The Raven in Paris
Chapter 5: The Laurents
Morning rise at Paris and a new day started. The school' bell is almost ring and Marinette is nowhere to be found. Alya, Nino and Adrien are waiting at the school gate for Marinette.
"Where is Marinette?" Nino asked.
"I don't know Nino, but if she doesn't come now she will be late" Adrien reply in concern voice.
"Nah, she will come on time" Alya said in confident.
"But how do you know" Adrien asked.
"I know her too well and I could guarantee that she will be here on time" Alya continue "Beside she is Marinette; she always knows what she is doing".
"That make sense" Nino reply.
"Yeah, let's just wait a little bit longer" Adrien continue.
As they continue to wait, Marinette are rushes to the school. She obviously overslept and got out of the house just now.
"Why didn't you tell me its 8:30 already?" Marinette running while asking.
"I told you but you were sleeping like a log Marinette" Tikki reply.
"Sorry Tikki last night was the most tired patrol that I ever have and I'm still tired" Marinette continue.
"You should hurry Mari; the school is about to started" Tikki continue.
She continues to run but she doesn't pay attention to the road and she crossed the road while the red light was on, a car running fast at her. Just in a flash someone take her hand and pull her to the side of the road. Marinette realize it's Ms. Laurent.
"Are you alright?" Ms. Laurent asked "That's reckless!"
"Sorry Ms. Laurent I wasn't payed attention to the street" Marinette reply
"It's fine, just pay more attention to what you are doing next time" Ms. Laurent said "Why aren't you at school right now?".
"I'm overslept and I forgot to set the clock. So I'm rushes to school right now" Marinette explain.
"What are you caring Ms. Laurent" Marinette notice the big backpack Ms. Laurent carried.
"It's just some study things that I have prepare for you all today" Ms. Laurent reply.
"Well you don't need to be rushes, the class only started when I arrived" Ms. Laurent continue in chill voice "Now let's get to school together".
Marinette walk along with Ms. Laurent to school and just in time before the bell ring. But at the school gate Mr. Damocles is talking the mayor Bourgeois alongside with Chloé, they seem to have an argument.
"For the last time the new teacher isn't here so you couldn't meet her" Mr. Damocles said
"I don't care I want to meet her immediately, call her here and meet me" Mr. Bourgeois said in arrogant voice "If you don't call her out her immediately, I will ban this place from teaching"
"Maybe we could make an appointment" Mr. Damocles try to reason with them.
"Uh, this is ridiculous. She must be hiding in somewhere and pray that I'm won't kick her out of the school" Chloé said in an overconfident think that she could get rid of her.
'Well where is her?" Mr. Bourgeois intimidate Mr. Damocles.
"I…I…" Mr. Damocles said in shutter voice.
"You don't need to call Mr. Principal I'm here" Ms. Laurent said from behind Mr. Bourgeois.
"Oh you are here" Mr. Damocles said.
"Yes I'm here, you can go back to the principal office now" Ms. Laurent said "I will take care this myself".
"You too Marinette get to your friend, I will be there immediately" Ms. Laurent continue.
"Yes, Ms. Laurent" Marinette nod her head and walk to her group.
"So you must be the 'father' that Chloé mention, are you not?" Ms. Laurent asked.
"And who are you?" Mr. Bourgeois reply.
"It's her daddy, that is the person that told you" Chloé said.
"You are the person that picking on my little princess" Mr. Bourgeois said.
"Picking on? Are you mistaking something here" Ms. Laurent talk with a teasing voice "The only thing I do is discipline your daughter, she is spoilt because of you"
"But why do I bother talking about that, you know what people said an apple never falls too far from the tree" Ms. Laurent continue to argue "So why you here? A mayor has to be at the city hall to do the paperwork. Not come here to argue about an anecdotage about your 'precious' little princess".
"I'm not here to argue with you about who are right or wrong, I'm here to warn you if you don't take back what you have said I will ban you from anywhere in Paris, Ms. …" Mr. Bourgeois arrogantly reply "And what is your name anyway, so I could ban anyone with your family name on it".
"Huh, the name Fiora Laurent" Ms. Laurent smirk and said in a slight despise voice.
The name is like a knife piercing through the mayor, he shivers in feared and started to sweat. He started to shake and feared could clearly been see in his eye, it's as if he just meted Death.
"OHH…OH…My pardon, Ms. Laurent sorry for the intervention" Mr. Bourgeois shutter "I will…be leaving this immediately".
"That's more like it" Ms. Laurent continue in a satisfied voice.
"But DADDY!" Chloé yelled at her father.
"BE QUIET Chloé, I don't want to risk my life for this" Mr. Bourgeois scold at Chloé "I will talk about this later".
Chloé shut her mouth in anger and walk to the class, she is disappointed at her father and continue to sulking. Ms. Laurent walk to the classes to started the classes. The classes started to ramble about what just happen.
"Look like the Chloé and her father just get roast by Ms. Laurent" Alya said.
"Yeah, Ms. Laurent doesn't seem to be back off by the power of the mayor" Nino reply
"Seem like Chloé father is very afraid of Ms. Laurent" Adrien join the talk.
"Ms. Laurent maybe has something that she hasn't told us" Marinette said.
"Ms. Laurent is a person of mystery I believe" Adrien said.
As they continue to talk, Ms. Laurent put down her backpack and unfold it. It's open in to a line of weapons, everything is handcraft from woods with extraordinary detail and precision.
"Class the last lessons we learned about classic Fencing and reflex, hope that you all have practiced. Today we will continue the lesson, but today I want you to use your weapons of choice. I have created all of these, now choose one of them and make sure it will suit your fighting style" Ms. Laurent said.
Everyone quickly come and glancing at all the weapon. They have a large variety of weapons, ranging from Asia, Europe and America.
"This seem good" Kim take a nunchaku and started to try it "Perfect, I remember I used to train with this".
"Hum…, let's see" Luka hesitated but finally selected a pair of labrys "This will be good"
"I will be taking this" Adrien quickly take a staff and test it.
They continue to choose, Kagami immediately take the katana and she look quite excite about the sword. Alya and Nino take a sword and shield, usually a pairing weapon the balanced the defend. It's like the bread and butter duo, always go along with each other.
Mostly everyone had chosen their weapon, the only two people that haven't chosen their weapon are Marinette and Cholé. Marinette is quite overwhelming by all the weapon and doesn't know what to take while Cholé on the other hand doesn't seem to care about this.
"Seem like everyone has already got their weapon" Ms. Laurent said in pleased while walking around and glancing at everyone's weapon "I see you all have a unique taste of your weapon. I could see from Asia all over to Europe, excellent"
"But what we have here?" Ms. Laurent asked "Why haven't you chose a weapon Marinette?"
"I don't really know what to choose. I'm not familiar with any weapon here" Marinette reply.
"I see" Ms. Laurent said "Marinette are you Chinese?"
"Well… my mom is" Marinette reply.
"Good" Ms. Laurent continue while taking a chain knife and give it to her "Try this, Chinese chain knife. Diverse weapon with mid to long range use"
"I don't know Ms. Laurent; this doesn't seem…" Marinette taking the chain with a little hesitate but when she has it in her hand she started to use it quite skillfully like it's her instinct "OH, this is great!"
Everyone is quite surprised at Marinette skill to be able to use this weapon, Ms. Laurent smile like she knew that she will be able to.
"WOW girl! You didn't tell me that you know martial skill" Alya surprised.
"Yeah Marinette that is some sick skill" Nino said.
"Oh it's nothing, I just swinging it around" Marinette reply.
"Good! Now does everyone have their weapon yet?" Ms. Laurent asked.
"YES" a loud reply coming from mostly everyone beside Cholé.
"Now, Cholé!" Ms. Laurent asked "Are you going to participate the class or not".
"Why should I now you even bring these stupid things here and what next real weapon?" Cholé reply in a sarcastic voice.
"Ok, let's put it this way" Ms. Laurent raised her voice "Either you participate this classes and I will pass you or you can sit there and do nothing".
"FINE!" Cholé said in an angry attitude and walk to the weapon and dragged up a big hammer.
"Now class, today we shall have one on one duel with you weapon of choices" Ms. Laurent said "Hope that everyone has practice, because today won't be as easy as the previous lessons".
"Let the duel begin, who like to take the first battle?" Ms. Laurent walk to the middle of the yard and call out to the class.
Kagami walked to the battle side and prepare her stand, again with comfident but not as the last time. Ms. Laurent give a good glance at Kagami and prepare to fight.
"Hope that you kept your promise of giving me a better challenge" Ms. Laurent said.
"I will do my best and try not hold back" Kagami reply.
"That the spirit, En garde!" Ms. Laurent said in a confident voice and prepared to fight.
They both take a good look at each other and walk around each other and they are prepared to put up a fight. Kagami take a deep breath and immediately dashes to Ms. Laurent, as expected she block it effortlessly and reflect her strike quite easily. Ms. Laurent take a look of disappoint because she was expected more.
But to her surprised, Kagami quickly take a step back and stay motionless.
"Interesting, look like you do have something up your sleeves" Ms. Laurent said in interest, she dashed instantly and aim her ruler at Kagami.
Everything seem to be over but to everyone surprised, Kagami dodge it and with a quick slash she sent Ms. Laurent 45 inches' ruler to the sky. Ms. Laurent astonishes and let out a small smile.
"You do learn from your mistake, now this is what I call a duel" She satisfied but just when Kagami think she had won and pointed her sword at Ms. Laurent. Ms. Laurent ruler fell from the sky and land right on Ms. Laurent hand.
Immediately Ms. Laurent lunge in and rapidly land several blow with the elegant movement, Kagami put up a good fight but this time Ms. Laurent see through her move and perfectly take Kagami sword and put her ruler at Kagami neck.
"It's over, but I must say I'm a little impressed, just a little. But this is a perfect example of learn from your mistake and improve, still you let the cockiness get the best of you" Ms. Laurent applause and pleased with what she has put up "Let's continue"
The next people to come to the arena is Alya, Ms. Laurent look interested and give a look at Nino. Her face clearly expressed the feeling of something isn't right, she walked up to Alya and take her shield and walk to Nino and take his sword.
"Now this is more like it" Ms. Laurent said in delight and satisfied
They still confused and don't know what does Ms. Laurent meant.
"Ms. Laurent what do you mean?" Nino asked.
"I think that you two will do better like this. Sword and shield are a pair of weapon, it's like a couples. So since you are a couple, I think this is the best way for both of you" Ms. Laurent explain.
Nino and Alya both a little blush and shy but they smile through it and prepare to fight Ms. Laurent.
"Now are you ready?" Ms. Laurent said while walk to the arena.
A lightly nod from both of them, a moment of silence. The atmosphere started to get dense, it might be quite enough to hear your heart beat.
Just like the last time Ms. Laurent started first and dashes to them, rather than dodge it Nino quickly run at her and use his shield and block it. She impressed, from behind Alya jump at her and landing her sword at her ruler.
"Not as reckless as last time, very good both of you" Ms. Laurent continue to said while both of their weapon clashed.
"Thank Ms. Laurent" Alya reply.
But just as Alya finished, Ms. Laurent face turn back to the cold face and spin her ruler and immediately swing it and disarmed her. Ms. Laurent goes in for a finishing move but right as her ruler about to reach her, Nino luckily block it in time.
"Hurry up, Alya I can't hold her too long" Nino said while continue to block Ms. Laurent attack.
"Thank Nino, you are the shield to my sword" Alya reply.
Nino perfectly block some of Ms. Laurent strike but every strike of her is like sledge hammer smashed into his shield. His hand is like breaking a part, Ms. Laurent take a last look at him and in a final blow Ms. Laurent smashed Nino shield a side and it smashed to piece.
Everyone surprised and quite shocked, luckily Nino isn't hurt.
"Nino are you alright?" Alya run to him and pull him up.
"Yeah, I'm fine" Nino reply.
"I'm sorry for a little excessive…duel, you two really improved from the last time" Ms. Laurent said "I must say you two really surprised me, you two is obviously a couples and certainly act like one. You two is like bread and butter, always go along each other. But next time leave the flirting after the battle" Ms. Laurent continue "Who next?"
The next person to continue is Luka, a talented musician. He has a wonderful ability of playing music but could he fight as good as his musical skill? May this fight answer that
"Thank you for that introduction Alex! You literally take the word out of my head" Ms. Laurent said in her sarcastic tongue
"You are talking to me Ms. Laurent?" Luka wondered about what she said.
"Oh, it's nothing now ready?" Ms. Laurent continue and brushes off the fact that she just broke the 4th wall.
"Yes" Luka reply without any suspect.
They both are wielding a weapon that is totally opposite to each other, a bulky pair of labrys and a slender long ruler that resemble a rapier.
Luka take the first move and slam his labrys at fiora try his best to knock her in one first move, but unfortunately luck doesn't smile at him this time. Ms. Laurent dodge it and doesn't seem to be surprised, she swings her sword at him and return back some hit, but Luka doesn't dodge nor block it he tanked her attack and charge in and knock her back.
"Now this is unexpected" Ms. Laurent surprised while knock up to the air.
She landed down on the ground and get back the momentum, just at that point Luka swing his axe at her hoping to end the fight immediately, but not as he expected Ms. Laurent doesn't get fool by the same trick twice. But she lunged toward him and to everyone surprised she doesn't get a single hit,
"How reckless but how unique, but is that too barbaric for you" Ms. Laurent compliments him but not before notice his weak point.
She jumps into the air and lunge down at an astounding velocity, swing her ruler at him. Luka try his best to back it up and manage to knock her away but in a faster time for a voice to be spoken she dashed at him and using her ruler to pierce through, she dashes at an extreme speed that it created a boom everyone was surprised and oblivious at the fact that she just breaks through the law of physics and broke the sonic wall.
Luka was knocked up and collapsed to the ground, his labrys was heavily damage and almost broke and for a moment there he was a little unconscious. But luckily Ms. Laurent didn't do any physical damage so he is fine, Ms. Laurent walk toward him and hold him up.
"You are amazing Ms. Laurent" Luka said.
"Not too shabby, but not your best. You know that I will be expecting more than this the next time so be prepared" Ms. Laurent reply.
A fight that was quite astounding to everyone this might be the first time Ms. Laurent almost get hit. But she continues anyway.
Ms. Laurent get quite exciting throughout the day but she started to felt a little bored at the circle so she decide to call the two people that gave her a thrill from their previous fight. Marinette and Adrien to come forth.
"Ah there you are my better students, hope both of you have improve since our last encounter" Ms. Laurent greet both of them.
"Hope you won't go easy on us" Adrien reply.
"Ha Ha Hah, I never go easy on anyone" Ms. Laurent laugh.
"Neither are we" Marinette reply.
"Excellent" Ms. Laurent said "Are we ready"
"Yes" they both reply.
A moment of quiet fill the place the bird singing the wind is howling, yet unlike last time Ms. Laurent didn't go with her usual way to begin she instead she stand still motionlessly. They both look at each other in confused, but seem like the curiosity is killing the cat and Adrien make the first move and dashed toward her and swung his staff at her.
In a split second Ms. Laurent fend off the attack with her ruler, she look directly at Adrien with a teasing look and dashes backward.
"Come on, I was expecting something more from both of you. Not a too obvious attack like that" Ms. Laurent taunted them.
"Alright it's time to get serious" Adrien started to get a little angry.
He take a second attempt and jump at her and not much different as the last time, and as act of underestimate Adrien Ms. Laurent didn't even take her ruler out to fight. This further make Adrien more angry and he immediately lunge toward her but this time he use his hand to land a blow as her, Ms. Laurent catches the hand in mid-air and point her ruler at Adrien neck.
Everyone all thought that he had lost but from nowhere a wooden knife come flying at Ms. Laurent. She immediately let Adrien go to dodge the attack.
"Are you alright Adrien" Marinette asked while continue to maneuver her chain knife to attack from distance.
"I'm fine, thank for saving me there" Adrien reply.
"No…problem, I wouldn't mind love you….Ah!…I meant save you" Marinette started to shutter.
"Uh, flank attack not my cup of tea. But not too bad" Ms. Laurent compliment.
She takes a breath and then immediately lunged at astounding speed but Marinette didn't react fast enough so she is transfixed. But luckily Adrien parried the attack in time but as Ms. Laurent turn her back. Adrien weapon started to crumble into pieces and after he drop it down his hand shaking like he is fearing something.
"Well I think it's all for today" Ms. Laurent said "But you two really improve but nothing too special, my expectation will be higher the next time we meet"
"The other that I haven't fought yet, I will let's for our next period" Ms. Laurent said.
"HEY! Have you forgotten about me? You asked me to take this hammer that is heavy as anything for the whole period and now you said it's over" Chloé angrily shout at Ms. Laurent "I will not leave if I haven't got a fight"
"Fine it won't be more than 5 seconds" Ms. Laurent taunting her.
Chloé run at Ms. Laurent and swing her hammer aimlessly in rage, Ms. Laurent effortlessly swing her ruler down and disarm her immediately and raise her ruler at Chloé neck.
"Class dismiss !" Ms. Laurent said in an ice cold voice, when she finishes her sentence the school bell immediately rang.
Everyone walk out the school gate and gather to discuss the battle they all just have, they just mostly chatting about Ms. Laurent have brought a lot of weapon.
"I was surprised when I see her bag is full of weapon" Adrien said.
"Yeah, I thought today we are just only continue with fencing" Marinette said.
"I'm quite surprised that she can brought all of thought by herself it must be roughly 200 pounds" Luka wonder.
"And not to mention that she craft all of those by hand and the detail on the weapons are outstanding" Kagami compliment Ms. Laurent handcraft weapons.
"I'm quite disappointed that I didn't get to fight her" Kim disappointed.
"You will get to fight her the next period so don't need to be disappointed about yourself" Marinette cheer Kim up.
"Yeah, I will be waiting for you Kim" Ms. Laurent said from behind them.
"AHHH" all of them surprised and shout a bit.
"What wrong? Am I that frightening?" Ms. Laurent asked.
"Kind of" Adiren reply.
"Ok, I suggest all of you go home now" Ms. Laurent said.
When they all started to walk away, Ms. Laurent walk to the art classes at the second floor. She come to the art classes and take her purse to get home, then Nathaniel come in.
"Oh, good morning Ms. Laurent" Nathaniel greet her.
"Ah, Nathaniel I was looking for you" Ms. Laurent take from her outer jacket a carve that had been broken yesterday "Here".
"*gasp*, but I thought it was broken" Nathaniel gasp in surprised and take it.
"I try to replicate it but I couldn't recreate the exacted carve, hope you like it" Ms. Laurent said
"I love it Ms. Laurent thank you so much" Nathaniel thank her and give her a hug.
"It's no big deal, little artist. I'm glad that you like it" Ms. Laurent reply.
Marinette walk home but on her way she feel something is off, she feel like she had met Ms. Laurent somewhere before but brushes off the feeling and continue to walk home.