See you soon I said, and it's been 5 months. Sorry got distracted with things I will be trying to post one update a month for the time being along with my other fics.
Chapter Text
Tikki hid as Marinette entered the village. The streets were cobbled with stones. You could tell the difference between the homes and the shops in the village. The shops were made of wood and the cottages of stone. She looked around in wonder as she walked. She could feel the storm of emotions in her heart crying to get out and consume her. She forced her mind off that, she needed to get food for herself and the kwamis first. She looked around for a place where she could get work, though she was unsure if a fifteen-year-old could even get a job in this world. As she walked by a shop with a picture of a shirt on the sign, the door opened with a faint jingle. A young woman with long brown hair in a ponytail stepped out, staring at Marinette.
"Where ever did you come across such wonderful clothes?" She asked in amazement at Marinette's custom-made outfit.
Marinette could not help a look of pride as she answered. "I made them myself! Thank you."
The girl's eyes were sparkling. "Can I buy them from you? I'll of course give you a new set of clothing to replace them and I'll even save you an outfit I made using yours as a guide."
Marinette paused. Here was the perfect chance to earn some coins. She could make this outfit again, assuming she could get the materials. At the same time, these clothing were a reminder of home. She thought of the Kwamis all waiting for her and then steeled her will.
"Alright, you got yourself a deal."
The girl squealed before dragging Marinette into the shop. Several minutes later, Marinette was dressed in a simple tunic and skirt, both in a light blue. The skirt only went about halfway between her thighs and knees. She had been given a simple pair of brown boots that barely went above her ankle. She had kept her underwear and socks though, as the scratchy versions she was offered did not interest her. The girl gave her a hundred silver coins and five copper ones.
"Miss, I'm not from around here. Can you explain it to me?" Marinette was nervous about her reaction but the girl laughed.
"Coinage is pretty much the same the world over these days. You must be from a real backwater. You got your coin, the silver one. It's worth ten copper coins. Then you have a higher currency mainly used by nobility and merchants. It's the golden coins and they are worth ten silver coins. Common folk like you and me however won't find much use for gold, so we stick to silver."
Marinette smiled at her. "Thank you so much. I really needed this. I had no money and was trying to figure out how I would get a job in a foreign land. Oh, my name is Marientte, by the way."
The girl's smile faded at this. "That's a lovely name. There was a girl in the city not far from here that had a similar name. They say she died not long ago. It's a shame when someone so young goes. My name is Maria. I hope you'll come back."
Marinette gulped, another confirmation that there was a Marinette-sized hole in this world. She turned and then thought of something so she turned back.
"Oh, I wanted to know, is there an inn room near here I can rent?"
Maria nodded, leading Marinette out into the street. "There is the Crescent Lake, it's the best in around. Room and board for only 3 silver a day. All meals included."
Marinette waved as she left the clothing store, feeling the breeze on her legs. She tended to wear pants more often than not these days, so was a bit unprepared. She took one hand and smoothed down the edges of her skirt as she walked towards the inn. Along the way, she stopped in a bakery and bought two dozen rolls for just under two silvers. This would tide the Kwami over for tonight. She entered the inn and any plans to socialize and learn more about the area disappeared. Marientte could feel the dam she had put on her emotions slipping. She quickly rented a room for two days and headed up to it. She got inside and slipped her boots off and summoned the Miracle box as the tears began to form in her eyes. She pressed the button and summoned forth all the Chinese Kwami just as the first sobs struck her. She lay back on the bed as the Kwami all snuggled into her, offering her comfort as she finally mourned the loss of her home, her family, and her friends. Two blondes dominated her thoughts as she mourned. Adrien, whom she would be able to see with the snake Miraculous, and Cat Noir, her partner. She was alone, so alone.
A knock on the door sometime later brought her out of the slumber she had cried herself into.
"Miss, you missed lunch. I brought a tray with food and drink for you. I'm leaving it in the hall."
She wanted to say she was not hungry but her stomach rumbled, reminding her that her last meal had been before she died in her old world. The Kwami floated off her and she sat up. The wooden planks were cold on her bare feet as she approached the door. Opening it, she found a bowl of steaming stew, a hunk of bread, and a flagon of some form of liquid. She brought it into the desk and sat, staring at the food. A Kwami nuzzled into her hair. When they spoke, it was not Tikki as she had been expecting though.
"You need to eat, Pigtails. My kitten would never forgive me if you died again. Come on, for him. Eat some of your dinners."
She looked over at Plagg, her eyes misty. "I…"
Plagg shook his head and grabbed the hunk of bread and brought it to her hand. "Eat! That's an order, Guardian."
She smiled weakly and took a bite from the bread. Her hunger was now undeniable, she grabbed her spoon, and using the bread in her other hand, she ate the stew as the Kwami opened the rolls she had bought earlier. She found a slice of cheese that had been hiding under the bread and held it out to Plagg who took it.
"Not as good as Camembert, but it will do." He consumed it. "Not bad, a harvest cheese with a nutty flavor."
"Why do you like cheese so much?" Marientte asked as she sampled the drink. It tasted of fruit but she could not identify what type.
"It's creation and destruction in one." He explained as he licked his mouth. "The rotting of the milk is destruction but instead of becoming nothing, it becomes something new. Creation from destruction, it's a marvelous concept."
"Aww, that's actually really cute." She finished her meal and addressed all the Kwami. "I'm gonna clean myself up. Try not to cause trouble."
The man's colorful gods nodded and returned to their meal. Marinette took a bath and once she felt better, she returned to her room.
"I'll need to buy or make some clothes to wear to bed, but I'll sleep in what I have got for now." She paused as she saw all the Chinese Kwami staring at her. "What's up, guys?"
"We were talking while you were gone. Sit down, Marinette." Tikki urged and she complied. "We think it best that neither the Black Cat nor the Ladybug get used in the open for some time. This world will not know about the wish, but we don't think fate should be tempted. As much as I don't want to give you to another Kwami, I feel this is for the best."
Marinette nodded. She had the same thought too but it did not hurt less. "I'll need to bond with Plagg to get his Kwagatama eventually though if I want to bring Cat Noir back."
Plagg nodded. "I have begun the process already, the time you were Lady Noir. I figured it would be good for my kitten to have a way to speak to you if something ever went wrong. I'm not usually so proactive, so don't expect this often."
She smiled. "I'm glad. I'll get a haircut and give each of you a hair to allow you to all start making Kwagatama so I can bring everyone back eventually. If I'm not gonna use the Ladybug, I'll need to pick a new Miraculous to use. I want to still be a bug though, I would feel off being say a tiger or something now."
Pollen and Nooroo floated forward as she pondered the Miraculous box. "I am a direct fighter, not one to direct from a far. No offense Nooroo."
"None taken, Marinette." The purple butterfly said serenely. "Though you are very emphatic, I think you would make a good holder for me, I understand needing to be in the thick of things."
Pollen floated up to her. "I am at your service, my queen. You will make a wonderful ruler for this world."
Marinette knitted her eyes. "That makes me sound like Chloe."
Pollen shook her head sadly. "Chloe had the hallmarks of a great bee. Majestic and powerful, leading others by example. But she fell into the trap my miraculous creates. A proper queen protects her subjects, cares for them, and addresses their needs. You always put others first. You're a wonderful leader. You'll make a wonderful Bee."
Marinette opened the chamber for Subjugation and slipped the comb into her hair. She then removed the earrings and placed them in the Creation drawer. "Thank you, Pollen. I'm looking forward to working together. I'll trade the stuff from my yo-yo to the top later."
The Kwami all nodded. "One more thing," Dusuu exclaimed as they rose beside her. "We think you should use my powers to bring one of your friends back. If you create a Senti-being that is meant to be a certain person, they are that person. With all their memories and experiences. Someone whom you can rely on and give a Miraculous to. So you wouldn't be able to make Cat Noir as he would be stuck in that form and unable to adapt as the situation calls."
Marinette frowned and looked at Plagg. "Can you tell me who he is now? So I can bring him back?"
Plagg shook his head. "No, he didn't renounce me. So I am unable to share his name with you. The only way for you to get his name would be to ask him during a Reunion."
Marinette let out a stifled sob. She had expected this but it still hurt. "I see. I don't want to break up any of the couples either. I would rather wait and bring both of them back together."
Wayzz adds. "I suggest not trying Adrien either. Not that you cannot bring him back later, but you need to be focused for now, and he makes you unfocused."
She wanted to bite back but she could not deny the wise turtle's words. She reached out and patted him on the head. "Your right. I have an idea of who to call. She's very creative and should be able to use several Miraculous well. But first, I have an idea. Ziggy, Orikko. I will need your assistance with this."
