Authors notes: Okay so I'm building up to the actual birthday. I wanted to get some of Trixx's personality in first. I also wanted to get some drama set up for the following day. I hope you like it. Let me know if I'm dragging it out too much. I dont want it to become boring.
"This is so cool!!" Alya said in amazement. "That explains why you can just walk around with your miraculous, and nobody would notice!"
"Yes but I would prefer you keep that off the blog, and don't go jumping to conclusions everytime you see someone wearing round earrings, or a ring on their finger. Last thing you need is another Lady Wifi incident." Ladybug replied seriously.
Alya's face fell a little at the request, but Ladybug knew she would respect it. "Oh before I go I have something else you will need."
Ladybug opened her yoyo as she spoke and pulled out a small bag of beef jerky. Alya's expression became confused as she took it from the hero.
" Oh! Oh! You remembered my favorite food." Trixx said happily as she spotted the bag.
Ladybug smiled at the kwami then turned back to Alya. "You will need to keep some with you at all times. You don't know this because you don't normally keep the miraculous long after a fight, but your kwami will need to recharge after every transformation." She explained.
"Oh!? Okay I can do that, is there anything else I need to know?" Alya asked.
"Trixx can fill in the rest. Although I must ask that you do not tell Nino about this if you can help it." Ladybug replied.
Alya's eyebrows furrowed together in confusion, Nino already knew her identity. In fact it was Ladybug who had revealed it to him.
"Why not?" She asked carefully as if afraid to question Ladybug. (In a not reporter manner at least.)
"I can't promise I can do the same on his birthday, and I don't want anyone to think I'm picking favorites." Ladybug replied simply. Although secretly Ladybug knew that was exactly what she was doing.
Alya nodded in understanding, she may not particularly like it since it will be hard enough trying to do an interview of herself. Let alone by herself but she can make due, and won't disrespect Ladybugs wishes.
"Okay I have to head out, there are some things I need to take care of before patrol. If you plan on joining us, we will be meeting at the Eiffel Tower. If not have a good night, enjoy your slumber party, and happy birthday." Ladybug said then before Alya could respond jumped out the window and into the night.
Alya stared after Ladybug, unable to completely wrap her mind around everything.
"Well are you just going to stare out that window all night, or are we going to get this party started?" Trixx said suddenly, snapping Alya back to reality.
"Sorry, I guess I feel like I'm in a dream and will be waking up any minute." Alya replied turning to the little fox kwami.
Trixx smiled at her holder. "Well I'm glad you're happy." The kwami said before flying around the small bedroom.
Alya's bed was part of an alcove with a book shelf. The wall to the left of the bed has a small desk and computer set up with some shelves above, and also a closet to the far left. The wall to the right of the bed had a beaniey seat and a map on the wall. There is also a door that leads to the rest of the house on the far right. The wall opposite of the bed was actually windows with a door that leads to a small balcony.
"Nice digs." Trixx said as she took everything in.
"Thanks." Alya replied suddenly looking uncertain now that the excitment has warn off. " So do I need to set up a food and water bowl for you, or something?"
Trixx let out a loud laugh. "No. We kwamis are divine, sprite-like beings who embody abstract concepts. We are given physical form through the miraculous, and appear in the animal form that best represents whatever concepts or emotion that we represent. And while we enjoy trying human indulgences we only require food when our energy levels are low."
Alya stared blankly at the kwami. " Human indulgences?" She repeated in uncertainty.
"Yeah, you know different types of foods and ways to make them. As well as cool objects in your world like paintbrushes and dominoes." Said the kwami in a very excited tone.
"Ooo-kaay?... So your favorite food is beef jerky?" Alya asked looking at the bag still in her hand. She was starting to realize just how unusual the kwamis really are and not just because they are magical.
"Technically it's meat. Stake, pork chops, lamb roast, sushi... Oh definitely sushi! But I doubt its practical to carry raw fish with you, is it.?" Trixx looked at Alya with a bit of hope.
Alya cringed internally, slight panic written on her face at the idea of carrying sushi around with her even just for a day. " No. No it most definitely is not." She said quickly.
Trixx's face fell a bit but did not seemed surprised. Alya noticed her disappointment and turned to hit the space key on her computer. The time is just a little before 10:20 PM.
"You know, we still have a little more than a half hour before the time Ladybug said patrol starts. And I happen to know a late open sushi shop on the other side of town."
Trixx lit up at the idea. "Oh, can we go? Can we!?" She asked excitedly.
Making sure she has her phone, Alya grabbed her purse putting the bag of jerky in it; and checking for her wallet. " We will need to transform to sneak out and get across town. But Nora is home to watch the twins if they wake up so we should be good to go." She said.
Trixx smiled widely. "You know the words." she simply said.
"Trixx, let's pounce."
Rena Rouge was on her way to the Eiffel Tower. Alya is not sure how but Trixx had eaten a packet of 5 sashimi slices each one almost the size of her. It was equally fascinating as it was disturbing. But one thing is certain Alya does not want to know where the kwami put it all.
"Hey Rena Rouge." Ladybug who was already there greeted Rena as she landed on the tower.
"Hey Ladybug." Rena replied.
"Not that I mind, but why is this sneaky fox joining us tonight? Did I miss an akuma or something?" Chat Noir asked as he hopped on to the platform.
" No silly kitty, you did not miss an akuma attack. I asked to let Rena Rouge have her miraculous for the next 24, as a practice trial if we need a more permanent teammate." Ladybug replied giving Rena a look that said play along.
Rena immediately caught on. " Yeah, Ladybug said it is not likely but wanted to make sure I could if the situation ever arises." She said quickly. Part of Rena Rouge was disappointed that that was not the real reason. But knew it was for secret identity reasons.
"Well it's nice to see you again Rena Rouge. It will be nice to have someone else to purr my punts to." Chat said slightly opening his arms as if waiting for an audience to applaud him.
Both girls just stared at him unamused. Ladybug finally had to break the silence. "Well let's get this night over with so we can all get some sleep." She said before vaulting off the tower, Rena immediately followed. Chat grumbled a bit under his breath but followed as well.
Patrol only took an hour and a half. It was a very quiet night with the exception of Chat Noir's constant puns and flirting. Rena Rouge was starting to wonder how Ladybug put up with him constantly.
Evidently the trio said their goodnights and went their separate ways. Rena Rouge let out a happy but tired sigh as she landed on her balcony and dropped her transformation.
Alya was about to pull out a pin and paper to get the interview for herself written out and maybe make an audio recording of her questions when a voice stopped her. "Hey aren't you forgetting something?" Trixx asked.
"Oh, right I'm sorry do you want me to set you up a little bed or something?" Alya asked turning to the kwami.
"No I can just sleep with you on your bed, I was talking about the beef jerky in your bag." Trixx replied expectedly.
Alya blinked in confusion. "Didn't you just have a bunch of sushi before patrol?"
Trixx rolled her eyes. "I need to eat after every transformation to recharge. The food is broken down into energy the moment I swallow it, and then is used to power the next transformation." She explained.
Alya was not sure what to make of that so she just pulled out a piece of jerky and handed it to the kwami. "Anything else?" She asked.
Trixx took 2 large bites of the jerky. "No that should be good you have a great nights sleep." She said before throwing the last bite into her mouth.
Alya smiled, her reporter smile. "I'm not going to bed just yet. I need to finish posting the latest akuma attack on my blog. And since I only have you for a short amount of time I need to try and use this time to make an interview with Rena Rouge. I already have people asking why I have not gotten one yet." Alya explained.
"But it's late and you have a big day tomorrow. If you wanted to do the interview thing you should have skipped patrol." Trixx said as she watched her holder sit down at her desk top.
"And miss spending time with my 2 most favorite superheros. No way was I missing that, besides after tonight I'm beginning to think they do patrol more so to hang out then to actually do superhero work." Alya replied already on her blog finishing up from earlier.
"Okay, is there anything I can do to help?" Trixx asked floating over to sit on the shelf right above the desk.
Alya stopped to think about that. "Hmm, not at the current moment. When I started recording for the interview you can but unless you know some good reporter questions I doubt you can really help with the prepping part." Alya replied looking up at the kwami slightly apologetic.
Trixx shrugged. "I suppose I might have a few suggestions, but I'm guessing you already have a list in mind." She said flying down to see the ladyblog.
"Your not wrong." Alya said finishing her post. She was about to close her blog when Trixx grabbed her hand stopping her.
"Do you mind if I take a look?" The kwami asked looking at her holder.
Alya smiled. "Not at all, do I need to show you how to use the computer?"
" Yes please." Trixx said.
Alya took a few moments to explain the basics of operating the computer. Showing her how the mouse and keyboard worked. Then explained how the blog operated. "Let me know if you have any questions or need any help." Alya said giving the kwami control, and pulling out a piece of paper to start her interview.
For a while the 2 settled into a comfortable silence. The only sound being from the videos Trixx played, and the writing of Alya's pencil. Then Alya heard Lila's interview playing, smiling she looked up only to see her little companion scowling at the screen.
"Is everything okay?" Alya asked confused by Trixx's reaction to her friends video.
"I don't know much about reporting but I thought you would be one to look for the truth. Please tell me you aren't one of those reporters that simply posts whatever gives them a good story, whether it's the truth or not." Trixx said looking at her holder with disappointment.
Alya was taken aback by the unexpected accusation. "I would never be petty like that. A good reporter always verifies their sources." Alya said firmly.
"So Ladybug confirmed this Lila girl's claims?" Trixx asked, there was doubt in her voice and her eyebrows were furrowed together in confusion.
Alya frowned suddenly feeling unsure of herself. "Well no, but why Lila lie about something like that?"
Trixx's eyes narrowed slightly. " To draw attention to herself." She replied bluntly.
"Lila wouldn't do that." Alya said stubbornly, but Trixx could see the doubt forming in her eyes.
"Listen Alya. I'm the kwami of illusion, if it's one thing I know its deception. And that girl." Trixx pointed to the screen where Lila's video was still open. "That girl is the type to make an illusion of herself that draws people in but is no where near the truth. I'll bet she doesn't even know who she truly is herself." Trixx said with detest.
"Well... I won't argue that some of her stories might be a bit exaggerated." Alya said slowly not quite ready to give up on Lila. But you could hear the uncertainty in her voice.
Trixx sighed. "Alya. As Rena Rouge, you ARE an official friend of Ladybug. Tell me, what would happen if you posted your connection to Ladybug on your blog?" Trixx asked tentatively.
Alya felt her stomach drop, her face pailed as she could no longer ignore her mistake. Marinette had told her Lila was a liar, and Ayla had failed to check if what Lila said was true. She did exactly what Trixx had just accused her of doing, posting a story just because it sounded good.
Alya's voice was full of defeat and guilt as she finally answered Trixx's question. "I would break Ladybugs trust, while endangering my friends and family, on top of myself."
Trixx smiled, proud to see her holder own up to her mistake. "Its okay to make mistakes, as long as you learn from them. And correct them if you can."
Alya nodded. "I will need to take down that post immediately, and post an apology..." Alya said more to herself then her kwami as she went over how to correct her actions. "I will also need to make an apology to Marinette for believing Lila over her."
"You did what now?" Trixx asked in disbelief at the new information.
Alya sighed as she got to work at removing the video. "My best friend Marinette tried to tell me at one point that Lila was a liar. I asked Marinette if she had proof instead of just trusting my best friend. Gosh I'm such a hypocrite!"
Trixx frowned upon hearing her holder berate herself. She had not ment to upset Alya only point out what Trixx had deemed a learning curve. Some birthday gift she was turning out to be.
But at the same time she could not deny the disappointment in hearing that Alya did not listen to Tikki's holder when she tried to point it out. She thought her holder was smarter than that. "Why did you do that?" Trixx asked.
"I just thought Marinette was being jealous. Lila likes the same boy as her and she has this habbit of going overboard when it involves her school crush." Alya explained.
Trixx nodded, she has been around long enough to know that even the best of people can cause unnecessary conflict over such matters.
The 2 if them stayed quiet for a while after that as Alya typed away. Once done Alya spoke as she tried to rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "Okay, post is down. Apology is up." She said simply.
Trixx nodded then looked at Alya's bed. A mischievous smile lit up the little fox kwami's face. She flew over to the bed and picked up Alya's pillow flying it over the top of her unsuspecting holder.
Alya was startled by her pillow being dropped on her head out of no where. "Hey!" She shouted looking up at kwami.
"Alright Alya, off to bed with the birthday girl." Trixx declared with her tiny hands on her hips.
Alya's eyes narrowed in challenge. "Or what?" She demanded with a slightly amused smile.
Before Alya could comprehend what was happening Trixx turned into a orange and white blur that began mercilessly tickling the teenager.