"And here it is." Madame Lahiffe said as she unlocked the door. She held her arm letting Adrien and Kagami inside. "It's not much but I hope it's too your liking."
"It's beautiful," Adrien said looking around.
"Oh you're two kind." Madame Lahiffe laughed a little before starting to shut the door. "I'll let you get comfortable. My son Nino will be in a little bit to bring some clean blankets. Make yourself at home."
"Thank you!" Adrien called out with a wave.
"Finally." Plagg flew out and shook a little. "I need a break from hiding in your cloak."
"You must be as careful as possible!" Kagami whispered harshly, marching to the kwami.
"Hey I'm not the one with permanate horns on my head." Adrien glared at Plagg as Kagami sheepishly touched said horns. "What I'm like 10 centimeters tall! It's easy for me to hide. Those are attached to her head."
"At least they don't move." Kagami started to walk away but remained glaring at Plagg. "Unlike a certain little easily bored cat."
"I know let's walk around our new home!" Adrien stepped in between the two. "Get to know our new surroundings."
"We're the kitchen. The room right there is the washroom. We entered into a small sitting room. And that ladder leads to the bedroom." Kagami stared fiercely at Adrien. Before stroking her hair a little and speaking again. "Now we should discuss how we intend to keep this home. We were graciously given the first month by Marinette, but we cannot except her to pay each month. What we need is a source of income."
"But the money she gave should at least cover next months." Adrien looked into the small bag.
"It may cover rent but we also have to worry about food, clothes, and other necessities." Kagami reached for the bag and grabbed it. "In fact I will be back. You need something more modern and less eye catching to wear day to day."
With out another word Kagami left and Adrien sighed and sat down.
"I have no idea what's gotten into her." Plagg flew over before looking around. "And I've spent the past three centuries with just her to talk too."
"We don't have to rush anything, we're a new, amazing world!" Adrien stood up and spun around a bit. "I want explore. I want to experience everything for myself. I want to. I want to live."
"Am I interrupting something?" Adrien turned around as Plagg flew behind something. In the doorway stood a young man holding a pile of blankets. He looked around for moment. "Oh I thought there were two people moving in?"
"Oh, uh my friend Kagami quickly ran out to get some stuff." Adrien laughed a little. Trying his hardest not to move his arms and expose his clothes.
"Ah I see." Nino put the pile of blankets on the table. He held out his hand with a smile. Adrien slowly lifted his hand, careful not to show any of his outfit. "Well I'll let you get settle in. See you later."
"Bye!" Adrien gave a small wave as Nino left.
"Wow look at you already making a friend." Plagg flew out from with hiding spot with a smile.
"I wouldn't call it a friend. Just someone I met. I don't even know his name."
"Well it's a start." Plagg floated around a bit. "No offense kid but you need to learn how to make friends without you parents breathing down your neck."
"I doubt I even know how."
"Well answer me this, is Marinette your friend?"
"Marinette? Well she is a very good friend. She's done so much for me in so little time. I am very indebted to her. Out of what appears to be pure kindness she let me and Kagami in and even found a place for us to stay. She could have just left us but no she's gone above and beyond for us. And we're strangers to her. I can't begin to imagine what she'll do for her friends. Like those she's known for years. She's so kind and generous. Absolutely amazing. If I had the opportunity too I'd for sure make her my queen. She has all the makings of one. Maybe somehow she could beat my mother as most beloved one."
"Wow you got your whole future with her planned out?"
"No I just thinking." Adrien looked down as he walked over to the window. "Just thinking of, well if could have met under different circumstances."
"Finally we can relax." Marc said as he flew up to the hammock he and Nathaniel shared.
"I hopefully this last more than a day." Nathaniel flew next to Marc and snuggled with him.
"Don't worry I requested a short leave with the queens." Marinette sighed a little. "We can hopefully enjoy some downtime for a bit."
"And besides you do have a party to go to!" Tikki flew into the air and spun around.
"Lady Audrey's party should be something." Marinette shuttered for a second. "Not really looking forward to it but Rose is excepting me. Not to mention Chloe could throw a fit. And while she is very annoying she did pay me well so I guess it's worth it."
"Besides it's not every day you get to go to a fancy party." Tikki flew over with a shy smile. "And imagine the sweets and pastries that will be there!"
"Guess it could be fun." Marinette started to walk over to her closet. "And luckily I do have something I can wear."
Marinette dug through her closet. Marc and Nathaniel flew over and along with Tikki, didn't look away. Some time later, Marinette pulled out a deep red dress. It was clearly unfinished but there was still a lot of work put into it. The sleeves were short and flowing and the shirt had a flew layers to it, each of them resembling rose petals. Marinette smiled looking over her project. She twirled a little and she made her way to her small mannequin. It was a decent quality and Marinette and saved a lot to purchase it. And it made dress making much easier. She placed the dress gently over the mannequin, adjusting it as she did. Once that was done, she opened her small book of designs and turned to the one for this dress.
"With a few more touches it will be perfect!" Marinette cheered.
"I thought you only designed garments." Marc said as he looked over the dress. "Like aprons and such. And fixed your friends' clothes occasionally."
"Well it's easier for me to design smaller things but this gown has been my passion project ever since I became the Ladybug Knight. I've worked on it between missions and now I have an excuse to finish it."
"I'm sure it will be great!" Nathaniel smiled before working with Marc. "I'm sure Marc and I could add a little special something to it."
"Nothing too extreme though. Can't outshine the Bourgeois."
"You wouldn't to have a secret project for and Adrien in there." Tikki smiled slyly before flying over to Marinette's closet.
"Why would I need something for Adrien?"
"Well Rose did say she looked forward to seeing you and Adrien."
"A magical ball date how romantic," Marc sighed. "Imagine the two of your entering. All eyes are turn towards you but the two of you cannot look away from each other. Then the music changes to a slow dance and you and Adrien are drawn to each. You cannot look away as the music takes over. And you realize you are soulmates. To seal this you then..."
"There's no need for that!" Marinette yelled as her face started to heat up. "And besides while I am allowed a plus one, Adrien wouldn't want to go. He was prince his whole life was balls and formal event. I've heard Jess complain about it all the time. He needs a break from..."
Marinette stopped and buried her head in her hands.
"Marinette?"
"How long?" Marinette asked turned towards her friends. "How long must I keep this secret from him?" I made a promise to him to help him find the ones who cursed him. But I already know. Everyone knows but him and it's not fair. The longer we keep this from him, the worse it will be when he does find out."
"Marinette listen." Tikki spoke slowly. "Kagami requested she tell him. She has known Adrien longer than anybody. She just wants Adrien to adjust to his new life. She's known him longer than anyone. Even Plagg believe or not. I wish we could tell him to but I wish to respect Kagami wishes. At least for the time being."
"But I just have this feeling," Marinette shook a little. "A feeling that if we don't tell him it will implode on us. Shouldn't we just bite the bullet and get over with it. I know it will be painful for him. Very painful. But in the long run it could be worth it for him to know."
"I understand but sometimes thing just don't work that way."
"Wait," Marinette thought to herself. "Maybe I can lead Adrien down the path to leading to his parents. Like find clues that point to his parents cursing him. If he figures it out himself I won't be going against my word and hopefully things won't be so bad for Adrien. I'll have to play dumb on knowing but it can work for now."
Marinette heard laughter coming from the room and saw her friends working on the dress.
"But first, I have to make sure my friends don't go too overboard."