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]

"Thank goodness," she muttered as they headed back. "So how long are you in Japan anyway?"

[coccinelled]

How long? Oh, only a week or so. I mean, my parents are here with work. That's why they're busy at the moment. I'm just glad we figured this while I have break from school so I could come with them. I've already done so many sketches of the fashion around here!

[That and, obviously, making friends.]

[amu_chan]

"No wonder Miki had so much fun with you."

[coccinelled]

She made me this. Isn't it amazing? If I had her help, all my design ideas would be made so much quicker!

[Rather than needing to sew it all herself, after getting the material and thread and all.]

[amu_chan]

"I like it," Amu said, nodding. She poked Miki,. "You could help me out more often, you know."

"If you keep depending on me all the time, you'll never learn how to do it for yourself."

[coccinelled]

Sounds like something Tikki would say.

[Marinette laughs. Which probably, if Tikki would tell that to Marinette, usually meant it was good advice. That she should listen.]

[amu_chan]

Amu rolled her eyes. "Is Tikki annoying and lazy too then?" She asked as Miki huffed.

[coccinelled]

No? But she's really supportive and encouraging. Like I'm sure Miki is trying to be with you.

[Of course there was teasing, but every kwami and probably every chara is likely different in having their own personality. And their own way of supporting and interacting with their owners.]

[amu_chan]

"Glad someone gets it and appreciates me."

[coccinelled]

Of course. I mean, I only really know Tikki, and I know there are difference with you chara and the kwami but. It's kind of nice? Having someone there all the time that we can talk to. Or, I think so.

Oh! There they are!

[Marinette waves as they approach the others.]

trying to remember who had what colours, lol.

[amu_chan]

Amu frowned a bit at her chara, but before she could say anything, Kukai came over and sized them both up then shook his head.

"You two don't look like you did nearly enough training. I'll help. Come on, let's go!"

[coccinelled]

Huh? We trained! I mean, we had a race....?

[But apparently that was not enough? She isn't sure what they had expected the training to be, given she didn't really train herself. She had figured that Amu would have known if this was a regular thing for them, since they all knew about each other to be able to train together and all.]

[amu_chan]

Amu groaned and started trying to bargain to get out of it, but Kukai wasn't listening. He headed out around the back and picked up what looked like one of those odd exercise things that was almost a figure eight, where a person was supposed to pull both sides and hold as long as they could. Except instead of being rubber between the grips, it was rope. And it was huge. He climbed into one of the loops and pulled the grip up to his chest. "Okay you two, into the back loop, hold on and try to keep up."

[coccinelled]

[Marinette just shrugs, figuring it can't be any worse than gym class at school. So she follows him around the back, glancing to the exercise things. She tilts her head, but she thinks she gets it, giving a nod and doing as he says. Working out could be fun, with friends it might not be so bad. That and, well, it probably was a good idea to train so she could improve when not transformed.]

So, hold it like this?

[amu_chan]

"Yep," he said and before he finished the short word he was RUNNING. He was strong and fast. Amu was doing everything she could to keep her feet under her and only her grip on the rope kept her at all upright.

[coccinelled]

W-whoa!

[This. This was definitely training. Marinette was a klutz at the best of times, but somehow she was barely managing to keep hold of the rope and keep on her feet. It took a lot out of her rather quickly though as she tries to do her best in helping them with this.]

[amu_chan]

Amu would be screaming if she had the breath left to do it.


Kukai, the jerk, was laughing. "That all you two got? C'mon, you want to be heroes, then RUN!" and against all expectations of reasonable reality, he sped up. Yaya stood off to one side cheering them on while Nadeshiko and Tadase worked on paperwork.

[coccinelled]

Where does he even get all this energy from?

[It was exhausting enough just managing to keep on her feet with this. Of course, Marinette wanted to train, knew she should, with her civilian form and all. But this was still.....a lot....she preferred the running race with Amu.]

[amu_chan]

Amu, meanwhile. was wondering how the other girl had breath left with which to speak.

Someone walked over and watched for a moment, before clearing his throat. "Souhma-san, I was wondering if I could borrow Dupein-cheng-sama for a few minutes?"

"And me?" Amu gasped, desperately.

He gave a light chuckle. "Perhaps next time." He gave Marinette a slight respectful bow. "If you have a few minutes, that is?"

[coccinelled]

Hm? Who -- huh? Um....okay....?

[Marinette blinks, unsure what to make of this since the guy evidently seems to know her or at least about her if he knows her name. Maybe these new friends of hers had mentioned her? She isn't sure, but. Well. If it wasn't going to be for long and the others didn't seem worried....it was probably okay?

So she gives a nod, stopping her training to follow him.]

HAd extra icon space so gave him an icon here.

[kiddy_king]

he smiled and set a comfortable pace to let her get her breath back as he lead her around the outside of the Garden to the light woods behind the school. "It seems as though you are fitting in well and making friends," he said, conversationally.

Ah okay. Nice!

[coccinelled]

Y-yes....I am. But -- sorry, how do you know me?

[She assumes somehow through the new group of friends she has made. That they mentioned her or something, given he knows her by name. Marinette glances to him curiously as she finishes catching her breath and asks her own question.

And well, perhaps if she were more cautious she might be warier of heading into the woods with some stranger.]

Re: Ah okay. Nice!

[kiddy_king]

He gave a small chuckle. "We have some acquaintances in common."

Hidden by the trees until they were right up at it was an odd sort of domed building. It looked old and given the vines growing over it, possibly abandoned. Except that the door was clear and the grass around it at a reasonable height, despite being the middle of a small wood. He opened the door and it swung smoothly and silently open. The inside was too dark for her to tell easily what it was.

"Ladies first."

[coccinelled]

[Marinette tilts her head, asking if he means Amu and the rest, before she pauses, noting the building. The vines and grass, the door. How dark it was and how he expects her to go inside...

Well. Like she figured before, it was probably okay? If he already knew the others and they hadn't seemed concerned. Amu having even wanted to come along with them, at that. So she hesitantly, slowly gives a nod and steps forward to go inside.]

Is there a light or something....?

[A torch? Something at least, even if she might not expect electricity out here in the woods?]

[kiddy_king]

"Or something," he said with a chuckle. He stepped in beside her and closed the door. As soon as the door closed points of light burst into being access the domed ceiling, revealing the building to be a planetarium with old but posh movie theater style seats with armrests large enough to set down a mug of tea or such. On some of the wider rows there were even small tables. A hotplate teapot rested on one table, along with four delicate china cups. He headed for that row. "Tea?"