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]

"I get that. Saving everyone from the akuma, that's what Chat Noir and I do."

So she understands. That there's a responsibility, a duty. Which is why she figures on letting them take care of it when they had come across the eggs before. She intends to focus more on keeping the citizens safe. If there were any more out there left to deal with.

"Is....is that it? Should we head back to the concert now to check on everyone?"

Sorry for no colour

[amu_chan]

Amu nodded. "We'll do what we can."

Tadase looked at her. "Come to the Garde any day after school. We need to talk." And with that, they headed back into the concert."

Yaya paused and glanced back. "Maybe you shouldn't come with us, since security was after you and all that..."

It's okay.

[coccinelled]

"Come to the Garde? A garden?"

Or. She assumes as much? A garden or park? Well, she could always check on her phone with the maps. For now, she does follow them back and gives a shrug.

"It's alright. I'll just get Tikki to transform me back. I'll be fine."

Garden. I typoed.

[amu_chan]

"The Royal Garden at Seiyo. Any student can guide you to it on any school day. Tell them you are looking for the Guardians and they will find one of them," Tadase clarified.

Yaya grinned. "Alright, detransform and let's go. It's cold out here!!!" She stomped her feet.

Amu sighed and looked off to the side, seemingly bored with all this.

I assumed so.

[coccinelled]

"Royal Garden at Seiyo....alright! I'll be there. See you guys later."

Ladybug gives a wave and separates off from them as they near the concert venue, ducking in a side street to detransform with Tikki. She sighs, telling her kwami they would talk later that night about whether or how to reveal herself to these new friends. If it is necessary. For now, she hurried back to the concert as Marinette, ready to explain to anyone that asked that she had simply tried to stay out of the way of the commotion at the time.

[amu_chan]

The concert was mostly back under control by the time she got there, though several people had left. Utau was singing again though there were security guards on stag, and no more weird darkness. She really did have a good voice. What she didn't have, anymore, were the little black batwings that had been on her back. Amu and them were back in their seats, whispering to each other as they watched, glancing around occasionally.

[coccinelled]

[Marinette is just glad to see things seem to have calmed down. And were back to normal. Even if her parents might have questions about seeing Ladybug in Japan like this. Utau might not necessarily be her style, given she prefers the likes of Jagged, but she still can't deny that the girl could sing. She glances over to Amu and the others and gives a wave as she shuffles and tries not to trip on the way to her seat amid the crowds. She remains in her seat though and tries to enjoy the concert, after checking over her shoulder to see her parents are alright.]

[amu_chan]

Nadeshiko would be the one to notice the wave as she heads for her seat and waved back with a bright smile. mind turning things over.

When the concert ended, the kids stood as one, and it seemed almost like Utau thre them personally a glare before turning on her heel and flouncing off stage. The crowd was talking more about the odd girl in the halloween costume than anything else as they left the theaters, most people too into the discussion to bother buying souvenirs. Amu and the others hung back against a wall, pretending to chat as they listened to the crowd.

[coccinelled]

Perhaps she shouldn't be so surprised at the buzz and chatter about her -- about Ladybug. They might be used enough to their local Guardian heroes, but the Japanese, at least since she had gotten her Miraculous, hadn't seen Ladybug before. Still, she tries not to react too nervously or obviously about it in joining in, in correcting them and such as she too makes her way out with her parents. She just hopes they don't get suspicious or anything with Ladybug having shown up here rather than Paris.

Still, she does again give a wave when she comes across Amu and the rest again on the way out.

"I'll see you guys tomorrow!"

[amu_chan]

Amu gave a distracted nod. Ran, her pink cheerleader chara flew over to Marinette. "If you come at three thirty there will be cookies and tea!" She said happily, safe in the knowledge that none of the adults could see or hear her. "Do you want Miki or me to stay with you tonight to help you find it?" she offered.

Have fun responding without your folks being confused, kiddo.

[coccinelled]

Marinette bites her lip, before giving a slight, brief nod. If that was okay with the others. She just hopes nothing happens that they were needed before then. Still, she can barely really react to talk about it, given the others might not be able to see the little chara the same way they could with Tikki. So this is about the best she can do in potentially not verbally answering back and being more awkward with her parents right there and all.

[amu_chan]

Amu's Miki floated over and landed on Mari's shoulder. "I'll go with you then," she said.

Ran nodded and flew back to Amu.

[coccinelled]

Marinette gave a nod, briefly, otherwise not really able to react much to the strange kwami like creatures. At least not until she gets back to the hotel and goes back to her own room after bidding goodnight to her parents. It's only then that she bites her lip, glancing in her bag to Tikki. Unsure if she should. If she should reveal Tikki and thus herself. If Tikki says it is okay, she might. It might be easier to? What with the meeting and all tomorrow. Plus letting them know when she would be heading home and not able to help them out at Ladybug. To learn more about these different opponents in case something like this happens back in Paris too, as well.

[amu_chan]

Miki rode on her shoulder, watching around. A small sketch pad appeared in her lap and she stated sketching as she looked at everything, sketching everything she saw. As soon as they were away from her parents Miki spoke up. "Have you ever considered a pale blue trim to your jacket?" she asked, her voice soft and curious.

She ripped off the page and leaned forward to show it to Mari. It was a sketch of a pretty new outfit with a jacket that would look good on her.

[coccinelled]

"A blue trim?" Well, if anything might work in distracting Marinette, fashion would do it. At least get her curious. She puts her bag down at her bed, before glancing over to the sketch. She already has some sketches from some outfits she had seen on the streets in Japan with the different styles people wear here, but this does pique her interest.

"It look neat. I could probably make this easily enough back home with my sewing machine once I got the fabrics for it...."

Or at least some clothes as a base to start altering to this.

[amu_chan]

"I love making clothing for Amu, but I think designing them is even more fun than making them. But I could probably make this for you tonight!"

[coccinelled]

"I'm more of a designer myself, I think. At least, I tend to find the design part more fun. But you'd need the fabrics and everything? I mean, we do have a sewing machine here in the hotel room, but."

What about the right fabrics, the thread? Marinette probably shouldn't question this quite so much given how Tikki activating can put her into her Ladybug outfit and all, but still. She can't help being both impressed and confused about this. She glances into her bag again, wondering if it might be alright to talk to Tikki with this one around.

[amu_chan]

Miki winked. "So long as you don't tell the others... maybe just this once..."

She took the page with the drawing and threw it into the air. The finished outfit landed on Mari's bed. she followed, landing on the mattress with a yawn.

[coccinelled]

"I won't tell. Gosh, if only I could do that! It'd be so much quicker to actually make my designs to see how they would fit together and look when someone wears it, rather than just sketches....!"

Marinette can't help but to be impressed. Which is not of course to say that she still isn't impressed with Tikki and her kwami abilities. But this was just a lot more....personal in how the ability fitted in with Marinette's interests and dreams in regards to fashion and all.

[amu_chan]

Miki yawned again and stretched as two halves of an egg shell appered around her, until she was peering sleepily out of the jagged crack. "S'okay if I take a quick nap?" she asked, already close to asleep. That took a lot out of her, especially when she was so far from her child.

[coccinelled]

"Sure. I'll probably not be long off sleeping too."

She didn't mind if the other was tired. It had been quite a day, even for Marinette. That and her sleeping would give Marinette a chance to talk to Tikki? Probably. She waits until she is sure that Miki is asleep before she heads to the bathroom, closing the door and letting Tikki out from the bag. Asking Tikki what the kwami thinks of these Guardians, if she should reveal herself when she is supposed to meet them tomorrow.

[amu_chan]

The egg would have closed fully around Miki as she drifted off, and she'd remain asleep in her egg for most of the night, waking up irritatingly early and peeking out from a crack in the shell as she tries to get her bearings. Waking up away from Amu always felt weird.

[coccinelled]

"I know, I know you've said nobody can know, Tikki. I just -- this way I can help and they will know I won't always be here? If they're....like us, then I think I can trust them. I know, I haven't even told Chat Noir who I really am, but. I've already transformed while here so that's probably maybe already raising some questions."

Probably, even in all that, someone got at least one photo. She can just picture Alya all over it and wondering what it meant that she was now apparently in Japan for some reason. Marinette sighs, biting her lip and figuring they could sort it in the morning. It was late. So she heads to bed herself, the sun rising and peeking through the curtains, making her raise the blankets to try block it out more as she mumbles something about five more minutes.

[amu_chan]

Miki yawned and floated out of her shell, landing on Marinette's chest as she stretched, shell vanishing. "Breakfast?" she asked, sleepily.

[coccinelled]

Marinette almost starts at the creature at her chest, but she is quick to remember last night. The concert. All of that had actually happened and wasn't just some crazy dream then.....She sighs, giving a nod as she pouts briefly in lowering the blankets.

"Alright. I'll try pocket some for you."

And Tikki. She's still unsure how this is going to work with having both of them for the day. For now though, she first takes a shower before putting on her new outfit Miki had made for her. Once she is dressed, then she heads out downstairs to meet her parents for breakfast.