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Ladybug's P.O.V
"Ladybug, is there something on your mind?"
I gasped, snapping out of my thoughts.
Multimouse was sitting next to me with a knife and a half-peeled potato in her hands. She was teaching me how to peel and cut vegetables for a woman. The woman was planning to make a giant pot of vegetable soup and give it away to those who are struggling the most in the poor section.
I immediately volunteered after Rena Rouge had told me about it. I was not the only one though. Pegasus had joined in as well.
Of course, I was having a difficult and slow time completing the task. This is my first time learning but it made it harder when my head wandered into the clouds.
From mother's strange demeanor to Rose being demoted and Chat Noir's visit. It had only been a few days since that day but it continued to reel over again.
"Even if there is something on my mind, I must not speak of it. It would reveal too much of my identity," I explained. I would not have minded talking about this with Multimouse even though we hardly ever see or know each other.
There is some type of gentle, calming aura she gives off. She is an easy person to be around and talk with.
"I suggest you would feel better if you got your mind off of those thoughts for a while," Pegasus suggested, "Tell me, which of these vegetables is the least likely you would eat."
I glanced from the horse miraculous holder to the various vegetables in baskets. I hummed before pointing at the artichokes.
"I was never a fan of artichokes," I said, "The taste and the texture always threw me off."
"I would have to agree with you," Pegasus said, "Those were never my favorite either."
"I would disagree. It might not be my favorite but there are vegetables that I dislike more than artichokes," Multimouse pipped in her opinion. I chuckled at this nonsensical conversation we are having. It definitely lifted my mood.
"Oh!"
I stopped my laughter and perked up in curiosity at Multimouse's surprised sound. That is when I spotted Bunnix standing not too far away with the same blank expression as always. Multimouse's face lit up with happiness.
I glanced over at Pegasus to see he is just as befuddled as Multimouse with Bunnix's presence.
"Welcome, Bunnix! It is very nice to see you! Have you come to help us?" Multimouse asked, earning a simple nod from the bunny miraculous holder, "Excellent! You may grab a knife and join us!"
Bunnix did as she was told but sat somewhat distant away with a basket of carrots. Pegasus and Multimouse carefully studied Bunnix for a moment longer until returning to their work.
"Is there something wrong?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at the odd situation that went down.
"It is funny, truly," Multimouse started, continuing to peel potatoes, "I have always invited Bunnix to do jobs around the poor section...but this is the first time I have ever seen her show up."
"Yes, there was a five percent chance of her showing up," Pegasus agreed, "She is a very introverted person. I have never once heard a word spoken off of her tongue."
"Really?" I questioned, "Was she born unable to speak?"
"No," Multimouse cut into the conversation and gained our attention, "She went through a traumatic experience and has been mute ever since."
"How do you know that?" Pegasus asked.
"She told me. Well, she wrote it down on a paper," Multimouse corrected herself, "We have been close friends since the day she joined the rebels. It was tricky growing close to her at first but she eventually came around. Though she does not show it, she has softened up to us. It just takes time."
I hummed before glancing over at the bunny heroine. I placed my knife aside and picked up a basket of green beans. I stood from my seat and gave the two heroes a curt bow.
"It was pleasant talking with you both but I must excuse myself," I said, hoping they do not get the wrong idea. Multimouse smiled at me, seeming to understand.
"No worries. I had a splendid time with you and hope to do it again! Run along now!" Multimouse said, shooing me away as a way of supporting my decision. I went over to Bunnix and sat down next to her. She looked stunned for a split second before continuing to cut carrots. I gave her a gangly smile and began to break off the edges of the green beans (just as Multimouse instructed me earlier to do).
Eventually, I will have to return so Alya does not report me missing or worse, find out my identity as the heroine, Ladybug. For now, I did not need to worry about that.
Bunnix and I did not have to say anything and sat in peaceful silence. We enjoyed each other's presence being nearby and let nothing disturb this tranquil moment.
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Adrien's P.O.V
"Hello? Is anybody home?" I called throughout Lady Olympia's work area. I was keeping my promise to return and visit Zoe every so often. Yet, it did not seem like anyone was home. I found that strange with it being somewhat late. I figured Zoe would at least be home.
Still, the home was empty.
"Maybe, they are out selling food still?" I thought, "I guess I shall visit tomorrow and see if I can escort Zoe around the poor section. I am sure she would be pleased about that."
With that, I left the house. There was no need to be there when nobody was home. It was pretty odd that neither of them are home but it could be a busy night at the market.
So, I decided to start night patrol. That way, I can turn in early. I walked into an alleyway and allowed Plagg to come out from where he hid.
"Do we have to do night patrol? I think I would rather go back and snuggle with your dirty socks," Plagg said, fantasizing about the very gross scene. I scrunched my nose but did not comment on his weird choices of relaxing.
"We have a sworn duty to protect this city which means no slacking on the job," I explained, handing him some cheese. Plagg rolled his eyes before masterfully swallowing the slice whole. I find it fascinating how many times he does that without choking on the food. One of the many world's strangest wonders.
"Plagg, claws out!" I exclaimed. I transformed into my superhero suit and vaulted my usual route. I jumped from roof to roof and kept an eye out for any criminal activities. There is no telling what will happen in the streets during the night.
Especially, when I spot something very interesting.
I paused in my tracks when spotting something yellow on a rooftop a few yards away. I knelt and grabbed my baton, pulling up the film to get a closer look.
"Huh?" I mumbled under my breath, befuddled by the person displayed on my screen.
"What is Vesperia doing out here?" I questioned myself, "And what is she looking at?"
I latched my weapon back onto my belt and leaped over to the blonde heroine. Once I landed on the very roof she was on, I inspected her to see what grabbed her attention. She sat with her knees tucked to her chest and stared at the mansion across the street.
There was a room with its lights on. The window-like door was closed but the curtains were pushed aside. It gave a clear view of what was going on inside.
A wealthy woman was sitting at her vanity getting her blonde locks brushed by her maid. The woman was checking her nails and talking with a grumpy look etching her features.
"Why is Vesperia watching her?" I thought, "Wait...is that not the mayor's daughter, Chloe Bourgeois?"
I looked at the very heroine, who was watching with a neutral stare and her lips turned into a frown.
I decided to finally make my presence known, "Vesperia?"
The bee-themed woman was startled out of her trance and turned to see me. Her neutral face turned into bewilderment.
I tilted my head to the side.
"What are you doing spying on Lady Bourgeois?" I asked her. Vesperia's mouth opened before thoughtfully pursing her lips. She closed her eyes and let out a sigh through her nose.
Her hand patted the empty place next to her, gesturing for me to sit there. She went back to staring at Chloe as I sat down next to her.
"I do not think it would hurt if I told you. There are only two other people that know about my past," she said, making me perk up in shock.
"What?!" I gasped before scolding her, "No! We are not to know each other's identities, which means nothing about yourself in general."
"Chat Noir," Vesperia started, thinning out her lips, "You were my very first friend I had ever made. I was the second hero chosen, after all. I remember a time when it was just us two training in the dojo or making a ruckus for fun. We used to be such close friends. You were likeā¦a brother that I never had. Whatever happened to our friendship? When did we become so...distant?"
My mouth went dry at her confession. I never knew that I was her first friend. Sure, we have known each other for most of our lives. Yet, we were both around seven or eight years old when we started our training.
There had been many children that age running around the poor section. How had she not had any friends? Maybe, she was an introvert when she was little. I honestly do not recall every detail of our meeting to know how she acted. I do remember flashes of our childhood together.
We were close, though we hardly knew anything about each other.
"Alright," I relented, "but explain with minimal detail as possible."
"Do not worry your whiskers off. You will still be as clueless as you have been about my identity. As I said before, hardly anyone knows. It will not leave a trail of bread crumbs that leads straight to me," she assured. I gave her a nod of acceptance. So long as she does not give too much away, I will allow it.
"Curse myself for my curiosity," I thought. Yet, I had another feeling it was more than just curiosity. There was something else tugging at my heartstrings. An undoubtable softness I have for all of my friends.
"You see, Chloe Bourgeois is my half-sister," she explained.
"Vesperia! I told you not too-"
She placed her hand on my mouth, cutting off my scolding.
"Do not worry. There are abundantly few who know and one of them thinks I am dead. Chloe does not even know she has an older sister," Vesperia explained, "and there is a high chance she never will."
I stayed silent, skeptically urging her to continue.
"Our mother had an affair while she was seeing Chloe's father. This brought me into the world, but she did it all before marriage," Vesperia explained, "I would be considered a nullius filius in many eyes and a bad omen on my mother's good name.
"She took one look at me and knew she did not want me. In her eyes, I was considered nothing but a menace. So, she forced her servant to get rid of me and placed me inside a box in a back alleyway."
My mouth was left slightly agape at her tale and my ears fell in sorrow. I knew the wealthy section had to keep their reputation perfectly good at all costs...but this takes it to a whole new level of too far.
Her own mother left her to die just because she did not want her own child.
My claws dug into the stone roof and left marks. At least, one of my parents had dropped me off at Master Fu's door and gave me a home. Vesperia was thrown out the back like she was garbage.
How cruel can someone be, especially to their own child?
"My father was one of her servants. He had eventually found me and gave me to my present guardian in hopes to give me a better life," she concluded her backstory.
"Ever since I found out, I do random check-ups every once in a while in the late evening. I watch my sister's nightly rituals, my mother discouraging the servants, and her husband busying himself on paperwork. But I mainly watch my sister and wonder...what it would be like if I were there with her."
I glanced from the mayor's daughter to Vesperia. I know how she feels...in a way so to speak. I do wonder about what my life could have been if not for my parents giving me up.
Who were they? Where are they now? What are they doing? Are they still alive? Do I have other family members out there somewhere? What would it be like living with them?
Many questions and daydreams of what life could have been. Many times wondering whose eyes and hair color I got. Whose little habits I obtained. Imagining what kind of world I would be living in.
Yet, I received no answers.
The only thing I have left of my parents was an old, raggedy baby blanket. No first or last name. No image. Not even a tiny detail.
At some point, I stopped bothering to care. My parents did not want me. So, why should I bother to wonder about the people who discarded me on a stranger's doorstep? It was not like they were going to return and want me back in their life.
I gave up on that hope during my early years and decided to put my focus on something else more promising: training to wield a miraculous.
Master Fu and Marianne were the only family I ever knew.
That was until I was introduced to my new teammate, Vesperia.
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Ten years ago...
I was training to sword fight with a practice wooden baton. I was hitting it against a punching bag since there were hardly any other training instruments to use for combat training.
I grunted with every hit and grew worn out from how long I have been doing this for. I cannot stop though. I have to push myself past my limits and exceed the expectations of those who see fit in me. I want to be better than the hero Master Fu pictures me in his head.
I want to protect those who cannot protect themselves from those rich bullies. I have seen what they have done to my people and I cannot stand it any longer!
I will grow stronger.
I will be a shield for the weak.
I will be Paris' number one hero.
I swiped the punching bag one more time with a good swing and broke the wooden stick. I gasped at my doing before quickly hiding it under a mat.
I stepped away from the area I hid the broken baton and felt my adrenaline starting to dwindle. My tiredness was beginning to catch up to me as I was practically heaving for air. My dry mouth and scratchy throat begged for water.
I took a seat on a bench and took a sip out of my cup to relieve myself. I let out a sigh of relief, laying my back up against the cool wall.
"Chat Noir."
I jolted from the sudden voice of my master. He was standing in the doorway with a girl around my age. She peeked out from behind him and clung onto his shirt.
What really had taken me aback was she was transformed with the bee miraculous.
The sight stupefied me before my anger began to bubble. What is going on? Who is this girl? Why does she get to wear a miraculous before me?
Master told me I had to complete my training before I can bare the miraculous. I have been doing it for nearly a year now. But he dares to let this blonde female have a miraculous without the proper training before me!
"What is the meaning of this?" I growled, jumping off of the bench and pointing an accusing finger at the other eight-year-old.
"Calm down, my child," the old man said, "This is Vesperia. She is a new member of the miraculous team. So, I expect you to treat her nicely as you would a friend. She has a...bit of problem and needs the miraculous to help her with it."
I continued to scowl at the two of them and huffed. This was so unfair!
"Pouting is unbecoming of a future superhero," Fu stated, "There are going to be times when life will not give you what you want but what you need. I suggest you work out whatever is troubling you and solve your problem."
"There he goes talking in riddles again," I thought, rolling my eyes. Still, I heed his words and bow in understanding.
"Yes, Master Fu."
Fu turned from me to the girl and urged her toward me. I straightened my posture as she shyly walked over. I noticed she wobbled quite a bit and it almost seemed as if her legs would give out under her at any moment. I raised an eyebrow at this but I had to halt my curiosity.
The first rule of being a hero is to keep identities unknown, even from your own teammates.
Master Fu disappeared out of sight as he walked away.
"Vesperia, was it? I am Chat Noir," I greeted. I am still spiteful but I do not show it. This is outrageous! A dangerous, magical item in the hands of an inexperienced child. Especially one who stumbles around like a toddler walking for the first time. Master has grown foolish.
He told me it takes time and lots of training before I can wield a miraculous. Now, he is just giving them to random people like handing out free food! How disgraceful!
The girl confirmed with a bashful nod.
I let out a sigh.
Whatever Fu meant, it makes no sense to me. What I want and what I need have nothing to do with this situation.
I have the right to be frustrated.
This girl...
...she is undeserving of a miraculous.
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