[ at this point, marinette phones him in response so as to facilitate their efforts. ... well, not after a brief slip-up of pressing the "call" button as ladybug first, though she is almost positive (?) it did not connect. why is she so clumsy, bless.

take no. two: she detransforms and crouches down on the rooftop she had been parkouring upon receiving his text, shielding the receiver from the light summer gust that picks up due to the altitude and trying to keep panic from rising in her voice when he answers. ]

—No one I've talked to has seen him at all day and he's not in ViViD. ... oh! It's Marinette by the way, hi. So, what about you? Any news?

[ for once, ladybug luck has failed her. she hopes the opposite for steven, however... ]