When the Cat Met the Wolf

9. Of Barcelona & Time Off

Arianne took in the fresh air from the streets of Barcelona as she walked through them. She had been there many times, and she loved it a little more every time she came to visit. If she didn't have her duties as Loup d'Argent in Paris, she would travel to Spain every weekend. The people there were all very cheerful and always in a good mood, the employees of the local shops smiled at her every time she looked their way, which put her in a good mood.

"Even though you brought the violin, I hope you relax here. You're taking time off, after all" said Ayu, peeking from her bag. Arianne smiled upon hearing that.

"Don't worry, Ayu. I promise I will take it easy, as strange as it sounds to hear it from me" she replied with a small laugh, and stopped in front of the building where Thiago lived "Can you hand me the keys?" Ayu nodded, dived into Arianne's bag, and came out some seconds later with the keys in hand.

Yes, Thiago gave her the keys to his apartment. They had known each other since they were seven, they were practically siblings. 

"I'm so excited to see Jazmin and Thiago again!" admitted Ayu, as Arianne closed the door of the building behind her. Her kwami could now float in front of her because there was no one on sight, unlike the streets, which were full of people "Aren't you?"

"Yeah!" replied Arianne "Even though we talk almost every week, it's not the same thing, you know?" they finally arrived to Thiago's apartment, and got in "Bonjour? Thiago, it's me!"

"Aria?" she heard him asking from the kitchen. Then, he poked his head out the door, and a smile appeared on his face "You made it!"

"I did!" replied the girl with just as much happiness, and immediately wrapped him in a tight hug.

"Arianne!" a female voice called out to her, and Jazmin immediately nuzzled her cheek, making the girl chuckle.

"Bonjour to you, too, Jazmin" she said with a smile. Jazmin was a white tiger, and the most lovable kwami Arianne knew. Yes, white tiger. Thiago was Barcelona's masked hero, Tigre Blanco.

"Hola, Ayu!" greeted Thiago when he saw Arianne's kwami, who licked him in the cheek, and made him chuckle. Arianne looked around Thiago's apartment. He was emancipated, because his parents were always travelling.

"Oh my god!" exclaimed Arianne "Your apartment is a mess!" there were clothes scattered all around the floor, and some magazines and newspapers on the couch, next to the controller of the console.

"It's not my fault I have an akumatized person to deal with every day!" he replied, using the fact that he was busy protecting Barcelona as an excuse for his messy apartment "I don't have time!"

"I'm not gonna pull the 'your apartment, your responsibility' thing on you because I would be a hypocrite" she often didn't clean her room, and her mother had to practically force her to do it "But good thing I'm here!" that being said, she started to pick up the clothes sprinkled throughout the living room.

"No, don't even think about it" he said, snatching the clothes from her hands "You came here to relax, not to be my maid"

"It's hard to relax with this mess!" complained the girl, exaggerating a bit, and making Thiago roll his eyes.

"I'll clean this mess up for you, and you can leave your things in your room. You don't need help getting there"

"But what if I get lost?" questioned Arianne jokingly.

"Stay where you are and yell. I'll know where to find you" replied the boy, joking back, and making her chuckle.

"How are things with Adrien?" questioned Thiago, putting his hands in his pockets as they walked down the streets of Barcelona. Thiago was the only person, besides Ayu, who knew about Arianne's crush on her childhood friend.

"As usual" replied Arianne, shrugging a little bit "Marinette is still interested in him, and I'm just his best friend"

"Did he tell you that?" 

"Well...no" replied the girl "But it's obvious, and even if he did feel the same way, Marinette still likes him"

"Arianne Mercier, always putting other people before herself" said Thiago good-heartedly. He admired that about her, Arianne was the most selfless person he knew.

"What can I say?" she questioned with a smile "It's who I am"

"You know, it's not wrong wanting something for yourself" he said, looking at her. 

"It is if you hurt someone you care about" she shot back "But enough of sad talk. How have things been here lately? Based on what you said, the akuma attacks are increasing"

"As a matter of fact, they are" nodded Thiago "But I can handle it"

"I know, you repeat it every single day" replied Arianne, rolling her eyes "But now I'm here! I could help!"

"Hey, what did I say? No working for you here, missy" he said sharply "You haven't seen me in forever, there are many things we could do to make up the time we lost" he added, and Arianne sighed. She knew he was right, but it was very hard for her to just not do anything. She wouldn't call herself a workaholic but she was always on the move, practicing, saving Paris, studying...she wasn't used to any other thing. But she would try to to just stop for a little bit and just chill out with her best friend. 

"This is the part that I can't play right" explained Aria, motioning to some notes on the 'Guren No Yumiya' sheet later that day. 

"It makes sense" replied Thiago from besides her "This is the fastest part in the entire song. You can hear it clearly in the theme song"

"Thiag, we are not listening to the entire theme song again" said the girl, rolling her eyes. She had heard it five times in the same day, and was, honestly, tired of it.

"Never said we were" shot Thiago, raising his hands in redemption "By the way, you were awesome playing at the park" Arianne raised an eyebrow when he mentioned that. He wasn't there when she played for the kids, so how did he know? "It's all over YouTube" he explained, answering her silent question "It's on the top ten of most watched videos of the month" Arianne looked at him surprised.

"Really?"

"Yeah, really" he said, nodding "They loved you, Aria. You were amazing. Who cares if you can't play the song right? It won't change the fact that you are extremely talented" she smiled a bit upon hearing that.

"Thanks, Thiag" she said with genuine honesty.

"My pleasure" replied his friend, just as an urgent news report appeared on the TV. Thiago and Arianne exchanged glances, before approaching it to take a closer look.

"What are they saying?" questioned the girl, looking confused at Thiago. She knew Spanish, but not so much, so she didn't really understand the sentences, all she could see was the picture of a man, that looked dangerous. Thiago's eyes narrowed.

"Another akumatized person, called Flame Stryke" he replied, giving his friend a glance, before focusing back on the TV "And he is looking for me" Arianne opened her eyes wide.

"Seem Ayu's nap is over"