172/The Tell-Tale Scent of Cheesy Magic

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The Tell-Tale Scent of Cheesy Magic
Date of Scene: 27 April 2017
Location: New York Chinese Scholars Garden
Synopsis: In which Mercy sniffs out Adrien's magical aura, and it smells like cheese.
Cast of Characters: 142, Mercy Thompson




Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
The New York Chinese Scholars Garden is normally a calm peaceful place. Today? not so much.

Today thw garden is filled with people, and a small tent city. White pavillions filled with clothes and make up. One houses a table with food from a high end delicatessen. There is a tray of camembert cheese, apart from the rest, mostly untouched. The crew knows that their star model gets vrry politely cranky if his favorite cheese is messed with.

Off by thebfoubtain is said model, working on a high fashiom something. Who knows whats being sold, with Adrien's gold hair styled up into a faux hawk, skin painted to glint in thw warm sunlight, bare to the waist , his arms covered in feathers. He's moving in front of the camera, its shudder audible, until at last the creatice director calls a wrap.

Adrien steps from the fountain's ledge, ehere he had been almost dancing, angling and twisting to offer the photographer a variety of artistic angles to capturw, and seems to trudge toward yhe make up pavillion. The contrast in Adrien in front of the camera and Adrien behind it is stark: shoulders slightly slumped, arms stiff and away from his sides.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
It's taken several days of stops and starts, but eventually, Mercy found a scent trail that actually went somewhere.

And while it might be odd to see a Coyote in the daylight, thankfully, most people just see her as a scruffy looking dog. Another thing odd about this particular coyote is the small brown satchel that sits around her neck. If she were a Saint Bernard it might hold alcohol, but for Mercy, it holds a very compact change of clothes, with a pair of slip-on shoes.

And while 'dogs' aren't necessarily allowed in the Chinese Scholars Garden, a certain smart Coyote still managed to sneak her way into said Gardens when she found the trail led inside. She's stuck to the shadows as best she could when people were near, or outright ran to another section of the sprawling outdoor venue when need, but, eventually, her padded paws brought her to the photo shoot. She'll sit far enough away to not be too intrusive, her tongue lolling out her mouth as she watches the various going ons. It's only when the shoot begins to wrap up that the 'dog' finally rises to her paws and disappears down another pathway.

Moments later a dark brown-haired woman walks up that same pathway. She wears a simple pair of stretch-jeans, a black t-shirt, and a pair of slip on black shoes. A brown satchel is casually slung over one shoulder, as her brown eyes flick to and fro, clearly searching for someone. It's only when she spies Adrien trudging towards one of the tents that Mercy will finally raise a hand, "Adrien." That's the name she remembers hearing at the park, here's hoping it's the right name.

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
The sound of his name has the model's posture instantly turning almost camera ready, smooth and liquid confidence which is as false as the size of his eyes, painted to look large and luminous and striking.

Adriend turns toward the voice with a smile, false, and an easy looking wave to Mercy. The warmth loses some of the false as he spies who it is, and the guards around the shoot grudgingly let her in toward him when he motions. He waits there, busying himself with pewling thw feathers from his arms.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
A polite smile will be offered to the guards as Mercy side-steps between their beefy and bulky bodies, once through, the coyote in human clothing will make her way over to Adrien. His clothes will be given a look, inquisitive, as her gaze lingers on those feathers. Still, what can she say about his 'costume'. She's not a fashion type, at all.

And just like that, Mercy's a step or two away from Adrien. "Hey, thanks. Not sure if you remember me, but we were in the park the other day when that craziness happened. I wanted to make sure everyone was okay. We kind of all got lost in the shuffle."

And no, she doesn't necessarily say how she found him. Just a happy coincidence.

And then, realizing he might never have heard her name, she'll add, "I'm Mercy."

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
"Yeah. Hi. Im fine. I managed ti get clear, " Adriend says. Though its not a lie there's a hint of there being more to the story under his wirds. Words which sound like he has a head cold. His throat seems tight and raw. His eyes are red. The first od the feathers are off and he starts in the other arm, unohased by his stante of (un)dress befoee Mercy.

"Im glad you got free too. I... worried, " briefly. he worried briefly bevause then he was Chat Noir and yeah. Not going to say that, Adrien.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
In Mercy's eyes he's relatively clothed. Pants are the most important thing for guys and with him wearing pants, she seems quite unphased.

Those half-lies, or rather half-truths, are heard and sussed out by her sense of smell. While it causes her eyebrows to crimp downward ever so slightly, she doesn't necessarily call him out on it. Not yet. She already knows there's something about the young man; thanks to the hint of magic she sensed earlier.

Instead, she'll give him a vaguely concerned look, as she sees the red eyes and hears the scratchy throat. "Hey, you okay? You don't sound the best today. Allergies?" She'll hazard a guess, as gives the tall young man another look of concern.

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
A hint of magic curiously absent. (Plagg is a cheese ball in Adrien's tent.)

Habd free is feathers comes up to rub his nise, Adrien smesring the makeupnin the process.

"Yeah. Im allergic to feathers. Bird feathers. I took some Claratin already, but Ill be better when i get cleaned up. How are you?" The first thing he's said that is the complete and opem hinest truth. The lasy of the feathers are pulled free.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
Allergies. Sure, she can totally understand that. While she doesn't necessarily have them, she knows people who do.

Like vampires and sunlight. They're highly allergic to the rays of the sun.

When he has all the feathers pulled off of his arms, Mercy will automatically reach for them, to try and get the offending items away from the young man. "Here let me take them." She'll say, even as she holds her hands for them.

"And I'm fine, thanks. I managed to escape with only a few scorch marks on my clothes. Do you know if the others got away too? You're the first one I found since that particular 'adventure'." And adventure is said with just a touch of wry humor, clearly she's an old hat with 'adventures'.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
And while she doesn't outwardly show her surprise at that missing hint of magic from the young man, it is internally considered by Mercy.

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
There is little fihht from Adrien, more than happy ro let her take the feathers away. By rhe time they reach his tent and the hint of magic returns, an assist has come toncollect the 'wings'.

"Umm... no.. I dont." A half truth but it suddenly had Adrien frowning ans feeling a bit guilty. He pushes open the tent flap to let Mercy in. therexs a vanity, a small table witb food things. The smell of that cheese, and sunsequent hint of magic, dominates the air here even if the cheese is all gone, frshly eaten.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
When that assistant comes over to take possession of those wings, Mercy, will happily hand them over. Then with a reflexive swipe of her palms against her shirt (feathers tickle) Mercy will step inside the tent. "Thanks." She'll say to Adrien, when he holds the flap for her.

And while she can tell his previous words aren't necessarily the truth, she'll still once more say nothing about it. After all, it'd be odd for her to just come out and say 'that's not the whole truth' is it. And she can also tell he's not necessarily outright lying, just half-truths and Mercy completely understands half-truths.

The pungent (to sensitive noses) scent of cheese is smelled and while she doesn't necessarily see any cheese around, she does note the other items held within the tent. The tingle of magic is likewise noted and while her gaze turns curious, she'll simply turn her senses towards locating just where that blip of magic might be. "Well, hopefully I'll be able to find them and make certain they're ok. I would imagine they are, otherwise it'd have been in the news." She'll say, before continuing with, "And I believe the one young lady had family working at a pastry shop - I could always check there."

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
At the vanity, Adrien pulls baby wipes to start wiping most of yhe make up off, but he is in need if a shower before he'll lool nn

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
At the vanity, Adrien pulls baby wipes to start wiping most of yhe make up off, but he is in need if a shower before he'll look normal again. The magic is heaviest around the empty cheese tray, whcih looks all but licked clean. thw rest of the food is untouched.

"Oh! youre right! I didnt even think. Im an idiot. I'll gonwith you maybe. I mean.. she's a friebd from colle... hihh school." He stumbled over a translation, not over the truth.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
While Mercy follows after Adrien, she doesn't follow too closely behind, as she doesn't want to necessarily crowd his space. And when she draws closer to that vanity that increase of magic is easily sensed. It's enough to cause the Mercy's gaze to move off of Adrien and onto the vanity. The plates of untouched food and completely finished food is given a curiously look, but to Mercy's gaze and senses, it's not the food that's magic. It's something else -

- Again there's the vaguest crimps to her eyebrows as she tries to find the answer to this odd little puzzle.

For now, however, the answer stays quite hidden and so, Mercy turns back at the conversation at hand. "Yes, you two did seem like you knew each other." A grin will be flashed at that, as she continues with, "And you're welcome to join me. I heard the name of the pastry shop, but not the address. If you happen to know it, that'll save me a web-search for the address and besides, I'm sure she'd be happy to see you too."

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
As Mercy gets a better feel for the magic, the source was there, but moved n and is now in a jacket carelessly drapwd in the table by the cheese tray.

"I didnt get thw address either. I was ... going to wnader about avtually..." Anithet half truth, which was made awkward by his earlier offrr to walk with hwr. He had just been tjinkikg about wandering thw cuty at night to find the place. And there to just mayne cat burglet his way in to check om bis purtrincess. Adrieb finishes wiping his face before rubbing his chest down quickly

Mercy Thompson has posed:
Idly, Mercy's gaze will move from food trays to coat, as her keen sense follows that trail of magic. While others might walk over to that coat, Mercy doesn't. That would be rude and once again, polite werewolves raised her. Yes, there are such things as polite werewolves.

Canting her head to the side, Mercy's gaze will return to the young man and while she scents those vague half-truths again, she'll simply say, "No problem. I have my phone." And just like that, Mercy will reach into the left pocket of her jeans and retrieve her smartphone. Sure, she could hold it in her satchel-purse, but she doesn't. For Mercy, pockets are used more.

Unlocking the phone with a thumb swipe, Mercy will quickly tap in the remembered name of the pastry shop and wait for the search engine to locate it. "You good with taking public transportation? My car is parked a bit away." Like miles away, but she won't reveal that odd little bit. "Subway, trolly, bus - or if it's close enough, we could potentially walk."

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
"Or my driver can take us," Adrien replies with complete ease and confidence and once again the complete truth. He's covrred in make up, and many wioees are sacrificed to getting him looking less like an extrs from a Kesha concert and more like a glam rocker. the image isnt helped when he pulls on a tight fitting tshirt and that leathrr jacket. the smell of cheese and mgaic going with it. Adrien digs into the pocket, with care. a soft grumble esvapes... Adrien? from the pocket (the boy can throw his voice?) before Adrien pulls out a silver ring and places it on his right hand. Magic, as was usual about him on their first meeting, settles over him like a tailored coat.

"Ready?"

Mercy Thompson has posed:
"Driver?" She says, her eyebrows rising upward; she hadn't expected that. Sure, she can see he's a model of some type, but obviously she's quite clueless with who he might be, or his wealth. "Well, if it's not too much of an inconvenience, sure. Why not." She'll say, a vague grin twitching the corners of her mouth upward.

And when the young man is finally all cleaned up and dressed, Mercy will memorize the address, before pocketing her phone again. Stepping up to the young man's side, she'll glance towards the coat, that grumbled so effectively, before her brown eyes slide to the ring. Ah-ha. Mystery solved. It's his ring. Casually, she'll say, "That's an interesting ring. Heirloom?" She'll ask, even as she nods at his last question. "I am. Got the address too for your driver."

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
Adrien nods casually, a soft smile.on his fsce that's one part medication and nine parts genunie.

"It's no trouble at all. Im hoping for a croissant. Im famished. " and yet the cheese tray is completely empty.
histtention drawn to his ring, Adrien glances at itn expressiom schooled, before he nods and looks away from it, to the tent opening.

"Yeah." Lie. Flat out right lie.

"Im sure Gorille would appreciate an address," Adrien saysn tone once again easy and light and truthful.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
So, he knows what the ring is. Or, he knows /something/ about the ring. A second look is given to the ring, before she exits the tent. Once outside she'll shade her eyes from the bright and lovely sun, as she considers which one might be Adrien's driver. With a name like that, she'd figure it'll be someone big, beefy.

And no matter if the driver matches her expectations or not, she will easily state the address to the patisserie.

"A croissant sounds good. I noticed they had a variety of filled croissants too. I might nab myself a chocolate one. And a dozen eclairs. I've a few friends who'd enjoy those sweets." And perhaps she would too, but that's left unsaid.

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
Gorille is indeed the big beefiest beefy one of the group, with a perpetual scowl. And Adrien seems completely at ease as rhe model speaks fluid perfect beautiful french at him, to let him know he and his acquaintance Mercy will be going to the DupainCheng Passterrie and that she had the address. The deiver grunts and waits for the teo to get into the car befoee he gets in and drives off. apparentlt the enginr was alreadu running.

The ring is simple, pure silver, flat on the face as if it shouldbhave a sigil but does not. No tarnish or scuff marka, as one would expect of a magic ring. Adrien, despite the earlier lie about its heirloom statis, seems utterly casual wearing it.

"The macaroons they make are fantastic, and the ecclairs are a wonderful choice. Their chocolate is just the rihht amoint of sweet," he isbsaying. the warmth and admiration so easy to see heat and smell on him. Again, completr truth, likr an open book.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
Big. Yup. Just like she thought he'd be. "Hello." She'll offer friendly enough, even as she side-eyes Adrien when he speaks such flawless French. Her only other language is German, so she'll stay mute until the model is done and once finished speaking, Mercy will simply interject with the address.

WIth the address given, Mercy will settle back against the seat, before she buckles in. Yes, she's a seat-buckler. Seriously. "Macaroons - I didn't even think of those." She comments, even as she considers how many the wolf pack would like. "I suppose I could pick up a few dozen of those too." Yes, her friends eat a lot. Honestly, she could probably buy more and still not have enough. Werewolves have quite the appetite.

"You said you knew the young woman from high school? Are you two good friends?" She'll ask, even as she keeps some of her attention upon the road outside, the driver and even that seemingly innocent ring.

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
"You have a lot of friends,"Adrien notesn voice soft, almost wistful and envious ofbwhat it would be like to have that many friends. But then the thoihht occurs tonhim: he should buy sweets from Marinette for his friends.... but really, Marinette is his only friend here and... thatvwould be awkward. A tiny feown settles on his face befoee it ckears as hexs asked about that very girl.

"Who? Marinettem oh no! Not good friends. I mean, we dont really talk that much. We dis a video game tournament together, and it was great spending time with her but we're not.... like.. besr friends or anythong. we.. barely even hang out much. We just sat nesr each other.... foe a few years.." Oh the sympbony of awkward unintentional half truths that was. and not smooth at all. They are friends in his mind, but even he's not sure if they really are friends becaise she gets all awkward and clumsy and usually finds an excuse to sat that ends up incomprehensible... and the she runs away. Thats been their constsny.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
Sure, she calls the pack her friends and while some are, there are a lot that see her as an interloper at times. Neither human, nor wolve. Different. She'll let Adrien's comment about having a lot of friends roll off her back, as she offers a vague non-answering shrug to that.

As to the mention of Marientte, that seems to push a puzzle piece into place, as Mercy now has another name to match to a face. Now, if she can find out the name of the other woman; the other more nervous artist, she'd be set.

The knot of conversation Adrien just presented to Mercy, causes the woman to fall silent a few seconds, as she tries to traverse all that was just said. "I see." Is what she'll initially say, as she offers a shake of her head, "Well, even if she isn't your best friend, it's good to have friends. Perhaps you two should hang out more? You spoke French earlier, yes? And I recall she did too, so I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess you both just moved here? Moving is hard. It's easy to feel at a loss, when it feels like you've misplaced your roots. Everything is mostly the same, but also a lot different, right?"

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
It was a stupod nervous habit, adrien ruffing the hair at the backnof his head. welln try to anyway. there's a lot ofnhairspray holding it in place, so nothing really happens. His grin is almost shy.

"That woulf be great..." If Marinette could hang out with him alone for longer tha five minutes before she spazzed out and ran away. He sighs it away, before nodding at rhe assumption.

"I did, actually. And youre right. So muvh is different..." Like a bit more personal freedom than when he lived at home... "but some things are the same" He is stilm chat noir and he still ptowls the night because he cant sleep without the crash of no more adrenaline.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
Everyone has nervous gestures. Even Mercy. She'll offer a smile at his nervous gesture, before she nods to his general words.

"It's good that some things are the same for you. I bet she's feeling the same way." Marinette she means, "Which means you both have more in common now." And while it's not necessarily the most positive thing to have it common (moving is hard, like she said), it's still something he could potentially use to connect.

"So, I can tell you're a model, but what else do you do? Have you finished school?"

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
"Yoi think so?" Adrien asks, tone hopeful, jittery, and not at all confident in himself. Moving eith the topic he smiles, a little falselt, to reply.

"Im taking a few classes. In business, to take ovrr my fathet's company..."

As the car pulls jnto a smooth stop in front of the bakery.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
"I do think so." She'll say simply, to his first hopeful question. "Everyone needs friends."

And then the car pulls neatly in front of the bakery and with a glance out the window, Mercy will say, "Looks like we're here." Turning back to Adrien she'll give him another one of those friendly smiles of hers. "Let's go see how your friend is doing and buy some baked goods. I know it's been a minute since I've had anything chocolate."

"Come on." She'll end with, as she opens the door and slides out. She'll trot around to Adrien's door and open it for him (since he was so kind to her previously with the tent) and once he's out and the car door shut, Mercy will turn to the bakery. "It already smells wonderful." With that said the two easily make their way inside to see what pastries await.