Chapter 6
Friends
"Leni? You ok?" Marinette asked.
Adrien wasn't sure what it was. The change in tone, the softness of Marinette's voice, but he was suddenly seeing only blue.
A blue sky. Bluish clouds. A silhouetted figure. Blue eyes and an achingly familiar voice, telling two five-year-olds to say their goodbyes.
"No way." Adrien breathed.
Now that he had the memory to go off, the similarity was striking.
That pale blonde hair, like wisps of precious metal curling around her face, those fathomless blue eyes that could only be compared to the night sky in its transiting time; after dusk, but before dark.
Celine was having a similar revelation.
That blonde hair hadn't been quite so perfectly styled, and his smile had been a lot less restrained. But his eyes still held that green spark of mischief, and his build hadn't changed quite so drastically since she'd last seen him.
"Dre." Celine murmured,
and that name, from her lips, was like a spell taking him back in time.
-o-
As a five-year-old, Adrien remembered his mother and father taking him on their holiday to Germany.
How they'd met up with some old family friends, and he'd first been introduced to Celine.
Back then she'd been a shy little dwarf, hiding behind her mother's legs when they'd first been introduced.
It only took a few minutes for them to become friends, and soon they were racing about the park, tumbling over one another in their haste to catch a falling leaf or a diving bird.
Their eyes sparkling with the simple joys of their childhood dreams and fantasies.
When they'd had to say goodbye it'd been sad, but Celine had simply slapped his cheeks and said,
"See you next time Dre!"
Smiling in that innocent manner of hers, and he'd called her "Leni".
...
The next time they saw each other, Celine and her parents had come to visit him and his family, in Paris.
The two eight-year-olds had retained the memories of their past rather well, and were both more than happy to participate in Gabriel's next photoshoot together.
They kept their old nicknames too, and exchanged addresses this time, becoming pen pals over the boarder that separated their two homes.
Lena, Celine's mother, and Emilie, Adrien's mother, were childhood friends as well.
They managed to keep their friendship alive by sending each other letters, which was how Celine and Adrien came up with the idea.
-o-
"I'm sorry, WHAT, exactly, are we missing here?" Alya asks, waiting for the two teens to break out of their respective reveries.
"Uh… I guess we're, childhood friends?" Adrien said, uncertainly.
"letter friends?" Celine threw in at the same time.
They shared a look, and bursts out laughing.
Seeing three confused expressions, Celine reigning in her laughter, and began to explain.
"You see, his family, and my family, are really close friends. So, we got to know each other through our parents…" Celine begins, though Adrien is quick to cut in.
"Problem was, we lived in different countries. So, we've only seen each other a couple of times; We wrote to each other whenever we could, but, life got busier, and…"
"Things changed." Celine tacked on, her smile tinged by a tiny bit of bitterness, though for different reasons than most would assume.
"I did keep your letters." She said, turning to Adrien with a bright smile, the memories of their childhood slowly coming back.
Adrien beamed at her, not getting the chance to comment.
"… and you've already made another friend." Marinette murmured, genuinely happy for Celine, though quietly panicking.
"Well, as much as I'm sure you two would love to catch up, this is only FIRST break, and I, for one, am starving." Alya interjects, seeing that this conversation wasn't really headed anywhere specific.
"I guess getting some food is a pretty good idea." Celine laughed, and they all made their way into the courtyard, chatting as they walked.
"I'd be free after school today?" Celine offered hopefully, though Adrien's expression gave her all the answer she needed.
"Guess not."
Adrien looked up, stunned at how quickly she'd picked up on the miniscule changes in his body language.
"Sorry. My schedule's gotten busier since the last time we saw each other." Adrien sighed, surprised to hear it duplicated.
"Understandable… I mean, mine has as well." Celine offered him a small smile, trying to lighten the mood a little.
"So, what does your week usually entail?" She asked, and Adrien decided to answer her truthfully.
"Well, I've got Chinese after school today;
Tomorrow is piano practise;
Wednesdays, basketball training;
Thursdays and Sundays are my usually photoshoot days.
Friday is fencing, and Saturdays are Karate classes." He finishes with a sheepish grin.
"Yeesh. Your schedule's no more lax than mine!"
Adrien looks up at her in shock.
He hadn't thought Celine would have to do as much as him.
"Mondays are usually my day off;
Tuesdays I have piano practise too;
Wednesdays is basketball training;
Thursdays Chinese;
Friday Gymnastics;
Saturday self-defence, followed by Karate; and I get Sundays off too.
Although, I usually practise gymnastics then."
Adrien could only gape at her.
...Marinette would have too, but she was trying not to be caught eavesdropping.
"What? You think I'd have it easier?"
He obviously had, since his reaction was very much genuine.
"You know, I could come over after school, and we could see if Shīfu Lúwêi would be willing to double up the lessons?" Celine suggested.
Adrien considered it.
It would be nice to have someone else to practise with, and, once his father recognised Celine, he was sure to give his permission.
His mind made up, Adrien agreed.
"Sounds good. Should I take you, or...?" He trailed off at her somehow, pained, expression.
"Oh. They've got you under surveillance too?"
Celine had suspected that Adrien had a bodyguard, but having it confirmed was a whole other level of shock.
"Yeah. I could call in, but Timeo would have to accompany me either way or. So, I guess we'll just tail you?"
Adrien had a much better idea.
"Nah, Gerard would find that suspicious, just tell, Timeo was it, to take you by the Agreste Mansion. I'll make sure we're expecting you a few minutes after I get there."
Celine smiled, liking Adrien's idea a lot more.
"Sounds like a plan."
They caught up to Alya, Nino and Marinette once that was settled.
"You dudes get caught up?" Nino asks, point blunt.
Celine and Adrien share a look.
"Not quite, but we'll have plenty of time to do so this afternoon." Adrien answers him.
"Anyway, Kim just challenged Alix to another race."
The reactions to Alya's statement were, varied.
Celine noted how Marinette seemed to pale a few shades, and Adrien adopted a rather thoughtful expression.
Odd.
"Don't worry, she's left her father's pocket watch at home and she swears to play fair." Alya elaborates, which seems to ease the sudden tension.
"…Can I race too?" Celine asks, just as they reach the courtyard, and EVERY ONE of her new classmates set their eyes on her.
"course you can Blondie!"
Comes a confident call from the track.
"Just don't take the loss too hard."
Kim says, jogging up to the small group and placing a casual hand on Celine's head.
"Loss? I don't make bets I can't win Brownie." Celine says, adopting a cocky attitude that has a whole lot of eyes widening as she twists to look up at her boastful classmate.
"Great. So, it's a one-on-one-on-one." Alix says, stepping out from behind Kim.
"What's the bet?" Celine asks, stepping out from under Kim's hand in one smooth motion.
"Well, with some acceptable adjustments…" Max starts, calculating the changes another participant would incur on the bet.
"Losers have to do one thing that the winner asks of them." Kim says, squashing Max under his brawny arm.
Celine's smile turns competitive.
"You're on."
After a quick briefing on the track, just one round of the courtyard, and having everyone lined up on the starting, and side, line, the race began.
"Ready?
Set.
Go!"
Celine shot off like a bullet from a gun.
Ignoring her classmate's cheers, and competitor's whereabouts.
One foot flew in front of the other, and the track blurred beneath her feet.
She'd taken off her shoes, finding it easier to run barefoot, than in flats.
Here and there she caught glimpses of Kim and Alix trying to catch up to her.
Up ahead someone obviously hadn't been informed of the race.
Seeing the three oncoming students racing toward him, the student was so shocked that he tripped, and fell right into Celine's way!
'Not this time.' Celine thinks, eyes narrowing as she concentrates on her next manoeuvre.
"I bet Celine." Adrien murmurs, so quietly, that only Max and Marinette hear him.
Deciding to put her forward momentum to good use, Celine makes a dive over the fallen form, only to perform a long-distance handspring, having to resist the urge to stick her landing as she continues her sprint toward the goal.
A pair of desert brown eyes following her like a warm breeze.
"…and the winner is, Celine!" Max announces, and her classmates cheer.
"How the HELL are you so fast?" Kim asks, causing Alix to smirk, in spite of her loss.
"I have a busy schedule." Celine answers with a shrug, sending Adrien a wink at the inside joke.
Adrien drops his head to hide the full-blown grin her action brought to his face.
Once the excitement of her win settled down, and Celine had decreed that Alix had to treat Kim to an Ice-cream, and Kim had to live with whatever nickname Alix came up with for him, Celine went back to her new friend group.
"So, anything to talk about while I scull my snacks?" She asks, slipping her shoes back on, and downing a muesli-bar in seconds.
"Noo… Yes!" Marinette says, quickly changing her answer when she catches sight of the approaching figure.
"Come to the bathroom with me for a bit?" Marinette manages to bite out in a rush, her frantic words making Celine agree without question.
-o-
"…What was all that about?" Adrien asks, and Alya just rolls her eyes, making a vague sort of head jerking gesture.
Adrien cranes his neck to look over her shoulder, easily catching sight of his newer classmate, Léo, coming toward them.
"Still?" He questions, well aware of Marinette's terse relationship with the flirtatious circus teen.
"Some people just aren't meant to get along." Alya says with a shrug, just as clueless as to why Marinette didn't like Léo as Adrien was.
-o-
"Ok, so, what are we doing here?" Celine asks a somewhat flustered Marinette.
"Well, uh, you see, it's, um…"
Celine takes Marinette by the shoulders, gently forcing her friend to look at her.
"Mari. What's wrong?" She asks, her voice soft but still straight to the point.
Marinette seems to slump in on herself a little.
She sighs before responding.
"Thanks. I needed that; Anyway, we have a classmate, just transferred last semester, his name's Léo. He's a HUGE flirt, and he and I don't ALWAYS get along. So, I figured I'd warn you beforehand." Marinette finishes, gland that Celine could be so point blunt at times.
"Ok."
Celine shrugs, not really seeing it as a big deal.
Marinette's jaw drops.
"Ok? Ok! It is NOT ok! That guy is shameless, unnervingly similar to a certain Chat I happen to know, and about as flippant as a spinning coin!" Marinette rants, causing Celine to burst out laughing.
"Seriously?!" She asks between giggles, though it didn't really sound like a question.
"Relax Mari. There's no way a transfer student from last semester could be Chat Noir…"
She made her voice sterner upon seeing Marinette about to retort.
"AND, even if the similarities annoy you, that seems a rather bias way to treat a new student. Especially considering you've been so open and accepting with me. Give the guy a chance, and, if he stays the flippant flirt, I can handle myself." Celine says with a smile and a wink, leaving Marinette alone in the bathroom…
More or less.
-o-
"She's right you know." Tikki says softly, phasing out of Marinette's purse to float by her chosen's side.
Marinette sighed.
"I know. It's just, confusing, I guess."
Tikki floated closer, petting Marinette's check in a reassuring manner.
She knew well enough that Marinette was slowly starting to fall for Chat.
He'd been visiting her regularly, and her feelings were starting to confuse the young heroine.
Tikki sighed.
Humans always made things more complicated than they needed to be.
If they'd just reveal themselves, their unresolved feelings would sort themselves out perfectly.
Tikki could sense Plagg near Adrien most every day.
The miraculous magic prevented her from telling Marinette about it though…
It also prevented her from telling Marinette who Scaale's new Yiang was.
And Tikki was still giddy with joy that he'd FINALLY had the sense to partner with a female.
"Let's get to class Marinette, the bell's going to go soon." Tikki says, phasing back into Marinette's purse in a quick flash of red and silver sparkles.
-o-
Celine was nervous.
Oh, she could handle herself just fine.
THAT wasn't the issue.
The issue was that she was still very much new to the whole friend-making thing, and, despite it only being her first day, she was putting a lot of pressure on herself to be liked.
So much so, that her act had slipped on multiple occasions already.
She couldn't be seen as an over-confident bet junkie, though really, she was just self-confident and enjoyed a bit of a challenge, when her every word and action would reflect back on her uncle.
Not to mention her manners!
She couldn't go laughing at every little thing that she found funny, or else she'd be viewed as a try-hard, or worse, someone who wasn't serious.
The smiles and polite text exchanges were fine, but everything else…
"Oh, Scaale."
Her quiet whine had the Kwami phasing onto her shoulder in an instant, offering her a comforting pat.
He could tell how stressed she was, how seriously she viewed the importance of her image, even though things could be so much simpler if she were just herself.
The Kwami shook his head, knowing he couldn't very well tell her his thoughts here, and he phased back into Celine's bag.
Celine wasn't watching where she was going, taking the directions to her third period room from memory, and making one more turn, only to smack into someone and find herself stumbling back a few paces.
"Whoa, whoa, easy there speedster."
Celine hears someone say, just as a hand draws her wrist upward.
Oh, she'd almost fallen over and he'd caught her before she could hit the ground.
"My apologies, I wasn't really paying attention." Celine says, giving her head a quick shake before looking up at her saviour with a grateful smile.
Blue clashes with gold and for a second Celine is reminded of a warm breeze caressing the leaves of an autumn forest.
The two break out of their reverie when the warning bell blares to life next to them.
The noise so loud, Celine's saviour releases her wrist on instinct, offers the somewhat startled girl a wink and a smile and dashes off to his own class.
Celine gives herself another little shake and does the same.
Walking in to math, only to find her earlier helper in her seat.
Celine gives a quick greeting to her classmates, and makes her way to her desk.
Before she can say anything, he sees her and calls out.
"Hey speedy, didn't know we had math together?"
There was a rare charm to his voice, but Celine knew a farce when she heard one.
"What're you doing in my seat?"
For a second, she saw his eyes widen, but then his sparkling mischief was back.
"Well, as far as I'm aware, this is my seat, though I might give it up if you ask nicely."
Celine's mien didn't waver.
"And as far as I know, this is now my seat, and you get to sit with your friends, there." She replies coolly, rapping her knuckles on each desk at its mention.
"What do you know, a beauty with personality. Alright then, the seat's yours…"
Celine's self-satisfied smile was irrepressible, though her lips quickly set back into a thin line at the cool kid's next words.
"… So long as you agree to go out with me."
The eye-roll at those words was also irrepressible.
"Creative, if rather cliché, but my answer is no."
He was about to retort, she knew, but luck seemed to be on her side, since Madame Bustier decided to walk into her classroom at that very moment.
Only then did Celine realise how quiet it'd gotten.
Teenagers really loved their gossip column, didn't they?
"I didn't realise I was reliving last semester, Léo. You're now sitting with Kim and Max, so,
would you be so kind as to vacate Celine's seat?"
Léo, as Celine now knew his name to be, set his charming smile on his teacher, and quickly moved his things.
"Of course, Madame." He said, once he was seated correctly.
Celine slid into her own seat quite gracefully, happy to have won that little verbal match, even if by default.
Despite having been absorbed in her argument, Celine had noted Leo's appearance.
Flirtatious eyes of golden-hazel set in a tanned face and framed by strands of varying brown shades and a few black streaks in his hair.
He had a rather broad build, his arms were roped with muscle and she knew, from running into it, how hard his chest was…
Her checks flamed when she realised what direction her thoughts were running in.
She refocused on her work, annoyed that his charm had managed to distract her at all.
The rest of the double period flew past, and Celine gave a slight jolt at the sudden noise of the school when the lunch bell rang.
Wishing Alix bon appétit, Celine then quickly made her way over to Marinette's desk.
"Hey, so, what're you all having for lunch?" Celine asked, Alya and Nino immediately chiming that they'd be eating at the Dupain-Cheng Bakery.
"Where else girl?" Alya complimented with a smile.
"Yeah, that food is SO good, dudette. You should come." Nino offered.
Celine was eager to go to lunch with all of them, but Adrien's smile had turned a little sad as everyone spoke about going to eat together.
"Well, what about Adrien?"
Said blonde shook his head with a sad laugh.
"Diet. My agent insists, so that I keep the same figure for the next season release." Adrien elaborates.
"and how does your father expect you to grow if you don't eat?" Alya interjects, her hands on her hips, and the most intimidating look she could muster on her face.
She'd never been happy about Adrien's need to be treated like some porcelain doll, to be primped and prettified for his father's advertising needs.
"Yeah, you could blow them off this one time dude." Nino pips up, a little ray of hope brightening his eyes.
"You're certainly welcome to eat with us A-adrien." Marinette says shyly, getting herself a soft smile from Adrien, and a proud nudge in the ribs from Alya.
Celine wanted to add something as well, but didn't get the chance.
The classroom door burst open, and in strolled two hulking mass bodyguards.
"Mademoiselle Doux."
"Young Master."
Timeo and Gerard say, greeting their charges in a perfectly monotonous tone.
The fretting figure of Mr Damocles only just visible behind them.
Adrien sighed, while Celine assumed an appropriate expression of confusion.
"Another short notice photoshoot, Mr Damocles?" Adrien asks, forcing his voice into a state of almost zero emotion.
The Principal nods his head in confirmation.
"Your father requires both your, and Mademoiselle Doux's presence immediately. You have both been excused from last period for the day."
His tone changes as he turns to look at the others in the room.
"You will ensure they receive any work they miss, won't you Class President." Mr Damocles asks, leaving the room the instant Marinette nods her agreement.
"See you tomorrow guys." Adrien says, his defeat only visible in his eyes, while his friend's expressions turn pained.
"Tell me what I miss in music Mari." Celine calls over her shoulder her voice painfully plain, but the smile she sends over her shoulder is genuine, if a little bit tired.
The two teens share a limo over to the Agreste Mansion.
"Sorry you got dragged into this." Adrien whispers over to Celine.
They were sitting next to each other while both bodyguards occupied the front seats.
"Why are you apologising? You didn't know you'd be escorted home earlier today, let alone that I would be too, or that you'd finally be invited out by all three of your friends on the same day that you would have to turn them down."
Adrien's head snaps up at that comment, amazed at the sad, far-off look Celine sports.
"What?" She says softly, turning her gaze completely to face him.
"I'm no blind person, Dre, and even if I was, I would've seen you. What you wanted, but couldn't bring yourself to say. We've had an incredibly similar upbringing so far, there are a number of things I understand, probably better than most." She explains. Her eyes growing sadder with every word, but the truth resonates in Adrien's heart, clear as crystal.
"Thanks, Leni."
The teens manage to share a quick smile before smoothing over their facades as the limo door is opened, and they're both escorted to Monsieur Agreste's office.
Celine was familiar with the Agreste Mansion, she had visited it on numerous occasions, after all.
The whole place seemed a little, cold, she supposed was the best word to use.
As though there was something vital missing in the household.
Mr. Agreste's office was mostly bare, though she could clearly see the picture of Emilie Agreste, Gabriel Agreste's wife, sitting next to his desktop.
The familiar object made her smile in sweet reminiscence.
"Good afternoon, Father."
The smile fell from her lips like an anchor to the sea floor.
Adrien's voice was almost emotionless. Plain, distant, and carefully controlled.
'What the hell?!'
Celine could only think silently, watching as Gabriel ordered his son to wait in his room, the bodyguards leaving Celine alone with the millionaire fashion designer.
"Good afternoon Mr. Agreste." Celine said, letting a bit of warmth seep into her tone.
She had just seen the man a year ago, and though he'd said that Emilie had been on a business trip, and Adrien away at an overseas photoshoot, at the time of her surprise visit, there was something... odd, about him.
"Good afternoon Celine. I trust your passage to Paris was a pleasant one?" Gabriel asked.
Celine knew he'd never really been one to express his emotions openly, though the exception to that personality trait was his darling wife.
"Yes, indeed. There was a little bit of an… incident, in the train, but I otherwise managed to arrive safely, with only a slight delay." Celine answered honestly, noticing that Gabriel's expression did not waver.
"I suppose you cannot expect too much from public transport." Gabriel finally said, and when Celine decided to remain silent, awaiting the reason why she was here, he continued.
"I apologise for pulling you out of school so suddenly. But there were a few things that I wished to discuss with you." He was looking directly at her now, waving her into a seat on the opposite side of his desk, as he continued his speech.
Celine took the offered seat without a word, folding her hands in a nervous habit that didn't go unnoticed.
"I tried speaking to André about this, but he was adamant that IF I were to know anything, it would have to come from you."
Gabriel took a quick breath, seating himself opposite the confused girl.
"Where are your parents, Celine?"
He noted her reaction carefully.
Her stiffened spine, the immediate shine her eyes gained, the tightening of her clasped hands, the twitch of her jaw as her lips were pressed into a thin line, the shiver that seemed to race down her body of its own accord.
It was understandable that Gabriel was more than a little shocked when he actually got a response from the teen.
"If I tell you, do you promise not to tell anyone else until the timer runs out?"
His answer was instantaneous.
"Of course."
He was amazed at the strength of such a young girl, and couldn't control the shocked expression from overtaking his face, when Celine told him.
"My father died in a car accident just over two months ago…"
Gabriel was about to offer his condolences, when the child continued.
"…and my mother followed him just last month."
Mr. Agreste found himself arrested by the pain he could see in Celine's eyes, when she finally raised her gaze to meet his.
Her eyes were watery, a few stray tears escaping her eyes, and the PAIN, the absolute ANGUISH he could see there.
It honestly had him questioning a whole array of things.
"My condolences." He finally managed, his voice a little gruff.
"I doubt you could've saved them." Celine says, offering a trying smile as she raised her shoulders helplessly.
Gabriel let out a shaky sigh, knowing the child was right.
"Of course. But I offer you my support, anyway."
Celine thanked him, informing him of the month she'd been given to recuperate, before the event became a media craze.
Taking another breath, after confirming his promise to remain quiet, Mr. Agreste finally brought himself to address a different topic.
"Now. I'm sorry to ask this of you, when you are obviously still grieving."
Celine offered an understanding smile, taking a tissue out of her bag to dry her eyes, and trying her best to look professional.
"I was hoping to hire you to work alongside Adrien for next season's fashion line-up. I remember how well you two worked together a few years back, and your looks do complement one another. You would, of course, be paid the usual student salary; All travel expenses would be covered by the company, and I'm sure Adrien could use a friend in his work environment. That is, IF, you agree?"
Celine could only chuckle as she shook her head.
"Always such a businessman Mr. Agreste. I would be honoured to accept your request, so long as I am given ample warning before the next shoot, and have a dietitian proof my calorie intake so that I meet all the requirements for a female model… Oh, and all finer details will have to be discussed with my legal guardian, but I doubt you'll have much of a problem getting an appointment with the mayor."
Gabriel only just caught his smirk… and she called HIM the businessman.
"Other than that, I do request that the contract be a silent one…"
Mr. Agreste nodded his agreement, awaiting her next question.
"and I have one more question."
Gabriel immediately took note of the more serious tone underlying her voice.
"and that would be?" He prompted, already knowing he wasn't going to like it.
"Where's Emilie?"
It was Celine's turn to observe Gabriel's reaction, no matter how subtle it was.
The twitch of his jaw muscle, how his eyes seemed to darken as he struggled to keep his emotions hidden, the slight tightening of his hands as they remained clasped before him, and the eventual sigh of defeat as he finally relented under her piercing gaze.
"Very well. I will inform you of my family's circumstances, but you must promise me not to breath a word of this to ANYONE, least of all Chloé or Adrien."
Though Celine's eyes took on a slightly confused look, she gave her word.
"Whatever you say will not leave this room Mr. Agreste." Celine promised, her head cocked slightly to the side as her intrigue grew.
Gabriel merely sighed before saying what he had told no-one in three years.
"Emilie Agreste disappeared about a year before you had your internship with me. I told you she was away on a business trip, and balanced the lie with a truth when I told you Adrien was away at a photoshoot in Italy that year."
Celine's eyes grew troubled as Gabriel continued to speak.
"Her disappearance went from one day to the next. She left all her belongings, and took only her phone and wallet. She even left her passport here. I searched for her, for YEARS. Informing the police, travelling to various sights that I knew were special to her… but to no avail; She's been missing for just over three years now." Gabriel finished.
Drawing a few breaths to regain his composure.
Celine noted the unspoken message though.
A person missing for more than three years was always presumed dead, after five years their existence was wiped from all records.
The teen was confused though.
"So, you have no idea where she is?"
Gabriel only shook his head, he knew he was being petty.
Letting a child, of all people, know a family secret that even some of his closest friends didn't know. But then, this was the child of his wife's best friend.
There was an odd bit of irony, if not comfort, in that fact.
"How very peculiar."
He heard Celine murmur, which immediately caused his head to snap up and look at the girl.
He scoffed quietly.
"Yes, it's not very like her, I agree, but the facts speak for themselves, in this case." Gabriel said with a sigh, Celine's eyes softening at how tired he suddenly looked.
"Well. Do remember your promise to me young mademoiselle, I will be in contact with André, and you, about the details of your first shoot shortly."
It was a clear indication to leave, but Celine still had a few things to say.
"Very well Mr. Agreste. Before I go though, I do have one, small request."
Gabriel stood in sync with Celine, giving her a look that implored her to continue.
"I was hoping to match my schedule to Adrien's, I think it would benefit our academic achievements indefinitely, and even improve some of our more refined skills."
Gabriel didn't need any more reasons than that.
"I shall make a note of it, tell Natalie to make all changes that suit you and Adrien as soon as you decide upon them."
Celine nodded, waiting for Mr. Agreste to hand her the signed note he was writing for her.
Once it was safely in her hand, and Celine was almost out the door, she paused, her hand on the doorknob, but not yet opening the latch.
"and Mr. Agreste." She called over her shoulder, waiting until he looked up;
barricaded meeting breakable blue.
"My parents can't come back, but Emilie can. Just, make sure you leave the door unlocked for when she does." Celine says over her shoulder, making the embers of hope in Gabriel's heart glow a tiny bit brighter.
The next second and she's opened the door, calling Gerard to show her to Adrien's room.
Gabriel lets her words sink in a moment longer; allowing himself a fleeting smile, which causes a certain pair of steps to falter.
'There's just one problem with that plan Celine, Paris isn't a safe enough city to be able to risk leaving your doors unlocked all the time.' Gabriel thinks, the smile fading as he hardens his resolve once more.
The picture of Emilie sitting frozen on his desk.
Her smile soft, her eyes forgiving, but her hair flying about her head, free as a falcon.
'Is your freedom really worth more to you than your family?'
The lonely man thinks, laying the picture face-down as the next call rings forth, and he is forced to re-focus on his work.
-Meanwhile… Somewhere in western Europa-
'Is power still worth more to you than your family?' Emilie wonders, quietly wiping a tear away as she continues walking toward her lodgings.
Her steps falter when her phone buzzes, and her phone slips from her trembling hands as she reads the message.
Kneeling to pick up the gadget, Emilie forces herself to read to the end of the message. The crack stretching from one side of her screen to the other, an ironic take on her current situation.
She misses her family terribly, she misses her Kwami just as much, but she can feel the slow start of a shift starting to occur.
So, she steels her resolve once more, and proceeds to continue stretching her patience, even as her tears continue to fall.
'Oh, that poor child.' Emilie thinks sadly, her whole body trembling and she's unsure if she means her own son, or the child she'd almost come to see as her own daughter.
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Author's Note
dun. Dun. DUN!
So, Emilie is alive in this AU, and Gabriel is simply power-hungry... but, as is usually the case, there's more to this story than just that.
Let me know what you thought!
I'm having lots of fun writing, and I'm thrilled whenever I get a message of feedback!
The next chapter is going to a bit of fun and fluff for our two model friends, though I'm still working out the details, so, stay tuned!