Oh, that's good. I mean not good considering it doesn't sound all that peaceful if you need heroes, but that it isn't much of a shock to you? I can't imagine just being a guy and then having to turn up and fight monsters bigger than a truck, you know?
( Actually, the kaiju are pretty tame compared to the horrors he's gone through the last few decades. At least here they have breaks, he's had time to catch his breath. That's new. )
Are you the only one from your world, Bakugo? Or are there others here too?
I know what you mean! [He doesn't need the explanation. Blabbermouth. By now, the broth has simmered down to a sauce, layering creamy gold covering atop the rice. Cooked chicken, green onions, minced garlic, everything runs down the sides of rice mounds and seeps through any remaining cracks to infuse the hills with savory flavor.]
Yeah, these bastards kidnapped us, then threw every into a fucking war and expected them to obey orders and fight without a damn problem. [They didn't give a shit about the life each Outsider came from, whether they were really suitable for this kind of situation. Though... credit where it's due, most Outsiders came from active worlds and had either combat ability or some skill to assist in the battle. LILITH is being picky with its choices...]
Here. [Bakugo hands Vash his bowl, chopsticks and spoon pinned to the side with his thumb so the blonde can take whichever he's more familiar with.] I'm the only one who's fucking stayed.
[Growling in response, he heads for the side of the desk, reaches to the wooden table folded up to the wall, and unlatches the lock. It descends on cushioned hinges, easing down onto a fold-out leg and frame brace. All that's left is pulling up the chairs and they can eat.]
( He realises too late that the question was a little insensitive. Vash himself has been avoiding any mention of Wolfwood like the plague, skittering away from the topic as though he's a spooked Toma. He shouldn't have blundered his way into it. But he gets the feeling Bakugo wouldn't appreciate his apology, so instead he draws the chairs closer with one hand, bowl held carefully within the other.
The smell is amazing, the garlic alone makes his mouth water, and he takes his place at the table eagerly, settling the chopsticks between his fingers like he's used to them - thankfully, a quick learner, and Neo Tokyo hadn't given him a choice the first few times he'd eaten out. He does wait a half a second to make sure there aren't any weird before-food rituals he needs to follow, voice going bright and cheerful when he speaks. )
I don't know what heaven smells like but I bet it's not half as good as this. ( Not particularly religious but still earnest about it, using the spoon to take some of the sauce so he can blow atop it. The taste is even better, Vash making appreciative noises around the utensil. ) Okay, okay. If you ever want a less deadly job I'm sure I can scrounge up the money to pay you as a chef.
[Insensitive? Maybe, but it's one people ask plenty of times when in a situation like this. Did others from your world come, have they gone back home, did they return, and so forth. Bakugo's seen a few of them do so, from his best friend from home to his best friend from here's friends. People will ask. Not the greatest question either way and the blonde avoids going further into the topic. Nostalgia around Christmas is already hard enough. Best to avoid adding more weight.
With Vash settled in, Bakugo takes his seat and uses his chopsticks to mix the rice and sauce a few times, making sure everything's good and coated, and a little bit cooler thanks to coming out of the skillet a moment ago. He likes his food spicy hot, not burning his tongue temperatures. Fucking way to enjoy your meal...]
Don't gush. You'll ruin the flavor. [Sheesh. Comparing something like this to heaven is weird. But it definitely taste amazing. Of course it does; he's the one that cooked! Psh, become Vash's personal chef? That's a fucking joke.] Pass. That's too damn boring, Undercut.
[Another bite before he glances at the guy.] How about I teach you how to cook instead.
( A barely contained hint of excitement in his voice, a pause in eating. He looks thoughtful, but also already fairly committed to the idea. ) I'd like that! I've never made anything like this before. I mean I've done a few shifts at diners when money was tight, you know? I can make a mean pancake. But nothing sophisticated. ( The usual fair out in the desert. Sandwiches, worm bacon, the aforementioned pancakes. Normal easy things. ) I've never burnt anywhere down! Well, there was one time but that actually wasn't my fault, some guys came in to rob the place and when I was trying to get them to leave I forgot about the dishtowel I'd left on the stove.
( A grimace, still guilty decades later. ) But I wouldn't do that here! And I'd like to learn.
[Bakugo gives him a look. Of course, really! He's not gonna offer something he doesn't mean! Unless he's feeling like a real shit, and right now, he's not.]
Uh-huh. I'll make you leave that shit in the dust. Serving food's not the same thing as making it, Undercut.
[Is what he assumes when he mentions doing a few shifts at the diners. They're not going to let some virgin cook into the kitchen to make customer food! Does he believe Vash about a mean pancake? ... Maybe. Not sure he trusts what sort of "pancake" the guy means. Bakugo scoffs before putting another chunk of rice to his lips.]
Clumsy. You're not gonna fuck up if I'm there.
[He'll make sure Vash pays attention to safety and does everything necessary to keep himself and the area well. With the gunman's intent to learn settled, Bakugo nods, sealing the deal. Now as to how...]
( He's just going to nod along like Bakugo is the wisest person he's ever spoken to. Of course it's not the same, he's just witnessed the several more steps it took. )
I'll be on my most best behaviour! Besides, it's not like there's a bunch of gangs roaming around base. ( A pause, as he considers the majority of Brimstone. ) Or at least, no one who'd turn on the other outsiders? ( Another pause. ) For ... no ... reason? So we should be fine. And I'm better at putting out fires now. I know when to use water and when to smother it! Also, we have sprinklers here.
[Don't nod like that or he's going to end up calling Vash a bobble head. At least the guy's paying attention. Hopefully. Bakugo eyes the other blonde for a few more seconds after he promises to behave. Vash behaving isn't an issue; it's that other shit ends up not behaving around Vash.]
There's plenty of that crap running around Neo Tokyo. They wouldn't dare show their faces here.
[Mostly because the majority of the Outsiders could kick their asses. Bakugo's rather proud of how strong Everlight is, though the dorm has some reputation for including "hero" types.]
Haa? Why wouldn't this place have sprinklers?! [They're right there on the ceiling, along with smoke alarms! Bakugo shoves another piece into his mouth.] You set something on fire, didn't you.
( A drawn out, overly exaggerated o sound. He absolutely set something on fire. ) But a lot of places back home don't. The ships do, and the labs, for like, safety? But houses and bars and places don't. I guess this place is like a lab though, so that makes sense. Considering how many of us have bad habits though, you'd think they wouldn't be in the bedrooms.
( He means smoking. It brings the flickering ghost of Wolfwood back around, shoulders deflating just a little before he fully rallies again. )
Anyway, I'm going to be super careful when I learn. We don't have to worry about that.
[You expect him to trust your "no" when it's drawn out like a suspicious fucker compensating for his own guilt?! Bakugo scowls around his chopsticks and fixes Vash with a Look that says he's not buying shit. Jumping into his own world isn't going to distract him from the initial question. Not surprising Vash's world doesn't have the warnings in its old western steampunk like setting. But Neo Tokyo's technologically advanced enough to have them in plenty of residences.]
Bad habits? [What the hell is someone doing in the room that would set off a smoke detect- Oh. Wolfwood and his chain-smoking clouds. Realization dawns on his face and Bakugo brushes the topic aside.] Let'm get drenched.
[He has a low opinion on smokers. Nasty stupid habit. There are better ways to kill yourself.]
I already told you I'll be there; you're not gonna fuck up on anything.
[No smoke, no fire, no mistakes. Even if Vash is simply getting used to the motions and Bakugo's directions, he'll be fine.]
( Bakugo gets fixed with a look, a sweet half-smile that definitely means Vash is getting used to the bluster more and more. It's familiar, he's met a lot of different people, he knows how they are, how sometimes a sharp tongue doesn't mean anything beyond temperament. The guy seems pretty nice, underneath it all, kind and almost nurturing. Vash is glad he didn't take their argument over the kids to heart. )
Okay, okay. I trust you. And when I learn for good you're gonna have to let me return the favour, all right? It's about time I really tried to pick up a new skill. Maybe I've been getting lazy.
( Hardly, but he hasn't had all this free time before. He's usually always moving. )
[Ugh, don't look at him like that, weird sap. He goes back to his food, scowling off to the side as if that'll somehow deflect Vash's kind expression. Leaning back in the chair, Bakugo finds something on the wall interesting for a minute or so, until the conversation lets him return under cover.
He's still gonna body slam any kid trying to bite him. Self-defense against those little monsters.]
Oh yeah? What're you gonna teach me?
[It's taunting but... also genuine curiosity. Vash is a skilled gunman, he knows that, so what other talents is he hiding under all the red and black?]
( What could he teach? He knows a lot of different things. There's the obvious, but Bakugo has his own skills. He doesn't need a gun. Vash buys himself time with another mouthful of food, chewing slowly as he thinks. )
Whittling? Or, hm, sewing. I know how to do that. I've had to patch a lot of clothes so that one was pretty early on. I've been doing some gardening here too, but I'm hardly skilled at that yet. It's been fun though.
[Bakugo pauses from the table for a minute to grab two bottles of water from the minifridge. One to Vash, one to himself. The gunman's not wrong; Bakugo's not really one for guns despite the ammunition and grenades making up his hero gear. Can he use them? Yeah. And he's got great aim. Is he as skilled as Vash with them? Oh fuck no.]
I know how to sew. [As a little tot, he'd bring his torn clothes to his mom or dad for mending. But once he started wanting to do adult stuff to impress his friends, he demanded to learn how to sew so he could rely on himself. Patching, mending, that sort of thing. He doesn't know enough to make a fucking shirt or anything...]
Yeah! A little, anyway. Enough to make trinkets, you know? Like tiny birds and stuff. It was a good way to learn dexterity when I needed to.
( He wiggles his metal fingers in explanation before unscrewing the lid of his water. )
I met a guy in a bar who showed me some of the basics and then I taught myself a little more after I moved on. It was more productive than the physical therapy Luida wanted me to do. It had stuff at the end of it, you know? And kids love little figurines. I haven't done a whole lot of it since I got here. Maybe because there's more to do. The arcade. And looking after the orphans. I don't like using up resources people might need either, and I know a whole bunch of stuff is fairly scarce here. So I might take up a new craft.
Wood, or some other material? Your world's a fucking desert, right.
[Meaning wood's not the easiest commodity to come by. Then again, he doubts soap's all that common either. Sand or rock being the remaining option. He doubts Vash would use bone. Red eyes flick to metal fingers, watching them flutter in the air. Hmph, guess it's not a bad skill to work on.]
There's a shitload of wood outside the city. The world's overgrown already.
[They saw that much when they left for Tokyo Disney and traveled highway after highway. Shrouded in mist while green leaves poured over guardrails on either side, reaching onto pavement in attempts to swallow it completely into the woods swarming around and beneath. Vash has ample supply of lumber out there if he wants to gather material.]
We have some wood. The plants bring a lot of resources from other places so it means we can have buildings and things. But I only ever used scraps whenever I could find them anyway. Things that weren't salvageable. I actually thought it would be the same here, you know? I could always try, though. See if anyone needs trinkets. Or furniture. I could make chairs.
( It would be useful, and a good way to help people. )
Maybe if I got good enough I could sell things. I've been looking into ways of making more money for the orphanage.
[Reusing for something else what would have gone to trash anyways. Salvaged and transformed.]
Start with the carvings and see if there's interest.
[He doubts Vash moving into furniture making would be that profitable. Most people seem to be set up in this world with their own furniture. But keep that in the back of his mind for a backup plan.]
Tch, LILITH made a mistake bringing those kids here. We don't have the resources to comfortably support them.
I know. ( They separated them from what they knew, the people they loved. Vash is doing his best to make sure each one is cared for, but it will be a struggle. The holidays are a special case, but real life will settle back in eventually. ) I think most of them are happy though. We still have a bunch of tantrums but they don't last. They're safe, I think. Everyone's doing their best.
( He just hopes it's enough. )
How long have you been here, Bakugo? Longer than me, maybe? Does LILITH do this often? Act without thinking?
[And despite what was found in the forest and castle, Bakugo is damn sure there were plenty of villagers left out in the village that hadn't been infected by the vampire malady. With the wolf kaiju now gone, who the fuck knows what would happen to them. Would they somehow find their way out of the woods and enter normal society? (What of it was left.) Or would they continue to stay in their confines and live a comfortable life, but without a "proper" guardian? (Albeit a murderous sacrifice-demanding one.)
Ah well, wondering about that shit won't do anyone any good. Bakugo throws the thoughts away. There are more important current things to put his mind to task.]
Hmph, you guys wanna babysit, go for it. I'm not handling those brats.
[Given the caring people like Yato, Vash, Hiyori, Eresh, they'll be fine.]
This month makes a year. They like to salvage anything they can after kaiju battles.
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blastedass
no subject
Date: 12/16/24 12:37 (UTC)( Actually, the kaiju are pretty tame compared to the horrors he's gone through the last few decades. At least here they have breaks, he's had time to catch his breath. That's new. )
Are you the only one from your world, Bakugo? Or are there others here too?
no subject
Date: 12/16/24 21:11 (UTC)Yeah, these bastards kidnapped us, then threw every into a fucking war and expected them to obey orders and fight without a damn problem. [They didn't give a shit about the life each Outsider came from, whether they were really suitable for this kind of situation. Though... credit where it's due, most Outsiders came from active worlds and had either combat ability or some skill to assist in the battle. LILITH is being picky with its choices...]
Here. [Bakugo hands Vash his bowl, chopsticks and spoon pinned to the side with his thumb so the blonde can take whichever he's more familiar with.] I'm the only one who's fucking stayed.
[Growling in response, he heads for the side of the desk, reaches to the wooden table folded up to the wall, and unlatches the lock. It descends on cushioned hinges, easing down onto a fold-out leg and frame brace. All that's left is pulling up the chairs and they can eat.]
no subject
Date: 12/21/24 12:01 (UTC)The smell is amazing, the garlic alone makes his mouth water, and he takes his place at the table eagerly, settling the chopsticks between his fingers like he's used to them - thankfully, a quick learner, and Neo Tokyo hadn't given him a choice the first few times he'd eaten out. He does wait a half a second to make sure there aren't any weird before-food rituals he needs to follow, voice going bright and cheerful when he speaks. )
I don't know what heaven smells like but I bet it's not half as good as this. ( Not particularly religious but still earnest about it, using the spoon to take some of the sauce so he can blow atop it. The taste is even better, Vash making appreciative noises around the utensil. ) Okay, okay. If you ever want a less deadly job I'm sure I can scrounge up the money to pay you as a chef.
no subject
Date: 12/21/24 18:20 (UTC)With Vash settled in, Bakugo takes his seat and uses his chopsticks to mix the rice and sauce a few times, making sure everything's good and coated, and a little bit cooler thanks to coming out of the skillet a moment ago. He likes his food spicy hot, not burning his tongue temperatures. Fucking way to enjoy your meal...]
Don't gush. You'll ruin the flavor. [Sheesh. Comparing something like this to heaven is weird. But it definitely taste amazing. Of course it does; he's the one that cooked! Psh, become Vash's personal chef? That's a fucking joke.] Pass. That's too damn boring, Undercut.
[Another bite before he glances at the guy.] How about I teach you how to cook instead.
no subject
Date: 12/22/24 12:01 (UTC)Really?
( A barely contained hint of excitement in his voice, a pause in eating. He looks thoughtful, but also already fairly committed to the idea. ) I'd like that! I've never made anything like this before. I mean I've done a few shifts at diners when money was tight, you know? I can make a mean pancake. But nothing sophisticated. ( The usual fair out in the desert. Sandwiches, worm bacon, the aforementioned pancakes. Normal easy things. ) I've never burnt anywhere down! Well, there was one time but that actually wasn't my fault, some guys came in to rob the place and when I was trying to get them to leave I forgot about the dishtowel I'd left on the stove.
( A grimace, still guilty decades later. ) But I wouldn't do that here! And I'd like to learn.
no subject
Date: 12/22/24 21:38 (UTC)Uh-huh. I'll make you leave that shit in the dust. Serving food's not the same thing as making it, Undercut.
[Is what he assumes when he mentions doing a few shifts at the diners. They're not going to let some virgin cook into the kitchen to make customer food! Does he believe Vash about a mean pancake? ... Maybe. Not sure he trusts what sort of "pancake" the guy means. Bakugo scoffs before putting another chunk of rice to his lips.]
Clumsy. You're not gonna fuck up if I'm there.
[He'll make sure Vash pays attention to safety and does everything necessary to keep himself and the area well. With the gunman's intent to learn settled, Bakugo nods, sealing the deal. Now as to how...]
no subject
Date: 12/23/24 10:19 (UTC)I'll be on my most best behaviour! Besides, it's not like there's a bunch of gangs roaming around base. ( A pause, as he considers the majority of Brimstone. ) Or at least, no one who'd turn on the other outsiders? ( Another pause. ) For ... no ... reason? So we should be fine. And I'm better at putting out fires now. I know when to use water and when to smother it! Also, we have sprinklers here.
( DON'T ASK HOW HE KNOWS. )
no subject
Date: 12/28/24 05:14 (UTC)There's plenty of that crap running around Neo Tokyo. They wouldn't dare show their faces here.
[Mostly because the majority of the Outsiders could kick their asses. Bakugo's rather proud of how strong Everlight is, though the dorm has some reputation for including "hero" types.]
Haa? Why wouldn't this place have sprinklers?! [They're right there on the ceiling, along with smoke alarms! Bakugo shoves another piece into his mouth.] You set something on fire, didn't you.
[Totally asking how he knows.]
no subject
Date: 12/28/24 12:30 (UTC)( A drawn out, overly exaggerated o sound. He absolutely set something on fire. ) But a lot of places back home don't. The ships do, and the labs, for like, safety? But houses and bars and places don't. I guess this place is like a lab though, so that makes sense. Considering how many of us have bad habits though, you'd think they wouldn't be in the bedrooms.
( He means smoking. It brings the flickering ghost of Wolfwood back around, shoulders deflating just a little before he fully rallies again. )
Anyway, I'm going to be super careful when I learn. We don't have to worry about that.
no subject
Date: 12/28/24 21:42 (UTC)[You expect him to trust your "no" when it's drawn out like a suspicious fucker compensating for his own guilt?! Bakugo scowls around his chopsticks and fixes Vash with a Look that says he's not buying shit. Jumping into his own world isn't going to distract him from the initial question. Not surprising Vash's world doesn't have the warnings in its old western steampunk like setting. But Neo Tokyo's technologically advanced enough to have them in plenty of residences.]
Bad habits? [What the hell is someone doing in the room that would set off a smoke detect- Oh. Wolfwood and his chain-smoking clouds. Realization dawns on his face and Bakugo brushes the topic aside.] Let'm get drenched.
[He has a low opinion on smokers. Nasty stupid habit. There are better ways to kill yourself.]
I already told you I'll be there; you're not gonna fuck up on anything.
[No smoke, no fire, no mistakes. Even if Vash is simply getting used to the motions and Bakugo's directions, he'll be fine.]
JUST THIS FACE he's so grumpy.
Date: 12/29/24 16:57 (UTC)Okay, okay. I trust you. And when I learn for good you're gonna have to let me return the favour, all right? It's about time I really tried to pick up a new skill. Maybe I've been getting lazy.
( Hardly, but he hasn't had all this free time before. He's usually always moving. )
Teach me your favourites!
some say it's a charm point
Date: 12/30/24 01:08 (UTC)He's still gonna body slam any kid trying to bite him. Self-defense against those little monsters.]
Oh yeah? What're you gonna teach me?
[It's taunting but... also genuine curiosity. Vash is a skilled gunman, he knows that, so what other talents is he hiding under all the red and black?]
Che. If I feel like it.
[His favorites. They're mostly spicy.]
he's cute ilhim
Date: 12/30/24 15:02 (UTC)( What could he teach? He knows a lot of different things. There's the obvious, but Bakugo has his own skills. He doesn't need a gun. Vash buys himself time with another mouthful of food, chewing slowly as he thinks. )
Whittling? Or, hm, sewing. I know how to do that. I've had to patch a lot of clothes so that one was pretty early on. I've been doing some gardening here too, but I'm hardly skilled at that yet. It's been fun though.
( Humming. ) I'll think about it. Make a list.
don't call him cute, dammit! rawr! (he is cute)
Date: 12/30/24 20:21 (UTC)I know how to sew. [As a little tot, he'd bring his torn clothes to his mom or dad for mending. But once he started wanting to do adult stuff to impress his friends, he demanded to learn how to sew so he could rely on himself. Patching, mending, that sort of thing. He doesn't know enough to make a fucking shirt or anything...]
You know how to whittle?
squishes his cheeks.
Date: 12/31/24 16:57 (UTC)( He wiggles his metal fingers in explanation before unscrewing the lid of his water. )
I met a guy in a bar who showed me some of the basics and then I taught myself a little more after I moved on. It was more productive than the physical therapy Luida wanted me to do. It had stuff at the end of it, you know? And kids love little figurines. I haven't done a whole lot of it since I got here. Maybe because there's more to do. The arcade. And looking after the orphans. I don't like using up resources people might need either, and I know a whole bunch of stuff is fairly scarce here. So I might take up a new craft.
boom!
Date: 12/31/24 22:24 (UTC)[Meaning wood's not the easiest commodity to come by. Then again, he doubts soap's all that common either. Sand or rock being the remaining option. He doubts Vash would use bone. Red eyes flick to metal fingers, watching them flutter in the air. Hmph, guess it's not a bad skill to work on.]
There's a shitload of wood outside the city. The world's overgrown already.
[They saw that much when they left for Tokyo Disney and traveled highway after highway. Shrouded in mist while green leaves poured over guardrails on either side, reaching onto pavement in attempts to swallow it completely into the woods swarming around and beneath. Vash has ample supply of lumber out there if he wants to gather material.]
no subject
Date: 1/1/25 18:02 (UTC)( It would be useful, and a good way to help people. )
Maybe if I got good enough I could sell things. I've been looking into ways of making more money for the orphanage.
no subject
Date: 1/1/25 18:31 (UTC)[Reusing for something else what would have gone to trash anyways. Salvaged and transformed.]
Start with the carvings and see if there's interest.
[He doubts Vash moving into furniture making would be that profitable. Most people seem to be set up in this world with their own furniture. But keep that in the back of his mind for a backup plan.]
Tch, LILITH made a mistake bringing those kids here. We don't have the resources to comfortably support them.
[In his opinion.]
no subject
Date: 1/1/25 18:44 (UTC)( He just hopes it's enough. )
How long have you been here, Bakugo? Longer than me, maybe? Does LILITH do this often? Act without thinking?
guess what i found while carting past ac -- SORRY FOR THE DROP!!
Date: 2/23/25 00:23 (UTC)Ah well, wondering about that shit won't do anyone any good. Bakugo throws the thoughts away. There are more important current things to put his mind to task.]
Hmph, you guys wanna babysit, go for it. I'm not handling those brats.
[Given the caring people like Yato, Vash, Hiyori, Eresh, they'll be fine.]
This month makes a year. They like to salvage anything they can after kaiju battles.
[But kids?!]