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]

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.]

[nadenagi]

He stood and offered his hands. "First lesson now. I'll show you."

[coccinelled]

Wh -- now? I'm....okay....

[She doesn't feel ready but. When is she ever really ready? Besides. It was just the two of them, in her bedroom. Just to practice. She bites her lip, reaching to take his hands. Unsure what sort of dancing to expect but figuring she may as well try at least, to practice in relative privacy at least.]

[nadenagi]

He gave her a warm smile, seeming truly confidant and at ease for the first time. He pulled her up by her hands carefully, then placed one of her hands on his waist and held the other. His free hand went on her waist. "Watch my eyes and let your feet just react. For the first lesson, don't think about where your feet are or try to figure out how to move, just watch my eyes and your body will follow my lead. Alright?"

[coccinelled]

Watch your eyes? Ah, okay......

[She could try? And of course apologizes in advance for the chance that she might end up stepping on his feet in the process. Not that that is likely to really be painful with her just wearing her socks at the moment but still. She lets him help her to her feet and straightens, one hand going to his shoulder in instinct as he holds her other. She tries to keep her gaze on him. in meeting his when he does then start to move.]

[nadenagi]

"Good, now, tell me more about Alya?" he asked, starting to slowly move, keeping his eyes on hers. The plan was simple, get her into conversation so that she stops thinking about the fact that they are moving and just reacts.

[coccinelled]

Alya is...she's a big Ladybug fan. Runs a blog and everything. She's really smart and supportive. She's probably helped me out more than she knows.

[And puts up with Marinette with her huge and least subtle crush on Adrien and all. Not to mention her helping Marinette babysit and such, helping her out of jams she gets herself in sometimes. Supporting her best friend in her crush. Marinette could probably praise her friends all day if allowed. Though at the least, she does start to get less awkward as she thinks more about her friends than her movements, her feet and the possibility of stepping on his. Her clumsiness.]

[nadenagi]

He will let her praise her friends all day, successfully hiding his envy. "Helped you out how?"

[coccinelled]

You know, covering for me. Supporting me in my hobbies. Encouraging me with -- er, boys.....

[One boy in particular. But she hasn't yet admitted her feelings. Somehow. Even after all this time since she met Adrien. Even if she did have the courage, it was....complicated. For her to even be with anyone, given the Ladybug duties and all taking her time at any moment.]

[nadenagi]

"Boys? Or a specific boy?" he was guessing, mostly just keeping her focused on talking so that she wouldn't over think the dancing.

[coccinelled]

That.....er...well. A specific boy, really. You've already met him, actually.

[Not that Marinette has confessed her feelings. But still. Her crush on Adrien was obvious to most everyone else. Even if somehow Chloe never stooped low enough to use that against her exactly. She can feel the heat at her cheeks as she admits that. But he isn't wrong in chatting about her friends distracting her.]

[nadenagi]

"That would be the boy, Adrien, you mentioned?"

[coccinelled]

Y-yes....him.

[She's unsure why she might be telling him? Only, he is asking. That and maybe she feels more comfortable about it with knowing he wasn't likely to be here long? Maybe that was part of it at least. Marinette's feet move instinctively as he leads them in the dance, her hands unable to raise to rub at the back of her neck or fidget]