Chapter Text
Sabine stood outside the doors to Paris' newest and most prestigious spa, La Retraite de Paix. Perhaps calling the spa new was a bit of an overstatement as the spa had been around for nearly a year, but due to its seemingly instant popularity, Sabine had found it nearly impossible to book reservations. She had settled for a spot on the waiting list over three weeks prior and, finally, a time had been approved for her to make a reservation.
Sadly, today was not the day to enjoy that time slot; not that Sabine was planning to book a day for herself anyway. She had come to the spa in hopes of just booking a reservation for a time 3 months from then as a surprise for her daughter and her daughter's friend. It all seemed slightly ridiculous, needing to come in-person at a specific time just to book an appointment, but now that Sabine was standing outside the ornate building she could see why so much fuss was being made.
The whole facade of the building looked like a crystal palace with large front doors; gold trim; fancy water fountains and statues out front; and all this sitting in a prime location. Oddly there weren't any real windows, but perhaps that was for the privacy of the spa guests. Regardless, there was no expense spared on the decorating of the outside of the building. Even the door handles looked like they were made out of diamonds, though Sabine wouldn't be able to tell. Two dapper dressed doormen were waiting by the door to open it for her when she was ready to enter.
It was honestly more elaborate than she could have imagined.
Sabine heaved a sigh to collect herself before approaching the two doormen. They gave her a quick glance. Then another. Sabine didn't want to think poorly of the men, but if she didn't know better she would have guessed they were judging her. After an awkward moment of waiting by the door, Sabine finally spoke up.
"I think I'm ready to head inside." Sabine shifted her feet and moved her purse higher up on her arm.
"Of course, madame." The first doorman spoke slowly, opening the door with a quick bow.
"Thank you," Sabine immediately noticed the marble flooring as she stepped over the threshold. "This place really is fancy."
Finally stepping in, the sight of a high ceiling and sparkling chandeliers drew Sabine's eyes up. The walls were covered in detailed wallpaper with a large runner rug leading from the door to the granite-topped receptionist desk. Two sweeping staircases flanked the foyer and must have led up to the actual spa rooms.
Just beyond the front desk down a step or two was a large indoor pool that had a salty but pleasant aroma. The ceiling over the water was painted like the evening sky with twinkling lights engineered into it.
Even the benches in the waiting area looked expensive and unique. Sabine felt the lack of windows detracted from the overall decor though. It would have been much more pleasant to have natural lighting, but the spa still looked nice enough to forgive such a tiny oversight.
Standing at the desk was a much older woman talking with the receptionist. The woman appeared in her 80s or so and her slow movements were clearly annoying the much younger receptionist at the desk. And while Sabine hated judging anyone's personal taste, the woman had a very dated outfit. Needless to say, she was a person who was caught in the era of her youth but had long outgrown it.
It would have been rude to keep staring, so Sabine moved over to the waiting area until the first customer was finished. Sabine sat and placed her purse on the coffee table then watched as several clients descended the stairs and headed around to the pool. All of the guests seemed rather posh. All except the older woman at the desk who was now snatching a booklet out of the receptionist's hands.
"I don't want those dates!" The older woman snapped, gripping the spa's pamphlet tightly in her hand. "I shouldn't have to take your leftovers!"
"Please, madame," the receptionist rolled her eyes before returning her attention to a computer monitor on the desk. "La Retraite de Paix serves Paris' most prestigious clientèle. You can't expect us to rearrange their dates just so you can have a Monday morning slot. Next Tuesday is the only date available to you. If that doesn't work there is little else I can offer you unless you're willing to go on a waiting list."
Sabine honestly hadn't meant to listen in on someone else's conversation, but it was hard considering the waiting area didn't even have a TV to drown the noise out with. The only other sound in the place was the soft spa music and the occasional laugh from the pool area. The echoes of the older woman's complaints were all there was to listen to.
"I'm just as important as any of those young people; that's what this is about!" The older woman huffed crumpling up the spa pamphlet. "You're all treating me this way because I'm old! One day the sun will set on your beauty, young lady, and then you'll know how it feels!"
The receptionist didn't seem fazed by the older woman's rant and didn't even bother giving her a farewell as she stomped toward the spa doors.
With a surprising amount of strength, the older woman pushed open the doors of the spa knocking over one of the doormen unfortunate enough to be in the way. Sabine placed a hand to her mouth in shock at the older woman's attitude. It seemed rather uncalled for to be so brash with an employee who was only doing their job.
Calming after the previous woman's behavior, Sabine timidly approached the desk where a receptionist sat smiling. Again Sabine was treated to a once over by the staff before the lady began to speak.
"Bienvenue à la Retraite de Paix," The receptionist stood to greet Sabine and then handed her a pamphlet. "I'm assuming you are our 1:30 appointment for reservation, Madame Sabine Cheng?"
"Um, yes, that would be me, thank you." Sabine took the booklet noting the high quality of the paper instantly. "Do I need to sign anything, er?"
"Not without choosing one of our fantastic services, madame." The receptionist reached for an extra pamphlet under her desk and opened it in front of Sabine. "We offer only the finest treatments for all your beauty and wellness care needs. We ask that you please take your time reviewing our one-of-a-kind experiences and select whatever seems right to you. My name is Colette and I'd love to walk you through the process seeing as this is clearly your first time."
Sabine glanced up to catch just the slightest hint of agitation in Colette's face. It must have been obvious to the receptionist that Sabine had no idea what she wanted here. Sabine didn't wish to be a bother to the woman, but the truth was she didn't know what she needed.
"Thank you, this is my first time booking a spa treatment," Sabine tried to sound as grateful as possible. "This isn't actually for me to be honest."
"Oh," Colette gave a more genuine smile. "Is this a gift perhaps? That's awfully sweet of you."
"Yes, well it's for my daughter and one of her friends; more than likely she'll pick Alya. They've both been working hard in school and with the stress of everything happening in our city, well, I thought it might be nice for them to have a relaxing day. Plus this will be close enough to my daughter's birthday to double as a birthday present."
The receptionist nodded and thumbed to the second to last page in the booklet.
"I would recommend you look through our junior packages then. Assuming your teenage recipient likes being treated like a princess for a day, these will be perfect for her."
While the titles of all the options sounded lovely, Sabine frowned at the prices.
Spas weren't supposed to be cheap, she knew, but the inexpensive option was still €400 per person.
"These are some, steep prices, no?" Sabine could only hope the receptionist would recognize her need and offer some kind of discount.
"Well, we are the most prominent spa in Paris at the moment," Colette grinned. "We cater to some of the biggest names in film and fashion. Booking for other types of clients really is a privilege for them."
"I know," Sabine flipped through the paper. "It's why I wanted to book a day for my daughter here, she's very much into fashion and this would be really exciting for her."
"Are you having second thoughts about your appointment?" Colette sighed.
It didn't take rocket science to see Colette was bracing herself for another rant like the one she'd had with the customer before Sabine.
"I know these appointments are very rare and you must have loads of people trying to book spots," Sabine gave the receptionist a soft smile. "Marinette will understand if I didn't get her something like this for her birthday. I'm sorry to have wasted your time."
Just as Sabine was about to place the pamphlet back on the desk, Colette waved her hand in protest.
"Please don't say that. You really are trying to just get a nice gift for your daughter, huh?" Colette gestured to the waiting area. "Why don't you take a moment to look through the booklet and I'll call my manager to see if there are any other options available for you."
"Thank you so much!" Sabine felt like crying tears of joy, as any parent would having such kindness being shown for their child.
Sabine took a seat while Colette took to the phone. Maybe a minute or two passed with just the sound of Colette and the relaxing spa music before there was a sudden shift in the atmosphere. Another client had come downstairs and was going to pay at the front desk.
The receptionist had put her phone call on hold to address the client immediately. Colette sounded very excited to see this client. There was so much praise being paid to the client that Sabine couldn't ignore her curiosity and looked up to see who merited so much accolade.
Sabine was surprised to see one of her daughter's classmates, but not so surprised to see him at a spa.
Adrien, um, Agreste it was. Her daughter, Marinette, had mentioned the boy on several occasions. It was fairly obvious the teen girl had a crush on the boy. Adrien was a model after all. Sabine couldn't blame her daughter for finding him attractive, but beyond just his physical feature, Adrien had always seemed like such a nice boy. Polite, kind, obedient. Of all the possible crushes her daughter could have, Sabine was lucky it turned out to be boys like Adrien.
Sabine hadn't meant to be staring at the youth, but as he finished his business at the front desk he turned to catch her looking at him. Sabine quickly smiled hoping to appear more pleasant than creepy, and it seemed to work. Adrien waved back before crossing the space to sit near her.
"Bonjour, Mrs. Dupain Cheng." Such a polite young man. "It's nice seeing you again."
"Good afternoon, Adrien," Sabine immediately thought about how jealous her daughter would be if she knew what was happening now. Sabine would have to do her best not to embarrass Marinette. Though it would be tempting to hint at their relationship with Adrien, Sabine would do her best to simply enjoy getting to know the model without trying to play matchmaker.
"Are you booking a day here?" Adrien wore such a warm smile, Sabine couldn't help but notice it seemed happier than the pictures she'd seen of him in magazines.
"Not for me, I wanted to surprise Marinette for her birthday. She's been talking about this place being featured in all her favorite fashion magazines and I thought this would make for the perfect gift."
"You're not wrong there," Adrien laughed slightly. "If being at the center of fashion's what you're after there's a lot of models and celebrities filling up all the slots here."
"That includes you too, I'm guessing."
Adrien nodded with a slight laugh.
"Yeah, father's assistant books me a spa treatment at least twice a month, and with father's notoriety I always get a slot." Adrien frowned a bit. "I'm getting pretty sick of them if I'm honest with you."
Sabine tilted her head knowingly at the statement. While a spa day sounded heavenly to her, she could sympathize with a teenager wanting to use his time differently. Her thoughts must have been readable on her face because the teen quickly corrected his statement.
"N-not because the spa isn't good though. I'm sure Marinette would love it here. I'm just tired of it personally. Father thinks more time in a sauna will help keep me lean."
"No need to apologize," Sabine patted Adrien's hand to show no ill will. "This place looks lovely, but I'd imagine you'd want to do something new every once in a while."
"Yeah," Adrien's gaze dropped to the floor, but his smile stayed in place. "I'd rather spend the day listening to new songs with Nino or watching Alix's skate tricks. It's not really fun spending a Saturday alone."
Sabine felt her heart sink. As she watched the boy shuffle a foot across the shiny floor, it became very apparent how lonely he looked.
"Do your parents ever come to the spa with you?" It seemed an innocent question to her, but it obviously was a sore spot for Adrien. Sabine immediately regretted asking it.
"M-my mother used to; this was just something fun we did," Adrien turned his face completely away from Sabine before continuing. "Father would never come to a place like this. He hates being out in public for too long. He probably doesn't like all the attention."
Sabine looked over the suddenly dull-looking setting around her. For all its glitz and glam, she couldn't imagine it being much fun without a friend. Spa days were meant for destressing conversations and silly gossip; it was meant for company. To her, having a day of luxury alone couldn't possibly be relaxing.
"So you've been here all day by yourself?"
"Not that long," Adrien pulled his cellphone from his pocket and gave it a quick glance before putting it back in his shirt pocket. "My sessions are only about two hours long and my bodyguard, well, he usually waits for me but today I told him he could run some errands. There's no point in me keeping him here doing nothing."
Sabine nodded at the boy's words as an idea popped in her head.
"When's your next appointment, Adrien?"
The teen looked back at Sabine with a slightly confused expression.
"I'll be here again in two weeks." The question must have seemed odd to him as he didn't answer confidently.
"Right, you're here twice a month; so every two weeks I assume." Sabine began counting the weeks on her fingers. "Yes, that would put you here on the day I was planning to book for Marinette and Alya. Maybe you three could meet up."
"R-really?" Adrien perked up at the idea of having friends around; Sabine suddenly felt less upset about the pricing.
"Of course, there would be some activities you all couldn't do together," Sabine gave the boy a fake glare before sharing a quick laugh with the teen. "But for whatever you can do, it should make the day a lot more fun for you."
"That would be great!" Adrien beamed before standing to his feet. "And since she'll be here seeing me, I bet I can get you a discount!"
Adrien rose to his feet and began walking to the front desk.
Sabine was surprised, she wasn't expecting anything in return for the kind suggestion, really, but she wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth.
"Thank you, Adrien," Sabine followed him. "I haven't really picked a package yet though."
"Don't worry about it," Adrien waved his hand to dismiss her concerns. "I'm certain we can work something out."
With Sabine close behind, Adrien began mumbling something to himself. "There's nothing wrong with your company . . . I just wouldn't mind having other friends around. Human friends."
Sabine wasn't trying to overhear his odd statements to himself; she must have been tailing him too closely. Oh well, she'd overheard him regardless. It was a little weird that the boy so openly talked to himself, but, if Sabine were honest with herself, Marinette had the same strange behavior. It was kind of endearing considering Adrien had spent the whole day alone. Sabine smiled. She could see why Marinette was so fond of him; they really did have a lot in common.
Both kind, willing to help, a little absentminded. Adrien was truly a teenage dreamboat. And because of that, Sabine would definitely win mother-of-the-year for planning her daughter's spa day with her daughter's crush.
Once at the front desk, Colette rushed to accommodate Adrien in any way possible.
"Is everything fine, Mr. Agreste? Would you like me to order you anything to eat while you wait?"
"No thanks; I'm sure my bodyguard will be here any minute, but I'd like to add a few members to my July visits."
Colette's eyes flickered to Sabine for a moment before returning to Adrien.
"I um, assume that would be fine."
"Great!" Adrien extended his hand to Sabine to indicate he'd like the pamphlet from her.
She compiled and handed it over to him. He immediately turned to the first page. Sabine's heart sank as she saw the prices on the booklet; some as high as €1,000! Even with a discount, she wouldn't be able to afford any of them for both Marinette and Alya.
But before Sabine could raise a complaint, Adrien was placing an order.
"I'd like for all three of us on both days to have the complete Rejuvenating Peace package. Please make sure to give my guests the Agreste discount."
Sabine felt her stomach tie into a knot as the receptionist began typing at a computer.
"Names please?" Colette tapped away at the keys.
"Alya Cesaire and Marinette Dupain Cheng for that first week." Adrien informed with such eagerness.
Sabine knew Adrien was just trying to be helpful, but he might not have realized that the prices were entirely too steep for a baker's salary.
Finally, Colette began to speak again.
"So I have an opening to accommodate your two guests in that first week in July, but you said you wanted guests for both your July visits?"
Sabine hadn't asked for two visits, Marinette only had one birthday after all.
"Oh, Adrien, we couldn't make both days," Sabine protested. "Just the first week is fine."
"That wouldn't be good enough," Adrien shook his head. "The first trip is a birthday present for Marinette, the second should be a mother-daughter day. You two should spend time together since you can. I'd hate for you to miss out."
Sabine froze at the kind words. Adrien turned his attention back to the receptionist who also seemed touched by his kindness.
"Is there an opening to take at least two people that day?"
The receptionist smiled.
"You know what," she began entering the information. "Your loyalty reward points have been piling up. I just know the spa staff will make room for all of you." Colette's smile seemed more authentic. "The third week in July will be you along with your guests: Marinette and Sabine Dupain Cheng."
The receptionist printed a form with all the information and placed it on the counter. She pointed to the price line to which Sabine braced herself. It was a flat rate of only €250. But how?
"Each of your guests will pay this and your usual fees will go on your tab. You'll have your usual masseuse while your guests can have their pick of the available staff that day. We'll increase your souna time too if you'd like."
"Please, 30 minutes for myself and a separate time for my guests." Adrien carried on with the receptionist while Sabine watched on in amazement.
This was so much more than she had hoped for.
Forget Marinette, Sabine laughed to herself, she was certain she loved Adrien more.
As the youth finished the arrangements for the day, he turned back to Sabine with a warm smile.
"I hope you don't mind me tagging along just a little bit on your mother-daughter day." He sheepishly scratched the back of his neck.
"Not at all, if you want you can spend the rest of your life with us." Sabine joked as she thanked the boy again. "Really, I don't know what to say. Thank-"
Suddenly she heard her cell phone vibrating from in her purse back on the coffee table. Adrien's phone must have been buzzing too, same with Colette's. There was never a coincidence when it came to things like this.
Sabine, forgetting entirely the conversation she was just having, watched as the two people in front of her received their Akuma Alert. Her heart raced wondering if the akumatized victim was near the bakery and thus her family; luckily they weren't. However-
Colette raced for an intercom system attached to the wall of the waiting area. She was announcing the warning to the entire spa at the same time Adrien's phone brought up a news report of whatever was happening. Sabine came alongside the teen to watch.
The alerts all confirmed that the akuma was in their area, and worse yet, heading for the spa. Sabine barely had a chance to think about what was happening before a dark shadow enveloped the front doors of the spa.
The lighting dimmed as the glass doors blackened and the chandeliers only provided dim light. Sabine thought she could make out two eyes glowing in the darkness surrounding the building. A figure emerged, or maybe just phased through the doors of the spa to stand before her and Adrien.
Instinctually, Adrien moved in front of Sabine as if to protect her from what looked like the form of a woman. As Sabine's eyes adjusted to the lower lighting, she could make out a very elderly woman; the customer in line before her. This was the same older woman!
She was dressed in an old black cloak with a small purse tainted a dusty gray. The victim's white hair dropped lifelessly around her face, stiff from age. It framed the tired and worn face; a dark mist drifting under the old woman's feet like an evening fog. Sabine was almost certain the woman was a ghost; a member of the living dead even.
The figure began to talk with a sickly voice that rattled in her chest.
"I am Vanity, and I will reclaim my youth."
It was at this moment that Colette let out a short scream. Vanity turned her whole head in the direction of the young woman and reached a slender hand into her small purse. Vanity pulled out a small handheld mirror and raised it toward Colette. A bright light shot from the mirror before dimming on Colette's face. A dark shadow then wrapped around poor Colette faster than Sabine could think to react.
In an instant, Colette was transformed from a young 30-something into an elder woman of at least 95 or so. It was frightening to witness, but Sabine still had the presence of mind to notice that Vanity had become younger. Her hair tinged in a slight blonde and her cloak now silver instead of black.
"That's what you deserve for the way you treated me, dearie." Vanity laughed, enjoying her revenge.
There wasn't a lot of time to ponder that thought as Vanity suddenly shifted the mirror in Adrien's direction.
"Oh, the beauty of a model," Vanity's voice dripped with greed. "Now you ought to de-age me nicely."
It all happened so fast, but Sabine was certain Adrien must have pulled her and himself out of the way of the mirror's blast mere seconds before either of them was hit. He had taken hold of her wrist and raced them down toward the pool. People were in a panic as they noticed the emerging threat.
The masses were quickly filing into nearby massage rooms, bathrooms, closets, and hallways; anywhere to get out of the view of the akumatized victim. Luckily for all present, Vanity didn't seem to have the ability to run after anyone. Her movement was slower, drifting along the shadows she stretched along the floor.
"We have to find a safe place for you to hide." Adrien huffed finding most spa guests were locking or blocking the doors to the areas they had fled to.
There weren't many places to go around the pool either. Sabine figured most rooms must have been on the second story of the building, but there was no safe way to retreat back to the main lobby.
While pulling on a bathroom door, a blast from the mirror struck the wall beside Adrien and Sabine causing both to turn and face Vanity. The woman's darkness was allowing her to cross over the pool's surface straight for them.
"Adrien, please run," Sabine didn't have all the same youthful energy her companion did, she knew she was probably slowing him down. "Get out of here; I could distract her while you find help."
"I won't just leave you here," he was again squaring off with Vanity taking on a defiant pose. "She'll go after me first anyway. You have to get out of here."
Sabine quickly surveyed the area. A rack of pool equipment was nearby; a pool net hanging perfectly centered on the rack. While it wasn't a very strong weapon, Sabine knew she could use the thing like a bō staff and at least buy Adrien enough time to escape - assuming Vanity was a tangible target - and if Sabine were lucky she might be able to knock the mirror from Vanity's hand.
"Hey, Vanity!" Adrien was taunting the woman and drawing her attention completely away from Sabine. He might not have known it, but he was buying the baker time to execute her plan.
While the two engaged in light dialogue Sabine quickly rushed to the supply wall. Vanity didn't seem to care that Sabine had left at all. The villain kept her attention on the young teen. It was actually a little insulting, but Sabine could ponder that later. She grabbed the pool net and heard another blast from the mirror.
Sabine was horrified to think she might turn to see Adrien suffer the same fate as Colette. Even if that were the case, Sabine would have to remain focused until the city's superheroes had a chance to arrive. Once Ladybug got there, Sabine could trust that Adrien would be returned to normal and all the damage would be undone.
However, upon facing the battle scene again, she was surprised to watch Adrien excellently dodge every one of Vanity's attacks.
Marinette had mentioned that her crush took fencing lessons, but the avoidance tactics Adrien employed seem so much more advanced than anything Sabine had seen a fencer do. That didn't matter though, Vanity was no longer over the water and was on the poolside with Adrien. This was Sabine's best chance to sneak up to the villain and hopefully land a solid blow.
Coming up from behind, Sabine could tell Adrien had noticed her. He momentarily paused to look at the baker before returning to distracting Vanity.
"Stealing other's youth won't help you. In fact," Adrien held his hands up in mock surrender, a small smile pulling at the corner of his lips. "It reflects badly on you."
Sabine swung the pool net down on Vanity's mirror holding arm. The akumatized victim yelped in surprise, dropping the mirror.
Crack! The mirror shattered once it hit the ground. Sabine watched as Vanity merely laughed at the sigh of the broken glass.
"You think that will stop me!" She cackled before diving into the pool beside her.
"I don't understand," Adrien rushed over beside the baker and glared into the water. "Once you broke the mirror the akuma should have come out."
"What?" Sabine was having trouble following Adrien's train of thought; that wasn't the important issue though.
As the two watched the shadowy figure move about in the pool, the water instantly went black rendering both Vanity and her shadows indistinguishable.
Sabine took a step back and reached for Adrien to do the same, but almost as fast as the water had changed colors the pool shot into the air a blast similar to the mirrors. The shadows raced up striking Adrien, causing the youth to cry out in surprise.
"No, Adrien!" It was Sabine's turn to save Adrien. Despite the darkness surrounding him, Sabine reached in to pull the teen from the darkness less than a second after he'd been hit.
To her amazement, her rescue attempt actually worked. She was able to separate the boy from the blast and with little effect on her part. The same couldn't be said for Adrien, however. While the model hadn't become like Colette, he had been aged. He looked roughly 20 years older. His shirt and jeans were both a tight fit and his height had grown by a few inches.
Adrien groaned as he immediately reached down and removed his shoes which must have been too tight for comfort. Before he could complain about anything else, Sabine grabbed the man's hand and pulled him back toward the entrance of the building.
Adrien stumbled due to his new body shape. He nearly tumbled to the floor upon arriving in the main lobby again.
The front doors were still darkened discouraging Sabine from touching them to exit.
"How was she able to-whoa." Adrien placed a hand to his throat as he heard himself speak.
"She must have used the pool like a mirror," Sabine frowned looking back at the figure rising from the water. "We have to get away from all reflective surfaces."
Sabine hastened to the stairs before noticing Adrien tripping over his new bigger feet. She bit her lower lip and gestured for him to try and hurry up. After only two steps, however, the former teen toppled down to the ground floor. Sabine rushed back to his side.
"I'm so sorry I'm slowing you down," Adrien was surprised when the small bakery propped herself under his arm to help him walk. "Talk about a growth spurt."
"No, no. Don't worry about it. Grab onto the rail as we head upstairs."
As the two climbed the steps, Sabine was relieved to see that Colette was no longer in the waiting area, perhaps she had managed to escape. Sabine could only hope other spa guests could do the same.
"How dare you try to take my youth from me!"
Vanity's voice echoed through the entrance as Ardien and Sabine rushed into the first room they could find upstairs. It was a meditation room with lavender incense burning and curtains on every wall. Not a mirror in sight.
As Adrien took a moment to examine his hands and new body, Sabine quickly hid any reflective bowls or decorations behind the curtains.
Adrien grit his teeth in aggravation to which Sabine didn't blame him. She couldn't do much to restore his youth; only Ladybug could help him with that. So Sabine stayed focused on safeguarding the room allowing Adrien a moment to think to himself.
It was only a matter of time before Vanity would think to search for them upstairs. She'd find them eventually.
"I already know Vanity could attack other spa members . . . we've got to get alone."
Sabine glanced over to the model who was again mumbling to himself. The sight made Sabine feel slightly guilty. Had Adrien not been helping her he might have had time to escape. While it wasn't her fault Vanity was akumatized, Sabine felt responsible for Adrien's overall safety in this matter. Being a young model made him the prime target for a villain like Vanity.
"Are you okay, Adrien?" Sabine came beside the confused man and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You're not in pain are you?"
"It doesn't hurt," Adrien seemed more restless than he had while facing Vanity. "She literally took years off my life."
"Don't worry," Sabine tried to comfort him. "Ladybug and Chat Noir will be here soon and they'll get your youth back. And I'll be here with you so you won't be alone."
Adrien groaned slightly, dropping his head in defeat. Sabine heaved too. She knew her words wouldn't be much comfort to someone who went from their teen years to their prime in less than a minute, but she had to try and cheer him up. At least, she'd want someone to try and cheer her daughter up if the same had happened to her.
Sabine then froze.
"Do you still have your cellphone on you?" Sabine asked the man trying hard to steady the shaking in her own voice for his sake.
"Yeah," Adrien pulled out the phone with a guilty look on his face. "The authorities should already know about the akuma thanks to the alert."
"I know that," Sabine quivered. "I never told my family I'd be here. I just want to let them know."
Adrien nodded and pulled out his phone. After a few attempts to get used to the different size of his hands, Adrien selected Marinette's number in his contacts and handed the cell to the distraught mother.
Sabine listened to the phone ring for what felt like an eternity. It went to voicemail. Sabine immediately tried again. It was very likely Marinette wasn't answering the call because she thought it was from her crush. Marinette always got so nervous around the boy, eh man now; a second call would definitely get a response.
As Sabine predicted, Marinette finally answered.
"A-Adrien?" Marinette sounded slightly winded like she might be exercising. "I'm a little busy at the moment, can you-"
"Marinette, honey, it's me." Sabine didn't wait for her daughter to finish rambling. "I want you to know I'm at the akuma sight. Your friend Adrien and I are both hiding at the spa. We're both mostly safe at the moment, but I just needed you to know..."
"Wait!" Marinette was definitely running, Sabine could hear that clearly. "You're with Adrien? No, no, where is the akuma? Like you are where the akuma is, right now?"
"Yes, we're at the spa. The akumatized woman is downstairs."
Marinette gasped before continuing.
"Mom this is important; exactly which spa are you in?" Marinette sounded desperate to know, and Sabine worried that telling her daughter might prompt the girl to come to the sight.
"Marinette, I just wanted to let you know we're safe-"
"Mom there are three spas in that area, please tell me which one you're at!"
Sabine wanted to answer her daughter; if for nothing else but to ease the girl's frustration, but Sabine was pulled away from the call when she heard the door to the room close. Sabine spun around to find that Adrien had left the room! What was he thinking!?
"Marinette, I have to go! Adrien's in trouble; the boy can't even walk right!"
"What? Mom! What's happening? Where are you-"
Sabine dropped the phone to follow after the not so young man hoping to catch him and speak sense into him before he got himself aged further. Sabine thrust opened the door and peeked out into the hall. She could see the stairs leading back to the main entrance and she was certain she heard Vanity laughing at the screams of other spa goers.
Sabine turned her attention the other way. Three other doors remained as options. Adrien certainly wouldn't be dumb enough to go downstairs, so he must have gone to another room hoping to find a window or something to escape through.
Sabine tried to step lightly so not to make too much sound. There was no telling if Vanity had super hearing or not. Sabine approached the nearest door and placed a hand on the handle. Before she could enter she heard what sounded like Adrien's voice, though she couldn't be sure due to it's new depth.
"Plagg, claws-out!"
There was light, more like a flash, that emitted from under the door causing Sabine to take a step back. Her mind raced with the fear of what might have happened to the boy behind the door.
Without another moment to think, the door swung open and Sabine found herself standing face to face with Chat Noir. Actually, Chat Noir was towing over her now. This wasn't the same young man she had known the superhero to be. His suit fit him perfectly, however, so there was no doubt this was in fact the feline hero of Paris.
He paused too, his eyes shifting quickly over her face trying to read her expression. Sabine hadn't realized she was holding her breath until she heaved out a word. Sabine fought to settle the rush of questions trying to escape her lips at the sound of several screams elsewhere in the building.
The superhero's face suddenly became very resolute as he spoke,
"Don't worry it's just me, Chat Noir. I was hit by Vanity's age beams. I've already helped hide anyone on this floor. So, if you're looking for someone, trust me they're safe," The superhero reached up to scratch the back of his head nervously but underestimating the clearance his elbow needed to clear the door frame "Ow! Please, just stay up here," Chat was making his way toward the steps taking each movement as a chance to better understand his new leg length.
Sabine didn't know what she had just seen. Had Chat Noir been hit just like Adrien had? Obviously, but that didn't tell her where Adrien had gone. Sabine felt her mind go blank when a single concern edged its way to her mouth.
"Vanity can attack you from any reflective surface and well, a friend of mine is missing and-"
"If you mean Adrien Agreste, I've already told him to hide. Don't worry about him. Keep low yourself." Chatreasured her, bolting down the steps taking full confidence in whatever muscle memory he thought he had.
Which was much, he managed to fall down the last two steps of the stairs leaving Sabine confused and worried at the top.