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.
[Bakugo watches Esikko move through the samples, using his fingers to feel material one after the other. He prefers looser things in his casual wear, athletic fabrics compared to the stiff, chalky things. Each one has their own benefits, but in a place like this, comfort is likely the only element of consideration when it comes to clothes. Perhaps how quick it is to ditch them, but he'll keep that stupid comment to himself before something untoward happens in the damn store.
At least it distracts Esikko from his gloom over his impromptu sleeve scarf. Maybe with the weather getting cooler, he should invest in one... Bakugo scans around the place they are, searching for any scarves nearby. Doubtful, but you never know. Esikko would probably prefer an ascot or something "frilly" instead.]
You couldn't pull off a denim jacket in your coffin. [And he's not a fucking liar.] They have other colors. C'mon. [And tilts his head to invite Esikko over to the rack he found them at.] Pick which one you want.
[He suspects pink but he's seen Esikko in whites, blacks, blues, and other colors.]
( He doesn't know the jeanist lore. But with that judgmental comment out there, he follows Bakugo along and swipes his hand through the clothing. He tries to keep his wardrobe interesting, but his favorite color to wear by far is red. That's why it's no surprise that he keeps gravitating towards the maroon color here at the end...
Hmm. But, in the end, he decides he wants to do something a little different, and chooses a sleek black one, finally holding it up to Bakugo. )
Okay, this one will do. They should let me change here if you pay, right?
[The irritated growl under his breath of that comment is 100% soaking with insinuation Bakugo knows exactly the kind of man who could do such a ridiculous thing. Not only a jacket. But a denim EVERYTHING!! He will NOT expand on Best Jeanist. Mostly because his mentor's fucking embarrassing and yet Bakugo respects him and wants no part in the nostalgia of remembering the man's injured figure trying to help him in the war... FUCK!! BEGONE!!
(Lookit, he even made Bakugo a denim version of his costume. What a good mentor.)
Bakugo focuses instead on Esikko's color choice. He doesn't know the guy's size, but starts to paw through the options and picking out the red-colored ones he can find. Cherry red, light red, maroon, burgundy, wine, blood red, fiery red, holiday red, whatever. Rayon and polyester. No silk though; they're not in that kind of store.]
Lemme see that. [Bakugo swipes the shirt and checks it out (for the size surreptitiously) then flips it around back to Esikko.] Yeah. Just keep the tag on it until we get outside.
( Esikko's eyebrows lift a little in his curiosity at that tone, but he ultimately leaves it for another day, humming in some sort of affirmative understanding, instead. With the official permission from Mr. Do-Gooder himself, he waves the shirt as he takes a few steps towards the changing rooms. )
Okay, then let me try this on.
( Too reserved for any public changing, he ducks into a dressing room stall and takes his time in switching from the torn one to this. He has to take a few spins looking in the mirror, after all, to make sure he likes how it's resting, or that he's left the correct number of buttons undone. ...Which means that, for now at least, he's left his stupid makeshift sleeve-choker in place beneath the shirt, deciding that he'd rather not risk this brand being visible before they've checked out and left.
So, he pops out again, the tag hanging easily from one of the sleeves as he steps out. )
Ta-dah~. ( Dryly, as he finds the shirt basic, he extends his arms for a brief little spin. But for all of this goofing around, he is smiling a little. ) Let's take care of this and get out of here already so I can take this stupid sleeve off of my neck.
[Sheesh! What a pain in the ass. Dictating his life as if Bakugo needs to be aware of each action. He's not going to abandon Esikko to the store while he's vanished in the changing room. That said... Bakugo is going to head to the front of the store for a few minutes as the other guest takes his time swapping out his shirt. Most people would likely take only a minute or two for such an action, but knowing Esikko, it'll take the guy close to five so he can get in all his posing and posturing to make sure the shirt looks good on him.
Bakugo's heading back towards the dressing room by the time Esikko emerges from the doorway, twisting to the side for threading between two racks of clothes. He pulls up short as the other man presents himself with a dry flourish. That would've been far more outlandish if he'd been in his preferred clothing, wouldn't it. Bakugo'll take that as a reprieve from something truly awkward. At least Esikko's smiling.]
I already paid. Here. [And drops a bag on Esikko's hand. Inside are three more shirts, two of rayon and another of polyester, so now he has a set of four, the worn one included. And-]
Shut up and take it. [-tosses a basic scarf around the guy's neck. It's gonna get cold going forward anyways. With that, Bakugo jerks his head to indicate they should get the hell out of here. Done with this story.]
( Buying him things??? Dangerous. Well— it completely catches him off guard, at first. The stunned sort of silence as he takes the bag and blinks as the scarf is thrown around his neck is a rare sight, one matched with the subtle tint of his cheeks in pink. He's quick to cover that up with a smile, though, slinking closer to link his free arm with Bakugo's, wrapping around it like he's a newly caught prize. )
You bought me more? Hehe.
( Touched. He is genuinely touched, but to admit that too genuinely is embarrassing, vulnerable, and it's so much easier to tease about it, to act like it's something he can confidently flaunt, as if he expected it at all. At the very least, he moves to walk with him out of the store, but his stubborn cling to that arm is earning them a few glances. As far as Esikko's concerned, if he can embarrass Bakugo a little, then it just means that his own embarrassment is less evident. So. )
How do you have that sort of money, at your low rank? You must be working so hard. ♪
[Don't link arms with him like they're some kind of chummy friends! Fuck! You're gonna give people the wrong idea! Dammit! Let go! (Not that he's doing much to pull away despite leaning to the side and barking at Esikko.)
The store owners are at least glad to see them leave so don't even bitch about Esikko walking out of the store with his shirt still bearing the tags. Bakugo told them there was one more in the changing room for purchase, so it's already paid for. Guess there's one good thing to be said about being a low rank. You're brushed out quickly.
This is only because he doesn't wanna be indebted to Esikko and the guy looks stupid with a sleeve scarf around his neck! That's all! Don't get the wrong idea! Dumbass! Bakugo shoves his hands into his pockets, letting Esikko keep his arm around his if he wants. Hmph. For now. He's not flushed or anything, but the grumpy scowl is evident enough of embarrassment and putting up with it. He covers it with anger, but Esikko has probably figured that out already.]
I've built up a shit ton of vouchers from the arcade.
[Clothes and food, meaning he can save his funds for other things, like a little cobbled-together kitchen set in his room so he can cook for himself, also cutting down on expenses to restaurants.]
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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. )
no subject
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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Date: 11/25/24 03:05 (UTC)[Bakugo watches Esikko move through the samples, using his fingers to feel material one after the other. He prefers looser things in his casual wear, athletic fabrics compared to the stiff, chalky things. Each one has their own benefits, but in a place like this, comfort is likely the only element of consideration when it comes to clothes. Perhaps how quick it is to ditch them, but he'll keep that stupid comment to himself before something untoward happens in the damn store.
At least it distracts Esikko from his gloom over his impromptu sleeve scarf. Maybe with the weather getting cooler, he should invest in one... Bakugo scans around the place they are, searching for any scarves nearby. Doubtful, but you never know. Esikko would probably prefer an ascot or something "frilly" instead.]
You couldn't pull off a denim jacket in your coffin. [And he's not a fucking liar.] They have other colors. C'mon. [And tilts his head to invite Esikko over to the rack he found them at.] Pick which one you want.
[He suspects pink but he's seen Esikko in whites, blacks, blues, and other colors.]
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Date: 11/25/24 03:51 (UTC)( He doesn't know the jeanist lore. But with that judgmental comment out there, he follows Bakugo along and swipes his hand through the clothing. He tries to keep his wardrobe interesting, but his favorite color to wear by far is red. That's why it's no surprise that he keeps gravitating towards the maroon color here at the end...
Hmm. But, in the end, he decides he wants to do something a little different, and chooses a sleek black one, finally holding it up to Bakugo. )
Okay, this one will do. They should let me change here if you pay, right?
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Date: 11/25/24 08:41 (UTC)[The irritated growl under his breath of that comment is 100% soaking with insinuation Bakugo knows exactly the kind of man who could do such a ridiculous thing. Not only a jacket. But a denim EVERYTHING!! He will NOT expand on Best Jeanist. Mostly because his mentor's fucking embarrassing and yet Bakugo respects him and wants no part in the nostalgia of remembering the man's injured figure trying to help him in the war... FUCK!! BEGONE!!
(Lookit, he even made Bakugo a denim version of his costume. What a good mentor.)
Bakugo focuses instead on Esikko's color choice. He doesn't know the guy's size, but starts to paw through the options and picking out the red-colored ones he can find. Cherry red, light red, maroon, burgundy, wine, blood red, fiery red, holiday red, whatever. Rayon and polyester. No silk though; they're not in that kind of store.]
Lemme see that. [Bakugo swipes the shirt and checks it out (for the size surreptitiously) then flips it around back to Esikko.] Yeah. Just keep the tag on it until we get outside.
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Date: 11/25/24 09:15 (UTC)Okay, then let me try this on.
( Too reserved for any public changing, he ducks into a dressing room stall and takes his time in switching from the torn one to this. He has to take a few spins looking in the mirror, after all, to make sure he likes how it's resting, or that he's left the correct number of buttons undone. ...Which means that, for now at least, he's left his stupid makeshift sleeve-choker in place beneath the shirt, deciding that he'd rather not risk this brand being visible before they've checked out and left.
So, he pops out again, the tag hanging easily from one of the sleeves as he steps out. )
Ta-dah~. ( Dryly, as he finds the shirt basic, he extends his arms for a brief little spin. But for all of this goofing around, he is smiling a little. ) Let's take care of this and get out of here already so I can take this stupid sleeve off of my neck.
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Date: 11/25/24 20:25 (UTC)[Sheesh! What a pain in the ass. Dictating his life as if Bakugo needs to be aware of each action. He's not going to abandon Esikko to the store while he's vanished in the changing room. That said... Bakugo is going to head to the front of the store for a few minutes as the other guest takes his time swapping out his shirt. Most people would likely take only a minute or two for such an action, but knowing Esikko, it'll take the guy close to five so he can get in all his posing and posturing to make sure the shirt looks good on him.
Bakugo's heading back towards the dressing room by the time Esikko emerges from the doorway, twisting to the side for threading between two racks of clothes. He pulls up short as the other man presents himself with a dry flourish. That would've been far more outlandish if he'd been in his preferred clothing, wouldn't it. Bakugo'll take that as a reprieve from something truly awkward. At least Esikko's smiling.]
I already paid. Here. [And drops a bag on Esikko's hand. Inside are three more shirts, two of rayon and another of polyester, so now he has a set of four, the worn one included. And-]
Shut up and take it. [-tosses a basic scarf around the guy's neck. It's gonna get cold going forward anyways. With that, Bakugo jerks his head to indicate they should get the hell out of here. Done with this story.]
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Date: 11/26/24 08:07 (UTC)You bought me more? Hehe.
( Touched. He is genuinely touched, but to admit that too genuinely is embarrassing, vulnerable, and it's so much easier to tease about it, to act like it's something he can confidently flaunt, as if he expected it at all. At the very least, he moves to walk with him out of the store, but his stubborn cling to that arm is earning them a few glances. As far as Esikko's concerned, if he can embarrass Bakugo a little, then it just means that his own embarrassment is less evident. So. )
How do you have that sort of money, at your low rank? You must be working so hard. ♪
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Date: 11/26/24 10:28 (UTC)[Don't link arms with him like they're some kind of chummy friends! Fuck! You're gonna give people the wrong idea! Dammit! Let go! (Not that he's doing much to pull away despite leaning to the side and barking at Esikko.)
The store owners are at least glad to see them leave so don't even bitch about Esikko walking out of the store with his shirt still bearing the tags. Bakugo told them there was one more in the changing room for purchase, so it's already paid for. Guess there's one good thing to be said about being a low rank. You're brushed out quickly.
This is only because he doesn't wanna be indebted to Esikko and the guy looks stupid with a sleeve scarf around his neck! That's all! Don't get the wrong idea! Dumbass! Bakugo shoves his hands into his pockets, letting Esikko keep his arm around his if he wants. Hmph. For now. He's not flushed or anything, but the grumpy scowl is evident enough of embarrassment and putting up with it. He covers it with anger, but Esikko has probably figured that out already.]
I've built up a shit ton of vouchers from the arcade.
[Clothes and food, meaning he can save his funds for other things, like a little cobbled-together kitchen set in his room so he can cook for himself, also cutting down on expenses to restaurants.]
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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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