#nathaniel kutzburg

[gameguy20100]

Nathaniel: My best friend is a mysterious person. She has a voice like a violin.

Alix: NATHANIEL KUTZBURG!

Nathaniel: Being played by a monkey.

[thenovelartist]

The Love of a Cat, Chapter 17

“Tikki, I know you’ve been stressed all morning, but that’s no reason to yank my dress tight.”

From the mirror, Marinette could see Tikki blush. “Sorry, Marinette.”

The girl felt relief when the maid began loosening the laces. “What’s bothering you so badly?”

She sighed. “Plagg.”

Marinette cringed. It had been three weeks since Plagg had revealed his love of Tikki to Marinette. It had been twenty days since Marinette told Tikki what she had learned. And it had been nineteen days since Tikki had firmly and adamantly set her cap to pursue the man who refused to pursue her.

Apparently, no progress had been made.

“What’s going on?”

“He’s just…so stubborn.” Considering Tikki just stomped her foot like a child, Marinette knew it had to be bad. “It’s like he won’t even acknowledge me.”

Marinette’s brow furrowed in befuddlement. “Why would that even be? He loves you.”

“I know he does, but he’s denying it.”

Marinette pondered back to her conversation with Plagg. “He was adamant about keeping you away from him; that much I do remember. I think he didn’t believe he was good enough.”

“Which is a lie,” Tikki countered. “He was a brave young man who was resourceful enough to save his entire forty-person squadron from a surprise attack.”

“What?” Marinette whipped around to face Tikki.

The maid nodded. “He did. They didn’t make it out unscathed, but they at least made it out alive.”

Marinette turned forward again so that Tikki could finish tying off the laces. “He was a good soldier, then?”

“One of the best,” Tikki agreed. “He was young, but it was like he was born to do it. It was a shame the war left him so scarred.”

Marinette thought long and hard back on her and Plagg’s conversation. “I think that’s why he doesn’t want to marry you.”

“Hmm?” Tikki cocked her head, confused.

“Yes, I think that’s why,” Marinette said. “He said he wanted to keep himself away from you because he was a ‘shadow of what he once was’.”

Tikki’s eyes turned glassy. “Oh, Plagg. That man!” She took a deep breath. “What am I going to do with him?”

Marinette gave her a sympathetic smile. “You want him in spite of all that?”

“Yes!” Tikki cried. “And—oh, that idiot!—it’s not like I haven’t seen what war-torn men look like.” Tikki wiggled a warning finger at Marinette. “Don’t go believing he can keep me from seeing the horrors. I’ll have you know that I was a nurse during the eastern war, wanting to serve as much as I could. I saw men being brought in half-dead on stretchers, missing limbs and bleeding out. I may not know the horrors of the battlefield, but I know the aftermath.”

Marinette pushed Tikki’s hand from her face. “I should have guessed,” she said. “I don’t doubt you would have signed up to help as quickly as you could have.”

“You bet I did,” Tikki confirmed. “I even helped heal his squadron after they escaped their attack. That was how I met Plagg. He was the worst off of the bunch. He suffered from the worst night terrors, too, poor man.”

“He said something about that. That the nightmares kept him from sleeping, just as they do to Adrien.”

Tikki frowned, her features softening as her immediate anger faded. “No, Marinette,” she corrected. “He has night terrors. They are worse than nightmares because instead of just twitching and shifting, they have no control over their bodies. They walk. They punch. They thrash around. It’s…a bit scary.”

Tikki’s expression crumpled to one far beyond her years. “I had never heard of the condition before I started working at the hospital. As a young nurse with a heart for the hurting, I went beyond the call of duty and comforted the soldiers when they had nightmares. So when I saw him shifting and twitching, I went to calm him. Only, when I did, he lashed out, and I ended up on the floor with a black eye and bloody nose.”

“He hit you?” Marinette gasped.

“It wasn’t on purpose!” Tikki defended. “He wasn’t even awake or conscious. And it was humiliating when he found me crying on the floor when he woke up. Then he was crying because he hurt me, and he thought he was a horrible person, so I had to convince him he wasn’t even though my nose was dripping blood and I was sobbing. Only after I got pulled aside by an older nurse and she patched me up did she tell me about what night terrors were. There was only one other person I saw with such a condition after that, and I made sure to stay far away from him.”

“Oh, Tikki,” Marinette soothed, resting a comforting hand on her shoulder.

“That’s probably why he won’t even consider me,” Tikki said, her gaze hitting the floor. “I still remember the way he would look at me after that incident. With guilt and embarrassment. I’m also positive that he didn’t sleep for a day or two after that.”

Marinette could do no more than embrace the teary woman. She could say no more because she now held no doubt why Plagg kept his distance.

Tikki eventually managed to pull herself back together just in time for Alya to enter the room. “Mari,” she said, her tone quick with uncertainty. “You have a guest.”

Her brow furrowed at Alya’s lack of confidence. “Who?”

“You’ll never guess.”

Confused, Marinette followed Alya downstairs to the front of the house and out the front door. Only to stop dead in her tracks when she saw the unmistakable red hair. “Nathaniel!”

He smiled. “Marinette.”

She rushed out to her old friend, arms open. “How are you?”

“I’m well,” he answered, embracing her briefly before setting her back at arm’s length. “And you? Your parents said you were well.”

“I am,” Marinette confirmed. “It’s a lot of strange adjustment, but I’m learning.”

Nathaniel smiled sheepishly. “I did always tell you that you were good enough to be royalty.”

“You did,” Marinette grinned fondly. “Even after I turned down your proposal.”

“I understand why you did, Marinette,” he said. “I traveled too much and was often away for too long. And I know you wanted a family where your husband would always be at your side.”

“It had nothing to do with you as a person,” she assured.

Nathaniel smiled confidently. “I know that, Marinette. But…I’m sure you could imagine my surprise when, not a month later, you end up as the wife of a viscount.”

“It wasn’t exactly easy for me, either,” Marinette responded softly. With a somewhat forced smile, she changed the subject. “But enough of that. What brings you out here? Did you find a job around the area?”

His frown caused a rock to settle heavy in her stomach. “Actually, I came from your parents.” With a tilt of his head, he motioned to his wagon, one that was covered with a tarp. Marinette followed him as he walked to the back. “Just under a week ago, a young woman stumbled upon the bakery, where she immediately collapsed.”

“What?”

Nathaniel nodded. “In one of her feverish rambles, she mentioned a Kim? A knight, it seemed. Your parents remembered you talking about a Sir Kim, so they thought that maybe…” By then, Nathaniel had lifted the tarp to reveal a tiny red-haired girl who looked deathly pale.

“Alya!” Marinette called on instinct. “Tikki!”

The girls were halfway to her before Marinette shouted her next orders. “Ready a room. We have an injured girl here.”

Tikki skidded to a stop and bolted back toward the house. Alya froze, looking at Tikki, then to Marinette for further direction.

“Go find Lord Noir for me, please.” Marinette asked. “I’ll have to explain this to him.”

With a nod, Alya tore off again.

“Thank you for bringing her here,” Marinette said to Nathaniel. “We’ll take care of her.”

“I knew you would. You always had the heart for taking in strays.”

She flashed him a smile before crawling into the back of the wagon to the girl’s side. She pressed the back of her hand to the girl’s forehead. It was nothing short of fire.

“Did my parents do anything to help?” she asked, turning back to Nathaniel.

“They gave me herbs that I tried to get her to drink, but she’s been unconscious for a while.”

Marinette frowned. “Did she say anything else in her ramblings? A name? A place she was from?”

“Not that they told me.”

Well, they hopefully would find that out soon enough. She hopped out of the wagon just in time to see Adrien come out. Not even his ever-present mask could hide his confusion as he hustled toward her.

“Adrien, before you say anything,” Marinette began, feeling brave as she faced off her husband, “know my parents and I did this all the time. We took in many sick and injured because we just wanted to help. Now that I have the ability and means, I want to do what I can to help those in need, and I won’t take no for an—”

“I never said anything, Marinette,” he stopped her, his voice frim yet gentle. “And I’m not going to argue with you when I admire your will to help.”

It was a bit of a shock to hear, but Marinette wasn’t going to stop and wonder her luck when the girl in the back of Nathaniel’s wagon needed her help. “She’s feverish,” Marinette explained as Adrien rounded the wagon. “I’ve already sent Tikki and Alya inside to prepare a room.”

“Good. Where?”

“I don’t know,” she realized. “I’ll go find them.” Without any more delay, Marinette picked up her skirts to run into the house. She flitted around between the most logical of the rooms before finally finding Tikki and Alya making up the bed in the yellow room.

“Tikki. Alya,” Marinette directed, “the girl is feverish. Do we have anything for her?”

“I’ll go gather some things,” Tikki volunteered.

“Thank you.” Without waiting for another answer, Marinette bolted back down the stairs to find Adrien.

She caught sight of him as he marched through the front door, looking rather stern as he carried the girl in his arms. “Kim!” he bellowed loud enough to rumble the house. “Kim!”

Marinette was momentarily rendered speechless at her husband’s ferocity but snapped out of it when he looked at her for an answer. “The yellow room,” she managed. “They’re making up the yellow room.”

“Good.”

Quickly, he stormed passed her. It took a moment for Marinette to pull herself out of her stupor and follow him. “Nathaniel told you about her fevered ramblings, then?”

“Nathaniel didn’t tell me anything. Didn’t need to.”

Next thing Marinette heard was the tromping of feet towards them before she saw Kim round the corner. His features were stoic, but when his gaze landed on the girl in Adrien’s arms, his eyes blew wide. “No no no no no.”

Kim rushed up to Adrien to take the girl from his grasp. “The yellow room,” he directed, laying the girl in Kim’s outstretched arms.

“Alya has probably finished making it up by now,” Marinette hastily added. “And Tikki’s gathering things for her fever.”

“Good,” Kim said, shifting the girl in his arms as though he could cocoon her up. Without further delay, he bolted off at a quick clip towards the designated bedroom.

That’s when Adrien gently tugged at her arm again. “Come on,” he said, leading the way back outside. “I want to learn as much information about where Nathaniel found her as I can.”

Marinette struggled to comprehend his words. Everything was zipping by in the blink of an eye; it was hard to follow. “She stumbled upon my parent’s house,” she spoke up. “Supposedly, she collapsed from her fever immediately. My parents sent her here because she said something about a Kim and they thought she was talking about our Kim.” Marinette then pulled her husband’s arm to stop him for a moment. “Adrien, slow down. What’s going on?”

His expression was still stern, but the longer he looked down at her confusion, the more his features softened. “You have no idea who she is,” he realized.

“I know nothing more than she came with a fever,” Marinette replied.

Adrien took a deep breath. “Marinette, her name is Alix Kubdel. She’s the princess of France.”

[dapanem]

Okay since i dont always update for fics (Actually I just lost motivation for it once I got too into it) I decided to just do it like this:

-Marinette/Ladybug’s background would be that Marinette isnt a skater and she still design in my plot of this AU and she did design ladybug’s outfit. Marinette is always fascinated with all the figure skater’s outfits. Though she did skated on her childhood along with her best friend,Nino, she wasnt into it that much unlike him. Until she watched Adrien’s junior debut. Marinette then became a huge fan of Adrien Agreste. She was surprised to know that her figure skating otaku friend became best buds with him. So she had met him once (on his first debut). A few years after that Ladybug exsisted because of an accident. A video of her trying out a new costume while skating one of Gabriel Agreste’s master piece and a few complicated jumps and step sequences there got out. The perpetrator was cute little Manon who is also a skating otaku. Their family owned the skating house Marinette and Nino used to practice on their childhood (they still occasionally do it but of course Marinette trips here and there). This video went viral to all Skaters. Nino had called his friend the morning it got out because HIS FRIEND CAN SKATE AND DIDNT FALL ON HER FEET. Of course Marinette is all like I WAS FEELING THE OUTFIT I DIDNT MEAN FOR IT END UP LIKE THAT and went on a full day Panic Mode. Sure no one would recognize her (with the make up and all) but she was still scared. Enter Tikki who knows Marinette with or without make up (She was the one who painted her face on that video after all) saying she should join the next competition! But Marinette wouldnt budge. Because there is no way Marinette wont trip in front of the whole world. Eventually she was then convinced by Tikki’s reasons (like not letting the world know who is behind the “mask” and having an alias)(I honestly dont know if thats possible). So she joined the competition. With Tikki’s help, she met a proffesional coach name Alya Cesaire. There begins Ladybug’s adventure as a figure skater.

-Now enter Adrien Agreste/Chat Noir. Chat doesnt show much in this AU since I have absolutely know idea on where to put him (WHICH SUCKS CUS I LOVE BOTH OF THEM!!!) So it means Adrien has the most screen shows. So yeah Adrien Agreste is the son of Gabriel Agreste, A legend in the Skating World. Gabriel Agreste has made himself a respectful title because of his records. Every Grand Prix he enters, he break his record. Currently, the highest record he had made which is the highest skating record is 403. 50 for a combined score of the short program and free skate. This leaves Adrien being more pressured. He did well on his Junior debut. He won but it wasnt enough for his father because he didnt beat the highest record(Gabriel’s record). He didnt take much of the harsh words of his father that night before the celebration because he met his best friend there, Nino Lahiffe. He brought his best friend who made his costume and had supported him all through out. She was very shy around him and cant seem to make her words which he found cute (Reverse Crush AU!! But not really). Eventually he fell for Marinette but only Nino knows. His friendship with Nino is also something new to him. He was used to the intimidated hostile act towards him but with Nino’s chill personality, it surprised him. Then enter Ladybug’s viral video, his father became more strict. Practice almost 24 hours, He had to run two or three more miles than usual and stretching till he felt like he no longer have bones. It became a hell for him. His father had retired to become his coach(sorry forgot to mention this earlier). He didnt exactly hate Ladybug, it wasnt her fault his father is very competitive and demanding. But he did built a certain competitive attitude on her. So when she comes to the skating industry, he didnt fully welcomed her. But he was still nice to her. Then enter a small relaxing time for the skaters, which was more practice time for him, he decided to break a few rules. He decided to go around the country their in(which is where the Grand Prix Final happens). As he was about to go out, the papparazzi and his fans are waiting outside. This was a hindrance to his plans. Eventually he thought about diguises and asked Plagg, his make up artist, to do a unrecognizable “mask” to be able to hide to the press. Now Chat Noir he went around the country and had an accidental meeting with Marinette at some busy street. She was lost and got carried by the crowd. Marinette then fell in love with him (he doesnt know though) because of his fun and gentle way of being with her. Their hang out (*cough*date*cough*) got cut off by Nino noticing Marinette’s pigtails on the crowd. He doesnt want his identity be revealed to Marinette because he didnt act the way Adrien Agreste should act, so he left her with a goodbye and a kiss to the cheek.

-Nino/Carapace is ,as i stated earlier, the childhood best friend of Marinette. They grew up together and he always tried to keep Marinette from falling on ice. Eventually because of that he built up a slow pace. This became his signature move. He was called “The Turtle” on ice. Eventually that became a joke to all his friends and had decided to call him “Carapace”. His coach, Wayzz, helped him on getting his name known in the skating world. In his Junior Debut, he met his Best Friend who beat him to first place. He wasnt that depressed about it because he knows he did well on his short program and free skate. But he was worried about Adrien’s well being when he first laid his eyes on him. The boys was so skinny and he looks like he’ll fly away when a light wind blows. He was amazed once he saw him on ice. Adrien’s jumps compared to his are higher and much smoother. He step sequence are longer and faster. Everything about his skating just blew him away. When he looked at his best friend he saw how amazed she was and teased her about it. Marinette of course noticed the dissapointment in him and encouraged and supported him. She smiled and laugh with him. He really did love his best friend. Then a few years later, he met this tenacious coach, Alya Cesaire. The coach of his best friend. At first he was in denial about his feelings until she confessed to him at the small break for the skaters. He was confused at first. Then before the competition starts, he kissed her in front of the press.

-Alya/Rena Rouge enters the stage. Alya of course is a well known coach. But she has a secret. She is the infamous Rena Rouge of the Ice. She hid that title and lived the life of Alya Cesaire. She knows Tikki because she was the mentor of her make up artist, Trixx. Then she met Marinette and they just hit it off the perfectly well. Her alias, Ladybug, was made by her. Marinette also knows about her past as Rena Rouge. She found out about it when Alya told her her first every competition. Marinette’s Panic Mode had eased and she was avle to perform well on ice. Then time skip to when alya finds out she’s best buds with Nino Lahiffe, Alya freaked. She wasnt flustered around him but she acted more guarded and her tenacity level doubled. Then she found out why she was like that, its because she likes him. And the whole break she asked Marinette for help on trying to confess. All day was a failed attempts on romantic moods. So when Marinette got lost and the two of them are being carried by the crowds, she shouted and admitted her feelings. Of course that left a flustered Nino. She assured him that its fine if she doesnt reciprocate her feelings and fine on staying as friends. Eventually they found Marinette with a guy and Alya told her of what happened once they got to their hotel room.

-Chloe/Queen Bee is still somehow the same. Chloe is a teammate of Adrien. She and Adrien are friends but nothing as great as his friendship with Nino. She is boastful but when being Queen Bee, she acts the complete opposite of Chloe. She created Queen Bee as the persona for dating her boyfriend. Her boyfriend, Nathaniel Kutzburg, is a judge on the boys free skate. At first she only dated him for Adrien’s sake. But alas she was captivated by his shy demeanor. Nathaniel was hurt when she admits that she first approached him because of Adrien, but when Chloe told him that it was the greatest idea she had he was confused. She explained further as to why it was thw best idea she ever had. It was because she met him. The real him. But itll be a scandal if word got out that a skater and a judge are dating. So they both created Queen Bee. Pollen helps them on their secret meet ups and her outfits. She’s basically like her big sister. Then Ladybug came and she didnt really felt threathened. But she acts like it as Chloe.

-I also like the idea of Chloe acting hostile to everyone because of her mother(canon verse) so i put it in this AU. Both she and Adrien are mother less. Chloe’s mother left them because she got tired of the skating world and wants to settle down, but her dad (her coach) wanted to keep the skating legacy his family have. So they filed a divorce when Chloe was young. As to Adrien, his mother is a Ballet Artist. But she had died due to a car crash with him. He survived because of her mother. His father of course is a famous figure skater and he met Adrien’s mother, Emilie, when he was a newbie. Gabriel once studied ballet for the sake of skating and Emilie just loves Ballet.

-Marinette’s parents are still bakers. Though her mother was a gymnast. She used to win olympic medals. She was friends with Emilie too. But she never heard any news about her since she got married to Gabriel Agreste. She met Tom at her trip in France. She did her usual running and stretching at a park when she noticed a cute bakery nearby. She went inside and found him covered in flour with a cute smile on his face. She fell in love at that moment. He did too. So they went on cute dates and such. They got married before Emilie got married with Gabriel. So Emilie was at their wedding.

Okay so thats all that i can think of for now but i might add a few ones some time in the future. And just a heads up, if you guys think some of these sounds familiar its because i used Yuri on Ice!! As some base plot and just tweaked it a bit. I havent seen any fics about the skating Au for Miraculous Ladybug so I have no idea if they’ve been made yet. Now as for the drawing…Im not a good artist and Im doing my absolute best to draw and make up for the not updating for Marichat May thing. Also I kinda imagined Ladybug weaeing simple clothing for skating because of course you woulndt want things to get in your way as u skate. Her ribbons arent supposed to be long but I messed up lol. Thanks for reading this!