I have finally completed the Daminette December, 2021, and it it ... December 60. Yep, totally on time.
@daminettedecember @maribat-calendar-events
Damian sighed as he looked around the room filled with people who were all idiots and social ladder climbers. He was used to these but he really wished he wasn't. What he would like is to be 10 again and able to get out of these events because he was unsociable and more likely to stab a person who squeezed his cheeks.
Now instead, at the prime age of 18, he had mothers and fathers practically trying to gain favour and throwing their daughters at him. A tie to the Wayne family could and would take you anywhere particularly with the funds to back it.
Needless to say, he was sure the only person enjoying this less than him was Cass as guys threw themselves at her. Honestly, he was over with the evening. But as a new years party, he was not going to get out before midnight. That was the biggest disappointment tonight; he often left at a more reasonable hour. Social events were not his ideal place to be.
And with finally convincing another lady that he was not interested in dating let alone seeing anyone including her own offspring for the fifth time in 15 minutes, Grayson came up to him with a bright smile. This can't be good. Dick either had found a school peer of his, and now he would be forced to socialise with them, was doing his own match making, or father was doing a speech requestment. Nothing good.
"Damian! Glad I caught you, this is Marinette! She came with Clara Nightingale, and I'm hoping you can look after her while Clara prepares to perform." Damian glared. Grayson took no notice.
"It's really no big deal, honestly. I can manage myself just fine." Damian looked at the new comer and paused for a moment. Most girls tonight would have tried to get close. Marinette here seemed more focused on breaking away and ensuring he was okay. He glanced around the room and could see exactly which girl and mother pair was likely to try their luck. This Marinette at least seemed to not be interested and potentially could be a discouragement from others.
"You can stay. There's no issue." Marinette paused in trying to pry her wrist from Dicks grip.
"You sure?"
"As a host we are supposed to look after our guests, even unknown plus ones."
"Thanks Damian! Oh and just a quick thing…" Dick leant to whisper in his ear. "It's already been noticed she's drawn a few eyes that...well, it's not good. Just keep her safe okay?" Damian scanned the room and nodded. Dick beamed and took his leave. The pair stood in silence.
"How did you get to be a plus one of Clara Nightingale?" He asked. Marinette jumped.
"Oh, ah, she's a… friend. Clara just thought she was helping me with having me come along. She's gotten into a competitive thing on who can do more and it's all focused on me. That's the only reason I'm here. She's hoping I can network but...I really don't want to." Damian raised an eyebrow. Marinette gestured around the room. "Everyone here wears the same thing, fashionable same dress in a few colours, same cut and design of suit. It's really not my area I do well in."
"Clara had an identical dress when I saw her earlier." Marinette gave a grin, "you should just wait." Damian rolled his eyes and looked Marinette's dress over.
"Should I be waiting to see if yours differs as well then?"
"No. I'm not stealing Clara's spotlight. And I rather hide in an event than stand out." Damian blinked.
"This is not something you want to do?"
"You're the host, oh I'm sorry, the party is fine, great even, but...it's just… not my scene." Damian stared at her before having his gaze caught by someone approaching.
"Seeing as I share these views, shall we then move to the dance floor before we get stuck in a social interaction?" Marinette glanced to the floor.
"I, well, it's that...I'm clumsy. I don't really wear heels. I really don't want to sprain an ankle tonight." Damian blinked. This was not what he was expecting. He glanced back at the approaching pair, and he guessed Marinette must have worked out what was going on because next thing he knew, she had grabbed his wrist and pulled him into the dance floor.
"At least this is designed to not ever have a fast song." She said and they assumed a waltz position. Damian moved her around the floor and took pride in the fact that at least this way he was not having to find new ways to reign in his temper over the simpering girls and greedy parents. Marinette was a simplistic girl, who cared only about others in their comfort even at the cost of her own and didn't try to do anything to try and seduce him. Not that it would work.
Still, he would take this as an escape until Clara Nightingale came to collect her after her performance and the pair would be gone on the wind from him again, and he would have to face a constant revolving set of the more common females here. Marinette seemed to study the steps more so then getting into his space which was a nice change of pace. The music concluded and the pair came to a stop and Damian escorted her to a different area of the room, hoping no one tried to invite them to a conversation. It seemed luck was on his side as Clara started singing, and everyone's attention was on that. The pair stopped and Damian turned around and felt his breath stop. Marinette wasn't kidding when she said Clara's dress was special. While it still had the second skin that was always a popular choice for those attending, he got to see that the skirt had to be sheer on the skirt, as lights shone along underneath, turning the dress into a light show. They turned rainbow, and changed to the music, as Clara, already limited in her dance abilities, would spin and turn and pose to truly be one with both the music and her outfit. He looked at Marinette next to her and studied her dress.
"How did you do that?"
"I talked to a friend about programming. It's just a thread of lights otherwise, the wire thin enough to be sewn to the underlayer. And they are energy efficient and have minimum heat production to avoid burns and discomfort." Marinette explained. Damian continued studying her dress.
"Is yours the same?"
"Technically yes. But I don't have mine turned on. It blends in well enough and because we match, it's clear who I came with."
"Like a date matching." Damian added. Marinette tilted her head.
"Kind of, I am here as her plus one, but it's not a date." Damian nodded, turning back to watch the performance.
When Clara concluded and a round of polite applause turned back into conversations, Damian spotted another mother daughter pair making their way over to him. He cursed under his breath and glanced around, he probably should be bringing Marinette back to Nightingale, but the star seemed to still be conversing and going past the pair still coming over. He needed an escape.
He felt a tug on his wrist.
"Come on." He turned to see Marinette pull him along, and suddenly they were surrounded by lots of chattering people. Damian hunched his shoulders as Marinette continued to wind through the crowd, and then he understood the group cover. They were looking to return to the dance floor. It was only on the floor, with Marinette facing him he realised something.
"I thought your dress was like Nightingale's."
"I said technically." She protested, and Damian found he couldn't disagree. Her dress was now a case of light all over, and instead of rainbow, Marinette's lights seemed to create a gradient, from pale white to black which he now could see was just the lights under sheer fabric and while Clara's was designed to be lights, Marinette's were of a softer glow, to change the colour of her dress rather than be lights on a dress.
"I wouldn't say it technically goes with her's." Damian says. Marinette shrugged.
"I change the settings with a phone app. I'm hoping such a change will avoid the pair from finding you through me." Damian raised an eyebrow.
"You stand out and gain attention because you stand apart. You are visible. In a crowd of the same suits…" Marinette grinned. "It's a blend in hiding spot. But they could technically try and find me then my dress is enough to differ between some females. Change the colour and hopefully they pass over you for long enough."
"What's long enough?" Damian asked.
"One song to get through the crowd, to the side near tables and in particular that door." Damian blinked and looked where she indicated with her eyes.
"I must say, you are quick on your feet."
"When you know famous people you get used to figuring out ways of escape. Hopefully we can get out with no interruptions."
Damian laughed on the balcony, Marinette was a fun girl who had managed to avoid being swept up in all the mess of fame that her connections apparently gave her. Not that she told him. He had taken a break that she used to slip back inside and get some food and drinks to do a quick search on her. Apparently Clara was not the only famous person Marinette was associated with. And she hadn't tried to name drop, or impress him with her connections. Instead she had been content to let him tell her what he wanted to, and tell silly stories about her designs, ordinary friends, and her home in Paris.
It was different then the girls who tried to get close to him and prove they were a good match. It was enjoyable even. She didn't like silence, which is when she talked but she also seemed to get he wanted time on his own. He glanced up at the sound of the door opening, seeing her holding two glasses with a grin. He accepted the glass and drank it in one.
"Wow. You really don't hold back huh?" She pulled a napkin out of a pocket and handed it to him, containing nibble food.
"So, if this is what you didn't want to do, what would you like to do on New year's Eve?" She asked. Damian gave a frown.
"I'm not sure. I've never given it a lot of thought." He looked at her as she took a piece of food. "Probably play video games with my best friend. He would try and convince me to go out and meet people though." Marinette nodded.
"I always prefer to stay at home. My friends will convince me to go out, see the fireworks too."
"Ugh, fireworks. Here there's always a huge...kerfuffle made over the light show." Damian grumbled. Marinette laughed.
"Oh come on. Surely it's worth it. To see what a show it is."
"Only for a few minutes. And Grayson, the guy who introduced us, spends the most time worrying over if it will be good, only to go and not even watch! Same with Drake!" Marinette blinked.
"I think I'm missing something here."
"It's the...the kiss for luck tradition." Damian grumbled. "Though Drake is only pulled into such foolishness by Brown."
"Oh that tradition. I think that's part of the fun." Marinette grinned as he spluttered. "At the least you can meet someone."
"It's still stupid." Damian huffed.
"Yeah, but for them it's probably a bit of fun. And if it's fun for them, then that's perhaps a better way to start a new year. Wouldn't you rather have a bit of fun, do something you enjoy then here with girls on the end throwing themselves at you?" Damian considered her words.
"I suppose you do make some sense. But I'm still glad to have come and met you."
"Likewise." They stared out into the night sky. A countdown started up inside and Marinette shifted.
"Well, we better move. I'm sure the balcony will have people coming out in a minute." Damian nodded and Marinette headed to the edge and climbed over.
"What are you doing?!" He hissed. Marinette grinned.
"Getting out of here. Are you coming?" Damian spluttered and then followed. He heard the doors open and the sound of people coming out as he then dropped to the ground next to Marinette and winced in recognition of a particularly familiar high pitch voice. He stepped closer to the wall, blending with the shadows, Marinette following him as the countdown continued.
"You really made this night better." He commented. "I was supposed to be looking out for you, and you instead helped me out. Thank you."
"No worries." She smiled at him and he heard the first fireworks start. She turned to watch and Damian could only stand and watch her in the moment. Before he even realised what he was doing, he had cupped her cheek, and pulled her to him. Her eyes stared up into his in shock as they were close.
"I thought...you said such traditions were stupid."
"Perhaps that's because I know the people who attend these regularly. Kissing any of them wouldn't bring anyone good luck. You are nothing like any of them." He watched her, giving her the final say. She pushed herself up on tiptoe and his lips connected with her's and in an instant Damian understood exactly where the appeal in not watching the fireworks was.
He ensured he got her number intent on seeing her again. Marinette eagerly exchanged for his.
I have had a rough time. And it didn't want to end...
Bruce glared at the screen before him. Somehow, someway, this had slipped under his nose, the justice league's nose, everyone's nose for years. This was not what he wanted or thought possible. This was exactly why he hates magic. It is unconventional and he could not use it in ways for himself. Instead it was left in a way that resulted in eluding him until it was too late for him to come in and provide his help. Not to mention that magic, no matter how much he tried to understand it or learn about it, magic seemed to always be more and more beyond his understanding.
And that made him bitter and angry over it all. Particularly in this case when he found out mere children had been forced into a fight. And from the early videos, children with no mentor or form of training in order to actually win. It was a miracle that they hadn't died to him. His lack of understanding over these miraculous was also annoying. He couldn't find anything out from Zatara, John or any other form of magic he had contact with in Gotham. He suspected Diana knew something but she kept tight-lipped if she did. No research or findings really informed him about what the miraculous were responsible for, even with the blog for Ladybug that existed. He could not work out a plan that would work to neutralize the heroes without removing their miraculous, something they protected. His next plans featured getting highly close to them in order to take them. The only variation he could think of features taking advantage due to their lack of training and their age to overwhelm them, and taking Ladybug's lucky charm to remove any chance of her figuring out how to beat him. Not exactly perfect but that was all he had to work with.
He would have appreciated more information on the miraculous themselves though. That would always be preferred, and short of reaching out to them, something the two young heroes seemed to not be keen on, there was little he would be able to learn properly. With a sigh he saved his latest notes and shut the file, moving to focus on what would be likely to occur tonight during patrol. He glanced at the time and figured most would be down in the next 10 minutes.
Bruce frowned as he looked around the room before addressing Dick.
"Where's Damian?"
"He didn't want to come on patrol tonight." Dick shrugged. Bruce raised an eyebrow. Damian never wanted to miss patrol. Even if he was benched, he'd find an opportunity to sneak out and still patrol, unless there was an injury to prevent him from being able to leave the cave, he would be out there, and even if he wasn't able to patrol he would still come down here and be in the know of what his family were doing and training himself to stay in peak condition, no matter how much Bruce protested. This was not in character for the young man.
Dick continued to look sheepish.
"He has...prior commitments that he couldn't break." Bruce waited. Dick maintained eye contact.
"Fine."
"It's better for him to spend time socialising and it's not even his turn to be on patrol tonight anyway old man. It's fine." Jason waved the issue off. Bruce wasn't as willing but they did have to go on patrol, so he was going to have to shelf it for later.
Bruce narrowed his eyes at the screen before him. While still highly unlikely, he had managed to trace down more information to figure out exactly who these children heroes were. He was not impressed. And had been correct in his assumptions about Diana keeping information from him.
Because this particular hero get-up? Was similar to the Robin hero. A mantle passed on through multiple people. The difference this time was that the Ladybug mantle was passed on through centuries, and at some point Diana's own mother had been a Ladybug.
So he confronted Diana who tried to explain exactly what had been happening on Earth for a long time. And why she kept it from him. Damned magic and apparently her doubting his "emotional abilities". He could control his emotions just fine actually. Yes, Bruce was still bitter about something happening without his knowledge.
He had an age bracket that Diana had put forward as an estimate of the young heros' ages. Because apparently her mother did not have this time limit with powers. The implication was they were under the age of 21 when they started, and had been for years. She had not been able to confirm one a hero, but she had reasons to suspect that battles had continued on for a longer time period than Viperion to be limited to 5 minutes with his power as he generally activates it before he enters the fight. That had gone up to at least 30 minutes. So he was an adult now. There was no other form of confirmation as far as Diana had tried to work out. No instant second uses of powers, nothing to figure out if anyone else was.
But that was enough for Bruce to know that they had to be about the same age as his own youngest son Damian.
Bruce was brought out of his thoughts by a hand on his shoulder. He glanced to see Dick staring at the screen.
"This one is really getting on your nerves huh?" He asked. Bruce grumbled his confirmation.
"Come on, patrol starts soon." Bruce answered and took in the room before pausing.
"Robin?"
"It's his night off. He isn't on the schedule to patrol." Dick defended. Bruce frowned. That had become the normal for his youngest over these few weeks. Which was concerning him. He did not like it when things were changed, particularly when he could not find a reason to link it to. And while his son had changed from his younger years and found his own way in life, he still had certain values ingrained in him from birth. Loyalty, routine patterns, and a high level of expectations set for himself. To suddenly without warning abandon his full-time preference of evenings in the cave or on patrol was still causing Bruce some level of concern.
Of course, Damian refused to talk about it, even when questioned directly. And unfortunately, Bruce could not set to watch him for an evening. He had a patrol to undertake.
Speaking of, he needed to set the routes and plans for the evening, as a refresher for everyone here.
Bruce had been about to continue his patrol when he heard the sounds of life in the street and in fact it was a female laughing, he took the moment to ensure she was safe for a moment. This caused him to stop completely and stare. Because the female was running away while glancing back to see his son Damian chasing after her. He watched for several moments as the girl let herself get caught and pulled him down for a kiss. Bruce averted his gaze and moved on. He would have to question it all later.
He stared at the screen before him in a frown. Facial recognition put the girl with Damian as a Marinette Dupain-Cheng. He looked over the information he could find on public forums. Parisian, about Damian's age, parents lived in a bakery, had some notes of fame to her name, good designer. But nothing to explain Damian spending time with her over patrolling.
Bruce was not the best at communicating with anyone. He was willing to admit this fault and nothing would change that.
Which explained why he hadn't broached the subject of Marinette Dupain-Cheng with Damian. And Damian had not said anything about her, even when he had brought up the absences from the cave. Evasive answers that both knew were evasive. Bruce could have pushed it but clearly his son didn't want him to know about Marinette. And then today happened. It was not Damian's night to patrol, but he came down when everyone was suited up and with his own gear on looked to everyone to make an announcement.
"Ladybug will be joining us this month. Apparently there is reason to support her beliefs of there being a miraculous in use." And a portal opened next to him to reveal the hero in red and black. Bruce stared at her because he could line up a recognition of the person before him. He glanced at his son to see his cheeks slightly pinker as he ran introductions and Dick teased the two about a relationship and a crush.
"He doesn't have a crush on her, he's dating her." Came out of his mouth causing all heads to look at him.
"What are you talking about?" Marinette sounded highly stressed with everyone confused and Damian stiffened.
"I saw the pair of you out together. The other night." Marinette blinked.
"No, that can't be right, are you sure?"
"As sure as I can be."
"Batman...she...doesn't know that part." She whipped around to look at him.
"You. You figured me out?"
"It was not hard." Bruce meanwhile was glancing between the two. Everyone he ever dated knew of his identity. Well, seriously dated. Covers were different all together. And while he did know he took stock in his "don't tell anyone," he thought that was part of why Damian was so cagey about revealing Marinette.
So many things had just blown up in his face and he must now act as if this was what he was expecting all along. So the pair of youngest heroes had separated to have a more private discussion while the others stood around for a moment.
"...well, that could have gone better. Nice revealing our identities Bruce." Tim commented.
Looks like his plan wasn't going to work.
Still Marinette was Ladybug. Bruce paused. Oh for god sakes. When the pair returned, Marinette with a slightly strained smile, but now keeping close to Damian, who kept his hand in hers, Bruce straight away addressed his son.
"I have for months been trying to learn more about Paris and you didn't think to mention you knew someone personally involved in the magical mess?" Damian looked at him.
"She's staying."
"I have questions to follow up on. Of course she's staying!"
Marinette looked between the pair.
"I guess that this is still a good outcome, huh Damian?" She gave a small chuckle.
"We'll deal with it later. Patrol. Now." Bruce walked away very annoyed. How long had this been under his nose and how much time was wasted.
I am still going. I will finish. I'll be getting up days 30 and 31 soon.
@daminettedecember @maribat-calendar-events
Damian scowled as he and Marinette made the walk to the park. Apparently after meeting his family and friends, she expected him to also meet hers. Her parents were fine. Her friends, he was less willing to see if they were good. In fact, he was fairly certain that he had a list of demands and requirements to beat out first.
First the best friend, Alya, technically nothing too serious, he would expect a quiet word and a threat in there over caring for her friend. Which was respectable, even if any threat she came up with was laughable. Her boyfriend, Nino, while not quite as close in friendship to Marinette, was still likely to back the threat up, perhaps also be one to not be a real threat especially with a more laid back attitude and believing the best of everyone. The next two he had been more considerate in his research. Kagami and Zoe seemed to be connected to various highly influential people that he was aware that the stakes in conversing with them were more likely to be in secret meanings and undertones than the loud and brash confrontation. All in all, these were the ones he had to set boundaries with and not worry about, nearly anyone else was not going to be a threat or person he needed to impress.
It was Adrien Agreste that was rated to be the high risk. Not for approval of the relationship though. He had heard about Marinette's first teen love and that was something that could be hard to let go of. She had cared for him for so long, making food, enjoying things and trying to confess her emotions for him. For several years. He was aware of Marinette's personal traits. She was kind and loyal to a fault. She cared for those she considered close to her and even a bit further afield a lot. And Adrien regardless of if he knew her feelings at any point would still be in a close area of care. Damian was also aware that humans had faults, including the thoughts on "never forgetting your first love" and nostalgia played important roles in memories. He would not want to risk Agreste turning Marinette back to the model and away from himself. That could not be allowed to happen. So most of his study went into Agreste. High in society links means he would be prepared for underhanded warfare, just like the other two. Marinette waved to a group and pulled him over to it, and she made introductions which were unnecessary for Damian. He looked over them cooly, exchanging pleasantries. He stayed on edge the whole time, watching for any hint of needing to act, to state his rightful position in Marinette's life and refute any attempts of his that could be taken to mean something else.
Damian was not prepared for a person like Adrien. He expected slyness, he expected a sense of entitlement that he was well acquainted with back home. And this model for a fashion designer father, was instead as down to earth as Jon. He was kind and smiley and genuine.
It made sense that Marinette fell for such a guy. This trend continued with Marinette's other high society linked friends, the closest to what he had been expecting was Kagami, but she was more in the way she held herself and enjoyed herself. Her tongue was not silver or barbed, and he was feeling as if he was the odd one out in the group.
Marinette squeezed his hand and he glanced to see her studying him. He offered her a small smile that seemed to satisfy her and redirected her attention to Luka and Zoe, enjoying the conversation. Damian finally felt the hard stare of Alya, directed through his skull and turned to look at her. She had a glare on but compared to others she was a child. He met her look and studied her in return.
"What exactly do you like the most about Marinette?" She eventually voiced, able to have this conversation without awkward silence.
"Her optimistic nature that even if things aren't okay now, they will be." He answered. It was the exact same attitude Dick approached crime fighting. Alya proceeded to her next question,
"And her dreams?"
"Are her own. I will encourage her to chase them, and provide the support she needs to believe she can do it, just as I would hope that she would do the same for me." Alya hummed.
"What does she like about you? You're not," a glance to Luka and Adrien before she focused on him again. "Her normal type." Damian glanced at Adrien, trusting Luka to still be focused on conversation with Zoe and Marinette to not catch on. Adrien and Nino were both in their own world talking about music.
"I'm sure that is a question to ask her. I'd think it's because I'm not just a replacement or a temporary place holder that caused her to at least be interested. I matter in the important ways, caring, loyalty, and sticking with her even in the hardest of times." Alya narrowed her eyes. Damian met them.
"Well, I wish you luck. It takes a lot to fully sway that girl from Adrien. He's too sweet for his own good and that's what Marinette likes." Damian wrinkled his nose in displeasure.
"I don't do sweet, or nice."
"I can tell. But clearly you care and show the traits that Marinette cares about if she's chosen you. So don't stuff it up and hurt her or I'll come after you and make your nightmares a reality." Damian nodded and the pair turned back to new conversations. At least someone recognised his hard fights ahead. But, as Marinette leant against him, head on his shoulder and hand in his, without even focusing on Adrien, Damian felt that perhaps he already had won out against the first love.
I will finish the month. I will finish the month. I will finish the month.
Some warnings may be required, but I'm not sure, it's not really heavily talked about but think standard damsel in distress Lois Lane getting saved by Clark in the air. I don't know.
Damian felt his heart drop to his stomach and plummet even further. He had heard the whispers during class but until he checked his phone he had not been sure what to believe. Now the proof in the form of a news program was before him.
They were having a class visit from students in France. They were arriving today, and out at Gotham airport there was a hostage situation with Penguin demanding money and access to some fancy elegant bird painting. And a helicopter, thrown in as an afterthought. And due to another attack from Riddler on the school, he was unable to move from the now locked classroom. Doing so would cause his fellow students to be put in danger, something that Bruce had frowned over before, calling him reckless. Damian was unable to provide any help and support, stuck in this school, and unable to ensure any help would come to Marinette. He stuck a comm in his ear, listening in on the chatter. Thankfully, Brown and Cain were on the case here, while Bruce, Todd and Drake were all heading out to the airport. Oracle was relying on what she could find from footage and police radios, and neither situation was ideal. Damian continued to sit there and stew in thought, trying to figure out the quickest route he could take once he was no longer placed in this classroom.
He nearly sighed in relief when the news to him was revealed by Oracle that he was soon to be freed and could get out. He froze when he heard the terrible news.
Penguin had half the hostages forcibly taken from him. They had escaped when Batman had shown up and taken out some of the goons.
But the remainder now were being used as human shields, resulting in a standoff as the bats hid in the shadows unable to get a clear shot of a batarang to any goon let alone alleviate the situation. He tapped on his knee impatiently and as soon as Cain threw the door open with 5 police officers behind her, he was up and aiming to be the first out. He stood impatiently moving from foot to foot out the front when Alfred appeared. Alfred had also grabbed a spare uniform, allowing Damian to get changed in the car, and informed him that Brown had dropped his Robin cycle in the alleyway so he could take off as soon as possible. He was riding on the bike when a curse came over the line.
"The chopper is here." Red Hood said. "Looks like to ensure safety, but also prove how much of a gentleman he is, he's letting all but one go." Damian's heart was in his throat. "Girlie volunteered. Well, we all knew the pair got on for a reason." Damian pushed the bike to go faster.
"There's not exactly much we can do from here, is anyone able to continue following them from the air?" Batman asked and Damian just knew that the answer was not going to be in his favour.
"All flight equipment is in the cave, even getting a batplane to you will take time, and we can't risk Penguin doing something to the hostage." Oracle said. Damian had an idea. He muted his comm.
"Superman. Come here. Now." After a second he added, "please." He felt the difference in the air above him and glanced up.
"Robin, what's up?" His best friend greeted him.
"No time. We need a method to keep eyes on the Penguin until we are able to get to the air ourselves. He's got Marinette hostage so we are treating it delicately."
"Marinette? Who's Marinette?" Damian froze. Because that was a thing. He hadn't exactly said anything to Jon. The pair were often busy after all.
"Marinette's my girlfriend. Now can you just,"
"You got a girlfriend and didn't tell me?" Jon pouted. Damian gritted his teeth.
"That's not the issue right now,"
"No, it is. How long have you been dating her? I was with Jay for a short time before I told you about him!"
"Can we focus maybe on ensuring she lives first?" Damian snapped. Jon opened his mouth but then his head snapped in the direction of the sky and Damian knew it was a point between the airport and ocean.
"Jon…" he warned.
"He, he pushed her out of the helicopter." Damian's heart was in his throat.
"Go." He croaked out and Jon was gone. He listened to the chatter on the line as they had been working on getting close when they saw someone falling. He breathed a sigh of relief when the talk stopped.
"Robin." He stiffened at his father's tone. "Did you call for outside help?"
"Yes." He was ready to argue in his defence; he was ready to point out that they were moving too slowly to have saved her, when the voice spoke again.
"Good call. Next time run it past us." Damian let his muscles relax. "You may also wish to change. The experience may leave her feeling vulnerable."
Damian was one to agree and swiftly parked in a safe house and changed before Alfred reappeared to pick him up and take home to the airport. He drummed his fingers on his knee. Finally they were there, plenty of lights flashing around them and he was out before Alfred was in park, looking for the familiar twin pigtails and blue eyes. He stopped at a different blue that was still there. He was talking to one in a shock blanket with a soft smile and he started to run there. Jon caught sight of him and turned her to face him and he saw her eyes light up and he couldn't stop himself from crashing into her, pulling her against him and holding her tight. Her arms wrapped around him and rubbed his back. He held back a laugh at her trying to comfort him. She'd been the one today to face death. His reasoning was not going to stop the choked sounds nor his hold from tightening.
"What on earth were you thinking?"
"I was thinking he wouldn't throw me out of a helicopter. Oh dieu Damian. I thought it would be okay. That it would keep everyone safe and that I was the insurance that he wouldn't be caught."
"Never do that again." He cradled her head into his shoulder and ran his hand in circles on her shoulder blades.
"I won't. Promise." Damian was content to stay there for the moment.
Jon however, clearly could not leave well enough alone.
"Well, guess that's me all done, I'll be helping track Penguin down now."
"Superman. Thanks." Damian said and Jon's eyes softened.
"Just doing the right thing." Damian nodded. He glanced at his father still in suit who barely nodded. Robin wouldn't be required for anything else today. With Superman they were sure to finish and clear things up in no time at all.
Damian was fine to stay where he was. The only regret over getting Jon involved would come to him later when Jon spammed him with calls and texts to demand information on Marinette and why he as the best friend was the last to know about this life development.
Day 27 here, so 4. And it's only....December 33rd. I still have time...
@daminettedecember @maribat-calendar-events
Steph sighed and glanced at Cass who shook her head causing Steph to further grumble and pick at an imaginary spot on her dress. She did not want to be here. She did not have a choice. Or she did but then Cass would have to suffer alone and that would be no fun. Steph was the cause and reason for any guy thinking about approaching Cass to firmly stay away. That was her job for the night, and she had done well. It was just that…
Well, Galas for anything sucked. They were long, the music was last century at least, the conversations bland and repetitive on influence and money if you were a new rich person, or on the social standing that a family joining one another could bring if you were of old money. The only good bit was the food and drink, which had the complaint of being in too small servings. If Steph actually ate to the point she felt full she would stand out as well and that was not what she was supposed to do today. So she didn't.
Didn't mean she was not eyeing the food trays and considering where was the line of being noticed and yet eating more than a mouthful serving.
Needless to say, Steph was like a fish out of water in finery and nonsense, just as much as Cass was.
The only people she expected to be worse were Jason and Damian. Mostly for their attitude to rich people and people respectfully.
Jason however, was not coming, and Damian had disappeared as soon as he could from the greeting line so Steph didn't even have a source of entertainment in how to not behave at the party.
She glanced at Cass again who still shook her head no and she groaned and turned to the only available entertainment. The people dancing. Of course, all were slow dancing and so it was more putting Steph to sleep or in a trance rather than entertaining but there was nothing else to do without drawing out a bat glare from Bruce that she really didn't want to deal with-. Steph focused on a single pair in the middle of the floor, unable to process what she was seeing.
Was that… Damian?! Dancing??
And actually looking like he was enjoying himself?!
Damian had done such dancing before. She had seen it. He followed the movements perfectly, absently nodding his head and noncommittal responses and not even looking at his dance partner, his face two muscle twitches from full on frowning.
But this time, Steph could clearly tell that Damian was conversing with his dance partner, and he wasn't so stiff in his movements. What on Earth was going on?
Cass caught on that something had drawn Steph's attention and glanced to see. A blink and a slight smile crossed her face betraying very little on her thoughts and knowledge.
"What in the world is going on?" Steph asked. Cass shrugged. "Come on. We're investigating this." Steph pulled Cass along to the edge of the dance floor. Steph knew when Damian spotted them as a light scowl was aimed at her. But it seemed he at least knew that he was not getting out of it easily and when the song concluded, directed his partner over to them.
"What are you two wanting?" He asked Steph didn't let him phase her.
"We want to know the girl who managed to make him actively engage in a conversation. Right Cass?" Cass nodded her agreement. The girl smiled.
"I'm Marinette. It's nice to meet you…"
"Steph. This is Cass." Steph gestured.
"And we shall be moving on." Damian interrupted.
"Oh Damian, no need to be rude." Steph rolled her eyes. Marinette giggled.
"He's always like this with everyone, it's okay."
"Yeah, but that's not what Bruce wants of him here." Steph commented.
"But neither of you will be telling him." Damian interjected.
"Considering I haven't seen you be rude to anyone else, I won't." Steph added. "Considering how lame it is today, I wouldn't have said anything anyway. It's so boring." Marinette grinned.
"Well, if you say nothing to Bruce, I think we can get you out along with us."
"You're going to escape? A gala? That sounds impossible."
"Not quite. We only danced on the floor for Bruce to grow accustomed to my appearance. We may be able to include you in the swift change as well. But on the edge of the room. Come on."
"Marinette." Damian started and Steph properly studied him. "Our chance of escape is lowered because they aren't prepared."
"On the contrary, it's raised. Bruce will be looking first and foremost for people looking like us. So all we need to do is a quick adjustment…" Marinette had led the four to a dark corner.
"Listen, if you two can get us out of this, we will gladly keep mum." Steph glanced to see Cass nodding as well. Damian grumbled but let Marinette take the lead.
"Excellent." She tugged the bow on her dress and Steph watched the skirt change from a brilliant loose red to a black barely above the floor. She pulled off the top that revealed a second one underneath with no sleeves. She glanced to see Damian had turned his suit jacket inside out and went from black to green. Somehow the pants with the change seemed to pick up the green and also suited. Marinette glanced between the pair and shoved the top to Steph.
"Flip it inside out, the inner is black and will go with your purple dress." Steph wasted no time. "Cass we can't change, but black hides well in plain sight. Plus," Marinette emptied her bag to pull out a blonde wig and a dark moustache. "I have other elements." Steph grinned. Marinette eyed them all, Damian now with the appearance of facial hair and grinned. The four made a quick yet not clear route for the balcony. Steph glanced between Damian and the way down when he pulled a rope out of a plant pot.
"I thought Bruce checked those."
"He did. Before the party. Marinette brought it, disguised as a belt." Steph grinned.
"Marinette, I could kiss you."
"Do not dare." Damian snarled. Marinette patted his arm.
"It's fine. Let's just get out of here and I'll let you buy the first drink instead."
They got out and away before Bruce even figured out their escape route.
Marinette sighed as she scanned over the shelves. This had to be the fifth bookstore that Damian and her had been in today. She did not know what to expect with this hunt, only that Damian was after a very specific book. A classic of English he said, and it was hard to track down.
Marinette didn't know. Marinette honestly didn't really find it interesting, but any outing with Damian was a good outing. She just preferred perusing the shelves, looking and finding what interested her. Not this frantic search that Damian had, go in, scan every shelf, if found, retrieve, buy and leave. If not, leave and move onto the next bookshop and repeat.
Dick had told her one time he went to 10 different bookstores in a single day to find one book. 10.
She sighed as she continued to look over the sale shelf, trusting that Damian if he found it would come and collect her when she stumbled into a person.
"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention." She said to the person's….elbow. Marinette craned her head back to look up at the giant who probably never even felt her step into him.
"No harm. Anything you're looking for in particular?"
"Just browsing. My boyfriend is searching for a particular book though." A glimmer and a smirk appeared.
"Boyfriend?" Marinette felt herself go on edge.
"Yes. You know what, as nice as it has been to meet you, I should probably go find him." Marinette made for a hasty retreat when a voice sounded over her shoulder.
"Angel, I found the book, did you want to head over to the fabric store…" Marinette peered over and saw Damian glaring at the guy next to her. "Todd."
"Demon spawn. I wasn't aware you had a girlfriend." Damian sneered.
"That's what happens when you are a black sheep and prefer to never come to the manor." Jason's smirk fell a little. He looked at Marinette.
"So, how did he manage to charm you? Or did he have to be forced?"
"Todd…"
"We met in school. Had a few shared classes. We talked. There isn't much else to it." Marinette blinked between them before she figured it out. "Oh, you're Jason."
"Let's get out of here."
"I thought Alfred instilled more manners to know better than to interrupt a conversation. But yeah, I am Jason. Pleasure to meet you. I'm shocked to have only just learnt of your existence." Marinette shuffled uncomfortably.
"That tends to happen when you aren't around to meet." Jason nodded. "Yeah, my bad, I'll try to get around more. Say, has Dick revealed all the embarrassing stories about Damian yet? Cause I have more to add on to those and I love to see the guy squirm."
"That's our cue to leave. Goodbye Todd." Damian dragged Marinette who had an easy smile now.
"Goodbye Jason! I'll be around for dinner on Friday!"
“And as the clock ticked closer and closer to midnight, Cinderella forgot little by little about her curfew as she danced the night away with the prince.” Marinette told her children, as their eyes were slowly but surely closing. She sat on one of the two twin beds as she tried to keep her voice as quiet as possible while telling the story.
“But the sudden chime of the clock had her halting in her steps as she remembered what she had forgotten. Saying a hurried goodbye to the prince she raced away, hoping to get to her carriage before the magic wore off. However when she was running down the steps-” She continued before she was cut off.
Marinette chased after the reindeer on her skis, hoping desperately that whatever spooked them would get them to stop, or the screaming kid on its back would either calm down or stop screaming and further terrifying the animal it sat upon. Whoever said it would be a fun trip, a lovely vacation to go skiing was clearly not looking into Marinette's future as she was the only one to race after this creature and child. And it was her second time to actually have skis on her feet. The first time was yesterday and it took everything to both not fall over and keep the animal in her sights.
This was not ideal. This was really not ideal.
She did not expect to have the snow drop away underneath her and suddenly she was sprawled on the ground staring up at the sky. She scrambled up and looked around, listening as hard as she could.
No reindeer, no screaming child. Marinette bit her lip as her brows furrowed. If before it was unideal, now it is terrible. She glanced in the snow, but there were so many footprints, Marinette was not sure she would find the reindeer hoof prints, and that meant she was going to really struggle. She let out a groan.
"What are you doing?" She jumped and looked around. She heard a thump and looked at a guy her age had landed in the snow from a tree.
"Huh? You were in a tree?"
"What else would I do with a reindeer running at me but get out of its way. Why were you chasing it?"
"It's from the Santa Claus meet thing. Something spooked the reindeer and it took off. There's a child on its back and I'm the only one that noticed. So I'm trying to at least follow the animal to bring it back."
"As a domestic animal, it's not going to know how to find shelter or food. Let's go and find the reindeer and child."
Marinette groaned as she fell over. Again. Seriously, why and how does anyone enjoy this activity?
She was not also put out because Damian, who had his gear under the tree was apparently some sort of professional and had yet to eat snow, but kept looking at her as if he found gum on the bottom of his shoe.
"We need to be able to keep moving. I'm certain we are catching up to the deer and child. If you could keep your balance, things would go quicker."
"I'm sorry, but not all of us are brilliant after a single lesson on skiing." Marinette snarked. "And I'm a natural clutz. I'm doing my best here." He blinked.
"You went after a kid on skis, having no experience with skis in the snow?"
"No one else noticed. All the deer went crazy, Santa Claus was knocked unconscious, and so I went after it hoping someone would also see me. Clearly that did not happen."
"....you are idiotic."
"Maybe, but I can't just stand to the side and watch." Marinette fell over again and let out a noise of irritation.
"...come on." The guy hauled her up, and then held her around her waist.
"Ahhh…"
"We'll move faster if I account for your balance. It's going to be fine."
"If you say so…" Marinette eyed him and the snow, uneasy in her gaze. "But I think we'll both end up eating snow."
"Tt. Unlikely. I'm excellent with my balance."
"Okay. Let's keep going then." Marinette nodded to herself, and the pair set off again.
Marinette and the guy had tracked the deer down and the child was still clinging to the bell strap. But at least there was no more running. The pair quickly approached and started to head back the way they came. The girl saw the pair and cried out in glee. "Damian!"
"Lian. Harper will be worried." Marinette blinked. "We need to head back now. You stay put and we will lead." Marinette sighed and they began to return. They got all the way back when a guy ran up, looking relieved, and scooped the girl up and nodded his thanks to Damian before pausing at Marinette.
"Say anything and I'll make you regret it Harper." Damian growled.
"I don't know, I think Dick would find it interesting that you are willing to touch someone else, and look so intimate while doing so…" Marinette glanced down to see that yes, Damian managed to still hold her.
"It's not what it seems, I just really can't stay upright on these!" Marinette started throwing her hands around to explain, which startled the reindeer and he moved away. Which would have been fine but as Damian's hands with poles and her waist was full, she had been leading the deer, causing her to be yanked along. So she lost her balance and she let out a yelp of surprise, and tried to stabilise herself.
Unfortunately, she was not used to an extra person's weight. Damian also got pulled along with her, and so he also was falling. Marinette landed in the snow, and while Damian was clearly quick enough to not end up crushing her, he still landed so that they were nose to nose and Marinette could feel his warm breath fan out across her cheeks. Her mind registered mint and fabric softener while both their eyes widened and Damian froze up above her as they could only stare. The spell broke at the sound of laughter.
"No Lian, I'm sure Damian is not going to kiss the pretty lady." Damian's face turned even redder and with a yell he tried to climb up. Marinette saw the guy start to run and in a panic to stop it, reached up and grabbed Damian dragging him back down. His murderous gaze turned to her and she felt herself wonder if she should let go.
"What are you doing?"
"Stopping you from going after him. I didn't just save a girl for her to end up fatherless." He grumbled. Marinette warily let go and he sat up and further away from her. Marinette glanced around.
"So, we still need to find the guy who looks after the reindeer. Want to try and reach me how not to fall on my face every few seconds?" Damian's lip quirked in the corner.
"You need all the help you can get."
"I know. And you are really good. Besides, I can tell you are attached to him."
"Come on. Let's go back to basics. Working on balance."
Marinette decided skiing was not as bad as she thought.
I fell off the wagon. Here's hoping I can still end with some dignity.
@daminettedecember @maribat-calendar-events
Marinette frowned at the small screen that the Riddler had trained on her. Seriously, did he think this sort of thing would actually work? Actually, considering how he was held in an asylum, perhaps he actually did.
Marinette did not have time to be thinking about other people's decisions in life, she had her own to be worried about right now, age berated herself and forced her attention to the problem at hand. She had been chosen as bait off the street to get Batman to solve a bunch of riddles or she was a goner. Really nice huh? And of course there was also a time limit to consider.
Apparently, half an hour to answer, or she was doomed. If she answered and was wrong, doomed. If she answered but also moved too slowly, she was also shock horror, doomed.
Yeah, it really wasn't a good day. Marinette looked over the puzzle in front of her. She had to select a door. That's all. Select a door, escape, and she would be okay. The bats had it easier, they only had to solve riddles to find her, and only had to open one door. At least the Riddler was nice enough to let her watch exactly what was happening outside her death trap and how much time she had to save herself. Her riddle was an annoying one which was looking at figuring out and understanding.
Safety is always 2 doors away from fire. Electricity is behind 3 doors that are not next to each other. And the fake safe door was only to the right of electric shock. The last door with snakes is not next to the fire.
And all the doors were touch sensitive so she couldn't work out which one had fire due to heat. This was stupid. 8 doors, one door good. All the rest to kill her. Good times. She glared at the red and green doors before her. Right. The 8 doors in front of her on one wall… clearly, the two on either end were unable to be safe due to being always two from fire. You can't be two from both fires on the side…
Damian, Tim and Jason were all rushing. Bruce was out of town when the Riddler decided to pull this stunt so Dick had taken up the bat mantle again. He was a bit further out but they had figured out where the captive was. They say captive because Riddler said it was Bruce Wayne's daughter and Cass had already replied that she was fine and with Steph. They had no clue who this girl was. All they knew was that they had minutes left and they needed to get to the scene, disengage the trap and get the girl on her way home again. Damian ran on ahead as the other two took on the rogue henchmen and Dick went after the Riddler. He looked over the set up and froze. The giant slab of concrete they had seen in footage was no longer hanging from the ceiling, rather that the set up space had been crushed. Completely. The girl had triggered the trap and she wasn't standing in the rubble. He dropped to his knees in anger. They had failed.
He looked up at the feet before him that were not his siblings. He stared in shock at the girl that aside from dust in her hair, looked fairly okay. He blinked at her.
"You're not dead."
"No. I figured his riddle out." She glanced over his outfit and grimaced.
"What is with this city and red and green everywhere?"
"That's what you focus on?"
"The doors were either obnoxious green or red. So yeah, I'm a little tired of seeing the colours." A noise behind them revealed his two red wearing brothers.
"It's clear." Tim said.
"What's with the red?!" She exclaimed. The other two paused and glanced at each other.
"Ah, miss?"
"Marinette. Marinette Dupain-Cheng."
"Well we are just going to take you home alright?"
"Yeah, no. Not needed. I have things to do, places to be. Let's not meet again? Not that I wouldn't want to meet you in such a situation of life threatening measures, but in normal circumstances, let's not meet. Ever."
"I understand, miss." Tim nodded. Damian had to agree with this Marinette. She seemed to not just be intelligent but also had common sense.
And she was pretty a part of his brain that sounded like Dick added on. Damian decided to ignore that.
"I'll make sure you're clear to leave." Damian said. Marinette raised an eyebrow.
"You mean ensure there's no one in here for my safety?"
"Yes."
"...okay. come on, red and green boy."
Damian did frown but otherwise did not react.
"Still, thanks for coming to save the day."
"That's what we do."
"Still. It's appreciated." They reached the door and Marinette turned to look at him.
Damian looked out into the street and nodded. She pressed herself up on tiptoe to kiss his cheek and ran off. Damian returned inside to see his two brothers arguing.
"Hey Demon spawn." Jason ignored Tim's cries to stop him. "Did you know miss fit in also is an awesome fighter? Tim just uncovered some footage."
"No, stop, Jason I swear."
Damian was able to watch the footage later. Yeah, he needed to track Marinette down as Damian because shivers as she used her surroundings to fight were amazing and he surrounds himself with only the best clearly.
Damian frowned as the door of his and Marinette's apartment continued to be hammered. Seriously, who could that be, and why were they at his door? It better not be one of his siblings looking to get something before patrol in an hour, he had stuff to do, like cook dinner. His best bet was that Marinette forgot her keys again but there were two issues with that. Generally, she didn't knock if he was home, preferring her phone as she was heading home to let him know. And if she didn't know he was home, she used a kwami to let her in.
So whoever was knocking, was not Marinette. He opened the door and stared in shock at the older lady standing before him with a bright grin.
"Hello! You must be Damian, Marinetta told me you would be home." She had pulled him into a hug leaving Damian to go stiff and only the fact she mentioned Marinette stopped him from stabbing this unknown woman.
"Ah, you are?"
"Sorry, I'm Gina, Marinette's grandmother." Well that made a lot more sense. Marinette had mentioned her before in passing. The lady travelled around the world and had a whirlwind of energy, and cared just as much as Marinette did about her family.
That didn't explain how or why she was here.
"Marinette should be home soon." He allowed her into the apartment.
"Oh thank you, but I'm afraid I'll have to run. Got a flight to catch, I'm only in Gotham for a stop over. And to give my little fairy a present."
She pulled something out of her bag. "I got these for her after my last visit to Peru! Little traditional clade dolls! Marinette is always experimenting with fashion so I thought she would appreciate the keepsake."
Damian looked over them. The two figurines were brightly coloured and clearly for the tourists to grab and take. But he supposed that the brighter colours were preferred by Marinette. And still, it wasn't as if they would look out of place. He had little tokens he brought back for Marinette, just as she did when she travelled for her job.
"I'm sure Marinette would want to see you herself to express her thanks."
"Oh no, I really can't. I'm off to India and that flight is in a few hours and I'm sure you have heard about the requirements to go through security and the international travel requirements. I'll properly meet you another time."
"I really must insist, Marinette would be most upset to have missed you."
"Oh no, really, it's no issue,"
"At least for a cup of tea or coffee. To send you on your way without me offering would be rude." Gina paused in her movements. Damian merely moved her further into the apartment and firmly settled her at the kitchen table as he pottered about to make her a drink.
"Tea please. Herbal is fine." Gina requested as the pot boiled. Damian nodded and looked through the pantry to find what he required.
Marinette opened the door and called out a greeting as she dropped a couple of bags and shut the door behind her. She grinned as Damian peered around the door.
"You'll never guess who's here."
"Who?"
"Marinetta!"
"Grandma?" Marinette smiled as she was enveloped in a hug and returned it.
"Your boyfriend was so nice to invite me in to stay to see you!"
"Oh that's great! I thought you were in Peru?"
"That was last week, tomorrow it's India."
"I suppose you have to head off then?"
"In a minute. Let me see you. Oh you've matured so much! I'll need to take you on a trip with me soon."
"We'll figure that out. It's been good to see you."
"Oh I'm glad I was convinced to wait. You'll want to keep Damian around, he's a good egg."
"Grandma!"
"Must be off! Goodbye you two, lovely to properly meet you Damian!"
"Gina." Damian gave as a parting and just like that she was gone. "She moves quickly."
"She can't stay still for long. Travel has always been a part of her."
"Yes. Well she got these figurines for you. Saying she hopes they inspire you."
"Well it's better than the last clothing she got me." Marinette smiled. "Dinner?"
"I was thinking about having stir fry." Marinette nodded and followed him into the kitchen.
Damian stared at the library table in confusion. Someone had decided to take time out of their day to write Hey stranger in sparkly red ink. While writing on tables was a common occurrence, the weird part was that this particular person had chosen to do it on the untouched back table. The one no one rarely ever used because it was basically hidden away from sight.
He was very tempted to wipe the ink off and go on with his day. But he remembered Jason talking about his horrible social skills and inability to make friends earlier that day when he thought he wasn’t around. And perhaps this strange person would be his ticket to proving Jason wrong.
So in a very un-Damian Wayne fashion, he took his dark green pen out from his pencil case and started writing on the table. Once he was finished writing he put his pen back in his bag and took out his English essay that was due the next period. He proceeded to spend the last of his free period going over the work and making edits till it was what he considered perfection before heading to his class.
It was a peaceful day for Tim. He was able to stay home and catch up on sleep for once before he had to go to Wayne Enterprises the next day. Currently he was enjoying a warm hot chocolate Alfred had whipped up. Dick was sitting on the couch with him, enjoying his own cup of hot chocolate. Kor’i, Mar’i, Steph, Babs, and Cass were all going Christmas shopping and Jason was who knows where. It was a rare quiet atmosphere that he couldn’t get enough of as he scrolled through funny tweets on twitter. Dick seemed to share the sentiment as for once he wasn’t trying to break it.
Unfortunately, the wonderful silence was interrupted when Jason came barreling through the door. “Have you guys seen the viral video on Youtube?”
Marinette bounced on her toes watching the street. She had figured out the schedule of Kagami's today and it included a sword fighting meeting so Marinette had come along to show her support. She had a banner and everything to do so. She was now waiting to see Kagami before she started, to wish her luck. And say hi. She was on lookout for the familiar red car when a guy bumped into her, not even pausing to apologize to her as he went in. Marinette scowled but brightened at the appearance of Kagami.
"Kagami! Hi!"
"Marinette. What are you doing here?"
"I knew you had a tournament today, and I wanted to show my support. I've got a banner, and I'll be cheering you on!" Kagami gave a smile.
"Thank you for the support. But I need to hurry, I'm running just on time as it is to warm up properly." Marinette beamed and dragged her in.
The bout had been going for a fair while between Kagami and the person Marinette only recognised as the annoying guy who couldn't take an additional half step to be completely around her. It was the final and she hoped Kagami would do well, but she honestly couldn't follow what was happening or even who was scoring half the time. Marinette could admit that the guy at least was skilled and giving Kagami a challenge. Sometimes it seemed that Marinette could barely see his blade, and Kagami was working hard in order to win. Steel clanging rang through the air as the pair parried and tried to score the important points. Marinette held in a groan when the guy was declared victor, and surrounded by polite applause, she made her way down to at least say that Kagami had done her best and really well at that. She approached and gave Kagami a hug that was stiffly returned while Kagami was giving her congratulations to her competition.
"You did amazing Kagami! You too." She addressed the other guy. He raised an eyebrow.
"You know Kagami?"
"I'm one of her friends!" Marinette wrapped her arm around Kagami's shoulders and studied him. He looked at Kagami who nodded.
"Damian. Long time competitor to Kagami. Maybe someday you'll best me in a match." He addressed Kagami in the end.
"Kagami will. She's determined and really talented and skilled." Marinette defended her friend. Kagami gave a smile.
Damian merely snorted.
"I'm sure your confidence in her is well meaning. Compared to the amateurs here she is good. But I'm still better."
"For now. Kagami practices often and is talented. She will hone her craft beyond your abilities yet. I'm going to get some food for us to eat. I forgot to bring it in my rush. I might be able to grab some stuff for you as well." She added to Damian and rushed off.
Kagami turned to look at Damian watching her friend run off with a sense of bewilderment.
"She's bringing food for me as well?"
"Indeed. Marinette is like that. She loves to show and share her love with people. I think her father and his love of baking translates most initial gifts into food."
"That's an astute assumption." Damian agreed. "I do believe this is the most I've ever seen you sociable in these tournaments."
"Marinette has that effect on people." Kagami answered. "Apparently I've been called an ice queen around here."
"Oh really?" Damian asked. Kagami nodded. "That is the similar vein to the media in Gotham referring to me."
"The Ice Prince?" Kagami asked. Damian nodded.
"...well, in that case, maybe Marinette will melt you too to be more sociable as well. She's a very warm person after all." Damian scowled over her little joke.
"Not funny,"
"I thought it was amusing." Kagami replied. Marinette finally returned, panting as she held out a box. Kagami selected her preferred favourites while Damian looked over the options and Marinette waited.
Eventually he selected one and munched, wrinkling his nose. He had hoped that it would have been in his tastes but it was mildly too sweet for him to enjoy it.
"Oh dear, did you not like it?"
"He doesn't have a sweet tooth." Kagami answered. Marinette blinked.
"That's so sad! Come on, I'll take you to the bakery, you can select something else!" Kagami watched as Marinette grabbed his wrist and pulled him along after her. She saw the shock and disbelief cross his face for a moment before it disappeared. Yeah, Marinette was definitely going to melt the Ice prince's heart.
Marinette cursed as she tried to get through the maze, having been turned around 3 times already and having encountered riddles and puzzles to solve if she wanted to continue a route that were real time wasters. Seriously, who sees a maze and thinks "I'll just make it harder and add in problem solving to the mix, everyone will love that!"? Marinette needed to get out of the maze to go and deal with the Akuma who has turned most of central Paris into a giant maze and solve this whole mess. She was on a new track when she got stopped by another puzzle and groaned again. Seriously? She looked over it and was stumped, unsure of the answer as she tried to work through it.
"What is even happening?" She turned around to see the first person she'd see in this maze and her mouth dropped. The guy...wasn't a guy. He seemed to have taken on a more animalistic appearance, with some still human identifiable traits.
"Uhhhh, what?"
"One person, one, made this whole thing appear and when I confronted them they decided I'd make a lovely minotaur to fulfill their Labyrinth! And then because of my preferred hero name, surely I'd like to be a bird crossed with a man!" Marinette studied the guy.
"Wait, hero?" She asked.
"Tt. Clearly. What reason are you in a masked get up like yours? Are you not one as well?"
"Well, yes. I am Ladybug. Ahhh, the person didn't have a butterfly appear did they?"
"One that melted into a game device of some sort, yes."
"Well at least I know where the Akuma is. Now to get out of here and face them. If only I could get out of this stupid maze!"
"It's not a maze. It's a Labyrinth. There's a difference."
"And do you know how to get out of one?"
"The Greek mythological tale is that you need a ball of yarn when you enter and use to leave."
"Considering the number of people dumped in here, I don't think that's going to work."
"Then you better figure something out." The bird man shrugged his…
"Do you have wings in that getup?"
"....yes. and a beak."
"Can you not just fly up?"
"Tt. The Akuma, as you call it, comes and batters me back into the maze, telling me to deal with the pesky duo."
"Right…" Marinette frowned in thought. "Why aren't you under their control?"
"As if I would ever be controlled by someone."
"....that's not how it works."
"Does it matter? Count your lucky stars. I'm not under their control and focus on the problem. Well, there's the Labyrinth game. Answer the riddles, slay the beast, win the game. Considering the gaming console, could that be the best way out." Marinette frowned but agreed. She turned back to the riddle and frowned in thought.
"Do you think it's referring to potatoes?"
"Is that your guess?"
"I can't think of anything else with eyes that don't see and am alive."
"Then try."
"...Potatoes." she spoke at the hedge that then moved.
"Glad to see that we are moving in a direction."
"We?"
"I will have vengeance on this complete idiotic look forced upon me. Let's just go."
Marinette nodded and the two took off. Every riddle they sat and tried to figure out the answer. But with every answer, Marinette was more and more certain that she was getting closer as the cries of people stuck in the maze faded and the pair continued to move forward. Whoever this guy was, he was extremely helpful, even if he was a grouch.
"Does this happen often?"
"A maze appearing? No. Akuma? Yeah. But it's fine."
"Fine."
"Yeah."
"How does anyone in Paris manage this?"
"Oh, fully magic. I can reverse any damage caused by the Akuma, back to normal."
"Including this." He gestured towards himself.
"Yes. Don't worry, you won't be stuck as a man bird for long."
"That's the second thing I'm thankful for today."
"What's the first?" Marinette asked.
"Meeting you."
Marinette's cheeks turned red and considered options for reply but they came out of the maze and the Akuma that was in a toga was monologuing. So Marinette put it out of mind for a moment. Later Marinette could freak out later.
Later Marinette was a lot earlier than she expected.
"You are Robin?!?! Oh my god, I had a whole conversation with one of the world's most famous heroes. Oh god, this is not how I expected my day to go, you flirted with me!"
"You showed admirable intellect. Repeatedly. And a willingness to share about the situation."
"Oh my god…." Marinette's hands ran down her face in a whine.
"Also, how did you work out how to use the tyre pump to get the Akuma? Was a stroke of brilliance I would not have considered."
"I ahh, I regularly have to do that."
"Well, would you be open to meeting me tonight at the Eiffel Tower? I feel Batman may want to know more about what is happening here."
Marinette's eyes widened as she looked at him. "I'm going to meet Batman?!? Oh this day just is not what I was expecting at all!"
A Feather can be a worst enemy at a best friend's wedding
Day 20, let's keep going
@daminettedecember @maribat-calendar-events
"AHCOO!" Adrien, Marinette's close friend, looked terrible with droopy eyes and sniffling. "I'm even more certain there's a feather somewhere around here."
Damian, contained his eye roll. Adrien did have a point that there had to be something making his allergies act up, but the plan of "use my allergy to find it" was stupid. Why was he going along with this again?
Right. Because Marinette asked him nicely. And she was helping Kagami as the maid of honour, so he was stuck playing the maid of honour's date that is in no other way involved in the wedding, which meant Adrien and Nino had taken him under their wing and asked him to do stuff. He had been expecting something trivial like helping the girls decorate, organising the chairs, setting out flowers, something that made sense. Instead he was involved in the hunt for this stupid feather making Adrien look like he had the flu in the middle of July.
His talents were truly being wasted. He glowered darkly at the close friend of Marinette's as he then beamed at a sight high up.
"There! That's got to be it, right?" Damian looked for the slight feather stuck on the window edge from a second floor position...how sensitive was this boy's nose? He headed for the stairs to gain normal better access, regardless of the fact he probably could climb to reach it. He was in a suit that if it ripped, Marinette would be after him. He made it barely 5 steps when he heard a rip followed by a thud. He turned around to see in shock Adrien lying on the floor, a feather in hand. Adrien stood up and looked over at himself.
"I thought I heard a rip, can you see anything that may be it's source?" Damian sighed and started looking and took the feather.
"Seam under the arm. Marinette will be able to repair it." Adrien's face fell.
"You wouldn't be able to take it to her?" He asked. Damian scoffed.
"I'm not idiotic enough to have done the stunt you pulled, and I'm not idiotic to suffer the consequences on your behalf. Besides, someone with no allergies needs to dispose of the feather you seemed to think was going to ruin your special day."
"Oh come on Damian, please?"
"I'm not putting myself out on the line to protect you from my girlfriend. Go and face her and her disapproval yourself." He walked away at a brisk pace and ignored the continued requests of the groom. If he's going to risk damaging his suit 2 hours to go time, he can also face the consequences of an upset Marinette when he did damage his suit. That's got nothing to do with Damian. Adrien is not his best friend, he wouldn't go do this for Jon either.
Though Jon probably could take the danger and come out alive with his Kryptonian DNA. Marinette when talking fashion and clothes took it a little too seriously.
Yes, it's late. No I will not explain. Yes, there will be a catch up on previous days. I have up to 23rd and 24th complete, so expect all others in a post binge and then I'll work to get up to date and hopefully post the last two before Christmas Day.
@daminettedecember @maribat-calendar-events
Enjoy!
Damian cursed as he ducked his head and turned into an alleyway. He had been prepared to fight crime in Paris when he came over to see Marinette. He just did not expect there to be a highly dangerous one that had magical fire abilities where everything was on fire. Smoke burnt at his eyes and he tried to limit his inhalation of it. Once he was in the alley, the air seemed a little clearer but still he ran looking for some cover.
He did not expect to see a girl even shorter than him in skates.
"Huh. Guess she was right. Come on. I'm following orders from a higher power." Damian looked at her as she grabbed his hand and pulled him along.
"Who are you? What is going on?" He demanded.
"I'm a friend of Marinette. But I got told by Ladybug that she heard from Bunnix, the time hopping miraculous wielder, that you are important for me to account for your whereabouts for this whole attack. And where to not let you go. Apparently you really impact the fight enough for our heroes to lose."
"What are you talking about?"
"Dude, I don't question it, I just do as I'm told. I learnt not to do that with the time traveller last time." Damian quirked an eyebrow.
"Last time?"
"Yep."
"Can you then explain anything?"
"Nope. But she can." The pair stopped and a white portal opened and a woman with pink hair in blue and white with an umbrella and bunny ears popped out.
"Great job mini! Now run along, Ladybug needs to be told you've completed the task." Alix nodded and took off. The lady he figured to be the Bunnix Alix spoke of looked at him.
"Why exactly am I brought to you?"
"You try to get in the fight. And Minibug saves you. At the cost of burning herself alive. No ladybug. No miraculous cure. And that means this stays as is. I remove you from the field, and that means she will focus on the fight." Damian's eyebrows rose.
"I find all of this to be ludicrous."
"You would. But that doesn't change anything. You provide enough distraction." Damian scowled.
"And I'm supposed to just believe you are some sort of Time traveler without proof?"
"If you want proof Little Birdie I have it." She stared at him as he spluttered. "That's what I thought. You need to stay out of it. That's the way I assure that you live and she lives. And if you are here with me, then she can focus on the Akuma fully."
"Why does my safety result in her ability to focus?" Damian asked.
"...you still don't know." Bunnix studied him carefully.
"Know what?"
"I'll leave that to her to tell you." Damian hates cryptic answers.
"Fine. Fine. What can you tell me then? About the Akuma, about the situation."
"Simple. Nothing. That's the issue with time. Don't want to undo too much." Damian growled. Before he could say anything else the sky filled with ladybugs and the scent and sight of smoke disappeared. "Ah, perfect. All finished. Run along now, I'm sure you have someone you want to meet." Damian's eyes went wide. He had forgotten he had been on his way to see Marinette. She had been caught up in that attack and now he really needed to hurry to ensure she was okay. He took off running barely hearing whatever else Bunnix would say. Or wouldn't say.
He didn't expect to see Marinette charging through and grabbing him in a hug.
"Damian! You made me so worried!"
"I took shelter in the alley. Are you okay?"
"Fine. Very fine now I know you're okay and haven't been fried." She buried her head in his shoulder. Damian merely wrapped his arms around her and leant on her head.
"So am I Angel. So am I".
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