Evening.
The Wayne family mansion…
An elderly butler, carrying himself with the kind of dignified bearing that deserved mention, stood by the blazing fireplace. The silence in the hall — lit by the new hearth's warm glow — was broken only by the faint crackling of burning wood. Without shifting his gaze, the gray-haired gentleman studied the flames, watching them captivate and mercilessly devour the dry logs.
Heat radiated from the fire. Sparks arced outward, as if eager to spread their warmth and banish the chill clinging to the dark, stone walls — only to vanish the moment they landed.
How could anyone willingly bring something so dangerous and untamed into their home… into their life? Because virtue, perhaps, outweighs vice? After all, fire is capable not only of destruction, but also of creation. In skilled hands, it can even revive and restore.
That is likely why we love to bask in its glow — blissfully ignoring its destructive potential in those moments of comfort. We gratefully accept its warmth without thinking about its cost.
Sparks leapt again from the hearth. Alfred closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them, his gaze wasn't on the flames anymore — but on the silent silhouette sitting in the far corner, just beyond the heart of the light.
A lonely girl sat in a chair, her eyes fixed on the smoldering coals.
"Major," the guest addressed him quietly.
"This nickname again?" The butler sighed. "I told you, call me Alfred. Or at the very least — Uncle."
"Uncle, remind me again why I should agree to your request."
"Because it is my request?"
"No…" She shook her head. "Of course, I owe you much — more than I can ever repay. But you know I had my own plans. And babysitting some star was not among them."
"Alex Reath," Pennyworth reminded her gently.
"I don't care what his name is. They're all the same to me…"
"I'm afraid Mister Alex is somewhat different from the men you're used to dealing with," Alfred said, his voice calm.
"Really? And how is that?" Tatsu Yamashiro chuckled, amused.
"There's no single answer," he admitted. "I can't say exactly what it is that makes him… special. But I can guarantee that he's an extraordinary man — with his own worldview, his own way of thinking, and a perspective on life I've never seen before. He can change people simply by being present."
"For the worse, I suppose?" she interrupted with a smirk. "Uncle, you've certainly intrigued me… But I'm still not agreeing to play babysitter. Especially since you mentioned that he already has someone for that role. My presence will only complicate matters. And besides — who does he think he is? Some Arab sheikh who wants two women guarding him? That's exactly the type I despise."
"I'm sure you'll change your mind once you meet him," Alfred replied.
"I sincerely doubt it," Tatsu said flatly. "I'm only here for one reason — you're the Major. I agreed to this meeting solely for you."
Her grip on the cloth-wrapped blade in her hand tightened.
At that moment, the door to the hall opened, and the newly arrived guests stepped inside.
*********************************
[Alex's POV]
Thus we arrived at the castle on the outskirts of Gotham City. The surrounding landscape still had the power to stir the imagination, blending so perfectly with the ancient neo-Gothic estate.
Eh… Perhaps one day, I'll build myself something similar.
"Will you ignore my question much longer?" Bordeaux asked, her irritation barely hidden.
"Regarding what? The tape recorder?" I feigned innocence.
"Why do you need this Yamashiro? Am I not enough on my own?"
"Sasha, you work twenty-four-seven without a single day off. I thought it might be nice to have someone take over for you from time to time. I do care about you, after all." I gave an innocent blink or two.
"Is that the only reason?"
"In addition," I admitted, "Tatsu Yamashiro is known as a master of the sword. You know I've been studying fencing — and Miss Katana is one of the best in that field. Having such a skilled master guide my training could be invaluable."
"And won't you strain your back? You're already barely holding up under the load Bruce and I put you through. Now you want to add to that?"
"I can handle it," I cut her off firmly, leaving no room for argument. "I don't have time to waste. I have to grow stronger as quickly as possible. We'll save caution for later. I can rest in my next life."... assuming I'm not thrown into an even more dangerous world.
Opening the door, Sasha and I stepped into the Wayne living room. Alfred greeted us warmly, offering tea and cookies.
I never refused tea brewed by the Wayne family butler — I had yet to taste anything more aromatic or satisfying.
While sipping, I let my eyes roam the room.
In the shadowy corner sat a young woman with the air of a rebellious Asian warrior. Even with poor lighting, it was impossible to miss the aura that followed her — one of heavy hopelessness, a deep-seated grief that clung to her like a second skin. She didn't rush to greet me.
The oppressive energy in the room put Alexandra instantly on guard.
"Tatsu Yamashiro, I presume," I said.
"She is the one," Alfred confirmed.
"And you're Alex Reath? Hmph. You're taller than I expected…"
"And you're shorter than I expected," I returned without missing a beat. "Still, I hope our mutually dashed expectations won't prevent us from building friendly relations."
"Heh… are we already friends?" Katana smirked.
"Sorry, Mister Reath," she said a beat later. "But I can't become your bodyguard."
"What's the reason?"
"This isn't my… profile."
"Alfred vouched for you," I said without hesitation. "I have no doubts about your professional competence."
"But don't you already have a bodyguard?" She flicked an assessing glance toward Bordeaux. "Is she not handling her duties properly?"
Sasha said nothing, but the sharp crack of her knuckles betrayed just how she felt.
"On the contrary," I said, "Sasha is excellent at her job — I'm entirely satisfied. But with her looking after me twenty-four hours a day, she has no time for herself. That's why I decided to find her a partner."
"A partner… Why not a male partner? Do you have some problem with that?"
"Of course I do. My 'problem' is that I prefer the company of a lovely woman over some unfamiliar man. And being under the constant watch of the opposite sex is far more pleasant than enduring the irritating gaze of a man I barely know. Don't you agree?"
Miss Yamashiro ignored the question. Shifting her cloth-wrapped scabbard from one hand to the other, she instead asked "Are you sure you need me specifically? There are plenty of professionals who could protect you. Why are you so intent on me?"
"Because I trust you — and that's what matters most."
"Trust? Just because I'm Alfred's friend, you place your faith in me? How do you know whether you can trust me or not?"
"If I had a dollar for every time I've heard that question," I said dryly, "I'd be as rich as Bruce Wayne by now."
"Don't exaggerate, Mister Alex," Alfred murmured as he arrived, setting down the tea and cookies — the air filling with their rich aroma.
"My fault," I replied, raising my hand in mock surrender.
.
.
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Don't forget the stones. :p