Nathalie heard the scrape of wood against tile from her kitchen, The Gorilla entered her living room a second later. She watched as his eyes darted around, coming to the conclusion she had but a moment ago. The bodyguard rushed to the window and stuck his head out. Although the Gorilla's large frame prevented him from getting his shoulders past the opening, such a feat wouldn't be impossible for someone of Adrien's size.
The Gorilla pulled himself back from the window and shook his head. "He must have gone right after he came in here. We need to find him," he said before quickly making his way through her home and out of her front door. Nathalie followed him down the flight of stairs to the ground floor and out to his car, parked just outside the doors of her apartment building.
Nathalie pulled out her phone as she got into the car and called Adrien as the Gorilla was pulling onto the street. "You've reached the voicemail of Adrien Agreste," a robotic voice tolled out almost immediately, "Please leave a message after the tone." Nathalie ended the call there, uncertain of what she should, or even could, say. 'Hello Adrien, your bodyguard and I are trying to find you after you jumped out my window to escape. Please tell me where you are so we can bring you back to my apartment while we wait for news your father has been arrested for terrorizing Paris.' Nathalie couldn't imagine that going well.
After a moment of contemplation she asked, "So what's the plan? What are we going to do when we find Adrien?"
"We get him back to your apartment and wait," the Gorilla responded, leaving Nathalie dumbfounded.
"That," she informed him, "is an incredibly poor plan. "We'd just sit in my apartment and what? Play checkers until the police call?"
"Adrien does like checkers," the Gorilla mused as Nathalie let out an annoyed huff.
"Plans have details," Nathalie told him, "Plans let you know what to do and how to do it. Look, let's just find Adrien. I'll come up with an actual plan." She chose to ignore his response and instead focus on the matters at hand.
"Why don't you want to tell Ladybug and Chat Noir?" Nathalie asked after another few moments of thought. The Gorilla had been adamant about the police handling the situation, denying Adrien's desire to tell the superheroes despite the heroes being more qualified for the task. "Answer me," Nathalie demanded when the Gorilla didn't respond.
"If Ladybug and Chat Noir force Gabriel's hand, there's no telling what he'll do! He's ruthless as a normal person, but as Hawk Moth? Backed into a corner with what he wants in front of him? People could get hurt," the Gorilla paused before adding, "Adrien could get hurt!"
"And backing him into a corner with the police will protect Adrien?" Nathalie shot down his answer, "He'll still be ruthless, and he'll still hurt whoever he wants to get what he wants! You have no idea how desperate he is!"
"Neither do you!" the Gorilla bellowed. Guilt attacked Nathalie once more in the resultant silence, piercing her with the truth. She knew exactly how desperate Gabriel was.
"You're right, I don't," Nathalie conceded, "but that doesn't mean he'll stop because of the police. He hasn't before." The Gorilla didn't respond, but Nathalie knew she had made her point. She turned to face her window once more, just in time to see the first drop of rain splash against it. Of course it would start raining now.
The Gorilla didn't seem to mind the rain as he parked in front of an apartment building and made his way to the door. Nathalie, however, was not so unaffected, wishing desperately she had grabbed her umbrella. The rain easily soaked through her outfit despite the short walk to the building's lobby and the cool temperature inside did her no favors.
"Nino lives on the fifth floor," the Gorilla explained once they were inside the elevator as he pressed the appropriate button. Nathalie acknowledged his answer to the unasked question with a nod, keeping her eyes glued to the door. As the doors slid open, she stepped forward, walking right into the very young man they had been looking for. Well, Nino, but close enough.
"Oh, sorry dude," Nino said, before seeing who he had bumped into. "What are you guys doing here? Is Adrien with you?" he asked, once he recognized the two adults. He pressed the button for the ground floor as he stepped into the elevator.
"Actually, that's why we're here. Adrien managed to slip away earlier," Nathalie responded, "We thought he might have come to see you."
Nino shrugged. "Adrien hasn't said anything about hanging out today," the young man answered, "He's probably out doing normal stuff. Just let him have his free time." A second later the doors slid open and hopped out, before stepping back in behind an elderly woman. "Wrong floor," he said awkwardly.
Nathalie saw fear leak onto Nino's face as the Gorilla's hand clapped down on the teenager's shoulder. The Gorilla did make for an intimidating figure after all. When the doors opened, the elderly woman left, entirely oblivious to the situation behind her, and Nathalie followed. Finally, the Gorilla steered Nino out of the elevator. "You're a good friend for Adrien," he said, surprising both Nathalie and Nino. Before either could react, the Gorilla pulled out a twenty euro bill, and handed it to Nino. "If Gabriel asks, you were studying with Adrien."
The Gorilla released Nino and made his way out to the car. Nino looked at Nathalie, clearly as confused as she was. "Is everything alright with Adrien?" Nino asked.
Nathalie contemplated her answer before responding, "It isn't my place to speak on Adrien's behalf."
"That's a first," Nino shot down her response, "What's going on? Is Adrien ok?"
"He's not in any danger," Nathalie responded, hoping she was correct, "but something has come up that may have upset him."
"What happened?" Nino insisted, "I'm his best friend, I should be there for him!" Nathalie searched for an answer, knowing Nino wouldn't drop the subject easily. Thankfully, she was saved by a ringing from his pocket. "Hey Alya, I was heading over," was all Nathalie managed to hear before she stepped through the door.
The rain had only gotten worse in the short time they'd been in Nino's apartment building, soaking Nathalie as she dashed to the Gorilla's car. Thankfully, the Gorilla had already turned on the heat in the car. While it wouldn't be able to dry them completely, it would certainly make it bearable.
"You gave him twenty euros," Nathalie stated, leaving the obvious question unasked.
"It was a bribe," the Gorilla answered, "so he'll tell Gabriel they were studying."
"We both know you didn't need to bribe him to get him to lie to Gabriel," Nathalie retorted, "In fact he'd probably pay for the opportunity."
The Gorilla was silent for a moment, before sighing and admitting, "I'm glad Nino's is Adrien's friend, and I wanted to give him something to show him that."
"Oh," was all Nathalie could think to say. She hadn't been sure what answer she expected, but it certainly hadn't been that. Choosing not to broach the subject further, she instead looked out her window, into the heavy rain. Nathalie doubted they would find Adrien easily in this weather, but she was looking for him regardless. "We could check Le Grand Paris. The mayor's daughter has been Adrien's friend for a number of years."
The Gorilla raised an eyebrow as he questioned, "Haven't you heard how Adrien's complained about her since he started public schooling?" She hadn't. Adrien hadn't mentioned Chloe much, if at all, since he began his schooling, now that she thought about it.
"Then perhaps the Dupain-Cheng's?" Nathalie suggested, "Adrien did invite Marinette to his next photoshoot, after all." The Gorilla nodded, acknowledging the suggestion as he continued to drive. Fortunately, Nino's home wasn't far from Marinette's, the drive taking them only a few minutes. The Gorilla parked in front of the bakery and stepped out into the rain once more.
Nathalie considered staying in to dry, but decided that without the heat it would be a futile effort. She stepped out and dashed into the bakery, passing through the threshold just before the Gorilla. "Good morning," called the woman behind the counter, who Nathalie recognized as Sabine Cheng, "Oh, back so soon? Where's Adrien?" she questioned the Gorilla.
"We actually came here looking for Adrien, Mme. Cheng" Nathalie answered on the Gorilla's behalf. The woman behind the counter rose her eyebrow questioningly, and Nathalie added, "He snuck out after getting some bad news, and we're worried about him. We thought he might visit Marinette."
Sabine frowned at Nathalie, but responded softly, "Adrien hasn't been here since this morning. I'll make sure to let him know you were looking for him if he comes by."
"Thank you," Nathalie offered and turned away from Sabine to leave the bakery, which is when she caught sight of a television in the corner. The Agreste Manor was on display, though a good portion was obscured not only by the rain but by butterflies as well. "Oh no."
The Gorilla turned, his eyes locking onto the television almost immediately. "Oh no," he echoed. They could make out a flash of red in the swarm, though it was quickly swallowed again. Then, Chat Noir burst through the cloud of butterflies, skidding across the concrete for a short distance. He took a moment to stand up, and then launched back into the fervor of battle.
"We need to go to the manor," they said in unison. Nathalie looked at the Gorilla, confused,but followed his lead as he left the store and got into the car. "Do you think Adrien went to the manor?" Nathalie questioned.
After a moment of silence, in which Nathalie almost repeated the question, he answered, "Yes." There was something in his voice that mildly upset Nathalie. A deep certainty in the statement, as if he had no room for doubt. It frightened her. But what terrified her was that Adrien might not only be in the manor, but that he might be in the fight. Would Hawkmoth, would Gabriel go so far as to akumatize his own son?
For Emily, he would. That is what truly sent a chill down Nathalie's spine. She sat in silence as the Gorilla drove, rain pounding against the window. It was a quick drive to the manor, with almost no one on the street. Everyone was probably watching the scene unfold somewhere indoors. When they arrived, Nathalie spotted several police cars, as well as news vans and even a few non-descript vehicles.
Nathalie felt compelled to get out of the car, moving to get a view inside the courtyard. It was almost a relief when she saw the black butterfly rise above the crowd. That meant Adrien wasn't akumatized, at least not now. She chose to believe that was a good thing. Then she saw the butterfly descend towards her, and her blood ran cold. She took a few steps back, but she was unsteady. Was Gabriel really attempting to go through with his grandest plan now?
"Catalyst," Nathalie heard him, almost like a whisper in her ear, "You have always been loyal to me, and I need your loyalty, now more than ever. Multiply my power, so that I may do what needs to be done, so that I may right what has been wrong."
It was easy for Nathalie to slide under the akuma's effects. She had thought it would be terrifying, her fear heightened and used to empower her. But really it felt more like her fear was ebbing, as if she was being insulated from it. She knew this wasn't true, but she couldn't care. It felt nice to not have to worry. "Yes, Hawkmoth," she heard herself say, before fading completely.
Okay! Second times the charm. Chapter two curtesy of my naggy butt not leaving Azuzulira alone. As always Azuzulira (tumblr) is the author and I am the medium through which he accesses this site. Thanks to everyone who reviewed to let me know there was a problem. Go forth and nag Azuzulira to finish chapter 3.
