#like the parisians are already leaving Paris like the cowards they are

[onaperduamedee]

When French people are going on lockdown again tonight only two weeks after curfew:

[Image description: gif of Two from Dark Matter, a young Asian woman all dressed in black. She stares at someone in front of her in disbelief, looks away and smirks, clearly annoyed, before laughing and thinning her lips. She looks back at the person and talks, eyebrows raised. The caption reads: “You had me going here.” End description]

[arty-shadow-morningstar]

A Failed Betrothal (5)

This is going to be the last part I am going to post in a while. My school is finally starting up again and I am sure to be swamped with homework. Without further ado. Enjoy ❤

[Masterlist]

(Part 1)(Part 4)

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Damian laid in bed, thinking about the recent turn of events. Lady, who told them that they can call her Marinette since they might as well get acquainted while the Waynes were in Paris. She had found out Jason’s identity after a few google searches and by extension, the rest of the Bats while they both were taking a shower. It had taken a few arguments and one sentimonster attack that cut one of the arguments short to trust the Dupain-Chengs with their secret identities. His bride was apparently a superhero too. Has been for a few years. In a different world, he might have actually dated her out of his own free will and fought crime with her together.

Damian shook his head at that thought.

That was the curse talking. Get a hold of yourself, Wayne. Resist. Don’t think about Marinette and her blue eyes.

Back to the akumas, Paris had been under the control of a magical terrorist for years. Lady Noire, formerly known as Ladybug, formed a team to battle against him. He also found out about the Guardian who chose Marinette and someone else, who wasn’t spoken about much except that his name was Chat Noir and she now wields his ring temporarily, to fight against Hawkmoth as partners. The same Guardian that promised her hand-in-marriage in exchange for protection from the League of Assassins. Sabine, the Blue Reaper, had to be restrained from killing the old amnesiatic man by her bear of a husband who was reluctant to do so and also wanted to help her.

Hawkmoth also had a partner who went by the name, Mayura, with a power similar to his and could create sentimonster out of negative emotions. Their top suspect was Gabriel Agreste, with much evidence pointing his way but they had difficulty trying to confirm it and had the time to gather evidence to do it. The local authorities were helpful but getting a search warrant for a famous, rich designer who was a known recluse with circumstantial evidence is not possible.

After informing their father of their kidnapping and the situation in Paris (and racking up the Dupain-Cheng's phone bill), they were told to stay there and help as much as they can. Tim, who was coming to Paris for a vacation (suspicious), got his plans hijacked and was now going to help uncover Hawkmoth’s identity.

When the Justice League had reached out a few years ago, they were rebuffed by the Mayor. Nightrunner got into contact with the one of the heroes, Ladybug who asked for a meeting outside of Paris with Wonder Woman and Batman came along, to assess her. They didn’t expect a young girl to be Paris’s heroine.

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3 years ago…

“Bonjour, Princess Diana of Themyscira, daughter of Hippolayta, it is an honour to meet you. And you too, Batman.” The spotted heroine greeted both of them with Nightrunner besides her. Their meeting point was in the gardens in the Palace of Versailles.

“The pleasure is all mine, Ladybug. But I am confused as to why you have refused the Justice League’s help.” Wonder Woman was worried that the Ladybug Miraculous was active again and for many good reasons.

“I would be glad for some help but Paris is run by an incompetent fool. He wants no one outside of Paris to think that the city is unsafe due to Hawkmoth and keep the tourism numbers high. The other reason is that my Miraculous Cure can restore any physical damages done during a fight and involving you might result in more damages than I could cure. But I also think it would be better if there were less powerful heroes in Paris, akumas amplifies one’s power and I don’t want to fight you after you had a bad day.” Ladybug explained. Nightrunner murmured in agreement.

“Do you know how Hawkmoth operates?” asked Batman. He had read reports of the situation but wondered the true extent of it.

“Have Wonder Woman explained to you about the Miraculous?”

He nodded.

“Hawkmoth has the butterfly miraculous, and it has the power of transmission. In the right hands, they would be used to grant ordinary people powers as the user’s champions. But in the hands of Hawkmoth, he targets people with high negative emotions, a girl after a bad break-up or a student with a failed grade. He grants them powers to use for revenge or some obscure version of justice. In return, he asks for mine and Chat Noir’s miraculous. With our two miraculous, he can make a wish but wishes always come with a price so it is best if we keep it out of his reach.”

“How have you not captured him yet?”

“Hawkmoth is a coward who rarely comes out to face us. I have never met him face-to-face. He uses people to get what he wants. Not very honourable. The Mayor has refused to help my attempts to stop him or prevent more akumas because his bratty daughter isn’t given a Miraculous to be a hero. I don’t have the time or resources because I am still in school and have other obligations outside the suit. I can’t tell my family and ask for help because the Guardian’s ,the one who gave me the Miraculous in the first place, secret identities rule and some magic thing that makes me unable to tell them.”

The adults were all horrified at what the girl was going through.

“We could help in other ways. Not fight the akumas but provide you the resources to track down and capture him. Do you have any training? From the footage we have seen, you know martial arts and how to use some weapons.”

“I was raised in a forgotten temple somewhere in Asia with brutal training everyday before I ran away. I met someone on my way out who took me in and adopted me.” She said it seriously enough that they have no room for doubt.

“Batman, she just said she was adopted. She may have the features but the answer is no.” Wonder Woman said with a knowing look in her eyes.

“I wasn’t thinking about it. She has a duty to Paris right now and I am not going to take away from her life here. I don’t adopt every black-haired and blue-eyed child I see.” Batman denied.

“I am confused.” Ladybug said, tilting her head.

“Batman here has a bad habit of adopting kids with a tragic past, especially kids with black hair and blue eyes.” Nightrunner explained to his fellow Parisian hero.

“Well, Mousier, you will have to fight my parents for custody. While I have training, Chat Noir doesn’t and he hinders the battles with his ‘help’. I would give him some but he sees them as dates even though I have told him it’s not.”

“His incompetence is a liability. Why is he your partner?”

“The Guardian chose him too like he chose me through some stupid trial I somehow passed the requirements for. I am just hoping that there is a really good reason for choosing Chat Noir. I have some questions on how you are-”

“Ladybug, what are you doing?” A sharp voice cut in. An old man who appeared to be dressed as a tortoise landed in front of them.

“Master Fu, this is Princess Diana of Themyscira and the world’s greatest detective, Batman. I am asking for their help in finding Hawkmoth.” Ladybug explained, confused why Master Fu looked upset.

“Ladybug, that was extremely foolish of you. This is a matter of the Order. You shouldn’t have involved other heroes in it. We can resolve this on our own. I apologize on behalf of her for wasting your time.”

“But, Master-” “We will talk about this later, Ladybug. You are young and don’t understand things yet.”

“Guardian, with all due respect, my mother was a Ladybug wielder herself and the Amazons will lend a hand to any miraculous holders in need.”

“It is appreciated but Ladybug, Chat Noir and I can do it on our own. Come along, Ladybug.”

“Let me at least apologize for my mistake, Guardian.”

“Very well. Meet me later.”

“I am sorry but it looks like I have to fight Hawkmoth without your help. That being said please don’t try to look further into Hawkmoth’s identity and leave any notes of your leads in the mouth of the gargoyle on the northside of Notre Dame where I usually rest after I finish patrol. Salut, Princess Diana, Batman, Nightrunner.” She left using her yo-yo to swing away after giving them a wink.

Batman smirked. He had to give it to Ladybug, she was clever and resourceful and Diana was right, he wanted to adopt her.

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Present time…

(Words in bold are French)

Now that the previous Guardian was out of the picture, the Miraculous team would gladly accept any help they can get.

Damian and Jason had picked up Tim from the airport and they had already set things up in one of the Wayne penthouses in Paris. Less chance of nosy maids than in a hotel.

Bilal had already handed over all the evidence he could find. He was also one of the Miraculous team’s trainers when Sabine couldn’t make it. Jason and Damian were going to help in training and be back-up heroes when needed. (Bilal wore a miraculous once to help out. And that one time was weird enough to last him a lifetime and he was never doing it again.)

Sadly, all the magic users who were allies or part of the JL were busy with other missions or MIA so they couldn’t break Damian’s curse yet. Bruce didn’t see the problem with the curse so unless it causes major problems or someone is free to break it. They couldn’t go back to Gotham until they got the necessary things in order so it looks like they were going to be in Paris for a while.

The next morning, Tim was nowhere to be found. Because they were paranoid Batboys, they tracked his phone to see him at the Dupain-Cheng’s bakery with Marinette and a group of other people, having breakfast.

“There you are, Replacement.” Jason shouted as he entered the bakery, “So, this is where you were? I see you have already figured out who Ladybug is and met her.”

Marinette looked at Damian and Jason, then at Tim and back at them again.

Oh.

Oh.

She face-palmed as she connected the dots and realized what the nagging feeling she had around Tim was about.

“Oh my Kwamis, you are Tim Drake, adopted by Bruce Wayne aka Batman. Jason and Damian are your brothers. And judging by your build, you are Red Robin. I feel so stupid.”

Thankfully, there were no customers around yet to hear some of the world’s most important secrets being out.

“I am- We are not- Bruce isn’t- How?! How the hell did you find out? And you are Ladybug?!” Tim was floundering at Marinette’s words and the caffeine from his first coffee of the day hadn’t kicked in yet. He looked at her friends, who were looking at the Wayne boys with shocked expressions….and looked similar to the rest of the Miraculous Team.

The caffeine finally kicked in.

“Oh my God. I was talking to the entire Miraculous Team and I didn’t know it. That means Chloe Bourgeois is a hero. That bratty blonde I met as a child is a hero.”

“Speak for yourself, Timothy, my childhood friend is a hero too. I can’t believe we are all heroes.” Chloe said in total disbelief.

Introductions and alter egos were exchanged.

Nearly everything went swimmingly if it weren’t for Chloe jokingly elbowed Marinette and said, “You get to date a hero too. No need to worry about flaking out on dates.”

“What do you mean dates? Dupain-Cheng and I aren’t dating.” Damian said, “My mother wanted us to marry each other, not date.”

“Mari, looks like you need some explaining to do.”

Marinette gave the short story on how she met Damian and Jason.

“So you guys are absolutely not dating? Cool. Tim, are you still open to being Mari-bug's fake boyfriend?” Chloe asked. Tim looked at her incredulously.

“You called me all the way here to fake-date your friend. Why? Not that I am complaining about her or anything.” “There is this boy in our class, Adrien Agreste and he has a little obsession with Marinette.” Chloe explained. “Romantic Soulmates.” Nathaniel chimed in, doing air-quotes.

“So I volunteered on your behalf to be my best friend’s long-distance boyfriend in America who has video-call dates with her once a week. You are going to have little romantic dates coincidently where our classmates are going to be, especially Adrien. It might put him off from pursuing Marinette for a while. After you leave, we are just to mention you every now and then to prevent him from getting any ideas.”

Damian felt a hot, burning sensation in his chest and clenched his jaw at the thought of Marin- Dupain-Cheng holding hands, cuddling and doing all those romantic actions with Drake of all people. (No, he wasn’t jealous. Not at all. Don’t be stupid. )

“Tch, Drake is going to be busy trying to find Hawkmoth. He can’t go around Paris, being Dupain-Cheng’s boyfriend. Besides, he can’t be a proper boyfriend even in his most lucid moments. I will be her boyfriend instead.”

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Tag list: @alysrose-starchild, @buginetye, @lookatthestars1, @blackroserelina, @macncheesemonster, @mochinek0, @myazael, @tonicxworld, @thewitchwhowaited, @t1dwarrior-of-earth, @kissa-chan, @iwantasecretidentity, @theymakeupfairies, @user00000003, @woe-is-me0, @kashlyn, @mochegato,@moonlightstar64 , @greatcatblaze, @moongoddesskiana, @tazanna-blythe. @tonicxworld, @toodaloo-kangaroo, @frieddonutsweets, @local-witch-of-mn, @lady-bee-fechin, @iglowinggemma28, @indecisive-mess-named-me, @k-tea-and-coffee, @jayjayspixiepop, @all-mights-asscheeks, @idk-j-go-with-it , @loysydark, @thenillabean, @lolieg, @zalladane, @silvergold-swirl, @henie04, @blueblossombliss, @khneltea, @mochegato, @itsmeevie01, @roguishredaxion, @alyssadeliv, @steph-hearthlight, @adrestar, @eliza-bich, @abrx2002, @hikari55ttva, @doglover82, @daminette5074

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(PART 6)

[dearchikkie]

Mari Hates Mice

MARICHAT MAY 2020

Day 3: Mouse

A/N: This is actually based on how I feel about mice! I am TERRIFIED by rats and mice and whenever I see them I cry uncontrollably and it's just really rough, so I let out some of my frustrations here, enjoy :)

��･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Chat Noir let out a loud 'WOOO' as he dropped down onto the nearest rooftop. Seconds before hitting the cement arch, he extended his baton and thrust himself back up into the air. The cold air rushed past him, ruffling his already messy hair. Chat Noir, on this particular day, couldn't contain his euphoria.

For weeks, his nightly city runs had been put on pause due to Gabriel Agreste's newest fall line being in desperate need for a "casual, carefree blonde bombshell of model" as Vincent Delat'o put it [or a 'basic pretty boy' as Plagg put it].

But now, he was free; all the shots they needed were done and the line was set to release in only a few weeks. So Adrien, now as his alter ego Chat Noir, leapt across the buildings of Paris, letting the icy winds of autumn blow past him. He boosted himself back up and grabbed hold of a nearby spire, spinning around it's tip then throwing himself onto the closest building.

This was the highlight of his day. Of course, seeing Nino and everyone else at school was a close second, but nothing beat jumping over the streets of Paris, the cool night air keeping his adrenaline high. As he ran, he wondered where Ladybug was right now; knowing her, probably safe in her bedroom right now. After all, his lady rarely appeared unless there was an akuma. 

Chat Noir knew that being Ladybug was strictly professional for her; she joked with him and considered him a close friend, but in the end, it was her duty to be Ladybug. She saved Paris, then went back to being her civilian self.

Chat Noir wished he could be like that. But even when he was having fun with his friends he couldn't shake off the urge to transform and spend his time alone, flying over the streets f Paris where no one could bother him.

Maybe it was because his civilian identity was so used to being around people; when he had the chance between staying or being alone, he chose what he was never allowed. That probably made him a coward. That's why he admired Ladybug so much; she wasn't afraid of anything. 

She was the bravest person he knew, never stepping down from a challenge. Her civilian self was probably just as brave, not being scared of anythi-

"TIKKKKIIIIIIII!!!" Chat Noir cringed at the noise but soon got into battle mode. He turned towards the source of the scream. Marinette's house. Instantly, he rushed towards the bakery, his heart beating rapidly. Did she see an akuma? Was she being targeted? Was she going to be akumatized? He couldn't let that happen! He sprinted over the rooftops, finally seeing Marinette's balcony clearly, and pushed himself into the air. Marinette was crouched on her rooftop, eyes wide as she stared at the pink hatch.

In an instant, he landed on her balcony and dashed towards her. "Marinette! Are you alright? What's wrong?" Marinette slowly focused her gaze away from the hatch and up to Chat Noir, below all her fear, clear confusion could be seen, "Chat Noir? What are you doing here?"

"I heard you scream, did you see an akuma?"

"Oh! No, no I... I..."

Marinette had never been more embarrassed. Moments before, she had been working peacefully on her calculus homework as Jagged Stone blared in the background. Unfortunately, she must've played it way too loud, because eventually Tikki had flown right up in front of Marinette's face screaming at her. 

Before Marinette could even ask why, she felt something small and furry touch her foot. In slow-motion, Marinette gazed down at her foot. She screamed instantly. In the blink of an eye, Marinette had leapt out of her chair and crashed onto her nearby mannequin, screaming her head off as she escaped up to her balcony.

She had seen a mouse.

Marinette wasn't normally like this. She was Ladybug, for christ sake! But no matter how brave you are, how determined or how righteous, everyone had their fears. Ironically, hers were mice. How fitting was it that her cat-themed partner was now on her balcony asking her what was wrong.

"Marinette?" she snapped out of her trance and stared unsteadily at her partner,

"Ah! I, It's kind of embarrassing, but I just saw a mouse in my room..." she stared away sheepishly, not able to meet his eyes. Chat Noir stayed silent for a long time. So long, in fact, Marinette thought he might have just left at the plain absurdity of ti all. But then she heard laughter. Loud laughter. Great. Chat Noir is laughing at me.

"You're not helping. If you're just going to laugh leave so I can deal with it myself," She huffed. Chat Noir's laughter ceased and he turned her back to face him,

"No, no, no. Princess, I'm not laughing at you! This is perfect! It's almost planned; I'm a cat! Don't worry, I'll get it out for you!" he winked, catching Marinette off guard. She froze, and in her moment of confusion, Chat Noir jumped down into her bedroom.

"Chat! It's fine, seriously!" his head appeared again as he peeked up from her hatch. He gave her a skeptical glare and rose an eyebrow,

"You wanna get rid of the mouse yourself?"

Marinette remained silent. She tried to imagine herself catching it and releasing it, but then she thought of its small little body, and its tail, its teeth, its eyes, its feet-

"...Don't kill it. Just release it nearby." he grinned smugly to himself and disappeared once again. Despite her underlying dread, Marinette couldn't help but feel relief. If it was anything else: a spider, cockroach, snake even! She would have been fine, but ever since she was young she had been terrified by mice and rats.

It was a miracle she liked hamsters, but there was just something that separated them. Hamsters were cute and fluffy and friendly... Mice, on the other hand, mice were... small rats. Disgusting small rats that ate ALL the bread she had worked so hard to make when she was twelve. Marinette shuddered as she remembered her twelve-year-old self, rushing to the pantry only to see it overrun with the little rodents.

Suddenly, the hatch started to shake. Marinette slowly approached it, when it suddenly burst open. Chat jumped up and ran towards the edge of her rooftop and dropped down. Marinette ran after him, leaning over to stare at him. She watched as he carefully lent down, and opened his hands. 

The mouse. It stood in place, unsure. But eventually, it ran off into a nearby bush. Marinette's shoulders drooped; she turned towards Chat Noir who had been standing still for a while now, "Chat?"

He turned back up at her and grinned cheekily, "The danger's gone now, princess!"

Marinette grimaced, "Princess? Since when am I your 'Princess'?" Chat laughed at her, faint blushes coating both their cheeks. His lips turned upwards, revealing the pointed fangs.

"Since I became your knight in shining armor." despite herself, Marinettes eyes widened. She could feel her face warm as her breath hitched in her throat. Immediately, she huffed and turned away.

"If your the one saving me, I dread the next time I'm in danger." Why was her face so hot? Why was she so flustered over his words? Flustered over... over Ch-

Chat watched in horror as Marinette tipped over the edge and began plummeting towards the Parisian sidewalk. "Marinette!" He sprinted towards her and extended his arms. Seconds before she would have hit the ground, he leapt up and grasped hold of her. 

They tumbled to the ground, scrambling over each other. When she opened her eyes, Marinette realized just what had happened. She had been careless and fallen over her own balcony! What if Chat wasn't there? She would have hit the ground, and who knows what would've happened?

She turned to Chat, who laid on the ground breathing inhaling fresh air, "Thanks, Chat. I don't know what happened,"

"Don't worry, Mari" Chat laughed, "I'll always be here to catch you."

Oh god. Marinette's face burned a deep red as she pushed him away, "You silly cat, go away. I have work to do."

"What! Not even going to thank your knight-in-shining-leather for saving you?"

"No!" Marinette had never felt more flustered, "Bye, bye Chat. My parents are probably looking for me right now anyway..." she trailed off. Slowly, she backed away from him and moved away from him, but Chat grabbed her hand and pulled her back. She face-planted straight into his chest, blushing as she looked back up at him, "Chat?"

"Next time you see a mouse, count on me to save you!" Chat extended his baton and leapt up onto a nearby building. She tried to pout, but couldn't stop herself from giggling, smiling ever so slightly.

"Marinette? MARINETTE? Mari- Ah! Marinette! What are you doing out here? Your father and I heard you scream!"

The noirette turned around to face her mother. Sabine couldn't help but notice the red shade Marinette's cheeks were, and the girlish smile she had, "Are you alright, dear?"

"I saw a mouse, but don't worry. A friend helped me get rid of it."

[zerotosiki]

A Little Too Much - Daminette SongFic

Pairing(s): Damian Wayne (DC) x Marinette Dupain-Cheng (MLB)

Description: Damian and his brothers decided to give a surprise to Marinette. Based on the song "A Little Too Much" by Shawn Mendes. If you didn’t know the song, you can listen to it here.

Word Count: 3,931

Warnings: This is my first time writing the full and completed story. I am still confused with tenses and grammar so I am really sorry if any words look so weird! I am warning you guys!

AN: Same with what I said above. Sometimes (or maybe always..?) I like to exaggerate my story soooo... I hope you guys like it!

Thank you so much @ozmav for creating this wonderful ship, you don’t know how much I need this kind of romance, a romance involving a bad boy but becoming softer because of his girl! And thank you @officiallyathiana for giving this perfectly idea!

Main Story (You’re here) || Bonus 1 || Bonus 2

Why? Why did he accept the bet? "This is not a bet!!" exclaim Jason from behind. Yeah, but in his eyes, this is a bet! How come? He and his annoying brothers decided to surprise Marinette. Yes, Marinette, his girlfriend. Damian didn't expect that he could be able to be in a relationship for 3 years and his girlfriend is an Angel too!

Umm ... To be more precise, a wingless angel ... Marinette is a very kind, friendly, smart, pretty, and sometimes, she emits a fiery aura in her eyes... And, don't forget her beautiful smile. Even the dark city of Gotham can suddenly become bright if she's here, smiling while chuckling occasionally.

"Okay enough about her beautiful smile because we already know how much you love her," Jason said suddenly, a mischievous smile on his face. Damian glared at Jason while growling, even though Jason didn't feel intimidated at all. Not with Damian's red face because of his own embarrassment.

"Stop it!" said Dick after clapping his hands hard enough to prevent a bloody war that might occur sometime later. "We should go back to our previous discussion okay? If you want this surprise to really happen before it's too late..."

And with that, Damian snorted in annoyance while Jason only chuckled at his brother's behavior. "I already said if we want to give a surprise to Marinette, it should be a fancy and fabulous one. Since Marinette deserves the best," said Damian while crossing his hand.

"But demon-spawn, you should know by now that Marinette isn't fond of excessive luxury. It'll just make her uncomfortable and you don't want that, right?" asked Tim from across the sofa, a cup of coffee in his hand as usual.

Of course, Damian would know about it. But there's no way he would admit it openly. Not in the front of his annoying brothers, okay?

"That's why we suggest you a more simple one but no less romantic than your original plan, Damian."

"You said a simple one... And that is by singing to her?" Damian cannot help to ask about that with a tone of disbelief. Because what is romantic with singing? Isn't that just a plain one? Moreover, he never singing in his entire life! He is in distress! He scared he will be the ONE ruining this surprise because of his voice. Not that his voice is bad, okay? He knows his voice is good, like really really good.

"Yup, and you already lost, demon-spawn. So you cannot back down now..." Oh, how he wishes he can turn back time right now. He wonders why he has such bad luck. Five minutes ago, he and his brothers were arguing which type of surprise gift they should prepare for Marinette's upcoming birthday.

He chooses a fancy one with him holding a bunch of roses in front of her school so when she out of school, she will be surprised and then happy and then... hopefully, give a kiss thank you? Not only roses, of course. He will take her to a fancy dinner where he would gift her another present and maybe she'll give a big smile while in tears and then... again, give a kiss thank you?

But no, his brothers strongly disagree with him and suddenly deciding that singing to her is a better option. Which is not. In his opinion. Since Damian is stubborn to let go of his plan, one of his brothers, the oldest one, Dick, suggesting for Damian to do rock-paper-scissors with one of them (Dick, Jason, or Tim).

So Damian chooses Jason, for a reason, he thinks Jason would have less chance to win with this type of game. Oh, how wrong he is. Maybe Lady Fortune is indeed upset with him. Because he loses 3 straight chances with Jason! And now he has to accept the consequences.

After one month of a lot of practice, he and his brothers have a trip to Paris (Bruce cannot come along because of an important business that he cannot miss. Of course not before he said, "Damian, please send my regards to my future daughter-in-law" in which Damian is just glaring at his father while his cheek is tinted with pink color).

"... And here I am ..." said Damian to no one. He is so nervous. His hand suddenly felt sweaty while his other hand held a guitar. After he sits down on one of the benches near Marinette's school while Dick and Jason take a seat behind him (They help him by playing the guitar too. It's just for the "best" result, not because he cannot play the guitar very well). He takes a breath down while he tries to calm his nerves. It worked, alright. He felt a lot calmer compared to before.

"Don't worry too much Baby Bat. I'm sure Marinette will be very happy with this! Trust me!" Of course she will happy. At least he hopes so. When Tim is signaling to him, he knows now that's the cue to start. So he closes his eyes and begins playing the guitar while ignoring all the stares from the passerby.

She would not show that she was afraid

He remembers the first time he met Marinette. At that time, some unimportant villains are attacking Wayne Enterprises when he becomes Jason's assistant for a translator between the French class and his brother (Dick was busy with his girlfriend so he cannot be the guide).

Jason tries to help people including The French class to evacuate as quickly as he can, while Damian goes to a safe place to change into his Robin uniform. By the time he comes back, there's already Red Robin at there and a second minute later Red Hood comes too. He suddenly raises a voice and at that time Damian, no, Robin knows what is wrong.

He sees one of the French class, a girl with midnight hair and prettiest blue eyes he ever has seen, standing protectively behind a little boy. In front of her is one of the villains, who apparently decides to become a coward and want to target weak civilians. He and Red Hood rush in to save her just to see that little petite girl kick the villains in the face. And can you hear the cracking sound?

Wow. Robin just stood there looking awestruck until he snaps out of it when Red Hood strangling the villain. Since his brothers already dealing with the villains, Robin decides to check the girl.

When he approaching the girl who right now is busy hugging the little boy while whispering something, probably to calm the little boy, she suddenly spins around and takes a defensive pose until she realizes the one who comes is Robin, one of Gotham's vigilante.

Good reflex, he noted. She goes back to calming the boy while sometimes she glances at Robin's direction.

"Are you okay?" Ask Robin softly while internally he curses himself for asking such stupid question. Of course, she's not okay. No one would be okay after being confronted by a villain. She visibly relaxes after she hears his soft tone, although he won't miss how her hand still shake albeit just a little. He knows she is trying to hide her fear.

"I'm okay, although I was hoping we can take the boy to somewhere safer..?" she said with a hint of French's accent, which made her sound more adorable, okay, focus Robin! He scolds himself.

Not only brave, but she also kind and still thinking someone else besides herself. "Yes, don't worry I'll take you guys outside so the medic will check up on you," He said then he escorts the girl and the little boy to outside and then went to help his brothers. Not before she softly said thank you, though.

Leaving behind Robin who begins to feel some weird feelings.

But being and feeling alone was too much to face

No matter how hard she tried to be strong, he worried that all the problems she'd been through ---Hawkmoth and Liela----, take a toll for her petite body. He knows that feeling. The feels being alone in this big cruel world. Kill or being killed. That was a lesson he was though from back then. When he still takes the mantle of 'al Ghul'.

But he grateful because his life is becoming better than before when he met Batman, his father, and his brothers albeit still annoying.

And he is really lucky to meet a wonderful girlfriend, Marinette, his habibti.

Though everyone said that she was so strong

What was her nickname get from the class, the one he heard from the blonde guy? Oh right, their everyday ladybug. Just because Marinette has been helping her friends whenever her friends need help. Just like Ladybug, one of Parisian's heroes. Which is ridiculous.

IF Marinette really their everyday ladybug, then why? Why they choose to believe some shit-not-true-based talks from a random transfer girl who is still new in the school over their claim to be their everyday ladybug who is already being their friend longer than that Liela girl.

What they didn't know is that she could barely carry on

Didn't they have common sense? Not even the strongest guy can take a burden as big as the world! Take a high road? Avoid Liela being akumatized? Damian scoff at this when he listening to one of Marinette's stories. That's stupid and a coward move, he thinks.

He worried because... What about Marinette? Who will take care of her? Marinette is just a human being after all. What if the one being akumatized is her? What would they do? He knows Marinette is really strong, physically and mentally. After repelling akuma for 3 times? Of course she is. And Damian is really proud of her.

But sometimes, the worries still nag him in the back of his mind. Even Batman, the dark and coldest knight can sometimes have a mental breakdown!

 But she knew that she would be okay

So she didn't let it get in her way

Of course, ever since she comes to his life, meeting his brothers, Alfred, and his father. He knows, he along with his family will make sure to give Marinette a deserve and best care in the 'world'. From the moment they know the problem, they began to make a "Marinette deserve to be happy" plan right away. He won't let these pesky so-called friends get in the way. Not in his watch, okay.

He knows the plan is the right choice. Because after that, Marinette gradually became more relaxed, happy, and... just being herself.

He, Damian Wayne, swore to himself, to let her know that she deserves to be happy. She's not alone in this world. Not after meeting him. Not after she became his habibti.

 Sometimes it all gets a little too much

There was one time. One time that makes his habibti almost expelled from her own school. And that source's problem is... again... ..from that pesky girl named Liela. Oh don't worry, he already has 101 lists on how to get rid of her, alright.

But you gotta realize that soon the fog will clear up

Although thankfully Marinette's not really expelled. Even if Marinette's really been expelled, and that problem hasn't solved, he will make sure to solve it, by the law. With his last name and his ability, he can easily found the evidence to sue the school, even Liela.

And you don't have to be afraid, because we're all the same

And we know that sometimes it all gets a little too much

He always said to Marinette, to let him or someone else know if she has something troubling her. To let her know, that asking for help is the right thing to do.

"Oh, she's here demon-spawn," whisper Jason which makes him suddenly open his eyes and right there, among peoples, stood his beautiful habibti, Marinette. With her wide eyes, probably from the shock of seeing him here. He gives her a reassuring smile (Hopefully it really looks assuring? 'Cause he is trying so hard to hide his nervous) in which she returns it with her beautiful smile albeit her eyes were glazed.

Okay, time for plan 2 begins.

He quickly but swiftly set aside the guitar (Don't worry, Dick and Jason still playing their guitars. This is a part of their plan, okay? A plan of "We've got your back so you don't have to worry about messing up because of your guitar's skill"). Then he sauntered to her while still singing.

He can see her classmate, the blonde guy, the glasses girl, the cap guy, and the sausage hair girl. But he doesn't care. In his eyes, there's only her. His Habibti. Marinette.

 She would always tell herself she could do this

He chuckles whenever he remembers the time when she nervous, she'll chant "Marinette, you're going to be okay. Just trust yourself. Like Tikki and Damian always said." over and over again while she paced. He found it's adorable and had to refrain himself from hugging her and kissing her right then and there.

She would use no help it would be just fine

The first time he tried to convince her that sometimes it's okay for asking help is hard. Like Really hard, okay. He has to be patient or she'll get mad, and he doesn't want that. He knows she is an independent person so she'll try to find a solution by herself without bothering others and he admires her for that.

But sometimes he can't help but to worries about his habibti, okay? Not only that, he admits sometimes he wants to be a reliable boyfriend. A person she can depend on. If that's not too much problem...

But when it got hard she would lose her focus

He worried she'll fall sick because of the problem she'd been through. Because of one time. That is one time. And he doesn't want that to happen again. Not anymore. He remembers, oh, how could he forget? Even if he wants to. He can't.

At that night of patrol, the batfam and ladybird were patroling like usual. He notices Marinette, no, Ladybird weren't herself at that time. Because sometime she would space out. And when he or his brothers ask her if she's okay or needs to rest, she would always say the same thing.

"I am okay, don't worry!" with a smile but not the same smile she always used. It's a tired smile but silently screaming 'Please leave me alone' to which make him and his brothers were forced to leave it.

But later, he regrets it. And he blames himself for it. She, Ladybird got hurt badly because they were ambushed by a group of villains and while the villains are not the strongest one, but because Ladybird is distracted by her problems and the batfam was distracted too because of their worries for Ladybird, one of the villains sneaks behind Ladybird without all of them noticing. And successfully strike her in the back with a knife. A freaking knife.

She got free when she punched the villain hard, in the neck. Which makes the villain fall unconscious. Although not soon as after that, she collapses too. Robin instantly by her side, cradling her gently, ignoring the guilt feeling crawling inside his mind and the tears that started to gather in his eyes. His brothers are not that different too. They beat the villains harder and as quickly as they can, so they can bring Ladybird to the hospital or the Batcave and have Alfred treat her.

Thankfully, the wound is not as crucial as they thought it would be. Although Marinette has to stay rest in the bed for a week. Which is totally okay for him but not okay for Marinette. She's not okay with all batfam trying to babysit her but eh, like it or not, she has to face it. Since it's partly her fault for being distracted in the battle. This is a lesson for her to not pushing herself too hard. And for him to be a more firm boyfriend.

So take my hand and we'll be alright

He found himself already stood in front of her. Staring into her bluebell sparkling eyes, and smiling while softly singing, he held out his hand. She blinks then takes his hand and he gently grasped it. Both of them smiling, ignoring the confused glance from her classmate and the glare from certain people, because why would they care? When in this world, it's just him and her, Damian and Marinette.

 And she knew that she would be okay

He guides her back to his brother's place. And at that time, although Marinette felt confused as to why in the world, Damian and his brothers were in here. But she knew that she would be okay. Because she's not alone anymore.

So she didn't let it get in her way

She soon relaxes in his gentle grasp and his soothing voice. This is her best day! Although she has to channel her ladybug's persona when she went through class this morning but at least, now, she got to meet her long-distance-boyfriend!

She greets his brother in silent nod while Dick is giving his charming smile and Jason winked at her. Damian takes a seat and takes his guitar to resume his playing while she takes a seat beside him, although they never broke their gaze from each other. She found herself lost in his deep green forest eyes, while he, Damian, is mesmerizing her eyes too.

 Sometimes it all gets a little too much

But you gotta realize that soon the fog will clear up

And you don't have to be afraid, because we're all the same

And we know that sometimes it all gets a little too much, yeah

Both of them knew. He knew Marinette, right now, is okay. Visibly looks tired but her hopeful eyes are already assuring him that she's okay. Marinette knew, from a long time ago, after Damian has successfully convinced her, that she's not alone. She still has a lot of people who care for her being. Whether it's her parent, her true friends, her kwami, her family, and her boyfriend.

And she's thankful for having such wonderful friends. She's really glad because she doesn't have to bear this alone. She can ask for help, asking for advice. And that's an okay thing to do. And that's a wonderful thing to do. It's felt like something lifted up in her body. And she felt more... light. She felt more... ease.

 A little too much, I said a little too much, oh

She still has a lot of problems, alright. With Hawkmoth still here roaming while Lila still making a problem for her.

 Sometimes it all gets a little too much

But you gotta realize that soon the fog will clear up

But for the first time she thinks, 'It's going to be alright. Because I have a lot of wonderful people who were here to support me. And they'll have my back when I needed help.'

And you don't have to be afraid, because we're all the same

One time she was worried when she has a partner (A partner in romance, mind you. Not partner in battle), can she hide her secret identity from them? What if it's affecting their relationship? What if someday her partner wouldn't trust her again after how many times she lied to protect her secret identity?

But when she knows Robin's real identity after she's been dating Damian for a year, she partly glad and partly afraid. She glad because she and Damian are similar, they both were heroes who have a burden in their shoulders. And maybe... Just maybe... Damian would understand her. She worried because if Damian is a hero too (or a vigilante, according to what he said), then he must've been through a lot like her, or probably much worse than her. And she's afraid for him.

And we know that sometimes it all gets a little too much yeah

Hawkmoth and Lila's problem + all crimes in Gotham's town who'd been raising lately? Yup, it's getting a little too much for both of them. And they knew it.

 Sometimes it all gets a little too much

But you gotta realize that soon the fog will clear up

But that's okay because they can handle it.

And you don't have to be afraid, because we're all the same

Because they're together. We're both together.

And we know that sometimes it all gets a little too much

Even if the world's going to fall apart, they know they'll handle it. They can handle it. Because they're together, with all support from their friends and family. Yes, they can.

 The song ended with a soft thud and Damian put his guitar back then turns around to face his girlfriend while saying, "Umm.. so what do you think?". Marinette just raises a brow hearing his nervous tone, "Isn't like I'm angry or disappointed, but what is this?". Marinette tries to remember if today is an important day that maybe she forgets because she's been focusing on her problem? But no, there's no such date. Her birthday is still a month later and their anniversary is still a couple months later too.

"Well, we were actually planning to give you a surprise gift for your birthday BUT this baby demon-spawn here.." Jason ruffled his hair playfully, to which Damian response with a glare and "Shut it, Todd!" but Jason just chuckled, much to his dismay.

"What Jason means is Baby Bat is very worried about you. He always spaced out and then put on this scowl face with a wrinkled forehead, a look of worry, whenever he thinks we're not noticing." Dick continued to embarrass his little brother with a teasing smile.

"..So we decided we have enough of a moody Damian, book a ticket to Paris earlier than the plan and do the surprise right now and there, just to cheer up you, Marinette. So Damian will not go back to his moody mode and you'll cheer up again! It's a win-win for all of us." said Tim, who surprised Marinette because she doesn't know he's here too. Marinette is giving him an 'I am sorry' look while Tim just waving his hand, a sign of 'it's okay'.

Damian groaned. He thought this day will going perfectly but nooo... His brothers always try to found a way to embarrass him. And now they successfully did it. They perfectly ruining his image of 'a good and cool boyfriend' (he try hard).

Marinette giggled, her giggling sound send warm feelings in his body, and save him from his embarrassment by taking his hand and hugging him firmly. "Thank you so much, Dami," she whispers softly. To which Damian respond with hugging her back, and gently said, "Your welcome, Habibti".

"...So ready for the next part?" asked Jason to no one in particular. The couple broke their hug and Marinette giving a confused glance at his boyfriend. Damian just shrugs and smirk, "Do you want to go have fun, Habibti?" while his eyes were sending a different message, "Do you want to go from this awful place and away from this awful your so-called classmate?". Marinette blinks before catching on to his hidden message and giving him a gigawatt smile, "Yes, of course, Dami".

...End?

Main Story (You’re here) || Bonus 1 || Bonus 2  

-------------------------------->>

Maybe or maybe not I will make some bonus stories (which is about a salty classmate, a roasted Liela, oops, I mean Lila, and Damian's embarrassment. Lol). The bonus stories will be just for fun though.

[anneesfolleshq]

Bonjour et bienvenue! Paris welcomes you, our Assassin,  Margot Clarisse Lachapelle! May we say, you’re the spitting image of Ruth Negga! Please make your presence known within 24 hours, and do have a look at our checklist before setting out into the city on your own.                                                                                 À bientôt!

MUN

Name/Alias: Pooh

Preferred Pronouns: She/her

Age: 18

Timezone: GMT+2, I’ll mostly be on in the afternoons and you can expect me to be most active during weekends.

MUSE

Chosen Skeleton: The assassin

Muse Name: Margot Clarisse Lachapelle

Muse Age: 34

Chosen FC: Ruth Negga

Muse Occupation: Unassuming florist by day, deadly assassin-for-hire by night

Muse Affiliation & Frequent Haunts: If asked which side of the Seine she prefers, Margot would say her loyalty lies in neither. You’d think a life spent in Montmartre would make her biased fort he right bank. In truth, Margot migrates between both. She doesn’t refrain from traveling to Montparnasse when the night falls, searching for some entertainment, some distraction, or simply because her current assignment demands so of her. Margot can frequently be seen at The Blue Lotus, the Moulin Rouge, the street market, Le Ciel, L'Enfer and Parc Montsouris.

Direct from Le Petit Journal: The streets of Paris are graced once again with the return of Mademoiselle Lachapelle! The Great War has forced her family to seek refuge in the beautiful mountains of Switzerland, in one of their many chateau’s no doubt. However, Margot Lachapelle returns alone to the studio apartment in Montmartre. Could trouble be brewing? Recently, Mademoiselle Lachapelle has taken up a position as a florist at the Au Printemps flower shop, providing further evidence of financial issues. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, dear readers! Who knows what secrets hide behind the piercing gaze of this high-society dame…

BIOGRAPHY

Margot Clarisse Lachapelle is old money. Born into the very upper-crust of Parisian society, her life is expected to be one without hardships. She is a lively child, barely standing still when her mother attempts to tie the perfect bow on her dress. The fire-cracker that is the little girl is challenged by horseback riding and, at the recommendation of her uncle, archery. Her mother dons a frown whenever her daughter returns from practice. A young lady should under no circumstances be holding a deadly weapon in her hands. It is in place. Margot persists. She is bright, so her teachers said. Private school for the elite is temporary, a fleeting experience. After she graduates, Margot is expected to find a suitor and wed.

Margot never finds a man, and her father suspects the private school gave her one too many ideas. No matter how many young gentlemen are sent to win over the lady’s heart, all return defeated. What is this woman doing that frightens so many young men? Discussing current political events? Expressing her frustration with her tutor, her wish to go to a real university? Gushing over the joys of running and subtly inviting the other to a football match? Most likely, it is all of the above. »You are a woman,« her mother tells her. »Your only concern should be to find a husband. You cannot study. You cannot play sports.« Margot spits back words of pure fury and the two do not speak until her mother pitches another wealthy bachelor to her. She plays her game, for a while. She never fully accepts her faith as merely an heir to the Lechapelle fortune, but she tries anyway. She’s fed up after meeting men who visibly cringed at her wish to perhaps one day pursue a career.

Her mother stops trying soon after Margot stops giving a damn. She’s reading too many books and skimming over too many articles for her tastes. Attempts of a conversation about the arms race fall on deaf ears and Margot wonders how dead she is to her mother already. Then comes the declaration of war. Suddenly, her mother has to pay attention to politics. They’re packing before she knows it, yet Margot puts up a resistance. Cowards, her parents are. Cowards, running away to safety, to Switzerland, when their country needs them the most. After heated arguments that leave Margot with a sore throat each time, she stays. Stays and watches men in herds leave the comforts of their home to defend it. They carry their bayonets and kiss their lovers goodbye and how Margot wishes she could go with them. To fight the Germans and those who threaten them. To defend France. But yet again, her mother’s words echo in her mind: you’re a lady, you’re a lady.

Marcel Lachance joins the army at 25. He’s the butt of all jokes when it comes to facial hair, his inability to grow a beard. His dark curls are crudely chopped off, peeking out slightly from under his helmet. He never removes his shirt in front of his fellow soldiers. His chest is bound, after all, hiding the lady of Lachapelle. But what Marcel lacks in masculinity, he makes up for on the field. He notoriously never misses a target. A natural born sharp-shooter, he impresses others with his calm hands and impeccable aim. His bravery is to be envied, his morale twice as much. He is hailed as an excellent soldier. He finally feels a sense of belonging. However, what most don’t notice is how he grits his teeth, how he clutches his gun so hard his knuckles turn white. The shaking of his form whenever the trenches are attacked, though to be fair, it’s a minuscule detail in those times. The excellent soldier is afraid, petrified, yet he persists. He remembers everything. The screams of his comrades, the blood that flows like a river through the war-stricken field. The hollow looks of shell-shocked soldiers he regarded as friends.

The scenes replay in his mind after they send them home. After he becomes she again and the uniform is stored in the back of her closet. Everyday life is a foreign concept to the war veteran. She gets a job at a flower shop. Sure, it’s not the career of her dreams, but it is standing up to her mother, fulfilling the wish of pre-war Margot. And she has to pay rent somehow. But she feels it inside, the dullness of everyday life, the yearning to march out and defend once again. Her wish to return to the glory days. She scolds herself each time. War brought devastation. Why on earth would she want to go back? No, stay here, smile as all the others do, prepare bouquets, do not think about it. It becomes routine: wake up bright and early, have breakfast, go to the flower shop, work, return in the evening and wonder how long until you completely lose your mind. Or perhaps, how much more appropriate it would have been for Margot to die in the battlefield. She wants adrenaline to pump through her veins once again, to feel as if she belongs. She needs it.

Her saving grace is her former fellow soldier, one of the very few that knew Marcel to be Margot. He finds her one night, hunched over a bar with empty liquor glasses keeping her company, a pile of misery. Dragging her home is a challenge. Margot is a giggling fool one moment and a screamer, crier and barely a person in the next. She tries to sleep with him, he politely declines. »You’ll drink yourself to death,« he remarks. Margot scoffs in return. »It’s what’s keeping me alive.« The desperation in her voice is clear despite her slurred words. At her doorstep, the fellow veteran offers a solution to end her despair. The next night, Margot stands before her jury- well-known mafia bosses are impressed with her marksmanship. Margot feels a sense of pride she hasn’t felt in a long time. They’ll pay her, they say. Equip her with the proper firearms and teach her the necessary skills. All she has to do is kill.

It’s nothing personal. For the right price, anyone will be her target. Margot doesn’t count the number of victims. She remains cold to the bloodshed, or at least attempts to. She can’t afford to feel grief or guilt when money’s on the line. When she’s a killing machine. When she’s at war.

POTENTIAL PLOTS/CONNECTIONS

While I’d be absolutely thrilled to interact with every one of the characters in-game (I love how each skeleton has a unique storyline!), I have some ideas for future plots with Margot:

First of all, I’d absolutely love any plots with fellow war veterans. Maybe someone that was in Margot’s battalion and knows Margot was Marcel. They could talk about their experiences and coping with the scars the conflict has left behind. Are they also turning to crime? Or cigarettes or sex or alcohol? Or are they smoothly transitioning into everyday life? Maybe someone that doesn’t know this detail and wonders why Margot is so morbidly curious in their war experiences. It would kill Margot on the inside- wanting to reveal herself as Marcel, but fearing no one would believe her, calling her delusional. Perhaps someone could question her decision to leave for Switzerland, not knowing she stayed behind and defended her country. It’d be quite interesting to explore Margot’s relationship with the war and how it left her with physical and mental scars (is my inner history nerd showing yet?).

Second, any and all plots related to Margot’s work as an assassin are welcomed. What I have in mind is someone who is perhaps a frequent client, someone corrupted and completely into the crime scene. Someone that could challenge Margot to melt away the icy attitude she has towards her job, who’d make her question the morality of her actions.

Third, I’d love for her to have some friends. Women and men that got under her skin, despite her self-reliant, but slightly distant attitude. She wouldn’t even realize it, but suddenly she harbors friendly feelings towards these people and it scares her. Yet she could realize how much she treasures them at the same time and wouldn’t want to let them go. Someone that brings out the free-spirited and energetic side of her would be appreciated, as well as a confidant she could trust with her life.

Finally, perhaps someone that could completely sweep her off her feet. She’s not one to fall in love, nor does she believe anyone would particularly fancy her, but this person could change that. It could even be a simple crush, Margot would definitely try to ignore her feelings, but never quite be able to bury them. But as I’ve said before, I’d love to interact with any and every character in-game. I’m open to any plots and connections for Margot!

[dweemeister]

NOTE: This review is based on the English-language version of One Hour with You. A French-language version, entitled Une heure près de toi, was shot simultaneously with the English-language production. Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette MacDonald appear in both; Lili Damita plays Mitzi and Pierre Etchepare is Adolph in the French-language version. The availability and status of the French-language cut is unknown.

One Hour with You (1932)

There are certain words in the English language that make my blood boil for no rational reason. But one of those personally despised words is the first word that comes to mind when I think of One Hour with You, directed by Ernst Lubitsch “with the assistance of” George Cukor. The word is “chic” – give me a moment to clench my fists. For those who are not familiar with Lubitsch’s work (Cukor’s contribution to the film’s final cut is minimal, but more on that later), the German-American director is best known for a succession of sophisticated comedies from the silent era to the 1940s. The wit in these movies often alluded to things that the director, because of the Hays Code (a censorship guideline for American films not stringently enforced until 1934, later replaced by the MPAA ratings system in 1968), could not show. One Hour with You is among the funniest of Lubitsch’s talkie comedies and evidence that the director had successfully managed the transition from silent film to sound.

Dr. Andre Bertier (Maurice Chevalier) is a Parisian, hopelessly dedicated to his wife, Colette (Jeanette MacDonald). He wants you to know about their happiness and his faithfulness by breaking the fourth wall multiple times. If this sounds grating, you probably have never seen a Maurice Chevalier movie. Their nuptial joy is troubled when Colette’s best friend, Mitzi Olivier (Genevieve Tobin), unhappy with her marriage to the similarly dissatisfied Adolph (Charles Ruggles), takes a gander at the doctor. She begins to flirt – realistically and, dare I say it, racily – with Andre. Relations between the four leads come to a scandalous, yet hilarious, head as Colette plans and throws a dinner party for her friends.

One Hour with You was Lubitsch’s final musical romantic comedy (many of which starred Chevalier) working for Paramount. Compared to the film’s predecessors among Lubitsch’s filmography, it is the least beholden to fidelity. With a screenplay by Samson Raphaelson (1940’s The Shop Around the Corner, 1941’s Suspicion) paints the institution of marriage – or, at the very least, the idea of monogamous fidelity – the most cynically of all those films. Marriage itself is constricting, the film says, and this is even more so when the married couple have lost the romantic spark. As doting and puppyish as Andre is to Colette, the film depicts him as almost prudish when he is on the receiving end Collette’s suggestive “come hithers” – “Madame! You may think I’m a coward. I am!” Dialogue about Mitzi and Adolph considering divorce would have been stricken from the film because of the Hays Code if this film was released a few years later. But even in this pre-Code romantic comedy, the attitude towards their doomed marriage is jocular, as if both Mitzi and Adolph have intuited the silliness of their situation and have accepted the other’s flagrant adultery. It is at once refreshing to witness One Hour with You’s sexual freedom frankness as well as shocking to see two characters unfazed about adultery with a committed married person – yes, even in a pre-Code film.

This is not to describe One Hour with You as a searing of married life, arguing that the institution must be destroyed. One Hour with You is foremost an upper-class farcical comedy, akin to Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. And like Wilde’s play, One Hour with You satirizes romantic pursuits – how easy it is to be infatuated despite your better senses, human fickleness, marriage’s fragility, and the performative nature of romantic and marital relations. Not one character is chastised in the film’s point of view; never is this any more obvious in the final moments, where Colette and Andre address the audience directly, asking what they might have done in their situations. Paris seems to bring this out in its residents and its visitors, as the rhyming police chief will tell you. Where modern comedies might easily veer into graphic, unimaginative dialogue, the grace of the film’s dialogue is delightfully subtle:

POLICE OFFICER: Come on, come on. Where do you think you are? What are you doing? What’s going on here? ANDRE BERTIER: The French Revolution! [resumes kissing Colette] POLICE OFFICER: Hey, you can’t make love in public. ANDRE BERTIER: I can make love anywhere! POLICE OFFICER: No, you can’t! COLETTE BERTIER: Oh, but officer, he can! ANDRE BERTIER (joyously): Darling!

Damn. The above is just one minor example of what is known as the “Lubitsch touch” – a bit of dialogue or visual technique that seems, on the surface to modern viewers, in keeping the supposed puritanism of classic American cinema but is anything but. For those unfamiliar with Lubitsch’s films, his touch might not be obvious at first. But if one keeps paying attention, Lubitsch’s naughtiness is bound to raise an eyebrow or inspire a blush. Another notable of the Lubitsch touch in One Hour with You comes as Andre and Colette engage in pillow talk, suggesting with darkened lights and a shared bed (the latter would not be permitted in American movies in a few years’ time). The entirety of Colette’s party is an example of the Lubitsch touch, especially the lively escapade in the garden.

How can someone resist the charm of Maurice Chevalier’s signature smile, his unevenly-placed hat, that rhyming scheme, and that ridiculous French accent? Chevalier is his usual charming self here, his face belying his character’s disbelief in the love triangle (or square) he is attempting to prevent. Briefly the highest-paid actor in Hollywood, he signed for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) shortly after One Hour with You, only to be frustrated by a star-billing dispute, and leaving the United States for his native France to resume his stage career there. Jeanette MacDonald’s voice, which lends itself to operas and operettas, might be irksome to some viewers – especially those who cannot suspend their disbelief with film musicals – but her performance as Colette captures a mix of jealousy and a desire to forgive needed for this role. With her Paramount contract nearing expiration, she also left for MGM – teaming up with Chevalier once more for The Merry Widow (1934) and soon to forge her more famous working partnership with Nelson Eddy. Genevieve Tobin makes it evident her character wants some of that world-renowned French cooking in the form of Andre. Tobin has the best comedic moments of One Hour with You and makes her lines drip with desire. Charles Ruggles is operating on middle-aged id, somehow making his character’s social awkwardness and legitimately creepy lines somewhat funny.

Those expecting show-stopping musical numbers are bound to be disappointed. The songs by composers Oscar Straus (better known for his Viennese operettas, 1931’s The Smiling Lieutenant) and Richard A. Whiting (“Hooray for Hollywood” from 1937’s Hollywood Hotel) and lyricist Leo Robin (“Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend”, immortalized by Marilyn Monroe in 1949’s Gentlemen Prefer Blondes) are in the style of a Viennese operetta, rather than the splashy, occasionally mass-choreographed, musicals being made at Fox Film Corporation (soon to be 20th Century Fox), MGM, and Warner Bros. at this period. Lubitsch’s musicals always resembled Viennese operettas (this does not mean these musicals were sung-through like actual operas and operettas): songs have limited orchestration and harmonic interest, function primarily to progress the plot or reveal character insight, and are jaunty in tone and tempo. None of the film’s song act as a drag on the action, but the title track (sung by all four lead actors, but I could not find this version anywhere) and “Oh That Mitzi!” are the standouts. Like the film’s dialogue, the soundtrack is engrossed in love and romance – matching the wit of non-musical scenes.

For unknown reasons at Paramount, a project that should have been Ernst Lubitsch was assigned to George Cukor. Cukor, a Broadway director who was only beginning to direct under contract to Paramount, had yet to establish himself at the studio. The Philadelphia Story (1940) and My Fair Lady (1964) were still some ways off. Lubitsch, given his résumé, was more idoneous for One Hour with You. Early in production, Lubitsch (who was “supervising” Cukor) and Raphaelson heard claims from the cast that Cukor was approaching the material incorrectly. Viewing the rushes, both men agreed that Cukor was filling the movie with overwrought, excessive moments that were sapping the piece of its hilarity. Gradually, Lubitsch began to insert himself in the process to the point where Cukor was fully sidelined. Internal Paramount documents claim that Cukor’s remaining contributions to One Hour with You are brief reaction shots and a moment with walking feet. After Lubitsch’s attempts to eliminate Cukor’s credit and a lawsuit by the latter, an out-of-court settlement resulted in Cukor being credited as dialogue director. Cukor immediately left Paramount, landing at RKO to work with David O. Selznick.

The Hays Code and the introduction of splashy, mass-choreographed musicals from Fox, MGM, and Warner Bros. soon rendered musicals like One Hour with You out of vogue. With the silent era already becoming a distant memory less than a decade after the introduction of talkies, audiences flocked to musical with booming numbers and lavish production values – the image of Maurice Chevalier standing square at the camera, singing double entendres and smiling, no longer would cut it. Audiences wanted Busby Berkeley’s hallucinatory choreography of women in Footlight Parade (1933) or Fox’s stars swinging to Alexander’s Ragtime Band (1938). But those musicals owe much to the likes of One Hour with You. In the awkward transitional years between silent film and synchronized sound, the Ernst Lubitsch musicals starring Maurice Chevalier represented one of the rare havens for cinematic innovation. Lesser filmmakers in those years were too often using sound as a gimmick, leaving the mesmerizing aesthetics of the silent era aside. For the Lubitsch-Chevalier musicals, including One Hour with You, they envisage film as a symphony of visual splendor and aural delight.

My rating: 8/10

^ Based on my personal imdb rating. Half-points are always rounded down. My interpretation of that ratings system can be found here.

[dirjoh-blog]

One of the reasons why the Nazi’s became so powerful as they were, was because a lot of people and companies in Germany and indeed across the world decided to look away or ignore the atrocities because it suited their own agenda and lined their own pockets.

The Associated Press

At the height of World War II, the Associated Press made secret arrangements with an SS officer to obtain pictures taken by Nazi photographers that were distributed to American newspapers — a deal authorized by senior U.S. officials.

(A photo of Hitler surveying Nazi troops, taken by AP News.)

When the Nazis came to power in Germany in 1933, many international news organizations operating in Germany began to experience pressure from the government to conform to Nazi standards.

That same year, the Nazi government’s Editor’s Law came into effect, mandating that all professional journalists be of Aryan descent and that any Jews be removed from the newsroom. The law also strictly limited what papers were allowed to publish.

Most international news organizations withdrew from Nazi Germany under these conditions, but the AP remained — and fired all their local Jewish staff.

While the Nazi’s journalism laws were limited in scope, and only really affected German citizens, the pressure on the AP had already led them to alter their news habits to placate the Nazi regime.

By late 1933, the head of the German branch of the AP was already refusing to publish images that depicted the discrimination against Jews in Germany in order to stay on the good side of the Nazis.

By 1935, the AP was already one of the few international news organizations still operating in Germany. Large British-American news agencies such as Keystone and Wide World Photos had been banned from the country by the Nazi government. However, the AP remained in the nation due to their continued efforts to appease the Nazis.

At this point, the AP office in Germany came entirely under the control of the Nazi government. They placed SS members into the newsroom and began scrupulously censoring anything that portrayed the Nazis in a negative light.

In its capacity as a photo news service, the AP knowingly sold the Nazis images of Jews from inside Germany and around the world to be used in anti-semitic propaganda. They were also the leading supplier of images for a propaganda book called The Jews in the USA, and in third place among suppliers of photos for the anti-semitic book The Subhuman.

As part of their photo service, the AP also sold images from Germany to the rest of the world. These images could only leave the country after being inspected by some of the many SS members working in their offices. As a result, the AP was publishing images that showed Nazis as heroic leaders, and Jews as subhuman cowards.

This collaboration with the Nazi government was unprecedented for a foreign news press service and contributed to Nazi propaganda both within and outside Germany.

In 2017, the AP released a statement where they claim that their cooperation was justified as it allowed them to provide reporting from within Nazi Germany to the outside world. They have not apologized for their actions.

Kodak

Like most international companies of the era, Kodak had subsidiaries in Germany and across Europe. And as Germany’s international aggression increased through the 1930s, Kodak kept its subsidiaries in Germany.

Then, in 1941, the United States joined World War II and mandated that U.S. businesses could no longer import to or export from hostile nations. As was the case with many corporations, Kodak’s branch in Germany became more autonomous at this time, coming completely under Nazi control.

  However, unlike many of those companies, Kodak started using their subsidiaries in neutral European nations, like Switzerland and Portugal, to continue doing business with Nazi Germany. They also continued to have control over their German branch thanks to their close relationship with Hitler’s personal economic adviser, Wilhelm Keppler.

These Kodak subsidiaries made substantial purchases of photographic equipment from Nazi Germany, providing funds to a foreign enemy of the United States. They also sold large amounts of photographic and electronic devices to the Nazis, much of which was used towards their war effort.

In internal documents, company leadership continued to justify their relationship with Nazi Germany on the basis of profit throughout the war. In addition to all of that, their German branch used more than 250 slave laborers from Nazi concentration camps.

And after the war, Kodak reabsorbed their German subsidiary and profited off of what they created.

Kodak paid $500,000 into a fund providing for families of those used as slave labor for Nazi corporations, but never apologized for their continued business dealings with Nazi Germany.

The Chase Manhattan Bank

The Chase Manhattan Bank’s form of colluding with the Reich was particularly heinous. Because Carlos Niedermann, Chase’s representative in Paris, had very good personal relations with the Nazis, he agreed to their requests that the bank seize the assets of at least one hundred Parisian Jews that were considered especially worth pursuing by the Reich. This doubtless helped the Gestapo capture those people.

Chase Manhattan was hardly alone in this, though. In 1998, the company was part of a suit demanding reparations from J. P. Morgan and Citibank for the millions of dollars stolen. In the end, the payouts were $200 a month. The survivors and descendants had to fight to not have large amounts of the payments eaten up by wire transfer fees.

  Turning 2 blind eyes to the Nazi regime One of the reasons why the Nazi's became so powerful as they were, was because a lot of people and companies in Germany and indeed across the world decided to look away or ignore the atrocities because it suited their own agenda and lined their own pockets.