Shadowteer

Chapter 18

"Wh- Puppeteer?"

"Manon."

"You're akumatised."

"I know! Isn't it great? Now I can do a little matchmaking with my puppets. Wanna help?"

"Mano-"

"Come on dude, I know you hate all that lovely dovey stuff but I really want to see them all happy and I'm sure you do too and I just need these ships to happen right now at least one of them or I will die a sad death knowing I never bothered using my evil powers for good-"

"Manon, li-"

"OH FOR THE LOVE OF ROMANCE WOULD YOU JUST HELP ME?! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity dude! Think of all the endless possibili-"

"MANON!" She shut her mouth, slightly annoyed. "Listen."

"Fine. But be quick I'm wasting time talking to you mortal."

"Manon, why exactly did you get akumatised?"

"Huh?"

"The only way Hawkmoth-"

"Papillon."

"Okay. Manon, you do know that the only time Papillon can akumatise anyone is when they are..."

"Alive?"

"Well, yes. I meant sad or angry. You do know that."

"Well... yeah. What's that got to do with me?"

"Stop acting so coy woman, I-" she giggled.

"Coy! Who says coy?" He scowled.

"Humans. Literate educated human beings."

"Ooh, struck a nerve there pink lips?"

"... wha?" He blushed and pulled his hood lower.

"What? Not my fault it's the only part of you I can see. Can't I just see your face for like five precious seconds-" she reached for his hood. He smacked  her hand away and stepped back.

"We're getting off topic. You were sad. Or angry. Got yourself akumatised. What happened?" She stopped short.

"... nothing."

"What was that?"

"Nothing! Let's go to my house." She grabbed him by the arms and grinned. "Hold on."

"Wh- AAH! MANON WHAT IN THE NAME OF KETCHUP IS-"

"We're here." She grinned smugly and dropped him. He stumbled about for a few seconds before flopping down on a chair. He tried to form words but he was too shaken to speak. "I'll just go get my puppets. You should probably rest a bit. You look unwell." He glared at her. She shrugged innocently and entered her room. As she reached for her puppets he entered the room without knocking, causing her to drop the box. She scowled and knelt down to pick them up.

"Ever heard of knocking before entering a lady's room?" He rolled his eyes and knelt down to help her.

"Ever heard of warning someone before you take flight?! And besides, you are no lady. Remember back when we were younger and you walked in on me-"

"I'd rather forget that."

"Same." She giggled and went quiet. He bit his lip and coughed.

"So... did you do that for fun or was it payback?"

"I agree I was kinda mad at you. And it was super fun watching you squirm. So... both I think."

"Great. Just great." He glanced at her and looked back down. "You know, I haven't seen your mom since I got here. She came to give me a super awkward interview though and... uh..."

"Your point?"

"Manon, I need you to understand that this isn't... You shouldn't be... are you okay?" She stiffened and stood up.

"Yep. Fine. Thanks for asking. Let's go get shipping!" She grabbed him and flew to the top of a building, clutching a puppet that looked a lot like Meera. "Okay Meera, time to go see Kemen at his job. I hope he's there but he's never late anyway."

Meera stopped walking and felt a force propelling her towards some sort of restaurant. She sat down at the bar and wiped her eyes to make sure she wasn't dreaming.

Am I crazy or did I just walk into a bar?

"I'd go with the second option. Insanity can be a scary thing. Awesome but scary." She facepalmed.

"I said that out loud, didn't I?"

"Yep." She dropped her head on the counter and slammed her hand down on it with a thud.

"Woah. Chill. People talk to themselves all the time. I'm totally cool with it. Besides, what's not to love about a pretty lady like you walking in?" She looked up to face whoever the guy was. He spun around, picked a glass and wiped it.

"No peeking señorita, it'll ruin the surprise."

"Surprise? But I just-"

"No peeking." She smiled a little and shrugged.

"Okay weirdo. Did you just flirt with me? I mean, it sounded like you did but I just wanna check." He shrugged.

"Why so down?" She sighed.

"Please don't bother me. I don't even know why I'm here. What's your name anyway dude?"

"Nathan. It's Nathan." 

"Well, bartender Nathan, can you get me something to drink? Anything." He hummed and nodded. "Also, I would like to see your face and not the back of your head?"

"Lemme think- no. I'm not just a bartender btw, I'm a gentleman." She smiled.

"Fine then. My drink, fine gentleman?" He handed her a glass without turning. She took a sip and frowned. "Water? What is this preschool? I want something strong. Alcoholic would be nice."

"Depends. You've got to be sixteen for beer and wine, eighteen for spirits and liquor. In France anyway." She rose an eyebrow.

"Are you suggesting I'm a minor? I'll have you know that I'm turning eighteen in... a few months."

"I get it. No need to tell a stranger your birth month. Also, I'm not giving you anything alcoholic."

"But why?" She sulked angrily.

"Stop whining. And please don't pout. I can't resist pouts. Especially not yours." She almost choked on her water.

"Do I know you from anywhere?" He chuckled.

"How about we talk about the real problem here?"

"Problem? I don't know what you're talking about- KEMEN?!"

"... surprise?"