ML Counsellor AU: Nooroo’s Session
When a butterfly appears in Carmine’s apartment not even three days after she is Akumatized, she decides (perhaps foolishly) to take a very dangerous risk and allow it to approach her.
Carmine had been Akumatized in Thursday, and it was now late Saturday night. Her precious friends had not left her side for a moment, and had all come over uninvited Thursday night and hadn’t left. A movie was being played on the TV but no one was watching it because with the exception of Carmine, everyone was asleep.
Nathalie and Thistle had fallen asleep on the love seat, Nathalie with her head on Thistle lap, and Thistle letting out a soft snore as she slept. Lloyd was sprawled out on the couch, dead to the world, well Blaine was fast asleep on the floor, snoring periodically (the man had stated he could sleep anywhere...). Each person had a blanket on top of them, curtesy of Carmine as Gladiolus the ferret turned off the TV, glancing out to the balcony where Carmine sat, a large mug of tea in her hands as she stared out at the night sky of Paris.
She didn’t know how she felt about being Akumatized. She honestly didn’t remember much of it, bits and pieces at most, which surprised her. From her research of the previous victims, none of them seemed to have any recollection of being Akumatized, but she remembered some things....
Her magic trying to push the akuma out of her ring, trying to prevent the man from taking over her mind and body. She remembered briefly running into Nathalie, and how mad she was, but could not remember why. She remembered trying to stop herself from taking Chat’s ring, and she remembered Chloe breaking her finger to get her ring off.
That last memory made her shutter, but she had to admit, it was extremely clever, and she had told Chloe as much before she had been whisked away by Nathalie for a very impromptu long weekend. She still remembered Nathalie calling Gabriel, very annoyed and telling him she was taking two paid vacations days and if he didn’t like it, too bad. She was very proud of her best friend.
She sipped her tea, sighing as she was deep in thought, noticing movement out of the corner of her eye she glanced over, thinking it was Gladiolus but felt her entire body freeze in terror before abruptly standing up at the sight of the butterfly just hoovering not even three feet from her.
She backed up TIL her back was to the glass door, looking at the butterfly in a panic, expecting it to dart at her, however, as if sensing her fear, it backed off a few feet but remained close. Carmine also noted, that unlike most akuma’s, this butterfly was a light purple colour, unlike the inky black they usual were.
Was Hawkmoth trying a new strategy? If she willingly touched an akuma, could he control her more easily?
The butterfly wasn’t moving away, still fluttering about four feet away from her, it almost seemed... anxious? Apologetic? Carmine couldn’t get a good read on it... her curiosity was getting the better of her as she glanced behind her, seeing that her friends were still fast asleep.
Carmine glanced back at the butterfly, still fluttering not to far from her. This was possibly one of the most reckless ideas she ever had, and she was chewed on a piece of magic cheese that nearly turned her into a giant piece of ice.
She walked back to her chair, sitting down as she took of the necklace she always wore. It was a simple silver locket that she inherited from her grandmother, it was special, however it was the only thing she had on her that if needed, she could throw it away and get the akuma as far from her body as possible.
She looked at the butterfly, slowly bringing her hand out, presenting the locket and waited. The butterfly, as if sensing the invitation, slowly, as if trying to be as non-threatening as possibly, fly to the locket, becoming absorbed into the metal as Carmine saw the butterfly mask appear in front of her face, and a presence enter her mind.
The presence didn’t speak at first, which Carmine found confusing, looking around her balcony as if expecting to see Hawkmoth.
“... Hello?” She said hesitantly, not really expecting a reply back, she was surprised to hear one, however it didn’t sound or feel like Hawkmoth.
“Greetings, I apologize for speaking to you this late... I expected you to be asleep.” The voice stated. It didn’t sound entirely... human. It kind of reminded her of Tikki or Plagg- her eyes widened as she realized who she was talking too.
“... your not Hawkmoth.” She stated simply, gently gripping the locket as she closed her eyes, trying to picture what the butterfly Kwami would look like. Most likely they would be purple, perhaps a light purple like the butterfly. Maybe with wings? Or would that be too on the nose? Than again, Plagg basically looked like a cat... but Tikki didn’t look like a ladybug.
“... No, I am not.” The voice stated “My name is Nooroo. I wished to apologize for what my master did to you, like I stated, I thought you would be asleep, I was going to give you pleasant dreams, and than leave. I can’t stay for too long or my master will discover me.”
Carmine blinked, not expecting that at all “... have you done this before, Nooroo?”
“For every single person my master has turned into an akuma, I have sent one of my butterflies to give the, pleasant dreams shortly after, an... apology of sorts for what he put the, through. I...” she heard his voice quiver slightly, and him take a deep breath “... my Miraculous isn’t meant to be used like this, to cause harm and bring out the worst in people. It’s suppose to make champions, hero’s, and... and...”
“Nooroo, this is not your fault.” Carmine expressed, brining the locket close to her chest, as if that would somehow convey the hug she wanted to give the Kwami “I know you most likely don’t have a choice in what happens with the Miraculous, none of this is your fault. Can you tell me where you are? I could retrieve the Miraculous, return you to Ladybug and Chat Noir-
“I can not.” Nooroo stated “My master forbids me from revealing myself to anyone, or my location. I can not go against my masters orders.”
Carmine sighed, looking down at the locket, bitting her lip “... I know you hate this, and it must seem really bleak right now, but Ladybug and Chat Noir WILL get you back, and you will get out of that mans hands. And if your willing, after that is all said and done, if you need a kind ear, I am here to listen.” She said to him.
She could feel the hesitation from Nooroo’s end before he spoke “I came here to help you feel better, not the other way around, Mlle Regal...” he stated, not in a mean tone, but a confused one.
Carmine smiled softly, shaking her head “I know... but healing can happen on both ends. I realize you probably can’t just speak to me whenever you please, and we probably can’t formally meet until your rescued, but I want to help you. My goal in life, my purpose, is to help others be the best they can be. I want to help anyone I can, and even Kwami’s like you Nooroo.”
At first Nooroo didn’t respond, and Carmine was almost worried that she over step some sort of boundary, however instead she heard a soft sob, causing her to worry even more.
“Nooroo, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you-“
“You... you remind me of my caterpillars...” he said softly, a soft sob escaping in his voice. “My true caterpillars, they always saw the good in people and wanted to help others...” he said softly “... thank you, for reminding me of them in this dark time...”
Carmine blinked, swallowing the lump in her throat as she felt the sadness and desperation through the psychic link that she shared with Nooroo “... A... Anytime.”
“I have to go. We may not be able to speak again-“
“We will, WHEN Ladybug and Chat Noir save you.” Carmine stated in a determined tone.
“... yes.” Carmine felt the hope, however small, in the one word “... yes, that would be lovely... thank you, Carmine, good night.”
The mask disappeared from her face, Carmine felt the link disappear. She sighed, wishing she could have helped more. She looked down at the locket, blinking slight as she noticed it seemed... different.
Upon closer inspection, she noticed the extremely faint outline of butterfly on the locket, as if it was a parting gift from Nooroo. Carmine gripped the locket, looking out at the night sky with new found determination.
When Ladybug and Chat Noir rescused Nooroo and defeat Hawkmoth, she had two plans. The first was the ensure that Nooroo got all the love and care he needed. The second, and she had the power to do this, to make Hawkmoth feel every single emotion he put Nooroo through. Tit for tat after all.
