My Miraculous, UNLOCK! A PSL for a Ladybug in Japan.

[amu_chan]

After settling in, Tom and Sabine would have given Marinette a surprise gift, since they could tell that she hadn't fully wanted to come overseas on this trip. So once they were settled in they gave her an envelope. Inside was a concert ticket for the next night and some spending money to buy herself either something to wear for the concert, or cloth if she wanted to make something herself, since the air B&B they were staying at had a sewing machine. They would be at the concert too, since it was a strange city in a foreign country and all, but they assured her they would be sitting several rows back.

They totally weren't going so Tom could spy on if she was flirting with any Japanese boys, NOPE! Not at all. She can't prove it.

Anyway.

So she would be given an afternoon with some money and a map to wander if she wanted to, so long as she was home in time for dinner. There might have been threats that if she was late coming back for dinner they would spend the whole concert glued to her side, but that was probably a joke. Right?

It was cold outside, late December snows keeping some people indoors, so the streets weren't too crowded, but that made it that much easier to catch hints of conversations from the people who were out. Teenagers and kids were talking about school, and sports, and the upcoming concert which seemed to be a big deal. The two main acts were a boy band called Darts and a singer named Utau. There were subtle advertisements here and there, but at least one shop window had a pair of posters for them. Darts was all cookie cutter boy band, and on the young side. Nothing like the energy someone would get from a Jagged Stone poster. It looked like SAFE had been the key word for the design team.

The poster for Utau however....

The girl in the poster couldn't have been older than sixteen or seventeen, and the babydoll black dress and the blond pigtails should have made her look soft and safe as well. Should have made her look young, even with the tall heels she was wearing. But there was nothing comforting or cookie cutter about the poster of her. Everything from the look in her eyes to her stance seemed to act as a warning. Or maybe that was just because Mari knew Chloé. Just from the image she seemed to have all the attitude Chloé tried to have. But what held people going by was the expression on her face. The eyes. Where all the boys of Darts were smiling brightly at the camera, and thus the passer bye, her violet eyes held a challenge, her lips a slight down turn that might remind one of Gabriel Agreste at his more irritated. As though the photo shoot, or perhaps the audience, was a waste of her time.

In fact, some of the people passing by would comment, and Mari could hear them, about how she was so pretty, why wouldn't she smile, or about how her music was so good you almost didn't care that her poster looked like it hated you. A few guys starred dreamily at the poster, though.

One boy, maybe 19 or so, stopped near Mari, eyeing the poster for a moment, his eyes cool, his face blank, hands in his pockets. Unlike everyone else, he hadn't bothered with a winter coat, wearing an all black outfit with small silver crosses here and there. He had short dark blue hair and for some reason might aaaaaalmost remind her of Chat, though there was no logical reason for it. Tikki, however, would sense something from him. The boy didn't seem to notice Mari at all, however, and would turn and walk off again after only a moment, seeming bored.

And he wouldn't be the only one Tikki would sense something odd about. Not five minutes later, three girls would be passing, huddled in their jackets. Two of them looked about a year or two younger than Marinette, the third looked a year or two younger than that. The youngest looking one had brownish hair in pigtails that DID make her look younger, but the barrettes might have something to do with that. Big red bows. She was also bouncing a bit as she walked, and all her mannerisms made her seem young. Of the other two, one had shockingly pink hair with a red X hair barrette over one small lock that was pulled up over the rest, and bored seeming gold eyes. She was hunched into her black and red jacket against the cold. The third had long purple hair Juleka would have loved and kind eyes, along with small kind expressions. She moved with a gentle grace, small fluid motions, and her jacket was well tailored to her and looked very feminine in style and cut. Very well made. The other two were clearly wearing off the rack coats, hers looked custom designed for her.

The youngest was talking animatedly. "Are we going to Utau's concert this time too, do you think? Should we ask Kukai and Tadase at school tomorrow?"

"Do we have a choice, after last time?" The pink haired one grumbled.

"Hmmm," the purple haired one said. "We probably should go. Let's bring it up at the meeting, alright?"

She looked like she was about to say something then looked around, scowling. She stared at Marinette for a moment then looked past her, before turning to the purple haired girl. "Where are Ran and the others?"

"I think Kiseki said something about training, they'll be along." And with that the three kept walking.

But not only would Tikki sense something odd from those three, the pink haired one the most, but.... something the pink haired one was wearing or carrying under that coat and scarf, hidden from sight, was something that Tikki would feel like a wave of power. As if she had just eaten one of the macarons with an enhancement potion in it. Something that girl had with her would make Tikki feel strong and amped up... but it wasn't any feeling she'd recognize.

Comments

[nadenagi]

As soon as he saw Chat Noir his whole demeanor changed. The Akuma's eyes went huge, then with a shriek of rage he lunged after Chat. No Eggs, no trying to talk him into becoming a friend. Just an attack.

"I WANT HIS MIRACULOUS!" Paps demanded.

And for the part Chat and Ladybug could hear Écloson responded with a growled "You can have it after I rip this stray cat to shreds!"

[coccinelled]

Chat?! No! He's no stray! He's my friend! Stop!

[Ladybug cries out, approaching to try and pull him away from Chat as her partner used his pole to try defend himself in trying to push the akuma away with, to get him off as they fall back to the rooftop and he's on top of Chat Noir. Chat extends his pole to try push Écloson off, to try push him back.]

[nadenagi]

"Dirty double dealing good for nothing stray cat! You don't need someone like him as a friend! He'll go after you when you aren't expecting it!" he yelled, still trying to rip Chat apart with his almost bare hands, occasionally wacking him with the egg basket, the cloth from it flying and flapping in Chat's face. "I'll be your friend. You don't need him!"

[coccinelled]

He wouldn't! He's only ever helped me! Stop!

[Ladybug says, reaching to pull him off of Chat Noir. Chat, for his part, tries not to actually scratch as he tries protecting his face at least from the smacking. Chat pouts at Ladybug as he then makes to stand, looking mock offended.]

You don't need me anymore, My Lady?

[Ladybug rolls her eyes, unable to keep the slight smile from her lips as she reassures him of course she does.]

Whoops, forgot color.

[nadenagi]

"No! You can't trust him! I won't let any more cat-boys hurt our friends!"

[coccinelled]

Any...more? What happened before?

[If she stalls him enough, it'll give her time to come up with something? To figure the Lucky Charm and destroying the item the akuma was attracted to. She just has to keep his attention on her, keep him talking. If possible. Even if he doesn't seem as dangerous as some other akuma. She still has to try figure some way to help him.]

[nadenagi]

Sadly, the Akuma was very intent on Chat, and not on chat-ting. Not that hitting him with a basket was doing all that much good. The swings were also a bit wide and broad, like he was used to a different weapon. "No more!"

[coccinelled]

[Ladybug slings her yoyo, using the string of it to restrain the akuma. She exclaims again for him to stop attacking Chat Noir. She then tells Chat Noir to keep him occupied while she then uses her Lucky Charm to figure out the situation. She throws up her yoyo, shouting out for her Lucky Charm to see what it might be and how to use it.]

[nadenagi]

The sting restrains him long enough for Chat to get clear, but he's freed when she pulls it back for her Lucky Charm, Oddly, rather than resuming his attack, the akuma turned, to watch, seemingly fascinated, as she used her lucky charm, receiving....

A toy fishing rod with what looked like bubblegum at the end of it.

"What is that supposed to do?" The akuma asked, confused.

[coccinelled]

A.....fishing rod? Hmmmm.....

[Clearly, Ladybug isn't immediately sure either. On what to use it for, exactly. Which is why she glances around, trying to figure out the puzzle of sorts. In how to go about figuring this Lucky Charm for getting to the akuma item and destroying it.]

Pulley isn't exactly the word I want, but I'm blanking

[nadenagi]

An I beam from a nearby construction site might make a good pulley to give lift, where as the blanket in the egg basket seems the only thing light enough for the gum to have a chance at catching... .

"What.... even is that thing!?"

[coccinelled]

Lucky Charm? It....turns into something that will help me.

[And since he seems so curious, she demonstrates with making use of the beam and the blanket, in using the rod and gum to grab at the blanket, swinging it over to Chat Noir and calling for him to try rip it or destroy it with his Cataclysm. If that's what was akumatized then it would revert him back to normal at least.]

[nadenagi]

"HEY WAIT!" the Akuma cried realizing what was happening, but too late. The eggs in the basket went flying as the blanket was pulled. The akuma raced for the eggs, ignoring a screaming super villian. When Chat destroyed the blanket and the darkness fled the boy crumpled in a heap would be familiar looking to Adrien.... and the kind of eggs he was holding, familiar to Mari. Then again, he might look disturbingly familiar to Mari as well.....

"What... happened?" The voice certainly wasn't Nadeshiko's voice, but otherwise he looked so much like a male version of her....

[coccinelled]

Bye bye, petit papillon.

[Ladybug restores the butterfly, watching it fly off before she then turns to the somehow almost familiar victim, offering her hand to help him back to his feet. Chat Noir's eyes widen but he leaves it to Ladybug, explaining he'll be late for something but he'd see her around.]

It's alright. Paris is...well. There's someone that likes to take advantage when people here get mad or upset sometimes. But you're okay now. I can help you back down, then I should get going too before I transform back.

[nadenagi]

"Oh..." he said. "Thank you. And my sister told me something like that, I guess I should have believed her," he added with a rueful smile, wrapping the eggs carefully then sliding them into his pockets.

[coccinelled]

Your sister? [It probably is who she suspects. But just to be sure. She had talked to them about the idea of maybe coming to visit sometime if they had the chance at least. So maybe this shouldn't be so surprising for her. Ladybug waits till he's ready before gesturing for him to come to her, readying with her yoyo to take them back down to the street.]

Ready?

[nadenagi]

He came over. "Alright, Nadeshiko said that you are someone who can be trusted," he said in a quiet voice, with a small smile.

[coccinelled]

I met her and her friends. Back in Japan.

[If he already knows Nadeshiko and all, she figures she could at least let her guard down a little if he's already aware of her. Though she's not sure if he knows her true identity aside from Ladybug. She uses her yoyo to bring them back down, landing down one of the smaller side alley streets to attract less attention.]

But ah, I'm about to change back. I'll see you around though, okay? Be careful of Papillon and his akuma while you're all here.

[nadenagi]

"I will. Will we meet again while I am in Paris?"

[coccinelled]

Maybe. Tell Nadeshiko to come find the bakery!

[Since. Well, that much couldn't hurt. If his sister already knew her as both Marinette and Ladybug. She calls out that much before giving a wave and leaving, going to hide to transform back for a moment, before reemerging as Marinette to continue to go about her day again.]

[nadenagi]

Late in the afternoon the next day, Nagihiko would step into the bakery, looking around, seeming shy and unsure. No sign of anyone being with him.

[coccinelled]

[Marinette was busy out the back at that moment, in helping her mother while her father was out the front serving. He gives a wave to the boy, calling out to Marinette that he thinks it might be one of her friends come by again. She blinks, popping her head out from the kitchen.]

Oh! Yes, thanks Papa......

[Cue Marinette excusing herself and offering to bring him to her room upstairs if he wanted to talk about what had happened in private.]

[nadenagi]

"Ah, thank you. I'm sorry I couldn't bring Nadeshiko..." he said as he followed her up after a shy bow to her father as they passed.

[coccinelled]

It's alright. So you're her brother? Or...or a friend, I just figured, the hair and all, you look like you're probably related.

[Marinette says as she leads him up the stairs, figuring to keep it lighter and more innocent chatter until they were actually in her room out of earshot of her parents. Given they don't know about her being Ladybug and all. She can't talk about that in front of them. But she wants to, in at least ensuring that he and the others were alright, after all that had happened.]

[nadenagi]

"Nadeshiko is my younger twin sister. She said you are a friend of hers, as was the person who told me to find this place," he said softly. "I am sorry if I am a bother."