Glamorous could not even begin to describe the entourage of Audrey Bourgeois!
Having experience working alongside models in the past, Marinette thought she knew what to expect. The reality was much more overwhelming. It was like the pages of the style magazine had come to life, and were swarming around her. Luckily she had Adrien at her side to lean on when she started to feel that flutter of panic in the back of her throat.
The flight from Paris to the international airport near Nadi was well over 21 hours, not including stop-overs. The SQ private jet itself was luxury at its finest, but even with the plush, reclining seats, extra leg room, and specially prepared meals...it was a long, long flight.
More than once Marinette played with the horse miraculous glasses in her inside pocket. She and Adrien had been able to jump around the globe so easily that's to Kaalki's teleportation. Regular travel felt sooo slow!
Adrien noticed her fidgeting, and took her hand in his, and brought her knuckles up to his lips. Marinette brightened. This was going to be great...this was going to be amazing...this was going to be...But her thoughts were interrupted by Chloe on the other end of the plane.
Chloe was complaining loudly about something or other. Midway through her tirade walking dow the aisle she spotted Marinette sitting with Adrien. "You've got to be kidding me!" she scoffed. "This is ridiculous, utterly ridiculous. The cabin crew refused to let me bring on my entire carry on, and they let you bring all of her!" Chloe directed a glare at Marrinette, and a reproachful look over at Adrien.
"That's enough Chloe," Adrien stood up and stepped into the aisle in front of her. "We've all got a job to do this week, and thanks to Marinette's hard work your mother will actually have something for us to all model in. Cant you at least try to be nice!"
"Nice!" Chloe's voice broke into a high pitched squeak. "Adriekins! You and I both grew up in this world. She will never really understand!"
"Excuse me Miss Bourgeois , I just need to go over our itinerary with miss Dupain-Cheng," Alexis interjected suddenly from the opposite row.
"Can't it wait," Chloe's eye twitched in annoyance.
"I'm afraid not Miss Bourgeois. We need to coordinate our arrival and ensure all garments are properly handled and delivered to the site. Then we have to text ahead to the drivers to escort our party to the resort, coordinate the reception, make contact with the local designers we have been collaborating with..."
"Okay, okay, whatever. I don't need all the boring details!" Chloe rolled her eyes, and grumpily retreated back to the other end of the plane out of earshot, where her boyfriend Komar already appeared to be snoring over the armrest.
Alexis watched her go in satisfaction.
"Thank you!" Marinette mouthed up to Alexis. (Alexis had already reviewed the itinerary with Marinette multiple times back at the office, and everything was set...which meant for some reason Alexis had just come to Marinette's rescue).
Alexis just gave Marinette a slight smile, and a wink before propping some dark aviators on the ridge of her nose, returning to her own seat.
"Did Alexis just smile at me?" Marinette asked Adrien.
"I think she did," Adrien grinned proudly at Marinette. "I didn't know her mouth could do that!"
"Okay, nothing is going to surprise me on this trip now!" Marinette grinned back. (Marinette had to take back that assumption the moment they landed...the surprises just kept on coming).
They all efficiently transferred personnel, equipment, and baggage from the private jet to a seaplane charter from Nadi to Vanua Levu, Fiji's second largest island. The smaller plane was able to land right on the tip of the 17-acre property, which was set on a former coconut plantation.
The resort was designed like a traditional Fijian village set against mystical mountains on one side, and gorgeous Savusavu Bay on the other. 25 thatched roofed bungalows edged out on a boardwalk. Gently swaying palm trees led them up to the reception area, where serenading employees and refreshments of chilled lemongrass and ginger were waiting.
Marionette wanted nothing more than to collapse on one of the comfy beds after their flight...unfortunately she had a job to do...multiple in fact.
While the models were ushered off to their bungalow assignments, the designers, photographers, and rest of the crew had a series of tasks before sunrise the next morning. Adrien gave her a wistful look, and offered to help, but Marinette was needed at Alexis' side to go over the garments, and group them into series. Even though the setting looked like pure relaxation, this would be no vacation for Marinette.
When she was finally released, Marinette flopped down on a beach chair down by one of the glass-like infinity pools.
"Is this spot taken?" she heard Adrien's voice ask, and she summoned the energy to open one eye at him.
"It's all yours," she smiled weakly.
He perched next to her, and produced a plate of fresh fruit, cookies, and chocolate.
"Aww you," Marinette rolled into her side, and popped a piece of fruit, along with a tiny brick of smooth chocolate into her mouth. "When did you get all this together?"
"It's nothing," Adrien shrugged, pleased with her reaction, snuggling in closer. "I just managed to make friends with one of the guys in the kitchen."
"You could've asked him for more cheese," Marinette caught a glimpse of a sulking Plagg just inside Adrien's shirt pocket.
"You ate a weeks supply already today!" Adrien scolded.
Plagg just pouted.
"Thanks Adrien!" Tiki poked out of Marinette's purse to quickly nip a cookie off the plate, and peaked Adrien on the cheek.
"See, Tiki is at least grateful!" Adrien said to Plagg.
"Hehe...grateful...hehe cheese grater...get it! Grateful!" Plagg snickered.
Adrien rolled his eyes. "See what I've been dealing with all night!" he smiled at Marinette.
"You were supposed to be getting some beauty sleep for tomorrow," she teased, licking the pineapple juice off her finger.
"Yes, I'm sure I will be downright hideous by tomorrow," Adrien laughed lightheartedly. "...but it is the price I'm willing to pay to keep my Lady company!"
Marrinette popped a piece of chocolate into his mouth. "You," she bopped his nose, "are just too sweet...and much too handsome for your own good...maybe you could do with a few less cat naps!"
Then Marrinette let out a huge yawn, that seemed to only make her feel all the more tired. Even her eyes felt gritty as if they'd been rubbed in sawdust. She rubbed them obstinately, wanting to scrap out just a extra moment or two with Adrien.
"You haven't been off your feet since we landed," Adrien said in concern. "Let's get you to bed!"
Marinette's eyes widened a bit. Adrien Agreste had just offered to get her into bed. She shook herself, surely all of this was part of some dream! To..to bed?!" Marinette murmured.
"Well, ah yeah...I saw on the room assignments you are in one of the bungalows with Alexis. I can help you find your way there if you want," he finished twisting the edge of his shirt in his hand.
"Oh yeah right. Of course," Marinette dragged herself off the beach chair, and willing herself to stand upright.
Adrien slipped his hand under her arm, and let her lean on him as he guided her through the maze of palm trees and grass roofs. "You know I'd rather just stay together tonight," Adrien spoke up as they walked. "It's just that I ended up having to share a room with Venasio and Brandon." As much as Adrien got along with his fellow models, he didn't want to let go of Marinette.
"Oh yeah, I know about the room assignments. Chloe threw a fit when her boyfriend was assigned with the other models. Audrey said something about this not being a 'Temptation Island reality show." Marinette couldn't help but giggle.
"What!" Adrien gasped in mock surprise. "And here I thought you were trying to suduce me!"
Marinette suddenly turned into his arms, and grabbed onto his shirt collar. She bit her berry pink lips, and in a low sultry voice asked, "was it working?"
"Uhhm.. yes," Adrien squeaked, his face heating up.
"Good," Marinette beamed, kissing him firmly, then tossing her pony tails happily, and spinning out from him again. "Sweet dreams Adrien Agreste!"
"You too Mari," Adrien looked longingly after her as she slid quietly through the door of her bungalow, turning back a brief moment to blow him a light kiss into the air.
"I'm not going to get any sleep now," Adrien commented, standing frozen where she left him.
Unconcerned snores floated up from his pocket, where Plagg was already curled up asleep.
Oooo
Far too early the next morning the team was rallied, and people were bustling around getting ready. The hotel staff had already ferried most of the group across to the tiny private island nearby. The first stage of the photoshoot had been assigned. It was organized chaos.
"Good morning," Adrien found a moment to come up beside Marinette and kiss her cheek.
"Oh yep! Very very very..." Marinette turned to look at him, only to find him standing bare-chested with a breezy white shirt casually over his shoulders, and wearing green shorts, with a bold pattern. His hair had already been styled to look ever so slightly windblown.
"Sooo hot," Marinette sighed, biting her lip.
"Yeah, I can already feel the heat! It is going to be a scorcher for sure," Adrien shrugged, the looked at her dubious expression "...oh...oh you meant me!" he smiled gleefully.
"Of course I meant you!" Marinette gave him a little shove...but as her palm made impact with his toned chest she just froze keeping her hand awkwardly extended pressing against him. "...you..."she breathed out every once of air, overwhelmed by a flood of fantasies that stole away all conscious thought.
Adrien's lips quirked upward, and he settled his hands on Marinette's hips, waiting for her to once again regain the ability to speak.
"You," he smiled at her in her white tank top and swept up surong skirt, "are very hot yourself! I've never been so distracted on a shoot before!"
Marinette blinked twice, and then held her clipboard to her chest. "Shoot! The shoot! You've got to get to Vincent! You are up next!" she panicked, and grabbed him by the arm.
Adrien just laughed as she dragged him across the beach.
Vincent looked amused at the arrival. "So young Adrien has finally found his spaghetti!" he declared loudly, taking his camera up in one hand. "No, no, Little Miss, you stay right beside me," he instructed Marinette, catching her from running away. "The boy's eyes go where you go, and we don't need him looking over his shoulder the whole set!"
Marinette blushed.
Vincent gave Adrien a series of instructions and encouragement as he was directed into one position to the next. Adrien's smile never faltered...at least until Komar came down the beach along with Chloe and three of the female models.
"He makes it look easy huh?!" Komar commented to the girls.
"Adrien is the best in the business," Chloe said proudly, then glanced over at Komar, and gushed "but of course you're a natural hun!"
"I really am," Komar said undaunted. "It's easy to take on some other persona...as an actor. I've taken on so many roles over the years," he sighed, as if caught up in a memory, then zoned back in to conclude, "but it's a gift to look so good doing it!"
"Alright! Now the rest of you!" Vincent called. We are going to place each of you staggered up on this rock, over the waves. Tasia, you'll be over here with Adrien. Yes, that's right, put your arm right there. Cassandra you're over there."
"They are certainly looking cozy," commented Zomar lowly to Marinette, nodding to the caramel skinned swimsuit model, arching her back up against Adrien, who kept his steady pose. Her rich ebony curls poured down on his shoulder, and she gracefully raised her bare arm behind her head.
"It's a photo shoot," Marinette replied flatly under her breathe. "I know how it works."
"Not jealous?" Komar quizzed with a taunting smile.
"Course not," Marinette answered in a huff. "I can trust Adrien."
"Of course, of course," Komar allowed. But then he leaned over her shoulder tickling her ear his his warm breath, "want to help me make Chloe jealous, and pose with me?" Komar whispered. Then added, "just for some fun?"
"No! Absolutely not!" Marinette sidestepped him, shooting him a reproachful look, that made Chloe look up from her phone, and look suspiciously at the two of them.
"Never mind, I think she's already jealous of our chemistry," Komar grinned casually, then made eye contact with Adrien, before turning back to Marinette. "Ha! Two for one! Your sunshine boy looks a little green already too!"
"This isn't a game! I care about him...and you shouldn't be playing around with Chloe's feelings either," Marinette frowned.
"Chloe said you were no fun Bluenette," Komar laughed undeterred. Then he jogged across the sand to take his place, draped over the other models.
Chloe stared at Marinette a minute over her phone, before walking over to join her. "Come on Dupain-Cheng," Chloe ordered, "Let's get back to the reception hall on the main island."
Marinette looked at her confused. "The shoot isn't done?"
"Oh I'm sorry are you expecting a seamstress emergency in the next hour...don't tell me! You have to be on hand in case someone needs you to knit them a hat!" Chloe piped scornfully. Then Chloe glanced back at the models. "Look," she said in a quieter tone, "I know it's all for show, but it's hard to just sit here on the sidelines as the girlfriend isn't it?"
Marinette glanced back to where Tasia was thigh deep in the surf, with one arm wrapped around Adrien's leg, while Sasha was pressing her tangerine bikini up against Komar's shoulder. Marinette looked back at Chloe's pained expression, and swung her bag over her shoulder. "I should probably check back in with Alexis by now anyway," Marinette conceded.
"Yes, yes, I should check in with mom, I mean Ms. bourgeois too!" said Chloe in relief.
Marinette gave Adrien a wave, which he enthusiastically returned (which Vincent muttered about, and readjusted the shot). Then together Chloe and Marinette walked back side by side to the boat.
"Komar is..." Marinette started to say, before Chloe interrupted.
"He's such a man isn't he!" Chloe swooned. "We've technically only been on a few dates here and there...you know...the distance dating thing...but even still I just know he absolutely adores me!"
"...and himself," Marinette muttered under her breath.
"Do you know that he was a huge Queen Bee fan before we even met!" she added, with a lift in her step. "Said I never really got the credit I deserved!"
"That's nice," Marinette offered.
"He has asked me ever so many questions about what it's like to be a hero, and all about my miraculous," she bragged.
"You didn't tell him did you?!" Marinette clicked into Guardian-Mode.
"Course not," Chloe brushed off Marinette's outburst, "and I'm not telling you either, no matter how hard you beg. A hero has to have her secrets."
Marinette let out a sigh of relief. At least Chloe's stubbornness had some benefits.
"So you guys are pretty serious," Marinette, tried her best to keep her opinions to herself.
"I don't know if Komar is ever really 'serious' Chloe seemed thoughtful, taking down her sunglasses of her head, and sliding them over her eyes. "I mean I've kissed him, and he has this habit of biting my neck, the naughty boy." (she lowered her shades enough to give Marinette a wink) "...but that's about it. I guess we're still getting to know each other...I mean I still don't even know how old he is!" Chloe went from reflecting to a nervous laugh.
"You don't?!" Marinette said in surprise.
"I don't even know my own mothers age!" Chloe laughed again. "You'll see, once you've been in the fashion business as long as I have," Chloe took on a superior tone. "Nobody ever admits to their age!"
"He sort of flirts with everyone doesn't he?" Marinette broke her own rule about staying out of Chloe's business.
"He is gorgeous, of course girls will throw themselves at him," Chloe pressed her glasses up the rim of her nose. "The curse of dating a model...you'll see."
"Adrien's not like that," Marinette defended.
"Oh clueless Marinette, Adrikins is a gem, but everyone can get distracted by beauty and fame once in a while," Chloe patted Marinette's shoulder condescendingly. "That boy has a secret obsession...I mean...I love him...but we're talking stalker level celebrity crush here!"
"How would you know?" Marrinette felt a lump in her throat forming. Here she was thinking that she knew Adrien better than anyone! He was her partner, her Kitty, her first love...what more was still hidden from her...and what would it mean for them? A secret obsession?!
"Please! I've known that boy since we were adorable little tots...and now he lives with my family now...so...yeah...I know all Adrien's little secrets," Chloe went on. "You should see the posters and magazines of her...the stupid doll of her...ah and the boxer shorts! He is so one-tracked minded."
"Her...her who...like a model he's worked with?" Marinette caved to Chloe's bait for gossip.
"I was really into her too...even dressed like her for a while...I mean sure she and I had our ups and downs there for a bit...but you can't deny her appeal. You really can't blame Adrien for having crazy wild fantasies about her, I mean he's only human!" Chloe shrugged with her nose in the air.
"Who?!" Marinette demanded, with her voice cracking embarrassingly, but she didn't care. She had to find out who had snuck into Adrien's heart!
"Ladybug of course!" Chloe rolled her eyes. "You seriously didn't put that together! I'm sorry to be the one to tell you this Dupain-Cheng, but our boys got it bad for the bug!"
"Oh," Marinette held her breath, blushing, and internally scolding herself for second-guessing her enduringly loyal partner.
"Tough luck Baker-girl, pretty hard to compete when the boy has spots in his eyes!" Chloe took her silence as a depressed defeat, but she was not enjoying it nearly as much as she had expected. She absolutely did not repent from laying out the truth for the clueless girl, Chloe never pulled any shots...but still Chloe did appreciate how Marinette had come alongside Adrien when things went down with his dad. It was the same way Adrien had been there for her when her Mom had left.
"But why worry yourself about anything between them," Chloe tried to encourage her. "It's not like Ladybug would be stupid enough to date a civilian! Can you imagine!"
"Haha, yeah crazy," Marinette nearly swallowed her gum.
Then Chloe elbowed her slyly, "you know, I still have a Ladybug costume back home, if you two want to get into some roll-play or something."
Marinette outright began chocking on her gum.
"Fine, fine, too much," Chloe rolled her eyes, "you're so lame!"
They each took a spot on the boat for the ride back to the resort and spent the time in silence.
The rest of Chloe's afternoon was spent fielding calls for her mother under the fans in her suite. Meanwhile Marinette prepped all of the pieces for the next shoot, and pressed garments.
By the time the models and the crew had returned and finished a lavish lunch, everything was ready for the next location.
Marinette was doing a final check at the door of the white shuttle van that was to take everyone a quick drive inland. Everyone was accounted for...except for Adrien.
"Hey Brandon,"Marinette leaned over the seat to address Adrien's roommate. "Did you see where Adrien went?"
"Last I saw him, he was back in the room getting changed. Do you want me to run grab him for you?" the athletic young model with dark brown eyes offered.
"No, no worries, I'll grab him...err..ah...I mean I'll go get him," Marinette stammered, and hopped back down the steps, and trotted off toward the oceanfront thatched-roof bures.
"What is the hold up?!" Alexis called after Marinette. "We were supposed to have left 15 minutes ago!"
"Adrien's not on the shuttle, I've just got to go find him!" Marinette explained quickly.
Alexis glanced down at her watch. "We can't wait. I'll have the shuttle go ahead and get started at site one and two. Once you find Adrien Agreste follow this map and meet us closer at the third site as soon as you can," Alexis instructed, handing an extra copy of the map to Marinette from under her clipboard. "Don't worry it is just a short hike from right out that way," she pointed.
"Okay, sure. I'll get him there right away!" Marinette promised.
Marinette was already sweating like crazy, when she made it to Adrien's door, and rapped quickly. "Adrien!" she yelled through the door. The door itself pushed open. "Uh, Adrien? Are you in here? Are you ready to go?" Marinette called.
"Marinette?" Adrien's voice came from the bathroom. "Yeah, I'm in here," he mumbled sheepishly.
"Is everything okay?" Marinette asked cautiously, making her way across the room, to trail of light coming from the bathroom.
"Hey," Adrien sighed as Marinette peaked around the door frame.
Marinette couldn't help the giggle that burst from her mouth. Adrien's face dropped unimpressed. Poor Adrien had tried to get into the next garment for the photo shoot, and the outfit was...complicated. Somehow he had managed to get the multiple loops of the slit jacket caught on the shower curtain rod. There he struggled, caught up like a fly in a web.
"So you've come to rescue me?" Adrien said weakly. "My hero."
"You didn't want to..I don't know...just take off the jacket?" Marinette raised an eyebrow, leaning against the doorway.
"Yeah, tried that...zipper got caught on the shirt fabric, and got stuck. Then I tried to flip it over my head, and the loops caught up there," Adrien gestured to the curtain rod.
"I told him I could just use my cataclysm, but he wasn't interested," Plagg popped out from his shoulder.
"I didn't think the jacket, along with half the island disintegrating into the ocean," was a good option," Adrien glared at Plagg.
Marinette came closer and held up the edge of the jacket to inspect the damage. "Wow, you really got yourself tangled up here! I might have to cut you out."
"The other guys already gave Komar a hard time for getting tangled up in the mosquito net around his bed last night. They are going to let me live this one down!" Adrien sighed.
Marinette dug around in her shoulder bag and produced some sewing shears.
"Marinette won't Alexis be angry if you cut up the jacket?" Tiki poked her head out of Marinette's purse with concern.
"Probably, but if I spend the rest of the day untangling each strand we're never going to make it to the photo shoot...then she'll really be furious," Marinette answered determinedly.
"I'm sorry! I'll tell her it was my fault!" Adrien looked at Marinette pitifully.
"Don't worry! This will only take a moment!" Marinette assured him. Quickly she had freed Adrien, and he stretched out his stiff arms, while looking at the the shreds of the jacket in Marinette's hands.
"Thanks for saving me, but I don't think there will be any saving that jacket," Adrien said glumly.
Marinette was already cross-legged on the bed, and Tiki zipped up to her with her pocket-size sewing kit. Getting to work, Marinette braided some of the loose strands together, and stitched embroidery going up each side under the sleeves. Adrien perched next to her apprehensive at first, but then his mindset was quickly changed to awe.
Then Marinette sat up holding the transformed jacket in front of her. It was only then that her gaze fell over to Adrien, whose muscular bare arm brushed hers when she held out the repaired jacket. She couldn't help but feel her face heat up as he grabbed her into a enthusiastic hug. It was very fortunate indeed that Marinette had completed her task. In this swept up moment all she could think of was the firm chest of Adrien Agreste pressing against her, and the ridges of his abs stacking on top of each other perfectly as he leaned into her.
"You are amazing! I know I keep telling you that, but Mari I can't believe what you created out of my mess!" Adrien exclaimed.
"Hopefully no one will notice," Marinette shrugged bashfully in the presence of a very enthusiastic shirtless Adrien.
"Are you kidding! This is unlike anything else I've ever worn. People are going to notice!" Adrien cheered.
"Oh gosh! Alexis is going to hate it! She is going to think I high-jacked her design!" Marinette put her hands to her mouth.
"Do you want to skip to shoot?" Adrien suggested all too enthusiastically. "We could end up getting a little lost along the way in the rainforest!"
"No...no, I told Alexis I'd come through, and I won't let her down!" Marinette stood to her feet, and pushed Adrien out the door.
"Couldn't we just get the teensiest bit lost?" Adrien whined. "I feel like I've barely seen you all day!"
"You're making it to that photo shoot if I have to tie you up in my yoyo string!" Marinette threatened...but her threat did not seem to elicit the desired effect in hustling him along. Adrien just got a dopey grin on his face, and dragged onto her hand all the more. "Come on! Seriously! We're already late since you were like a kitten caught up in yarn and got yourself all tangled up!"
"Okay, I'll hurry," he assured her. "But tonight we get lost together!"
"Yes, fine!" Marinette agreed, making Adrien smile, and true to his promise picked up his pace.
Through the lush green forest they hiked, pushing forward through the well maintained trail. It wasn't all that long before they rounded the last bend and arrived at location number three; the waterfall pool!
Marinette glanced at her watch. "If they spent at least an hour at the other two locations, we might actually be early!" she exclaimed shocked.
In that case we have a few minutes to cool off a bit!" Adrien carefully folded his troublesome jacket and his shirt and placed it on a flat rock nearby.
"What are you doing?" Marinette whispered.
"After everything this afternoon, and a hike on top of it, I'm way too hot!" he smirked, then he dipped his hand down into the water, and splashed Marinette.
Marinette gasped at the sudden douse of water dripped down her neck. Then her eyes darted over to meet Adrien's. The competitive nature of the Ladybug within took over. She pulled her drenched white tank top over her head, and decidedly put her purse with Tiki on top of Adrien's jacket.
Adrien gulped seeing her frilled pink bikini top, and tensed seeing her unknot her blush surong skirt. "Uh...what are you..." he asked.
But Marinette tossed the skirt aside, rushed him, and threw her shoulder low, tacking a stunned Adrien right into the pool of water.
They both reemerged from the surface of the water laughing and splashing each other. Finally they caught each other up, and their lips met.
They were snapped out of their passionate oasis moment by the sound of a camera lens snapping, followed by a few cheers from a few of the other models and crew.
The rest of the group had caught up to them a little sooner than expected. After a fury of hair stylists and makeup artists trailing behind the group descended on Adrien to get him ready, Marinette quickly scooped up her pile of clothes and her purse (which both kwami's had secretly tucked their selves away in). One of the other models offered Marinette a towel, and she thankfully dried off and changed.
While Adrien posed with the infimas jacket, Alexis leaned over to Marinette, and whispered, "Make sure you notify me first next time you take it upon yourself to alter my designs."
Marinette gulped, and started to try to explain what had happened, but Alexis put up her hand. "When we get back to Paris, maybe I'll take a glance at your portfolio after all. You've got some potential."
Marinette was speechless and whispered a tiny thank you, while Alexis left her to check up on the next arrangement of models.
By the time they had finished up all the other locations and desired shots they were already loosing light. When they arrived back at the resort Marinette trudged toward her room for a shower, but Adrien caught her before she went in to her bungalow. "Once you've at a chance to freshen up a bit meet me down by the pier," he implored.
"I'm done with swimming Agreste," Marinette managed to smile.
"No, I've got plans for dinner just for the two of us," he smiled mysteriously.
"Well okay," Marinette agreed, before Adrien swooped down to his her hand and then ran off.
When Marinette reemerged a speedy half hour later, her hair was knoted up in a loose bun, and she wore a fresh long cotton beach dress with delicate embroidered straps that formed a v at the neckline and met in racer back behind. There was a geometric pattern on the chest that took on a floral motif, which was eventually mirrored at the very bottom of the hem. The dress followed the curve of her body, until the hips, and then dropped loosely to brush the tips of her toes poking out in flip flops.
As she neared the long wide pier jetting out on the dark water, she saw that little lights illuminated it all the way along. Then at the very far end of the deck torches illuminated a small round table set with candles joined with two chairs. Up stood Adrien from one of these chairs as she approached.
"You can do a lot more with half an hour than I can!" Marinette complimented as he pulled out the chair next to his for her.
"I don't know about that," he said twirling her around. "Plus I had a lot of help," Adrien smiled. "I actually called the resort to plan this before we came."
"You're such a hopeless romantic!" Marinette kissed him with a grin on her lips.
Then Adrien tucked a single flower behind her left ear, and sat back marvelling at how beautiful she was in the moonlight. After being served an amazing gourmet meal grown from the gardens on the island Marinette sighed contently, edging her chair over so she could rest her head on Adrien's shoulder. The strains of ukulele and mandolin music from the main reception area travelled across the water.
"Brings back some memories doesn't it?" Tiki commented to Plagg, perching their tiny selves on the edge of the dock looking out to the sea.
"Of yesterday when I had to wait till dark to get a decent wheel of cheese?" Plagg grouched uncooperatively.
Tiki flattened her intenna with a glare at Plagg, before closing her eyes returning to her whistful remembrance. "Of the last time we were on this island of course," she continued. "It is always amazing how life brings you back to certain spots like a magnet."
"You both were on this tiny little island before?" Adrien asked shifting slightly in surprise. "There are literally hundreds of islands in Fiji alone, let alone the world!"
"Yes, that is what I mean! Uncanny how, of all islands, we ended up on this one!" Tiki mused again.
"Why were you here the last time?" Marinette inquired curiously.
"The chief who lived in this area was once one of the guardians," Tiki explained. "There had not been a weilder chosen for a long time, as the guardians believed that humans had abused the power in the past. They remained hidden on the island, jealously guarded by a legendary sea monster kwami."
"Sea monster?" ask Adrien.
"She's really just a big ol' octopus," Plagg mumbled.
"Sure...a REALLY big wild kwami octopus with immense powers," Tiki rolled her eyes at her companion.
"How did the miraculous'...you know...finally get entrusted to weilders again?" asked Marinette.
"It was because of a young man who saved the chief's son from a ship wreak," Tiki said. "The sailor braved the dangers of the island, the sea, and the intimidating tales of the fierce tribe themselves to return the boy to his family. The guardians finally saw hope in mankind again, and bestowed a miraculous to the young man.
"It was that same weilder who worked with others of indescribable power to create the second generation of miraculous' to protect them. He even returned to the island and convinced the great octopus kwami to merge herself with a new miraculous jewel. They managed to accomplish their goal, but years later the octopus kwami regretted her choice, and her discontent corrupted her miraculous and any that tried to control her."
"Finally the guardians fought against her and the weilder she had possessed. They cast them both into the sea. Unfortunately the weilder presumably drowned. The octopus miraculous however was lost; pent up forever within the jewel she loathed in the depths."
"Didn't anyone ever go looking for it?" Adrien asked.
"No one, not even Sugarcube here,who helped create it, would recognize it (even if it was right under their nose). The guardians didn't want anyone to seek it out, so used her sister miraculous of forgetfulness (the same one we got stuck with last week) to wipe all memory of it," Plagg shrugged.
"Only a select few of the wild kwami of Egypt even had access to scrolls containing legends relating to the great sea monster of Fiji...but those were lost in Alexandria," Tiki said mournfully.
Adrien and Marinette looked out on the black waters rolling in with eirie shimmers of moonlight reflecting of the rolling surf. The peaceful whir and slap of the water against the pier lulled them into more light hearted conversation. The water though did not forget things lost to the world, and would not withhold its captive for long.