Cognitive Dissonance

Chapter 3: The Manor

It sure looks like a decent home. That was an understatement. The manor is way past upscale.

Rachel dropped a few paper bags on the floor and she too descended on her knees to join them. She couldn't help but touch the brown and black wood and ghost her fingers over its streak of orange and gold hues. She has seen wood like this before but she is quite certain this, beneath her palms, is authentic.

She let her eyes wander around the room, picking up on every opulent looking furniture, before finally settling on the high ceiling. "No one really knows what the future holds," she said under her breath. Being suddenly orphaned wasn't exactly something that crossed her mind. And she definitely didn't expect that two weeks later, she'll be in this massive room -- her room as Dick said -- under the same roof with people she barely knew.

Her temporary guardian told her to feel at home. She wasn't quite sure how to go about that. This is the first time she's been in a house like it. Her bedroom alone is almost as big as the house she left behind. She didn't think detectives live in huge houses.

But what does she know really?

"Tell her you're not her mother."

The man who killed her mom pushed her to say it. But it wasn't his voice nor his words which haunt her in her sleep. It was her mother's words that break her in her dreams.

"I'm not your mother."

This wouldn't have hurt if only she didn't know it was the truth. She didn't need to hear more for her to recognize the sincerity and the apology that embraced every syllable which escaped from her mother's lips. Just like that, in that single moment, everything she knew to be real, isn't.

"Rachel?"

Turning her head towards the door where the voice came from, she sighed. "Just a sec!" she responded as she got back to her feet. It didn't take long before she was face to face with her guardian.

He looked past her shoulder and then fixed his eyes back to her. "You can work on that later," he said, pertaining to the paper bags on the floor. "Dinner's ready."

"This way miss Roth," says Alfred, as he led her opposite the direction Dick was heading towards to. Rachel can only look over her shoulder at the retreating back of one of the manor's masters. "Master Grayson will eat his food in his office," the old man answered her unspoken question.

"Worry not, you will not be eating alone," Alfred assured as they reached the dining area. Someone was already seated, and quietly having his meal. Rachel recognized him right away.

"Master Todd, we have a guest who will be joining us for dinner," the butler started as soon as they got to the table. The young man looked up then smiled cheekily at the guest Alfred was talking about. "This is-" the old man continued but he was cut.

"I know, I met her earlier at the west wing," Jason acknowledged as he gestured for them to take their seats. "Shit!" he then cursed without preamble, realizing too late that he can't take back what he just gave away.

Rachel watched as he scratched his head while she sat on the chair Alfred pulled out for her. "Master Todd, I know I told you the west wing is off limits," the old man said before he too sat at the head of the table. Rachel wouldn't say it, but it was most unusual.

She also didn't miss the choice of words Alfred used in his statement. The old man said, know and not thought. It wasn't intended to be polite. It was in fact the opposite.

"...and language," Alfred said, addressing Jason still. "Dickie was fine with it, right Rachel?" Jason said, adding her to the conversation. And obviously trying to find an ally in her.

She can only nod to save him from Alfred. Besides, he caught her off guard. And she told herself it wasn't her business what happened between the brothers earlier. She wasn't really going to tattletale on anyone.

Dinner had been interesting for the most part. The questions she failed to ask were answered as they unknowingly filled her in. It turned out that Dick and Jason aren't blood related at all and the manor's owner taking them in made them brothers.

That explained why they didn't have any features that matched. It also became clear to her that Todd is not a second name but is Jason's original family name. It confused her when Alfred addressed Dick as Master Grayson and Jason as Master Todd only to find out that their father is called Master Wayne.

She won't know the dynamics of their relationship but from what she got so far, they don't seem to be a cheerful loving family. Although, she can understand why. Afterall, at least biologically, they aren't. She sure would have one hell of a time at the manor.

Clapping a hand on her leg, Rachel got up from her bed. She knows she should shoulder on and keep a positive outlook just as her mom would want her to do. "Time for a half bath Rachel," she told herself, and then she slid the door to the bathroom open.

"Hey there, sunshine."