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]

Honestly, I'm the clumsiest when I'm not transformed. So I wouldn't be surprised if I did something like that myself.

[Marinette tried to reassure and encourage Amu, unsure which meeting the others might be referring to and letting them talk for a moment, an arm across her stomach as she holds to her elbow of her other arm, the needle and thread in her hands still, as she then glances, noting Tadase and giving a small wave.]

[amu_chan]

Amu opened her mouth to respond then saw Lady Blue waving at Tadase. She went bright red and turned and faced away from them all, crossing her arms.

"Being transformed makes that much of a difference for you then?" Tadase asked, watching her intently.

[coccinelled]

It does. Or, with Tikki, anyway. I mean, I think even without me not being clumsy there's probably...something that keeps anyone from recognizing me, mask aside. But I don't know, Ladybug is just...I'm so much more confident, being her. So much more sure of myself and what I'm doing, after being at this a while.

[Even. Gasp! Talking to Adrien. She's slowly improving on that. Even as Marinette but still.]

[kiddy_king]

"The girl I am interested in seems to be much the same. I think that sort of confidence and energy is wonderful."

[coccinelled]

Yeah? Tell me about her. It's not like I probably know her, being from Paris and all.

[She has no guarantee if she does or doesn't know them. But even so. She can't help wanting to at least help by listening. If not also possibly offering advice if he wanted it on her end of things. She's unsure if she might be the best person for that sort of thing, but she could try.]

[kiddy_king]

Crossing her arms, Amu stalked off. Miki could find her own way home.

"She's wonderful. She's perky and energetic and brave and always willing to jump in and do whatever she has to do."

Nadeshiko frowned ever so slightly, then walked off the way that Amu had.

Kukai was listening, amused.

Now that there was no crisis, Yaya was wandering off.

[coccinelled]

Hm. She sounds great! But ah, I guess now things calmed down I should...

[Give her a moment. Because she notes the others mostly starting to leave, and dismisses the chara. Transforming back to Marinette rather than standing talking as Lady Blue. She thanks Miki with a smile before letting the chara return to their proper original owner.]

So...have you told her yet? How you feel?

[kiddy_king]

Miki stretched a bit, hugged Mari's cheek, gave Tadase a bit of a glare, then floated off after Amu and the others.

"I sort of did, once. But it is complicated, and I do not know if she feels the same," he said a little wistfully.

[coccinelled]

So she didn't respond yet? Or she didn't....really get that you meant you feel quite that strongly about her?

[That in and of itself could be awkward, sure. And....complicated. Ah. Marinette gets that, for sure. Even if she has had Chat Noir confess to her, she had to turn him down because of her feelings for Adrien and all. As much as she appreciates Chat as her partner and as friends.]

[kiddy_king]

"We were interrupted and the conversation never really finished. And there hasn't really been another opportunity since."

[coccinelled]

Oh....well, you should try make an opportunity. You never know, she might feel the same and be waiting to figure a chance to talk to you too. Or....either way. at least you would know, right?

[That would be better? Than seeming in limbo in wondering? How the other felt? Not that Marinette can really talk but still. She is trying to help her new friends if she can.]

[kiddy_king]

He nodded. "Alright, maybe I will. Next time there is a batsu-chara and Amulet heart comes to fight it, I'll tell her how wonderful I think she is."

[coccinelled]

Alright! Good luck, I hope you get a chance to next time. Either way, this way she will know how you feel. And that way you at least have a chance, to see if she wants to be with you too!

[Or know if she doesn't. Either way.]

[kiddy_king]

He nodded. "One of us should probably walk you home, it is getting late. Kukai."

Smirking, he nodded. "Got it, King."

[coccinelled]

O-oh. I guess it is. Alright then. If you don't mind, back to the hotel. I hope it isn't too much of a detour for you from your place at least.

[But if they go to school in the area she assumes they must live somewhere nearby. To be in that zone, supposedly. Probably. Or at least, she hopes so. Though Japan itself is mostly pretty safe at least so he would probably be alright getting himself back home after dropping her off.]

I think it's back....this way.

I broke down >.< So Kukai and Yaya will have icons.

[chara_change]

"Which hotel is it? I know where most of the local spots are."

heh nice

[coccinelled]

[Marinette gives a nod, telling the name of the hotel. One that thankfully isn't too far away at least. She at least has the name and address of the hotel, along with the phone number noted down with her just in case. She brings it up on her phone, holding it over to him just in case he needs the confirmation. Though really he is probably much more familiar with the area in comparison to her.]

You know it?

Re: heh nice

[chara_change]

"Oh, yeah, I know it. This way." he tucked his hands behind his heads and headed off. "So, I gotta know, did you do that on purpose?"

[coccinelled]

Do...do what?

[Because this stuff wasn't necessarily quite as all new to her as it might have been? If he means the whole chara/kwami transformation thing and all. Or, well, she doesn't really think twice on wanting to help her friends, even just by listening to them if he means her trying to help him with the girl he liked.]

[chara_change]

"Did you realize who Tadase meant when you were encouraging him?"

[coccinelled]

No? Why, do I know her? I'm...I didn't mean to pry with something like that? I just...figured it would be better if he talked to them to figure it out, is all.

[Maybe it should be obvious? And sometimes it was, for Marinette, with anyone but her own love life issues being involved, namely Adrien. But still. She does want to try help her friends if she can.]

[chara_change]

"Amulet Heart."

[coccinelled]

Am -- Amu? I mean, I only recently met you guys and all but. If you're already friends and all and know each other's identities like this, it should be easier?

[Given she knows about Alya and Nino and all. Of course she would want her new friends to be happy as well, if they return each other's affections. She isn't necessarily aware of how long this might have been going on for though.]

[chara_change]

He blew out a long breath then shook his head. "No, that would be too easy. Amulet Heart. Just. Amulet Heart." He seemed less amused now.

[coccinelled]

Okay. Well....good luck. Let me know how it goes. You guys have my number and address. If I don't see you before we head back home to Paris.

[She says in some sort of reassurance as they reach the hotel. Given she isn't necessarily sure on the plans with her parents and if they might want to do something together before they leave.]