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

Re: Ah okay. Nice!

[kiddy_king]

He gave a small chuckle. "We have some acquaintances in common."

Hidden by the trees until they were right up at it was an odd sort of domed building. It looked old and given the vines growing over it, possibly abandoned. Except that the door was clear and the grass around it at a reasonable height, despite being the middle of a small wood. He opened the door and it swung smoothly and silently open. The inside was too dark for her to tell easily what it was.

"Ladies first."

[coccinelled]

[Marinette tilts her head, asking if he means Amu and the rest, before she pauses, noting the building. The vines and grass, the door. How dark it was and how he expects her to go inside...

Well. Like she figured before, it was probably okay? If he already knew the others and they hadn't seemed concerned. Amu having even wanted to come along with them, at that. So she hesitantly, slowly gives a nod and steps forward to go inside.]

Is there a light or something....?

[A torch? Something at least, even if she might not expect electricity out here in the woods?]

[kiddy_king]

"Or something," he said with a chuckle. He stepped in beside her and closed the door. As soon as the door closed points of light burst into being access the domed ceiling, revealing the building to be a planetarium with old but posh movie theater style seats with armrests large enough to set down a mug of tea or such. On some of the wider rows there were even small tables. A hotplate teapot rested on one table, along with four delicate china cups. He headed for that row. "Tea?"

[coccinelled]

Hm? Oh....! Wow.

[This was rather amazing. Definitely not what one might have expected from the outside. Marinette blinks with wide eyes at the planetarium, the seats and the tea set up.]

I would never have guessed this was in here. But um, sure.

[Something nice and warm would be nice. Of course she had had snacks with the others earlier but she hadn't had a lot, and she had a bit of a work out since.]

[kiddy_king]

He served them both tea and took a seat even as he held one cup out to her. "Please, sit and be comfortable. This is one of my favourite places in the world, and I do so love to share it."

[coccinelled]

It is nice. Thank you.

[She takes the offered cup, having a sip. She's still a little confused about this? But she figures he will explain why he dragged her out here. So she doesn't rush, beyond hoping this won't take long and assuming it won't since he hadn't said this would take a while.]

And this was why I asked for permission to god mode, cause this makes so much sense for Tsukasa

[kiddy_king]

He settled in and sipped his tea, watching the stars a moment as he gathered his thoughts and then set the tea cup down on the arm of the chair and looked at her. "So, you've had your first fight against Easter as Ladybug. Not a bad job, though keeping the media from running with the story was a bit difficult," he said after a moment, a bit conversationally.

[coccinelled]

H-huh? I....what? How did you....?!

[Had they told him? Marinette was sure she had mentioned the need to keep quiet. Still, if it was just him and he stopped everyone from finding out then that was....good? Right? She can't help but to barely manage to swallow her tea in avoiding spitting it out in surprise, putting her own cup down after he comes out with this.]

[kiddy_king]

"I've already spoken to Master Fu, it is alright. Don't worry. I'm here to help. You now have access to more power than you ever did in Paris, and if you do not know how to handle it, you could use it by accident. So we agreed that while you are here, you should meet with me at least once a day, if possible, to teach you this new power."

[coccinelled]

E-eh? You know Master Fu? What power?

[Why would being in Japan give her access to more power? Would she still have it in Paris when she went home? It might well be a good thing if she could learn to control it, if it might potentially get out of hand or something though. So Marinette gives a nod after a moment's consideration, though she still has a lot of questions.]

[kiddy_king]

He chuckled a bit. "We do not see each other much, but I have known him for a while. But that is a whole other story. The power is what you need to learn about. Tell me, have you ever noticed the necklace that Hinamori-san wears?"

[coccinelled]

I guess....and yeah. I know she has one. But I didn't necessarily think it was that important?

[Much like people probably didn't think much of her earrings, her Miraculous. Or Chat Noir's with his ring. Probably it was the same thing with Hinamori's jewelry. Whatever purpose that might have, given she gathers things were a little different with the chara in comparison to her kwami.]

[kiddy_king]

"It is very important. It is why you now have powers Chat Noir and the others will not have access to yet. Hinamori-san had the Humpty lock. It has the power to allow some special charabearers to fully transform. Most people with Shugo Charas can only chara-change. That is when the chara takes over an aspect of their personality and gives them increased skills. Usually the child doesn't have much choice in the matter for reasons I can get into with you when you are older." Mostly because he doesn't want to discuss it now, and that's a tried and true dodge for adults (tm).

"Some bearers, lika Hinamori-san and Utau Hoshina Can Chara-nari because of exposure to the lock. While your Miraculous and Kwami are not quite like a chara egg and chara, the powers share many commonalities, especially at the root. So while this won't give you any powers with Tiki... it will give you a new what to charanari."

[coccinelled]

Humpty Lock? Why wait till I'm older? I'm not a kid anymore. But this chara-nari....? I'm trying to remember if it came up already.

[She thinks they did mention something about it. But from that it had seemed that she just had access to what they called chara-change, with Tikki? At least so far. She still isn't sure how or why coming here might give Tikki new abilities like this? Or perhaps it was just that Tikki was simply learning new abilities over time, or from being around or observing these chara?]

[kiddy_king]

"The humpty lock and key hold great power over hearts. And being this close to the lock, your heart has been unlocked. Charanari is a full transformation like you do with Tiki. But now you can charanari with any Shugo Chara willing to work with you. I'm sure Ran and the others would be happy to help you practice. You can help without Ladybug helping. And if you speak to them about wanting a mask, i'm sure something could be worked out..."

[coccinelled]

Just by being near her? And you are saying now I could....I could transform with their Chara? I guess that would be useful. I mean, probably more useful if I hadn't already gone out as Ladybug at that concert, but still. This might help. If I figure it and something else happens while I'm still here, before I go back to Paris.

[She considers, giving a nod as she sips at her drink.]

[kiddy_king]

"Being near the lock unlocked your potential. You do not need the lock to be present to transform. Nor do you need it to be able to see charas. These are now things that you can do for the time being."

[coccinelled]

I can see them anyway. I guess I'd need to talk to them? About helping me practice? Somewhere private. I'd rather think I've gotten enough attention here already....

[What with the concert and all. She shifts then, taking another sip.]

I had no idea about all this, back in Paris. But I suppose, they aren't called kwami so I couldn't have known.....

[kiddy_king]

"I suspect you'll be able to see them back home as well. But this will give you the chance to help in times when Ladybug cannot be seen."

[coccinelled]

There are more? In Paris? I never knew....! But you're right. At least, if I go on trips like this it would be better for me to transform some other way, given how recognizable Ladybug is.

Er, no offense, Tikki.

[She says to the kwami, who gives a shake of her head while munching some snacks from Marinette's bag.]

[kiddy_king]

"All kids have the potential to have Shugo Charas, so long as that has not been stolen from them. Now you have the ability to see and hear them."

[coccinelled]

Right. Their dreams or hopes or something. They told me about that, but I guess I didn't think to connect that to...to Paris when we already have our kwami, our Miraculous to help us there against Papillon.

[But this could definitely be useful. If she could find out who had the chara, who could join them against Papillon alongside those with the Miraculous. They'd have a much better chance of stopping him for good.]

[kiddy_king]

He chuckled. "Neither are regional. Kwamis exist wherever they are needed. So too do Charas."

[coccinelled]

I guess if that's how they are made it makes sense. I just had no idea about them until I came here and met the others, is all.

[So this is all still new to her. Still news and a surprise, to say the least. But Marinette is trying to take it all in, to roll with it some. The chara were something she was just still learning about and all, let alone finding out she could make use of them too herself as well.]

[kiddy_king]

He nodded and sipped his tea. "I think I have kept you from your friends long enough. We shall meet again when the time is right. But now is when you should be working with them to learn all that you can about unlocking your heart."