Thank you for all the reviews! I never would've imagined even one person coming across this story and enjoying it, much less leaving a comment. I'm trying to arrange an update schedule, but I'm not really one to stay on track. So I'll just do it whenever I can- may take a day, may take a week.
Chapter 2: Satisfaction Brought It Back
''This is a bad idea.''
''Purr.''
''I shouldn't do this.''
''Purr.''
''I could get killed.''
''Purr.''
''You're not helping, Plagg.''
Perched atop his miniature building, a cat coated in midnight fur glanced at Adrien's choice of outfit disinterestedly before turning back to his slab of Camembert.
The cat's owner sighed and looked back at his reflection in the tall body mirror. When the card mentioned an 'animal costume', his mind immediately went to the type of stuffy, uncomfortable suits that people stuffed themselves into and tripped over their own feet just to entertain others.
However, his common sense decided that wearing something as mortifying as that in public probably wasn't what the offer was saying (though he could've easily believed it).
Once that point was made clearly, he proceeded to panic over what to wear. It wasn't exactly normal for a 16 year old boy to wander around sporting clothes that would rather suit a wealthy business owner, and yet more than half of his wardrobe consisted of nothing but his father's garments. The only he could find that could count as 'ordinary' was a green shirt that had an outline of a paw print with the name of an animal shelter he couldn't identify.
The only easy part of it was deciding what he would be. He was practically bad luck on two legs, he might as well dress like it. A thin leather jacket was worn over the shirt, whilst black skinny jeans and dress shoes completed the look. He even added a headband with cat ears that Nino once gave him to do a dare. All in all, he had no idea what he was doing.
I look like an idiot, he thought. But at least I don't look recognizable. He didn't need his father going up to his door and inquiring why people were seeing his only son walking the streets dressed as a hooligan.
Ruffling his hair for good measure, Adrien stared back at himself before turning to Plagg, who felt his gaze and looked up from his meal. Round emeralds peeked back at his with interest, and though realizing this just now, Adrien thought the ebony color around his cat's eyes rather contrasted well, almost like a mask.
A mask. I need a mask. He would've facepalmed right then and there had he not been in a hurry.
Rummaging through endless drawers, he found disregarded cloth from a project he didn't remember nor cared about, and finding it long enough, grabbed a pair of scissors. He first cut it so that it was a long, strip of coal-black before creating two small holes in the middle, eyeballing the measurements. Tying the finished product around his head, he took a last peek at his reflection and gave a satisfied look before dashing out the door, slamming it behind him.
Ignoring the looks that were shot towards him, Adrien glanced at the card quickly before looking up (he'd learned his lesson last time after choosing not to pay attention). It was obviously talking about the café near the park he'd always visited, (for both relaxation and photoshoots) but he couldn't spot the old man anywhere-
Wait. Nevermind.
Walking towards the entrance of the small white building, a green blob that was sitting in one of the tables near the window came into view. Said green blob soon became visible as he neared, shaping into what looked like a plushy turtle shell.
A turtle costume.
Oh, hell.
The suit itself was horrifying. Huge, yellow, dilated eyes and a too-wide-to-be-humanly-possible gaping smile, it's a wonder why the man wasn't kicked out of the café for most likely scaring away half their customers. Though he wasn't going to say that aloud to his employer.
Tugging nervously at the ends of his makeshift bandanna, Adrien slowly approached the table. ''Um, hello, Monsieur. Sorry I'm late.''
''Oh! Is that you, son?'' A surprised voice echoed from inside the mouth. ''You weren't arriving in the attire I was expecting.''
''R-Right. Sorry.'' Adrien was internally panicking on the inside. Was he supposed to wear something like that? If the insane old man could do it, then surely he was expected to, right? Perhaps sucking up his pride and daring to come in such a thing was a test? Did he already prove he wasn't worthy of the job within seconds of the interview?
Good job, Adrien. As if you didn't already make a perfect first impression.
Seeming to notice the blonde's inner turmoil, a laugh sounded out. ''Don't worry, you're fine. I was just wearing this in case you did, just so you wouldn't feel left out.''
Two arms shot up to quickly take the terrifying head off, revealing the gentle face of the man he met yesterday (he sighed in relief). ''So, would you like to eat anything? I'm guessing you came here in a rush and skipped your breakfast?''
''Er- yes, I did. Is it alright if I order something?'' He actually woke up near the brink of sunrise just to decide whether he should take the job or not before spending the next few hours getting worked up over his disguise, but he wasn't going to mention that.
''Of course! This place serves excellent breakfasts and brunches. You don't mind British food, do you?''
''No, anything is fine with me, really.'' The loud rumbling of his stomach seconds later confirmed it, and a blush appeared underneath the rim of his mask.
A grin spread across the elder's face. ''Good. If you don't mind, hurry and eat up after the food arrives. I have something to show you.''
''Well, then, now that we're here, let's start working on those neck problems of yours, yes?''
The place he'd been brought to was, in a way, interesting. The room held a calm and relaxing atmosphere, and the various Chinese orientated decorations made it feel somewhat homey. He was ushered to what looked like a futon and laid down before he realized something.
''Monsieur, I never actually got your name.''
''Oh?'' The massuist hummed, now dressed in a red Hawaiian button up and khakis as he knelt down before the young blonde and proceeded to spread lotion on his neck. ''You can just call me Fu, dear boy. No need for 'Monsieur' and 'Master', it only makes me feel older than I already am.''
Biting his lip to refrain from asking what his age really was, he continued the conversation as Fu began to massage his nape, ''So, what do I do, exactly? For the job, I mean.''
''A mixture of things. But you'll mainly be working as a detective, going around and solving riddles, helping the troubled in any way you can.'' Fu replied, adding pressure to the knots. ''I hope you don't mind me not saying this before, but you won't be getting paid. This business of ours is dedicated to offering our services for free, doing whatever we can. Most of my past clients didn't even make it past the interview, so I forgot to mention it. I'm truly sorry, and I'd understand if you want to quit now.''
''N-No! It's fine, I still want to take up the offer! It's okay if I don't get paid.'' Adrien already had more than enough, he wouldn't know what to do with the extra cash he was bringing in.
Fu gave a hidden and secretive smile, which went unnoticed. ''I appreciate it, young man. It's not everyday you meet a teenager like yourself who is willing to put their lives on the line like this,'' Adrien gulped, ''but I can assure you it'll be worth it when you put your best effort into it. Your partner will be more than grateful as well.''
At this mention his ears perked up. ''Partner? Hold on, you didn't mention a partner-''
The sudden sound of the sliding door being moved came up behind him, which followed up with a female voice, ''Another one of your clients, Fu? I thought I came here for an important meeting, so excuse me if I'm interrupting something.''
His reflexes had him immediately jump up, wincing as his loosened neck refused to cooperate and ending up almost falling on his face (almost because years of fencing and eye coordination did him some good).
It obviously still made him look like an idiot, because the ravenette raised an unimpressed brow at him before crossing her arms and turning to Fu, ''Unless this person is my new partner?''
Adrien's eyes went up to meet the speaker, not wanting to look them in the eyes out of embarrassment. Instead, he paid close attention to anything other than their face. He spotted locks of jet black hair pulled behind red ribbons that curled at the end, and shorts along with a hoodie that differed from the rest. It was well made, he could tell by the careful stitching and seams. Crafted by hand, maybe? His father would be impressed. A vivid red with black spots, it reminded him of a-
''Ladybug!'' The elder greeted happily. ''You came here earlier than expected. Meet your new partner!'' He gestured towards the limp body on the floor.
''Pleased to meet you.'' She drawled, offering her hand to him, ''And your name is...?''
''Chat Noir.'' He answered quickly, now looking her in the eyes. Huge sapphire gems stared back at him, and he flushed. Flashing her a toothy grin, and took her hand and stood up, kissing it gently. ''Pleased to meet you, M'lady.'' Seriously, Adrien? Where the hell did that confidence come from all of a sudden? And Chat Noir? Really now?
Gaping, Ladybug quickly snapped out of her short-lived shock and pulled her hand away, rolling her eyes and smirking. ''Well, Chat Noir, I'll have you know I don't put up with flirtatious characters like you, so you might want to watch what you say.'' Despite the threat, her tone was teasing and light, and his smile only widened with every word that came out of those luscious pink lips.
''Of course, M'lady.'' Maybe this won't be that bad after all.
Sighing in exasperation, she turned to the elder as if asking for confirmation, which he nodded to. Accepting her defeat, she roughly grabbed Chat by the arm and began walking out, breaking his confident character whilst he stuttered, ''H-Hey, where are we going?'' Please don't tell me I jinxed it.
Ladybug stared at him in amusement before responding, ''Well, you're my new partner, right? I got your name, so there's no more need for introductions. C'mon, we have a case to solve.''
In case you're wondering, Le Bal Café is a real place. They're said to serve British breakfasts and brunches that are, judging by the pictures and reviews I've seen, delicious. I say this because I've never been to Paris. ;-;
Anyways, you may want to start paying more attention to details from here on out, because the 'mystery' starts now!