amu_chan | My Miraculous, UNLOCK! A PSL for a Ladybug in Japan.

My Miraculous, UNLOCK! A PSL for a Ladybug in Japan.

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.

"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.

"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!"

"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.

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.

"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.

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.

"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.

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.

"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.

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

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.

Miki would happily float downstairs with her. “Just drop it in your lap, so no one can see me eat it is fine,” she said happily. “Or take it back to your own hotel room and we can chat while we share.”

Yeah, I might save you some.

[Just because she isn't sure if others might find it strange if she apparently keeps dropping the food. Bringing it back to her room after seems safer. At the least, that way she can bring some for Miki and Tikki too. Marinette is still just mindful that everyone could see Tikki, but she tries to resist the urge to hide Miki because of that. Knowing the other is probably fine to actually be out and about like this, as she chooses her breakfast and sits down with her parents to eat.]

Miki yawned and settled herself on the table, and whenever the adults weren't looking, kept breaking off small bits to eat. There might be a bit more of a mess to that side of the plate, but, well... adults usually don't pay much attention anyway. She was at least being careful and subtle, so there wasn't much to notice. She was just too hungry to wait.

Marinette didn't mind as long as Miki wasn't seen and raised any questions and thus caused a scene or anything. She even helpfully passes Miki some crumbs from time to time in the process of breakfast, but still pockets some snacks for Tikki too. Breakfast doesn't take long, with her parents talking about how they have their plans for the day but arranging to meet Marinette later, ensuring she has some money if she needs it until they meet back up again.

Once they had parted, Marinette heads back to her room to make sure she has everything she needs before heading back out to explore for the day.

"I guess I do have time until the others would finish school. That gives me plenty of time to head out and sketch more outfit ideas."

From the windows of shops or from the fashion she sees people wearing as they pass by on the streets, in getting inspiration.

Miki grinned. "I like that idea! And we can talk too! You can tell me all about your home, maybe? Like if there are any cute boys there?" She flushed a bit as she asked that.

"A-any cute boys? Er, well...."

There was Adrien, of course. And most everyone who knows Marinette is aware of that crush. Maybe except Adrien himself. But that doesn't stop her obvious flustered stammering, her cheeks tinging pink as she distractedly ensures she has her key card to get back into the hotel and her room, her wallet and phone, the money her parents gave her for food and any cute clothes or souvenirs she might find.

"Bet none of them are as cute as the guys here though," Miki said a bit dreamily. She landed on Marinette's shoulder laying on her belly, elbows propped up on the air, legs bent at the knees, feet swinging lightly in and out of one of the small ponytails, moving Mari's hair lightly with each pass.

"Adrien is totally cuter than any other guy!"

Yeah, that came blurting out quick. No real surprise there. Marinette does get a little more flustered though, not having intended to sound so...confrontational? To blurt out Adrien's name like that? Still, she gathers her things and double checks she has everything before heading out for the day, ensuring Miki was alright at her shoulder, and glancing in her bag for Tikki, ensuring she had some snacks ready in there just in case.

Then she heads outside, wandering and exploring for a bit while the others would be in class, presumably. She sits herself down at one of the parks or cafes and people watches for a bit, window shopping, maybe picking up a couple of gifts for her friends she sees. Then when it gets later, she checks her phone where she'd made a note on where to meet the others, checking the map for directions.

"Let's see....this way?"

"Adrien?" Miki was very curious, and would pester Marinette all day about him unless she found a way to shut her up. Miki... Miki liked cute boys, okay? "What does his Chara look like? What does he look like? What kind of character does he have?" Questions like that, all day.

But when it became time to meet up she would give directions.

"He's a friend from school back home, is all/ And he doesn't have a 'Chara'. He's blonde, with green eyes and he's literally a model. He's the kindest, sweetest guy ever."

Yup, if Miki lets her, Marinette could probably go on all day about darling Adrien. Still, it's soon enough time to head off, and she lets Miki direct her to their designated meeting place. Not that she had anticipated anything happening, but she is glad of the directions, for that assistance even if she did have maps on her phone. She hurries to ensure she makes it there on time to hopefully meet the others as they finish their classes.

Miki would happily keep up questions about Adrien all day, and when it was time to get there would lead her around outside the school so she doesn't have to run into any of the other kids.

Back behind the school was a lot of land. Some field, some woody areas, some athletic areas and a huge domed area like an igloo shaped greenhouse, large enough for a school dance. Miki flew off her shoulder when they got there to fly to the door, waiting impatiently for Marinette to open it.

Once in, there was a long paved walk with flower beds alongside the path. It led up for nearly a half block before leading to a few short steps. Up those steps was a large white table with white comfortable looking chairs. Nadeshiko was moving about gracefully setting out a beautiful tea setting for everyone. It was very European with the tiered trays of snacks and the lovely tall tea pot. The teacups were all the delicate sort of china most people kept Marinette well away from, and the plates and saucers matched.

The whole area smelled wonderful, a mix of flowers and bakery. There was a water fountain somewhere, lending soft lapping noises to the peace of the area. Temari was gently nudging the folded napkins into standing properly while Nadeshiko was setting out the tea cups. She looked up and smiled warmly at them. ~Miki, Marinette, hello,~ she said in French, setting down the last cup so she could come around and curtsy, which was quite the feat in her short skirt. She was wearing the school uniform, so a short plaid red skirt, black blazer, white shirt, red tie. Marinette would have seen it on a few people on campus, with the boys being in a version that was blue for the plaid and tie, and shorts instead of a skirt. But on NAdeshiko it looked different. Part of that was the way her long purple ponytail made a backdrop for the outfit, making it clear by hanging below the fabric just how short that skirt was. Part of it was her natural grace and stance which none of the other students had. Part of it was the knee high boots she wore. But part of it... was the small capelet she wore over the blazer. It matched the skirt and closed in the front with two small buttons - one on either side of a strip of plaid fabric. It went almost down to her elbows all around and somehow added an elegance to the uniform that made it seem less like a school uniform and more like an odd but fashionable statement.

~I have the last period free, but the others will be here soon.~ She walked to one chair and gestured gracefully to it. ~Please feel free to have a seat.~

Marinette is just relieved when she makes it there in time. Which might not necessarily stop her from tripping on the steps, but that's just part of her thing. The clumsiness. She thankfully isn't actually hurt from it, and ensures that Miki and Tikki are alright before proceeding further and finding Nadeshiko. She gives a wave in greeting, calling out as she approaches, admiring the little cape.

She hasn't been around enough to figure if that is part of everyone's uniform but it does seem to be part of it, at least from the colours. Back home she doesn't need to wear a uniform to school but she knows it is a pretty common thing for schools to have them, here in Japan at least.

"Hey! Ah, so you have like a study period? I usually use those in the library to catch up with homework or something. But thanks, glad I found the place."

Nadeshiko nodded. ~I like to use mine to get ready for our meetings. It is why I made sure to have last period free, it cuts down on how much baking I have to do in the morning. Plus I can get all the reports while the cookies re in and the cakes are cooling.~

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Ipad tag, so no html, gomen

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

iPad tags, so please excuse typos and errors.