"Alright, seriously man. What's going on with you?"

Adrien grimaced, curling into his seat under Nino's stare. This was so not a conversation he wanted to have, right now. "Nino-"

"And you can just skip the whole 'I'm fine' bit. Because that was never believable to begin with."

The model went silent, not knowing what to say. He stared down at the Lady Wi-Fi doll. He really needed to give it back. But that would mean seeing Marinette, talking to her. How the hell was he supposed to do that, now?

Nino laid a hand on his shoulder. "Come on, dude. Talk to me. Whatever it is, I wanna-"

"I know."

"Well, then tell me, man."

Adrien shook his head. "No, Nino. I mean... I know. About Marinette."

Nino's eyes widened. "...Oh. Well shit."

"I know, right?"

Nino scratched his brow. " Okay... so you know how she feels?" Adrien nodded. "So then, how do you feel? Do you like her? Like that, I mean?"

"I... I don't think I can answer that, right now. I mean... I kinda like this other girl. Someone I work with."

"Someone who doesn't quite like you back?"

Adrien let out a humorless laugh. "I always thought she'd come around. That I'd find some way to win her over. Now?" he sighed. "I'm starting to think it isn't worth it, anymore."

"Dude, I..." Nino paused as he saw the girls come in. "Shit."

Adrien followed his gaze and sighed. "Talk later?"

"Sure."

The girls found them almost immediately and made their way to the empty seats on Adrien's left. Marinette sat down beside the blond, toying with her bangs as she did. Neither one made any sort of attempt at eye contact. Luna took her seat at the end and sent Nino a look. His tight-lipped smile said all she needed to know. A distraction was desperately needed. Sighing, the thief checked her watch. Curtain rise couldn't come soon enough.

Finally, the lights dimmed, quieting the crowd's murmur. All eyes went to the stage as the actors gathered for the first scene. Marinette's heart raced. For a moment, everything else faded into the background. She relaxed in her seat, listening to the auctioneer divy out each item as it came up. Her breath caught in her throat as the man drew attention to the chandelier. She knew what was coming next.

Manon jumped at the sparks and booming organ. She pulled her two dolls closer to her chest as she looked on in wonder. Marinette glanced down at her with a small smile, looking back just in time to see Carlotta hit the stage. The music picked up once again, and once more, the world around her disappeared. She was so enthralled in the spectacle that she didn't notice the pair of green eyes watching her.

Adrien couldn't help but be drawn into her wonder. It was a side of Marinette he rarely got to see, and he was beginning to realize what a shame that was. Why hadn't he tried to get to know her better before? Sure, the whole Chloé/gum thing wasn't a good start, but he considered her one of the first friends he ever made at school. So, why let things lie like he did? Why let himself become so oblivious?

Maybe Luna had a point.

He looked over at the thief. She was just as engrossed in the musical as Marinette was. Maybe even more so. A ghost of a smile settled on her lips, though it didn't seem to be a happy one. If anything, Adrien would've probably call it bittersweet.

She must've sensed his gaze, because their eyes soon met. Luna sent him a wink as her lips curled into a true smirk. A familiar shiver went up the hero's spine. She was up to something. What that was, he had no clue. And, boy, did that not get him excited, or what?

The curtain closed for intermission, and they all filed out into the lobby to stretch their legs. Marinette took Manon to the bathroom while the others went to the merchandise tables. Adrien made sure to keep Luna in his sights. If she was going to sneak off, this was her best chance to do so.

Sure enough, as soon as Marinette came back, the thief excused herself.

"Right now?" Marinette asked in surprise. "But Act Two's gonna start any minute!"

"Sorry, girl. Total emergency."

Adrien really doubted that but played along, regardless. "Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, just got a text from Collins. Something about a leaky faucet, I think?" She shrugged. "Either way, I figured it's better to be safe than sorry."

"Well, that sucks," Marinette said. "Hope everything works out."

"I'm sure it's nothing major. You guys enjoy the rest of the show, okay?" Luna gave them a wave before running off.

Marinette shook her head, then turned to the others. "Guess we'd better head back in."

Adrien's eyes lingered on the retreating girl for a moment longer. Once she was out of sight, though, he gave Marinette a warm smile. "Yeah, let's."

Luna wasted no time getting to her suit. As soon as she was out the door, the thief circled around the back of the theatre and set to work grappling up the wall to the roof above. She located her duffel bag and unzipped it. Shedding her outer clothes, Luna quickly put on her jacket and boots over her catsuit. A moist cloth took care of her makeup, and soon she was slinking in through a skylight. Silent feet hit the touched the floor as the thief landed. Tightening her gloves, Spades surveyed the area, making sure no one saw her entrance. No need to spoil the surprise, early.

It was a simple plan, really. Spades would hide herself high above the stage and wait for the curtain call. Then she'd announce herself, issue her challenge, and disappear in a puff of smoke. All while the crowd watched in confusion. Spades smiled to herself. The thought of being onstage, again... It was such a horrifically thrilling thought. Her nerves danced between excitement and anxiety. And she welcomed the feeling like an old friend. Nostalgia ached in the thief's chest as she quickly made her way to the bustling backstage, clinging to the shadows as she moved. God, did she miss this. The organized chaos of a production underway, the energy, the butterflies, the... wait, back up. Was that an actual butterfly?

Spades used the camera in her goggles to zoom in. Sure enough, a small black butterfly fluttered, unnoticed, over the heads of the cast and crew. The sight of it unsettled the thief, though she wasn't entirely sure why. It was just a bug, right?

Then it somehow fused inside the pendant of an actress. And Spades knew that was anything but good.

Adrien mentally kicked himself for not silencing his phone. Everyone around him turned to glare as his ringtone sounded. With a sheepish smile, he dug the device out to quiet it, only to frown at the caller ID. What did Luna want?

Nino gave his arm a nudge. "Dude, either hang up or answer it," he whispered. "Pretty sure the woman over there's about ready to beat you with her purse."

Adrien blinked at the pink frilled woman curling her nose at him. "Uh... right... excuse me..."

The blond boy quickly climbed over his friends and escaped into the lobby to answer the call.

"Hello?"

"You did not seriously leave your phone on during a performance."

"I just forgot, okay?" Adrien glowered. "Is that really the only reason you called?"

"Not really, kitten. Kinda have a weird question for you."

"Weird how?" he asked with a frown.

"This whole akuma thing... it wouldn't happen to involve little black butterflies, would it?"

Adrien froze. "Why do you ask?"

Spades let out a nervous chuckle. "Well, funny story-"

A loud inhuman shriek rang out from the auditorium, followed by a crash and a chorus of screams. Adrien had just enough time to turn towards the doors before they slammed open, letting loose a panicked stampede. He quickly ducked out of the way and into a nearby closet.

"Jesus-fucking-Christ!" Spades groaned on the other end of the line.

"What the hell just happened?" he hissed, keeping his voice low.

"Wrong person to ask, kitten. This is more your area of expertise than it is mine. Though, I think our new friend just screamed a hole through the backstage wall."

"Fabulous." Adrien shook Plagg out of his shirt pocket. "Where are you?"

"Heading up to the catwalk. I think she's heading for center stage, so I should be able to get the drop on her."

"Don't even think about it. Ladybug and I-"

"Are not here, right now. I know what I'm doing, kitten. Don't worry your pretty little head."

"Luna, please! Let us take care of this. You're not the one with superpowers, remember?"

"Look, I'm all for letting you guys handle the villain of the day, but this bitch just took a hostage-"

"And you're just telling me this, now?!"

"-And I think the poor guy would appreciate any help he could get, regardless of superpowers," Spades finished.

Adrien gritted his teeth. "Alright... just don't do anything reckless."

"Do I really seem like the reckless type to you?"

"I wouldn't put it passed you," he said with a smirk.

"Said the pot to the kettle, kitten. Now, get that tail of yours out here."

The line went dead, causing Adrien to sigh. "That woman's gonna be the death of me."

"Well, if she does, don't say I didn't warn you," Plagg said, folding his arms. "I told you she was dangerous, but no! You just had to be curious!"

The boy quirked a brow. "Says the one who constantly turns to putty in her hands."

"That's completely different," the kwami said with a blush.

Adrien snickered. "Either way, we can't let her have all the fun. Plagg, claws out!"

The last thing Marinette expected was an akuma attack. One minute she was deeply entranced in Christine's sorrow over father's death, and the next, the actors were thrown off stage by an ear-piercing shriek. On instinct, she covered Manon with her body, dragging the child to the floor. Manon yelped in surprise but clung to the teen, nonetheless. Screams erupted all around them as the crowd rushed to escape Hawkmoth's latest victim. Marinette's heart and mind raced. She had to find someplace to transform, but she couldn't just leave Manon. She bit her lip and looked about for an answer.

"How could you!"

The blackette motioned for Manon to keep quiet before daring to peek over the seats. There at the center of the stage stood a tall, willowy woman in the most god-awful dress the designer had ever laid eyes on. It looked like something out of the Victorian era, with a tight, yellow bodice and a billowing brown skirt. The villainess wore a high collar that framed her wild black curls. A black butterfly-like mask framed her red eyes. Her pale lips were pulled back in a snarl as she glared down at the man she held dangling by his collar.

"Does our marriage mean nothing to you?!" she screeched. "Our children?! Is that harlot really worth it, James?!"

"E-Evelynn, please-"

"MY NAME IS OPERETTA!"

The man shrank into himself. "I-i-it's not what you think! I swear!"

"Don't lie to me!" Her voice took on a sing-song tone, and the room trembled from it.

"Honey, I promise you! She never meant anything to me!"

"Ooooooo, buddy. That's like the worst thing you could've said."

Operetta dropped her... uh... husband at the sudden voice filling the auditorium. He quickly scurried offstage, rolling over the edge as he did. Marinette felt a twitch start up just above her eye. Even through the filter of speakers, she'd recognise that irritating tone anywhere. Why in God's name was the thief here, now?!

"Who are you?!" Operetta demanded.

"Oh, no one special," Spades said. "Just a humble lover of the arts. You ruined the ending, by the way. That's easily one of my favorite scenes."

The villainess snorted. "As if I care! This whole production was a sham from the start!"

"Sounds like someone bombed their audition."

"I was robbed! I should've been Christine! That tone-deaf slut slept her way into the role! With my own husband!" Operetta stomped her foot, and Marinette couldn't get the image of a four-year-old out of her head.

"Well, I can't say anything about your marriage, dollface. But, did you really think screaming like a harpie was gonna get you the part?"

Operetta grinned, merciless and cold. "Perhaps not. But I'll be damned if I'll let that bitch steal my spotlight."

Spades let out a groan. "God, I hate prima donnas. People like you give real performers a bad rep."

"How dare you judge me! You hide in the shadows like a coward! What would you know about the stage?"

A small bang went off behind the villainess. She spun around in surprise, frowning at the white smoke that rose up. Her frown deepened as a shadow stepped out of the wisps.

"Well, for one thing," Spades said, folding her arms with a smirk. "I sure as hell know how to make an entrance."

Another chapter done! And I have written myself into another corner. Go me! Still, my muse seems to be going strong, so expect more chapters soon. Now, onto reviews!

Sophie: You can call me Tsuki. And if I may ask, what about Luna makes you hate her? You can't say it's because she's an OC, though. Also, I feel Chloé and Adrien should have a more familial relationship over a romantic one. Their chemistry wasn't really there for me.

Alex: It's undecided. It could be Adrinette, it could be Adrina. Hell, I may not even put a couple in at all... That's probably not gonna happen, but still. To me, the story is more important than who ends up with who.

June: No, can't say that I have. I'll look into them.

PSYCH0xSEXY: All the more reason to address why it's such a problem for the show. Like it or not, Ladybug is a role model for kids that age.

Davey: I totally agree. As much as I love me a badass character, if they don't have flaws to balance them out, they quickly become flat and boring.

Typicalbooklover: As well you should! And when you really think about it, is that really a good quality for Luna to have?

Til next time, all! Thanks for reading!

Playlist:

Phantom of the Opera- Lindsey Stirling

The Siren- Nightwish

Chandelier- Sia

Ella elle l'a- Kate Ryan

Love Again- Pentatonix

Sinéad- Within Temptation