Chapter Text
“Excuse me?” Marinette said carefully as she approached the elder man and the assistant, waving Max to stay and wait for her.
She didn’t mean to overhear the conversation, really! But she just couldn't help but listen when she heard their rather distressed tone in passing. And she wasn’t in a hurry anymore, anyway, so she had time. And it was too late to turn back now since they had stopped and looked at her when she spoke up. Swallowing nervously, she continued.
“Hi, I’m sorry for interrupting. I heard you were having trouble with designers?” Taking their confirming nods, she continued quickly. “As stubborn as most of them can be, many are exceptionally talented. I can give a few recommendations if you need any, and point out who is the best to work with in different commissioning aspects. Ah- that is, if you’d be open to accepting a little insider help on the subject, it’s perfectly alright if not,” she tapered off awkwardly.
The two glanced at each other, before the elder man nodded to the other, tilting his head to the side to indicate they were dismissed. Nodding, the assistant quickly walked off, looking relieved to no longer have the burden they were discussing on their shoulders. Marinette wondered what in the world she had just gotten herself into.
“You would be correct, Miss..?”
“Marinette,” She offered quickly, brushing her fingers over the visitor’s badge clipped to her lapel. The man nodded graciously.
“Miss Marinette. As you must have heard, we are indeed experiencing troubles with finding good designers to commission. My employer is a bit… eccentric in his style.” Now that was a word she was used to hearing. She listened even more intently. “At best, designers are simply unable to make anything he is willing to wear. At worst…”
“They won’t even try,” She nods solemnly, understanding. Then, she smiled wide, knowing she had the answer and letting it shine through. “Lucky for you, Mr…”
“Sir Alfred Pennyworth,” he filled in with an amused smile after she realized he had no visible employee badge.
“Lucky for you, Sir Pennyworth, I have plenty of experience dealing with eccentric styles and their accompanying stylists. Just say the word and I’ll give you all you need!”
He looked her over and hummed thoughtfully. “Is that an original Gabriel ?” He asked as he pointed to her matching embroidered suit jacket, vest, and slacks.
Stiffening at the name, Marinette shifted her feet to stand more straight and assertive. “ E. Agreste , actually. Ad- The family,” she amended, “rebranded after the founder was put in jail. This set was a limited release from last fall, custom-tailored and hand-embroidered,” she finishes off, happy to return the topic to the clothes and not the past.
“Ah, they have certainly improved in recent years,” Alfred nodded, accepting her answer. He hummed thoughtfully again, a question in his gaze as he locked eyes with her. “But their head designer is not very keen on international commissions from unknowns. Especially without recommendations. What are your thoughts on this?”
She gazed back without flinching, confident in her decision. She wasn’t sure if he was testing her, but he was definitely fishing for clues on just how helpful she would be to him. Bringing up E. Agreste meant he had an eye for quality, and mentioning the ‘head designer’ was setting a standard for just how good at filling his requirements he wanted her recommendations to be. Good thing she knew exactly what he wanted, then.
“I think, Sir, that I can get your foot into the right doors. The rest is up to your negotiation skills,” she added jokingly, and they both cracked amused smiles at each other.
“I assure you, miss, I am quite capable with my words. Simply show me the door?” He gestures a hand behind them, towards a wall with a series of elevators. An invite for further discussion. Perfect.
“Absolutely!” She tried to hide her excitement, clearing her throat and nodding back toward Max. “Give me a moment, first? I was here with a friend for some interviews; shouldn’t keep him here longer than necessary for him, non?”
Alfred nodded, and she smiled thankfully and made a held-back dash for Max.
“Everything alright, Marinette?” Her friend asked carefully, eying the older man behind her.
“Yes, yes, everything is perfect! Whether I get the job here or not, I at least still have something new to do! And to think, all I needed to do was accidentally eavesdrop on a subject I’m passionate about,” She relayed excitedly, trying to stay hushed out of respect for the workers in the building.
Max chuckled and shook his head. “Congratulations, Marinette. I’ll assume you won’t need me here to chaperone and return to the hotel instead. Keep Markov Jr. with you and he will inform me when to come pick you up,” he says with a decisive nod, eyeing the round blue pendant visible through the open top buttons of her blouse.
“Of course. Thank you, Max,” she adds with a strong hug, which he returns. Pulling back, she starts back toward Alfred. “See you later!” she says with a wave. He watches her until she reaches Alfred, who nodded as she confirmed she was ready to go and leads her toward the elevators.
“She will be alright,” Markov spoke softly from Max’s messenger briefcase.
“Of course,” Max nodded. “She has a 100% success rate for a reason.”
Alfred side-eyes Marinette as they wait for an elevator. “So, you were interviewed here? What department, if I may ask?”
“Engineering,” Marinette answers. “I majored in textile engineering, minor in mechanical.”
Alfred hummed. “I see where you got your fashion connections from, then.”
She laughed at that. If only he knew.