I know its late... my dog got sick and I ended up with a few snaffus on my plate. Still untangling this knot called life. We finally get to see Marinette summon though so yeah feel free to comment/ review!
Marinette is a clumsy witch with almost no magical power but has high hopes to one day be a certified stitch witch. Her first step towards her goal is summoning a familiar, but the real question is will she survive the test?
Witches Familiar (Part 3)
The moment her alarm finally buzzed her awake Marinette was a bundle of nerves. Alya and Nino met her at the front of the bakery and Alya launched into a discussion on what kind of party they needed to throw once Marinette summoned her familiar. Marinette didn't add much to the discussion since she was so nervous and school seemed to pass by far too quick for her taste. In what seemed like only moments she was hugging her parents who had come to watch her summon and then her name was called.
Releasing Alyas hand from the death grip she had on it Marinette approached the empty circles her heart in her throat. There were more people in the stands than she had expected, probably because Chloe was supposed to be summoning. In either case Marinette had to force herself to move forward, silently reviewing exactly what needed to be done here. The lines of a finished summoning circle were intricate and it was a pattern that they had to memorize as a precursor to the summoning itself. The only thing on the ground here was the shape of two circles and the four triangles for each compass point. The large circle was thirteen feet across and the smaller circle was situated at the north compass point within the larger circle. These simple shapes were etched into the very stone themselves and they were only there because even with magic it was hard to create a perfect circle. Around the edges of the room a wide range of materials sat in boxes ready to be used if desired. Each summoner was allowed to pick and choose their own materials since many people had specialties picked even at their age. So depending on how they wanted to work their design and their magic, each summoning was truly unique. Marinette had brought some of her own fabrics and thread with her, knowing that using her own supplies would go far to sooth her nerves. Even still Marinette felt like she were about to fall apart so she swiftly stepped into the smaller circle before she could talk herself out of it. The lines glowed around her briefly, locking her into this chance. Now she had to draw her circle and attempt a summoning or else she wouldn't be able to leave the circles until she tried and failed.
"You got this Marinette!" Alya shouted from the sidelines and her voice seemed to shatter the fear that had iced her heart.
People shushed her instantly and Marinette turned to face her grinning as Alya gave her a huge thumb up. Her familiar Nino stood beside her in his shepherds dog form and she could see his tail wagging. He gave a short happy bark echoing his masters enthusiasm and Marinette snorted as some of the officials glared daggers at Alya. Alya soundly ignored them, even rubbing Nino's head murmuring "Good boy!"
Turning back to the circle feeling slightly better Marinette took a deep breath then lowered herself into a sitting position. Most people stood to do a summoning but Marinette liked to sit and be close to where the magic was happening. Thankfully no one commented on her quirk except Chloe who was also shushed and Marinette totally ignored her. Reaching out Marinette brushed her fingers across the etched lines that surrounded her. It was an odd trait of hers but Marinette could feel the magic imbued in these lines. It was old magic she was sensing and Tiki had told her time and again that she was a rare human that had the ability to sense old magics. The magic in the lines before her told her exactly what shape the circle had to be for her to do a summoning and she felt relief trickle through her. Knowing she wouldn't mess up the placement of the upper circles lines was a small comfort at least. The other pattern she was going to use would underlay the normal pattern and give her power a boost. Taking one last deep breath she centered her mind while pulling a spool of thread from her pocket. She had carried this spool with her everywhere for nearly two weeks and her magic, sweat, and even a bit of blood saturated the tightly woven thread. The thread had absorbed her essence and in using this thread in her spells circle, she would be able to practically guarantee the spell would work even if her magic was particularly low that day. Thread shifted in her hands from the spool and she could hear a surprised intake of breath as she started to lay out her circle. Marinette refused to open her eyes and see what was taking place around her to make people gasp. It was a good thing she didn't because if she had she would have realized that her aura had shimmered into the visible spectrum which was extraordinarily rare for witches of her age. Fabric and thread shifted around the circle, laying down as the pattern in Marinette's mind called them to and the spool of thread in Marinette's hands began to unwind. It jerked fairly fast at first, her magic responding to her eagerness to just get this over with and the thread sliced into her pointer finger enough to give her a slight papercut.
"Easy…" Marinette whispered to herself bringing her focus back to where it should have been in the first place.
Finally after several minutes the circle was complete and Marinette opened her eyes to see the result. The design was in four colors, blue, red, black, and green. She couldn't say why she had chosen those colors but they were the ones that had called to her when collecting supplies for this spell. The fabrics were laid with absolute precision and Marinette felt a glow of pleasure as she inspected her work. If a person tried to remove the overlay on the ground right now they would find that all the threads had woven together into a practical carpet. Her secondary hidden design was in place as well, glowing a golden color only within her minds eye. Feeling in her bones that the time to finish the spell was upon her Marinette took one last deep breath before reaching out to tie the last thread into place by hand. Placing her hand on that final knot Marinette reached within herself and pulled a thread of her power out to press it into the spell.
A smile twitched her lips and she whispered "Spots on."
It was her activation phrase one that she made sure no one ever overheard. Most people had several activation phrases ranging for ones they used for common spells to ones they used for advanced spells. Spots on was an old phrase for her one that was originally meant as a joke. Now though it was her go to phrase when she was about to do some powerful magic that by all rights should be impossible for her to do alone.
The hum of magic filled the air and the circle before her lit up shining in the colors she had chosen. It was beautiful and all at once a tear shimmered before her, widening in the air until a circle formed in the center of the ring. It was obvious no one but her could see the circle hanging before her and Marinette was fascinated because through it she could see the Familiars world. The world was well known to her since everyone had seen it through special lenses in class dozens of times. This one spot though seemed more intimate to her, even though Marinette couldn't place why. A blue green grass land stretched before her under an aqua sky streaked with fluffy purple clouds and in the background she could see a tree line. The trees were all the wrong colors as was the grass and clouds but to her it didn't matter. Marinette could practically feel the grass under her, smell the crisp alien air, and all she wanted to do for a moment was throw herself through the portal. Thankfully she couldn't since her body was locked in place till the spell released her. One thing that struck her as odd was that there was not a creature in sight and the spell, seeming to sense her confusion, slowly moved her point of view. Suddenly a black cat scrambled into sight nearly tripping over its paws as it slid to a halt in the grass. A jolt of familiarity went through her as bright green eyes met her blue ones and Marinette could swear the cat actually smiled before leaping through the portal. The lights from the circle winked out and Marinette was grateful she was sitting down. Her bones seemed to be vibrating and her arm burned where the birthmark sat. She ignored both sensations blinking the spots out of her eyes to see a handsome black cat sitting in the circle looking around with interest.
"A black cat?! Oh my stars, how fitting for the useless witch." Chloe jeered.
Voices shushed her but Marinette winced. Black cats were the epitome of bad luck and cats in general were looked down upon as familiars. Every species of familiar were welcomed with different levels of enthusiasm since no class of familiar could be banned from summoning, and although cats were rare they were down near the very bottom of the list. They had fallen out of fashion over 100 years ago especially when it was shown that most cat familiars rarely listened to their owners. Many owners of familiar cats even had mysterious accidents happen to them over time and soon no one wanted a cat familiar. It also didn't help that they were contrary creatures and even the weakest ones were said to be able to hold enough magic to travel as they wished between worlds. Usually if a witch or wizard summoned one they almost always sent it back and truth be told it happened very rarely for a cat to come through anyways. As if sensing the mood this cat hadn't moved an inch clearly waiting to see Marinette's decision. If she wanted Marinette could send the cat back and try again, not that she was even sure she had the power to do so. It was the casters right to choose their own familiar after all, though these days they limited the attempts to three per person. It was said that the first familiar to come through was your best fit however.
Silence reigned in the chamber and Marinette felt frozen to the spot as the cats eyes met hers once more. For a moment she couldn't breathe as an odd not quite memory drifted through her mind. She was a child sitting in a blue green field across from a black kitten who was eyeing her much the same way this black tom was now. As a child she had reached out and the black kitten had come. Now though it was her turn to take that step forward. It was a feeling from her very core that pulled her towards the black cat and she knew in that instant there was no way she could send him back to the familiar world. He was hers and she was his. That fact was bright in her mind as Marinette moved without even realizing it. With her gaze fixed upon the cat she didn't even feel herself get to her feet or see the lines glow a stunning silver color as she stepped into the main ring. Unfortunately her task wasn't finished yet. Now the true bond had to be made. Some familiars didn't appreciate getting pulled from their world and sometimes they would force their new witch or wizard to prove their worth. These could come as small battles, challenges of wit, or any other form of disagreement. Sometimes the caster in question would fail and at best the familiar would depart back to their home allowing the caster to try again. At worst the familiar would turn on the caster and in some cases kill them. Since people on the outside couldn't interfere with a familiars choice it was always horribly heartbreaking when it happened. Thankfully it was very rare and Marinette knew she had nothing to fear as she dropped to her knees before the handsome black creature.
"Hi." Marinette breathed and the cat cocked his head to the side as if unsure about her, but the intelligence in his eyes betrayed the odd movement.
"I know you." Marinette whispered her heart screaming at her to scoop the cat up and hug him to her. Mentally of course she couldn't think of where or how but her instincts told her she knew this cat and that he was meant to be with her. The cats lip lifted slightly in what the people outside the circle probably thought was a snarl or a grimace but Marinette knew it was a smile.
Slowly Marinette lifted her one hand towards him the cut on her one finger holding the tiniest bead of blood. The cat sniffed at her hand and his tongue flicked out licking the blood off and sending a slight jolt of power through her instantly healing the cut. The world froze and the cats name seemed to roar through her smashing at the weakened barrier that kept her lost memories locked down tight. The barrier didn't break but it did crack although Marinette had no knowledge of this yet.
"Adrien." Marinette whispered and the cat swayed on his paws tail waving in excitement.
"Marinette." The cat answered in a purr that Marinette knew was only in her mind.
Heart pounding Marinette spoke the words needed to properly bind him to her. "I will protect you share everything I have with you. Will you stay at my side? Protect me from harm share the joys and sorrows of this world with me?"
Adriens eyes glowed "Always, you are my partner my friend."
The circle around them glowed gold and Marinette felt tears spring to her eyes. Slowly the circle peeled itself from the floor rising into the air, shrinking as it did so. Finally after reaching the size of a quarter it fell towards them until it hovered between them. Marinette reached into her pocket pulling out a length of black ribbon and lifting it with her mind threaded the now quarter sized circle onto the thread. Adrien stood proudly on all four paws head tilted up as Marinette mentally fixed the ribbon in place around his neck. Light flashed from the ribbon and the circle turned into a gold bell. The hum of magic vanished and with a sudden joyous meert sound Adrien threw himself at Marinette who caught him with open arms.
Instantly the room exploded into noise as she stood and it took about ten seconds for Alya to scramble from under the stands to make it to her side.
"Congratulations!" Alya shrieked slamming into her from behind and squishing the two of them in a hug. "You did it girl I'm so freaken proud of you!"
Nino barked happy his human was happy while also trying to sniff Adrien out. Wiggling out of Marinette's arms he landed on the floor turning to face the dog. Nino froze and Alya whispered "uh oh" having realized the day before that Nino seemed to enjoy chasing smaller animals.
Before Marinette could turn and pick Adrien up however he suddenly grew going from a small tabby to panther size in a second. Both humans looked on in shock as Ninos tail busted into an excited wave, approaching the now panther sized Adrien with happy yips. Adrien patted the excited Nino with a massive paw then shrank back down so he could leap onto the dogs back. The two animals turned to their humans looking quite pleased with themselves and Marinette couldn't help but laugh.
"Well that solves that question!" she said and Alya laughed with her as Marinettes parents joined them in the circle.
"Well done sweetheart!" Sabine cried her hummingbird familiar darting down to inspect Adrien. Seeming to like what it saw the bird settled on his head and everyone laughed at the odd sight of a hummingbird sitting on a cat sitting on a dog.
"We knew you could do it kiddo!" Tom said and wrapped her into a hug.
"This calls for a celebration for sure!" Alya cried and still laughing, talking excitedly the group made its way out of the building.
They had a small but fun party when they got to the bakery since Marinette had succeeded in summoning a familiar. Several of her friends from school showed up happy to chat and eye the handsome black cat although they were all a touch nervous of him. Everyone knew the stories of the worst familiars to get and black cats were right up there with mud slimes. Adrien was on his best behavior even showing off how he could grow at one point. Nino had wanted to play with Adrien when he did that but the cat stuck to Marinette's side like a burr unless her mom or father snatched him up to pet or chatter at him. No one was sure just how intelligent the cat was quite yet although Marinette had a feeling he was as smart as her if not smarter. They also didn't know his type, whether he was just a smart cat, a changeling species or something else entirely. They would know by the end of the week when everyone who summoned a familiar went through the classification spell although Marinette had a feeling that she already knew what Adrien was. The name of his species had come to her the moment his consciousness had brushed hers although she had only heard of them once before in her familiar class. She was fairly certain he was something called a Grimalkin which with her level of magic should have been impossible to summon. In truth she hadn't had a chance to talk to Adrien much less look up information on her hunch but deep within her mind Marinette knew that they were fated for each other regardless of impossibility. From the moment he had spoken to her in that ring she could feel the brush of his consciousness against hers especially when the cat lost sight of her. Marinette returned the touch able to feel the bond that connected the two of them, a bond that was already far stronger than it should have been. The bond between them felt old like a well-worn pathway that was as easy to sense as breathing. In truth she was a little shocked she hadn't been able to feel it before. It felt as if a blinder had been placed over her eyes and now it had been suddenly ripped off. As if sensing her contemplation Adrien appeared at her side brushing his body against her legs.
"You ok?" he asked
Marinette grinned reaching down to pick him up. "I'm fine just starting to get tired." Marinette whispered to him.
Adrien purred in her arms as a voice called out. "H-hi Marinette! Congratulations!"
Turning she spied a smiling Nathaniel a smart artistic boy that she knew was surprisingly strong in the dispelling of magical fields. He was shy though and according to Alya had a crush on her. Marinette returned his smile happy to see him.
"Hey Nathaniel! Looks like we will be in the same classes going forward for a bit longer. Your summoning is tomorrow right?" Marinette asked
Nathaniel nodded then held out a piece of paper "Yeh-yeah. I-I knew you could do it. Um this is for you, for you know… congratulations."
Marinette took the paper from him shifting Adrien so he could climb onto her shoulders and sit in her hood. Nathaniel nodded once more and took off clearly nervous about being around her for long periods of time.
"He has a crush on you." Adrien grumbled sniffing at the paper in her hand.
Marinette sighed "That's what Alya says. I've tried to make it clear that I don't like him but it's just made him shyer."
Slowly she opened the paper and watched amazed as flowers bloomed across it. A small pond formed amongst the flowers and encouraging words flowed from a forming river into the pond. The words floated on the surface for several moments before sinking and new ones flowed into place. The whole thing was colored so well it almost looked real and even Adrien batted at one of the words making a delighted sound when the drawing reacted, the words spinning across the pond in a scattering of letters. Marinette giggled pulling the paper away before Adrien got too enthusiastic.
"He is so good at making these. He wants to be an artist of some kind when he gets out of school." Marinette said rolling the paper back up.
"It looks like there are other people here waiting to talk to you. Do you want me to take it to your room?" Adrien asked
Marinette nodded seeing Sabrina of all people moving closer to her eyeing Adrien with curiosity. Marinette handed the paper to Adrien who gripped it gently in his teeth.
"Come right back please and don't get into any mischief." Marinette murmured
"I'll put it on your stairs and come back" Adrien huffed leaping off her shoulder to the ground to disappear amongst the other guests.
"He actually listens to you?" Sabrina asked looking amazed while her changeling familiar twitched its gauzy white wings.
Marinette nodded "He's smart and we seem to have a connection although we just got together. I'm pretty sure the only reason he wouldn't listen is if I want him to do something stupid or something he knows he cant do. How are you two getting along?"
Sabrina smiled as her changeling turned into a small snake with white butterfly wings. "Vani and I are good. He seems to be able to transform into a lot of different animals but I think it tires him out to do too many."
"Does he talk to you?" Marinette asked curiously since this was one of the longest times she had ever spoken to Sabrina without Chloe interrupting.
Sabrina shook her head smiling as Vani's scales shimmered through a spectrum of colors. "He has his way of communicating."
Suddenly her phone beeped and Vani's scales shimmered to a grey color. "Oh that's right I have to go grab Chloe's supplies! Well Marinette I guess I'll see you at school!"
"Uh ok!" Marinette called after her retreating form shaking her head slightly and wondering if Sabrina really would be ok. Her familiar didn't seem to like Chloe since the few times Marinette saw her today it transformed into things the girl found creepy or upsetting. So far Sabrina hadn't tried to curb her familiars actions which made Marinette wonder about the two of them in general.
"Well at least they will be easy to read." Adrien murmured to her alone leaping up onto some nearby furniture, startling one of the guests.
Moving quickly Marinette scooped him up apologizing to the woman before whispering "What do you mean?"
Adrien sniffed "Her familiar is like a barometer for her emotions and thoughts. I don't think she realizes that yet, and I don't think she is in tune with her inner self either. She's got some work cut out for her."
"You can see that?" Marinette asked as Adrien climbed up onto her shoulder to settle halfway in her hood his front paws and head resting next to her cheek.
"Same as you." Adrien answered feeling amused as another set of classmates came forward, eager and nervous to talk to Marinette now that she had a black cat familiar.
Finally after an hour or so the partygoers began to trickle out. The first ones to leave were those that had to summon the next day and others left when they remembered homework that had to be done. Everyone was in high spirits as they left and soon it was just Marinette, her parents, Alya, and the familiars.
"Well now! That was exciting!" Sabine sighed leaning against Tom as he wrapped his arms around her.
"I'll say! I am so happy for you Marinette! You summoned an awesome familiar!" Alya crowed wrapping her arms around her in a hug.
Marinette beamed. "Thank you by the way Alya. If it weren't for you I never would have tried it and I never would have found Adrien."
Hearing his name Adrien padded over to her side making a single leap to land on her shoulder. Automatically her hand reached out to help him stabilize and Alya grinned at her.
"You two were meant for each other, I can see it. Who cares what they say about black cats! I think he is an awesome partner for you." Alya said giving a sharp whistle for Nino.
He came galloping out of another room a second later Sabines hummingbird familiar following swiftly after. Skidding to a halt before Alya his plumed tail waving he gave them both a lopsided grin before standing on his hind legs to receive a pat from Adrien. The girls both laughed overjoyed to see their familiars getting along especially since they were technically opposing species. Rubbing Nino behind the ears Alya sighed.
"Well girl I wish I could stay but I gotta babysit tonight."
Marinette nodded and gave her friend one last hug while being careful not to upset Adrien's balance.
"I'll see you at school tomorrow! And we can watch more of our class go for their summoning's!" Marinette answered
"Sounds good to me girl!" Alya chuckled and patted her side as she headed towards the stairs. "Come on Nino time to go get tortured by the siblings!"
Nino gave a slight whine at her words but followed never less. Marinette watched them go twisting her fingers in a pattern that was as old as their friendship. A flare of orange only she could see surrounded Alya as she descended the stairs and out of the corner of her eye she saw Adrien's green eyes glow briefly. Nino flashed orange as well and he turned, tail wagging to yip a thanks. Alya didn't know about Marinette's spell but Nino had clearly sensed it since Adrien had expanded it to cover him as well.
"Thanks Adrien." Marinette murmured reaching up to scratch his ears. Truthfully Marinette had been wondering how she could expand the spell to cover Nino as well since she no longer had the power to start such a spell back up.
When they were kids Alya hadn't been able to do protections spells and when other kids cast harmful magic's at her she would almost always get hurt even though she was an excellent dodger because of it. When Marinette had moved to the area she had been furious since one of the reasons they picked on her was because of her fox like ears. Unable to put a complete stop to other kids picking on Alya Marinette had done the next best thing. She cast a protection spell on her that was tied almost directly to her magic. It was the strongest spell out there for protection and if any adult had known about it she would have gotten into a lot of trouble since she'd had to sneak into the adult section of the library in order to even find the spell in the first place. She couldn't even begin to try and cast that spell these days since she lost her power but the spell over Alya had remained as strong as the day she cast it. Marinette was always glad for that since Alya tended to get herself into trouble periodically when sneaking about. Although now that she had seen that little show of power from Adrien, Marinette was wondering exactly what her wonderful familiars skill set was.
"She is such a fox. I wonder if she is even going home." Marinette sighed deciding not to fret too much as she rubbed Adrien behind his ears.
Adrien made a grumbling sound as he rubbed his head against her cheek. "Nino is in so much trouble picking a human like her. Hopefully he will balance her and guide her restlessness."
Marinette snickered and hearing a throat clear she turned to face her parents feeling a touch of worry niggle at her. It was obvious her parents were thrilled that she had summoned a familiar but Marinette was a little worried that her parents might not be so thrilled that it was a black cat. They hadn't really gotten a chance to discuss it since as soon as they arrived at home the party had taken up all their time. Now though they smiled at her opening their arms wide and Marinette happily stepped into their embrace.
"We are so proud of you sweetheart." Sabine said reaching out to rub a finger across Adrien's head as they released her.
Marinette smiled at them her worry fading slightly. "You guys aren't disappointed I summoned a black cat?"
Tom laughed "I think he is quite the handsome fellow like that! Besides I don't think he is just a cat. Are you son?"
Adrien cringed on Marinette shoulder ears falling flat and Marinette blinked at her father feeling confused. She knew from the start that Adrien wasn't just a normal cat but she wasn't sure she understood her father either.
"Papa?" Marinette asked curiously feeling Adrien shift uncomfortably.
"I guess that even if I meow you won't believe me." Adrien said out loud making Sabines eyes go wide and Tom grin like a fool.
Marinette gasped and snatched him off her shoulders making him yowl in surprise. "You can talk out loud?!"
Feet hanging and feeling foolish Adrien sighed "Yes but I couldn't talk to you at the circle or when everyone was here because they would freak out and its bad enough I make them nervous as is." He paused for a second eyeing Marinette's almost dumbstruck look and cringed a little, his ears falling flat. "I'm sorry please don't be mad!"
Marinette blinked rapidly seeming to come back from utter surprise that had struck her. "I… Wait mad? NO! I'm not mad this is amazing!" she cried spinning him around before hugging him to her. "This is amazing right?" She asked her parents who could only laugh at her enthusiasm.
"Yes sweetie it is. Now I would suggest going and getting ready for bed since you are probably going to start feeling the effects of your spell casting very soon." Sabine answered "As for you Adrien why don't you stay down here and we will figure out what you like to eat."
Adrien's lips crinkled and Marinette's grip on him tightened slightly but before he could say anything Marinette asked "Can he come down in a minute? I want to show him my room."
Her parents both nodded as Tom put his arm around his wife and pulled her close. Seeing their agreement Marinette darted for her room cradling Adrien in her arms. Spying Nathaniels drawing on the step she snatched it up and slipped inside. As soon as her door was shut and locked behind her Adrien leaped down, growing to panther size so he could look around easier.
"Tiki?" Marinette called sending Nathaniels drawing to her desk to hang up later.
"You did it!" Tiki squealed flying down from a hidden cubby to hug Marinette's cheek.
Marinette cupped her hands around Tiki her face hurting from grinning so much. "I did Tiki I really did! This is Adrien!"
Tiki flew from Marinette's cupped hands to hover before him. Pressing a tiny hand to his now oversized nose she mentally called "Hello Adrien, you are looking well. Plagg wasn't too hard on you was he?"
"No but he almost made me late! He had me pinned and suddenly decided my ears needed washing and I had to transform on him to pull free! He's probably going to be all grumpy at me for that." Adrien replied and Tiki giggled
"Are you guys talking in your minds?" Marinette asked wide eyed looking between Tiki and Adrien.
Tiki smiled patting Adrien on the nose watching him shrink down to a normal cats size once more. "Adrien and I have met in the familiars world. His guardian is a friend of mine so I am happy to see he answered your call."
Marinette looked confused "So you knew I would summon Adrien?" she asked feeling Adrien press himself against her ankles.
"Yes." Tiki answered feeling that to answer any other way would just cause greater confusion. Plus she could feel the barrier on Marinette's mind had weakened to the point that it was crumbling. Soon she would remember on her own so there was no need to hide anything from her.
"That's why you weren't worried and just taught me the power boost! You already knew that I would succeed! Di-did you see it in a vision or something?" Marinette yawned
Tiki smiled at her charge "Something like that. Before I answer any more questions though, you should go get a bath and change. I can tell you are drained and you should get a good rest tonight."
Marinette nodded and moved to get her night clothes almost tripping over Adrien in the process. He slipped out of the way before she fully tripped and what felt like hands grabbed her shoulders, stabilizing her before she fell too far forward.
"Oh my gosh I'm so sorry Adrien!" Marinette hissed dropping to her knees.
Adrien gave a mert of laughter "Its ok Marinette I forgot how clumsy you can be. Don't worry I'm built tough. I've got you."
Marinette still looked unsure and Adrien padded up to her pressing his body against hers. Marinettes hand fell to his fur, brushing her fingers along the length of his body. He purred softly feeling the light touch of her magic as she made sure she really hadn't done any harm. Satisfied she moved to stand and almost stumbled since her magical drain was rapidly catching up to her. Once more she felt the presence of hands at her shoulders but this time she recognized Adrien's magic.
"We are gonna have to talk about you." Marinette yawned managing to close her hands on some soft pjs.
"Tomorrow." Adrien promised "I do have to go down and talk to your parents though."
"I'll get the door. Marinette go shower before you fall asleep on your feet." Tiki ordered using her magic to open the trap door.
Adrien padded down the stairs hearing the door shut behind him and he knew that Tiki would get Marinette through her shower and into bed without too much trouble. He walked towards the kitchen able to hear Marinette's parents as they moved things around and put food away. Sabine's familiar flew down to him as he entered buzzing around his ears for a second before flying back up to Sabine's shoulder. Her parents turned to him curiously and Adrien felt his ears fall a little flat in nervousness.
"You wanted to see me?" Adrien asked
Tom patted the counter "Come up here so you don't break your neck looking up at us giants."
Adrien leaped the distance easy, settling his tail around his paws as he sat and waited while Marinette's parents took a seat.
Tom spoke first tapping a finger to the side of his skull. "I can see that you're not just a simple cat but that being said I'm not really sure what else to think of you."
Adrien tilted his head to the side "Marinette gets her vision from you then?"
Tom laughed "Yeah the poor kid. It used to give her trouble as a youngling but she seems to have a handle on it now. I didn't get the human magic from my family I just got the familiars side."
Sabine wrapped her hand in his smiling at him as her familiar flew up to sit on his head. His family came from a bear species of familiar which gave him his large build, but he only inherited his mother's familiars magic which left him unable to do hardly any human magic spells. His familiar magic on the other hand gave him magical vision like his daughter and it gave him excellent senses which he used in his baking to discern the best flavors as well as the best cooking times. It was one of the reasons he was such a successful baker even though he held no magical degree. Usually a child born to familiar and human parents took their magic from one side or the other with little mixing in between. The magic according to the magical scientist were often times too different to mix well. Marinette was a rare child who had inherited both sides of her parents magic and the two different magic's not only mixed well but amplified each other.
"Enough about me though. What are you?" Tom asked being blunt as only a father could be.
Adrien shifted uncomfortably. Plagg had drilled into his head not to reveal what he was to other creatures since he could pass as a familiar or a human. His species were one of the lost ones their kingdom trapped in a magic bubble that anyone had yet to figure out how to break and he was unsure how to approach Toms question.
"I... I don't want to lie to you but I'm not sure how to answer." Adrien finally answered looking up into Toms eyes.
Tom frowned clearly not appreciating Adrien's answer but before he could speak Sabine broke in.
"Will your species be revealed at the classification spell?" Sabine asked
Adrien shook his head having no desire to lie to these people especially since he was their daughter's partner. "I have my own magic and it will reflect whatever I want the spell to see. All the people will see when the spell checks me out is a changeling cat. It's an odd enough designation to satisfy the parameters of my outward magical abilities without telling people what I truly am."
If anything Tom looked more concerned and Sabine settled a hand on his arm. "Your kind is a secret then? Like how the dragons get when they come and visit?"
Adrien sniffed "Dragons are stuffy and I am not a dragon if that's what you are worried about, but yes my kind is very secretive and if they knew that I had answered a summoning they wouldn't understand."
Tom sighed and reached out to ruffle Adrien's fur. "You are one strange kid. The only thing I ask is that you protect my daughter. She isn't as strong as she used to be and if you are really meant to be her partner she is going to need you. The tests she will face from here on out will only be tougher."
Adrien gave a slight purr and pressed a paw into Toms palm before he pulled back all the way. "I will protect her and she just might surprise you with her strength."
Tom grinned shaking Adrien's paw. "I'm sure she will with you to watch out for her Adrien."
Adrien withdrew his paw and stood to stretch. He was tired honesty and he hadn't been able to sleep the night before since he had known Marinette would be summoning him today. At his unconscious yawn Sabine chuckled.
"You look exhausted. Go get some sleep since you will be going to school with Marinette tomorrow."
Adrien nodded again and padded to the edge of the counter before turning back. "Thank you for allowing me into your home. I know cat familiars in general aren't looked upon with much fondness."
"That's simply because people don't know you. You would be welcome even if you were a mischievous destructive sprite." Sabine answered
"Not that we are giving you permission to be destructive." Tom broke in "Your actions do reflect upon how our daughter is viewed after all."
Adrien chuckled "No worries here. To everyone but you and probably Alya I'll just be a simple somewhat smart cat."
He leaped off the counter and made his way back to Marinette's room thankful that discussion had gone so well. In truth he hadn't know what to expect and he had been a little concerned since his refusal to state what he was could have gone badly. Marinette's parents seemed to understand though and even if they didn't fully like his desire for secrecy they respected it which was wonderful. Phasing through her closed door Adrien maneuvered her stairs to find Marinette sleeping already. Tiki wasn't in sight so with another yawn he moved to Marinette's side curling up with a purr. Unconsciously her hand tangled in his fur strengthening his purr and ever so slowly Marinette smiled in her sleep at peace.
Deep within her mind Marinette dreamed and as she did she eventually found herself walking down a familiar yet oddly decorated hall. Pictures were everywhere and doors of all shapes and sizes littered every inch of space. There were even some doors in the floor and Marinette was careful to avoid them as she moved down its length. Part of her realized she was dreaming and that part of her was what made her realize she was slowly making her way down a corridor made entirely out of memories. The realization made her pause in the middle of the hall looking around herself in confusion.
"Why am I here?" she wondered and as if to answer the hall shifted until a cracked wall formed in the space before her.
Unlike the rest of the hall this space was scarred with scorch marks and cracks leaving no doubt in Marinette's mind that something serious had gone down here. Reaching out Marinette paused her fingertips a mere breath from the scarred walls surface. Did she really want to know what was beyond here? If there was a wall in her mind shouldn't she leave it be? The thoughts didn't really feel like her own which made her even more curious that cautious. Looking over the wall once more Marinette pressed her hand to it deciding to figure it out once she made contact. The instant she touched the surface however, Marinette knew this wall didn't belong here. Suddenly furious she slammed forward with every ounce of magic she had, wanting this white scarred monstrosity turned to dust. Distantly she heard a yowl and then the wall shattered under her sending her toppling forward into memories that had been long since sealed away.