"It's a shame Mother Camille could not come with us to the festival," a dark skinned girl hummed to herself as she placed a tiara on her head. Her mahogany hair laid in a curly mess down her neck, which was perfect for fitting the delicate tiara on. She adjusted her dark blue and white dress before spinning around her changing room.

"She never really stays around for very long," another woman sighed as she sat lazily on a chair.

"Marinette, you need to get ready," the other woman scolded as she grabbed a brush and began to fuss with the other's hair.

"I have plenty of time, Alya," she responded as she leaned into the brush in retaliation to a particularly nasty knot found in her black hair.

"Yeah, yeah," Alya scoffed as she tied her hair up with a long, black sash, "Just don't miss your cue."

Marinette stood and unwrapped the sash from her waist, "I won't, I'll see you later."

Alya smiled and left the tent. She did not watch where she was going and stepped right in front of Wayzz, who reared back and nearly knocked Nino off.

"Watch it!" Nino shouted as he steadied himself and the horse.

"You watch where you're going, metal brain!" Alya spat back. She stopped dead in her tracks when one of the Judge's personal guards came up to her.

"Is there a problem here, Captain?" He said as he pointed a spear toward Alya. She gasped and took a step back.

"No! No, not at all," Nino said as he climbed down from Wayzz and in the path of the guard. "I drove my horse into her path. It is fine." Nino took the chance to glance back at her, only to find the space behind him empty.

Alya had slipped away. She held her hand to her chest to feel her heart. It was beating fast. She took a few deep breaths and continued her trek toward the stage.

The whole town was in an uproar. People were shouting in the streets, children were running wild, tents were lining the streets. Each tent had a different kind of attraction for townsfolk to enjoy ranging from palm reading, puppet shows, games, and dancers. Judge Papillion walked down the main road toward a special seat just for him near the main stage. Some of the venders avoided eye-contact as he passed. He took note of every stall with suspicious people within as he passed.

Nino could not stop smiling. He enjoyed seeing the people so happy.

He stopped to enjoy a small play being put on by a small band of actors. His attention was pulled away by the sound of lively music. He looked down the road to where Papillion was getting situated in his honorable seat. He sat before a large stage where a group of dancers in bright colored costumes were swaying to the music. One dancer in a dark blue and white dress caught his eye. She swung her hips and waved her arms rhythmically, almost hypnotically. He walked quickly toward the stage, ignoring everything else around him. He only pulled his eyes away when he accidentally bumped into a tall figure in a dark cloak.

"Excuse me," he apologised as he regained his footing.

"N-no no, I'm sorry, forgive me, please," the voice beneath the cloak pleaded, causing Nino to return his attention to the figure.

"You don't need to apologise," Nino responded while raising his hands defensively, "I was distracted by the beautiful dancers. Aren't they just lovely?"

The figure turned and, supposedly, looked toward the stage, "Yes they are."

Nino smiled and continued his trek to the stage, "Enjoy the festival!"

Chat watched as the guard walked away from him. His heart was beating so hard from the fright of being found out that he could not hear his parting words. He rushed between the nearest tents in hopes of calming himself down.

As if the Fates themselves were determined to watch him be found out, he tripped over a pile of supplies for the vender and fell forward into another tent. He grasped for something to keep him from falling, only for the flimsy fabric to give from his weight. He landed in a heap in the tent as a pile of fabrics, cloak, tail, and was that glitter?

"HEY!" a female voice shrieked as he landed. Chat felt dizzy as he pried himself from the mess he had just made.

"I'm sorry! I'm so so SO sorry!" Chat whined as he tripped over the fabrics helplessly, "I can't- I just-"

"Let me help you!" The voice offered as he felt hands begin to pull at the fabrics.

Chat pulled back desperately trying to cover his head and face, but the other person was strong and managed to free him easily. Chat tried to cover his ears with his hands, but the person was lifting him up by the elbows and it was very hard to keep himself covered.

"There," she said as she kicked the fallen curtain away from his feet. She seemed to not notice the tail… or the ears… or how desperate he was to have his hood over his head. "No harm done?" She smiled at him and Chat felt his stomach lurch at the thought of what she would say when she saw his state. "Great!" she began to usher Chat from the tent gently, "I'd love to have you stay, kitty, but I have to finish getting dressed."

Only then did Chat notice that the woman before him was currently wrapped in a thin robe. Her hair was tied up with a long black sash and she wore a lovely golden tiara. Her bluebell eyes sparkled as she giggled at him. He was staring.

With a final shove, he was back outside. His heart was beating rapidly, but for a different reason this time. And so, once again, he failed to hear her parting words.

"By the way, I love the costume, kitty," she called out as she closed the curtain behind him.