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

[ ...Okay, he's good. ]

Superhero? What do you mean?

[ #SMOOTH ]

[ She's patient. She can wait. Though she does tense just a bit at the choking and coughing. She watches him seemingly pretty calm, setting down her sandwich, wrapping and all, on top of a napkin.

Once it's obvious he isn't going to drown on his own drink- ]

Oh, come on, Adrien. You're absolutely Cat Noir. The only thing I can't figure out is why no one else seems to see it. [ She's shaking her head as if to say "Rookies. It's SO obvious, too." ] I didn't want to say anything where someone might hear, but... yeah.

[ That... That's what this was all about? This whole nighttime picnic?

Adrien's shoulders slump, and there's a sort of sad smile on this face, because honestly he should have expected something like this from the very start. It's a wonder it hasn't happened more often; and honestly, he can't explain it himself either.

...But he can't. He can't just give up that easily. He owes Ladybug that much. ]

Sorry... [ He really means that, Piper. ] but it's impossible. Someone like me could never be as free-spirited and heroic as someone like Cat Noir.

[ If the mood were represented by weather it would probably have started drizzling by now. She can tell that he's not exactly excited by the revelation that she knows, though she has no way of knowing that he's disappointed...? ]

Yeah? Huh... That's funny, because I don't know many people who would've volunteered to play cat and mouse with a super villain, or agreed to sneaking out for a date on the top of the Eiffel tower at night. [ She arches an eyebrow at him, but then looks away, out over the city with a more serious expression.

What if she WAS wrong and somehow, SOMEHOW Adrien and Cat are different people? Or maybe Adrien has a secret twin brother or something. What if he thinks she's crazy after this? She flinches, remembering the looks she'd gotten from her own father after trying to convince him she REALLY HAD seen a fucking harpy, it wasn't just her imagination. Yes, like from the old legends and myths but- ]

...

[ Maybe it would help if she showed him some trust first. If he's protecting his secret, maybe she needs to open up about her own first, to be fair. Only... if she tells him and he doesn't believe her, he'll think she's nuts, for sure.

She can't look him in the eye as she finally relents, doubting herself. ]

Never mind.

[ Good God, Piper. Great job. ]

[ ...Christ, this is the worst.

Adrien can't even take pride in his own bravery that Piper was complimenting him for. After seeing Piper flinch, he knows she's doubting herself and it makes him feel lower than he has been in a while.

He should have been grateful that she was willing to drop the subject, but it just didn't feel right to leave things like that.

Not after what she went through, and not after what she just did for him with this romantic date. ]

If I was Cat Noir—

[ He hesitates, and can practically hear Ladybug scolding him, like "Don't go down this road. Just don't"— but he presses on. ]

If I was Cat Noir, I'd be able to sneak out all the time. [ Doesn't he, though? ] I'd probably kiss your hand, call you ma chère a lot, probably until you slapped me for it. I'd be able to tell you all about how amazing you are for putting together this meal for me, without worrying how I might sound, what you might think.

...If I was Cat Noir, I wouldn't even be able to tell you, because I wouldn't want you to get hurt.

[ ... ]

Because the fact is, you didn't even know, and... you already almost were.

[ Is he... being obvious enough yet? ]

[ Quietly, she turns her head just enough that she can look in his direction again when he first speaks up. She's actually really expecting him to jump on the chance to change the subject. She's anticipating an excuse to leave any second, not because she thinks poorly of him but because she knows she just made this whole thing incredibly awkward. She's even prepared for him to say that this had been a bad idea. What Piper isn't expecting is for Adrien to open up and lay out a hint in neon lights that she was right all along.

And she sure wasn't expecting him hint that maybe the crushing might possibly be anywhere near mutual territory. ]

[ His concerns definitely make sense from a logical standpoint... but he doesn't know what she's already been through, and he shouldn't be holding himself in any way responsible for what happened earlier today. She's the reason that guy became Akumatized- her and Hawkmoth. That doesn't have Adrien Agreste or Cat Noir written anywhere on it. Even if someone else had been Cat Noir, the guy would've still been turned, and she might not be here to talk to him about it like this.

That's what she wants to say, but somehow that doesn't feel like the right tact either. Arguing the point was... well, pointless. Being involved in any way with a superhero was dangerous business, even pop culture made that apparent. ]

[ And let's not even get into the whole bit about assuming that "involvement" would enter the picture here.

But she's been quiet for a few seconds. He's laid everything out there for her... rather nicely, she might add, and the last thing she wants to do is give him the wrong idea by sitting in silence while she gets lost in thought. Her musings from earlier come rushing back, his words giving her a flurry of different emotions.

Hope, relief, a little joy, a bit of nervous anticipation... None of it means anything if she botches this talk, though. ]

[ Her eyes crinkle a bit at the "ma chere" and slapping him part. There's also a soft, weak huff of a breath that sounds a little like a short laugh.

Seriously, all this "what if" scenario stuff, it's such a damned bummer. Who says it has to stay "IF"? Screw that. They won't know anything if (she's starting to hate that damn word a little bit) they don't even ever try. ]

I'd understand you keeping a secret like that... if it were true. That's a pretty good reason, and it would make things... complicated.

But maybe you wouldn't turn out to be the only one with a major secret. Maybe my life is already stranger than you think, and I know a thing or two about trouble... and what carrying around secrets like that does to a person.

[ She's not just confronting him with this because she wants to say "I told you so" or "I know your secret~" or even because she thinks it makes him any more or less amazing or desirable. There's that part of her that feels like there's a sort of kinship there- or potentially anyway -and a part of her that worries because of it. She's sat on a lot of weird crap for the last couple of years, and even knows what it feels like to try to confide in someone she thought she could trust with it just to be shot down. She doesn't know if Adrien- if Cat Noir -has anyone to confide in, if he has that kind of relationship with Ladybug, but she doesn't want to leave things be and find out the hard way later that he didn't. Now, that sure isn't all of it, but it's definitely a big part.

So that's her hand, tentatively coming to rest next to his in a way that she can touch her pinky finger against his, not too forward but letting him know that its there if he wants. Or maybe she wants it herself, not sure. ]

So... if you were Cat Noir, and I had found out, knowing it or not wouldn't change anything, except for you having one more person you could talk to about it than you did before. Besides, I hate to point this out, but not knowing who you were didn't stop that guy from trying to collect me earlier. If anything, knowing you and being with you is the exact reason he didn't succeed.

[ She takes a deep breath, long, and he might hear a tremble in the sound as she tries to steady her nerves and gather her confidence before she looks him square in the eyes. ]

So, would that really be so bad...?

[ The truth is that there's still a lot about Piper he doesn't know. He's not sure exactly how much of that would make him okay with Piper knowing his secret...but then, he supposes it doesn't really matter anymore.

Because... he can't really take back his decision now. He can't unsay what he said.

He can only smile crookedly, and hope that this doesn't come back to bite him too soon. ]

I mean, it might be, if Ladybug kills me.

[ Ha... ha... (Okay, he'll be serious.) ]

...But I get your point.

[ He sounds defeated, but... honest. ]

[ It's an improvement, but the guilt is still hanging there on her shoulders. ]

If she's gonna be angry at anyone it should probably be me. And... speaking of which, I'm sorry for springing this on you. I wasn't trying to freak you out.

[ Sure, she expected him to be surprised but this reaction was more than she'd been prepared for.

It just goes to show that Piper has a lot to learn about Adrien still, too. No one is confident and easy going ALL the time, and if he's been keeping this secret a while there's no doubt she'd probably scared the crap out of him, suddenly figuring it out. ]

I guess I just got excited, and didn't give it as much thought as I should have.

[ After all, it was his secret to tell, she should have probably let him do so at his own pace, in his own time, if he ever did. The cat's out of the bag now though, as the saying goes. All they can do is roll with it from here. ]

[ Adrien’s appetite has admittedly taken a hit, but he’s still nibbling out of politeness as he listens to Piper, quietly taking her apology to heart.

It sinks in more and more that he’s finally shared his secret with someone, and it wasn’t even Ladybug. The part of him that is bothered by this, though, is drowned out by Piper’s words echoing within him: Would it really be so bad?

He shakes his head. ]

Nah. You shouldn’t have to think about it at all, so don’t sweat it.

I just... need some time, I think.

[ ...and because he can’t apparently can’t be 100% serious for more than five seconds: ]

And another sandwich.

[ He reaches for another, not out of hunger, but because going through the motions seems to help.

And because he wants Piper to smile too. ]

[ Piper, for her part, is turning her sandwich a bit in her fingers. The whole thing still feels kind of awkward and she half-wishes she hadn't brought it up, but what's done is done, and they may as well try to salvage the night. His addendum draws out a small chuckle and smile. ]

Yeah, take your time. And your fill. The more you eat the less I have to carry back down later.

[ Hers gets finished in a few bites after that, and she reaches in for one of the sodas after. It opens up with a satisfying pop and hiss, and she watches the fizz escaping from the opened lid for a bit as she goes on. ]

Hey, do you remember how earlier today I said I told that guy to get lost?

[ Adrien obviously plans on helping, so it's more like "we"—the less we have to carry back down.

But he doesn't bother with the correction, looking towards Piper with interest when she continues. ]

Sure. [ That was right before he tried to ask her out to lunch, as he recalls. Not that he's about to bring that up again. He'd much rather tease her. ] What about it, heartbreaker?

Ha ha, very funny, lover boy.

[ Said as she rolls her eyes in his direction with mock exasperation. ]

The thing is, when I ask people to do something... they do it. And I don't mean that in a Chloe way.

[ ...

......As tempting as it is to keep up the teasing and joking, especially at Chloe’s expense, he can tell Piper is being serious. ]

Uh, okay. How do you mean it, then?

[ Should she be more nervous about this? Maybe. PROBABLY. But hey, gift horses, mouths, carrot breath, no thanks.

Take your time processing that, Adrien. She'll just be over here taking a sip of her soda as she waits.

Oh, ready then with the questions? Perfect timing. ]

I know this is gonna sound kinda crazy but hear me out. Okay? [ She looks at him for confirmation before continuing. ] ... Before we moved here to Paris I used to get into trouble a lot. My dad hasn't really had time for me since he became famous, so I'd try to find ways to make him pay attention. [ She shrugs a bit, tracing the rim of her soda can now with one fingertip. ] It was my first private school and I didn't fit in with the rich kids there, so I started wandering around town. I don't really know what made me decide to try it but... I stopped in this bike shop. There was this mountain bike on display and I asked the clerk if I could try it out. At first he said no... but then I asked again, and promised I'd bring it right back. Instead of telling me to beat it they just... said sure. Like... they'd just suddenly done a complete one-eighty, decided they trusted me and they were happy to give me what I wanted.

[ Thinking back on it it was strange, but she was a dumb kid, still was in a lot of ways, but- ]

I assumed they'd recognized me or something... you know, knew my dad? I did bring the bike back, but... I don't know, it kept happening again after that and it just got more and more ridiculous.

[ Her dad didn't pay attention... so she made him?

No matter how crazy her story was, Adrien had to admire that. Maybe if he'd had as much courage and determination as Piper—as Cat Noir—his life would be different. But here he is, having to sneak around just to save the damn city.

He can't help chuckling, not because he didn't believe her, but... because he could believe it. It doesn't take much imagination at all to see her story playing out in his mind. ]

Famous dads, am I right?

[ He shrugs, like, "What are we going to do with them?" ]

If you're about to tell me how you became a wanted criminal, though, I feel like I should warn you: Sabrina's dad is a cop.

[ It certainly sounds more impressive than it actually is, she can tell him that much. And for all the good it had done her in the end. Still, she wasn't giving up yet. The implication that Adrien's father is just as distant is troubling, but then she'd gotten that sense just from the few times home came up in conversation, or hearing how often he missed out on outings because his father forbade him leaving the house, or he had some private lesson or other. It kind of ticks her off. Parents should BE there for their kids, not keep them at a distance...

But it's not her place to judge without knowing all the details, and she doubts it would help Adrien much. ]

Not quite. As much as this might SOUND like a villain's origin story...? [ She trails off with a smirk, shaking her head "no" just so. ]

But... the thing is, it doesn't matter what I ask for, people listen. I'd ask for something, like a lawn mower... or jewerlry... the last time it was an... actual car.

[ She coughs, clearing her throat a bit and trying to downplay it, but really- ]

Whenever the salesmen came to their senses they'd call the cops. Dad would yell at me for a while, his secretary would make the charges drop, and I'd get shipped to a new school. I guess I get it though. Who would believe me, anyway? A normal person doesn't have magical hypnotic powers.

[ He'd been joking, mostly, but the fact that cops actually got involved gives him pause. It was no wonder though, given the story. An actual car...

Gabriel flipped out over far less on a regular basis, so he could only imagine. ]

It was probably easier for him to sweep it under the rug than accept it.

[ ... ]

Not that it excuses uprooting your life. [ Multiple times. Adrien somewhat-angrily stuffs the last bit of sandwich in his mouth. ] I would've hated that.

[ She's quiet for a few long moments before she speaks up, quietly agreeing. ]

Probably... He tries to shield me from the spotlight, and I get that. I've seen what it does to him, it's the reason I don't- [ Like being in the limelight, like Chloe. The reason she doesn't cash in on her dad's name for attention, like Chloe. It's what sets her apart from Lila, too, for however little of the other girl she's heard by now. ] Anyway... it was earlier this year when I think he finally had the last straw. I saw... something, Adrien, and I'm still not sure if I want to believe it myself.

Edited 2018-06-04 04:51 (UTC)

[ Adrien finds himself looking in her direction when she trails off. He isn't quite able to fill in the blanks, though he does know that the difference between Piper and Chloe (and Lila) is quite stark indeed.

He tilts his head, looking even more curious when Piper continues. His attention is fully piqued by the use of his name. ]

What did you see?

[ There's not going to be any taking it back after this once she tells him, so she wanted to be damned sure she was ready, because having him think she needed a straight jacket isn't an option. He's not like that, though, she thinks. He sees crazy things on a near daily basis, right? So this shouldn't be so far off the mark. ]

I saw a monster.

[ WAIT THOUGH LET HER EXPLAIN. ]

Like... from old Greek legends. A harpy, I think. This woman that had just been hired to clean our house, it was just the two of us at home one night, and she attacked me. The only reason I'm even having this conversation with you is she flew off out the window before she could finish the job. My dad, though... he took one look at me, and then the mess, and when I tried to tell him what happened... I think he thought I'd finally gone nuts.

[ Which is painful for her to admit, that her own father thought his daughter had "gone off the reservation". ] He dropped everything to move us here. I had to downplay what happened after that so he wouldn't send me off to some shrink.

[ Greek legends, huh...?

Adrien isn't overly familiar, but he knows what a harpy is well enough. He's having a hard time imagining a real-life one, though. Briefly he wonders if that's what Nathalie would be like, if she were akumatized... but you know, his dad falling victim had been bad enough. ]

That's pretty intense.

But why did she give up on you all of a sudden? I mean... what did she want from you in the first place?

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

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