#paris rogues

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Cons of getting caught

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Bruce went for a quick shower. He wanted a few minutes to talk to Alfred before Maria joined them for lunch. As far as he had seen that Maria is a creative and tactical genius. Plans formed in her head faster than even he could keep up with and she was always a few steps ahead. But because she was so many steps ahead, she relied on that rather than getting physical with her opponent. Even Tim never pulled his punches. He admitted that he had been out smarted, but in cases like the Joker or Scarecrow, you also had to be physical.

Deciding to focus on schooling instead, Bruce walked out of his bathroom and picked up his cell phone to call Gotham Academy. Sure, she was a few credits short of graduating, but he’d found that formal schooling went a long way with kids. Being around others their age and immerse themselves into the drama of day to day life had broken many an outer shell. He understood why that wasn’t an option in London, what with Adrien Agreste living just a few blocks over and attending the school Maria would have been in too, but here there was no connection to stop her. A knock on his door stayed his hand.

“Master Bruce, a moment before lunch?” Alfred’s voice seeped through the door.

“Of course, come in. I wanted your opinion with Maria either way. I was going to call GA to have her enrolled, and maybe introduce her to ballet or modern dance to help her with her flexibility. And the costume… I think pink and white instead of pink and black, to make her stand out more. I am also concerned about how quiet she is. Her old files said she was class president and vocal against bullies. Maybe she will regain some of that with being in a classroom…” Bruce rambled off, dressing without looking at his clothes.

“About that, Mater Bruce,” Alfred finally interjected, “Miss Maria went out early this morning, as I am sure you noticed. She mentioned Gotham Library, and that is indeed where her tracker stayed, however I received a call from Mr. Fox, asking about why Maria was there and applying for work. Mr. Fox also seems to think that a formal classroom setting would put Maria more on edge.”

‘What…? Okay brain, back up and start over….’ So she wants to work, okay. He personally did not believe that anyone under 18 should need to work, as they should be focusing on being a child and on their schoolwork. He knew from personal experience that many kids in Gotham worked part time. But 14… was a bit young. He frowned. And formal schooling causing anxiety? Well, sure but she would need to grow out of that eventually… then again… Bruce remembered that there had been complaints of severe bullying in her profile, so maybe not then. And she was about to graduate too, anyways. Finish her High school from home and allow her to take university classes, just like Tim. And working would allow her to socialize outside, without attending school. He nodded. Okay.

“And the dancing?” He asked.

“I believe that would be an excellent conversation to have with Maria” Alfred smirked. Ah, of course. No making decisions without the child’s in put. He could do that.

“Best not to keep her waiting then, Alfred” Bruce placed his hand on Alfred’s shoulder and smiled at him as he passed to go downstairs.

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Alfred left the cave after thirty minutes to get started on making lunch. While the food was cooking, he chose to investigate Marinette Dupain-Cheng, rather than clean. He had, of course, read Maria’s file from Diana, but it seemed… incomplete. Maria was forcing herself to not be like Marinette, and that meant huge parts of her life and personality were missing. Alfred tapped his chin in thought as he saw her multiple school awards, extensive volunteer experience, and contests won. Hm. Marinette was passionate about the things she liked: sewing, crafting and creating, baking and helping. Hm. He looked at his oven, only used to roast potatoes and meat and occasionally to bake a cake. That might work. He decided on a whim to also go online and have a sewing machine, in hot pink, delivered to the manor. A welcome home present.

When he finished cooking and then cleaning, Alfred went upstairs to talk with Master Bruce. Surely they could come up with a schedule that would allow her the time and ability to socialize.

After their discussion, Bruce went ahead downstairs, while Alfred stayed back to knock on Maria’s door. No answer. He opened the door slightly to listen in case she was in the bath. Nothing. Peeking through the door, he noticed the sheets were crumpled slightly. Ah. Must be asleep.

Going downstairs he found Bruce reading the Newspaper, patiently waiting for Maria.

“I am afraid that Miss Maria will not be joining you for lunch. I believe she fell asleep after the gruelling training today.”

Bruce smiled and nodded, digging into his lunch and pulling a notebook out to take notes in. A to-do list.

 < ( ^ ^ ) >

Bruce was vibrating as he led Maria into the dining room. He had believed that jetlag and training had been enough to knock her out until dinner. Imagine his surprise and worry when Maria was not in her room when they called her for dinner. And imagine his horror when he noticed her tracker having been ditched. He was about to launch the bat mobile when he recalled Maria looking for a job. He went to the computer and hacked the camera feed in the café. There she was, running back and forth from the coffee machines to the customers, a bright smile on her face. He sighed, his blood still thrumming in his years. He had left at 10 PM to make it on time for the 11 PM closing time. He was shocked when Krista, the owner of the café brushed off his offer to drive his own ward home. So she did not use his name to get the job.

When they reached the dining room, he pushed Maria down at the table with a cold plate left sitting there since 6 PM. His own was also untouched, worry churning his insides and making his appetite non-existent. He sighed, wiping his down his face with both hands. Maria wasn’t a Gothimite. She had no idea the troubles and dangers around every corner. She was new, and from what he understood from Lucius she was expecting this to be a temporary home for her, instead of permanent. It seemed despite his track record of permanently adopting strays, Maria felt like she was not welcome here.

He took a deep breath, “Maria, I realize that my not being here to greet you personally perhaps gave you the impression that you were here temporarily, but I want you to know that isn’t the case. You are here to stay as long as you like. This … I … Let this be your home Maria, as much as it has been for me. We cannot replace your parents, and I am not Diana, but we do want you to be comfortable here.”

He said this while looking at her bowed head. Her hands had been in her lap, but raised to her tear stained eyes. Bruce frowned. How many times has she had to cry so silently that no one even noticed she was crying. He stood from his chair and pulled her into his arms. How long has she had to be so strong? He let her cry herself out and put her to bed. She’d be starving by the morning, but she needed the rest. Walking from the room, he shut the door on a sigh.

“Master Bruce?” Alfred stood in the shadows of the hall.

“Clear my schedule for the morning. I think I’m needed here for the week” he whispered, before retiring to the cave.

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