"Plagg, you get back here, or it's a time-out!" "But-" "I-but. You know we promised Nikki an ice cream, and then we'll go to Leo's. Now, come on."
Marinette watched in fascination as Zoe handled Plagg's whining with ease. "How did you do that?" She asked. "Even Adrien can't make him listen all the time." "You can't give in," Zoe said. "And you have to be firm." Marinette giggled, linking arms with her friend. "You sure you don't want to be Ladybug?" "No, I'll just be one of her best girlfriends, if that's all right with her."
The girls were having a girls day out, shopping and getting lunch together. They were on their way to the ice cream parlor now. "Is it a relief that you know who Cat Noir is now?" Zoe lowered her voice to a whisper. Marinette nodded. "I mean, both of us were surprised, but who wouldn't be? And yes, I love that I don't have to keep secrets from him. I never liked that."
Zoe smiled. "Well, I hope you still keep some secrets. You know, birthday and Christmas gifts?" "And we're I hid the catnip and rubber ducks?" Marinette laughed, thinking of Cat's favorite things. "I love him so much," she said. "Blech," Plagg muttered from Zoe's jacket. "You girls and romance." "Trust me, Plagg, if romance was a cheese flavor, you probably eat it." Plagg opened his mouth then shut it. "True." "Besides, hasn't Nikki noticed how big and strong you are, carrying around massive amounts of Camembert?" Zoe snorted, her face pink from laughing and Marinette caught her infectious giggles.
"Maybe that's why Adrien did all those perfume commercials. It was to cover up the stinky scent of cheese!"
They were still laughing when they entered the ice cream parlor. "Marinette, can I get vanilla?" Nikki whispered from her bag. "Of course."
Marinette ordered a strawberry cone, and Zoe chocolate. Zoe had just taken a few licks, when she felt her shirt wiggling. Plagg peeked his head out, eyes glued on the cone. "That looks kinda tasty," he said, licking his lips. "Mind if I have a lick?" Zoe nodded, and Plagg licked at the cone, his eyes lighting up. Even Nikki watched curiously. "Why, its delicious! Sugar Cube, what have I been missing all my life?"
Plagg dived into Marinette's purse, chattering away. "You have my undying respect, as you finally got a more then five thousand year old Kwami to eat something other then cheese, Marinette told Zoe. "What would you like?" Zoe tapped at her lips, considering her options. "One Starbucks Monday morning, and….a cat pun from Cat Noir." "Deal."
After going to Leo's, the girls headed back to Marinette's to find a very dusty Adrien."I'm helping your mother clean out the cabinets," he said. An apron was tied around his waist, a wet rag in hand. "Aw, that's sweet, Kitty." "Guess what, Adrien? I got Plagg to eat something other then cheese. Ice cream."
There was a stunned silence. "That true, Bugaboo?" Marinette giggled at his choice of words. "Yes, he had a chocolate cone. Oh, by the way, you owe Zoe a Cat pun." "Oh? Wouldn't she like me to yowl instead?" his green eyes lit up and winked. "No, no, no! Bad Kitty."
"Aw, Princess…." "Is it always like this?" Zoe whispered to Nikki and Plagg as the heroes bantered back and forth. Plagg smiled. "You'll get used to it."
Zoe smiled and shook her head. With friends like Marinette and Adrien, plus the Kwamis, life was never dull! But she wouldn't have it any other way.