Chapter 57: Adamantus
This chapter picks up immediately after the prior one. Nicholas Sancouer realizes his aunt is not well and that it is due solely to her using the broken butterfly miraculous for too long. He has a moment of guilt where he wonders how much of a role he, himself, played in that. He realizes too that she needs medical help and that Dr. Gerald Theroux is on hand. However, before reporting what happened to the live-in doctor, Nicholas steals the peacock brooch from Nathalie and hides it in his pocket. He then tells Dr. Theroux, who is checking on Gabriel and Emilie. Dr. Theroux hurries to help and then ushers Nicholas out of the room so he can examine Nathalie properly.
Nicholas is awkward when he's by himself in the Agreste manor. He finds a place to sit and begins tinkering with a broken appliance. There's a moment where the scene focuses on his hands—namely, his cuff links. They're diamond.
It doesn't take long for the rest of those who are living there to learn about the decline in Nathalie's health. Amelie is elated and immediately contacts her lawyer, trying to swing Adrien's custody in her favor so she can take him and Emilie back to London and wash her hands of her in-laws. Felix Graham de Vanily passes by Nicholas as Nicholas works and makes a cold comment—but his heart really isn't into bullying at the moment. Felix's one soft spot is for family hardship due to the recent passing of his father. While Felix dislikes the Sancoeurs (stemming from his mother), he really can't badger a boy who just lost his own father and whose legal guardian is gravely ill.
It's Adrien Agreste who takes time to sit and talk to Nicholas after Dr. Theroux won't let Adrien visit Nathalie. (Solomon, the bodyguard, also tries to visit and is likewise kicked out.) Adrien, too, is seriously worried about Nathalie as she's been like family to him for a long while now too. He tries to get Nicholas to talk by asking questions. "How do you feel?" and "What do you think happened?" and "I'm sure everything will be okay; Dr. Theroux is one of the best." But it sorta rings flat when Gabriel and Emilie are still in a coma, and Nicholas remains quiet. So Adrien stops talking and just sits there so Nicholas isn't alone as he fiddles with tinkering.
It's the silence that allows Nicholas the comfort he needs to speak. He admits he doesn't know how he should feel. He likes furniture and machines. They're easy to fix. He can understand how they work. But humans like his aunt? He doesn't understand. (He knows his aunt is sick because of the peacock, but he can't logic how broken magic negatively impacts physical health due to magic being such an unmeasured concept.) He wishes he could help fix things—like the radio he's working on right now. But he can't. He feels so lost without Nathalie around.
Adrien confesses he often feels that way too, which surprises Nicholas as Nicholas did not think it possible that he and Adrien were similar. Adrien confirms it—he talks about how lonely he was when his mother vanished and now how helpless he feels with both parents unconscious. Sometimes, he just feels so angry that he can't do anything (which does diverge from Nicholas's feelings). But Adrien reminds Nicholas that he's not alone. Nicholas wonders what Adrien means, and Adrien points out that there's a whole house full of people who are willing to look after Nicholas—as well as friends at school. Nicholas notes, deadpan, that Adrien's Aunt Amelie doesn't feel that way. Adrien insists she cares, deep down, which is probably some denial on his part.
It gets late with no change in Nathalie, to Dr. Theroux's consternation. The household turns in for the night. Nicholas, however, finds he can't sleep. He pulls out the peacock brooch he stole, which causes Duusuu to manifest. The kwami asks Nicholas what he's doing. Nicholas doesn't reply, he just begins to tinker with the brooch to see if he can fix it.
The next day is a school day. Nicholas Sancoeur requests he be allowed to stay home and look after his aunt. Amelie insists he go to school (as she is at least that responsible) and Dr. Theroux adds that he'll care for those who are sick during the day. Solomon drives Nicholas, Adrien, and Felix to Francoise Dupont High School. Felix separates himself from the other two as soon as they're inside.
Alya Cesaire is the first to notice that Adrien Agreste has arrived, and she nudges Marinette Dupin-Cheng. Marinette twitches, but Alya encourages her to continue. Marinette has a lovely gift bag full of macarons that she wants to give Adrien—in part to cheer him up, as she knows he has to be going through a hard time with his parents sick. She realizes he keeps forcing himself to smile and come to school. Which she's glad for, because she gets to see him, but she also wants to help him. Deep down, she wonders if she should push things, knowing the toll their secret identities take on their social lives—but with Kagami Tsurugi making a move on Adrien and both Chloe and Lila clearly interested, Marinette also knows she can't wait. Which just makes her emotions all the more muddled and complex as she does feel guilty about keeping it a secret that she knows he's Cat Noir.
As Marinette continues to stammer, Alya gives Marinette (who is holding her gift bag) a solid shove towards Adrien. Marinette sorta slides/skips/stumbles towards him. Adrien, who is desensitized to this, greets her like it's perfectly normal to have someone ballet her way forward. Marinette stutter-stammers a greeting in return. However, she is familiar enough with Adrien's expressions, and she can see Nicholas's as he's standing right there, that she can see something is wrong. So she sobers up and asks about it.
Nicholas is the one to explain that his aunt also fell into a coma and the doctors don't know why. Marinette is alarmed and saddened by this and expresses as much. It's also clear to her that Adrien is worried about Nathalie too. Nicholas is surprised by Marinette's concern. He wonders why she, who is a relative stranger to both him and Nathalie, would care. Marinette explains that it's only natural to be worried about someone who is sick. Nicholas still seems confused, so Adrien adds that "Marinette is nice like that," which turns Marinette fifty shades of red.
Adrien then notices the gift bag and asks about it. Marinette has completely seized up at this point. She shoves the bag forward towards both of them at the same time. Surprised, Adrien and Nicholas sorta fumble it with Nicholas ultimately catching it before it hits the floor. "Here, foryouandyourfamilyIhopeveryonegetswellsoon!" She then looks at her wrist (which does not have a wrist watch and goes on to say "Oh,lookatthetimeIgottagodothingsattheplacewiththestuffBYE!" She sorta spin/twirls as she escapes. Perhaps it's a good thing she fled when she did, because all of the kwamis in her purse except Tikki are barely holding in their laughter.
Adrien and Nicholas are speechless momentarily from Marinette's performance. Adrien opens the bag and comments that macarons are his favorite. It takes one and bites into it. It's also worth noting that Marinette made these macarons in the shape of cat heads—because it's clear who was on her mind when she was baking them the prior night.
Alya laughs as Marinette returns to her, but she does comment that at least Marinette was finally able to give some type of gift to Adrien. Marinette takes a long moment to breathe just so she can speak again. She voices her concern to Alya about it being an appropriate time—because now someone else from Adrien's household is unconscious. "What if it happens to Adrien again?" Alya is sobered by the news as well. She quickly texts Nino Lahiffe (who has yet to arrive at school) to see if he knows, being Adrien's best friend.
Nicholas Sancoeur takes a macaron at Adrien's offer and heads off to be alone. He has some time before classes start. So he pulls out the peacock brooch and continues to fiddle with it. Gilles Chastain finds him in the corner where he's sitting. He greets Nicholas, and Nicholas is alarmed because he was so focused. Nicholas fumbles the brooch out of sight, and when Gilles asks about it, Nicholas said he was just "tinkering with something, not important" and changes the topic. Gilles says he got the newest copy of a racing game and invites Nicholas over to play it. Nicholas wonders why, and Gilles states imply that it's because they're friends. Nicholas, though he has heard this before, is stoically surprised—it's as if he has no reference point for friendship. Gilles again repeats his invitation. Nicholas turns it down as he wants to get home and check on his aunt. He explains Nathalie is unconscious, which causes Gilles to get very somber too. "Man, I'm so sorry. Anything I can do to help?" The question puzzles Nicholas, as Gilles is not a doctor. Gilles elaborates "no, not like that. You, man. Can I help you? Like, I don't know, get pizza or listen or something?" Nicholas again doesn't know what to make of such companionship, but he thanks Gilles anyway. They head to class under Mr. Haprele together.
Other students head to their classrooms. In Miss Bustier's class, everyone is taking their seats. Adrien shares a macaron with Nino and tells him Marinette made them. Nino turns around and compliments Marinette. Chloe Bourgeois pretends Sabrina Raincomprix does not exist as Sabrina heads to her seat in the back of the classroom, where Nathaniel Kurtzberg is drawing. Had Sabrina cared to look, she would have noticed Nathaniel's drawing a kwami. But her thoughts are elsewhere. Barely a yard apart, and Barkk and Lucciola have no idea about each other's presence.
Rose Lavillant opens a magazine with Juleka Couffaine, highlighting an article that her favorite celebrity, Prince Ali, is doing more hospital visits—and he's working his way closer to Paris as he does so. Rose is very happy. Alix Kubdel syncs her heirloom pocketwatch (actually the rabbit miraculous) with the school bell. Both chime at the same time. Miss Bustier calls everyone to order and starts taking attendance.
That's when Madam Gros enters to call away a student for mental health screening. She requests Lila Rossi (due to her recent suspension). Miss Bustier explains that Lila is absent today; her mother called in and explained Lila was given the opportunity to go on a three day cruise in the Mediterranean with pop star XY. Someone in the class grumbles "is that really true?" Miss Bustier insists that it was verified by Mrs. Rossi. (Of course, given that Marc Anciel was able to pretend to be Nathaniel Kurtzberg's father and get him out of class for two days, that proves nothing. And to confirm it officially, yes Lila called herself off and the cruise is a lie.) Since the class does trust Miss Bustier, most of them are willing to give Lila's cruise the benefit of the doubt this time. Alya and Marinette remain skeptical, and Adrien doesn't put much thought into it.
Since Lila is out, Madam Gros has to pick someone else for the screening—so she calls upon Marinette Dupin-Cheng. Marinette gets nervous and twitches, but she gathers her pursue and follows Madam Gros to the counselor's office.
Once inside, Madam Gros closes the door and asks Marinette about her grades and hobbies and interests. Marinette talks about her love of fashion design without any flubs. Madam Gros brings up family and friends—to which Marinette talks happily about how much she loves her parents and how supporting her friends are. It last as long as it takes Marinette to remember she's lying to everyone because she's Ladybug. At which point, her whole demeanor changes and she beings trailing off when she speaks. Madam Gros, of course, picks up on this and begins to pry for more information. This causes Marinette to have to improve excuses on the fly and sends her into spiral stammering.
Madam Gros proposes that perhaps everything isn't as okay between Marinette and her parents as she lets on; Marinette denies this. Madam Gros comments "then perhaps it's a boy." At which point Marinette remembers Adrien's compliment from the morning, freezes up entirely, and turns crimson. Madam Gros encourages Marinette to tell her about him.
Marinette goes on to babble Adrien's praises, but she also lets it slip that she gets so nervous she can't even talk to him. And she wonders if it's even appropriate since his family is going through a crisis right now (which causes Madam Gros to correctly wonder the boy Marinette is talking about is Adrien Agreste).
Madam Gros ultimately isn't interested in high school crushes and drama. So she begins to coyly steer the conversation towards what she does want to know—if there's any bitterness, pettiness, or vengeful thoughts in the teen she's talking to. If they're the kind of person she can manipulate with promises of power or if they have a specific reason to oppose Hawk Moth, Mayura, Ladybug, and/or Cat Noir. So Madam Gros asks Marinette if the guy she likes and his family are suffering because of events caused by Hawk Moth.
Marinette instinctively insists that that's not the case, but then she pauses. Adrien wound up in a coma immediately after Hawk Moth had captured Cat Noir—and a day after that, both Gabriel and Emilie Agreste also fell into a coma that they haven't woken from. Could it be Hawk Moth? It doesn't make much sense; it's not how Hawk Moth works. But the timing…is it really a coincidence?
Madam Gros begins to sense potential in Marinette and asks her about her feelings towards Hawk Moth and Mayura. Marinette voices her frustration at the evil duo for how many people they've hurt. But she also adds her optimism that Ladybug and Cat Noir will stop them for good. Madam Gros then asks Marinette for her feelings on Ladybug and Cat Noir. Marinette sings Ladybug's praises and voices her faith in their team work and how well they cover each other's strengths and weaknesses. Marinette then goes on to talk about Cat Noir, complimenting him—until her memory kicks in and she remembers Cat Noir is Adrien, at which point she becomes hopelessly tongue-tied and begins mixing up her words.
Madam Gros notices this, of course, and realizes Marinette is twitching similarly to the way she twitched when she was referring to the guy she liked. Maybe she wasn't referring to Adrien Agreste… Madam Gros wonders aloud "is Cat Noir the guy you like?" At which point Marinette loudly and vehemently denies it, going on a pre-Phase Two rant about what a goofball Cat Noir is and how annoying his whimsical attitude is. Until, again, her memory kicks in and she remembers she's talking about Adrien, at which point she reverts back to stammering and malaproping.
Madam Gros hesitates as it seems as if Marinette Dupin-Cheng does have some dark feelings towards Hawk Moth and Mayura that she could use. The counselor actually does turn her back on Marinette to reach for her miraculous box. However, as Marinette continues to spazz, Madam Gros decides against offering an Eastern miraculous to her. She excuses Marinette back to class. Marinette replies with a "Bye-good. I mean. Good-bye. Yes, good-bye. Not bye-good." Madam Gros makes notes of the exchange and adds that Marinette should probably go on Ritalin.
Because Madam Gros interviews not only students from Marinette's extended class, but also the grades below and above her, we get to see her screen someone from one of those classes: Luka Couffaine. She calls him out of his classroom (which he shares with Mathieu Anciel) and escorts him to her office, where she asks him about his hobbies, grades, emotions, family, and friends. Luka is calm during all of this, his fingers idly drumming a musical beat in his head. He loves his life aboard his family's houseboat, playing music with his friends, going to school, and even his "extracurricular" activities (with the B Team).
Madam Gros asks him how he handles stress, and Luka replies by taking a break and playing his guitar. She asks him about his future plans, and he admits to still be working on those—but he would like to continue in music, maybe be a music teacher. But it's not set in stone yet as there's still things in life he wants to try. He reveals he's on good terms with his friends and hints there's a girl he likes. Madam Gros tries, but she can't really dig up any personal darkness.
However, that's when she remembers that one of the students she interviewed earlier, Juleka, is his younger sister—and how she dropped a hint about her father. So Madam Gros asks Luka about his parents. He admits his mother is a free spirit and says nothing about a father. Madam Gros inquires about one. Luka gets bitter, if not a bit venomous, and says he has no father because his father abandoned them when they were still babies. His father is a coward who feared the responsibility of raising the children he brought into the world and abandoned their mother to struggle alone. Luka rants more than he intended, calling his father selfish and despicable—not the kind of man he wants to grow up to be. Madam Gros wonders who this guy even is. Luka admits he doesn't even remember his father's name or face, and that Anarka Couffaine refuses to tell them anything about him. Madam Gros asks if he thinks his mother is hiding something. Luka just gives her a confused expression; he doesn't see his mother as doing anything wrong—just a woman who was abandoned by the man she loved. Madam Gros actually senses bitterness, maybe even hatred, inside Luka at this point.
Finishing things up, Madam Gros asks Luka about his thoughts on Ladybug and Cat Noir and Hawk Moth. Luka uses the word "trustworthy" to describe the heroes and has full faith that the heroes of Paris (Team Ladybug and the B Team alike) will stop Hawk Moth permanently. Madam Gros notes this and then tells him that if he ever needs to talk about his family issues, her office is open (as she's maintaining the front of being a guidance counselor). She thanks him for his time and sends Luka back to class. She writes in her notes that he does show negative emotions, but they're not really directed in a way that serves her purposes.
Lunch time rolls around, and friends who are in different classes meet up to hang out. Jakeel Aristide, rather than pranking, rolls out a comedy/joke routine for his friends Jean Duparc and Pierre Lefevre that has them rolling in laughter. Le Chien Kim and Cameran Tyler here the commotion and join in on the show. Nino Lahiffe goes to sit down across from Adrien Agreste, but Chloe Bourgeois slides herself into the chair and tries to shoo Nino away. Nino, unphased, just takes another available seat at the table. Chloe asks Adrien how his parents are, which he replies grimly. He then asks about her parents. Chloe, being in denial, insists everything is fine between her family. Adrien, however, knows Chloe well enough to see she's stressed. He offers her a macaron. Chloe accepts and cooes about the cute kitty design before eating one. She says they're delicious. When Adrien reveals Marinette hand-made them, Chloe almost chokes.
Sabrina Raincomprix sits down by herself. She's surprised when a few minutes later, Yvonne Garnier and Genevieve Faucher join her. They start chatting about celebrity fashion and upcoming movies. Sabrina is very surprised that these two want to include her in the discussion. Yvonne comments that it's because they realized Sabrina is a lot nicer than they initially thought, and Genevieve adds that Sabrina's views on accessories and pop culture and cute guys in America is really interesting. They say they enjoy spending time with her. This leaves Sabrina speechless. Yvonne then comments that she almost forgot—but she wants to exchange phone numbers with Sabrina so they can text and stuff. Genevieve adds that she wants the same. Sabrina is thrilled, having been so lonely, that someone wants to be her friend. She pulls out her cell phone—then she freezes. She remembers how badly communication went with her other friends: Miranda Edgarov, Marinette Dupin-Cheng, and Chloe Bourgeois. She's afraid her abandonment issues will ruin things this time too.
That's when she remembers Madam Gros's introduction from her very first scene. Sabrina semi-panics, gathers her things, tells them thanks for spending lunch with her, and hurries off. This leaves Yvonne and Genevieve flummoxed, but Genevieve wonders if "it's that time of the month" for Sabrina, and the best friends decide to respect Sabrina's privacy. (All cast can be found here: (( photos . app . goo . gl / cgLSrNi71rxfep9e8 ))).
Sabrina hurries to the counselor's office and asks if it's okay for her to speak with Madam Gros. Dolores Gros invites her in. Sabrina has barely flopped down into the chair before she begins explaining her abandonment fears and how she wants to make new friends but doesn't want to ruin it. Madam Gros listens—as now her skills as an actual counselor and not a mole are being put to the test.
Madam Gros acknowledges that Sabrina has done well in taking the first step. She admitted there was a problem, pinned the root cause of the issue, and—most importantly—began using her words to express her feelings and desire for change. Madam Gros produces an empty notebook. She encourages Sabrina to give her phone number to her new friends and start new, healthy relationships. Then, instead of acting on her anxious feelings, to write them down. Write down what she feels, the time she feels it, and if possible, what caused her to feel that way. Write instead of spam phone calling. Then, the two of them will meet again. Madam Gros will use the notebook as a springboard to help Sabrina learn coping techniques. The bell rings. Sabrina thanks her for listening and returns to class. (It really is such a shame Madam Gros is a villain because mental health is something that really needs to be addressed properly more in both reality and fiction.)
It's the middle of the afternoon when Madam Gros calls Nicholas Sancoeur for his mental health screening. She heard about the recent passing of his father and figured that was a good enough veil to call him in. Unlike Marinette, Nicholas is calm and stoic and hardly moves. He sits with great posture during the entire conversation.
When Madam Gros asks him about hobbies, he mentions tinkering, martial arts, playing the violin, and learning German. Madam Gros does not have a transcript of his grades from Italy, but Nicholas assures her that he is a good student who always gets his homework done.
Madam Dolores Gros gets to the heart of the matter and asks him about how he's dealing with his father's sudden death. Nicholas is borderline emotionless as he explains that he had no way of predicting such a thing like this would happen, but he's grateful to his aunt for taking him in without any time to prepare. Madam Gros asks about Nicholas's biological mother, but Nicholas replies with "I don't have a mother." When she asks if he has any other family, he tells her there are none. The counselor tries to get a read on how Nicholas is processing his grief, but Nicholas assures her that his is fine and his emotions "are controlled and stable." This causes the counselor to raise an eyebrow.
She asks him how he deals with stress and deadlines, and Nicholas admits he doesn't feel stressed about things like deadlines. She pries to get into his emotions, but everything he replies with is stoic and emotionless. Madam Gros begins to get exasperated. So she drops to the end of her question list and asks Nicholas what he thinks about Hawk Moth.
Nicholas, very calmly, wonders why Madam Gros is even asking such a thing, which actually catches Gros off guard for once. Nicholas then banks on his own backstory that he doesn't know much about Paris's heroes and villains as he lived in Italy until recently. Madam Gros dismisses him and notes that he seems to be in serious denial about his own emotions, possibly using repression as a coping mechanism. She wonders if she could still use him despite this. She puts a question mark next to his name; she tells Ellie the elephant kwami (who appears after Nicholas left) that if she cannot find twelve pawns, she'll reconsider Nicholas.
After school, Sabrina Raincomprix decides to take the plunge. She takes a deep breath and approaches Yvonne and Genevieve, who are discussing possible articles for the school newspaper. Sabrina sincerely apologizes for bailing on them at lunch. Then she goes on to explain that she does want to be friends with them—but she's afraid of messing things up. She starts to babble, saying she'll do better and do their homework for them and pick up their laundry and… That's when Yvonne cuts her off. She doesn't want Sabrina to serve her. For a moment, Sabrina looks dejected. Yvonne, however, goes on to explain that while Chloe might be that way, that's not how really friends work. All Sabrina has to do is be herself. Friends talk to each other, support each other, and have fun together. Genevieve adds that friendship is a two-way street; it's equal. Sabrina (mentally noting her emotions so she can write about them later) tells them that she'll do her best—she wants to learn. And (she stammers) she'd be honored if they would accept her phone number. Yvonne and Genevieve gladly agree. The three girls swap numbers. Then Yvonne suggests they head to their family's apartment and do their nails. Sabrina is a bit surprised that she'd be on the receiving end of an amateur manicure rather than always having to give it, but she's excited at the prospect and agrees to go along with them.
The camera pans back slightly to reveal Kagami Tsurugi heard part of this conversation. She pulls out her cell phone and looks at it. Her contacts list is still: her mother, Marinette, and the A Team. Kagami squares her shoulders. She's going to do it too.
Marinette Dupin-Cheng has some time before she has to help her family in the bakery. So she takes that time to follow Chloe Bourgeois to see if she can learn anything about Queen Scorpion or whom Scorpion works for. However, she yet again has no luck. Chloe acts normal, and Marinette can't even deduce which of Chloe's accessories might be a miraculous. Heck, she doesn't even see a kwami. It makes Marinette realize that Chloe is being more careful with her alias—and she also considers the possibility that maybe Chloe and her "sponsor" don't talk face to face. Maybe they communicate through phone or email. That'll make it all the harder to trace the Scorpio back to its source.
Nicholas Sancoeur meets up with Gilles Chastain, who is talking with Jakeel Aristide, Jean Duparc, and Pierre Lefevre, complaining about Ms. Mendeleiev's homework. Gilles greets Nicholas and welcomes him into the group. Nicholas takes his place on the outskirts of the conversation. He's fine with this, as he is still under orders to keep an eye on Jean Duparc, who is still wearing the turquoise squirrel glove, though it's incognito at the moment. Nicholas watches carefully, but Jean betrays nothing about his new identity as Chip Bluestone. Nicholas also gets a feel for Jakeel and Pierre's personalities—Jakeel as a jokester who loves to make other people smile and Pierre as a love-struck knight with a strong but warped sense of justice. Jean is the one to balance the two and keep them level-headed, though he does tend to lose his focus when Rose Lavillant is involved. And for Pierre, Jean can't convince him that Lila Rossi is a poor choice for a crush.
Jakeel tries to get Nicholas to laugh, but Nicholas doesn't get the jokes and is stoic the whole time. Pierre subtly encourages Jakeel to lay off, as it's fairly well known around the student body that Nicholas transferred to their school due to recently becoming an orphan. What Nicholas doesn't realize is that Pierre is also Sir Silver Hart and this his headband is actually the Libra blindfold—and that Dee the stag kwami is hiding in Pierre's messenger bag at that moment.
Gilles suggests they spend an hour at the arcade before going home. The others agree. Gilles then tells Nicholas that the invitation includes him, which surprised Nicholas. Nicholas actually does feel happy by the invite, though he doesn't show it, but he declines as he wants to return home and check on his aunt. Gilles, somberly, says he understands, and the group parts ways for their afternoon plans.
At fencing practice, Kagami Tsurugi makes sure to square off against Adrien Agreste. She promises herself she'll ask him if she wins. It's a very intense match-up, but Kagami finally scores the last point. Adrien takes off his face guard and congratulates her. He holds out his hand for a shake. Kagami puts a business card sized notecard in it. Adrien wonders what it is. Kagami says it's her phone number—she hope he'll call her so she can have his. She returns to the bench to sit down and take a drink of water.
Her phone buzzes next to her sweat towel. Kagami picks it up—it's a text message from Adrien. He waves to her from across the room. "Thanks for your number; here's mine. Your friend, Adrien. XO." Kagami lights up with a genuine smile. She now has four numbers in her contacts list. (Remember, you can find the full cast here: (( photos . app . goo . gl / cgLSrNi71rxfep9e8 ))).
Nicholas decides to walk/catch the bus home rather than wait for the car (limo) pool with Solomon. After all, Adrien is currently at fencing practice, and Felix has his cello lessons. Nicholas has German lessons, but he cancels on his own behalf because he wants to get back to Nathalie.
He talks to Dr. Theroux first when he enters the Agreste manor, but there's been no change in her health. She's still unconscious—as are Gabriel and Emilie. Nicholas thanks him and takes to their room. Once the door is shut, he talks to his aunt, asking her very formally to wake up. He's removed the butterfly from her person now for almost a full day. Isn't that enough? Nooroo and Duusuu appear, and both are sad. Nooroo has been watching over Nathalie too, and there's just no waking her.
Nicholas gently shakes Nathalie—nothing. But it does work an item free from her pocket. It's a tie clip. Duusuu sorta gasps when he sees this. Nicholas recognizes it too. It's his item. He stares at the tie clip on the floor, not picking it up. Nooroo asks Nicholas. "Aren't you going to claim it? If you do…you can control your own destiny. You'll be free." Nicholas face unreadably emotionless.
Duusuu comments that it looks just like the tie clips that Nooroo's former master used to wear. And yes, this is true. Nooroo confirms it. The tie clip previously belong to Gabriel Agreste. Nathalie kept it for herself a long time ago—a small trinket from the man she loved. Nooroo asks Duusuu about how the item will continue to function with its bearer in a coma. Even though Nicholas is holding the peacock brooch, can he really claim it and become its next wielder with Nicholas being what he is? Duusuu shrugs—something like that has never happened before. But he's sure it could only happen if Nicholas gained his own will, and to do that, he would have to take possession of his item (the tie clip).
Nicholas tells Duusuu to pick up the tie clip. Duusuu points out that since Nicholas isn't his master, Duusuu doesn't actually have to obey him. Nicholas requests Duusuu pick up the clip and says "please." Duusuu decides to comply since Nicholas asked nicely. Nicholas then asks that Duusuu put the clip back into his aunt's pocket. Nooroo, who wants nothing more than to be free of bad masters and to have his own will and autonomy again, is stunned that Nicholas is passing up this opportunity. Duusuu does as requested, and Nicholas explains he doesn't need his own destiny. He is happy with his aunt, he's happy living with everyone in the Agreste manor, and he enjoys going to school and making friends there. Nooroo whimpers "but you could be free." Duusuu shrugs and tells Nooroo "not all senti monsters understand what freedom even is. Let him do what he wants."
This confirms that, yes, Nicholas Sancoeur actually is a complex senti monster created by Nathalie herself. She put a lot of thought into his personality and abilities, making him seem more realistic—but at the end of the day, he is a senti monster nonetheless. The item that holds his amok is Gabriel's tie clip. And knowing this, it's clear what Nathalie was thinking when she created him. Nicholas's appearance is that of a younger, male version of herself. He matches her hair and bone structure. However, his grey eyes are that of Gabriel Agreste. Plus, the talents Nicholas has draw from Adrien—speaking a foreign language, playing a music instrument, and doing well in school. Nicholas's martial arts skills are that of Nathalie's. The only thing Nathalie didn't add to Nicholas is his talent and love of tinkering. That is all his own (which should say something about his possibilities for development). In short, Nicholas is everything Nathalie would want in a son if she were to get together with Gabriel.
((Addendum: It was revealed in season four that senti monsters can wield miraculous, but that information was not available at the time of this chapter's conception.))
Nicholas sets himself up at the table in the room and pulls out the peacock brooch to try to fix it. Hours pass. Felix and Adrien also return to the manor. Adrien drops in to see Nathalie, during which time Nicholas hides the brooch. The same for when Dr. Theroux makes his rounds. But the evening stretches on, and there's no improvements.
Nicholas, fortunately, is very emotionally controlled, so despite all his efforts failing, he does not get frustrated. On occasion, he asks Duusuu how the peacock brooch original worked, what it was made of, and how it looked before it was damaged. Duusuu answers with what he can, but he is a bit loopy. Nooroo makes an off-handed comment that it would likely take magic to fix magic. Plyers and screwdrivers and wires don't have the power to fix something like a miraculous.
That gives Nicholas an idea. "Maybe not these screwdrivers." He holds out his wrists, revealing the diamond cuff links he wears. He closes his eyes to focus—to channel his emotions and powers, the additional ones his aunt gave him. He transforms into Adamantus. And since this is the first time we see Adamantus transform on page, it gets a proper transformation sequence.
Adamantus pulls out his two miraculous-empowered weapons, the twin screwdrivers (yes, one is a Philips and one is a flathead), and resumes his work. He makes progress, with Duusuu commenting that the fog around his brain seems to be lifting and that the brooch is looking like it used to. Adamantus slips into the rhythm of his work, the diamonds on his wrist sparkling. Nooroo is amazed as things come together, and he does make the occasional comment to help guide Adamantus. Something like "I don't remember the brooch having a feather there" or "that wire didn't bend in that direction."
There's a flicker of light; then a whole wave of light washes over the peacock brooch. Its incognito form stabilizes. Duusuu perks up—"it's like all the chaos that was in my mind is just gone. I feel so much better." Adamantus breathes a sigh of relief. "This is it." It has to help his aunt.
He approaches Nathalie and pins it to her collar. Then he waits. But Nathalie doesn't reply. He calls her name, "Aunt Nathalie," but still gets no response. Adamantus wonders aloud why it didn't work, but Nooroo and Duusuu have no answers.
Adamantus takes his aunt's hands in his own. He begs her to wake up. Unknown to him, light begins to glow down his arms, to his hands, and beneath his skin. Nooroo and Duusuu do notice; they exchange an uncertain look. Adamantus continues to focus, the light growing stronger. He whispers one word. "Please." The light grows into a flash, and Adamantus recoils, dropping Nathalie's hands back onto her chest.
It's quiet in the room for a moment. Adamantus looks around, confused by what just happened. Duusuu asks, "Didn't you just do that?" Adamantus shakes his head, uncertainly.
Nathalie Sancoeur's eyes flutter open…
To be continued in Chapter 58: Ruddiger…
A note from the author: Wow, I didn't think I would actually have a chapter where neither Ladybug nor Cat Noir nor any hero appeared or used an ability!