9. Day 1 Part 2

"... And lastly, your wings are too loud!" That was Chloe's final complaint of numerous against her new kwami , before the teenager felt herself go slightly light-headed. She'd been moaning non-stop for the best part of ten minutes, and was beginning to feel the effects.

"...Have you finished yet?" Zzubo had been distracting herself by flicking through some 'Teen Dream' magazines that belonged to her new owner. All the articles seemed to revolve around three things: materialism, looking good and boys. Yuck. If this was the sort of rubbish her girl was being influenced by, it sure explained a lot.

"H-hey, get your hairy mitts off the latest issue! I haven't even finished that myself, yet" Chloe made a dash for the magazine, only to find it was just out of reach of her stretched hand.

"Tell me..." Zzubo inquired, ignoring the heiress's protestations to read out some headlines . "Do you honestly believe any of this stuff? 'I HAVE MONEY SO I DON'T NEED ANY FRIENDS'. 'HOW TO SURVIVE ON BREAD AND WATER FOR THAT PERFECT FIGURE.' 'GET THE MAN OF YOUR DREAMS WHEN HE'S IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE ELSE'... Hey, why has this section got a bookmark in it..?"

"I said... GIVE ME THAT NOW!" With an astounding leap which would make her a shoe-in for the basketball league in nearly any school in France, Chloe was able to defy her average height by jumping higher than she'd every managed before to snatch the magazine away from the curious creature. Is nothing in my life private any more?

"Now, now, there's no need for that..." Zzubo sighed, shaking her head. "I'm simply trying to find out a bit more about you. I mean, second-hand accounts from my Master are one thing, but seeing as I'm going to be your constant companion from now on, I want to know the real Chloe Burgeois, and also what areas you need the most help in..."

"Why do you keep saying things like that?" Chloe raised an eyebrow. "You make it sound like you're planning on staying here for an extended holiday. I was actually thinking about this last night, and I decided you can remain here for a week, tops. Any longer and others would start to get suspicious, and you'll probably have give me a nervous breakdown with all your meddling. I'll become this 'superhero' on a part-time basis, when I can squeeze it into my schedule. Also, I think you're exaggerating when you say I need 'help'. I'm perhaps one of the most important people in this city."

The heiress began to arrogantly laugh, but stopped abruptly when she heard the buzzing noise in the room get louder. Opening her eyes, she realised that Zzubo has flown so close to her she could see all the orange veins in the bee creature's pupils, as well as feel the faint sensations of bristles tickling her nose.

"When are you going to understand, Chloe? This isn't a vacation. I'm going to be by your side permanently." The bee firmly stated, staring right at her. "Like it or not, and I certainly have my reservations, we are now bonded together forever. Your transformation into a superhero won't be 'part-time', it will define who you are, until the day arrives that you cannot perform your duties, and have to retire. Then, the responsibility for my powers passes onto someone else. So, unless you suffer a life-changing injury before then, maybe I'll say goodbye in about... forty years. Until then, we'll be virtually inseparable, so accept that I'll be a major part of your life from now on. Better get used to it... I know I'm trying to..."

Chloe was sent reeling by this news. Her days of comfortably living off her daddy's cheque book doing as she pleased sounded like they were over, just because of some weird prophesy no-one had even warned her about. Now it seemed like she was stuck running around Paris in a costume with this bee creature on her case, like an annoying tick you just couldn't shake. But rather than try and suck her blood, this insectoid seemed to want to talk her to death.

And Zzubo hadn't finished yet, either. "For most Miraculous, their job simply consists of helping their bearers transform physically. It appears that my Master has set me the dual task of transforming you mentally. I can't say I wasn't warned in advance about your errant ways. One of which was your deluded thinking that just because you're the daughter of someone important, it means you're an important person yourself. It doesn't. It's how you utilise that power that defines how 'important' you are, and I'm afraid you've been misusing it for years. Fortunately, you'll have me around from now on to put you on the right track, even if I have to act like a surrogate parent to do that. After all, on the evidence I've seen so far, I couldn't do much worse than your real father..."

M-my father... For some reason, this last speech dredged a few discreet tears from Chloe's eyes, but before she could wipe them away, Zzubo took care of them for her. As the hairy arms made quick work of the moisture, the kwami finished off her extended lecture to the speechless girl.

"I'm sorry if I've upset you, but that's just the way it is. It's time for you to make some big changes in your life Chloe Burgeois, and I intend to be at the forefront of seeing you go through with them. Afterwards, I promise, you'll be a lot happier, as will the people around you and especially me, the one who'll be spending almost every waking moment by your side. Now, why don't you go and wash your face, so we can start the day?"

"Y-you mean..." Chloe sniffled, trying to regain some of her old venom as she made her way to the sink. "You haven't removed the soap from the sink, along with everything else? Wow, Zzubo, you're all heart..."

Despite trying to maintain a stoic front, the kwami found herself grinning at the heiress's sass. "Oh come on, I'm not that bad. I know my lessons are going to seem a tad harsh at first, but I guarantee it'll all be worth it in the end. Get ready for the world to see a whole new Chloe..."

"Huh, I wouldn't count on it..." Chloe had just about regained her poise, while running the hot water tap.

I would... Zzubo could only stare after the teenager, as she dabbed at her reflection. The kwami was more resolute than ever to accomplish her goal. For her owner's sake, and for the sake of a world in desperate need of heroes.

...

Even the way to the breakfast hall had been tortuous.

First of all, after cleaning her face, it was time for Chloe to get dressed. Unfortunately, the bee creature was unwilling to let the heiress out of her sight for a minute, and the girl was too exhausted from their consistant verbal-sparring that day to put up much of a fight, so she just got on with it.

She's already seen all of me in the shower anyway the girl reasoned, so this isn't going to make much difference. Still didn't make it any less mortifying, though.

Then, of course, Zzubo had insisted on going downstairs with her, forcing Chloe to find a comfortable bag to keep the kwami in that was usually reserved for fancy gowns. Along with a plentiful supply of nougats, it made the perfect hidey-hole for the creature, and in return she promised not to make any noise.

So far, Zzubo had lived up to her vow, even while eating. It's almost as if... Chloe scowled she was unwrapping and crunching down on those nougats loudly on purpose earlier just to annoy me. That little...

Worst yet was the double-takes a lot of the staff were giving Chloe, as she strolled to her private dining room. (She didn't eat with the rest of the common guests, of course).

Used to seeing the daughter of the mayor all dolled up like a pageant contestant, this rather plain-looking individual with her hair down must have seemed almost like a stranger to them, and she was even stopped on a couple of occasions by some of the more over-zealous security men. Well, they'll be getting the sack later. Hope it was worth it.

Chloe was unable to tell whether or not their confusion over her identity meant her new look was an improvement over her usual visage, but she remained skeptical, and poked at her breakfast fruit with a fork, unable to muster much appetite. What was I thinking, taking vanity tips from a giant bee. I might as well as get styling advice from Sabrina... Ho Ho, that's a good one!

Her brief frisson of humour though, did nothing to lift her mood. In fact, so downbeat was Chloe about the bleak day ahead, she was on the verge of leaving the room, her meal untouched. It's not like its an unusual thing for me to do, after all, starving oneself is an effective way to maintain my shape...

It was as she picked up Zzubo's bag to depart, that she heard a little voice emanating from within. "Chloe, where are you going? I'm sure it's too early for school... And I haven't heard you take one bite of your breakfast..."

"SHH! Someone might hear you!" The heiress glanced around nervously to make sure no-one was eavesdropping in on her conversation with a talking hold-all.

Chloe needn't have worried, though. Her despotic reputation preceded her to such an extent, even the servants at the hotel avoided her like the plague, unless told otherwise.

Oh course, Chloe and her kwami weren't to know that, which allowed Zzubo some leverage over her wielder. "Oh, really?" The kwami spoke in a humourous way. "Well, you better eat up, then. You don't want everyone to find out you carry a giant 'bug' to school with you, I'd bet. Seeing as you're the only one I can talk to, they'll think you're crazy if you try to explain it, so I wouldn't try that either."

"B-but that's blackmail. You can't do that!" Chloe screeched. She was beginning to realise just how ruthless this bee thing could be.

"Look who's talking..." Zzubo countered. "The girl who stole her electorial rival's diary and threatened to reveal the contents, just to win. Another bad habit picked up from your father, no doubt. And at least in my case, my aims are noble. Everyone needs a nutritous breakfast in the morning, and you're no exception. Now, I want all of the grapefruit to be gone by the time I've finished this bag of nougat. Don't forget to replenish my sweets before you leave for school, there's a dear. Oh, did I mention I'm going with you to lessons today, and every day after that? I did say, after all, we'd be inseparable from now on. Better get used to it..."

"You... You... You..."

"Kwami. The technical term is 'kwami'. Remember that, because it won't be in any dictionary. Now, less talkie, more eatie please." MUNCH.

...

After practically forcing down every piece of her morning meal, and picking up extra edible supplies for Zzubo on the way, Chloe was just desperate to get to class at soon as possible, and literally dived into the pre-arranged limo that always dropped her off outside Collège Françoise Dupont.

Her dad wasn't there to see her off as usual, but she hoped to at least say 'hello' to him before the day was over. It was even hard to reach him on the phone now, he was so busy...

Zzubo seemed to be an empathic little creature, as she somehow picked up on Chloe's disappointment while both were being driven to school. "You miss your father, don't you?"

Deciding that she had no-one else at that time to confide in, and being thankful the screen at the front of the car was pulled up so no nosy chauffer's could overhear, Chloe replied. "Well, of course. He's the most important person in my life, yet I barely even speak to him these days. If it wasn't for all these akuma attacks, he wouldn't be half as overworked as he is..."

"Can I make a suggestion, Chloe?"

"I'm sure you will regardless, Zzubo. Please don't let me stop you."

"Okay, so you know when I said you were responsible for most of the akuma attacks around the city?"

"... You were joking, of course."

"No, I wasn't. In fact, I could make a list, right here and now, of all the people you've personally been responsible for turning evil..."

"That won't be necessary. Just get to the point."

"If you say so. My 'point' is, if you were nicer to others, and stopped thinking about just yourself all the time, perhaps you wouldn't unintentionally be the cause of so much chaos, Ladybug's workload wouldn't be so much and you'd see your father more often. Everyone would feel better, it's all in your hands."

"...Shut up, Zzubo."

"The facts don't lie, Chloe Burgeois. Luckily, you have me to aid you there. Of course, my assistance is mandatory, so whether or not you want my help, you're going to get it. So, expect to hear my voice today whenever you do something wrong, because your reign of terrorising the school is over."

"...Speaking of school, we're nearly there, so can you keep a lid on it, please?"

"Seeing as you asked so nicely, I'll oblige. But remember Chloe... I'll be watching..."

"Yeah. Whatever."

Without bothering to thank the driver, Chloe flung herself out of the limo the minute it pulled up, and hastily climbed the steps, covering her make-up free face with her bags as best she could.

She attracted a fair amount of attention, not because of her 'hideous appearance' as she pessimistically thought, but due to the amount of effort she was expending in shrouding herself in the first place.

Oh no, they're all onto me. I could really do with Sabrina's help right now, but of course she's attending that stupid funeral today. How selfish of her grandma to die at such an inopportune time...

It was due to Chloe's irrational panic, and her being completely lost up in her own thoughts, that she failed to spot two figures directly in front of her, during the reckless dash to the entrance.

*BANG* *BANG* *OW!*

She hit them head-on, causing both the girl and the boy to land onto their backsides, the female dropping a heap of textbooks in the process. Chloe also found herself on the ground, her two bags falling at her sides, her face visible to all who wanted to view it.

Initially caught between being worried that everyone would point at laugh at her, like that dreadful day four years, and unbelievably, slight concern for Zzubo who was in one of the holdalls she'd firmly planted on the pavement during her slip, Chloe's thoughts coalesced when she saw exactly who'd she'd ran into, and her eyes narrowed.

"Oh Marinette, still as clumsy as ever I see."

"Sorry, Chloe. I've got a lot of extra homework to do along with that detention, thanks to the stupid prank someone set me up with."

"Marinette, Marinette. Dear, sweet Marinette. You just can't admit when you've done wrong, can you?"

"Well, I certainly didn't put a tack on the teacher's chair, that's for sure. I bet I know who the real culprit is, too. Alya said she saw something..."

"Pur-lease! No-one's going to believe that freak show. The only thing good about her is that blog she runs about Ladybug. But, of course, I'll always be her number one fan. Your taste in friends in as bad as your taste in..."

"Hey, knock it off, Chloe. And this collision wasn't her fault, it was you who weren't looking where she was going."

"Oh, Adrikins! I didn't see you there! Well, if I was distracted by anything, it was how amazingly attractive my boyfriend is, and I can't help that, can I? After all, I have a pulse..."

(Sigh) "I've told you this a hundred times, Chloe. I'm not your... HUH?!"

"What's the matter, Adrikins? Cat got your tongue?

" H-hey, the cat puns, are...N-never mind. I-it's just that..."

"Well? Come on. What do you want to say?"

"I haven't seen you without make-up on since we were little kids. You look really..."

Oh no, I forgot all about that. Now my ugliness will mean I'll be the laughing stock of the school, Marinette will finally have something on me, and worst of all...

I'll lose my Adrikins FOREVER...

My life is officially over.