x v

There was… a lot of people, to say the least. And even with their masks, Adrien and Marinette were still recognizable.

Everyone complimented Marinette on her dress and even the big labels here too. Internally, Marinette was freaking out, but she had to keep her cool façade as she conversed with others.

Adrien was with Lila and the others, partaking in fruit juice poured into champagne glasses.

“Where is he?” Alya asked, sighing softly and tucking her phone into the secret pockets of her dress.

“Who?” Adrien questioned.

Alya gave him a deadpanned look. “You know who,” she muttered, being slightly wary of Lila who wasn’t on their plan.

“Maybe he's just fashionably late.” Chloé suggested.

Nino snorted.  “Wouldn’t surprise me.”

“Although I am suddenly intrigued by your word choice, Chlo,” Adrien smiled at her. “What was it? late?”

Chloé rolled her eyes as she recalled the argument they had at the Dupain-Cheng bakery the other day. “Ugh, I take it back. He's going to be tacky for thinking he's ‘fashionably’ late.” She used air quotes to emphasize her sarcasm.

They continued to joke and bicker among themselves, which eventually led Lila to groan and leave, sparing Adrien a single glance. That was his cue.

They were to meet in Adrien’s bedroom, Lila arriving first, followed by Adrien approximately five to ten minutes later. Make it less suspicious about their disappearance. As Adrien arrived into his bedroom, Plagg slipped out of his inner pocket and stretched.

“You got any camembert?”

“It’s a classy party, Plagg, we aren’t going to serve stinky cheese.”

Plagg scoffed. “I’ll have you know that camembert is one of the finest cheeses that only people with refined tastes can appreciate!”

Adrien rolled his eyes. “Please,”

“I forget you humans are savages now-a-days.” Plagg groaned lightly. “Maybe it’s time for another plague.”

“I don’t think so, kitty cat.” Lila held out a wedge of camembert with one of those fancy little snack forks. “You kwamis really have strange tastes.”

Plagg went flying over, putting his love of cheese over his insecurities of Lila. “No, you humans just don’t know how to appreciate a good meal.” He huffed, before eating the wedge in one bite.

Lila snorted before she gave Trixx his own snack. As soon as they got their fill, they transformed.

Volpina was able to cast her illusions of Lila and Adrien. She was going to attempt to swing her flute through Adrien to see how stable the illusions were when Chat Noir stepped in and stopped her.

“Hey, don’t hit me!” Chat whined.

“Oh, come on, it’s just a clone, you won’t feel a thing.” Volpina sang.

“It’s still going to hurt me,” whined Adrien.

“With the swing she was about to take, it was definitely going to hurt.” Lila whispered with a smile.

“Alright, alright, enough with the flute hitting, you two,” Chat Noir pushed Volpina’s flute away, grabbing the attention of Adrien and Lila. “Go mingle. Eye me with caution when I appear.”

They both gave a nod, but Adrien gave something of a wolf whistle. “Wow, Marinette did great.”

Chat hadn’t even realized that his clothes changed. It was almost as if he wasn’t in his leather clad suit anymore. There was a green button up dress shirt tucked under an onyx vest. His bell rested where a tie would, his tail peeking out of some matching black slacks. His sleeves were rolled up and he had elbow high leather gloves that had claws much like his regular attire.

“Not bad, I guess.” Lila shrugged lightly.

“.” Plagg commented.

“Plagg said that this is all Marinette’s work. Even the gloves.”

“Well, she’s a Dupain-Cheng with the skills of an Agreste, what’s to expect?” Adrien commented. “I look hot.”

“Save the cat calls for later, me. We’ve got a party to crash.”

Lila and Adrien returned to the party, Marinette and Chloé very unpleased at the fact that the two of them came back together.

Volpina stayed in Adrien’s room while Chat Noir carefully avoided cameras and guest eyes from the outside, as he slipped in through a window that was cracked open for a breeze. Chat snuck in and waited for his opportunity.

Meanwhile, Marinette was trying to come to terms that she was stood up by Chat Noir.

“Maybe he got held up. Should I text him?” Alya offered.

“As if, he doesn’t deserve to be here. How dare he stand up Marinette.” Chloé scoffed.

Marinette rubbed her forearm subconsciously. She could contact himself. He could be busy, he got caught up at home, he could be on his way, maybe there’s an akuma attack and—

The lights suddenly went out. There was a couple screams and many more gasps that ran through the guests and Marinette and her friends gathered closer together because, this didn’t seem good.

One singular spotlight turns on and on the ledge of a high window, Chat Noir has appeared.

“Ladies and gentle cats. You must forgive me for being fashionably late.” He smiled before giving a formal bow.

A hush fell over the crowed before a wave of whispers started to run throughout the crowd.

“Should we call security?”

“Where’s Gabriel?”

“Was he invited?”

“You’re late!”

All attention went to the girl who spoke up and Marinette was taking steps forward, her heels clicking loudly in the silence.