Almost There (Descendants OC fic) Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The clatter of pots and pans coming from below was very obsolete for the young prince who was stretched across his bed reading about what’s new in fashion. For young Tino did not take to the royal lifestyle, much like his headstrong mother Tiana. No sir, Tino didn’t want his life to revolve around his birth given title. That’s why he’s focusing on achieving his dream which is to one day produce his own label.

    Though supportive, his father Naveen has yet to completely accept his son’s serious attitude when it came to life. He always feels the need to remind him to “let loose” and “live a little” when he decides not to join his older sister, Nadieh, on her little fiascos. His mother on the other hand is very supportive of Tino’s dreams and is constantly reminding him to keep up the hard work. This can be confusing sometimes for the young teen since he is receiving highly contradicting forms of advice. Though at the end of the day he usually tends to lean more towards his mother’s side on the matter.

    Tino was in the middle of writing a note in his notebook when he was interrupted by the sudden opening of his door. He sighed and placed his notebook down beside the magazine and sat up as his sister ran into the room. Her usually long black hair was fixed back into many curls that were pressed against her head. She was currently wearing a plain blouse which was her usual get up in the mornings.

    “Tino! I need your help right now!” she spoke in almost a panic but this didn’t change the monotone expression the boy wore.

    “Alright..what’s the occasion THIS time?” he sighed as he studied the two dresses she was holding in her hands.

    “Don’t give me that tone! Besides this out to be good practice for your title thing or whatever it is.”

    “You mean Label?” He replied raising an eyebrow.

    “Yeah sure whatever, now what should I where to go dancing??” Nadieh eagerly held up the two flapper dresses that were very similar in style and color. Though it didn’t take Tino more than ten seconds to respond.

    “The one on the left is an eye catcher but the latter seems like it’d be better for mobility. Also the one of the right matches that hair piece you got for your birthday last year.” Nadieh held up the one on the right and gasped in remembrance

    “Oh yeaah! I completely forgot about that thing.”

    “Obviously..” Tino muttered as he picked up his magazine again.

    “Okay, I’m gonna go try and find that old thing. Carry on with whatever it is you’re doing.” And with that Nadieh ran back down the hall to her room to search for the hair piece. Tino didn’t mind helping her every once in awhile, but now it has become a daily occurrence. He’s basically dressing her at this point, but it’s not like he can just refuse to assist her. The one thing Tino could not bare was the thought that someone related to him was walking around completely out of style.

    Before getting pulled back into the world of fashion, Tino couldn’t help but feel the emptiness that now resides in his stomach. He looked at the clock and realized that breakfast should be served over at “Tiana’s Place”. The mere thought of his mother’s famous beignets was encouragement enough to pull himself out of bed and hurry on over to the restaurant.

    Tino stopped by the mirror on his way out the door and fixed his short short hair and adjusted his glasses, then he hurried on down stairs. His family lived in an simple extension to his mother’s restaurant which made it very easy for the family to be together even during lunch hour. This also made it easier for the kids to sneak a few snacks throughout the day.

    As Tino made his way through the restaurant he noticed the usual breakfast crowd eating the same meals as they did everyday. He could also hear his father entertaining some tourists as they were led to their table. Tino admired his father’s social skills which definitely did not transfer to him. Sometimes Tino thinks that Nadieh got all of those genes along with some extra doses of enthusiasm.

    He entered the bustling kitchen and made his way around the various cooks and waiters until he made it to his favorite counter top which he prompted himself up onto. Tino smiled at himself as he pulled a beignet from his pocket which he had slipped from one of the waiter’s plates. He looked around a moment then raised the beignet for a bite.

    “I hope you were plannin’ on paying for that.” His mother said causing him to drop his snack. Luckily Tiana caught it with her free hand and placed it on another server’s plate as he walked by. She stood there, her face covered with splotches of powder sugar but she still had a smile.

    “Aw come on you know I can’t resist your food!”

    “Mmhmm. Well there’s no need for thieving, all you have to do is ask-or better yet make one yourself!” Tino laughed at the thought.

    “Mama, I’ve tried cooking and trust me-it ain’t happenin!”

    “Now don’t say that-”

    “Daddy could barely take a second bite of my gumbo last month.” Tiana sighed and made her way to a shelf and opened it revealing a fresh plate of beignets.

    “Well..That’s just one opinion,sweetie, and believe me you will run into criticism every time you make somethin..” She handed her son a beignet as she continued.

    “..But it’s up to you on how you let it affect you. Sure, you could let it sit in your stomach and put you down, but you could also use it to push you to work hard and prove them wrong!” Tino took a couple bites of his snack and smiled, he really liked talking to his mother because she always knew exactly what to say.

    “Yeah, I guess you’re right.. but to be fair it was really bad gumbo.”

    “Maybe just a little too hard on the salt.” The two laughed as they relived the memory.

    “Uh-Miss Tiana?” Asked the newly hired cooking assistant who was covered in a mix of chocolate sauce and powder. Tiana covered her mouth as she chuckled at the sight.

    “Oh my-What is it Danny?”

    “I-I’m pretty sure the mixer is jammed.”

    “I’ll take a look at it..” Tiana sighed. She looked back at Tino who had already finished his breakfast and smiled softly. She went back to the shelf and grabbed another beignet and handed it to Tino.

    “Alright, last one okay? I’ve got to feed the customers as well. Now why don’t you run along and sketch some more of those dresses and I’ll be sure to look at them tonight.” She thumbed away some stray powder that stained his cheek and hurried over to fix the mixer. Tino couldn’t help but beam with excitement. Nothing made him happier than having someone appreciate his art, especially when his mother did so.

    Tino finished off the second beignet and hopped down from the countertop and headed towards the doors. Suddenly he heard a far too familiar squeal followed by the flinging open of the kitchen doors.

    “OH TIA TIA TIA TIAAA!!!” Shouted none other than Miss Charlotte Dubois Ne’e La Bouff who ran directly for the now chocolate covered Tiana who desperately tries to fix the mixer.

    “What is it, Latte?” Tiana asks trying to sound sincere but is completely focused on the mixer.

    “Ohh Tia you are not goin to beLIEVE what I’m about to tell you!”

    “Well you’d be surprised.”

    “Oh, right-I always forget about that little frog fiasco. But HONEY guess what!? My very own Sweet Maggie Ann JUST received a letter from AURADON HIGH!!!” Tiana froze. For a moment it seemed as if the whole kitchen was quiet. Tino looked around and noticed some awkward glances which caused him to raise an eyebrow. Not wanting to raise any attention Tiana cleared her throat and continued.

    “That is..fantastic Latte! Good for Maggie!” Tino could tell that something was up since his mother kept on working on the mixer rather than stop and leave it be. The kitchen started up again as Charlotte went on a long spill about how excited she is and such when she suddenly turned her attention towards Tino.

    “Oh you kids are so lucky! Aren’t you excited, ‘lil T-”

    “Latte wai-”

    “What are you guys talkin about? What’s going on?” Tino asked innocently. Charlotte’s expression dropped to a look of shock.

    “Oh..you haven’t told them yet?”

    “No. And I wasn’t plannin on it either.” Charlotte gasped at this and Tino couldn’t help but scrunch his eyebrows.

    “What is this? What’s Auradon, Mama?” Tiana finally fixed the mixer and set it aside. She leaned against the counter and rubbed her face with her apron.