A:N This was meant to be up last night but dozed and forgot sorry. There will be another chapter later this afternoon
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Thomas spent the night searching looking for any correlation to the photo. He isn't a hacker so he's relying purely on searching using a description of those in the photo. He managed to identify the blue furball called Dr Hank McCoy from there he found a bald crippled dude called Charles Xavier. Seeing that he ran a school for mutants made it even easier to find others as they were under the staff list.
A new day arrives with Thomas doing his morning routine with the addition of a child to provide and protect. For his daily sign in he got nothing again. He didn't sleep last night since any good Internet Cafe is always open.
He sadly didn't get any customers despite waiting patiently throughout the night. After his morning routine of martial arts, he quickly whipped up a hearty breakfast made up of eggs, bacon, sausage toast, French toast and his personal favourite black pudding. He woke Laura up at 7 am and he joined her for breakfast at 7:30.
"Morning claws"
"Yawn Morning Scar, did you get any sleep last night"
"I don't need sleep, I just sleep when I'm bored"
"Any customers?"
"Sigh no. On the upside, I found your dad"
"You did!?"
"For now though you need to stay in Gotham"
"Why!?"
"It's not just that organisation that is searching for you it's the police too. At least for now they'll be searching in Burnside and not around here. Later tonight we'll go to burnside and make sure you get caught on camera then well do it again a week later before doing the same in other cities. Gotham is ironically the safest place for you"
"How am I meant to meet my dad then"
"Who said you need to go to him, he can come here. Not now though after we convince everyone you don't stay in one spot, so like a month later"
"A month? That's fine. What does he do?"
"Not really sure. What I do know is that he has a connection with a school for mutants in New York. Which gives me more of a reason as to why you can't go to him"
"Why?"
"I don't have any problems with mutants but there are a lot of people who don't think the same. Some of those people have an army and they are most likely watching that school waiting for a reason to storm it"
"And I could be that reason?"
"Yes, look I don't know much about you but I can guess that you've done some jobs," He said emphasizing Job
Laura gave a sad nod
"Sigh, some of them were political figures?"
She looked down at her plate and gave another nod.
"Yeah, we definitely cannot visit the School"
"I understand"
After a quiet breakfast, he left Laura to calm down as he waited on his first customers. At 8 a.m he got his first batch of customers. Wearing multiple layers with most of it having a weathered appearance. They swarmed around the vending machine getting food, drinks and clothes.
After making many soups and porridge pots they made their way out before hearing Thomas shout.
"You guys can sit, I just opened it so you won't be bothering anyone"
Talking amongst themselves before one spoke out "Thank you very much"
They made a move for some empty space on the ground but were stopped by Thomas "Follow me"
Thomas led them to one of the common rooms. He also bought a bunch of necessities like toiletries and blankets with a big bag to hold it all.
2 hours later they made a move for the exit only to be stopped by Thomas again " Come back later I also have a cheap place to sleep and shower"
"Will do and thank you, really thank you" After saying their thanks they left
"And just like that empty again. I think I need to go with old-fashioned advertising"
Thomas took some photos and then typed up some info to make a basic poster and leaflet. Printing 5000 copies ready to be used but he sadly can't leave the place unattended.
"Need help?" Asked Laura
"Yes, but first you need a disguise"
Thomas then went into his storage floor and found. After some rummaging, he found the glasses he wore when he was Harry Potter, a pair of white canvas high-top shoes and an insole.
He rushed back to Laura. He tied her long hair into a fishtail braid and let it hang over her shoulder. The big round glasses hid her cold eyes and the shoes added an extra 2 inches to her height.
Wearing a plain white T-shirt and black jeans completely transformed the trained killer into an innocent little nerd.
"It's good but it's missing something. Ah I got it"
Thomas came back with scotch tape and hello kitty plasters. He wrapped the nose of the glass in tape then put the hello kitty plaster on her cheek and right elbow.
Showing her a mirror he let her get a good look at herself. She was speechless. She squished and pulled her cheeks trying to process what she was seeing.
In a bewildered tone she exclaimed, "Is that me?"
Thomas teasingly replied "It helps that you're a pretty cute kid despite almost cutting my hand off"
Laura's face turned a bright red.
"Okay, now you just need to learn to smile, come on smile"
Laura looked to be fighting demons as she struggled to show an innocent smile. She somehow managed to completely change the innocent girl into a serial killer. Smiling ear to ear, every tooth being extra visible with wide beady eyes that seem to know how you will die.
"Cough, it looks like you can only smile when it's appropriate. That's a good thing it means you are not fake. It's Gotham anyway too much smiling and you might get lumped in with the Jokers" holding back his laugh he tried to reassure her
Laura turned her face away angrily "Annoying"
"From now on your Kayla Lane if anyone asks tell them you are staying at uncle Scar or Thomas's place"
"I can't even keep my name?"
"Sorry, but we can't take any chances. Here's some tape and 200 posters and 300 leaflets. There's a newsstand at the end of this block, give him the leaflets and 2 posters. Tell him my Uncle Thomas Blair said I could leave this with you. The rest of the posters can be taped to bins, bus stop shelters, benches, telephone poles and traffic lights with a crossing. Did you get all that?"
"Yes"
"Good, here's some cash to buy whatever you want when you get bored just put the rest in the trash. And remember no claws"
With one last wave, Laura left to experience Gotham alone.