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]

I'm pretty sure what I've learned was more western. Not specifically French dances but. I'm sure somewhere here you could find someone to teach you.

[Adrien suggests, though unable to recommend specific dance instructors since he isn't sure if the ones the teach him also know any that are specific to France in their origin. Marinette is definitely more familiar with fashion in comparison to dancing so isn't sure she can really offer or add much if anything more than that. But she does ask]

Where are you heading next? After France, I mean?

[nadenagi]

"Oh, I started lessons a few days ago," he assured them with a shy little laugh. "Next? England," he said. "I do not know how long we will stay there though as my mother isn't fond of English food."

[coccinelled]

Oh so you already found someone? That's great!

[Adrien can't help but to be relieved and smile at that news at least. Glad for the other to be able to follow his passions like that. Especially when he was still figuring what he wanted to do himself out of all his extracurricular activities with languages, fencing and such. Marinette chimes in too.]

I'm not sure if my English would be good enough, but going to England would be pretty amazing!

[nadenagi]

He nodded. "My parents arranged my teachers in advance of us setting out. My sister is also traveling. I'm with father, she's with mother." He gave them both a small shy smile.

[coccinelled]

Makes sense. I might have to message her about meeting up while she's here. Before you head off.

[Msrinette says as Adrien gives a nod. The parents at least sound pretty organized. Like his own father with his trips overseas and such when he would leave Adrien in Nathalie's care and his bodyguard and chauffeur. He takes another sip of his drink then puts it back down at Marinette's desk, asking if they should try continue.]

[nadenagi]

"I'm sure she would love to hear from you. I think she and mother are in China at the moment. It will be a few months before they get to France, around the time I'll be heading back to Japan, probably."

[coccinelled]

I'll message her later after the lesson then. Remind her to let me know when she's here. Or I mean, assuming France means she would be coming to Paris anyway. But ah, let's get to the lesson....

[Since she doesn't want to waste his time? Or Adrien's. Given how rarely he had free time to do something like this. Let alone on such short notice. She can't help but want to savor it at the same time as part of her knows it will likely be more rushed than she would like, in spending time with him like this. And meeting her new friend and all.]

[nadenagi]

He nodded and stood, setting his drink aside on the desk. He offered a hand to each of them. "As the lady says, it is time to dance, my friends."

[coccinelled]

[They give a nod, both reaching to take the offered hand and letting Nadenagi lead them back to the 'dance floor' in as much as Marinette's room could be called that. The center of it at least where there was the most room to move, anyway. They wait for him to lead them in showing them how to dance together, how it came together now they know their own parts individually. Marinette still seems more nervous in comparison but she is trying her best to hold that down.]

[nadenagi]

"Alright." He positioned their hands on each other, each resting one lightly on the other's waist, and each joining hands with their other hand. "The important thing is to be in sync with each other, rhythmically. So, I want you both to look into each other's eyes, and only the eyes. Then as you dance I want you both to sing the same song, at the same time. The motion will come from the rhythm. Pick a simple one you both know well to start, and when I think you are ready I'll put something on from your CD collection."

[coccinelled]

A simple song? Well....

[One they both know. The obvious choice would be something like a nursery rhyme or something from childhood that they would both know? Or something they both know from music class, from the band's music that some of their class is involved in. Marinette bites her lip, considering as Adrien makes a suggestion. One they both know. So she gives a nod in agreement. He takes the lead, holding her hand and waist as they count to start and sing, Marinette following his lead with her footwork and trying not to stand on his feet as she focuses on his eyes. So green....so beautiful.]

[nadenagi]

He moved around gently adjusting a hand here, a leg there as they went. Then he headed for her CD collection. HE didn't know most of the songs she had, but he found one that had super sappy lyrics, and when they finished, turned that one on. "Keep singing, eyes on each other's eyes," he instructed.

[coccinelled]

Singing, eyes.....

[Yup. Marinette vaguely heard him at least. As she tries to focus on her feet. On Adrien's bright green eyes. On his hand in hers, his hand at her waist as they dance. Adrien himself finding it rather distracting with the lyrics, with how blue her eyes were, had he really noticed that before like this? Probably not in not having focused this much on them till now. Or at least, not since their almost kiss with that play they were doing at school.

.....wait why was he thinking of that right now? It causes him to fumble slightly, apologizing as he tries to straighten and move past it.]

[nadenagi]

He walked over and tipped her chin to ensure she was focused on Adrien's eyes, not her feet, a small smile on his face. "Don't appologize," he said to Adrien, just keep focused, keep dancing."

[coccinelled]

Right.....keep focused. Dancing.

[Marinette gives a nod, looking almost sheepish when he comes and tips her chin like that to get her focus to Adrien again. Adrien tries to focus and not think about the time they'd almost kissed before Chloe had interrupted them. Marinette admiring the green of his eyes while trying not to step on his feet, even if they were wearing shoes. Trying to keep their movements in time with the music.]

[nadenagi]

"Keep singing," he reminded them heading back to the CD player. And then slowly, subtly, just a little at a time lowering it....

[coccinelled]

[Marinette for her part doesn't even quite register the gradual lowering of the volume of the song like that. How much louder she and Adrien become the more he lowers the volume on the player like that. That it ends up just being the two of them singing together, dancing and staring at each others eyes like this. Adrien notices, but he's probably at least less flustered compared to Marinette and how she would be once it clicks.

Which it does. Just as they finish the song and pause in stopping dancing. Adrien just looking perhaps a little sheepish as Marinette seems to tinge bright red in response.]

[nadenagi]

He smiled. "Now, so long as you just think of that, you'll be able to dance anywhere."

[coccinelled]

Think of....you think so?

[Marinette asks, biting her lower lip as she seems to click on how close they were. How intimate it was. She pulls back slightly in releasing Adrien's hand, looking sheepish and cheeks tinged red as she raises a hand to rub at the back of her neck. Adrien doesn't stop her from releasing their hands, glancing to the side and almost mirroring her in the way he rubs at the back of his head, messing up his hair a little some.]

[nadenagi]

He gave them both a warm smile that seemed sincere. Mostly it was hiding mirth. "I think that no matter who you dance with in the future if you remember this dance you won't be overthinking where your feet are."

[coccinelled]

I'm not sure when I'd be dancing again.

[Perhaps at some school arranged thing? Her wedding? But Marinette gives a shrug even amid her small smile and sheepish look as Adrien gives a nod. He is conflicted. Because while he does enjoy spending time with Marinette and she was a good friend, he loved Ladybug. And of course is oblivious to the fact that Marinette herself is Ladybug, thereby making this actually far more simple than he realizes.]

[nadenagi]

He chuckled. "Dancing is life. There is always time to dance if one seeks to find it. Perhaps the two of you could start dancing, just like this, at school between classes, watch how fast others come to join you."

[coccinelled]

A-at school?

[Marinette blinks, cheeks and nose tinging pinker at the very thought. This was one thing, in the privacy of her room. At school? In public? Where Alya and everyone else might see? She is less sure on that idea. Even if she is also aware she wouldn't be thrilled if Adrien were to practice with someone else.]

I guess it'd depend on the dance. Not everyone exactly knows more formal dancing.

[Adrien says with a shrug, but he doesn't seem. As worked up about the idea as she is?]

[nadenagi]

"If you can dance at school without music, you'll have the confidence to dance anywhere after," he pointed out. "And you'll bring joy to everyone who is inspired to join you."

[coccinelled]

I'm....I'm not sure if I'm that confident.

[Marinette says, shaking her head even as Adrien tries to reassure her, taking her hands in his as he says she had done well, given he is more aware than most on how clumsy she could be especially around him in particular. That he really means it is obvious in his softened expression amid her pink tinged face in response as she blinks back up at him as he talks about how perhaps Alya and Nino at least might join them.]