Post by skyeknight on Jan 23, 2018 20:50:43 GMT
Adrien was nervous. He was finally going to the media to explain his life after his father’s death. Everything. His parents and their secret, his half sister and his girlfriend. Rumors were already starting to float around as it were. Some people assumed he was cheating on Yang with the meek blonde. That only sent Yang into a fit of giggles. She reassured him that she was not jealous of the ‘other woman’ in his life and he could keep ‘seeing’ her. At least she could take some humor out of the situation.
Speaking of Yang, despite not having publicly announced their relationship status, his fans adored her. They fawned over her police work, praised her for overcoming the circumstances after Thrax and more people wanted to see pictures of them together. Granted, not all his fans were pleased, because they wanted to date him or thought he would be ‘cuter’ with someone else. He was fairly certain that was shipping. Either way, most of his fans thought they were sweet together.
At some point he was going to have to set up a private mailbox for her. Fans were starting to send cards and care packages to him for her. At first it was get well cards after what happened with Thrax, then a few amusing ‘good on you for punching that guy’ cards after the photographer incident, then further words of encouragement or general cards saying how much the fans were looking up to her for overcoming dire circumstances or how much they wanted to be like her or thanking her for her police work. He read the cards, only to purge the negative ones – storing them away in case those negative nancys tried anything. He felt she would appreciate the kinder cards.
"Mr. Agreste, we’re ready for you."
Adrien straightened the collar of his suit. He never was prepared when it came to live television. It was perhaps why his father never encouraged an acting career as well. He followed the assistant to the stage where he smiled at the tv show host. There was an audience not far off, all giggling and whispering to one another. One woman gave a wolf whistle, causing the rest of the audience to laugh. At least Yang knew he had eyes for no one else but her. Otherwise this would have been very awkward to explain to her when he got home. That thought made him smile a little more genuinely. Despite whatever happened there in the interview, Yang would be there waiting for him and she wouldn’t judge him for a thing.
"Today we have with us Adrien Agreste, head of Agreste Industries and model extraordinaire!" the host bubbled.
"It’s a pleasure to be here."
However, if he had a choice, he would not be there at all. He had a meeting after the interview with new fabric vendors where he would have to smooze and negotiate if he wanted that latest batch of chiffon and satin. The meeting really took precedence to the interview, but both were necessary evils if he wanted to keep things status quo. That being said, his ‘secret half sister’ was likely to cause some stir in the media. As long as they kept away from her, things would be okay. If they started anything, like what they did with Yang, they would quickly learn, this cat had claws.
"You have certainly been busy so thank you for taking time out of your schedule to meet with us! So what’s it like taking over your company? I know this was all so unexpected for you,"
Ah, right to business then. Adrien supposed that couldn’t be helped. He also didn’t want to have idle chit chat with her either so this was for the best. Besides, nothing was more awkward than being asked about his ‘favorite colors’ or ‘preferred foods’ unless it was with friends. He was pretty sure his fans knew his blood type, his zodiac and that he had a mild allergy to feathers which often resulted in him being unable to stop sneezing. Yang would only need to know his blood type if there were a medical emergency. She didn’t strike him as a horoscope type girl. She would also probably tease the hell out of him if she found out about the feather allergy but then apologizing for laughing at him afterword.
"It’s been a real challenge. There are a lot of things that I hadn’t expected in this line of work. At the same time, it’s been good for me. I have a social life now," he joked.
"Does your social life extend to a romantic life? Fans have been speculating the nature of your relationship with Miss Yang Xiao Long."
Adrien had to fight to keep his smile on. He didn’t like that she was fully being named on live television. He didn’t want anyone trying to seek her out. Not at her home or her work. Would the same thing happen if he announced Namine’s name? She didn’t deserve that. The media would eat the poor artist alive. He could already see her, teary eyed, surrounded by the vultures, shouting questions to her, followed by perhaps a break down or her trying to flee and getting hurt. He wouldn’t allow it. Yang had proven what happened to people who went after her, but Namine was not capable of breaking someone’s nose if they grabbed her.
"We are dating," he confirmed.
The audience had a mixture of reactions. Some ‘aw’ed over how cute that was. Others hissed or booed in protest. Though, the disgruntled crowd was far fewer than the ones who were doting over the couple. That did surprise him. Sure, he and Yang had a few pictures in the papers together, like the date the media ruined, but a few where he had stopped by with Nevermore for her office or him standing next to her outside his house with her motorcycle. He did contact that photographer and asked for an original since it was a good shot. It was now framed in his office.
"Right now, we’re just enjoying being with one another and taking things slow."
Adrien felt like what they had was perfect, just the way it was. They were happy together. They had their good times and their bad times. Right now, he just couldn’t wait to get home so he could cuddle up with her and talk about their days. He liked hearing about her new cases and what she was doing for the city. There was also kissing to be involved if he was completely honest, as if to reward one another for each action and their everyday to-do lists.
"Is it true that she was attacked by the demon Thrax during the prison outbreak? And that she lost her arm?"
He had to take a slow, deliberate breath. Now this woman was just fishing for juicy details. A scandal made headlines after all. The woman would get all the scandal she needed when she heard about Namine. Adrien just had to bide his time and bring that up at the right moment and not just blurt it out. Interviews always did take a certain level of tact and a lot of strategy to make sure something didn’t slip out that shouldn’t.
"Yes," he said slowly, "To both. It was a very difficult time for her and this city. She is a strong and capable woman so she is overcoming the harm that has been done to her."
He would have wrinkled his nose, but he was on tv after all. It felt very much not like him to talk like that. He had to give a diplomatic answer. Something people wanted to hear, but also not give the news everything they wanted. They did not need to know everything about him and his loved ones. He understood the interest in him. He was the one on the magazine covers, despite his own personal opinion that Yang would be drop dead gorgeous for a motorcycle line of clothes, he would admit to his own inability to share. He would be jealous if he had to share her.
"How do you feel about her becoming a police officer? I know I would be devastated if anything happened to my husband in his line of work."
"She has her coworkers to watch her back for her. I trust them to bring her home safe to me."
He might not have known her personal partner, but Shadow and Sunshine had her back. The faery cop was too noble of a person to just roll over and let someone get hurt. Riku Lafayette liked to fight for the little people. Yang was in good hands all the same. She didn’t need coddling. At the same time, he liked to give her as much attention as possible. He counted himself as lucky to have won her in the end.
"Does it bother-?"
"Yang isn’t the one up for discussion," Adrien said firmly. "Our life together is going to stay between us and close personal friends."
"Close personal friends like the others blonde you’ve been around Adrien?" the woman asked, conspiratorially.
Adrien didn’t stop the dark look this time. Coming from Yang, this news was light, teasing and as unserious as could be. This woman was looking for the scandals Adrien knew she would. They would turn Namine into a bull’s eye. They would do anything for a story, even if it meant going through Namine to do it. He was making a small note to himself never to work with this news company again. They would be blacklisted for this.
"If there is a question there, I would like to hear it," he said harshly.
"Well, rumor has it; the two of you are seeing one another." She replied.
Deep breath. Reign in the anger this woman was igniting in him. He knew this was a rumor. He had expected it. He just hadn’t anticipated the rage that had built up upon having it verbally confirmed by this woman. He could already hear hushed whispers coming from the audience, thankfully off the screen and out of view of the cameras. This was what he hated the most about his fame. This unwanted fame drove people to gossip about his life as if he were little more than a media fact.
"We are seeing one another, but not how you think. She is my sister."
That should be enough to protect Namine, not divulging whether it was his mother or father who cheated or even that someone had cheated. The host’s eyes went wide, dark and glittering over the prospect of this bit of gossip. Secrets sold papers. They also created wonderful talks for day time television. Unfortunately, to some people, that was all this was going to be until someone else did something more scandalous. She grinned in a way that Adrien found distasteful immediately. She opened her mouth to ask a question but Adrien held up his hand to stop her. She took a deep breath, to continue anyways but a critical look from him set her mouth shut.
"Both Yang and my sister are off limits." He said. "That goes for contacting them in any way, shape or form. If I see even one reporter near them, I will be forced to take action."
He got to his feet. This might not have been as calmly handled as he would have liked, but it was done like ripping off a bandage. The discussion was a painful and grueling process. He meant what he said. If the media went after either Yang or Namine, he would take action. Shadow would love to help him. He hated the media hounds as much as Adrien did. Perhaps Adrien should have better security systems installed in both Yang and Namine’s homes. They hadn’t had need to test the sprinklers yet.
"We’re finished here."
He left amid protests from the tv show host who tried to grab his arm and keep him there. Ignoring even the protests of his fans in the audience, watching as he left in a storm of anger and disappointment at both himself and the circumstances this had to happen.
Speaking of Yang, despite not having publicly announced their relationship status, his fans adored her. They fawned over her police work, praised her for overcoming the circumstances after Thrax and more people wanted to see pictures of them together. Granted, not all his fans were pleased, because they wanted to date him or thought he would be ‘cuter’ with someone else. He was fairly certain that was shipping. Either way, most of his fans thought they were sweet together.
At some point he was going to have to set up a private mailbox for her. Fans were starting to send cards and care packages to him for her. At first it was get well cards after what happened with Thrax, then a few amusing ‘good on you for punching that guy’ cards after the photographer incident, then further words of encouragement or general cards saying how much the fans were looking up to her for overcoming dire circumstances or how much they wanted to be like her or thanking her for her police work. He read the cards, only to purge the negative ones – storing them away in case those negative nancys tried anything. He felt she would appreciate the kinder cards.
"Mr. Agreste, we’re ready for you."
Adrien straightened the collar of his suit. He never was prepared when it came to live television. It was perhaps why his father never encouraged an acting career as well. He followed the assistant to the stage where he smiled at the tv show host. There was an audience not far off, all giggling and whispering to one another. One woman gave a wolf whistle, causing the rest of the audience to laugh. At least Yang knew he had eyes for no one else but her. Otherwise this would have been very awkward to explain to her when he got home. That thought made him smile a little more genuinely. Despite whatever happened there in the interview, Yang would be there waiting for him and she wouldn’t judge him for a thing.
"Today we have with us Adrien Agreste, head of Agreste Industries and model extraordinaire!" the host bubbled.
"It’s a pleasure to be here."
However, if he had a choice, he would not be there at all. He had a meeting after the interview with new fabric vendors where he would have to smooze and negotiate if he wanted that latest batch of chiffon and satin. The meeting really took precedence to the interview, but both were necessary evils if he wanted to keep things status quo. That being said, his ‘secret half sister’ was likely to cause some stir in the media. As long as they kept away from her, things would be okay. If they started anything, like what they did with Yang, they would quickly learn, this cat had claws.
"You have certainly been busy so thank you for taking time out of your schedule to meet with us! So what’s it like taking over your company? I know this was all so unexpected for you,"
Ah, right to business then. Adrien supposed that couldn’t be helped. He also didn’t want to have idle chit chat with her either so this was for the best. Besides, nothing was more awkward than being asked about his ‘favorite colors’ or ‘preferred foods’ unless it was with friends. He was pretty sure his fans knew his blood type, his zodiac and that he had a mild allergy to feathers which often resulted in him being unable to stop sneezing. Yang would only need to know his blood type if there were a medical emergency. She didn’t strike him as a horoscope type girl. She would also probably tease the hell out of him if she found out about the feather allergy but then apologizing for laughing at him afterword.
"It’s been a real challenge. There are a lot of things that I hadn’t expected in this line of work. At the same time, it’s been good for me. I have a social life now," he joked.
"Does your social life extend to a romantic life? Fans have been speculating the nature of your relationship with Miss Yang Xiao Long."
Adrien had to fight to keep his smile on. He didn’t like that she was fully being named on live television. He didn’t want anyone trying to seek her out. Not at her home or her work. Would the same thing happen if he announced Namine’s name? She didn’t deserve that. The media would eat the poor artist alive. He could already see her, teary eyed, surrounded by the vultures, shouting questions to her, followed by perhaps a break down or her trying to flee and getting hurt. He wouldn’t allow it. Yang had proven what happened to people who went after her, but Namine was not capable of breaking someone’s nose if they grabbed her.
"We are dating," he confirmed.
The audience had a mixture of reactions. Some ‘aw’ed over how cute that was. Others hissed or booed in protest. Though, the disgruntled crowd was far fewer than the ones who were doting over the couple. That did surprise him. Sure, he and Yang had a few pictures in the papers together, like the date the media ruined, but a few where he had stopped by with Nevermore for her office or him standing next to her outside his house with her motorcycle. He did contact that photographer and asked for an original since it was a good shot. It was now framed in his office.
"Right now, we’re just enjoying being with one another and taking things slow."
Adrien felt like what they had was perfect, just the way it was. They were happy together. They had their good times and their bad times. Right now, he just couldn’t wait to get home so he could cuddle up with her and talk about their days. He liked hearing about her new cases and what she was doing for the city. There was also kissing to be involved if he was completely honest, as if to reward one another for each action and their everyday to-do lists.
"Is it true that she was attacked by the demon Thrax during the prison outbreak? And that she lost her arm?"
He had to take a slow, deliberate breath. Now this woman was just fishing for juicy details. A scandal made headlines after all. The woman would get all the scandal she needed when she heard about Namine. Adrien just had to bide his time and bring that up at the right moment and not just blurt it out. Interviews always did take a certain level of tact and a lot of strategy to make sure something didn’t slip out that shouldn’t.
"Yes," he said slowly, "To both. It was a very difficult time for her and this city. She is a strong and capable woman so she is overcoming the harm that has been done to her."
He would have wrinkled his nose, but he was on tv after all. It felt very much not like him to talk like that. He had to give a diplomatic answer. Something people wanted to hear, but also not give the news everything they wanted. They did not need to know everything about him and his loved ones. He understood the interest in him. He was the one on the magazine covers, despite his own personal opinion that Yang would be drop dead gorgeous for a motorcycle line of clothes, he would admit to his own inability to share. He would be jealous if he had to share her.
"How do you feel about her becoming a police officer? I know I would be devastated if anything happened to my husband in his line of work."
"She has her coworkers to watch her back for her. I trust them to bring her home safe to me."
He might not have known her personal partner, but Shadow and Sunshine had her back. The faery cop was too noble of a person to just roll over and let someone get hurt. Riku Lafayette liked to fight for the little people. Yang was in good hands all the same. She didn’t need coddling. At the same time, he liked to give her as much attention as possible. He counted himself as lucky to have won her in the end.
"Does it bother-?"
"Yang isn’t the one up for discussion," Adrien said firmly. "Our life together is going to stay between us and close personal friends."
"Close personal friends like the others blonde you’ve been around Adrien?" the woman asked, conspiratorially.
Adrien didn’t stop the dark look this time. Coming from Yang, this news was light, teasing and as unserious as could be. This woman was looking for the scandals Adrien knew she would. They would turn Namine into a bull’s eye. They would do anything for a story, even if it meant going through Namine to do it. He was making a small note to himself never to work with this news company again. They would be blacklisted for this.
"If there is a question there, I would like to hear it," he said harshly.
"Well, rumor has it; the two of you are seeing one another." She replied.
Deep breath. Reign in the anger this woman was igniting in him. He knew this was a rumor. He had expected it. He just hadn’t anticipated the rage that had built up upon having it verbally confirmed by this woman. He could already hear hushed whispers coming from the audience, thankfully off the screen and out of view of the cameras. This was what he hated the most about his fame. This unwanted fame drove people to gossip about his life as if he were little more than a media fact.
"We are seeing one another, but not how you think. She is my sister."
That should be enough to protect Namine, not divulging whether it was his mother or father who cheated or even that someone had cheated. The host’s eyes went wide, dark and glittering over the prospect of this bit of gossip. Secrets sold papers. They also created wonderful talks for day time television. Unfortunately, to some people, that was all this was going to be until someone else did something more scandalous. She grinned in a way that Adrien found distasteful immediately. She opened her mouth to ask a question but Adrien held up his hand to stop her. She took a deep breath, to continue anyways but a critical look from him set her mouth shut.
"Both Yang and my sister are off limits." He said. "That goes for contacting them in any way, shape or form. If I see even one reporter near them, I will be forced to take action."
He got to his feet. This might not have been as calmly handled as he would have liked, but it was done like ripping off a bandage. The discussion was a painful and grueling process. He meant what he said. If the media went after either Yang or Namine, he would take action. Shadow would love to help him. He hated the media hounds as much as Adrien did. Perhaps Adrien should have better security systems installed in both Yang and Namine’s homes. They hadn’t had need to test the sprinklers yet.
"We’re finished here."
He left amid protests from the tv show host who tried to grab his arm and keep him there. Ignoring even the protests of his fans in the audience, watching as he left in a storm of anger and disappointment at both himself and the circumstances this had to happen.