Dance with Me, Chaton

A Helping Hand

The next day went didn't go any better despite Adrien sitting down to work only a few hours upon waking up. Much of what he'd read was confusing. Some information was plain conflicting. Other required prior knowledge Adrien didn't have. By twelve in the afternoon, he gave up and picked up his phone. There was only one way out now.

"Hey, bro. What's up?"

"Nino, help."

There was a chuckle on the other side. "Don't tell me you finally decided to escape your tower, Princess."

Adrien puffed. "Not yet, Nino. This is serious."

Nino laughed. "Okay, okay. Stop pouting. What happened?"

"I need a hacker. And a good one, please."

Nino whistled. "A hacker? For what?"

"Remote computer hacking."

"And you're calling me because?"

"I don't know anyone else who can help me. At least not anyone I can trust not to spill it to my father."

"Oh. This is getting interesting. Do I get the details?"

"Only after you help me, and as little as possible."

"Alright. How soon do you need him?"

"Like yesterday?"

"Geez, dude. What's going on?"

"Don't ask. Find me someone. You said your girlfriend knows all kinds of people. She might know a good hacker, right?"

"She might. I'll have to ask. Give me a few, bro."

"Thank you, Nino."

"Don't thank me yet. Talk to you later."

Five minutes went by. Nino wasn't calling back. Ten. Fifteen. Adrien picked up his phone again and opened Discord to distract himself.

Chat Noir: Good morning, my Lady. How are you this lovely morning?

Ladybug: Sleepy. You?

Chat Noir: I'm purrfectly fine. Been out too late?

Ladybug: Yeah. Going to take it easy today.

Chat Noir: Maybe you should scale back on clubbing? Just a suggestion.

Ladybug: LOL Why? Did you worry about me?

Chat Noir: Maybe? I mean dancing is one thing, but drinking and drugs... it's dangerous.

Ladybug: LMAO Chat, have you ever been to a club?

Chat Noir: No?

Ladybug: LOL Though so. Well, to make it easier for you: the club I'm going to is more like an exclusive elite establishment for dancing, not your down the road disco. The owner is very strict and doesn't permit drugs. Alcohol is very limited, and the bartender won't allow you to get drunk. That's one of the reasons it's invitation only - to keep the contingent as decent as possible.

Ladybug: Personally, I don't drink. I dance. That's why I'm sleepy. Just tired from all that movement. But it's a great way to keep myself in shape, both physical and mental, with such a time, energy, and sanity-consuming job as I have.

Chat Noir: If you just imagined me looking like a lecturing idiot, you're right. That's exactly how I look right now.

Ladybug: LOL I imagined you dismayed and confused and a little naïve. Like a kid.