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

[amu_chan]

All aloofness was gone. "WAIT WHAT?!" Amu said, staring at her.

Actually, she had everyone's complete attention now, Charas included.

[coccinelled]

"It's...complicated? I'm not really sure how to explain. But I guess it's kind of like you guys in a way? I mean, with Ladybug and Chat Noir protecting everyone."

She's still not sure she wants to give herself away. So she's trying to be sort of vague ish about it. Trying to, anyway. That might not quite be working though, given how she has them all listening at this point. She's not sure how detailed she should be with any questions from here.

[amu_chan]

<font color="pink>"They.... are trying to steal already hatched charas?" Amu asked, horrified. Her three floated closer to her, even Miki. "Why?" <font color="gold>"Worse question," Tadase said grimly. "If this Ladybug is here, what of that Papillon? If whoever that is teams with Easter..." The other kids all shuddered. Even Kukai no longer looked casual.

[coccinelled]

"Well, just because she is here....that doesn't mean he knows? I mean, so far here I haven't noticed any commotion or news about anyone in Japan being akumatized. So we're probably safe? I think. But....yes, essentially. That is what he is trying to do. To take their Miraculous, their kwami that give them their abilities and transform them into Ladybug and Chat Noir."

Even the general public knew that much. Probably from the news and Alya's blog, or some combination of the two at least. So she isn't too worried there in saying too much yet, as she tries to explain and reassure them, between a sip of her drink.

[amu_chan]

"Easter always seems to show up, even when we're on school trips..." Amu said, worried.

"Chat Noir..." Nadeshiko said thoughtfully. "Doesn't that mean something like... black cat?"

"Ikuto has nothing to do with this!" Amu snapped, defensively.

[coccinelled]

"I'm sure Ladybug and Chat Noir know the feeling....but yes, that's right. His superhero name does mean 'black cat'."

Marinette answers, giving a nod and smile that they were able to pick up on that much at least. She understands how difficult languages could be, given her being French and having a Chinese background through her mother's side and all.

"I'm not really sure how much more I can tell you, but I'm sure it'll be alright. Probably."

[nadenagi]

"I think we need to find this Ladybug again," Nadeshiko said softly. "And talk to her. Marinette, would you be willing to help us find her and set up a meeting? You would be invited as well, of course. You might have noticed things she's missed, having a different perspective on things."

[coccinelled]

Well. Inviting her to meet Ladybug is....impossible. Which is why she bites her lip, debating briefly for a moment, her hands in her lap. This was going to be complicated. In this situation.....

"Well....is there somewhere more private we could go?"

That might seem confusing and out of nowhere to them, but she's sure it would make sense once she figures showing them.

[kiddy_king]

"Private?"

[coccinelled]

Marinette gives a nod in answer. "Somewhere with just us, where nobody else can see."

Even this much was risky enough. But she's pretty sure Tikki will understand. Hopefully.

[nadenagi]

"No one comes in here without invitation, and there is only one door, so unless someone is on the roof..." she considered. "Temari, could you keep an eye out on the glass above to keep out stray cats."

The small chara nodded and floated on up.

[coccinelled]

"Alright...." Marinette bites her lip, taking a deep breath as she closes her eyes. "Tikki, transform me."

With that, a small red and black blur speeds from her bag to her earrings, and Marinette's clothes change from her new outfit the chara had made her, to Ladybug's costume and mask, complete with the yoyo. It's the first time she has revealed herself to anyone else, so she is understandably nervous about this, but she figures they would understand and support her all the same.

[amu_chan]

"COOOOOOL!" Yaya said happily.

Kukai frowned a bit. "You saw Amu transformed, so what's with all the secrecy?" then he frowned a bit more. "Wait, does that mean you've been fluent in Japanese this whole time?" They weren't angry frowns, but confused and thoughtful ones that looked out of place on his face.

Nadeshiko poured her more tea. "Is your chara shy, and that is why you have not introduced her to us?" she asked, gently.

Amu, however, had a totally different concern. She rounded on hr charas. "How come she gets a mask? Why am I the only one who has to be seen in embarrassing clothes all the time without a mask!?"

Her charas were suddenly very interested in Ladybug... for some reason.

[coccinelled]

"I just....I know. It's just that Tikki, my kwami, she kept saying to keep it secret. But I doubt I'll be back here after this, and I'm not here for long, but I can at least try help while I am here. And....er, no. I might know some basic words or phrases but I'm not that great with Japanese."

That was probably something to do with the kwami, the Chara? She guesses. Ladybug gives a shrug at that. She doesn't stay transformed for long though, after having revealed it, not seeing the need to stay transformed if she didn't need to, once they knew. So she tells Tikki to detransform her and that the kwami could say hi if she wanted.

[amu_chan]

"Wish I could keep it a secret," Amu muttered, while Miki went hunting for Tikki.

[coccinelled]

"I have Chat Noir and some other friends that help sometimes. But they don't know it is me. So we can't hang out and talk about situations quite like this, like you guys can here."

So while she gets that it might be in some ways more difficult if others are aware of this other life, at least they had each other. At least they weren't as alone? If they all knew each other were doing this. Unlike back in Paris where most had no idea who the Miraculous holders were.

[nadenagi]

"Maybe you should talk to each other then?" Nadeshiko suggested. "Having each other to rely on has been very helpful."

[coccinelled]

"Tikki says not even Chat Noir should know."

Marinette shakes her head. It would be nice though. Not that she doesn't rely on him anyway, but knowing who he was, being able to contact him even without being transformed would be useful. Less...well, lonely in some ways. She knows it is a risk though, and that she shouldn't let him or any of the others with a Miraculous know it is her. It puts too much of a target on her and those she cares about if Papillon found out.

[nadenagi]

"Well now we know. And you can always call on us for help. Even if that help is just talking overseas about the fight." she gave a warm smile.

Kiseki, Tadase's chara spoke up next. "So, this Papillion is after the Embryo also, hm?" he asked grimly. "Clearly if there are more foes we need to train more, even with Ladybug and her friends helping us to find it first."

[coccinelled]

"I at least have your number. I'd appreciate that? But...hm. I'm not sure if we have quite the same situations exactly? It's similar though. Papillon is after our Miraculous, because if he gets mine and Chat Noir's together, it is supposed to be really powerful."

Or something like that? Marinette was learning more all the time about the Miraculous and its abilities, about the kwami and the history of it all. Tikki gives a nod of agreement as she munches too on some of the snacks Marinette hands her.

[amu_chan]

"By Miraculous, you mean her egg?" she asked as the charas floated closely to Tikki to meet their new friend.

[coccinelled]

"The Miraculous is the item that holds our power? For me, it's my earrings. Without those, Tikki wouldn't be active to talk to me like this, or transform me. I need the earrings or I wouldn't have her support. The same with Chat Noir and his ring."

She explains, glancing and checking if Tikki might be able to explain, to word it better than she did. She's....never tried to explain before, to tell anyone else about this, so it is new for her. To talk about Tikki and the Miraculous.

[amu_chan]

"You... can't transform without your earrings?" Amu asked, wide eyed. "What if your ears weren't pierced?"

[coccinelled]

"I wouldn't be able to without my earrings, no. If my ears weren't pierced and I never wore the earrings, I'd never have known about Tikki and the Miraculous and probably just given them to a friend with pierced ears or went to get mine done."

They just looked like regular red earrings when she wasn't transformed, after all. Appearance wise there wasn't anything all that remarkable about them outside of her being transformed and thus the earrings getting the dots to show how long she had before she transformed back into her civilian appearance.

[amu_chan]

"But... isn't she part of you...?"