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

[sweettalker]

[ 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. ]

Comments

[catpunned]

[ 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.

[sweettalker]

[ 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?

[catpunned]

[ 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— ]

[sweettalker]

[ 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.

[catpunned]

[ 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...!!” ]

1/??

[sweettalker]

[ 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. ]

2/3

[sweettalker]

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.

3/3

[sweettalker]

[ 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? ]

1/4

[catpunned]

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

[catpunned]

[ 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? ]

[catpunned]

[ 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. ]

[catpunned]

[ 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. ]

[sweettalker]

[ 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? ]

[catpunned]

[ 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.

[sweettalker]

[ 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.

[catpunned]

[ 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.