There's a lot of what probably seem like random scenes, but I'm building towards something here

Chapter 32: Bet On It

"Alix, I bet you-"

"You gave up your bets when I beat you in that race!"

"Oh come on, that was only for-"

Lacy and Max exchanged looks as Kim and Alix started on another bet. Lacy loved Alix to death, but sometimes...

"It's on!" Alix declared.

The two shook hands just as Bustier entered the classroom.

"Alright, class," Bustier said, quieting the class down. "Let's start with our usual exercise."

Alix and Kim were the first to go, complimenting each other on never backing down from a dare. Bustier sighed a long-suffering sigh.

"There's an 89 percent chance that this bet will take place at my place," Max told Lacy. "Perhaps you could come over and we could play video games in the meantime?"

"I don't really know how to play video games," Lacy replied. And she wasn't supposed to, either - demigods and technology don't mix.

"I could teach you," Max said. "I am the second-best gamer in the class."

Alix and Kim slid back into their seats, and Rose and Marinette were called.

Lacy frowned. "Who's the first?"

"Marinette," Max replied.

"Really? Is there anything she isn't good at?"

"No," Max answered.

"What about waking up on time?" Alix offered. "Or time management in general?"

"That's true," Lacy agreed.

"So?" Max prompted. "Are you up to facing a master gamer?"

Lacy hesitated. She really, really shouldn't. But she liked hanging out with Max and Kim.

"You shouldn't push her too much," Chloe said. "Lacy's horrible with technology."

Lacy scowled. It was the truth, but still.

"I am aware," Max answered. "But I'm sure we could overcome that obstacle."

"And afterwards, we could get ice cream!" Alix added. "Just not from that romance dude."

"Sounds like fun," Lacy said.

Max's apartment was a bigger than Lacy's.

It was all one story, on the first floor of the apartment building - Max's grandfather lived with them, and he couldn't do stairs. It had a main living room with a master bedroom off on one side, and a hallway with four bedrooms off the other. One of the bedrooms was designated a guest room - and it had a lot of stuff that looked like it belonged to Kim in it - and the other was the "tech room."

"My dad and I both use it," Max explained as he showed it off to Lacy.

It reminder her of the few times she had been in the Hephaestus cabin. One table was completely overtaken by robotic parts and diagrams. The walls were covered with different types of diagrams, science facts, and astronomy models. There was a drawer in the cabinet designated as "Markov's room." And, of course, one wall was completely dedicated to computer screens and gaming consoles.

"My mom did, too," Max said. "Before she left for her training."

"Training?" Lacy asked.

"She's going to be an astronaut," Max explained.

"Cool!"

The bet was crazy complicated - Kim said a friend helped him come up with it - but essentially it boiled down to who could stand on one leg the longest (while standing on this and that and the other thing, while listening to a horror podcast, etc etc). Markov would do the timing.

"Three, two, one, go!"

"So, you've never played any kind of video game?" Max asked.

Lacy shook her head. "Nope."

"Then you wouldn't know what type of game you like to play," Max concluded.

"You should show her your game!" Markov suggested.

"That's right," Lacy remembered. "I remember you telling me about that. Let's play that."

Max was perfectly okay with that, and he started setting up while Lacy watched.

"Alright, there we go," Max said. He handed her the controller, and started explaining the rules.

Seems simple enough.

"I don't recognize most of these akumas," Lacy admitted when they made it to character selection.

"They were before you came to Paris," Max explained. "You should be able to see their stats and powers next to the character."

Lacy spent her time looking at each one, while Max immediately choose his. Eventually, she ended up on a roller skater with what looked like good stats.

The round started.

The first round, they didn't do much fighting - Max made sure Lacy knew what she was doing first. The next several rounds, Lacy lost horribly.

By the time they finished round five, the bet had been won.

"Ha!" Kim beat a victorious fist in the air. "Told you."

Alix replied by sticking her tongue out.

A knock on the door interrupted the weird face making competition.

"Come in," Max called.

Ondine peaked her head in. "Is Kim - oh, there you are."

"Ondine!" Kim replied. "What are you doing here?"

"Come in," Max said.

Ondine stepped in, giving Kim a peck on the cheek.

"I got out of work early and thought I'd stop by," Ondine explained.

"Have you met everyone?" Kim asked.

"I know Max and Markov," Ondine said.

"Nice to see you again," Markov said.

"And it's - Lacy, right?"

Lacy nodded. "Yep. We met at the swim meet." Which Lacy had totally come to just to meet Kim's girlfriend (she was curious, okay?).

"And I don't think we've met."

"Alix." Alix held out a hand. "I'm also in Kim's class."

"Oh, the roller skater," Ondine recalled. "Kim's mentioned you."

"Yeah, and he won't shut up about you," Alix countered.

"That's because she's awesome," Kim said. "Lacy and Max were just finishing up a round of Max's game. Want to play?"

"Sure."

No monsters attacked that afternoon, but Lacy was still nervous as she and Alix headed to the bakery.

"You're being jumpy, even for you," Alix commented.

"I just keep expecting an attack," Lacy admitted. "You know, being a demigod and using technology never ends this well."

Alix shrugged. "Maybe that's an American thing. You said the other demigod that you ran into mentioned Celtic monsters - maybe they're not attracted to Greek scents."

"Maybe."

They turned into the bakery. Mrs Cheng waved at them as they entered.

"Are you here to see Marinette?" She asked. "I think she just left with Alya."

"No, we're picking up something for Nath," Alix said. "He's out sick."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. What can I get for you?"

Alix relayed his order, and a few minutes later they were out of the bakery and heading to Nathaniel's place.

"So, what did you think of Ondine?" Lacy asked.

Alix shrugged. "She seems nice. Her and Kim seem to work together as a couple well."

"Yeah, they're really cute together. Kim's so supportive of her swimming abilities, and she's super supportive of him too! They're just so cute together!"

"If you say the word 'cute' one more time I'm disowning you."

"I don't think that's how friendships work."

Alix rolled her eyes. Lacy bumped her shoulder into Alix's.

"You know you love me."

"Yeah, uh huh."

"- as a way of letting Nathaniel know we were thinking of him," Marinette finished.

The class was gathered in the art room. Marinette had asked for a few minutes to talk to the class about a project before the actual class began.

"I think it's a great idea!" Rose said.

"I'm sure Nath will appreciate it," Alix commented.

"Yeah, he's really out of it," Lacy added.

"As long as I don't actually have to go near him while he's sick, I'm in," Chloe said.

"Alright, so here's what I need each of you to do-"

The project moved quickly, and the teacher didn't mind spending half the class period helping out. It was technically a study-hall period, but Marinette had asked the class to meet in the art room instead.

At the end, Nino helped video the result and send it to Nathaniel.

"Marinette's always so thoughtful about things like that," Rose said.

"She didn't really do that much," Chloe said.

Lacy gave her a look.

"What? I'm only saying that instead of praising Dupain-Cheng, Rose should be proud of what she did to help. That's a good thing!"

"Chloe's right," Marinette commented, stepping up behind her. "I only had the idea. It never would have worked if everybody wasn't so willing to spend time to cheer up a classmate. You should be proud of yourself, Rose."

"Did you just agree with me?" Chloé asked.

"Yep. And you better get used to it, if you're going to make a habit of being right."

Chloé groaned. "Yay me."

Alix reached over the desk and prodded Chloe multiple times.

Chloe turned around. "Yes?"

"We're going to that new superhero challenge place this afternoon," Alix said. "I was originally going to bring Nath along, but since he's out sick, we have an extra ticket. Right now it's just me, Lace, Kim, and Max."

"It would be tempting," Chloe admitted. "If I didn't already have a spa appointment scheduled."

"That's the place that paid Alya for an endorsement on the Ladyblog, right?" Sabrina asked.

Alix nodded. "Yeah, it's supposed to be super cool! Alya said that they'll be going this weekend to check it out, but since we're going today she'll interview me for her review."

"My dad's not thrilled with it," Sabrina said. "Something about a safety risk. He won't be happy if I go."

Alix pouted.

"Hey, we have an extra ticket tonight, right?" Kim asked, leaning up from his desk behind them. "Can Ondine come?"

"Yes, that sounds great!" Lacy replied.

"Hey, I paid for the tickets, I decide," Alix argued. "But yeah, that's fine, if it's fine with Max."

"Hmm," Max said. "With Nathaniel not coming, that makes me the least athletic. I would rather bring someone along that's more my level of athleticism, not another high-level athlete."

"Okay," Alix said. She stood up. "Rose, Juleka, either of you free tonight?"

"No, we have band rehearsal," Rose replied.

"Mylene?"

"I have tickets to my dad's play," Mylene answered.

Alix sat back down. "That only leaves us athletes."

Max sighed. "Then I'll just resign myself to being the slowest."

"You're not that out of shape," Kim said. "You'll keep up fine."

"Besides, it's a team thing," Lacy said. "We're all in this together."

"There's a ninety-eight percent chance I'm going to regret this tomorrow."

"It's closed?"

Max adjusted his glasses. "The sign on the door says something about safety risks."

"But I signed a waiver!" Alix argued. "This sucks!"

"They'll probably refund you," Lacy said.

"Yeah, probably," Alix said, deflating. "Ooh, maybe instead we can look at that climbing gym you were interested in."

"Ooh yes!"

"I'm in!" Kim said. "I always love climbing things."

"I'd be interested," Ondine added. "I've never rock climbed before. But you'd probably want to spend the money with your other friend."

"Hey, we can just get six tickets, or slots or whatever," Alix said. "There's no reason you can't come with."

"Thanks," Ondine said.

"I bet you I can climb faster than you," Kim said.

"No," Alix said. "I'm not taking that bet. I've seen you climb."

"Oh come on," Kim replied. "You're not one to back out of a challenge."

"I'll take it," Lacy said.

That got surprised looks from everyone but Alix.

"Are you sure?" Max asked. "Kim is a great climber."

"I'm an all-around athlete," Kim bragged.

"I'm a pretty good rock climber too," Lacy replied.

"Okay, you're on."

Roi Singe and Chat Noir landed behind Ladybug and Viperion after their patrol.

"This is so cool!" Roi Singe said.

"I know, right?" Chat Noir asked. "There's nothing like the rooftops of Paris at night."

"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself," Ladybug said.

"It's definitely peaceful," Viperion added.

"How are things going with your kwami?" Ladybug asked.

"Great! He had this super cool idea for a bet with a friend that involved this really cool set up and we had to balance on one leg and everything and I totally won the bet!"

"Sounds like you're getting along fine," Ladybug said.

"We are," Roi Singe. "I'm going to rearrange some things in my room over the weekend to give him something to climb on."

"I got my kwami a cat bed and stand once," Chat Noir said. "He never used it. He prefers sleeping in my trash can."

"Your kwami sounds fun," Viperion deadpanned.

Chat Noir shrugged. "Honestly, he acts a lot like what I've heard cats are like. You just have to adjust to their way of showing affection."

"A lot like you, kitty," Ladybug stated.

"So how's your kwami?" Roi Singe asked Viperion.

"Doing good," Viperion answered. "I've been introducing him to different types of music."

"Nice," Roi Singe said. "Xuppu seems to like the weirdest music I can find."

"Sass is cool with whatever I put on," Viperion replied.

"Tikki's like that too," Ladybug said.

"I don't know what music Plagg likes," Chat Noir admitted. "When I give him access to my computer, he usually ends up watching epic fail videos."

"Tikki hates those videos," Ladybug said. "I like them, but I'm super clumsy as a civilian so I don't feel bad laughing at them when I've been them, you know?"

"I'm the same way," Roi Singe said. "Not clumsy, but I'm usually the one trying to do the weird stunts that end badly."

Ladybug nodded, remembering some of the weirder stunts she'd seen him try to do.

"I don't have that problem-"

Ladybug scoffed.

Chat Noir haltered. "What?"

"You can not convince me you never try stunts like that," Ladybug said.

"Not outside of the costume," Chat Noir said.

"Doesn't the Ladyblog have video of-"

"She took it down," Chat Noir interrupted.

"Shame," Ladybug said. "That was a hilarious video."

Chat Noir pouted.

"It's getting late," Viperion said. "You should all get to bed."

"What, are you the team mom now?" Chat Noir challenged.

"I am the oldest," Viperion replied.

"That doesn't mean you have to be all responsible," Chat Noir argued.

"We're superheroes. We all have to be responsible."

"Viperion's right," Ladybug said. "Besides, I'm really behind on homework."

Viperion frowned. "Sleep first."

Ladybug brushed him off. "I'm not tired."

"Viperion's right," Chat Noir commented. "I know you, you need to sleep."

"I'm fine."

"Sleep," Chat Noir repeated.

"Or I'll set Rena on you," Viperion threatened.

"Okay, okay," Ladybug ceded. "No need to get her involved. I'll go to bed."

Luka was waiting patiently outside of the bakery when Marinette left for school.

"So?" He asked.

"I slept," Marinette reassured him. "Tikki can vouch for me."

"Good," Luka said.

"Yeah, except now I'm extra behind on homework," Marinette admitted. "Plus I have another commission to work on."

"Remember, sleep is more important than your commissions," Luka said. "And more important than school."

"Chat's right. You are the mom friend."

It took a lot to make Marc angry, but eventually he slammed his pencil down and turned to Alix.

"Are you bored? Is that why you're bothering me?"

"Hey, I'm just checking in on you," Alix replied. "He's your boyfriend, after all."

"Alix, If Marc doesn't want to be bothered, we can eat somewhere else," Lacy attempted. Again.

This time, Alix threw her hands up. "Fine."

Lacy gave an apologetic look at Marc before following her out of the lunch room and into the courtyard.

"Was that mean?" Alix asked.

"A little," Lacy admitted.

"Ugh, I hate it when Nath gets sick," Alix complained. "At least I have you this time."

"Thanks?"

Alix took a bite out of her sandwich before continuing. "I just never really got along with anyone before Nath, you know? I'm always too blunt or too sarcastic or too energetic for everyone."

"Not for this class," Lacy said. "You have plenty of friends now. Me, Kim, Max, me, Mylene, Marinette, me, Adrien, me-"

"Alright, I get your point," Alix conceded. "I'll apologize to Marc later."

"Oh, there's Ondine," Lacy said, spotting the other girl across the courtyard. She waved, and Ondine waved back. To her surprise, Ondine headed over to them.

"Mind if I sit with you?" Ondine asked.

"Not at all," Alix said.

"Is your friend still out sick?" Ondine asked.

"Yeah," Alix replied. "Nath doesn't get sick a lot, but when he does he's totally out of it for a few days."

"Marinette came up with a really nice present for him," Lacy said.

"Marinette does seem really nice," Ondine said.

"She is," Lacy agreed. "And she's really thoughtful too!"

"Makes you wonder about the rumors going around," Ondine said. "I mean, everyone who knows her talks to highly of her, but then there's all of those rumors about her bullying someone-"

"Lila," Alix sneered. "That-"

"She's not the greatest person," Lacy summarized. "She lies and manipulates people into her liking her, which, yeah, doesn't sound so bad, but she always wants to be at the center of attention, and has threatened people in our class."

"That sounds horrible," Ondine said.

"Yeah, I'm glad she moved classes," Lacy replied.

"I think Kim mentioned her," Ondine remembered. "I remember he cancelled a few dates to help her with something. I'll admit, I was a little jealous."

"Kim's really trying to be nice this year," Alix said. "Lila was really good at abusing that.""He's so sweet," Ondine said.

"He's sweeter than he was," Alix said. "He was kind of a jerk at the beginning of the year."

"I guess," Ondine replied. "But that's all behind him now."

"I guess people can change."

Plagg's my favorite kwami, in case you couldn't tell