Ladybug crept up on her target. It was distracted, that was good. She put one foot down and lifted the other ever so slowly, trying not to make a sound. She kept her breathing low, slow, still. A twitch, a little bit of a turn. Had she been noticed? She froze and held her breath. Another twitch and a return to normal. Ladybug let out the breath as slowly as she could and continued. Step. Step. Step. Strike!

Ladybug grabbed both Cat Noir's ears,"Gotcha Kitty!"

By rights he should have gone sky high. Or turned and caught her. Or.. well.. Anything more than the fluttering of his ears against her palms and the lackluster,"You did indeed M'lady." she got for her efforts.

Ladybug let go and gently ruffled his hair as she moved up to sit down beside him on the rooftop, "alright Cat, what's got your tongue?"

It was darn close to a pun, she hoped he would appreciate it. He did smile, but then his smile slipped and he asked,"I've been good lately, haven't I M'Lady?"

"Good?"

"I've kept things in line. I think it's been almost a week since my last bugaboo. It's what you wanted right? It makes you more comfortable?"

Yes, and no. How did she tell him she missed it, when she knew it had to be this way? She did miss it. That sweet honest devotion. It had been a pick-me-up, even at the same time as it had been a terrible frustration. "You have, and it makes things easier." She slid her hand over between them, touching her fingertips to his. "You're the best partner a bug could ever hope for, more than anyone has a right to ask. That's all we can be though, partners."

Cat Noir looked out over the city, repeating the word,"Partners…" Ladybug was about to speak again when he continued. "Would it be rude to ask you for advice?"

Ladybug smiled,"Rude? No way. Anything you need kitty. I'm here for you." She slipped her hand over his and gave it a squeeze but then retreated her touch quickly. She'd had to learn that too.

He gave her a smile at that, it was a little bit lost, but it was still a smile which was an improvement. "It's about my love life."

Ladybug pinked. Why am I blushing? They've both been through this before, both had significant others. It was no big deal right? Except this time he apparently had one, and she didn't. She fell into overcompensation as a defense. "Love life? Haha, sure! No problem, I'm the absolute best for giving advice on your love life. I'm a worldly Ladybug who knows her way around the dating scene."

That got a little laugh from him. Apparently she was that transparent. Ladybug had to balance the joy at seeing him laugh against the urge to give him a punch in the arm for it.

He sat up more, and gathered his thoughts. "Okay, so there are these two girls."

"CAT NOIR!" she did punch him in the arm this time.

He rubbed his arm,"Oowww, it's not like that M'Lady. I'm not dating either one of them!"

Ladybug still fixed him with a *look* as he went on. "The first one. She kind of reminds me of you in a lot of ways. I've known her for a while, and I like her, but she's said before that she sees me as a friend. I've been making some attempts to see if I can change that, but so far it's not working."

Cat Noir kicked his feet as he continued, his hands picking up the end of his tail to play with nervously. "The other one. I guess I've known her for a while too. There was some rough stuff between us in the beginning, but we ended up coworkers. I'm pretty sure she likes me. I just don't know if I like her the same way?"

Cat Noir tilted his head back and sighed. "What I do know is, I'm lonely M'Lady. I've been alone a lot in my life and was used to it. Somewhere along the way I've become un-used to it. Maybe I've just seen what having someone does for people. Or maybe it's just the little glimpses I have had. With the girl I dated before." He lowered his gaze and turned it to Ladybug, "with you."

He finished with a smile,"That's it I guess. What's a poor cat to do aside from howl in the night and dodge thrown shoes?"

Ladybug shifted herself just a bit where she sat, just buying time. What do I say to this? He was waiting, looking at her with those earnest green eyes. It was so simple for him, Ladybug had all the answers. If only he knew she usually had none of the answers until the last possible moment.

"Well…" she drew it out,"I think. The first one, you said she reminds you of me? That might be dangerous. I mean. If you're projecting too much onto her. Not that I'm trying to sound big or anything." Ladybug held up her hands defensively, but that just earned her a grin from Cat Noir. She tucked an imaginary loose hair back over her ear. "And, if she isn't into you, do you really want to spend another year chasing someone Cat Noir? Be happy you have a good friend, and accept that."

Ladybug worried the second scenario in her mind. "The second one. Do you think you could like her? Or is it just not there?"

Cat Noir actually scooted around to face her, sitting cross legged. Those attentive green eyes rapt. He spoke after a moment's thought. "I don't know? It's possible. She can be sweet. Like I said There's been some stuff. It makes it hard to trust, but we do have to forgive people eventually don't we?"

Ladybug smiled and assured him,"We do." She considered a little longer, and a thought popped into her head. If only you could follow your own advice. Ladybug grumbled at it and continued. "Then, that might be the better option? If you are going to try one or the other. Though, I'd say not to go too quickly. If you're just dating someone because you're lonely, that's not fair to them either."

Ladybug kicked her feet, nerves. How long had it been since she'd had such a serious conversation with her partner? It didn't help that talking about relationships got her thinking of her own situation. What she wouldn't give for an Akuma attack right about now.

"Thank you M'Lady."

Ladybug blinked, and looked back at Cat Noir. "Thank you?"

He smiled, a pure happy Cat Noir smile. Ladybug felt one tugging at her own lips in response. "Yes, Thank you. You've given me a lot to think about."

She tilted her head curiously,"So, did you make your choice? Which girl will it be who has to put up with you?"

Cat Noir leaned in, grinning his big old grin, then tapped her nose with a fingertip,"You, M'Lady. You will always have to put up with me." He laughed and sat back as she swatted at him. "But no, I haven't picked. I like what you said about not going too fast. You've given me something to think about, and maybe a new way to approach them both. That'll help me figure it all out."

Ladybug shrugged, looking away,"Or maybe they'll both wise up and say no." she teased, glancing back coyly out of the corner of her eye.

Cat Noir leaned forward and sprawled across Ladybug's lap,"Oh c'mon M'Lady, you know I'm purrrrfectly irresistible."

She couldn't shove him off or he'd end up a street pizza. So instead she stuck her finger into one of his ears. It fluttered in proper kitty-ear fashion and he squirmed, flailing and retreating with an indignant look on his face.

Ladybug grinned and crooked the offending finger at him. "Okay kitty, what do you say we start our patrol? I don't think any evildoers will be kind enough to come to *us* tonight."

Cat Noir sat up, then hopped to his feet,"Yes, but wouldn't it be nice if they did for once?" He spun his baton between his fingers.

Ladybug stood and unhooked her yo-yo,"It would." she agreed, and they sped off into the night.

Felix turned the pendant over in his hands as the limo sped him to the outskirts of Paris. It was another little step in the game, a trinket to catch the eye. Felix frowned. He had set out to catch a canary, but instead a merlin sat in the cage, daring him to close the door.

By all reasonable measures he should be in a good position to leave the fish on and walk away, but there was an unexpected thrill in it.

After every encounter he would propose another and out came her phone. It wasn't the slavish devotion he had expected from years ago. Instead sharp gestures cut through her schedule. He watched every time, what would it be? A meeting canceled? Dinner plans rearranged? A simple absence from her home? Or would she raise her eyes and tell him flatly, 'six to seven, take it or leave it.'

Who was this merchant class brat to talk to him that way?

Felix stuffed the pendant back into his vest pocket. Deep blue eyes danced in the reflection off the window. Lila had best put an end to this game soon.

It was early evening as the car came to a stop past gates and barriers for the public, right up to the entrance to Chateau de Chantilly. Felix caught a glimpse of yellow and gold through the tinted window,"What on earth."

Felix stepped out, and confirmed it was no trick of the eyes. She was here before him and approached with arms wide, on display. Her hair was braided and crowned upon her head. Her face powdered with a rouge upon her cheeks. Around her neck a collar of complex lace, and the dress her signature yellow with matte gold embroidery and white silk seen through faux slits in the sleeves. An uplifted bodice did the most with what Chloé had, tapering into an impossibly narrow waist and flared ankle length skirts.

Felix couldn't help himself. "What are you wearing?"

The disdain seemed to bounce off her, she turned once in place. "It's Elizabethan."

Felix gestured to the residence behind her curtly,"This is a *French Chateau*"

Still not a dent. She smiled broadly and stepped in, taking his hands. "My patron is English."

Felix didn't pull his hands away but he did keep the same sharp tone,"Your patron?"

And the challenge. Those big sapphire eyes looked into his emerald. The merlin was in the cage, did he dare close the door? He would not be baited like some simpleton.

Felix held the stare until Chloé looked away. She let his hands go,"Just... a little joke. You talk so much about your upper class nobility." She stepped back and her briefly defeated tone turned to her previous poise. "I mean, if you were to sponsor someone, surely a debutante of my caliber would be at the top of the list." And with that she turned to look up at the huge manor before them.

Felix sighed, what an annoying little bird. It shouldn't be possible to feel bad for not falling into a trap. Another thought struck him as she stood before the great stone edifice with hands tucked demurely at her waist; how incredibly small she seemed at times, and yet thunderously large at others.

Felix chased the thought with a shake of his head. There was no point in seeing quality in a simple pawn. He stepped up beside her. "Have you never been here before? It is right outside your home. Even a hint of culture would dictate you should have visited."

Felix started walking without looking back, crossing the narrow bridge to the open front doors. After a few steps he heard hurried footfalls beside him, and Chloé appeared out of the corner of his eye, keeping station on him. "Aww, Felikins, does this mean you think I have culture?" her voice was a warm tease again.

"You've never been here." he pointed out.

Her hand slid so seamlessly into his, her fingers lacing with his own, that he was too startled to pull away. Instead her voice filled his ears with words sweet as honey. "I have now."

Her response to his shocked expression was a demure smile and lowering of her eyes. The merlin was in the cage again. Felix felt her hand squeeze his, but otherwise it was a loose and free connection, nothing like having someone hang on your arm. It couldn't hurt to close the door for a moment, Felix did not let go.

They strode past attendants who did nothing to stop them as Felix turned and stepped around stanchions. Behind them the attendants closed the front doors to the public. Chloé glanced back then up at him. "You paid for a private tour? That must have cost a fortune."

Felix allowed himself a laugh, the little bird may play at being a raptor, but it was good to know it really was for show. "Cost? I asked, they complied. That is the distinction between us."

A slight hitch in her step gave Chloé away. Good, she should never be too complacent. An eventual rejection after exposure could be made all the more potent with some anticipation. Now, to sooth it over and keep the game afloat. "Tell me about your day."

She did, canary or merlin Chloé could always be counted on to fill up any silence. As they walked through rooms paneled in ebony or painted pristine white she spoke of any and everything. School was a small concern for her it seemed. She went on extensively about her magazines, as she had before. Two now she had co-opted from her mother's company to run. The details were meaningless to him, only that she seemed quite well acquainted with them. A sharp mind hidden deeply behind that painted face and shallow disposition.

"Now, it's your turn." Chloé had stopped and let his hand go. They stood in a gallery lined with books ten times older than both of them put together. She stepped primly over to examine one shelf and there rocked from toes to heels and back with her hands clasped behind herself.

"My turn?" That Ladylike poise with her childish antics was bizarrely entrancing. It was nearly possible in this setting and that costume to forget who she was.

"Tell me about your day, it's only fair." She stopped rocking and glanced back over her shoulder at him through her halo of lace.

"My day?" Felix frowned, but stepped over to her since she seemed rooted to her spot. He glanced at the spines of the books but nothing stood out. What was this game?

"Yes. Obviously you were at school too. But is that all? Did nothing special happen? Or did you go home and sit counting the minutes until you would see your middle class strumpet again?" With this last question came upturned eyes, no challenge this time.

"Don't speak of yourself like that." Felix bit his tongue too late. He looked away sharply, then fixed his eyes on the book directly in front of himself. It's title was some archaic middle-French he couldn't make out.

'Awww Felikins, you do care!' he could hear her snide retort already. Only, it never came. Instead that new clear voice of hers. "Be very sure what you are after."

Felix looked down and was met with those eyes again. There was a softness in them he didn't recognize, and could not understand. It made him uncomfortable. Felix looked away. "Hmph, what do you take me for, my cousin? The Agrestes might float through life, but I assure you, I do not." Felix clasped his hands in the small of his back, doing so tightened his vest across his chest and reminded him of the pendant. He could give it to her, switch up the balance of power again. How was there even a balance to begin with? This was just a game.

"If you don't float, do you run?"

Felix looked back only to flinch as she lunged at him. Expert hands tickled his sides and mussed his hair in one riotous attack then with a grin she gathered up her skirts and bolted from the room.

Felix was left confounded. Her giggles echoed through the large rooms, starting to fade. It was ridiculous, but then, there was no one to see.

Felix darted after her.

Past rooms of priceless antiques and glorious artworks he chased her. Past an indoor marble fountain. Her crown of braids came loose. She was a cloud of silk and lace that he gained on quickly until she slipped and sprawled across the polished wooden floors of the grand gallery. Felix dove and caught her around the waist, returning the tickles and eliciting a high pitched squee. He laughed in return, an alien sounding thing that made his chest hurt. They caught their breath together, only, Chloé didn't.

Her pants became gasps, short hiccuping things as she struggled. Felix tried to pick her up but she wrestled against him in a panic. Her face was a shocking red and she twisted, trying to get her arms behind her,"S-t-t-ays." she managed to get out at last before pitching forward as her body's panicked attempts to suck in oxygen defeated her.

Felix's eyes widened. She couldn't have possibly worn those damnable things, could she? No, that is exactly what this showbird would do. Felix gave away a secret, not that Chloé was in condition to notice. He slipped a small blade from his cuff. Too small to be considered a real threat, it was excellent for cutting ropes, straps, strings, all useful for legerdemain.

Now holding her heaving body still by the back of the neck with his other hand he hooked it under Chloé's Collar and yanked downward, tearing the fabric, then flipped it in his hand and took it right back up, cutting a line of taut strings that held the ribbed undergarment inhumanly tight on her.

Chloé took in a desperately large breath that turned into coughing followed by more gulped lungfuls of air then eventually laughing. She pushed herself to her knees, holding the front of her dress in place with her arms and looked over at him through spilled braids,"I think that's the second fastest someone has ever undressed me."

Exertion turned adrenaline bubbled in reaction in Felix's system. It overcame the shocking indignity of it all and he laughed again. This laugh drew out the last of the nervous panic with it and he shook his head in disbelief. "Why on earth would you wear those things? And try and RUN in them?"

She held up a finger, shifting around to face him, still keeping herself together admirably with her other arm,"One, Chloé Bourgeois is nothing if not authentic. Two, No one has ever accused her of being overly smart." she grinned and another short round of shared laughter ensued.

This one ended with the sound of a ringing phone. Chloé shifted about on her knees, trying to get to a small pocket on the opposite side of her skirts without losing the last defense of her dignity. She held it up triumphantly then blinked at it. She thumbed it open, and apparently on speaker phone. "Minstrel, you've caught me a bit indisposed at the moment."

"Sorry hon. I was just wondering if you would be swinging by tonight." Luka's voice rose from the device.

Felix tensed. That voice this close suddenly made the game so very real. The eyes of the paintings lining the gallery stared down at him. He let an unguarded moment pass as he met Chloé's gaze. She rolled her eyes. "I'm still working on that project I told you about. There are some loose ends-." Chloé raised her eyes to Felix and shifted her top along with a cheeky smile,"-I'd like to get tied up as soon as possible."

Felix bit his tongue. No good would come from speaking out now. It wasn't time. Or was it? Felix could imagine the negative emotions he could generate right now. That very image stilled his tongue.

"I could stop by with some coffees if you want to take a break?"

"No no, I definitely don't need anything to get me any more worked up than I am. How about I make it up to you with breakfast tomorrow? My suite."

Felix went through a range of uncomfortable emotions as they talked. He despised the fact he was feeling anything. This was just supposed to be a simple game. He needed a break. He needed to clear his head. What he got was Luka's reply.

"Sounds good. Seeing the sun when she rises always makes my day. Love you."

"Love you too hon."

Chloé closed the line and rolled her eyes again then gave Felix a curious look,"Are you alright? You look like you were the one she almost choked to death on fashion."

No, I'm not alright. Felix tamped down those thoughts and composed himself. He smoothed back his hair and quietly stashed the blade he had kept palmed back up in his sleeve as he answered. "I'm quite alright. Such displays, even audio ones, are simply revolting that is all." Felix turned the hiding of the blade into a check of his cufflink, working to casually ignore Chloé's state as easily as she seemed able to. "I'm a project now am I?"

Chloé straightened up, with both arms now she tried to find a means to re-secure her top. "Oh don't be so bothered. What am I going to say? 'I've been hanging out with this guy who gave me a bracelet during our first encounter while promising me everything you could never give me?"

Felix ran a hand over his face, how could anyone be so passionately callous? Would she even care if she was exposed? Probably if she *didn't* get what she thought she was owed. It all came down to money with her kind. Felix hardened his resolve around that truth. "I see."

Chloé pouted that he didn't take the bait and carefully levered herself to her feet. "You could come to breakfast with us if you would like. I promise to keep my top on."

He very nearly accepted, but a small voice warned him there was danger down that path. Better by far to keep them away, both of them. However he couldn't admit defeat in front of Lila. So, he must continue. "I think not." Felix rose to his feet. "I might be able to stomach a single social strata, but two?" He needed to get her hooked again after the rejection though. Felix added a smile to disarm his barb. "Besides, don't they say not to mix work and home life?"

Chloé snorted and returned a genuine smile for his faked one. "Fine, but I'm still calling it a night. My arm's getting tired and you do *not* get that sort of entertainment tonight." she looked up and down the gallery,"Now, which way did we come?"

Felix didn't have an immediate answer. His mind was still stuck in a loop on the word 'tonight.'

Nino scratched songs off a list as he sat in home room waiting for the bell. DJing a campfire would be a new thing. Having to create an entire playlist without a chance to improv on the fly was even more of a challenge. He scrolled back and forth on his phone over another list of songs, adding, scratching, and drawing arrows across his paper list to find just the right balance.

"Morning dude."

Nino had learned not to wince, instead he grinned as he looked up. Adrien tried so hard but his mouth was simply not made for the word 'dude'. "Mornin' dude. You look stoked today, good night?"

Adrien unshouldered his bag and a bouquet on the desk. It was a small one but it immediately got Nino's attention. "Whoa, very good night maybe?"

Adrien laughed. "No, that's not what you think. It's for a friend is all, an apology."

Nino eyed the flowers, oranges and yellows and he had no idea what they were. He knew two kinds of flowers, roses and not roses. "So then, what's got you pumped?" Adrien turned bashful so fast Nino almost got whiplash. Nino fought to keep a grin off his face, had it finally happened?

"Well, I think there might be a girl interested in me." Then with a self deprecating smile Adrien added, "me, not just Adrien Agreste."

YES! Nino grinned ear to ear,"Awesome dude! How'd you find out?"

Adrien actually blushed a little, rubbing the back of his head. "Well, I don't know for sure. I mean she kind of blurted it out but everything was a bit muddled. I don't want to dive in either, I'm not sure how I feel about her really."

That sounds like Marinette alright. Nino was still grinning. He leaned over to nudge Adrien, "Hey bro, I'm not sure you need to think too hard about it. Like, everybody knows. You gotta be the last one to see it. You two are perfect together."

Adrien seemed to freeze up slightly at that. "Everybody?" He glanced towards the back of the room. "I mean, it's still just kind of odd. She came in so strong at first, I thought it was just another crush. I had to learn to kind of tune those out."

Nino laughed and shook his head. "Hey man, can you blame her? I mean, you got nothing on me. I ain't buying your brand but your dad does kinda sell it hard around Paris."

Adrien grimaced and nodded,"You do have that right. It did seem to calm down some over time, but there was still that business with Marinette. I still don't know how I feel about that."

Nino nodded,"Don't worry dude you two will be-" The tape recorder in his brain helpfully replayed the last few lines for Nino. "-wait, business with Marinette?"

Adrien shrugged,"Yeah, you know how she and Marinette didn't get along. I think maybe Lila's changed, but it still bugs me. Marinette's a good friend."

Alarms rang in Nino's head. From the look Adrien was giving him they might be loud enough to hear outside too. Where was Alya to fix this? How had he fallen into it? "Ohhh you mean Lila is the-? Oh wow dude. That I did not see." Nino managed to plaster a nervous grin onto his face.

Adrien seemed relieved. "You didn't? Whew. The way you talked for a moment I thought maybe I was being blind or something." Adrien looked back up at the empty seat above. "I just like to take people at their word if I can. Using the word 'couple' seemed a pretty solid hint though."

"Yeeeaahhh…" Nino stalled. "Something like that would be a hint I guess."

"Wait, who did you think I was talking about?"

Nino panicked,"Ahh yeah, no one. Don't worry dude. What do I know? Remember when I was chasing *Marinette*?" Nino laughed. "Can you imagine me and *Marinette*? That'd be a laugh. I was so flustered around her all the time. I could barely talk. Still don't you think it's surprising *Marinette* is still single in our little circle?" He laughed again nervously, praying Alya would show up. Did she have to deal with this with Marinette?

Adrien gave him a confused look but it passed and he smiled. "It is, I thought for sure she was going to be set with Luka." Adrien tilted his head. "Maybe it's a little selfish but I think we all benefited from who he did end up with though." He raised an eyebrow at Nino who smiled back while still dying on the inside.

Adrien finished with,"Either way, I'm just glad she considers me a friend." There was a slightly wistful tone to Adrien's comment and Nino latched onto that to stay afloat.

"Hey dude, maybe you can ask her why she's single at the bonfire." Nino desperately tried to get the train back on the tracks.

"I could, I guess. Though am I really the one to play matchmaker? Last time I tried fixing you two up."

Nino turned it around. "Yeah but, look how it turned out. You got it dude, just get in there. I'm sure you'll make something happen." Now he wanted Alya here just to see him in action.

Adrien hmmed. "It can't hurt I guess."

Lila entered alone, walking directly up to her seat without stopping. Adrien took the flowers from the desk and threw Nino a 'wish me luck' look before heading up.

Marinette and Alya followed soon after and Nino all but tackled Alya into an emergency whisper session.