Radcliffe Romance

[Roger Radcliffe]

It was warm and pleasant inside the residence of the Radcliffes, but outside loomed a thunderstorm, complete with lightning. The loud thunders and occasional bright flashes of lightning from outside intimidated some of the Dalmatian puppies, but there was someone who wasn't the least bit frightened. In fact, he expressed his lack of fear for thunder and lightning by playing the piano.

Roger Radcliffe was seated at the most beautiful piano he owned (which wasn't in his private study), and he had decided to play a piece which obviously correlated with the weather outside. Specifically, Roger performed Frédéric Chopin's Prelude No. 15 in D-flat major, 'Raindrop.' Certainly not his own work, but a masterpiece in classical composition.

Despite the occasional thunder, Roger didn't falter at all, and from start to finish he tickled the ivories with both gentleness and fiery passion, whenever the prelude required it. The music from the piano swept throughout the Dalmatian Plantation, as was often the case.

[Pongo]

Pongo was busy watching the pups, a few of them frightened by the loud thunder outside, it brung back a bit of a memory when Cruella showed up during the time Perdita was still pregnant with the original litter of 15. He looked over at Perdita watching her calm one of the pups.

[Lucky]

Lucky sat infront of the tv watching Thunderbolt, his tail wagging as he became engrossed in watching the heroric german shepard on tv before a clap of thunder made him jump "Man that storm is pretty loud." Lucky turned toward the window as a lightning bolt lit the outside up for a second.

[Perdita]

Perdita sat alongside Pongo, she too could hear the storm outside, she watched the puppies as they watched TV, she couldn't help but remember that night when Cruella dropped in and made a money offer for the puppies even before they were born. She nuzzled her mate Pongo while he listened to Roger playing the piano

[Anita Radcliffe]

Upstairs in her bedroom, Anita was currently fixing pins into her light brown locks, twisting them into her typical style. As she slid the final pin from between her teeth she began to hum the opening notes to Raindrop when Roger began to play. The sly devil- only he would select something as highly appropriate as this piece to match the weather outside. Anita’s humming ceased as she descended the stairs to the sitting room, settling herself into an armchair beside a cozy fire. She respectfully chose not to interrupt Roger while he was playing, occupying herself instead with one of the puppies who had scampered away from the television room in fear. She held the frightened dog close to her chest, stroking the top of the pup’s head.

[Pongo]

Pongo turned his attention to Perdita and nuzzled her. "Quite the stormy night?" he asked

[Perdita]

Perdita nodded "Yes it is, almost like that night when that horrid Devil Woman showed up at our old home trying to buy our children"

[Pongo]

Pongo nodded as he nuzzled Perdita "Indeed it is like that night" He eyed the pups as another burst of thunder was heard, he eyed Wizzer on the rug "Lets hope Wizzer doesn't have an accident from the storm." Pongo looked at Perdita

[Roger Radcliffe]

By sheer coincidence, the power in the Radcliffe residence ceased after Roger had concluded Chopin's work. It was after the last note that the brightest flash of lightning, immediately followed by the loudest roar of thunder, terrorized the little tranquility to be found inside the house. At first the lights flickered, and then the blackout commenced. The television set, the electric lights--now only the cozy fireplace was the major illumination, besides the occasional flashes of lightning from outside. This commotion caused several Dalmatian puppies to bark.

Roger had lifted his hands from the piano keys and opened his eyes (which were closed) after he heard the loud thunder. He witnessed the failing electricity, and he grinned to Anita, whom he could still see with the fireplace's assistance.

"Fancy that!" he exclaimed with humor. He placed his palms on his knees and rubbed them. "The weather predominates electricity, my dear." He said this with a feigned 'matter-of-fact' tone in his voice.

[Lucky]

Lucky whined as did several other pups including Patch "Aw and Thunderbolt was about to capture that Ol Dirty Dawson too!" He pouted

[Cadpig]

Cadpig blinked as the house was suddenly shrouded in darkness "well there goes the power" She could hear Lucky whine as well as some other pups "Relax guys, we could do something else"

[Anita Radcliffe]

Anita looked all around her as the lights began to flicker, dimming until they’d finally given their last and gone out completely. The puppy she was holding began to wail, leading some of the others to join in. Anita kissed the tiny head of the Dalmatian she was holding and looked around at a few of the others who had come to her for comfort.

“Oh hush now, hush now my darlings. You must be brave, you’re quite safe here with us.” She glanced around for Perdita to see how she was handling the storm (the dog had been quite afraid of thunderstorms when she was a pup herself) but couldn’t help but chuckle at Roger’s statement.

“Why, yes, it does doesn’t it? All that advancement in technology and yet it is simple nature which comes shining through,” she said, glancing over at the crackling fire. “That was a fine piece you played, Roger dear. A very clever choice.”

[Two-Tone]

Two-Tone gazed around the darkened house, she decided to stay close to her siblings. "Storm sounds real bad"

[Roger Radcliffe]

"Don't thank me," Roger said, acting as though he were the most humble man on the planet. He raised a finger to emphasize importance, continuing to grin. "Thank Chopin, the romantic, for composing this piece suitable for rain."

He stood up from the piano chair and stretched. "I'll fetch some candles," he said before he started for the stairs. Although the fireplace was perfectly illuminating, there was still the issue of other rooms in the residence.

[Lucky]

Lucky gazed at the blackened TV, this was bad since he had no idea what happened to Thunderbolt if he captured that Ol' Dirty Dawson or did the evil villan escape. All he could do was sit and wait for the power to come back on

[Anita Radcliffe]

"I think that's a fine-" Anita was distracted by the opening of a door and Nanny came in with about six taper candles clutched in one fist and a lit one in a holder was in her other hand. The woman grinned and shook her head; Nanny was always on top of things.


"She's beat you to it, Roger!"

Nanny was wearing a very serious look on her face, which made her look much older than she did with the usual pleasant expression that seemed to be constantly fixed to her features. "Oh it's a nasty storm out there," she said, setting the candles aside. "I can't remember the weather being this bad since that devil woman came calling." With a nervous look, she glanced towards the door.

"It'll be all right," Anita tried to reassure her. "We made it through that storm and we'll make it through this storm." Looking over at Roger she suggested, "Why don't you play us something light and cheery, darling?"

[Pongo]

Pongo perked when he heard Nanny, he gazed toward the door almost anticipating Cruella showing up unexpectedly just as she did before when Perdita was pregnant.

[Lucky]

Lucky looked up at his father. "Dad? You okay?" He asked

[Roger Radcliffe]

Roger stopped and chuckled after hearing Anita. He turned and smiled to the serious Nanny. "How we've lived without you all these years, Nanny, we shall never know." He slipped his hands into his pockets, and turned his gaze to his beloved wife when she spoke again. He nodded, agreeing to her suggestion. He raised a heroic finger.

"Light and cheery, it shall be!"

With that, he crept to his piano once more and, after pondering for a moment, commenced playing an upbeat and cheery piano tune. This time, the tune was created by him.

[Pongo]

(OOC - O.o)

Pongo looked at Lucky "Everything's okay son. We were just remembering that terrible storm when that Devil Woman came to buy you even before you left your mother's stomach." Pongo explained

[Anita Radcliffe]

Nanny’s spirits rose once Roger began to play and she clapped her hands in time to the beat, chuckling out of sheer joy. ”Oh, very good, Sir, very good! Oh-ho!” With a spring in her step, she bounced over to Pongo and gave him a hearty rub over the head and along his ears. ”You like the music too, boy?”

“Oh, Nanny!” Anita laughed, watching the exchange between her and Pongo, clapping along with the elder woman. “I’m so glad we’ve turned such a dreary night into something so delightful!” Pinching the hem of skirt, she began to dance around the room. Nanny left Pongo alone to go and link arms with Anita and spin around with her.

”Not too fast, dear!” she said, slightly breathless. ”These legs aren’t that young anymore.”

[Roger Radcliffe]

Roger continued to play his lively, upbeat music piece. As he played he heard the distinctive sound of merriment from Anita and Nanny. Continuing to play (he had of course memorized the tune by heart by that point), he casually looked to the women for a moment. Seeing them dance gaily together, he made an impish grin and returned his focus to the keys. Without warning, he began to speed up the tempo of the song, as if to challenge Anita (and Nanny, too, although he wouldn't blame her if she declined to dance with the increased speed of the song).

[Anita Radcliffe]

If Anita could have glared at Roger she would have. The women did as best as they could to spin around in time to the music, but eventually they had give up and allow the pianist to win at this little game. Nanny and Anita collapsed on to the sofa in laughter, the elder woman pulling out a handkerchief and dabbing at her forehead.

"Oh, that was fun! But I'm afraid I'm all tuckered out now." The maid breathed heavily through a tired smile. "If you don't mind, I think I'll head off to bed."

"By all means, Nanny!" Anita said, rising to help her up off the sofa.

"Thank you for the wonderful music, Sir!" Nanny told Roger, her pleasant grin still fixed in place. "It was most enjoyable."

Anita was still catching her breath after Nanny had left and returned to her place on the sofa. "You're a wonderful but wicked man, Roger Radcliffe!" Light laughter accompanied the comment.

[Dipstick]

Dipstick during all of this just sat wagging his tail, he stopped to scratch the back of his ear, an obvious sign of flea infestation in his fur.

[Roger Radcliffe]

Roger chuckled wickedly--or at least acted as wickedly as he could--in an exaggerated manner. He bended his fingers and brought them up before his face as he victoriously chortled, as if he were a demonic being who succeeded in a cruel deed.

The forced gloating was short-lived, though. He soon laughed merrily and nodded to their dearly loyal maid. "You're welcome. Good night, Nanny," he said with a warm smile and a gesture of his hand.

Once Nanny had left them alone... with a myriad of Dalmatians... Roger grinned at his wife, whom he more or less antagonized with a rapid tempo, and in a farcical motion, stood from the piano chair and 'crept' to her.

"Ahh, and a wicked man needs a victim," he added, just before leaning in to bring his face before hers. His face still wore a grin of mischief.

[Anita Radcliffe]

"Oh, Roger," Anita tsked, though she was unable to hide the faint blush that crept into her cheeks. She was never entirely sure what to expect from him- he could certainly be a trickster. Compared to her, Roger was definitely the creative mastermind one in this family and it made her slightly nervous to ponder over what might be going on in that head of his. Trying to fight back a smirk, Anita arched a brow and ducked down while she slid over on the sofa, leaving her husband to stare at the back of the piece of furniture.

"A victim, you say? Well do choose wisely. Or else you might regret it later," she added playfully.

[Lucky]

lucky turned back to the tv, a slight whine came from him wondering when the tv will come back on.

[Roger Radcliffe]

Roger didn't notice Lucky's whine, because he was too preoccupied with playing with the woman whom he loved dearly. His face expressed surprise when Anita slipped from him, off the sofa, but he quickly stood up, resumed his impish grin, and slowly 'stalked' his wife.

"I'm confident with my decision!" he said as he crept nearer to her. "Any last words?"

[Pongo]

Pongo watched what Roger was doing with Anita, his tail wagged as he got up and went to Perdita and began to nuzzle her

[Anita Radcliffe]

<AWWWWWWWWWW! Pongo's got the right idea! <3 >

"You're an idiot," Anita said through a grin.

The woman clutched on to the arm of the sofa as Roger made his way towrad her, tiny giggles escaping as she searched his eyes, hoping they would reveal his devious scheme. Without warning, she made a dash for the piano, though what safety it could offer her was a curious thought indeed. Still it was a move in a direction away from him and even through another bout of laughter, Anita found an ounce of maturity to declare,

"Really, Roger, this is childish."