd be a walk in the gardens," Scrooge said.

"Right now, everything involving the former Captain, and my darling Sir Mickey, is the most exciting and memorable thing that's ever happened to me."

A bemused glance his way. "Though some might find it fun to read about the odd man from Scotland who confronted the princess with no hesitations."

"Oh, I went through all the proper channels to meet with you. I just pushed back when I thought you were being obtuse, something I doubt you ever really had before." He raised an amused brow.

"I don't think I even knew what the word obtuse meant until you called me that." So, yes, he was a first in many ways.

Scrooge gave a shake of his head. "Honestly, your tutors did you no favors then. Well, at least you're learning before it's too late."

"And I think no one ever truly stops learning! I bet even you're still learning things."

"Oh, aye. I've learned quite a bit since I arrived here, in fact."

And not all of it had been pleasant. His eyes darkened for a moment at the memory of Kida Thatch's letter, relaying the terrible news her husband must've been agonizing over.

Minnie had no knowledge of it, of course. Just that he'd taken ill for almost three weeks.

Minnie blinked - what had happened? She leaned in, trying to see his face better. "Mister McDuck?"

Scrooge blinked before shaking his head. "Sorry. My mind wandered for a moment there. What did you say?"

Sorry, Scrooge, but she wouldn't be so easily distracted this time around. "What were you thinking about?"

"Just some bad news I received," he said honestly. "Nothing relating to France. It's a personal matter."

"Oh." She hesitated, then tried. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Scrooge shook his head. "No, lass. This is a very personal, very private matter."

He liked the girl, but this was an old wound that had been ripped open and filled with salt. It was something he'd never shared with anyone, and the only reason his household knew about it was because he'd left the letter lying out in the open in the initial daze of the news.

"Oh..." She said again, her mind already wandering towards the romantic possibilities. Heartbreak? A lost love?

Thankfully, she shook her head to get rid of such notions. This wasn't the time nor the place. If he didn't want any prying from her, she'd be respectful.

"I understand. Of course, I'd never make you say anything you weren't comfortable with." But, then, how to cheer him up? "... I don't suppose you'd be interested in any of my father's clothes?"

Scrooge gratefully took the obvious change in subject. "I doubt it but I wouldn't mind a look through them. Maybe find something presentable for the next time you decide to stress the budget entertaining nobility."

He managed to keep a straight face aside from a small twinkle in his eye.

Minnie smiled, relieved that the mood was lifted so easily. "I think you'd look quite dashing in a few of his old things! Though one or two might object to you wearing the crown..."

Scrooge actually barked a laugh at that. "Oh, if I showed up wearing the French Crown Jewels, I'm sure the nobility would riot!"

Which in turn caused her own giggles. "I could tell them it was a birthday present!"

Scrooge waved the suggestion off. "As tempting as it'd be, lass, I think I'd like to annoy infuriating them in one smooth stroke. It's more fun to watch 'em squirm."

"If you say so, Mister McDuck... but the offer's always available." And it was clear she meant for more than presents.

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