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]

It's not just up to me, no. So of course they'd have to be okay with it. If the others wanted to go for this, I mean.

[Easter seems vaguely familiar but by now it has been a bit since Marinette was last in Japan and all before she and the other boy showed up. Of course it might take a bit for her to realize what was going on. For now, she seems non-committal in not deciding anything without the others, let alone their parents approving of it or not as to whether this would go ahead.]

[chicklet]

"Of course. Talk to the others and get back to me." She handed over a business card. "My number while I am in Paris. Let's try to set up a meeting for Saturday?"

[coccinelled]

That might be best. In not being around school or after school with activities or stuff. I can see what they say. If they were keen to talk about it, I'll let you know.

[She reaches and takes the offered card, pocketing it. Thanking the other for coming and for the offer in any case seems polite. She doesn't outright rush the other out the door immediately, though she is mindful that Adrien in particular probably has a time limit on being here at her place.]

[chicklet]

"Wonderfull, I look forward to hearing from you." She smoothed her skirt, ten turned to Marinnette's mother. "On my way out, may I make a purchase, or is the shop not open?"

[coccinelled]

[Marinette gives a nod, making to stand and bring the plate to the kitchen on her way back upstairs to Adrien and their dance instructor. Well, and to see the girl out, of course. Sabine gives a nod that she could make a purchase if she wishes on the way out, asking if she had anything in particular in mind. As she helps serve, Marinette takes care of the dishes from her mother bringing them snacks.]

[chicklet]

Lulu made a rather large purchase, getting a number of different things, and then took her leave with her bag, polite and formal the whole time.

[coccinelled]

[Once she leaves, Marinette rushes upstairs, almost tripping in her haste and frantic panic. She messages the others briefly summing it all up before emerging back in her room proper to tell Adrien. She stammers, something about Paris? Their band? while sort of flailing a bit before he raises an eyebrow, exclaiming he only caught a few words of it, encouraging her to sit down and take a deep breath. At the least, he seems used to her flailing? Kind of?]

[nadenagi]

"I... appologize, my French is good enough to get around, mostly , but I could not follow that..." he glanced at Adrien, helplessly.

[coccinelled]

[Adrien gives a shrug, before trying to explain.]

Something about our band. Easter? What about it? That's not for a -- you don't mean the holiday, do you?

[Marinette shakes her head at that in answer. Nope. Not that Easter.]

And something about travel? Because of the band? Like a tour? I doubt my dad would let me go. Modeling is one thing but even with that I'm usually here while he goes off traveling. Let alone your family with the bakery.

[nadenagi]

"EASTER?!" You now have his full attention. "Was whoever came to speak to you either a blond teenage girl named Utau, hair in pigtails," as though Marinette wouldn't have recognized the singer who attacked them all, but Nadeshiko was there for that, not Nagihiko, "Or a tall slender teenager with short blue hair?"

[coccinelled]

She was blonde. Yes. I didn't confirm anything. Just said we'd need to talk about it. And that's if our parents agreed to let us tour if this goes ahead and we make it bigger.

[Marinette isn't about to admit about being there with the concert at least in the reminder of Ladybug. Adrien may or may not have seen any news regarding that with her being in Japan at the same time as Marinette after all. She doesn't want to possibly out herself with that. Adrien gives a shrug and lowers his gaze.]

Not sure whether dad would let me or not. But it isn't like it's just up to him, the others too, yeah.

[nadenagi]

Ah the mess that secrets made. Nagihiko was now sure that Utau was in France. This was bad. Very bad. He looked quite alarmed. "While I wanted you both to come to Japan this wasn't quite how I meant..."

Not good not good not good not good.

Meanwhile one quick call back to Japan later... someone was on the phone now with Nathalie, discussing all the reasons Adrien would be benefited by studying abroad in Japan, and perhaps a business deal with Easter....

[coccinelled]

So we shouldn't go? Or we should, but be careful with this Easter, these people trying to recruit us?

[She's not sure they were that amazing. Of course she supported her friends. Wanted them to succeed at whatever they were passionate about. But at the same time, Marinette doesn't want to get them all pulled into whatever this was. It was easier when it was just her, her family. Rather than dealing with the rest too.

Let alone Adrien, who purses his lips and gives a shrug at her. Nathalie for her part, would answer that she would need to discuss the idea of Adrien heading off overseas to tour or the like with his father before any decisions were made. To see what Adrien himself and his father had to say about the idea.]

[nadenagi]

The caller was mostly interested in talking to Gabriel, really.

"I... I don't know. I..." Nadeshiko would know what to do. She would. Nagihiko was unsure and panicking. The kind of panic and concern that meant that Gabriel was suddenly unable to answer the phone of course.

"I mean on the one hand..." he was trying to be logic, but he was freaking out. And the Parisian kids might notice a familiar looking purple butterfly just outside the window... Nagihiko, his back to it, didn't.

[coccinelled]

On the -- careful!

[Marinette shifts in moving to try get between him and the window, as Adrien spots the butterfly and makes to ensure the window was closed that it can't get inside. Marinette probably shouldn't be so reckless in jumping to protect him like that given she is Ladybug, the one that can calm things down and all when there is an akuma. But it's instinct, as she possibly bumps Nagihiko in the process.

Nathalie would tell the caller that Gabriel was otherwise engaged and that if they left a number she could take a message and he could call them back later.]

[nadenagi]

When Marinette moved he spun to see why and when she bumped him, he neatly caught her, and twisted so that when he faced the window she... was behind him. If Adrien was between him and the window, he'd pull him back too, eyes fixing on the small purple butterfly. Of course his panic was only rising, making him more attractive to it.

"The two of you, get the adults to safety," he said. "I'll try to lead it away until the heroes arrive." Because he can't admit he knows one of them is there, but trusts her to be able to get away once her parents and Adrien were safe.

[coccinelled]

Wh-- hey! What -- ?

[Marinette squawks, blinking when he catches her and shifts like that. But she gets what he means, and is quick to respond with a reluctant nod, announcing she would head downstairs to warn her parents at least, leaving Adrien to look after him.

Adrien for his part, gives a nod of agreement, biting his lip before he agrees. He's less sure on his own excuse to try figure some privacy. Just follow Marinette and transform on the stairs behind her or something? He debates his options. Probably best to try and keep it lowkey. Keep the secret.]

I -- you'll be okay for a minute? I'm just gonna....

[nadenagi]

"I'll hold it off, just get to safety somewhere! Go!"

But of course now that he was less panicked... it was noticing someone's frustration nearby and was heading away.

[coccinelled]

[Marinette ensures the bakery downstairs is shut and all, before transforming and heading up to her room. Adrien heads down the stairs but not all the way down in still hiding in between the stories of the house in transforming there and ending up meeting her in heading outside to head to catch the butterfly hopefully before it gets to anyone.

Which means that on the other's end from the window he might see both Chat Noir and Ladybug swinging past to find the butterfly as it heads off.]

[nadenagi]

He rushed to the window, saw that, muttered under his breath and then headed downstairs to try and chase them on foot.

The butterfly vanished into a building a block away, wedging into a tiny crack in the wall.

[coccinelled]

[Ladybug shifts, glancing around in pausing to see where the butterfly went to. It had to be around somewhere? Chat Noir pauses in following her as he searches too.]

Which building? It's around here somewhere.....or maybe the negative emotions it sensed died down and it left? Back to Papillon or something?

[Chat Noir gives a shrug. Her guess is as good as his, really. He has no more of an idea than she does with that guess. But as casual and relaxed as he seems to be as he glances around with her, he is still on alert just in case.]

I'm not sure, Bugaboo. I won't say no to a patrol to check? If it's with you, I mean.

[nadenagi]

Nagihiko raced after them once he was outside, also looking for it, frantic.

[coccinelled]

If it is signaling someone might be akumatized we have to find it. I'm just not sure if it's still around here somewhere or if it's gone back to Papillon.....

[She's urging Chat Noir to help her look when she spots Nagihiko, ensuring he is alright first before asking if he wanted to help find the akuma or head back where he came from where it would be safer. She doesn't want to put him at risk if she can avoid it at least.]

[nadenagi]

"Of course I'll help," he said, voice grim but determined. "I may not be a Guardian, but I'll help however I can."

[coccinelled]

A....Guardian?

[Chat Noir asks, tilting his head in confusion. Obviously. Since he is less aware on it all with Japan having the chara. It isn't like Marinette could tell him, after all. In that would be revealing she was Ladybug. Ladybug simply gives a nod, telling him to be careful and keep an eye out. She didn't seem as confused or curious as the kitty, apparently. Obviously because she already knows, but in that she generally is better able to focus on the task at hand.]