Chapter 128: Two for One Special, Part 2

After leading Terra to her room, Arias intended to introduce her to Diana and Harley, given they'd be living in close proximity, but he found both were out. Diana was likely just doing her usual patrols of Gotham, even though it wasn't necessary. As for Harley, he didn't really know what she got up to when out of the Markovic Tower, nor did he care enough to seek it out.

Introductions could now only be postponed until later, but before Arias could leave, Terra gave him a hesitant look, struggling to say what was on her mind.

"Something wrong?" Arias casually inquired, resting his hands in his pockets, making his demeanor even more imposing.

If Terra was going to become a piece he could use, she needed to grow a spine and speak directly. According to Slade, she had a foul temper, especially towards people she didn't know. But in front of him, she was shy and meek. That behavior carried over to Arias now that she believed in the story of him being her actual savior and now father.

"Oh… it's nothing." Looking at him, Terra couldn't bring herself to speak and just backed down with a faint smile.

Arias shook his head. "If it were nothing, then you wouldn't have brought it up in the first place. You have to be direct with what you want. If you're always so hesitant, you won't make progress. Now, tell me what's on your mind."

He spoke strictly at first, making her feel like she was being lectured, but his tone softened slightly towards the end, and he showed a small smile.

Arias knew he could likely shape her to his liking using a more rough and disciplined approach, but then she wouldn't be able to think for herself and would become fully dependent on him. That was fine in the case of someone like Harley, whose dependency on Arias would make her willing to give more and more for his sake, even her own life. But such an approach couldn't be used for someone like Terra, whom he planned to place into a role that required some level of skill and independent thought.

Terra hesitated to reply still, but she eventually gathered the strength to speak up. "I was wondering if it would be okay if I tagged along with you. I don't like being alone… it's silly, right? Forget I said it."

Arias gave her a smirk and walked up to her, placing his hand on her head. He gently stroked her hair and made her look up at him before replying, "The only thing silly is you thinking I would be bothered by such a question. Come on."

As quickly as he had placed his hand there, he retracted it and began walking away.

Slade had been training Terra to be a killer, so the idea of affection was near foreign to her—and Arias knew this. He planned on giving her little snippets of the life she so desperately wanted, with the presence of a caring figure she could depend on.

Terra smiled at the gesture and hurriedly followed along, like a duckling to its mother.

Arias didn't have much planned for the day anyway, so he brought her along as he intended to inspect the progress at Gotham Heights High School, where he planned on enrolling her once the renovations were done by summer's end. 

With such renovations going on, Arias expected the main campus to be filled mostly with workers, as the candidates who had thus far been accepted were already given dormitories, which were the first to be completed.

However, upon arriving at the gate of the main campus, Arias noticed some commotion near another luxurious car at the front gate.

"What now?" Arias muttered irritably before stepping out of the back seat to see what was happening.

A curious Terra followed his lead, also trying to see ahead.

Arias approached the gate where the guard seemed to be arguing with two men in black suits with matching shades.

"What's going on here?" he asked, not bothering to hide his annoyance.

The guard's expression turned ugly as he saw Arias approach—the boss of the boss of the boss who hired him. As far as he was concerned, Arias was someone he would never get the chance to meet, yet here he was… irritated.

"M-Mr. Markovic! Welcome, sir." The guard quickly took off his hat and saluted Arias, making the moment awkward for everyone.

Arias sighed. "Right, well, I'm still waiting for an answer."

Realizing only now that he'd been asked a question, the guard quickly put his hat back on and explained the situation.

"These two men here say they're looking for a runaway girl. Apparently, she ran away from her father, and they're here to see to it that she goes back safely."

"The girl is over here. The guard who found her said she was in terrible condition and that she doesn't speak much. I don't know about her father, but she clearly doesn't want to go with these men," the guard explained while moving aside to bring the girl behind him into view.

She looked only slightly older than Terra, with a far more gothic look. Her short dark hair and blue eyes made for a rather unique appearance—she was, of course, Raven.

Arias looked at her for a moment, and she returned his gaze.

"Please, please don't let them take me," she whispered, her voice barely audible. She looked at the two men with hate rather than fear, making Arias think of a few possibilities. But too little was known, so he didn't jump to conclusions and asked, "Why come here? Are you a meta-human? Alien? Or just a kid running away from home to prove a point?"

Arias was blunt and strict with his questioning. But before she could answer, the guard spoke.

"Actually, that's another problem. She says her powers are supernatural. So we didn't know if directing her to enrollment would be ideal since there's no voodoo or magic category in selection. That's why she's still here."

Raven stayed quiet, her gaze remaining fixated on the two men, who soon grew impatient, with one speaking up. "We don't have time for this, child. You're wasting people's time and putting them in danger. How many people need to be hurt by your selfishness?"

Those words caused Raven to show a look of anger. Her eyes momentarily flashed a bloody red, but she held herself back and hugged her shoulders with a somber expression.

Arias could see something was very off here. Without asking further, he turned to the two men and spoke.

"Bold of you to assume you can threaten prospective students of my school in front of me. I think you should both leave," Arias advised, though his tone made it seem more like a command.

The two odd men were unwilling. "She's not your student. She's a runaway child whose father misses and worries for her. Don't get involved in matters you don't understand."

Arias showed a smirk for a brief moment before gripping the man by the collar and lifting him into the air, his expression less than happy.

"You'd be wise to listen to your own advice. The child doesn't want to go, and as a prospective student, she's under my care. You let her father know that if it bothers him so much, my office is always open. Now leave."

Arias threw the man back, holding back his strength so as not to send him flying. The man simply fell to the ground, and so did his glasses, revealing some odd-looking eyes. The man looked ready to fight back, but his companion stopped him and gestured for them to leave. Before entering the car, though, they gave a warning. "Be prepared for the consequences. This isn't over."

Arias cast them a mocking grin and replied, "I'd be disappointed if it was."

The duo soon left, leaving the scene oddly quiet. Raven, who had been hugging her shoulders while showing a slightly pained expression, looked at Arias, both thankful and guilty.

"Thank you. I'm sorry for causing you trouble. I'll be gone soon, I promise," she said in a low, detached voice, causing Terra to give her a somewhat sympathetic look.

Arias raised a brow. "I stand by what I said. You're a prospective student of my school. I won't stop you if you want to leave, but if you want to stay somewhere you'll be accepted and protected, then this is the place."

Raven looked hesitant. It seemed the odd man's words had affected her more than she let on. By now, Arias would have lost interest, but the variables just weren't adding up. He was keen on seeing this situation further.

"I can see you're skeptical, so come on. I was planning on giving my daughter a tour of the place. Maybe once you see it, you'll understand. Okay?"

Raven looked at Arias blankly, not showing much emotion, her only reply being a subtle nod and a single word.

"Okay."