She had no idea she was entering a new world, in more ways than one.

She thought it was just her. Why? She didn't know. In retrospect, it was naive to think there was only her. But Lunette had never spoken about any others. Maybe that's why she hadn't been more careful.

It had been the end of the first week since moving to a different country, and everything- and she did mean everything- was different. The language, sure- but the angle at which the rising sun slipped through her bedroom window and warmed her face in a way it never used to before, the way the city lights and sounds invaded the sanctity of her bedroom at night as she was trying to sleep, the rush of the cool evening air that was totally devoid of the comforting humid twinge of salt from living so close to the beach- it was all reminding her that she was a stranger in her own home.

She felt guilty at her own unease and dismay. Lots of people have to move all the time, she reminded herself. She moved in with her father, she has family to support her. She was lucky. That was her new mantra. Lucky. Lucky to be here. Lucky to get to travel the world. Lucky to have family and an education and a roof over her head and food to eat every day. But she didn't feel lucky. She was miserable, constantly holding back a few tears, and the guilt was there to remind her that she had no business being miserable and she was lucky.

She was avoiding transforming and Lunette knew it. She kept getting sideways glances from her kwami, silent expressions that related entire conversations. I know you're avoiding it but you can't hold back forever. You're a chosen, a wielder, I can feel it in your gaze how much you want to. Don't hold it back. And she would stutter back something about needing to prepare for school, or being too tired, or some other lame excuse, but Lunette could see right through them. Lunette had gotten as good as her mother at telling when she was tired and when she wasn't.

Finally she couldn't take it anymore.

It was 10pm on a Sunday evening, her father was already asleep in preparation for an early morning business meeting the next day. She had tried to sleep, really she had. But with the turmoil of the move, she hadn't been taking her meds regularly and her sleep schedule was shot to hell. She was wide fucking awake with nobody to talk to, nothing to do.

"Lunette?"

"Yes, Aurianne?" her Kwami was on YouTube looking at hair tutorials. Aurianne never fully understood why she did that.

"I think…. It's time." That got her attention. She zipped over in a heartbeat.

"you're ready??!" She had a hopeful, excited smile on her face.

"No," Aurianne admitted. "But I don't think the timing will be any better."

"Okay!" Lunette cheerfully agreed. "You'll be fine, just try to familiarize yourself with the city a bit tonight. Baby steps," she said with a firm confidence that never ceased to bewilder Aurianne. She was always so sure everything was going to be okay.

"Okay! Uuh…. Lets sneak outside then I'll transform. I don't have a balcony like back home and I don't wanna get caught as a superhero in dad's kitchen." She and Lunette slipped quietly out the luxury apartment living room, tiptoeing past intimidating, unfamiliar shadows of the new living space. The door slid open noisessly and she slipped her key into her pocket.

Her father's apartment faced a street lined businesses and shops with other similar houses and apartments sitting adjacent to his, so she had to slip around back to the side of the building. The shadows concealed her, she figured. it was time….now or never. She took a deep, shaky breath, in as far as she could go until her lungs were filled to the top with air, and forced it all out as quickly as possible. It was time.

"Lunette…. Ears Up!"

The small white kwami vanished in a whirlpool that was absorbed by a round hair pin keeping one side of her hair out of her face. A shimmering light engulfed her as white ears appeared from her hair, a mask around her eyes, a white and grey bodysuit in place of her blue tunic, and a belt that hung way past her feet and widened at the end to mimic a fluffy cat tail. Clawed gloves appeared on her hands and she clenched her fingers tightly, enjoying the feeling of the leather between her fingers and the power that flooded her senses for the first time in weeks. She stepped out of the shadows, purring with unbridled satisfaction, and stretched her arms out towards the pale moonlight that illuminated her cheekbones and the tip of her nose as she looked up at the unfamiliar Parisian night sky. This moment, these precious few seconds, were hers alone and hers and completely. They were an island of perfection in her lake of uncertainty. She grinned, wide and pure, and breathed in deeply.

"What the hell!"

She spun faster than she could register what was happening. Standing a few feet away was….. Her.

No, wait, no, that's stupid and impossible. She blinked. Not her. A figure in a costume nearly identical to hers but black. And a guy, by the looks of things. Instead of her long side braid, this person- Miraculous Wielder?- had short blonde hair that fell in his eyes, which peeked out from behind their golden veil like emeralds, glinting curiously in the moonlight.

She should have run. She should have been scared, terrified, that someone witnessed her transformation- and she was, on the inside- but she was Chat Blanc now. So instead of a signature Aurianne verbal training wreck, what poured from her tongue as effortlessly as water from a faucet was:

"Curiosity killed the cat."

She was all at once impressed at her cool demeanor and panicked at threatening a stranger. Shit no don't threaten him! she felt blood rush to her cheeks and prayed it wasnt noticable. She studied him closely. He didn't look scared, more taken aback- he leaned back a little, hesitant, seemingly debating what his next move would be, however stunned into silence he was at the moment.

"Sorry, I'm not going to hurt you, that came out wrong." she apologized. Her heart was racing and she couldn't think straight. This handsome stranger witnessed her transforming, yet she was focused on not being threatening. Yeah, that makes SO much sense!

"I'm not really worried about that, kitty kat." he smirked. "But I am curious…." He leaned in. "I didn't know there were any other miraculous users besides me and Ladybug."

Holy shit it's true! A miraculous wielder! And there are more! Her heart was racing. She wasn't alone.

"I just moved here, I didn't know you existed either." The cat boy broke out in a big grin. He took a half step backwards, threw his arm out, and presented a sweeping bow.

"In that case, let me be the first to welcome you to Paris!" He exclaimed. He straightened and offered a hand. "Chat Noir, at your service."

What a coincidence.

"Chat Blanc." She accepted his hand. He gave hers a light kiss.

Goddammit. This wasn't helping her cool off.

"Looks like we've got a lot in common!" He beamed. He still had her hand, and gave it a subtle tug. "I want to introduce you to Ladybug, cmon!"

"Hold up Chat- uhh, wait, we're both Chat, we'll have to figure that out later- I just got here."

"Hmm. I guess it is kinda late too. Can you meet me tomorrow night at the Eiffel Tower, 8 ish?"

"it would be my purr-leasure, Chat Noir!" his face light up at hearing the cat pun.

"Sweet! I'll see you then! Ladybug will be so excited to meet you!" he started to leave.

"Wait!" She grabbed his arm. "You saw me transform." It was a statement, but she stared into his eyes, trying to be firm, challenging him to disagree. It needed to be said now, or she would never get it out.

"Um…..yes, I did…." He looked away. She recognized his expression as soon as she saw it. Guilt. She knew that feeling well. "I-I didn't mean to. And I have no idea who you are! I mean- what I'm trying to say is, I think-"

She was surprised for some reason that he felt genuinely bad. She released his arm.

"-Just... keep it to yourself, alright? I'm trusting you- not just because I don't have a choice, either- but because I think you understand the stakes." She sighed deeply. It wasn't his fault she hadn't been more careful. She should've looked for a safe spot to transform more carefully.

"I will." Came his solemn reply. "I'm sorry, and….thank you."

"You owe me." She winked. He chuckled.

"Tomorrow night, the Eiffel Tower!" She nodded as he ran off.

Her head was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions as she stood on the rooftops. The view was so different from the one back home. looking down at Paris at night was like seeing the night sky. Bright, twinkling lights peppered the dark landscape and illuminated the people milling about. It was breathtaking. It calmed her. Up here looking down, she was removed from them.

The excitement of having met Chat Noir suddenly intruded on her quiet and still moment. There were more miraculous holders! There was another cat miraculous holder! And he was excited to meet her! Honestly, the thought was unbalancing. She was excited of course to meet him again and to meet this Ladybug miraculous wielder. But there was an underlying layer of trepidation. She didn't know the rules. Yea, she had a year to learn how to use her powers and everything, but she didn't know anything about interacting with others like her.

She sat out on the roof for a long time before making her way back inside and, finally, getting a good night's sleep.

Adrien had a good weekend, but was ready to get back to school and see his friends again. He strode happily back into the classroom and slid in next to Nino.

"Suuup, bro!" Nino greeted him with their handshake.

"Hey Nino!" the teen model grinned, oblivious to his classmates' eyes on him. "New mix tape??"

"Yeah! I took the hook from that new pop song everyone's obsessed with and put it to a different backbeat and some classic rock verses, so I guess it's actually more of a mash up. Here!" Nino handed Adrien his orange headphones. He slipped them on over his fluffy yellow hair and a pop/rock/electro mash up filled his ears, so he didn't hear Madamme Bustier's announcement. Adrien took them off and turned to Nino.

"What'd she say??"

"New student," Nino said. Before he had time to react, a familiar looking girl with a blonde side braid and a blue tunic walked in.

"Pleased to meet you all," she said with a polite wave. "My name is Aurianne."

Shit!