Rose Petal Inn

"Auberge de pétales de rose?" Black Cat heard beside him as he crouched upon a roof, looking at the triple level structure. Ladybird Beetle narrowed her eyes at sign above the building's door. "Do you think this Rose Petal Inn is the source of the recent kidnappings?" Although it was dark, there were a few things the pair could discern. Mostly what they figured out was that the rooms being occupied had a red glow due to the lights inside being muted by the barely opaque drapes, and those occupied rooms were currently emitting sounds. He could already feel heat in his cheeks that he hoped his partner couldn't see in the oppressive darkness.

"In truth, I didn't know there had been any until I saw four men accosting a young woman." Black Cat narrowed his eyes.

She nodded. "The only girls to disappear were far to the East of the Seine, but I guess they felt it was worth the risk tonight." Looking to the side, she smiled at her partner. "Thank you, by the way, for saving that girl."

"You're welcome." He took a deep breath and let it out, trying not to become more enraged at the prospects of someone doing "that" to Marinette. "What's the plan here?"

Looking back at the building, she narrowed her eyes. "As much as I would love to transform and do some initial investigation, I'm not sure either of us is open to revealing our secret identities, especially to a potential enemy." Heat started to color her cheeks as she spoke again, in a softer tone. "Besides, I don't think I'm ready to do anything like... that... just to find out who we're fighting." The sounds of young women and men using each other's bodies for their lustful pursuits flowed out on the wind, causing her lower body to clench almost painfully.

"Agreed." Black Cat shivered, his tail twitching, "I especially don't want to do anything "romantic" with someone I don't love, but how are we going to find out who we're fighting?"

"First we need to make sure they are the enemy." Ladybird Beetle remarked. "I want to talk with the owner of this "inn" before I make any decisions. Stay here for right now, if you start hearing a fight, you have my permission to kick in their teeth." With a leap, the super-heroine landed in front of the inn in a crouch, the fingertips of her right hand barely touching the ground while her other was thrust out to the side. The man at the door jumped at the sight of her, his hand going to his weapon as she stood and approached the double doors.

The front of the inn appeared to be just like all the others except for the stained glass windows in the two cherry wood doors that showed red roses with petals floating around to the ground. She watched as the guard stepped in front of the double doors, his hand hovering over the hilt of his rapier. "What business do you have here?" he growled.

"I wish to speak with the owner of this establishment." she announced.

Narrowing his eyes, the man kept his hand hovering over the hilt of his sword. "This inn plays host to a variety of clientele, and none are permitted inside with arms or armor." Glaring at her, he sneered, "If you wish to gain entrance, then you'll return in more appropriate dress."

Crossing her arms, she smirked. "Who said I wanted to gain entrance? I'm more than happy to have your employer meet with me here... or do you fear an unarmed woman when you clearly have guards everywhere?" Uncrossing her arms, she spread them to the side as his eyes darted around. "Yes, I'm aware that you have no less than five men surrounding me, not including yourself, all armed, and all while I'm making a reasonable request."

Glowering at her, he sighed. Backing up a step, he opened the door ever so slightly, and spoke quietly to the person behind the door. Closing the portal again, he stepped forward and to the side. "I've made your request, but whether the boss wishes to speak with you is up to them." Standing in the dark, the glows from the inn and the moon the only illumination, the pair seemed intent on glowering at each other before the door opened disgorging a trio of women, two younger than the one in the center.

"I understand you wished to speak with me?" the woman in the center asked. Attired in a teal dress with a white bodice that seemed to enhance her slender waist, robust bosom, and hips, a gold necklace hung to the center of her chest, while her long reddish-orange hair was done up in a bun at the back of her head. Teal eyes gazed at Ladybird Beetle, but not unkindly as she picked up her skirt and gave a cordial curtsy. "Madam Caline Bustier, proprietor and owner of the "Rose Petal Inn", legal lady of the evening, and purveyor of love in all its forms, at your service." Once she was back to her full height, she motioned to the girl on her left.

"My attendants, Rose," the girl was lovely to the eyes with a petite hourglass figure, her pink dress and white bodice enhancing her natural blush, while her shoulder-length blond hair seemed to practically glow in the light, and those cerulean orbs closed as she rendered her own curtsy at the mention of her name, "and Juleka." Caline motioned to her right. The other girl couldn't have been more different from the first, with long black hair that fell to the backs of her calves, and over one of her copper eyes. Attired in a black leather bodice, breeches, and boots that hugged her more generous curves, she brought her arms up, crossing them under her bosom to reveal leather gloves that reached down her arms, but had been cut to reveal her fingers and thumbs. This girl didn't curtsy, but instead seemed to scrutinize her.

Ladybird Beetle gave a gracious motion of a curtsy as well, although she didn't have a skirt with which to grab. "I am Ladybird Beetle, a recent arrival to this fair city, and although I have been impressed, one thing I did not like seeing was someone attempting to kidnap a young woman tonight." If the woman in the center was shocked by this news, she didn't show, while the two attendants looked at each other with shocked glances. "When questioned, he directed our investigation here. I only wish to know what information you have. After which, I wish to leave you and your establishment in peace."

"Although I have heard of the disappearances of young girls," Madam Bustier announced, "I know nothing more of these abductions. Each of the people I employ," she seemed to notice something in Ladybird Beetle's demeanor shift, "yes, employ, work here of their own free will. I do not, nor will I ever, remove people from the streets in order to subjugate them. This is a house of beauty, and of love, whatever some may feel about my chosen profession, love cannot be enjoyed by both recipients when it is forced." Although her tone seems cold, her eyes shone with a kindness that caused Marinette to breathe in slowly.

"My apologies if I have inadvertently insulted you, Madam, it was not my intention." Ladybird Beetle commented. "I was only wishing to know why someone would direct me here. Would you have any idea of a rival, or anyone else, who would want to scandalize you, and your establishment?"

"I know many that would do such." she crossed her arms under her bosom, closing her eyes and dropping her head ever so slightly. "Although my employees, and I, provide a valuable service. Many see what we do as... immoral, but love isn't easy for many, and some only wish to feel the gentle touch of someone who cares, or a sympathetic ear to listen. We provide that for them. The only reason why we even charge a fee is to pay the girls for their time, and to keep up with tax payments to King Bourgeois." She gives Ladybird Beetle a small smile. "You probably take in more money than I on a yearly basis as a wandering warrior, and are more respected in that profession, but the idea of leaving even one person without a loving touch, or without someone who cares enough to hold them on a cold night, hurts me physically."

Bowing her head with a nod, Ladybird Beetle sighed. "I understand completely, and thank you for this information." Looking back at her, she gave Madam Bustier a smile.

"No thanks are necessary. If you wish to know of places that might deal with kidnapped females then I have several ideas." Caline looks disgusted when she starts telling Ladybird Beetle the names of some of the places, including one that is close to the place where Marinette was nearly kidnapped. "I hope that helps." she offered.

"That makes two of us." giving a gracious curtsy, Ladybird Beetle spoke cordially. "I bid you good evening, and wish you the best." With that, she leaped up, disappearing into the night as she landed with a dancer's grace on the roof next to Black Cat. "Did you manage to get all of that?"

"Yes, but are we going to check them out tonight?" he asked.

Ladybird Beetle watched as the three women returned to the building, the men returning to their positions, although two looked as though they had remained relaxed throughout the entire exchange. "I can check out the one near the Seine... how about you?"

"I personally want to get back to the young woman that was nearly kidnapped and make sure she made it home alright." Black Cat said with an edge to his voice.

"Understood. How about we continue the investigation tomorrow night. We'll meet on Notre Dame's cathedral," she offered, "it's near the center of town, and will allow us a sweeping view of everywhere we need to go."

"Agreed." The pair nodded to each other before taking off in separate directions.

Marinette arrived close to her home, her parents already asleep, she transformed back and slipped into her window minutes before she heard the tell-tale thump outside. Letting out a little "Eek!" the young woman looked at the opening to see Black Cat poking his head up in her window. "Oh! It's you..." she breathed, "you scared me a little."

"Sorry, it wasn't my intention." Black Cat looked around. "Are you alone?"

"Yes, but my parents are in the next room." She shivered, whispering to him. "I didn't have the heart to tell them about what nearly happened... if I had they would never let me out at night again."

"I'm glad you're alright."

"Thanks to you." Leaning over, she smiled at him. "May I give you something as a thanks for saving me?"

"Of course."

Leaning in, she placed a gentle kiss, soft as a flutter from a butterfly's wing, and as quick as a gasp, on his right cheek. When she leaned back, she was blushing and biting her lower lip. "I would... ask you to come in so we could talk... but I doubt that would be appropriate."

"Regardless of how gentlemanly I may be, I doubt my resolve to keep from holding you close would wane and potentially collapse due to your unfathomable charms, dear Marinette." He gave a soft sigh, "Even now I'm wishing you had missed my cheek and reached my lips instead."

"I'm... saving that for the man that I love, and..." heat colored her cheeks even more, "although I feel a great deal of affection toward you, I wouldn't want to rush into anything."

"Highly understandable, dear Marinette, just know that I will look forward to getting to know you a lot more." Reaching up, he caressed her cheek with one of his clawed gloves, moving a hair behind her ear. "Until when next we see each other again, milady." Leaning forward, he gave her a gentle kiss on her cheek as well, although his lips lingered a bit longer than hers before he backed up entirely. Within seconds, he was gone, and she staggered back onto her bed.

"Oh god, Tikki!" she gasped, her voice tremulous, "I'm in love! No thought necessary... that kiss on the cheek has me spinning." Bringing her hands up, she curled her fists in front of her mouth with a little squeal coming out.

"He definitely seems taken with you," Tikki offered, "but what are we going to do about these disappearances?"

Taking a deep breath, Marinette sighed. "We'll have to investigate. Thankfully we have only half a dozen places to search, but I want to approach this problem slowly. Since whoever is doing this has been at it for a long time, I don't want to jump to any conclusions before we have all the facts."

A smile spread Tikki's lips, "Agreed. How about you get some sleep, and we'll think more about it after you're done helping your parents in the bakery?"

Marinette smiled, her heart pounding hard against her ribs like a trapped animal. "I'll try, but if I know me, I won't be able to get a wink of sleep tonight."

With a giggle, Tikki settled in between Marinette's bosom, and curled up listening to the rhythmic heartbeat of her Chosen.

oOo

"Plagg, I'm in love!" Adrien remarked as he flopped back on his feather mattress, dressed in a pair of white braies that left his slightly toned upper body exposed. The little spirit of destruction was already fulfilling his title on the nearly half dozen Camembert wedges of cheese his Chosen had secreted away into his room. "Marinette is everything I've ever wanted, she's compassionate, intelligent, beautiful, and her eyes are enchanting. I could drown in the depth of those oceanic pools."

"Then do something about it rather than wasting my precious meal time with this triviality." Plagg chomped another wedge, chewing loudly. "You know where to find her, you seem to have her affection as well, so what's the problem?"

"I... the proper thing would be to present myself to her parents," Adrien lay there, "but... then she would know who I really am, and..."

"Why not as Black Cat?"

Sitting up, he glared at the little Kwami. "Are you joking? Black Cat looks like a bandit. I couldn't ask to court her like that. Her parents would refuse, and I would have to show her who I am eventually."

"How about Ladybird Beetle?" Plagg suddenly asked. "She seems to enjoy your company."

Adrien lay back down, his arms behind his head. "She's a little too... noble... for my taste. Don't get me wrong, she's a wonderful young woman, and attractive, but... she reminds me of too many other high born ladies that I would rather just forget."

"I doubt that's true." Plagg commented.

Looking over at the floating creature, Adrien blinked. "What do you mean?"

"Tikki never goes for the stuck up types." he admitted. "Ladybird Beetle may be a lady in her uniform, but I think you're looking more at the uniform than you are the person inside." He shrugged. "But what do I know? I've only been doing this for thousands of years..."

Placing his hands on his stomach, the young baron sighed. "How old are you, Plagg?"

Floating over, he alighted upon Adrien's chest, looking at him with glittering emerald eyes. "All of the Kwami are as old as the universe itself. I have seen stars being born, living throughout their life cycle, and die within a cursory blink of my existence." He then smiled as he thought about his time on this cerulean orb. "Your human life spans are so finite, and yet I have never been so impressed with the way your species tackles everything, as if the few decades you have to survive encourages you to greater heights. Even the dinosaurs weren't as interesting," a smirk played across his face, "those wimps were just asking for me to wipe them out."

The quizzical look on Adrien's face caused him to blink. "What are dinosaurs?"

"Giant lizards that walked the Earth long ago... some even flew."

Shaking his head, the young man sighed. "I always thought those were called dragons."

Plagg shrugged his shoulders. "Call them whatever you want. All I know is that they didn't exactly survive meeting me..." a dark chuckle escaped his lips before he looked at Adrien.

"Now I know why you were Mordred's Kwami, you have a very dark sense of humor." Adrien commented. "How about I start cracking jokes so you know a better form of humor."

"Meh... I'd rather you just stay serious..." Plagg shook his head. "For all I know you're going to start making jokes that are plays on words, making me groan."

Adrien chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm not that pathetic." Looking up, he sighed at the ceiling. "Still, I wish I could meet Marinette as myself... talk with her... perhaps try to see what her opinion of the real me might be..."

"... what if she doesn't like the real you?" Plagg asked.

Closing his eyes, the young baron sighed. "It will hurt, a lot, but I have never been a coward in any stretch of the imagination." As sleep started to overtake his senses, he let out one last thought. "I'll try to see her tomorrow, perhaps apologize for Nathalie's earlier conduct..." Within a matter of seconds he was asleep, the little Kwami purring softly on his chest.