38. Chapter 38
Once her charger frantically secured the toilet's lock, Tikki flew out from the purse with a concerned expression.
"What's wrong - "
"Chat Noir is Adrien!" Marinette began as she gesticulated. "And Adrien is Chat Noir!"
The red kwami only tilted her head sideways as if it was a question.
The designer's arms suddenly dropped, deflated. "You don't believe me, do you?"
"I neither confirmed nor denied that," Tikki replied with a sigh. "We kwamis vowed not to disclose our respective wielders' identities for certain reasons, and just let your fates do the judgment."
"So my dreams were nothing but - "
"I don't have a clue, Marinette. I'm sorry." the kwami shook her head, then shrugged. "But then, there are lots of unexplained things that occurred in this world that even I, as a god, don't have the answer."
Her charger leaned towards the sink and gripped its edges woefully.
It wasn't unusual for Marinette to have lengthy dreams about akumas and even reckoned that Twiddle Gain and Twiddle Doom were products of her wild imagination.
At first.
But for some unknown reasons, she pushed her logical mind away and followed the hunch of her heart instead. Transforming as Ladybug, she hurriedly ran towards the park, then waited for someone's akumatization.
No one showed up.
Her heart sank plaintively, and more when she realized the time.
Hence the reason why she was almost late for the field trip assembly and about to be left behind.
"I'm surprised when you suddenly called me the first thing you woke up this morning." Tikki continued as she pawed her charger's cheek. "Your nightmares must've got you again."
"It wasn't a nightmare." the girl protested then squeezed her eyes shut. "It was...an elusive dream."
Because there it was revealed that her partner and her childhood crush were one at the same.
"Is it bad if Chat Noir is actually Adrien?"
"Of course not," she answered with certainty. "In fact, everything will make sense now. The struttings, the puns, the physical structure...gosh Tikki, he's just right there in front of me!"
"You weren't actively searching for him, that's why." she bemused, which earned a crestfallen face.
"Does that mean I don't know my partner that well?"
"You know that there are thousands of boys in Paris who has the same physique and personality as Chat Noir, right?"
"But not his bravery." the designer winced. "Or his puns."
Marinette suddenly realized that she explicitly admitted that Adrien's jokes were incorrigible.
"But why elusive?" Tikki asked her again.
"Because in my dreams he accepted me for who I am." was her solemn reply. "Chat Noir and Adrien adore Ladybug, and if those boys are indeed the same person, who later on learned that I'm the one behind the Parisian superheroine then...I don't know. I can't bear to lose them, Tikki."
"Do you think he's really a shallow person? That he won't like you for being you? Disappointed of you?" the kwami yawped at her incredulously. "Marinette, you deserve better than him if that's the case."
"He's not like that. Adrien's not a shallow person." she defended with crossed arms. "It's just that in my dreams...it confuses me. I saw two akumas there, and then I'm with Adrien who turned out to be Chat...and then, he told me - he told me that he loved me."
The gleam in her bluebell eyes made the god of Luck smiled.
"What if that was a prophetic dream?" Tikki speculated, much to the girl's astonishment. "And if there was an Akuma intervention then maybe it was something that happened before?"
"Like Timebreaker?" the designer piped, recalling how she was transported to another dimension and met her double.
"But I asked Chat about it, and he told me he couldn't remember anything about him seeing two Ladybugs." she continued blabbering as she pranced around. "Also, there are some things that don't make any sense to me, like something is missing. Like I only got half of the actual events. And if your theory is correct, then how come I'm the only one who remembers it?"
"I suggest you talk to Adrien. Ask him then."
Marinette looked at her kwami like she just sprouted a second head. "You know I can't do that! Stammerings aside, I can't tell him that I'm Ladybug! What if I'm wrong - that he's not Chat?"
"But what if you're right?"
She was about to utter something but decided to shut her mouth.
In all honesty, she didn't want her partner to get mad at her for knowing his identity before they revealed themselves. It was like breaching someone's privacy. And if by any chance she was correct about Adrien being Chat Noir, then how will she able to explain everything to him about her dreams that an immortal god can't even decipher?
Hey Adrien, I found out that you're Chat Noir because I saw you in my nightmares.
The hell she'll say that.
Ladybug's partnership with Chat Noir and Marinette's budding friendship with Adrien were something she didn't want to lose. She treasured both boys, and she was fully contented with whatever relationship she had with them.
"I don't know, Tikki." she cradled her head miserably. "I don't know."
When Marinette walked out from the premise, she immediately saw Adrien's worried glances and his sheepish smile as she returned to her seat.
He didn't ask her if she was alright or became curious about her demeanor. His silence only showed that he respected her boundaries.
Marinette decided not to tell him at all.
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The Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux was only half an hour away from Caen. Located in one of Calvados area, the museum housed a medieval tapestry which contained the story of William the Conqueror and Harold Godwinson that later on led to the Battle of Hastings.
"This Bayeux Tapestry is nearly 70 meters length and 50 centimeters height - which almost occupied this entire building." the class' tour guide explained, referring them to the linen behind the glass. "Though called as a tapestry, technically this is actually an embroidered art. Do you know the difference between a tapestry and an embroidery?"
Surprisingly, no one answered - even Marinette who was well-versed with sewing terms.
"Tapestry was a term applied to the fabric with a design woven into it, while Embroidery was the ornamentation sewn on a fabric using a needle and thread." their tour guide continued without expecting any response. "Occasionally, we called this as La Tapisserie de la Reine Mathilde, basing on the legend that it was commissioned by William the Conqueror's wife, Queen Matilda. However, there were speculations that this was commissioned by William's half-brother, Bishop Odo. Other theories suggested Edward the Confessor's wife, Edith of Wessex. Even the construction on how it was made was under controversy - if this was made by English nuns or by French courtesans."
"Mari, are you okay?" Alya asked her best friend with a hush as she eyed their group being led to another section. "You're so silent today."
"I'm fine, don't worry." Marinette shook her head nonchalantly. "I'm quite interested in these...detailed designs here. They said that it was made by amateurs, but these were so neat and so intricate..."
The bespectacled blogger was not convinced. "Don't spout some bullshits there, young lady. And for your information, you're just staring blankly into the air. Now tell me what's the problem and I'll leave you alone."
Marinette loved her best friend - she really does, but her over protectiveness was quite unnerving.
Taking a deep breath, she answered reluctantly. "It's something that doesn't concern you or anybody for this matter."
"But Mari - "
"I'm sorry Alya." she bowed glumly. "I'm really sorry, but I can't tell you. Not...now."
Despite being a persistent reporter, Alya was not a disrespectful type. So when she saw the seriousness in her bluebell eyes, she decided not to pry further.
"Remember that I'm here to listen, okay?" the Ladyblogger reached and squeezed her friend's hand, expressing her concerns. "Tell me when you're ready. Okay?"
"I will." she cracked a smile. "Thanks."
"Don't mention it."
The pigtailed girl was trailing off as the entire class went to the upper floor. The most enthusiasts among the group were Nathanael who was quoting that the tapestry was like an ancient comic strip, and Max due to the Tapestry's internet memes.
"What's that?" Tikki suddenly chirped as she poked out from the purse, pointing at the embroidered sun with a root-like tail. "That looks like a Miraculous."
"A Miraculous?" she stopped her tracks to look on the image. "How so?"
The kwami glanced at her with a shrug, much to her charger's confusion.
So she read the catalog. "Hmm. It was indicated here as a comet. Comets were considered as bad omens during Middle Ages, and its appearance happened to coincide with - "
"The beginning of Norman's invasions." a familiar masculine voice interjected, making the girl almost leaped with surprise.
"A - Adrien?!"
Marinette was glad that her kwami immediately slipped inside her pouch, though unsure if she was fast enough not to be noticed by green inquisitive eyes. But the way his classmate gave her a guilty look, she realized that he didn't. And that made her sighed with relief.
"You're the only one missing in the group, so I tried to find you." the blond explained while rubbing his nape. "You're being left behind again."
"Oh."
"Ye-yeah." he gave her a sheepish grin. "So...are you alright?"
Damn it, Alya, Marinette cursed mentally. She was torn between kissing her best friend's feet or murdering her with a blunt skewer.
"I - I'm fine!" she squeaked. "Uhm, wh - why you ask?"
"You - you looked troubled. A - and you're not with yourself. You seemed to be so...unhappy."
Seeing his doleful green eyes, the girl had to muster her strength not to hug her Kitty and kiss him in public.
Waving her hand carelessly, she told him. "I - I was absorbed in the various embroideries here. And the needlework. You know, designers and textiles and stuff."
"Oh."
"Ye-yeah." she chuckled then tore her gaze away to focus on the tapestry. "Like...this one."
Adrien checked where her index was pointing to, then frowned. "Halley's comet?"
The way she cutely tilted her head was meant that she wasn't listening entirely to the lecture, much to his amusement.
"There were several records about its appearance sometime around the year Harold II died in the Battle of Hastings, not only on this tapestry." he narrated then tapped the panel. "And being a short-period comet that showed up every 76 years, and one that was visible to the naked eye, the historians were able to match the notion that it was indeed Halley's."
Marinette hummed in acknowledgment until she remembered her kwami's words.
"Do you think that it might be a...Miraculous?"
"...a Miraculous?"
He rolled the word like it was foreign to his tongue.
"I know this might sound crazy." she jabbered shyly. "But the invasions...and the battles..and these red and black horses there...you think there might be some magical intervention or - "
"Lucky Charm. Must be a Lucky Charm." he awed as he traced the embroidery with his finger. "The head was round, like Ladybug's yo-yo. And I believe there's a woman in the other panel with a red head garb - you think she's an ancient Ladybug?"
"You think so?" she returned his question with raised brows. "I don't think so. I mean, I'm not seeing any spots in the sun."
"But there are spots in the sun." he retaliated. "In science, we call it as Sunspots."
Somehow, the designer was trying not to scowl on his lame pun. Really trying, but failed.
"Ha - ha. Very punny."
Her classmate gave her a familiar cheeky grin.
"But I don't think Ladybug was behind this all." she went on, still maintaining her deadpanned look. "Because I know a feline that only Cataclysm cat create this kind of catastrophe."
"Ha-ha. Very punny."
Before she could turn around to follow their classmate's trail, she swore she saw his wolfish grin.
"But seriously, Marinette. Are you alright?"
She paused for a moment to meet his green inquisitive orbs again.
"I understand if you won't tell me about it, and I respect your decision." the boy told her. "But always remember that I am here to lend you an ear, and a shoulder to lean on."
"Thanks, Adrien." her smile was not persuasive enough. "It was something mundane, really. Nothing to be distressed about. I just...I missed my parents."
"Oh."
It wasn't a lie though. "I used to see them physically whenever I left for a school field trip, and this was the first. It was an awkward morning for me."
"I - I see."
The designer immediately scolded herself for her insensitive words, for making Adrien remember his father and their indifferent relationship.
"Don't worry, Marinette." he snorted at her unwarranted remorse. "I'd be a liar if I told you I don't like your parents. Or wished to have a family like yours."
She bowed her head. "I'm sorry."
"I bet they feel the same way too." the model stared at her as if he wanted to add something but stopped himself. "They might even give you an overseas phone call."
True to his words, her parents called her.
The class has just arrived at their hotel and about to unload from the bus when Tom's caller ID flashed on Marinette's phone screen.
"Hello, sweetie! How are you?" her father's cheerful voice reverberated. "How did you find Normandy?"
"It's..." she paused when saw Adrien looking at her way with a two-thumbs-up sign.
How the hell did he know...?
"Marinette?"
"Ah, So - sorry. We - we just docked out from Bayeux." she sputtered with mild confusion. "I thought you'll be back by tomorrow?"
"I know, but we're on a break right now, and your Maman here is enjoying her mimosa."
"I see." she rolled her eyes knowing that her Papa winked there. "Anyways, how's the convention?"
"Same as usual. Rowdy bakers and superior confectioneries." Tom snickered. "Your Maman is good at telling time, so I believe it's already five in the afternoon there."
"Quarter to five, to be exact."
"Oh, Let me tell you that I'm in a speaker mode so she's currently listening to our conversation."
"That's...good to hear...?"
Marinette swore she had a conversation like this with them before.
"Oh, can we do a video call?" her father suggested. "Unless you're busy."
"W - Why would I be busy?" was her baffled reply. "Besides, isn't this an international call?"
"This one is free with no service cost, don't worry." Sabine suddenly interjected.
Upon clicking the video icon, the designer saw her parents wearing her designed formal attire. Their beaming smiles gradually turned into sour.
"What's wrong, honey?"
Either her parents were damn psychic, or her confounded face gave it away.
"Maman, Papa... " she began. "Have we ever talked - "
"Hello M. and Mme. Dupain-Cheng!"
Marinette jerked when someone squeezed her side. It was Alya.
"Oh, hi there Alya! Having some good time there?"
It was a brief yet light-hearted conversation that lasted until her parents' break was over.
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Later that night, while everybody was sleeping tightly, Marinette was assaulted by nightmares again.
Ladybug was standing at the balustrade of a half-ruined Notre Dame de Paris. She had her yo-yo flung out to wrap her partner who almost fell down to meet his demise.
It was evident that Chat Noir was losing a significant amount of blood. His skin was pale, and his leather costume failed to conceal the large wound that was gashed deeply from his shoulder and down to his torso.
She heard a familiar beep and realized that both of them were down with one spot.
She was yelling like a mad person, heaving his body with a single arm while the other was extended for him to reach out. Her partner shook his head, much to her frustrations.
"Let me go, my Lady."
She was sobbing uncontrollably, and very adamant about refusing his request. Damn her if she will let him go.
"I'm out of commission, I'm holding you up here, and you could've captured Twiddle Gain - "
No!
"I can't be your handicap - "
No!
"Leave me alone - "
No!
"Ma - "
No! No! No!
She pleaded and begged him to work with her, encouraged him to fight for her. He just smiled weakly.
"It's alright. We're down to seconds now, Bug. You have an enemy to capture, and a city to save."
She burst out her anger and about to spew some sensible words but he crossed her.
"Marinette!" his icy glares broke her reverie. "You were granted with a Miraculous power to save the lives of many. You have a responsibility to uphold. So set your priorities straight. Everybody needs you, and you know that."
As if she would sacrifice him for the sake of many. She didn't want to lose him. She couldn't do anything without him, or live his life without him.
"We're in a distorted timeline." he told her. "Everything will return to normal once you use your Miraculous Cleanse. You're the only one who can do that."
Now that confused her. What is he talking about?
"You can do it. Believe me, my love. Because I believe in you."
And there she saw that familiar smile again, and with a prodding feeling on her chest she was transported back to that fateful rainy day.
Adrien.
"Go, my Lady. Paris is waiting for their hero." Chat - no, Adrien - said, fully aware that in a few seconds they will de-transform. "I love you."
His last words had her roused back to reality.
"Goodbye, Marinette."
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"MARINETTE, WAKE UP!"
The designer instantaneously fluttered her eyes open, and there she saw her best friend towering above her head.
"Alya..."
"You were fidgeting while sleeping." the bespectacled female uttered anxiously. "You must be having a night - "
Small lithe arms suddenly wrapped around her while her raven-haired head slumped on her shoulder.
"Alya."
"Shh, Mari. It's okay." she cradled the weeping girl who was clutching her body like it was her lifeline. "It's just a bad dream. Everything will be alright."
What they didn't know was that a certain someone was also being stirred up by nightmares.
And it was about Marinette being threatened to be gunned point-blank in the head.