Chapter Text
“She saw the world not always as it was, but as perhaps it could be.”
- Cinderella
When it rained so hard you could barely see ten feet in front of you, most people in Gotham would have grumbled and moaned about it, grabbed an umbrella, and went on their way.
Evelynn would have done the same, but it was the end of the day, she barely had any homework from her classes, and for once she felt she could relax. So instead of doing just that she grabbed her umbrella and made her way home for the evening. Jumping through a couple puddles on the way.
Living in the university district of Gotham was quite nice. She was close enough to campus that she could roll out of bed and book it to classes if she needed but was also a less likely area to get ransacked or ransomed by the various multitude of criminals that Gotham had to offer. It certainly had its pros and cons though. Going out alone at night for one was like asking for the creeps to notice you with all the late night bars and diners around.
Getting back to the apartment only takes her about 15 minutes, with the building only being 2 blocks away from campus. The apartment building itself was older than most of the apartment complexes on the block, making the rent slightly cheaper. But it was a cozy little place with 5 floors, decent neighbors, and you had to use a keypad to even get into the building.
Evelynn’s apartment sat on the third floor of the building. A nice refurbished 3 bedroom apartment she shared with her best friend Anna Stout. The third room they used as a cozy makeshift library.
Opening the door to her apartment, Evelynn was quickly bombarded with the delicious scent of sugary pancakes, and her grey persian cat, Ravioli, weaving between her legs with a demanding meow.
At the counter stood her roommate and best friend Anna. “Good evening, Eve. Pancakes for dinner?” she asked, turning around with a smirk. In her hand she held a plate of two pancakes sprinkled with powdered sugar, maple syrup and a dollop of whipped cream.
“Please,” Evelynn groaned, letting her bag slip off her shoulder and fall to the ground. “I need a sweet treat for a sweet day.”
“Good day was it?” Anna questioned as she slid the plate of pancakes onto the island counter.
“I mean, no crazy homework assignments, no crazy encounters, and the project that I have been looking forward to all semester is coming up.” She states as she begins to dig into her pancakes. “Now all I have to do is relax and eat these delicious pancakes in anticipation.”
Anna crosses her arms and leans on the counter in front of her own plate of pancakes, staring at Evelynn as she continues to cut up and devour her own. “You mean the project that's 45% of your entire grade for the class?” She questions with a tilt of her head, eyes sceptical. “You actually look forward to that? I thought you were joking.”
“Nope, not joking,” She replied with a shake of her head.
“Ok so then explain to me why you are excited for something that's 45% percent of your grade. Because most people would dread a project like that,” Anna added and began to dig into her pancakes.”
Evelynn sat her fork down and turned in her chair. “This so-called ‘project’ gives us a chance to put everything we've been learning into action. The university partners with different foundations, charities, and businesses and one or two students get assigned to help plan a big event.” she states in excitement. “Not only that, but it's an amazing opportunity to network and get real work experience and references.”
“Oh real,” hums Anna, right before shoving a spoonful of sugary goodness into her mouth. “So do you have hopes of what company you might get paired with then?”
“I do, but they haven’t announced which companies they are partnering with yet. Professor Gibbins said the email about it would be sent out tonight.” Evelynn replied as she stood to take her plate to the sink.
Finishing her last bite of pancake, Anna grabbed her plate and was right behind her on the way to the sink. “Ok, well while you wait for that exciting email I say we turn on the nightly news and see what crazies are rampaging through Gotham today.”
“I'm down,” Evelynn mumbled.
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After cleaning up their dinner both girls changed into pajamas for the evening, which tended to consist of sweats and old T-shirts. They then made their way into the cozy living room that was only a couple feet away from the kitchen.
The living room's decor included a well loved pink couch, a cream rug and accent chair, plants in handmade ceramic pots, and the many pieces of art that the girls had made for their wall decor.
Plopping themselves on the couch to get comfy Anna grabs the remote to the TV and flips through the local news. Ravioli hops up on the back of the couch and lounges behind Evelynn’s head.
Once reaching GCN, Gotham's main source of news regarding crime, Anna flings the remote a short distance to the coffee table. And they watch the day's news.
“Welcome back citizens of Gotham to our segment on local crimes and all things Batman.” The newscaster exclaimed. “Earlier today GCPD had responded to a break in at Briar Tech Lab, and have refused to comment on what has been stolen just yet. We will be keeping you updated on developments in this case.”
Then began the second newscaster, “On that note, the joker has once again escaped from Arkham asylum, this time by blowing out the wall of his cell. If you see something, say something, and stay on your guard."
“That sounds like a Batman problem,” whispered Evelynn with a purse of her lips.
“Everything is a Batman problem,” replied Anna with a nod of her head.
The first news caster begins again, “In other news, Batman and Robin have been spotted in the Diamond District in pursuit of Cat Woman, who hit three jewelry stores earlier this evening. Batman has been seen making chase by foot on rooftop and Robin has been seen on motorbike in the streets. So be careful out there, and be on the lookout, you may catch a glimpse of the caped crusaders.”
“You called it,” said Anna. “The criminals sure are out tonight in packs.”
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The evening passes in laughter, snarky remarks, and Ravioli’s occasional burst of energy, then at exactly 9:47 PM, during a commercial break, Evelynn’s phone buzzes on the couch beside her. Absentminally she flips it over and glances down.
“Oh my gosh!” She scrambles onto her knees and intently scrolls her screen.”Oh my gosh!”
Ravioli, startled, jumps up and bolts from the couch into their little library room. Anna who had whipped her head to look at Evelynn at her first exclamation stares at her intently. “You planning to share?”
Just before Evelynn is about to list off some of the companies Gotham U is partnering with this year, the news comes back on.
“Now, breaking news,” the newscaster said, sounding fed up with all the goings on of Gotham, “Wayne Enterprises has just announced a partnership with Gotham University’s business and communications department.” Anna whipped her head around at Evelynn eyes wide in excitement, as the news caster continued, “This partnership is aimed at supporting the wayne foundation and the various events the company hosts throughout the year. Students that are selected for the initiative will have the opportunity to work directly with Wayne Foundation leadership.”
Anna and Evelynn make eye contact as Anna mouths ‘Oh My Gosh’
“And that's not all, representatives from the Wayne family are expected to oversee a majority of this collaboration,” They continue on the news.
Anna snorted. “I’ll bet you 25 bucks that it's gonna be Mr. Popular.”
Evelynn Cringes with a groan. “Oh, please don’t speak that into being.”
Ravioli makes another appearance leaping into Evelynn's lap, and she hugs him close to her chest.
“Ok, well I am going to assume that getting assigned to the Wayne Foundation is at the top of your list. Are there any others you're hoping for?” Anna asks, leaning her elbow on her knees and her face in her hands.
Scratching behind ravioli’s ears she replies. “Its certainly on my list of hopefuls, but I'm not gonna get my hopes up. I doubt I’d get chosen. Plus I'm not sure I’d wanna deal with ‘Mr. Popular’, he kinda intimidates me,” she says with a small grimace.
Giving her a deadpan look Anna says, “Girl you have to give yourself more credit, plus I doubt Damian is actually hard to work with. He’s just standoff-ish.”
Evelynn gives her a hesitant look and completely ignores her comment about Damian Wayne. “I guess we find out tomorrow.”
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The next day during her Corporate Events and Communications lecture students were being assigned to their projects left and right. Hannah Nicole, one of the girls that Evelynn did not quite vibe with, was assigned to the company that was top second on her list, Gotham City Orphanage.
Evelynn was starting to get nervous. This sucks. She thought as she unconsciously chewed on her thumb nail.
Just as the confidence in her own possible placement was tanking, her name was called.
“And Evelynn Darling will be placed with the Wayne Foundation,” Professor Gibbins said with a satisfied smile on his face.
Evenlynn could hear the grumbling from some of the classmates around her, but all she could do was smile and focus on the fact that she had just gotten placed with her number one choice and what was probably the most coveted opportunity of the semester.