Tu Shanshu

[With the general feeling of deep unhappiness this Christmas has brought to him, and then the loss of Marinette- Adrien has been unusually absent from the network lately - and the city in general, truth be told. He's done his shifts in the healer's guild, and then at night donned the mask and done his police work, but he hasn't really done much socialising. He realises he'd make himself the recluse his father wants him to be, if he keeps this up, so here he is. ]

Hi guys. Sorry I've been quiet lately, it's been- uh. It's just been one of those months. I'm okay, though, promise!

[That's a bare-faced lie and he knows it. Still, he's rather an expert in faking it, so he gives a soft laugh, rubbing the back of his head.]

Weather's been freaky lately, huh? I was kinda expecting us to be three foot deep in snow by now. Still, if anyone needs some place to stay while it's like this or longer, there's a spare room in my place.

[Please someone live with him, he's so horribly lonely. He's stalled enough, though, and now it comes to one of the main reasons he made this broadcast in the first place.]

This is a weird question. But if you learned something here that you probably shouldn't know, is there any way of unknowing it? I know there's a lot of magic here, so I was wondering if anyone knew a way of making someone forget something. Just a specific something, not like...whole memories or anything like that. I appreciate anyone who's got an idea on that.

Thank you.

[The video opens up to a strange-looking, almost derelict building. It's still standing, but looks like it hasn't been used for years. It's a little weird there would be a console there at all, honestly. But here one is. Adrien looks pretty confused as to why he's here, too. Like this isn't the place he expected to wake up today. Which...is actually pretty accurate.]

Uh. Hi everyone. I think Anton is playing a practical joke on us again. Though...I hope my bed shows up again at some point. Waking up on the floor wasn't what I'd call super fun. It's actually less fun than waking up on the ceiling, for those taking score.

[A little bit of Chat-attitude is slipping out there, but he doesn't correct it. He has other things to deal with; another reason for coming on the console. He's already lost Solomon, someone he genuinely looked up to, thought the world of, and now.... For for the briefest of moments, something like pain crosses his face. He quickly replaces it with that pleasant countenance of his. Adrien deals with loss so much, he can wear it like a backpack. It's easier in the long run not to let it show how deep it hurts. Or rather, that's what he's been raised to believe. As such, his voice is steady, as he delivers his news.]

Marinette Dupain-Cheng has gone home, for those that knew her.

[He imagines there are some. Marinette is a friendly girl. Still, he doesn't want people worrying about her, or worse; HIM. He still can't manage a smile, but he quickly adds:]

It's a good thing. She'll be happier and safer back home. Her family are there, and her best friend. It's where she belongs. So it's...good.

[Still hurts, though. She was a real and honest link to home. Someone he knew, someone who knew him. They lived in the same city, saw the same crazy stuff, they were friends. And yet...he feels relieved too. It means he doesn't have to worry about her learning he's Chat. Is it wrong he should be relieved about that? It feels...selfish. It doesn't sit right with him. ]

I just thought you might want to know.

[The welcome centre had, indeed, been welcoming. Which was a pretty good thing, considering Adrien had bust in very confused and very worried. Plagg was more exhausted than Adrien had ever seen him, and it took a lot of convincing that Hawk Moth hadn't just straight up kidnapped him. But he'd been calmed and informed. He still wasn't exactly happy. He needed to be back home. With Ladybug. They were not supposed to be apart. Still. For now, he decided to play along. Not much else he could do.

So a fifteen year old boy will appear on the feed, offering a polite smile and a small wave.]

Um. Hello. I'm Adrien. I'm new here... obviously. I'm still trying to get used to the whole turtle thing. I mean. This is a whole lot different to Paris. Less honeymooners, that's for sure.

[He gives a small, nervous laugh. He has no idea what he's doing. For the first time in his life, he's free without the mask. There's no staff waiting to whisk him away to whatever his father had planned for him that day. There's no schedule. He has to do this on his own and it's as terrifying as it is liberating.]

I guess I need to find a place to live? Does anyone have any idea where the best place to be is? I would be very grateful.

[He startles, as if something has kicked him in the ribs, which; hidden under his shirt, has absolutely happened.]

OW!- I mean oh!. And cheese. Is there a good place for cheese here? Thank you.

[And now he's gonna be the Weird Cheese Kid, thanks Plagg. Thanks a lot.]