To Purr The Pain Away

A Mother's Fear

Clara Rossi was not typically one to engage in hero fanfare or to even gossip on them, yet she couldn't believe her eyes when she heard the tapping on her office window. Hanging from respective weapons were the heroes of Paris.

She quickly ran to the window and threw it open, waving the heroes inside. Ladybug offered her a smile as she swung in and stood to the side as Chat gave a very theatrical flip inside. Clara snapped herself out of her shock and offered them seats on her office couch and calling for the butler to retrieve some refreshments. She watched worried as Ladybug slowly walked forward and gripped onto Chat's shoulder as she softly sat down, a sigh escaping her lips.

"Is there anything I can do for you Ladybug? You don't seem well."

Ladybug gave her a small wave and smiled up at her.

"No thank you Mrs. Rossi. Just a little tired is all."

Clara eyed her quietly but chose not to follow up, instead taking a seat at her desk. She pushed her paperwork to the side and raised a brow at the cat hero across from her.

"While it is an honor to have you both, what do I owe this pleasure?"

Chat grimaced slightly but fixed his features into a look of uninterest. Taking Ladybug's yoyo from her, he reached through the magical portal and withdrew a stack of papers. He slid them onto her table and gave her an apologetic smile. Clara felt her body tense as the typically jokester hero was suddenly very serious.

"I wish I could say this will be a pleasant visit. It has come to our attention that your daughter has been up to some not so legal extracurricular activities. I warn you, the contents of this stack will not be pleasant. If at any time you need to stop just let me know, but this needs to be brought to your attention."

Clara's eyes widened at the mention of her daughter. Lila in trouble? Surely not.

"I don't understand Mr. Noir. My daughter is a sweet girl, she would never do anything illegal."

Chat clicked his tongue and slid the papers closer, his ears back and his eyes low.

"Madam, I don't know how to tell you this, but your daughter is anything but sweet. At this very moment, there are countless lawsuits being drawn up against her and multiple other investigations launched. Your daughter is involved in everything from assault to conspiring with a known terrorist. I know this is nothing a mother wishes to hear but the proof is all in front of you."

Clara grabbed the stack and quickly began reading. Lying about multiple diseases? Assault of not only a classmate but also THE Adrien Agreste? Aiding Hawkmoth and voluntarily intercepting an akuma? Clara's head spun as she slumped back in her seat, Chat coming to her side in worry.

"Are you okay Mrs. Rossi?"

Clara gave a stiff nod, her eyes not leaving the pictures inside the papers. There, in color, was her daughter Lila. Her hand was outstretched and a sinister smile on her face as the black butterfly hovered over her. There were many more. She eyed Chat as he stood silently at her side and raised a brow.

"How exactly did you get these pictures?"

Chat looked over at Ladybug and with her nod, turned back to Clara. "We got an anonymous tip that your daughter was willingly getting akumatized. We got with the police and went over hundreds of hours of camera footage. I wish I could tell you it was fake, but that would be a lie."

Of course, how they got the pictures was a lie. Felix, in all his infinite knowledge, had the idea to send Nooroo to validate the theory Lila was working with Hawkmoth. Nooroo had returned a day later, with the manilla envelope in hand and a detailed letter of all of Lila's dealings between them. The proof a sign of good faith between the sides. Once the proof was collected from the police, they had compiled the papers and made their way to the present.