Damsel | T. Drake ✔

[04]

Irina's trip to Central Gotham didn't go as well as she had expected. True she went to Wayne Enterprises, requested her way in for a tour and also attended the special interactive session that Tim Drake had held with the candidates who were present for the interview.

But on her way back, she had had her first encounter with Gotham's criminals. Miss Gibson and Irina had been cornered in an alley by a few thugs when they were waiting for their car to arrive

If it hadn't been for Irina's quick reflexes and training, they would have been at high risk. Nathalie was no doubt impressed by how she had quickly tackled them and soon enough the driver and guards had arrived as well to deal with the thugs, getting them arrested. 

Though from that one encounter she had realized that it was a very common occurrence for people at Gotham and no one was really safe until or unless they were trained or financially stable to afford bodyguards.

And that one incident had got her thinking of how the situation would have played out if an ordinary girl had been in her place. The thugs could have hurt her and she would have been absolutely defenseless. That whole night she couldn't sleep and by dawn she had come to a decision.

She had decided to use her own skills and training as a vigilante to protect those who couldn't do so themselves.

But in order to become a vigilante, she first needed the right equipment and weapons as well as a cover story to keep her alter ego a secret from others, especially her aunt and her father.

And for that, the best option was to accept her father's offer to join LexCorp.

Therefore, she texted Lex that she had made up her mind regarding the offer and his reply came informing her that they would talk about it at breakfast. Getting dressed quickly, she rushed downstairs to alert Miss Gibson that her father would be having breakfast at the Mansion as well.

The table had been set up for two and Irina waited for him to arrive. The doorbell rang and shortly afterwards, Lex stepped into the dining room.

"Good morning, Dad," she greeted him cheerfully as he took his seat.

He seemed a little tired as if he had been working all night so his reply was a bit vague, "morning."

She watched as he filled only a quarter portion of his plate and began to eat, gesturing her to do the same as well. Irina nodded, smiling politely as she focused back on the breakfast.

A while passed in silence which was broken at last by Lex himself, "I heard you got into some trouble on your trip to Central Gotham."

"It was nothing," she dismissed it, slightly surprised that he knew that, "Miss Gibson said that happens way too often here."

"That's exactly why I had asked you to go out with guards," he remarked, "Gotham isn't safe for a young girl like you."

She nodded as she had realized that very well herself from the previous encounter. Yet she noticed that his statement had an underlying hint of worry behind it. Though she hadn't really expected him to care for her, she felt as if those words had somehow churned up a buried memory inside him. 

As she knew that he wouldn't want her to probe further, she thought it best to change the topic, "I was thinking about the offer you had given me earlier."

He looked up at her expectantly, "and what did you decide?"

"I will join LexCorp," she answered, noticing the approval on his face, "but on a few conditions."

She waited for him to object but he kept silent, encouraging her to resume.

"I might need my own department and my own team. I want to start from a scratch and see where that takes me. In that case, I would be affiliated with LexCorp and my projects would come under your company's name, but I will be the one having the final word on them."

He raised an eyebrow skeptically, realizing that she had indeed thought a lot about it, "so you are asking me to give you a separate branch?"

"Precisely. I had been studying on LexCorp and I think my ideas are not well suited to your field. They are a little different. So it would be better if I keep a bit separate from the main institution."

He pondered a little over her words but dipped his head in a low nod, "that can be arranged. You will have your own department and labs. But I require one thing from you in return. If I need your assistance in any of my projects, you will not refuse."

Her brow furrowed, "that's very well but what kind of assistance, if I may ask?"

"Any kind, it would be specified if the need ever arises," he had a small smile on his face, "for now you can focus on your own projects, your own ideas. I assure you everything will be arranged soon."

She had not expected him to agree so readily but nodded her head, smiling back at him, "thanks, Dad."

"Oh and how about you go with me to LexCorp today so that you can see the company for yourself and get a better knowledge of where you would be working," he suggested, "I'm sure you must have done your research. But you won't find much information on the Internet and press as compared to a visit yourself."

She was slightly taken aback but masked her astonishment with a smile, "of course. I would like that very much."

He nodded, "good. Now if you have finished breakfast, I think we should be heading over right now."

"Sure," she stood up, "I'll be right back."

She quickly went to her room, slipping her feet into her formal shoes, grabbing a jacket and bag as well. When she came down Lex was waiting for him in the car. The driver opened the door for her and she sat down in the backseat. Shortly afterwards, the car left the mansion, speeding towards West Gotham where LexCorp was located.

***