The day went on as the first day of school would go. Chloe's model friend never showed up, drawing a chuckle from Ella as they all were dismissed for either free period or gym. The onyx-haired girl rushed out before her two new friends moved, shouting over her shoulder about the bathroom; neither pressed the issue.
Ella sighed in relief once the stall door was locked. And she wasn't the only one, as Kiismet zipped from the pocket, stretching her little arms, legs and wings.
"I'm so not used to being cooped up like that!" The little kwami whined, lazing upside down in the air. Ella giggled, digging through her bag for the last slice of walnut bread. She tore off a decent-sized piece before handing it over to Kiismet, who immediately began scarfing it down like her last meal.
"I am and I still did not enjoy that. But if this is what school is like, then I'll have to stuck it up and deal with it."
Kiismet watched her wielder through her tiny purple eyes, as Ella began going through her breathing steps to calm her panicked heart and mind. The little kwami frowned and flew downward, her small arms wrapping around Ella's thin wrist.
"I'm sorry, Ella... I know it hurts but I promise it's gonna get better. Trust me..." Ella smiled gently down at her friend, moving her wrist up to rest Kiismet's head against her cheek.
"I know, Kiismet. You know what's going to happen in my future and I trust what you see."
Kiismet smiled into her master's cheek, nuzzling as close as she could get. Ella sighed, Kiismet's presence helping calm the growing anxiety and allowing the girl to ground herself.
"Since you have a free period and technically that's the last class of the day, do you wanna go for a fly? Will that help you calm down?" Kiismet asked, moving her head back just enough to gauge Ella's reaction.
"Sure, that sounds perfect. Kiismet- touch the sky!"
With a gentle caress against the winged choker, and a flash of tri-colored purple/blue/black light, Ella became The Raven's Wing- or just Raven. Now dressed in a dark blue/black bodysuit with feathers around her waist, ankles and creating a feather crown in her hair. More feathers formed a pair of dark blue/dark purple wings on her back while a purple belt rested on her waist, holding her three-clawed grappling hook. A matching purple mask covered her eyes and black boots on her feet completed the look.
Taking flight out the bathroom window, Raven flew up to the roof and took a moment to breathe.
"Aah, I've missed this..." Raven sighed, running her fingers through the purple and blue feathers adorning her waistline. Though Kiismet couldn't physically answer, a little flicker of light from the choker signaled that the kwami had heard the comment.
Taking a deep breath, Raven sat on the roof, her eyes scanning over Paris. She honestly missed the view- it had been a good 10 to 11 months since she had taken this form and gotten away from the stress of being Ella. Even if being Raven brings its own sets of challenges...
"Hm? What's going on down there?" Raven cocked her head like a puppy, her heightened senses allowing the distant screaming to meet her ears. Looking down the other way, Raven found herself staring at a stone monster throwing cars at the police.
"Well that looks like a problem." Raven deadpanned, standing to her feet.
"But it's not one of mine." With a spin on her heel, Raven took off on her wings. She didn't have Kiismet or the miraculous with the intent of becoming a superhero- she just wanted a friend!
Raven hovered over the park for a moment before landing again.
"Kiismet, touch the ground..." In that same tri-colored flash, Raven became Ella again, the little kwami buzzing about like an excited toddler.
"What's up, Kiismet? What's got you buzzing like a bee?"
"Didn't you see the akuma? That means it's time for Tikki and Plagg to come out and play!" The kwami squealed, excited her friends were coming to the human world.
"Tikki and Plagg?"
"The Ladybug and Cat miraculous'-to protect Paris against the akuma!" Ella tilted her head in confusion, scratching Kiismet's head with a finger.
"Akuma? You mean that rock-looking thing?" Kiismet nodded, sitting on Ella's shoulder while the girl took a seat against the tree.
"It's not specifically that creature. Akumas are similar to Kwamis, both being able to inhabit an object and transform a person into a super-being. But an akuma transforms that person into a supervillain."
"How's an akuma made, if they're similar to kwamis?" At this, Kiismet frowned.
"Well... that comes from Nooroo, the butterfly miraculous. But his miraculous was stolen a couple years ago... along with Duusuu, the peacock. But it seems that it's just becoming an issue- that's the first akuma that's been seen in Paris since I've been with you."
Ella nodded, turning her gaze to the blue sky. Everything from today was a bit overwhelming and now with this news that people were being turned into villains? That's a new one.
"I didn't keep you to become a superhero... I just wanted a friend..." She whispered. The fear of having to fight- to remove herself from her comfort zone that protected her and her secrets- was welling up with all this new information. Kiismet's mouth turned down into a sad frown, noticing Ella's breathing picking up. Floating up, the kwami buried herself in the crook of Ella's neck and began humming one of the songs the teen had been working on this morning. The vibrations and pressure were enough to help keep Ella from spiraling into a panic attack and allowed the girl to anchor herself via Kiismet's quick thinking.
Ella hung around the park for a little while longer, before changing back into Raven and flying up and over to the Eiffel Tower. She was sure the drama from this afternoon was over, so she didn't have to get dragged into it. Landing softly, Raven ran her fingers through her feathers and took in the sight of the moonlit Paris before a soft thud behind startled her.
"Easy there, tweetybird. Didn't mean to spook you." A young man stepped out of the shadows, his green cat-like eyes glowing in the night. His blond hair rustled in the breeze, a pair of black cat ears sticking out. Raven watched him as he walked closer before taking a seat on the edge of the tower beside her legs.
"Who are you?" She found herself asking, prompting his gaze to move from the city lights to her own grey eyes.
"I'm Cat Noir. My kwami said there might have been a third person helping out with the akumas, I take it you're them?" Raven was shaking her head before the boy even finished his sentence.
"I'm not 'this'," she said, gesturing to her outfit, "to be a superhero. My kwami said I didn't have to fight or anything. She's my friend- not anything more!"
Raven could feel herself begin to shake, she didn't want to talk about any of this... Ugh, a panic attack is not what she needs right now!
Cat Noir watched the girl, his smirk turning to a frown as he noticed her once calm stance become tense and shaky. The teen stood, turning towards her.
"Hey, you okay?"
The male voice startled Raven, causing her to step backwards away from the boy- and off the edge of the tower.
"Hey!" Cat Noir darted forward, ready to jump after her. But as he looked over to jump, he saw the girl's wings catch her and allow her to drift to the ground. With a sigh of relief, Cat Noir hopped down to follow, landing beside the girl in the grass.
"You okay?" He asked again, this time wary of her reaction. The girl took a moment before she nodded.
"Yeah, I'm sorry about that. Umm... I'm The Raven's Wings- or Raven, I guess... but uh- no I'm not trying to be a superhero..." Cat Noir nodded slowly.
"Well even if you're not gonna be helping out, I do hope I get to see you around, tweetybird." He winked at her, his smirk returning as a small giggle escaped Raven's lips.
"Tweetybird? Do I look like a big-headed yellow talking bird?"
"Hmm true... guess I'll just call you angel instead~"
Raven blushed hard, silently wishing her mask covered her cheeks as well. Cat's smirk widened at the sight, stepping up to be even with the girl before kneeling down and taking her gloved hand in his own.
"I think that nickname will do just fine..." He spoke, kissing the top of her hand. Raven blushed beet red, not even knowing how to react. Cat Noir stood again, Raven's hand still in his grip.
"Now, why don't I see you home, m'lady?"
The word 'home' jostled Raven out of her love-struck awe and she quickly pulled her hand from Cat Noir's grasp.
"No! No... it's fine... I don't plan on heading there anytime soon." Her reaction raised questions with the new teen hero but at the same time, Cat almost couldn't force himself to ask with the fear evident in her eyes...
"Thanks for the company, Cat Noir. Have a good night!"
Raven was off flying into the air without giving Cat Noir time to react.