tushanshu | [ video ]

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[ Marinette is no stranger to electronics-- a few clicks here, a few clicks there and... she pretty much has the hang of it. At least the jist of what she needs in order to use the console.

On the other hand, the speaking part...? ]

Oh... eheheh. Hi, I'm Marinette.

[ She waves awkwardly at the screen. ]

I'm still trying to put everything together but... I think I understand the basics. Since this is my first time out on my own, I thought maybe I should get some help. Where do people live here? [ ... ] And how can I make some money? I'm pretty good with my hands. [ Specifics, Marinette... specifics. ] ...My baking isn't as good as my dad's, but I did learn from a pro. Oh! And I love sewing, so... there's... that...

[ This whole thing has gone pretty smoothly so far. Huh. Great. ]

I think that's... it for now. Anything you can tell me would be really great, thanks!

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[Nonetheless Marinette seems very relieved.]

...thanks.

[Oh yeah--]

So where are you staying? I can deliver the cookies later when they're finished.

...staying?

[She asked, as if genuinely confused by the question.]

I don't know. I just woke up here a little bit ago. I'm waiting for whoever brought me here to give up and bring me back to Papa.

[She just-- Oh nooooo that is not alright. At all.]

...you're here all by yourself?

[A nod. But then--she recognized that look. And that tone of voice. She'd heard it way too many other times from other .]

It's okay. I know how to take care of myself.

I even babysit my brothers whenever Papa has to work. He says I'm in charge then.

...I'm sure you do. But it's okay to ask for help sometimes too... especially in situations like this. Nobody can do everything on their own.

[It's not her place to, but she can't... she can't just not say anything.]

I'm going to stay with Adrien in the Sky Sector. So... if you ever need anything... you can come see us, okay?

[Emphasis on anything.]

...even more macaroons?

[She knew she was pushing her luck, but she didn't care. Anything meant the important things in life.]

[Marinette laughed.]

Of course. And if you want, next time you can even help me make them.

I have a better idea.

What if we all made them together? You, me, and your friend Adrien?

...that sounds great. I'm sure he'd like that too.

Me too.

[Which is...why she suggested it in the first place.]

And if we make enough, maybe I can bring some back home for the twins. But not the baby. He's still too little for solid food.

Then we'll just have to make a lot. That shouldn't be too hard with the three of us together.

It almost makes getting kidnapped worth it.

[The smallest of giggles escaped her at that. Somebody definitely wasn't feeling scared or even worried anymore.]

[It's a relief, if not a little amazing, to see her taking it in stride.]

Don't worry. You'll be safe here until you can get back home to your family. And then just think of all the stories you'll be able to tell him.

That's true.

Maybe I can even get my brothers to listen to me. Right now, only the baby listens, but only when he's awake. But I think he really likes my stories because he always smiles at me when I talk to him.

My friend Alya is a really great story teller. She just has a way of drawing people in-- I wish I knew what her secret was.

But I don't think that will be too difficult. After all... it's a pretty exciting experience. And there's a lot of stuff here they've probably never gotten to see for themselves before, right? I think if you tell it like that, it should be a piece of cake.

What about you? Do you tell any stories?

[She would have asked about Alya, but Marinette was the one here, now.]

Well... I'd like to think I have a few good stories worth telling.

[With how crazy every day is back home, it's probably more than just a few counting everything.]

[Her smile brightened as she leaned forward. Hands on either side of her seat, her legs swung lightly in the air with anticipation.]

Could you tell me one? Please?

I promise I listen much better than my brothers.

Weeeeeeell... alright. I guess I could tell just one.

[Something interesting-- well she knows plenty she could go with. But where to start...]

Back home we have two heroes named Ladybug and Chat Noir... Would you like to hear a story about how the two of them saved Paris?

[Her eyes were shining and she nodded with great enthusiasm.]

Yes, please!

Okay! Let's see...

[Game face on. She's gonna give it her best shot.]

You see, in Paris there is this amazing set of powerful artifacts; each of them unique. To look at them, there's really nothing special about them-- they could be anything. A ring, a pendant, a pair of earrings... But in fact, each of them houses a spirit thousands of years old! [There's an odd pause here for some reason-- one that's followed by a quick addendum.] Or... at least that's what they say. I mean... no one's actually seen anything like that. A-anyway! Someone had to give those items a name and that name was... Miraculous. But of course the details of their origins are all a very tightly kept secret. After all... if the wrong person were to get their hands on one of them, it would be terrible!

That's why the people who have them can never tell anyone their true identity. Not even their allies. Because that knowledge comes with a great risk.

But... even so, somehow a man who meant to misuse the Miraculous obtained one-- and a strange man calling himself Papillion appeared in Paris, looking for more of them. Two in particular, in fact.

The Miraculouses of Ladybug and Chat Noir. No one is sure why he's looking for those two. Maybe they have a hidden power. But what everyone knows is that he can't be allowed to have them.

But his Miraculous allows him to manipulate people by attaching his evil akuma to the negativity in people's hearts; basically turning them into his henchmen, with their own villainous powers. 'I will help you achieve your wish, but in return you must get for me the Miraculouses of Ladybug and Chat Noir.' And in their weakened state, they agree.

Fighting innocent people though... can't be easy right? But that's not what Ladybug and Chat Noir do. They never fight with the intention of hurting them-- they fight to save them from Papillion's evil akuma. And when they use their powers, they always save their victim. Then Ladybug purifies the akuma and everything and everyone returns back to normal.

[For the most part, Midii followed along the story with a surprising amount of focus for a girl her age. She didn't fidget or look away or yawn or hardly budge except for the occasional facial reaction. Excitement. Curiosity. And slight confusion whenever Marinette talked about something she didn't yet understand.]

What's an...'a-koo-mu'?

Akuma are... Well. It looks just like a dark little butterfly-- but it attaches itself onto the items people care about and helps Papillion control them.

You mean...dark butterflies can control your mind?

[Her eyes widened. She didn't believe in magic, so she was pretty sure any of this story was true...but for the purpose of the story, it sounded scary.]

Only a special kind. But... it's kind of like that.

[Marinette smiled.]

...but don't worry. Even if Papillion showed up... Ladybug and Chat Noir are here-- they wouldn't let anything happen to us.