Hope you like this one. Please R&R after you read!
It took some time before Krissy was able to find the building housing her nephew. But she did it. She looked at her phone screaming at her: 'you have arrived' in that annoying voiceover.
She pushes the door open and spots the greeter's desk right away. She approaches with a smile, "hi." She pulls her paperwork from her bra. The man behind the counter greeted her "hello there miss."
She breathes out. "I'm Krissy Jordan."
He plugs her name into the computer. He hands her a booklet. "Would you be so kind to sign right here, please?" He points to where he needs Krissy to sign.
A curt nod and a signature. Krissy places the pen down and pushes both the pen and booklet closer to the gentleman.
He happily greets, "thank you. So what can I do for you today?"
"Uh, yeah. So, I'm here to retrieve my nephew Adrien Agreste."
And his smile fell. "Oh."
Krissy was taken back. "uh yeah. His father is my brother."
"Monarch's sister?"
Krissy squints, "uh yeah, that's how it works. If he's my brother, that makes me his sister."
The man waves her off towards the direction of the cafeteria, "kid may be in the mess hall?"
"Excuse me? May, be? Like you don't know?"
He shrugs, "Not like any of us wanted him here?"
Krissy glares, "it's your job. Right?"
He wasn't ashamed to argue back, "no. He's a criminal. He belongs in prison with his father."
Krissy scoffs, "the kid can't be blamed for what my moron brother did."
"the mess hall is down that hall. Can't miss it."
Krissy left it at that.
After walking around tiredly, she was about to give up. She mumbles to herself, "can't miss, he says. Where the fuck is it?"
She then noticed two younger kids. She smiles sheepishly.
One of them, a little girl, says "before my mommy died, she said people that swear will be sworn to eternal damnation."
Krissy squinted, "who the hell teach... Uh-I means, yo' momma right. Don't cuss! It's bad."
The little girl whispers, "you can be saved. Believe in Jesus."
Krissy assures, "I do. Jesus and I are homies. Jesus actually gave me specific permission to swear as long as it's for the greater good."
The little girl and her friend must have been satisfied because they ran off. Krissy quickly prays, 'Jesus, please don't charge me with sacrilege. You know me. You made me. I just say stuffs sometimes whether it is true or not. I love you. You know that. Amen.' Krissy breathes out.
"Okay, where the h..." She looks up, 'i'm trying. I know you sent those little girls to scare me, but it's hard to stop.' Krissy makes her way down another hallway. And she came across another dead end.
Krissy nearly cries, "oh my Lanta. Where is this room? I swear I don't gots this in me."
A boy taps her on the shoulder, causing her to jump. He quickly apologizes, "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you, but you seem lost."
She looks him over, "I am. I need to find the mess hall because the arrogant stunad at the front desk being a prick and all sent me on a quest by my damn self in hunt of this room. This place don't even seem like it's that big. Am I still in the House of Misplaced Children?"
The boy chuckles, "yeah, yeah. Calm down, miss. I can lead you."
Krissy looks relieved. She smiles. "Gee, thanks. My blood pressure going through the roof. This has not been an enjoyable trip to Pair-ee." She teased the french accent on the word Paris.
He couldn't stop himself from laughing. "Stick to the translator, ma'am. Your too American to speak french."
Krissy snorts, "little racist don't you think?"
He shrugs.
Krissy says, "what? My tongue ain't pretty enough for your french ears?"
He smirks, "exactly."
"Oh, whatever. I only know, maybe, six words anyway."
He says, "then we are even. I only truly know texting English. The lol is my favorite."
Krissy inquires, "what made you end up in this place?"
He remains quiet.
Krissy assures, "I'm sorry kid. You don't gots to tell me. Just trying to make conversation."
But then he says, "my mom died."
Krissy was about to offer her condolences, "I'm so..."
But then the boy continued, "she killed herself leaving me that my piece of shit dad. All alone. He was a drunk and addicted to gambling. He'd use all our money for bets and-and when he run out of money he'd use me. Sell me to his friends. I been here for four years and I'm going be an adult next year."
Krissy realized, "no one wants a teenager!"
He smiles, "but it's okay. I'll figure it out."
They approached a room that reads Cafeteria. Krissy nearly jumps for joy. Before she heads inside, she turns to the young boy. "I'm sorry you are here. And I am sorry that you probably older than what most families want. They'll be missing out. You're funny. Seem smart too."
"That means something. Thanks."
Krissy admits, "if I had more money and more time, I would fight for you. But I have to take my nephew in and I don't even know how I'm going to take care of him." Then Krissy decides, "give me your hand." She pulls a pen out of her bra. "here is my number." She quickly jots down her digits. "I'm from New York. In the states. If you make it to my neck of the woods, you're welcome at my house. Give me a call when you are there. But you take care of yourself. You get a job. You join the chore and meal rotation. It's a packed house. Everyone chips in. You won't have your own room."
He couldn't believe it. He doesn't think he would make it to the United States but the offer was amazing.
Before Krissy pushes her way through the cafeteria, the boy stops her, "wait."
Krissy, hand still on the door, looks over her shoulder. Waiting for him to speak.
"What's his name?"
Krissy tilts her head.
He says, "just tell me... Is it Monarch's son?"
Krissy says, "Gabriel is my brother. And I'm here to take custody of Adrien."
The boy gasped, "he's not in there? He's... He was dragged out-"
Krissy was shocked, "by who?"
The boy explains, "everyone is mad and they want justice."
Krissy snaps, "they have their damn justice. Gabriel is in jail!"
The boy shouts, "it's not enough for them. They blame Adrien Agreste too. There mad he somewhat has his freedom still. Businesses shut down when Hawkmoth first appeared. Our city relies on tourists. Plus, most citizens took off. If they were able to. So they want to hurt him."
Krissy sighs, "I can understand where the people are coming from. But Adrien is innocent. Where is he."
With a shrug, the young boy explains, "can't be too far. I'm sure they stayed on-premises."
As the boy led her away from the cafeteria, she inquires "do you think my nephew is to blame?"
"I don't know what I thought. But you're too nice. And maybe Richy-rich is not to be blamed for his fathers crimes."
Krissy laughs, "that was such a dumb movie?"
The boy tilts, "excuse me?"
Krissy explains, "Richy-Rich."
The boy asks, "Wait, that's a movie?"
"Are you fucking with me?"
"You swear a lot."
Krissy rolls her eyes, "I'm a born-again Christian and I'm working on it."
With Alya and Marinette.
"Thanks for letting me spend the night."
Tom smiles, "of course Alya, you are always welcome. Hurry off now. Meet us here after school if you want to go try to save Adrien."
Marinette gives each of her parents a hug and a kiss. "Thank you guys so much."
On the street, Alya was overwhelmed, "oh wow?"
Marinette nods, "I guess since we defeated him, the tourist came back."
Alya teases, "imagine having to transform now with all these people around."
Marinette agreed, "it was a blessing and a curse. I'm just happy to the streets filled with people again."
Alya says, "I was from the countryside. This is going to take some time to get used to."
Marinette laughs, "well you have your awesome best friend and your boyfriend to help you out."
Suddenly a car pulls up beside them. The windows start rolling down. The woman says, "look, Nino, it is your friends."
Nino says, nervously, "uh, my mom wants to know if you girls want a ride to school?"
Alya nodded quickly, "yes please." And she hopped into the back seat with Nino now in the middle and Chris on the other side. Marinette hops in the front seat.
Marinette thanks her properly, "We really appreciate the ride."
The girls enjoyed pleasant chatter with Nino's mother. Nearly at the school. Nino is breathing heavily. Nervous. He knows his mother could snap-could say something any minute. This car ride couldn't be over sooner.
"Oh Alya, you are a delight. Why hasn't Nino brought you by the house yet?"
Nino doesn't like where this is going. Nino quickly makes sure Chris' earbuds are in. He gives Chris a signal to make sure Chris pushes the volume is all the way up. Chris gives Nino a thumb up.
Alya thinks his mother is teasing so she plays along, "oh I don't know. We have to ask Nino. Nino, why haven't I been introduced to your parents, formally?"
Nino doesn't even have time to register the question before his mother jumps back in with, "you wanting to hide it from me, Nino?"
Marinette looked back at Alya who each exchanged a look of confusion. Nino stared out his lap, "there's nothing to hide mom." He knows where she's going with this.
"Nonsense. Why keep this Alya from me, unless you force her into things."
Alya couldn't believe her ears. She was unsure if it was a joke or not, but she says "force me?"
Nino keeps his eyes focused on his lap, "I'm not him, mom. I would never do that."
Alya picked up on Nino's discomfort, "I trust Nino, ma'am. He would never hurt me."
His mother shrugs, "you can trust me,/ dear. If he hurts you, tell me. I'll protect you."
Alya was insulted, "I just told that Nino wouldn't ever hurt me."
His mother pulled in front of the school. "He will. He has bad genes."
Alya wanted to continue the discussion, but Nino says "thanks for the ride mom."
Nino gestured for Alya to get out. She reluctantly did Follow Marinette out of the vehicle. Once Nino exits before he can close the door, his mother says, "your lucky to be alive."
"I know that, thank you."
His mother continued, "don't make me regret it. Let me find out you hurt that girl." She left the threat hanging in the air.
Nino shut the door. His mother took off right away. Not waiting for another second. Nino was afraid to face Marinette and Alya.
Alya was the first to speak up, "what the heck was that? Why would she...? Did you hurt someone before?"
Nino spun around to face her. He was mad at the accusation. He's mad whenever his mother makes him feel this way. But he could yell at Alya and Alya won't hit him. "I would never hurt anyone."
Alya says, "Hey, I trust you. You never hurt me and I know you never will, but why would your mother accuse you of something like that?"
Nino doesn't say anything.
After a few moments pass, Marinette says softly, "Nino?"
Nino sighs, "it's not a big deal. She just wants to make sure I don't end up like him."
Marinette asks, "like who?"
Nino finally admits, "I'm a product of rape."
Alya understood, "she kept you?" Nino nods. Alya glares, "but blames you for it? That's not right. That's awful."
Nino holds his hands up, "it's not her fault. Please don't blame her."
Marinette places a hand on his shoulder, "it sounds abusive, Nino."
Nino shakes his head, "no. What Adrien's father did to him was abusive. What he's going through now is abuse. My mother making sure I don't end up like him is not abuse."
Alya wrapped her arms around Nino. He was slow to accept, but then wrapped his arms around her. Alya gives Nino a kiss on the cheek. "I wish you told me about this. But I know now. You are not alone anymore. And I want you to talk to me if it ever becomes too much."
Nino smiles, "your the best."
Marinette offers, "and I'm here for you too."
Nino says, "you should tell Adrien how you feel about him."
Marinette panics, "what, who, me? I couldn't."
Alya agrees, "I think Nino's right."
Marinette tilts her head, "now? I could never be that selfish to him."
Nino shakes his head, "he deserves to know. Maybe you could be there for him in ways you can't as just a friend."
Krissy followed the boy down the corridor. As they got closer to the spot he was leading her to, she could hear shouting. The voices all mushed together making it hard for the translator to pick up the distinction.
"What are the shouting."
He looked unsure. He doesn't want to repeat it. Not now.
Krissy orders, "tell me."
He says, "they're shouting crude remarks towards Monarch's son."
Krissy asks, "Adrien is in there?" And she starts running. As fast as she can. She ran. She barged right into the room. She nearly gasped when she saw what was happening on the other side of the door. A bunch of kids. Circled around her nephew and another brat. Her nephew had his arms tied behind his back. She couldn't tell what that punk had planned, but it was over now.
"Hey, motherfucker!"
Everyone faced her. Even Adrien forced his head up to see who called that out.
She shouts, "out of my damn way!" No one moved just yet. So she shouts, "Now!"
And a few kids moved out of her way so she can enter the circle. Before she was able to approach Adrien, the one in the middle of the circle stepped in her way, "excuse you, but we are busy here teaching Baby Moth a lesson."
Krissy folds her hands as if she were praying and places them on her lips. Thinking. She talks with her hands, so once she figured out what she was willing to say, she says "if you don't get the fuck outs my way, imma give Baby Moth a lesson on ass-whooping." Then she looked at Adrien, "clearly needs one."
The boy was smug, "you can't hit me."
Krissy agrees, "right, but I don't gots to hit you to beat yo' ass. Get out of my way while you figure that one out." She made her way around the boy. She bent down behind Adrien (on his knees) to untie the- shoelaces. "You okay?"
Adrien nods, "I'm fine." When Krissy finally got the shoelaces untied Adrien thanked her, (bringing his arms around himself to rub his wrist), "thank you."
Krissy helped him to his feet. She leads him out of the room, but before she leaves, she tells the boy that helped her, "my offer stands. Thanks for the help."
He was surprised but smiled.
Once down the corridor Krissy lightly punches his arm, "Imma really need to teach you a thing or two before I bring you to the hood."
Adrien looked at her, "what?"
Krissy says, "you know the hood. The ghetto. Where the po'r folk lives."
Adrien says, "your accent is interesting."
Krissy says, "thanks. I is from New York. Greatest place to be! Ever!"
Adrien says, "um, thank you for the help. I... My name is Adrien."
Krissy giggles, "I know that. I'm your Aunt, kid. Krissy. I'm here to take custody of you. Get you out of this shit box."
Adrien was confused, "no your not. My aunt lives in England."
Krissy explains, "I'm your father's sister. Natalie invited me here to take custody of you and your father signed the paper. I'm your legal guardian."
"My father doesn't have a sister."
Krissy scoffs, "what, he tells you, mom and dad, dead too?"
Adrian asks, "they aren't?"
Krissy gasps, "that piece of shit. He really killed off mom and dad. A'ight. No, they ain't dead. They live at my house. In New York. The US where your father was born as Gabriel Jordan."
Adrien couldn't believe what he was hearing, "my father is french. Born in Bourgogne."
Krissy laughs, "he was born in Nayak New York. He grew up in the city. This french BS is exactly that, bullshit."
Adrien asks, "your taking me to America?"
Krissy says, "Well, that's where I live. I don't gots money to stay here in Paris. But I'll understand if you want to stay. I'll renounce my guardianship and you can stay here."
Adrien's eyes widen, "no please get me out of here. Please."
Krissy smiles. She wraps an arm around his shoulders, "relax. Let's get out of here."
As they walked past the front desk, Adrien felt the angry glares directed toward him. He grabs ahold of Krissy's hand. Once outside, Krissy looks over his bruises. She decides, "just some bruising it looks like." The asks, "you seeing double, kid?"
Adrien says, "I don't think so." Then asks, "when are we leaving?"
Krissy says, "Well depends. You have a passport?"
Adrien admits, "not on me. I left it at the mansion."
Krissy says, "okay so let's go get your passport first, and then we'll head over to the airport to check out when the next plane leaves for home."
Adrien says, "okay, but before we leave I need to get something back from one of my friends."
Krissy smiles, "okay. Yeah. So let's swing by the mansion and then we'll go hunt down this friend of yours."
Krissy notices Adrien stopped walking. She walked back towards him, "you okay?"
Adrien shakes his head, "no. No, I'm not. My father lied to me my whole life and now everyone in the city hates me."
Krissy says, "I don't get your father's motives for anything he's ever done, but I love you kiddo. I'm sure he loved you too."
"He turned everyone against me."
Krissy laughs, "no. He turned everyone against himself. These dumb-ass sheep are pissed and wanted to cause someone some pain."
Adrien says, "I didn't know. I didn't help him."
Krissy says, "well, I know. Anyone with half a brain can figure that out. Now listen, the states will be different. Really different." Krissy then adds, "listen, you should know. It's not going to be what you are used to. I don't have a lot of money. My house is small and I have a lot of people living there."
Adrien smiles, "sounds cozy."
Krissy, with a shrug, smiles, "extremely."
"The mansion is this way."
Krissy followed Adrien, "so, uh how are grades?"
Adrien was confused by the question. "I never received a grade lower than an A-minus." Adrien was hoping she was more understanding than his father. He quickly adds, "but it was just one time. And I brought it up since then."
Krissy ruffles his hair, "that's awesome. You got me beat. I could never get my math grade up higher than a B and then I graduate and not only find out that we gots calculators ever where we go" she holds her phone up for emphasis, "but we also only need basic math and if you don't know the formula you can look that shit up too cause you gots a computer everywhere you go too." Again she points at her phone."
Adrien chuckles. "math is my favorite subject."
Krissy giggles, "history was mine." Then she asks, "you have a favorite sport?"
Adrien says, "I'm a fencer."
Krissy snorts, "the fake sword-fighting thing? Nah, I mean like football, soccer, or my favorite Baseball. Tennis maybe? Ooo I loved dodgeball in school. I use to feel like a superhero on the court."
Adrien giggles, but shakes his head, "I don't know much about any of those sports."
Krissy scoffs, "we's need to get you on a field asap when we gets back." Again Adrien is silent so Krissy asks, "you have a pet?"
Adrien says, "father says pets are messy and unnecessary."
Krissy couldn't believe her ears, "messy sure. But they are forever babies. unnecessary? They are very needed to complete any family. Do you like cats and dogs?"
Adrien says, "I always wanted a hamster."
Krissy giggles, "okay I'll get you a hampster."
Adrien was excited, "really? A real hamster?"
Krissy snorts, "yes, but it's your job to keep the cats and dogs from eating the little guy."
Adrien asks, "cats? And dogs? Plural?"
Krissy nods. "I think a hamster will make a nice addition to the family." Krissy says, "your almost sixteen, right?"
Adrien nods.
"Almost license time."
Adrien says, "I have my restricted license. But father never lets me use."
Krissy says, "like a permit?"
Adrien says, "uh yeah that's what it would be I guess."
Krissy says, "great. When we get back to the US, I'll take you out in my car. We'll see what you got. Maybe sign you up for a road test to get your license."
Adrien tilts his head, "you have to be 18 before you can drive unrestricted. Unsupervised."
Krissy says, "wow, is that what it is here? This country is liberal with alcohol but hardcore on driving age? But anyway in the states, most of them anyway. You get a permit at 16 and need it for six months before you can schedule a road test and you need this thing called a five-hour course. Then you'll have a junior license. You'll still be able to run errands for me." She smirks. Adrian chuckles. Krissy continued "I think you just gotta be home by 9 if I remember correctly unless you're leaving work or with an adult driver with your junior license. But at 18 you are automatically given an unrestricted license."
"You'd let me drive by myself?"
"As long as you can drive."
Adrien was a little excited, "I've never been to a store. Like a grocery store. Father never taught me much..."
Krissy says "I'll teach you whatever you want to know."
Adrien says, "I want to learn how to shop for groceries."
Krissy laughs, "you got it. But it's different than a rich person's shopping experience anyway."
Adrien tilts his head, "I don't understand what you mean."
Krissy explains, "well if you got the money you can go through a store and get everything on your list, see something you want, get that too. When you don't gots no damn money, you have to organize your list by necessity and you cannot stray until everything on your list is hit. And You have to calculate each item you purchase with the sales tax and continuously add up everything. Once you close in on the magic number you have, you need to stop."
Adrien smiles, "sounds like a fun way to shop."
Krissy chuckles, "oh no. It's the most stressful experience you can imagine."
At the Mansion, they were greeted by what felt like hundreds of officers.
Krissy says, "wait here Adrien, let me find out what they are doing."
Adrien complied. Krissy approached the officer who looked like he was in charge. "Excuse me, sir."
He turned to face her, "restricted property ma'am. Please step back."
Krissy says, "no, I'm Gabriel Agreste's sister. I'm taking custody of his son. I just need to grab Adren's passport so we can go back to my house in the United States."
The officer says, "the passport is confiscated. Adrien Agreste isn't permitted to leave until after the investigation is complete. He must remain in the city bounds."
Finally got these two together. Almost ready to end this. Please R&R!
