Part 26: A New Life
Victor and Nora Fries: The Fries were a different kind of surprise. Victor and Nora, a newly married couple, had come to the orphanage after learning they couldn't have children of their own. Their heartbreak had led them here, but their hope and love for each other shone through every word and gesture. Victor, at first glance, seemed cold and distant, almost unapproachable. But as you spent time with him, you saw the warmth beneath his exterior, a kindness and vulnerability that Nora brought out effortlessly. She was the light in his life, and together they radiated a quiet, comforting love. "We want to give you a home," Nora said with a soft smile. "A place where you'll always feel safe, where you'll always belong." Victor nodded, his voice a bit awkward but sincere. "I may not… be the most expressive person. But I promise, if you choose us, I will do everything in my power to give you a good life. To protect you."
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Victor and Nora Fries. That was their names, and they were unlike anyone else who had ever come to adopt from the orphanage.
For one, they were younger than most prospective parents, though they carried themselves with a kind of maturity born from hardship. They weren't flashy or overly polished, but they exuded a quiet, unshakable stability. What struck you most, however, was something you hadn't seen much in your life: they were happy. Truly, deeply happy, despite whatever struggles they had faced.
Victor, at first glance, seemed like the kind of man who would barely spare you a second glance. He was composed, serious, and carried an air of detachment that might have been intimidating if not for the way his gaze softened every time Nora spoke. It was as if her presence thawed something deep within him. And as you spent time with him, while Nora diligently filled out paperwork and reviewed your file, you began to see the warmth he hid beneath that frosty demeanor. Victor cared, more deeply than he knew how to express in words.
Then there was Nora, the polar opposite of her husband's reserved nature. She was warmth personified, a candle that seemed to burn endlessly no matter how dark the room. She had a way of speaking to you that made you feel seen, like you weren't just another name on a file or another troubled kid from Gotham. Her laugh was infectious, her optimism unyielding. And it wasn't just for show, Nora had a way of pulling Victor out of his head, away from his work and his worries, and grounding him in a happiness they clearly shared. Together, they radiated a love that felt… safe.
Over the next few weeks, you got to know them better. Victor was a scientist, brilliant and a little awkward when it came to small talk, but you found you liked his straightforward nature. Nora, on the other hand, was full of stories, jokes, and quiet reassurances that made you feel like you belonged with them.
And then, one day, the paperwork was done. It was official. You were leaving the orphanage.
The other kids were surprisingly excited for you. They all gathered to send you off, and for the first time, the dreary old building felt alive with joy. There were hugs, laughs, and even a few tears. Some of them looked at you like a hero, like they knew what you'd done to bring down the Matron and expose the Maroni connection. They never said anything outright, but their smiles and quiet nods told you they understood.
It wasn't proof, but you didn't need proof. You could see it in their eyes, they knew. And knowing that you'd made a difference, that maybe the choices you'd made had given them a better shot at life, filled you with something new. Hope, maybe.
When it was time to leave, you felt a mix of emotions. Relief, excitement, and a strange kind of sadness at leaving the place where you'd spent so much of your life. But as Victor and Nora stood at the door, waiting for you with warm smiles and open arms, you realized you weren't just leaving.
You were going home.
And for the first time in forever, that word didn't feel like an empty promise. It felt real.
However there was one… interesting caveat.
You took their name because they had taken you in when no one else did.
Though it was a bit weird to learn your middle name was Charles. But it did lead to a funny pun.
Adam Charles Fries. Air conditioning Freeze. That made Nora laugh in ways that were so infectious, that even Victor couldn't stop himself.
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Home was a modest townhouse on the safer side of Gotham, tucked away in the Upper West Side. It wasn't flashy like the sprawling estates or sleek condos on the East Side, but it was safe, comfortable, and leagues better than the grimy streets you had grown accustomed to. For the first time, "home" wasn't just a word; it was a place.
You learned quickly that the Fries family had a rhythm, one that revolved around love, resilience, and the pursuit of hope.
Victor, a research doctor specializing in cryogenics, worked for Wayne Enterprises as an R&D specialist. His work was fascinating, complex and innovative, but he had a habit of losing himself in it. Long hours in the lab weren't unusual for him, especially when he was deep into solving a problem. But Nora had a way of bringing him back. Every time he was late, even by an hour, she would call him, her voice calm but firm, and he'd drop everything to come home. Victor often said that his work meant nothing without her, and he meant it.
Nora, meanwhile, had her own quiet strengths. She didn't work a traditional job, thanks to Victor's salary, but she was always busy with her passions. A skilled writer, Nora often poured her thoughts into stories, essays, and poetry, though she never believed her work was good enough for publication. The few pieces she did publish were under a pseudonym, with the earnings going to charities and the Gotham Beautification Project, an initiative to restore neglected parks and disused lots into spaces filled with life and color.
What stood out most about Nora was her ability to find joy despite her struggles. She suffered from a chronic illness that made it difficult for her to hold down physically demanding or mentally exhausting jobs. Some days, she was vibrant and full of energy; other days, the illness left her bedridden, her strength sapped. Yet, she never let it dim her light.
Victor supported her unconditionally. He always tried to make her life a little brighter, even in the smallest ways. Every weekend, without fail, he brought her a single flower, a random bloom picked up on the way home. Nora didn't care what kind of flower it was. She cared that it brought color to their lives, a small rebellion against the darkness that sometimes loomed over them.
Your room was small but cozy, a blank slate waiting to be filled with memories. The closet had been stocked with clothes they'd picked out for you, a mix of essentials, and a few outfits they thought you'd like. They'd even gotten you collared shirts and an overcoat and a matching fedora to go with it, the kind you imagined great detectives wearing. They fit perfectly now, though you knew you'd grow out of them soon enough.
As you sat on the edge of your bed, you looked around the room, still half in disbelief that this was yours. Through the open door, you saw Victor and Nora standing together, their hands intertwined, both looking at you with soft smiles.
"Welcome home," Nora said, her voice warm.
Victor nodded, his tone steady but kind. "This is your home now."
For the first time in a long time, the word "home" didn't feel hollow.
It was your home.
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Ever since you started investigating your own circumstance, to stop the Maroni's from ending your life for their own selfish reasons, you wanted to use the hard won skills you gained from Harvey, from Margeret, and others… to help others.
Because you had the power to do that.
So you formally went to City Hall, using what little money you had, to form your own Detective Agency.
However, you didn't have a name at the time. But now you do.
What do you call your Detective Agency?:
[]Write in
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Because you have a detective agency, and you are nominally running it outside your bedroom, because you barely had any money and you didn't want to impose your own will upon Victor and nora, you would have to buy everything yourself.
Thankfully, those gems you took sold for a fair penny to a local pawn shop. Turns out, pure gold and silver at the weight you had, sold well. And the best part, they didn't ask questions from where you got it.
You have 55,000 USD. (Not a lot but it will do.)
What do you choose to invest in:
[]Datafile Access: You want to have access to the GCPD criminal files. As a private investigator, you would have to pay for the privlidge. But at least you can find out criminals at a glance, rather than… having to guess. (Cost 25,000)
[]A New Laptop: You are going to buy a laptop, so you can always have that access on the go. It even comes with a new fancy… Wireless internet connection that Wayne Enterprises is setting up all over the city. (Cost 3,000)
[] Forensic Toolkit: You can't always rely on the GCPD's labs. This portable forensic kit includes fingerprint analysis tools, chemical testing supplies, and a UV light scanner for spotting clues the naked eye might miss. (Cost: $5,000)
[] Surveillance Equipment: A set of wiretap devices, hidden cameras, and long-range audio recorders. Perfect for gathering evidence without being seen. Comes in a nice briefcase. (Cost: $10,000)
[] Gotham City Library Membership: Not just any library card—this gives you access to the restricted archives, blueprints, and historical documents that might reveal hidden tunnels, old conspiracies, or long-buried secrets. (Cost: $7,500)
[] Advanced Lockpicking Kit: A professional-grade set of tools for bypassing even the most secure locks. Because not all evidence is out in the open. (Cost: $1,500)
[] Multispectrum Goggles: These high-tech goggles let you see in infrared, ultraviolet, and thermal modes, perfect for tracking targets or finding hidden evidence. All from Wayne Enterprises newest line of… well not so affordable tech. At least Victor gives you a discount for being an employee. (Cost: $8,000)
AN: enjoy. And vote in plan format.
You will get the first three-part adventures after this.