CHAPTER 7
Later that night…
Marinette: I wasn't supposed to do that, was I?
Tikki: No one else knows the spell.
Marinette: Cat Noir does.
Tikki: No he doesn't. He is able to use it, like both of you can power up, but he doesn't know it.
Marinette: To call upon the power of all the Ladybugs before me… it was dangerous.
Marinette hears a notification that confirms that the video Alya had recorded was on the Ladyblog.
Marinette: And now the whole world knows I have something magical…
Marinette watches the video. She realizes that Alya has edited out the part about the spell. But it's the caption that really captures her attention.
Alya: Isn't my best friend so cool? Defeating a criminal in hand to hand combat to protect her friend! She's amazing, let's give our love to this queen!
Marinette's sharp intake of breath shows Tikki how much she needed it. They hear a tap on the window, and Tikki hides in Marinette's sleeve. She goes to open the window.
Cat Noir: Hey, Princess.
Marinette: Nice to see you.
Marinette's expression darkens as she realizes why her partner is there.
Marinette: You saw the fight in the video, right?
Cat Noir: I saw the spell.
Marinette: I-I…
Cat Noir: I'm assuming it's because of Umbra, right?
He knows it's not because of Umbra. But he doesn't want to disturb Marinette more than she already is.
Marinette: Yeah… that's it!
Cat Noir walks closer to Marinette. Instinctively, she backs away with every step he takes towards her.
Cat Noir: If something's on your mind, you can tell me, you know.
Marinette: If I turned evil, would you forgive me? If I took your ring?
Cat Noir: Of course.
Marinette: …
Cat Noir: Wait… you were…?
Marinette slowly nods her head.
Marinette: I was. Four months ago. But then you put your trust in me and I knew I couldn't do that to you. To anyone.
Cat Noir: Thanks, I guess.
Marinette: I just… With all this going on, it could happen. And I'm scared. That I'll hurt my friends.
Cat Noir: Just your friends? What about your family?
Marinette: They are my family.
Cat Noir: Your parents?
Marinette: *laughing* What about them?! They're dead!
Marinette continues to laugh as tears roll down her cheeks. Cat Noir's eyes widen in shock. Marinette slaps her hand over her mouth.
Marinette: I was joking! Just joking!
Cat Noir: No you weren't.
Marinette: Yes I was!
Cat Noir: Is that why the bakery was closed for a few weeks four months ago? Why you wanted my ring? Is that why you said to everybody that your parents were away in China for a few months?
Marinette: I had to keep it a secret, Cat! I'm sure you saw the news when Jagged Stone was here! I couldn't let them find out!
Cat Noir: Why not?
Marinette: For your safety!
Cat Noir: What do you mean, my safety?!
Marinette: Had they known, everyone would come to investigate. "Who killed the famous baker and his wife?" They would ask you and Ladybug to investigate. With all the attention turned, Hawkmoth will come out of nowhere when you guys are distracted and unprepared. And then what will happen? He takes your miraculous!
Cat Noir: Um.
Marinette: Crazy. But it will happen and if you heed my warning you won't have to pay the price.
She places her hand on Cat Noir's hand.
Marinette: You need to keep that safe. Even in civilian form. No matter what. Take it off if you need to, just keep it and yourself safe.
Cat Noir: You never mentioned Ladybug. Why?
Marinette: I don't need to. As far as safe goes, she'll be protected. If I manage to stay protected as well.
Cat Noir: You didn't tell anybody this but me. What about Alya? Isn't she your best friend?
Marinette: I trust you, kitty. Just, I trust you in a different level than the others. You should go, though. Your lady must be waiting, isn't she?
Cat Noir: Yeah, she would. She doesn't show it, but I feel like she gets mad when I'm late.
Marinette: Is that so?
Cat Noir: I mean, like I said, she doesn't really show it, but she an air of hostility. Whether it be me or someone else, I don't really know.
Marinette: If it's during an akuma attack, it might be towards the akuma.
Cat Noir: But it happens during patrol, too! Does she have things happening at home?
Marinette: Well, if that's the case, then you better get going.
Cat Noir: Yeah. Goodbye, Marinette!
Marinette: Bye.
Cat Noir exits through the window from which he entered. Tikki comes out, waiting for Marinette to say the words.
Marinette: Let's not keep him waiting, Tikki. Spots on!
She leaps into the air. It's chilly. She likes it.
Ladybug: Cold or warm. What do I want?
Cat Noir: Me?
Ladybug: *turns around* And why do you say that?
Cat Noir: Because I'm hot?
Ladybug: *laughing* And if I want cold?
Cat Noir: Then ironically, we're both out of luck.
Ladybug: Are you like this when you're not transformed, too?
Cat Noir: I don't think so.
Ladybug: I would've thought. Plagg is exactly like this around Tikki. Calls her Sugarcube. Flirts. Kind of like you.
Cat Noir: So that's what he meant!
Ladybug: That's what who meant?
Cat Noir: Plagg. We had a conversation and it went into how kwamis' personalities are reflected into their owner. How is Tikki like?
Ladybug: Well, she objects when Plagg calls her Sugarcube. Or that's what she tells me. And she doesn't like the flirting, either.
Cat Noir: I can't believe he was right…
Ladybug: Salty?
Cat Noir: No… it's just… punbelievable.
Ladybug: *rolls eyes* Well, we should start patrol.
Cat Noir: M'Lady, before that, do you get mad when I show up after you?
Ladybug: No, of course not. Besides, I always show up late to everything, if I was mad at you, that'd be hypocritical.
Cat Noir: Oh, okay.
Cat Noir: *thinking* So Marinette was right! Yes!
After patrol, Cat Noir leaves. Ladybug stays a while. She goes back to her house, takes her friends' things which they had forgotten, and drops them off. She knocks on Alya's balcony and puts her stuff down. She knocks on Nino's door and leaves his things. She knocks on Adrien and carefully leaves them on the sill. Then she hops from roof to roof, muttering to herself. She kicks around garbage and punches walls. She finally sits down on a roof, exhausted. She swings her legs and looks out onto Paris.
Marinette: Do you ever admire the view, Tikki? The lights?
Tikki: They're beautiful.
Marinette: And the fact that even though there are so many lights down here on Earth, you can still manage to see the moon and stars?
Tikki: I love it. It reminds me so much…
Marinette: Of the past?
Tikki: Yep. There was one Ladybug, and we would sit at some high place and look at all the candlelight.
Marinette: Sounds amazing.
Tikki: It was.
Marinette hears something a few roofs away. She tells Tikki to hide.
Cat Noir: What are you doing here?
Marinette: I have no idea.
Cat Noir: How did you get up here?
Marinette: I have my ways.
Cat Noir: Do you know where you even are?
Marinette: In the shady side of Paris.
Cat Noir: Why?
Marinette: I have no clue.
Cat Noir: Do you know how to get home?
Marinette: Yes.
Cat Noir: Finally, one straight answer. You could get in serious trouble here.
Marinette: I know how to defend myself.
Cat Noir: And if you get killed?
Marinette: Not if they get killed first.
Cat Noir: Hold on, what?
Marinette: You know Umbra could do it.
Cat Noir: Whatever. Aren't you cold? You're only wearing a half-sleeve shirt and pants.
Marinette: I like the chill. It gives me a feeling. Some emotion I can't quite put a name on.
Cat Noir: You'll get sick.
Marinette: No, I'll be happy. This emotion feels good. Especially in autumn and winter.
Cat Noir: You won't ever change your mind, will you?
Marinette: Never. I know how to take care of myself.
Cat Noir: Yeah, I know that. Independent…
Marinette: Like your lady?
Cat Noir: Yeah, exactly… hey, do you want me to go?
Marinette: You should. You'll get sick.
Jusqu'à la prochaine fois, et vous obtiendrez ce que vous voulez. Votre histoire va continuer. Au revoir.
