I didn't know you yet.

Chapter 2: ghost of you

Marinette swung through the center of the Eiffel Tower, poised to knock M. Pigeon off his flying platform of live pigeons. He dodged at the last minute, and Marinette readjusted mid-swing. It wasn't enough; she missed by a hair, spinning half out of control as her swing reached the other side of the tower.

"Ha! You're losing your edge, Ladybug! Just roo-roo-rooning your chances!" M. Pigeon teased. He pointed at her. "Lieutenant Jacques, attack!"

Marinette barely had time to process his words before M. Pigeon's right-hand bird led a fleet of pigeons on a collision course aimed directly at her. She managed to catch her yo-yo on a higher rail just as they knocked her off her beam in a flurry of feathers.

Feathers ... Chat was allergic to feathers. Adrien was too. She found out the day she designed a pigeon-feather hat for the Gabriel brand at school ...

Her design ...

Marinette gasped back to reality as she retracted her yo-yo string, pulling herself to the beam just above M. Pigeon. She didn't have time for this. She threw her yo-yo into the air.

"Lucky charm!" she shouted. A red, black-spotted cheese grater fell to her hands. "What the ...? What am I supposed to—?"

M. Pigeon's warbling laugh cut her off. "Ha ha! I'd call fowl on you lucky charm powers, Ladybug. They seem to be fighting against you today."

Marinette huffed and looked around. People were standing below them at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, watching the fight. Watching her fail. M. Pigeon was right—she was losing her edge. Or rather, she'd already lost it and was trying her best to make do without.

She was just starting to give in to the self-pity a little too much when she spotted it: a basket of freshly-baked bread hanging from a young woman's bicycle, out for delivery from the best bakery in Paris.

"I haven't lost yet, M. Pigeon. But you have." Marinette smirked and dove off the beam.

⚜⚜⚜

Marinette burst through her apartment door, sweat chilling her skin from the October breeze. Alya and Nino twisted to look at her from the couch.

"Hey," Alya said with a soft smile.

"Hey," Marinette replied, unable to keep the weariness out of her voice.

"You okay, M? It's late." Nino sat up to get a better look at her. "Somethin' happen?"

"No, it's not ... it's nothing. Just a little busy at the studio." Marinette offered a smile. Apparently it wasn't convincing enough, because Nino started to get up.

"Are you sure? You know we're here if—"

"It's okay, babe." Alya stretched and stood, pushing him back down to the couch. "She's just had a busy day. I'm sure she's really tired even without your probing questions."

"But—"

"It's fine, alright?" Alya stepped over Nino's legs and grabbed the portfolio case from Marinette's hand. "Just watch the show while I help Marinette with her supplies."

"But you'll miss it. It's the season finale!" Nino called as Alya pulled Marinette into her room.

"Then I expect you to watch carefully and give me a full report when I get back!"

"How can—"

"You got this, babe!" Alya shut the door and set down the portfolio, turning back to Marinette with raised eyebrows.