This fic was inspired by my-insanity-is-an-artform on tumblr, who first came up with the idea of Mariposa. It's got two teasers to this idea, Oops and Plans and Risks.

The red and black earrings were bounced about in the palm that held them, slanted eyes rolling over the detail of them lazily, a slight smile twitching the lips up. It was really amazing that little things like this could be so powerful. Could offer so much...

Across from the holder, a little red god with black spots grimaced darkly as she glared at the human with big blue eyes. "They're not yours to use," she voiced, her soft tone scolding and harsh.

"You're not exactly taking them from me," the wielder returned lightly.

The little god didn't reply, glaring up. If she wasn't so small, the glare might've been rather frightful.

Might've.

The holder chuckled as a new thought bubbled to mind, "Are you even able to?"

"There are consequences to misusing them," the little god warned.

"And what sort of consequences would those be?"

The little god didn't answer. The wielder scoffed, "I bet there aren't even consequences, are there?" Not waiting for an answer, they slipped the earrings on, grinning as they felt the magic tickle the air as the miraculous latch onto them. "What's the power?"

The ladybug god's blue eyes narrowed.

"What's the power," the order came again, dark and coy with authority.

The little god flinched. Then looked away with a scowl. Breathing in, the little god slowly answered, "The ladybug miraculous is one of good luck, order, and creation. It should be used for good, and should be used by an ideal chosen."

"Good thing I chose them."

The little god scoffs.

"How do I work it?"

"You can fix anything dama—"

"I don't care about fixing anything."

"Well, that's largely what the earrings are used for. Fixing what's damaged."

"Tikki."

The little god shifted, grimacing as she hugged herself. "When transformed, whatever situation you're in, you have good luck on your side. Your chances of success are increased to a near certainty."

The wielder smiled, pleased. "So I get to be lucky."

Tikki didn't answer.

"Tell me about this power of creation."

"...Two powers, Lucky Charm, which creates an item that secures your success. And it, and your weapon, are used to do Miraculous Ladybug, which fixes-"

"So Lucky Charm lets me win at everything?"

With a furious look, the little red god confirmed, "Yes."

"How delicious," came the purr, one finger coming up to trace over the earring. "How do I activate it."

Tikki kept stubbornly quiet.

"Tell me how to activate the earrings, Tikki!"

"...A command is what activates them. Spots on sparks the transformation."

"How do I drop it?"

"...Spots off."

With a devious smile, they called, "Tikki, spots on!"

The little god grimaced as she was sucked up into an earring, washing the wielder in a vibrant pink light, leaving a light reddish yellow suit with lumpy black spots to cover them. Looking over at their mirror, pleased with the design. Idle fingers came to lightly tap the yo-yo curiously. "No wings," they murmured, "how strange." Unclasping the yo-yo, they gave an experimental swing, beaming as it started to spin about naturally, no trouble in what they wanted it to do. This was doable.

Stopping the yo-yo and catching it easily, the red-dressed figure slipped towards their balcony, smirking at the unsuspecting city, painted over by the sunset.

"Ladybug," came the contemplative whisper.

It felt too childish and soft of a name.

Heaven forbids Ladybird.

That sounded downright gentle.

There was no interest to be the gentle healer that Tikki declared the earrings were for.

Red Beetle... that sounded too coarse for their tastes.

Maybe Coccinella... Coccinelle...

No. Both seemed... flashy.

"Harlequin," the whisper came, replacing the previous name. The smile grew and eyes gleamed.

That sounded far better to their ears...

.

.

In a large dark room, long forgotten and abandoned, lay a small brooch with a thick layer of dust. Covered and smudged, it's color was lost to idle time, and it's being entirely hidden in the shadows. The dark gem of it flickered, like a spark that was trying to flare into a flame. With a determined flick, it flared off in a soft, purple light.

The only light to glow in the large room.

.

.

.

In a small, pitch-black room, a soft shy blue light gleamed, revealing a small peacock shaped piece of jewelry, leaning against the portrait of a blonde woman with summer green eyes and a bright smile.

.

.

.

In a dim room, a little green god jerks away with a frightened gasp. Near him, a record player pulses with startled magic. With a sharp cry for his partner, the little god flew out, leaving the magic to buzz and sizzle.

.

.

.

Adrien tried to walk as slowly as possible as his photographer ducked around him, snapping an array of wild shots, trying to capture him in the soft glow of morning. "Hold it!" he cried and Adrien froze, not moving a muscle as he heard the fast chirp of clicks.

"Eccellente!" he cried, then waved Adrien to sit on the fountain rim. "Give me bashful look, like thinking of your amore!"

Adrien offered the camera a bashful, fond smile as he thought of his Maman.

"Now-"

"Can we take a break?" Adrien hurriedly asked, perking in his seat on the rim. He spared a nervous glance over at Nathalie, but she was distracted on her cell, brow furrowed as she sorted through her contacts and emails. With an upcoming fashion contest in the works, both her and Père were busy getting ready for it. This was his chance to ease his busy load a little.

He glanced to the photographer, hopeful and nervous.

That depended if he got the ok...

Considering him, the photographer flashed him a reassuring smile and gave a nod. "Fifteen minutes!" he declared.

Slumping in relief, Adrien got up and stretched, happy for the break.

It's been shoot after shoot after shoot.

He was ready this contest to be done.

Sighing as he dropped from his stretch, Adrien slowly and carefully walked about, keeping wary eyes on Nathalie. It would all be over if she caught him. But her back stayed to him, grumbling angrily into her cell. Grinning at her distraction, he allowed himself to relax and look around the park they were shooting at. It was one of the closer parks to his home, and a bit more secluded. Very few seemed to know and visit it. An ideal place to do a shoot unbothered by any fans.

The only other people he could see were two girls in pigtails hanging out across the way, occupied with a sketchbook. He could faintly hear the little girl babble on from where he stood, the words flying out of her mouth so fast, he couldn't catch just what she was talking about.

The older girl with her just smiled and nodded, looking very amused as she watched the smaller draw away.

It was very cute.

The little girl met his stare, and grinned. Giving him a big wave, she called, "Hi! You're very pretty!"

The older girl next to her looked up curiously, then shared a small, shy smile, waving to him alongside the little girl.

With an eager grin, Adrien waved back, happy to humor them.

He thought about going over, saying hi and asking what the girl was drawing; only to blink as the dark haired girl perked in alarm, standing up and looking ready to rush over. Looking back, his eyes widened when he saw an old man on the ground, his cane lying a few feet away. Adrien hurried over, reaching for him and asking, "You ok?"

The old man blinked at him, eyeing him for a moment before smiling, accepting his offered hand. "Thank you," he bid. "I'm fine. It was just a small trip."

"I'm glad to hear that," Adrien said.

"Adrien!" Nathalie harshly called out, her voice thick with agitation and stress. He tensed, realizing that he had just walked into her line of sight. He turned sharply, meeting her scowling eyes. "Get back to work!"

Adrien deflated. The old man leaned over, eyeing her. "I'm sorry," he offered the boy.

"It's ok." The words left his mouth easily as Adrien sighed. There was a high chance she was going to notice anyway. Flashing the old man a reassuring grin, he bid, "Stay safe!" and slipped towards the photographer, informing him that he was ready to get back to work.

Behind him, the old man smiled, very pleased.

In is pocket, magic buzzed, eager and alive.

He found the Black Cat.

He turned to eye the two girls across the way, considering the dark haired girl that was pointing to the drawing and providing tips on the doodle while the younger girl listened intently. He considered for a moment. There was promise before him, he doesn't doubt that the girl would have rushed over if the boy hadn't been closer.

He would happily test her... but what to give? He knew immediately what was the best for her, what would be best for them both; but that was sadly in the wrong hands.

Not that what he had left wouldn't work with her...

Sighing, he went to sit on a bench, observing and considering.

She was of fire, he could suspect. The light in her eyes, how she drew the girl's attention with her words, how she held herself.

But her flame small and shy.

For this, that flame shouldn't be so shy and weak.

It needed to be strong.

Needed to be fierce.

Perhaps not the Fox. She can work it well enough, she was very passionate and clever, and elusive; but the Fox would grow that flame too slowly, it'll never shine like it should. He needs her fire to blaze and shine. To be Black Cat's guiding light.

No, the Fox wouldn't do for her.

Now the Bee, that held some possibility.

Bee could make that fire grow and shine and flourish. But not have her go out of control. Bee would be a good influence. Grow that fire, encourage productivity, the guidance, the leadership.

He hummed, pleased as he considered her.

Yes.

Of what he had left, Bee held the most promise to her. It wasn't the most ideal for her, but the given situation, it would be for the best. Bee would be good for her. And if it comes to it, he could search for a fitting Fox. Bee and Fox would be fitting partners for Black Cat, a solid replacement of yang for the lack of Ladybug at his side.

But Black Cat and Bee may be enough, even more so since this was a rare, fortunate find for him.

A rare match.

Two halves of a whole.

They could be just enough.

He watched the two girls rise, walking away hand in hand as they chatted.

But he needed to test her first, just to be sure and-

He gave a start at the nervous shift in his pocket. Reaching up, he patted it gently.

The Ladybug active.

To confirm it, a red blur dove by, cackling as they sped past the park; and startled a car enough that it swerved and started to head for the two girls. It had skidded to a halt before it even got close, but the older still reacted, grabbing the smaller and dove out the way, rolling slightly as she curled around the younger. Everyone rushed towards them, alarmed, and the old man caught sight of the older sitting up, rubbing her wrist with a pained wince.

He frowned mournfully.

The Bee was an active and confrontal miraculous.

An injury, no matter how small, would buffer the Bee's use.

He'd have to wait till she was better, and he'd have to hope that the Black Cat's ill luck would poison the Ladybug's good luck, enough for the boy to last till this girl recovered well enough.

But he was satisfied with what he saw.

She was selfless, and her reflexes sharp.

She was worthy of a miraculous.

She would help this century's Black Cat.

Maybe even one day soon take up the true mantle of Ladybug.

Adrien sighed as he slipped into his room and dropped to the couch. The day certainly turned out more eventful than he thought it would be. Two girls almost getting by a car. And that...

Well, he didn't quite know what he saw.

Something red, that was for sure.

Red and flying.

It left him unnerved.

Pulling out his cell, he flipped through the web, trying to find some report about that red blur. They weren't the only ones to see it. The red blur was seen all over Paris. No one knew what it was or why it was zipping around.

How unnerving.

He pursed his lips, a little annoyed and a little nervous. If there was something strange running around, his time outside was going to be even more limited. Adrien grimaced, wincing at the realization that this may cut down his plea to go to a public school. Père was just warming up to the idea, and he was so close to going!

And then this... whatever that was.

That was going to ruin everything!

The worst part was, there was nothing Adrien could do about this.

Sighing, he turned to his side, pouting.

Only to blink when he noticed a small black box set on his coffee table in front of his couch.

...When did he have this?

Curious, he reached for it, taking the little black box and rolling it around for inspection. Red ink gleamed in the light, lovely and mysterious. Adrien's brow furrowed as he traced them. He didn't recognize these characters. And he still didn't recognize this box. Just... where did it come from? Did he own this? If he did, why leave it out in the open?

Pursing his lips, he cracked it open.

He caught sight of a black ring with a green cat paw print before light exploded out right into his face. Yelping Adrien toppled off the couch and bumped his elbow on the edge of his coffee table. Gritting his teeth at the tingling pain in his limb, he looked up to see the light replaced with a yawning, little black cat like creature. Lazy green eyes turned to him, blinking slowly as Adrien took in the little being with wonder.

The creature scoffs, jerking Adrien out of his gape. "You're what I have to work with?"

Adrien's jaw dropped lower.

It talked too!

Woah.

Getting up, he reached for the little creature, asking in awe, "You some kind of genie?" Or maybe a demon?

It didn't look like some sweet fairy or magical being he's seen in fairy tales and anime.

But it did remind him of them.

But why was it here?

Before him!

Was it here to grant wishes? Make a deal?

Or was it about the red-

The creature scoffs once more, drawing away from the boy before he could touch it. The creature scolds, "Don't compare me to such twisted beings. People pleasers and tricksters." The being grumbled under... his breath? Sounded like a he. Shooting Adrien a dark look, the creature states, "Do yourself a favor Kid, don't get mixed up with jinns." Then the cat paused, making an, "Ooooooh," sound.

He dove down and picked up Adrien's remote, inspecting it curiously. "Is this food?" the small thing asked aloud, then brought it down and took a bite at it. Only to jerk back and hiss as the plastic bounced off little fangs. The little being threw the remote away in disgust, sticking his tongue out after it.

Not caring about his remote, Adrien eagerly followed it, asking in childlike wonder and curiosity. "So what are you then?" Adrien leaned closer as he peered at it. "If you're not a geni, er, jinn?"

The creature eyed him strangely, drawing away once more, floating deeper into Adrien's vast room. With a roll of his eyes and shake of his head, the being grumbles, "Humans," and seats himself on the back of Adrien's couch, far from the blond's curious reach. Tugging at a whisker, the creature declares, "I'm Plagg, kwami of the black cat miraculous. The miraculous of destruction and misfortune."

Then Plagg blinked down at the couch, then reached over and patted it curiously, noting how soft it was.

Adrien falters, raising a brow at that. "Destruction and misfortune?" he repeats warily. Pursing his lips, Adrien glanced to his window, eyeing the silver frames that laid shadowed cell bars to his floor.

Plagg let out a purr, a big bragging grin on his curling lips. "One of the most powerful miraculouses. I am rightfully feared." Floating down, he moved the little black box up, showing Adrien the ring. "And right now, the Black Cat is needed." Meeting Adrien's wide eyes, he clarifies, "You are needed."

Adrien takes the box, lightly touching the black ring. He meets the... the kwami's lazy gaze. "Me?"

Plagg gave a confirming hum.

"Why?"

Humming, the kwami vaguely states, "A miraculous is being misused. We're supposed to be used for good. But every now and then, some idiot gets a hold of us and typically, it takes another miraculous or two to stop that idiot. The Black Cat is the best option as of now."

Adrien took the ring out of the box, letting it rest in his palm. "So... I get to be a hero?" he asked excitedly, glancing down at Plagg for confirmation. "A superhero?"

Plagg shrugs. "Yeah sure, whatever works this century."

"How does it work?" Adrien asked excitedly, crawling closer the kwami and making the little being float away again, whiskers twitching. "What are my powers? Is that my hero name? Black Cat? Do I like, uh, work completely solo? You said one or two so do I have a partner? Who am I up against? What do I need to do exactly? And-"

"Cool it there Kid," Plagg huffed.

Adrien immediately went quiet, peering at Plagg attentively.

"Eager Kitten," Plagg grumbles, dropping down onto the armrest of the couch, far from the excitable human child. "First off, I don't care what name you go by. Every chosen went by a different name. Some simply stuck with Black Cat; I had one call herself Mau, another went by Bast. Another was Paka. The names go on. Call yourself whatever you want."

Blinking, Adrien glanced down at the ring, wide-eyed. "How many Black Cats-"

"Powers," Plagg cuts in, his whiskers giving an annoyed twitch, "include all the instincts and capabilities of a cat. Out of all other miraculouses, the black cat, is the best fighter." Plagg puffs up, purring. "We can take damage, we can be fast, and we can deal damage right back. And of course, have the power of misfortune on our side." Plagg's eyes gleamed coyly as he gave a toothy grin. "Bad luck will come off of you, and it is used against your opponents. And then there's Cataclysm."

"Cataclysm," Adrien repeats. He could feel a tingle in his palm, the ring reacting to the word. He glanced down at it in wonder. It fell still, silent in his palm. Plagg continued, drawing Adrien's gaze back to him.

"The power of ruin," Plagg said. "You can destroy something in any way you want. That tv over there," Plagg points, "you can make that crumble into a pile of ash, or you can make it malfunction and flip out. With Cataclysm, you control how something is destroyed."

"Cool!" Adrien breathed.

Plagg flew into Adrien's face, startling the blond. He waving a paw, he said, "I can't stress enough though Kid, be wise with that power. Once you break something, you cannot fix it."

Adrien drew away slightly, a little wide-eyed. "I-I can't?"

Plagg crossed his arms, tail twitching. "That's the only true drawback and weakness of the black cat miraculous. It can destroy anything, and be used to protect, but it can never heal. Or fix anything. What you break, will stay broken. A different miraculous or magic would be needed to fix any damage you do, or time will have to take it's course in fixing it. Or leave it broken." Plagg tugged a whisker, looking thoughtful. "It has lead to the Black Cat... not being fondly viewed historically." Especially in Europe, where a great fear of black cats sparked.

Adrien blinked at that, turning his green eyes down to the ring.

Plagg quickly continued, "But that doesn't really matter. Your objective isn't to destroy." With another toothy smile, Plagg purred, "You're objective is misfortune. Giving bad luck to one. You don't have to destroy anything unless it helps you."

Narrowing his eyes in determination, Adrien stood up, setting the ring on his finger. He gave a start at the tickling touch of something washing over him. It was both enlightening and... and ominous. Shoving that feeling back, he turned to Plagg determined and eager. "Who am I facing?"

Considering the human, the little cat looked a bit pleased. "You're facing the one who holds the ladybug miraculous. It's a miraculous of creation and-"

"Alright! How do I become a hero?"

Shooting him an annoyed look, the kwami answers, "Claws out activates the transformation."

"Claws out!" Adrien commands, earning a startled look from the black kwami. He cried out in alarm as he was sucked into the ring, black and golden green light washed over Adrien, swallowing up his being and leaving a black attire in its wake.

"Woah," Adrien breathed as the transformation completed, holding up his hand and taking in the claws that gleamed on his fingertips. Eagerly, he went to his bathroom, taking in his appearance.

The model in him preened, pleased with what he saw.

He looked good.

He looked like a true cat hero.

With ears, a tail, a bell, cat eyes, and everything! And there was even a little silver bar, attached to his belt.

Tentatively, he reached up and touched his ears, frowning when he couldn't quite feel them between his fingertips, even when he bent them. He did feel a ghost of them moving. Turning to his tail, he found it was more of an extended belt than a tail, he didn't feel anything when he pressed a claw into it, though he did feet it when he gave it a tug.

"This is really cool Plagg," he voiced aloud, dropping his tail and turning to himself in the mirror, unable to help himself in striking out some cool poses.

Only Plagg didn't answer.

It was complete silence around him.

Faltering a little, Adrien shook his head and straightened.

He had a ladybug miraculous to get!

Black Cat was needed!

...And a different name was to be picked. He didn't quite like Black Cat as a hero name. He wanted something classier. Cooler.

Adrien shook his head. There were more important things to focus on. Going to his window, he opened it and took a moment to lean out. Everything was sharper. He could hear so many things in the streets below. Children laughing in a park down the way. The mumble of conversations below. The distant bark of a dog. He could see details at a distance that would've been blurry before; his sense of smell was sharper.

Without thinking, his body did a little excited wiggle.

This was so cool!

He jumped up onto the window frame, belt tail stretched out for balance.

He pursed his lips, humming as he looked over the streets. Where could the ladybug miraculous be?

He wasn't going to find it staring out like this. Adrien was giddy that he'd have to go out and find it.

Leaning forward, he eyed the closest tree. Could he make that jump?

Curious, he reached back and drew forward the silver bar clipped to his belt. It came easy, fit perfectly in his black glove. With a flick of his wrist, he jumped a little when it extended out into a staff. Another flick and it stretched out again. With an excited shuffle, Adrien jumped out of the window, pointing the silver staff down to the ground. It grew out, slamming onto the yard and carrying him towards the closest tree.

Adrien slammed into it, grunting when he was bounced and jumped around firm branches. He sunk his claws into the wood, steadying himself. With a click, the staff shrunk back to its original size. Blinking at it, he grinned. This was so cool!

Sinking his claws a little deeper, Adrien rightened himself and eagerly started to scale up the tree. He burst out of the top, not noticing the leaves and twigs tangled up in his hair. Instead, he looked around expectantly, ears echoing his excitement, twitching and twirling about.

Where could that miraculous be...?

On a whim, he jumps out towards an empty street, and easily jumped up to the closest building, acing the three stories like it was nothing.

Giddy, Adrien dashed off, feeling alive and rejuvenated.

He felt like he could do anything!

Nothing could stop him!

The yo-yo swung lazily from the edge of a roof, contemplative.

A jewelry store stood below it, Gabriel fashioned on the front of it, right below wide skylights. Much like the rest of the city, it was painted in a soft pink glow of a setting sun.

Some of the finest works of Gabriel Agreste was found here.

And if what Tikki said was true, it'd be easy for the taking. It should go Harlequin's way.

A startled pigeon dove by, cooing in alarm and Harlequin tensed, staring after it.

There were soft clicks behind them, that sounded like claws bouncing off the tiles, something heavy and big drawing near. Harlequin looked back, catching sight of gleaming green eyes.

A dark body surged forward and Harlequin dropped off the roof, throwing the yo-yo out and catching a near chimney, swerving around and safely landing on the roof. The dark figure yowled out, crashing through the skylights and jerking the jewelry store's alarm on. Not waiting to see who that was, Harlequin fled, not stopping they reached home. The instant they dropped onto the balcony, they ordered, "Spots off!"

The magic fled away and Tikki burst out. Before she could dive away, her tail was grabbed and she was jerked down. Her squeak was cut off when a hand firmly grabbed her.

"Who was that? What was that?!"

Grimacing, Tikki shook her head, keeping her lips tight.

She was shaken about, fingers giving a light, warning squeeze.

"Who was that?"

Tikki bit down on the hand that held her, startling the wielder enough to drop her. Before she could escape, fast fingers grabbed one of her antennas, jerking her to a stop.

A high pitched, pained screamed left the kwami and Tikki was immediately released. The little god dropped to the floor, shaking as she curled up, tenderly rubbing her antenna.

A quiet, wary order came again. "Who was that?"

With a shaky breath, Tikki softly answered, "Black Cat. T-that was Black Cat."

"Who is Black Cat?"

Tikki sat up, breathing hard as she turned her watering eyes up to the wielder, glaring.

Fingers threateningly came near her and Tikki flinched away. "M-my counter," she answered reluctantly. "The ladybug miraculous is creation and good luck, Black Cat is bad, bad luck and destruction."

The wielder leaned back, humming thoughtfully. "So my other half."

Tikki dove away to the other side of the room, shooting a dark glare. Safe from reach, the kwami gritted out, "Black Cat isn't your other half."

Before wielder could move, Tikki hid away into the vanity.

Heart pounding and shaken, Adrien clumsily dropped back into his bathroom.

For a moment he froze, listening for anyone that was near or looking for him.

Silence rang on and he sighed in relief before getting up and coming before his mirror. He twisted around, eyeing his back for any glass shards.

He didn't see any on his back.

The black leather-like material just gleamed back, shining with reflective colors of blue and purple and green. He twisted around, checking his front critically. No glass shards in the front.

Well, that was one perk for this day.

No damage was done.

Though he did feel sore.

And had accidentally broken into his father's own store.

A great first outing...

Frowning, he held up his claws. "Claws out," he ordered.

Nothing changed.

He was still dressed as a black cat.

"Plagg?" he called, tapping the ring.

The kwami didn't answer or appear.

A little nervous, Adrien took off the ring. The magic fell away, taking the suit with it, and Adrien shuddered a little when he felt it leave. Plagg zipped out, crossing his arms and giving Adrien an unimpressed look.

Adrien winced. "Sorry," he said quickly. "It, it could've gone better."

"You think?" Plagg said, one ear twitching.

Cringing, Adrien hurried out, "I'm really sorry..."

Plagg simply hummed and dove for the counter, dropping down to sniff a bottle of soap, drawing away with disgust.

Licking his lips nervously as he watched the little god mutter, Adrien tentatively asked, "Are you going to take the ring back...?"

Plagg whips around, giving the boy an odd look. "Take the ring back?" he repeats.

"I messed up," Adrien stated, offering a now silver ring to the kwami.

Staring at the boy for a minute, Plagg broke out a cackle, hugging his stomach as he chortled at the dumbfound blond. "You think I'd take the ring back because of one little mishap?!" Plagg fell to the counter, his laughter dying into snickers. Eyeing Adrien, he lightly states, "It's going to take more than accidentally breaking into a store to get rejected to be Black Cat."

Adrien blinked in surprise, glancing down at the silver ring. "R-really?"

"Of course," Plagg snorts. "You're a silly kitten, dumb with youth and inexperience. It's expected that you'll make mistakes here and there." Tugging a whisker, Plagg sighed, "Now you know to think before you leap. Or at least, don't make so big of a jump next time."

Adrien looked away, blushing. Straightening, he slipped the silver ring back on, relaxing as he felt the magic latch onto him again. Much more comfortable than before. He glanced at Plagg, still a little unsure. "I didn't get the ladybug miraculous though..."

"Unsurprising," Plagg commented. "It's not easy to get a miraculous back. Which is why sometimes, it takes at least two to secure getting one back. For sure it'll take more than one try for you."

Adrien perked. "So I will have a partner?" he asked, hopeful and excited.

Plagg shrugged. "I don't know. We'll just have to wait and see... Till someone pops up, just assume you're on your own."

Adrien drooped.

Plagg waved his pout away. "Big day today," he said lightly. "Don't fret about it. You can try again tomorrow."

Adrien smiles, bringing his hand up and twirling the silver ring. He promised, "I'll get the ladybug miraculous back."

Humming, Plagg agreed, "I'm sure you will. Now, get me some food. I haven't eaten in so long..." The kwami fell back, moaning.

"Oh sure!" Adrien said, leaping to the opportunity to please the little being. "What do you want? Fish? Chicken? I can get you anything!" Anything as thanks for letting him have this chance. For letting him keep the ring and keep trying despite his mistake. This, this was amazing!

Plagg grinned as he sat up, his little tail giving an excited twitch. "Camembert."

Adrien falters. He stares down at the kwami, blinking. "Camembert?"

"Camembert."

...It was a little less amazing.