Paris

18

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Ladybug's P.O.V

   It is early in the morning. The chilly air hits my face as I swing through the streets. The sun's rays are barely starting to peek out from the horizon and once again greet Paris with a new day. I pause for a moment, letting out a long yawn. Since day one of training, my sleep schedule has been severely tampered with.

   I am missing valuable hours of sleep to sneak out for training, whether it be an hour before dawn or hours past dusk. It is starting to really exhaust me with all the added work and little rest. Yet, I try to keep it hidden as to not show weakness. I am determined to show them that I am worthy of these jewels—that I am worthy to be a hero.

I arrive at the training room and rub the sleep away from my eyes. I thought the cold air would help wake me up as it usually does but it did not do so this time. I nearly stumble into the back door (and probably would have broken it, considering only one doable hinge is holding it up).

"Ladybug!"

I jump nearly two feet in the air and a shot of adrenaline shoots through my system, waking me up. Rena Rouge smiles a little too big, seeming full of life and energy while I am practically a walking corpse. I never knew morning people actually existed until now.

"Goodness! You frightened the living daylights out of me!" I exclaim. Rena Rouge gives me an apologetic look, "Sorry, I am just really excited. I have always wanted to be a tour guide somebody around the poor section. Also, you cannot use this doorway. It will practically fall apart when you touch it. That is why we use the skylight."

I blink and turn toward the door, "Oh."

"Anyhow, it is time to show you around!" the holder of the fox miraculous says, looping an arm around mine. I flinch at the sudden touch, not expecting it. Rena did not seem to notice and dragged me along down a dirt road.

I do not know what it is but I am getting this strange feeling that something is off with Rena. She looks like me in the mirror after a bad experience and tries to hide it all with a smile. She just seems too happy...like she is forcing it. I will have to question her about it later and go along with the tour.

My eyes start scanning the place, seeing the huts and rotting houses, lots of junky objects laying everywhere, and clothes hanging from ropes. I am surprised to see a lot of people already up at this hour, especially some children. This place seems so lively, even if it is in the earlier hours. I can only imagine what the rest of the day is like.

"We will start at the gate then head down the main dirt road," Rena explains. I manage a small smile at this woman's enthusiasm (especially at this time in the morning). It makes me wonder what makes this poverty neighborhood so special to want to tour guide this place.

"I suppose I will understand once the tour begins," I think, "Maybe...this place is better..."

   We arrive at the gate and what looks like the main part of the poor section. Many small shops and stands line the sides of the dirt road, some beginning to open up for the day.

   "I am sure you know about the gate," Rena says, gesturing toward the gate. I look at it—the giant metal doors the upper-class fears of and tries so hard to fit in as to not get kicked out.

   "Then, over here, is the marketplace. Foods, magic, clothes, and more can be found here," the fox heroine explains, guiding me through the market. I perk up at a specific word, "Magic? Is that not outlawed?"

   Rena sighs, "Well...it is a bit of a conflict here in the poor section."

   Suddenly, a piece of fruit hits Rena Rouge in the head and another misses me by a few inches.