It wasn't often that Marinette was in the main lobby of the entertainment hall. Usually it was to cater to the many squawking performers pertaining to their outfits. Sequins and boas were always needing constant attention, and thus she would be at their beck and call. The official stage team included four girls and two guys, not including herself. The main entertainers were blond and, although they drove the crowd wild, they were rarely seen together due to lack of chemistry.

The main female act never deserved the attention she got but it's all how she played on the crowd. With enough lights and fog, anyone can believe someone's a goddess. She called herself "Ladybug" after the many famous burlesque dancers before her. The title was usually given to the lead female. Only problem was, she was meaner than a 7th grader after they figured out your weak spots to tease you with, which meant that no one dared challenge her for the title. Her hair was always in a high ponytail which always made the crowd laugh when she started dancing because they expected her to start a high school cheer at any moment. She tried a little too hard with her makeup, and her moves were sloppy at best.

Unlike her counterpart, she was a mess—always ripping her seams and snapping her props. Marinette ran to her every time to fix her creations, but she would scoff and bat her hand away. She wasn't allowed to help her while she was in the costume. When it came to burlesque dancing, the tighter the outfit, the better. For that to happen, the designer would actually have to touch the piece while the dancer was wearing it-something that Chloe wouldn't allow.

Her outfit left little to the imagination. It was a one piece leotard with holes cut out all over the spandex like a spotted bug. Her boots hugged her spaghetti thighs and clacked when she went on stage. With a red and black feather boa around her neck, she would strut onto the stage donning her ladybug colored mask.

It was tradition at Lady Luck to not show the faces of their dancers. No one was permitted to show their face til they walked out the door. Some were even encouraged to wear the mask home; just in case. This created the illusion Lady Luck stood behind their dancers and promoted their safety. Tikki worried about her girls. She insisted that wearing at least a half mask would throw people off their trail. The ladybug mask was the only thing passed down from the predecessor. Every night, Chloe, would argue about the mask and would try to go on stage without it. Every night Marinette would have to strap it onto her face whether or not she was kicking and screaming.

That night was a bad night; three of the waitresses walked out hand in hand and left the bar side of the venue empty. It wasn't really a suggestion when Marinette's manager shoved an apron at her. The apron was just a few pockets sewn onto ladybug colored fabric. Lady Luck was a burlesque theater that adored it's legacy. Each of the waitstaff wore half masks that whirled away in swirls up their forehead or down their cheek. It wasn't to cover their identity but rather to keep a running theme.

Marinette held the apron fondly. She remembered every stitch she'd ever done and this piece was one of her favorites. It was reserved for when Marinette needed to help out, or when another entertainer had to step up. She rubbed her thumb over the gold stitching that slept in the hem: Marinette.

Alya, Marinette's partner in crime, sauntered up in her newest outfit that she provided for her the morning before. Although Ladybug was the most cheered for, Alya was the fan favorite. Marinette adored her, so she ensured that her best friend's outfits were always classy at the same time it met the flashy requirement.

Her current attire was a mixtures of browns and golds. It started out as a turtle neck then transitioned down into a sleeveless crop top. The hem was riddled with tiny rhinestones that shone under the spotlight. Alya glued matching rhinestones to the mesh on her torso down to her bellybutton to give the outfit a gradated feeling. Her skirt flirted over her curves and hid everything perfectly. Even if the performance got too rough, Marinette knew Alya enough to know she was wearing athletic shorts under it.

Alya's knee high brown stiletto boots clacked with every strut towards Marinette. 'Jazz Destiny' was embroidered into the top of the boot. This type of embroidery was a mark that Marinette put on every piece she did at Lady Luck. Embroidering stage names onto the items ensured that there wouldn't be any stealing amongst the girls. Upon closer inspection, it was easy to find Marinette's signature embedded in the fabric.

"I don't go on for another twenty." Her voice sang in a relaxed tone as she reached for an apron off the counter. "Mind if I give you a hand?" Marinette knew it wasn't a real question. Alya was a firm believer that the owner shouldn't put the workers out of their element. The second she said anything, the owner would respond with 'everyone pulls their weight'. Alya was in her late years of college studying to be a news reporter, so watching her ask the customers what they wanted in their drink was comical to Marinette. Top news story: Brown haired man wants Gin and Tonic. She chuckled before taking orders to the table.

Fog filled the room.

This action was always the opening for either Ladybug or the other lead, Chat Noir, to come on to the stage. The music was mischievous and upbeat and Marinette recognized it instantly. The leather clad boy vaulted through the smog with a devilish grin. He was acrobatically inclined even before he walked into Lady Luck. Chat Noir always had preferred being an acrobat rather than doing strip tease numbers. His fans were happy with whatever he was willing to give him. He swung around on his long black staff—making all the girls in the crowd swoon.

This included Marinette—but not for the reasons that the other girls were at his feet. No. Marinette loved watching her artwork move with someone's body, clung to every secret, and whispered the names of each dancer. Chat Noir's outfit was different from all the other outfits she had made. Leather from neck to toe; including boots and gloves. It accentuated all the finer details of the male body and only left the most private parts of his anatomy to the imagination. Marinette hasn't see him without his mask before but god has she seen everything else. Up close and personal, she knew that he had a very firm set of abs and that there wasn't a muscle that wasn't toned to his acrobatic tendencies.

Chat Noir was notorious for ripping his outfits during a performance. The owner always chalked it up to bad luck. Most of the time, it was nothing serious. His bell was the most common and sometimes a seam would pop out. Every Chat Noir before him was just the same. It was only until recently that the owner sought out a seamstress to keep on hand. Plagg was a little insensitive when it came to his employees but he was always reined in by his co-conspirator, Tikki. These two were always at it but when it came down to it, they made the best team. No one knew for sure what they were to each other. They kept their lives under wraps.

It was Tikki who came to Marinette and asked if she wanted to be a part of something special. Now, she didn't know it at the time but it was definitely was a mission that beat all missions. She didn't remember ever telling people that sewing was one of her strong points. Marinette worked in her family's bakery for as long as she could remember in exchange for the free room and board.

Tikki showed up to buy a cake that day. Mom and Pops were out of the shop getting more flour from the store and she just stood there in the lobby. Her eyes were shrouded in mystery but her smile was as kind as kind could be. She let off a warm feeling wherever she stepped. She kept touching things in the bakery; windows to the pastries, gift bags for loved ones, til she landed on the cake design book. She flipped to a random page and ordered it without asking questions or knowing the price. The cake was very simplistic and all she wanted was "Welcome Home Ladybug" in calligraphy accompanied by a simplistic ladybug drawing.

She insisted on waiting until the cake was done. She sat all prim and proper in the lobby while not speaking a word. She fingered the items around her; picking out items in her mind. When Marinette brought the cake up to the counter, she got up like a queen. Tikki carefully selected nine extremely different bakery items and paid for the items with confidence and a bright red piece of plastic. Her purchases were bagged up and sat on the counter while she looked through her dainty circular purse. A black card with green lettering was presented to Marinette with intent that she take it.

"I know the owner." Tikki began. "We are looking for a designer. In case you were interested." She lifted the card a little bit to gain the attention back towards the card. Marinette jolted at the motion and took the piece of paper.

"Plagg?" Marinette mumbled and flipped the card over. There was a number and an address under the name and nothing else. When she looked back up to question the woman, she was already across the street—waltzing away. Marinette looked down at the counter and realized in a heartbeat that the purchases were left behind. Grabbing the brown paper bag by the flaps and sliding an arm under its bulk, Marinette ran after the woman who left the shop without taking her purchases.

She lost her in the crowd easily. Using the card she was given, Marinette found herself at Lady Luck. She was familiar with the building enough to know it was a local burlesque joint but never went inside to see its wonders. The siding was all deep red brick with a flat roof that seconded as a private party area. When her foot stepped in the door frame, the world clicked into motion as the clocks ticked loudly—counting down to the unknown. The rest, to her, was history.

The day flew by fast and Marinette found herself counting the tips she had made before shoving them into her pocket. It wasn't a lot but it was definitely enough to be worth it. Alya didn't even bother to count her share before she went on stage. Compared to what the dancers make, it was petty change. It was about time for the seamstress to leave but since she was preoccupied with bar duties all evening, she forgot to check on her masterpieces.

Knock knock knock.

Marinette rapped on the door softly before entering the problematic dancer's changing room. It was small and simple but private—which is more than what the other dancers were offered. There was a makeup table and a pedestal for when he needed his mending. He always needed mending. The blond's head shot up from staring at his phone that laid in his palm. Chat Noir was still in costume and was patiently waiting for the professional to show up. Every day like clockwork he would wait in his room till he got mended then would wait till she had gone home before going home himself. Marinette figured it was due to the fact that he ripped his costume so many times he was afraid that she would get sick and not be able to fix it in time for his next gig.

Chat Noir smirked and stretched in a way that reminded of Marinette of a cat waking up and doing that one long reach. The rip he had managed this time around was a simple two second repair. The bell hanging from his neck was laying on his makeup table. Chat Noir picked it up, spun it on his fingers, and then handed it to the young seamstress.

"You could have fixed this one." Marinette laughed through the pins suspended in her lips. Threading the needle was as easy as breathing for her. Black cord thread had to be used for the heavy metal. At this point, Marinette had jump rings hidden in the seams for easy application.

"Then I wouldn't have been able to see you, Princess." Chat's words slid through the air like butter. Marinette was fairly close to him since she was sewing it while it was on him. His breath tickled her forehead but overall didn't bother her. She tightened the thread which yanked chat's neck a little bit. With the yank, Chat Noir let out a heartfelt chuckle. "Alright next time—I'll fix it."

"Next time…don't break it." Marinette corrected him instantly. She wasn't flustered with his words, but on some days she didn't like being called Princess. Today was one of those days. She lingered around his neck to make sure all the other stitching was responding well to his movements. She muttered to herself about slight adjustments for when she had time and poked at the serged edging to make sure those were still in tact.

Her visits lasted from 5 minutes to 20 minutes on a daily basis for the small repairs, no matter which room she went to. Some days it's a complete restoration of Chat's entire outfit. On those days he'd sit in a pair of jeans and watch magic happen. The mask never left his face in front of the ladies. If mending was needed on it he would dramatically turn around before handing it to her.

"I'm just going to go ahead and break the silence and say it's okay if you want to kiss me." Chat fantasized when Marinette moved to the mask to make sure the old relic was still in condition to be on the dance floor. Chat moved forward but was met with two fingers on his lips. Marinette did her final check on the mask then started to leave the room.

Without knocking, the door swung open before Marinette reached it. A fairly tall man with short black hair and a very important clipboard stood in the door frame. His bright green eyes were just as shocking as Tikki's. "Marinette, I need to you go to the common room and fix up Nino's overalls." This stunned Marinette, for Nino was very careful with his outfits.

"Tell Nino he has to do his own alterations." Chat Noir grumbled. His gaze found Marinette looking back at him with a puzzled look. He redirected his eyes to Plagg. "He's not even on tonight."

"That's true but we aren't letting you hog the only seamstress willing to put up with this many people for what little she gets." Plagg sighed and motioned to Chat with his clipboard and uttered words that Marinette wouldn't dare repeat. "Besides, Chloe is looking for you anyways. Please don't blow her off again?" His voice held a hint of a demotion if Chat Noir refused, and the possibility of a promotion if he obliged to meet the girl. Overall, Plagg just sounded tired at the ripe time of six pm.

She never really stayed into the late night hours. Her shift was during the dead hours when the dancers had time away from the stage. She rarely saw any of them dance and when she did it was because she was serving drinks. Staying past nine was very rare and discouraged since her home is in walking distance away. Most of the dancers start straggling in when she's leaving. The problematic costumes usually hang around for the seamstress off the clock. Chat offered to work during the quiet hours as to guarantee a steady flow. Lady Luck was never empty when he was on stage.

Marinette smiled and left the two to their squabbling. Nino was waiting in the common room in his black jean overalls with no shirt underneath. He tapped on his computer with lightning speed and didn't even hesitate in his typography when he looked up to greet his coworker. Nino had a different style to dancing. He alluded more to the fact that they MIGHT get to see some action then fade away in the music.

Marinette's eyes scanned her patient with 100% precision. Nino just shook his head. "I fibbed to the guy." He slid his headphones to around his shoulders while giving Marinette the most apologetic grin he could muster. "Jus' wanted to see if you liked your page."

Nino turned his computer around to show Lady Luck's website. People would book certain tables in advance when their favorite cat was prancing around. The designer page was elegant and had fine calligraphy about their small, precious seamstress. The picture that accompanied the summary was her really close to the abs of the aforementioned cat. Marinette remembered this mend in particular due to the minute stitching failure that took a good 20 minutes of hand sewing to fix. A good picture by all standards but Chloe's.

Chloe was, as usual, ranting and raving about how long Marinette took in Chat Noir's room before the show, as she did every time Marinette paid a visit to the male headliner's dressing room. She would stomp back and forth flailing her arms about how perverted Marinette was for meeting him in his private room. Why did Chat Noir get the help sent to his room when Chloe had to wait in the common room? That is what it always boiled down to-she was the main event after all.

A small girl dressed in casual clothes tapped Chloe on the shoulder and whispered something inaudible in her ear. This was also part of the routine. If Chloe wasn't stopped during her rampage, she would forget that her turn was next. This girl was some sort of miracle to be able to handle Chloe the way she does. Marinette knew her name very well because Chloe would shout at her all the time. Sabrina just stood there and took it day after day. No one was sure what Sabrina did around Lady Luck other than remind Chloe that she needs to go dance. Tikki always welcomed her presence and that's all that really mattered to anyone.

When Chloe dismissed herself, Marinette thanked Nino for the wonderful page and moved on to the lesser known dancers. She enjoyed her time with her small repair kit—going from person to person listening to them talk to everyone but her. Ideas flowed around her in the moments that she inadvertently learns about the dancers. There were a couple of dancers not contracted by Lady Luck who also get their alterations done by Marinette and sometimes she walks away with some decent money. If she didn't, Tikki would slide her compensation.

Plagg wasn't able to find anyone to replace the girls who had walked out so Marinette stayed for the late shift as well. It was hard not to get distracted by the flashy lights and intricate dances. Some dances were more lewd than others. Tikki was very adamant that nudity would not be allowed before 1 am. She didn't like it in the first place but the more people who came the more money went to fund the side of Burlesque that she enjoyed: the theatrical side. Anyone who revealed themselves to the crowd was not contracted by Lady Luck.

Performers that didn't hold a contract wore a very distinctive mask during their skit. This was picked up from the crowd fairly quickly and if nudity wasn't their thing, they would go to the restroom or refill their drink. The mask was intricate black lace with stray jewels around the eyes. Feathers came from one side signifying the amount of nudity. Two feathers said "Hey, You are going to catch a glance of a boob." The more the feathers, the more involvement.

Tikki went on before every entrance and would introduce the next act in the most comical way possible. She wasn't really funny but everyone would laugh regardless due to the fact that she always looked so happy and proud of herself. Her attitude was light enough to bring laughter on its own. She just made people happy.

Screwdriver, Bloody Mary, jager bomb, Beer, Beer, Beer

The clocked sang the 2:30 am call time. Customers and contractors alike filed out the door. There were never any complaints when the bar closed down. That night wasn't any different from the others. Strange guys lingered and watched the girls leave.Plagg had to chase them away, even after they reached a point where they waited across the street for the girls to leave.

"I think you should have someone walk to you home." Whispered the small owner to Marinette. Marinette looked over to her Tikki and reassured walking home by herself is what she preferred. Tikki's bright red pixie cut hair framed herself perfectly to give her the most innocent look when she gazed at her girls with her ocean blue eyes. This look always got her what she wanted. Like it was said before, that night wasn't any different from the others.

Plagg yelled across the empty lobby for Nino to escort 'Miss Marinette' home. Nino obliged but almost got run over by Chat Noir the instant the topic of escorting arose. Chat had changed into dark blue skinny jeans and a skin tight black turtleneck. It was noted that it was no more concealing than his leather suit. Plagg wasn't surprised from the sudden act but reassured them it didn't matter who it was. Nino gave up the duty to Chat promptly.

"My Lady" With a bow, Chat lifted Marinette's hand and brushed his lips on her knuckles. The jealousy that radiated from the remaining girls in the room made the air around Marinette thick. Marinette reclaimed her hand and gripped her purse strap. Chat blinked behind his thick black mask. As per the rules, he wasn't allowed to take it off til he hit the door unless it was being repaired.

"Sorry," Marinette smiled politely as she started to step away, "I don't date outside my species." Chat beamed at her response and trotted after her, his blond locks bouncing in the wind that trailed behind him.

"I would like you to know that I am a purr-fect gentleman."