"Well, here is your room, Reina." Dick motioned to her. The room was big and spacious. It had a huge window, too. Reina went inside the room, with Dick behind her. Alfred was holding boxes of Reina's stuff.
"Thank you, Alfred." Reina thanked and took the box from Alfred, to put it in her new wardrobe.
"You're welcome, Miss." He bowed slightly, then excused himself.
Reina awed at the sight of the room. The bed was king sized, and the space from the bed to the window can be used as her tinkering area.
"We got everything you asked for, Rene." Dick reopened the paper list that Reina gave him days ago.
"All of your room contents…. Family pictures… The box, the necklace, Rover—The robot dog and his charging bed, books… and your watch." He listed off. "I guess, all of those are here, in this box." Dick patted a box that has 'List' written in red.
"Thank you so much." She smiled. Dick then passed scissors to Reina and let her open the box. She was instantly hit by a wave of nostalgia, seeing her family pictures on the very top of the pile. Her eyes were slowly watering, then Dick patted her shoulders, and said, "Everything's gonna be okay. We're here for you." With a sad smile.
She nodded, then wiped her eyes. She set the photos aside. She founded Rover, and his charging bed.
"Where is the socket? I'm going to charge Rover." She said, carefully picking up the robot dog and his charging bed.
"Here, let me." Dick took Rover and the bed from her hands and went to find a socket.
"I should make it solar type next time…" She mumbled.
She then took all of her room contents to put it in the right places, with the help of Dick. Lastly, she put the family picture in her desk. Her room was livable now, than before.
"Here," Dick handed her two little boxes.
She opened one box and saw that it was her watch and her necklace. She put it on.
"Your tools will arrive tomorrow. You have a collection! Maybe we can borrow each others sometime?" Dick offered.
"Sure, as long as you don't break mine." She joked.
They laughed at the joke. And Reina opened the second box. It was the ran over metal parts. Her face slowly got serious and tense. She picked up one by one of the parts. She examined it all. All was broken.
"What is that?" Dick, with curiosity, asked Reina. He saw her face getting tense.
"This… is the metal parts that got ran over the day my mom died." She said.
"I… I also got ran over too." She turned around and faced him. "But turns out I'm fine. I think this has to do with mom." She lowered her face.
She thought about the accident again. Her eyes was closed, recollecting memories of the weird occurrence.
'A car was racing by, in a secluded street. Which was weird, and it was still day light. It supposed to hit me, ran over the metal, and it was suddenly gone.'
Her eyes snapped open. "I need to talk to Bruce."
oOoOoOoOoOo
"I think I passed through the car with my supposed powers!" She clicked her fingers. "But the toll… got to my mom. It's equal exchange. That's why mom got sick… because of the magic dreams I've been having. Well, this is just a theory." She strutted.
"Care to explain?" Bruce was in his detective mode.
"Yes! Since I was little… I started having dreams where this lady—Lucielle, which I call Lucy for short, visits me in my dreams, but not too often." She explained.
"So, you're a psychic?" Dick asked.
"No, but maybe…" She answered unsurely.
Silence then followed.
"Reina. Come with me." Bruce broke the silence and motioned her to follow him.
The three of them got in front of a grandfather clock.
"Bruce…"
"Don't worry Dick. I trust her as I've trusted her father." He smiled.
Trusted being in past tense. Alex isn't here anymore...
Bruce did something to the grandfather clock and it opened.
"Is that—" "A secret lair? Yeah, totally." Dick chuckled.
Bruce then went down, with Dick following after.
Reina was baffled, and followed after Dick.
oOoOoOoOoOo
"Woah…"
"Welcome to the Batcave!" Dick smirked.
"Wait—You," she pointed to Bruce. "Are Batman, and You—" then pointed to Dick, "Are Robin!?" she semi-screamed.
Dick nodded, smiling.
"That's cool!" She squealed.
"Thanks for saving me, by the way." She bowed.
"No problemo, kiddo!" Dick was still smirking.
"So I guess the secret stuff my dad made are for you? For the superhero gig?" She asked as she walked around the cave.
"Yes, Alex's inventions were the best." Bruce smiled sadly, remembering his friend who was gone.
"The Zeta-Technology too…" Reina turned around and faced Bruce.
"I'm sorry I made your dad do it, Reina." Bruce's face was filled with guilt and sorrow.
"It's okay, I understand. Everything happens for a reason." Reina patted Bruce's shoulders, with her feet tiptoe-ing. Bruce smiled.
"I'm sure he's okay with it Bruce. He died doing what he loved to do, and you got me as a reminder." She joked.
"You aren't a burden, Reina." Bruce said slowly, and Reina nodded.
There was silence as she explored the cave. Until Dick reminded her of the main reason they are here.
"Bruce, Reina said that she was hit by a car when her mom died. I'm sure we can find the car that caused all this!" He said.
"But Dick, the car didn't even hit her to damage her badly. If we want to get the driver, we need to check surveillance cameras and track the plate down." Bruce argued.
"I'm already on it. Which road did this accident happen?" Dick typed into the computer.
"Surrey Lane, probably in 5 in the afternoon." Reina told Dick, who was typing furiously.
"Got it. Let's check the video." He clicked the surveillance camera data.
"W-what! The street has people on it!" Reina choked.
"Th-This can't be…" She clutched the bridge of her nose. She re-think again.
'The car… there is something wrong with the car…' "It suddenly disappeared! No sound, no trace, except my metal parts. Come to think of it, I suddenly hear a loud car noise passing by." She closed her eyes, trying to stay calm.
Bruce thought about it for a moment before he came into a conclusion.
"I think this has to do about your powers." He said.
"I don't know much about magic. But I know somebody does.."
"Ok. I'll ask Lucy later." She nodded.
"Now, about school… I've been thinking," Bruce started.
"I've been homeschooled before, so I don't mind if you keep me doing it." She shrugged it off.
"You see, I'm thinking about putting you on Gotham Academy, with Dick." He explained.
"I'm two years older than you, but I guess I'll still be around" Dick made a crooked smile.
"But, I've learned everything up until fifth grade. Do I have to repeat the third grade?" she pouted and crossed her arms.
"Your dad asked me to let you go to school in a normal life." Bruce responded.
"… If it's his will, then I'm okay…"
"School starts next Monday, and Dick will accompany you."
"Okay."
oOoOoOoOoOo
"Based on the descriptions you've given me… I think you were in a Magic Dome." Lucielle was sitting in a lotus position in Reina's dream-lapse. This time, they were in the clouds.
"What is a Magic Dome?" Reina asked curiously, since she's new to magic.
"It's where other magic users trap themselves or other people in a place where normal people can't enter, except if the magic users allowed them to." Lucy explained.
"Can I make one too someday?" Reina leaned over, feeling giddy. "You can, If you learn how to do it." Lucy nodded.
"Will you teach me?"
"I can, but just the basics. Being in the dream world has its limitations…"
"Great! When can we start?" Reina jumped excitedly.
"Soon, but not until you improve your stamina of yours. Being half magical half human isn't doing any good for you." Lucy calmed her down from her hyperactive mood.
"Bummer." She sat down back in her lotus position.
Reina just sat and lifted her hands to her chin, stroking an invisible beard. "This… magic thing is making my brain ache." She sighed. "Well… your mother is from a magical heritage, and your father is from this Earth. Explains the differences." Lucy replied.
"Hahhh…" Reina layed down and spread her arms. "I'm tired."
oOoOoOoOoOo
"Welcome back, Reina."
"What happened?" Reina slowly wake up and rubbed her eyes.
"You have been sleeping in your room for two days… Today is Sunday." Lucielle was sipping her tea.
"I was that tired huh?" She straightened her hair.
"Yes. It is time for you to wake up. You need nutrition," Lucy babbled. Reina was getting ready to wake up until, "Wait!" Lucy held her wrist. "What's the matter?" Reina turned to look at Lucy.
"Here." Lucielle opened Reina's palm and gave her, "A seed?"
"This is the Incrementum Tree seed, which means—" "Growth!" Reina cut off Lucy."Mom used to mumble in Latin and I used to ask what does…it mean." Her voice changed.
Lucielle, patted her shoulder. "Plant this seed… and it will be the reflection of you. Your growth. It will feel how you feel, including the happiness and the pain."
"Thanks, Luce."
"And don't forget to wear your necklace. It hides your unstable magic waves. Apparently your father made your watch as a tracker, so that Bruce Wayne can know if something happened to you." She instructed.
"Of course."
"Get going then,"
oOoOoOoOoOo
"Good morning to you, Miss Reina." Alfred greeted as Reina wandered along the hallways outside of her room. The Manor was big, with its gorgeous wallpapers and carpet, and it's a wonder if someone has not gotten lost in this Manor. With its big size, It feels kind of lonely.
"Oh, good morning Alfred." She smiled. Alfred smiled back. Reina saw that he was holding a tray of food and a glass of water. I raised an eyebrow.
"You've been sleeping for two days straight. Master Dick guessed that you were still tired because of all the things that have been going on." He kindly explained. "Thanks Alfred, Uh, I guess we can go eat together?" She suggested.
"Master Bruce and Master Dick are probably in the kitchen having breakfast after their morning training." He checked his watch.
"Okay, Let's go! I've been meaning to go and get some food but I guess I got lost!" She gave a loopsided smile. Alfred nodded and lead the way to the kitchen.
"Oh, good morning Reina!" a voice greeted her as she walked into the kitchen. "Hi Dick." She greeted back. "I guess sleeping beauty just woke up, huh?" He joked. "Ha ha. Very funny." She said sarcastically. She crossed her arms, while taking in the sight of the kitchen. And then she saw Bruce, reading a newspaper while drinking something probably healthy drink that's green.
"Morning Bruce!" She went and sat by the stool. Alfred came and put her breakfast in front of her. She thanked him, then Alfred served Dick's breakfast.
"Morning, Reina." Bruce nodded.
There was a silence in the air until Dick spoke, "Go on, eat." He motioned to her plate with his knife, while chewing something in his mouth. Alfred had made her a hearty breakfast, since she's been out for two days, and have been living with not much nutrients recently, since the hospital. He gave her waffles, fruits, and milk.
"Thank you for the food." She dug in her meal. After she finished eating everything, she drank her glass full of milk.
"Your strawberry milk will be in stock here tomorrow." Dick said. "Thank you."
Dick stared at her for awhile as she wiped her lips. Reina noticed and blushed. She turned away and Dick smiled.
"I don't like being stared at." She said softly. "Oh, sorry."
"So, how are you, Reina?" Bruce asked, looking up from his newspaper.
"I'm fine now, and I'm pretty much energized with enough sugar, fruits, and milk." She said happily, patting her now full stomach.
"We bought your school supplies for Monday, ask Dick for it. I'm sure he has some things he wants to include." Bruce began, "We got you a phone too. Here." There was suddenly a phone on the table. Reina raised an eyebrow to Dick, 'how did it get there?!' he shrugged.
Reina took the phone and browsed. She opened 'contacts' and there were four people on the list.
Alfred, Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson, and … J. Gordon?
"Who's Gordon?" Reina looked up from her new phone and looked at Bruce.
"Commissioner, He works for Gotham PD. In case something happens, and you can't reach us, you can call him." He explained. 'Maybe Bruce trusts him.' She thought.
"So, I heard you have been on morning training?" she asked to both Dick and Bruce.
"Yes. Gotta work hard to keep our body fit and running for the job." Dick winked.
"Can I do trainings with you from now on?" She asked suddenly.
Bruce even put down his newspaper. "But, Reina…" Dick started.
"I… Want to be strong. And learn to control my powers!" She said with a loud voice. "It's because me mom died." She said sadly, looking back at her hands. "And dad is gone now too." Tears were threatening to spill out of her eyes. "I need to be strong." she held it in. She needs to be strong. For Mom, For Dad.
"For Them." She said determinedly.
Bruce stared at her for a moment, contemplating his decision. He saw the old faces of his friends. They were smiling. He thought of it for a while.
"Ok." He agreed.
Both Reina and Dick's head snapped to look at him. "What?! Bruce…" Dick started to argue.
"Just… Stamina training and self defence ok?" Bruce tried to bargain. Reina nodded, and came over and hugged Bruce in the neck. "Thank you! Thank you!" and her giddy 8 year old self was back.
Bruce and Dick was shocked. "Uh, your welcome?" Bruce awkwardly replied, but he had a soft smile on his face.
"Hey Dick, why don't you help me plant this seed?" She took the Incrementum seed from her pocket and held it out for them to see.
"Where did you get this from?" Dick asked.
"Lucielle." She smiled.
Dick looked at Bruce, and he just nodded, allowing them to go.
"Why don't you bring Rover with us? I charged him and I guess he should be in full battery now." Dick suggested.
"Not a bad idea. I'll get him from my room, and you go get a shovel or something useful." Reina shooed him off, and went to her room. Dick nodded and started searching.
Bruce smiled at their antics and shook his head, resuming to read his newspapers again.
oOoOoOoOoOo
"Done." Reina patted the ground.
"Hahh. No 'thank you'?" Dick wiped his sweat on his forehead.
"Thanks, Dick." She said, not looking at him. Then she poured some water from the bottle. Rover was at her side, enjoying the sun that powers his energy.
"I hope this grows into a beautiful tree." She hoped.
"I'm sure it will."
"Bark!"
oOoOoOoOoOo
created 09/02/2017 10:45