Marinette was being obnoxious. She knew she was being obnoxious. She couldn't help it and there was zero percent chance she was going to stop. Every person she passed on her way in was offered a bright good morning and a macaroon. She'd swiped five dozen from the bakery under her astonished parents' noses and Would not rest until sixty people had a taste of something just a fraction as sweet as what she had.
She caught Alya and Nino on their way in. She shoved an entire box into Nino's hands and dragged Alya a few steps away. Her friend's confused look only amplified when Marinette hooked an arm around her neck and leaned in close, a smug smile on her face.
Just when Alya looked to be ready to die or kill from the anticipation Marinette giggled and whispered to her,"I think I found my partner for Super Penguino."
Alya's eyes went almost as big as her glasses. She called over her shoulder,"We'll meet you at school." Then bodily hauled Marinette further off for some privacy, leaving a befuddled Nino munching on pastries behind. She pulled Marinette into an empty bus shelter and Marinette was treated to the full range of mental calculations playing across her friend's face. Was this what it had been like for Alya watching her work through a fit about Adrien?
Alya's mind went through all the necessary adjustments then finally,"You?"
Marinette nodded.
"The Cat?"
Marinette nodded again, trying and failing to keep the smile off her face.
Ayla leaned in suddenly,"You're sure?"
One more nod.
A momentary pause, then her friend took hold of her shoulders and jumped for joy. Alya's congratulations tumbled over each other and Marinette's own giggles and explanations joined in the incomprehensible mix as they bounced together in a little circle. It ended with Alya hugging Marinette tightly,"Oh girl I'm so happy for you."
As the hug broke Marinette smiled sheepishly,"I figured you were going to tease me."
Alya drew Marinette out from their refuge and back on the way to school,"Oh I am. After everything you've said about him in the last year? No way you get off without a little bit of fun. Right now I'm just happy, for both of you. After all, even if he doesn't know it, that cat finally did win his Lady."
Marinette blushed heavier than she expected and ducked the lower half of her face into her new scarf,"It's still kind of a shock. I mean, I knew what I was doing in theory when I started spending more time with Cat, but I never really expected." she gestured helplessly,"I can't even tell you when things really changed."
Alya's look was pure smugness,"That, Marinette, is because they didn't change." She reached across and poked Marinette on the cheek,"You did."
Marinette blinked,"Me?"
Alya adjusted her bag,"uh huh. You got out of your head for a change. I'd kiss whoever helped pull you out, I've been trying since I knew you."
Marinette chewed on that, but then the thought of Alya kissing Adrikat made her have to stifle a new fit of giggles. Alya eyed her, but gave it a pass just asking,"So, what happens now?"
Marinette had another helpless look,"How should I know? A few weeks ago now wasn't even a real place."
Alya smirked,"And what about Adrien?"
Marinette glanced past Alya's shoulder,"Looks like we're about to find out."
Alya followed her gaze to the boy in question, trotting up the stairs just ahead of them. Alya shot a concerned look back to Marinette, but she was already picking up speed, opening her bag as she came even with Adrien; a scenario begging for disaster under old rules.
"Morning Adrien!" she chimed, successfully fishing a small box out of her bag.
"Good morning Marinette." he answered back in his usual light tone. Did that smile linger a little longer than normal?
Marinette smiled back,"So, you see-" she fumbled the box and her words a touch, some things didn't change quickly, but she recovered both which was a start,"I had something really good happen last night, and woke up this morning with a ton of energy." She shook the box a little,"I helped my parents make Macaroons and brought some for everyone, but I remembered you like passionfruit so I made a few special ones and set them aside." she offered out the box.
She caught it, just the briefest flash of a Cat Noir grin in response to her admission. It slipped back into Adrien's soft smile quickly though, but that smile lingered. As he took the box his fingers brushed hers and neither of them panicked in the moment,"That's sweet of you Marinette." he looked down at the box,"I suppose whatever it is, I hope it happens again soon. It seems like we all win when it does." he gave the box a little shake and there was the tug of a grin again; she loved it.
Marinette waved and let him slip ahead, waiting for Alya to catch up. "It looks like things are going to be fine." she beamed.
Alya shook her head in disbelief,"We need to get Cat Noir to kiss you a few more times. You'll have Hawkmoth in the bag by the weekend."
Lila had been running through personas all morning trying to find the right fit. She knew her goal; get Marinette alone and keep her isolated. The problem was Marinette still didn't trust Lila one bit.
All through morning classes she ran through conversations in her head. Sweet, apologetic, conspiritus, demanding, cajoling, blackmail, she performed them all for the audience in her head, trying to find one that would work.
In her purse an akuma fluttered impatiently. It took enormous control to keep her frustration in check and not attract its hunger. Control was one thing Lila prided herself on. You always had to have control, and if you didn't then you took it from someone else.
Marinette seemed distracted this morning. She was bubbling, full of life, and talking too easily to Adrien. Lila had to check herself, anger would get her akumatized too soon. The distraction helped make up Lila's mind. She put herself into the role as the lunch bell rang and lingered just outside the classroom, waiting for Marinette to finish some trifling class rep work.
No doubt she had plans, Marinette was never alone long, but between those moments Lila could pounce, and she did.
"Marinette!" Lila snatched for her hand and caught it before Marinette could pull away. Then it was run down the stairs dragging her along,"Come quickly! It's Adrien!" Lila put a panicked whine in her voice and flashed a matching look over her shoulder. Lila imagined Adrien actually hurt and the expression came easily. Adrien, one thing both girls valued, the perfect angle of attack.
They hit the courtyard and Lila felt a resistance, Marinette tugging back, doubting. Time for act two. Lila let go and turned,"He was trying to get a lost cat out of the boiler room.". Something so very Adrien,"I think he's hurt." A glance over her shoulder to sell it. When she looked back there was still skepticism but doubt in Marinette's eyes. Marinette opened her mouth to speak, time for act three. Lila gripped her own hair and shook her head,"Fine don't believe me, I'll help him myself!" Then she turned and fled.
Lila didn't look back once. That'd be a dead giveaway. You're worried, you're panicked, you even went to Marinette. Sell it. Lila stumbled on the steps down to the boiler room, a happy accident. Hopefully Marinette's doubt had kept her back a pace. This would get complicated if she was too close. Lila rounded the corner and darted into the boiler room, sidestepping immediately to hug one side of the door on the opposite side. Who knew why the janitor never locked this place, his laziness was her gain though.
Lila bit her lip to hold her breathing down. She counted seconds to try and remain calm. This was the most direct action she had taken yet. The fear was a rush.
Marinette came through the door at a run, perfect. Lila darted out right behind her then jumped backwards out of the room. Marinette was several steps in, just turning and the betrayal registering on her face when Lila slammed the door shut and wedged it with the janitor's broom handle, something swiped just for this plan. Almost immediately a muffled pounding on the door, and barely-heard shouts. Hopefully it would do.
Lila turned and reached into her purse, measuring her stride. She felt the gentle touch of the Akuma and coaxed it out with bitter thoughts for Ladybug. She touched it to her diary, more bitterness in there than any Akuma could resist. The akuma melded with the object and Lila felt the pressure of Hawmoth's presence in her mind.
It is done Hawkmoth.
Excellent. Now come, Enchantress. I give you a new form and new power. You have but one shot, and one target. Bind them to your vision and we will have our victory over Ladybug.
I can't wait.
Dark power enveloped Lila, and in her place, a beautiful woman with boldly red hair and diaphanous green silks. Light sparkled from her fingertips in glittering cascades. She looked down at herself and let out a sweet laugh that turned mockingly sour. "Such a show I shall put on for our black clad audience."
Marinette burned off some of her frustration on the door, and more on yelling, then sat down to consider her situation. She could wait, but Lila wanted her out of the way for some reason and it wouldn't be good. She could turn into Ladybug and break her way out but that would raise too many questions. Marinette knocking a door off its hinges would be problematic.
Marinette opened her purse,"Tikki, would you mind going out for a little peek?"
The spotted kwamii floated out and eyed the door skeptically.
"No one should be there to see you or they would have answered me. I can't see Lila hanging around her handiwork."
"Okay Marinette, I'll be right back."
Tikki phased out through the door. Marinette waited with growing nerves. There was a clatter then Tikki came back smiling,"All fixed Marinette."
Marinette grabbed Tikki out of the air and gave her a quick cuddle,"You're the best!" Then they were off. Marinette threw open the door and ran full tilt uo to and through the courtyard. The lunchroom, library, labs, art room, classrooms, she checked them all; no Lila. No Adrien either.
Marinette slowed enough to catch a glimpse of the news on a student's phone. An akuma attack! Cat Noir was already there. A chill ran up Marinette's spine. Could Lila know? She had to hope not. Lila had plenty of hate for Marinette all on her own. Pushing that thought aside, Marinette made for the nearest exit. Ladybug was late.