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

[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."

[coccinelled]

I thought you must be related somehow! I met her and her other friends when on my trip to Japan with my parents. As for that, it's no bother. Really. I just...I just wanted to make sure you were alright.

[After everything. She's usually able to check in with the akuma victims easily enough in mostly tending to know the victims. She's just less sure when it's someone like him who is just visiting and gets impacted by Papillon's schemes and all. She gestures for him to sit, either on her bed or on the chair at her desk.]

[nadenagi]

He sat on the chair, hands resting on his legs, one over each knee. Like Nadeshiko he kept his back straight, but his hands were flat not clasped, he didn't seem to know what to do with his feet, and he tended to look down a lot. "Make sure I'm alright?" he asked, seeming confused.

[coccinelled]

Yes. I mean, after what happened out there with Papillon. He's always taking advantage of people getting mad or upset like that. Trying to get them to take the Miraculous.

[Marinette explains, as she sits cross legged on the bed, setting down her phone next to her to one side at the table there. She's not sure how much he knows about the chara and such but she figures since she met him as Ladybug and all she could tell him about that much.]

paid ran out, please excuse the messed up icons.

[nadenagi]

"It was... I don't know, I can't remember any of it.... were you there? Did I hurt you? I'm sorry if I did..." he said softly.

It's okay. It happens. Alas with paids and the icons we are left with.

[coccinelled]

N-no. I mean, I wasn't hurt or anything, it's okay. The important thing is that you're alright.

[If Papillon had managed it though, there was always the chance he would target the boy again. She has no idea about the range, whether it might still possibly happen when he went back to Japan, even. Marinette shakes her head though, trying to focus on reassuring him.]

Yep.

[nadenagi]

"I'm glad. I... don't like this... not remembering thing. I keep looking at people today, wondering if I somehow hurt them and I just.. don't know..."

[coccinelled]

Nobody blames you. We all know it's Papillon taking advantage of people getting upset or mad.

[It's been a thing that's been happening here for a while now after all. So Marinette and the rest of Paris in general is used to it and don't blame anyone for being akumatized. Or at least. She doesn't. And most of her friends and family have been affected by now, so it's hard if not impossible to hate those victims.]

[nadenagi]

"But I should have been able to handle it," he said, quietly, furious at himself. "Nadeshiko would have managed."

[coccinelled]

You are far from the only one. Most of the people I know in Paris have been akumatized at some point. Papillon is very convincing in the moment when emotions run really strongly. But it's alright, since you're back to yourself now!

[She might have to message Nadeshiko to let her know. To let her know to keep an eye on him in how he deals with this in the long term more. If he's beating himself up too much on it over time in still feel guilty over it.]

[nadenagi]

"So I've only been here a few days and already ran afoul of a super villian?" he gave a small laugh, disgusted with himself. "My sister is a hero. Me... I'm just...." possibly attracting another Akuma....

[coccinelled]

It's not your fault. A lot of people here in Paris have been affected by Papillon and his schemes to get Ladybug and Chat Noir's Miraculous. You can't let this bring you down on your trip here! What would you like to do? I can try help out while you're here at least.

[Starting with swiping some treats from downstairs, probably. But Marinette is a local so does know her way around. If he needs a guide.]

[nadenagi]

He gave a small shrug. "I'm here to learn dancing. I was having some fun yesterday, playing basketball with a couple of kids, but other then two nice guys the rest of them made it pretty clear they didn't want me around."

[coccinelled]

Dancing? That's pretty neat. I went with my parents for fashion. Well, they're bakers. Obviously, so they were looking at some of the snacks and stuff over there that people here might like. But....some of the kids didn't want you for basketball?

[She could kind of relate. She's not necessarily the best with athletics, with sports, given her clumsiness sometimes. But even so.]

Two nice guys?

[nadenagi]

Mood was lifting for sure now. "My whole family dances. My sister and i were raised to it. When we're grown up, one of us will inherit the dance studio and take over teaching when our father retires." He pushed back some of his hair. But then he nodded. "Yes, they were very nice. It... was like having friends for a time. I rarely get to stay anywhere long enough to make friends."

[coccinelled]

Well, if I know these boys from school maybe I can arrange for you to see them again and you can keep in touch? I'd love dancing, if I wasn't so clumsy myself....!

[She is rather known for it, after all. Which is part of the reason her disguise and confidence as Ladybug hasn't slipped with people figuring her identity yet. Somehow. Luckily.]

[nadenagi]

"Oh, that would be fun," he said. "But I could help teach you while I am here, if you want. Maybe they would want to learn too? Their names are Adrien and Nino, I think that's what they said their names were."

[coccinelled]

Adrien and Nino? They're in my class at school! I mean. We're friends. Nino's also dating my best friend Alya, so. We see each other a lot, you know.

[Adrien. Probably given their status, he had some sort of dancing lessons? Marinette wasn't sure. But she does know she'd be embarrassed if she was clumsy with learning in dancing with him.....! She bites her lip, before giving a shrug.]

But uh. If you're sure. Maybe? I just figure I'll probably fall over at least once or twice.

[nadenagi]

"I need to be able to teach anybody, if I want to be the heir instead of Nadeshiko, so I've spent my life learning. I can teach you to dance," he assured her, eyes actually sparkling a bit. "And I'd be happy to teach them too, as a thank you. And your friend Alya, if she would like to join the lessons."

[coccinelled]

Ah, you don't know how clumsy I really am....but. Alya might give it a go! Especially if Nino is. He loves his music, so he'd probably be keen. We can at least ask.

[Marinette gestures to her phone. She does have their numbers. So she could call or message them right there and then to find out.]