Chapter Text
It is difficult to uncover the truth
It’s been said the truth sets you free.
Well. That is to be seen.
Anyways.
Let’s begin the story.
Shall we?
—–-- ---
“Do you have everything you need?”
Marinette continued to stuff everything she would need into her bag. “I’m good- Sketches, portfolio, resume… that should be everything-”
“Food?” Marineettes dad, Tom Dupain held out a croissant to her.
“Oh- right-” she stuck it in her mouth, slinging her bag over her shoulder “phanks pad-wuv you-”
“Tell us how your interview goes sweetie!” Her mother Sabine Cheng waved as Marrineette walked out of the door.”
She finished swallowing her bite. “I will!”
It was a beautiful sunny spring melting into summer day in paris. Marineette was nervous, but she was hopeful. Afterall, there were only good things ahead! She was sure of it.
Her optimistic mood was quickly soured by Parisian traffic. Blaring horns, unconscious drivers. Ugh. The usual blah. As she approached the bus station, marinette scanned her surroundings. Oh shit- there was a small asian man who was about to be mauled by a car. Quickly, Marienette ran over to help him
“SLOW DOWN-STOP!-” The car screeched to a halt just in time. Marrinette caught up to the man. “Here- let me help you-”
“Oh, why thank you. Such great kindness.” The small old man nodded at marinette and let her help him across the street.
Once they were safe and sound, Marinette let out a big sigh. “You alright>”
“Oh, I am fine.” The man laughed. “Thanks to you.”
“Oh, it was nothing.” Marinette looked around. “Where were you going? I could help you get to your destination.”
“”Oh you don't have to do that, child. I’m just walking to the bus station. I wouldn't want to bog down a busy young woman like you.”
“Oh, that’s no big deal. That’s where I’m going. We can walk together!”
“Oh wonderful. Thank you.” The old man nodded his head respectfully. They began to walk together. “What is your name child?”
“Me? Oh I’m Marinette. Marinette Dupain-Cheng.”
“Marinette. What a lovely name.” He stroked his chin
“Oh… Thank you…” As they arrived at the bus, Marinette looked down at the man.” Mr…?”
“Fu. Wang Fu.” He laughed slightly. “Or Fu Wang. depends on how you french people want to order it.”
“Oh Well, my mother’s Chinese, so I get it.” Marinette paid for her bus fare. Fu followed shortly behind her and sat next to her on the bus.
“She must have taught you proper manners! A young person hasn’t been so considerate to me in a very long.”
Marinette flushed at the praise. “Oh. it is nothing.” This random praise from this man was flattering and confusing. “Say, Fu. What brings you here to france?”
“Oh, I opened a tea shop here with an old friend many years ago. “Miracle Tea.” we called it. Because our tea brought about miracles, ” His shoulders sagged a little. He was old. Maybe he was from the generation that was reeling from Mao. He probably had painful memories surrounding that time. Hm.
“Miracle tea, huh. That’s a cute name. Maybe I’ll visit sometime.”
Fu smiled up at her. “That would be very nice. You would be welcome anytime.”
“Is that where you going today?”
Fu shook his head. “No, I'm going to… Investigate some more of the city. One can get stuck in their little corner of paris all too often.” he looked out into the distance.
“I suppose that’s true. What part of Paris do you want to go see?”
Fu thumbed his cane. “I’m going to look around the fashion quarter. For having lived in Paris for years, I haven't really spent too much time immersing myself in the high art of Parisian fashion.”
Marinette perked up, excited. “Oh, I love fashion! I’m going to have a fashion interview today!”
Fu raised his eyebrows. “”Oh. With whom?”
“Agreste fashion! I’m really excited. I’m a big fan of their work.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Agreste fashion. Is that the fashion line with that one-uh-that blonde young man?”
“Adrien Agreste! Yes! hesaroundmyageandhe’ssocuteandheknowschineeseanddoesfencinglikethatssoCOOLandIwouldLITTERALLYdietomeethimandimightifIlandthisjobinterviewsoIjusthavetoWOWthemall!” She was practically bouncing in her seat
Fu chuckled. “It seems you really like that model boy then, huh?”
Marinette flushed. “I-I-I’m just a big fan of his work. That-that’s all.”
He shook his head, amused. “Alright. Just beware. That Agreste boy might not be who you imagine him to be.” His eyes narrowed “Or the Agreste company for that matter.
Marinette blinked. “Why?”
He shook his head. “You can’t trust famous people, especially in the fashion industry, to be who they say they are.”
“I suppose- you’re right- I’ll keep that in mind.”” She got very nervous. Maybe Adrien was a jerk or something- or they would all hate her and not want her fashion ideas
“Of course. You may be surprised in a good way. You will just have to see.”
“Yeah. I guess. Maybe.”
The bus stopped. Marinette looked up. “Oh- this is my stop.”
Fu nodded. “It was nice meeting you Marinette. I hope to see you again sometime.”
Marinette got up “I’ll be sure to visit your tea shop soon!” Quickly, she got off the bus, walking onto the high fashion street, Still nervously thinking about Adrien. Would she be too awkward and weird and Adrien would instantly hate her? What if she did get hired but everyone decided to avoid her like the plague- or-
Her train of thought ended abruptly as she realized she had made it to the building she was going to have her interview in. It was a beautiful, intimidating building, sticking out in its sharp modern style against the old-style structures. She gulped. She got this.
She hoped.