In Another World (Miraculous Ladybug)

Chapter 4: A New Understanding

Nino was grateful for the extra few hours Marinette had given him. She woke him up at 8:00 and he showered and got himself ready for the day. Once they were both ready they wander back towards the foyer they had been greeted in the night before. Thankfully Edward found them before they got too lost. "Ah! You're awake wonderful! I was just coming up to find you. Maryweather has just finished putting the finishing touches on breakfast." 

"Do the families eat with you?" Marinette followed him into the rather large kitchen. 

"Once a month deary. Those who are gifted in the kitchen come in and we make a big breakfast for all the staff and their families." Maryweather called from the stove. 

"Oh, that's nice, otherwise the families vend for themselves?" Nino thought that was nice. 

"Some of them eat together, it's kinda up to them and what chores they have." Edward smiled. "Anyway enough about the farm, for now, I'm sure you have questions." 

"Yes, Mari and I were wondering, do you guys have a work program or something for kids our age? We both are keen to take the next week off, but we both like to be busy." Nino sat next to Edward at the table, Mari took the seat across from him. 

"Ah yes, we do! Unless you wanna be a doctor something that should require more than on-the-job training." 

"Seamstress and DJ/Producer. No extra education required we both actually had a small business of our own back home." Mari beamed with pride at him. "Nino was quite a big deal for a party." 

"Ah! Well, then we should skip the partnership program and just help you find gigs! Vik's been in need of some new DJs at the bar and Alice loves having new designers in her boutique. And Henery is in need of a new producer. His last one quit after finding the girl of his dreams and wanted a real job." Edward rolled his eyes. 

"Edward, can you tell us how this place is different than ours? I'm sure we can figure out the similarities." Nino's curiosity had been eating him.

"Actually yes, I can. See there is a database that shares information between dimensions if you know the name and number. So last night I did some digging. We don't have cell phones but we have a messing service it's a wrist band that you can send written and voice notes to each other.  We don't have cars, but we do have bikes and electronic bikes and scooters. We don't have TV or Movies in the way you do, we have live theatre and those are recorded and can be bought." 

"That actually sounds amazing." Based on Mari's face, she shared Nino's thoughts on this, it sounded like a wonderfully blissful life.

"Yes, it really is, it seems your world is so distracted by any technology, so we've actively avoided adding it. See the database allows us to look at how other things work in other dimensions and if we like something we can train people the make it happen here." Maryweather explained.

"That's why you have all the basic comforts we are used to. But how handle not having cars? Do you have planes or boats or trains?" Nino was trying to figure out how people got around this place. 

"Oh, I forgot one of the biggest changes! Our planet only has one landmass on it. It's also very small. You can travel the whole thing in about three days by solar train. We could arrange for Alice and Henery to take you on a tour. They're a lovely couple who I'm sure will be great friends for you both." Edward smiled. 

"Three days? That's it!" Mari looked at Nino dumbstruck.

"A tour would be great, so if it's one landmass does that mean it's all one town?" 

"Pretty much, there is the village center that has all the amenities, from there the train will take you to the beachfront community, the mountain range, or the farming district. We aren't the only farm, we're just the only grain farm. Not everyone has horses or electronic bikes so the train will take people to other sides of the island. Then people can rent bikes or get a horse-drawn carriage to get around." Maryweather finally joined the group with food. Everyone dished up. An audible sigh was from Nino and Mari, Maryweather was an amazing cook. 

Nino watched Mari while they ate. She seemed to be doing much better after their talk this morning, and now he felt uneasy. Well, uneasy might be the wrong word, was it okay that he wanted to stay? Or at least could see himself staying. Based on what he'd heard everything seemed so nice, but what about Alya, Adrien and his little brother? His parents?  No, as much as a dream world as this seemed he had to stick to the plan. Pairs need him, he was a hero and that came first. He would fight as long as Mari did, after all, she was his team leader. 

After a moment of silence, Maryweather spoke, "There is another big difference that we need to talk about for you two." 

"O..Okay?" Nino was curious. 

"You know the concept of soulmates?" They nodded, "Well here we have soulnames. But your soulname is found by someone who knows you best. Once you find them, you are able to communicate in your mind. The stronger your connection the greater your distance you can be apart and still talk to one another." Maryweather smiled softly looking at Edward.

"Woah, that's romantic." Mari sighed. 

"We figured we should warn you too, as you both have so many nicknames for each other. Once you find your soulname you can't undo it." Edward looked at them both sternly. "We know you both have loved back home and I'm sure you want to wait for them to save you...." 

"We understand we have a high likely hood of finding it without trying. Has that happened to people here?" Mari looked at Nino, he wondered could their love of nicknames be preparing them for this? And would he logically fall in love with her, when he let go of Alya? Would she fall for him? Wait why was he thinking this, he was hoping to go home. But part of him knew if he wasn't going to spend forever with Alya, Marinette was his next choice, after all, he'd fallen for her first. 

"A few times yes, often between best friends, so it's not as sad, but if those friends have a fallout then they have this connection with someone who isn't with them anymore. And it is a blessing when you and your lover can communicate without talking sometimes. 

"But enough of this sadness." Maryweather started cleaning up, "You two need a place of your own. I assume you want to stay together?" They nodded. "Well we have a cute little townhouse, it has two bedrooms and a basement that would do well for both of you to set up spaces for your hobbies.  Edward can give you a tour of the homestead and then you two can see the townhouse and give us a list of new things you want and we will get them for you while you go on a tour of the island?" 

"As long as the first stop on the tour is Alice boutique, we need clothes that are ours not taking from your guest room." Nino laughed. 

"Ah yes, we will take you in today and help you find clothes. But first a tour of your new home!" Edward smiled at them both. Nino looked over at Mari, he took her hand, they could do this, together.