"The package is finally here," Marinette squealed as she heard a thump outside the door. "The package from America has finally arrived!" Her dad looked up from the morning paper. "What did you order? New sewing supplies? A dress or a hat?" "No, better," Marinette told him, dragging in the box. "American snacks!"
"Shouldn't you invite Cat here dear? You know he likes to be included in family activities," her mother said, sipping from her china teacup. "Great…."
"Meow-ell lo!" Marinette grinned as Cat landed on the balcony. Opening the door, she grabbed his hand. "Great, your just in time," she said, dragging him over the box. "Princess! You ordered me a new bed? You shouldn't have!" Cat plopped down, staring at the box, eyes gleaming. "Its not a bed, Kitty. Its snacks from America!" "But, I agree with Cat. That cardboard box has seen its day. You may want to look for a new bed soon, dear."
Cat's used his nails to open the box and everyone peered in curiously. Chips, pretzels, and cookies spilled out of the box. "What should we try first?" Marinette asked. Tom cleared his throat. "Being the baker of the family, I say we try the cookies first." Cat placed a hand on Tom's shoulder. "I second that." "That's because you love sweets," Marinette giggled, and Cat's eyes went soft. "But nothing will be as sweet as you, love."
Ripping open the package, a intoxicating smell of chocolate wafted into the air. "Can't have cookies without milk!" Mama Cheng said, pouring big glasses. Marinette took a bite, closing her eyes happily. "Mm, chocolate!" But then she begin to giggle as felt Nikki wiggling around in her shirt. "Do they really make you dance?" Cat asked, studied one closely, and Marinette clapped a hand to her mouth as he looked at the cookie cross-eyed. Cat shrugged, popping one into his mouth. Then he rigid, tail as straight as a flag.
"Uh-oh," Marinette groaned. "Sugar. Must zoom. Cookies!" With a meow, Cat bounded out the door, Marinette racing after him. "Cat, wait!"
Marinette turned to look at her parents. "Chocolate can affect cats in mysterious ways," her mother said. "But you'd better go after him, dear. Who knows how he could get himself into trouble!" Nikki flew out of her jacket. "Your right! Nikki, Spots On!"
Cat felt like he was on Cloud Nine as he zoomed around the city, but even Cat's need a breather. The park was up ahead, and he put on an extra burst out speed. Dropping down on a bench, Cat still felt the chocolate coursing through his body. Or maybe he was stinky? Either way, he needed a bath!
But Cat didn't take a bath in the traditional way, Cat looked right and left then plopped down on all fours, using his pink tongue to clean his suit.
Ladybug jogged up to the park, just in time to see Cat cleaning himself, leg hiked high in the air. She knew she should catch him, but this was a opportunity to good to miss as she took out her bug phone and begin recording.
Cat used his hands to clean his face, grinning broadly. Why hadn't he thought of this before? It didn't involve water or getting wet. But he did miss the rubber ducks. But then Cat saw a dot of red out of the corner of his eye. M'lady.
"Cat, how about we go home and have some nice tea? Or a lemonade?" Cat hissed at her and narrowed his eyes, reaching for another cookie. Tea? Who wanted tea when you had cookies? With a happy trill, Cat took off again, Ladybug chasing behind.
What could bring Cat back to his senses? What did Cat love even more then her? Ladybug sighed and plopped down in the grass. But wait, this grass smelled different. It was catnip! "Lucky Charm!"
A furry catnip mouse dropped into her hands and she smiled. Her Lucky Charm always delivered. Now she just had to find her partner.
"But this is sweethearts ice cream, Cat Noir. Where's your beautiful lady?" Ladybug looked up to see Cat staring longingly at the ice cream cart. "All I want to do is make an ice cream sandwich with my cookie!"
Ladybug stood up, and squeaked the mouse, knowing her partner would hear it. Cat trilled happily, dropping his cookie and bounding up to Ladybug. "Here's a nice mouse to play with."
Cat purred and meowed happily, rolling on the grass paddling all four paws in the air before the effects of the cookies wore off, and he sat up.
"M'lady? What happened?" Ladybug smiled. "Let's just say that those American cookies certainly had an effect on you." As she tossed her lucky charm, Cat yawned loudly. "Oh, no you don't. We're going to find your a new basket to sleep in."
So, that's what they did, and Cat napped most of the day when they got back to Marinette's. A strange thing happened when anyone made cookies. Cat would still eat them, but not if they were chocolate.
But perhaps that was a good thing, and Marinette knew Cat would eat chocolate again. It just wouldn't be anytime soon!
