Chapter Text
Marinette Dupain-Cheng sipped on her coffee mug as she rushed across the bustling streets of downtown Paris in a pair of dark jeans and a pink pea coat, her short hair blowing in the breeze with each step. She had to remind herself to re-plug in her alarm clock every time she uses her laptop. “Stupid little apartment with limited electrical plugs...” Marinette mumbled as she entered the large building with the word Agreste labeled above the large glass doorway.
Marinette Dupain-Cheng, a French-Chinese girl of a mere 18 years, had applied to the academy herself a few months ago with high hopes to attend the prestigious dancing school. In few words, she ended up getting in not as a dancer but as a designer, a hobby of hers. Now she was one of the few members that worked on-sight costume designers of the world renowned Agreste Ballet Academy and owned by the famous Gabriel Agreste. It wasn’t what she imagined for her future, but it was better than being jobless.
Rushing into the design office, the sound of her flats echoing her presence to the room, she plopped all her things on her messy desk with post-it notes of messages and half-drawn sketches. She took one more sip from her to-go cup, unsure when she would see it again; she was always running about in the morning and with her late nights it was necessary for her to get as much caffeine as possible.
“Marinette!” A calm but firm voice came from next to her, “Thank goodness, you’re finally here.” A woman with burgundy hair came out of the nearby office dressed in a purple suit with pointed glasses.
“I’m sorry Ms. Sancoeur, my alarm clock broke overnight.” Marinette removed her coat, draping it over the back of her chair.
“Please, make an investment of a good clock for future reference.” Natalie Sancoeur was the third highest member of the Agreste Dance Academy. From what Marinette could gather from staff around the school, she used to be second in command until Gabriel Agreste brought in a new assistant out of nowhere with a really odd sounding name. She didn’t speak about it much nor had Marinette never seen Mr. Agreste and his assistant in person. “The dress in Practice room A, fourth floor ripped again, you need to go fix it before the class comes.”
“Yes Ms. Sancoeur.” Marinette took a pin cushion and thread, slid it on her wrist and took off up flights of stairs.
She stumbled into the practice room, lined full-wall mirrors and balance bars, sunlight exposing the swarms of dust particles in the still air. She smiled and sighed, letting her eyes drift the expanse of the mirror and windows. She enjoyed times like this, when the rooms were peaceful and empty, like they were begging for someone to enter and dance away as if no one was watching. She was tempted to dance like no one was watching.
“I’m sorry is this room taken?”
Well she thought she was alone.
Marinette jumped as the voice, physically moving herself from the doorway, turning around and waving her hands apologetically, “No of course not! Sorry do you need this… room?”
Marinette was glad she actually opened her eyes because the a god stood before her. A boy around her age with hair that glowed like the sun and eyes that resembled emeralds. He was dressed in a set of white sweatshirt and grey sweatpants and orange converse.
“I just wanted to get some extra practice in before class,” The boy said as he brushed his hand across his neck, “I can find find another if you’re using this room.”
Marinette blinked once then realized he thought she was a student here, “Oh! Oh no I’m sorry I’m not a student, I’m just here to fix one of the dresses in the back room.” She explained quickly, moving towards the small closet near the corner of the room, “Please use the room all you want, I can leave if I’m distracting you, just let me know.”
The boy smiled, “You’re fine… I-I mean you’ll be fine! Thanks,”
Marinette only smiled back before she looked at the backroom and pull out the pale pink dress with the clear rip in the side. She sighed, “This is the third time this week.” She had hoped the dancers would be nicer to the dresses, but it was clear they didn’t care about the clothing they wore. She sat down, pulled pins from the cushion on her arm arm and the thread in her pocket and began to sew the rip closed and hid it between the fabric creases.
“That’s Sabrina’s dress.” The male voice from behind her, and she darted her head up to see the boy leaning in the doorway, curious as to what she was doing. In her moment of distraction the needle plunged into her thumb, letting out an ouch of pain.
“I’m sorry are you okay?” He was immediately by her side, taking her hand to make sure the damage wasn’t life threatening.
The minute their hands met, their eyes of sapphire and emerald met. A warm feeling penetrated Marinette’s chest and flowed through her body. This boy was being so kind to her, for no reason at all! It made her heart quicken as she tried to regain some semblance of function as it felt his the green of his eyes was a field she wanted to explore forever. He helped pull her to her feet, collecting the dress on the ground.
“N- No, I’m okay.” She stuttered out, “Uh, thank you-?”
“It’s no problem, uh,” He smiled again and it made her legs weak, “I’m sorry I don’t know your name.”
“Marinette!” She squeaked, her hands pulled away as her boss stood expectantly, “Marinette, I need you to gather the curtains from the mock stage on the ground floor!”
“Y-Yes Ms. Sancouer!” She didn’t look back as she ran off, out the room to her next task, praying no one would see her red face.
The woman sighed, before turning and bowing to the boy in the room, “Terribly sorry about the interruption Adrien.”
“Everything is fine Natalie, thank you.” He assured her, rubbing the fabric of the dress across his fingers with a small smile on his lips, and thank you Marinette…
---
Classes went by in a blur for Adrien. Everyday felt like the same- same moves, same music and same blank faces of concentration. Show up to class, warm ups, part lecture, demonstration- half of class practices, other half waits, switch, selected best students perform for the class, pack up leave for next class. Over and over and over again, he could set a watch to a regimen.
Heck, he HAD set a watch to the regimen! He would wear it if it wasn’t against dress code.
He sighed as he finished the adage- the pilés, développé,battement dégagé and multiple pirouettes- and leaned against the wall on the opposite side of the room. He tried to focus on something to keep him in the present, like the sun flooding in the windows. He crossed his arms and closed his eyes, the ticking of the small clock on the wall becoming louder and louder in his ears.
Tick, Tock, Do that again, Tick-Tock, Straighten your form, Tick-Tock, No Escape…
“ADRIEN!”
He was pulled from his meditative state and opened this eyes to bleach blond hair and way too much makeup.
“Sorry, Chloe, what did you want?”
“Monsieur Dupoi wants us to do the Pas de Deux!” She had already taken his hand, dragging him out to center stage and getting into position.
“Wait, didn’t he make us do this yesterday? And the day before THAT?” His eyes darted across the crowd and the members he knew to be good dancers, all of then looking away to the moment in either anger or annoyance.
“It’s not MY fault we’re the best dancers in class, sweetie!” Chloe laughed of his concern, setting her arms into position, “Just be ready to catch me Adriekins!”
Best dancers? More like most Popular… Adrien sighed with the musical cue and positioned his arms accordingly. He could NOT wait for a break.
---
Lunch break couldn’t have been more welcomed for Marinette. Natalie had her running all over the school fixing props and curtains, organizing the multiple prop rooms and fitting a whole group of transfers for the up incoming seasonal play. Normally she would just eat something at her desk but her rush to leave this morning left her lunch at home. She knew this little cafe a few blocks down she had wanted to try for a while, so she grabbed her coat and bag and went out into the bustling city.
The cool air was a blessing against her skin as her running that morning had gotten her quite hot. Traveling a few blocks, she looked at the corner and saw the small establishment with a chalkboard sign that spelled out The Lucky Bug with a small ladybug doodled on the top of the T. Amused by the cute charm, she pushed open the door and entered, her eyes catching the large display case with all the goodies inside- lined with small cupcakes, muffins, cookies, macaroons and tarts. A strawberry tart caught her eye and she ordered one with a side of hot tea, paid for the treat and went to find a table. There was a small two seat round table by the window and she couldn’t pass it up. She sat down on the chair on the right and took off her coat and bag, turning to hang them on the back of her chair. When she turned back,to her surprise, another person had taken the chair across from her.
“Ah! I’m sorry I didn’t know this table was taken!”
“I simply left my bag to use the restroom, I’m sorry I should have taken it!”
Marinette and the woman started apologizing over each other until a cafe worker brought Marinette her tart and tea, forcing to the two females to stop talking and breathe.
“Sorry, let’s begin that again,” The woman smiled warmly as she brought her bag into her lap, “I’m sorry for taking your table, it’s my usual and I’m just programmed on habit to sit here. I can leave if that makes you uncomfortable?”
The woman had an interesting look; fair skin with a rich, red bob of a hairstyle, some odd strands flicking up outta place, matched with a burgundy long sleeved, v-neck silk top that covered most of her body and on her ears was a pair of stud red earrings with five black dots. Marinette had to admit the woman seems very nice and well-spoken; something about her just seemed to make Marinette more interested in who she was.
“No, no you’re perfectly fine. I wouldn’t mind the company if you don’t mind that is?”
The woman nodded, her light blue eyes sparkled, “I’d love the company, My name is Tikki.”
“Tikki?” She repeated the name hesitantly, as if she had heard her wrong.
“It’s more of a nickname I’m called, is that weird?”
“No! No I just never heard of such a name before,” Marinette recovered, “My name is Marinette.”
“Marinette.” The red woman repeated as she smiled, “It fits you. So what do you do Marinette?”
“Thank you, I work at the Agreste Dance Academy as a costume designer/prop fixer/emergency seamstress.” She giggled as she added the duties onto the title of her job, “I applied a few moths ago and was…. Rejected. I got hired as a designer there later and I’ve been there ever since.”
“I’m sorry you didn’t get in.” Tikki eyes saddened with empathy, “It’s a horrible feeling to have your hopes be denied.”
“Yes it is,” The girl nodded as she took a sip of tea, “I don’t think it’s truly gone and I’d love to dance again, just to move and be appreciated again for my talents. Being in those rooms make me feel like a failure sometimes.”
The woman picked up her cup and sipped as well, “You just need a change of venue, a chance to shine and you could do anything.” The woman looked at her, her eyes portraying an emotion Marinette could only describe as a kindred spirit.
“Yeah I guess…”
“If you would pardon my boldness I have an offer for you.” Tikki crossed her legs and the designer could see the dark jeans and heeled boots she wore poking out from under the table. Marinette could only wrinkle her brow before Tikki continued, “I was once a dance instructor many years ago and I have a studio but I lack a partner to practice with. Would you be interested in joining me?”
Marinette paused, twisting her fork with a piece of tart attached to the edges. She had a lot to do for her job, but the promise of dancing again was so tempting to take. Could she really trust this woman?
As if the woman read her mind, she finished her cup and stood up, “I know this is a lot to take in so you can think about it as long as you need to. Here’s my card.” She reached into the large bag and pulled out a white card, holding it out for the young woman to take, which after a moment of hesitation- she did.
“I hope to hear from you soon Marinette.” She smiled warmly and walked away, taking the cookie from her plate and walked out.
Marinette watched the lady in red leave before she examined the card- it was primarily white and glossy with a line drawing of a ladybug decorating the front. She flipped it over and on the back simply read Miraculous with a phone number and an address.
She chewed her lip as she stabbed at the tart before her, slipping the card away in her purse.
---
Lunch was a welcomed break for Adrien. The last couple of hours Chloe had never separated from his side, doing routine after routine. He was friends with Chloe, she was one of his only friends, but she personality was a bit overbearing at times. He look a baseball cap out of his bag, descended down the stairs and out into the the streets of Paris. As he walked down the street, he slipped the cap on his head to avoid being seen by admirers or nosy paparazzi. Walking down the street, he passed an announcement board, a poster for the upcoming show at the Academy was plastered across it- and he was there in all his elegant Agreste glory. It was amazing for him to think that with everyone knew his name yet he felt alone.
He walked a bit longer, his eyes locked to the sidewalk so lost in his head when he almost ran into a sign. Looking up he saw it was an iron sign that read The Black Cat’s Corner, it looked like some cafe. Noting how parched he was, Adrien shrugged and entered the shop, the door opening to the sound of a bell. It was moderately crowded and he quietly hoped he wouldn't be noticed here. After quickly ordering a couple croissants and a large hot chocolate (His diet could go screw itself- after dealing with Chloe all day he could use a treat) he slipped to the back with stools lining the black marble bar. Waiting for his order to be called, he adjusted his cap and was suddenly engulfed by a figure bigger than him. “Wha-?!”
“Sorry.” The figure backed off immediately, “Crowd can be brutal at lunch time.”
Adrien looked the man over as he backed away. He was tall, with a lean build dressed mostly in black sweatshirt sweatpants and black sneakers with vibrant green laces. When the man looked up from wiping himself off, a silver ring on his hand; and Adrien could see the dark complexion of his skin, his messy black hair and pencil-thin mustache connected to a just as thin beard and vibrant green eyes.
Looking around, he noticed the place was extremely busy and no other tables seemed open, “It's no problem. You can sit if you want, I shouldn't be here much longer.”
The man looked surprised for a moment before smirking, “Jeez, I don't think I'm that old yet kid.”
Adrien realizing what he said, tried to recover, “No I didn't mean-”
“Relax I'm just pulling your leg,” the man chuckles before sitting on the stool with his legs crossed, “And I'd like to know the name of the person I fooled got bragging rights.”
Now it was Adrien’s turn to look surprised and get nervous, “You don't know who I am?”
The man angled his head forward while his neon eyes pierced the lighting of the cafe, “Should I?”
Oh I don’t know, just because my face is plastered all over Paris, even with the thoughts running through his head; the look made the famous danseur calm down. It was entirely possible this guy didn’t know a thing about the ballet so he would have no idea who he was, and the fact that Adrien needed to assure himself this made him sightly question his sanity.
“I’m Adrien.” The boy finally consented, holding out his hand to shake. The man quirked a brow before he took his hand.
“Plagg.”
“Plagg.” Adrien repeated with a smile growing on his face.
The dark clothed man shrugged, “Yeah, nicknames and all that; not important. So what do you do Adrien?”
The blond paused for a heartbeat, “I’m a… dancer. I am going through school now and it's fine and all but…”
“But?” Plagg inquired further, now intrigued.
Adrien shifted to rub his neck, “It’s so… stagnant. It’s the same practices each day and it’s suffocating sometimes. I just feel like I could do so much-”
“More?” Plagg finished, and Adrien nodded in agreement. “Well aren’t you lucky, I’m looking for a dance partner. Low key stuff, if you’re interested.”
From the counter Adrien’s name was called, but Plagg went up and grabbed it before Adrien could react. Bringing the bag and drink back, he handed them to Adrien, with that smirk on his face. “You got time to think about it,when you decide call the number on the card. See ya Kid.” That was all he said before he turned and left.
“Wha-Wait! What card?!” Adrien tried to get the words out, but Plagg was long gone. The blond placed the bag of croissants down to adjust his hold on his hot chocolate when his fingers brushed something tucked inside the heat protector of the cup. It was a black business card, with white lines drawing a cat’s paw on the front; when he turned it over there only was the word Miraculous- with a phone number and a street address.
Adrien secured the card in his bag before taking his food and heading back to the school- looking forward to the day to end so he could make a phone call.
That night- two important phone calls were made- and answered.