theshipyard | ✨ .//. Piper McLean » Percy Jackson: Heroes of Olympus

[ Cat Noir decided to watch as Piper escorted her boyfriend back into the building. Just as a formality, of course. He’s pretty certain his Lady’s Miraculous healed over any serious, lasting injuries from the attack (as it usually did), but the whole ordeal seemed to affect these two a little differently than their usual Parisian victims, so he deemed the matter worthy of his extra attention.

(That, and he was procrastinating on going home to his father’s piano lesson, but that’s neither here nor there.)

Jason remembered being akumatized, for one. Cat can’t quite remember that ever happening before—not even with himself, when he’s been the victim an akuma. For two, well...frankly, it’s the first time Ladybug and he ever showed up after the victim was already subdued.

So that was...different.

It didn’t leave Cat much to do. He hadn’t used Cataclysm, so his Miraculous timer hadn’t started blinking to remind him to take his leave.

He certainly doesn’t expect to see either of them so soon (at least, not as Cat Noir), but when the door opens, he doesn’t even have a chance to hide.

Not that he really needed to. Why would he? The surprise wears off pretty quickly once he sees Piper; the way her hair falls perfectly over her shoulders when she turned...

He catches himself staring for a moment before he gives her a playful salute, accompanied by his usual charming smile. ]

Hello, again.

[ Out again so soon? he wants to ask, but even he’s not that nosy.

...Most of the time. ]

[ Being a demigod, Piper was used to all kinds of "strange". The new strange for them was waking up in the morning and NOT having to deal with any monster attacks, or quests, or favors for unsettled nymphs or dryads in the area who needed them to have a word with their rude neighbors.

They'd had a year and a half of relative peace after the Prophecy of Seven ended and while Piper was under no illusion that life would just magically settle into place, she did think maybe they were done with life-shaking developments.

She'd convinced Jason to take a bit of down time from doing the whole augur-slash-"spokesperson for the gods" bit, for just a small step back, go on vacation with she and her father to Paris. Seriously, a once in a lifetime kind of opportunity, even for world traveled demigods like themselves- no world ending quests looming overhead or anything! Instead, the compromise was to turn his attention to some of the minor gods he'd learned had relocated there in the last few centuries.

Fair enough, she'd take it.

Now, to be fair, Paris is everything she'd imagined it would be and more, because Jason is there with her. That alone made the trip worth any sort of weirdness they might encounter, but now she's not so sure what she's unintentionally gotten them into.

Sighing, Piper placed a kiss on Jason's forehead before stepping back and letting him settle in to rest. He needed to sleep if just for a little while, after being... what had those two called it? "Akumatized"? Yeah, what the hell was up with that, exactly?

Well, while Jason slept, she'd get some fresh air and maybe some answers. ]

And you were doing so well breaking that streak of yours, Sparky.

[ The smile is small, but no less warm as with one last touch- tucking some hair away from his face -Piper turned to head back downstairs and outside.

... And right onto Jason's balcony where Cat Noir was still perched.

Friggin superheroes. If Leo were here he'd never let them hear the end of it.

An eyebrow arches in surprise, but Piper quickly finds that she can't help but smile. They'd helped them out, gotten Jason back to normal, and really she couldn't even begin to try to describe how much of a relief that was, how much she'd appreciated their help. She was struck by the sudden urge to tease him by flicking that bell on his costume and calling him a "good kitty" as thanks, but- probably better not to risk offending him or making things awkward.

Still.

SO tempting. ]

I didn't expect you to stick around, not that I'm complaining... It was Cat Noir, right?

[ She shuts the door quietly behind her, mostly at least, leaving it cracked a bit so she'd be able to hear it if Jason stirred inside, or if there were some sign of trouble. After that though she strolled over to stand a few feet down the railing from the black clad hero. A boy, younger than both she and Jason if she had to guess. Not too young to be doing this kind of thing, considering demigods, but she wondered if that's what he was with those powers. ]

Thanks again for your help back there. You really helped us out.

[ Cat beams, clearly pleased that she bothered to remember his name in all the chaos. The way she said it, he suspects that maybe it’s a little hard for her to take seriously; but Cat’s not a serious kind of guy, and her gratitude seemed no less genuine.

He takes it as an invitation, but only steps as far as the balcony, joining her. ]

Oh, I can’t take too much credit. Ladybug did most of the work this time around, but...I did want to make sure he was alright.

[ He peers over Piper’s shoulder to the door, then makes eye contact with her again in silent question. A cheeky grin lights his face. ]

It’s what Milady would expect of me.

[ Milady? Ah, he must be referring to Ladybug. So, were those two an item, or...? ]

He will be.

[ And that's what counts, right? She'd given him some Ambrosia when they were away from sight, just a small bit to be on the safe side. Now it was up to him to rest. Thankfully he didn't seem to carry over any of the injuries sustained from their fight, but she knew he'd be beating himself up about it later and was already trying to mentally prepare herself to talk him around.

Meanwhile, she's curious about their saviors and... apparently Paris' guardians. Here she'd thought it was just promotion for some kids show, all the talk and signs around town. ]

Jason is tough, probably the toughest guy I know. He just needs to rest, I think.

[ She could reassure Cat by telling him about the time he walked off getting struck by lightning, or recovered from a fatal cursed stab wound, or being clobbered any number of times on their journey to Rome- but for Jason's dignity's sake AND the sake... ]

You're not... you know... like us, are you?

[ Alas! He wishes they were an item. They’re not, so Jason and Piper will just have to do.

He quietly commits their names to memory again, since he realizes not everyone appreciates his affectionate nick names; but he doesn’t seem to understand Piper’s question. ]

Like you? Like...tough? [ to completely unnecessarily illustrate the point, he flexes one of his arms, demonstrating the fact that he is every bit the scrawny french kid model he is as Adrien. ] Because you are too, y’know. Not just Jason.

But I somehow doubt that’s what you mean.

[ He flexed, and Piper grinned. There wasn't anything flirtatious in his "showing off" or her response. Instead he just came across as kind of playful and pleasantly goofy. He reminded her of Leo, actually, and that immediately endeared him to her a little more without him even trying. This time she didn't resist the urge to lean, reaching over to flick at the bell on his neck- assuming he didn't pull back from the invasion of personal space. ]

Not quite, kitten. I meant...

[ She hesitates visibly for a moment. Jason might not approve of what she's about to do, but if there's anyone in Paris they could trust with a secret like this, aside from fellow demigods, it HAS to be superheroes who are already used to keeping secret identities, right? Besides, they're going to have questions, that much she could already sense by their confusion as they'd arrived, and Cat Noir's hanging back. They clearly weren't prepared to find them in the state they were in, with Jason already subdued and Piper none the worse for wear, aside from being worried of course. ]

...

[ Finally, she looked back over her shoulder to make sure no one was hanging by the door, or within earshot on a neighboring balcony, then shrugged a bit and turned so she could lean back against the rail, her hands clasping it behind her back as she watched Cat's reaction. ]

I meant you're actual superheroes, not demigods, right? I'm not gonna pretend to even begin to know where you got your powers from, but they aren't like any I've ever heard of or seen, and you don't seem like god-gods... So... actual super powered mortals? Right?

[ Cat doesn’t even flinch when she reaches for his bell; though he can sense that she already regrets this line of questioning slightly. He watches, tilting his head with curiosity as she checked over her shoulder, and leaned in a little closer as she backed against the rail.

He’s next to her, facing the opposite direction, but leaning similarly, weight on his arms. He seems comfortable and not weirded out, for all that information was supposed to affect him.

Maybe he just doesn’t fully understand yet, though. ]

Definitely super powered. Definitely mortal.

[ Similarly, he’s really not sure how to handle his side of the explanation either. Even with Ladybug herself, they haven’t discussed much about their kwami or the origin of their powers.

Absent-mindedly, Cat fiddles with his Miraculous, tucked tightly around his finger in the form of a ring. ]

I don’t really know about demigods or God-gods, but anything is possible, don’t you think?

Cat worship isn’t entirely unheard of.

I'm... honestly not sure why I'm surprised that you're not surprised.

[ Piper admits, laughing shortly and shaking her head. ]

Touche. I hope you're not counting crazy cat ladies, though.

[ Okay, then, there's that she supposes. He's not freaked by the idea of demigods and myths. She does get serious again though, frowning as she thinks about how easily Jason had been manipulated. She has questions and she's hoping he's willing to give her answers, watching him thoughtfully. ]

So... would you mind telling me what that was all about? I've never seen anything quite like that before...

[ The closest she can compare it to is the Eidolons, and those guys had been bad news- bad news she'd rather not remember. This was different, though, maybe a little less sinister but no less unsettling. ]

What was the deal with the butterfly? How do people get... what, "akumatized", in the first place?

[ If only Ladybug was a crazy cat lady! Then his life when be perfect.

But, priorities.

He’s not exactly the best one for the job, but in addition to checking on Jason, he also has some gaps to fill in, he supposes. He stops playing with the ring to face her as he takes in her curiosity. ]

Right. She kinda ran off before she could explain, huh? Don’t take it personally. She gets that way when her Miraculous timer runs low.

[ He waves a hand and turns as if he’s trying to get comfortable, same cheeky grin on his face. His back is against the railing like Piper’s.

Where to begin? ]

Anyway, the butterfly is what we call the akuma. It’s what Hawk Moth uses to get into your head. He’s...this super villain who’s been after us for a while now.

His name gets thrown around almost as much as mine and Ladybug’s.

[ You'll get there, kiddo! She believes in you! No, really, she'd have to be absolutely BLIND not to see the connection between the two of them. She also has a look at that ring before he stops. Given the placing of Ladybug's earrings she hadn't gotten a good look at them. Cat Noir's ring, though, it stands out. In terms of jewelry it's probably the most ornate part of his outfit. She hadn't missed the way he'd fussed with it, either, though she'd made a point not to make it obvious she'd noticed, either.

As he gets more comfortable beside her she focuses on what he has to say. ]

Miraculous timer... like your ring? Having a time limit sounds like a bother, but I guess it probably means you two have learned to be pretty resourceful, too huh?

[ Alright. Butterflies = Akumas, and... Piper's eyes widen, as if having a sudden realization, and then, with a completely serious tone- ]

Wait a second- So the villain's name is Hawk Moth... and he uses butterflies to corrupt people?

[ And then she arches an eyebrow, amused, smirking a bit. ]

[ .......Yeah. It’s okay, Piper, you can laugh. Cat can’t take him seriously most of the time either. Honestly, he’s actually a little glad that he isn’t the only one, and finds himself smirking a bit too. ]

Yes. Yes, and yes.

[ Yes to the ring, yes to resourcefulness re: the annoying Miraculous timers, and yep, Hawk Moth is...really a thing. ]

I think he corrupts the butterflies first. I don’t really know how it works, but they’re drawn to negative emotion. Like...saaay, the stress of moving to a new city with your girlfriend?

[ just!! a stab in the dark!! They at least got to talk a little bit after everything was over, so he can make a few educated guesses. ]

...Once he’s in your head, it’s like you get these powers, and he evilizes you into doing what he wants.

[ Piper wonders, and almost asks: How is everyone in this city now haggard to Tartarus and back, with a threat like that hanging overhead? But that's the point, isn't it? Stress was another form of negativity, the only thing they could really do if they wanted to best dealing with Hawk Moth would be to not worry about it, to focus on the positive things in their lives. It's no wonder, then, that everyone seemed so friendly. Nothing to make you appreciate how good you've got it like knowing that sulking could find you turned into a supervillain without warning. ]

Well, it makes sense why he'd have no shortage of targets, then.

[ She admits, worry flashing briefly in her shifting eyes, and there was a not-so-discreet peek at the door leading to Jason, too. But remembering what he'd just said, it seemed best to focus on the positive. Jason would recover, he just needed rest, and she'd be there to help him with the mental fallout after.

Meanwhile- ]

Evilizes?

[ The laugh isn't malicious, hopefully he doesn't take it the wrong way. It's just her nature. More and more Cat Noir is reminding her of Leo, little by little. ]

Man, I don't think I've ever felt this torn between laughing at someone being so ridiculous and wanting to punch them in the throat for being a jerk...

[ Can she just do both? Laugh as she tries to punch him in the throat? Seems a fair compromise. ]

Well... He sounds like he needs to be delt with. You guys can call on us if you need help. Where we're from we're pretty used to dealing with ridiculousness. [ Maybe watching him to see what his reaction to that will be. ]

Edited 2018-05-11 03:27 (UTC)

[ The mental image of Piper doing both does make him laugh. Not to mention...yeah, alright, “evilize” might not be the most mature term, but Ladybug always uses it! It’s just so appropriate.

Cat seems appreciative of her offer. ]

Thanks! All he ever seems to do is send his victims after us, so I mean...at least his ridiculousness is predictable.

I wonder if he ever gets bored of trying to steal our jewelry. It must get old.

[ maybe even a little—formulaic? ]

Saturday morning cartoon levels of predictable, it sounds like. [ "And I would've gotten away with it, if it weren't for you meddling heroes and your mangy kwami!"

At his comment about stealing jewelry Piper has to laugh. She can remember not that many years ago when she'd have walked into a jewelry store and walked right back out with a few thousand dollars worth of ice, just to catch her dad's ire. Those days are long behind her, but the hilarity of a former not really jewel "thief" now offering to help a not really jewel "thief"... ]

Maybe he's secretly just extremely bored. I mean, do you guys have any idea why he'd even be after your jewels? So long as it isn't part of some earth shattering prophecy it'll be a nice change of pace.

[ When she puts it that way, he actually pauses to think, putting a paw to his chin, and...well, dang, he really hates to burst her bubble. ]

Maybe less “earth shattering” and more like “earth...take...over-ing?”

[ NAILED IT.

Except not. Point being— ]

The cat and ladybug miraculouses go way back, and apparently there is a thing that’s all, “whosoever wields both will have absolute poweeer.” [ making extremely ridiculous and exaggerated hand gestures as he draws out the last syllable. ]

But it’s kind of vague. We decided it might be better if we don’t ever find out exactly what it means.

[ Maybe he'll find it strange that she laughs, but she does. Like this is perfectly normal and he'd just told a joke instead of admitting that there's a super villain who wants to take over the world. To be fair, though, once you've battled the world itself...

Besides, the hand gestures and exaggerated and subdued villain pronunciation are kinda funny. ]

Sounds about par for the course. Don't let Thanos collect all the Infinity Stones. Got it. [ She can pay attention to pop culture sometimes. ] Compared to what we're used to dealing with this will be a vacation.

[ Well now he’s just imagining Hawk Moth wearing the Infinity Gauntlet—which is just silly. Which means they better not give him any ideas.

Cat joins her in the laughter, though he is rather curious now about what kind of life these guys lead. ]

It is the city of love. You guys should enjoy it.

[ a beat, and he glances over to the Eiffel Tower in the distance. ]

How long are you staying?

[ It feels surprisingly easy, chatting up a superhero. She... honestly never would have expected that, but it's true.

That comment earns a breathless laugh from Piper, for so very MANY reasons, really. Her gaze is cast up towards the sky for a moment, thinking again about Jason lying just a few yards away, resting inside. Once she finishes talking to Cat Noir she'll probably spend the rest of the time waiting for him to wake up. Maybe she could get something for him for when he woke, though. ]

Depends on my father's project, and how long it takes to wrap. Right now the way that it's scheduled, it could be three years. Jason and I might end up enrolling in school here for a while, even.

[ And here Cat Noir gets a teasing grin as Piper's head tilts his direction again. ] Why, already so sure you'd miss us, minou?

[ She wants to play with affectionate nick names? Please. He invented those!!

Or at least, the stupid and endearing ones, like Bugaboo.

He doesn’t know Piper very well yet though—he sticks to a more generic one. ]

Of course I would, ma chère. But I confess, I was also just curious, as cats tend to be.

Three years... that’s some project.

That curiosity doesn't get you into TOO much trouble, I hope.

[ Just don't call her Beauty Queen, someone's already got the trademark on that one. And, well, she debates for a moment on whether or not to just tell the truth, and ultimately decides there's little reason to hide it. The Piper of two and a half years ago isn't the Piper of today. She doesn't need to cash in on her father's name, never did, but now she also doesn't feel the need to hide it, not in this scenario anyway. She lifts herself up and back, not at all minding the distance to the ground as she perches precariously on the railing now, with both hands on either side for balance, feet swinging idly. ]

It is. He's going to be filming here in Paris, but he wanted to spend some time living here first, learning the language and the culture. My dad takes his research pretty seriously.

[ Something she's proud of him for, really, and if not for it she probably would have floundered countless times during her quests with Jason, Leo, and the others, so in a way his dedication had saved all of their lives AND the world on at least one occasion. ]

[ Don’t worry, Pipes! He’s still got, like, at least four or five of his lives left. (He lost count.)

In the meantime, while he’s listening to her story, he can’t help but feel like this should sound familiar to him somehow, like he should know who Piper’s talking about; but he doesn’t exactly follow the movie biz, aside from his mother.

He leaves that kind of thing to his dad. ]

Yeah, that is pretty serious.

[ he sounds impressed, but no less playful. ]

Well, if he ever needs a personal tour guide or a tutor, you just let me know.

[ CAT PLS. That's still almost half! OR OVER HALF! ]

Does that mean we'll be swapping numbers? Something tells me we don't have the same carriers.

[ She can do it too, make funny. See? Because Iris Messages and superhero communicators? ]

[ HA. HAHA... Wow, he walked right into that one. How could he give out his civilian phone number? Even putting aside his Cat Noir identity, he isn’t really supposed to. ]

You could use the Cat signal.

[ a beat. ]

Cats are cooler than bats.

[ he’s just sayin’. ]

Or I could set out some catnip. [ Cats are cooler than bats and both are nicer than rats. ]

Purrfect!

[ Cat actually chuckles, ecstatic that she seems receptive of his jokes.

It’s then of course that he can hear some noise coming from the door leading inside from the balcony where they’re standing. He stops—listening, just in case his ears are playing tricks on him or something.

Buuut, they’re not. He can hear a door open and close. Bathroom, maybe. ]

Ah. Sleeping beauty wakes.

✨ .//. Piper McLean » Percy Jackson: Heroes of Olympus

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