"Hello?" Happiness called out. "Anyone hoooome?"
"So, uh, which emotion lives here, Dudette—I mean Lady—uh, Happiness?" Nino stuttered, unsure of what to call the person currently dragging him around and holding onto his wrist with a death grip. Alya was in the same predicament. For some reason, Happiness seemed to enjoy being around them the most. Chloé was in the back, venting her frustration over "wifi girl and her stupid boyfriend" stealing away her best friend.
Happiness let go of his and Alya's arms. "Oh, I have a great idea! Let's play a game! See who can figure out which emotion lives here first." She stepped closer to Alix and Kim, a mischevious grin on her face. "I wonder which of you would be able to find out faster. Surely they would be the best."
Everyone else groaned. Sure enough, the two started arguing, yelling out random names. Happiness giggled. Everyone looked around, hoping to find some clue as to what emotion they would meet here. The area before them was a remarkable copy of the Trocadéro. And ahead of them, a view of the Eiffel Tower they had just left. Max frowned, raising his hand.
"You don't need to do that. We aren't in school, after all." Happiness said. Max lowered his arm sheepishly. He had forgotten for a moment, caught up in the familiar argument between his classmates.
"We were just there, at the Eiffel Tower. The door to the other room is right behind us. By that logic, we shouldn't be in the Trocadéro. It's physically impossible."
Happiness rolled her eyes playfully. "Who said anything about logic? We're in my head. Random areas of Paris will appear here, and not always in the spot they would in the real world."
"But that doesn't make any sense!" Max pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "How do you figure out which room will look like what?"
"I told you earlier. The room alters itself to fit the memory of the time Ladybug felt our emotion the strongest. Like how she feels happiest when up in the Eiffel Tower with Cat Noir. So this area is where she feels the most creative—oh, oops! Guess that means the game's over."
"Creativity, huh?" Alya said, a bit surprised. Ladybug was always so serious and determined. She didn't seem the type to waste time on a little hobby. Alya realized with a start that she didn't know anything about Ladybug's free time, an odd oversight for a supposed "expert." Maybe this trip wouldn't be so bad if she could learn more about her favorite hero.
"That's what they call me." A voice from behind the group said. They turned to see another Ladybug, this time wearing the familiar red bodysuit. But the normally-black spots on the outfit and mask were different colors, though her hair ribbons didn't seem to be affected by the odd coloring. "Welcome to my secret garden of inspiration."
Happiness bounded over to her and tried to hug her. "Creativity! It's great to see you! Where were you?"
Creativity pushed her back gently. "Talking to some of the others. I had an idea, though, and I couldn't wait to come here and sketch it. Have you seen my design diary?" Her voice had an odd dream-like quality as if she wasn't paying attention to her surroundings and instead focusing on something only she could see.
"Nope! I've been on babysitting duty." Happiness gestured to the class.
"Don't worry, Happiness. After dealing with Manon, it shouldn't be too much of a problem to take care of a bunch of teenagers." Creativity smiled. "An absolute angel, I recall."
"Tell that to Responsibility." The two laughed. Happiness turned back to the class. Several of them looked confused. "So, this is Creativity. She's the artsy one. She can be kind of a ditz, forgetting to do other things when she gets inspired, and she's a little messy, though not much. She influences our Lucky Charm a bit by figuring out how to use the object we summon."
"How do you know Manon?" Alya asked. She knew Marinette was the little kid's babysitter and Nadja adored her, so for what reason would Ladybug know of Manon? Happiness and Creativity exchanged glances, both wincing slightly and concealing panicked looks.
"Oh, you know, I've seen her around." Happiness said, trying and failing to act nonchalant. Creativity sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose with her fingers. "A—and, um."
"As an Akuma, Puppeteer." The other emotion cut in. She motioned for the group to follow her as she walked over to the steps behind them. "As I said earlier, welcome to my secret garden of inspiration. I come here often to think up new designs."
Miss Bustier looked around the area in surprise. She knew the area well, of course, but couldn't recall ever seeing Ladybug there. Maybe she came in her civilian form? And that phrase "secret garden of inspiration." It sounded familiar, but how?
Creativity sat down on the top step, Alya and Nino just a beat behind. "What Happiness said about me is true. Of course, any questions you wish to ask I will try to answer—"
Chloé squeezed herself between Nino and Creativity. Undeterred by the glare sent her way by him and Alya, she focused entirely on the emotion. "I'm sure you're incredibly talented at whatever you do. Oh, I bet you're a dancer, like me! You're always so graceful, that must be it!" Before Alya could remind Chloé that Creativity had talked about sketching, and therefore more into the graphic arts than performing ones, the two emotions burst out laughing.
"Me? Graceful?" Creativity had tears in her eyes and a broad smile on her face. "Hahaha! No way! I'm a total klutz! Oh, Happiness, she would get along so well with Hilarity!" She turned to Chloé. "I'm afraid I'm more of a designer than a dancer. Especially for outfits."
"You design outfits?" Alya interjected, amused by both Chloé's disappointment in her idol and invested in the knowledge the emotions were giving the group. "Wow, you sound like Mari. She's clumsy and creates clothes too."
Creativity stiffened. "Yes, well, Marinette is something." Happiness laughed, though there was a bit of a nervous undertone that had Alya worried. "Anything else you want to know?"
The class murmured amongst themselves, a few calling out questions to which Creativity and Happiness gave vague answers. At some of their replies, the group wondered why they refused to give out knowledge.
Creativity said, "Some are not our answers to give. There are other emotions, with domains over the questions you speak. I cannot tell you about who we love, or what my fears are, or anything of the sort that does not pertain to Ladybug's creativity."
"So," Happiness clapped her hands, startling the group. "If no one else has any other questions for my dear friend, I suppose we should move on to the next room."
Together, except for Creativity who stayed on the steps, the group headed for the door, painted this time a two-toned black and white. Happiness, again, knocked three times, waiting for the door to swing open before walking inside, the class only a few steps behind.
