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“So,” Marinette wandered up to her mark, waiting for the guy to turn around and notice her. He barely glanced over, but she did see the way his eyes trailed over her face, sweeping across her body in a full check-out, before he looked back at the painting. “An appreciation for the classics, then?”
“I appreciate most art, though not as you do, I assume.”
She did a double take. “Excuse me?”
He didn’t meet her eyes again. “You’re the thief, yes? The one who’s been casing the museum trying to steal those artifacts from the Tibetan history exhibit?”
Caught. Not just caught, but called out and recognized. She didn’t let herself panic or freeze. “Would it make it better or worse if I said yes?”
“It would make you honest, which is refreshing compared to most of the criminals in this city.”
She laughed. He hadn’t moved to alert anyone, though she felt certain he was probably not here alone. And if worst came, she could absolutely just disappear and walk out. “The pieces I’m after are more than just museum artifacts, if you must know. I’m not a villain or a criminal- I’m just trying to get them back to where they belong.”
“That remains to be seen.” He said, sending her another analyzing look. This one, she thought, was more curious. “So you think you’re the good guy?”
“Oh, I know I am,” She answered, knowing he could hear the challenge in her voice. “I am the Guardian, after all.” The two Miraculous were already in her pockets. The duplicates were in place. She grinned at him, sharp and knowing. “I’d wish you luck, but it’s very firmly on my side.”
She could see his face shift, was ready for his arm to shoot out towards her, and she vanished, activating the invisibility from Trixx and erasing the fake jewel doubles. The guards in that wing shouted, and the man who’d been trying to stop her shot off towards it.
She walked out into the sunshine before they could shut the doors, not that it would have stopped her. Perhaps he would be able to hunt her down. Maybe he’d believe her and leave it alone. Maybe she’d leave a clue next time she found something, just to see him again. It had been fun, talking to him. She’d even thought she’d sensed… something familiar.
Yes, she’d have to figure out how to see him again.