663/Double Creature Feature Show

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Double Creature Feature Show
Date of Scene: 30 May 2017
Location: Queensland Park
Synopsis: Summary needed
Cast of Characters: 87, 142, 143




Vorpal (87) has posed:
Queensland Park seemed like a great idea. As of recent, they had opened a little drive-in movie theater for the summer in one of the park areas... and watching a movie in one of those was always a highlight of summer. An appropriate comedy so as not to bee too mushy, and a reserved seat by one of the trees where they could hide so people wouldn't oggle at the superheroes.

Who could ask for a better setup, right?

Vorpal hasn't touched his popcorn. The movie is already well past the opening credits, and the branch next to him remains perfectly vacant. The light bouncing off the silver screen reflects on the cars parked throughout the area. Of course, he can't spot a single car that features a sole occupant. Going to the drive-in was never a solitary endeavor.

The Cheshire cat growls quietly to himself and bats at the popcorn bag, which is annoying him. Its buttery contents falls to the grass below in a constellation of fluffy white, ready to make the day of whatever animals venture out in the night after the last show is over.

Vorpal draws his knees up to him and repositions himself on the branch, so his back is against the tree trunk.

So he -had- read the vibe. Chat Noir had just been paying attention to him as a jest. In truth, he only had eyes for...

She's his friend, but he can't help feeling the anger swell up with the despondency, Couldn't he at least have this? Apparently not! A chunk of the bark falls off after he gives it a swipe with his claws, anger burning hot within him.

Might as well pack it up and be done with it. He's in no mood to watch the antics of Matthew Serrano, no matter how funny the man may actually be.

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
It had taken Hawkmoth some time to adjust to the new area. Ladybug had gone quiet when he took a step back to gather himself, rethink how he was going about trying to get the Miraculous Jewlery from Chat and Ladybug. This new city was rife with anger and sadness and hopelessness. But it was all so prevalent that he had waited. Chat was here and active. It was hardly a huge surprise. Hawkmoth had sort of counted on it. But unlike Paris, the denizens of this city contained people already possessing special powers. As that first hint of an anger suitable for his use flickers across his senses from someone already exceptional, Hawkmoth grins darkly.

Time to experiment.

"Go, little akuma. Let us see how well this works..."


Chat felt uncomfortable with 'going to a movie' with Vorpal. He had no idea why. Likely because he'd rather have gone to a movie with Ladybug, so if he was going to be honest with himself, Chat was saving that idea of 'dinner and a movie' in the mask for Ladybug... if he could convince the girl to do that. She was also so business focused when in the suit.

Adrien, however, had something Chat did not (for once!): a girl he liked liking him back. And he is doing his very best NOT to think about Ladybug while Adrien. Marinette had hit close to home when she was talking to Chat, that the mask was the real him... Adrien didn't want that to be true, because with the mask he couldn't have some of the things he could without it.

Also, he tried not to think about it because it was getting more confusing by the minute. More so, when Marinette insisted they go out exploring and it kept them out late and they found their way toward Queensland Park, where a drive in theatre was ringed by gentle trees. They walked hand in hand, not terribly far from the tree Vorpal is getting ready to pack up and leave, along a meandering foot path. There was something so calm and peaceful about the night that Adrien didn't feel that burning need to transform and rush off into the night. It has him smiling down at Marinette, missing the black butterfly that flutters down from the sky into the canopy of the trees toward a ginger-striped feline.

Vorpal (87) has posed:
The flutter of a nearby butterfly distracts Vorpal. That's odd, butterflies aren't out this late. He doesn't know why, but he gets the desire to squish it- and that's not like him at all.

But never mind that. He tears off a switch from the branch and swings it at the incoming buttefly. Only at the last second does he notice that there is something decidedly strange about the wings-

Oblivion.

And then, there's only his anger.

The voice speaking in his mind makes sense, it makes promises, too, promises that speak to the anger and the heartbreak.

"Yes, Hawkmoth... The Knave of Hearts will do your bidding!"

When he steps out of the tree, he is almost unrecognizable. His fur has turned purple and pink, his hair is wilder and his outfit...

Gone is the black and silver, replaced by a white and red number with a scarf cape and the emblem of the Cheshire grin is now a white heart. On his right hand he carries a scepter, topped with a red heart.

"Look at that sickening spectacle," he says, voice booming in such a way as to overpower the sound from the movie coming out of every car.

The on-screen couple are currently sharing a kiss.

"So bland. So boring. So -happy-... let's give them some conflict, shall we? That's what makes everything interesting!"

He conjjures up an illusion- flaming arrows. The scepter glows for an instance, they become real and fly at the screen, lighting it up on fire!

The screaming beigns the moment the moviegoers realize there's a supervillain in their midst!

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
Adrien missed the butterfly of evil, but he didn't miss the sudden flare of trouble that comes with a person being akumatized in such close... His green eyes flit in Vorpal's direction, not able to see who or what, but haveing a real good idea. Clearly distracted by this, Adrien turns Marinette the other way, back the way they came, into the safety of NOT HERE.

"Uh... Let's go get ice cream? There's a cart? I think? I saw one? Go ahead. I'm going to.. see if there's a bench.. over tehre.. to sit on.. and yes," Adrien says, bringing Marinette's hand up to kiss her knuckles quickly, before stepping away.

"I'll got get you if there's a bench, okay? Okay," he says and turns to head sort of in the direction of that akuma. Really, it's just around that thick stand of trees and he's coaxing Plagg from his pocket.

"This is just great. You and your horrible luck. Why here? Why now? God, this is so awkward," Adrien is saying as he makes sure he's low enough that the trees and bushes and things can hide the flick of green.
"-THIS- is awkward? Kid, this has nothing on the awkward back at your place," Plagg quips, arms folding.
"What are you talking about?"
"...Dont' you have an akuma on the loose?"
"We are not done with this conversation, Plagg. Claws out."

In black, Chat slips through the shadows until he can leap out from a different direction than he and Marinette were almost approaching from.

"Ruining someone's date? Bad kitty," Chat quips... ill-advisedly.

What? He doesn't recognize this as Vorpal yet!

Now, to led this akuma away from marinette and other innocents...

Marinette DuPain (143) has posed:
Marienette had missed it too but in her defense, sye quit paying extra attention months ago. Stull, once it took hold and people started screaming, there was no missing it. And the amount of cursing that was done under her breath...

Being ushered away has her frowning slightly only because he's running back towards the danger. "Adrien... Damn it!" Yes. She said it out loud.

Of course then she's rushing into danger herself. She skids to a halt the moment she sees who it is. He may look different but there's no mistaking the Cheshire Cat.

"Marinette, you have to --"
    "No. I don't. I can talk him oit of--"
"Remember what happened last time?"

Marinettw growls, refusing to accept it yet.

"Vorpal! You have to stop!"

Vorpal (87) has posed:
"Ah, so the heartbreaker makes his rounds again?" The Knave of Hearts turns towards the incoming Chat Noir. He is now floating on a Knave of Hearts playing card that hangs in the air. "Well, I wouldn't talk about ruining dates if I were you... but you can make amends for that."

He gestures towards Chat Noir and a string of cards emerges from his sleeve, linking up into a type of binding that launches itself at the superhero. "You can either give me your heart... or your miraculous. Come to think about it, I will take both!"

And just as he is getting his jollies from monologuing, a voice that jolts something in his mind.

He looks over his shoulder and frowns. "... Marinette?" he asks. For a moment, he doesn't look *that* angry.

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
"Heartbreaker? I didn't /do/ anything!" That was Adrien. You're not Tommy.

This is getting an extra special sort of confusing.

As the hearts fly toward him, Chat brings out his baton, extending it to a staff and spinning it to knock the card-rope away, shattering the cards to join the popcorn beneath them. He too is halted from any further quips by the appearance of...

"Marinette...." Green eyes flick at her, taking in that angry stance, and purposefull refusing to acknowledge the little red thing poking out of her purse as maybe just a girl-thing.

Or a silk scarf.

It also most certainly did NOT have eyes.

And so, thinking only of keeping his friend not-girlfriend girlfriend safe, Chat Noir leaps for Vorpal, seeking to tackle the other feline off the branch and away from Marinette.

Did that snarl sound protective to you? Good. Because it totally was.

What are the odds he gets into into the middle of that drive-in theatre? It's be horrible luck, no?

Marinette DuPain (143) has posed:
"Vorpal, please... You don't have to do this. You can fight it. I know you can!"

She not paying any mind to the huffing, muttering and squirming that comes from her purse. "Please, I believe in you." Her hand is held out to him. "Don't do this..."

"No!" Too late. Cat fight. And without protection, Mari's running into it. "Chat, stop! It's my fault!"

She turns those bright bluebell eyes on Vorpal. "I'm sorry. It's my fault. You told me.. You told me and I didn't think you were serious. I would have told you, Vorpal. I'm so sorry."

Vorpal (87) has posed:
The Knave is knocked off his branch and card, landing hard on the ground with an 'oof!' Thank goodness that he is resilient, otherwise he might have cracked a rib. He keeps a hold of his scepter with a death grip. His other hand, though, far from trying to push Chat Noir away, does the opposite: try to grab his paw. The one that has the Miraculous on it.

"... you knew?" he shouts at Marinette, in order to be heard over the din. "but ... you have the other one, can't I-"

There's a moment of hesitation and his fur color begins changing back to its original self.

And then there is a flash. Butterfly wings appear before the cat's face, glowing neon, and he lets out a cry of pain.

"Y-yes, H-hawkmoth!" he snarls, and tries to grab at Chat Noir's miraculous.

And the ground below them gives way as the Cheshire cat opens the Rabbit Hole, knowing well how much Chat Noir disliked it the first time. They appear at least thirty feet above ground, and falling.

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
Grabbed at, Chat Noir pulls his right hand away. Left paw placed on Vorpal's chest just below the hollow of his throat, claws kept above the fur, with his right hand curled into a fist to keep his ring safe, it looks for all the world like Chat's poised to slam his fist down on Vorpal's face and drive his full body weight behind it.

That or summon Cataclysm.

Chat has no intentions of doing either.

Wait. Marinette knew what? How is this HER fault? She's very too sweet to ever do anything to piss anyone off enough to do this. That's Chloe... hell even himself when you count Copycat. God, Chat hated that akuma. Pretentious little - not the time for this!!

Chat watches as Vorpal starts to fight only for Hawkmoth to painfully reassert himself and for Vorpal to start to make another grab for his ring.

"Marinette! Get out of-"

Rabbit Hole.

Chat hates rabiit holes. A lot. As gravity grabs them, Chat wraps his left arm around Vorpal's chest - almost like a hug - and fights to bring his right hand behind for the staff he put away at the tackle.

"Okay. Vorpal. I have no idea what this is about, but you gotta snap out of this and get us to the ground without us breaking!"

Marinette DuPain (143) has posed:
"I didn't know you meant what you said. I thought... It doesn't matter what I thought... I'm sorry."

She takes the time and confusion created by the rabbit hole to duck into the nearest thicket of bushes and cluster of trees, hoping it will hide the flash that comes with her transformation.

And then there's Ladybug and suddenly she's perched on a tree branch, yo-yo ready to whip out so she can catch them both if need be. "Now would be a good time to make sure you land on your feet..."

Vorpal (87) has posed:
"I am the Knave of Hearts, and you will give me no orders!" the cheshire roars, "Give me your miraculous- and yourself- in tribute to Hawkmoth.. or we will both go down together!"

And Chat is trying to grab at his scepter. No! He has to shake Chat, clearly close quarters is not a good idea.

Another illusion appears right below them to receive them... a gigantic slide, like the kind you find in water parks, only this one is fifteen feet high and... it has a lot of twists and turns. Water is running through it.

A blink from the scepter, and it is real enough for them to slide into it and down, among the rushing water. They pick up speed as they cavort downwards, even doing the loop-de-loop once thanks to the speed they've accumulated. By the time they're at the end of the line, they are both shot out... but considerably slower. They may both be too bedraggled to do much, unless Chat has managed to get his hold, but Marinette has been in a good position to observe that scepter glowing, too.

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
Wait! Was that-? Waterslide. Chat Noir oofs as they land in the slide, having noticed that the specter - the one thing he's never seen Vorpal with - glowed when the slide was conjured. He had to get that specter, and he had to slow them down. So, wrapping his knees back around the other cat (a dream come true for Vorpal?) Chat tries for the specter again, using both hands as the pair twist and barrel roll in the water, and the moment Chat feels his right hand close around the thing he reaches out with his left to drag his claws along the inside of the tube, hoping to drag them even slower to the shot out of the end of this wet ride isn't so bullet-like... but with his luck.

Marinette DuPain (143) has posed:
"Chat Noir... The sceptor!" Ladybug is already swinging into action, the yoyo whipped out and wrapped around a tree branch nearest them so she can swing in and make a grab for the wand.

The question is: Is she really trying to get it or is she a distraction?

Whichever the case was, Chat got a hold of it and so Ladybug completes the swing. What she hadn't counted on was that the ground she landed on would be muddy. It wasn't when she started the swing!

She twists, midair, to try to correct it but still ends up slipping some, stumbling back against a low tree.

There's a jerk of movement from her, a gasp and held breath. She's still standing, still at the ready, but not rushing in. "Chat... Finish it..."

That's when heightened senses would catch it... The tang of copper in the air...

Vorpal (87) has posed:
Ladybug gave the command, and Chat Noir was going for his scepter!

Hawkmoth, I will not fail you!

The akumatized cheshire thinks quickly- he needs to get Chat's hands off his stick pronto. The only thing he can think of is the Bugs Bunny distraction... because this is, after all, a Cheshire cat at the end of the day.

And he plants a big, Bugs Bunny kiss on the black cat, hoping that the sheer shock will get him to relese his rod, at which point the Cheshire will conk him over the head and get him out of the way so he could deal with Ladybug-

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
The smell of copper.. blood? Ladybug gasped.

'Finish it.'

Then kissed by. Chat snarls while his left elbow comes up to jab Vorpal under the chin. It brings his left hand up level with where he's holding the scepter and in nearly the same motion as elbowing Vorpal, Chat jabs his left hand out to snap the scepter just above his right hand, all while growling at the other cat:

"I like girls!" Ugh! Adrien's life right now is a series of repeated conversations.

"Your turn, My Lady!" Chat says, eyes still on Vorpal as his right hand lets go of the once specter, now stick.

And the great news is other than soem mud and a kaboom'ed movie screen, there wasn't a whole lot of collateral damage this time!

Marinette DuPain (143) has posed:
Ladybug sways but nods, drawing her fingee along the yoyo in her hand befoee whipping the, now, white glowing disc out towards the akuma. The line twists ajs turns until the butterfly is caught. Ladybug wings close down over it.

Just as the yoyo returns to her hand, Ladybug hits her knees. The rough, broken chunk of branch behind her is covered in blood.

With a sigh, the yoyo is opened to release the newly clensed akuma. "Bye bye, little butterfly."

Paler than normal, Ladybug lifts those blue eyes to Chat and Vorpal to make sure they're both okay.

Vorpal (87) has posed:
Oblivion again, and suddenly the Cheshire cat is lying on the mud, it seeping into his back fur. And Chat Noir is on top of him, his elbow jabbed under his chin. The last thing he remembers is being angry, sitting on the branch, and now... this. There's no slide, there's no water anymore, but the ground *is* muddy because chaos magic is inconsistent.

"What... what am I doing here?" he asks with a thread of voice, clearly disoriented.

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
With Vorpal back to 'normal' and showing all the signs of recovering akuma victim, Chat breathes a sigh of relief and steps back, left hand offered to help Vorpal to his feet.

"You got hit with an akuma," says the black cat to the ginger one. It's like a 'welcome to paris' thing.

Even though it was a 'friend' it still felt amazing to work with Ladybug like this, as if the things that were all going wrong were suddenly righted, and with that trademark smirking grin, he turns to Ladybug and holds out a fist.

"And no powers use this time, Bugaboo," he chirps, sounding very pleased with himself that he's ignoring the scent of blood in favor of waiting until the victory thing is done with.

Marinette DuPain (143) has posed:
A shuddering breath is taken. "Y-you did good, kitty." The smile falters and fades. "I'm sorry..." She's lost a lot of blood. She can feel it.

Bright blue eyes seem to dull before they roll back and she collapses, slipping unconscious. And just like that, the suit is gone. The mask has disappeared. And Marinette lays there, breathing shallow and the white shirt stained with blood.

Vorpal (87) has posed:
"MARINETTE!"

Vorpal passes through the Rabbit Hole to jump past Chat Noir to land by her side, wracked by guilt. He got akumatized. This was his fault.

"Oh shit, Mari, don't do this-" he reaches over and hesitates for a moment. He was about to rip a hole in the shirt to check the wound... but he was no doctor. He would only do more harm.

Blinking back tears, he forces his mind to get in line.

"Chat-" Vorpal says with a shaking voice, "Take her. Now."

Where? It soon becomes apparent as a Rabbit Hole opens, showing the entrance to the Emergency Room of the nearest General Hospital. He doesn't move, though, sinking to his knees as he opens a Rabbit Hole that spans a distance of several miles. "... get ..."

He showed no shock at knowing Marinette was Ladybug. Did he know? Fortunately for Chat Noir, he remembers nothing of what transpired when he was akumatized. He doesn't remember the cat's response to that kiss.

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
Chat Noir blinks as Ladybug doesn't bump his fist with hers. Her weak voice and faltering smile have his grin fading. As the blue of her eyes dull all color leaves his face and his pupils widen.

"Lady-*" Chat moves to catch His ... Princess!? "-Mari?"

Ladybug is Marinette. Marinette is Ladybug. And she's currently bleeding. That's her blood. He's been smelling HER blood the whole time. The entire time. How long? Too long. Way too long.

Vorpal cheated to get past him but the annoyance of the kitten beating him to His Marinette was flied away with everything else as Chat collects Marinette into an arm. The other hand reaches for Tikki and pulls her into Marinette's purse. That explains the small red thing that definitely had eyes.

"Snap out of it and go find Tommy. Have him meet Adrien at the hospital," Chat orders of Vorpal, voice clear and sharp and almost haughty.

"NOW!" is snapped at Chat Noir leaps through the rabbit hole and into the ER. He'll hold it together until Marinette is taken away, Chat left holding the girl's purse. A moment and then Chat turns and finds the nearest alley, transforms, grabs Plagg and shoves him into the purse with the other kwami and then right back into the hospital he goes, shaking and pale.

Vorpal (87) has posed:
And someone meets Adrien there, of course. But it's not Tommy. It's a shaken, wet and muddy Cheshire cat. He looks decidedly shocked, so that when Adrien comes in, he looks as if he has remembered something and snaps back to reality.

And then, clearly before Adrien's eyes, the Cheshire cat gives way to Thomas Hunter, freckles and all. "... it's my fault..." is all he can say to Adrien as his human guise comes over him, looking for all the world as if he had just shot his best friend.

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
Adrien slows as he nears the ER doors, eyes wide at seeing Vorpal. He has a sevond to get upswt and then stomp it down. Because he had specificslly told the csr ro go get Tommy. Adrien forcibly schools himself as he slips rhe strap of Marinttexss purse over his shoukder and across his chest wih an ease of having done this sort of thing dozens of times. His left hand rests lightly on itn protective.

Adrien draws near, inhaking to speak and then freezing as Vorpal shifts into tommy and all of that gets cleared up. His held breath is let out as Tommy immediately blames himself. Adrien steps over to pur his hands on Tommyxs shoukdrrs.

"No. Itxs not. It was the akuma. No onexs head is on straight when there's an akuma. ok? Right now, Marinette needs usn alright?" Adrie saysn managing for the moment to stay calm.

Vorpal (87) has posed:
"No, Adrien." Tommy gently removes Adrien's hands from his shoulders. "Marinette needs YOU. I've done her a fat lot of good." He reches into a tiny rabbit hole and takes out his cell phone, which is always by his bedside. Three flips and he has pulled up Gooble Maps.

"What's her parents' address? They will want to be here..."

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
"You are not balck holing them here from Paris because one, black hole but mostly two, they dont know she's-" Adrien stops, eyes darting around as he leans to Tommy, "They dont know she's Ladybugn and having you show up could mess that up. No. You will not balck hole there. I will call Nathalie and then I will call the DuPain-Cheng family. Right now, we have to go in there and make sure the doctors take care of her. And we cant let any of this make us too sad or too angry or too scared. You were already targeted. So you know how to fight it. With out her kwami, she could be at risk. alright?"

Vorpal (87) has posed:
Tommy sets his jaw and looks distraught. Yes. The akuma has preyed on his anger. He felt violated, like someone had peeled his surface and taken something from him, only to throw it at his face.

But Adrien says something... kwami. Well, Chat Noir told him Bout those. "Tikki... how is she?" he gestures towards the purse. "Is she injured as well?". He reaches over, but stops. Adrien has hold of the purse, he's not going to go and override him if he doesn't want to open it.

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
"I don't know. I didnt check, but kwami are resilient. She'll be alright for a little whike yet..." Adrien says, keeping his hand on the purse and trusting Plagg to care for the other kwami and not be his usual jerk self. And to have the sense to forget Adrien's cover if Tikki were really in danger. Yes, the cat miraculous is powerfuln but the ladybug onw is the most important in his opinion.

Vorpal (87) has posed:
Tommy nods slowly and says "I'm sorry I lied to you. I thought about telling you who I was... but then I thought you'd..." he trails off and shakes his head. He tirns around to flag a nurse who can tell them anything. He hopes they CAN, because they're not her family. Maybe her family being all the way in Paris will do something, but often they notify the Dean of International Students in cases like these...

Marinette DuPain (143) has posed:
Stopped, the nurse frowns slightly. "I'm not certain of her status at the moment but I can check. Are you family?" Even as she's asking, she walks over to the nearest laptop desk and pulls up a screen. "What is the patients name?" A look is given over her shoulder, brown eyes focused on both boys.

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
"It's fine, Tommy. Don't worry about it. Whatever you thought I was going to say or think or feel isn't important right now. We can talk about it later if you want, but I promise you that I'm not mad or angry or hurt over it. It's a secret, you had to keep it. I get it," Adrien says before Tommy turns to flag down a nurse. He waits, forcing his heart not ro race as he follows Tommy and the nurse to her laptop station.

"She's my finance," Adrien says as smoothly as a memorized line for a commercial. He keeps his eyes level and his hand on the very pick purse with blood onthe strap that's staining the front of his shirt, and he doesn't even seem to notice.

"Her name is Marinette DuPain-Cheng. She'll have medical coverage through Parsons. Whatever needs to be paid right now give to me and I'll authorize payment," he adds. His voice is odd. A tense cold calm that he'd thank no one for pointing out is exactly like his Father's. His eyes are sharp, a trembling explosion of emotion held tightly in check. From his coat pocket, Adrien pulls his cell phone.

Vorpal (87) has posed:
Tommy stand by while Adrien lies through his teeth. He would have done the same.

Well, if he could convince ANYONE that he was straight.

Adrien doesn't count.

It's not that he is flamboyant. But there's something about Tommy that suggests he would have dressed up as Wonder Woman as a little boy, and was probably more interested in Barbie and the Rock Stars than Kill Corps action figures.

Except to Adrien, but we have already established...

He doesn't say anything and hopes the nurse doesn't ask. He doesn't have a fictitious engagement to fabricate that would help him.

Marinette DuPain (143) has posed:
The nurse turns back to the computer, inputing the name and pausing at the announced relation. An all to sharp look is given to Adrien. "Your fiancee? I see. And you would be...?" What? She really doesn't have time to keep up on the latest fashions. "And then she looks over at Tommy. "And you're her... cousin, correct?"

While waiting for answers, she turns back to the computer. The almost smirk she had fades slowly. The girl was important to the boys, clearly, hence why she's doing this but... The news...

The laptop is shut and she turns to face them both. "If you'll both follow me, please."

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
"Adrien Agreste, and yes, he is," Adrien says, agreeing with the nurse easily, tensely. When the nurse gives no details, merely instructs she be followed, Adriend gives Tommy a nervous glance before following the nurse, while texting.

To Nathalie: Marinette in hospital. (name given here). Send insurance information ASAP. Will update with details. Paying for any out of pocket. Tell Dad whatever. IDC.

Vorpal (87) has posed:
Little-known fact: Tommy has a semi-famous cousin, who shares the family red hair. She's a reporter... ahich shows that media runs in the family. He's not sure what his family did before the advent of the internet and television... they probably spent a lot of time talking into the mirror while holding hairbrushes up to their mouths without really knowing why.

"Yes, she's my cousin." He takes the lie and runs with it. Hell, he skips with it. As he follows the nurse and Adrien, he quickly gives the other boy a hand squeeze. Far from being like his romantic overtures before, this is a gesture of one friend to another:I'm here, in case of the worst.

He hoped the worst wouldn't come. if Marinette...

He takes a deep breath. No, no anger. Just pure, cold blooded feline vengeance. Hawkmoth would discover what if meant to tamper with Wonderland if his friend didn't make it.

Off with his head.

Marinette DuPain (143) has posed:
The blonde headed nurse nods, leading the boys through a series of hallways. If either are watching the signs, they're headed straight for the Surgery area.

"Your fiancee is currently being prepped for surgery. The wound is in a precurious spot."

She motions to the waiting room. "If you gentlemen will wait here, the doctoe will be oit as soon as possible to talk with you. We'll need some paperwork signed."

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
"I'll sign whatever is needed," Adrien replies in that cold business efficient tone. It masks the way his heart is pounding. He has to stay strong. He can't let his fear and worry overwhelm. Yes, he has both kwami's near at hand, but he has both kwamis! Iff he loses control of himself... While Adrien doesn't know if he can be fully akumatized, he does know that he is suseptible to their controlling fluneces: Princess Fragrance, Dark Cupid, Puppeteer. That alone puts him on edge, forcing him to strive to keep himself from feeling anything.

Adrien walks into the waiting room, eyes scanning about for cameras as his right hand tucks behind himself. He'd clasp it with the left one but he was protecting the kwamis with that hand. Sheer force of will kept his fingertips from applying any pressure to the fabric beyond what was needed to keep his grip on it, keep the clasp secure against his palm. He could feel subtle movements through the fabric, but nothing to alert to Plagg needing him to do anything.

"And give me the name of the surgeon," Adrien commands without looking over his shoulder at the nurse. There is no room for arguement in the flat, unfeeling tensioin in his voice. He makes a quick survey of the room and moves to stand by the window looking out over the landscaped front 'lawn'. His phone lights up, and he pulls it back in front of himself to read the message.

From Nathalie: Yes, sir. Gorgille will deliver the documents shortly.
To Nathalie: Good. Inform me when he has left.

And Adrien's hand returns back behind him.

Vorpal (87) has posed:
Tommy finds a quiet corner in the room where he is out of thr way. He resists the temptation to rabbit hole away to a nearby rooftop where he can run and jump, anything but sit in silence while the seconds feel like minutes.

Eventually he accomodates himself onto one of the couches and curls up on it, knees against his chest. He tries counting roof tiles to keep his mind serene.

It doesn't work very well.

Marinette DuPain (143) has posed:
There was a ton of paperwork to sign. Words like Blood Transfusion, Life Saving Measures and Living Will showed up often.

It's no less than nine hours later when when a doctor in his mid forties steps into the waiting room.

Black hair is peppered with grey and his brown eyes look tense and tired.

"Mr. Agreste?" Even his voice is tight.

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
When the papers arrived, Adrien moved from the window to sit on the sofa. One ankle set upon the opposite knee, using his thigh as a desk, Adrien read everything before filling out the information that was requested. The man Gorille arrived with the items Adrien needed, but said nothing. He took up a post just outside the waiting room door and just stood there.

For hours, Adrien read, wrote, read, reviewed Marinette's documents, read, and signed. His tone with curt and cold with anyone that came in to speak with him while he was working.

Working. Like his father. Cold and distant, like his father.

It took Adrien hours to complete on the forms, refusing to rush it. The financial advisor came in to secure payment, and Adrien just handed over a credit card without saying a word.

By the time the doctor ccame in to speak with him, Adrien was certain he'd gotten a hold of himself so instead of panic there was this numb sensation that was all too easily mistaken for calm. It was far from it. Hearing his father's name, somehow felt right, and so Adrien rose to his feet, leveling emotionless eyes on the doctor.

"Tell me."

Vorpal (87) has posed:
Tommy hadn't moved from the corner. The transformation that came over Adrien was alienating enough as it was- the fact that he also didn't really have anything to lend to the situation made it worse. The emotional drain of the crises combined with the emotional drain of being akumatized, so the end result is that by the time the doctor comes out, Tommy is cured up on the couch in a position that would look uncomfortable to anyone except someone who knew he was really a cat. Ferrets are the only other creatures capable of adopting back-breaking positions in which they are perfectly relaxed. He was out, too, the fatigue finally catching up with him.

When the doctor talks, though, the redhead's eyes open a little. It's a good thing that his personal illusion remains in place even when asleep... although if anyone had been paying attention, the illusion sometimes went out of focus while he napped, so that he may have given people the impression that they needed glasses occasionally...

Marinette DuPain (143) has posed:
"She lost a lot of blood. We had to pull several splintered pieces out of subclavian artery dangerously close to her heart and lung. She's very lucky to be alive right now. She's in recovery right now however, be aware, the situation must be carefully monitored. She's stable for now but there's the possibility of complcations. If you want to see her, I'll have you shown to her room. She's sleeping right now but she should wake soon." The doctor motions to the waiting room door and steps aside.

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
None of what's said seems to even phase Adrien. The doctor could have just as well been talking about the price of tea in china.

"Is there anything else than can be done?" Adrien asks having shifted the purse over to his right side so he could keep his phone in his left. Gorille had brought him a wall charger. His right hand, as his left hand, stays over the clasp. As he speaks, he moves toward Tommy, to nudge the other boy with his left hand and motion him to follow. He wants to go see her, and Tommy should come too. As cold as Adrien's forced himself, he knows that Tommy is Marinette's friend too. It would be cruel to keep them apart.

Vorpal (87) has posed:
Tommy's eyes open and stare at Adrien. He follows numbly once they are summonned, but he manages to get close enough to Adrien to whisper.

"Her miraculous. The lucky charm."

Reports of its usage had mentioned the extent of its powers. SHe had put the Eiffel Tower together after it had been destroyed, once, it was said. "Could... maybe one of us could...?"

Marinette DuPain (143) has posed:
"No, I'm afraid we've done all we can. You both need to prepare yourselves. And you may want to consider calling in family. She has a forty percent chance of survival right now with a very real possibility of developing an embolism from the surgery which would send her into cardiac arrest. Her chances of surviving such an event aren't good." And he hasn't even touched on the possible recovery time and long term effects of such an injury.

They stop at a normal recovery room and the doctor opens the door. "Visiting hours end eight pm. She's peemitted one family member to stay."

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
"No."

If Adrien realized how much that sounded like his father, he'd probably want to throw up. There's a subtle narrowing of his eyes, a twitch of his face that is almost the herald of a sneer. Inside the purse, both kwamis would feel the sudden pressure of Adrien's fingertips tensing against the fabric.

Adrien didn't pull away from the proximity to Tommy, he just didn't wait for Tommy to really explain himself before immediately saying no to anything to do with the Miraculous. Especially when the doctor gets down to brass tacks while only offering the tip of hte iceberg. For Adrien, it's way more than enough.

"Fine. Myself and one family member is acceptible," he states flatly as they get to the recovery room door. "There's no need for your staff to concern themselves with enforcement. My guard here will ensure no unauthorized persons gain entry to Ms. DuPain-Cheng's suite at any time. You will provide him the names of the staff nurses that will be tending to her so that they may come and go as will be required to ensure her recovery," Adrien goes on to add. Because he refuses to even think she won't make it or that 'normal visiting hours' could ever in any universe extend to him, and don't make him demand the whole of the nest egg his father set up for him in order to flat out buy the damn hospital.

The fashion of medical scrubs could use a damn overhaul anyway.

And without waiting for the doctor to attempt to deny him his demands, Adrien gives Gorille a faint nod as he walks past the large man and into the recovery room. Gorille stares expressionlessly at the doctor, folds folded over his oil-tankard chest as he peacefully permits Tommy's entrance.

Vorpal (87) has posed:
"Maybe me beinng here is not a good idea..." Tommy says after he walks in, sighing softly. "I think I'm making you angry."

He tries not to look at Marinette. He can't bear seeing her like this. "Mari loves you, you know. You've known each other for so long... I'm intruding here. I haven't earned the right to be here."

And maybe if Adrien is alone with Mari, he can let go of this steel that has covered him.

Marinette DuPain (143) has posed:
The doctor frowns at Adrien's back but the very large man he has staring at him silences any objections. He'll let security handle it when the time comes. For now, he turns to Tommy. "She's still very weak and on a fair bit of medication. She may not make much sense when she wakes up." Warning issued, he casts one more glance at the guard and then leaves.

It's... Not a private suite by any means. Just a regular hospital room. One unsettlingly close to the ICU.

Marinette lays in the bed, IVs running medication and blood directly into her and the blankets are tucked in around her. She's very pale but it's likely a combination of her hair color and the hospital lighting that makes her look deathly so. There's rhe constant *beep beep* of the heart monitor and the hissing and sucking of the oxygen machine they have her hooked up to.

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
"You being here is fine, and you aren't making me angry. I'm not angry; I'm-" Adrien stays, tone flat and cold until his eyes fall on Marinette's form on the bed. Grateful there isn't anyone else in the room asdie from Tommy, Adrien forces himsefl to move to the bedside, frame trembling. His so forced to be steady that the tips of his fingers quivering ever so faintly, he unclasps the purse and reaches in to very gently bring Tikki out to set at Marinette's cheek. He was glad to see the earrings got left on as some part of his still barely rationale mind notes that if those earrings were missing that he'd have summoned an akuma right then and there as he rampaged through the hospital to find them.

"...Tikki...?" Adrien starts, voice breaking. In the hospital lights, Adrien looks like a shadow of himself, pale, eyes sunken and almost colorless. You'd think he'd be crying, buthe's not.

Vorpal (87) has posed:
Tommy stands next to Adrien once Tikki is released. He reaches out to put a hand on Adrien's shoulder once the mask drops.

"Tikki," he speaks to the Kwami quietly, "The doctors have done what they could. Is there anything -we- can do?" he asks, trying to keep his voice steady. He doesn't succeed as well as Adrien can, but he's making the best of it.

Marinette DuPain (143) has posed:
Released and sat against Marinette, Tikki takes a minute to nuzzle her Chosen's cheek and pet her gently before looking over at Adrien and Vorpal.

"Yes. As a matter of fact there is. You can feel." She zips up until she's right in Adrien's face. "Do you think zhe wants yoi to be lile this? Cold, hard, detatched and emotionless? Do you think shutting down protects you? Does her any good? Is that what you want her waking up to?"

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
Adrien had left the purse open, trusting Plagg to stay quiet and hidden in its depths. Even if Plagg wanted nothing more than to fly out therr and give his stupid Chosen a large cheese wheel sized piece of his mind. But thinming od cheese made Plagg hungry, and ao he stayed hidden. perhaps the faint green glow of his eyes would be visible, if one were to look.

As Adrien hears what Tommy's actual idea is, the blonde feels like an idiot. No apoligy is forrh coming, however, not with the hand to his shoulder threaten to break whats left of - ack! Tikki to face! Adrien's eyes widen and he jerks back an inch.

"This.is better than everything on the surface. I've been controlled before, Tikki. I'm not running the risk my concern for here lures another Papillon here. If I dont feel, then Hawkmoth can't sense me, and so for the moment, everyone stays safe," Adrien logics, pussyfooting oj the edge of just flat out saying he's Chat and hexs not sure Plagg can protect him from an akuma. Adrien kniws his emotions are running too strongly and this seems like the only rational course of action.

Vorpal (87) has posed:
"Oh, for fark's sake." The redhead squeezes Adrien's shoulder, "Let it go, Adrien. If I see any butterflies, I'll Rabbit Hole them to Tahiti. Marinette needs all of you, not your father." There. He said it.

"It's you we both love for a reason." He pauses, and then clears up, "I'm totally fine with Mari getting you, though," he jokes, trying to get him to loosen up. Any tactic is worth it. "Right, Tikki?"

Marinette DuPain (143) has posed:
"I've heard that's a magical place!," Tikki notes at Tommy.

And her response to Adrien's 'logic'? She zips in a flicks him on the nose. Just like she does Plagg when he's being dumb. "Stop being dumb. You think just because you don't acknowledge them, they aren't there? How'd that work with the feelings between Ladybug and Marinette?"

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
Nose flicked, Adrien yelps faintly. His right hand comes up to rub his nose as a very faint snicker may or may not dridt from that purse.

Plagg: Go Tikki!

"I'm not having this conversation right now..." Adrien grimbles in a very grumpy cat sort od way, ryes sliding toward Tommy who played the dad card. reallyn that was most of what broke the cold shell that had formed. really, tommy ahould have aaid aomething earlier. Green eyea look vack down at Marinette, hand falling back to rhw purse. And his ahoukders alump in unvoiced guilt.

I thought she had a hold od the scepter....

Vorpal (87) has posed:
Tommy's hand reaches out to pat Adrien, without really thinking about it, on the head. It's a cat reflex. "Look... why don't you talk to her? People say you can hear stuff when you're under drugs like this. And Mari'd be glad to hear your voice. Let me go and get you a smoothie loaded with that healthy crap and let you and Mari talk for a bit? I can leave through the Rabbit Hole and be back before anyone notices."

Marinette DuPain (143) has posed:
Plagg snickers and Tikki's eyea drop to the purse before she floats herself down to sit on Marinette's shoulder. "Yes. Talk to her. Or else I will and I'll tell her exactly how you've been acting." And then she gives Adrien a sly look.

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
Patted on the head, you'd think the tall blonde would pull his head away. That would be the normal person thing to do. Adrian sulks like a cat not wanting pets.

"Fine. Fine. I can tell when I'm ganged up on," Adrien grumbles softly, the worry held at bay for now by Tikki motherhen and Plagg's soft snickers and Tommy patting his head.

Vorpal (87) has posed:
Zooosh. The Rabbit Hole appears for the Cheshire cat.

"You can get back at me later," he says and gives Adrien a pat before hopping into it, headed for the nearest Julius.

He lied. He's going to get a smoothie for Adrien that has all that healthy crap-

And maybe a little bit of chocolate. Because it could help, right? He's willing to try anything, and any mission right now is better for him to put his mind to than just sitting there, waiting...

He'll also stop by the Hallmark shop to buy something for marinette. Something pink and full of bows and probably six types of diabetes.

Marinette DuPain (143) has posed:
And just like that, all if forgiven as far as Tikki's concerned. She moves up yo sit on Adrien's shoulder and leans her tiny red head against him. "It's okay to be scared. I am too."

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
Adrien manages to almost smile at Tommy..>Vorpal... Tommy. The blonde nods, pulling over a chair to sit in bedside, and he settles to it as Tikki settles to his shoulder.

"I'm beyond scared," he admits after Tommy's left. Plagg peeks out from the bag, then floats over to sit on Adrien's other shoulder.

Anyone else think this is his very own devils on the shoulder moment?

"I could tell, kid. You can thank Tikki and my empty belly that I didn't zip right out and give you a piece of my mind!"

Adrien just rolls his eyes at the cat kwami, who digs his little claws into Adrien's collar so he can nose at a lock of hair.

"Tommy said this was his fault. Marinette said it was hers... But I was the one holding that scepter. I'm the one that didn't realize she wasn't HOLDING it.. That it had... And then I ..." Adrien stops, forcing himself to breath and calm and not finally have that break down. He leans forward to very very gently take Marinette's hand.

"I'm glad you're Ladybug, Marinette. It makes... all of the convulted, headache inducing, half-lies... It makes things easier. Better. I guess... I should tell you now? Or... when you wake up... give you the chance to know. Ask you about it, I guess, if you want to know that I'm Chat. That while you never seemed to ever take me seriously it never stopped me, never made me not love you. And.. it really didn't matter who you were, under the mask. That you're you is... This isn't how I imagined this... me learning your face and your name. It doesn't seem fair to you, at all."

Vorpal (87) has posed:
"... what do you mean you can't make it a double trenta?" Vorpal frowns, leaning against the counter. "The boy -needs- this. He's in emotional trauma, what is wrong with you?"
"Sir, this isn't Starbucks..."
"Alright, then just make it a large shake and some nuggets with Arby's sauce, then."
The Julius cashier looks up for a moment, asking god what exactly did she do to deserve this.

Meanwhile, back at the hospital...

Marinette DuPain (143) has posed:
Blue eyes flutter open, glassy and clearly 'not all in there', then blink-blink at the kwamis on Adrien's shoulder. And then she giggles. "I like this dream," is murmured sleepily as her eyes slip shut again. Chances are, she'll never remember it happened.

"She wanted to tell you, Adrien. She started to many times. She'll be happy you know, no matter how you found out," Tikki promises.

Vorpal (87) has posed:
A few minutes later.

"Do you have something bigger?"

Tommy is standing back at the gift store. The teddy bear is pink, as pink as a teddy bear can be. It is also almost up to chest height when set down on the ground. It has red bows, and a basket. Presumably full of candy. It isn't. He'll see to it that it is.

Several minutes pass, and Tommy returns, dragging a somewhat bigger bear in one hand, and Adrien's smoothie in the other. The smoothie is big enough to almost be a meal in itself.

"Do you want more time? I can always go back to the store..." he asks. There were balloons in there. And maybe he can get Adrien a croissant.

Marinette DuPain (143) has posed:
"Of course she's happy about it," Tikki says, the 'duh' clear in her voice. "You know how torn she was. Of course, she's never going to let you go back to being stu... reserved. I wouldn't suggest climbing on counters though. She might pray you with water. She threatened to get a spritz bottle after the mess with the vase."

Vorpal (87) has posed:
"Then here's your smoothie." Tommy offers the drink and puts the bear in an appropriate place. Probably not facing Marinette, he doesn't want that to be the thing she sees when she wakes up. He didn't notice the extra kwami, being focused on his task. "I should go and inform Chat Noir how she's doing..." he pauses, and remembers how he addressed him. "... come to think of it, I don't know how to find him." Yeah, better not get chewed out twice by the same cat. He goes and pulls up a chair to sit down.

Marinette DuPain (143) has posed:
"Can you stand on your head?" It's directed right at Tommy before Marinette giggles, turns her head, smiles at Adrian and closes her eyes. "No being ... grrr ..." Aaaand she's out again.

Vorpal (87) has posed:
"... I would look GREAT in a loincloth," Tommy humphs and sips his (ex Adrien's) smoothie. "I have a great body. I just look like a freak."

Sip. Sip. Sip.

"That movie had me totally wrong. I mean, did that guy even lift, bro?" Mari's gigglig is infectious. And her lack of filter is sort of the kind of stream of thought that he usually has. "... you'd look good in a loincloth too, Adrien. Mind you, I've seen you in a speedo, which is prettty much the same thing." He says this for the benefit of Marinette, which he hopes will draw another giggle.

Marinette DuPain (143) has posed:
"There are some conversations she should be fully coherent for," Tikki explains at the look from Adrien.

And Mari's eyes widen, good arm flailing at her kwami. "I wanna go swimming again!"

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
Adrien glances over at Tommy as the smoothie is being drunk. Oh well. The two sips he had will be enough until he can get a protein shake in here. And cookies for Tikki.. and cheese to sneak to Plagg and... something for the cat.

"I wouldn't say a freak, Tommy. Furred, maybe, but that's.. not.." Cue infectious giggles and commentary of him in a speedo have him reaching up to pinch the bridge of his nose.

"We can go swimming when you're feeling better, Mari," Adrien promises as he gives Tikki a nod. He'll accept it, as he does so many other things in his life.

Vorpal (87) has posed:
"We'll all go swimming. Well, you two can swim and I'll lounge by the pool," Tommy explains. "My fur tends to clog drains."

He looks at Adrien, and then reaches to taptaptap his phone. A few seconds later, Adrien will get a text.

<<When she's better, we can talk?>>

There were a lot of embarrassments that needed to be aired on his side.

"Adrien, can I have the purse? It's got blood on it, I'd like to have it cleaned for when Mari is up and about." Guilt. Because it's her blood on it, and she wouldn't have gotten injured if he hadn't been such a prat and thrown a tantrum about Chat standing him up...

Marinette DuPain (143) has posed:
And that causes Marinette to beam a smile at him. "Oh good. Cause I liked that. A lot." Then she blinks. "I don't feel bad. In fact," cue the giggle, "I feel really really good."

Seeing Adrien wnd Tommy look stressed though has her shifting to level herself so she can push up. "Hey...."

She's distracted as two knocks sound on the door and then a nurse walks in which causes Tikki to quickly duck under the blanket which makes Mari giggle and the nurse to pay closer attention. "You're awake. Good."

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
"The drains can be cleaned, if you're not afraid of getting wet, chaton," Adrien quips and there's that smirk, the faint narrowing of eyes that's amusement and snarky teasing which slides away as Tommy asks for the purse.

"That's up to Tikki," he replies before Marinette starts pushing herself up. Adrien is quick to sit up and try to figure out how to get her to lay back down again.

"Hey. nonono. Lay back down, Mari," he's saying as the nurse walks in. He looks over, tense, instantly protective, and then relaxing at the sight of hte nurse.

"Yes, ma'am. She is." Down, kitty.

Vorpal (87) has posed:
Chaton?

Tommy blinks once. Twice. And the nurse comes in, so he can't really think about it too much. "Nono Mari, listen to Adrien. So impatient, wanting to be up and about already."

He leans forward and deftly slips a hand under the cover under pretense of steadying himself. In case the Nurse decides to check on Mari and remove the covers, Tikki can race to his hand and he can hide her.

"I want a sip of whatever she's had," he jokes gently, mostly to draw attention to anything that might be moving under the blanket that might attract the nurse's attention.

Marinette DuPain (143) has posed:
Seeing there nurse, Mari grins mischiviously. "Oh, by the way, if you'd really like to know, he went that way."

The nurse blinks in confusion. "Who did?"

"The White Rabbit."

"What?"

Bluebell blue eyes roll and arinette huffs. "That's not the way it goes at all."

More confusion from the nurse as she approacbes the various machines. "I think someone's dosage of pain medicine can be lowered some."

Blinking over at the boys, Mari frowns slightly. "But I don't wanna be stuck here," is whined even as she lays back down. "I'm fine. Really! You two have to stop though. That nasty squiggly feeling you're doing is bad."

And yes, Tikki takes the opportunity to slip out of the blankets. Thank you Cheshire Kitty!

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
"It won't be for very long, Mari. And you won't be by yourself. I promise," Adrien says, not fully understanding what Marinette's gonig on about with the squiggly whats and white rabbits? What hte HECK! Adrien agrees with the nurse. Less drug induced rambling.

Vorpal (87) has posed:
And it's a quick trick of his illusion magic to make Tiki look like his cell phone. He holds her up as if he were looking at it, and then he 'turns it off', putting it in his jacket pocket. Which, in truth, is his hero suit's breast pocket, as he usually doesn't bother to change clothes on the fly when an illusion will do.

He even showed up at that fancy event at the Hall of Justice wearing only shorts, but a tuxedo illusion over it did the work. Because nobody was getting him in a *real* tuxedo while covered in fur. He'd die from scratching himself to death.

"It's ok, Mari. Adrien and I will talk when you're feeling better. Just focus on resting and getting better."

Marinette DuPain (143) has posed:
Marinette whines amd then sighs. "Fine." She drops her head back. "But I want Rockinghorse flies amd bread ans butterflies and..." Then her eyes widen. "No more secrets. Secrets are bad and hurt everyone. Everyone got hurt because I demanded a secret... No choice given. That was wrong. And selfish."

The nurse, to her credit, seems to be professional enough to be ignoring what's going on around her. "Visiting hours are over in an hour. Will one of yoi be staying,?" the nurse asks.

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
Visiting hours don't apply to him? Adrien tries to frown at the nurse but Marinette's requests are so odd that he's thoroughly distracted until.. no more secrets? He can feel Plagg tense in the pocket of his shirt. He looks at Marinette, eyes troubled and hopeful all in one, then down at his phone when it finally pings. He looks over at Tommy, and nods quickly, before... So dizzy. He just sinks back into his chair.

"I'll stay... Tommy, you should.. go get some rest." Even though the tabby got a nap and Adrien didn't. The nurse, accepting the reply looks to Tommy reminding him of the one hour and then slips out of hte room.

Vorpal (87) has posed:
"Anything for you, princess!" And there is the illusion that falls over Mari- she is in the middle of a field, resting under an enormous tree with fluttering butter-and-breadflies and rockinghorse flies. THe illusion will remain until someone walks in through the door.

He slips Tikki into the purse, placing a biscotto for her as well. And then he walks over to Adrien. In the illusion, it looks like Adrien is sitting on a tree stump.

"Hey..." he says quietly, hoping the illusion distracts Mari. "I just anted to say... I'm sorry. For making things awkward between us. I want you to know that even if I still have ... look, it doesn't change the fact that you're my friend. That you -both- are my friends." He reaches out and puts a hand on Adrien's shoulder and squeezes gently. He had screwed things up amazingly, and all because he let his heart run away with the reins. Well, from now on, that wasn't going to happen again. Who needed relationships? He had original pressings of Aretha Franklin L.Ps.

He turns around to walk out- he doesn't use the Rabbit Hole because they *need* to see him leave, out there. "Sleep tight," he quips before opening the door, "Don't let the ladybugs bite."

And then he's out.

Marinette DuPain (143) has posed:
A sleeping chair will be brought in for Adrien, of course.

And yes, the illusions keep her distracted. Right up until, "Hey! I don't bite!" Pout. "Why does everyone call me that?"

For a moment, she just blinks at Adrien before smirking and motioning him closer, like she has the best secret ever she just HAS to share with him.

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
Anything for you princess.

Adrien frowns and looks away. That's HIS line. Hmph. Grumpy cat lasts right up until Tommy leans over and apologizes. His eyes soften.

"I'm sorry too, Tommy. For not realizing sooner," he says offering a gentle smile like an olive branch... ot a catnip branch. He watches TOmmy go, sighing lightly, before turning to Mari with a soft grin. He's not going to answer yet. Not when she beckons him and so he goes, ever at his princess's beck and call. He leans forward to listen.

Marinette DuPain (143) has posed:
... ... Wait ... ...

"You have really pretty eyes..." Blink. "Wait. No. That's wrong. I mean, you do! but that's not..."

She huffd, closes hee eyes to TRY to get her head to stop buzzing and then opens them, looking very serious. Or as serious az anyone who is THAT glassy eyed can.

"No more secrets, chaton."

Okay. So she does remember.

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
Adrien started to just smile, ready to indulge Marinette's drug induced ramblings when she grows serious and...

"You know..." he asking, part worried, part relieved. He brings a hand up to brush her bangs to the side, hand trailing down one side of her face just as he hand while wearing clawed gloves.

"...I'm sorry it had to be done like this. That's the only regret I have, Purrincess," Adrien says softly, leanign over to rest his forehead on hers lightly. Mask, no mask, the lines are blurred and this feels so right.

"Does this mean I can have cheese now? I'm starving!"

Adrien groans faintly, amused and annoyed all in one.

Marinette DuPain (143) has posed:
"Mm. I thought I was dreaming earlier... But I'd catch pieces of conversation as I drifted in and out."

Her head tilts into his hand, her own coming up to rest over it.

When hos forehead rests against hers, Mari sighs softly. "I regret nothing other than the worry this caused you." Her hand slips to the back of his neck. "I don't know if it would have ever come out any other way." And she doesn't regret him know.

"I.. " Am being cut off by a kwami-kitty. It makes her giggle.

"Feed hom. I'm not going anywhere." Except maybe back to sleep.

Adrien Agreste (142) has posed:
"I'd do it all again in a heartbeat, My Lady," Adrien replies, not finding it weird at all to call marinette that. And with those words, all the unresolved issues vanish. He sighs and straightens up to kiss Mari's on teh forehead. "Dream sweet, purrincess."