Chapter 21 - Life Goes On
"You… wanted to see me mom?"
Sophia Agreste looked up from behind a pile of paperwork with an exhausted sigh but it soon lit up with a smile when she saw her visitor. "Yes, Adrien. Come in." She laughed as she stood and waved a hand over the work. "Your father left… quite a lot of work for me."
"If… there's anything I can do…"
"Oh Adrien, thank you for the offer but its fine. Once I have this lot done, it'll be over." She walked with him to a lounger and sat, patting the seat next to her. "I wanted to tell you myself but I've decided to sell the company."
"What?"
"I don't have a head for big business. Back in England I had a small book store and I barely kept that afloat." She laughed. "So… I think it would be best for everyone if the Agreste Label was taken over by someone who knows what they are doing."
"I guess." The blonde said as he held his mother's hand.
"The other thing I wanted to talk to you about…" Sophia said with a sigh. "Is your extra activities. I've seen your schedule Adrien and no teenager should have that much planned out for him. So… I want you to think about which ones you want to keep and what you don't. And if you want to drop all of them I will be fine with that. I want you to be happy. And if you decide to continue modelling, you will have full power over when and what you do. But…" She gave him a smile, leaning over. "If you want my opinion? Keep up with the fencing. Comes in handy and I want to have a fight against you someday."
The teen laughed. "I look forward to it mom."
"You don't have to tell me what you want right now." She explained, running her hand back in his hair. "Just think about it. And… I want your opinion."
"On?"
"This house… I… I've been considering selling it, moving to somewhere smaller."
"But… still in Paris right?"
She laughed. "Of course! I wouldn't dare rob Paris of its black cat."
He grinned Chat like at her. He loved being so free with his identity around her. "Well, in that case, I'd like it. This place is too big for the two of us."
"I was hoping we could keep Natalia and Gorilla on as staff? Or at least assistances? I think I might try and open up a book shop here in Paris and I'll need someone like Natalia. I'll talk it over with her of course. She might not want to."
"I'm sure she would mom."
Sophia chuckled then leant over and kissed his forehead. "It won't be for a while. I just wanted you to know my plans."
"Alright. But… I've already decided on one thing."
"Yes?"
"No more modelling? At all?"
"If that's what you want."
"Please."
It was a well-known that the asteroids were going to pass the earth's atmosphere and would lead to a wonderful view for all to admire. Even better, the weather report was for a warm, dry clear night. Across the city each had their own ideas on how to spend the night, watching the rare display. One couple, out on the roof of his home, were Louie and Annamarie, sat on a blanket together, the dark haired teen pointing up at the stars above them. "Whoa, I've never seen shooting stars so clear before." Louie chuckled as one zipped over the sky. "It's so clear!"
"Yeah." Annamarie mumbled, snuggling into his shoulder. "They… they are… amazing."
He smiled and looked at her closer, brushing her hair back. "You alright?"
"Yeah… just… I'm just a little tired." She sighed, rubbing her eyes, cuddling into his chest. "Been really busy recently."
"If you sleep, you'll miss the show."
"I… I'm not bothered." Annamarie yawned, holding her boyfriend tighter.
Smiling at her, the other teen rolled to his side, choosing to ignore the stars and sky above them in preference for his girl. "Yeah… neither am I." He mumbled, kissing her brow. "Get some sleep."
At the precise same moment, on the other side of the city, the black cloaked hero and his red lady were busy finishing off some criminals who had taken advantage to most of the city being distracted by the stars to rob some shops. As Ladybug watched the police car take the crooks away, she turned to see Chat looking up at the stars with his hands clenched together.
Stepping to his side she leant on his shoulder and followed his gaze. "I don't think it counts making a wish in a meteor shower." She teased, guessing what he was up to.
The boy turned to her and grinned ear to ear. "That is where you are wrong my lady." He said, reaching out and grabbing her, pulling her into his side. "My wish has already come true." He winked then leant forwards, quickly kissing her lips.
Pulling away, the red hero tapped his nose sharply. "Not your best line Chat. And no kissing as heroes."
"But you look so good my lady. My shooting star from heaven itself."
With a roll of her eyes, she shifted out of his grip. "Well, this shooting star is going to look for more trouble. You can join me if you want." She smiled then threw her yo-yo out into the distance and going off to continue their patrol, cat on her heel.
Another couple enjoying the stars were Nino and Alya, out in a large park that had hosted a 'star spotting' event, blankets and pillows set out for everyone so they could watch the astronomical display. At that moment Alya was aiming her phone up above them, trying desperately to take their photo but failing miserably. "Ah, they move too fast! As soon as I see one they are gone!"
Nino, beside her, laughed. "Come on babe, you're going to miss them if you just keep staring at the camera." He chuckled, reaching out to lower her phone. "So, why don't you lower the camera and make some memories, instead of photos."
Staring at him as if he was insane for a moment, Alya eventually smiled and nodded. "Alright." She smirked, reaching out and grabbing his shirt, pulling him towards her and pressing her lips to his while moving the camera to take a selfie of their kiss. As she let him go and checked the image, she couldn't help but laugh when she saw, in the background above their heads was a perfect streak of light. "Definitely a keeper."
Another pair that were also enjoying the shooting stars were the blonde daughter of the mayor and her boyfriend, Tomas were sat on a comfortable bench, the blonde curled up happily in the dark haired boy's arms, candles and the remains of a perfect meal around them. Chloe purred as she rubbed her head into his shoulder, grinning. "Isn't this just perfect Tommy?"
Tomas sighed as he stared out, not looking out at the stars but into nothingness before him, making a weak 'hmm' sound as he did.
The woman appeared to notice and frowned, sitting up and looking at him. "Tommy? What's wrong?"
Moving his eyes more to the present and frowned at her. "I… I… I umm…" He paused, reaching back and stroking her hair. "I've… got something to tell you Chlo."
"What is it?"
He looked back to the city view. "You know… I've been doing my architecture coursework while I've been here? Studying the notes online and submitting my work?"
"Yeah?"
"Well…" He whispered. "It… it's time for my exams."
The blonde sat back slightly. "Oh?"
"Yeah."
"Well… can't you do them here?"
He smiled weakly. "I could. But… I've only just been passing on my coursework. I need to ace these exams if I'm ever going to graduate." His eyes pulled with sadness. "Chlo, I need to go back to revise."
"Come on Tommy, you're smart enough to pass!"
The other chuckled. "I like your spirit. But I need to talk to my teachers. I need the books and past papers; I can't get that from Paris." His hand reached out for her chin. "I'll only be gone a month or two. Just so I can catch up."
Slightly down, the mayor's daughter poured her lips. "Far too long to be away from you Tommy-Boo."
The older teen rolled his eyes and smiled at her adorable face before leaning down and kissing her lips. "Don't worry. You can call me every night."
Niji sighed as he hung his jacket up on the rack by the door and went over to the sink, getting a glass of water for himself then sitting with his wife.
"How was training?" She asked as he drank.
Empty glass on the table, he shrugged. "Annamarie couldn't make it, she was in a date, so it went as well as can be expected. They are doing their best and they are progressing nicely. But…" He cut himself off and looked away.
"But?"
"There is always something in the way." He confessed, standing up. "When I was training Annamarie, there was nothing else. No… interruptions, no homework that had to be done, no… dates to go on or patrols to take… it was just her and me and I had her whole attention."
His wife frowned at him. "You can't expect them to give up their free time…"
"Of course not! And I would never ask that of them!" The dark haired humanoid said back. "They have enough to worry about without me controlling their lives. I just…" He turned to her and his face was filled with sadness. "They are kids. Why did this have to happen… why did Shenfa have to be released… when the chosen were children?"
"The miraculous work best with those of imagination. You know that." Dawa answered, standing up and walking over to him, wrapping her arms around him.
"There are adults with imagination. Writers, artists… they all have imagination, they could have been chosen, there must have been someone out there that could have…" He sighed and held her close. "Dawa, I taught Annamarie because it helped her control the darkness, because it was the only choice we had. But now, I'm teaching them how to fight because they are at war. And… they are just… kids… and I might be… getting them ready to die."