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]

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.]

[chara_change]

He made a face. "So just make a mess and leave us to clean it up, then?"

[coccinelled]

A mess? No, that's not what I meant! Or, I'd.....hope you wouldn't see things that way. I'm just trying to help?

[She pauses at his expression, at his question there, even as she was about to say goodbye and head in to the hotel to her room to meet with her parents. Because she doesn't want to leave things like this. She doesn't mean to make things worse somehow?]

[chara_change]

He all but glared at her for a moment, then broke. His lips twitched and then a smile cracked and he burst out laughing before clapping her on the shoulder. "We'll be fine," he said, laughing. "If that is the worst problem we have to face, we're doing well!"

[coccinelled]

A-ah, yes. I guess that's true. Things could always be worse. I mean, I know it wouldn't be easy, for us to get to each other if we needed a hand, being so far away but. Still.

[She breaks as well, unable to keep from giggling herself, a hand to her mouth as she chuckles with him, giving a wave of her hand in acknowledging his reassurance.]

I'll at least message you guys when I go to the airport, if I don't see you around before then.

[chara_change]

"You had better. How else will we know where to be and when to see you off?" he asked with a grin, ruffling her hair a bit before giving one pig tail the lightest of friendly tugs.

[coccinelled]

True. I'm not sure how long till I'd be back, but. Japan is amazing! And the fashion is really unique and interesting! And I wasn't sure only being here for a bit that I'd make friends here, but.

[She did. Pretty quickly, really. And they had so much to talk about with all being tasked with such responsibility of doing what they could to help. Marinette can't help but to blink and instinctively after a moment try to reach to straighten her hair a bit.]

[chara_change]

He grinned. "Well, as long as you are here, you're always welcome in the Royal Garden."

[coccinelled]

Thanks. We can definitely keep in touch. I'll let you all know when I'm leaving, anyway, like I said. Thanks for helping me get back.

[She thanks him, grateful for the directions and help to get back to her hotel. It was nice. To make new friends. To know she was welcome back if she were to return some time later. To visit them all again, and study more on the fashion in another country.]

[chara_change]

"Sure! Give us a call!" and with a wave, he jogged off.

[coccinelled]

[Marinette gives a wave and a nod as well, before she herself turns to head back inside, to meet up with her parents after their day out. To catch up on what they were all up to and what the plan was for the evening, and ensuring they would be ready come time to fly back home again.]

[chara_change]

It was about three hours before they needed to leave for the airport when Tikki would sense the Batsu-chara flying past MArinette's hotel window....

[coccinelled]

[Tikki speaking up and glancing to the window gets Marinette's attention and she glances up from her packing her suitcase for all her new clothes and sketches and the like. She blinks, blue eyes widening before she quickly leans over the bed and her opened, full suitcase to ensure the window was shut. She turns to Tikki, giving a nod and shutting the curtains briefly before transforming and opening the window to sneak out after it.]

[amu_chan]

Amu was following after it, and spotted her. She was in her Miki transformation. "Su!" she called.

Su grinned and the little green chara floated over to Ladybug. "Change with me!" she said happily, in her high irritating voice.

[coccinelled]

A-alright!

[She apologizes to Tikki, before activating the transformation with Su. It's perhaps a little different to before, but at the same time, she is sure it's going to be similar enough that she would manage. Probably. She just wants to help if they need a hand, and hopefully this wouldn't take long.]

I don't have long though, before we leave!

[amu_chan]

Where Miki is creative and artsy and has a cool aesthetic, Su seems to specialize in embarrassing outfits. Not that they were showy or revealing, very much the opposite. But no amount of accessories could make this look good... The outfit was a poofy dress in shades of green from olive to neon, with a bright white utility belt looking contraption over a pale green apron. The belt was full of things like sewing needles and thimbles and coils of string. In her hand was a giant whisk.

Amu landed on a rooftop and stared for a moment, just stared. "Um. That...." yeah. She turned and went after the Batsu-chara again.

[coccinelled]

[If she had to choose something aside from Ladybug, at least the other had been acceptable clothes for what she was doing, and it looked aesthetically pleasing. This? Not....not so much.

Marinette can't help but to blink and raise an eyebrow as she glances down at the new outfit. But of course, as Amu flees to head back after the Batsu-chara, she can't really spare the time beyond something of a muffled shriek of horror and annoyance before she follows too.]

[amu_chan]

Amu got the thing cornered back down on the ground between two buildings. "Can you distracted it, Lady Green?" Amu asked, drawing a complex figure in the air that was keeping the thing memorized.

[coccinelled]

[Marinette follows, blue eyes widening when she sees Amu with it. She gives a nod and jumps down. She uses the thread to try keep it restrained as best she can to give Amu time for whatever she has planned, holding tight to it in her hands. She might be getting red palms from holding to the thread, but that doesn't matter. She keeps hold anyway, ignoring the slight pain.]

I'll try keep it here. Still. You do what you need to.

[amu_chan]

The Chara struggled to escape from Lady Green.

Amulet Spade jumped back to brace on a roof top. She took a deep breath and then thrust her hands out in a heart. "Negative heart! LOCK ON!" multi colored light shot from her hands and bathed the X-chara who made a small scream like noise. "OPEN HEART!" The light got brighter and brighter until it was all white. The chara stretched out then turned into a more regular looking chara.

"Thank you for helping me! I think she'll be ready for me to be born soon." She waved and vanished into a pale purple egg which vanished.

Amulet Spade dropped down beside Lady Green. "Thanks."

[coccinelled]

[She releases the Chara once things seem to be back to normal again. Or whatever was close to it with this being a little different to the akuma she's more used to. There's a sigh of relief as she gives a nod and wave to the egg, before slumping down briefly next to the other.]

It's okay. Glad I could help! I'm kind of in a rush though. I have to get to finishing packing before we leave for the airport.

[amu_chan]

Amu nodded. "Then we'll go back with you and help."

[coccinelled]

Oh, you -- you don't have to? I mean I was going to tell you guys once I finished packing the flight time so I could say goodbye.

[But well. She can't say no if the other really insists either. Another pair of hands to help pack would probably make it go quicker at least.]

[amu_chan]

"You don't want us to help?"

[coccinelled]

I -- I can manage myself if I have to. It's not exactly that fun and exciting, is it? Packing. So I wasn't sure you'd want to.

[Then again. The flipside of spending more of their last moments together in Japan. Marinette figures her parents would understand? Probably. If she did let them in the hotel to help her out.]