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]

My heart unlock? Okay....huh?

[Marinette pauses in being about to try when Amu asks that and the others laugh. She figured the others had gotten about the same in terms of an introduction of sorts with an explanation, the same as she had figured with Tikki and all. But perhaps that differed depending on the chara or something. Marinette practices the diamond gesture with her hands.]

[amu_chan]

"You got it! Now put it together!"

[coccinelled]

Alright....

[Marinette gives a nod, following the directions on what to say, about her heart unlocking, getting the hand gesture like a diamond at her chest. It feels a little weird but then again, she supposed it seemed all weird and overwhelming to her initially with Tikki too. At least this time she has more of an idea on what to expect? Sort of.]

[amu_chan]

Blue light would fill her vision until all she could see was varying shades of blue and Miki. Miki's egg formed around her and closed her in. Marinette would find her hands moving without her volition, out and together. The egg moved to hover just over them, then egg and hands would move to her chest, the egg slipping inside her as if it were part of her. Another flash of Blue and she'd feel clothing popping into place over her. A Jaunty blue Beret with a spade, a flowing top, blue flared sleeves, bare shoulders, and a white front and back decorated with blue flowers, and long flowing pants with a gradient blue rainbow, and nice blue sneakers. In her hands were a length of blue fabric and a sharp needle threaded with blue thread.

"CHARA NARI! LADYBLUE!"

[coccinelled]

W-whoa? Lady...blue?

[Well. It was apt. Marinette takes a moment to glance down at herself a bit to see the transformation once it is done, to see her new outfit and stretch a bit to figure how easy it was to move around in. The top wasn't too tight so it wasn't restricting. She's just more used to her Ladybug outfit. But this worked too, and almost seemed more....normal almost? Kind of.]

[amu_chan]

After a few moments it was very comfortable... physically. The thread moved with her as she did, getting longer and shorter so that it was out of her way but always long enough that she was aware of it.

[coccinelled]

Nice! This is actually not bad. And like this, nobody will recognize me as Ladybug!

[Marinette grins, appreciating how easy it was to move in these clothes as she stretches a bit. The colour was different to her usual red and black for Ladybug too. This should help in her not drawing so much attention. Maybe help her be more effective against the threat here and all too.]

[amu_chan]

Amu nodded. "Guess you can do it too, then."

"WAAAH! No fair! I wanna chara-nari too!"

Kukai burst out laughing. "PERFECT!" he leapt to his feet. "Let's get to training."

[coccinelled]

Looks like it! But I'm sure if I can, you'll all manage it eventually? And, well. I don't feel like I stand out quite as much with this, so. What training did you have in mind?

[Since this seems easy enough to move in, she figures she could manage running or fighting in it. At least from what she has tested briefly thus far anyway.]

[amu_chan]

Kukai grinned and headed towards them. Chara-nari, amu. let's get to work."

"Maybe it is better if you just focus on Mari..." she was cut off by Su.

"Amu's heart, UNLOCK!"

"Wai....." and then she transformed."t...."

[coccinelled]

Marinette just gives a shrug in response to Amu. She's as surprised as any of them, but she knows it is better if she gets in some practice at least. She doesn't want to force them in helping her, but. Well, she won't deny it's a good idea anyway. So she readies herself, getting into a defensive position.

Sure, she's seen them before. It's just new in figuring this with herself being involved this time around. What the abilities are, how it might differ to what she can do as Ladybug. She's almost sure some of it is probably habit that might still give her away if someone were really paying attention. It feels strange to be without a yoyo while transformed.

[amu_chan]

"Alright! Ladyblue, Amulet Clover, let's go!" he lead the way out of the garden, humming happily to himself.

Sighing, Amu followed.

[coccinelled]

[Marinette simply follows, giving a nod and a grin as he leads the way, chasing after with Amu. She always did find it that she is less clumsy and prone to tripping while transformed. Somehow this seemed to be the same even with the chara instead of the kwami. She's light on her feet and more balanced with that speed than she would be otherwise, as she follows after them.]

[amu_chan]

He led them out of the garden then to a back entrance of the school. "Alright you two, up to the roof, double time. Daichi? Let's make sure they can't beat us!" The small chara gave him a thumbs up and a star appeared in Kukai's hair like a barrette. With a grin, he raced up the stairs ahead of them. "LAST ONE UP DOES FOURTY PULL UPS!" he called back to them.

"What? NO!" she raced after him.

[coccinelled]

[Marinette follows, though she too seems to dread the idea of the push ups. It is incentive to push herself to manage to not come last at least though. She definitely feels the burn in her legs after a bit, but she tries to push on through.

Once she makes it to the roof, she braces herself holding to her knees as she catches her breath for a bit, though relieved that she made it up there.]

Made it.

[amu_chan]

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<font color="green>Amu skidded in behind her and collapsed on the rooftop. "What? No! I should have flown," she muttered.

<font color="blue">Kukai grinned at them. "While Amu's doing her pull ups, let's see what you can do, Ladyblue!"

[coccinelled]

Does that mean I can fly? I'm still new with this. It's still different to what I can do with Tikki.

[It was a fair question. Though she might well be distracted by Kukai wanting to spar together now. She gives Amu a sympathetic look before she turns to him and readies herself in a defensive stance.]

Alright.

Gyah, stupid HTML break.

[amu_chan]

"who knows! One way to find out," he said, cheerfully, heading for the edge of the roof.

HTML happens.

[coccinelled]

W-wait, you don't mean we are actually going to -- ?

[To just jump? Off of the roof? Surely there were safer options in figuring if they could fly? If she could? While she is still learning all this especially, given the potential differences between things with the chara and how she works with Tikki.]

[amu_chan]

He laughed and pointed from the edge. There was another roof below, just a one story drop. Huge for MAri, nothing for Ladybug. "It's not a bad fall."

[coccinelled]

That...oh. Okay, that isn't as bad as I figured it might be at least?

[At least, for Ladybug. For her enhanced physical skills. She seems to relax a little more after seeing that it wasn't as high as she assumed, at least, not to the next roof. So she gives a nod, and backs up a little to start running to make a leap for it.]

[amu_chan]

AAAAAAAS she was jumping, Miki's voice would say, seemingly from all around her, "I'm not actually sure we can fly........"

And they couldn't. But apparently what they could do, if she allowed instinct - and Miki - to take over, was to draw the needles across the sky swiftly, which formed a parachute somehow....

Or she could just fall. Which is also an option, since Kukai jumped ahead of her and is ready to catch her.

[coccinelled]

[Marinette was nothing if not more fearless, more confident with being transformed. That seemed to still hold true even with this time using the chara instead of Tikki. Which is why she leaps, trusting Miki and using the needles and thread to help guide her down to the next roof.

She was used to her yoyo, but well. As long as the thread was strong enough she could still possibly sort of use it in a similar fashion perhaps. Once she gets more practice with this.]

[amu_chan]

Kukai applauded. "Well done!"

And yes, she would find that if she chose, she could use the needle and thread in a similar fashion to her yoyo.

[coccinelled]

Alright. Maybe I'll get the hang of this quicker than I thought. At least, moving around.

[Having experience with Tikki prior probably helps. Still, she shifts then, in turning to the other, checking the others were with her still or at least not too far behind in making their own way down too.]