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]

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!"

[coccinelled]

Sure! I'll volunteer!

[Ladybug isn't sure if they should trust this, what the boy might try but before she can tell Chat to be careful, he gives a nod and agrees to help, stepping up to approach the boy. Either he was just rolling with it or he figured it a chance to get close if necessary and help figure the akuma and all. She isn't sure which, as her eyes narrow before she raises an eyebrow and watches.]

[nadenagi]

"YAY!" he clapped his hands happily. "Okay, so...!" he held up a golden coin. "Alright! So! one hand face up, put this in your palm, then put your other hand over it so the coin is hidden between the palms. Oh right. Feel free to check out the coin to be sure it's not cat-terfit." he really was bad at this. "Just don't cataclysm it or that would be a catastrophe."

[coccinelled]

[As Chat Noir listens and tries to figure following the instructions, Ladybug seems to be observing and wondering how this might backfire. Where the akumatized item was. Was it the hat? The coin? If it was the coin, surely he wouldn't let Chat Noir near it? Knowing Chat Noir could destroy it if he wanted and thus stop the akumatization.]

The hat or the coin.....?

[nadenagi]

He laughed. "The coin. The trick is useless without it! Now, hands around the coin like I said, hold them out, I'll put my hands on top and bottom of yours and say the magic words, okay?"

Nagihiko had found a roof entrance and was slipping out onto the roof behind the kid, breathing silently, but chest heaving like he was breathing hard.

[coccinelled]

What are the magic words?

[Perhaps Chat might be falling for some sort of trap. But he was curious. And Ladybug was right there to help if something did happen. So it's probably fine. Ladybug's eyes narrow as she glances to Chat's hands holding to the coin as he does as instructed, glancing to Nagihiko behind them but trying not to draw attention.]

[nadenagi]

The kid put his hands on top and bottom of Chat's hands, his finger tips over the ring on the top hand. "You'll hear!" he said eagerly, alls his fingers curling into the bases of Chat's fingers, and thus over the ring. The kid looked full of eager anticipation, like he was about to burst with excitement.

[coccinelled]

Chat Noir!

[Of course Ladybug was the more cautious. The more paranoid at times. This being one example where the other touching his hands immediately has her suspicious and worried that the boy might try take Chat Noir's ring. She steps forward, reaching as if to try and pull his hands back. Though whether she might make it in time or just make things awkward with this trick, if it really is just that.....]

[nadenagi]

Of course the boy was trying to grab the ring. Part of the trick, right? And who knew maybe her pulling Chat back like that could help....?

[coccinelled]

[Ladybug reaches, ending up grabbing at Chat's 'tail' on instinct to pull him back in her panic. Maybe it was innocent and just some magic trick but at the same time. She didn't want to chance. Not with the Miraculous involved. The potential risk if someone else got their hands on it, especially Chat Noir's ring. Chat Noir stumbles as she goes to pull him back towards her, trying not to actually fall.]

[nadenagi]

"HEY!" he shouted, eyes huge as his fingers slipped off the ring without budging it. Tears started filling his eyes and his lower lip trembled. "They were right..." he said. "No one wants me to succeed..."

Nagihiko raced towards the kid and dove at him, a moment too late. He didn't fall when the kid shot up like a cork and out of reach, but he didn't catch him either. He wound up beside the heroes.

"No one wants me..." the kid said as the egg formed behind him again, darker this time. "But you'll see! I'll make you laugh! I'll make you all laugh!"The egg swallowed the kid then shattered,. The kid looked like an Akuma form of his last get up, but with jet black skin, blank white eyes and a huge purple X over his forehead, a familiar enough appearance to Ladybug despite a few differences.

"That... cannot possibly be good..."

[coccinelled]

It's not that we don't want you to succeed. We just don't want Papillon to. These -- our Miraculous are really powerful and can't get to the wrong hands. We're not sure what he might do if he got Chat Noir's ring.

[Her earrings too. Ladybug ensures Chat Noir won't stumble and fall, helping him straighten some as she tries to reassure the other boy. She glances to check on Nagihiko before turning back to the other, watching the transformation with the egg, her eyes wide.]

What....just happened?

[nadenagi]

He cackled and pointed at someone on the street who had stopped to stare. The person stiffened as blue purple energy hit them then they fell over, laughing. Laughing uncontrollably even as there was a look of terror on their face.

[coccinelled]

What....stop! Stop it!

[Ladybug calls out, reaching and throwing her yoyo to try and restrain the boy while they figured what Chat Noir needed to destroy in finding the akuma and freeing him. She doesn't want to hurt him. But she does want to prevent this escalating, even if aware her Miraculous restored everything back to how it was afterwards. She tells Chat Noir to try go for his coin or hat.]

[nadenagi]

Chat would discover that he still was holding the coin.

Nagihiko was frowning. "Ladybug!" he called, having figured something out it seemed, but before he could saw what it was, the kid's power hit him and he fell over laughing painfully hard.

[coccinelled]

[Chat Noir seems to be debating whether to go for the coin or the hat, as Ladybug is distracted in approaching Nagihiko. She isn't sure what she can do for him except to purify the akuma once they figured destroying it and setting it free. Then she would get everything back to normal. Be able to help the boy back down and all. That doesn't mean she isn't upset this happened at all in the first place. Because he had followed them up here to try and help.]