Chapter Text
A butterfly approaches an old man.
Since Hawkmoth's defeat and the return of the Butterfly Miraculous, Master Fu has been bringing Nooroo out regularly. It's important for him to be able to recover in the world, just as it's important for him to have time with the other kwamis. And although Hawkmoth fed him enough to use his powers, he could never eat for the sheer enjoyment of his favourite foods. So, at least once a week, Master Fu puts on the brooch, and Nooroo emerges into a now-peaceful city.
Not that everything is as it was. The villains are gone, but they have left a mark. People know that there are greater forces than themselves, and that those forces are not always friendly. Many have become the playthings of powers that showed them just how helpless a human being can be. Many even became those monsters themselves. Oh, they don't remember what they did, never saw the damage before the wave of ladybugs repaired it. Most people don't blame them. Many around them don't even know what they became. But when you look at someone who's looking at you, and you realise that they're being careful of what they say and do around you, that they're frightened of what you might do if properly upset...
That hurts. It doesn't help at all that most of the looks happened while Hawkmoth was still around. While there was good reason for siblings and friends and parents to be scared of you, to walk on eggshells around you, and you can't even remember what it was, but you know you legitimately scared a lot of people...
The city is peaceful. But it's wounded. And Nooroo, of all the kwamis, feels those wounds most closely, senses the undercurrents of emotion. And unlike the akuma victims, he remembers all of it.
"Master Fu..."
"What is it, Nooroo?"
"I- I think it is time. I would like a new Chosen."
Master Fu raises his eyebrows. After recovering the Butterfly and Peacock at last, he had not planned to send them out again any time soon. The Butterfly, especially, is extremely dangerous in the wrong hands, as they have all just seen so clearly, only a year ago. Why, most citizens of Paris would be terrified to see a magical butterfly appear in front of them-
He pauses.
"You can feel their fear."
Nooroo nods sadly. "They are not so scared of Hawkmoth any more. It's clear that he's gone. But they are... scared of me. Not just scared of butterflies. Scared of emotions. They are afraid to be afraid. Or angry. Or tired. They know it's safe now, but the fear is there, fear that there's something wrong about their feelings if it was possible for Hawkmoth to turn those feelings into monsters. And... It isolates them. When feelings are held inside, they aren't communicated. I am Transmission, I am sharing and talking and openness. The city... needs me."
"And I need this, too. I... Don't want to spend the next few decades remembering only how my powers were misused."
Fu nods slowly. "I see. I shall certainly do what I can. Perhaps this weekend will be a good time to search."