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]

Ah the mess that secrets made. Nagihiko was now sure that Utau was in France. This was bad. Very bad. He looked quite alarmed. "While I wanted you both to come to Japan this wasn't quite how I meant..."

Not good not good not good not good.

Meanwhile one quick call back to Japan later... someone was on the phone now with Nathalie, discussing all the reasons Adrien would be benefited by studying abroad in Japan, and perhaps a business deal with Easter....

[coccinelled]

So we shouldn't go? Or we should, but be careful with this Easter, these people trying to recruit us?

[She's not sure they were that amazing. Of course she supported her friends. Wanted them to succeed at whatever they were passionate about. But at the same time, Marinette doesn't want to get them all pulled into whatever this was. It was easier when it was just her, her family. Rather than dealing with the rest too.

Let alone Adrien, who purses his lips and gives a shrug at her. Nathalie for her part, would answer that she would need to discuss the idea of Adrien heading off overseas to tour or the like with his father before any decisions were made. To see what Adrien himself and his father had to say about the idea.]

[nadenagi]

The caller was mostly interested in talking to Gabriel, really.

"I... I don't know. I..." Nadeshiko would know what to do. She would. Nagihiko was unsure and panicking. The kind of panic and concern that meant that Gabriel was suddenly unable to answer the phone of course.

"I mean on the one hand..." he was trying to be logic, but he was freaking out. And the Parisian kids might notice a familiar looking purple butterfly just outside the window... Nagihiko, his back to it, didn't.

[coccinelled]

On the -- careful!

[Marinette shifts in moving to try get between him and the window, as Adrien spots the butterfly and makes to ensure the window was closed that it can't get inside. Marinette probably shouldn't be so reckless in jumping to protect him like that given she is Ladybug, the one that can calm things down and all when there is an akuma. But it's instinct, as she possibly bumps Nagihiko in the process.

Nathalie would tell the caller that Gabriel was otherwise engaged and that if they left a number she could take a message and he could call them back later.]

[nadenagi]

When Marinette moved he spun to see why and when she bumped him, he neatly caught her, and twisted so that when he faced the window she... was behind him. If Adrien was between him and the window, he'd pull him back too, eyes fixing on the small purple butterfly. Of course his panic was only rising, making him more attractive to it.

"The two of you, get the adults to safety," he said. "I'll try to lead it away until the heroes arrive." Because he can't admit he knows one of them is there, but trusts her to be able to get away once her parents and Adrien were safe.

[coccinelled]

Wh-- hey! What -- ?

[Marinette squawks, blinking when he catches her and shifts like that. But she gets what he means, and is quick to respond with a reluctant nod, announcing she would head downstairs to warn her parents at least, leaving Adrien to look after him.

Adrien for his part, gives a nod of agreement, biting his lip before he agrees. He's less sure on his own excuse to try figure some privacy. Just follow Marinette and transform on the stairs behind her or something? He debates his options. Probably best to try and keep it lowkey. Keep the secret.]

I -- you'll be okay for a minute? I'm just gonna....

[nadenagi]

"I'll hold it off, just get to safety somewhere! Go!"

But of course now that he was less panicked... it was noticing someone's frustration nearby and was heading away.

[coccinelled]

[Marinette ensures the bakery downstairs is shut and all, before transforming and heading up to her room. Adrien heads down the stairs but not all the way down in still hiding in between the stories of the house in transforming there and ending up meeting her in heading outside to head to catch the butterfly hopefully before it gets to anyone.

Which means that on the other's end from the window he might see both Chat Noir and Ladybug swinging past to find the butterfly as it heads off.]

[nadenagi]

He rushed to the window, saw that, muttered under his breath and then headed downstairs to try and chase them on foot.

The butterfly vanished into a building a block away, wedging into a tiny crack in the wall.

[coccinelled]

[Ladybug shifts, glancing around in pausing to see where the butterfly went to. It had to be around somewhere? Chat Noir pauses in following her as he searches too.]

Which building? It's around here somewhere.....or maybe the negative emotions it sensed died down and it left? Back to Papillon or something?

[Chat Noir gives a shrug. Her guess is as good as his, really. He has no more of an idea than she does with that guess. But as casual and relaxed as he seems to be as he glances around with her, he is still on alert just in case.]

I'm not sure, Bugaboo. I won't say no to a patrol to check? If it's with you, I mean.

[nadenagi]

Nagihiko raced after them once he was outside, also looking for it, frantic.

[coccinelled]

If it is signaling someone might be akumatized we have to find it. I'm just not sure if it's still around here somewhere or if it's gone back to Papillon.....

[She's urging Chat Noir to help her look when she spots Nagihiko, ensuring he is alright first before asking if he wanted to help find the akuma or head back where he came from where it would be safer. She doesn't want to put him at risk if she can avoid it at least.]

[nadenagi]

"Of course I'll help," he said, voice grim but determined. "I may not be a Guardian, but I'll help however I can."

[coccinelled]

A....Guardian?

[Chat Noir asks, tilting his head in confusion. Obviously. Since he is less aware on it all with Japan having the chara. It isn't like Marinette could tell him, after all. In that would be revealing she was Ladybug. Ladybug simply gives a nod, telling him to be careful and keep an eye out. She didn't seem as confused or curious as the kitty, apparently. Obviously because she already knows, but in that she generally is better able to focus on the task at hand.]

[nadenagi]

"Later. I wanted to talk to you anyway," he told Chat. "For now lets...."

He was interrupted by an explosion as what looked like a giant dark purple Egg with a ? mark and a toothy smile blew through the roof of the building the akuma had vanished into. A local kid they may or may not know, who wanted to be a comedian when he grew up floated up before the egg. The huge mouth opened... and swallowed him.

"What in the world?" Nagihiko asked bracing back a second before sprinting towards the nearest building with a lattice he could climb. That didn't look anything like the batsutamas that the Guardians fought, that Ladybug had fought. Whatever this was it was new and dangerous.

[coccinelled]

Talk abou -- wait what?

[Yeah. He and Ladybug are understandably rather distracted and freaked out with the egg's appearance. With the kid being swallowed. Was this an akuma? They took on different forms, sure but they hadn't necessarily come across this sort of thing with the akuma before.

At least. Chat Noir hadn't. Ladybug had a little more of an idea in having been to Japan and all with that concert but even then. She's no expert like the local heroes. Still, she has to do something. She and Chat Noir use their pole and yoyo in leaping up to get a better look at what was going on up on the roof.]

That's -- let's go find out what's going on.

[nadenagi]

The egg popped after a moment and what looked like an Akuma version of the kid appeared where the egg had been, dressed like a clown in purples blues and black with a huge white Question Mark on his pointed hat.

"Ladybug! Chat Noir! Perfect! You can be my first audience! Welcome to the show!" he said to them, beaming happily. If not for the fact that he clearly had been transformed and that he was floating overhead, he might have just been an exuberant youngster in a costume. There was a bit of Evilustrater to him in that he wasn't going for the attack at the moment. This was more like the boat ride. This seemed... almost.. benign. For the moment.

[coccinelled]

Your.....show?

[Ladybug asks. She's at least relieved he hasn't attacked or anything? But depending on what this show was. Well. Regardless, she and Chat Noir had to take care of things and help him. Figure where the akuma was and destroy that item. Purify the akuma again. Perhaps his hat? Chat Noir seems more curious than concerned in the moment at least, as he watches expectantly.]

[nadenagi]

Nagihiko hung back, watching alert, expecting a trap.

"Yeah! If I can make the two of you laugh, I can make anyone laugh! Besides! We'll be on the news! So! what kind of jokes do you want me to start with? I mean you've spotted a few for me already, Ladybug! What about you, Chat? Cat got your tongue?"

Yeah he... wasn't good.

[coccinelled]

The news?

[When had the reporters and such shown up on the roof and all? Then again. They shouldn't be surprised with Paris being well aware with the akuma. Sometimes the news was the first they found out about what was happening to transform and go deal with the situation. Still, Ladybug and Chat Noir give a weak chuckle at the attempts? It's something? ]

[nadenagi]

"Sure! They always show up for Akuma, and I kinda look like an Akuma just a ... kinda,,. one...' he laughed at his own joke. 'so they'll show up for sure! Oh! maybe we should do this by the river! So they can show up for shore and it'll be current events!" He was trying so hard, but he was... not good.

Plus side was he wasn't attacking, but the downside... was he wasn't giving a clue where his akuma was.

[coccinelled]

They usually do. In warning people to be careful.

[Ladybug agrees, giving a nod there at least. That it is possibly only a matter of time. If he figures more violent means of getting that attention. Most might not have even realized necessarily, up on the roof and all as they were yet. Still, Chat can't help but to chuckle at the puns, even bad ones. He was something of a lover of puns himself after all. Ladybug squints at his hat, wondering if that might be it. Where that akuma is.]

[nadenagi]

"There! I knew my jokes would cat-ch on! So glad to chat with you!" he said happily to Chat Noir, bouncing like a toddler, rather than like the 14 years old or so he looked.

[coccinelled]

[Chat Noir chuckles, Ladybug joining him in a weaker attempt, but she is trying to focus more on figuring how to find out if the hat was the akuma? Not that she wants to provoke a fight but she isn't sure. And is well aware things usually boil down to a fight with the akumatized victims. She is relieved it seems pretty tame an encounter thus far at least.]

[nadenagi]

Nagihiko had slipped away, working his way around to find a path to the roof a normal person could actually use.

The kid seemed thrilled, clapping his hands and bouncing on the air. "Oh! Hey! I'm supposed to show you a magic trick! Will you help me with it, Chat? He asked. "I need a lovely volunteer!"