The Algorithm

Chapter nineteen - Human Zoo

"Welcome, welcome, welcome." The spiky-haired figure said, his grin widening. "I'm so excited to be working with you again Marinette dear, on the last mission we merely picked a dress from the rack and stuffed you in it but today we get to make something from scratch. I'm thinking silk, no taffeta, no-"

"Excuse my husband," The green-eyed woman interrupted. "He is a little eccentric as you may have noticed."

"I'm merely passionate darling." The man retorted while keeping his eyes fixed on Marinette. Like most designers, he had rolls of endless fabric in his mind and thread of every color imaginable, and he was rifling through them all, searching for the perfect one to use on the blue-eyed beauty.

The miss-match-haired woman took her place beside the human incarnation of a dragon and shook Adrien's hand. "I'm Kaalki," She explained. "And this is Longg, we will be doing your designs for the upcoming mission."

"What is our mission?" Marinette asked, looking up at Plagg who stood at her side. But a third figure appeared from the meters of fabric. Tikki, Adrien realized, but she was trapped in stringy orange yarn, making it look like she just walked through a fleece spider web. The redhead was trying to escape from the snare but it only seemed to become more entangled around her. Plagg was the first to start chuckling, followed by Marinette who seemed to be enjoying the sight a little too much.

Kaalki quickly approached the woman knotted in a woolen thread, found the end of the string, and began rolling it back into a ball while helping the director of GUARD out of the cloth snare. Finally, once Tikki was free, she straightened her jacket and stood a little taller, trying to gain back some of her lost dignity.

"Your mission," She said in her usual gentle but authoritative tone. "Is to provide security for a senator's young daughter who is hosting a charity event. There have been rumors that some are planning to kidnap the girl and use her for ransom. It is your job to simply stand watch at the event, blend in, and stop any threat that might appear. As you know rumors can't be trusted but it's better to be safe than sorry. Longg and Kaalki will be having the three of you fitted for appropriate attire for the event. The event is to help raise funds for a new string of animal reserves so every guest is to dress as an animal of their choice. Longg and Kaalki have already finished designing and making clothes for the other GUARD agents accompanying you so all that is left is to get you three ready."

"When is the mission?" Plagg asked.

"Two days."

Plagg sighed and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Some fancy charity event, not sure I'll fit in too well Tikki, I might draw suspicion. Maybe it's best I stay behind on this one."

Of course, this was an excuse, and Tikki had known Plagg long enough to know he hated getting dressed up and having to behave all proper. So, in preparation for Plaggs' protest, Tikki had prepared a backup plan. "I know you don't like fancy dinner parties," She said slyly. "But I've heard they have shipped in some of the finest cheeses in all of Europe. It would be a shame to miss out on that."

Plagg's eyes light up. "Well, I suppose I would not come off as strange if I found someone else who appreciates fine cheese and discussed it with them."

Adrien always enjoyed watching the pair of GUARD directors toy with each other, but a single question was lying on his lips, waiting to be uttered. "Why are you letting me come?" He asked. He had only been training for a short while and last time he went on a mission he was shot in the shoulder and nearly bled to death.

"Because," Tikki said, "You need field experience and there is no reason for Akuma to go to this event so you will be safe from them."

Adrien shook his head. "But last time-" He began but was cut off by Tikki.