Disclaimer: I do not own and am not affiliated with Miraculous or its creators/producers/makers.
Green Velvet
Chapter 1
It's tough being a lady in a man's world. A lot of people say that the 50's are a time of freedom, such words uttered by government officials and barkeeps alike, talked of in church halls and on velveted stages. But this only goes so far. For Marinette, the cage she wears of linen, lace, and ladylike behavior feels stifling. Her parents are progressive people who support her and let her be herself, but it isn't until she dons her black and red trench coat that she feels herself. When she takes up the mantle of Ladybug, the detective pseudonym she's been given over the years by the public, she is invincible.
Though her friends and family accept her career, not everyone does. Marinette's office is the talk of her city, Ladybug infamous for her efforts at crime-fighting. The older women on their morning strolls too their noses in the air as they pass her office and men gawk at it, surprised at the gall of the local woman detective. Still, she's been successful on more than one occasion and the police, though they don't work with her, can't deny the leads she's supplied them with. Thus, her reputation has grown and there's always a strange smattering of people frequenting her office.
Today, however, is no ordinary day. That morning, Marinette arrived at her office to find a man waiting at her front door. When he wrung hiis hands nervously and asked her to come to a theater downtown at the request of his employer, Marinette was cautious in accepting, but intrigued. Now, standing in the opulent auditorium of the theater and taking in the scene before her, she knows she made the right decision.
The scene Marinette observes is straight out of the film noir stories she likes so much. On the worn stage lies a woman, heavily done up and beautiful, her auburn hair fanned out on the wood floor. She looks like a Hollywood starlet, dressed in deep green velvet and picture perfect, save for the dark stains of blood on her gown and the gaping wounds where they begin. Around her, policemen work, taking with the startled employees and taking photos of the crime scene. Marinette approaches the gathering of people, drawing near to a light-suited man who she assumes must be the manager of the establishment. She is correct; the man in question sees her walk near and breaks off his conversation with a policeman to meet her halfway.
"You are Ladybug, yes?" He asks, a broad Italian accent coloring his words. The manager doesn't give Marinette time to reply and continues.
"This is a horrible affair- horrible, I say! To come in here this morning and find Catherine dead like this! What a horrible thing!" The manager says with impassioned gusto, before leaning in slightly, as if saying something in confidence. "I cannot have this thing ruining my theater, you know. Terrible it is for business, just terrible. I've heard of your success and I wonder if you may take a look, see if you can find the one who did this. I have money to offer if you can find the killer." He says, his concern at his theater's prospects clear on his face.
"I'll investigate and see what I can find out." Marinette says calmly, drawing a relieved sigh from the manager, who begins to speak to another policeman. Marinette takes to the stage stairs, finally reaching the victim's body. As she crouches down to examine the victim, the policemen greet her with impassive nods. The local police force has gotten used to seeing her at crime scenes and don't bother her like they used to; it's an impersonal, unspoken arrangement she has with them, but it is done on good terms, so neither side complains.
Slowly, Marinette takes in the victim's body. Close up, it is clear that the actress is slightly older than her get-up would have her appear. Still, age has dealt her a good hand, as she remains a handsome woman. Marinette's eyes narrow as they fall on the wounds on the victim's chest. A number of deep gashes mar the velvet bodice, concentrated on the stomach area. The entrances of the wounds are surprisingly clean and regular, and the wounds' placement seems strangely uniform as well, following a vertical pattern. Confusion runs rampant in Marinette's mind; in all the murder cases she's investigated, no puncture marks have ever looked like that. Putting aside her wondering, Marinette gives the rest of the body a once-over. Aside from noticing the lack of a wedding ring, light bruising on the right forearm, and a curious slip of paper bearing a drawing of a butterfly that rests beside the body, Marinette doesn't see much else that stands out and she stands up.
Before she talks to anyone, Marinette decides to take a look at the victim's dressing room to see if anything reveals itself. Unfortuantely, her efforts prove unhelpful. The room is neat to a tee, stage makeup lined up precisely on the lighted table in the corner and clothes hung up straight on the costume rack. A glittery dress hangs on the back of the door, all tulle and hasty stitches, clearly half-finished. Though show posters hang on the walls, the rest of the room is fairly impersonal, providing no clues as to the murder. Casting a final glance at the place, Marinette turns out the lights and rejoins the crowd in the auditorium.
For the next half hour, Marinette interviews the manager and a few of the staff. In her discussions with them, she learns some key details about the victim. Her name was Catherine Gregory and she was one of the principle actors of the theater's resident company. She'd been a regular of the company since the 30s and was considered one of the most accomplished local stars still in the acting circuit. Marinette's interviewees all give the same impression of her; regal, proud, and a touch haughty in the way aging divas tend to be. She had her enemies, of course- one wardrobe mistress mentioned a rival of years past from a neighbouring theater, which Marinette takes note of for later- but there were few names that came up. When Marinette asks about the victim's relationships, another actress mentions a boyfriend with whom Catherine left on bad terms recently and who reportedly left behind the bruises on the victim's arm. Marinette keeps this in mind for later as well. In addition, the medical examiner confirms Marinette's suspicion that the abdominal wounds were the cause of death, calling the approximate time of death as midnight that nigh, and none of the people Marinette talks to have any clue as to the mysterious butterfly card's origin or meaning. As Marinette works through the staff present at the scene, she slowly accrews clues and information, building up leads to follow. However, nothing she learns jumps out at her or spikes her intuition.
As she makes to leave the scene, Marinette asks the manager if there is anyone left whom she should talk with. The manager glances around and points at a man who had walked into the theater only seconds before. Following his direction, Marinette looks up and meets a pair of leaf-green eyes, bright as a neon light and staring right at her. Marinette is not one easily intimidated or taken aback, but something about the gaze and its intensity sets her on edge. It isn't until she gets closer to her last interviewee that she understands why.
The man in question is tall, slim, and tan, his features streamlined and precise. He has the kind of face that a woman would stare at dreamily in a magazine and his stance- open and easy- suggests such reactions wouldn't bother him. He is dressed casually but smartly, clad in a dark blazer and pants, a wide brimmed hat on his head and the top button of his white shirt undone. Everything about his appearance screams of money and ego and, yet, it is his face that undoes the whole image. Where one would expect a charming smile or bedroom eyes, he has the expression of an eager schoolboy. It's this energy in the man's gaze that sets Marinette on edge. Most people she talks to during a crime investigation are bereft, confused, or anxious about speaking to her. This guy looks almost happy when she reaches him.
"I'm Investigator Dupain-Cheng and I'm looking into a murder at this establishment. May I ask you a few questions?" Marinette says briskly. The man blinks slowly.
"Of course. I'm at your service." The man says in an easy voice, giving her a smile far too cheery for a murder scene. Marinette clears her throat.
"Please state your name and occupation." She says.
"Adrien Vermonte. I'm an actor with the theater's company." The man replies.
"Did you know the victim, Ms. Gregory, Mr. Vermonte?" Marinette asks. At the victim's name, Mr. Vermonte gapes.
"Cathy? Of course- I used the dressing room next door to hers." The actor shakes his head in disbelief. "I can't believe someone would kill her."
"What do you know about the victim?" Marinette inquires.
"She's been with the company for a long time, longer than most dames her age. She was worth it, though- her voice was legendary and she had a cadre of dedicated fans. She was a star and she knew it." At this, Mr. Vermonte chuckles. "She wasn't liked by everyone- she had a tendency to rub people the wrong way sometimes, but she was quite the personality. I liked her well enough. She had a soft spot for me- said I looked like her favorite nephew." Mr. Vermonte smiled fondly at the thought and Marinette sighed ever so slightly. So far, nothing new from this guy.
"Was there anyone Ms. Gregory had problems with?" Marinette asks flatly. The actor looks thoughtful for a moment.
"No one comes to mind in particular- no one with things to kill over." Mr. Vermonte replies. "I did hear one argument, though. It was yesterday, I think, in the afternoon. I was getting into costume for the show that night when I heard Cathy yelling next door. It sounded like she was really laying into someone, as though someone had made her angry. A few minutes later, I heard the door open and close and someone walk down the hallway, but it wasn't Cathy- I could hear her warming up in her room not long after. That's all I remember." The actor lets out a huff as he finishes his sentence and Marinette knows she's found a goodd lead.
"That's all the questions I have for you for now. Thank you for your time." Marinette says, but, before she can turn away, Mr. Vermonte pipes up.
"'For now'? Will you be back?" He asks curiously. Marinette blinks confusedly but keeps her composure.
"It depends on what the investigation reveals. If I need to ask you more questions, I trust I know where to find you." She says plainly. But the actor still isn't finished.
"You know, I'm on pretty good terms with the rest of the actors. I'd be happy to keep my ears open for any other information that might help you." Mr. Vermonte says casually, looking rather excited at the idea. At this, Marinette frowns. A curious interviewee isn't uncommon, but one that could make people suspicious and risk tampering with the investigation or tipping off the murderer? Not helpful at all. Marinette turns a cold smile on the golden-haired actor.
"Mr. Vermonte-" Marinette begins, before the actor interrupts her.
"Adrien." He says with a warm grin. Marinette ignores him and continues.
"This is an investigation of a serious crime. Any active interfering of citizens could hamper law enforcement or hurt the case. I advise you to stay out of the way and stick to acting. Thank you." Marinette finishes tersely, walking down the theater aisle quickly to avoid being held back by Mr. Vermonte anymore. Even as she leaves, she feels his gaze follow her up and out the doors.
The investigation had just begun but something told Marinette that this would be a particular tricky case. And it wasn't just because of the peridot eyes that linger in her mind long after she leaves the theater.
A/N: This was originally going to be posted under "Don't worry, I'm here" (my ML one-shot collection) but it got a bit long and I think it's going to be three chapters, so...voila! I was thinking how cool it would be if LadyNoir got a film noir-inspired fic (get it? XD) and thus, this was born. Let me know what you think! Cheers, darlings!