"Starbucks?" "Check." "Map?" "Check." "Puns and sanity," "Check-" I groan as Adrien laughs as we stand at the entrance of Bogley Woods. "I should have known you were my Kitty years ago," I grumble.
"Oh? And how would you have figured it out?" "Even without a catsuit, you still pun." I sling my backpack and set on the ground with a thump. "Here," I pull out a set of clothes and hold onto my own. "Go change into these. I bet you a hundred of Andre's ice cream cones that Corvus has spies in there, so we're going to go undercover with the secret relationship."
Adrien's eyes are playful. "First of all, I love that you call me "My Kitty." Second, as much as I would love a cone, I knew you were the one every since I laid eyes on you. My sweet Bugaboo, your pouting." "You ever stop, do you, Kitty?" Adrien steps closer, his warm breath making my cheeks burn as his nose brushes mine. "Do you want me too?" Oh, this slick cat. I shake my head. "Didn't think so."
When Adrien emerges from the public restroom, his face is positively glowing. "I'm a woodcutter! Wait, did you take inspiration from the Evermore album?" he asks. "Huh?" I'm dressed as a maiden in the woods, complete with dress and cloak. "No, don't tell me! Little Red Riding Hood!" "Adrien, behave," I growl. "And yes, Taylor inspires me. Now, cut the jokes and let's get going."
He gives me some blinks. "What about meowing?" "Arrgh!" I stomp off into the woods, taking a large slurp of my coffee. Meows or jokes though, I'm glad to have him by my side.
The path is wide and flat, and the sun disappears as we go deeper into the trees, the cool air feels wonderful.
Until we see three crows watching us from a nearby tree. "Uh-oh," Adrien whispers and stops. I whirl my yo-yo. "What, do you think they work for Corvus?" "No, I'm allergic to feathers and will most certainly attract attention I start sneezing."
Oh, yeah, I forgot about that little detail. Adrien rummages in his bag and I watch curiously. Just what is up to? He pulls out three crackers, transforms behind a tree, and starts to walk towards the birds.
"What are you doing?" I hiss. He puts a finger to his lips, gives me a wink and keeps walking. Cat holds up a cracker.
"Crow want a cracker? Or would you like something shiny?" His ring glistens in the dim the sunlight. "Caw!" The first bird swoops down and snatches the cracker, very pleased with himself as he wheels and lands in the tree.
Cat turns to me. "Clear!" Before I can take a step, the three birds start fighting over the cracker and feathers start to fall. "Take cover!" I rush at Cat, tackling him and we start to roll down a steep hill.
A few minutes later….
"Has the spinning stopped?" I slowly sit up. Cat gives me a small poke, and I let out a squeak. "Good, your not dead. You were green for a second there."
"You two are clever, handling those greedy birds like that," a voice says, and we jump up, back-to-back and whirling our baton and yo-yo.
"Please don't be afraid. My name is Philox, and I am your friend." Slowly, we lower our guard. "We're Ladybug and Cat Noir," we exchange greetings. "We're on a mission to defeat Corvus." We can trust her, I can feel it. "You are brave my dears. Corvus is well known in this land. Last time he was through here, half the woods people disappeared. Legend has it that they were turned into crows."
"Corvus is half-human, half-crow. That's why he wants our Miraculous, and why I did the cracker trick with the birds."
Philox smiles. "Your a clever kitty, aren't you?" Cat blushes, scratching the back of his neck. "Now, you must be tired and hungry and my cabin isn't far. Come."
I'm surprised the light is already fading, how has this day gone so fast? Philox's cabin is cozy, and Cat opts to sleep in the open air.
She serves us a thick hearty stew that we dip bread into, and cold glasses of milk to drink. Just for a moment, I get a pang of homesickness, Papa would have loved this meal and certainly would have asked for the recipe.
Philox tells us about a small trail to the waterfall, and Cat and I amble slowly, letting our dinner settle. Its so peaceful here, and I feel a false sense of calm as the birds twitter in the trees.
A small rain shower has us scurrying to a rocky overhang. "I have to admit, Kitten, you are clever," I tell him as the rain clatters down to earth. We cuddle for warmth, and before we know it, we lose ourselves in a gentle kiss, and I rest my head on my partner's shoulder.
Even with all the teasing, I don't want to live without him, I think to myself.
When we return, Cat and I share a very sweet kiss on the porch, leaving my lips tingling.
Morning comes quickly, and when I pad into the kitchen, Cat is watching Philox stir something in her big kettle.
"Good morning, love," I greet Cat sleepily, and he says good morning with a kiss. "She's making oatmeal. I was waiting for you so we could berry picking." I snort, then start giggling. "So I can keep an eye on you so you don't eat all the berries and give yourself a tummy ache?" "Um…."
"You two are clearly in love," Philox smiles as she turns to us. "Now, here's the map where the berries are, but don't take to long. Breakfast will be ready soon, and you have a long journey ahead."
As Ladybug and Cat set off towards the berry patch, a crow hidden in the foliage took flight. Corvus would be pleased to hear that Cat and Ladybug were coming.