Alya and a disguised Graham took their time looking from exhibit to exhibit. Arguss and Trixx clung to the back of her phone like a strange double case. Any corner, any person, any picture or statue or structure could be a clue. Alya was glad her phone was fully charged for how long she was recording. She wanted video to look over when she got home in case she missed something important. "Better that you decide where we go first, Graham."

He led them to the art section where the Mona Lisa hung. Alya had always been surprised by how small it is in real life. They stopped and sat down at a bench as people passed by, eyes fixed on the paintings. She paused her video and glanced at him. "Mind telling me how feather cameras actually work?"

"Every miraculous has certain limitations that can cost the users greatly if they break them." He pointed at the spot where her necklace was hidden beneath her shirt. "Volpina-er, Vixen, cannot fall for her own illusions; believe me, it has happened. If you do then you end up losing control of your senses for up to an entire day."

"Scary."

"The same goes for the others. If Ladybug uses her powers for greedy purposes she is forced out of her costume within seconds. If Queen Bee uses her whip on allies then it rebounds and ends up wrapping her up instead."

"What would the price be for telling me what you saw in the feathers?"

Arguss gave them a wave and Alya pulled the phone closer. "If Povas reveals the secrets found through the feathers, then he loses his sight."

"For how long?"

"For some…," Arguss looked to Trixx, "forever."

Alya gasped but had to stifle it when people glanced their way. Graham gave her a sad smile. "I lost my sight while fighting Sensor, but that was only for a few minutes. To lose it forever, out of nowhere…how would I fight?"

Now I get it, Alya gave him a more confident smile, and I would definitely do the same. Losing my sight is too great a price for clues. I can find HawkMoth without risking the health of any other heroes…?

Jalil Kubdel was walking up their way with Alix at his side. They were looking over brochures and discussing plans for a new exhibit. As they passed Alya gave a wave, getting a shot of the siblings as they lost themselves in their work. "Looks like those two will be plenty busy next week while Mr. Kubdel is away." She turned back to Graham and was surprised to find him not sharing in the moment. In fact, he looked a bit put off by the duo. "Whoa. Did something happen between you and Jalil?"

Could Jalil be HawkMoth? No, because he was akumatized and HawkMoth was speaking to him while he was took me hostage as the Pharaoh.

Trixx looked Alix over. "I doubt your friend there is HawkMoth. From what you told me she had also been akumatized and spoken to."

"Come on," Graham had them stand and move on from the art exhibit, "we still have exhibits to examine before the museum closes."

And examine they did, until the museum was about to close. Alya scaled the entire building from the inside out until they had to leave with the rest of the patrons. "I'll be sure to mull over what we filmed later," she promised Graham as they exited the museum, evening setting in, "and then we can talk with the others about what to do next."

Working alongside Ladybug and the others…well, working alongside Marinette and the others.

Graham stopped and looked back through the doors. "…"

"Did we miss something?"

"Afraid he cannot say," Arguss replied, "but I know you can figure this out, Alya. After all, our Master chose you for your intelligence and investigative skills."

Alya blushed but tried in vain to hide it. "No pressure or anything." She gave Graham a shake of the hand and ran off to catch a bus. "See you guys soon!"

Once she was gone Graham sighed and leaned against the museum doors as they were locked from the inside. Arguss hung around his shoulder, out of view. "Do you think she can figure out what we know?"

"She has to, or all of this is for naught."

"I believe in her."

He smiled. "I do, too. Say, think you can keep an eye on her while she heads home?"

"What about you?"

"I gotta walk home on my own and clear my thoughts out."

Arguss gave him a kiss on the cheek. "You be careful." She flew off to follow the bus as it took Alya away. Graham walked down the museum steps and looked around the now vacant lot. He had not walked on his own in a long while.

Time to figure things out.

"Excuse me?"

Jalil Kubdel was walking over with arms full of papers. He looked as though he wanted to shake hands but he was too busy trying to lose all his papers. "I saw you and Alya walking around all day today. I do hope you'll come back next week."

Graham smiled and nodded. "Of course. I hear you intend to run the place for a while?"

"Just until father comes back." He looked up at the entrance and Graham followed his gaze. "At least I know the ins and outs now. Even the secret vaults."

"Secret vaults?"

Jalil laughed. "Well, not too secret as they are inaccessible to the public. We store away art we have yet to unveil in an exhibit. My father just gave me the keys."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you. Now, I must get home and sort through all of this," he walked away to the nearest building by the museum, "but I do hope you come again!" When he was out of sight Graham returned his gaze to the entrance.

Secret vaults. There really is more to this museum than meets the eye…

And so the price of the feathers is revealed. I wanted some sort of limitation like the one Ladybug has, so I tried my best to make them severe but not impossible to follow, and they had to somewhat match the personalities of the heroes. Now we just have to hope that Alya can put the pieces together and get to the bottom of this HawkMoth mystery before he strikes again!

Until the next chapter!