"Hmmm, yes, I've been looking for this book for a very long time..." The short, older man had the ancient tome held open, looking at it quizzically as he paced back and forth on the other side of the massage mat. Marinette was sitting on her heels before it, fingers tapping her knees anxiously. Tikki was on her shoulder, not seeming at all perturbed by "Master Fu." And, Marinette supposed, if Tikki trusted him, then she should too.
"Where did you get this book?" he finally asked, looking up at her.
"Ah, er, eh," she fumbled for an explanation, reaching up and scratching her chin thoughtfully. "I... stole it?" She didn't feel like it'd be wise to lie to this man.
"Stole it?" he echoed back, arching an eyebrow. "From who?"
"Uh... a boy in my class." He was still waiting, so she offered up what little else she knew. "His name's Adrien Agreste?"
"Really?" Both Master Fu's eyebrows shot up. " Wayzz." He'd turned toward his back counter, Marinette watching as he seemingly addressed someone there. "I need you to go get Plagg." Gasping, Marinette watched as a tiny, green kwami zipped out from some unknown hiding place.
On her shoulder, Tikki buzzed as though pleased.
"Of course, Master," Wayzz agreed.
"Make sure he comes here," Master Fu said quite firmly. "He won't want to, so be sure Chat Noir knows."
"Right." The two nodded, Wayzz then zipping out a nearby window and off into the city.
"Plagg?" Marinette questioned as Master Fu turned back to her. "Chat Noir? You mean, he's going to come here?" She pointed down at the mat, as if to accentuate exactly where Chat Noir would be showing up.
"Yes. I believe he will know more about the origins of this book." Master Fu had carefully closed the tome.
"I- I should transform then," she said.
"Why?"
"Chat Noir and I- We haven't shared our identities with one another."
She wasn't quite sure why, but Master Fu actually looked disappointed. He pursed his lips as he looked at her, Marinette feeling abruptly ashamed beneath his heavy gaze.
She reached up and fiddled with one of her pigtails.
"I think it's time that you did, then," he said sternly. "You and Chat Noir are partners. You must learn and grow together. While most miraculouses exist as separate entities of each other, Plagg and Tikki are one, split into two. They are most effective when they are used together."
"Well, we still work together..." Marinette defended quietly.
"And you will work much better together if you know one another. Hawkmoth is learning to use his miraculous just as well as you, and he will grow stronger. So you and Chat Noir must also grow stronger. Separated, you will not be strong enough, but together, in tandem, nothing he throws your way will be able to stand up against you."
Despite Marinette's hesitation, she supposed she couldn't disagree with that. It did make things harder, keeping their identities from one another. If they knew each other, then they could organize. They could keep in contact instead of slipping around in the dark, hoping the other would show up when needed. And she did trust Chat Noir. He was a good friend and partner. But knowing him behind the mask... It was nerve-wracking, the idea of it twisting inside her gut until she felt nauseous.
"Do not fret," Master Fu said with a soft smile. "You and Chat Noir will get along fine. You would not be compatible as partners, or with the miraculouses, if you could not."
