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]

"Yeah, Tikki can't do that. Or, at least that I know of."

So that was a no go. At least for Marinette. Which isn't to say that Amu couldn't do it if she wanted. It just wasn't possible for Marinette to do, at least as far as she knows, given she hasn't had that experience with Tikki, so she assumes that kwami are not able to do something like that.

[amu_chan]

"Want to trade?" Amu asked, dryly.

[coccinelled]

"Trade? I'm....not so sure if that's a good idea? I'm not sure kwami and chara are the same. Not enough for that to necessarily work. And isn't yours specific to you? From what you guys were saying?"

At least, from what Marinette had gathered. That and they should probably check with their chara and kwami first at the very least. Not that she is sure if Tikki would be alright with that.

I almost posted something else, then realized this was an earlier canon point.

[amu_chan]

She rolled her eyes. "I was joking. As annoying as the three of them are, I'm not letting anyone else take them into another country. Su can get lost here too easily as it is."

Heh. Canon points are fun like that.

[coccinelled]

There's maps? I'm sure it wouldn't be that bad as long as at least two of you were sticking together?

[If clumsy, definitely not Japanese Marinette could manage to figure Japan like this even for a few days, then surely these guys wouldn't do too badly in Paris. Though of course, she herself might be a little nervous about that idea too.]

Lol yeah.

[amu_chan]

"Su keeps getting seperated off on her own," Ran said cheerfully.

[coccinelled]

I guess I could see that being a concern. Especially in a whole other country. But I'm doing it!

[They did have those leashes? For pets and children. Though Marinette isn't sure how well even that might go if she managed to wander off say, while someone with her was distracted buying something.]

[amu_chan]

"But think of all the new friends I could make!" Su said, dreamily.

[coccinelled]

Friends are good! None of mine back home know about me being Ladybug, though. So if you guys do come to Paris, you can't say anything about meeting Ladybug, okay?

[Because that would be way too convenient. If Marinette went to Japan and at that time, these kids also met Ladybug. She can't let that get out, if possible. If people hadn't already been putting up posts and photos online already, that is.]

[amu_chan]

"Even the ones who can see us?"

"Aren't you concerned about it being on the news?" Miki asked, looking up from her sketchbook.

Amu frowned a bit. "She's right, that probably made the news. Utau is big these days, and Easter is one oif the largest media corporations in Japan."

[coccinelled]

But it would have just been the local news? Right? And it isn't like I think any of my friends know Japanese.

[That they would be interested in news from Japan necessarily. They probably didn't even know about Utau. Or Easter. The problem being that they did know about Ladybug.....]

[amu_chan]

Amu shrugged. "I don't know, that's all stuff my parents watch."

[coccinelled]

I didn't even think to check. I would check online on my phone, but the data plan....that and I'm not sure I'd understand if it is in Japanese anyway.

[Assuming she even knew which networks to check in regards to the news. Either for articles or seeing about video footage. If it was out there, Alya had probably already found it and thus might have figured it out....]

[amu_chan]

"Maybe Nadeshiko can help?"

[coccinelled]

Worth asking at least. If she knows where to check. I'd like to at least know if anyone did get photos or something.

[Japan would probably always wonder, if there were some circulating, and this was possibly the one and only time they would see Ladybug. Still, Marinette gestures for Amu to come back to the others.]

[amu_chan]

Amu turned towards the garden. "Think we could just walk this time?"

[coccinelled]

Sure. There's no rush. As long as I meet mum and dad for dinner, anyway.

[Besides, walking would give them more chance to catch their breath a bit longer after that race of theirs. So Marinette doesn't mind taking it a bit slower this time around as she walks with Amu, following.]

[amu_chan]

"Thank goodness," she muttered as they headed back. "So how long are you in Japan anyway?"

[coccinelled]

How long? Oh, only a week or so. I mean, my parents are here with work. That's why they're busy at the moment. I'm just glad we figured this while I have break from school so I could come with them. I've already done so many sketches of the fashion around here!

[That and, obviously, making friends.]

[amu_chan]

"No wonder Miki had so much fun with you."

[coccinelled]

She made me this. Isn't it amazing? If I had her help, all my design ideas would be made so much quicker!

[Rather than needing to sew it all herself, after getting the material and thread and all.]

[amu_chan]

"I like it," Amu said, nodding. She poked Miki,. "You could help me out more often, you know."

"If you keep depending on me all the time, you'll never learn how to do it for yourself."

[coccinelled]

Sounds like something Tikki would say.

[Marinette laughs. Which probably, if Tikki would tell that to Marinette, usually meant it was good advice. That she should listen.]

[amu_chan]

Amu rolled her eyes. "Is Tikki annoying and lazy too then?" She asked as Miki huffed.

[coccinelled]

No? But she's really supportive and encouraging. Like I'm sure Miki is trying to be with you.

[Of course there was teasing, but every kwami and probably every chara is likely different in having their own personality. And their own way of supporting and interacting with their owners.]