( Well, that works, too. Less exciting, but probably better. He guesses! )
Fine, fine. But if you get us caught, we'll both be arrested.
I'm... On the third level of the Nest, between the sweets shop and the sex toy shop that seems to focus on bizarre shapes. There's a little alleyway where I'm crouched, but I may have to move soon, since they're patrolling all over. I can see three from here alone.
How very like a hero of you to say. You'll see; I'm a "transgressor," after all.
( As his brand says. Esikko is where he says he is, but he doesn't last there for long. Sure enough, one of the security guards scans down this hallway, and when Esikko is spotted, he's forced to dart out from his hiding spot, ducking from one attempted grab at him and scrambling past. The commotion is enough to draw other guards over, a slow reaction rippling across the excessive number of them reporting to a potential theft.
He's caught by the open end of the handcuffs dangling from his left wrist, jerking him to a stop, but he leans back, yanking and trying to keep his other arm out of reach. Bakugo might be able to catch the tail end, or at least the gist, of the shouted conversation whenever he does approach— guards accusing this transgressor of theft, saying it was reported by multiple staff members, and Esikko pointing out that he's not even holding anything.
Always a magnet for trouble, it seems! But hey, he's able to use some tai chi here to flip this guy onto the floor, yanking the handcuff (and therefore his wrist) free before darting into the nearest store. It's the sex toy one, but look, he can't be picky. )
Oy, are you guilty or not, idiot?! I'm not rescuing your ass if you actually stole something!
[Finding Esikko is easy. The trip there takes some time, but Bakugo puts effort into it, blasting through the halls in a blinding flurry of explosions. He keeps to the ceiling, using the watch on his wrist and his own months of memorizing the resort layout and exploring to navigate his way to the Nest floor. Commotion, guards yelling, of course that's where the damn prince is gonna be.
Luckily he arrives just in time to see Esikko successfully use a tai chi move to deposit one of the larger guards to the floor, and there's no hiding the grin of pride on Bakugo's face at the sight. It's not even pride in himself for teaching Esikko, but 100% smug that the "frail" man has regained enough strength and confidence to fight back successfully.
Alas, his pink-haired companion never makes it to the sex toy store. Because a strong arm hooks right around his middle and KA-BOOM! takes him off the floor amid a hall-clearing explosion. Bakugo's pure talent with his Quirk means he met Esikko's body with his arm slightly ahead of his own body's speed and thus scooped him into his hold rather than clotheslining him ala linebacker.
They are gone fucking gone within two seconds, nothing but smoke and blinded guards blown ass over teakettle around that patch of shopping center.
What, did Esikko expect anything but expert efficiency from Bakugo? He touches them down with a hook-like motion and small pop halls away from the guards. Unless the entire floor's swarming with them, they're safe.
( The arm hooked around him is so shocking that Esikko reaches to grab at it right away, worried that it might be a guard— but they're moving too quickly for that to be the case, and the sound of the explosion behind them hits him belatedly. By the time they touch down, he's got a good enough grasp on the situation, letting out a heavy sigh and trying to ease himself down from brief motion sickness. )
Thank you. I didn't steal anything, you see? Not a thing on me! I was shopping.
( For shitty premade meals, of all things. His voice is kept low, eyes flicking back towards the commotion. There are a stupid number of guards, but Bakugo was able to get them away so quickly that it hardly matters— none of them have noticed where he's gone. They're all just yelling things about him potentially having weapons, now.
He lifts a hand to scrub at his face, the shitty dangling pair of fuzzy handcuffs swinging along with the motion. )
What a pain. I thought this stupid mark was just an insult, but it seems to have enough influence on the staff for them all to doubt me.
[If those bastards can't trail the obvious smoke everywhere, that's their issue. Then again, Bakugo used a zigzag route and crossed hallways to "tie" the smoke trail together in the process, making knots and filling the area with obscuring clouds. Tracking them would be difficult, even as he mentally ridicules the guards for not being able to handle "difficult" without a problem. Bastards.
Once they're down, he lets Eiskko go, putting his hands on his hips and watching the guy with his head canted and expression scrunched in scrutiny. Yeah, Bakugo's checking his arms and pockets for contraband while he makes sure the prince isn't injured from his escape attempts.]
And that's the mark the resort gave you for fucking with its walls.
[Roots, whatever. He was aware of Esikko's attempts, but stayed out of it for the most part. Sure, he hoped it'd fucking work, but was he surprised it didn't? Not really. This place obviously captured people before them and Esikko can't be the only one who thought to magic an offense. Besides, people ended up dealing with alternates anyways.]
You should put a bandage over it or wear a scarf. [With that, he snatches Esikko's hand and starts stuffing the guy's shirt hem under the thickest part of the handcuff (after rotating said cuffs so said thickest part is resting on the outer side of his wrist).
It was while I was trying to buy a scarf that I first noticed this, anyway. That, or a bandage... I suppose they could work in a pinch, but I'm not about to walk around here looking like an idiot, either.
( Unfortunately, he cares about his appearance, and the idea of a big bandage covering half of his neck sounds terrible. The scarf might be easier if the resort starts reflecting winter in any capacity, though...
What he doesn't say is "I wanted to see if you'd come help." It's clear he would, after all, clear that he did— and as Esikko watches him shove the cloth between the handcuff and his skin, he stays still to let him work, curious and a little distracted. )
Anyway, yes. It appeared after I used my magic. I thought it might go away after the other punishments, but it never did, so I suppose it's just an eyesore.
How the hell did you not notice it?! I saw it at the damn costume party! [Unless that one was a fake and suddenly this one was real. Bakugo scowls at the mark, knowing he saw something there under Esikko's hair. Even when it was straight and obviously curtaining his neck on that side.]
You wanna look like an idiot or get accosted for doing nothing? [Again, he can always wear his hair long, or get a wig, buy a hoodie, make a scarf look fucking trendy, wear those stackable chokers. Bakugo pushes open the stairway door and gestures with a tilt of his head to get inside. The sounds of guards aren't decreasing, so they should leave.
Before he has to blow up another bunch of morons.
Does Bakugo get that Esikko might've done this on purpose to test him? Not really. If he did, Esikko would be dealing with the guards while the blonde sat nearby and watched like a grade A jerkass. Don't play him...]
It's not only an eyesore if it's calling the damn guards to you.
[Once they're in the stairwell, down a flight, with the door shut, Bakugo takes Esikko's wrist again. Heat seeps off his free hand as he charges up an explosion in his palm, then touches the heel of his palm to the jutting part of the handcuff. With the shirt hems serving to protect Esikko's wrist from direct heat, Bakugo uses the tiny "carpet" of explosions on his hand to more or less weld the handcuff part until it'd glowing hot. Then a small explosion "boom!" breaks right through the weakened metal.
Whereupon he instantly grabs it, yanks it open/off, and wrenches the hem off from Esikko's wrist. Because damn right it's starting to burn, which he instantly crushes between his fist to stamp out any tiny flames or heat. Luckily nothing got through to the prince's skin, though he'll probably have some sweat and a hot flast on the surrounding area for a minute or two. Blow on it. Nothing's damaged. No apologies about burning the shirt.]
Oh— no, I meant I tried to buy a scarf as soon as I noticed it. Today was food.
( It was never a test for Bakugo so much as a test for himself. It's clear that Esikko is in an odd mood, since he'd normally correct that statement with a little more emotion one way or the other— annoyance, if he was having a bad day, or playfulness, if he felt like teasing him. Instead, it falls out a little too simply, and though the heat of fire dances close to his skin, he doesn't react more than a brief furrowing of his brows as he watches. His opposite hand reaches to touch at the charred ends of his sleeve, eyes staring but unfocused as he does. )
Thanks for that, too.
( The handcuffs were an optional thing, one he'd never asked Bakugo to help with, and still he did. But that makes sense, doesn't it? It's not because it's him, Esikko, but because it's Bakugo, an apparent "hero" who would do it for anyone. Is that the answer he was looking for? )
Do you suppose it might have been a mistake? Messing with the House to try and create paths home.
( The question comes out of nowhere, but now that they're away enough from the guards, Esikko shifts to take a seat on one of the steps of the stairway. Strange. The feeling in his chest is strange, and why is he bothering Bakugo with it? Maybe because he thinks that, with everything else, he wouldn't just walk away? It's a little pathetic. He rubs at his freed wrist now. )
[If he bought one earlier, why wasn't he wearing it? Esikko sounded like he experienced this before. Bakugo picks up the handcuffs from the floor, then kicks a few tiny pieces of cooling slag into the corner of the stairwell. No point in leaving them there to burn a hole in the carpet. The janitor can clean the corner later. Bakugo clicks his tongue in annoyance when Esikko thanks him. Not dismissal, but more-]
I owe you a new shirt.
[Even if it was sacrificed for Esikko's safety, he did it without asking or permission. Rather than letting the guy hold it over his head (or let him skip out on it, Bakugo puts himself under that problem. He hates feeling indebted to people or like he owes them something. For now, he pockets the handcuffs, intending to trash them later. Damn pink things. Who the hell runs around with pink handcuffs if you're security detail?
Oy, don't get self-conscious over Bakugo's heroics. He did it because he' a hero and because it's Esikko. If Esikko handcuffed himself to a banister for the shit and giggle of it, the hero would've walked the fuck off and left him there. Irritation teams under his skin at the idea of the guards locking Esikko for a crime he never committed.]
No. [Zero hesitation on that answer.] Any chance we can get to rip this place open, we should take. I tried blowing open the ceiling my first week here. [Even after Hiyori told him it was pointless, he still drove his strongest attack right into the fucking "sky" overhead. And proved the idol right, much to Bakugo's rage.] You're still trying to get home. Don't ever give up on that.
( The admission comes after a bit of a pause. He's busy rolling all of Bakugo's words around in his head. The idea that he's concerned enough to offer him a new shirt instead of Esikko having to pester him for it later, the insistence that this was some noble cause, or the right thing, even though— )
And hardly anyone seemed to appreciate it. One person. The one who only speaks to me in the hopes that I'll find a way home, anyway. He seemed appreciative, I suppose, but...
( He wrings his wrist with his opposite hand, taking in a slow breath as he considers his words. Nothing sounds right in his head. No amount of crafting his sentences can manage to get across what he wants to express, to the point where he's unsure if he even understands it, himself. And so, he shakes his head, dropping his wrist again to instead reach up and twirl a finger through a pink lock of hair. )
There's nothing for me at home, so I was planning on trying somewhere else. Not that it mattered, since nothing worked quite right. Anyway— you know, I had more people angry with me or calling me an idiot than supporting it. So I wanted an unbiased opinion. That's all.
[He's heard that sentiment before. The first time pissed him off, but after enough experiences with people here, Bakugo came to understand why some don't want to leave. Obviously if their lives back home are shit compared to their lives here, who the hell would want to return? With their worlds paused, nothing negative happens to the events left behind. Esikko's admission doesn't surprise him, even with what little he knows of his past.]
Fucking extras. Of course they're gonna bitch at you because of the aftereffects. [The house's backlash upended a lot of people's lives for a while. As it does with all the other events in this shithole.] If nothing bad happened, more people would've been encouraged.
[So he thinks. When bad shit happens, people blame a scapegoat, especially the person who caused it. Bakugo tilts his head and heads down the stairs, silently telling Esikko to come with him. He intends to find a bathroom to wash off the guy's wrist, then maybe find a convenience store to get him a spare shirt for the time being.]
They're idiots. Just because they fucking like it here doesn't mean their slutty lives gives them the damn right to keep the rest of us imprisoned! I didn't ask to get kidnapped here! If anyone gets in my way of going home, I'll blow them apart.
[No, Esikko. Bakugo is extremely biased. But he's on the side of people who want to go back home. So he supports the prince's attempts to try.]
( There's a mild sort of exasperation in his words, but he can't say he hates that way of thinking. If anything, he's a little envious of it— both Bakugo and Hiyori were straightforward and determined in the way that they thought, and the way that they wanted to go home. For them, to go live their happy little lives, and for Dabi, to go feel satisfied ending his own— is that what he's doing this for?
Esikko frowns a little to himself, but he pushes himself up and off of the step he'd been sitting on to follow after Bakugo once more. )
Well, it's not as if it killed me. I can't say I know for certain why I'm bothering, but should you ever get curious about details I've learned or what exactly I tried, I suppose I could go over it with you. Hiyori knows to some extent, as well, if you know him.
[Bakugo has changed his mindset about the idea somewhat. Rather than his initial rage demanding everyone go the fuck home, he's now accepted some people do have better lives here. Should he get his wish, he'll want to find a way to give people the option of returning home or staying, undoing the imprisonment forcing people to stay. Then it will be up to everyone else on what they want to do, without interfering with another.
It's that simple. You control your own damn future.]
I've talked with Parrot a lot about getting out of this shithole.
[Bakugo glowers at the air in front him, mood soured not by Esikko, but the blunt reminder of his own shackles here. As he said before, he tried to escape his own way and failed. Outside of attacking the staff repeatedly and making himself the greatest nuance the resort's ever seen until they have to send him home, there's not much else he can do.]
...Parrot? ( He can't help but laugh at that, a genuine thing that bubbles out of nowhere. He wasn't expecting to get a laugh in today, so it's kind of nice. ) You call him Parrot? That's so fitting.
( With his laugh fading out, though, he shifts to push the door of the stairwell open, poking his head out for a moment to check for any security before deeming it safe enough to move. )
I can share plenty, but I'm not sure how much will make sense to you. What if I showed you an example? Of my magic, that is, and explained alongside it.
[Bakugo glances back when Esikko laughs. Expected? Not exactly. He's used to people huffing or rolling their eyes (not that he cares) when he calls them things like that. At least Esikko thinks it's fitting.] No shit. That's what I told him.
[He nudges Esikko in the butt to make him go forward after the guy blocks the door. Move, dumbass. if there are guards out there, he'll wreck them until they get the hell out of his sight.]
Fine. Get on with it. Magic doesn't exist in my world, so do whatever you need to.
[How hard can it be to explain? Punch a hole through something. Magic a door. Force the creature to regurgitate them. Spit it out.]
( He scoffs at that, giving a little swat of his hand back at the prodding even if it does work to get him to move faster. It looks like there aren't any in this area, though the commotion from the higher levels is still causing a lot of yelling from upstairs. Still, there are plenty of shops on this level and any of the others below them in this huge shopping center at the core of the hotel. )
It's not that simple. Magic like mine requires a setup, so I can't simply stop here and do it. I need to gather supplies, make sure I have enough stamina for it, and select a spot that's out of the way...
( He has no idea where they're even going, and so he falls back a little to allow Bakugo to take the lead, busy getting lost in his thoughts over this anyway. )
I can probably just use you as a demonstration. Your line of fate, that is. There's no clearer way to explain than to have it directly tied to yourself, right? And before you ask, it wouldn't do you any harm or change or anything.
[They're down a floor or two, so there are less guards. Bakugo glances up, lips curling in a sneer. They're still making noise up there? Bastards. It's like they don't have anything better to do than chase after someone who wasn't shoplifting in the first place. Another floor, another set of stores. As long as Esikko isn't plastered on wanted posters or something, they should be fine to start looking around again.]
What the hell... Then just tell me! [There's a difference between 'show' requiring all that set up and simply explaining to him what happened! If it's complex, then he'll ask some questions and figure it out on his own. They can magic example some other day.
As for where they're going, Bakugo's looking for a simple clothing store so they can procure Esikko a scarf and a new shirt. He's got plenty of clothing vouchers thanks to running the arcade.]
You've said a lot of shit and none of it's explained anything so far. [Bakugo looks at Esikko's neck again, frowning at how visible the mark is. If that's going to cause some trouble, they should cover it up before heading into a store...]
( There's frustration in his voice, but maybe it's unfair, to assume this much. Magic is important to him— he could ramble on for ages about it, his interest slipping through in sparkling eyes and excited rushes of his words, skipping accidentally over details that are relevant to someone clueless to it all. But Bakugo is bright, he knows, and so maybe his desire to show rather than tell is just the antsy feeling slowly eating him up lately wanting some sort of outlet.
It doesn't actually help anyone. He frowns to himself, fingers lifting to brush his hair a little more over the brand on his neck, but it doesn't quite manage. )
If you think of the House like a tree, it has a base, and below that, a large system of roots reaching in every direction. Those roots connect the suits, us inhabitants, and our home realms, in varying ways. I ripped up those "roots" and changed where they connected, causing changes in suits, memories, and even reality bleeding.
The House seemed to be angry, with how it screamed throughout that week. I almost was able to tear reality enough to make some of those home pathways visible, accessible— but I failed, and everything snapped back to normal, and I was punished.
( His eyes stare ahead, only occasionally sliding to check Bakugo as they move. Thankfully, no one has noticed him or his brand on this level so far. )
Cause you haven't fucking tried explaining anything!
[Only talked about how it would be difficult to explain and then offered to do a physical example that would take a long time to set up! Either Esikko doesn't trust his own ability to talk about his powers or there's something else going on. Bakugo doesn't mind show over tell so long as showing doesn't take a shit load more time than telling. Otherwise, spit it out and let him ask questions he doesn't get! He'll figure it out; he's smart.
Yeah they're not gonna get through the store without someone seeing that mark and making more trouble. So without even asking, Bakugo catches Esikko by the shoulder, stops him, and then promptly rips the sleeve of his shirt clean off! Shut up, it's already ruined. He's getting a new one right now so deal with it. This place has seen worse.]
What the hell? Start with that next time, you dumbass! It makes enough sense.
[He doesn't even have to understand deeper magic meaning to get what Esikko tried to do. Even if the reality is more complex than that, it works out analogy wise. Bakugo ties the sleeve around Esikko's neck in a makeshift cloth choker accessory. Even tucks the torn end under the "band" so it looks smart enough to pass for as casual piece.]
Your attempt proves the house is a sentient thing. You pissed it off by messing with a potential weakness. Now we can build on that in the future.
[If they want to go after the House, they'll likely need to focus on the roots. Aka: the basement... Anyways, Bakugo heads into the store, keeping Esikko close as he heads for the clothing department.]
Everyone else I've told just told me they didn't understand, so— hey!
( His quiet muttering is interrupted by the rip of his sleeve, and this is so noticeable that he's quick to react to it. His free hand reaches up to clutch at his opposite and now bare arm, expression somewhere between flustered and angry. )
What do you think you're doing, just ripping it off like that?! This looks ridiculous! ( Even as Bakugo comes to tie that around his neck, and even as he allows him, he's complaining about it, the tips of his ears turning red as he huffs about it. He repeats: ) This looks ridiculous.
( Appearance matters. But regardless of his yelling, Bakugo leads them into a store, and Esikko can only follow, eyes darting left and right like he's nervous about being perceived like this. The makeshift choker works— no one gives them a second glance, other than to give the judgmental sort of looks that any lower ranked guests get. Those can you really afford this place? type stares. )
—you're buying me a shirt, right? That's why we're in here? You can't go on about me explaining things properly when you can't even say your own plans, you idiot. How am I supposed to focus on shopping when I look like this?
[Said in a finalized tone that his explanation covers everything. Morons. Yep. No one knows for sure what the Peacock is, so having some finite analogy to grasp at is better than a nebulous idea no one can focus on. He appreciates Esikko's efforts and would have backed him up if he had a way to do so. But without magic... nope!]
Half your fucking hem is burnt and you're gonna bitch about going sleeveless? [Bakugo shoots Esikko a taunting leer as if the guy should've known his plan before he even ripped it. Now hold still or else he'll make that fashionable choker a size tighter. It's amusing this is what embarrasses Esikko so badly. Fitting though.]
Deal with it. It's better than triggering the guards again. [He's unfortunately gotten used to the looks of other store workers for his rank. So long as they don't bother him or refuse his service, he's quick and curt with his business before leaving. Look down on him at your peril.]
I already told you I owe you a shirt and we're in a clothing store! What the fuck do you think I'm doing?! [Come on, Esikko. You can plan magically yanking peacock roots and you can't follow that basic line of logic?! Ugh. At least Bakugo isn't taking them to chalky t-shirts. He's going to a more formal area. Button downs of different fabrics.] You like softer material, right? Silk or polyester.
( In response to him making it sound so obvious— which, in retrospect, he supposes it is— he reaches out and lightly whaps his hand against the side of Bakugo's arm. The force is enough to express his annoyance, but of course with his wimpy little arms, probably feels like being hit with a stuffed animal... But the point is still there!! )
What the— what is polyester?
( Silk he knows. Polyester, though? That must be how some of these fancy cloths are made, he supposes? Stepping ahead, he reaches to thumb through a few of the shirts, mouth curved downward into a frown of focus. )
These are all so exotic. ( western???? he means western. but he's always like this. He naturally gravitates towards the fancier stuff despite how foreign it all is, holding out the sleeve of one button-up to examine it closer. ) What do you think suits me? Since you're already bothering with this.
[Cause he'll finish it. Even if it means tying Esikko up inside one of those ring racks of clothes. At least he doesn't round on the guy, content to be a smug brat about getting on Esikko's nerves. Of course it's obvious! Should've seen that already. Bakugo quirks a brow when Esikko questions the material.]
Huh? I thought you knew clothes!
[Apparently not. Bakugo leaves Esikko to brows through that selection and rifles through another group of shirts before returning with three dangling from his fingers. Hearing these things called "exotic" is weird. In his mind, what Esikko normally wears is exotic.]
Ruffles and frills, but I'm not buying that. [Cravats and mandarin collars. Fancy shit. He holds out the shirts he found. Button downs with firmer collars.] This one's polyester, this one's faux silk, and this one's rayon.
I do know clothes. But my world must be very different from yours and this one, that's all. I don't know... these other fabrics.
( He turns to observe the choices now, reaching out to touch at these shirts next. Faux silk is nowhere near as nice as real silk, but he's long since allowed himself to put up with lesser quality in this place. Still, it's interesting, knowing the names for these things he's been seeing, even if he has no idea what they mean. He can feel the difference, at least, and he frowns in his focus as he tries to decide which one he can tolerate the most.
For the moment, at least, he's forgotten that he looks ridiculous. )
Also, you were supposed to say everything suits me. ( Esikko. ) Mm, I don't know... It's one shirt, I suppose, so not that fake silk. One of the other two.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 11/6/24 03:09 (UTC)Fine, fine. But if you get us caught, we'll both be arrested.
I'm... On the third level of the Nest, between the sweets shop and the sex toy shop that seems to focus on bizarre shapes. There's a little alleyway where I'm crouched, but I may have to move soon, since they're patrolling all over. I can see three from here alone.
no subject
Date: 11/6/24 03:15 (UTC)How the fuck are they gonna arrest us for nothing?
[If Esikko didn't steal anything, there's no damn charge!]
I'm heading there now.
no subject
Date: 11/6/24 03:25 (UTC)( As his brand says. Esikko is where he says he is, but he doesn't last there for long. Sure enough, one of the security guards scans down this hallway, and when Esikko is spotted, he's forced to dart out from his hiding spot, ducking from one attempted grab at him and scrambling past. The commotion is enough to draw other guards over, a slow reaction rippling across the excessive number of them reporting to a potential theft.
He's caught by the open end of the handcuffs dangling from his left wrist, jerking him to a stop, but he leans back, yanking and trying to keep his other arm out of reach. Bakugo might be able to catch the tail end, or at least the gist, of the shouted conversation whenever he does approach— guards accusing this transgressor of theft, saying it was reported by multiple staff members, and Esikko pointing out that he's not even holding anything.
Always a magnet for trouble, it seems! But hey, he's able to use some tai chi here to flip this guy onto the floor, yanking the handcuff (and therefore his wrist) free before darting into the nearest store. It's the sex toy one, but look, he can't be picky. )
no subject
Date: 11/6/24 04:22 (UTC)[Finding Esikko is easy. The trip there takes some time, but Bakugo puts effort into it, blasting through the halls in a blinding flurry of explosions. He keeps to the ceiling, using the watch on his wrist and his own months of memorizing the resort layout and exploring to navigate his way to the Nest floor. Commotion, guards yelling, of course that's where the damn prince is gonna be.
Luckily he arrives just in time to see Esikko successfully use a tai chi move to deposit one of the larger guards to the floor, and there's no hiding the grin of pride on Bakugo's face at the sight. It's not even pride in himself for teaching Esikko, but 100% smug that the "frail" man has regained enough strength and confidence to fight back successfully.
Alas, his pink-haired companion never makes it to the sex toy store. Because a strong arm hooks right around his middle and KA-BOOM! takes him off the floor amid a hall-clearing explosion. Bakugo's pure talent with his Quirk means he met Esikko's body with his arm slightly ahead of his own body's speed and thus scooped him into his hold rather than clotheslining him ala linebacker.
They are gone fucking gone within two seconds, nothing but smoke and blinded guards blown ass over teakettle around that patch of shopping center.
What, did Esikko expect anything but expert efficiency from Bakugo? He touches them down with a hook-like motion and small pop halls away from the guards. Unless the entire floor's swarming with them, they're safe.
Still, they're by the stairwell.]
no subject
Date: 11/6/24 04:47 (UTC)Thank you. I didn't steal anything, you see? Not a thing on me! I was shopping.
( For shitty premade meals, of all things. His voice is kept low, eyes flicking back towards the commotion. There are a stupid number of guards, but Bakugo was able to get them away so quickly that it hardly matters— none of them have noticed where he's gone. They're all just yelling things about him potentially having weapons, now.
He lifts a hand to scrub at his face, the shitty dangling pair of fuzzy handcuffs swinging along with the motion. )
What a pain. I thought this stupid mark was just an insult, but it seems to have enough influence on the staff for them all to doubt me.
no subject
Date: 11/6/24 20:39 (UTC)Once they're down, he lets Eiskko go, putting his hands on his hips and watching the guy with his head canted and expression scrunched in scrutiny. Yeah, Bakugo's checking his arms and pockets for contraband while he makes sure the prince isn't injured from his escape attempts.]
And that's the mark the resort gave you for fucking with its walls.
[Roots, whatever. He was aware of Esikko's attempts, but stayed out of it for the most part. Sure, he hoped it'd fucking work, but was he surprised it didn't? Not really. This place obviously captured people before them and Esikko can't be the only one who thought to magic an offense. Besides, people ended up dealing with alternates anyways.]
You should put a bandage over it or wear a scarf. [With that, he snatches Esikko's hand and starts stuffing the guy's shirt hem under the thickest part of the handcuff (after rotating said cuffs so said thickest part is resting on the outer side of his wrist).
Damn right he's gonna get it off him.]
no subject
Date: 11/12/24 04:39 (UTC)( Unfortunately, he cares about his appearance, and the idea of a big bandage covering half of his neck sounds terrible. The scarf might be easier if the resort starts reflecting winter in any capacity, though...
What he doesn't say is "I wanted to see if you'd come help." It's clear he would, after all, clear that he did— and as Esikko watches him shove the cloth between the handcuff and his skin, he stays still to let him work, curious and a little distracted. )
Anyway, yes. It appeared after I used my magic. I thought it might go away after the other punishments, but it never did, so I suppose it's just an eyesore.
no subject
Date: 11/12/24 22:33 (UTC)You wanna look like an idiot or get accosted for doing nothing? [Again, he can always wear his hair long, or get a wig, buy a hoodie, make a scarf look fucking trendy, wear those stackable chokers. Bakugo pushes open the stairway door and gestures with a tilt of his head to get inside. The sounds of guards aren't decreasing, so they should leave.
Before he has to blow up another bunch of morons.
Does Bakugo get that Esikko might've done this on purpose to test him? Not really. If he did, Esikko would be dealing with the guards while the blonde sat nearby and watched like a grade A jerkass. Don't play him...]
It's not only an eyesore if it's calling the damn guards to you.
[Once they're in the stairwell, down a flight, with the door shut, Bakugo takes Esikko's wrist again. Heat seeps off his free hand as he charges up an explosion in his palm, then touches the heel of his palm to the jutting part of the handcuff. With the shirt hems serving to protect Esikko's wrist from direct heat, Bakugo uses the tiny "carpet" of explosions on his hand to more or less weld the handcuff part until it'd glowing hot. Then a small explosion "boom!" breaks right through the weakened metal.
Whereupon he instantly grabs it, yanks it open/off, and wrenches the hem off from Esikko's wrist. Because damn right it's starting to burn, which he instantly crushes between his fist to stamp out any tiny flames or heat. Luckily nothing got through to the prince's skin, though he'll probably have some sweat and a hot flast on the surrounding area for a minute or two. Blow on it. Nothing's damaged. No apologies about burning the shirt.]
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Date: 11/13/24 04:02 (UTC)( It was never a test for Bakugo so much as a test for himself. It's clear that Esikko is in an odd mood, since he'd normally correct that statement with a little more emotion one way or the other— annoyance, if he was having a bad day, or playfulness, if he felt like teasing him. Instead, it falls out a little too simply, and though the heat of fire dances close to his skin, he doesn't react more than a brief furrowing of his brows as he watches. His opposite hand reaches to touch at the charred ends of his sleeve, eyes staring but unfocused as he does. )
Thanks for that, too.
( The handcuffs were an optional thing, one he'd never asked Bakugo to help with, and still he did. But that makes sense, doesn't it? It's not because it's him, Esikko, but because it's Bakugo, an apparent "hero" who would do it for anyone. Is that the answer he was looking for? )
Do you suppose it might have been a mistake? Messing with the House to try and create paths home.
( The question comes out of nowhere, but now that they're away enough from the guards, Esikko shifts to take a seat on one of the steps of the stairway. Strange. The feeling in his chest is strange, and why is he bothering Bakugo with it? Maybe because he thinks that, with everything else, he wouldn't just walk away? It's a little pathetic. He rubs at his freed wrist now. )
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Date: 11/13/24 21:23 (UTC)[If he bought one earlier, why wasn't he wearing it? Esikko sounded like he experienced this before. Bakugo picks up the handcuffs from the floor, then kicks a few tiny pieces of cooling slag into the corner of the stairwell. No point in leaving them there to burn a hole in the carpet. The janitor can clean the corner later. Bakugo clicks his tongue in annoyance when Esikko thanks him. Not dismissal, but more-]
I owe you a new shirt.
[Even if it was sacrificed for Esikko's safety, he did it without asking or permission. Rather than letting the guy hold it over his head (or let him skip out on it, Bakugo puts himself under that problem. He hates feeling indebted to people or like he owes them something. For now, he pockets the handcuffs, intending to trash them later. Damn pink things. Who the hell runs around with pink handcuffs if you're security detail?
Oy, don't get self-conscious over Bakugo's heroics. He did it because he' a hero and because it's Esikko. If Esikko handcuffed himself to a banister for the shit and giggle of it, the hero would've walked the fuck off and left him there. Irritation teams under his skin at the idea of the guards locking Esikko for a crime he never committed.]
No. [Zero hesitation on that answer.] Any chance we can get to rip this place open, we should take. I tried blowing open the ceiling my first week here. [Even after Hiyori told him it was pointless, he still drove his strongest attack right into the fucking "sky" overhead. And proved the idol right, much to Bakugo's rage.] You're still trying to get home. Don't ever give up on that.
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Date: 11/16/24 09:13 (UTC)( The admission comes after a bit of a pause. He's busy rolling all of Bakugo's words around in his head. The idea that he's concerned enough to offer him a new shirt instead of Esikko having to pester him for it later, the insistence that this was some noble cause, or the right thing, even though— )
And hardly anyone seemed to appreciate it. One person. The one who only speaks to me in the hopes that I'll find a way home, anyway. He seemed appreciative, I suppose, but...
( He wrings his wrist with his opposite hand, taking in a slow breath as he considers his words. Nothing sounds right in his head. No amount of crafting his sentences can manage to get across what he wants to express, to the point where he's unsure if he even understands it, himself. And so, he shakes his head, dropping his wrist again to instead reach up and twirl a finger through a pink lock of hair. )
There's nothing for me at home, so I was planning on trying somewhere else. Not that it mattered, since nothing worked quite right. Anyway— you know, I had more people angry with me or calling me an idiot than supporting it. So I wanted an unbiased opinion. That's all.
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Date: 11/17/24 01:59 (UTC)Fucking extras. Of course they're gonna bitch at you because of the aftereffects. [The house's backlash upended a lot of people's lives for a while. As it does with all the other events in this shithole.] If nothing bad happened, more people would've been encouraged.
[So he thinks. When bad shit happens, people blame a scapegoat, especially the person who caused it. Bakugo tilts his head and heads down the stairs, silently telling Esikko to come with him. He intends to find a bathroom to wash off the guy's wrist, then maybe find a convenience store to get him a spare shirt for the time being.]
They're idiots. Just because they fucking like it here doesn't mean their slutty lives gives them the damn right to keep the rest of us imprisoned! I didn't ask to get kidnapped here! If anyone gets in my way of going home, I'll blow them apart.
[No, Esikko. Bakugo is extremely biased. But he's on the side of people who want to go back home. So he supports the prince's attempts to try.]
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Date: 11/17/24 03:21 (UTC)( There's a mild sort of exasperation in his words, but he can't say he hates that way of thinking. If anything, he's a little envious of it— both Bakugo and Hiyori were straightforward and determined in the way that they thought, and the way that they wanted to go home. For them, to go live their happy little lives, and for Dabi, to go feel satisfied ending his own— is that what he's doing this for?
Esikko frowns a little to himself, but he pushes himself up and off of the step he'd been sitting on to follow after Bakugo once more. )
Well, it's not as if it killed me. I can't say I know for certain why I'm bothering, but should you ever get curious about details I've learned or what exactly I tried, I suppose I could go over it with you. Hiyori knows to some extent, as well, if you know him.
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Date: 11/17/24 22:06 (UTC)[Bakugo has changed his mindset about the idea somewhat. Rather than his initial rage demanding everyone go the fuck home, he's now accepted some people do have better lives here. Should he get his wish, he'll want to find a way to give people the option of returning home or staying, undoing the imprisonment forcing people to stay. Then it will be up to everyone else on what they want to do, without interfering with another.
It's that simple. You control your own damn future.]
I've talked with Parrot a lot about getting out of this shithole.
[Bakugo glowers at the air in front him, mood soured not by Esikko, but the blunt reminder of his own shackles here. As he said before, he tried to escape his own way and failed. Outside of attacking the staff repeatedly and making himself the greatest nuance the resort's ever seen until they have to send him home, there's not much else he can do.]
Tell me everything you're comfortable with.
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Date: 11/18/24 04:43 (UTC)( With his laugh fading out, though, he shifts to push the door of the stairwell open, poking his head out for a moment to check for any security before deeming it safe enough to move. )
I can share plenty, but I'm not sure how much will make sense to you. What if I showed you an example? Of my magic, that is, and explained alongside it.
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Date: 11/19/24 01:42 (UTC)[He nudges Esikko in the butt to make him go forward after the guy blocks the door. Move, dumbass. if there are guards out there, he'll wreck them until they get the hell out of his sight.]
Fine. Get on with it. Magic doesn't exist in my world, so do whatever you need to.
[How hard can it be to explain? Punch a hole through something. Magic a door. Force the creature to regurgitate them. Spit it out.]
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Date: 11/19/24 02:25 (UTC)It's not that simple. Magic like mine requires a setup, so I can't simply stop here and do it. I need to gather supplies, make sure I have enough stamina for it, and select a spot that's out of the way...
( He has no idea where they're even going, and so he falls back a little to allow Bakugo to take the lead, busy getting lost in his thoughts over this anyway. )
I can probably just use you as a demonstration. Your line of fate, that is. There's no clearer way to explain than to have it directly tied to yourself, right? And before you ask, it wouldn't do you any harm or change or anything.
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Date: 11/19/24 19:23 (UTC)What the hell... Then just tell me! [There's a difference between 'show' requiring all that set up and simply explaining to him what happened! If it's complex, then he'll ask some questions and figure it out on his own. They can magic example some other day.
As for where they're going, Bakugo's looking for a simple clothing store so they can procure Esikko a scarf and a new shirt. He's got plenty of clothing vouchers thanks to running the arcade.]
You've said a lot of shit and none of it's explained anything so far. [Bakugo looks at Esikko's neck again, frowning at how visible the mark is. If that's going to cause some trouble, they should cover it up before heading into a store...]
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Date: 11/21/24 08:41 (UTC)( There's frustration in his voice, but maybe it's unfair, to assume this much. Magic is important to him— he could ramble on for ages about it, his interest slipping through in sparkling eyes and excited rushes of his words, skipping accidentally over details that are relevant to someone clueless to it all. But Bakugo is bright, he knows, and so maybe his desire to show rather than tell is just the antsy feeling slowly eating him up lately wanting some sort of outlet.
It doesn't actually help anyone. He frowns to himself, fingers lifting to brush his hair a little more over the brand on his neck, but it doesn't quite manage. )
If you think of the House like a tree, it has a base, and below that, a large system of roots reaching in every direction. Those roots connect the suits, us inhabitants, and our home realms, in varying ways. I ripped up those "roots" and changed where they connected, causing changes in suits, memories, and even reality bleeding.
The House seemed to be angry, with how it screamed throughout that week. I almost was able to tear reality enough to make some of those home pathways visible, accessible— but I failed, and everything snapped back to normal, and I was punished.
( His eyes stare ahead, only occasionally sliding to check Bakugo as they move. Thankfully, no one has noticed him or his brand on this level so far. )
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Date: 11/21/24 21:20 (UTC)[Only talked about how it would be difficult to explain and then offered to do a physical example that would take a long time to set up! Either Esikko doesn't trust his own ability to talk about his powers or there's something else going on. Bakugo doesn't mind show over tell so long as showing doesn't take a shit load more time than telling. Otherwise, spit it out and let him ask questions he doesn't get! He'll figure it out; he's smart.
Yeah they're not gonna get through the store without someone seeing that mark and making more trouble. So without even asking, Bakugo catches Esikko by the shoulder, stops him, and then promptly rips the sleeve of his shirt clean off! Shut up, it's already ruined. He's getting a new one right now so deal with it. This place has seen worse.]
What the hell? Start with that next time, you dumbass! It makes enough sense.
[He doesn't even have to understand deeper magic meaning to get what Esikko tried to do. Even if the reality is more complex than that, it works out analogy wise. Bakugo ties the sleeve around Esikko's neck in a makeshift cloth choker accessory. Even tucks the torn end under the "band" so it looks smart enough to pass for as casual piece.]
Your attempt proves the house is a sentient thing. You pissed it off by messing with a potential weakness. Now we can build on that in the future.
[If they want to go after the House, they'll likely need to focus on the roots. Aka: the basement... Anyways, Bakugo heads into the store, keeping Esikko close as he heads for the clothing department.]
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Date: 11/22/24 04:13 (UTC)( His quiet muttering is interrupted by the rip of his sleeve, and this is so noticeable that he's quick to react to it. His free hand reaches up to clutch at his opposite and now bare arm, expression somewhere between flustered and angry. )
What do you think you're doing, just ripping it off like that?! This looks ridiculous! ( Even as Bakugo comes to tie that around his neck, and even as he allows him, he's complaining about it, the tips of his ears turning red as he huffs about it. He repeats: ) This looks ridiculous.
( Appearance matters. But regardless of his yelling, Bakugo leads them into a store, and Esikko can only follow, eyes darting left and right like he's nervous about being perceived like this. The makeshift choker works— no one gives them a second glance, other than to give the judgmental sort of looks that any lower ranked guests get. Those can you really afford this place? type stares. )
—you're buying me a shirt, right? That's why we're in here? You can't go on about me explaining things properly when you can't even say your own plans, you idiot. How am I supposed to focus on shopping when I look like this?
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Date: 11/22/24 05:15 (UTC)[Said in a finalized tone that his explanation covers everything. Morons. Yep. No one knows for sure what the Peacock is, so having some finite analogy to grasp at is better than a nebulous idea no one can focus on. He appreciates Esikko's efforts and would have backed him up if he had a way to do so. But without magic... nope!]
Half your fucking hem is burnt and you're gonna bitch about going sleeveless? [Bakugo shoots Esikko a taunting leer as if the guy should've known his plan before he even ripped it. Now hold still or else he'll make that fashionable choker a size tighter. It's amusing this is what embarrasses Esikko so badly. Fitting though.]
Deal with it. It's better than triggering the guards again. [He's unfortunately gotten used to the looks of other store workers for his rank. So long as they don't bother him or refuse his service, he's quick and curt with his business before leaving. Look down on him at your peril.]
I already told you I owe you a shirt and we're in a clothing store! What the fuck do you think I'm doing?! [Come on, Esikko. You can plan magically yanking peacock roots and you can't follow that basic line of logic?! Ugh. At least Bakugo isn't taking them to chalky t-shirts. He's going to a more formal area. Button downs of different fabrics.] You like softer material, right? Silk or polyester.
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Date: 11/22/24 07:12 (UTC)What the— what is polyester?
( Silk he knows. Polyester, though? That must be how some of these fancy cloths are made, he supposes? Stepping ahead, he reaches to thumb through a few of the shirts, mouth curved downward into a frown of focus. )
These are all so exotic. ( western???? he means western. but he's always like this. He naturally gravitates towards the fancier stuff despite how foreign it all is, holding out the sleeve of one button-up to examine it closer. ) What do you think suits me? Since you're already bothering with this.
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Date: 11/23/24 01:22 (UTC)[Cause he'll finish it. Even if it means tying Esikko up inside one of those ring racks of clothes. At least he doesn't round on the guy, content to be a smug brat about getting on Esikko's nerves. Of course it's obvious! Should've seen that already. Bakugo quirks a brow when Esikko questions the material.]
Huh? I thought you knew clothes!
[Apparently not. Bakugo leaves Esikko to brows through that selection and rifles through another group of shirts before returning with three dangling from his fingers. Hearing these things called "exotic" is weird. In his mind, what Esikko normally wears is exotic.]
Ruffles and frills, but I'm not buying that. [Cravats and mandarin collars. Fancy shit. He holds out the shirts he found. Button downs with firmer collars.] This one's polyester, this one's faux silk, and this one's rayon.
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Date: 11/25/24 01:00 (UTC)( He turns to observe the choices now, reaching out to touch at these shirts next. Faux silk is nowhere near as nice as real silk, but he's long since allowed himself to put up with lesser quality in this place. Still, it's interesting, knowing the names for these things he's been seeing, even if he has no idea what they mean. He can feel the difference, at least, and he frowns in his focus as he tries to decide which one he can tolerate the most.
For the moment, at least, he's forgotten that he looks ridiculous. )
Also, you were supposed to say everything suits me. ( Esikko. ) Mm, I don't know... It's one shirt, I suppose, so not that fake silk. One of the other two.
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From:lets assume this part of the thread takes, uh... a while, haha!
From:LMAOOO it sure would! thanks bakugo :')
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