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Chapter Text

When Kassidy Flannery first made it to Paris, she was excited. Excited to live with her grandmother who she hadn't seen since the divorce of her mother and father, which occurred many years before.

She was determined to adapt to life in Paris, helping her grandmother run her antique bookshop and her aunt run her cloth and accessory store. Even going as far as registering for school despite her being awful at French and having terrible social skills. It didn't help that she was born with the strange ability of an empath. Being able to feel what everyone else felt was never fun. Especially when Kass had violent reactions to nearly every emotion. So, when Kass arrives at school only to run into one of the very few people she swore to destroy if she ever met her, Kass's day goes spiraling downhill.

*Good morning, everyone! * The redheaded teacher announced to the class, which was buzzing with excitement.

Kass was fairly sure her name was Buister or something, but her French wasn't good enough for her to know. The woman continued to talk to the class in French and Kass tried to follow her, unfortunately she was unable to. There was a silence and the woman looked at Kass who froze, and the woman smiled at her in an understanding way. She felt a slight wave of concern coming from the teacher and confusion coming from most of the class, small waves of sympathy hit her and Kass had to bite her lip to stop herself from crying.

"Hello Ms. Flannery. I'm Madam Bustier, would you mind introducing yourself to the class?" The teacher asked Kass very quietly, in English.

Kass flushed and nodded slowly, she stepped forwards and waved at the class. *Uh Hi? I'm... I'm Kassidy Flannery... but- but I'm ca- I go by Kass. *

The class smiled and waved and a girl with black-blue hair, who looked incredibly tired sat up. Excitement raced across the room again and Kass had to stop herself from flinching. It was then she felt the bitter emotion she couldn't place but made her stomach roll. Madam Bustier pointed to the girl and said something in French. Kass nodded as the words processed in her head. Guidance, it wasn't exactly an emotion, but it was what Kass called it, a lot of 'emotions' were like that. Strange and difficult to place, so Kass gave them a name closest to what she thought they were. Shaking her head, Kass focused again, guidance, Bustier was feeling guidance- oh. Madam Bustier was directing Kass to where she was to be sitting.

Moving to the back she went to set her stuff down as Madam Bustier remarked something about making her feel welcome. Hesitating for a minute Kass smiled weakly at the girl, she adjusted her glasses and swallowed. Exhaustion and a little bit of hopelessness spiraled off of the girl, she felt forgotten and ignored. Kass wasn't going to let that continue, she wasn't the best with people, but she knew that no one should ever feel forgotten.

*Can... I-uh. Can I sit here? *

The girl blinked at her and nodded. Curiosity buzzed to life with the other emotions and a slight sense of understanding. Letting out a sigh of relief Kass sat down next to her, and the girl gave her a strange look. Kass fidgeted slightly as Madam Bustier began teaching and Kass sort of understood what was going on.

"Madam Bustier is talking about our most recent reading assignment." The girl informed her in English, "I'm Marinette by the way."

Kass cursed under her breath and winced slightly, looking up at Madam Bustier who was writing on the board she fiddled with her fingers once again.

"Was I that obvious?" Kass muttered to Marinette.

Marinette smiled and shook her head, a slight sense of sympathy sneaked into the mix, "No, I just noticed how you paused... I mean it took me a moment to figure it out. Do you have a French class?"

Kass nodded relaxing slightly, she knew how to read and write most French, speaking it and understanding it was the problem. "Sort of, Madam Bustier is supposed to be helping me... I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone."

Marinette nodded and Kass relaxed. Before she knew it the class was over, and everyone was packing up. Suddenly her desk was surrounded by her classmates as they all rapidly spoke in French to her. Excitement, curiosity, and pride slammed into her, and she had to pinch herself so her body wouldn't react. Then panic overcame her and Kass began to frantically try to figure out what everyone was saying. She looked around for someone to help her and she saw Marinette wince. Suddenly the blonde girl in a pink dress blinked as the dark-haired girl in purple whispered something to her. Understanding, concern and more sympat- wait no it was empathy, empathy hit her. Someone understood what she was going through.

"OH!" The girl in pink exclaimed before whispering to Kass, a bit of guilt came from the girl, "Hi, I'm Rose! Sorry about earlier I understand French is your second language. I remember when I was first learning English. It took me a while to understand it all! I'll help you in any way I can."

A blush covered Kass's cheeks, but she relaxed, she whispered, no one else... well beside the purple girl and Marinette knew. Smiling, she fiddled with her fingers before holding out her hand to Rose.

* Nice- nice to fall - * Kass scrambled to fix herself, * I mean meet you Rose. *

Rose smiled and took her hand, yanking her out of her seat and into a hug. She moved her towards the dark haired girl in purple, she had purple tipped hair and reminded Kass of her best friend from America, Tasha. Tasha was what you'd call a goth, however this girl seemed more punk than goth. Shaking slightly, Kass held out her hand to the other girl. Embarrassment, fear and anxiety brushed Kass as she forced herself to focus on the two girls in front of her. It seemed the purple punk girl had anxiety and maybe was shy. Sighing softly, Kass looked her over subtly, she could understand that.

"This is Juleka! She's my best friend!" Rose squealed and Kass hid a smile, they seemed much more than friends, the emotion of love was strong between the two girls and hardly seemed platonic in nature.

"it's- Oh." *It's nice to meet you Juleka."

Juleka hesitated for a moment before shaking Kass's hand, a bit of worry and fear slipped in but when Kass smiled at her a bit of joy snuck in too. Kass relaxed slightly, it was getting a bit easier to deal with. Suddenly a brown-haired girl with a strange hairstyle pushed Juleka to the side, she smiled brightly at Kass who noted Juleka's hurt look. The girl then began rapidly speaking in French, she felt... weird. The bitter emotion Kass felt earlier wafted from the girl in such strong waves Kass had a hard time focusing. Kass gave her a confused look and the girl gasped, a slight sense of glee overcoming her, before loudly declaring in English.

"Oh I'm so sorry! I didn't know you don't speak French."

Kass's new classmates gasped, shock, surprise and more sympathy hit her. Locking her jaw, she tried to keep her head clear. Smiling tightly Kass replied, "I do speak French, you were just talking really fast. I can't process French the same way native speakers can."

The girl blinked, irritation and a new bitter emotion came, she then put on an obviously (at least to Kass) fake concerned look, "Oh I'm so sorry! I didn't mean-"

"It's fine." Kass replied rather tightly as she clenched her fists.

The girl's face, her fake expression fell slightly, more irritation and was that a sense of better?... before she nodded in understanding and held out her hand to her, "I'm Lila Rossi, it's nice to meet you Kass."

Kass accepted her hand and froze as her name flashed through her head. An emotion, a strong one from behind Kass flared to life, anger. Forcing a smile onto her face Kass took in a breath. Internally calming herself down Kass chanted internally 'It's going to be okay; it's going to be okay; it's going to be okay. Breathe, breathe, breathe'. Shaking Lila's hand Kass kept her rage internal before letting out a breath. She was fine, completely and totally okay. After all Lila had no idea, she knew who she was.

*The pleasure's mine. * Kass replied smiling, feeling a nervous emotion come from Lila.

Once she let go of Lila's hand Kass took a step back and looked to Marinette who looked as if she'd rather be anyplace but here. Fear, anger and exhaustion were coming from her. Her brow furrowed as she heard a ding and looked to see her classmates looking at their phones, shock surprise and understanding hit her. A boy with a red hat, glasses and headphones around his neck stepped forwards holding out his hand. 

"Hi-ya dudette, name's Nino. It's nice to meet you." 

Kass hesitated before looking to see Lila with her phone in her hand. Glee, smugness and that bitter emotion, which Kass decided was deceit, wafted from her. Narrowing her eyes for a moment, Kass stepped forwards and took Nino's hand. Looks as if Lila told everyone she was lying or something.

"Hi!" A girl with glasses and brown hair tinted red bounded forwards, excitement and a hyperactive emotion slammed into Kass, "I'm Alya! I run the Ladyblog."

"The ladywhat now?" Kass asked, forgetting that she was supposed to be speaking French, her confusion caused shock and a little bit of glee from Lila to cover the room. 

Alya looked at her startled, shocked and a bit irritated and Kass felt as if she just made one of the biggest mistakes ever. Nervously laughing she looked to Marinette who sighed gathering her things, she seemed to be done with everything and left the room, her forgotten emotion getting stronger. Moving slowly back to the desk, Kass picked up her stuff and waved to her classmates. She was going to befriend Marinette, even if it meant showing how weird she really was. 

*It was nice to meet you all. * She said perfectly glad she practiced for a situation exactly like this. *I hope we can ...be pro-properly introduced- later, but I don't want to be late for class. * 

Her classmates blinked, confusion began to hit her and Kass turned gagging before she hurried from the room, hoping to make it to her next class on time and to get away from all the rapidly changing emotions. As she hurried through the school occasionally looking for the paper she had in her hands, emotions would hit her and Kass had to push back her reactions so she could keep moving. Looking up she saw the Lila girl side eyeing her, curious and well it seemed she was wondering how she could use Kass. Or at least that's what Kass thought the emotion was. Ignoring Lila, Kass tried to push her anger away again. She was so frustrated at the fact that Lila had made her life here already so much harder. Yes, technically Lila should be the one who understood the most, what Kass was going through, regardless; moving from America to Paris was much different than moving from Italy to Paris. And the fact that Lila wanted to use her, that she lied and felt gleeful when she saw Kass's panic- it infuriated Kass. Taking a breath in, Kass tried to push her frustration aside, it was only normal being the new kid sucked, bullies and jerk-faces were normal too.  Squeezing the paper in her hand tightly she let out the breath. This was normal.

Suddenly she heard a scream and looked to see a blonde girl pointing at something shrieking, fear, so much fear. Kass felt panic hit her as the people around her began to scream, pressing a hand to her face Kass resisted the urge to puke. Breathing in and out she looked around again to see people running from the area screaming, *AKUMA! * 

What the fuck is an Akuma? Kass thought.

Kass blinked as she saw a purple butterfly moving towards her, it- she felt determination coming from it, despite her empathy only working on people. She stepped back and it followed, everyone's fear hit her again and she reacted instinctively. Swinging the paper at the butterfly, she felt the page hit the butterfly and suddenly a voice was in her head.  Glee and smugness hit her and Kass found she couldn't move. There was a connection between her and someone else, a connection created by the butterfly. The person on the other end flinched, confusion racing over them but then they pushed it back.

*Babel, I am Hawkmoth, * The voice began before Kass let out a huh?

Suddenly the voice sighed and tried again "Babel, I am Hawkmoth, I can grant you the power to let others feel your frustration of being in a new place unable to understand or speak the language. All I ask for in return is that you give me the miraculous of Anatis and Māomīéer. "

Kass's frustration suddenly felt stronger for some reason, regardless she tilted her head in confusion. Hawkmoth sighed again tired, he was tired, before briefly explaining who the two heroes were. After the explanation Kass suddenly nodded, her irritation over taking her as the connection became stronger. She found herself grinning despite having no reason to.

"Of course Hawkmoth." The words escaped her and a emotion of confusion, her own rose up before Hawkmoth's joy overcame her.

With that Kass's whole world went black.

Chapter Text

When Kass woke up she was surprised to find she wasn't in her bed, on the ground at school or in the nurse's office. Instead, she was on the ground in front of the Eiffel Tower with two strange looking people in front of her. A ladybug themed boy and a cat themed girl, giving them confused looks she pressed her hand to her head which was throbbing. For a brief moment no emotions hit her and Kass didn't know what to feel.

"Are you alright?" The catgirl asked as Kass gave her a confused look, slowly the feeling of concern hit her and Kass closed her eyes. 

She was alright, she wasn't broken. Opening her eyes, she found the cat girl staring at her, giving her a confused look, she tried to place if she knew this girl. The cat girl blinked in realization and understanding washed over Kass. The cat girl pressed a hand to her chest then gestured to the Ladybug boy, "I'm Māomīéer, this is my partner Anatis. We're heroes." 

Kass blinked, still confused and suddenly a beeping noise came from both Māomīéer and Anatis, panic hit her coming from both heroes and Kass swallowed, taking in a breath. The two heroes looked at each other before looking back to Kass, worry and internally disappointment hit her. Suddenly Kass heard footsteps and Kass looked to see Rose and Juleka racing towards her distress clear on Rose's face. Worry and relief hit her as the two girls got closer.

"KASS!" She shrieks moving past the heroes before tackling Kass in a hug. 

Māomīéer snorted slightly, as she stepped away from Kass. Though she felt an emotion of relief as well coming from Māomīéer, the cat heroine looked to Anatis who had begun talking quietly to Juleka. 

*This cat's gotta scram, see you later Annie. * Māomīéer remarked with a wink before taking off.

*Bye kitten. * Anatis replied as Juleka nodded, *I should be going too. Thank you Ms. Couffiane. Bugout! * 

For a moment Anatis looked at Kass and their eyes met. Kass tilted her head as surprise overcame her, she furrowed her brow but before she could sense anything else Anatis took off. Once Anatis was out of sight, Juleka walked over towards Kass and Rose. Rose finally let go of Kass, tears coming out her eyes, concern and relief doubled, as she hurriedly asked if the girl was alright. 

"I'm fine, I'm fine really... just confused. I- I don't know what happened." 

Rose relaxed slightly, the concern being swallowed up by relief, as Juleka walked towards them. Rose looked to Juleka who mumbled something, understanding slipped towards Kass who blinked in slight confusion. However, Rose nodded, moving away from Kass before she stood up and held out a hand to her.

Kass took her hand as embarrassment washed over her, Rose's cheeks were flushed pink, and the girl helped Kass to her feet.

"Sorry about the attack hug. I just-. I know what it's like to be akumatized. And I just don't think it's fair you got akumatized right after getting here!"

Kass blinked and felt nervousness coming from Rose hit her. Smiling slightly, she shrugged and waved a hand. 

"It's fine. I still have no idea what's going on though."

Rose and Juleka shared a look before Rose grabbed onto Kass's hand, "We can explain, come this way." 

Kass nodded and let the other girls guide her away from the Eiffel tower. They stopped at a bench and Kass sat down as the two other girls stood in front of her, they shared another look before looking at Kass. Curiosity and excitement hit her when Rose asked, 

"What do you know about super heroes Kass?" 

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After getting an explanation on who Anatis and Māomīéer  were and what they did, they explained how Hawkmoth was a terrorist who used his miraculous to prey on emotionally distressed people. And they mentioned the appearance of temporary heroes and Mayura. Kass understood a bit more now but overall was confused how any of this could be allowed. Māomīéer and Anatis looked around her age. Teenagers! How could the Parisian government let teenagers fight a terrorist? 

Shaking her head, she pushed her confusion and discomfort away from her before walking to her grandmother's shop and opening the door. A little bell rang and Kass took in a breath, smelling leather, parchment and oil. Her grandmother suddenly appeared behind an old looking desk, and she noticed Kass then smiled. 

"Oh, my dear lassie. How are you?" Gran asked in a faint Irish accent.

Kass smiled before shrugging, she walked over to where Gran was and gave her a hug before setting her stuff down. Gran bumped her slightly pulling a box of pastries out of nowhere. 

"I stopped by the Dupian-Cheng's today for these... I thought we could celebrate your first day of school," Gran began as Kass reached for a macaroon, "but it looks as if your day didn't go nearly as well as I hoped." 

Kass hesitated before looking Gran in the eyes. Gran was one of the very few people who knew she was an empath and the other person so far that Kass had a hard time feeling emotion from. She of course still felt emotion, but with Gran, with Gran she'd have to actually try unless the emotion was strong. 

"Uh, well I saw someone I didn't want to and apparently got akumatized."

Gran froze for a moment and Kass picked up a macaroon before taking a bite out of it with a slight sigh. She really loved macaroons.

"Ye what?" Gran asked her accent getting stronger as Kass began to feel a sliver of emotion coming from her.

Kass froze, a macaroon in her mouth as she hesitated for a moment before chewing and swallowing. While it's true Kass didn't know the fullity of how bad the akumatizations were, she did know that Gran's reaction could only mean it was really, really bad.

"I got akumatized, I'm fine though-"

"Was it because of yer gift?"

Kass froze for a moment before shaking her head. Relief flooded through the air and Kass shifted slightly, she knew her Gran worried about her because of her gift, that things would be easier if she didn't have it anymore, but it wasn't really something she could change.

"It was strange," Kass admitted, setting her half-eaten macaroon down, "I wasn't that upset but when the purple butterfly- the akuma, when it got nearer my emotions kind of went haywire."

Gran looked a bit worried but nodded. Kass knew that Gran had never been akumatized so she wouldn't really know what was going on, or what Kass was going through, but Kass felt it was the thought that counted.

"Kelsey should be coming by to see how yer day was... do ye want to go with her to the shop?"

Kass shrugged before picking up the box of macaroons and fiddling with it. She loved going to her aunt's shop, honestly, it's just she didn't know if she had enough energy to be friendly today.

"I don't know, I've had a long day and I need to study my French more... I- I'm still having trouble understanding."

Gran nodded and handed Kass a small stack of books with a wink before gesturing for her to head to the apartment that was just beside the shop. Taking the books and the box of macaroons, Kass headed towards her room. After descending into the basement, Kass slid into her room and closed the door with a sigh. Sinking to the floor Kass wanted to cry. Shaking her head, she took in a breath. Why did she have to go and ruin her first day so quickly?

Pressing her face into her hands she shook her head, faintly Kass heard the ringing of a bell and voices talking. Then the sound of the door to the basement opened and Kass heard her Gran remark,

"She's just down the stairs, last door of the hallway. Please knock before you enter though, the poor lass has had a rough day."

Footsteps followed her Gran's voice and the sound of a door closing had Kass sitting up straight. She rolled away from the door and had just gotten to her feet when she heard a knock on it. Stumbling over the pile of books and various other things she had yet to put away, Kass opened the door to find Marinette standing behind it. She gave Kass a little wave and Kass blinked.

"Can I come in?" Marinette asked, looking tired.

Kass nodded and pushed the door open so Marinette could enter, closing the door behind her, Kass smiled weakly at Marinette who much to Kass's surprise returned the smile.

"I just wanted to come by because one, I'm the class rep and I wanted to let you know if you need any help to let me know..." She paused and looked away from Kass for a moment, "though elections are coming up again and I might not be the rep anymore."

A bit of sadness rippled from Marinette but so did relief, Kass didn't know if she should console or congratulate the girl. Awkwardly shifting Kass remembered the box of macaroons and snatched them up from the ground before holding them out to Marinette.

"Would you like one? There from this amazing bakery and... I'm sorry I'm really bad at small talk." Her cheeks flushed as Kass sheepishly offered the box to the other girl.

A bit of surprise crossed Marinette's face and she smiled slightly before shaking her head and saying, "No, it's alright. And it's actually my parent's bakery so thank you."

More heat hit Kass's cheeks as she felt a bit of amusement coming from Marinette, Kass really didn't like this, she just couldn't seem to get anything right today- Suddenly a feeling of boredom and irritation hit Kass, but it wasn't coming from Marinette. Flustered Kass set the box down and looked around, no one else seemed to be near, but still... what was going on?

Looking around the room for whoever was letting of the emotions Kass picked up a pile of papers only to put it back down confused. Marinette however began to project worry and Kass looked up at her slightly confused. What did she have to be worried about?

"Also," Marinette began, causing Kass to stop her search, "I came by to see how you were doing.

Kass went still as she realized what exactly the other girl meant. Looking at her she weakly smiled, shook her head and put a better smile on her face. Taking in a breath Kass sunk down towards the floor with a shrug.

"Everyone has their bad days, mine just happened to be really bad. it's no biggie."

Marinette sat across from Kass and gave her a look for a moment, "You mean you're not freaked out or traumatized by being akumatized?"

Kass sighed, running a hand through her hair before shrugging again. In all honesty she did feel a little weird, the emotions- the one Hawkmoth felt linger in her after the akumatization broke. Sorrow was a big one, but much to Kass's surprise there was no regret. Just sorrow, determination, and frustration. Whoever was doing this believed they had a good reason, that much Kass knew. But, in the end they were emotionally manipulating and controlling people which was seriously not cool.

"I'm fine honestly, it's just the fact that people go through stuff like that, and that people call them villains or monsters for doing so is so wrong." She bit her lip, she knew of the people who did stuff like that.... there were too many.

Looking up Kass found Marinette giving her a strange look and curiosity and admiration slammed into her. For just a moment she allowed herself to ignore the emotions... could she do it again? Could she learn to- no, no. This was a gift, a blessing, Kass knew that while her gift was difficult to use and may seem like a curse sometimes it was a blessing. 

Flushing slightly, she looked away from Marinette and began fiddling with her fingers. 

"Uh, sorry... could we talk about something else? I- I think I might still be reeling from all of today. Akumas, superheroes, supervillains, the next thing you know you'll tell me magic's real." Kass laughed nervously before going quiet and internally cursing herself. 

Marinette felt suspicious, concerned and worried all at the same time. The jumble of emotions made Kass gag, and she was lucky that her hair, her long Irish hair, was currently hiding her face. A slight sigh came from Marinette and curiosity, not Marinette's brushed Kass. Who was this person- thing- creature?  And why did Kass feel it's emotions so strongly?

"Uhm, do you want to try and get to know each other?" Marinette asked with a somewhat shy smile, "I mean we are going to be desk partners after all."

Raising her head so her face could be seen Kass blinked twice. Then she sat up and nodded, smiling slowly. She then took in a breath and decided to be a little more confident. 

"I'm Kassidy Flannery. I love food, books and music. I'm a decent writer, musician and chef. I am the best Irish American baker in Paris. I'm technically a nerd and love to talk, I'm a nervous wreck most of the time and will probably make you feel like I hate you at some point which is not true I'm just... working on my 'communication' skills. If I could I'd live in a museum staring at the art, however I can barely draw a circle. Animals are cute no matter what, my singing can and will deafen you and I'd rather die than anyone pity me because I can't fully speak French."  

Marinette blinked, and amusement and glee flooded towards Kass; one from Marinette, the other from the mystery creature in the room. Marinette took Kass's hand with a bright smile and she laughed slightly. Kass internally sighed in relief, however Marinette suddenly began speaking.

"I'm Marinette Dupain-Cheng. I love fashion, baking, rock music and the color pink. I am an aspiring fashion designer, heir to the best bakery in Paris and I too am a nerd. Talking is fine because I talk too much as well. I am clumsy as I am creative, and I literally have the most packed schedule on the planet. I've designed small things for Jagged Stone and Clara Nightengale however that doesn't mean I'm great at it. All animals are cute, my singing will break glass. I tend to get really nervous and underestimate myself, so I need someone to push me." 

Kass disagreed with the last sentence in Marinette's introduction of herself... no one should be pushed to do something they don't think they can nor feel comfortable doing. It will just end in disaster. The two girls released hands and Kass smiled at Marinette looking down to see a beautiful hand-crafted bag. 

"OH, that bag is adorable! Where did you get it? It's so pretty, is it handmade? Oh, my goodness oh my goodness it's amazing! Is the creator selling more?" Kass exclaimed, pressing her hands to her chest as a spiral of questions exploded from her.

The bag was a light blue with beautiful embroidery that had flowers all around it, a tiny cat and ladybug were also hidden amongst the embroidery. What seemed strange to Kass was the lack of the color white, but she noticed on the beginning of the strap was a bluebell embroidered, faintly Kass could make out letters, but she couldn't tell which ones they were. 

Marinette blushed and fiddled with the strap for a second before looking at Kass, "I got it from a designer."

Kass's face lit up as she felt a bit of shyness and determination coming from Marinette. She's opening up!!!!

"Really? What's their name? Do they have a website- oh my gosh that's a lot of questions I'm so sorry."

Marinette shook her head as if to say Kass was alright, she turned the strap and the bluebell embroidery towards Kass before remarking quite confidently, "Bluebell, I'm testing out some designs, yes it's handmade and- and I think a website might be up soon."

Kass nodded with enthusiasm but before she could ask if Marinette could get her in contact with the designer so she could get her own bag, the door upstairs was opened loudly. Kass narrowed her eyes while looking up, Gran knows how to open the door correctly so, it's not her... who is in the shop?

Standing up Kass looked at the ceiling for a moment. 

"Sorry Marinette... it's just I don't think my Gran opened our house door right now."

Marinette stood up and Kass felt her determination and fear, she also felt the nervousness and a bit of anger coming from the person above. Walking over to the door the two girls shared a look before they opened the door and began their journey up the stairs. Pushing the door to the basement open, Kass peered around seeing her Gran sitting at the counter holding two cups of tea. She passed tea over to someone else before noticing her granddaughter. 

"Ah, I was just about to call ye lass. Yer friend is still here?" A smile tugged at Gran's mouth and Kass almost smiled back when irritation from the guest hit her hard. 

Kass nearly stumbled however Marinette was able to catch her arm. Worry slammed into her, however Kass just patted Marinette's hand and moved so she could see who was sitting in her house feeling so upset about their lack of attention. 

Blinking a few times, she tilted her head till Gran gently bumped her back. Sitting at the counter was Mr.Damocleas, the principal of her new school tilting her head she gave him a little wave and Marinette joined her. 

"Oh, Ms. Dupain-Cheng what are you doing here?" He asked 

Marinette looked at Kass confused before looking back to the man. Kass cleared her throat before he could speak, he- for some reason the irritation was stronger than before, and it was directed at Marinette. 

"Marinette's the class rep, she was just coming by to help me out getting adjusted to the class."

Mr.Damocleas blinked and shook his head, waving a hand nonchalantly before he declared, "Oh that won't be necessary." 

Gran took a step forward, her eyebrow raised and her grip on her mug tightening as Kass began to feel her murky emotion of anger and expectation poking at her throat.

"Why?" She whispered as the emotions around her intensified.

Bringing the mug towards his face Mr.Damocleas replied, "Because you won't be going back."

Marinette gasped, and Gran slammed her mug down as Kass's stomach flipped. Damn, she really had messed up this time. 

Chapter Text

Kass's morning walk to school was anything but jolly, despite the clear skies and sunny weather, Kass was irritated. The night before her bad day had turned into a real shitty one and she potentially lost the only friend she had made in Paris...well not including Juleka and Rose. Closing her eyes for a moment she reminisced the craptastic night she had had.

Shock slammed so hard into Kass she had thought she was going to blackout. Shaking slightly Kass had lowered herself onto a chair as Gran glared at the man in front of her. 

"What exactly do ye mean she's not goin back?" 

Mr. Damocleas had flushed, realizing what everyone else assumed. Embarrassment had hit Kass, and she had frozen, Marinette had been standing next to her, an angry look in her eyes and anger seeping from every pore. 

"What did she do to get her kicked out of school?" Marinette had demanded.

Mr. Damocleas had set the mug down and waved his hands, clearing his throat as he tried to explain what he meant. Kass had felt distress coming from him as he had slightly. 

"Ms. Flannery is not being kicked out of school, I meant that she wasn't going back to that class." 

The anger and tension had left the room the second those word had left Mr.Damocleas mouth. Kass however, had still been confused. As far as she had known, the class she was in- well previously in wasn't full. Nor had she really done anything to validate moving her to another class. 

"Another student has complained of feeling unsafe, and since you have just arrived, I thought it would be best to move you to another class and solve the problem." 

Kass hadn't known what to think or feel, mainly due to the irritation that had come from Gran and the anger that had come from Marinette. It seemed Marinette knew who had done this. Kass had taken in a breath, she was going to be fine, this was something small she could deal with. 

"Why did ye come all the way here to tell us that?"

Gran's question had cleaved a silence into the room and Mr. Damocleas looked even more flustered than before. 

"I- I thought this matter needed a delicate touch due to Ms. Flannery being- ahem- err... akumatized earlier today."

Flustered and a little worried Mr. Damocleas had looked to Kass. He hadn't wanted her to get akumatized again and come after him. Kass had sighed, shaking her head. 

"It's alright Mr.Damocleas. I understand you're just doing what's best for everyone." 

Marinette had coughed and Kass nearly looked to her to figure but what exactly was going on, but she had felt the irritation and a strange feeling which Kass determined as disappointment mixed with a should have known feeling. 

Sitting up straight, Mr. Damocleas had smiled and sat his cup down before waving a hand to Gran. 

"Thank you for your time, Mrs. O'Rourke, Ms. Flannery. I should be going now though." 

Kass waved goodbye, Gran walked Mr. Damocleas to the door and Marinette had sighed. Turning to her Kass gave the other girl an embarrassed look, she felt a mixture of emotions, too many to decipher coming from Marinette. 

"I'm sorry you had to come all this way for nothing." 

Marinette had looked to Kass and smiled slightly, the emotions slipping away as they shifted into a soft fondness. 

"I'm not, I'm glad we got to know each other a little better... I'll see you in school tomorrow." 

Kass nodded and walked Marinette to the door, waving goodbye as Marinette disappeared into the coming night. 

Rubbing her nose Kass sighed, she really couldn't believe she had to be introduced to a new class again. New people, more French and probably another shitty day. 

Upon making it to school, Kass was directed to go to Mr. Morgan's class. It took her a bit to find, but luckily, she was able to get in the class before the bell rang. Her nerves were a wreck as she once again stood in front of a class of French students, noise bustled about as the unfamiliar students talked and some eyed Kass. A faintly familiar blonde boy sat at the front of the room, he was inspecting Kass as if something about her was suspicious; he wore a nice vest and matching pants. From what Kass knew about fashion, this boy was in style. How unusual for a guy... that is to say in Kass's experience boys couldn't properly dress themselves nicely without direction. 

Inspecting the classroom, Kass noted the calm feeling and how even the emotions were softer than the ones in the previous class.

Everything here seems chill, Kass thought.

In the corner of the room was a desk covered in a colorful array of objects and toys, in front of the desk was a casually dressed man... most likely Kass's teacher. 

"Hello Miss Flannery," A casually dressed man remarked. 

Kass turned to him, her stomach flipping as she realized he was speaking English. She didn't like that one of her weaknesses was so obvious but there wasn't really much she could do about it. After all, people knew, and people tended to talk. 

*Bonjour-*

Waving his hand Mr. Morgan cut Kass off. Gesturing to the class he explained, "I've been informed you aren't the best with French and these punks need to brush up on their English. So, if you don't mind, we'll be speaking English." 

Kass nodded and noted the faint accent in his voice nodding slowly, "Are you from America as well?" 

Mr. Morgan nodded, "Born and raised, then I decided I didn't like it so much, so I moved here." He hesitated for a moment before muttering "It's not much better, though." 

The class seemed to quiet down as Mr. Morgan spoke, a small smile on his face. Looking out onto the class Kass took in a breath, she looked back to Mr. Morgan, and he sighed. She could feel disappointment and-and exhaustion slipping from Mr. Morgan, he gestured towards the seats and smiled, though Kass could tell it was somewhat forced. 

"Go grab a seat Miss. Flannery. I'll have you introduce yourself later. Right now, I need to crack down on some slackers, alright?" 

Kass nodded and quickly moved into the rows of desks before all the attention could be on her. Curiosity and some disgust raced over her. Ignoring it, Kass moved to the back of the room and quickly sank into a seat in the only empty row. Clapping his hands Mr. Morgan captured the attention of the class causing everything to quiet down.  He walked across the front of the room before stopping in front of his desk. Anticipation bubbled across Kass's skin as nerves jumped down her throat. 

"Alright then you hooligans, I hope you all completed your homework otherwise you can and will be winging it for the rest of today!" 

Laughter echoed around the room, excitement and joy began to cover the anxiety, before Mr. Morgan waved a hand. It took a moment or two, but the laughter did die down. Mr. Morgan's eyes drifted towards Kass for a moment, and he smiled slightly. 

"But before that we have a newcomer to the class. Kass Flannery, she's at the back. be nice or you go out the window!"

Silence echoed through the classroom and Kass blinked as she found dozens of eyes staring at her. Heat flushed her cheeks as the uneasy feeling of curiosity and frustration slammed into her. She waved a bit and met Mr. Morgan's eyes: he looked her over before humming slightly. Curiosity and mischief nearly slammed Kass in the face and she paused, realizing how similar Mr. Morgan's emotions were to Aunt Kelsey's. Hmm, interesting. 

"This is a history class Kass, we are going to be going over the 17th century of this lovely country, France. If you want, I can assign one of your classmates to help you catch up to the rest of us. We will be having a test in a few days, and I don't think you'd like failing the first test you get here, would you?" 

Annoyance trickled across Kass's arms as she smiled slowly. She cleared her throat before shaking her head slowly. 

"I don't think that will be necessary. I- I'm rather well versed in France's history Mr. Morgan. In fact, ... I believe I can take the test today and pass it."

Mr. Morgan chuckled before leaning against his desk and he raised an eyebrow, "Really now?"

Kass laughed, ignoring the flurry of emotions that fought to be noticed, "No, But I do think I can keep up with the class. After all, I've had quite the fascination with history for years." 

Mr. Morgan sighed before shaking his head, a smile stretching across his face. He nodded slowly before pushing away from the desk. Amusement and a bit of delight brushed over Kass as her classmates began eyeing her dull emotions of irritation and boredom mingled in between Mr. Morgan's delight. 

"I do think you'll fit in here Kass, after all you and I come from the same place, right?" 

Kass nodded and suddenly the door flew open as a girl with orange-streaked black hair stumbled forwards. Mr. Morgan looked at her and raised an eyebrow. Rising to her full height the girl smiled at Mr. Morgan. He shook his head and snorted. 

"Go take a seat Lilou, you're lucky we haven't started just yet." 

Excitement and more amusement buzzed throughout the room. The girl-Lilou blinked a few times before making eye contact with Kass and smiling slowly. She bounded towards Kass, plopping down right next to her, Lilou's smile widened.

"Hi! I'm Lilou Atla, I think you're the American girl who everyone's been talking about. Kass right? I heard you got akumatized yesterday, I know it's a bit insensitive, but can I ask you a question?"

Kass blinked before nodding slowly. She preferred people who were honest and... she couldn't really feel much from Lilou, though considering the flurry of emotions floating around the room; it wouldn't surprise Kass if she had to try to pick out particular emotions from certain people.

"Were you in control at all? Like before you went under Hawkdick's control did you willingly choose to help him?"

Blinking once again she tilted her head before feeling something in her shift as a strong emotion bubbled to the surface. Excitement and intense curiosity nearly exploded from Lilou. 

"No, I did- I didn't have any control not even from the beginning when the butter- when the akuma began flying towards me."

"I bet you're wondering why I'm curious. I'm intrigued by the effects of akuma's on the human psyche, and I wonder if it has a similar effect as hypnosis or if it's like a mirage where you see or hear things you normally wouldn't hear! And because you know nothing about akuma's really you are practically the perfect person to ask. You're unbiased and you will be honest because you have no reason not to be!" 

Kass blinked a few times watching Lilou's face, her eyes widening and watching the way her brow furrowed. Genuine and rich excitement came from her and something so natural and real about Lilou's interest made a smile appear on Kass's face. 

"I was a tad curious," Kass began before looking away from Lilou, "but it makes a lot of sense when you explain it like that. I'm rather interested in history and culture of ancient civilizations, which is why I think this class will be a lot of fun."

Lilou squealed and the people around them flinched. Kass smiled before looking down at her fingers, it was nice to discover that people could be strange even in France. For a moment something settled in her chest, and she could almost hear the flapping of wings. And she couldn't- she couldn't feel anything... not even her own emotions, just empty. 

The flapping got louder and Kass forced a breath out before she blinked even more. Lilou's hand was in front of her face, and she blinked again, discovering the girl was staring at her eyes wide. For a few moments Kass couldn't feel anything from her before a faint sense of concern crept in. 

"You, okay?"

Kass nodded, "Fine sorry I think I just spaced out for a moment. Sorry." 

Lilou smiled tightly and turned towards the front, "well we should probably pay attention, Mr. Morgan isn't light with punishments." 

Kass nodded again before looking forwards, the ever so faint sound of wings flapping buzzing in her ears before she bit her lip. The sound faded and Kass forced a breath out, she was going to focus. Nothing... nothing was going to make today as bad as yesterday... hopefully. 

Chapter Text

It was sometime around lunch when Kass had the realization that Paris was nearly as bad as America when it came to school bullying. Well at least that's what the whispers seemed to say. Murmurs of a girl who can and will lie about everything, the mayor's daughter pulling a Draco Malfoy and clear neglect from a teacher swirled through the halls as Kass accompanied Lilou on her way to classes.

Some of the whispers made Kass raise a brow, however, most of them seemed normal. At least in Kass's experience, teachers didn't care as long as it didn't affect them. Though it did appear that Mr. Morgan was far from these kinds of teachers. 

Half squeezed into the seat in the back of the class, Kass watched Lilou bounce towards the slightly taller brunette boy who only seemed to admit comfort and pride. Something about the way he smiled and the look he gave, and the other gave seemed almost protective. Nearby their small group, the familiar looking blonde-haired boy sat, a binder of sorts in front of him. 

Sharp and somewhat cold emotions, stiff ones, gentle even, floated from him and Kass began to wonder if it would hurt to try and make another friend. After all, practicing small talk was something she really needed to do. Slowly rising and hoping to ignore the waves of conflicting emotions washed over her. Slowly, Kass approached the boy. His head raising almost instantly upon Kass getting a foot away.

"Uh," she began a flush of sorts climbing up her cheeks, "hi? Can I uh sit down?" 

The boy raised his head, and his grey-green eyes were blank before he looked Kass up and down. A bit of suspicion and curiosity spilling from him before he gave her a sharp nod. Sinking into the seat next to him, Kass weakly smiled before noting the papers in the binder. Text- a film... a familiar film was on them. 

"Oh," She instantly remarked, sitting up straighter, a slight smile appearing on her face, "is that an Aelius Original?" 

The boy's brow furrowed as he raised his head, his eyes narrowing, and more suspicion slammed into Kass. With a weak breath, Kass straightened, her hands instantly going to the locket that lay against her throat. 

"My gran runs Pooka's Pickings, the antique store just past the Pont Saint-Louis passerelle. There were a couple of manuscripts there and one of them was signed by Aelius. I became interested in him because my gran was super excited to see it. Is that a script for Angel of The Lake? Wasn't that one of his original originals? Like before he got married and joined Graham films?"

"Yes, what does it matter?"

"I- I was just curious. He was such a great writer and- I'm an aspiring one, I just thought- sorry." 

"Feli! Are you bullying the new girl?" Lilou bellowed, popping in between the two of them a slightly playful scowl on her face. Kass felt a bit of nerves- worry yet amusement came from Lilou as she met Kass's gaze. 

Her playful scowl fell as she blinked a few times, seeming to realize that there was a tension of sorts between the two of them. Kass instantly felt Lilou's anger and Kass instantly waved her hands eyes wide. She even went as far as standing up causing the blonde boy to look at her in surprise. 

"No, no he's not. I was just trying and failing at small talk."

"Well, what were you talking about?"

"Oh- uh he's reading a film script from a writer I admire. I was awkwardly attempting to talk about it and probably ended up sounding like an ass." 

"Wait, you wanted to talk about Aelius Graham De Vanily with Felix?" 

Kass nodded slowly feeling the upfront waves of joy and laughter coming from the boy Lilou was talking to and fear from the girl who was chatting with them. Kass swallowed, her throat going dry as she shot a quick glance towards the blonde boy. 

"Uh, yeah, did I do something wrong?"

"Felix, this ice prince Felix," The other girl, with long black hair and glimmering hazel eyes asked, pointing to the blonde boy.

Kass nodded again as the boy next to her burst into a fit of giggles and Kass's face burned her heart skipping in her chest. Oh no, had she messed things up again?

"As in Felix Graham De Vanily?"

Kass froze, feeling the world beginning to flush around her as she felt her ears to the tips of her toes burn bright red. She let out a groan as she pressed her face into her hands wishing she could curl into a ball and die right in that moment.

"Oh, shit. I'm so sorry." She whispered her nose scrunching up as she tried to back away from Felix without raising her head. Fierce emotions raced past Kass before softening and changing into a numb boredom. 

"Victorie, did you have to embarrass her like that?"

"And what were you doing exactly? Looking at her like she'd killed your cat in front of you? If she just wanted to talk about how she admires your dad, why were you looking at her like that?"

"I believed she might be like the liar from Miss Bustier's class, Rossi, I believe her name is." Lowering her hands so that she could just peek out from them, Kass caught Felix shooting her a look, "Though currently we still don't know if that is true or not."

"I don't know anyone famous," Kass instantly found herself muttering, she dropped her hands from her face and shot a glare at Felix. His disgust and doubt coating her tongue in a bitter taste, "I'd thank my lucky stars if I never got fame in my life. Hell, I'd even give up chances at going to Tír na nÓg to never be known." 

Felix raised an eyebrow at that, and he looked Kass over again. He then blinked a few times and hummed slightly, closing the binder in front of him before cupping his chin. 

"What did you say your name was?"

"I didn't, but it's Kass. Kassidy Flannery."

Felix froze, his hand dropping from his face before he winced for just a moment. Regret, fear and an emotion Kass could only describe as oh shit exploded from Felix making Kass flinch. 

"Ah, I see. Forgive me then." 

"Pardon my English but what the fuck?" Kass instantly snapped causing everyone to jump, "You can't be rude and accuse me of lying for attention then suddenly decide that I'm not just upon hearing my name. Is there a particular reason why my name makes me worthy of respect?"

"I have my reason Flannery."

"And I have a right to know if they involve me."

A boy poked his head into the room, his eyebrows raised, "Uh, is this a bad time?"

Lilou sighed in reply, "Felix was a dick and then nice and our poor new girl got whiplash so bad she thinks Feli is up to something."

"I don't think that... I- I just... I have some trust issues and don't want people hiding things about me from me."

"Well, if this will help console your worries, I will say I was told about you from someone I rather trust,” Felix remarked with his brows drawn together, “They said very good things and that if I was rude to you... well let's just say I already regret it." 

"Ah, it was his mystery lady," Lilou sighed, shaking her head before meeting Kass's gaze, "his lovely girlfriend who can and should step on me."

Silence followed as bafflement and irritation washed over Kass and she raised her hand to her face as something bubbled in her chest. Then suddenly she burst into a fit of laughter. Her hand now against her mouth as her cheeks flushed red and her body shook bending over as she ended up coughing. 

"Wow, I did not ever expect Lilou to charm someone with her vulgarities."

Kass sighed, her cheeks flushed and eyes bright as she shrugged, "I'm from America, there vulgarities are compliments." 

Giggles slipped from Lilou as the black-haired girl rolled her eyes with a smile. Amusement and joy fumbled together as Kass turned towards the newcomer. He was a boy with short honey brown hair and hazel eyes, he smiled at Kass who went to return his grin only for Lilou to lunge forwards clasping onto her arm and pulling her towards the boy. 

"Monsieur Emilien," Lilou squealed, bouncing and twirling towards him, "I have a surprise for you!" 

Behind them, the black-haired girl snorted, causing Lilou to look towards her.  

"You better not be getting him into messy shit again Li's." 

Lilou scoffed, pushing Kass even closer to the boy, a sly smile stretched across her face.  

"I'm not, for your information." Lilou began her nose raised, "I just wanted to let him know that I befriended the lovely Kass here and she is willing to talk about being akumatized." 

Tilting herself so she could see the other girl's reaction, Kass blinked as the girl froze then turned towards her. A strange emotion slammed into Kass, heat flushing her cheeks as she blinked. 

"Hmm, really?" The girl began an eyebrow raised, she rose to her feet and walked towards Kass. 

Suddenly her hand was in Kass's face, and a sneaking feeling of amusement and glee hid the previous emotion. 

"I'm Victorie, aspiring journalist and unfortunate mother hen to my rag tag group of idiots. I'd love for another sane person to finally join us." 

"I- I uhm," Kass stuttered, flushing her cheeks and climbing up to her ears, "okay."

Victorie blinked a few times before Lilou shoved her out of the way and placed a protective hand onto Kass's shoulder, "Back off! She's mine! I found her first."

Silence bounced between then and then suddenly, a fit of giggles escaped from Kass as she pressed a hand to her face. Laughing once again for the second time in the past five minutes. As her laughter roared to life again overhead the bell rang signaling lunch, Lilou squeezed Kass's shoulder before lying her head against Kass's. 

"I'm so glad you're here, schnuckel."

Kass weakly laughed as the rest of their classmates bustled to gather their things and head to lunch. It took a moment for the bodies to stop moving through the doorway and a familiar face to poke their head in. 

"Hello," She chirped her face glowing as she made eye contact with the frosty blonde, "Fe dear how are you?"

The blonde boy straightened and, much to Kass's surprise, lit up. A flurry of emotions, sweet, soft emotions Kass could only describe as love slammed into her from two directions. Blinking, she watched as Marinette bounded into the room and towards Felix. 

"You ready for lunch?"

"Of course, but I do believe we will not be alone."

Marinette shrugged, making eye contact with Kass and her grin widened. She gave the Irish girl a finger wave and Kass returned it with a small wave. After placing a peck on Felix's cheek, she bounded towards Kass, her eyes sparkling. 

"How are you doing?"

"Fairly well, I guess. I mean this class is a lot- well it's a more fit vibe for me." 

Marinette beamed, shooting Felix proud glances over her shoulder and Kass had to hold back a giggle. These calmer, more positive emotions were nice, though Kass had to admit that no matter what kind, too many feelings did overwhelm her. 

Lilou grabbed onto Kass’s arm and began dragging her out of the classroom with the rest of their group calmly following after. 

“So, I know you’re probably curious as to what I want to do with my life being so wonderful and gorgeous.” She began causing Kass to smile, “And I know you’re probably going to say, But Lilou, you are so amazing you could do anything! And I love that you know that about me, but I have one dream in mind. Would you like to hear it?” 

As they walked into the courtyard, Kass noticed a blonde girl dressed in all yellow with surprisingly gaudy blue eyeshadow and pale pink lip gloss and a girl with chin length red hair, glasses and a strange plaid vest. She paused upon hearing Lilou’s voice and Kass felt frustration and… was that inferiority coming from the blonde? 

Ignoring the other girls, Kass nodded at Lilou who beamed before placing a hand on her chest and the other against her forehead, “I am going to be an actress.” 

Kass giggled, feeling her excitement before she nodded slowly, “I can see it.” 

Lilou beamed once again however she stopped and Marinette’s face caused Kass’s eye. She turned an eyebrow raised before she saw Marinette looking at the blonde girl.

“Chloe, is there something we can help you with?” 

"You," The blonde girl Marinette had bitterly referred to as Chloe, ignored Marinette’s remarks and snorted, "want to be an actress, really? You'd be lucky if they even let you clean the floor." 

Kass felt something bitter in her throat as she scowled at Chloe snapping back instantly, "That’s rich coming from a knock off barbie.” 

"Didn't you know flannel and rips are so last century?"

"It's called fashion, in America they call this grunge. What is your look called? Preppy bitch?" Kass remarked her brow raised as she examined her nails half-heartedly before looking at Chloe.

Kass could feel the eyes of others and the swirling of emotions- many- too many for her to decipher what they were exactly. She winced but sighed as the crowd formed scattered into softs gasps and Oooos.

"This is fashion, something you clearly wouldn't know if it bit you in the ass!"

Kass rolled her eyes before snorting, "Are you sure? Because the 80's called and they want their makeup back."

Chloe's jaw dropped and she blinked a few times before Kass rolled her eyes, "Like seriously blue and yellow? What are you trying to do, mimic a macaw? Or were you going for more of an Ikea look?"

"My mother is the world renown Audrey Bourgeois and My father is the mayor of Paris!"

"And yet you don't have any sense of fashion, what a shame. How about you call me when you get a new look that doesn't make you look like a three-year-old's barbie doll. Because this?" Kass gestured to Chloe with a slight smile, "Child's play."

Chloe's cheeks heated as she clenched her fists then stormed off and out of Kass's view a girl with chin-length red hair and glasses chased after her. Silence echoed out for a few moments and then a flurry of laughter and cheers exploded into the room. Kass winced again as the emotions raging around began to choke her. Then there was a screech that caused someone to slap Kass good naturedly on the back, laughter bubbling from them. 

Faintly, amongst the excited chatter of the people around her, Kass heard a smattering of screeches and shouts, she assumed it was just Chloe having a temper tantrum. A tight smile slid onto Kass's face and something- something nipped at her arms causing her mind to go blank. And- and then she heard the screams and alarm blaring. 

"AKUMA!" Someone shouted as Kass's world began to be tinged with... was that purple?

Footsteps raced around and Kass- Kass was dead still as a faint sound- a sound that began to overtake her ears sounded loud. Flapping... slow flapping of winds and... was that a voice?

"Kass!" 

Hands on her shoulders and shaking her pulled her from the purple tinged world and she blinked. Seeing Lilou's wide and worried gaze right before her. Kass tilted her head and Lilou began pulling on her arm. 

"Come on, we've got to get to the shelter." 

The flapping was in her ears again along with the screams and... pain. Sadness, a deep sadness and- determination? What- what were these feelings? There's no way anyone nearby would feel like this-

"KASS!"

Kass blinked, finding Lilou's now tear stained face pulling at her and her arms. She shook her head and Lilou pulled even more. 

"We have to go."

Kass nodded slowly before allowing her friend to pull her away from her seat and out the door. However, as they entered the hall, a colorful and strange looking figure towered before them. Her vision was purple again and the feelings were stronger- much stronger. The akuma looked at Kass and blinked. 

Suddenly Kass was being pulled down the hall and her heart slammed into her chest. She swallowed, shaking her head again as a pink hero bounded towards them. He smiled at the crowd she was with before posing. 

"Mister Pig is here to help."

"Huh?"

"He's a hero, but we really need to go Kass."

"Are you alright, civilian? Come on now you need to snap out of it."

Kass blinked her mind screaming as the emotions got stronger and the flapping continued. 

"You need to get going."

"I can't leave her like this."

"She will be fine."

"Excuse me? She's not fine-" Lilou bellowed as Kass pressed her hand to her face, "Let me go!"

A thunderous roar dulled the purple ever so slightly and Kass saw the figure from before right behind the hero. She launched herself forwards without thinking and shoved Mister Pig away from the akuma. Falling onto her side, she looked up to see the akuma staring at her, the purple- it colored her vision as the voice returned shouting in French and a pain of sorts overcame her. Blinking, Kass heard a shout and then- then the world flushed from purple into white. 

Chapter Text

Kass fervently remembered the last time she played a violin. It was the eve of her mother's departure, at Kass's concert. She had been playing an excerpt from a song she couldn't bear to even mention now. Weeks of practice had left her finger raw, and palms calloused, the hours with the rest under her chin had left a slight indent that if she looked, she could still find today. 

The heat of the lights and their glow made her mind fuzzy; it was her first time alone on a stage, though now she knew it was a far cry from a real one. Straightening her back, she pressed the violin under her chin and began to play. It only took a moment for the notes flowing from the instrument to capture her mind and wash all her worries away as the melancholy song rang throughout the near silent room. Seven or so minutes later, the lights dimmed as a smashing of applause filled the room. Looking round, she tried to find her mother, but her search was in vain. 

Kass could still remember the dread and fear- the heartbreak as she rose to her feet and bowed. That night, the night she so desperately wanted her mother for, was the night her mother left her for good. 

Her mother's voice faintly played in her mind as her throat tightened, ghost whispers of a violin against her neck and a bow in her hand. 

"Ah my little siren, you will be magnificent love." 

A swirl of light and the song... that song-her mother's favorite song. The song she played that night blasted in her ears.

Red- the world was red as the dress was on her once again, tugging at her legs as the fabric ripped and her knees became skinned. The world was red as he screamed, his fists raised, her mother's name on his lips as those fists made purple and brown bruises and tore the dress she had so loved into nothing but rags. 

"Kass."

His voice screamed; he blamed her. She left because of her... if it wasn't for Kass her mother would still be here, and her father would be happy. Why-why did she have to be born this way?

"Oh, my little siren, will you play it for me again?"

The song was ringing in her ears as her father turned her world white and her body trembled. The song was hammering as she slammed the worn violin into the snowy ground again and again and again. Crimson staining its splinters, the snow and her hands. The song was shattering her conscious as she sank into the crimson snow screams slipping from her throat and into the never-ending night. 

"Kass- please."

The song- it was everywhere as the world went purple, flapping wings creating its horrific tune. Butterflies, a pulsing amethyst swirled around her, a man's voice shouting in her ears. Screams and crying strengthened the tune and her father towered over her his eyes glowing white as his shadow grew larger.  His hands reached towards and Kass had nowhere to run, the butterflies tightened their circle, brushing against and sending fiery pains up her arms and singeing her skin. 

"Kass, please... please, I'm so sorry."

Her mother's voice pounded in her mind, cutting through the song and the man's voice and her father's shadow. 

"I love you with all my heart, my little siren. I will never leave you. Never."

The world came crashing down as screams- her own scream ripped from her throat and Kass sank to her knees. The butterflies flurried around her; her father's hand so close when-

"KASS WAKE UP!"

She jolted; eyes flushed with a reddish pink before she slowly opened them. Kass found herself not being swarmed but in a small room. Cabinets and metal frames surrounded her, and she blinked her head pounding as she rose to a sitting position. 

Where was she?

A curtain cut off any other things or people from Kass's view. And- and for some reason, she couldn't feel anything. No other people were in the area probably... right? Blinking a few more times, pain spiked once again in her head and a fuzzy emotion- no fuzzy emotions raced over her. A breath of relief escaped her and Kass pressed her hand to her head. 

Faint whispers echoed in the background as Kass noted the thin blanket now rested around her waist. She took a moment, as her headache began to fade, to look around the room and figure out where exactly she was. 

White and cream walls, and those cabinets. Something was familiar about them. But Kass didn't entirely know why. And the bed- it reminded her of something she saw in a show Aunt Kelsey and Ana loved. If Kass recalled correctly they were called K-Dramas. Then again, she hadn't truly been paying attention, so it was possible the room she was in looked nothing like that show. 

Arguing caught her attention, drawing her out of her thoughts and to look towards the curtain where all too familiar emotions pulsed. These emotions, strong and sweet, seemed to rage stronger and stronger with the replies of the other person. 

"I don't care!" A familiar voice hissed causing Kass to sit up even straighter, "she's me granddaughter an' I need to see her." 

The room descended into silence and Kass tilted her head at the curtain. Her throat burning as she forced herself to speak. 

"Gran?" She asked, her voice cracking and way too low.

The curtain was suddenly yanked back, and Gran stood trembling with puffy eyes and a red face. Kass tilted her head as her grandmother raced to her side. Before Kass could fully understand what was going on, Gran had her arms around her muttering things too quiet for Kass to hear. She tilted her head again and furrowed her brow. 

"Uh, what happened?"

Standing just beyond the curtain, Principal Damocles, Marinette and an unfamiliar blonde boy stood. Marinette's face was tight, and she was fiddling with her fingers. Her head spiked in pain once again and Kass closed her eyes, wincing. What had happened? As far as she could remember she was headed to lunch when... what happened? 

"An- an akuma attacked and... I- I don't really know how to explain it but," Marinette hesitated before making eye contact with Kass, "you blacked out. It wasn't- it wasn't until the attack was over- until the heroes caught the akuma that anyone-... We- I mean Adrien and I found you." 

Kass looked over to the blonde boy who was looking at her almost scowling. He looked very much like Felix and yet Kass could tell the difference just in his expression. Well, that and the overwhelming feeling of frustration and disappointment. 

"Oh a chroi, are ye alright?" 

Gran raised her head and Kass blinked a weak smile rising to her face. 

"Yes gran I'm fine. Can- can we go home? I-" Kass closed her eyes, her head aching once again for some reason, "my head-"

Gran straightened taking Kass's face into her hands, she studied her granddaughter's face before nodding. 

"Of course, a chroi. Let's get ye home." 

Principal Damocles cleared his throat and Gran turned, shooting him a glare. His face went pale, and he swallowed before nodding, he turned and left the room in a hurry as Marinette grabbed onto Adrien's arm and pulled him in the same direction. 

He kept his eyes on Kass before letting out a huff of sorts and following Marinette's lead. Once he was out the door, Gran gently began pulling on Kass's shoulders. She rose before grabbing and squeezing Gran's hand. 

"Gran," She whispered, "I- I know you're gonna want me to rest it's just-... something weird happened. During the akuma attack I mean and- and I think if I'm left with my thoughts, it might-..."

Gran looked Kass over before kissing the top of her head and wrapping an arm around Kass's shoulders. 

"Of course, lass. Just- just promise ye will tell me when yer ready."

Kass nodded, smiling tightly as she breathed slowly and let Gran pull her out the door. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It had been hours since Kass found herself in her school's infirmary, hours since she'd awoken, and Gran brought her home. Hours of sorting and inspecting new donations to the shop. It kept her mind busy, which was good. Then she couldn't think about the sound of wings or how the purple tinged her vision and-

Squeezing her eyes shut Kass sighed. Of course, she thought about it while trying to not think about it. Her hands were shaking as she sank onto the floor, a wooden box in her hands. Pressing her hands to her head Kass let out a groan. Why did she always seem to get into all kinds of trouble? Paris- Paris was supposed to be safer. For her, for her family... and yet it seemed while she was safer here... all the people she was getting to know, all these friends were the farthest thing from safe. 

Pulling her hands away from her face Kass heard a faint rattle. She paused, opening her eyes to look at the box in her clutches. It was a simple box, barely taller than a box of crayons and probably about the width of three crayon boxes. On the outside it looked like a block of wood with carvings and etchings across it. Though that rattling. Kass held it to her ear and shook it. The rattling was definitely something metal... something metal in a block. 

"Hmm," Kass hummed as the soft concern raced over her, nearly drowning out the footsteps. 

"Ah, I see ye have found the puzzle box."

Kass raised her head, turning to face Gran. She raised an eyebrow, the box practically pressed against her face. 

"Puzzle box?"

"Ye, the Gauthier family donated it a few months ago. Must have gotten mixed up with the new stuff. Not me nor yer aunt could get it open." She paused, smiling slightly at Kass, "maybe ye can get it."

Kass looked back to the box noticing seams amongst the carvings and nodded slowly, "Maybe." 

Running her fingers along the lattice work on the side, her nail slipping in between them when a faint clicking sounded and one of the diamonds sunk in. Kass blinked a few times as she realized it was like a button. Tilting her head, she hummed slightly as a wave of realization washed over her. Buttons, they were buttons. Pushing the box, a bit farther from her face, Kass looked for something- anything that could be connected somehow to the buttons.  Turning the box so she saw the face, Kass found herself looking at an unfamiliar symbol. 

"Hey Gran, what this?" She asked her finger pressed against the carving in the center of the top of the box.

Gran turned her eyebrows raised as she looked at the symbol. A faint smile appeared on her face, and she sighed gently, "That's an endless knot. It has many meanings, but me favorite is the intertwining of wisdom an' compassion."

Kass traced the symbol smiling slightly as she whispered, "Wisdom and compassion, huh?"

"Family qualities if I do say me self." 

Kass snorted, looking away from the box to give Gran a look. Her brow raised and a smile on her face she rolled her eyes shaking her head. Gran patted her head before turning and walking to the front of the shop. Kass traced the symbol once again before her eyes were drawn to the lattice sides. 

"Wait... intertwining?" 

Looking at the top again, Kass looked back to the side and noticed the similar diamond pattern. She blinked, feeling almost as if she suddenly had a light bulb over her head. 

"oh, OH!"

Looking at the endless knot, she then looked back to the lattice and notices at the edge of the side, the diamond she pressed in. Biting her lip Kass flipped the box to find on the opposite side the exact same lattice, though there was no pressed in button.  

"Why are they the same?"

Running her finger along the circle that held the endless knot, she felt something shift. Looking at it, she lowered her gaze to stare at the surface of the top and found the circle was elevated. She raised her face and grabbed the circle lightly before twisting her wrist, and much to her surprise, the circle. Instinctively, she released the circle only to hear a faint click and hiss as it snapped back into its original place. Looking around the box, she found there was no button pressed in now. 

"Oh! I think-" Kass began the box in her lap, "I get it now." 

Looking at the endless knot, Kass tried her hardest to mimic it on both lattice sides. After some trial and error, she raised her finger pressing in the last button. For a moment, nothing happened. Then there was more clicking. 

One of the lattice panels were pulled back and there was a thin slot, a piece of paper shot out of it and Kass furrowed her brow. Hmmm, pulling the paper out she looked at it to see French writing, old French writing. 

"Fuck." Kass whispered, closing her eyes as she heard a bell ring. 

Rubbing her nose, she sighed. Amusement and exhaustion slammed into her then heard the creaking of a door. Opening her eyes and looking up, Kass found Aunt Kelsey standing just in the doorway, a paper box in her hands. She tossed her light brown hair over her shoulder before laughing. The amusement growing stronger as Aunt Kelsey got closer. 

"I see Ma has ye working on that damned box now to, eh?"

Kass nodded before showing her the paper. Aunt Kelsey blinked a few times as she set her paper box down. She then examined the note muttering, "Guess it was a good idea to put ye on it eh Kassie dear?" 

Kass nodded again and Aunt Kelsey passed the paper back to her. She then crouched next to Kass to examine the box. 

"I'm also guessing that you don't know what "reverse the corners" means yet."

Kass's head snapped up and she met her aunt's gaze, "It says reverse the corners?"

Aunt Kelsey nodded slowly, a smile stretching onto her face as her amusement and soft worry rose up once again. Kass flipped the paper in between her fingers as she looked over the box. 

"The top," Kass began, noting the faint hints of interest from her aunt, "has a symbol... an endless knot and- and you could make it on the lattices. I did on both sides and... and this happened." 

Aunt Kelsey snorted, a tinge of surprise and amusement raced over her as she rose, "Well, I'm glad yer figuring it out. When ma tried to give it to me the only thing I recognized was the Fleur De Lis on the top in the corners."

"It's also on the sides," Kass said absentmindedly. 

"Huh?"

"The Fleur De Lis it's also on the sides...."

Kass paused and Aunt Kelsey shrugged before moving back into the shop, "okay, I brought some snacks for ye whenever ye wanna take a break." 

Kass ran her free hand over the box as her other hand stopped flipping the card. She blinked a few times looking at the box again. She tilted her head and let out a slow breath.

"What in the hell does reverse the corners mean?" She mused cupping her chin as she studied the box. 

Her fingers found every edge brushing and dancing along them. Hoping for some to reveal another button- another sequence for her to fulfill. However, as the hours passed once again, nothing came to light. Other than some shoddy workmanship causing small pieces to shift when bumped but unable to be pulled fully off. 

What, she thought, spinning the box in front of her, is odd about this box? Other then it not having an opening... what stick's out, what catches the attention, what is the first thing noticed-

Kass paused as Aunt Kelsey's words raced through her mind and she froze. The box slowing to a halt with her, she tilted her head staring at the box before reaching out a breath barely escaping her. 

"The Fleur De Lis," She muttered, her fingers brushing across them, "... reverse the corners..." 

Tracing the ones on the sides Kass gave one a push only to feel it shift. She paused and looked at it, noticing how the Fleur De Lis had moved ever so slightly to the side. She hummed, before twisting it so it mirrored the one on the top. There was clicking once they were the same, she then proceeded to make all of them match. She then paused and twisted the ones on top, so they were like what the sides used to be. 

There was more clicking and a popping hiss as the box opened. Kass held her breath as she fully lifted the top and looked inside. 

"What the fuck?" She hissed upon seeing the contents, "all that for just this?"

Reaching in, Kass pulled out a worn and rusting key with a piece of paper tied to it. Sighing in frustration, Kass unfurled the paper and hesitated. A faded and torn paper- a faded and torn map. 

"Huh?" She shook her head looking at the key, "wait..."

Looking once again in the box, Kass found nothing but dust and pressing her palm against her forehead she let out a breath, confusion racing over her. 

"What?!" 

Chapter Text

Kass was confused to say the least. While it was true, she had opened the puzzle box, it led to more questions than answers. However, it did lead her down the insane rabbit hole in which she spent days- days looking through the Gauthier family's donations. Well, it felt like days however it was more likely hours. Kass faintly remembered the stirring of emotions- concern and frustration as shadows shifted as Gran and Aunt Kelsey took turns bringing her food. 

She might have nibbled on some bread- she didn't entirely remember. Just the sensation of- of- a presence. She couldn't explain it. There was a faint sensation- a faint presence lingering as she rifled around the donations, almost like sleeping emotions- in a state of dormancy. It irked her, sending a slinking sensation down her spine that there was something she was missing. However, she was unable to find anything of merit and began to lose any hope of finding something connected to the puzzle box. The only thing she found that she had any interest in was the antique trunk. It was pale and creaking with metal lattice clinging to its face in swirls and curls of rusting grace, the fading colors that made up the chipped and browning painting that dripped and resonated of the eighteenth century, sending her in a tizzy of feelings which may or may not have resulted in flashbacks of her mother, once again. 

Luckily due to her pinball machine of a mind, she was able to quickly shake the memories away. With a breath, she swallowed and rose to her feet. Walking towards the door,she paused to pick up the most recently dropped off plate before heading towards the front of the shop. Scooping up the half-eaten sandwich she began to pick and nibble, trying to ignore the brewing emotions of concern, frustration and amusement bubbling and frothing across her skin. Poking her head into the front of the shop she captured both Aunt Kelsey and Gran's attention. 

"I'm all done with my search for now."

"Aye, aye good!" Gran exclaimed moving towards her, "I have an errand I need ye to run for me.... afterward ye can go with yer aunt to the studio to ruin some canvas if ye wish." 

Kass blinked as the amusement grew and Aunt Kelsey also began to swirl with that giddy and mischievous amusement. Concerned and a tad confused Kass went to keep eating only for Gran to take the now empty plate from her hands. Sighing deeply, tired but comforted by the lighter emotions swirling around her, she nodded, “I’ll go take a shower, be back in a sec.”

Bouncing back down the stairs, she attributed their behavior and the lightness of their attitudes to their delight at her finally leaving the storage room after her last encounter with an akuma. She heard footsteps behind her and looked to see Aunt Kelsey at the top of the stairs, “Make sure to do somethin’ with yer hair and wash yer face. Ma needs ye to do some…. examining of some new items. We all know ye have that special touch." 

“Uh-huh.” She grumbled in reply as Aunt Kelsey followed after her.

“This is gonna need a… uh, more professional touch so I’ll pick out yer clothes.”

“Aye aye captain!” Kass saluted her aunt who chuckled, before moving into her bathroom and turning on the water. 

It was a matter of moments before she climbed her aching and drowsy body into the shower, allowing her hair to drink up all the water it could before she began lathering her hair in shampoo and body in body wash. While scrubbing herself she heard the clinking of hangers and rolling of drawers being pulled open. A faint frustration mixing with the giddy amusement as Aunt Kelsey discovered that Kass did not have many "professional" clothes. She had to resist a smile at the groan of frustration as the clinking happened once again a tad faster than before.  Rinsing the soap and shampoo from herself she tried to focus on the sound of the water only for the clattering of her shoes spilling out of her closet to drown out the sound. Snorting, she dumped conditioner into her hair and slapped face wash on. After a minute or two she rinses everything off, hearing the sound of clothes being tossed onto the bathroom counter. Turning the shower off she poked her head out to see a pile of clothes sitting just by her towel.
Less than five minutes later, she pulled and tugged her still dripping hair into braids, water catching on her new clothes and sticking to her skin.  

"Ye all dressed?”

“Yup.” Kass replied as she pushed the towel and her dirty clothes into the corner

“Good, now let me see if ye did a good job." 

Kass walked out with a sigh and Aunt Kelsey hummed slightly a groan of sorts mixed in as she slowly circled her, "That'll do." 

Tugging at the sleeves of the long-sleeved cream-ish sweater, she shifted rubbing her free hand on the thick grey jeans. Nerves climbing down her throat, she scrambled to throw all of her necessities into a small backpack. Aunt Kelsey watched with a careful gaze. 

“Where are ye glasses?”

“Oh shit, I almost forgot those.”

Aunt Kelsey laughed, “Glad I said somethin’ then. It’s supposed to be cold today hope weather gal’s right otherwise yer gonna be sweatin’ buckets.” 

Snagging her glasses Kass nodded with a weak laugh then began to make her way back up the stairs with a yawn. It wasn’t until she heard the bell to the front door ring that Kass realized Gran and Aunt Kelsey’s odd behavior probably wasn’t because she was finally out of the back room. Gran instantly greeted the newcomer in a surprisingly cheerful and friendly tone.

"Hello there, me boy."

"Hi Miss Aofie, how are you?" A somewhat familiar boy's voice replies, causing Kass to pause as soft emotions drifted towards her. 

Aunt Kelsey was almost pressed against Kass’s back as she tried- through her exhausted and slowly amping up brain, to recall the voice. Aunt Kelsey's sudden concern snapping her out of the haze before she continued up the stairs catching the tail end of the conversation between Gran and the familiar stranger. 

"Ye know how Paris is. She's strong though, like her ma... anyways how about ye?"

Aunt Kelsey and Kass half stumbled into the room as the boy began to reply. The room went silent as the soft emotions bubbled around her, confusion, a bit of concern, suspicion and recognition. He was well for one, certainly not a boy. He looked to be at the very latest in his mid-twenties. He was probably more than a head taller than Kass, with a bad boy-rocker-esk kind of vibe Kass never thought she’d see in person. Shaggy black hair with blue tips, black jeans, a worn and slighted torn jagged stone t-shirt, leather jacket, hoodie combo, tanned skin was inked with a tattoo that was blocked by sleeves and bracelets that matched the black studs in his ears. However, it was not this, nor his surprisingly calm blue eyes that startled Kass. No, it was the fact that there seemed to be another set of emotions clinging to him… almost like what she felt with Marinette. Curiosity, amusement, and concern. These emotions, though very soft and quiet- almost barely detectable- seemed bright. And for some reason, Kass doubted they were the guy’s, instead the soft and swirling confusion, surprise and concern seemed to fit him better but that didn't make sense. How could someone have emotions that weren’t there’s? 

“Oh, Kassie! Come ‘ere, there’s someone I want you to meet.”

Not even pausing to think, she replied, “Do I have to?” The fluttering in her stomach caused her to want to run away at all costs. 

Gran paused, giving her a look as Aunt Kelsey had to fight off giggles and the guy’s mouth twitched with amusement intertwining with his previous emotions. Well fuck, not only cute but a sense of humor. Kass was screwed.

“Come ‘ere ye brat.” Gran said grabbing Kass’s arm and dragging her over towards the guy, “Luka, this is me gran’daughter, Kass. Kass this is me employee of sorts, Luka. He will be accompanying ye and introducing ye to me collector. He has done things like this for me before, but not everyone has got yer eyes."

Kass hesitated but met the guy-Luka’s- gaze. She weakly smiled at him; from what she could tell he did seem nice. After all, his emotions were calmer than most others, as if he was more in control of them. And they almost seemed…calming. Something Kass most definitely was not used to. 

“Uh, hi.” She muttered her previous neutrality at doing this favor for Gran dissipating as her anxiety began covering her ears, eyes and mouth. 

“It’s nice to meet you Kass,” Luka said with a smile that caused a flush to cover her ears. 

“Yeah- yeah. Same, same.” 

There was a tense silence as Kass tried to regain control of her body, to push the heat- the blush off of her face and to focus. She nodded, turning to Gran, “Okay, uh so we heading to that place near the Louvre where you usually get stuff needing inspection from or is it somewhere else?" 

Gran picking up a folder and tossed it to Kass, who fumbled while catching it. Even more heat climbed across her face as she straightened out the folder and opened it up to see a list of art pieces that Gran was wanting.

Smiling Gran moved back towards the register, "Aye, but Luka knows where ye need to go, just follow him."

For a moment, Kass paused, considering if she should just follow her gut or ask for more clarification. However, the buzzing stings of anxiety urged her to just get it over with. 

“Okay, okay… thanks,” She mumbled as she raised her gaze to Luka, “Uhm… should we go?”

He nodded, concern seeping from him in constant waves, “Sure,” He turned to Gran and Aunt Kelsey, “Bye Miss Aofie, Miss Kelsey.”  

Hesitantly, Kass walked out the door with Luka trailing after. She began walking down the sidewalk, her heart hammering as she clutched the folder against her chest. Should she explain? She should explain, tell him it’s not his fault that it’s just her. And despite herself she did. 

“Sorry, I’ve had a- a rough past couple days so I doubt I’m gonna be the best company right now.” 

Luka didn’t pause or give her a strange look, he just nodded, “Everyone has days like that, and you seem like perfectly fine company to me.” 

Nerves overtook her mouth, and she kept going, “Yeah… for now. I’m a bit of a mess and like I doubt I even know where I’m going.”

“Do you think you’re going the right way?” Was his calm reply

"I hope so but at this point I wouldn't be surprised if I mistake a light post for a street sign." 

Luka didn't laugh- at least it was an almost laugh and the amusement that swirled from him calmed her nerves slightly. Then again, her constant urge to chatter caused a roar of worry to stir in her stomach. Then again, the softer and brighter emotions like that they didn't hurt... well most of the time. If it was in large groups of people, it did... any emotion did, and surprisingly the emotions coming from Luka were... both more clear and gentler than others' emotions. In comparison to the other emotions clinging to him it was like looking at a puddle and looking in a bathtub. The murky and dirty water mixing and swirling compared to the clear and clean water… the other emotions, though bright, were muddled, aged and shifting. In comparison with the normal emotions, she usually dealt with, both Luka and the mystery emotions were better. What she usually dealt with was blurry and sharp, and it startled and weighed upon Kass. But humans were... strange, so she didn’t dwell so much on the difference after all she hadn’t met everyone.  

"Well, we are going in the right direction if it helps."

Kass laughed weakly before she nodded the strange sensation of her feelings climbing up her throat. It was odd to be once again with her thoughts after hours of focusing on finding where the key went to. It stalled her breath every once and a while but this was something she’d dealt with before so she should be able to snap out of this right? Luka’s voice pulled her attention as he remarked, 

"I've heard a lot about you from Miss Aofie... she said you were coming from America?"

Kass slowly nodded, fighting off a yawn, the answer slipping from her before she could filter it, "Yeah, it's been a hell of a lot different. Safer, but different. More difficult than I thought."

Kass instantly froze as the words spilled from her lips. She winced but Luka appeared to either not hear that or not care as he asked, "Do you know only English?"

Realizing she was unable to not answer the question she sighed pinching her nose before groaning, determined to filter this time, "No- well yes. I mean technically yes. I know a little bit of Italian because of my cousins but- I can only speak fluently in English. I can read and write French but speaking… it’s still in progress." 

Luka hummed slightly, the feeling of intrigue and what was probably helpfulness. Kass shot him a look and he examined her, "Do you want help learning French? It's my second language so I wouldn't mind helping you out." 

Kass froze as she proceeded his question, her head tilting as she traced circles on the folder, "Help me with French?"

"Yeah, unless of course you have a teacher-"

"No, no I don't.” She muttered, “I’ve mainly been trying to teach myself but… I don’t- I don’t want to trouble anymore I’m… im far from the ideal student.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Kass saw Luka nod, and something stirred in her stomach. She was suspicious of how helpful Luka wanted to be. Then again, a majority of the people in Paris had been kind. It made Kass wonder if this is what the normal should be, or if humanity as a whole was just cruel and unjust. If her experience was an outlier…and god she hoped it was, 

"I wouldn't want to waste your time... I'm a slow learner."

Luka’s expression and his emotions shifted quickly, a faint familiarity and frustration that were instantly squashed as his concern and care rose up fiercely, "You wouldn't be, this may sound like a lie, but I'm known for my patience." 

“Would you be surprised if I said I’m known for ruining people who say that?” she weakly snorted. 

“No, because I want to experience proving you wrong for myself.”

This caused her to smile, her blush returning in full force as she shook her head, the instant and somewhat embarrassing reply being rejected. Tilting her head, she tried to pick her thoughts back up, but her gaze caught on the building before her and was instantly mesmerized.  

She slowed to a stop in the front of the Louvre; the massive tan stone, swooping arches and carved details silenced her. No words could explain, and she took a slow breath in as she felt Luka stop next to her. 

"It's a lot bigger than I ever thought." Kass muttered admiring the entrance, a swirling warmth burning in her chest as a faintly familiar voice was shoved to the back of her mind. 

"You've never been?"

"... no, but it doesn't matter. I can go later, I wanna see what art Gran’s dealer’s got.” 

“You sure?” Skepticism coating his tone as she felt his gaze on her face and the concern once again bouncing from him.  

“Yeah, if it bothers you that much you can just take me later.” She replied instantly, regretting it, “I uh mean since you probably know it better and all- nevermind.”

Her mind was bouncing around as she tried to rein in the embarrassment that kept fighting to take over. Why did she have to find him cute? God, why is she like this when nervous?

“Are you sure? I could ask some people I know to come along and show you around. My sister’s got some friends that are really into art and I’m pretty sure one of their Dad’s is a curator here.” 

She paused, eyes narrowing and she pointed a finger at him, “Don’t tempt me blue boy.”

Shit, she was doing it again, letting her filter fail out of pure nerves. 

Either not having heard what she said or ignoring it completely, Luka said, “You know my sister so it shouldn’t hurt right?”

“Wait, what?”

“My sister,” He continued, “Juleka, she is- well was in your class before you got switched.”

“Juleka? Oh! OH!” Kass replied as her mind began showing her their similarities, “Oh shit you two look so similar how did I not notice?”

Luka laughed, shrugging, “Well think about it. I’m sure I’ll see you again since I work for Miss Aofie often. Anyways we should get going.”

She nodded, he was right. Since he worked for Gran, she would most definitely see him again: which must, to her dismay, excited her. Then again it would be nice to be around someone with such calming and controlled emotions. 

“Okay, I’ll get back to you on that then and uh mind leading the way?”

He shook his head, “Nope, follow me.”

“Alright,” She muttered, internally preparing herself for all the emotions she would have to willingly read “let’s go.”

God, she hoped, please let this be easy.