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marimeetsmischief · 1 year

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Wishes & Wands (and other miraculous adventures) - Part II

A (mildly) late chapter two update! I really loved writing this one.

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Tags: Alternate Universe - Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Summoned Heroes, Magic Powers, Fluff, Mildly Sarcastic Narractor, Rivals to friends to lovers (eventually), Plagg is a book, Tikki is also a book, Actual Cat Adrien Agreste | Chat Noir, Slow burn, Ladynoir, ML Big Bang 2022

Summary: Wishing upon a star has been something Adrien grew up doing, but he never imagined it would end up like this. Sucked into a world of fairy tales that need to be brought to completion, he faces stories that are far more different than he's ever heard them told, and the endings aren't always quite what he expects. He'll have help along the way, though, with his trusty (and lazy) magic storybook, and a mysterious girl who seems to always be one step ahead of him.

Part II: Pumpkins, Mice, and Magic Wands

In which Adrien learns about the importance of alarms, a little faith, and the magic of a good make-over.

Careening backward, Adrien could feel nothing but wind all around him. The rushing air tore through his hair and clothes and he couldn’t help but flail his arms, trying to catch at anything until the ground suddenly came rushing up at him and he landed with a quiet thump. Somehow, the crash was cushioned and he felt no pain, only lush grass underneath him and warm sunlight above.

“-power…” he finished, staring up at the suddenly open sky; all of the trees that had been surrounding him were now replaced with open air. “Huh. Hey, Plagg?”

“Yeah, kid?”

“Am I… inside the book?” he asked, trying to figure out how this all worked, even though he’d probably be better off not knowing and trying would only worry him further.

“Well, it’s kind of a pocket dimension that’s part of a web of connections to the rest of the stories. The book acts as a gateway and connects them to the source power of all of the stories, which…” Plagg trailed off, pausing for a second as he sensed, rather than saw, his chosen’s confusion. “On second thought, it’ll just give you a headache.”

“I think you’re right,” Adrien mumbled awkwardly as he started to push himself onto his feet, brushing his hands over the back of his pants and looking around. “Well, where are we supposed to go?”

Just as he asked the question, his eyes searching the horizon and the setting sun, he heard a sound from the distance behind him. Whipping around, he saw a carriage thundering down a road worn into the fields, a modest trail of deep ruts from old-fashioned wheels carved into the dirt just meters from where he stood. Only having a few moments to decide, he started to walk towards the carriage, trying to get a closer look at the riders. As he did, he was struck with an overwhelming feeling of familiarity, and as they approached he began to sense why.

The carriage held three women, with a driver sitting at the front. One of the women faced away from him, and all he could see was her hair, piled high and elaborately styled and ornamented. The two ladies sitting across from her seemed young, maybe his age if he had to take a guess. Their hair was just as carefully curled and pooled at the top of their heads, both with ridiculous feather ornaments pinned to the front. He frowned as an idea formed in his head, reaching for his storybook.

“Hey, Plagg?”

“What do you need now, kid?” the book asked, stretched out in the grass in the rays of the setting sun.

Adrien turned to him and knelt, picking the book up. “Can you show me the Cinderella pages again?” he asked, looking between the book and the carriage that was almost at his location. The pages fluttered even though the air was still and landed on the first page of Cinderella, a sound almost like a yawn escaping from between the pages.

“Beautiful of face, but vile and black of heart…” Adrien murmured to himself, looking back up at the carriage that was now passing him. Its occupants didn't even spare him a glance, though he could swear he felt sharp eyes on his back as he continued to walk along the road and headed back the way they had come from. He could make out small snippets of their conversation, superficial talk about outfits, namely whose looked better, and a quick mention of a prince. “I’d call those evil step-sisters if I’ve ever seen any, Plagg.”

The possessed book didn't really answer, only letting out a quiet noise that almost sounded like a purr.

Adrien kept his eyes on the pages as he walked next to the road, reading over the sentences that had already filled it. It seemed like whatever had happened before, the story had been left incomplete at the first night of the King’s Ball, and Cinderella was supposed to be getting her magic makeover any moment now.

He finally reached the end of the road, where it turned into a tree-lined path that was more overgrown than the road he’d walked along. Branches hung over everywhere and he found himself having to duck down quite frequently to avoid them. After just a few minutes more of walking, he found what he was looking for: an ivy-covered and poorly kept chateau that had seen better days. The yard was weed-ridden and uneven, vines of ivy climbing up everything in sight. It looked as if one person was trying to take care of it all, a small garden maintained enough that he could see trellises with flowering plants twined around them.

He carefully crept into the yard, slipping over the low stone wall and glancing around, looking for any sign of the soon-to-be princess he was supposed to be assisting. After circling the front yard and edging his way into the back, he had almost given up hope when he heard soft murmurs coming from an open window.

Peering in, he saw blonde curls spilling over the shoulders of a figure kneeling in front of the hearth. She seemed to be leaning forward and speaking to something small in front of her. He crept closer to the window, trying to get a better look at what she was talking to. As he started to get close enough, something cracked under his foot and he froze, watching the blonde inside turn around. He dropped down, trying to get out of view of the window.

“Hello?” she asked, glancing around the kitchen surrounding her. “Is someone there?”

Adrien could hear her get to her feet, moving around the table and going to the window. He crept to the side, moving around a corner and praying that he was not visible to her as she peeked out. The last thing he wanted was to be caught sneaking around her garden at sunset.

She hummed softly, seeming to have given up and going back to what she was doing. This time, he could hear faint chirps answering her murmurs, and he narrowed his eyes in confusion. It almost sounded like she was having a conversation with a bird, somehow.

Trying to put the strangeness out of his mind, he reached for Plagg, where the book was hidden against his hip and flipped to the latest pages of the story. Skimming the paragraphs, he read about how Cinderella had called birds to help her sort the lentils from the ashes of the fireplace. As he got to the last words that had appeared in the book, he noticed that what it described next hadn’t seemed to have happened yet. Left behind by her step-mother and sisters even after she’d completed their menial tasks, the book detailed how she fled to the large tree behind her home and spoke to her mother.

Just as he started to wonder if he'd gotten the right house after all, he could hear her mumbling to her bird about visiting mother’s tree. He whipped his head around and tried to spot the tree, finally letting his eyes stop on a large willow tree that overshadowed most of the yard.

Adrien hurried to the tree, not quite sure what his plan was but having the distinct feeling that he needed to reach the tree before she did. He climbed its branches nimbly and found a spot high among them that was covered by leafy foliage. Before too long he could hear a door open and shut in the distance, and he hoped he was hidden well enough in the branches of the tree.

Cinderella, or at least the girl he was assuming was her, knelt at the roots of the tree, pressing her hands into fists in her lap. At first she was silent, but the more his ears adjusted to the sounds of the wood, he could hear soft sniffles and stuttered breathing.

“Mother… I’m sorry. I know you asked me to be gracious and kind, always, but it is so hard. My step-sisters are awful, and I don’t know if I can handle any more of their taunts.” She shuddered, her arms curling tightly around her chest. Looking down at her from his perch, Adrien noticed how tattered and dirty her clothes were compared to the manicured perfection that had adorned the three ladies who had left in the carriage.

“All I wanted… all I still want is to feel different for one night. To feel human, and worthwhile, not just an outlet for their cruel words and coldness.”

Adrien flinched a little as her words resonated with him, drawing his mind back to the thought that had brought him here in the first place. Wherever here was, dream or even real magic, he had wished for an escape the same way.

He opened his book up, seeking out guidance on what he could do next. “Plagg,” he whispered, hoping the weeping girl below him wouldn’t hear. “What are we supposed to do?”

He knew from most versions of the story that some form of assistance came to the protagonist, usually in the form of magical transformation. But as far as he could tell, there was no one in sight, and it didn’t appear that help was coming to her at all. He frowned and looked around, stretching up to see through the leaves and waited anxiously for something to happen.

“You heard what the old man said,” Plagg grouched quietly, floating out of Adrien’s hands and resting midair. The book opened wide as if it was some kind of lounge chair and Adrien was struck with the distinct feeling that if the spirit within it was physical, he’d be stretched out on top of it. “You might not always be playing the support role you expect. Are you just gonna wait to see if someone saves her, or are you going to do something, kid?”

“But what am I supposed to do? I’m not a fairy godmother, and I don’t exactly have magic, now do I?” Adrien questioned, struggling to keep his voice low against the helpless frustration building in his chest.

Plagg snickered, the book snapping shut and landing back in Adrien’s open hands. “Oh please. You’re anything here, kid, as far as your mind can imagine. Did you really think you’d be closing these stories without any kind of powers?”

Adrien shook his head slightly, thinking the question through. “I mean, I guess not, but I don’t know how I’m supposed to do anything. It’s not like anyone taught me how to use these magic powers or whatever they are.”

“Well, I hope you can stop overthinking it before the story decides for itself. The ending won’t wait forever, not while you’re in the story. Time has to move forward somehow, so do something fast.”

Not sure what that meant, Adrien struggled to think of how exactly he was supposed to interfere in the progression of this story without messing it all up. His mind reeled with versions he had heard or seen before and finally the obvious solution hit him. He couldn’t wait forever to see if a fairy godmother showed up to fix everything with a magic wand, so maybe, if Plagg was telling the truth, he could just be one himself.

Closing his eyes, he focused on the weight of the book in his hand and thought about every time he’d seen magic in movies and comics. Maybe if he just pictured in his mind what he wanted, wished for it hard enough like he had when he’d been brought here…

Before he could doubt himself further, he began to form the idea in his mind, following the train of thought until he had pictured a wand, dark wood shaped carefully and practically aglow with magic power. He could feel the leather cover of the book warm in his hands, growing hotter until the heat almost burned, his hands peeling away from it and tingling with power even after they’d been separated.

He opened his eyes, thinking he’d just dropped the book down on the head of the girl he was supposed to be saving. Instead, the book hovered in the air right where it had been in his hands, and the cover parted, pages moving with invisible wind. He saw light in the cracks between them, and at first he thought the binding of the book was glowing until the pages stopped moving and he could see a picture had appeared on the pages of Cinderella’s story, a wand laid flat across the width of the page. It seemed to shimmer when the moonlight above hit it, and the shadows were so in-depth that it was like he could reach out and touch it.

Curiosity getting the better of him, he did exactly that, and felt his fingertips pass through the page and curl around the wooden wand.

“Woah,” he murmured, remarking on the odd sensation of his fingers being partially inside of the page. It almost started to get uncomfortable, and he quickly pulled back, but was surprised to feel the wand pull free with his hand.

It grew larger once pulled from the pages, expanding to fit his hand properly. It was almost 10in long, and more ornate than he had pictured it, decorated with curling silver tendrils and small green gems. He wrapped his fingers more tightly around it and gave it a tentative flick, and felt the leaves around him shudder as a harsh gust of wind passed through them. Eyes narrowing in thought, he swirled the wand in a circle over his own head and felt a warm weight settle on his shoulders. Looking down at his arms, he could see he was now covered with a green cloak and hood, and grinned.

“This is easier than I thought,” he murmured, pinching the soft fabric over his body and pulling it away from his chest to get a better look at it. He let the wand hover again over his face, a black mask appearing over it, obscuring the upper half of his face.

“Yeah, yeah, kid. Now that you’ve gotten your costume change, maybe it’s time to do what we’re here for?” Plagg said, yawning. His voice almost seemed quieter than before and Adrien wondered how exactly taking the wand from the pages had affected the spirit.

“Right, sorry,” he finally mumbled, shaking his head and resolving to ask Plagg about it later. “Let’s go be a fairy godparent, I suppose,” he added with a shrug.

With a little more magic, he conjured a holster of sorts for the storybook, with a black leather strap that he slung over his shoulder so that he could carry – and hide – the book a tad more discretely. Once Plagg was securely tucked into it with some minor complaining, Adrien began his descent.

He slipped down from the branch he was seated on, trying to make as little noise as possible as he watched below them carefully. The girl had wrapped her arms around her knees, curling up and hiding her face, which was perfect for Adrien’s intentions. He finally made it to the lowest branches without her looking up, and with almost cat-like grace, slipped down and landed on the roots of the great tree.

This finally made the girl look up and he smiled as warmly as he could when their eyes met, seeing the fear and desperation appear in her own.

“Who are you?” she asked, caution lacing her tone as she started to uncurl her limbs, struggling to stand up with the way that her legs shook under her. Still, she seemed to grit her jaw with determination and he couldn’t help but admire it.

“I’m not going to hurt you, I promise. I’m just here to help,” he explained, frowning a little as he tried to figure out what to say to explain this without making her more nervous. “What’s your name?”

She hesitated before seeming to give into her own curiosity, holding a hand out to him. “I’m Aurore,” she answered, and he grasped her hand in his own, giving it a soft shake. “You haven’t answered my question though.”

Adrien flushed a little, pulling his hand back to rub the back of his neck as he gave her an awkward smile. “Consider me a fairy godparent. I’m here to help make sure you get your wish.”

“My wish?” she questioned, her eyes narrowing again as she looked at him more carefully.

“You wanted a night of freedom, right? I want to make that happen.”

“Really?” she said, surprise flickering across her features, and he wasn’t sure if it was because he’d known her wish, or because he was offering to make it come true. “But how? I’m not exactly dressed for a ball, and I don’t even own anything that would be considered nice enough.”

He held up the wand in his hand, giving it a dramatic flourish as he bowed forward, a grin on his lips. “At your service, my lady,” he said, laying the charm onto his tone a bit overly thick for someone who was supposed to be making sure that she fell in love with the prince.

“Oh, I’m not a lady,” she murmured quietly, looking down at her messy clothing and callused hands. “I’m just a servant at this point.”

“Not tonight, you aren’t. Tonight, you’re going to be the most beautiful lady at that ball, and you’ll have the night of freedom and magic that you wished for, alright?” He grinned at her, his eyes reflecting the genuine care behind the words despite the cheeky expression.

She hesitated for a moment but finally nodded, her spine straightening as she tilted her chin up. Smiling back at him finally, she placed her hands on her hips. “Alright then, what do we need to do?” she asked, looking at the wand in his hand curiously.

At the reminder that he had to figure out how to get her dressed up and to the ball, he frowned again. “Hmm, well, let’s see if I can remember how this goes. First things first,” he said, looking around the yard until he spotted what he was looking for, in a patch of overgrown garden.

He walked over to it, picking up a large, orange pumpkin, humming to himself as he carried it back to the open part of the yard. “Transportation!” he exclaimed, giving her a conspiratorial grin and setting it down between them. “And if I give it just a little…” he murmured to himself, trailing off as he circled the pumpkin with the wand outstretched in his hand, making small circles over the orange vegetable.

Before his eyes, flecks of light fell from the tip of the wand and shimmered down to land on the rind of the pumpkin. A quiet creaking started, coming from deep inside and he took a step back, pushing Aurore back with him. The whole thing glowed with golden light for a moment and then it began to grow, first to their knees, and then hips, up and up and up until it towered over their heads. The vines attached to its stem twined and curled outward, forming wheels and ornaments as they morphed from green to gold. A delicate pattern of gold circled the pumpkin that was now a carriage, complete with a door, windows, and seats inside, as well as at the front and back for a driver and a footman.

He looked over at Aurore and grinned. “Not bad, huh? This is my first time turning any vegetables into carriages, and frankly, I think it went quite well.”

The girl didn’t really seem to know what to say at all and stood there in obviously stunned silence. “You know, for a minute there I was so sure that you were just crazy,” she remarked after a long moment.

He immediately whipped around to face her. “Well that’s just rude. Such little faith in your fairy godparent,” he murmured, clicking his tongue disapprovingly. He glanced around again, still piecing together the tasks ahead of him.

“The carriage is nice, but how is it going to move?” came a hissed whisper from his side, and he was suddenly reminded that Plagg was still there.

“What did you say?” Aurore asked, tearing her eyes away from the gleaming gold and white carriage to look at him with concern.

He coughed out a laugh and waved his hand, quickly trying to deflect away from any mention of the talking book attached to his side. Hearing a soft squeak, he noticed an upside down planter, turning it over and finding just what he’d expected: two small mice. “How do you guys feel about being horses for a night?” he said with a cheshire grin, ignoring the small squeaks of complaint as he picked the mice up in one hand.

Waving the wand over both, gold sparkles once again fell from the tip and coated the animals, and he set them down in front of the carriage. They sat still, sniffing the open air cautiously and Adrien couldn’t help but wonder what they were feeling of the transformation. Before even a few seconds had passed, they began to morph into stark white horses with twitching ears. Both animals looked around, then at each other, whinnying and shuffling their feet. He was sure the world looked a little different and more surprising from their new height.

“What am I missing?” he murmured to himself, pacing back and forth beside the carriage. Suddenly, the idea clicked in his head. “Do you have a dog? Or maybe a lizard?” he questioned, looking around.

Aurore suddenly looked nervous, as if concerned about what else he could possibly want to transfigure. “Well, we have a cat? He’s a bit old though, he mostly just sits around instead of chasing the mice.”

“That’ll work, bring him out,” Adrien said, nodding to himself as he continued to pace. He waited until she was inside, searching for the cat before talking out loud to himself. “Alright, carriage, horses, the cat will make an acceptable footman, but what else?”

He could feel that he was forgetting something, and it nagged at the back of his mind as he tried to remember all of the steps he’d seen in movies and other retellings of this story.

“Oh, a driver!” he finally said out loud. He looked around again but wasn’t exactly thrilled at the idea of leaving Aurore to be driven around by another animal turned human. He glanced down at himself instead, frowning and then shrugging.

Waving the wand once again over his own head, he felt the warm tingle of magic settle over his body and his cloak and plain clothes had been replaced with a white and gold uniform that looked reminiscent of the uniform he’d seen worn by guards in most fairy tale adaptations. Even the mask had turned white with gold accents.

“Ugh, kid, warn me next time you plan to cover me in magic dust,” he heard, remembering that Plagg was still attached. When he looked down, the book was coated in lingering gold flecks and he carefully removed the holster from himself, dusting it off and setting it on the bench of the carriage.

“Sorry,” he mumbled, his hand scratching at the back of his neck once again. “This will have to work,” he said looking down at himself once again, then turning as he heard footsteps and saw Aurore come up the stairs with an uncomfortable looking gray cat in her arms.

“This is Tom,” she said, scratching behind his ear and then holding the cat out.

Adrien smiled, reaching out to give the cat a few scratches of his own. “Well, Tom, it’s a pleasure to be working with you.”

Wasting no time, he swirled the wand in a quick circle over the cat’s head and let the gold dust shower onto the cat’s fur, then gesture to Aurore to set him down. The cat glowed brightly, shifting to stand on his back legs as he grew and grew until he was Aurore’s height, his feline face replace with human features. Where the cat had been now stood a gray haired man with a thin, whiskery mustache and white uniform that matched Adrien’s own.

“Perfect, we’re all set,” he said, pushing the former cat towards the door. “Tom, your only job is to open and close this door, and help your Lady in and out of her carriage. Got it?” he quizzed, and Tom nodded simply in response, licking the back of his hand and wiping it over his face. Adrien grimaced.

“All ready to go, Aurore?” he said, trying to ignore the footman grooming himself next to them. Aurore frowned and looked down at herself, then back at him with a raised brow. “Oh, obviously, I’m sorry.”

Adrien quickly pulled her a few steps away from the carriage, circling around her. “Well, I’m not as much of a fashion aficionado as my father, but I’ll try my best,” he said, trying to just picture the fancy dresses he’d seen in movies and fashion shows. He gave the wand a swirl over her head and a few flicks to shake some extra dust off for good measure. A soft wind swirled around them, picking up petals and leaves from the garden in its breeze as it curled around her. For a moment, she was almost completely obscured from his view by the rush of flowers, but with a bright flash of light, everything converged towards her and a beautiful ball gown began to form. Layers upon layers of glittering silver and blue fabric coated her form. The few remaining flowers and petals landed on the dress and melted into silver embroidery along the trim of the skirts and bodice.

Aurore looked down at her dress in awe, swishing the skirts around herself with a joyful laugh. “This is incredible. It’s more than I ever dreamed,” she said in an admiring sigh, smoothing her hands down over the skirts.

“One more thing,” Adrien said in a hum, touching the wand to her loose hair first, and then flicking it twice at the ground. Her hair coiled up into an intricate crown of braids complete with threads of silver twined into it and ornamented with almost lifelike looking glittering baby blue flowers. On the ground in front of her appeared a pair of delicate glass slippers that reflected every bit of starlight in the garden.

“Glass?” Aurore asked, looking cautious.

“It’s… traditional?” Adrien offered, not sure what other explanation to provide her with. “I made sure they’ll be sturdy and comfortable, please don’t worry.”

She hesitated for a moment more before slipping off her own worn flats and stepping into the glass slippers instead. She closed her eyes for a moment, wincing as if she was expecting the shoes to crumble but they held up perfectly, and the blinked in silence, taking a few steps in them. “Huh, they actually are fairly comfortable,” she said, amazement clear in her tone. You could even hear a faint clink as the heels hit the rocky ground, and she seemed to be more careful to avoid anything sharp even though Adrien seemed certain that nothing would shatter the shoes.

“Ready to go, my lady?” Adrien offered, bowing in the same way he had when he’d first introduced himself, gesturing to the carriage door that was waiting open for the cat-turned-footman standing and waiting for Aurore to take her place.

Everything was in place, and for some reason she still hesitated. “Can I… really do this?” she asked, her shoulders slumping down as she shrank into herself. “Pretend to be a real lady, in front of all of them? They’ll see right through me.”

Adrien could hear the hopelessness seeping into her voice and he immediately stepped forward to comfort her. He laid a gentle hand on her shoulder and shook his head. “Not a chance. I’ll tell you a trick that I learned from… well, something I used to do. Keep your chin up, and a half smile on your face. It’s all the perception of confidence. They’ll only see whatever you project into the world. If you move with certainty and never look down, they won’t be able to see past their own motivations, I promise you.”

She nodded slowly, seeming to square her shoulders and meet his gaze finally. “What do fairy godparents do before they’re fairy godparents?” she asked, a small smile lifting the corners of her lips.

Adrien froze for a moment, looking back at her in dumb shock before laughing, linking his elbow with hers to lead her to the carriage. “Now that, sadly, is classified magical information,” he said simply, flashing her a wink as she took the footman’s hand to be lead into the carriage.

“Fine, fine, I won’t pry,” she pouted, seating herself as comfortably as she could in the carriage with the cloud of skirts surrounding her.

Adrien made sure the door was shut completely behind her, and then stepped around the front of the carriage, hopping into the driver’s seat. He knocked twice on the surface of the coach before picking up the reins and gently urging the horses forward. The former mice seemed a little over-excited to be such a size, and move so quickly, and they took over with a jolt, almost sending Adrien tumbling from his seat. Holding a little tighter to the reins once he’d gotten readjusted on the bench, he just shook his head and set off down the long road that led away from the property.

After a carriage ride that felt shorter than it was, night truly began to fall, and the carriage pulled to a stop in front of the grand front steps of the palace. He stepped down from the driver’s seat, eyeing the horses as if to silently tell them not to move a muscle. To his great relief, they stayed in place while he stepped around, where the cat-footman was already opening the door for Aurore. Adrien held his hand out to her, beating the footman to doing so and she smiled at him as she took it.

“There’s one more thing I forgot to mention,” he said as she gingerly stepped out of the carriage, leaning slightly on his arm. “The magic… as wonderful as it is, can only last so long. It will wear off at midnight, and we’ll need to be well on our way back by then, alright?”

She nodded, letting go of his hand as she moved to stand between the steps and the carriage she had just exited. “Until midnight is more than I’d ever thought I’d have. Truly, thank you,” she said with sincerity crystal clear in every word.

He nodded back and then gestured towards the steps, shaking his head. “Go on, have the night of your life, Aurore. Don’t keep the party waiting for its star,” he teased, smiling warmly at her.

She smiled back and turned, beginning the walk up the stairs. Adrien watched her the entire way until he saw the doors at the top open wide, bright light and echoes of waltzes pouring out of the opened doors. When they had safely shut behind her, he hopped back up into the seat of the carriage, leaning back in his seat comfortably to wait the night out.

Adrien had barely closed his eyes and felt like drifting off when he jumped upright with a start at the sound of a bell chiming, coming from a tower high above his head. A quick glance at the tower confirmed that it was seconds from midnight. His eyes widened and he bolted up from his seat, taking the stairs two at a time until he reached the doors and opened them for himself without bothering to wait for the guards positioned in front of them to do so.

He eyes scanned over the party, spotting a head of blonde hair dashing into the crowd from a doorway off to the side and pushing her way through the throng of people. “Hurry, Aurore,” he whispered to himself, watching as she barely made it through the dance floor before the second strike had echoed. She ascended the stairs toward him and out of the ballroom, turning back to watch a suited figure with chin-length dark hair follow behind from the doorway she’d run through. Aurore finally reached the top of the stairs, smiling brightly and flush with life from her run and from the night itself.

“I’m late, I’m sorry, I know you said we should already-”

“There’s no time.” He pushed her towards the doorway as the third chime cut them both off. “I’m going to tell you to do something, and you’re going to think it’s odd, but just trust me,” he said, letting her walk ahead of him as she left the ballroom.

He turned back once more, now identifying the figure that he’d seen following Aurore as the prince, judging by the guards that now circled around the suited figure. One in particular caught his eye, and as if feeling his gaze, they turned and met his eyes, frowning slightly. He was struck immediately by how blue those eyes were, locked onto his own, and how much life blazed within them. He stood frozen under their gaze, even when the prince and the guards started to force their own way through the crowd. It wasn’t until Aurore tugged on his arm that he shook himself out of it.

“What were you saying?” she asked, pulling him out of the doors as he followed in a stupor, still picturing bluebell eyes in his mind.

“What?” he asked, finally looking at Aurore as they descended the overly-long stair case to the sound of the fourth chime. “Oh, a shoe!” he quickly said, stopping in place and jerking Aurore back with him.

She turned back, wide eyed and her brows raised. “A shoe?”

“You have to leave one behind, on the steps,” he said quickly, pointing down at their feet and gesturing wildly. “Don’t question it, we’re not going to even make it back to your home if we don’t leave right now.”

“Alright, I’ll do it. Let’s just hurry,” she said, her eyes darting quickly back to the doorway above them. She delicately stepped out of one of the glass slippers, leaving it on the very last stair before picking the other up and holding it as they walked back to the carriage.

Barely a second had passed before noise sounded from the top of the stairs and the bell tower simultaneously. The doors burst open once more, a dozen guards piling out of them and rushing down the steps. Adrien and Aurore took one glance at each other before starting to run. They wasted no time as they reached the carriage and she threw the door open and threw herself in, jostling the whole vehicle. Shutting the door behind her, Adrien moved around to the front of the carriage, hopping up onto the bench and flicking the reins immediately. The horses pulled forward with a lurch, their slow trot becoming a rapid gallop within moments as they sped away from the steps of the palace.

Turning the corner to exit the gates while the bell was struck again, Adrien risked a glance back and saw that some of the guards had already found horses and were mounting them as quickly as they could. He spurred the horses faster as the first of the guards swung their leg into the stirrups. It was the same girl from before, her bright blue eyes digging into him as he tried to get as much ground between them as possible. Soon, they passed beyond the border of the gates and out of sight.

“Plagg,” Adrien hissed, leaning to his side to address the book still laid on the bench seat next to him. “How many chimes was that?”

“Six,” Plagg’s voice said disinterestedly, propped against the back of the bench.

Adrien groaned, shaking his head as he snapped the reins again to try anything to get the carriage to move faster. They were quite a bit away from the gates of the palace at least, but not even halfway back yet, and he didn’t know if they could cross that distance fast enough.

Seven.

The bell rang again, the sound still loud enough to reach them even as they raced away from the tower. Adrien glanced around the side of the carriage, making sure they weren’t being actively pursued yet and almost relaxed with relief when he saw no one behind them. He wasn’t sure how long the horses could keep this paces but the answer was certainly not indefinitely.

They passed over bridges and under towering trees, and every chime of the bell tower made Adrien wince.

Eight.

The carriage tore through the small town near the castle. It was blissfully empty and abandoned with everyone at the festivities.

Nine.

Adrien felt the carriage begin to shudder and he knew what was coming, taking another glance behind them to see if the palace guards were catching up yet.

Ten.

The horses in front of him sprouted round ears, their tails twisting together until it was a single pointed cord of skin instead of horse hair. The carriage shuddered even more now, and sparing a glance down at his hands, he could see the gold leather reins turning into green vine under his fingertips. He didn’t even need to look back to know that the white of the carriage was turning orange, and he could feel the bench he was sat upon shrinking.

Eleven.

“Aurore, we’re not going to make it!” he said, raising his voice over the din of clattering hooves and rattling wheels. They were at least passing out of the town now, which meant they had passed the halfway mark and would be left with grassy road through the field and forest.

Aurore leaned out of the window behind him, her brow furrowed and her knuckles white from her grip on the edge of the shrinking window. “What do we do?”

“We get ready to jump,” he said back, gritting his jaw and steering the carriage towards the edge of the road. “When the final toll sounds, jump.”

If she had complaints, he didn’t hear or see them, busying himself immediately with strapping his storybook back against his side securely and holding the wand inside of his hand. Then, it happened.

Twelve.

He threw himself off of the side of the bench, tucking into a roll as he hit the soft ground of the meadow surrounding the road. Landing on his back with a grunt, he heard a loud creak and then a crash, sitting up in time to watch the now normal sized pumpkin smash into a rock. Looking around, he spotted the cat looking around in confusion, his nose turned up and sniffing the air before running off and then Aurore not too far from his own landing spot, sprawled on her side with the slipper tucked in against her stomach. Her dramatic ball gown had turned back into the worn slip it was before he’d transformed it at the start of the night. He took a deep breath and forced himself to his feet, wincing at the slight ache from standing up.

Adrien moved to Aurore’s side as quickly as he was able, gently shaking her shoulder. “Are you alright?” he said.

She groaned but nodded slowly after a moment, rolling onto her back with a sharp inhale. “I can’t believe that just happened.”

He laughed, nodding back at her with a slight grin. “Honestly, me either,” he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand.

The sound of hoofbeats echoed from down the road before either of them could say anything more and they both whipped their gazes in that direction, seeing the group of guards from the palace finally approach. Adrien held his hand out to her and pulled her into a seated position from where she’d been laying down. He crouched down next to her, putting his finger to his lip as he looked at Aurore.

“Stay low and stay quiet,” he whispered. The grass was tall enough that he could only hope it covered them well enough for the moment, but the crushed grass from their landing would be too obvious from the road.

He led her forward in the field, trying to move quickly but carefully enough to avoid too much movement from the grass around them. A glance behind him showed Aurore following his steps as much as she could, moving on her hands and knees through the grass. They worked their way to the edge of the forest in good time, and he ducked behind a tree, watching Aurore take cover behind a bush across from him. Just as they’d both hidden themselves, the guards reached the spot where they had jumped from the crashing carriage.

He could see a few of them slow down, noticing the remnants of the pumpkin and the patches of smushed grass. The same guard from the ball knelt at the edge of the field and he could finally get a clear look at her.

Her eyes still stood out the most, startlingly bright blue under the moonlight to the point he almost thought they were glowing. Once he was able to tear his gaze away from them though, he looked at the rest of her. She was dressed in a guard’s uniform that matched the others almost exactly, but instead of the black and gold that the other guards wore, her coat was bright red with gold trim, and black pants with a gold band down the side of the leg. Her hair was plaited back away from her face in twin braids, and he could clearly see the calculating expression on her face in the bright light of the open field, her brow tensed and her eyes scanning the distance.

Her gaze swept over their location and he could feel his heart beating rapidly against his throat. The sound was loud enough in his own ears that he almost worried it would give away their hiding spot.

Aurore tensed across from him as well, and he turned his face to her, trying to reassure her. He gave her his best confident smile, trying to soften the tension in his brow and jaw for just a moment to at least give her the illusion of confidence.

She seemed to accept it for a moment before she looked back at the road and her eyes widened, flicking wildly back and forth between him and the group of guards. He looked back himself and saw the same guard slowly walking towards them and he felt the panic rise in his own chest.

Just when he thought they were going to be caught for sure, he heard a horse in the distance and the guard snapped toward the sound at the same time he did. She rushed back to her horse, swinging up into the saddle with ease.

“That way!” she called out, her voice sounding lighter than he’d thought it would.

The guards took off in the direction she pointed ahead of her, but she stalled for a moment. Her eyes ghosted over their location once more before she mouthed something silently. She frowned, slipping something he hadn’t noticed she’d even been holding back into a sleeve on her saddle. She shook her head and urged her own horse forward, finally following after the guards who were now nearing the edge of the woods.

Adrien heaved out a sigh of relief, slumping back against the tree behind him. Silently, he thanked whatever force of fate or luck had distracted the guards, knowing that without it, there was no chance they’d have stayed hidden for long. He took a moment to catch his breath before turning to Aurore.

“Ready to get home?” he said, slowly starting to stand up. He held a hand out to her to help her up.

She accepted the hand with a grateful nod. “More than ready. I think that’s enough excitement for one lifetime,” she said with a quiet laugh.

She wrapped her arms around herself, shivering slightly and he frowned, giving the wand a little flick and covering her with a dark blue cloak. She looked over at him, nearly tripping in shock as the warm fabric wrapped around her shoulders. “Thank you.”

He nodded in response, giving the wand a wave over his own head to revert the white uniform to the more relaxed outfit he’d had before, and then pulling his dark green cloak over his own shoulders.

“I hope you’re alright walking back. I don’t think transfiguring any more forest animals would be advisable for tonight,” he said, starting to walk along the edge of the treeline parallel to the road.

She shrugged, her arms swinging lightly at her sides while they walked through the woods. “Yes, it’s not a problem for me. I walk most places.”

Nodding his head at her slowly, he looked over at the glass slipper cradled in her hands. Even though he’d known from reading iterations of the story, he was still surprised to see it in her hands after they’d landed, when everything else he’d done had worn off right at the last stroke of midnight. It meant that at least something about the story was going right so far, and maybe he’d be able to end it the way it should be.

Adrien curled his hands around the storybook in them, wishing he could see for his own eyes if the story was writing itself the way it was supposed to. He knew without being told, though, that looking at the pages in front of the story’s main character would not be advisable under any circumstances. It felt like something he’d always known somehow.

After a short, silent walk, they reached the edges of the property and passed over the wall. Aurore’s step family’s carriage hadn’t pulled into the drive yet, and he could see the tension in her shoulders melt away at that fact. She turned to face him.

“Thank you for everything. This night was more than I ever imagined. The dancing, the dress, the prince…” she said, trailing off in quiet reverence.

“The prince?” he questioned, a smile on his lips as he prodded her for more details.

She blushed, her cheeks turning faintly pink as she turned to look at the willow tree in the far back of the yard. “The prince was wonderful… and kind, and gentle, and charming. Everything people described and more. We danced for what felt like hours,” she said. Even with her back partially turned to him, he could see the shy smile on her lips.

“It sounds like you really had chemistry,” Adrien said, moving to stand at her side. “Do you think anything will come of it? They seemed fairly determined to catch up with you.”

“It’s… a little unlikely.” Aurore paused, humming slightly and crossing her arms in front of her chest.

“Why? What prince would give up a chance at love?”

Aurore sighed, her hands curling around the edges of her cloak as she pulled it taut around herself. “Her name is Mireille. She’s the oldest of her siblings and fought her family and the court to be called prince instead of princess, since the throne is her birthright, not any of her brothers.”

Adrien couldn’t help but grin widely at this information, enjoying the little twists that the fairy tale continued to throw his way. “She sounds amazing, then. It sounds to me like she’s someone who would go to great lengths for the things – and people – she cares about,” he said with a pointed look.

Aurore flushed. “It’s not that simple. She’s supposed to marry someone titled to strengthen the whole kingdom.”

“Why do they have to be titled to give strength? You seem plenty strong to me,” Adrien said. He glanced at her, brows furrowed in concern even if she was faced away and couldn’t see it.

“Not that kind of strong. I can’t provide armies or money, and I’m definitely not what her parents have in mind. They want a successor, heirs. Someone with the right knowledge and skills to make the whole country better. Not a plain, country girl.”

Frowning, Adrien sighed and looked away from Aurore and out at the road they walked. “What does Mireille want?”

She shrugged quietly, not daring to voice the answer she hoped was true.

“It’s not like I’ll ever see her again, so does it really matter?”

“Don’t be so sure of that,” he said, not explaining anything beyond the simple statement.

They ended their walk in silence, each contemplating the events that lie before – and in Adrien’s case, still ahead of – them. When they reached Aurore’s home, they sequestered themselves in the ash covered kitchen that he’d first seen her in.

After settling a sack of grain against a corner, Aurore frowned at him. “Are you sure you’ll be alright hiding out in here? You don’t have to stay here for me anymore, I’m sure there’s someone else who deserves your magic,” she said quietly.

He glanced at the dark stone corner behind him and nodded resolutely. “Entirely sure, Aurore. I have a feeling that your story isn’t over. I won’t leave you before then.”

Smiling at her, he sat down on the floor of the small storage space in the kitchen, drawing his cloak around his shoulders as he leaned into the sack. Aurore sighed, and knowing she could not argue with him, drew the curtain closed in front of him. For a moment, she could have almost sworn that she heard hushed whispers coming from where Adrien was hidden by the curtain, and not just his own. She listened for a moment, but whatever she heard didn’t make itself known again, so she stepped away and moved to her own bed near the fireplace.

She had taken to sleeping down in the kitchen for warmth, and eventually gone as far to simply move her flattened cot with her. Now the kitchen simply felt safe to her, and she stared in slight awe at the glass slipper resting on her worn bed. She felt as thought every time she blinked, it would be gone when she opened her eyes, but the slipper continued to defy that reality. It glittered in the firelight, the dancing flames reflecting against her skin. Picking it up in her hands, she curled up in the thin cot and clutched it close to her chest, staring into the flames as darkness seeped into the edges of her vision and she drifted into sleep.

#miraculous ladybug #ml fanfic #lovesquare #ml fairy tale au #fantasy au #ml fic #ml au #adrien agreste #miraculous ladybug fic #miraculous ladybug au #miraculous ladybug fanfic #marimeetswriting #wishes and wands #ml big bang #ml big bang 2022 #mwg

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hanaasbananas · 1 year

Text

do your lips still remember my name?

Summary:

When a deal with a demon goes awry, Adrien and Marinette are cursed to be reborn over and over again. As they meet in each lifetime, Adrien suffers with the knowledge of their curse-and the memories- whilst Marinette remains oblivious, time and time again.

Until the day that she doesn't.

Or: 4 times Marinette doesn't remember Adrien, and the 1 time she does.

Written for the @mlwritersguild october event!

AO3

All her life, she had been told ‘do not go into the forest after dark,’ and all her life she had obeyed.‘The demons in the woods will show no mercy,’ she was told. ‘They’ll grant your wishes and take your wits as payment. If they don’t choose to kill you instead.’

So she had been careful, never even daring to pass under a stray tree branch once the sun had sunk below the horizon. After all, a person had great need of their wits, and though she led a simple life, she wanted for nothing.

Until now.

They said that only the truly desperate ventured into these woods, and on this night–when the veil between worlds was at its weakest–she was surely that.

Tramping through the forest, Marinette pushed low hanging branches out of the way, ignoring the blood they drew from her skin. In the distance, she could still hear the rhythmic stomping of feet and cheering echoing in the night as the villagers celebrated. The festivities would go on long into the night. She would not be missed until morning, and even then it would be closer to noon before anyone thought something was amiss. That was plenty of time.

If she could even find the damned place.

Cursing under her breath, Marinette hiked up her skirts, kicking at a bramble that had wrapped itself around her foot. At that moment, the candle in her hand sputtered out and she bit back a shriek of frustration, eyes filling with tears.

What was the point ? Why had she even bothered to come here? The chances of succeeding in her goal were incredibly unlikely–at the rate she was going, she was more likely to stumble around in the dark for the rest of the night and—

Above her, an owl screeched, cutting through her hopeless thoughts.

No.

She would not give up. She could not let this opportunity pass her by. Not when this was her only–her best– chance to change things, to bring him back.

Scrubbing at her face roughly, she hurried on, using the moonlight filtering through the trees to guide her way until eventually she stepped out into a clearing.

The clearing.

She did not stop to admire the creek that ran through it, its water crystal clear and irresistibly refreshing. Nor did she notice the exotic flowers that wrapped themselves around the trees on the outskirts, or the soft grass that was an unnaturally bright shade of green in the dark.

She saw none of these things, preoccupied as she was with her own desperate desires, and after only a cursory glance around, she knelt on the grass, making sure to sit directly beneath the light of the moon.

Steeling herself, she dug her fingers into the grass, grounding herself as she began to chant the words she had spent so many nights memorising, quietly, and then louder and louder, only one thought on her mind.

‘Bring him back, bring him back, bring him back…’

***

1785

“Oh! I didn’t realise anyone was in here.”

Adrien turned at the voice, a smile playing at his lips.

He had been waiting for this.

For weeks now–ever since the dream that told him their meeting was near–he had been waiting. What would her name be this time? What would she be like? Would she be bold and brash like the last time, or would she be reserved and quiet like the time before? How much familiarity would she feel towards him, if she felt anything at all?

And now, here she stood.

His heart thudded erratically at the sight of her–already halfway out the door, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Unbidden, a delighted laugh escaped him and she hesitated, looking back uncertainly. Behind the mask on her face, her eyes were wide and brimming with confusion.

Everything had changed, as it always did. Her hair was more brown than black, shorter and curling prettily around her face. She was taller this time, and she glowed with health even as she shrunk under his gaze. But her eyes… her eyes were the same exact shade of blue that he had fallen in love with over and over again, and just like every time before, there was no recognition in them.

Ignoring the brief pang in his chest at the reminder, he rose, holding out a hand placatingly.

“No, no it’s alright, Madame…”

She started at his voice, lips parting in surprise. “Mademoiselle,” she corrected him. “Mademoiselle Josephine.”

“Very well, Mademoiselle Josephine,” Adrien bit back a grin. “Would you like to hear me play?”

Josephine stared at him in bewilderment before nodding slowly, loosening her grip on the door handle and coming further into the room. Sitting at the piano bench, he gestured for her to sit beside him but she remained standing, keeping a respectable distance between the two of them.

Of course. He was a stranger to her after all.

“Are you one of the merchant's sons?”

“Hm?” Adrien blinked. “Oh, no, my father is the Duke.”

“The Duke?!” Josephine stepped back rapidly, almost tripping over her skirts. “I’m so sorry–” she babbled. “You must think me so uncouth, to interrupt you like this, my Lord. I will leave you be, please forgive my rudeness–”

Adrien interrupted her. “My Lady.” Her mouth snapped shut and she watched him approach with wide eyes. “Had I been offended by your presence, I would not have asked you to stay.” He shook his head ruefully “truthfully, I found that the ball was a dreadful bore and sought better company with this piano. Unfortunately, he is a limited conversationalist.” He gestured to the instrument. “Won’t you stay?”

“I–” Her expression was torn.

“Alright,” Adrien sat back down. “How about I play, and whether you stay here or leave is entirely your choice.”

Humming softly under his breath, he turned back to the piano and began to play the simple tune, fingers flying over the keys. Without thinking, he began to add words to the song, testing them out.

“My beloved speaks, my beloved speaks, what she says, I know not.” He had sung something similar to her once before, long, long ago, and from the curious tilt of her head he knew that she recognised it though she would never be able to truly place it.

Still, she moved closer to him, mesmerised by the tune as he continued. “My heart sways, my heart sways, why it sways, I know–”

A loud knock at the door interrupted him. Before he could respond, his brother stepped inside, taking in the two of them with a raised brow. “Sorry to barge in,” he drawled, smirking. “Father is looking for you…shall I tell him that you are occupied?”

Adrien flushed, standing quickly. “No!” He practically shouted, “No,” he repeated, stealing a glance at Josephine to see that her cheeks were just as red. “I will come down shortly.”

“Very well,” his brother shrugged. “Make sure that you do.” Turning on his heel, he pointedly left the door open behind him, leaving them in silence.

Cursing his brother under his breath, Adrien made to follow him when he felt a hand on his arm. Glancing back, he was surprised to see Josephine standing so close to him he could practically feel the heat radiating from her body.

“My Lord?” A few strands of hair had fallen from her intricate hairstyle, and he clenched his hands into fists, resisting the urge to push them back, to cup her face and stroke her face again. His breath hitched.

“For what it’s worth…” Josephine began timidly. She licked her lips. “For what it’s worth, the woman who you wrote that song for…she is very lucky indeed.”

I’m not sure I agree, he wanted to say. Instead, he smiled gently, ignoring the ache in his heart. “Thank you.”

***

She did not notice the silence at first. Did not notice how the leaves had stopped rustling, how the animals had ceased their chatter. All she heard was her own voice, echoing loudly in the clearing, almost bellowing now as desperation gripped her heart.

It had to work. It had to.

Suddenly, the wind picked up, blowing her hair around her face, almost toppling her backwards. Through the shrieking, howling gusts of wind she heard laughter, dark and menacing, surrounding her on all sides.

Rising to her feet unsteadily, she whirled around, trying to find the source of the laughter. “Show yourself!”

“Why should I?” Cold breath tickled her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. Goosebumps erupted on her arms. “You are in my domain now.”

***

1860

The party was already in full swing when he managed to get a hold of her. Music echoed throughout the building as servants filtered in and out of the hall, carrying trays piled high with mouthwatering food, decadent sweets and ripe, juicy fruit.

He caught her as she was making her way back to the kitchen, her head bowed to avoid making eye contact with any of the guests.

“Come with me,” Adrien grabbed Bridgette’s hand, pulling her into a nearby alcove with him.

“Wh– Félix! ” She exclaimed, swatting at him with the empty tray in her hand. “What are you doing? I don’t have time for this–”

“Yes you do,” he interrupted her. Taking the tray from her, he shoved a mask and dress into her arms. Ignoring her protests, he carried on “put these on and meet me in the hall in ten minutes.” Leaning down to peck her quickly on the lips, he assured her “nobody will recognise you.”

Before she could respond, he walked away quickly, leaving Bridgette sputtering behind him. Whistling a tune under his breath, he pulled on his own mask, making his way into the great hall.

He had found her quickly, this time, and for once the fates had not ripped her away from him, had allowed him to love her as much as he always had, and allowed him to act on it, to have it reciprocated.

It was a dizzying, heady feeling though he knew he would not be so lucky the next time. So he cherished the moments they shared together even more, stealing as many kisses as he could, whispering sweet nothings in her ear and holding her close.

Still, there were times, late at night, when he wished that she could remember a different time, remember different names and different words whispered under moonlit nights.

A hand slipping into his own broke him out of his reverie and he glanced down to see Bridgette looking up at him, her lips curled up in a smile. The dark mask he had procured for her stood out starkly against her skin, accentuating the blue of her eyes. Lifting a hand, he cupped her face, feeling her skin warm as the blood rushed into her cheeks.

“Félix–” she began, leaning into his touch, but he cut her off.

“No, not tonight,” pretending to think about it for a long moment, he finally declared “tonight, I am Adrien, and you are…Marinette.”

“Adrien,” Bridgette said slowly, sounding out the name. “Hm,” she teased, reaching up to smooth out his coat. “Adrien,” she said again, and the sound of his name from her lips sent a thrill through him. “It suits you.”

***

Fear paralysed her, but she forced herself to remain calm, gritting her teeth and standing tall even as the wind buffeted at her, trying to throw her off balance.

“Then you know why I am here.”

“And why should I grant your wish?” The malevolent presence curled around her body, its voice taunting her, echoing in the clearing.

“They’ll make you their plaything,” she remembered suddenly. Remembered her maman’s warnings to her. “They will toy with you until their amusement wanes.”

Her resolve strengthened. She would not let this…this… demon do whatever he pleased, no matter how much more control he had over the situation.

Marinette’s knees wobbled. Swallowing roughly, she clenched her hands into fists, forcing strength she didn’t feel into her voice. “Show yourself!” she shouted again. “I will not be toyed with!”

“My, my,” the voice tutted, “you are a very demanding young lady. Very well.”

The wind around her blew faster, tearing leaves from tree branches and lifting her hair, swirling around her face. She shielded her face as it shrieked and whistled, watching it coalesce into a single whirlwind spinning faster and faster until from the vortex emerged a man.

His eyes glowed red.

***

1921

Adrien was tired.

All around him, people were dancing, drinking and celebrating another successful awards season but he couldn’t muster a single ounce of enthusiasm for the event.

Across the room, he spotted her–Lilian this time–standing arm in arm with her fiancé as they mingled with other actors. She was radiant, practically glowing with joy and Adrien watched as she threw her head back in laughter, oblivious to the few bewildered looks she garnered.

Clenching his fist around the glass of champagne in his hand, Adrien quickly downed it, drowning the resentment that had begun to bubble in his stomach.

That should have been him. It could be him, if only he had acted sooner. They were bound together forever after all, nothing could change that and yet…

He had been afraid. So afraid to approach her for fear of her memories resurfacing. How desperately had he wished that she would remember him, remember them , but he hadn’t known the cost.

He couldn’t go through that again. Not after last time. He simply wasn’t strong enough.

The memory of Bridgette still tormented him, late at night when he could not escape his different lives jostling for space in his mind. Her wild eyes and tear stained cheeks haunted his nightmares still, reminding him of how quickly she had descended into madness. How he had spent so many nights holding her in his arms, seeking to comfort her in those last days even as his heart shattered in his chest. How many times had he cursed the demon that Marinette had made a deal with so long ago? The demon that continued to wreak so much suffering upon them?

No. He was not strong enough to go through that again. It would break him.

And yet, he couldn't stay away. Not entirely. Something in him would always yearn to see her, to be by her side and so…he would simply content himself with being a bystander in her life. Just a friend. Just a co-star.

As he watched, Lilian disentangled herself from her fiancé’s arms and made her way to the tables of food lining the room. Before he could stop himself, Adrien found himself following after her. “Lilian!” he called out.

She turned at his voice, head tilted curiously. “Philippe? I didn’t realise you were here tonight! We could have come together!”

Shaking his head, Adrien stuffed his hands in his pockets. “No, I only just arrived,” he lied. Forcing a smile, he continued “you know, I never got to congratulate you–”

Lilian’s face lit up at the mention of her engagement. “That is so sweet of you, Philippe. You know…” she leaned forward conspiratorially, lowering her voice to a whisper. “When we did our first film together, I used to think the two of us would get married one day! Isn’t it so funny how things work out? ”

Bitterness rose like bile in his throat. Swallowing roughly, Adrien shook his head and laughed, hoping desperately that she wouldn’t notice how it was tinged with hysteria. “Yes…it really is.”

***

“So tell me,” the demon circled her slowly, grinning when she shivered at his close proximity. “What would you give me in return for your wish?”

Marinette licked her lips. Words were important here, she knew. They were her most valuable bargaining chip, but also the most dangerous. One wrong word could be twisted against her before she’d even realised that she had been tricked.

Inhaling deeply, she clutched at her skirts, feeling for the hidden pocket and the letter that she kept inside. She did not need to read it to know what was written inside–the words seared into her memory, but she let her fingers brush over the parchment, drawing strength from his words.

“What would you have from me?”

“Hm.” The demon pretended to think for a moment. Marinette struggled not to recoil as he reached out and lifted a lock of her hair. The memories that this boy has of you, that is my price.” Twisting the hair around his finger, he sniffed it, watching her hungrily as she processed his words.

Marinette’s breath froze in her lungs. “He…won’t remember me?” She thought of Adrien’s kiss, of his laughter, rich and beautiful. She thought of his gaze, so soft whenever it met hers. How she would never see it again.

“Correct. Should you attempt to have him remember, to…rekindle your relationship, well…” the demon shrugged. “Then his life will be forfeit once more.”

She thought of his corpse, cold beneath her hands, unresponsive as she sobbed over him. Could she give him up? Watch as he built the life they had dreamt of together with someone else, look as he married another and looked at her the way he had once looked at Marinette?

But he would be alive , a small voice whispered in her mind. Isn’t that enough?

Tears slipped down her cheeks. She made no move to wipe them away, rooted to the spot, contemplating the impossible choice before her. When she had entered the forest what seemed like hours ago, had she not told herself that she would pay any price so that Adrien may live?

Was her love so shallow, was she so fickle that she could not give up her place in his life?

No. If this was the price, she would pay it.

Marinette opened her mouth, ready to accept. “I–”

The demon held up a hand and the words caught in her throat, unable to come out. Marinette grasped her neck, turning her bewildered gaze towards him. A cold sliver of dread ran down her spine at his gleeful expression.

What games was he playing now?

“I wonder…” he stroked his chin thoughtfully. “This boy…would he do the same for you?”

Marinette blinked. She could not speak, her voice still kept captive in her throat, but she nodded.

“Really.” The demon was unconvinced. “Many young girls have sought me out over the years, convinced that their love is true.” He shrugged “it never is, and the boys that they would give everything for… leave. Them. Behind.” Grasping her by the chin, the demon tilted her face up to meet his. Sharp fingernails dug into her skin and she pressed her lips together, determined not to cry out–whether she had a voice or not. He seemed amused by her attempts, leaning forward to hiss in her ear.

“What makes your lover so different from the rest?”

What made Adrien different?

Nothing. Everything. How could she explain Adrien Agreste to this demon? How could she ever describe him and have the words to do him justice?

There were no words that could explain the bone deep belief she had in Adrien. In his goodness. In his love for her. Without a shadow of a doubt, she knew that if the demon “put Adrien here in my place, he would make the same choice.”

Marinette startled at her voice, eyes widening in surprise. The realisation dawned slowly as laughing wickedly the demon pushed her away, sending her sprawling onto the grass. His red eyes glowed brightly in the darkness, smile widening at the sight of her horrified expression. Too late, it was too late. Marinette scrambled to her feet, panic clawing at her chest, coursing through her veins.

As gale force winds erupted all around them, the demon smiled cruelly, lifting his hands up into the air. “Very well. Let us put him to the test.”

***

1963

He couldn’t go inside.

The costume shop was crowded, full of parents buying last minute Halloween costumes, teenagers trying on the different masks and children screaming for the costume they wanted. The shop attendants were frazzled, flitting from customer to customer with increasingly strained smiles. The only person who did not seem harried was her.

As he watched from just outside, Marinette–Anne,this time–knelt down to talk to a little girl, her expression animated as she showed the child costumes for her to wear. His heart ached at the sight, and he clenched his hands into fists, resisting the urge to go inside, to strike up a conversation with her.

He couldn’t. Not anymore.

This time, he hadn’t even sought her out, but whatever his intentions were, they did not matter in the face of the blasted curse they had been dealt and he had come across her entirely by accident.

And his resolve had crumpled.

Not completely. Not yet. But he knew that if he were to be in her presence for much longer then it surely would. He would not extend friendship, or even let himself be a simple acquaintance. It hurt. Too much.

That didn’t mean he couldn’t write a letter. He had agonised over what to write for months, scrapping attempt after attempt for seeming too vapid, too poetic, too revealing. Eventually, he had decided to keep it simple and straight to the point, wanting to let her know that she was loved, no matter what:

Never forget, wherever you go, there is someone in the world who is living for you. All that I wish is that you are safe, wherever you go.

But even that had seemed too much, too odd to give to a stranger and so he had given up. Words could not express the depth of his feelings after all. How could he express all the lifetimes, all the years that he had loved her into a simple letter?

It wasn’t possible.

Really it was for the best that she would never know him in this lifetime. She would be happier for it, he was sure.

So here he was. Drinking in the sight of her through a shop window for the first and last time. “Until next time, Marinette.” Adrien murmured, turning away.

He did not look back. If he had, he might have noticed Anne staring after him, confusion warring with curiosity across her face.

***

“No!” The cry was wrenched from her throat. Stumbling forwards, Marinette tried to grab hold of the demon, but he simply dissipated into the wind, his laughter surrounding her. Taunting her.

“Oh, don’t worry,” his voice echoed in her ears.. “He’ll live. How many times he lives, well…that’s entirely up to him.”

Marinette’s legs buckled underneath her and she fell to her knees. What have I done? What have I done what have done what have I–

Clutching at her head, she let out a blood curdling shriek as great wracking sobs overcame her. Above her, the wind howled and she screamed with it, beating the ground with her fists even as the strength seeped from her body.

Oh Adrien, she thought, lying motionless now on the ground, her heartbeat faltering in her chest. She thought of the fate she had condemned him to, of how he would grow to hate her, and salty tears streamed from her eyes, watering the soil beneath her

Forgive me.

***

2022

If he didn’t know what had happened here centuries ago, Adrien might have said the clearing was beautiful. And it was, of that there was no doubt.

Sunlight cascaded through the treetops, casting a gentle glow onto the rich earthy colours of autumn. A carpet of leaves crunched underfoot as he walked around, examining everything from the treetops to the shallow creek.

How long had he dreamt of this place? How many years had he watched in his dreams the events of that night, powerless to stop them? Adrien scrubbed his face roughly, watching as his breath puffed out in a white cloud in front of him.

There was no magic here. Not anymore. Whatever demon had inhabited this place was gone, leaving a pretty clearing behind that belied the darkness in its past.

If only his own curse was so easily broken, Adrien thought bitterly. But when was anything easy for him?

Behind him, he heard someone approach, leaves rustling as they walked. “You’re very hard to track down, you know.”

That voice.

Adrien froze, his heart thundering against his ribcage. He knew that voice. He’d dreamt of that voice, night after night for centuries now.

Was it an apparition? Was he dreaming now? He did not dare to turn around, afraid to shatter the illusion.

“I’m surprised that you came here , though,” the apparition continued. “You’re lucky I remembered the place.”

“Wh-” Adrien began, licking his lips, “what do you mean?” Turning around slowly, he stared at the woman before him, his mouth falling open in disbelief.

It was her. The Marinette he had first fallen in love with so long ago. She had the same inky dark hair, the same pale skin…the same blue eyes. But something was different. Her expression had darkened in response to his question, and she glared at a spot of grass just behind him. “There are some things I’d rather forget.”

That was it . Adrien stumbled back, almost tripping over an overgrown tree root. He gaped at her uncomprehendingly even as cold dread filled his veins.

Because…because…for the first time in over four hundred years, there was recognition– true recognition– in her eyes.

Nonononono- how?!

Closing his eyes, Adrien forced himself to breathe deeply, in and out, in and out. Still, his racing heart would not calm down and his stomach tightened with fright. How far along was the madness? Bridgette had remembered only flashes and they had ravaged her mind. What horrors would complete recollection inflict?

How was this even possible? It couldn’t– shouldn’t be, not when there was nothing to trigger her memories, when she had lived a life without him in it.

No.

He must have imagined it, must have been taken off guard by her presence here and pictured recognition that was not there. That had to be it. It had to–

“Adrien?” Marinette reached out to him in concern. “What’s the matter?”

What’s the matter? He crumpled, hysterical laughter bubbling up in his throat. What’s the matter? He’d done everything right this time, had stayed away completely, hadn’t even gone to catch a glimpse of her to save her from harm, and now this?

He thought then of the others, their faces flashing through his mind. Poor Josephine, who had been married off as soon as their friendship had been exposed, who had not lived to see her firstborn child. Tragic Bridgette, who had loved him and been driven mad for it when the memories of them had resurfaced. Miserable Lilian, who had sought comfort in his arms when her husband strayed and had been vilified for it.

All of their lives he had ruined, destroyed with his selfish desire to be near them, to recreate the idyllic days of centuries past— when curses were a thing of fairy tales, not a heartbreaking reality.

Too long it had taken him to realise he must stay away, too many lives ruined before he learned his lesson, and had stopped being so selfish–

Marinette grasped him by the shoulder, breaking him out of his spiralling thoughts. “Adrien.” Her voice was firm. “Look at me.” Cupping his cheek, she turned his face to meet hers. He swallowed roughly, drinking in the sight of her.

He supposed it didn’t matter now. How long did they have, he wondered. How long before he lost her again?

“You broke the curse.”

Adrien blinked. “What.”

“ You broke the curse.” Marinette repeated, her eyes shining with tears. “You did it, my love.”

“B-but…” His mind raced “I didn’t do anything.”

Marinette laughed wetly. “Yes. You did. When you chose to stay away…last time. It broke the cycle.” She hesitated then, looking away. “Can you–” her breath hitched. “Can you forgive me?”

“ Forgive you?” Adrien was bewildered. “What for?”

“For causing this in the first place. For subjecting you to the curse.” She sniffled. “This was all my fault.”

“Absolutely not.” Though he was still reeling, his mind a whirlwind, he knew one thing for certain as he took Marinette’s hands in his own. “None of this was your fault. I saw what happened, I dreamt of that night for centuries and never, not once did I blame you.”

Tangling their fingers together, Adrien pulled her close, speaking fiercely. “I won’t start now. You were tricked . And besides…” he swallowed roughly. “And besides, I should be the one asking forgiveness.” Before Marinette could protest, he rushed on. “I was the cause of your suffering. Time and time again.”

Marinette exhaled softly. “Bridgette?”

He nodded. “And Josephine, and Lilian, and all the others. I was weak. I could not stay away from you.”

“I don’t care.”

“But–”

“No.” Marinette shook her head, her expression stubborn. “We were happy to know you.” She bought his hand up to her chest, pressing it against her heart where he could feel her heartbeat, strong and steady. “ I know. Our lives were better for having you in it.”

Rising on her tiptoes, she pressed a kiss to his cheek, lingering for a long moment before pulling away and gazing into his eyes. “It will be hard,” she said “there are going to be difficult days ahead, but we can help each other, and now…we can live this life. Together.”

“Together,” Adrien smiled. Impulsively, he dipped his head down and captured her lips with his. She tasted like cherries, her lips soft and pliant, and Adrien resisted the urge to deepen the kiss, to swipe his tongue against hers. Instead, he held her close as she melted in their embrace, reaching up to tangle her fingers in his hair as they kissed, long and slow. Drawing back, Adrien pressed his forehead to hers, breathing heavily. A thrill went through him at the sight of her flushed cheeks and he pecked her lips again chastely.

“Together,” he breathed, stroking her warm cheek, delighting in the way she leaned into his touch, the joy he felt mirrored in her eyes.

“I like the sound of that.”

#banana writes 🍌#ml fanfic #miraculous ladybug #adrien agreste #marinette dupain cheng #mwg #am i posting this and immediately going to sleep?#yes #this fic was actually so fun to write guys so...hope you like it!!

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successvu-blog · 1 month

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huynhuynf · 1 year

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7 Chiến dịch viral marketing thành công nhất tại Việt Nam

Chiến dịch viral marketing đang là xu thế và mục tiêu của nhiều doanh nghiệp hiện nay để gia tăng nhận diện thương hiệu, giúp định vị thị trường và tăng doanh thu bán hàng cho các doanh nghiệp. Vậy chiến dịch viral marketing là gì? Có những chiến dịch viral marketing nào đã thành công tại Việt Nam? Cùng tham khảo bài viết sau đây!

I. Chiến dịch viral marketing là gì?

Chiến dịch viral marketing hay còn gọi là chiến dịch tiếp thị lan truyền. Đây là loại chiến lược truyền thông có khả năng tác động đến một cá nhân nào đó. Nó khiến khách hàng/công chúng nhắc đến, chia sẻ và lan tỏa các thông điệp marketing đến với những người khác một cách nhanh chóng.

Với chiến dịch viral marketing, người kinh doanh/marketer có thể thúc đẩy sự quan tâm đến thương hiệu, sản phẩm thông qua lượt xem, lượt yêu thích và đặc biệt là lượt chia sẻ. Đồng thời nó có thể tạo ra tiềm năng quảng bá theo cấp số nhân thông qua các trang mạng xã hội.

Tuy vậy, việc thực hiện viral marketing không phải điều đơn giản. Nội dung chính là điểm mấu chốt để tạo một chiến dịch Viral Marketing. Chỉ cần nội dung của chiến dịch viral marketing chạm tới cảm xúc của khách hàng, dù là tích cực hay tiêu cực thì cơ hội được lan truyền đều cao.

II. 7 Chiến dịch viral marketing thành công nhất tại Việt Nam

Để có một chiến dịch viral marketing, đội ngũ marketer của doanh nghiệp cần phải đầu tư rất nhiều công sức vào nội dung, chiến thuật viral. Và tính đến hiện nay, tại Việt Nam đã có một vài chiến dịch marketing đạt kết quả viral rất cao. Mời bạn đọc cùng tham khảo 7 chiến dịch viral marketing thành công nhất tại Việt Nam trong những chia sẻ sau.

1. Chiến dịch viral marketing “Lời chúc hoá hành động, lấm bẩn mang điều hay” của OMO

Nhắc đến chiến dịch viral marketing thành công, OMO là một brand nổi tiếng không thể không nhắc đến. Với thông điệp Tết “Lời chúc hoá hành động, lấm bẩn mang điều hay”, brand này đã thực hiện chiến dịch trồng cây xanh mà không ngại lấm bẩn. Không chỉ dừng lại ở thông điệp làm sạch lấm bẩn cho người thân, gia đình như các chiến dịch trước đây. Trong chiến dịch Tết này, OMO được đánh giá đã thực hiện hoạt động mang tính chất thực tế, hướng đến bảo vệ môi trường, bảo vệ Trái Đất để thể hiện trách nhiệm xã hội của doanh nghiệp.

Sau khi thực hiện triệt để các kênh truyền thông, hiệu quả của chiến dịch này đạt được không ngờ với:

MV nhanh chóng thu về 1,7 triệu lượt xem chỉ sau 24 giờ phát hành và liên tục lọt top ntrong nhiều bảng xếp hạng

Chiến dịch tiếp cận hơn 2,2 triệu người, thu về hơn 400.000 bình luận và chia sẻ trong vòng 1 tháng triển khai

Chiến dịch đạt Top 4 bảng xếp hạng BSI Top 10 Campaigns nổi bật trên Social Media tháng 1/2021.

2. Chiến dịch marketing “Cảm ơn” của Baemin

Beamin là brand nổi tiếng với đội ngũ marketing rất mạnh và thường xuyên đưa ra được những chiến dịch marketing trẻ trung, sáng tạo, viral nhanh chóng. Đặc biệt, một trong những chiến dịch viral marketing gần đây nhất của brand này phải kể đến chiến dịch “Cảm ơn” đánh dấu 3 năm Beamin ra mắt tại thị trường Việt Nam.

“Cảm ơn” cũng là thông điệp truyền thông xuyên suốt chiến dịch này. Đây là lời cảm ơn, tri ân cảu Beamin đến khách hàng đã tin tưởng và ủng hộ mình trong suốt 3 năm qua. Để lan toả thông điệp đến người dùng thành công, Beamin đã thâu tóm rất nhiều nền tảng truyền thông từ online cho tới offline.

Kết quả là, chiến dịch viral marketing của Baemin đã thu về hàng nghìn lượt tương tác và chia sẻ trên các trang mạng xã hội, các hội nhóm và diễn đàn báo chí…

3. Chiến dịch viral marketing của Honda – Mang tiền về cho mẹ

Là nhà sản xuất chiếm hơn 80% thị phần xe máy Việt Nam, Honda luôn chứng minh thực lực làm marketing của mình. Các chiến dịch của brand này luôn được đầu tư kỹ lưỡng để đạt chất lượng cao nhất. “Mang tiền về cho mẹ” là một trong những chiến dịch hiệu quả đó.

Hướng đến phân khúc khách hàng trẻ với lối sống năng động, trẻ trung, đầu năm 2022 brand này cho ra mắt mẫu xe Honda Winner X và thực hiện chiến dịch viral marketing thúc đẩy sản phẩm này.

Nắm bắt insight GenZ chính xác, Honda đã tận dụng các kênh truyền thông triệt để. Nhờ đó, chiến dịch marketing nhanh chóng đạt được mục tiêu tăng độ nhận diện sản phẩm và tình cảm của khách hàng với thương hiệu.

4. Chiến dịch “Bạn muốn mua TV” của Điện Máy Xanh

Nhắc đến chiến dịch viral marketing mà không nhắc đến “Bạn muốn mua TV” của Điện Máy Xanh vào cuối năm 2016 là một thiếu sót lớn. Chiến dịch này đã từng làm mưa làm gió một khoảng thời gian dài trên hầu hết các phương tiện truyền thông từ truyền thống đến social media.

Bằng việc cho ra mắt video quảng cáo dài khoảng 1 phút với những câu hát vui nhộn, nhắc đi nhắc lại tên Brand “Điện máy xanh”. Đồng thời 2 màu sắc MV chủ đạo được sử dụng là xanh và vàng theo logo thương hiệu. Nhờ đó, chiến dịch quảng cáo này đã đạt được mức độ nhận diện thương hiệu cao, giúp Điện Máy Xanh trở thành top of mind trong tâm trí khách hàng.

5. Chiến dịch Baby Shark của Shopee

Cùng với Điện máy xanh, chiến dịch Baby Shark của Shopee cũng trở thành kinh điển và là bài học cho nhiều Marketer ứng dụng. Để thực hiện chiến dịch, Shopee đã tận dụng sức nóng của thủ môn Bùi Tiến Dũng tại thời điểm thành công của U23 Việt Nam để đưa ra MV chế từ Baby Shark. Giai điệu “Cùng Shopee pi pi pi pi…” vui tươi, đồng thời lặp đi lặp lại tên brand nhanh chóng giúp tăng trưởng mức độ nhận diện của thương hiệu đối với người nghe.

Mặt khác, tuy TVC quảng cáo được chia sẻ rộng rãi nhưng không phải ai cũng thích nó. Theo thống kê, lượt dislike nhận về cũng là một con số lớn, nhiều người bình luận than vãn rằng giai điệu quá “ám ảnh” người nghe. Dù vậy nhưng thương hiệu nay cũng đã thực hiện được mục đích viral tên thương hiệu, lưu sâu vào tư duy của công chúng về một sàn thương mại điện tử – Shopee.

Kết quả thu được từ chiến dịch này đã mang về cho Shopee những con số ấn tượng:

Tính đến thời điểm tháng 2/2020 MV đã đạt trên 65 triệu view với cả công chúng Việt và người xem Đông Nam Á

Từ khóa “quảng cáo Shopee” đã tăng gấp 3 lần về lượt tìm kiếm

Số lượt truy cập website trung bình cao nhất cả nước quý 3/2018

Lượt truy cập website tăng 30% (từ vị trí số 3 lên vị trí 1)

6. Chiến dịch viral marketing “Sunlight for Men” của Sunlight

Sunlight là thương hiệu nước rửa chén không còn xa lạ với người dùng Việt, đặc biệt là các bà nội trợ. Thế nhưng, trong chiến dịch này, Sunlight đã khai thác được insight khách hàng một cách mới lạ và hiệu quả – “Sunlight for Men”. Đây không chỉ là chiến dịch Marketing mới lạ. Mà nó còn mang đến một cuộc cách mạng lớn về tư tưởng, phá tan định kiến giới trong câu chuyện việc nhà.

Khi thực thi chiến dịch viral marketing này, Sunlight tung phiên bản sản phẩm tặng kèm giới hạn “Sunlight for Men” khi mua nước rửa chén Sunlight 3.8kg. Bên cạnh đó, brand này đã ứng dụng các kênh truyền thông Media, Social với KOLs, cuộc thi ảnh Sunlight… để đạt được hiệu quả viral cao nhất.

7. Chiến dịch viral “Chuyện cũ bỏ qua” của Mirinda

Một chiến dịch viral marketing thành công khác là “Chuyện cũ bỏ qua” của Mirinda vào cuối năm 2018. Nắm bắt trúng insight người tiêu dùng Việt là luôn mong muốn bước sang năm mới mọi buồn phiền của cả năm đều có thể bỏ qua để đón Tết viên mãn nhất. Nhờ đó, Mirinda đã trở thành người giải hoà mâu thuẫn năm cũ, cùng chung vui và đón Tết hạnh phúc, vui vẻ.

Như vậy, bài viết trên bạn đọc đã được tìm hiểu về 7 chiến dịch viral marketing thành công nhất ở Việt Nam. Để có được sự thành công đó, đầu tư vào nội dung, kế hoạch chỉnh chu là chưa đủ. Đặc biệt trong thời đại công nghệ phát triển nhanh chóng như hiện nay, để nhanh chóng viral và tiếp cận khách hàng, doanh nghiệp nên ứng dụng thêm các công cụ marketing online. Đây sẽ là các công cụ giúp doanh nghiệp tối ưu sức mạnh của nền tảng số, đồng thời giúp thực hiện tự động hoá hoạt động marketing và đem lại hiệu quả cao nhất.

Chi tiết bài viết xem tại: 7 Chiến dịch viral marketing thành công nhất tại Việt Nam

#marketing #viral marketing #sharing #shopee #hondamotorcycles #mirinda #beamin #omo #sunlight #mwg

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