It was a beautiful day in the city of Paris. The sun was shining, birds were chirping, and everyone around the city was in a good mood: it was finally Spring.

On his way to meet Ladybug at their usual meeting spot atop of the Eiffel Tower, Chat Noir came across some wild flowers just outside the city. He swiftly picked a few, gave them a sniff, and continued on his way.

Ladybug watched over the lively city, the sun becoming low in the sky, making everything glow an orangy-pink. This was her favorite time of day. She breathed in the smell of the newly blossomed flowers, and freshly cut grass, her mind picturing a nearby field she sometimes likes to go to when she wants to relax, and find inspiration for her designs.

The sound of boots landing nearby pulled her away from her thoughts.

"Happy 3-year anniversary, Ladybug," he smiled, a bouquet of wildflowers in his hand.
Her expression displayed a mix of emotions. She was both confused, and flattered to be given the bouquet. Chat Noir only saw the confusion, though.

"Tsk tsk," Chat clucked his tongue in disapproval. "How could you forget? Today marks three years since we became Paris' superheroes. Don't tell me you've actually forgotten?"

"Ahh, right," she smiled, a slight tint of pink on her cheeks. "I've just been distracted lately, that's all." Her eyes told a different story than her smile.
Chat Noir walked up next to her, leaning against the railing.
"What's wrong, m'lady? Is everything alright?" he asked, tilting his head so he could see her features better.
Ladybug turned her head away. "I'm fine. Like I said, I just have a lot going on. And speaking of..." she turned back to face Chat. "About the party tonight..."

"You're going?" asked Chat curiously, his tail flicked.

Ladybug brushed her bangs back. "I am... but not as Ladybug. I'm going as my civilian self."

Chat grinned so wide, his face almost hurt. "I'm going to be there, too, as my civilian self."

She let out a laugh. "I'm not surprised, considering half of Paris will most likely be there. After all, it's a Masquerade Ball held by the Mayor because his daughter threw a tantrum. She just wanted an excuse not only to dress up, but to mock everyone else." Ladybug was quiet a moment, before she spoke again, only this time, she spoke so quietly he almost couldn't hear. "I'm really looking forward to it though."

"So... are you going alone, or with anyone? Friends, or maybe a... a..." he trailed off awkwardly.
"I'm going with some friends, Chat," she smiled. But then that smile changed into one he's never seen before. "There is someone there that I can't wait to see, though."

Chat swallowed. He knew that look. It's a look she had never given him, and it pained him that he wasn't the one to put it there.
He focused on keeping his voice even, and upbeat.
"Oh, well I hope you have a good time."

"Thanks Chat," she tapped her thumb on the railing awkwardly for a moment.
"I think Hawkmoth's no doubt going to look to akumatize someone at the party, so keep on the lookout, alright?"
"Of course," he said.
"...I should go, I have to get ready and everything. Have a good time tonight, too, okay?" Ladybug insisted gently. "And thank you for the flowers, they're beautiful." She briefly rubbed the side of his arm, and departed.
He watched her glide away, as graceful as a bird in the wind, and sighed. Chat too had to get home before his father realized he was gone, and get ready for the night.

Ladybug swung into her room like an Olympic gymnast, and detransformed.
"I have to hurry and get ready, Tikki! Alya's going to be here in like half an hour," she rushed over to her mirror to check out what kind of state her hair was in. She removed her hair ties, letting her hair drape over her shoulders like a curtain.
"Here's your brush," Tikki held out for her.
"Thanks," she quickly took it, and began raking it through her hair.

Tikki sat on the table, watching her frantically get her hair in the style she wanted it, assisting her when she needed a pair of extra hands. Marinette decided to wear it half up, half down, and loosely curled the ends of her hair, and put the hair she pulled back into an intricate bun.
Marinette had moved onto her makeup when Alya arrived, completely dressed up.

"How did I know you would be frantically still trying to get ready?" teased Alya. If Tikki hadn't have heard her coming and hid, Marinette surely would've jumped at the sudden sound, causing her to ruin her eyeliner, which in turn, would mean she'd have to redo her face.
"I had to take care of something first, so I started getting ready late," informed Marinette.

Alya sighed, so typically Marinette. "Let me help. We have to leave in 20 minutes, you know."
"Is Nino coming by?" she politely wonder, as Alya helped her curl her lashes.
"Yeah, he'll be here any minute. He invited Adrien of course, but you know how his father is. We'll have to wait to see him at the Ball."
"Right," she gulped nervously.
Alya wanted to tease her, but she knew Marinette was nervous enough, so she let it go, continuing to help Marinette with her makeup.

"Knock knock, can I come in?" they heard Nino's voice ask.
"Come in, Nino," Marinette said as Alya brushed over her face with powder.

"Hey guys," he greeted. He started to say something, but a bright blue dress he saw in his peripheral vision caught his attention. "Whoa, is that what you're wearing tonight, Marinette?" he asked, astonished.

"You like it? Ever since I heard about the Ball, I've been working on that dress. Take a look at the mask over there." she pointed to a small mannequin head over on the table that stood next to her dress.
Her mask was the same shade as her gown, and it was covered in ruffles that formed the shapes of roses. It had a shine to it, almost glittery, that appeared to be slightly silver in the light.

"All eyes are totally going to be on you tonight, Marinette. If you're trying to upstage Chloe, it's going to work, no doubt. She's not going to be happy when she sees you."

"I'll do my best to stay out of her way, then," Marinette grinned. "Thanks Nino."

"Done!" Alya exclaimed, looking quite pleased with her work. "Now to change into your dress, and we should be ready to go. Wait downstairs for us, Nino. And send Mrs. Dupain-Cheng up, please."

"Got it," he saluted, and he headed down the stairs.

"Nino looks really handsome tonight, don't you think?" said Marinette, absentmindedly.
Alya glanced at her, her eyes wide. "Hey, none of that. He's mine," her tone almost came out as a growl.
"Huh? What...? NO! No, I don't mean it like that Alya! Not that there's anything wrong with Nino, it's just..."
The redhead burst into laughter. "I'm just messing with you, girl! I know you only have eyes for a certain blonde-haired, green-eyed model."
Marinette sighed in relief that she wasn't really upset, only Alya took it as her being nervous.

"Don't worry, tonight will be just fine, girl," her best friend tried to reassure her. "I promise."