Chapter Text
30 minutes. This must be a new record even for her. Her exactly two remaining brain cells still functioning and not giving into the zombie strike with all the others, took to dance around a war fire, their main objective being to find a way to murder Hawkmoth in the most painful way possible. Their battle cries formed Marinette's only mind activity somewhat still resembling coherent thoughts. She didn't know if the pain she felt was a reminder of the previous night's battle or her body's physical tolerance hitting its limits like dummies hit brick walls during a crash test. In a horrible, tragic, limbs-falling-everywhere crash test.
"Marinette, you need sleep." Juleka murmured as she was applying the 3rd layer of foundation in a desperate attempt to hide their unlucky cat's ikea sized bags under her eyes. At least she could hide those - with valiant effort - but her bloodshot eyes were a lost case. "For real, Marinette. I've seen zombies looking better than you."
The girl's brain cells ignored her desperate call for them to decipher to noises of the outside world so in lack of other option she just groaned helplessly. In less than a hour she should be up to another scheme of Chloe and Alya and she was absolutely not ready for that. She honestly just wanted to dig a hole with her bare hands, crawl in it and hide from the world for eternity, or at least an adequate amount of time to form a cocoon and be transformed by the amazing miracle of beauty sleep. Maybe this was Hawkmoth's new tactic? Tiring them to submission? At this point our heroine thought this plan can either brilliantly succeed or epically backfire and drive her to strangle the man with a fabric string. She didn't even get to work on the dress!
In the end she didn't even make it into her room and passed out on her balcony in a pose strangely reminding a starfish. Around that time did most of her brain cells go into a strike making things like dignity and decorum an afterthought of an afterthought. Tikki forced her to wake up despite all her muscles screaming at her in protest. Maybe she should strangle her first. Can you even strangle a kwami? In the end she was forced to wake up so she crawled inside like the saddest slimy slug in the history slugs at last but no less than 5 minutes after she poured onto her bed did her alarm go off. She almost cried. She might actually did but her mind was too hazy to even remember if the wetness on her blanket came from her tears or her saliva. Probably both. Prayers to all the deities above was mumbled by her to be freed from this earthy hell, undeserved purgatory, torturous pit of existing, she got no answer however, thus had to continue to treacherous task of living. Couldn't she just sleep through the day, all plans be damned? Sadly her mother had other plans for her even without Tikki's - the Traitor's!!! - involvement.
To her utter and absolute dismay the events of the sport festival were showcased on live television in the whole city, maybe even in the whole country. Who would have thought some random event organized by some random kids participated by some random kids would get this much attention. Apparently Alec had a hand in more than just adding a voice to the show. Ever since then - after people made the connection between her and femChat - a whole lot of people kept recognizing her even out of costume giving her no time to breathe even outside the act. Her parents were absolutely thrilled for their daughter's success even when she made it clear they shouldn't be in any way shape or form and she would rather like if they didn't even mention it.
Fat chance, obviously. Given her parent's meddling, cough, supporting and sound reasoning-proof nature her troubles doubled with them being around. They were absolutely thrilled, over the moon, #1 fans and all. That's exactly why her mom couldn't let her miss today's event even when she had to seize her slug-fast fleeing daughter from the floor and bathing her like a 3 year old while she cried. She knew her daughter could be dramatic so she gave the incoherent babbling and loud sobs no mind. Her parents both knew this event was important to Marinette but also had the understanding that in the moment of tiredness she would just murder her alarm, burn the parts and bury the remains before even making a half-attempt to wake up. There was enough mercy in her to not to turn it into a cold bath at least. Something that in hindsight our heroine regretted.
"Do you want some coffee?" Mylene offered kindly gazing at human decay in front of her. They all have had their fair share of tired Marinette before. It was a regular side to their morning coffee. Even so her current state was too pitiful to be even compared to her everyday morning state.
She needed a solid minute to collect enough recognizable words to form an understandable, only slightly raised-by-animals-from-birth sentence.
"Brain's chemicals messed up, caffeine not working."
Without their usual Marinette translator, Alya, they also needed a few moments to make out the meaning behind her words.
"Bummer." Juleka frowned.
Marinette always felt a certain type of contempt towards coffee not helped, rather deepened by the years. The miraculous godly beverage helping millions of people on a daily basis failed her of all. Like the sun turning away from Earth, she felt abandoned by god or every deity for the matter, cursed for endless suffering without a pain relief, daily mocked by thousands of humans happily consuming their beloved blend.
Just then Adrien entered the room with a cup full of over-sweetened black coffee in hand causing the girl to cry out but only on the inside, as she couldn't mess up her freshly applied make up with tears. The blonde's eyes immediately zeroed in on Marinette who only spared him an annoyed glance. Of course, the traitors had to come hand in hand like a nice package. So she only spared him that one annoyed glance before turning away. I mean as much as someone who is getting her make up done can.
A frown set on his lips. Obviously the bluenette was still angry with him. Oblivious, that one he was but not completely blind. At least now he knew why but it didn't help him. No, not even one bit. Even if he did apologize for protecting her it wouldn't mean much, because honestly, he still wasn't sorry for protecting her at all. He could say sorry for making her feel incapable but that would only lead her demanding him not to protect her anymore. And frantically, that argument wouldn't end better than their encounter yesterday. He was hopeful the girl would drop it eventually.
Such naivety wasn't uncommon for him.
He didn't need them to apply make up on him since as a model and the face of his father's brand he was already required to wear light make up to smoothen his skin tone and highlight his favorable features. His ladybug themed clothes were all dry cleaned just like his partner's - Chloe's connection reached far - right after yesterday's event to be ready for whatever they would be up to today. Maybe if his mind wasn't so hyperfixated on the girl he would have given that issue a little more thought and the fear it was due.
When it came to today's plan, he was curious what the class came up this time with part of his mind, but the rest of his - abundantly more populous - remaining brain cells were too occupied running in circles around the enigma that was one Marinette Dupain-Cheng and the very relevant question of how to get back on her good side. Still, if he remembered correctly the girls were talking about some type of stunt show near the Eiffel tower to draw in people and sell more mechs. Seemed simple and straightforward. Nothing like Alya or Chloe. This should have aroused suspicion from the people but most of the class enjoyed way too much the ongoing shenanigans and the two exception were - as per usual - too occupied to pay attention to the big picture.
Their main planning group, however, was nowhere to be seen when they should be giving them instructions right about now. To their credit, the scheming team wasn't slacking off. On the contrary. They were about to hit a much bigger deal than they anticipated...
~~~oOo~~~
"M Damocles, we was informed you would like to discuss some important matter with us." Mlle Bustier's had a tint of something suspiciously reminding him of a threat to her voice perfectly masked with her ever-so-sweet smile. She was only here to ensure a fair discussion on behalf of her students - and her future vacation - but as an adult she felt like she had to give the starting tone of the meeting. Her flying monkeys - as some members of the other classes taken to call her pupils - namely Max, Alya and Chloe were right beside her, ready to solve and bury any possible problem - or person - in their way.
They told themselves it was all for the grand prize, but if you asked anyone else, they definitely enjoyed it.
The principal cleared his throat. On his side stood three students from the class responsible for today's event. "Fear not Mlle Bustier, we're not here to debate on the ethical or moral legitimacy of your class' 'project management'." To this all three students raised an eyebrow with a complementary smile. "We're only here to discuss an offer presented by these students." He motioned at the little delegation.
They took this as their cue to start and after exchanging meaningful glances and nods the one in the middle, a girl, began to speak. "My name is Clara, she's Tania and he's Marcus." Alya opened her mouth to introduce herself and the others but the girl held up a hand. "There is no need, we're well aware of who you are."
If they should take this as a compliment or an insult Clara's tone or expression offered little cue on.
"As you're probably well aware we were tasked with organizing today's basket auction event, and we did our best to measure up to the expectations, but yesterday was a game changer to all of us. With your scheming, for lack of better word, you gained tremendous attention and are already made astounding amount of profit. Enough to make us think you're well on your way of winning this contest."
"Your point?" Chloe asked impatiently as always.
Clara continued without missing a beat. "According to our calculation there isn't much chance of beating you with our own event. Even if we made an amazing profit with some big names entering the auction you'll no doubt just pull something else to outdo us and honestly, our class is too tired to keep up and just want to enjoy this week like normal people." For this last part they all looked at them with something dangerously close to contempt.
"Where do we get in the picture?" Alya narrowed her eyes, tired of people's unconcealed opinion, especially when it seemed like they were about to ask a favor.
"Thus we would be content to place as second or third but even forth if it meant we were off the hook and can do whatever we want, but getting last place and facing the penalty is obviously something we would like to avoid. The problem is, thanks to your interference yesterday the sport festival closed with a huge sum. According to our sources you're not planning to participate in our event, given that we as the organizers have the sole decision on the auctioned participants and bidding and losing money on our event is just not profitable for you. However, the merry fair and the ball has no such a restriction so you plan on appearing on those."
"You're surprisingly well-informed." The brunette stated, her mind already running on how this information got out.
"With you inflating their popularity and profit you would put us in a tight spot."
"Sounds like a you problem to me." The blonde said blowing on her nails, seemingly disinterested in the conversation but her businesswomen senses were tingling.
Clara sighed, gulping down her frustration. "What we would like to ask, that you come and participate in our auction as well, hence significantly increase our earnings."
"What's in for us?" Max asked readying his calculator.
"We officially declare that no matter the outcome in the end of the week, we'll place behind you, securing your standing and ensuring you don't face punishment." The girl offered boldly.
Alya, Max and Chloe all looked at each other with uncertain expressions, then promptly turned their back on the others to discuss the matters in hushed voices.
"I mean, it's not too bad having a back up plan in the slight chance the worst case scenario were to happen." The boy concluded after giving some thought to it.
"We're here to win. This is so unnecessary." The blonde rolled her eyes.
"I don't know. Some safety net is always nice." Alya argued.
"I can't believe you, Césaire. When did you get such a chicken heart?" Chloe asked mockingly.
"Not wanting to be too dramatic here, but I know my girl. When one Marinette Dupain-Cheng is involved the impending doom is never too far away. You just never know when things go downhill in these 4 upcoming days and I don't want to bet all my money on one horse if you know what I mean."
The other two couldn't argue with that what irritated the blonde and prompted her to add. "Way to put your trust in your best friend."
Alya raised her arms in defense. "Putting all of the burden of our success on our duo is already pretty unfair to them. If anything, a safety net will serve as a reassurance that they can in fact make mistakes without dooming us all. We won't have to do double homework with additional volunteer job every single day after school for certain and that's not a bad thing."
If it was anyone else outside of their class they might have believed her but after working closely with her they recognized that sweet-sweet scheming glint in the brunette's gaze. Her two companion both narrowed their eyes.
"I know that scheming fox face of yours, Césaire." Chloe pointed a finger at her in accusation. "What are we planning to do?" She finished with a smirk.
Slowly Alya's innocent expression morphed into a cunning smile, her eyes shinning gleefully. "So they gave me an idea..."
The other two's face slowly adopted the same expression as they intently listened to every word. When she finished there was no opposition. They turned back to the other students, still adorning those overly self-satisfied smiles making a chill run down the other students' spines.
"So we considered your proposition." The brunette began.
"And we determined it wasn't such a bad offer." The diva added.
"We however want 20% of your total profit as well." Max finished with showing them the numbers.
"What?! 20%??? That's outrageous!" Clara and her classmates roared.
"Well, we can always just hold our own little auction using our two heroes." Alya shrugged nonchalantly.
"You didn't even want to hold one in the first place!!!" One of them cried out.
"You can say we were inspired by you." She shrugged again.
"M Damocles!!!" The other student turned to him in desperation.
The man stroke his beard, trying to hide his distress. He was way too old to deal with this class. "I'm sorry, but there are no rules restricting what they can do outside of the events to earn money as long as they stay within the already existing rules and not engage in any illegal activity."
They all gritted their teeth in pure rage. If Hawkmoth haven't got into the habit of all-nighter akumas he would have had some prime akuma magnets right here and now.
"Alternative offer, you can give us all the earning Chat Noire and Lordbug generates. Your pick." Chloe suggested with a smile.
"According to my calculations, taking into account our super duo's current popularity with all the Adrien Agreste/Lordbug and Chat Noire fandoms, the latter would be less beneficial to you, but the decision, of course, is all yours." The boy provided, again giving them exact numbers he calculated.
The trap was set and there was no way out.
Mlle Bustier felt some petty for the poor students but foolish are the ones who enter with a single chicken into the lions' den.
Clara and the others looked at each other in a mix of rage and helplessness but after a minute or so they finally relented and head hanging, accepted the offer.
Alya felt ecstatic. They just needed the perfect juicy plan to go along with this tasty deal, and her creativity was happy to oblige. In fact, she already had the perfect outfit for her best friend in mind.
Just in that moment existential dread hit Marinette at full force and the girl shuddered along with her two working brain cells that tried to find the source of the threat.
They didn't have to search for long given their doom was just around the corner.