Chapter Four:
Outing Digression and Heroes Meet
Third Person POV
The final bell rang, and Florence let out a sigh of relief, yes, she loved her job, but after such a relaxing honeymoon this first day back was exhausting. She pulled out her compact mirror from her bag, along with her small comb and make-up, and set it on her desk. "A great theatre teacher should be well versed in hair and make-up," she laughed to herself as she opened her shoulder-length dark chestnut hair from the messy bun it was in.
She lightly brushed it, doing her best to keep the natural waves amplified by the bun. Once satisfied with her hair, she opened her make-up bag and touched up her light make-up, she decided to tame her look down to make it easier to teach her students make-up in theatre class.
"Hmm, maybe a little more colour," she said to herself before using her mint green eyeshadow. The colour was just slightly lighter than her eyes, and it stood out well against her fair skin. Being a make-up specialist, she could not just leave the natural look when going out. "Let's go meet with our new friends," she said to herself, "I should stop with the soliloquies before people think I'm crazy… Nah, where's the fun in that? Anyway I have a husband who accepts it," she reasoned before continuing her task.
She soon found her colleagues, who were engaged in a discussion in Athalya's class. Caline stood next to the desk with her arms crossed and her jacket draped over them, she also opened her hair which now sat at her mid-back. Athalya was seated on her desk with her legs crossed at the ankles, her long white hair was still in its thick braid, which she brought to the front showing the beautiful gold and jade green floral hairpiece holding it secure, a few strands were loose but perfectly framed her face.
She wore a jade green high-low bell sleeve dress with lace trim, her feet were clad in gold tie-up gladiators. Earlier her make-up was a soft gold which worked well on her caramel skin, her lips were coloured with deep red which tied it up and had Florence's stamp of approval. However, her make-up had faded, her jade green and dark blue mismatched eyes earlier rimmed with her eyeliner looked tired, the liner and wing were smudged, and her lipstick was barely noticeable. All that ran through Florence's mind was, I hope she lets me fix her make-up.
"I'm telling you, Lya, it will help you destress, and it will be so great. I promise it will not be crazy or wild, just some relaxing and some fun. It will be way better than sitting with mountains of books and research," Caline said, "Cal, I don't know and also sitting with that mountain of books and research is relaxing to me you know," Athalya replied with a shake of her head. "Athalya, Caline," Florence called from the doorway not wanting to eavesdrop.
"Flo," the ladies answered together. "What's the debate and Athalya why do you look so drained?" she asked them, "I had a relief class in my last hour, it was that class," Athalya answered the latter question first with a shake of her head. Florence nodded in sympathetic understanding, knowing exactly which class she was talking about. "Oh and it's not a debate, Cal is trying to take me out on Friday afternoon," answered with an exhausted sigh as she pushed a few strands that came loose behind her ear.
"Why the sigh? Wouldn't it be nice to go and enjoy being young adults?" Flo asked, "Yeah Lya, we are young adults, and we should be enjoying it," Caline stated. "I am enjoying it," Athalya defended herself but received a look from Caline. "Sitting in the comfort of your home buried in novels and research is not what other people deem enjoying it," Caline responded making Flo laugh while Athalya blushed in embarrassment.
"At least I know I won't have to sit through awkward stuff or get pulled into some wild party," she retorted, "That party was one time in college," Caline stated. "Still was really embarrassing, you know I don't like that stuff it's against my beliefs," Athalya said. Flo placed her hands on the shoulder of each lady, "The past is in the past and Caline knows you well enough to not let you fall into a bad situation Athalya," she started with Athalya. "And Caline, I know you want this for her, but sometimes a night in with some books is really relaxing," she added and gave them both a reassuring squeeze.
"For now, let's decide on today's plans. I'm sure you have chosen the place where we are meeting, her first name is Fleur, right?" She asked, Caline nodded yes. "Uhm, Athalya, honey… could I please fix your make-up?" Florence asked, "Oh uhm sure Flo if you really want to… Something simple tho, please," she answered, and the theatre make-up artist set to work by first setting her things on the table and wiping Athalya's face with a wet wipe.
"Why is it that you can say yes to others but not me?" Caline asked, "I've just had a lot more time to practice telling you no," Athalya replied. Caline pretended to be hurt making Athalya giggle, "Sorry Flo," she said to her chestnut-haired colleague. "It's okay hun, but I'll need you to hold still for now," she replied warmly as her colleagues allowed her to work her magic.
"Wow Flo, she looks stunning," Cal stated and handed Athalya the mirror, "Oh Flo, it really is stunning and so simple, I love it," she happily stated and jumped off her desk to hug her new friend. "It was easy enough to figure that some golds and light browns would be best suited for your caramel skin. Oh, by the way, is transport sorted? We shouldn't be late," Florence asked.
"We thought we would walk since it's a lovely day out, we could call a taxi if not. Either way setting out now would be a good plan of action," Athalya said and proceeded to gather her things. "I don't mind walking, but did you both come with your vehicles today?" Florence asked. "I don't think it's appropriate for me to come here with my vehicle," Athalya said with a nervous chuckle as she led the ladies out of her class, Florence looked to Caline who laughed at her friend's reaction.
"I drive her here because she's too shy to come here on her motorcycle. Oh, but we decided to use public transport today," she told Florence who nodded in response, before returning to Athalya having a motorcycle. "You drive a motorcycle? That must look so cool," Florence stated. "Thank you, it is a bit inconvenient tho. I just don't feel it would be professional to ride it to school," Athalya answered.
"Also, Fleur has tried to make me a model ever since she heard that I drive a motorcycle, so I try to avoid driving it around her. I prefer being behind the camera not in front of it," she added making Caline laugh again, "She succeeded once much to Lya's dismay, but she is a natural model. Oh, Flo, I must show you the pictures, they look fantastic. Lya, you should show her the one from your high school days and I will also show you one I took for her with the first motorcycle she bought here," Caline told their green-eyed friend eagerly.
She pulled out her phone and first showed her the pictures that Fleur took. Athalya had done a variety of poses on her matte black and dark purple motorcycle with and without her matte black helmet with purple details. "Wow, this is fantastic. Athalya, you look stunning in these," Florence stated. "Oh this is my favourite, I can't believe Fleur got her to do this but it looks so cool," Caline said and showed a picture of Athalya, with her black aviator sunglasses, leaning against her bike. She had one leg propped up on it, her right hand resting on her helmet which was on the seat while her left hand was captured running through her hair.
"Wow, it is amazing and that hint of purple at the end of your hair is really captured in that picture," she added before Caline showed her one of their first pictures together in their first year of college. "Ombre hair?! I love it! Oh Athalya, it's wonderful! Caline, you look amazing too! Honestly, it's as if you didn't age. It's as if you two are complete opposites in this picture," she gushed after seeing the picture of Caline and Athalya in front of her matte black motorcycle.
Caline's hair was open, and she wore white ripped skinny jeans with an off-the-shoulder yellow bishop-sleeve top with white floral designs. She had a simple white purse slung on her shoulder and yellow wedge heels on her feet showing her white nail polish. Her nails had the same white polish and simple pearl bracelet with a minimalist necklace around her neck.
Athalya had a black choker with a moonstone in the centre and a silver necklace with a moon pendant around her neck. On her shoulder, she had her black bag pack, her hair was open with loose curls, black nail polish was on her hands with a ring on her right index finger and black leather and beaded bracelets on her left wrist. A plain black t-shirt was tucked into her fitted black ripped jeans and a dark purple and black check shirt was tied around her waist. She completed her look with black combat boots that had silver chain décor.
"Cal!" Athalya said before letting out a sigh, "Well damage is done and I mean you are a friend of ours now so," she stated and unlocked her phone and went to a specific picture that was very important to her. "This picture was taken when I made a promise to myself, it was when I truly accepted who I was and started my idea of the person I want to be," she stated and handed Florence her phone.
The picture was her standing by her black and navy-blue motorcycle, her violet ombre highlighted by the sun left open. She was wearing black combat boots and jeans with slight rips at the knees. An indigo t-shirt with a white full moon, stars, and the word 'Dream' in a fancy print on it was tucked into her jeans and tied around her waist was a thin black and indigo check shirt. A plain black leather jacket completed her look, and the final touch was her school bag was slung over one shoulder.
"I can tell there's a story there, I hope to hear it one-day Athalya. I never expected a seventeen-year-old Athalya to look like this. You're pretty awesome Lya," Florence stated. "Come now Flo, I'm not really, I'm just someone who fails and tries again constantly," Athalya said with a laugh, "She fails brilliantly if it counts," Caline added and received a playful punch on the arm. "Of course, it does," Florence said with a laugh, Athalya smiled at her friends before shifting her gaze to the afternoon sky.
"'If I'm going to do this, I'm going to be aiming to be the best with everything I've got,' I want to be like that too, I still have a way to go before I am anything like him. He's so far ahead of me and seems so perfect. Never failing as I do, one day I will be an inspiration like him," she states. "You are already an inspiration, and who is this perfect person you compare yourself to? Is he a love interest?" Florence asks with a subtle smirk. Athalya had a light blush, "N-no, well kind of… he's just someone who changed my life," she answered quickly.
Caline laughed and shook her head, "Don't get your hopes up Flo, the man she is talking about is the leader of the group Six Gravity, Hajime Mutsuki. In fact, that picture was the day after she first discovered them and Tsukino Talent Production," she explained. "Who are they?" Florence asked initiating the fangirl in Athalya.
"They are a Japanese idol group that debuted in 2013 made up of six guys of various ages and personalities. They are doing well and are managed Tsukishiro Kanade, also they have a brother or well rival unit called Procellarum. I went to their first joint concert, the best birthday present from my parents, and now I've been saving for Tsuki Production's stage performances, I'm not sure which one to go to, but I have been saving up for it. Seeing Mutsuki-san in real life was the best..." she trailed off. "You need to meet a guy in real life, Lya," Caline stated while Florence laughed at their antics.
"Oh, Lya is trilingual. She can speak and write in English, French and Japanese," Caline told Florence a short while later, Florence looked to Athalya. "How are so impressive?" she asked, "I'm not really Flo, I just want to give it all I've got, and languages would help me achieve that. I chose to learn French in school so I could study and maybe live here. Then I learned Japanese to better understand Mutsuki-san and his world. Accumulating information is my greatest strength and so I hone it," she explained simply.
With that, they arrived at the café and found Fleur already at a round table in the outside seating area, she was slender and tall with short black hair. Her pale skin glistened in the sun and she pushed up her rose-gold aviator glasses to reveal her eyes, which were a mixture of yellow and light green. She was wearing black denim shorts and a white high-low three-quarter sleeve shirt with black tie-up gladiators and silver accessories.
"Heyyy you guys finally made it! It's great to meet you proper madame Florence" she animatedly greeted the group from her spot. Florence simply smiled and waved a greeting in response while Athalya and Caline shook their heads as they all made their way to her. She jumped out of her chair as they approached, "You knew we were on our way Fleur," Athalya stated with a roll of her eyes as she stood in front of Fleur.
"Ahh, my dark queen how I've missed you. I should ask you on a date soon," Fleur said dramatically and tried to hug Athalya, who sidestepped. "No Fleur, I've got a date with her on Friday," Caline stated with her palm stopping her from getting closer to Athalya, Florence just observed in confusion. "I apologise, Flo, these two are like this," Athalya said to Florence with a sigh before turning to Caline and Fleur.
"Fleur, I'm going to pretend you didn't say that and Cal it's not a date, also I have not agreed yet," Athalya stated as she took a seat, Florence sat across while Caline and Fleur sat on either side of them, still arguing across the table. They placed their orders of tea, coffee, and cappuccinos with some cake before the conversation continued. "Your personalities shifted so quickly once you all got together," Florence stated to Athalya, who nodded in reply, "I don't know how it happened, but this is how it has been from the time we met," she stated.
"Oh, when was that? I know you and Caline became friends in college, so when did you two meet Fleur?" Florence asked, "Sometime in college, we went out and ran into her or so the story goes," Athalya answered lazily. "Ahh come now my dark queen, you can put more into our story than that. I was your biggest fan and became your friend," Fleur said, Caline shook her head. "Alright, let me just tell you the summarised story, Lya and I went out one evening. We met Fleur whom we discovered was also on our campus, we hung out often and was the middle ground to our contrasts. Along the way she became clingy, as you can see," Caline explained.
"It's just that she learned about Tsukino Talent Production and because I love Mutsuki-san she decided to be more like Shun around me," Athalya added, "That's right my dark queen, I'm filled with Athalya Love!" Fleur stated, gaining a groan from Athalya, "I created a monster," she said to Florence as she stopped Fleur from hugging her by keeping her at arm's length with her palm on Fleur's forehead.
"Oh, so method acting," Florence said as Fleur sat back in her chair, "Bingo!" she confirmed with a snap of her finger. "But why the obsession with Lya?" she asked, "Because she is my Heartbreak purple," Fleur stated with a hand on her chest and the other stretched to Athalya who hit it away, Florence watched and gave Athalya a questioning look. "It's a nickname of Mutsuki-san," she answered, "And as Shun's counterpart it is my role to receive your love," Fleur adds.
"That makes sense, but what about her reactions with and to you Cali?" Florence asked, Caline shrugged. "As Lya's best friend I am supposed to be the like cool big brother guy Haru or something like that, but I changed it up to be Fleur's competition instead. Lya is a perfect Hajime because she has a bad girl image in contrast to my sparkling personality," she said with a giggle.
"I don't have a bad girl image, that's so stereotypical since I have a motorcycle. Also, if anyone had a bad girl image in college you were the closest," Athalya protests. "Yeah, you were and are more of a nerd than a bad girl," Caline admitted while not defending herself, Athalya was going to debate it but decided that would be one she would lose.
"You lot in college must have been pretty interesting, I wish I could have seen it. Ah Fleur you have a theatre qualification, right?" Florence asked. "Correct, my speciality is acting of course. As you can tell by my current method acting technique," she answered. "Shun is way cooler and better at showing his affection for Mutsuki-san," Athalya shot her down, and Fleur faked hurt. "So cold, but I still love you Kuro no joō," she said receiving an impressed look from Athalya who quickly schooled her features to an emotionless mask.
"My love for you will break through I'm sure, you know if we lived in a fairy-tale world I would awake you from any curse with a kiss," Fleur said while holding her cup of tea. "No thanks, I'd rather remain under a curse," Athalya stated before taking a sip of her dark coffee, making the other two laugh at the scene. "Now what news did you have to share with us?" asked nonchalantly, Fleur let out an excited squeal, surprising them.
"Right! I've got some great news to share!" she exclaimed going back to her hyper herself, and the ladies looked at her with their undivided attention. "I have been cast in a musical which is taking place at Théâtre national de Chaillot! Also, I will be working there permanently after the show as an instructor in their classes!" she stated. The ladies congratulated her, while Athalya asked her if she really thinks she can do this.
"Ah, are you worried about me Kuro no joō?" Fleur asked switching back to Shun mode, the two were at it again while Caline spoke to Florence on the side. "Fleur has been pretty good for Lya, they both improve each other with Fleur getting Lya to continue toward her goal and Lya helping Fleur refine her acting skills. The two of them are good friends," she explained to Florence.
"So are you, Cali, you watch over them and seem to have fun too. I mean you and Lya have been friends for a while and when Fleur isn't around it's you who tries her best with Lya. You all are good friends, thank you for inviting me along," she replies with a bright smile.
The two then join and refocus the ongoing discussion bringing everyone back to their normal selves to enjoy their afternoon. Most of which Fleur and Florence spent bonding over their theatre love while Athalya and Caline made plans for Friday evening. "We are young adults after all. Let's have some fun, do you two want to join as well? Ah if you do Fleur, we are leaving our acting at home," Athalya states, Fleur, laughs.
"I agree, we will be a bunch of cool young adults celebrating success right Florence?" Fleur asks her new friend. "Sounds like fun, I'm sure I'll be there. We have to celebrate your new job, after all, Théâtre national de Chaillot is a big deal to us!" Florence enthusiastically said with a cheer from Fleur. The ladies solidified their Friday plans and soon their afternoon came to an end.
Present time in Marinette's room
"Loup D'argent?" Marinette asked as she opened the skylight to let her in, "That's me, sorry I wasn't your kitty cat," Loup D'argent said as she jumped into Marinette's room. "My kitty cat?! Nn-no it's not like that at all," the flustered Marinette explained. "You sure? I mean I've seen you two together, he has saved you a couple of times," the wolf girl smirked as she leaned against the wall.
"Like with that guy Evillustrator and with the Gamer targeting you. You two seem to have something going on there," she added. "What? No, I don't see him like that, he's not even my type. He's such a show-off and wait how did you know about that?" Marinette asked. "I'm a strong supporter of the Ladyblog," Loup D'argent said nonchalantly, enjoying Marinette's surprise and slight confusion.
"Now miss Marinette Dupain-Cheng, master Fu has made me aware that you are knowledgeable in the miraculous. He has entrusted me with these earrings, I believe they match yours quite nicely," she said in a matter-of-fact manner. Pulling out a pair of earrings from her whip's handle, before the confused girl could ask anything else.
Marinette touched her earrings when she saw the ones Loup D'argent possessed, "How?" Was the only thing Marinette squeaked out. Her mind was now running a hundred miles an hour while she waited for a response from the wolf hero. "Well Marinette, it's like this..." Loup D'argent stated, as she straightened up and looked seriously at the blue-eyed girl.
"Gin, dawn arises!" The hero calls as she lets down her transformation. "Onee-chan!" Marinette exclaimed in surprise causing the other girl to laugh. "That's my name, well to you," she said with a shrug and a wide grin. "So, this was my second surprise?" Marinette asked still processing, Rairakku nodded and had the other girl practically tackling her as they both broke into a fit of giggles.
"This is amazing!" Marinette stated loudly as their giggling subsides, "Yes, it is," Rairakku agrees with a bright smile. The sound of a throat being cleared interrupted the girls, "Pardon me, but introductions are in order Rairakku," a husky voice stated (A/N: I just imagine Bakugo's or Shoto Todoroki's Japanese voice). "Right sorry pup," the lilac-eyed girl apologised to the wolf kwami then turned to Marinette once more.
"Mari-chan, this is my kwami Gin, doesn't he sound as cool as my anime crushes? Gin this is my cousin, little sister and ladybug miraculous holder Marinette," she introduced them, making Marinette giggle as she agreed and said that it was a pleasure to meet him. She then introduced Tikki to Rairakku. "Hey there Tikki, great to meet my Bluebell's guardian, thank you for always being there for her by the way. I look forward to working with you to get her out of any tricky situations," she smiled. "It's a pleasure to meet you Rairakku. I love Marinette and being with her is my pleasure. I also look forward to working with you and it's great to see you Gin," Tikki said in her cute voice.
The two girls were soon on Marinette's bed talking about everything that they had on their mind, their hero action and Rairakku being Loup D'argent, was one of the main topics at this point. The two kwami snacked on some macaroons and spoke on the other side of the room.
"Ane, how did you know about Chat saving me those times?" Marinette asked her big sister, "Well LadyBlog of course. I caught up on it and Alya had covered the stories where her bestie was in danger even though she couldn't fully cover it with you sneaking off to be our little lovebug," she answered. "Speaking of that Mari-chan... why do you dislike the kitten so much?" Rairakku asked. "As I said ane, he's just too much of a show-off," Marinette stated, resulting in the older looking at her closely.
"You sure it's not because he is not Émer?" She asked causing the younger girl to blush and simply nod. "I really think you should give the kitten a chance of being friends with you at least... I just think it's something to think about since you two could be good friends and you could help him in civilian form. I'm also saying this because Émer's eyes seem to hold a secret of his own," Rairakku said seriously, knowing that while they could talk about anything, this would upset her.
Marinette looked down, "However, you should try letting our Émer know how you feel first, he is easier to talk to than you make it seem," Rairakku said with a grin as she remembered her time with him today. "Telling him could make him change his mind... and no it doesn't have to be tomorrow or the day after. Just soon, okay? Bottling up your feelings won't let them be shared with him… You know that I know that more than anyone," the older bluenette said softly with a small smile as she lifted Marinette's chin with her finger.
"Thanks, onee-chan, it was a bit tough to hear... but thank you for that. You're right about both Adrien and Chat... I'll be nicer to Chat Noir and one day I'll confess to Adrien," the blue-eyed girl stated. "That's my imōto!" Rairakku exclaimed her lilac eyes beaming. "There is a problem ane... I just mess up when I try to confess," Marinette said looking sad once more.
"Hey, my brave Bluebell, it can be done right. Never giving up is our ninja way and it's our magic too. You can do this, I know you can," the older said with a bright smile as Marinette giggled at her anime reference. "Yeah, it is onee-chan," Marinette said as they do a forearm bump like those anime characters. "Also my sweetheart… this is a bit obsessive… Kowai (A/N Translation: Scary)," she says making Marinette laugh nervously.
"Perhaps we could start off small from tomorrow by maybe easing this obsession like taking a few pictures down… And don't give the excuse that it is for your fashion inspiration because I see no other models Gabriel Agreste has worked with," Rairakku states sternly. Marinette sighs, she knew there was no going back once her beloved onee-san entered this big sister mode.
"Hai onee-chan," she said defeatedly, Rairakku shook her head it was the best result she could get. "Good, for now, let's get some sleep. We have school tomorrow and since we are free, we will begin with this project! Ah, but I also have to start with my room… we will try to do both," she said enthusiastically making Marinette giggle.
"Yosh (A/N Translation: Alright), now that your smile has returned, it really is time to head to bed. Oyasuminasai (A/N Translation: Goodnight) Mari-chan," Rairakku said, "Oyasumi (A/N: Informal - Goodnight) onee-chan," Marinette replied as her sister switched off the light and headed to her room.
