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]

"She's my little sister's friend," he said quietly. "That makes me a little protective of her. Especially when it comes to a guy. You know?" He moved and walked over to casually lean against the closed door, blocking off the obvious escape - though he had noticed the stairs up - and keeping Marinette from coming back in too soon...

Remember how he said he'd help...?

[coccinelled]

Oh, so that's how you know her. You guys must have met her when she went over to Japan earlier, right?

[Adrien asks. She had mentioned making some friends over here at least, not that she was over there for too long though. He blinks, tilting his head when the other blocks the door, when he talks about being protective. About guys?]

H-hey, look. It's...we're just friends, if that's what you're worrying about. I'm protective of her as any of her friends are, I wouldn't want to see her get upset or anything either over a relationship not working out.

[nadenagi]

"Actually she met my sister. I was in England at the time. But I received letters. But that's not important at the moment. I'm glad you are protective over her too. But what would you do if you found out she liked someone?"

[coccinelled]

What if she liked someone? Well....I'd want her to be happy. Of course. Things have worked out for Nino and Alya and some of our other classmates so far.

[He's not quite yet getting the hint. That it is him that Marinette likes. This is of course, Adrien assuming she liked someone as something more than just a friend. He could be wrong in that but it seems to be what the other is implying at least. Even he could figure that much.]

[nadenagi]

"And if that someone didn't realize she liked them and she was too shy to say it, would you help her tell them?"

[coccinelled]

Too shy? I guess she can be, sometimes. I'd want to help, if I could. If she wanted me to, I mean.

[If not, if she didn't want that help, it might seem more...pushy? Imposing himself into the situation. Adrien isn't sure, whether Marinette might actually want help or not but it did seem she had talked to her friend in Japan, or had talked to this boy about it at least. Maybe it was someone Adrien knew so she wasn't as comfortable confiding in him for help with it or something.]

[nadenagi]

"And if that boy was clueless and saw her just as a friend, would you pull him aside and talk to him?"

[coccinelled]

If she wanted me to help. I would try at least. Yeah.

[Figuring maybe he is asking Adrien to help him talk to whoever it is? Because probably Adrien knows the guy to be more comfortable trying to help with this sort of thing. Or something like that. Not immediately jumping to the conclusion that he is the one in question.]

[nadenagi]

"I offered to help, she accepted that offer. But you're here and I won't be in a few days, so you need to help her, for me. Alright?"

[coccinelled]

I can try. I'm not sure she's mentioned who she likes to me, but. If she wants me to help, I'll do my best.

[But it makes sense. Adrien will still be around. This kid obviously will eventually be heading back home to another country and timezone and all. Short of online messaging to encourage Marinette it isn't like there'd be as much he could do long distance to help with this. Adrien being here has more options at least. Potentially.]

[nadenagi]

He nodded and handed him a folded up photo. One of the ones he helped her clear away. "Here, this is a pi... she's coming, put it in your pocket! Quick!" he dashed back to the chair he had been standing by.

[coccinelled]

A wh--ah?

[Adrien reaches, taking and pocketing the picture for later, shoving it into his jeans pocket as they hear Marinette making her way back up the steps with a tray of drinks for them. She enters and sets the drinks down at the desk for them all.]

Here we are!

[nadenagi]

He walked over to help her with the tray. "Thank you," he said softly. He gave her a kiss on the cheek or seemed to, instead he whispered so Adrien didn't see, "Taken care of..." and then stepped back with a drink.

If he read the room correctly, this was about to be fun.

[coccinelled]

[Marinette blinks at the kiss or illusion of one. She hadn't really experienced that so much in Japan after all. Even if it was a common thing among the French. She gives a barely perceptible nod in response, giving a small smile as she takes a drink of her own and gestures for Adrien to join them. He does, though of course he isn't looking at the picture the other had given him. Not yet anyway, not in front of Marinette as he reaches to take a drink before they start.]

Mm.

[nadenagi]

Ah well. He sipped his drink for a moment then stood. "Shall we get started?" he asked quietly.

[coccinelled]

Sure.

[Adrien agrees, Marinette a little stiff as she gives a nod, putting down their drinks for the time being to head to more the center of the room. Adrien isn't as pink as Marinette is across the nose and cheeks and initially at least seems more casual about it all as he stands next to her, waiting instruction exactly on which sort of dance they might start with.]

[nadenagi]

"Alright, to start we're going to do a fan dance, from Japan. Do you have some paper we can fold?" he asked Marinette.

[coccinelled]

Paper? Yes, at my desk. I always have some there for homework or writing notes, or drawing some more designs....

[Marinette manages to answer that easily enough. It's a simple question. And has nothing to do with discussing Adrien after all. She gestures over at her computer desk, at the pad of refill paper there that he could use. It isn't the thickest but should still do alright hopefully. She and Adrien aren't sure if they should step forward to help him fold it or stay where they were if he was more practiced about it and knows what this dance entails or such.]

[nadenagi]

He nodded and went over and began quickly and expertly folding sick pages into six fans. He handed them each two. "Hold them like this," he said, demonstrating. "Now the female fan dance and the male dance are very different, but the art comes when the two combine. So I will start with Adrien, Marinette please watch closely, since you'll have to be aware of how he moves when you do." He gave them both a small, slightly less shy smile. He came alive when it came to dancing, as Adrien was about to see.

[coccinelled]

[Marinette gives a nod, stepping to the side and sitting on her bed to watch so she wouldn't be in the way while they were teaching. Sitting with her hands and fans in her lap and watching, tilting her head slightly as Adrien gives a nod in understanding, patiently waiting and then trying to imitate when the other boy starts to show him the dance movements.]

[nadenagi]

He was not shy about reaching to recognize Adrien's limbs as needed, and correcting his stance, though he did stop at one point and studied him. "You do more sports than just basketball. Something with stances. Archery? Fencing?"

[coccinelled]

Fencing, yeah. You could tell?

[Probably from his posture or something. That and his modeling career means he is easy in working with others and in listening, in his movements as directed so to speak. He easily allows the other to shift him as necessary as they go through the dance moves together, Marinette watching from the bed.]

[nadenagi]

Nagihiko nodded. "Yes, and you take direction very well. You should do a year abroad in Japan and take dance lessons at the Fujisaki school. Both of you should. A pre-college adventure," he said, then turned to her. "Your turn. While he keeps running the routine I showed him, I will show you yours, so you can see how they interact." He had a bright smile and seemed almost to be shining. He was happier even than he had been playing basketball, and the shyness seemed to be fully gone.

[coccinelled]

I'm....not sure if my father would approve of something like that.

[Adrien admits, not that he necessarily would have anything against the idea of studying abroad for a bit. He continues in trying to practice the steps and movements he was taught as Nagihiko turns his attention to Marinette and brings her over as well. She agrees and lets him lead her over to dance, biting her lip with nerves as she watches him then to try imitate him.]

Okay....

[nadenagi]

"My father could talk to him," he said as he took Marinette's hands. "Remember just like last time, just focus on following me. Hold the fans like this, then I will hold your hands over them to guide you."