OOH LA NYA!

[Adrien's POV]

I'm currently on my way to a photoshoot. Nathalie is sitting up front with the gorilla, typing away on her tablet. It has me thinking about that property payment I found in my father's bills. I couldn't stop wondering so I searched the address on the internet and a place called "Dumannios Astronomy Observatory" came up. The strange thing is, the website said it's been shut down for years.

"We are on our way to the photoshoot now. Yes sir, that is taken care of." Nathalie speaks into her earpiece. "Yes, I have cleared your schedule after this afternoon's meeting. Understood. Have a good day, sir."

After Nathalie ends her call with my father, I take the opportunity to question her.

"Nathalie, why does my dad own a closed observatory?" I ask straightly.

I've clearly caught Nathalie off guard. Any other time she might have scolded me for nosing through my father's things but this seems to be a sensitive topic. Nathalie turns off her tablet and rests it in her lap calmly.

"I believe it was where he met your mother." Nathalie explains. "Mrs Agreste loved that observatory dearly. It shut down shortly after she passed away but your father didn't have the heart to let it get demolished so he purchased the property."

"Mum..." I breathe.

The car pulls to a stop.

"We'll be back to pick you up at 5 o'clock." Nathalie informs me.

I nod absentmindedly and get out of the car. It's strange to think of a time when my parents were both young and happily in love. I can barely remember my mum and the same goes for my dad's emotions. I wish I could have gotten to know them better—my parents as they were...my happy parents.

Then an idea strikes me. I get out my phone and enter the observatory address into my GPS.

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[Narrator's POV]

Meanwhile, Marinette was going Christmas shopping when she stumbled upon something extraordinary. A black T-shirt with green writing that says "OOH LA NYA!" on it. A flirty cat pun—Cat Noir would love it! Plus it has matching pyjama pants, black with green paw prints.

Marinette giggles, remembering Adrien's super cute Ladybug pyjamas. It was decided. She had to buy these.

.

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[Adrien's POV]

The observatory is on a high hill on the outskirts of Paris. It actually has a great view of the city. The building is notably shut down. The exterior is rusting away and there are overgrown plants everywhere. There is even a bunch of tape, fencing and warning signs guarding the property. But those things don't stop me. I am buzzing with excitement. I can just imagine this place back in its day. Maybe my mum came here to observe the beautiful night time stars when she unexpectedly met a charming man and they ended up falling in love beneath the moonlight. Maybe I could sneak Ladybug out here one night and we could stargaze together, just as my parents once did. Maybe tonight!

For some reason, Marinette pops into my head. I think about the night at biology camp when we linked hands and snuck out to stargaze. Maybe she would like to see the observatory too...

My heart gives an uneasy lurch as if it is being torn in two. I quickly refocus on the task at hand.

The inside of the observatory is disappointingly underwhelming. I was hoping for at least a cool looking telescope, but I guess if I could figure out how to open up the skyroof it would be nice. Right now none of the windows are open so it is pitch black in here. I can't see anything, but the room is echoing with this unsettling humming sound, probably just the old metal structure. There is one source of light, a television by the looks of it. As I creep closer, I notice there are quite a number of screens, each displaying different things. There is a variety of news channels and security camera footage—all live. Looks like someone is watching...Paris? In front of the screens is a mattress. I step back a bit. Is someone living here? A homeless person taking shelter? Or maybe a group of troublesome teenagers are using this place as their hideout; that seems more likely given that whoever it is, they are keeping track of the city's security cameras and news reports.

I suddenly feel a violent distaste. This is my mother's special place and someone is taking advantage of it. My fingers curl up into fists as I stare down at the campsite in disgust. I turn on my heel and storm out of the place. Looks like I'm not taking anyone here any time soon.

I sigh and slump down on the street curb. All of a sudden, a set of car wheels skids to a stop in front of me. The door opens and a familiar pair of leather shoes steps out onto the road.

"Father!" I say in shock as a scramble to my feet.

My father's eyes are wide—with anger or maybe just surprise, I can't tell.

"Adrien, what are you doing here?" He demands.

"I-I..."

"Shouldn't you be at a photoshoot right now?" My father continues to interrogate.

I hang my head sadly. "I just wanted to see mum's favourite place."

"You are never to return here ever again." Father orders strictly.

All of my fantasies are torn straight from my heart. I look up at my father pleadingly. "Why?"

"It is unstable and dangerous, hence the fencing and warning signs which you payed no attention to." Father responds sternly.

"But—"

"You are grounded until we can reschedule this photoshoot." Father says. "Get in the car."

Does my dad track my phone or something? How did he even know I would be here? I want to tell him about what I saw inside but he would just get mad at me for breaking in. He never listens to me anyway so it would be a pointless effort. But my head is bustling with curiosity. Something's just not right...