chatpiper | ⭐️ we now interrupt your regularly scheduled ship

⭐️ we now interrupt your regularly scheduled ship

[ “Your demons might not look like ours”?

Cat Noir snorts quietly to himself as he retraces his steps back to Rapunzel’s house. The air is calm; the akuma dealt with, but thinking back on it, he wonders what he even meant when he said that.

Even though he doesn’t know, now he can’t help but think about the demons Rapunzel might be facing, and he finds himself trying to hold her to her promise, despite the fact that it means going out of his way to do so. He’s not supposed to give any one particular civilian special attention, sure, but... he did tell her he would come back.

He would hate to disappoint a new fan.

When he arrives, he can see the moonlight catch on her hair, which is still as ridiculous in length as it had been before. Distantly, he wonders what she might be staring at—but heck with it, he’s just going to pole himself upwards and find out. ]

Hey! You’re still up.

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[ He pauses then, hand at the back of his head, realizing he never jumped on the opportunity to ask what she’d been doing.

He adds: ]

You are, aren’t you?

You keep saying that like I'm the one that fell from the sky.

[ She's not scolding, but she does find it a little perplexing. Maybe because it's not the most shocking thing she's experienced in the last year, or it could just be that she doesn't have enough experience with people to understand why that should be so much more alarming than it is, why most people would consider that traumatizing, but now he has her thinking about it. She'd been there today by chance, but does his work always get so dangerous...? ]

It was shocking, but... I'm just glad I was able to help. [ So NOT going to tell him her mother has been freaking out since she got home. ]

[ At that, he can’t help but chuckle. She says that like he’s not falling out of the sky like all the time. He is; he’s just usually a lot better at landing on his feet.

He’s not sure what he would have done kf Rapunzel hadn’t been there. Ladybug would have worked it out somehow, he supposed, but there’s no use in dwelling on it. ]

Me, too.

[ He pauses, lamenting on how useful her power would be as a full-time addition to their team; then he tilts his head at her, another thought occurring to him. ]

Speaking of that... how come you can’t tell anybody about...?

[ Well—she knows.

If not, he’s still vaguely gesturing to his hair (although he of course means hers). ]

[ When he looks at her like that it raises questions. He's studying her like he's trying to puzzle her out, making Rapunzel raise an eyebrow, smirking crookedly, but before she can ask he says what's apparently on his mind, and her expression falters.

She could answer with the obvious, that she's not supposed to talk about it, but maybe it's just been too much, waking up in a different time, it might as well be another WORLD as far as she's concerned. Gothel has been even more absent than usual, too, and she'd lost Pascal, so it's been a lot to try to deal with.

Carefully sweeping her hair to one side and oving to pull herself up, she perches on the railing of the balcony, still watching him as she crosses her ankles one over the other. ]

Because... people would try to take the magic for themselves. It happened once, when I was still just a baby.

[ Reaching up and turning her head so that he can see the back of her neck she draws the curtain of hair away, revealing the single, short chocolate brown lock there. ]

They tried to cut it, but when they did it lost its power. Mother was afraid that someone else might try to take me for themselves, so we've lived in hiding ever since. If you want to know the truth, before we moved here I'd never even met another person before. That must sound pretty strange.

[ His eyes widen slightly in curiosity when she turns, and since it’s dark, he has to lean in closer to see the brown lock of hair she’s referring to. Once he sees it, it makes sense, though he would’ve never expected it to be a different color completely.

She has plenty of it to go around, of course, but he gets the concern.

Either way, she’s given him a lot to unpack here. ]

Oh.

[ Once he’s satisfied, he leans back to give her space again, uncertain how to respond to that. He can relate, to be sure, but it’s not like he can talk about his dad and his similarly overprotective tendencies without getting into his civilian life.

He smiles sympathetically. ]

That’s... pretty extreme. You seem way too excitable and curious to be cooped up at home.

Well, I have a lot of hobbies. So I think I manage to spend the energy pretty well?

[ ... No. No, you really, really don't. ]

Besides, I'm out of the tower now? That counts for something, right? And there's so much to see and do! I'm talking to a superhero! Ah! This is so cool! Adrien is never gonna believe this!

[ He’s about to ask about her hobbies, but it seems like one of them accidentally triggers her fangirl switch. Cat Noir laughs; at first quietly, but then there’s a nervous quality to it when he hears his name.

The less he focuses on that, the better!! ]

I could give you my autograph. Free of charge, of course.

...But I have an even better idea.

[ Rapunzel is, thankfully for him, easily sidetracked. Never mind that she isn't sure what an autograph is. ]

You do...? What is it?

[ And immediately curious, naturally. ]

Well... [ He keeps her in suspense for a moment longer, his tone teasing like, “I’m glad you asked!” ]

You could stand to get to know Paris a little better, and it’s my turn to patrol the city tonight.

Why don’t I just... take you with me?

[ There is the briefest of pauses. He can feel Ladybug’s disapproval in his bones... but Ladybug didn’t know about her magic hair...! ]

[ Whoa. Wait- what??? ]

Really??? I could go with you??

[ For all the excitement in her tone she still manages to keep it somewhat quiet. Last thing that she wants is her mother to overhear and come barging in to see what's going on. She should be in her room right now, not out on the balcony.

Which begs the question, what she'd do if her mother found out she was missing.

... But she DID say she was going to be working late... and the odds of her coming back to check on her a THIRD time were pretty slim. She'd already been by twice, once with dinner and again to say goodnight. ]

[ Cat grins, making a show out of extending his metal pole he keeps at his waist. With his other hand, he invites Rapunzel to grab on. ]

Only if you want to, and something tells me you do.

I hope you’re not scared of heights.

[ The look of excited joy that crosses her face is damn telling. In answer she can't accept his hand fast enough, trying not to bounce where she stands when she steps in closer. ]

Not at all!

[ Cat wraps his free arm around her all too readily. He doesn’t give her a chance to change her mind—or perhaps it’s more accurate to say, he doesn’t give himself the chance to change his mind. ]

Well then, here we go!

[ His pole extends with a metallic shhhink and they’re airborne before she knows it.

Her ungodly amount of hair means she’s a bit heavier than the passengers he’s used to, but it’s nothing he can’t handle. It just means they dip a little lower in between buildings, and he has to try a bit harder to make sure they reach the next one. ]

I should have asked before I swept you off your feet. Uh, where in the city have you been, exactly? So I know where to take you.

[ It takes everything she's got not to whoop in excitement, winding her arms around his neck and shoulders instinctively. The moment they're away, however, Rapunzel can't help but stare in wonder at the sight of the city lights flying by as they go. The sight is enough to really take her breath away, especially when she sees the glow of the city lights off of the river. ]

Oh... wow... They're like a million little golden stars, or the floating lights...

[ In fact, she's so riveted by it that she nearly misses his question, but- ]

Hm...? Oh! Well... um, I've been to Pavillon Gabriel? And a few shops and salons...?

[ That's it. That's the list. That's the answer. ]

[ A short moment after the answer comes, Cat stops to rest atop a random rooftop with a pretty decent view of the river in question. He lets her down to enjoy it as he catches his breath, though he looks to be in high spirits still, and no worse for wear. ]

Wow, that’s... not a lot, huh? You realize that leaves us with a lot of ground to cover.

[ he adds, with a wink: ]

Not that I’m complaining.

[ The moment he sets her down she hurries over to the railing to have a look out over the edge, expression excited still. It's when he teases about how much distance they have ahead of them that she turns her attention back to the black clad hero, arching one of her eyebrows and then smirking with amusement of her own. ]

I guess it does. I also guess that means we need to move a little faster?

[ As she says it she grasps some of her hair in one hand and begins to swing it in a casual circular motion, her free hand on her jean clad hip. ]

Well... either that or we’ll have to come back for seconds.

[ He is smirking in approval, though, watching her wield her excess hair like a lasso. Clearly she isn’t ready to phone it in just yet. ]

What’re you gonna do with that?

So... you mean we could do this again another night? Sounds like a great idea, to me. I can even bring snacks next time.

[ Is that a grin or a smirk? Both. Both is good. It DEFINITELY turns into a smirk when he asks what she's going to do with her hair, though. ]

What... with this?

[ Turning to the ledge again she finds a target, a conveniently placed railing a good distance away. With a well aimed throw her hair flies out, wrapping around a couple of the bars, and she steps up onto the ledge.

Turning around, she grins, taking his hand and urging him up onto said ledge beside her. ]

Now I'm going to show you how I like to get around. [ SHE IS GOING TO SWEEP YOU OFF YOUR FEET, CAT BOY. ]

[ Holy crap.

Cat Noir’s jaw drops just slightly and remains that way as he watches her hair loop perfectly around the distant railing. His mouth is still open when he accepts her invitation, hopping up onto the ledge next to her.

Then he chuckles. ]

Reversing the roles a bit, are we? I’m okay with this.

[ He says this now, at least. ]

[ That reaction and answer were PERFECT, judging by the excited gleam in her eyes. Her arm winds around his waist then in a similar fashion to how he had just earlier. ]

Hold on tight!

[ With her other hand firmly grasping her hair she gives it a tug to tighten the hold, then leaps from the ledge, pulling him with her with an excited whoop as their combined weight quickly builds and sends them speeding through the air. She's aiming for the next rooftop, and accounting for their height difference she lets him come down first, letting go and landing on her own heels a moment after once she's sure he has his balance. From that she rolls onto the balls of her feet to keep her momentum a beat after Cat Noir.

Flashing him a challenging grin, Rapunzel keeps up the pace, aiming for the next ledge. ]

[ Cat can feel the strain his excess weight is taking as they fly across. It is a feeling he is all too familiar with, but it is different to experience it with someone else, especially in such a unique way—with magic hair!

Speaking of which, he is surprised at how nice it smells, considering how long it is and how much of a pain it must be to take care of it. He wonders if it’s magic enough to take care of itself, but before he can think too deeply on the subject, they stumble into a landing.

They separate, which is hardly surprising. What is, though, is the way she barely slows down, challenging him as he’s left staring.

Not for long, though. His competitive spirit rises and he reverts back to his extendable metal pole, which he pulls from his back immediately to assist him before taking off after her. Eventually he catches up, and slowly takes the lead.

Sorry, sunshine, you’re gonna have to do more than surprise him a little if you want to win! ]

[ Even in the middle of initiating a race Rapunzel can't help but laugh at his surprise. Afterwards her attention goes into finding her next anchor, though. She isn't surprised at all when he catches up, or takes the lead, but her expression shifts into one of playful focus all the same. OH NO. She's not going down without a fight!

As they ease into a race across the rooftops his lead grows. He has the years of experience, the practice, the familiarity with their terrain. Naturally he's more at ease while Rapunzel is left improvising on the fly. She's also slowed down a little by having to climb at points, but gradually they reach more open area and the Eiffel tower comes into view. By the time they reach some unofficial stopping point her chest is rising and falling heavily with exhilaration, and she lets out a breathless laugh as she jogs to a stop beside him and doubles over with her hands braced against her knees. ]

Wow...! That... was... AMAZING!!!

[ Gradually she catches her breath as she speaks, so that on "AMAZING!!!" she's standing bolt up right, pumping both fists into the air. AHHHH WHAT A FREEING FEELING!? ]

I've never been able to do that before! Just... run, and run...!

[ Compared to being cooped up in a tower or room all day it's an incredible rush, and she's all but bouncing on her heels when she turns to Cat Noir. ]

You're so good at this! And you get to do this every night??

Edited 2019-02-20 03:12 (UTC)

[ His stamina is pretty darn good, and it takes a lot to wear him out. His breathing is still fairly even, but even so, he finds himself leaning on his pole for support.

Of course, he does it in a way that looks totally nonchalant and purposeful, grinning as he watches her geek out. ]

Not every night, but—close enough. I do get plenty of practice.

Still, those were some amazing tricks you did with your hair. The fact that you even kept up with me is super impressive! Especially for your first time.

Yeah? I bet. Being a super hero must keep you on your toes.

[ Punctuated with a chuckle.

One of her hands rests on the railing, turning around to face him. Pulling herself up, she sits on the ledge and crosses her ankles. Her grin turns a little sheepish. ]

You really think so? You're not just saying that...?

[ She'd never think it, to hear her mother tell it. The idea that anything she did was impressive was... hard to wrap her head around, but exciting. ]

I mean... I didn't keep up that well. [ Though she's attempting a smile as she says it. ]

Did so. [ Cat Noir teases, nudging her gently as he takes in the view, swinging his feet.

He definitely looks comfortable, even though they have so much more of the city to see. ]

I wouldn’t just say that. What kind of cat do you think I am?

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