Earlier that Week
"Hey Nathalie, is father home?" Asked Adrien as he opened the door to her office, recently home from a modeling shoot that went well into the evening.
"I'm afraid your father had several business meetings today and won't be back until late."
"Ok, could you give him this," Adrien handed over a piece of paper with the school's letterhead on the top of the page.
"Since we just had midterms, our school is organizing a Career Day for parents to come in and talk about their careers. I was hoping father would be able to come."
Recently their relationship had been improving, and Adrien was hoping his father would be able to participate in the school activity, along with meet Marinette, who had told Adrien that she planned on working in fashion if being a diplomat or private spy didn't go through as career choices. Plus a fashion designer made an excellent cover as a spy.
Nathalie nodded, placing the paper onto the nearby scanner.
"I'll email this to your father so he can look it over."
"Thanks." Adrien turned to leave.
"You know your father is very busy this time of year with the award shows coming up. He has several appointments this week and may need to go to Los Angeles."
Adrien nodded solemnly, leaving the office.
Presently
"So your father pretty much said no," asked Marinette as she sat behind the pilot of a military plane, Chat Noir sitting behind her.
Despite it being a weekday, they had received a hit on the Ladyblog for a missing world renowned Parisian scientist, Dr. Morrill. Evidence pointed to Hawkmoth being behind the kidnapping.
"He said he wouldn't be able to be there in person due to an emergency meeting in Los Angeles for several clients going to the Oscars, Grammys, and any other award show next month," answered Chat as he tied on his ice skates, Marinette long since having hers on.
"Right, it's award season," Marinette mentally noted, "Hopefully no kidnapped celebrities then."
"Yeah, that would be about as awkward as when Hawkmoth kidnapped my dad."
Marinette nodded absent-mindedly taking in the view from the plane, searching for any signs of Hawkmoth's lair.
"But he did say he would try to watch my fencing match tomorrow night either online or in person depending on meetings," added Chat.
"At least he's going to try. That's better than before."
"True, so no real complaints."
"Nino, are you sure we are in the right area?" Marinette looked at her watch to find a half awake Nino. He was corresponding with them via laptop from his bed, ready to sleep once Marinette, Chat, and Dr. Morrill were in the clear.
"Satellite imaging shows Hawkmoth took Dr. Morrill to an ice fortress located in this area."
"Has he done the underwater layer yet?" commented Chat as he leaned over to look at Marinette's watch. "See, if it was me, I would have gone with underwater before ice."
"I don't think he has, maybe, there was one with water but I don't remember if it was floating or under," responded Marinette, searching her brain for an underwater lair. There had been too many battles with Hawkmoth to remember all the different lairs. How he managed to make them so fast between evil schemes never ceased to amaze her.
Chat nodded, satisfied with the response. Not like he could remember either despite being the most devoted fan of the Ladyblog for years. And not like Marinette needed to know that either.
"Ready to eject?"
"Ready when you are, My Lady."
"Good."
With a turn of a lever, both seats ejected into the air, parachutes deploying as they began to descend.
Marinette looked over at Chat Noir who held onto the seat for dear life, but eyes looked like he was enjoying the flight.
They directed their parachutes on top of the ice fortress, Chat landing more neatly compared to his first parachute drop. They found an ice made rain grate, where below stood Hawkmoth, Volpina, and Dr. Morrill who sat on a chair made of ice. Marinette and Chat pulled out the grating, still undetected by the trio below as Hawkmoth continued to ramble.
"Fine, forget the ice! You leave me no choice but to use this!" Hawkmoth pulled a ray gun looking item out of his labcoat.
Marinette quickly chucked a snowball at the back of Hawkmoth's head. Hawkmoth turned around searching for the source of snowball.
"Chillin' new lair, Drakken," commented Chat, fairly proud of his pun. Marinette only groaned.
"We'll build a frozen fortress. She'll never find us there," taunted Volpina to her employer.
Hawkmoth looked like he was about to retort, but Marinette cut him off, pushing both their heads into the snow as she jumped from the hole to Dr. Morrill, splitting the ice block in half with her ice skates. She swung a wide turn and jumped on the ice block, cutting the binding that held Dr. Morrill to the ice.
Chat quickly skated up beside the Doctor.
"Don't worry, we're the good guys, here to save you, yadda, yadda," commented Chat as he led her away to safety.
"I'm going to whip you in Technical Merit and Artistic Impression," Volpina pressed a button on her belt, skate blades appearing under her boots. Marinette prepared herself in a fighting stance.
"Bring it."
Volpina lept onto the ice below, her hands glowing bright orange as she attempted to strike Marinette. Marinette jumped over the remaining block of ice Dr. Morrill had been attached to to gain some ground, but Volpina easily slashed through the ice, the ice knocking Marinette to the side.
Marinette barely managed to get up before Volpina would have stabbed her with her skate blade. She skated up an ice wall, using the momentum to launch a counter attack on Volpina, which Volpina dodged. Volpina went after Marinette, trying to hit her with her glowing hands when a bright yellow light began to surround Marinette and Chat Noir, the light refracted off of an over hanging icicle, originating from Hawkmoth's ray gun.
The girls continued fighting, only Chat feeling something was off.
"Come on Dr. Morrill, let's get you out of here and I-" Chat cut himself off before he was about to reveal he was Adrien Agreste. He put a hand over his mouth and proceeded to lead Dr. Morrill out.
Marinette tossed Volpina into Hawkmoth, both collapsing on the ice in a pile.
She began to skate around them, creating a circle on the ice.
"What's she doing? Trying to make us dizzy?" scoffed Volpina.
"No, worse," moaned Hawkmoth, realizing their fate as the ice they had been on immediately capsized, sending the evil duo into the freezing cold water.
Marinette ran after Chat and Dr. Morrill, finding them outside while a helicopter waited over head. She launched her yoyo, pulling Chat and Dr. Morrill up to safety.
Adrien was in a panic. While thankful he had not seen his father all night or morning since he returned home, spared him from screaming to the world he was Chat Noir. So the first thing he did after breakfast, Adrien dashed up to his room to "pack his school supplies" and call Nino.
"Nino! I'm Chat Noir. And I need help." Adrien collapsed in his desk chair, he couldn't even talk for one minute without revealing his secret.
"Bro, I've been telling you you need help for years."
"No, not that. I just have this weird feeling like I want to blurt to everyone I'm Chat Noir or vice versa. I couldn't say a word at breakfast thinking I might spill to Nathalie."
"Alright bro, take a deep breath."
Adrien did so, and let it out, feeling a little better.
"Let me scan for weirdness, hold your watch facing you."
Adrien stood up and took off the watch, holding it out as Nino instructed.
"Well?"
"Way weird. It looks like all of your brain inhibitors are shut down."
"Meaning?" Chat sat down on the bed as he put back on his watch.
"You can't lie. Now let's look back at the last 24 hours, see where things went wrong."
Adrien sat on his bed, trying to recall what happened yesterday.
"Got up, had a modeling gig in the morning, went to school, fencing practice, went with Ladybug to stop Hawkmoth and Volpina, escorted Dr. Morrill from the fight, Hawkmoth zapped me with some funky ray thing."
"Whoa, whoa! What kind of ray?"
"Don't know. It was yellow, I think."
"A truth ray?"
"That would make sense if Hawkmoth was trying to get Dr. Morrill to spill scientific secrets."
"I'll try doing some more research. See if this thing has a time limit."
"I hope so," Adrien flopped onto his bed from his previous sitting position, "We have Career Day, and I have a fencing match tonight."
"I'll talk to LB, maybe we can come up with something."
"But what if Marinette was hit too? She could tell the world, I'm Chat Noir."
"Well since it isn't her secret, she may not be as eager to blurt it out like you. But Alya and I could come up with some precautions. Not as extreme as yours, but just in case."
"Thanks bro. See you soon."
Nino hung up, allowing Adrien to leave for school.
"Bye Plagg, I'll see you later tonight."
Adrien could hear a faint meow but couldn't see the source. He had been a little neglectful of his pet lately. Maybe he should get Plagg a girlfriend so he wouldn't be so lonely.
"Plagg, claws out," again no sign of the cat. Adrien shrugged and left.
Marinette woke up to her alarm blaring at 7:30 am, really not wanting to go to school until she remembered it was Career tumbled out her bed and into her clothes, groaning as she went downstairs for breakfast.
"Morning sweetie, your father should be ready to go soon. Are you feeling alright?" Sabine looked over at Marinette, who looked more like a zombie snowman than a growing high school girl.
"I had a mission last night rescuing Dr. Morrill from Hawkmoth. The guy really needs to pick another hobby until he can actually invent something worthwhile."
Sabine looked at her daughter, as she handed Marinette a cup of coffee. While she could agree with what Marinette had said, Marinette would never be so rude about it.
"Thanks mom," Marinette took a sip feeling a little better.
"Already to go, you ready Marinette," Tom entered their flat carrying a covered tray of croissants.
"I only woke up five minutes ago Papa, give me a chance to wake up," Marinette whined.
"Marinette Dupain-Cheng!"
Marinette jumped in her seat at her papa's harsh voice, finally taking stock of what she said and waking up from her sleep stupor..
"I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me."
Her parent's gazes softened.
"It's fine, just be careful. And try not to take anymore missions on school nights."
"I couldn't help it Papa, Hawkmoth had kidnapped Dr. Morrill, who is an important scientist according to Nino, and Hawkmoth was about to shoot her with some ray gun."
Marinette heard her phone ringing, opening it up to see Nino was calling her.
"Awake yet sleepyhead?"
"Morning Nino, ready for Career Day … and you are taking way too long to fix the jet packs."
Everyone looked at Marinette, appalled by her comment.
"Sorry, I think something's off with me this morning."
"Thought so, Adrien and I figured you both may have been hit with Hawkmoth's truth ray."
"Truth ray?"
"Yellow glow? Ring a bell?"
"A little."
"Try telling a lie then."
"My hair is pin-blue. My name is L-Marinette. The sky is blue. Pro-wrestling is... fake!"
"Yep, definitely a truth ray."
"Anyway to fix it," asked Tom as he edged closer to Marinette. Marinette turned the phone on speaker for her family to hear.
"Still looking into it Mr. Dupain, but we need a solution for Adrien since he wants to tell everyone he's Chat Noir."
"That's not good,"responded Tom.
"What about me?" asked Marinette.
"Just don't talk too much. Have your dad do the talking, and since Mr. Agreste won't be there, you won't really be asking questions. And if you do, write a note to Alya and she can ask for you."
"Sounds like a plan," said Tom with a smile of approval.
"What about Adrien?" asked Sabine, coming closer to the phone
"I've got an idea," Marinette could tell Nino was wearing the smuggest of grins with that statement.
Adrien had never been more thankful that his bodyguard didn't like conversation. Adrien found Nino on the front steps of their school, hiding something behind his back.
"Walk with me bro, and don't say a word," Nino wrapped one of his arms around Adrien's shoulder. Nino lead him into school, Adrien waving at those who waved at him first. He saw Marinette and her papa waiting to get his visitor badge along with Alya and her mother. But Nino kept walking them all the way to the boy's bathroom.
"Alright, after doing my research, your "issue" should wear off in 24 hours. Which means you should be fine for fencing but Career Day will be an issue."
Adrien nodded, noticing the boys and men leaving and entering the bathrooms, occasionally glancing at them.
"Which is why you'll be wearing this," Nino took his hands from behind his back to present Adrien duct tape.
Adrien's eyes went wide, but bit his tongue to not say anything.
"Mrs. Cheng and Marinette thought of this, sort of. I came up with the duct tape, they came up with the excuse." Nino began unrolling the tape and ripped off a piece.
"Since you have a fencing match, you are going to stay silent all day to preserve your concentration for the match. Apparently this was an ancient study that helps people focus before a complex task. Being silent that is, duct tape is just to reinforce it in case anyone wants to bother you."
Nino stuck the duct tape on Adrien's mouth, then stepped back, allowing Adrien to smooth out the tape.
"Marinette brought her pink duct tape if you want to switch for that. I thought you'd want a manlier color, you can get pink later if you want. But I'll be your main spokesperson, with Alya and Marinette as back ups."
Adrien nodded, turning to look at himself in the mirror, noticing other people in the bathroom staring at him with weird looks before leaving.
He pulled his phone out of his pocket to text Nino.
"I look like I'm crazy."
"Bro, you are crazy. This is just completing the look."
Adrien deadpanned. He wasn't sure if this plan would work, but it was their best bet right now.
"Mr. Dupain will also be there for control in case things get too out of hand. But keep the tape with you and reapply when necessary."
Adrien took the tap to put it in his bag, only to find Plagg inside. Adrien's eyes went wide as he showed Nino the stowaway.
"Well, I don't think bringing your pet to Career Day qualifies to replace your father."
Adrien stuffed the tape next to Plagg and closed the bag.
"Let's just hope Career Day isn't too crazy," Nino wrapped an arm around his bro and led him to class.
"My day begins at 4 a.m. every morning because the bakery opens at 7. You think that the life of a baker is pretty routine, making the same pastries, rolls, cakes... but actually, it's different everyday. One day someone might order a cake in the shape of the Eiffel Tower, and another day you might-" Marinette stood proudly beside her papa, holding a tray of croissants as her papa spoke to her class and their relatives.
So far her truth telling issue hadn't been too much of a problem. She had managed to be polite to Mrs. Cesaire and Alya up until Marinette pointed out Alya was always on her phone and would hurt her eyes even more so.
Luckily, Nino had already told Alya about Marinette and Adrien's truth crisis, but Mrs. Cesaire actually agreed with Marinette.
She kept her mouth shut when checking her papa in, and even in the classroom when Nino and Adrien came in, Adrien's mouth covered by duct tape. She almost was going to blurt out how ridiculous he looked, but gave him a thumbs up instead, Adrien responding in kind. Ms. Bustier even seemed very understanding of Adrien going silent for a day to concentrate, a big relief to Adrien and Marinette.
So now here Marinette was, smiling at her class while her papa was speaking. Nino was recording while his father stood close by, also recording on a professional camera. No wonder where Nino got his love of film.
Adrien looked the most interested, writing down potential questions he could ask Tom after the truth serum wore off. For the jobs Adrien had been interested in, he been writing a list of questions for Nino and Alya to ask at the end of the day's Q&A session.
"Marinette will now come around and pass out some croissants baked fresh this morning," finished Tom as he gestured to Marinette, who shifted the tray to one hand to grab the tongs with the other, and began to walk up the aisle to pass out the croissants.
"Thank you, Mr. Dupain. Now, let's meet Alya's mom, who is head chef at the Grand ParisMrs. Cesaire." Alya and Mrs. Cesarie exchanged places with Mr. Dupain as Marinette headed over to Nino and Adrien's desk.
She placed one in front of Nino before whispering to Adrien, "I'll give you some after your match tonight."
Adrien smiled behind the duct tape, nodding his head vigorously before resealing the duct tape to his face.. Marinette turned to the opposite side of the aisle where Chloe was showing off a bracelet to Sabrina.
It's beautiful," Sabrina moved to touch only to have her hand slapped by Chloe.
Look, don't touch!"
Put it away, Chloé! It could get in the wrong hands!" Ordered her father, who stood at the end of her desk next to Officer Raincomprix, Sabrina's father. Chloe huffed in annoyance before putting the bracelet away as Marinette gave Sabrina a croissant.
"I wonder how many croissants your dad would have to sell to buy you one of these? What am I saying? He'd have to sell the whole store!"
"Well, if you're so rich, obviously you don't need free croissants!" Marinette proceeded up the aisle, proud of her little moment. Maybe telling the truth for a day wasn't so bad as it initially started.
"Unfortunately, I have no dishes to share. But maybe Mr. Bourgeois will invite you all to the hotel and treat you to lunch," offered Mrs. Cesaire, several members of the audience applauding with one distinct chuckle Marinette recognized to be Officer Raincomprix.
After Marinette finished passing out the croissants, she proceeded back down the stairs.
She felts something abnormal under her foot that slid out from underneath, causing her to fall on her rear, the remaining croissants flying.
Adrien was by her side in a minute, helping her pick up the croissants.
"Thanks," she whispered as she returned to her seat with the spoiled croissants. Adrien nodded, returning to his own seat.
"Geez, is there a day when you're not tripping over something," scoffed Chloe. Marinette scowled. She saved the world on a regular basis and did not need Chloe attitude today. But she sat in her seat, refusing to give the annoying blond any satisfaction.
"Next on the list is Sabrina's father, a policeman. Officer Roger!" The people in the room applauded as Officer Roger and Sabrina proceeded to the front.
"I've been a police officer for 15 years, and I firmly believe that every citizen is innocent until proven guilty."
"My bracelet! It's gone! I had it a second ago," Chloe looked up from her purse on the floor to Marinette, "You! You stole it!"
"What? What are you talking about?!" Marinette sat up in her seat, puzzled by the accusation. Yes she had seen the bracelet, but she wasn't petty enough to steal it. Anti-bug was a different story but none of the adults here looked close. Minus Chloe. But she wasn't tall enough to be the villain.
"You unpurposedly tripped on my bag so you could steal my bracelet!" Chloe turned to Officer Roger who looked about as speechless as every other person in the classroom. "You're a policeman! Arrest her!"
"My daughter is not a thief!" Tom came up beside Marinette.
"Hold on a minute, Miss Bourgeois, we don't accuse without proof! Now, everyone, calm down, please. Maybe you simply misplaced your bracelet," offered Officer Roger.
"You're calling me a liar?! Daddy!"
The Mayor panicked for a brief moment at his daughter's outburst before taking command, "Roger, I demand you search this girl!"
"Ha!" Chloe taunted.
"Please, everybody!" Ms. Bustier attempted to calm everyone but it was no use.
"Need I remind you that as mayor of this city, I am your superior!" The Mayor towered over Officer Roger as the officer attempted to rectify the situation.
But sir, it's against the law! I can't just go-"
"All right. Then you're no longer a police officer!"
"Mr. Mayor!" Marinette shouted, unable to keep quiet at all the commotion. Officer Roger had been a big help to her in the past with other cases. Maybe he truth serum dilemma could be useful.
"I think its a hasty decision to fire Officer Roger like that. He headed the task force when searching for your disappearance when kidnapped by Hawkmoth."
The Mayor looked at Officer Roger before looking back to Marinette.
"It may not be as quick as Chloe would like, but we should listen to Officer Roger."
Chloe harrumphed in the corner, obviously not pleased with the situation.
"Why? So you can better hide my bracelet?"
"I didn't steal your bracelet Chloe."
"Then where is it?"
"It probably just rolled out of your bag or something."
"If I were her bracelet, I'd try and get as far away as possible from that crazy brat too," Alya whispered to Nino. Marinette turned to see Nino and his father still had out their phone/camera.
"Hey! Nino and Mr. Lahiffe have been filming everything this whole time! We can see what really happened!"
The adults and students crowded around the two cameras.
"Marinette will now come around and pass out some croissants baked fresh this morning," came the videos, Nino's following Marinette who gave him a croissant before whispering something indiscernible to Adrien.
"See, she told Adrien she was going to steal my bracelet," Chloe accused, but everyone ignored her. The video kept playing to show Sabrina admiring the bracelet.
Everyone turned to look at Sabrina.
"I gave it back right after. I would never steal my BFF's bracelet."
Marinette bit her tongue, something snarky ready to be said. Here Chloe was accusing Marinette when Sabrina could be the suspect.
"Well maybe we should just check your bag too," responded Chloe.
"Roger, search your daughter's bag at once," commanded the Mayor.
"Sir, let's keep watching the video. It shows Sabrina gave back the bracelet."
"I don't care! I want my bracelet!" Choe started throwing a tantrum, accidentally knocking Nathanael's sketchbook to the floor. He picked up the scattered pages to reveal a drawing of the bracelet.
"Yes, I did sketch the bracelet, but I didn't do anything else!"
"See, Chloé? I tripped on the bag, but Sabrina held the bracelet, Nathaniel sketched it, we are all suspects!" answered Marinette, slightly thankful she wasn't the only suspect now.
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean? I didn't swipe her bracelet," responded Nathanael, slightly panicking.
And nether did I! But when it comes down to it, Chloé can accuse anyone and everyone," answered Marinette.
Fine! Since you're a suspect, you'll have no problem letting me search your bag!" Chloe came to meet Marinette eye to eye.
Okay! As long as you also search everyone else's too!" Everyone in the room groaned.
"Marinette, let the adults handle this," Tom came up beside Marinette.
Papa, she called me a thief! I'm just defending myself."
You're also accusing all of your friends like Chloé's doing to you!"
Marinette looked around the room, no one happy with how things were going. She knew she did not steal the bracelet, and with Nino, Alya, and her papa knowing she was stuck telling the truth for the whole day, they knew she was innocent too. But telling everyone she was on truth serum was probably not the best idea.
Marinette looked over at Officer Roger.
"Officer Roger, can you please handle this."
With a smile and tip of his hat, Officer Roger agreed.
"Let's keep watching the videos," everyone else let out a collective sigh of relief as they resume watching the videos. Nino's video showed Marinette heading up the stairs before turning back to film Alya, Officer Roger ordering him to pause where Chloe put the bracelet back in her bag.
Chloe said nothing.
Both Lahiffe's continued to film, both turning when they heard the commotion. The video showed Adrien drop down beside Marinette to help pick up the croissants, Nino's video moving to reveal Chloe's bag on its side and the bracelet nowhere in sight.
"See, no bracelet right when Marinette fell. She has to be the thief," Chloe started again.
"What about Adrien," asked Nathanael, "he was there the whole time."
"Oh, not Adrikins! I mean, why would he need to steal a bracelet? If anyone's guilty, it's gotta be one of you," answered Chloe.
Marinette looked over to Adrien's seat, worried for her friend. Any questioning could lead to him revealing his identity to the whole class.
"Wait, where is Adrien," asked Nino?
Adrien and his bag were gone.
After Adrien had helped Marinette pick up the croissants, he made his way back to his seat. He looked down to see his bag tipped over, probably from Marinette's fall and adjusted it back to its upright position.
"My bracelet! It's gone! I had it a second ago," Chloe looked up from her purse on the floor to Marinette, "You! You stole it!" Adrien looked up at Marinette. Sure Marinette and Chloe weren't on the best of terms, but Marinette wouldn't steal a bracelet.
"What? What are you talking about?!" Marinette sat up in her seat, confused. Adrien faced the front to think while the accusations began flying.
He saw Chloe put the bracelet back in the bag, and since then no one but him and Marinette were near the bag, but neither of them took it of that he was certain. So either it fell out and landed somewhere across the room when Marinette tripped, or it's still buried in Chloe's bag.
Unless when Marinette tripped, she kicked the bracelet into his bag since it was on its side after her fall.
But why was his bag on its side.
Adrien picked up his bag as Marinette defended Officer Roger to the mayor.
He slightly opened the bag to see Plagg still inside, but with the bracelet stuck on his head. He quickly snapped the bag shut.
If he was caught with Plagg at school, he was in trouble. If he had to explain why Plagg was in his bag, he would probably reveal to everyone he was Chat Noir. And neither were good options.
So while the class gathered around Nino and Mr. Lahiffe's phone and camera, Adrien slipped out of the classroom.
Adrien ran into the locker room, behind the wall. He opened his bag to once again find Plagg with the bracelet on his head.
If this was payback for not bringing him along for the last couple missions, it was probably justified. But why of all days today?
Adrien lifted the kitten out of his bag, and began to try and pull on the bracelet, firmly stuck around the cat's head.
Adrien ruffled through his bag, finding a piece of camembert, probably what the cat had originally been after. He added a slight bit of pepper and held it up to the cat's nose, Plagg sneezing, which shifted the bracelet a little, allowing Plagg to eat the rest of the camembert.
"Pggg, nhhh," Adrien mumbled through the tape.
He pulled out his physics book, searching for some sort of way to help his cat get unstuck.
"Ro-Oh, hello," Adrien looked up to see Dr. Morrill.
"I'm suppose to meet my daughter here, but looks like she couldn't leave class."
Adrien nodded, not daring to take off the tape in order not incriminate himself more despite holding a cat with a missing bracelet.
"Looks like you can use a hand. After can you help me find this classroom," she held out a paper to him, Adrien recognizing the class number to be his homeroom class.
Adrien gave her a thumbs up.
"Miss Marinette, can you please explain to us what happened," Officer Roger stood in front of Marinette who had resumed sitting in her seat.
With Chloe vehemently protesting Adrikins stealing her bracelet, Officer Roger and Tom figured it would be best to at least get an interview from Marinette while other parents and students searched the classroom. That still operated within the legal bounds since Officer Roger obtaining a search warrant for the classroom would take too long to pacify Chloe. And with Adrien missing, Marinette was the only person who could really testify what happened.
"I came to school with my Papa this morning, and helped get him signed it, shortly after meeting Alya and Mrs. Cesarie. All four of us went upstairs to the classroom, I was talking to Alya while my papa talked to Mrs. Cesaire and Mr. Lahiffe. Once everyone was in class, Papa and I were asked to go first since we brought food, so Papa and I went up to the front of the class," Marinette talked with Officer Roger and Tom listening, Chloe's scrutinizing the whole interview from her desk, refusing to help search for her bracelet. Her designer clothes would get dirty, or so she claimed.
"MAMAN!" Everyone turned to Rose then back to the door as Dr. Morrill entered the classroom. Rose rushed over to her mother and gave her a hug.
"Dr. Morrill?" Asked Marinette, surprised at the turn of events.
"Professionally, today though I'm Mrs. Lavillant," the professor of astro-physics kissed her daughter on the head before bending down to the ground to pick up something.
"Someone better hold onto this or else they are going to lose it," she lifted up from the ground Chloe's bracelet.
"My bracelet!" Chloe ran over, nearly tripping over Adrien who was searching by his desk, before retrieving her bracelet.
"Where did you find it?" The Mayor came up beside his daughter.
"I found it over here," Dr. Mor-Lavillant pointed to the area behind the door.
"Must have been kicked over there when Miss Marinette fell," answered Officer Roger.
"Well, Roger, I do apologize for being so accusatory, and almost firing you for no good reason."
The two men shook hands, seeming to reach a mutual understanding.
"Well, now that we have found the missing bracelet, and Rose's mother has arrived, and Officer Raincomprix performed an excellent demonstration about our police system, I think it's a good time to have our next speaker present," Ms. Bustier brought the class and adults to attention. The teacher took her place by her desk as students and adults took their places around the room.
It was then that Marinette noticed Adrien. She was sure he had disappeared during the event, but there he sat, nicely at his desk as if nothing happened.
Marinette leaned forward in her chair as Ms Bustier pulled something up on the projector.
"Where were you?"
Adrien turned in his seat, smoothing the tape over his mouth before turning back around.
Marinette sat back in her seat, knowing she was no going get any answers out of Adrien. He really could be a cat with the way he snuck around.
"Our next speaker was unable to make it today, but emailed me a video to share with the class. Any questions you can send to him via email which he gave me permission to give after class," Ms. Bustier pressed play on the video, the opening revealing the Gabriel logo. Marinette quickly pulled out her notebook and started taking notes the moment Gabriel Agreste's face appeared on the screen.
"Hello students, My name is Gabriel Agreste, father of Adrien Agreste, owner and head designer at Gabriel's," Mr. Agreste began, as monotone as ever. Marinette glanced down at Adrien who had already taken out the duct tape, sure to apply a new piece after he stopped smiling so big.
Adrien had to reapply the duct tape at least three more times the rest of the day. Once during his father's video presentation, lunch, and during Mrs. Lavillant's presentation when she talked about Marinette and Chat Noir saving her from Hawkmoth the day before and the truth serum, turning Marinette's face into a bright cherry red.
Even though Mr. Agreste would be unable to make it to Adrien's match tonight in person, promising to watch on the internet, the Dupain-Chengs easily took the spot on the bleachers where his father might have occupied.
"So what happened? I know you weren't there the whole time," Marinette pried as Adrien sat along the sidelines, attempting to watch the match despite her frequent questioning about his sudden disappearance during class, a secret Mrs. Lavillant agreed to keep. But ever since he took off the duct tape, Marinette had been questioning him in every free moment.
"I thought we agreed that we would trust each other to talk about things when the time is right."
"Yeah…" Marinette groaned, knowing he was right but still wanting answers.
"And I will tell you when the time is right," Adrien opened his bag to check on Plagg, only for the cat to dart out and into Marinette's arms. Marinette looked at the kitten then looked to Adrien, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place.
"Looks like the cats out of the bag," Adrien weakly offered. Marinette shook her head and proceeded up the step back to her parents.
"Get your cat a girlfriend."
I have a friend who is studying to be a doctor and she plans on using her maiden name once she graduates. So that's where that Dr. Morrill/Mrs. Lavillant idea came from.
OMG Season 2! No spoilers, but Alya is my new fav.
Question: With season 2 coming out, would you want to see Kim Possible episodes mixed with Season 2 of Miraculous or keep it Season 1. With the pace I'm writing and with how much I have planned it should be longer than December to finish this which is when Season 2 is scheduled to come out in America, I think maybe include some Season 2 after "So the Drama". Plenty of chapters between now and then though. Let me know.