A City Divided

Over the course of the past two weeks, the three remaining noble families worked together to bring about their new council. Sitting around the circular table, some old and new faces appeared, with Gabriel standing in front of the portrait of his family. To his immediate right was a slender male in garish attire, his long black hair slicked back, while a goatee surrounded his lips. He sat there with Nadja to his immediate right, her attire being that of a white chemise with a dark blue overdress. On her right sat a slender man with a white shirt and gray vest, his beak-like nose his most distinguishing feature. Beside him sat Zoe Rossi, her attire similar to that of the previous female's but with a dark gray overdress. Between her and Tomoe Tsurugi sat Bishop Damocles, his robes denoting his station in the church.

To the left of Gabriel Agreste sat Anarka Couffaine, her sea attire having not changed, while she kept her eyes downcast. Beside her, a man with pale blue eyes, brown hair and a mustache sat with his finger pushing a pair of glasses up higher on his nose, while another man with a lavender shirt and a black vest sat next to him. "Before this meeting begins, I would like to thank, Mr. Stone," the baron motioned to the man on his right, "Lady Chamack, Mr. Ramier, Bishop Damocles, Lady Couffaine, Mr. Kubdel, and Mr. Barbot for joining our council." He folded his hands. "We thank you for joining us in our desperate hour of need."

"Understand that these were the wishes of the former King," Zoe Rossi commented, "he wanted to make sure that those chosen by us three were dedicated to the ideals of assisting the people of Paris." Looking around at the table, she gave each person a small smile. "Liam, you have been a historian for the longest time, and assisted all in the university in the search of knowledge, but aside from that your family has helped those less fortunate."

Liam smiled and nodded. "My family has always believed that knowledge is not a matter of privilege, but of a right for all."

"Well said." Mr. Stone intoned with a smile. "It's the reason why I've made the guild open to all who wished to learn. Music, acting, and art should be available to all who have the heart."

"Yeah. A lot of good it did my son..." Anarka scoffed. "Luka had a musical soul, but he was never given the chance to let it out." Turning her eyes on Tomoe, she glared at the woman. "Now he's gone, and will never have the opportunity to show just how much talent and skill he really had."

"His loss," Tomoe remarked, "although regrettable, was also his choice."

Glaring at the woman, Anarka growled. "Your daughter killed him!"

If that was enough to sway the Japanese woman, it didn't show. "An action I expressly forbade her to do, and yet might have saved more lives than it cost."

"Ladies," Gabriel's voice stopped all debate, "bickering among ourselves is both pointless, and counter-productive. We cannot change the past anymore than we can change the hearts and minds of those whose determination has been set." He watched as Tomoe's impassive face revealed no trace of emotion, while Anarka turned away with her arms crossed under her bosom. Turning to look at her, he sighed. "Lady Couffaine, I understand your pain far more than you can possibly imagine. Had it been my son, I would be beside myself with both grief and anger, but you weren't admitted to this council so that we can hear you trade barbs with Lady Tsurugi, but so that we can help Paris after the deaths of the royal family."

"I agree." Bishop Damocles added. "The people are in shock because of the attempted coup. Hundreds are dead, and Paris is without the aristocracy." He opened his arms wide to encompass the entire group. "We are the people's only hope for guidance. Many will look to how well we work together as a symbol of Paris. If we are not resolute in our decisions, or if we show we are broken and fighting between ourselves, then the people will lose their faith in our ability to lead them." He then placed his hands together in prayer. "Faith, once broken, is like trust... difficult to mend, and almost impossible to forgive."

"You speak the truth, Bishop Damocles." Gabriel added.

Looking across the table at the Japanese woman, Anarka glowered. "If it was your daughter that died, would you be able to forgive my son?"

"Yes." Tomoe didn't even have to think about the answer before it left her lips, and yet the look of shock on her counterpart's face didn't sway her next words. "It would be hard, if not impossible to feel anything but bitterness and resentment toward him, and my heart would shatter at the memory of my daughter's loss, but I would be able to forgive." Closing her eyes, she bowed her head forward as Anarka's mouth gaped open. "I would also honor my daughter's memory by not questioning her decisions, but by trying to understand why she made them, and forgive them should I not agree with either her reasoning or the outcome."

Liam placed a hand on Anarka's shoulder. "The thing is," he offered, "you're not in this alone. Everyone here either lost someone that night, or had the potential of losing someone. My own son, Jamil was caught in the fighting, but a young lady saved him."

"Who?" Anarka asked.

"He never got her name, only saw her one time as she ran through, defeated a trio of ruffians, and continued on into the fray." Liam smiled. "Jamil is quite taken with the lady. When I asked what she looks like, he says she's a "dark-haired warrior goddess in red" and can barely say much more after that. I do know that had she not been there, he would be dead right now."

Nodding, she sighed. "I'm sorry, it's just... going to take time for me to come to terms with the loss of Luka."

"We all understand," Nadja commented, "and we're here for you whenever you need."

Sitting there with her eyes closed and her head bowed, Anarka rose to her feet. "I thank you all, but... perhaps I'm not the best choice for this position." Only for a calm voice to stop her abruptly.

"That is where you are wrong, dear lady." Bishop Damocles remarked. "It is because of your loss, and your perspective on grieving for your son that you are the perfect addition to this council. You will keep us focused on the matters at hand and honest to the people it is our duty to support, something that all governing bodies must be." He motioned to each of those in attendance. "All of us come from different walks of life; from capable scholars and artists, to those who deal in information and trade." Looking at the woman with sadness in his eyes, he gave her a smile. "Each of us is capable in our own rights, but we can only offer our own perspective on how to help Paris become stronger."

Looking at him, she blinked. "I'm nobody..." she started to say, but was cut off.

"No." Gabriel remarked, prompting her to look at him. "You are a woman that has seen far off places, and shipped everything from gold, to spices and linens. Above all, you can bring in shipments of goods that will aid the people of Paris. Without you, this council may not function properly. The same as with Mr. Kubdel aiding the people in education, or Ms. Chamack passing on information to the people." He gave the woman a soft smile. "You are Lady Anarka Couffaine, a council-woman of Paris, and one of the most influential women in France. That is not a "nobody" in the slightest."

Everyone around the table seemed to share his sentiment, nodding to the older woman. "I'm not sure what help I can be..."

"None of us know what help we can be, dear lady," Jared remarked across from her, "but does that mean we stop trying to help?"

In her mind a memory of Luka flashed. 'Just because you refuse to help those that would assist Paris doesn't mean I will!' She mentally watched as her son turned his back on her. 'Just because we don't know how to help others, doesn't mean we stop trying.'

Anarka looked at the man across the table from her. "No," she breathed, almost in shock, "we do not." A slow nod later, she turned to Gabriel Agreste. "What do you need?"

Gabriel smiled at the woman. "This is my plan to save Paris..."

oOo

Plagg floated within the confines of the room as his chosen slept. Normally, he'd be asleep himself, but over the course of the past couple of days he'd been awakened by a presence in the room, and tonight was no different. Green eyes glowed in the darkness as he looked around the room. Something was amiss, but he couldn't put his whiskers on what, or where. Adrien's soft snoring caused his ear to flicker, but it wasn't the sound that caused him to turn his head sharply, but a motion out the corner of his eye. Floating over, he motioned toward the wall, but there was nothing where he had looked. Turning around, he suddenly saw the ripple near the bed. It was only then that he saw the silver ring starting to slide down the young baron's finger. "INTRUDER!" the Kwami shouted.

Adrien leaped up, but it caused the ring to slide off of his finger. Plagg impacted the solid mass, but a second later, the ring disappeared, the little Kwami following suit moments later. "What?!" he called out as he reached up, twisting the oil lamp near his bed. Light flickered into existence to reveal his bare, lightly toned upper body, a pair of black sleeping breeches covering from his waist to his ankles, as he stood on his bed. Looking around, he heard a giggle from near the window in just enough time to see Vixen leaning against the wall, her hand opening to reveal the black ring.

"Poor little kitty, missing something?" she teased as she flicked the ring up and caught it a second later. Rushing toward her, he thrust his fist out, only for her to move in, grab his wrist and neck, pushing him over until his upper shoulder were pressed against the bottom of the sill. "Don't think that just because you're absolutely sexy that I won't kill you, Adrien Agreste." The hand gripping his neck slid down over his toned chest as her eyes scanned lower. "Although, perhaps I could be persuaded into giving you back the ring... if you're really, really nice to me." her fingers were dancing over his abdomen as she chewed on her lower lip. "I've always wanted you..."

The kick to the side of her head broke her concentration as she staggered, his fist finding her face twice, before his fingers accidentally snagged on a necklace that looked like a fox tail. "YOU SON OF A BITCH!" she screeched, grabbing his other wrist. Yanking him up, she felt his foot impacting her abdomen as he kicked out. The clasp snapped, and the two Miraculous landed on the ground between the pair. Lila impacted the wall, while Adrien landed on his rump.

Plagg appeared, rubbing his head. "Ugh! I hate it when that happens..."

"You think you hate it?" Trixx asked, rubbing her fluffy tail. "Just look at what they did to my Miraculous!"

"Wha-? Trixx?!" Plagg asked as Lila rubbed at the back of her head. She was dressed in a short chemise, which was currently covering nothing below the waist since she was sitting on her rump with her legs spread slightly. Her brown nipples showing through the semi-transparent fabric. If she was worried about whether Adrien would see all she had to offer, it didn't seem to show as she looked straight at the two Miraculous on the ground.

Adrien blinked "I should've known." he snarled. Picking himself up, he rushed forward only for her to doing the same. "Plagg, move!" The little cat Kwami turned to see the girl rushing for him, so he scooped up the ring, and flew up toward the ceiling. Lila barely managed to grab the necklace again when the younger Agreste tackled her around the waist. The pair crashed into the desk with her back on top, and her hips off the edge, her legs wrapped around him, squeezing as he tried to reach for the necklace. Unfortunately, she was keeping it as far above her head as possible, urging him to move himself over her body in that position until his hips pressed against her rump.

He was so focused on getting the necklace, Adrien never noticed that her feet rubbed over his hips, hers moving up and down spreading her scent all over his sleep pants. All he seemed interested in was the necklace. "Oh! Adrien!" she purred, feeling him through the fabric of his clothes, "Mmm!" she moaned in pleasure. "Yes! Just like that! A little more and I'll have these off..." It was then that he realized just what she was doing. His breeches had indeed slid down, but were hanging on, barely, due to the closeness of their bodies.

Glaring at Lila, he slammed his elbow down onto her sternum enough to cause her to cough. She brought down her arms, allowing him to grab the necklace, but he then felt a pair of blows to his side. Reaching across his body, he clutched at his ribs a second before she hit him in the abdomen with her knee. Tearing the necklace out of his grasp, she kicked him in the face until he collapsed on his back. The cold stone floor sending a shock through his back. 'Ow!' his mind reeled at the change in position.

Feeling a chain press against his neck, he opened his eyes to see Lila smiling down at him, straddling his hips with hers, her lower body wiggling and moving in order to relieve him of his final garment. "I'm going to be your first, Adrien, whether you want it or not... and then I'm going to carve up that little trollop at the bakery." Leaning down, she closed her eyes lustfully. "Mmm, I can feel it against me. Just... a little..."

"Plagg..." he choked, "claws... out..." Her eyes widened as his battle suit formed on his body, her head turning in just enough time to see the ring back on his finger, before his fist connected to her face. Going into a roll, she reached up with both hands, touching her bleeding nose.

"You... hit me..." she choked.

Coughing, he rubbed at his throat. "Give me the necklace, Lila, and that's the worst you'll get from me." Black Cat croaked as he coughed.

At the sounds of pounding feet coming toward the door, Lila smirked. "How will you explain this, kitty cat?"

"Easy." Black Cat answered, "I'll just tell them that I saw a young woman sneaking into Adrien Agreste's bedroom, and my partner spirited him away just in case there was any danger. Considering what happened to the royal family, everyone would believe that." Lila glared at him. "How will you explain your presence in the young baron's room?"

"Simple," she lifted her chemise fully to reveal her naked body, "I was coming in to join him in bed." Black Cat took one glance and turned his head away. He realized his error when he heard the slap of bare feet against stone, and turned in just enough time to see Lila wrapping the chain around her neck. Getting up, he ran after her just as she leaped out the window. "Trixx, let's pounce!"

Watching her transform, he stopped, just as he heard a knock at his door. "Plagg, claws in..." he whispered, the green glow flashing just as he moved away from the window.

Nathalie shouldered her way into his bedroom as the young baron readjusted his clothing. "Adrien?! We thought we heard..." Looking around, she saw his bed completely empty, but with him holding his neck by the open window. Rushing over, she wrapped him up in a hug, and guided him back to the bed. Once he was sitting down, she sat next to him. "What happened?"

"Vixen entered my room." he told Nathalie, only for her to check his neck. "She nearly choked me to death."

"Are you alright?" she asked, soothingly.

"Yes, thankfully Black Cat saw her enter my room and managed to fight her off. Had he not been here... I don't know what she would have done."

Nathalie looked over his defensive wounds. "It's a miracle you weren't killed." she commented. "Word on the street is that she's the one that killed up to a dozen men during the coup."

Turning his head away, he looked at his feather bed, his fingertip worrying the blanket. "She... didn't say anything about killing me until after I... refused her."

"What?!" Nathalie gasped.

Even with the horror of what she tried to do, he still found it difficult to say it aloud without heat filling his cheeks. "She tried to force herself on me, but when I refused her, she pushed a thin chain against my neck, choking me." It was a half-truth, but he didn't feel that Nathalie should know all of his secrets.

"Don't worry, we'll have guards look out for Vixen."

He shivered as she wrapped him up in a hug. "There's something else you should know..." he added as she pulled back, looking at him. "She can transform into anyone, but the young woman under the mask is Lila Rossi." Her eyes boggled at the name.

"Are you sure?" she watched as Adrien nodded. "You just said that she can look like anyone, could that have been another of Vixen's tricks, perhaps she was trying to trick you by making you think you were seeing Lila Rossi?"

She watched Adrien shake his head. "The chain she pressed against my neck was what helps her to look like anyone. I... snagged it and pulled it off of her in the scuffle." He looked right at Nathalie with such conviction in his eyes that she couldn't doubt his next words. "Vixen is Lila Rossi, I know it just as I know she's responsible for all of those murders."

Nathalie hugged him close, her eyes shut tight. 'Dear god let it all be a mistake!' Her mind was reeling from the prospects of a noble woman like Lila Rossi being some psychotic murderer. "First thing's first, we need to make sure you're safe."

It stunned her when Adrien pulled away. "No, the first thing we need to do is make sure Marinette is safe."

"What?" Nathalie asked, but the worry in his emerald green eyes caused her blood to run cold. "You don't think..."

"Yes, I do."

Standing up, she looked at the young baron. "Get dressed, we're going to the bakery." Leaving his room, she never saw him pull on a pair of regular breeches, a simple green tunic, his boots, and wrap his sword belt around his waist. Nathalie was too busy putting on her sword belt, and preparing herself to potentially kill a noble. When she was joined by Adrien, the pair made their way out of the mansion, and through the deserted streets of Paris. 'If anything has happened to his betrothed, I'll slam that bitch's head down in front of her mother during their next meeting!'