Owner	Pose
Adrien Agreste	Finals were next week, and studying had to be done. With the sheer amount of photo shoots and runways and the week long trip to Milan Adrien had fallen desperately behind. So, he did the only reasonable thing he could think of. Adrien texted Tommy and asked for a study session. When Tommy agreed, Adrien, having blocked off a few hours in his schedule to study with Nathalie, sent the address to his study-buddy then called down to the building's office to let hte doorman know to show Tommy up to the penthouse. And then snacks were ordered from the chef on staff, and Plagg was fed enough of that stinky cheese for his eye lids to droop in food comaness. Making sure the kawaii was tucked into his little bed, safe and sound in Adrien's bedroom, the blonde leaned against the counter idly picking at the fresh vegetables that were part of the everything organic and fresh and no expense spared on healthy, light-weight, finger foods that are perfect for studying.
Vorpal	When Tommy got the text from Adrien, his heart gave a skip in his chest. He couldn't type 'Yes!' fast enough. And then he had to add something so as not to sound like a crazyperson. Then came the preparations of what to wear. Most of his clothes were casual. Comfortable, yes, and good for running in (very important), but he had nothing that looked... well. Fancy. He looks at his denim jacket, which is comfortable but starting to look rather threadbare, and sighs. And then it comes to him. "I am an idiot. I'm the freakin' Cheshire cat, for cryin' out loud." He stands back from the mirror and fires the illusion. The ratty denim jacket suddenly looks like a brand new True Religion one. The jeans follow suit, in red, and a simple grey T-shirt under the jacket should work. Shoes... He looks down. Yeah. He can't really wear shoes. The claws get in the way. Sighing, he grabs a pair of sandals and illusions them up to look like sneakers. This should work. "I hope he notices..." God. He couldn't believe how insufferably giddy that sounded. And then, he was at the penthouse. He isn't quite sure what to expect, hoisting his bookbag over one shoulder. As he comes out the elevator, he takes a quick breath and reaches out to ring the bell.
Bel Canto	High atop the building, not far from this apartment, there is soft singing emanating from above. It's not just one person; it's an entire chorus, at least seven distinct voices, all in perfect harmony and pitch with one another. There are no true words to this singing, only what sounds like vowels that flow into one another, or dip, or leap, weaving into legato aria. Shimmering lights, like illuminated glitter, are gently drifting down from the night sky.
Adrien Agreste	Adrien looks up as the elevator dings, warm smile on his face. As usual, the model's in the latest of the Agreste line of casual sportswear. Ever one with a keen eye for fashion, Adrien does flick a glance over what Tommy's got on. "True Religion. They've got decent stuff," he comments lightly as a seven voice chorus sounds outside, from his garden. "I hope you didn't have trouble finding hte place, and thanks for coming by and rescuing me. I've gotten completely lost...with.." Distracted. The glittering lights drifting down from the sky and the music getting a little louder drawing his gaze from Tommy as his words fade away. Adrien blinks once, green eyes slightly confused. "...some..." Train of thought completely derailed. Time to use the imaginary boyfriend machine to make a tower into order to get back to HQ.
Vorpal	Tommy takes a moment to look at Adrien. Man, he as disgusting, the way he could wear anything and it'd look made for him. Of course, in this case, it probably /was/, but... "No prob, what are friends for? I've been cramming hard so everything is fresh in my mind." He shrugs off his book bag and walks over to give Adrien a hug. His ears twitch. 'cept you can't see it, because they're hidden by the illusion. "... Adrien, I appreciate the gesture, but you didn't really have to order a serenade on top of a study lesson," he quips. But there was something... just odd... "Are those fireworks?" Like flares, maybe...
Bel Canto	The singing gets louder, and more beautiful by the minute. The air seems to thrum with life and energy as the very atmosphere brightens. The splinters of light are becoming larger, marble sized.
Adrien Agreste	Hugs being an everyday greeting in the modeling world, Adrien returns it without a second thought. "I didn't. Really. I was goign to check the sound system just to be sure but... Yeah. I have.. no idea.." He says, head tilting as he steps from the light embrace and toward the patio. "They look like... strobe lights?" Curiosity!
Vorpal	Tommy reaches out and tries to stop Adrien. "Wait... let me check it out." Protective some? Maybe. But Adrien doesn't know his true identity. Of the two, Tommy believes he is the one who should be examining strange phenomena. Adrien was great, but he was... well. He was normal. Extraordinary, but normal. "Is your penthouse haunted, by any chance?"
Bel Canto	The lights get a little brighter now, with a prismatic, pastel halo from above -- and then the aria suddenly stops. A secondary light begins, purple and silvery white, as a large hexagonal prism of crystal lowers from the heavens, from above the building. A woman in white and silver armor is standing atop it.
Adrien Agreste	As Adrien doesn't know Tommy's identity, so do Tommy not know Adrien's. Tommy reaching out to stop him, has Adrien glancing back with a light frown, a worried frown. "No. it's not. At least, not that I know of," he says, seeming to relent and allow Tommy to go first. After all, if anything bad happens, having Tommy with his back to him will allow Adrien a chance to drop behind cover to transform. Sure, it'd wake Plagg up, and when teh battle was done Adrien would get an earful until he shoved cheese at the kwami. But, that was Adrien's cross to bear. And then the light, and the woman. Green eyes widen. He knows this woman. He's not supposed to, because he met her as Chat Noir and tried not to get noticed by her as Adrien at that Luthor thing he took Marinette to. So, the greeting and word to Tommy about who she was dies on his lips in favor of him stepping forward to grab at Tommy's shoulder. "It's flying woman," Adrien says, leaning on his modeling to make the surprise sound convincing. He doesn't have to lean too hard. What was the alien princess doing here anyway? Sudden panic spike: Did she figure out I was Chat?! Oh crap.
Vorpal	"Adrien," Tommy whispers, narrrowing his eyes, "Stay behind me. Do exactly as I say. If she comes at us, make a break for the elevator. Don' ask..." The redhead takes a deep breath and begins to gather Chaos magic, causing the sensation of a light breeze in his immediate surrounding.. but nothing moves. He was going to have to blast his secrete identity in front of Adrien... but did he have any choice in the matter?
Bel Canto	The woman looks directly at Tommy and Adrien, and their defensive positions. Magenta-violet eyes glance from one young man to the other man, a wisp of white hair fluttering for a moment past her face with a breeze, before it settles back down. They looked ready to attack. She was beginning to understand that her armor was off-putting to the dominant race here, as much as the sword sheathed at her side did. It's as if they expected her to put them to use against innocents. Her brow lightly curls together in a slight frown. Barbaric. "I have no intentions of attacking you, you may relax," she assures firmly, using a single voice to address them in a way with which they are familiar. "I came to see if the resonance might have caused any issues."
Adrien Agreste	Told to stay behind Tommy, Adrien's knee-jerk was one of the hero. How badly he wanted to grab Tommy and shove him into the nearest room with a door and lock him in. But the elevator had a small hallway and a window he could leap out of to vault himself across the building and back onto the patio, hopefully behind Bel so it would look like he was just arriving to Tommy... and then say that as Adrien he when down to ground level and... Wow, is his civilian self a wuss-cake. Instead of replying, Adrien just shuffles his weight behind Tommy, eyes on Bel. He's sure the woman wasn't going to attack. He'd offered to help her out... as Chat! He can't know anything as Adrien. Thankfully, Bel speaks and gives Adrien a reason to step forward again. His hand goes to Tommy's shoulder again. "That's good to hear... What resonance?" he asks, hand still on Tommy's shoulder as he moves to his side fully.
Vorpal	The cat is paranoid, though, and doesn't take the woman's word at face value. He only appears to do so, for now. As Adrien moves to his side, he realizes that if she does turn hostile, he's going to have to reveal himself and flush Adrien through a Rabbit Hole to take him to safety. He hopes it doesn't have to come to that. He lets Adrien ask the questions ans puts an arm around the model's shoulder in an apparent gesture of close friendship. But it's really a way to get a good hold of him so he can shove him through the hole in case danger entered the equation.
Bel Canto	"The energy generated above you, descending in the form of small nodules of light," the woman explains. "I have discovered, much to my regret, that it can affect the power systems of Earth buildings and machines." Like lightbulbs and headlights blowing out across an entire parking lot. The crystal lowers a little further, hovering without noise or air flow, gliding towards the balcony to put her at eye level with the two gentlemen. "You are both still tensed as if you believe me to be an aggressor. I give you my word as heir of Harmonia that I mean you no harm."
Adrien Agreste	There's an odd tension to Tommy's frame. Adrien can feel it in Tommy's arm as it's placed around his shoulders. His hand on Tommy's shoulder gives a light squeeze before letting go to drop to his side. His right hand (the one with the unpowered Miraculous) comes up then, to rest on the back of Tommy's wrist, right where the jacket's sleeve ends. If things get out of hand, Adrien's pretty sure he could joint-throw Tommy across his body and behind the sofa. Not that Adrien expects it to at all! Bel seems interested in harmony... people getting along. Which gives the model an idea. Seeking to help make sure Bel does NOT think the two of them are disharmonous thus giving the alien princess a reason to attack and thereby forcing Adrien to potentially out himself as he summons Plagg, Adrien leans toward Tommy and puts his left arm about the red-head's torso. And there's perfect model smile, warm and brilliant. "Sorry. I guess we're just not used to flying people. I certainly haven't ever had any drop by my apartment for any reason. The music and the lights just startled us; we were about to study. We've got snacks and everything." It's not a complete ramble, but it's meant to sound that way. Warm and relaxed and just like a friendly and kind hearted young man over coming the startling event of a flying block party landing on his balcony. All while trying to project just how friendly and together and not aggitated at all with each other's presence he and Tommy are. Having mastered modeling with a partner and sharing a runway with others: Totally helping right now!
Vorpal	Tommy tenses a little at the touch- he wore the jacket and the gloves to hide the fur. Adrien touching his wrist... well. There's a feeling of fur that SHOULDN'T be there, and it isn't at first glance. He is at once thrilled at the touch, and horrified. "It's tough, in this city every Tom, Dick and Harry who flies is either a hero or a villain, and sometimes one masquerades as the other..."
Bel Canto	If there's any fur, Bel doesn't appear to notice or care. She makes no assumptions about the dominant race; this planet is so diverse as to be maddening. It's no wonder Earth is in such a terrible state. Her expression softens, and she nods affirmatively, eyes closed, a slight bow. "My apologies for interrupting the both of you. Studies are important. I was attempting to find a place for resonance - the energy you experienced. It is how I am sustaining myself, as I am not certain your planet's foodstuffs are appropriate for my biochemistry."
Adrien Agreste	Adrien's touch, having meant to land on the sleeve, found soemthing softer. The long sleeve of Tommy's shirt? Can't dwell now. So, Adrien doesn't. Instead, hand coming away, his head tilts slightly. "You're hungry... and can't eat our food. Did you... did you find what you were looking for? IN his building? I'd be okay with you ...umm.. recharging here? But my father would get upset if it were all the time.." And her hanging about for a snack would make getting out for pawtrol a challenge.
Vorpal	"You eat... resonance? Does that mean that tuning forks are like snacks to you?" Tommy doesn't relax all the way, yet, but.... she does not -seem- hostile. "And you're an alien? We seem to be getting a lot of them lately all of a sudden. There's the Titans one, and there are those cats that..." he stops. Amends. "I have heard that space cats have been falling from the sky." He still has a hold on Adrien, ready too toss him into that hole the moment their visitor's eyes glow read and she starts saying Zuuuuuuul or something like that.
Bel Canto	"Not entirely. Resonance is more than just sound, though it is connected to sound and vibration," Bel Canto explains. "Resonance creates frequencies that cause the layers of reality themselves to sing, which creates energy, life, healing, restoration." She glances at Vorpal. "Unlike the disharmonic field I see near you. I assume you are generating it." She's not shocked by this. After all, she has no preconceptions of what this world and its people should or should not be like. "I am Bel Canto of the House of High C, Heir to the throne of Harmonia. I have come here on a quest given to me by the goddess of harmony. She believes that your world will come under cosmic threat, and that the Song of Harmony will be needed to save you." "I assure you this is not normal to my people. We prefer to remain separate from the rest of the galaxy and its warring barbarism. However, I could not defy the charge of my goddess. Hence, I am here at the service of your world."
Adrien Agreste	"Space cats?" Adrien asks, face turning to Tommy as that tidbit completely derails him for a moment. For as long as is needed for Bel to talk and Adrien turns back to her. Creation... Life... Healing... Restoration. None of that is the Black Cat. All of those are his antithesis, for he is the opposite. He is Destruction. Unless... does Ladybug's civilian form live... IN the building? What ever else Bel said, he's heard before, so Adrien lets his thoughts wander.
Vorpal	Tommy tenses up even more. At this point, he could be used as a whip. "... Discordant field that I'm generating ..." He gives Arien a look, his eyes are almost apprehensive, before he looks at Bel Canto. "I have no idea what you're talking about, I'm not generating anything." Adrien may feel the fur shifting under his hand as Tommy moves his hand to gather his jacket around his neck. Something *thwaps* by Arien's leg. But there's nothing there to be seen. "You're a long ways away from the high seas."
Bel Canto	"Halfway across this galaxy, correct," Bel agrees. She has no idea why Tommy is so tense about his disharmonic field. Everyone she's run into seems to have some kind of strange gift or appearance. "If you two are otherwise all right, I will be on my way. I do not wish to disturb your studies. I will simply have to take the Voidsong higher next time."
Adrien Agreste	The tension in the arm about his shoulders and in the ribs under his own arm draw Adrien's attention again. His green eyes turn to look at his friend and his right hand, which had falling back toward his side, comes back up to rest on the front of Tommy's right shoulder. A concerned touch of comfort. Discordant field? There's no way. Adrien's worried expression turns back to Bel. Oh great. She's probably sensing the lingering magic of Plagg in his miraculous. Discord sounds like something Destruction would bring. What was that? Adrien glances over his shoulder, much as Chat Noir had. He frowns the same way, in confusion, but it's a frown that worries back toward concerned as he looks back to Bel, having found nothing that hit his legs. "Yes. We're fine. Thank you for stopping by, and.. good luck on your.. resonance..." Please don't find Ladybug. Please don't find... or find her and.. don't harm her? Adrien's shoudlers slump now.
Vorpal	Tommy relaxes a little at the touch, and looks at Adrien. His worried expression softens into a slight smile. He realizes how he's going to explain this to Adrian now. "I.. I guess I had better come clean." The redhead looks at Adrien and reaches into his shirt. A quick spell of illusion (which would register as a small pulse of chaos coming from him) and he pulls out... a necklace. At the end of it, there is a crystal shaped like a cat's head. It glows purple, ever so softly. "I was doing a story a while back and... I ran into a guy. Some sort of superhero. He saved my life and, well, long story short, he gave me this. I was the first person he saved and he figured it'd do good to have someone in 'the media' as a friend. Said it was made out of a mirror shard that was very important to him. I can call on him with this... maybe that's what's creating this... discordant thing you're feeling." He slips the necklace back into his shirt. Now he just needs to roll for Charisma on a Bluff roll and check versus ...
Bel Canto	"Ah, I see," Bel replies, nodding firmly. Again, no reaction - this is apparently perfectly normal for Earth. (Weird planet, weird people. Gravity isn't even right). "Your well wishes are received, Human. Have a good evening." Bel walks to the center of the crystal she's standing on; it opens, and she drops down into it, taking a seat in what is now apparently a cockpit. As it closes, she waves farewell, and the craft shoots off into the sky with a slight rustle of wind.
Adrien Agreste	With Tommy saying he was coming clean, Adrien swallowed nervously, green eyes trobled and concerned. What was he talking about? As the necklace comes free, the pulse of chaos making the tiny mote of destrucive potential shift faintly in the next room as Plagg rolls over in his sleep, Adrien's gaze focuses on it. Purple. Like Vorpal. A shard... mirror... a sort of superhero... Adrien looks up at Tommy's face again, clearly believing the story for exactly waht it was given as. Bel's departing is glanced at but not commented on. Tommy's relevation a bit more pressing. Self-conscious now that the need for a touch of PDA is no longer needed, Adrien takes a step from Tommy. "Umm... Okay. That... makes sense?" Sort of. No, completely. but... "What's his...her? name? Your hero?"
Vorpal	"She does know how to make entrances and exits, doesn't she?" Tommy mutters quietly, and then he is brought back to reality by Adrien's question. He looks a little disappointed as Adrien steps away, visibly so, but a question has been asked. "Oh, the name is Vorpal. Something like that, anyways, I've only had to call on him once before. Actually, funny enough, I met Chat Noir on the exact same night-" And then the teen looks at Adrien. "You know... it's a little funny..." he says, his voice sounding like Inspector Poirot about to announece a denouement once he has gathered everybody at the library. "I thought about it. The day we met, I talked about how cool I thought Chat Noir was... and suddenly there he is, us on that rooftop..." And then he grins. "And then, I put it all together!" he steps forward and put both hands on Adrien's shoulders, gently. "It came to me, and it was so obvious!"
Adrien Agreste	It is Vorpal. Wow this is a small world. Vorpal's never mentioned his media guy. Well, to be far, Adrien's pretty sure he hasn't mentioned himself while he was Chat Noir either. But the knowledge that Tommy knows Vorpal and that Tommy has a way to contact the purple feline is usefull information. As handsy as the other cat can be.. well.. it might be a good thing to know. Just in case. 'I met Chat on the exact same night-' "Oh? Did you? That's... something..." 'I put it all together!' Adrien, trapped by Tommy's words and the weight of the other man's hands on his shoulders, fights the choked little gasp though his eyes widen. His heart pounds suddenly, and his cheeks pale slightly even as he fights to keep his model cool and just look surprisedly confused... confusedly surprised... one of those. "Oh? What was... so obvious.. that you put together?" Oh god. He's found me out! He's found me out! And he's in media. He's a member of the press! He'll want to out me, get an interview... Oh god!
Vorpal	"You come here from Paris. And suddenly, Chat Noir is all over? Adrien Agreste, whom do you take me for? I wasn't born yesterday!" The redhead grins. Under this particular lighting, his grin looks... slightly wider than it should be, but then after half a second it is gone. Trick of the light. He leans forward and lightly forehead-bumps Adrien's forehead with his own, and stands back, as if saying "D'uh!" He savors the moment before the revelation. And then he lets it out. "You and Chat Noir are best friends, obviously! You know his secret identity, probably from all the way back in Paris. You told him how much I think he's awesome, and he looked me up." He grins and gives Adrien an impromptu hug. "That's the nicest thing anyone's done for me, by the way," He says, smiling. And then, he says, "Just between us? Chat Noir is awesome. But I think you're way cooler." He steps back and crosses his arms. "'sides, now we have another thing in common. We're both Super Friends. You can count on me to keep your secret, I know you'll always keep mine."
Adrien Agreste	As Tommy starts on his grand reveal, Adrien's heart nearly stops. His lips part and his brows pull together. A crease forms. He tries to speak, so say something in denial when Tommy's forehead brushes his own and then stands back. Oh god. He's figured me out! He knows my secert. He's going to be in danger now, and if anyone else learns that he knows, he could be in danger! I've got to convince him that he has to keep this to himself! 'You and Chat Noir are..' "Tommy-" '...best friends, obviously!' "Oh! Oh. Oh, right. I mean. I don't think I'd say we're BEST friends...." Adrien adjusts quickly, bringing a hand to the back of his head and rubbing it as he smiles as convincingly as he can manage. "You can't tell anyone," he starts just as Tommy hugs him. Adrien hesitates just a moment before returning the hug. Wait. Tommy likes me more than he likes me as Chat? The idea makes Adrien smile lightly, blushing a bit as Tommy promises to keep the wrong secret. "Ah... Thanks, Tommy. That really means a lot to me. Yes. I ...mentioned that you might like to meet him. I'm glad he made the time."
Vorpal	"My lips are sealed, Adrien. I'll do anything for ya." The redhead grins and rubs the back of his head, grinning. "He's a cool cat, but I don't think he likes me very much." Pause. Wait. That slipped out- VORPAL thinks that. Oh god, this secret identity thing? It was a hot mess. "So... do you think we're going to get any more interruptions of the super kind?"
Adrien Agreste	"Thanks, Tommy. I really mean-" What did he say? Adrien blinks at the admission, green eyes a bit wide. "Ummm..." How shold I respond to...? Oh good! he changed the cubject. Let's just follow that. "...I really hope not. I'm too far behind as it is," Adrien says, turning to the table near the snacks where he has his books and notes and laptop set out. Though the current tab is a black Google Search engine, waiting for use, the other tab is the Ladyblog.
Vorpal	"Oh, hey, that's the blog." Tommy points at the other tab. "I recognize it. That's the one that girl... Ayl- Alya. I remember some of her video exclusives. What's she doing now that Ladybug isn't there?" he asks, reaching for one of the snacks. "I haven't visited the site in a bit."
Adrien Agreste	Adrien had forgotten he had it open, having been wondering the same thing as Tommy. He was hoping Alya's journalism career was starting for her. "Haven't been many updates," Adrien says as it sits next to Tommy in front of his textbooks. "So, I'm not really sure..." It's so hard to hide to note of concern.
Vorpal	Of course Tommy isn't as clueless as Adrien can be sometime. "Do you know her?" he peers at the blog. "I never knew why she wanted to find out Ladybug's identity, though. I mean, if I found out who Chat Noir was, I wouldn't yell it to the world. Villains? Sure, unmask them, let everybody know who they are. But I guess knowing who a superhero is is a big exercise in trust. You'd have to be a very silly person to betray that." He pulls out his phone and flips through the gallery quickly until he finds the picture, and shows it to Adrien. "Chat let me take this one with him. I haven't even uploaded it to my social media or anything. This is special."
Adrien Agreste	"The blogger? Alya Cesaire? Yes. We went to school together," Adrien admits. He watches Tommy with soft green eyes, the smile easier now as he hears what Tommy has to say. He'd been tense since Tommy 'revealed' his secret and he was only just now really realizing it. "I agree with you completely. And I'd imagine it's a huge exercise in trust for the hero," says the model, collecting a pencil and then looking intrigued as Tommy searches his phone. "Oh. Oh, really? You.. you haven't? I mean. It is? I mean, that's.. really cool..." says Chat Noir's supposed bestie as he looks at the picture. His eyes the angles, the lighting, the composition critically. He really did a great job of making Tommy look the best that he could. But wow~ "Chat really isn't all that photogenic, is he?" a thought that makes Adrien laugh... to himself.. mostly. There's a chuckle.
Vorpal	"It's because he's goofballing all the time. He really is quite handsome in person. Mind you, not as handsome as you, but he has his rogueish charm, I guess," Tommy grins. "It was really cool of him to do it, though. This picture is a fluke, my freckles aren't even that glaring. I usually look like a red-haired dalmatian in pictures." He chuckles and grabs a seat. He looks at Adrien for a second. He feels guilty for that lie. Someday, he'll tell Adrien who he is. One awkwardness at a time.
Adrien Agreste	Adrien smiles at the compliment, but doesn't blush over it. It's like the model is used to being described that way. He nods, though, at the thought of Chat Noir having roguish charm. See? Someone gets it! Why doesn't Ladybug? siiiiigh.. someday. "You look good in the picture. Caught the light just right," Adrien says in reply, smiling again, that megawyatt smile.
Vorpal	And Tommy blushes. His illusion is so tied to his thoughts right now, that it reflects his actions perfectly. "I'll let you be the judge of that. I usually hate looking at myself in pictures- I'm just your plain garden-variety ginger." He reaches for one of the books.
Adrien Agreste	"I will be the judge of that," Adrien stressing, grinning again. "You just need some light pointers on findnig your nagles and the light source. Your bone structure is actually really.." Adrien pauses to study Tommy a moment. "...nice." Because it is. Not exotic, or refined, but gentle, down to earth. A real boy-next-door sort of lightly handsome which can be edgy and editorial in its own right. What were we studying again?
Vorpal	Tommy blushes redder still and looks at Adrien, really looks at him. It's the first time he's had a chance to just study him in person, without subterfuge. "And you're... you're kinda stunning, aren't you?" He smiles. A stray lock of red falls across his eyes and he brushes it aside. Was he leaning this close before?
Adrien Agreste	Adrien is used to being looked at, studied, and told he was stunning, so when Tommy does so again so soon after being told he was more handsome than... himself (We're just not going to think too hard about htat one!).. it has him turning his face away and toward his books. "Yeah. Thanks. I ..guess I sort of am. I didn't do much..."
Vorpal	Tommy reaches for Adrien's chin and gently tugs him to look back at the redhead. "... you did, actually. You could be the most drop-dead gorgeous guy in the world, and if you were a snarky, self-important ass, that wouldn't be worth a damn. If you were like that, I wouldn't even have considered talking to you. But you're not. You're kind and gentle and soft-spoken and thoughtful and..." Tommy trails off. He leans in closer so he doesn't have to say it loudly, "And yet there's this sadness about you sometimes. I like it better when you smile."
Adrien Agreste	Tugged back to looking at him, Adrien listens with slightly wide eyes... and then a faint blush on his cheeks which turns into a nervous swallow at being called out on his sadness. He tugs his chin back, searching for his model smile. The false one that fools all the papers and reporters and friends and mostly reporters. "Thanks..." The word is part question, part blush, part uncertain.
Vorpal	The redhead looks at him critically, and hms. "That isn't it. It's ok, if you don't want to talk about what's bothering you right now... just know you can always talk to me." He reaches over and opens the book, looking for the chapter, and then stops to look back at Adrien. "Understood?"
Adrien Agreste	Adrien double-takes slowly, like he can't really imagine anyone saying anything like that to him. Not and really mean it. Green eyes search Tommy's, brows pulling together again. "It's... just.. I understand," he says again, pressing his lips together and forcing himself to return to his books.
Vorpal	"Tell you what, " Tommy adds as he takes his own notebook out, "After exams, let me treat you to dinner and a movie..." wait wait wait, too bold, not THAT bold yet! "... for you and your compatriot Marinette, to celebrate?" he smiles and nudges Adrien slightly with an elbow.
Adrien Agreste	Him and... Adrien chuckles, smiling a bit again, though there's still that reservation. His head shakes. "Thanks, but it'd only be a celebration if I pass, which I have to if I want to keep my father from figuratively chaining me to my room. Besides, I'm pretty sure that would be the most uncomfortable dinner and movie ever," Adrien laments lightly, trying to counterpoint the sadness of possibly disappointing his father with the humor of.. well.. Adrien's miserable attempts at becoming friends with teh designer.
Vorpal	"Yeah, you'll pass, leave it to my tutoring. And if won't be awkward. have a little faith in me." He picks up the book. "Alright... chapter ten..."
Adrien Agreste	"Chapter ten," Adrien repeats with a braver smile and a steading breath.