Chapter Text
----------Marinette----------
Having calmed her mind, Marinette slowly walked back to her room taking her time to feel the small carvings that lined the tan, stone walls of the Temple of Miracles. These must be spells and wards. I should add ‘studying the magic of the temple’ to my to-do list. Since it was on the way, she stopped into the treasury. I should also catalog the artifacts. Maybe from most valuable to least? No, magical and non-magical. She wandered around the room, looking at a tapestry here and a piece of pottery there. Specifically searching for treasures possessing spell ruins. I’m stalling. That’s fine!! I really need to talk to Tikki. Accepting her fate, the teen trudged to the looming conversation with the goddess of creation.
“Marinette!! You took longer than I thought you would,” the little goddess scolded. Ignoring Tikki’s remark, Marinette went to the changing screen.
“Tomorrow I’m going to go through the treasury and see how many magical artifacts are in there–”
“Marinette.”
“I need to know how many artifacts I have to protect–”
“Marinette…”
“Then I need to study the wall markings–”
“Marinette!” Tikki sighed. “Marinette, you need to make Damian a priority. What are you even going to base your decision off of.”
“I don’t know Tikki, I don’t even know where to start!”
“Maybe you should sleep on it, Marinette.” She exited the changing area.
“You’re probably right,” she yawned, “I think best when I’m awake.” After spending a few nights on the guardian’s beds, she knew for a fact, in her opinion, that there is nowhere she could sleep better. After a few minutes, Marinette fell fast into the Land of Nod.
“Tikki! Tikki! Where are you!” No answer. “Tikki?” she whispered before standing and exiting her bedroom only to come face to face with a tall, beautiful woman she had never seen before. She towered over the girl at least by seven inches, even more since she was wearing heels. The only thing familiar about the woman was her striking green eyes. The unnamed visitor pulled a dagger from her clothes and tilted the young guardian’s face more towards herself. Her commanding energy was apparent however no matter how closely she listened, she could not hear what the woman was saying. The dagger still at her throat, the woman learned to whisper into her deaf ears. She seemed satisfied all of a sudden and turned to sride away when Marinette felt her ears, the miraculous was gone! Running after her foe, she looked back to see her own body lying on the ground. Thank you Trixx! Suddenly a boy about her age burst through the door and began shouting at the woman. Why can't I hear anything clearly? The woman ran at the boy and then… mist. Mist? Is this an Akuma? In the temple. No. It can’t be.
Marinette woke with a start, immediately relieved that there was no akuma. Deep breaths Marinette, what was that about? She glanced out the window to find the moon already beginning to set. It must be early morning. I might as well get up. Quietly going about her morning routine, Marinette decided that today she would run some errands. Later. Way later. Breakfast. That's important! Let's do that! Stiffly meandering towards the kitchens, Marinette began to brainstorm as to how she could test Damian. I could leave something valuable out. No. Oh! Kaalki! I could let him see where I put Kaaliki when I return from my errands!
Arriving at the kitchens, Marinette looked around for some flour, however all she could find was some wheat and a grinding stone. She chuckled, the daily grind, huh. It was easy for her to recall how to use the tool. A year ago, the class had visited a castle which was being rebuilt according to the methods of it’s century of origin. On the field trip they had learned how to use a lot of basic farming and building tools of the medieval age; including a grinding stone. It took time to turn the grain into flour but it was therapeutic in a way. The rotating of the stone brought a monotonous rhythm that allowed her to close her eyes and just, be.
By the time she had ground enough flour to satisfy her needs for the day, Tikki and a few other kwamii had floated to the kitchen to watch her work. Marinette hoisted the stone ring off of its platform and pushed the flour into a few small sacks. It was quiet, a good quiet, a peaceful quiet.
The sun was rising, the teen was almost never awake at dawn, it was calm. She took her freshly baked bread onto a balcony and ate a few slices with tea. Tikki sat on her right shoulder and Kaalki on her left.
“I know how I’m going to test him.” Tikki nodded for her to continue. “But first, I have to play the hospitable host.”
Marinette returned to the kitchen to retrieve the warm loaf of fresh bread and a small bowl of milk. She glanced around the store room and quickly located a clump of butter and jar of jam. Gathering her supplies along with a wooden plate, two spoons, and a bread knife, Marinette placed them all in a basket. The teen took the basket, Kaalki, and her bag with her to the dining hall. Carefully, she emptied the basket, called for her transformation, and teleported to Paris.
Upon her arrival, Marinette disguised her features in a glamor and stepped out of the alleyway and into the foot traffic of the city of love. Due to it being Paris Fashion week, Mari was able to get away with wearing the temple clothes, (she forgot to change). It was a simple task traveling to the various markets and stores to retrieve the necessities of life (and some extra). Marinette required several items including the following: sport attire, a few sketch pads, pencils, sewing supplies, and lady supplies.
Entering the local department store, Marinette moved straight to the active wear section. Unsurprisingly, the selection was awful. Maybe I should just make it myself. She exited the department with only a few sports bras and immediately headed to the arts-and-crafts area for sewing supplies. I’ll have to sew it all by hand, I don’t think it is practical to bring a sewing machine at the moment.
“Oh, Alya! You shouldn’t buy that dress! My cousin is a fashion designer, I would be happy to talk to him about getting you the perfect prom dress.” I know that voice. AAAAaaaahhhhhHHH. I can’t get a break! Do they all have to shop at the same store? To be fair, I’m here too. This place is pretty popular
“Oh, girl, you don’t have to. I couldn’t accept that!” Alya looked, wide eyed at her weasel of a companion.
“Alya! It’s no problem!” The girl looked away and rolled her eyes. “I'll send him a message this evening.”
“Ok, girl. If you insist.” Still in the claws of the beast. Well, foxes are pretty, no matter how evil they are. Poor girl.
Having acquired the main supplies on her list, Marinette moved on to her more optional items such as herbs and other potion ingredients. She dropped her glamour to enter her favorite flower shop.
“Hello, Ms. Rowen!” Marinette greeted enthusiastically. Ms. Rowen was always very kind to her.
“Marinette!” The woman stepped away from the counter to give the girl a hug. “Where have you been? I haven’t seen you here in a week!” Marinette grimace.
“Well things aren’t great at home so I’m trying not to ruffle any feathers, you know?” The woman gave her a sympathetic nod.
“Well, let me get what’s on your list and send you on your way. Don’t want to keep the keepers waiting.” Mari laughed at the woman's bluntness.
“Wouldn’t want that.” the teen smiled sadly; she couldn’t let her know that she ran away. While the lady would definitely support her and that’s a crime. Ms. Rowen is too nice to be arrested. Too nice.
Wishing Ms. Rowen goodbye, Marinette exited the small shop and located the nearest alleyway. Upon her arrival, the girl gestured for Kaalki to float in the open.
“Kaalki, what is Trixx saying about our guest?” Kaalki thought for a second .
“He is awake; however he hasn’t left his room. He appears to be meditating at the moment.” Marinette looked up at the sky, it was a gorgeous day, and responded to the tiny horse.
“Can you have Trixx let us know when he leaves for the dining hall so we can conduct the test, please? In the meantime I'm going to patrol for a bit.” The guardian transformed, stowed her goods inside her yo-yo, and lept to the rooftops.
After an hour, Marinette was notified that Damian had moved to the main hall; so, she teleported to the hallway, in his sight, and detransformed. The guardian removed Kaalki’s miraculous and placed it in a box in an alcove leaving Wayzz to watch over it in secret.
----------Damian----------
Damian woke up at dawn, acutely aware that he was not in Gotham or the league. He was in Tibet, in the mountains, in a random, magical temple. The Temple of Miracles, which is watched over by a girl his age. She had allowed him to stay for the night and would decide what to do in the afternoon.
Taking a meditative stance, Damian took a deep breath and centered his focus. He gathered each event in his mind over the past week or so and examined them closely. With great care the teen looked over his memories and bagan to sort them. Among the destressing category, Damian placed the following: The battle to remove his powers, Running away, and the fight with the bats. With a second thought Damian moved ‘running away’ to a neutral pile, replacing it with the flight to Tibet. I am never flying again. In the good pile, Damian settled only a few things, mainly ‘peace and quiet’. The motorbike ride to the nearby village was the most relaxed he had felt in a while. Well, as relaxed as one can be while still watching their back; but it was still an improvement. Sleeping here with the kwami’s company was still more relaxing than usual. The temple may be new to him but it was old and secure. He was Safe for now.
Damian thought of the girl, Marinette, she was a conundrum on her own even without all the magic and other extras. She was confusing. With how little information he had on the girl, Damian could not predict whether he could stay or not, it was… unnerving. However if she were to let him stay, the boy liked puzzles, a lot: and, she is quite the puzzle. At least I won't get bored. This place (and its inhabitants) is intriguing.
“Hello, Damian.” That's right, there’s a kwami with me. Trixx? Yeah, Trixx. Damian looked over at the kwami, but, before he could speak, they continued, “The Guardian is out at the moment and I do not know when she will return. There is food waiting for you in the main hall.” Damian glanced outside, it was close to noon. He had been meditating for hours. He sighed.
“Of course, can I go now?” Trixx nodded in response.
Damian exited his temporary room and walked the short distance to the dining hall. Waiting for him was a basket of things on the table covered with a cloth. Probably to keep it warm or cool. It feels warm. Careful and cautious, Damian lifted the cloth, wary of any trap. However, it was just breakfast, exactly what the kwami had said to him. It could still be a trap. I doubt it will affect me now. He carefully removed the contents of the basket. At the top was warm bread, (expertly baked), along with wooden utensils, and a bread knife. The plate supported the contents at the top while protecting what was below. Two clay jars of jam, (one raspberry, the other apricot), butter (wrapped in a thin cloth), and napkins, which surrounded a bowl of milk. It was perfectly packed to not spoil anything.
Laying out his meal, Damian had to wonder where she had gotten this from. I don’t think she’s the type to steal. As he began to eat his breakfast, Damian saw Marinette return; she didn't seem aware of his presence. The teen then detransformed and placed the object that held the kwami in a small alcove covered by the nearest tapestry. I wonder what the items are called. Curious, Damian walked over to the little pocket in the wall and examined the box within. When he opened it, a bright light shone and Kaalki appeared. Kaalki? Yeah Kaalki.
“Kaalki, do you know where I can find the Guardian? I believe she left this in an unsafe place.” The tiny horse nodded and started to float away, waiving its flipper(?) for him to follow.
The kwami lead Damian to a small sitting room with a few cushions and a low table. The room, despite being constructed of the same material as the rest of the temple, was very pleasant to the eyes. The walls were lined with tapestries and rugs, all seeming to depict a complex history of magical warfare. The right side of the room contained the only stone visible since even the ceiling was draped with red and gold fabric. At the table, the Guardian, looking the same as yesterday, sat on a cushion with a cup of tea, apparently waiting for him.
“Why have you asked for me?” She questioned, gesturing for him to sit. In the brief moment his eyes were away from the table, a steaming cup of tea was waiting for him. “Green tea, made traditionally.” She noticed my focus.
“Thank you.” Damian smelled the tea. It’s fine. He sipped the tea. Hmmm... The tea tasted good. Not a trap, odd. She smiled and gestured for him to answer her. “I have come to return this to you, it was in an unsecure location, I believe, and you are the Guardian of these beings.”
“Thank you, Damian.” She searched his eyes then opened the box and searched inside and outside. Seemingly pleased, she closed the box and looked him in the eyes. It seemed like a minute of solid eye contact where she appeared to be reading his soul. Then she glanced away for a second and spoke,
“You have passed the test. You may stay for now.” She then stood and glided out of the room.
For now? I wonder if she wants to test me more. He sat long enough to finish his tea and returned to the dining hall to eat.