Chapter3: Traps and Doors
Ladybug swung onto her balcony landing gymnast style onto the slippery black raining. Stepping down onto the rooftop she detransformed and the little kawami came zipping out of her earrings to land safely in her palms.
"AWHHHHHH!" Tikki yawned loudly; Marinette tucked her into her jacket.
"Tikki I didn't even use my lucky charm! How can you be this tired?" Marinette questioned although she didn't expect a response. The kawami had already drifted to sleep in the dry confines of her jacket. It was still pouring rain and she didn't care to be anymore wet than she was at the moment. Reaching for the handle to the trapdoor entrance to her room she was surprise to find it locked.
"Just my luck." She sighed under her breath; she continued to tug at the handle, not that it would do any good. But what other option did she have?
"What do we have here?" A familiar voice sounded from behind her, causing Marinette who was still tugging on the latch to let go and fall flat on her backside.
"Chat Noir!?" Marinette stayed put on from her landing spot and tilted her head back to see Chat staring down at her, his face far too close for comfort. For a moment she couldn't move, her blue eyes locked on his green eyes. A water droplet from Chat's hair landed on Marinette hitting her straight on the nose causing her to cringe and break the connection. After that she regained her composure and scrambled to her feet. Had he seen her change back into civilian form? Did he know?
"What on earth are you doing here?" she asked trying not to sound too defensive.
"I could ask you the same thing, " he said with his normal mischievous smirk, "Here I was out on patrol when I see a damsel in distress who seems to be locked out of her house in the pouring rain…" Chat moved a few paces closer. Marinette let out a breath she wasn't aware she had been holding. Good he hadn't seen her.
"For your information I am not a damsel!" Marinette replied indignantly, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Oh but on the contrary, Princess" he flashed her a grin, "then tell me how were you planning on getting in?"
"I-uh….well…I could…um-" Marinette struggled to form an answer, but to no avail.
"So is it safe to say you need the help of one of Paris's finest super heroes?" he said striking what he hoped was a heroic pose.
"Yeah I guess so," Marinette smiled, "Would you happen to know one of Paris's finest heroes then?"
Chats 'Heroic' pose faltered, "Oh," he said dramatically clasping his chest "You wound me Princess!"
Marinette burst out in laughter only to cover he mouth in case her parents heard. That would be the last thing she needed!
"Well if you're going to help me, could you do it before I catch cold?" said Marinette shaking the water from her bangs.
"Of course Princess," Chat moved to the trap door and knelt down beside it.
"How are you going to unlock it?" Marinette asked, genuinely curious, maybe he could pick it with his claws?
"CATACLYSM!" a magical light flashed and Chat touched his finger to the latch that immediately crumbled into dust.
"Chat?!" Marinette whacked his shoulder.
"Me-Ouch! Hey what was that for!?" Chat stood up again rubbing his shoulder, it hadn't really hurt but he was dramatic.
"It might be open now but now I wont be able to lock it ever!" Marinette knew she was over reacting a little, seriously who could get up onto her roof anyway other than herself and….oh no…
"Oh dear!" Chat said not looking in the least bit remorseful, "I guess that mean I can come visit you whenever I want then!" he said with a sly smile.
"Uh- huh." Marinette replied nonplused.
BEEP!
Chat's ring gave out a warning cry alerting him he only had four minutes remaining before he changed back.
"Well Princess, that's my cue!" he gave her a little two finger wave, "But don't worry I'll come back to visit you soon!" he winked then ran and jumped straight over the raining.
"Great. Now he knows where I live and that my door is open." Marinette muttered.
"Marinette!" Tikki called from inside her jacket "Lets go inside I want to go to bed!"
Marinette sighed and opened the door. She had a feeling she would be seeing that chat a lot more often now. Oddly enough, it didn't really bother her.
"What am I thinking?" she mumbled as she climbed into bed, hair in a towel and wrapped in her fuzziest robe.