chatpiper | ♫ •||• This the ultimate showdown of ultimate history

♫ •||• This the ultimate showdown of ultimate history

[ Once a week, minimum. That's how many Akuma attacks she's experienced since arriving in Paris, roughly. She must've come right after one that first week because it took a while for the first, but after that it was non-stop. Even SHE'D been Akumatized once. It was almost like some rite of passage among their circle and some sort of twisted mark of status among adults.

Sure, people had a lot of negative emotions on an every day basis that could be exploited, but seriously, how much free time did Hawkmoth have to just sit around making Akumas once a week, meaning he was sitting around at LEAST once a week just waiting for "Bridezilla", who couldn't get her wedding cake on time, to get so cheesed off she was basically already shooting flames.

Or was it more like a bat signal? Spidey senses? Did he get somehow notified when someone was at their breaking point?

She isn't even surprised to learn that Lila has had several go's of it. The girl brings it on herself by being dishonest. It's inevitable that sooner or later she's either going to get called out or her own web of deceit is going to come back to bite her in the butt, yet she persists.

It isn't Lila today, but whoever it is their powers are more potent than anything Cat Noir and Ladybug have faced before, and it shows. Ladybug and Cat Noir seem to be struggling.

Hey Piper, don't worry! This is no sweat for Ladybug and Cat Noir. They'll come out on top just like always, just watch.

Those had been Alix's parting words right before they'd all split up to go home for the mandatory evacuation.

That's another thing: These attacks are so frequent they have DRILLS and EVACUATION PROCEEDURES at school. Piper doesn't mind all of this, but she IS a little amazed her dad hasn't sequestered her inside yet. The topic of superheroes is a bit touchy around their house, though... She just hopes the day never comes when her dad is the victim.

Anyway- she feels pretty worried at the moment, considering. She knows Adrien and Marinette are out there putting themselves, their lives on the line. She likes to think she's not more worried than usual just because she and Adrien are dating now- it's more the fact that this opponent's power set is so overwhelming -but it does feel a little like her nerves have been exposed. ~~She might be keeping an emergency stash of camembert in the house for those surprise visits shut up~~

For now she's sitting on the couch, watching for updates on the news between texts or calls from their friends. ]

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[ Trust me on this one. Okay? For once.

I’ve got a good feline.

Such were his parting words to Ladybug, after holding off the akuma all on his own for a solid fifteen minutes while she ran off god-knows-where to exert her super special bug privilege.

Enough of that, though. She wavered long enough by the time he caught her weighing options on who to give her chosen Miraculous to; now it’s her turn to fight and hold her own while he makes the decision regarding their allies.

He was playful about it, winking as he left, but the fact that she’d been so darn reluctant—that fact that he ended up literally grabbing the Miraculous out of her hand—

That injected bitterness and hurt into his words that he can still taste in his mouth as he leapt across Paris’s rooftops.

When Cat Noir finally arrives at the McLean house, he doesn’t bother with the front door. He goes straight for Piper’s window, giving it a few gentle taps while he catches his breath.

He also takes the opportunity to crack open the Miraculous box while he waits. Juuust a smidge, enough that the familiar magic light peeks through, and he can see what he’s working with. ]

...The Snake?

[ That’s right. He had no idea until that moment which one it was. It didn’t matter. He knows Piper is a hero, either way.

He continues, musing to himself despite the hurried footsteps he can hear from inside. ]

Well, at least she didn’t choose the Dog. [ This time. ]

Edited 2018-12-30 18:49 (UTC)

[ Given that there was no tell-tale flash of light or update on the news she would guess that Ladybug and Cat Noir haven't beaten the akuma just yet. So when the rapid rap-tap-tap came at her window Piper assumed it was PROBABLY Cat Noir- Adrien -MAYBE Ladybug. ~~Please don't let it be the friggin Akuma.~~

She pulls the window open in the time it takes for him to make the comment about the Dog miraculous, confusing Piper because- hello, context. ] Cat Noir! [ Just in case he didn't come alone, she's not going to be the one to blurt out his identity, so while he's in the suit it's strictly Cat Noir, unless she's positive they're alone.

ANYWAY! Her eyes scan him, up and down (don't say a word) and pause when she notices the little box in his hand, then land on his eyes again. He doesn't look worse for the wear, just a little winded maybe. ] What's going on? [ She asks, making room almost instinctively, without a second thought at the very least. ]

[ Cat Noir slips in as soon as he is welcomed—or—well, it’s about as warm of a greeting he can get, given the situation.

It makes him a little sad that they don’t have much time to do what boyfriends and girlfriends are supposed to do when they greet each other, like kiss, or... whatever it is that Alya and Nino do. But it is what it is, and he can’t keep Ladybug waiting.

Since he can see that the news is on, that hopefully will save him a bit of time explaining.

He takes a deep breath, and holds up the box she’d been eying so that she can actually see it. ]

Sorry—I’m not as good at these speeches as she is, so I hope you don’t mind the cliff notes version.

[ which is. basically: ]

We could use some back up. How would you feel about going hero?

[ It's a pity, really, she'd been thinking the same, but between the risk of some reporter trying to snag a scoop and the general urgency, it seemed a poor time for it. Maybe when they got to the point in their relationship where these sorts of things were common place, like for Alya and Nino, then things could loosen up.

For now? Stunned silence, Piper's eyes darting back to the box he presents, jaw dropping open.

Congratulations, Adrien, you've left her utterly speechless. Enjoy it, because it'll probably never happen again ~~unless you actually manage to take her off guard with the proposal~~. ]

[ If possible, her eyes actually widen FURTHER with surprise when she realizes what he's asking- just briefly, as if suddenly realizing what's happening, or like she just realized he's waiting for an answer. ]

Me?? Seriously??

[ Even as she asks this, incredulous, she's reaching out to accept the box.

Really, it's a damn shame. If she were a bit more collected there was definitely a joke in there to be made about him gifting her with jewelry so soon in their relationship.

But probably not the best time. ]

I'm not going to waste time asking if you're really sure about this... [ Does she sound nervously excited? Giddy even? Maybe a little. Jumping in to help the superheroes with a baseball bat, that's one thing, but actually BECOMING a superhero? Fighting alongside them instead of worrying from the sidelines?

Piper grins. ]

You better believe I'm down for it. What do I have to do?

[ He had a feeling that would (eventually) be her answer, but that doesn’t make him any less relieved.

Also does not prevent him from sassing her, despite everything, because of course. ]

Well first, you open the box.

[ There is silence after that, so feel free to hit him.

...Otherwise, the teasing smile will disappear even more quickly from his face as it dawns on him how in the dark he really is about these Miraculous.

He—He doesn’t even know what the Snake does. They’ll have to find out together. ]

Oh. One catch, though, before you do.

You have to give it back to me once it’s all over.

[ If there were more time- no, you know what fuck it you only live once the time is RIGHT NOW. ]

You're not going to start playing with it once I set it down, are you, minou?

[ That is Piper flicking the bell at his neck with a tease of her own, but then she can't pretend to be anything but eager anymore. ]

[ She peeks up at him again when he stays quiet for a bit too long, though. Raises an eyebrow. She'll have to ask him about that look a bit later... For now, though- ]

Return it when we're done. Got it. I think I can handle that. [ This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and if she's honest she'd be surprised if it came around more than that- once in a lifetime. She'll be stepping into their world for a day (much less, in reality) and just a taste is more than almost anyone else could hope for. It's something she didn't even realize she wanted until literally THAT moment.

She takes a breath and doesn't waste anymore time, finishing what he started and opening up the box, calling the being inside out into the human world for what might be the first time in ages, for all either of them knew. ]

[ A grey-green ball of light takes shape and almost lazily circles around her in an upward spiral, around her shoulders and head before coming to hover between the two. The crowned head is impossible to mistake, and Piper can immediately tell which animal this miraculous is based on. It's enough to make her laugh shortly, maybe easily mistaken for a rush of excitement. Really, though, a snake. A SNAKE, after the things her grandfather had said about her, growing up, how he expected her to master even the most difficult of their songs like the snake song. It was too fitting, it couldn't be coincidence, could it? If so, it was one heck of a crazy one.

The little godling introduces himself as Sass (more amusing still), and explains that all she has to do to activate the transformation- aside from putting on the bangle (... did you and Cat Noir rehearse this or something-) is say the magic words. ]

Sass, Fangs Out!

[ What happens next is literally something right out of one of those old cartoons that used to come on when she was still a kid. Once it's done she takes a moment to look over her hands, arms, and legs. There's a hood with this outfit, but mostly it's the same color green as Sass, with a very distinctly snake looking feel, like a King Cobra. There's a set of what look like modernized reed pipes at her side, giving her an inkling of what her power set might be. Smirking, she looks back at Cat Noir and holds out her hands. ]

Well, think we're ready to get this show on the road?

[ Get it? Because musical based powers??? ]

[ Even he knows the Miraculous boxes aren’t cat toys, okay!!! He probably deserved that one, though, so he doesn’t say anything, instead waiting for Sass to take the wheel.

Which he does. THANK GOD.

He looks impressed and proud all at once, because LOOK. THAT’S HIS GIRLFRIEND??

And he can only assume this is how Rena and Carapace felt, too. ]

As long as you don’t get stage fright, ma chérie. It is your first performance, after all.

(ooc: Thought of all the terrible snake puns they'll be able to make. LMAO POOR LADYBUG

"Let's make hisstory." "It's time to snake, rattle, and roll!" "I thought you'd be MUCH better with dice based games. You'd always come up snake eyes." BRAIN PLEASE STOP.)

[ That look of pride and awe is everything right now. It's just too bad there's no time to dwell. Piper already feels more like she's found her second skin than a new one, she can feel the power in the suit she's been granted and she has the urge to RUN, JUMP, test its limits. Was this how Adrien and Marinette felt the first time they put theirs on? ]

As long as I've got at least one familiar face cheering me on from the crowd I think I'll be fine. Besides, I won't be going solo. Let's go.

[ She steals a quick peck to his cheek on her way past, and the next moment she's out the window and on the balcony, waiting for Cat Noir to join her and lead the way. This is way more exciting than she might've expected it to feel. She can't wait to race across the rooftops alongside him. Had she secretly wanted this all along? Maybe, but if so even SHE hadn't been aware. Now that the moment is here, though, she's raring to go. ]

Edited 2019-01-06 16:40 (UTC)

[ Cat smiles at the affection, but he knows that won’t be happening again for a while. It’s probably best they lie low about all this; they’re not like Rena Rouge and Carapace, after all.

He joins Piper on the roof and extends his pole, making sure she isn’t too far behind him before taking off.

Not exactly ideal conditions for a briefing, leaping across rooftops, but they don’t really have a choice. ]

Okay. I have some more cliff notes for you—

He calls himself Amplifier, and— [ he holds his breath for a sec, catching air before continuing: ] —it’s like he tap into people’s emotions. Subtle ones, you know?

A little annoyance becomes hatred... [ another breath ] A small crush becomes obsession. That kind of thing.

We haven’t been able to get through to anyone he’s hit.

[ Maybe Piper can turn the tables! If not, he’ll probably never be trusted with another Miraculous again.

No pressure tho. ]

[ It would definitely be asking for trouble, even Piper recognizes that it isn't the kind they want to invite into their lives. It would be too easy to connect the dots... how could it not be?

The first thing she notices is the increased speed and the change in her perspective. Everything seems sharper somehow. She can feel an added strength in her legs, like if she wanted to she could probably run forever, or leap inhuman distances. Some made more immediate sense than the rest. She probably won't have time to familiarize herself with all of it but for now she focuses on keeping pace. What he's describing sounds like a serious head trip, and Piper feels a flicker of guilt from the time SHE was akumatized, and had been goaded into doing something similar by trapping people in their strongest memories. ]

Well, I think I have an idea of how my powers are meant to work, and I think-

[ She pauses to slide gracefully down the slope of a roof, coiling her leg muscles with a crouch and springing from the ledge to vault across the alley to the next rooftop, landing on the other side and easing right back into her stride. ]

-that I may be able to counter it?

[ And that, ladies and gentlemen, is exactly why he knows he made the right choice. He grins, giving Piper an encouraging look, but barely slows his pace as he does so.

He’s too afraid of what may happen at this point, if they’re late. ]

Atta girl.

We’re not too far now. Once we‘re on the scene, you can tell us all about it.

We’ll follow your lead. How does that sound?

Terrifying. [ Yet she's grinning. Because, you know, honestly as terrifying as it may sound she has to admit it also sounds exciting. Kind of like how people enjoy doing daring things or get a kick out of having the tar scared out of them by movies and games. ] Let's do it.

[ The closer they get the more signs of the fight they come across, a trail of destruction that's really on the lighter side. It could have been a lot worse. Piper comes to a stop when she sees the action ahead, hand landing on the pips at her belt with a nervous exhale. What if all the bravado turns out to be empty? She really doesn't want to screw this up and let him down, make him look bad... ]

I guess it's show time?

[ He can tell she’s nervous. He lands beside her, also looking over the chaos ahead. In the distance, he can see flashes of red and black, and he knows Ladybug is still hanging on.

They’ve made her wait long enough.

He nods. ]

Your stage awaits. Don’t let him get to you right in the first act.

I’ll be right here with you.

[ It really is too bad they can't be open, because if they could she'd have definitely taken the moment to take his hand to squeeze.

But then again, maybe not, because she needs to prove that she can do this WITHOUT having her hand held- literally. The verbal reassurance still means a lot.

Flashing Cat Noir a quick smile Piper turns her attention back to the fight at hand, and she's surprised to see Ladybug having a tough time of it, more so than she had previously when the news was still showing live footage.

It seems like just as they get close enough to offer LB some backup, the akuma takes their chance to make their escape. The plus side is it gives them time to compare notes. The only awkward point is when Ladybug asks for her name and she has to think one up on the spot.

"Uh... you can just call me Charmeur!"

She'd recovered after a moment, easing into a smile and nod. Because hey, snake theme, musical miraculous tool, Cherokee Snake Song, naturally Snake Charming is what came to mind but Charmeur de Serpent was too much of a mouthful and if Carapace could get away with a one word name then damn it so could she.

More importantly, Ladybug had apparently already figured out how Amplifier was gaining strength, similar to "Horrificator". Piper could recall reading about them on the Ladyblog, something she was grateful for since it helped to protect her identity a little better to pose as someone who'd lived in the city long enough to know who Horrificator even WAS.

"I know how to weaken him then, but we have to find a way to make it really count."

She'd explained to the two, then holding up the pipes that were on her belt. They were going to need an amplifier of their own, some sort of megaphone or speakers. ]

[ Megaphone or speakers, huh...?

Normally it’s Ladybug who does all the strategic heavy lifting, so it really makes him happy (yes, even amidst this chaos) that Piper has taken so well to the role. Moreso he’s just happy that the two most important people to him (outside of his father and Nathalie, his only family) are actually getting along.

He looks back and forth between them with his usual proud smile. ]

Well, there’s the electronics store. Or we could hijack the nearest city-wide broadcast station.

[ He says, as if that would be easy. Maybe it would be, with the three lf them, but he continues, ]

Alternatively, we could just see what the Lucky Charm has to say!

[ Piper is the new one here, so she let's the vets handle the planning for a moment since Ladybug is the one that'll have to deal with a timer once she uses her Lucky Charm. In the end, though, they decide to act on Cat Noir's first hunch. Piper even detects a hint of apology in Ladybug's words.

"I think I'll trust your animal instincts on this one, minou."

Something tells Piper that isn't a throw away comment, by the way that the heroine smiles, but she'll have to wonder about it later.

Ladybug agrees to track down Amplifier and keep him busy a while longer while Charmeur and Cat Noir setup their countermeasure. They'll work on reversing the effect on as many people as possible in the meantime, which should give Ladybug the upper hand in the fight once his influence starts to weaken. Then she can use her Lucky Charm to get to the Akuma, with help from Cat Noir and Charmeur if the need arises.

Once they've split up and are heading for the studio skyscraper Piper asks, teasingly. ]

Sounds like you've really got her vote of confidence, Tom Cat. You ready to make our radio debut?

[ The apologetic tone doesn’t escape Cat Noir either, though a part of him thinks he is probably imagining it. He still looks after her with a fondness though as she trails on ahead of them; and he takes Charmeur’s teasing in stride as they make their way.

He gives her a nod to answer her question, and off they go towards the skyscraper, continuing their damage control along the way. ]

It’s not always that way, but I have her vote when it counts.

Let’s do this.

[ She has the feeling that LB probably gives him more credit than that, but she isn't here to judge either way, and she knows first hand that love and trust don't always convey through actions and words, the way that they need to. They both do.

Heavier thoughts for another time.

They manage to make record time (ha ha get i-) to the tower, and once inside Piper- Charmeur lets Cat Noir more or less take lead for the moment. He has an established reputation here, so his word is going to have more clout than hers. It's not even a matter of self-confidence, just fact. He tells them what they need and Nadia and the rest of the crew agree to put their curiosity about Charmeur aside to deliver.

That's the easy part out of the way. Now comes the challenge: Performing in front of thousands of Parisians...

True, Piper can't actually SEE them, but damn, that doesn't make this any less intimidating. While the crew scrambles to get equipment in place and prepare for all channels to broadcast the same programming, Piper stands next to Cat Noir, hands slack at her sides, watching all of this.

Actually that's not completely accurate. Mostly her eyes are glued, practically unblinking at the wall of television monitors, wondering about all the stupid little things that could go wrong if she's got the wrong idea about her powers, if she can't be compelling enough, if she picks the wrong song- ]

[ His reputation certainly gives him more clout, and it does feel good. Normally, he would be the one out there, waiting and running more damage control. Ladybug would be in here, directing the new hero she chose herself.

She would probably do a way better job than he could at quelling Piper’s nerves, but he has to try.

Seeing how tense she is, hyper-focused on the ludicrous (and unnecessary!) number of monitors in front of her, he pops up from behind, tapping her shoulder—

Then appearing on her opposite side instead. ]

They’re almost ready for your close-up. How’re you feline?

[ She was actually so focused on not-freaking-out but totally-freaking-out that she actually fell for the little distraction, looking towards the shoulder he'd tapped first before turning her attention the other way again. It does the trick of shaking her a little out of her thoughts, but of course it doesn't really dispel her nerves.

Keeping her voice low, Piper allows her eyes to dart towards his beneath their masks. ]

Like I'm about to go live in front of all of Paris. I-

[ She stops, mouth setting in a line. Wherever all that bravado and confidence she had earlier had gone, she'd very much like it back now, please. This was the WORST possible time for it to shrivel up and disappear, right before she has to jump in front of a camera and play and sing for the entire city.

And it's going to be out there.

Alya will no doubt be saving it to the Ladyblog, and then it'll be out there.

In the internet.

FOREVER.

For everyone to see.

... She thinks she's gonna be sick. ]

[ It’s different, with him. He’s never had a problem with stage fright; never had a reason to have it. All he’s ever had to do is show up and look pretty, and walk a certain way (which they practiced endlessly—lights, camera angles, the sway in his hips, the swinging of his arms—it was all very mind-numbing).

Piper... Well. He can’t deny she has valid reasons for freaking out right now.

He shakes his head firmly, however, putting a finger over her lips to shush her, and whatever plans she had for finishing that sentence.

“I—“ ]

No, you’re not. You’ve got this. No way I’d let you be here if you didn’t.

You just have to... um...

[ He scratches at the back of his neck as he looks back at the monitors. They really are kind of menacing. ]

Maybe you could... pretend like we’re somewhere else.

[ Cat Noir stops her before she can say more, before she can comment on being sick or getting cold feet. It's enough to snap her out of it for a second, eyes darting up to meet his.

Pretend they're somewhere else... She can give it a try, she supposes? Besides, even if it's just for a moment it's kind of easy to do that when he's commanding her attention.

Pretend like we're somewhere else.

Maybe that's the trick, focus on just him. It's worth a shot, since his presence does help calm her. ]

Somewhere else... Yeah, okay.

[ It gives her an idea, and she offers a shaky smile to show she's ready to try. Honestly, how the hell he does this all the time as a model she'll never really understand, but suppose she can manage faking it till she makes it this time. People are counting on her, Ladybug and Cat Noir, the people of Paris. Thinking about the pressure from THAT angle helps. She thinks about it a little more personally, though, still.

Her dad, their friends, Adrien. She can't let them down and she especially can't let him down. He'd taken such a huge chance on her by bringing her the Snake Miraculous. He thought she could do this. Hell if she's gonna prove him wrong.

Someone comes over and excuses themselves to Cat Noir long enough to set up the microphone overhead, which won't be visible on camera but should pick up her voice. Piper is already tuning him out, along with everyone else. ]

Can I borrow your hand for a minute, Chat?

[ Cat Noir appreciates the brief distraction as they set up the final touches. Hearing his name, though, he turns, returning to Charmeur’s side by the few steps it takes to close the distance.

His hand?

His lips curl, but he offers the hand easily, swallowing the words Til death do us part. ]

All yours, ma chère. Just make sure I get it back.

[ NEVER KNOW WHEN HE’LL NEED TO CATACLYSM A BITCH— ]

[ This time she DOES manage a smile at that (biting back a flirt of her own- is he sure he'll WANT to take it back?), taking his hand, and then a deep breath. She closes her eyes as she slowly lets it back out, thinking about how it feels. Even through their suits his hand is warm and feels familiar, and if they weren't in front of a ton of cameras and crew right now she'd totally thread their fingers together. As it is this is already going to spark a bunch of rumors and maybe incite a new ship war. Who knows. People are weird.

But those weird people are the ones they need to protect now, so...

Sitting at the top of the Eiffel Tower... Rowing a boat together in the middle of a snow shower... First kiss under the mistletoe... Adrien coming to look for her after her dad told her he was leaving town...

He was the first person in their class to reach out, to try to get to know the real her, and to encourage her to let the others do the same. He didn't have to do that, he didn't owe her anything. She'd made a loner of herself willingly, but he went out of his way to make sure she was alright, and that's the reason she's standing here now, holding his hand, about to do something seriously miraculous.

Adrien Agreste has turned her into such a damned sap, and she loves him for it. ]

Okay...

[ Finally, she opens her eyes again and looks a lot more collected than before. ]

I'm ready.

[ Her moment of calm lasts just long enough that he starts to wonder if he should be closing his eyes, too—but it isn’t awkward. He does his best to channel good thoughts, encouragement, ~~Camembert~~ and whatever else she might need.

When a more confident Charmeur emerges, he nods, and as if on cue, the station employee who’d been fiddling with the mic responds, “So are we.”

So, without being too eager about it, he lets go of her hand and takes a few steps to give her space. He circles around to her front so that he can more easily meet her eyes, both then and during the performance.

He gives her a thumbs up.

A voice bellows moments after: “And we’re live in 3... 2...!!” ]

[ Before he goes she manages a discreet little squeeze of his hand, a silent thank you, then she takes her Pipes in hand and prepares. Perfectly timed, it seems.

She gives Cat Noir a nod for the thumbs up, then takes another steadying breath, and once the count down begins murmurs something under her breath.

As the countdown finishes she brings her pipes to her lips. The tune is short and haunting, reminiscent of the songs her grandfather Tom used to play. What comes next is... NOT likely what anyone who heard that expected, but then again, judging by most of the surprised stares from the crew they were more likely under the sway of the music anyway. Piper ignores them and focuses on Cat Noir, standing behind the camera, putting everything she's got into the words. ]

Edited 2019-09-18 06:27 (UTC)

You with the sad eyes, don't be discouraged. Oh I realize! It's hard to take courage. In a world full of people you can lose sight of it all, and the darkness inside you makes you feel so small.

[ Her voice is clear and surprisingly sweet, crisp but not sharp. It rings through with crystal clarity like a bell, and several people around the studio are already beginning to look more relaxed for having heard it. Her courage grows a little more with each passing second, but her eyes stay glued to Adrien's the entire time. ]

But I see your true colors shining through! I see your true colors, and that's why I love you! So don't be afraid to let them show, your true colors. True colors are beautiful, like a rainbow.

[ Hawkmoth and most of his Akumas prey on people's darkest emotions, but it's impossible to block them out all the time. No one is perfect. The people of Paris are lucky. She's yet to hear of a single Akuma victim who didn't have people there to at least TRY to pick them back up and forgive them after they'd sunk to their lowest. That's what she's drawing on now, that feeling of acceptance that she'd found after moving to the city and meeting Adrien and the others. That's what makes Parisian's exceptional, more than any other people she's met. ]

Show me a smile then! Don't be unhappy, can't remember when I last saw you laughing. If this world makes you crazy and you've taken all you can bear, just call me up because you know I'll be there! And I'll see your true colors shining through. I see your true colors, and that's why I love you! So don't be afraid to let them show. Just show your true colors. True colors are beautiful, like a rainbow.

[ She could keep going, but she can feel her energy draining surprisingly quick, so instead she stops there, closing her eyes again with a shaky breath. Is it NORMAL to feel like that after using your Miraculous? She doesn't know, but she can already hear a beeping noise, queuing her in on her impending de-transformation, even amidst the excited bustle and renewed energy from the crew. Updates are pouring in amidst cheers from some of the workers. Ladybug is turning the tide of the fight, whatever they did worked! Piper looks to Adrien- Cat Noir -a silent question and a nod. That's probably their queue, right? ]

[ He’s not crying, everyone else is. ]

[ He wasn’t expecting her to laser-focus on him like that. It sent shivers down his spine, the way her voice shook and carried. It was beautiful, and it opened his heart, making him aware of its every beat as it happened like never before.

People cheered as the tide turned. He opened his mouth to join, to say something, but finds it dry.

Then he notices the familiar flashing beeps. Crap—did he tell her about that? ]

[ That’s why I love you.

With those words echoing in his mind, he grabs her hand to lead her away. They wade through a sea of compliments, muttering thank-yous,you’re-welcomes, and coming-throughs before finally reaching the door. ]

Sorry! No encores. You know the drill.

But she’ll be back.

[ With a wink for the studio audience, he pulls her through, and shuts the door behind them. ]

[ They find an empty studio moments later, and he shuts the door behind them again.

He smirks, taking a moment to admire her features. ]

Not bad for your first five minutes of fame.

[ Even if he forgot to mention the time limit... well. She’s been around him enough by now to know. Probably. ]

[ Thank God for him taking the lead just then, because even now Charmeur does NOT know what to do with all this praise. Instead she just focuses on keeping pace, holding onto his hand and squeezing out her own replies where she can before finally they're through closed doors.

But she'll be back.

He probably means once she's recovered, but she can't help but wonder if she'll be doing this again in future days to come. Would she trade putting up with her stage fright if it meant helping them out? Yes, absolutely.

Once they're through the final set of doors it seems like there wasn't a moment to spare. Before she can utter the words to release Sass from the bangle, though, her eyes catch Cat Noir's expression, and- oh God damn it he caught her off guard! That's an honest to God blush flaring up over her cheeks beneath the snakeskin pattern of her mask. He had to go and look at her like that, didn't he? That makes her heart skip and her body burn all the way down to her toes in a way that forty-some cameras never could. ]

Y-Yeah, well, it'd look pretty bad to choke on opening night.

[ She says it jovially, recovering from her surprise. ]

Sass, fangs in.

[ With the magic released the small kwamii moves to rest on Piper's shoulder, giving her a measuring and quizzical look. He'd noticed something, but it would be a discussion best saved for Master Fu, for now. ]

Rest while you can, Piper. I also need to recover my strength. Cat Noir, were you able to procure what we discussed?

[ Fine by her, she takes a moment to settle her nerves again while Sass eats, all the while wondering. Should she maybe tell him to go ahead without her? ]

Edited 2019-03-20 08:52 (UTC)

[ Where was he hiding the bright red tomato, anyway??? Hammer space. Who the hell knows. He has one, and that’s what counts, so he quickly hands it to Sass, lamenting how it smells so much better than goddamn Camembert.

Piper doesn’t have to say anything, in the end. His heart is still pounding from the effects of the song. Before he can change his mind, he leans in to give her a kiss on her forehead. ]

I should go see how she’s doing out there. Just in case.

[ Cherry tomatoes are very easy to pocket and are common commodities on salads!!! FRUITS: NATURES' LITTLE MIRACLES.

The blushing threatens to overwhelm her again when he kisses her forehead, the gesture charming and sweet.

Downright princely, damn it.

Before he can go, though, Piper catches his hand, looking up at him. ]

You guys will probably be able to finish up without me, but be careful.

[ She looks towards Sass, who's just finished swallowing the opposite end of the tomato- yes he ate the whole thing WHOLE. Snakes. ]

I guess this is adieu, petite couronne?

Only until next time. I do believe we will meet again. Until then, charmed to meet you, my lady.

[ Which makes her smile, and she can't help rubbing the kwamii affectionately on the head with the tip of a finger before she removes the bangle and returns it to its box. Then she uses her hold on Cat Noir's hand to place it there, nodding up at him with a smirk, full of trust. ]

Go get em, tiger.

[ Oh yes. He definitely remembered the bangle. The bangle is definitely a thing he did not forget, would not have forgotten, even if she didn’t give it to him, or distracted him with that look.

Just for that, he’s going to lean in to kiss her again, this time on her lips, if only very quickly. Just because. He can??? And no one can stop him. Take that, universe.

He grins, ruffling her hair before he takes off with the box. ]

Thank you, ma chère. I knew we could count on you.

[ With Amplifier de-evilized, the curtain closed on another one of Hawk Moth’s schemes. Ladybug yo-yoed away, her earrings blinking as always, and Adrien allowed himself to detransform.

Now he walks the backstreets of Paris to avoid any crowds that might recognize him. He has his phone out, ready to call for his ride, but he thinks better of it and decides to take the long way home, just for shits and giggles.

Instead he texts Piper, wondering if she made it home. ]

1 hr later and i realize I should’ve called you a ride lol

[ HE IS GOOD AT THIS BOYFRIEND THING. Clearly. ]

[ After Ladybug and Cat Noir had managed to finish dealing with Amplifier and the Lucky Cure returned the city to normal, Piper had to make up an excuse as to why she was leaving the studio. Luckily, her dad's occupation came in handy. So far as anyone there knew she was just checking for something that he thought he might've left behind during his last interview.

Remembering that he was still overseas working on the same project, however, meant she wasn't keen on returning home just yet. Sure, Cat Noir, Adrien, MIGHT swing by her place looking for her but she figured it more likely he'd call or text first. He usually did if just to make sure the coast was clear.

While she waited she thought back over the day's events, what it felt like to be on the opposite side of the Akumatized villain, countering the magic for a change. Last time a villain with similar powers had attacked the city that villain had been her. It didn't exactly make up for it in her mind, but it did even the scales a little.

You know what's great for distracting her from those thoughts, though? A text from her dorky, pun loving boyfriend. ]

Walking never hurt anyone, and I wouldn't have taken it anyway, not till I knew you guys were good

nice job, tom cat. ;)

[ Adrien hardly slows his pace. He’s gotten used to walking and texting and is surprisingly coordinated... most of the time, unlike certain other classmates of theirs. ]

Thanks :) we were SO good. Can’t wait to hear the song you pick next time

Not that i’m trying to throw you at the front lines all the time or anything :p

you know, i didn't really pick it so much as it just felt right? i'm just glad it worked.

and honestly, I wouldn't mind. it felt good to help out today, but i guess you guys usually have it pretty well in hand so it looks like you'll have to wait a while to find out!

Edited 2019-04-09 14:39 (UTC)

Maybe! We’re pretty awesome, but moth dude has proven himself unpredictable before, so you never know. Either way, seeing you in action will be worth the wait :)

Now you're just TRYING to make me blush.

[I'm punching you in the shoulder the next time I see you.]

But you guys will be ready. You always are.

[She takes the chance to stop on the arched bridge, lifting up her phone to snag a shot of the sunset reflecting pink and orange off the water, the city lights flickering against the surface just as the evening wears on.

She thinks about it, considers it, then shoots it over with a caption.]

You know I've been here for months now and it still feels like I'm finding new things I love about this place every day.

[ Adrien laughs at the accusation. A smile lingers at her encouragement that follows, and finally, a smile lingers as he considers how well Piper's been settling in, despite the akuma attacks. ]

I've been here as long as I can remember, and same. Maybe Paris just has that effect on people

[ Hopefully it has the same effect on Piper's dad! ]

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