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]

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]

[nadenagi]

"So, tell me, why do you like him?"

[coccinelled]

Why? Oh, he's great! He's so kind, and gorgeous -- I mean, of course he is, he's a model and all. And he's really sweet. He's helped me out too, sometimes. I'm pretty sure everyone in class likes him. I don't see why anyone wouldn't. It's just his dad is really strict and his schedule's usually so busy, it's hard sometimes to properly spend time with him.

[Marinette tries to explain. He's been really fun when they did get to hang out. He's helped her out. They have some similar interests. He's attractive. That's it, right? At least. As far as most all teenage crushes go at school.]

[nadenagi]

"Would you still be in love with him if he wasn't gorgeous?" he asked, wondering if she'd pick up on his guess that it was more than a crush. He wasn't sure if he was right, ut he suspected he'd have an answer soon...

[coccinelled]

I mean, his being gorgeous is definitely a plus. But even without that, he's great. Ever since he shared that umbrella with me after his first day at school, he showed he's so kind.

[It isn't like he had far to go down the stairs to the waiting car with his bodyguard. She walked back home. But still, that was kind of the start of her budding feelings for him. Unfortunately even if she was getting slowly better about actually forming coherent sentences around Adrien, she hadn't yet confessed her feelings.]

[nadenagi]

"So this is more than just a crush then?" he asked, with a hint of a smile.

[coccinelled]

More than -- well, um. Maybe? It's....not like I've said anything to him though.

[Because as much as she has improved in getting out a coherent sentence around him, Marinette is not necessarily the best with this romance and relationship stuff. When it pertains to Marinette herself anyway. It's not due to any lack of encouragement on Alya's part either. Marinette just always fumbles when she does try to reach out in saying anything to him.]

[nadenagi]

"Why not?" he asked, offering her a warm smile.

[coccinelled]

I -- I get so nervous? I mean, I'm a lot better than I was! But...I don't know. I try leave him a gift and forget to put my name or...something always gets messed up. So I haven't said anything yet, exactly.

[She says, still letting him lead and following him in the dance, stepping to try follow without tripping or standing on his feet. She does seem kind of down about it but there was not much for it when something kept happening when she did try to express her feelings for him thus far anyway.]

[nadenagi]

"Would you like some assistance with that? As a thank you for being a kind host to me, and a friend to my sister?"

[coccinelled]

E-eh? You....you want to help? I mean, you don't have to? Alya tries but even she hasn't successfully helped me confess to Adrien.

[So she isn't sure she should really expect much. She'll be alternately thrilled or horrified and mortified depending on how this might end up? Basically? It's a gamble. She doesn't want to push this on him just because she admitted this to him, anyway.]

[nadenagi]

"I don't mind trying, if you want me to. I might not be as good at these sorts of things as my sister, but I can try."

[coccinelled]

That's....not why you came here though. To play matchmaker or whatever, right?

[The offer to try help is sweet. Marinette is just over time perhaps a little losing hope of things coming of it it all, in her feelings for Adrien perhaps. After her botched attempts thus far not being promising anyway. It's something a little....awkward? So she's not sure on taking him up on it or not.]

[nadenagi]

"I can multitask," he assured her dipping her slightly, before bringing her back upright. "And you can dance." He gave her a warm smile.

[coccinelled]

Whoa!

[Cue her clinging to him a little tighter when he dips her to stop from falling. But she does otherwise seem to manage okay. More or less, as she then straightens and gives a slight sheepish look.]

I guess....It's worth a try? But thanks. I'm just usually so clumsy.

[nadenagi]

"They say some people who stutter can sing, and that can help them fix the stutter. Perhaps dancing can help you with your coordination. For now, why not call them over, or to some place we can have space to all practice together?"