Notes: I enjoy a slow buildup
Disclaimer: I don't own the Miraculous franchise
Miraculous Universe
Ch. 2: Cast of Characters Part 2
Marinette Dupain-Cheng was the only daughter of Tom Dupain and Sabine Cheng. Tom was a very tall, very broad man with a fine mustache, half French/half Italian. Sabine was a short Chinese woman of many talents. Together they owned a bakery, and as soon as Marinette was old enough, she liked to help any way she could. One day, when Marinette was about three years old, an older Chinese gentleman visited their shop.
"Bon après-midi, monsieur," Sabine reflexively said without looking, but when she turned around, she was surprised, "Oh my! Tom, we have a new customer."
"Is that so? Good day to you, M."
The man smiled, "Thank you. Good day to you both as well."
"We know almost everyone," Sabine said, "But we've never seen you before."
"No, I'm a recent arrival. I just set up a massage parlor."
"It's nice to meet another person from, as they say, my neck of the woods."
"It is true I'm from China, but I haven't been back there in years. I've done a lot of world traveling, you see. Since I had so many pleasant memories here, I finally decided to settle down. Wang Fu is my name."
"Sabine Cheng, and my husband Tom. I must insist that you allow me to cook you a meal that will take you back home, M."
"Oh, I couldn't ask you to do that."
"Think of it as a welcoming present. Tom, you can manage the store for a bit, can't you?"
"Of course, my dear."
Sabine rushed into the kitchen.
Tom chuckled, "Once someone in our family gets an idea, they have to act on it. Have a croissant, M."
"Thank you very much."
Sabine popped her head back into the bakery, "I'm sure you need to be getting back to your business. Please, just leave us your address and we'll deliver the meal as soon as it's ready."
"What service. Who am I to argue?" he pulled out a business card, "Here's my address. Please visit at any time."
He then left, snacking on the croissant. In no time at all, Sabine had packed the lunch for Fu.
"Marinette," Sabine called, "Come along. We're making a delivery."
"Yes, Maman."
Sabine looked at the business card, thought about which route to take, and then took Marinette's hand.
"We'll be right back, Tom."
"No hurry, mon cœur."
They soon reached the massage parlor. He was sitting at a small table on the floor.
"M. Fu, this is my daughter. Marinette, this is Master Fu."
Fu was confused, "Master?"
"You run your own business, your décor is of Chinese influence, you're my senior, you're clearly a master."
He chuckled, "If you say so."
"Please, Master, as they say, dig in."
As he took the first bite, his eyes went wide, "It is as though I'm back in my old neighborhood, Mme. There is no other word I can use other than perfection."
"You flatter me, Master. We let our Marinette watch us in the kitchen so she might pick up a few things once we properly teach her to cook and bake. I've also been teaching her to speak Chinese. Tom's been teaching her a bit of Italian. The television has been teaching her English."
"Always handy to know another language. I make money on the side teaching Chinese actually."
"Would you perhaps mind teaching Marinette what you know? I'm sure it would help her get the hang of it better. Oh, when you have free time, of course. I don't want to impose."
"It would be a privilege to teach your daughter. However, I couldn't possibly charge you after that wonderful meal."
"How about this? I'll pay you in home-cooked meals."
"Now that's what I call a deal."
"Well, we must be off. We have to get Marinette ready for maternelle. Au revoir for now, Master. Oh, and here's my cell number."
"Until we meet again, Mme. Cheng, Marinette."
Marinette practically fell in love with maternelle. It was so much fun to meet new people. Two in particular stood out. The first was a quiet boy who wore glasses named Nino Lahiffe. When she first arrived, she noticed how quiet Nino was, so she went up to him and said hello when there was free time.
"Bonjour! My name is Marinette. What's yours?"
"Uh...hi...I'm Nino."
"I like baking, Nino. What do you like?"
"Um...music."
"Really? That's nice. Let's be friends!"
"Really?" he said, starting to smile.
"Really really."
The other was a loud boy named Lê Chiến Kim Ature. He was constantly showing off, doing exercises mostly.
"Bonjour! You're funny. My name is Marinette."
"Just call me Kim. When I grow up, I'm gonna do sports all the time."
"That sounds cool. I like baking. This is my other friend, Nino."
"Oh yeah. You're really quiet."
"You're loud," Nino said back.
"My mommy would say that's balance," Marinette said.
While she would make more friends, Nino and Kim were always her closest. They managed to wind up in the same class once they moved on to élémentaire. It was here that the trio made many more friends. Kim made an unlikely friendship with a boy named Max Kanté. Max was what most people would call a nerd, and not just because he wore glasses. It started one day when Kim was bragging about his many athletic accomplishments, when Max stepped up and corrected him several times. Max pointing out that most of the things Kim claimed were impossible left him speechless. It was probably the first time Kim had nothing to say. Max seemed to pick up on this though.
"However, just because they're unlikely doesn't mean they're impossible. You seem to train an awful lot. I could time you, and then that might push you to do better."
"You mean it? You think that'll work?"
"Most assuredly...I mean yes."
"Cool! Time me and count my push ups...I mean, you know, if you're not busy. I've finished my work for the day. Let's take this outside and we can start."
Kim ran off like an overly happy dog. The other friend Kim made was a fiery redheaded girl named Alix Kubdel who always stepped up to compete against him. Marinette made friends with a bubbly blonde girl named Aurore Beauréal. Aurore had another friend, a girl named Mireille Caquet, but Aurore was more outspoken. Aurore wasn't always the smartest girl, except in one particular subject: weather.
"It's because of my name," she would say, "I looked up where my parents got my name. The Aurora Borealis are these pretty lights in the sky way up in the frozen north. I have to become a weather girl when I get older, so I'm learning all I can about the sky."
Nino and Marinette also found a friend in a redheaded boy named Nathaniel Kurtzberg. Nathaniel was friends with Alix, but while she was very extroverted, he was very introverted. While she competed with Kim, he sat on the sidelines, always drawing something. When Nino first met him, Nathaniel barely said anything.
"How's it going, mec?"
"Fine," Nate replied quietly.
"Sorry, did I interrupt?"
"Not really. I was just drawing."
"Oh, really? Yeah, you do need quiet to concentrate. Do you mind if I sit here?"
Nate shook his head.
"Tell you what, how's about I sit here listening to my music, on headphones of course, and let you finish your drawings. That sound cool?"
"Uh, sure," Nate sounded a tad surprised.
"I'm Nino, by the way."
"Nathaniel."
"You don't mind if I call you Nate, do you?"
"No, that's what Alix does."
"Sweet. So you and Alix are friends?"
"Her dad's a historian at the Louvre. My parents took me there to see the art. That's where we met."
"That's cool. Anyway, just keep doing what you were doing," Nino said as he put on his headphones.
After that, while Nate was still quiet, he was a bit more open and talkative. There was one girl, however, that Marinette definitely did not consider a friend: Chloé Bourgeois. She wasn't even entirely sure why Chloé didn't like her. When they all first started, Chloé barely acknowledged her. What drew Marinette to her was her clothes.
"Bonjour! My name's Marinette Dupain-Cheng."
"Chloé Bourgeois."
"Those are really nice clothes. Where did you get them?"
"If you must know, this particular outfit comes to you via the Gabriel brand."
"Gabriel Agreste?"
"Obviously!"
After that, their interactions were limited to the occasional greeting.
"Bonjour, Chloé," Marinette said.
"Huh? Oh, yeah, bonjour, whatever."
It went on like that for a while, until the day their parents were invited to the school for a Career Day. Sabrina was happy that her dad Roger was able to make it. Right after him was the mayor himself. Chloé was very glad that André could make it. However, she was a tad disappointed that he couldn't stay long.
"Désolé, mon ange, but I must be running along."
"So soon, Papa?"
"I promise I'll be home for dinner," he said, giving her a hug.
That's when it was Tom Dupain's turn.
"My wife and I wake up at 4AM. Everyone loves fresh baked goods, after all. We've been teaching our Marinette the business."
He went on for a bit, until Chloé spoke up.
"So you both get to see Marinette every day?"
"Nothing could possibly stop us."
Ever since, any time Marinette would try to be nice, Chloé would either ignore her or insult her.
"Bonjour, Chloé."
"Get out of my way!"
"I...I like your outfit."
"You really like it? Well then why not take a tip and improve yours? I swear, it seems like you wear the same stupid outfit every day! You clearly have no taste when it comes to buying clothes."
"Chloé, I think you better calm down and back off," said a calm voice.
Marinette turned to see a girl she only saw now and then by the name of Socqueline Wang. She was a year ahead, so they didn't really get to talk much.
Chloé rolled her eyes, "Whatever! Maybe you'd be better off making your own clothes, baker girl."
Marinette thought about that remark, but was mostly in awe of the older girl.
"Thank you so much. I don't know why she's been so mean lately."
As it turned out, Socqueline was also of Chinese descent. She was taller than Marinette, wore glasses, and had her dark hair in pigtails. The pair finally got a chance to talk a bit.
"It was nice meeting you, Marinette. If you ever need art supplies or the like, my parents own a shop. I understand yours own that amazing bakery?"
"Yes, and feel free to visit any time."
"Oh, and let me know if you need help with...anything."
Since then, Marinette also styled her hair into pigtails. As for Chloé, she wasn't very nice to other people either, but she didn't go out of her way to insult or antagonize them. But if they got in her way...
"Move it, goth girl! Out of way, you little mouse! Make a path, you walking area code!"
One day after school, Chloé and Sabrina headed back to the hotel. Chloé was in for a surprise...
"Mère?! What are you doing here?"
"Oh, it's you, Clara. Obviously I'm here for a room. I must have a talk with Gabriel Agreste tomorrow, but the trip has left me fatigued."
"I've been taking ballet lessons, Mère."
"You?" Audrey looked her up and down, "Whatever."
"I've also been learning to speak English."
"Yes yes, Cosette."
Chloé used to get upset when her mother shot her down, but now she was getting frustrated.
"Chloé," Sabrina whispered, "Let's just go to your room. Ignore her."
"SHUT UP, SABRINA!" Chloé snapped, "I don't need some ignorant little girl with no fashion sense to tell me what to do!"
Sabrina had never seen Chloé get that mad. She was so shocked by it, her eyes started to tear up. Chloé was about to apologize when Audrey walked up.
"So you're finally treating the common folk like the servants they are. Well done, Chloé. There may be hope for you yet," she started to walk away, "If only that other one could be so inclined. An absolute no hoper."
Chloé seemed to realize what that meant. She ran to the elevator.
"Chloé, wait!" Sabrina called.
The elevator door had already closed, so she waited for the next one. Alone in her elevator, Chloé was beating herself up.
"What have I done? Why did I do that? Have I really become as bad as she is?"
The elevator door opened and she sprinted into her room. She hid in the nearest closet and started to cry. Sabrina finally reached her room and found her.
"Chloé, are you okay?"
"I'm sorry, Sabrina. I am so sorry I screamed at you. Look at me! I've become as bad as my mother."
"Just because you yelled at me one time doesn't make you as bad as your mother."
"I may as well be! Even though I knew she didn't care about me, part of me still wanted her approval in some way. Well, I got it..."
Sabrina sat next to her and put an arm around her.
"Chloé, I can't even begin to know how it feels to be neglected by a parent. However, we're only kids. You don't have to be like her. Not now, and not when you get older. You just need to work on your attitude."
"Wait, what?"
"You've been really cranky at school lately. That's all I'm saying."
"I won't deny it. I'll...try."
The next week or so, Chloé didn't say anything to anybody. It still came off as rude, but most people were just confused that she was so quiet now. Marinette actually kind of missed when Chloé chimed in.
"Do you think there's something wrong with her?" she asked Nino.
"Yes. Oh wait, you mean for how she's been acting. Then, yeah, probably."
"I wish I could ask her, but she still doesn't like me."
"Well then why do you care?" Kim asked.
"It just bothers me that she suddenly went from being somewhat cordial, to insulting, and now to this. She and Socqueline are part of the reason I started looking up clothes."
"What do mean by that?" Nino asked.
"Chloé always wears nice clothes. One day she said I should try making my own. That got me thinking, could I make my own? I started doing some research, especially into the Gabriel brand. His wife is a model/actress. I watched her movie. M. Agreste is also closely connected to the Style Queen."
"Who's that?"
"She's the toughest, meanest fashion critic in the business. Afterwards, I got some ideas and started sketching. Nothing with glitter though. That stuff gets everywhere."
"You did all that just because Chloé said you should try making your own clothes? Even though it's obvious that she was insulting you?"
"You have to make the best of a bad situation."
Nino and Kim gave each other a look.
"Look, Nette," Kim said, "I may not have understood everything you said, but I know that Chloé is pretty, but mean."
"That being said," Nino added, "If you want to figure out what her deal is, we're behind you. Who knows? Maybe if we help her out she'll become nice-ish."
Marinette waited for an opportunity to have a talk with Chloé, but she always left school fairly quickly. One day, though, Marinette was passing by the art room and saw that a few of the students were in there working. An older student named Théo Barbot was sculpting something out of clay. Another boy named Marc Anciel was writing something down, but then scribbled out part of it and kept writing. Alix was in there with two other girls - a petite blonde in pink named Rose Lavillant, and a more heavyset blonde in a grey jacket named Mylène Haprèle. All three were painting pictures. Nino was sitting in a bean bag chair, listening to his headphones as usual. In the corner was a fairly tall girl with long black hair who was a grade ahead named Juleka Couffaine. She was reading a magazine. Next to her was her twin brother. He had fairly short black hair with the ends dyed teal. His name was Luka Couffaine, and he was gently strumming on a guitar. Marinette said hello to everyone, but she focused on Nathaniel, who was sitting next to Marc, sketching away on his notepad. Marinette looked over his shoulder to see what he was working on. It was some kind of comic strip. He finally noticed her.
"Oh, hey, Marinette."
"I hope I'm not disrupting your concentration."
"No, it's okay. I'm just drawing what pops into my head."
"Like what?"
"It's sort of a cartoon. I think maybe one day I'll draw an entire comic book."
"That sounds awesome."
"The problem is I tend to get distracted and sketch something else, like what I see outside the window."
"I've started to draw myself, but it tends to be fashion related."
"So like clothes and such?"
"Right. See, I recently developed an interest in fashion. Seeing all those lovely clothes, and the models who wear them, I hope to one day be like Gabriel Agreste."
"As if!" came a harsh voice.
Chloé and Sabrina just happened to be passing by when they heard what Marinette said.
"I personally know Gabriel Agreste, or should I say Oncle Gabe."
"How do you know him?" Marinette asked.
"My parents are friends with him. Oncle Gabe has very high standards. You'd have to work hard to please him...not to mention the Style Queen. She gave him his big break, you know."
"Do you know the Style Queen too?" Marinette was genuinely curious.
"As a matter of fact, she's my mother. I don't like to blow my own trumpet though,"
"Since when?" Alix asked.
"That's a good point," Marinette continued, "You told everyone your dad was the mayor."
"That's different! Your parents own a bakery, Dupain-Cheng. Stick with what you're good at."
"Of course I'm happy to help them in the bakery, but there are a lot of other things I've thought about doing."
"Chloé, remember what we talked about."
"Shut up, Sabrina! You, baker girl, as you clearly have no fashion sense of your own, I suggest you give up on trying to become a fashionista. That spot is taken."
"You do know that fashionista has different definitions, right?"
"Ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous!"
"Chloé!" came a reprimanding voice.
Everyone turned to see their new teacher, a young woman named Caline Bustier.
"You come with me right now, young lady."
"What did I do? If anything I'm helping her by telling her not to waste her time on something she'll never be good at."
"Now, Chloé."
She growled, "This isn't over, Mari-trash."
Mme. Bustier led her away. Marinette looked back at Sabrina, who looked almost ready to cry.
"Why are you so sad?"
"Because she wasn't always like this. Some of our friends that we used to go to school with are now being homeschooled. We still get to see them on the weekends, but it bothers her more than she lets on."
"That can't be the only reason for her being so snippy."
"It's not, but it's not my place to tell people her backstory. She was my first friend, and I can't do that to her. I can say that one reason is that her dad isn't around very much."
"Well he is the mayor, but I can understand that. It's still no excuse."
"I know. I'm not making excuses for her. I just thought I'd try to explain a few things. Maybe someday she'll tell everyone the whole story. I'm sorry, Marinette. I know I wasn't the rude one, but I feel better saying it."
"She was rude to you as well."
"Yes, but she's more likely to apologize to me than you."
Meanwhile, Caline took Chloé into a room where they could talk in private.
"Don't you know who my father is?"
"Chloé," Mme. Bustier said, "Please stop throwing around your father's name to get what you want. It makes you look petty. Besides, I don't think M. Mayor would approve."
"Like he would know. I barely see him."
"Your father is a busy man, but I've met him. I've had talks with him. He clearly loves you very much."
Chloé sighed, "I know. I just wish he'd try harder to spend time with me."
"I can understand that. However, just because you're upset, that doesn't give you any kind of reason or excuse to be cruel."
"What, because of what I said to the baker girl? I know these elite people. She couldn't possibly meet their standards."
"One never knows until they try."
"The Style Queen would eat her alive."
"Why do you keep calling her that?"
"Because it would be rude to call her Audrey."
"Why not call her mother?"
She balled her hands into fists, "Because she cares more about her job than me or Papa."
"Oh...hasn't she visited at all recently?"
"She came by about a week or two ago actually. She was screaming at the hired help again. She was only there to see Oncle Gabe, not me or Papa. I saw her rampaging, and Sabrina was there with me. She kept saying we should just go, but I just snapped and screamed at her. When I did, it was the first time mother remembered my name. She said, good job, Chloé. There may be hope for you yet."
"Berating your best friend is what impressed her?"
"Yes."
"So the only way you could get her to pay attention to you was to emulate her."
"Well...yes."
"Doesn't that bother you?"
"...yes. I hate her. The way she acts, the way she treats Papa, the way she belittles me. I know I shouldn't be anything like her. But...I've been trying since I was little to get her attention, and I finally found out how. It scared me. I guess I'll never be as famous as her."
Caline sighed, "I know this is going to be hard to hear, Chloé. I know you don't like her, and yet a small part of you still yearns for her attention. However, the fact of the matter is that no one likes your mother."
"What?"
"Some people respect her talent, and they put up with her attitude because of her influence, but absolutely no one can actually stand her. I understand that this whole ordeal is a tad complicated. You resent her, but at the same time want to impress her."
"I thought if I could be better than her, maybe then she'd acknowledge me."
"Better than Audrey? That's not a very high bar."
Chloé was surprised Mme. Bustier could actually be sarcastic.
"What I mean is, if you really want to be better than her, then don't pretend to be someone else. Just be yourself. I know that sounds corny, but the world doesn't need another Style Queen. I know you've tried many different ways to obtain her respect, like learning ballet and English, but becoming a carbon copy of her isn't fair to yourself or the people you care about. Sabrina won't like that. The employees certainly wouldn't...especially not your butler. I doubt very much your father would approve. You may not see him often, but he's practically raised you all by himself. Would you ever snap at him? I've seen them together. Audrey can't remember his name either. It's not worth it, Chloé."
This harsh truth made Chloé's eyes start to water.
"I could never treat Papa that way after all he's done. The same goes for Armand the butler."
"I'm glad to hear it. Still I must insist you extend that courtesy to everyone. I won't tolerate any bullying on the premises."
"Well...I don't want to put anyone through what I've had to experience. Still...do I have to apologize to the baker girl?"
"That would be ideal. I notice that you single her out the most. Why is that?"
"You promise you won't tell anyone?"
"Nothing leaves this room."
"I envy her, okay? When her parents came to school that day and said they see her all the time, it made me mad. I could see how much they love her. Life's not fair."
"Despite what some people say, Chloé, life is plenty fair. It's just that certain people make it seem unfair. What's not fair is being rude to Marinette simply because her family is closer than yours. I know your story doesn't have the best beginning, but it's your choices that make you who you are. So don't focus on what you don't have. Think about what you do have."
"I have my friends, even if we don't all go to the same school."
"That's a good start. What else?"
"I have Papa and Armand. They love me."
"There you go. That's more like it."
She smirked, "And I have a lot of money."
Caline rolled her eyes, "Okay, I think that's enough."
"So...do I have to start treating Marinette nice and being all friendly?"
"You don't have to be friends with anyone you don't want to. I also don't expect you to immediately start being nice to everyone...especially considering your personality. Just try not to be so abrasive."
"I was just being honest."
"And that's good, but you should also try to be tactful. Constructive criticism helps people improve. It's cliché, but sometimes it's better to say nothing at all."
"Why do you care so much?"
"That's my job, Chloé. I became a teacher to help kids. I'm talking it over with you because simply punishing you won't teach you anything. I'll let it slide this time. However, if you continue being a bully, I will, what's the phrase? Bring the hammer down."
"Okay, I get it. I'm sorry."
"Now please apologize to Marinette."
Chloé snorted as she started to walk away, but then she stopped.
"Mme. Bustier?"
"Yes?"
Chloé hugged her, "Thanks for doing something my mother never would."
Caline smiled as she returned the hug. Chloé then ran off to re-join Sabrina. Seeing that Sabrina was talking to Marinette, she took a deep breathe, and then swaggered over to them.
"Let's go, Sabrina."
Sabrina seemed hesitant.
"I'm sorry, okay? I shouldn't have snapped at you. You've always looked out for me. Must be your cop instincts."
Sabrina smiled and was about to hug Chloé.
"Not here," she said, holding her back with an outstretched arm.
"Oh, right, sorry."
"As for you, Dupain-Cheng...it'syourlife,dowhateveryouwant,I'msorry."
"Wait, what?"
"Gotta go, bye" Chloé said as she dragged Sabrina away.
Even if she hadn't run off, Marinette honestly didn't know how to respond. From that moment on, Chloé was more...maybe not cordial, but certainly tolerable. They were back to a simple saying hello in passing status. One day, though, when Marinette was hanging out with the other art class students, trying to think of what else to sketch, Chloé walked up to her. As soon as Marinette wasn't drawing, Chloé grabbed her sketchbook and flipped through it.
"Please give that back," Marinette said in annoyed tone.
Chloé did so, and said, "You're making your work look too much like that of Gabriel. You have to make it more different. For example, Gabriel makes one style for everyone. Why not try to cater to someone's tastes? I mean, would Rose and Juleka ever wear the same thing?"
"That's...actually a really good point."
Chloé was about to leave, but stopped.
"One more thing. I notice most of your sketches are women's clothing. I know for a fact that Gabriel is going to make his son a model once he and Emilie agree on how old he should be first. Maybe if you begin designing something he could wear now, it'll draw his attention later."
"Wait!" she cried, jumping up from her seat, "What brought this on all of a sudden?"
Chloé turned and gave her a rather satisfied grin, "When you become famous, don't forget who gave you your start."
Marinette sat back down, not really sure what to think.
"Chloé sure is a mystery sometimes," she thought, "I almost forgot the Agrestes had a son with how hidden they keep him. I wonder what kind of clothing article he'd prefer? More importantly, though, I wonder what his life is like?"