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

[nadenagi]

Nagihiko nodded. "Yes, and you take direction very well. You should do a year abroad in Japan and take dance lessons at the Fujisaki school. Both of you should. A pre-college adventure," he said, then turned to her. "Your turn. While he keeps running the routine I showed him, I will show you yours, so you can see how they interact." He had a bright smile and seemed almost to be shining. He was happier even than he had been playing basketball, and the shyness seemed to be fully gone.

[coccinelled]

I'm....not sure if my father would approve of something like that.

[Adrien admits, not that he necessarily would have anything against the idea of studying abroad for a bit. He continues in trying to practice the steps and movements he was taught as Nagihiko turns his attention to Marinette and brings her over as well. She agrees and lets him lead her over to dance, biting her lip with nerves as she watches him then to try imitate him.]

Okay....

[nadenagi]

"My father could talk to him," he said as he took Marinette's hands. "Remember just like last time, just focus on following me. Hold the fans like this, then I will hold your hands over them to guide you."

[coccinelled]

Your dad would? I'm not sure if that would convince him. But I guess, like before, Marinette going to Japan makes sense with their fashion there for her to look at and all.

[Maybe not quite the same for him. He's not into designing clothes or such. More, he's a clothes horse as a model on Adrien's end. He tries though, to keep practicing as he had been instructed. As he also glances to watch them working on Marinette's movements now. Marinette turns a little red, but gives a nod. Trying to just focus on him instead of Adrien. As she lets him guide her with the fans initially at least.]

O-okay....

[nadenagi]

"So long as that is all standing between you two and Japan, I'm sure we can talk our dad into it. Nadeshiko would love to see Marinette again and to meet you. And she and I can argue over which of us gets to teach you two," he added with a grin. "I'll win of course," he said with more confidence than he felt.

[coccinelled]

My father is always an obstacle.

[Adrien admits. Often put out as he is about missing out on hanging out with his friends because of his modelling or fencing or Chinese lessons or whatever else. It's a lot to keep track of in trying to juggle all that and his social life or trying to have some semblance of one at least.

Marinette can't help but to chuckle at the other's confidence though.]

You would, huh?

[nadenagi]

"No one beats me at a competition!" he said standing straight and looking a but smug. They might both notice something seeming almost to move in his pocket."

[coccinelled]

If you say so. I'm sure you'd beat me in a dance competition.

[Marinette says with a laugh, though Adrien is the one that is more observant in not actually being right up close, noting the movement in his pocket and tilting his head slightly, pausing in his practice. A kwami?]

Your pocket....?

[nadenagi]

He laughed and had been about to respond when Adrien commented. He put a hand over his pocket and feeling the motion... the look on his face was a mix of horror and excitement for just a moment before it became discomfort, like he had a stomach ache. "Sorry, bathroom?" he asked quickly.

[coccinelled]

Oh, sure?

[Adrien still seems curious, wondering if it was a kwami or something as Marinette directs him to the bathroom. Telling him which direction and room it was, before realizing this means she is left behind alone with Adrien. This wasn't like they were training for that video game tournament or whatever. This was dancing. And she still hadn't gotten over her feelings for him.]

[nadenagi]

He raced out. He would be back a few minutes later with a small apologetic - and once again shy smile. "Sorry," he mumbled.

[coccinelled]

Is.....everything okay?

[Marinette asks, raising an eyebrow. She's unsure just what Adrien saw and was asking about exactly. But she does know about the Chara so probably would have a better idea on what it might have been if she is told. She glances to the younger boy from talking to Adrien when he returns. Adrien glances to him as well, seeming curious and worried, perhaps.]

[nadenagi]

"As much as it ever is.," he said with a smile. "Shall we continue?"

[coccinelled]

If you're sure you're okay. Whatever it was.....?

[Marinette seems more concerned, Adrien more curious than anything else as they both do agree to continue. She gives a nod, Adrien doing the same as they step to continue practicing the movements he had taught them, at least thus far. Marinette still a little clumsier and more awkward about it in comparison to Adrien. Her being newer and still learning with the fans, with their lesson getting interrupted a bit like that.]

[nadenagi]

He would nod and assure them he was fine. He resumed teaching and seemed to come a bit more alive again as he did. After a while he'd call a break and study them. "Let's switch it up a little..."

[coccinelled]

[Marinette is relieved that he seems to come back to his usual self again, even if she isn't entirely sure what it was that happened, that Adrien had noticed and asked about in the first place. She and Adrien pause then when he calls a break, going to have another drink from the cups at her desk before Adrien asks how he means about switching up.]

[nadenagi]

"Marinette, you got a bit of this lesson already, so you take a break and watch as I start with Adrien. Adrien," he walked over and put one of the boy's hands on his hip, then held the other. "I will dance the girl's part. Talk to use. Don't think about the dancing. Your body will automatically follow mine once you stop thinking about it," he said, beginning to dance, but managing to do the steps he would if Adrien were leading.

[coccinelled]

Oh, okay. [Marinette gives a nod of agreement, sitting crosslegged on her bed as he and Adrien dance. Adrien not seeming all that bothered in having the other so close as he tries to follow. Tries to do as instructed. To talk to them. To try distract himself like that a little in not being as nervous. Which he really isn't in comparison to Marinette at least but still.]

What did we want to talk about then?

[nadenagi]

"Tell me about the people here, your friends."

[coccinelled]

My friends? Well, there's Nino and Alya -- basically everyone in our class at school, really. And Kagami.

[Alongside others he has probably met through his work. Or family, like his cousins. But still, Adrien seems content in leaving it at that for now. Marinette had met them as well in Japan after all, so he's not sure how much she might have already told the others after all. He tries to focus on answering, less on his movements in hoping that would help things come more naturally.]

[nadenagi]

"Not just their names. Tell me about them. What makes them wonderful, what is annoying, what is why you will always love them anyway."

[coccinelled]

[Adrien talks about Nino and his loyalty, how Nino tried to encourage Adrien to get out and be with his friends, his determination to throw Adrien a birthday party. Talks about Alya and her loyalty to Marinette, how well she worked as a team with Nino and how she seemed to encourage Marinette as well. Talks about all of their class. Marinette listening and giving nods of agreement as he goes through them all, though she seems less sure as he talks on Chloe.

He talks about Marinette's passion, her love for fashion, how after he'd apologized for their initial misunderstanding on his first day at school she'd given him a chance. How she'd given him his bracelet, how she always seemed to be trying to help their classmates and was friends with most everyone. How he admired her close relationship with her parents given his with his own father and all.]

[nadenagi]

He smiled and asked the occasional question here and there as needed. Then nodded. "Good. And it looks like you dance as well as she does. Let's take a short break so you can sit, then I'll have you two dance together."

[coccinelled]

Alright. Sounds good.

[Adrien agrees, and Marinette gives a nod of agreement, handing the other two their drinks for a bit of a break in between the dances at least. She of all of them seems the most nervous but she's trying her best to hide that. Sipping her drink and trying to remember the moves. Worried she would screw up with her clumsiness. Especially around Adrien.]

[nadenagi]

He sat beside her, leaving Adrien to sit on her other side. But he does look at Adrien beyond him. "Were you and Nino okay after you left?"