[Inside voices and topic tact aren't lost considerations, dammit! Not that Bakugo's one to talk.]
If it doesn't have a damn idea already, it's not interested.
[Bakugo instantly jerks his head back as his expression ratchets up into angry disgust. Who the hell does Hiyori think he's talking to?! A slumber party?!]
What do you think I am, five?! [Only kids did something stupid like slumber parties! Plus the idol's rambling again like crazy, flattening the blonde's expression in exasperation.]
Lazy Lion doesn't need a party to sleep, baka. [The guy sleeps 50% of his life away already. As for Senku, Bakugo's lost all contact with him after the statue experiment, so he's not about to try again.]
Haa? What the hell's Shades saying about me? [Does Hiyori need to know Scott and Bakugo have had a few, uh... "slumber parties" already over the months?]
[House guests say things you don't like, friends turn out to be murderers... life is full of such things.
The disgust on Bakugo's face strikes him as funny, so alas. The slumber party talk continues!]
Adults can have fun, too, you know. And I have it on good authority that Leona-kun likes sleepovers.
[Don't think too hard about those two sentences in relation to each other, please.]
As for your friend with the sunglasses, we didn't gossip about you too much. He just said he was gearing up to be some sort of superhero back home, so I said, "Like Baku-kun, huh?" And then he said, "Yes, just like that!" I could tell from the look on his face that he thought well of you, since I'm excellent at reading people. It's one of my many talents! ♪
[And you either let those things sweep you along, or you slam your feet into the ground and shove a fucking marshmallow in someone's mouth while telling them to shut the fuck up! Your choice, man.
At least he's not plugging Hiyori's mouth for this kind of talk. Somethings are more tolerable than others.]
I never said they can't! [Adults can do whatever they want! In reason. He grumbles when Hiyori mentions Leona's like for sleepovers.] Like that's surprising. Invite him to sleep somewhere and he will.
[He's not thinking hard. Unlike SOMEONE he doesn't have a pink brain.]
Modesty isn't one of them. [Not like Bakugo's one to talk. Though he's far less of a braggart now than he was in middle school. Rather let his single threat warn someone, then prove it in brutal skill.]
His world has superheroes too. Sounds like they're getting started. My world went through a similar evolution.
[Hey, don't call him a perv brain in the metatext...!]
I'm cute when I'm immodest!
[He puffs out his chest.]
But what's this "similar evolution" you're talking about? I know he said powers come from a different source in his world. Then he said something about an "X-gene."
[Now who's the pink brain? If you want to think about his ass, fine, but don't pretend he's the perv here!!]
"The chicken or the egg," hmm?
[Said with a smile, before he takes a crack at it.]
It must be villains, right? They're the problem you heroes are trying to solve, so they must have come first. And if people suddenly developed powers like Quirks, that would lead to some obvious issues, no? "With great power comes great responsibility," but some people are not responsible.
[YOU ARE!! You're the one who brought it up and made him think about it! He's focused on other things.]
Aa. Criminals started using their Quirks selfishly. When the police couldn't keep up, some people started using their Quirks to help as vigilantes. The government decided to make vigilantism "legal" by making heroics legal, under laws, which created Heroes, while the criminals became Villains. It was a gradual change with lots of power shifts.
Scott's world is heading into that vigilante era.
[Where unsanctioned heroes use their mutant powers to fight criminals who use their mutant powers selfishly. Which causes friction with the government and the public. And makes a scramble ground for emerging villains. A messy era...]
Hiyori is focused on his explanation, too, though. Which has him scrunching up his face.]
That all sounds like a horrible mess.
[His tone isn't devoid of sympathy. Still, what a headache.]
But I know how that goes. When things aren't working as they should and those in charge are useless, people take matters into their own hands.
[That sort of thing happened at both his schools, to different degrees and very different results. It's probably happened here, too. People can kill with impunity and the resort won't care, so the only way to get justice is to try to extract revenge. Something he doesn't like to think about.]
[It's one of the world's biggest rivers. Fuck off.]
What'd you think would happen when a world's suddenly manifesting superpowers?
[Rhetorical question, not asking for an answer. The history of Quirks and society is extremely messy. Bakugo won't even get into All for One and the rule of the Demon Lord. A dark period in his world's past. He knows Hiyori has some familiar knowledge to such a happening.]
They weren't useless. Governments and law enforcement were trying to handle something no one had any training or preparation for. [And super-powered criminals weren't going to let them take time to acclimate themselves.
Yeah, he's aware of the revenge undercurrent swimming around. Something is brewing in his own life related to that. Not something he'll involve Hiyori with.]
Haa?! Like hell I am!
[He trains with Scott and tries to help him explore and work with his mutant power! Totally a senpai thing to do, but how dare Hiyori call it that!]
I suppose that's true, [he allows.] But to someone who's a victim in all this, things must have seemed rather hopeless.
[People who've been hurt want someone to assign blame to, whether that's "villains" or the authorities.
But onto more cheerful matters, like teasing Bakugo. He smiles and chimes back:]
That's what it sounds like to me! Your world is further along, and you have more experience being a hero. Which means one could call you "his senpai at being a hero"! ♪ Why's that worth denying? Having someone rely on you for guidance is something worth taking pride in! I know I feel a burst of pride whenever someone I've guided moves up in the world.
That's why heroes stepped up. To give people hope and save them.
[Perhaps even more than saving, providing hope is a hero's job. So people no longer have to live in fear, so they can look forward to the next day, so they know everything is going to be all right. It's a pipe dream, but a dream nonetheless. But people can't sit back and do nothing, as they came to find out...]
I'm not teaching him how to be a hero, dammit! We're sparring!
[Granted, Scott does look to Bakugo for some guidance on the area, and Bakugo's talked with him and given a curt but sincere pep talk about how Scott intends to lead his team back home. He simply can't call himself a "senpai" in good conscience when he knows it won't come back with Scott when he goes home.]
Well, [he pauses, then smiles meaningfully at Bakugo.] Thank goodness for heroes, then. I know I can rest easier knowing you'll come rushing to my aid if I'm ever in danger.
[He's teasing on purpose, of course. But on some level he means it. If he was truly in danger, Bakugo would step in, even pulling aside the curtain and barging into the shower if he has to.
... no. On second thought, let's not remember that right now. Moving on!]
So you're mutually helping each other, hmm?
[He thinks that's the distinction. Rather than "giving self-defense lessons," which implies a teacher/student or senpai/kouhai relationship, sparring implies both parties are equals. Kind of like idols having a joint practice.
Though Hiyori's been in a "senpai helping his kouhai" role plenty of times during practices.]
That sounds nice. I don't really get all that manly stuff, but I know that's one of the ways tough boys express friendship! ♪
[Yep. He just had to throw some sap in there. And another tease.]
[Shot with a glower and a scowl. If Hiyori got himself into it cause he was being stupid, don't expect Bakugo to come blasting over to help him, dammit! (He will, eventually. And rip into him for it.)
There are very few people in the hotel he would drop everything for; he can count them on one hand. But Bakugo's not going to let someone die or get hurt on his watch if it's serious. Even if it's not serious, though he's still the kind to watch someone faceplant and laugh at them cause they tripped over their own feet.]
Just cause I don't wanna see him looking pathetic!
[Surely can't admit he actually cares about the other hero and is doing this to make sure Scott's strong and able to handle the crap he's gonna find in the hotel. That would be nice of him. Hiyori's right about the differing levels of equality. Bakugo's more a fellow student of Scott's while he's more a teacher of Hiyori's.]
Fortunately, I'm not the type who walks into sticky situations on purpose! But you never know what kind of dangers you'll find here, so...
[The first thing he said isn't strictly true. But it's at least a little more true now than it used to be. He's grown warier after experiencing the Punishment Room and chose not to seek out the Heart, for example. But he does still have a bad habit of mouthing off to other people.
His lips curve into a knowing smile at Bakugo's words about Scott. Of course he sees right through them. And while he could just let it go, Hiyori can't resist pointing out the obvious.]
You two belong to different worlds, so it's not as though you'd have to see him acting pathetic back home, no? There's nothing wrong with wanting to help a friend!
[Although.
Assuming they do ever get to go home, will Scott remember the sparring and things stuff he learned? Will that knowledge stay with him somewhere deep down? Hiyori doesn't ask, since it's sad and they already have so much else to worry about. Stuff like actually getting home in the first place, for example. Instead, he'll chirp back a cheerful response to that last question.]
I have indeed! So if you ever desire an idol lesson, you know who to come to~♪
[Since SOMEONE doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut! ... Sometimes. Hiyori doesn't have a lot of dramatic bullshit following him around. Over-friendly and too trusting in Bakugo's opinion. He's not wrong about the hotel's danger spiking. Bastard bird.
Red eyes narrow, daring his stupid smile to split and give Bakugo reason to shove much worse than a stupid marshmallow down the idols throat. If Hiyori already knows it, he doesn't need to say it! ... Operative word being "need" when it comes to Hiyori's damn beak.]
Urusei! You're the one who wanted strong allies! I'm training a strong ally!
[Anything to avoid say those simple nice words about helping a friend. Scott gives Bakugo a good challenge and a different sort of training than the blonde shares with Hiyori. Mutant powers are another awesome boon.
As for the idol's internal questions... nope! Bakugo's accepted this reality a long time ago. Only a lame idiot would cling to it as excuse not to do shit in this place. Even if Scott won't remember it back home, he remembers and uses it here. And HERE is where they are now.]
Haa? I don't wanna learn idol lessons!
[Granted, he has more respect for Hiyori's vocation than he did when they first met. Doesn't mean he wants to add it to his repertoire. ]
It wouldn't be a problem if some people weren't so trigger-happy...
[But it's nothing he hasn't heard before and wasn't already aware of.
Hiyori blinks at Bakugo's next attempt to call his dynamic with Scott anything but a friendship. Bakugo isn't offering Scott to him as an ally, is he? It'd be a bit much to ask him to protect someone he's hardly spoken to. Unless...]
To fight the House, you mean? True, if he can help with that, that would be useful.
[He's privately stopped holding out much hope that the House can be taken down, period. Certainly not while he's still around to see it happen. But as usual, he keeps his most depressing thoughts to himself.
Bakugo's response to his offer is entirely expected, but of course he blathers on about it, anyway. They're just kidding around; that's what friends do!]
No? That's too bad. You've got the athleticism, the drive, and even the showmanship down pat. You'd just need to work on other things, like singing and dancing. And of course, smiling!
[Then he adds, casually:]
Ah, that nasty smirk you make whenever you tell a joke at my expense doesn't count, by the way.
Che. [At least he's willing to admit it. Bakugo's not sure how many people here have negative relationships with Hiyori, but they can't be many. He's too friendly and open to make more than someone finding him annoying rather than hateful.] You've got your own triggers, Parrot.
[The kind which pops off a flurry of sparkles, lights, ego, and happiness. He makes a small noise before shoving his hands into his pockets as he moves into the next hallway. No, he would never think so shallowly about Scott. Of course he isn't doing this purely to train an ally. But he's not gonna admit such to Hiyori! He'll tease him without end if he does!]
He can and will. He's got people back home waiting for him as well.
[Bakugo has never once given up on hope of fighting his way out. His goal has reshaped itself and molded compromises and understanding within it, changing his ultimate design, but the core remains the same. No one should be held captive anywhere without deserving to be locked up.]
Hah? I can do both! [Singing, yes. When he wants. Dancing, yes. He kills it on DDR. Does that count as dancing? Maybe. Probably isn't gonna be pulling off moves Hiyori has trained on and performed, but Bakugo can hold his own.] Who the hell are you calling nasty? I'll dump you in the trash can!
[Bakugo would be surprised. He's had a lot of altercations, verbal and otherwise. There was that time with Fuuta in the treehouse, Rin trying to set his hair on fire, Tomura calling him "disgusting" at the Halloween party, and now this business with Esikko. And the less said about his interactions with that girl who wanted to sleep with Jun, the better...]
We all have things that set us off. I've never reacted to someone's words with violence, though. I wasn't raised so poorly as to think that's acceptable.
[It's true, although when his Spades suit becomes active, he does get violent urges. One of the things about his suit which unnerves him most.]
He could just try to get back home the "normal" way, without fighting the House. But I'm glad he hasn't lost his sense of justice.
[Or that Bakugo himself hasn't, for that matter.]
There you go proving my point! Dumping someone in a trashcan, or threatening to, qualifies you as "nasty!"
[He shoots back the words, half-stern and half-smug.
And then the first thing Bakugo said sinks in, and his eyebrows raise.]
... wait. You can sing, too?
[He might've seen him dance a little back at the Halloween party, but...]
[He would be surprised. Then again, Bakugo's only had a scant few interactions with two of those people, knew of another only by name, and Esikko... he'll handle his relationship with the guy on his own. Regardless of what Hiyori revealed, Bakugo will make his own decisions on his own preferences, screw what other people think or say. No one decides life actions for him but him.]
Che. Wuss.
[Violence is perfectly acceptable response to someone insulting you! Or threatening you. Physical violence, he doesn't doubt Hiyori's statement. But his rapier wit, sarcasm, and sleights? Fighting words.
The guy calls one of his bandmates his slave! Or something like that. Worse than a damn punch to the face!]
Only one or two people have ever made a full deck, right?
[Which more or less invalidates the "normal" way. Stubbornly refusing the Peacock and being sent home out of frustration is a third route, but hell if he knows anyone who willingly chose it.]
We're gonna have to fight this fucking thing one way or another.
[Bakugo summarily flicks Hiyori off.]
You wanna keep touring or get smeared across the wall?
[Who's gonna stand here and get insulted to his face repeatedly?! Never mind he usual snarls and growls but never follows through when it's Hiyori.]
[Some of it's principle, but it's also a class difference. He had a stuffy upbringing and never got into the typical playground brawls with other kids. Who would he even throw hands with? His older brother, who was raised to be a prim and proper heir? His sickly childhood frenemy, whose weak constitution meant he might collapse from a stiff gust of wind? Nobles fight with their words, and Hiyori grew up to be plenty good at doing that. Passive aggressive barbs meant to target someone's weakness, insults hidden within compliments, and snappy rejoinders: all are tools in his arsenal!]
See, you just insulted me with your words, but I'm not about to hit you for it. Or worse, throw one of these flasks at you! And that alone makes me more even-tempered and reasonable than that Tohsaka girl. And lots of other people too!
[Though "wuss" is pretty mild in the grand scheme of insults.]
I don't know how many people have. The ones who supposedly filled their deck and made their wish were J and Jin Mingming. There's nothing to say there can't be others, though. If someone wished to go back home, then we wouldn't see them around.
[But he doesn't know anyone personally who has filled their deck, and that's worrisome. How long can it really take to collect fifty cards? If it weren't for Jun, he's sure he could have accomplished that a long time ago.
He frowns when Bakugo threatens him (and after that talk they just had about the benefits of not resorting to violence!), but he also recognizes it as an empty threat. And he's still distracted by the "I can sing and dance" thing, so:]
I was going to suggest moving on with the tour, since we've sort of been lingering here a while. But now I want to hear you sing! I don't suppose you'll oblige even if I ask though, right?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 7/16/25 04:05 (UTC)[Inside voices and topic tact aren't lost considerations, dammit! Not that Bakugo's one to talk.]
If it doesn't have a damn idea already, it's not interested.
[Bakugo instantly jerks his head back as his expression ratchets up into angry disgust. Who the hell does Hiyori think he's talking to?! A slumber party?!]
What do you think I am, five?! [Only kids did something stupid like slumber parties! Plus the idol's rambling again like crazy, flattening the blonde's expression in exasperation.]
Lazy Lion doesn't need a party to sleep, baka. [The guy sleeps 50% of his life away already. As for Senku, Bakugo's lost all contact with him after the statue experiment, so he's not about to try again.]
Haa? What the hell's Shades saying about me? [Does Hiyori need to know Scott and Bakugo have had a few, uh... "slumber parties" already over the months?]
no subject
Date: 7/17/25 14:25 (UTC)[House guests say things you don't like, friends turn out to be murderers... life is full of such things.
The disgust on Bakugo's face strikes him as funny, so alas. The slumber party talk continues!]
Adults can have fun, too, you know. And I have it on good authority that Leona-kun likes sleepovers.
[Don't think too hard about those two sentences in relation to each other, please.]
As for your friend with the sunglasses, we didn't gossip about you too much. He just said he was gearing up to be some sort of superhero back home, so I said, "Like Baku-kun, huh?" And then he said, "Yes, just like that!" I could tell from the look on his face that he thought well of you, since I'm excellent at reading people. It's one of my many talents! ♪
no subject
Date: 7/17/25 21:18 (UTC)[And you either let those things sweep you along, or you slam your feet into the ground and shove a fucking marshmallow in someone's mouth while telling them to shut the fuck up! Your choice, man.
At least he's not plugging Hiyori's mouth for this kind of talk. Somethings are more tolerable than others.]
I never said they can't! [Adults can do whatever they want! In reason. He grumbles when Hiyori mentions Leona's like for sleepovers.] Like that's surprising. Invite him to sleep somewhere and he will.
[He's not thinking hard. Unlike SOMEONE he doesn't have a pink brain.]
Modesty isn't one of them. [Not like Bakugo's one to talk. Though he's far less of a braggart now than he was in middle school. Rather let his single threat warn someone, then prove it in brutal skill.]
His world has superheroes too. Sounds like they're getting started. My world went through a similar evolution.
no subject
Date: 7/19/25 03:13 (UTC)[Hey, don't call him a perv brain in the metatext...!]
I'm cute when I'm immodest!
[He puffs out his chest.]
But what's this "similar evolution" you're talking about? I know he said powers come from a different source in his world. Then he said something about an "X-gene."
no subject
Date: 7/19/25 17:31 (UTC)[Eventually they'll equate their stupidity with pain. Unless they don't have a damn brain at all.
PINK BRAIN PERVY PARROT!! ... in the metatext.]
In your opinion.
[And maybe 'modest' wasn't the best word to use there... "Immodest" makes him think about Hiyori parading around in fishnet and ass-less chaps.]
I mean society. Both Shade's society and mine were "normal" worlds that suddenly had to deal with mutant powers and Quirks appearing.
[He looks at Hiyori with a questioning expression despite his narrowed eyes.]
Which do you think came first, Heroes or Villains?
no subject
Date: 7/19/25 23:11 (UTC)"The chicken or the egg," hmm?
[Said with a smile, before he takes a crack at it.]
It must be villains, right? They're the problem you heroes are trying to solve, so they must have come first. And if people suddenly developed powers like Quirks, that would lead to some obvious issues, no? "With great power comes great responsibility," but some people are not responsible.
no subject
Date: 7/20/25 00:37 (UTC)Aa. Criminals started using their Quirks selfishly. When the police couldn't keep up, some people started using their Quirks to help as vigilantes. The government decided to make vigilantism "legal" by making heroics legal, under laws, which created Heroes, while the criminals became Villains. It was a gradual change with lots of power shifts.
Scott's world is heading into that vigilante era.
[Where unsanctioned heroes use their mutant powers to fight criminals who use their mutant powers selfishly. Which causes friction with the government and the public. And makes a scramble ground for emerging villains. A messy era...]
1/2
Date: 7/21/25 16:39 (UTC)Hiyori is focused on his explanation, too, though. Which has him scrunching up his face.]
That all sounds like a horrible mess.
[His tone isn't devoid of sympathy. Still, what a headache.]
But I know how that goes. When things aren't working as they should and those in charge are useless, people take matters into their own hands.
[That sort of thing happened at both his schools, to different degrees and very different results. It's probably happened here, too. People can kill with impunity and the resort won't care, so the only way to get justice is to try to extract revenge. Something he doesn't like to think about.]
2/2
Date: 7/21/25 16:39 (UTC)... say, doesn't that mean you're his senpai?
no subject
Date: 7/22/25 00:54 (UTC)What'd you think would happen when a world's suddenly manifesting superpowers?
[Rhetorical question, not asking for an answer. The history of Quirks and society is extremely messy. Bakugo won't even get into All for One and the rule of the Demon Lord. A dark period in his world's past. He knows Hiyori has some familiar knowledge to such a happening.]
They weren't useless. Governments and law enforcement were trying to handle something no one had any training or preparation for. [And super-powered criminals weren't going to let them take time to acclimate themselves.
Yeah, he's aware of the revenge undercurrent swimming around. Something is brewing in his own life related to that. Not something he'll involve Hiyori with.]
Haa?! Like hell I am!
[He trains with Scott and tries to help him explore and work with his mutant power! Totally a senpai thing to do, but how dare Hiyori call it that!]
no subject
Date: 7/22/25 02:07 (UTC)[People who've been hurt want someone to assign blame to, whether that's "villains" or the authorities.
But onto more cheerful matters, like teasing Bakugo. He smiles and chimes back:]
That's what it sounds like to me! Your world is further along, and you have more experience being a hero. Which means one could call you "his senpai at being a hero"! ♪ Why's that worth denying? Having someone rely on you for guidance is something worth taking pride in! I know I feel a burst of pride whenever someone I've guided moves up in the world.
no subject
Date: 7/23/25 00:47 (UTC)[Perhaps even more than saving, providing hope is a hero's job. So people no longer have to live in fear, so they can look forward to the next day, so they know everything is going to be all right. It's a pipe dream, but a dream nonetheless. But people can't sit back and do nothing, as they came to find out...]
I'm not teaching him how to be a hero, dammit! We're sparring!
[Granted, Scott does look to Bakugo for some guidance on the area, and Bakugo's talked with him and given a curt but sincere pep talk about how Scott intends to lead his team back home. He simply can't call himself a "senpai" in good conscience when he knows it won't come back with Scott when he goes home.]
no subject
Date: 7/24/25 15:11 (UTC)[He's teasing on purpose, of course. But on some level he means it. If he was truly in danger, Bakugo would step in, even pulling aside the curtain and barging into the shower if he has to.
... no. On second thought, let's not remember that right now. Moving on!]
So you're mutually helping each other, hmm?
[He thinks that's the distinction. Rather than "giving self-defense lessons," which implies a teacher/student or senpai/kouhai relationship, sparring implies both parties are equals. Kind of like idols having a joint practice.
Though Hiyori's been in a "senpai helping his kouhai" role plenty of times during practices.]
That sounds nice. I don't really get all that manly stuff, but I know that's one of the ways tough boys express friendship! ♪
[Yep. He just had to throw some sap in there. And another tease.]
no subject
Date: 7/24/25 19:13 (UTC)[Shot with a glower and a scowl. If Hiyori got himself into it cause he was being stupid, don't expect Bakugo to come blasting over to help him, dammit! (He will, eventually. And rip into him for it.)
There are very few people in the hotel he would drop everything for; he can count them on one hand. But Bakugo's not going to let someone die or get hurt on his watch if it's serious. Even if it's not serious, though he's still the kind to watch someone faceplant and laugh at them cause they tripped over their own feet.]
Just cause I don't wanna see him looking pathetic!
[Surely can't admit he actually cares about the other hero and is doing this to make sure Scott's strong and able to handle the crap he's gonna find in the hotel. That would be nice of him. Hiyori's right about the differing levels of equality. Bakugo's more a fellow student of Scott's while he's more a teacher of Hiyori's.]
Urusei! You've taught people before, right?
no subject
Date: 7/25/25 16:38 (UTC)[The first thing he said isn't strictly true. But it's at least a little more true now than it used to be. He's grown warier after experiencing the Punishment Room and chose not to seek out the Heart, for example. But he does still have a bad habit of mouthing off to other people.
His lips curve into a knowing smile at Bakugo's words about Scott. Of course he sees right through them. And while he could just let it go, Hiyori can't resist pointing out the obvious.]
You two belong to different worlds, so it's not as though you'd have to see him acting pathetic back home, no? There's nothing wrong with wanting to help a friend!
[Although.
Assuming they do ever get to go home, will Scott remember the sparring and things stuff he learned? Will that knowledge stay with him somewhere deep down? Hiyori doesn't ask, since it's sad and they already have so much else to worry about. Stuff like actually getting home in the first place, for example. Instead, he'll chirp back a cheerful response to that last question.]
I have indeed! So if you ever desire an idol lesson, you know who to come to~♪
no subject
Date: 8/6/25 01:29 (UTC)[Since SOMEONE doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut! ... Sometimes. Hiyori doesn't have a lot of dramatic bullshit following him around. Over-friendly and too trusting in Bakugo's opinion. He's not wrong about the hotel's danger spiking. Bastard bird.
Red eyes narrow, daring his stupid smile to split and give Bakugo reason to shove much worse than a stupid marshmallow down the idols throat. If Hiyori already knows it, he doesn't need to say it! ... Operative word being "need" when it comes to Hiyori's damn beak.]
Urusei! You're the one who wanted strong allies! I'm training a strong ally!
[Anything to avoid say those simple nice words about helping a friend. Scott gives Bakugo a good challenge and a different sort of training than the blonde shares with Hiyori. Mutant powers are another awesome boon.
As for the idol's internal questions... nope! Bakugo's accepted this reality a long time ago. Only a lame idiot would cling to it as excuse not to do shit in this place. Even if Scott won't remember it back home, he remembers and uses it here. And HERE is where they are now.]
Haa? I don't wanna learn idol lessons!
[Granted, he has more respect for Hiyori's vocation than he did when they first met. Doesn't mean he wants to add it to his repertoire. ]
no subject
Date: 8/7/25 02:19 (UTC)It wouldn't be a problem if some people weren't so trigger-happy...
[But it's nothing he hasn't heard before and wasn't already aware of.
Hiyori blinks at Bakugo's next attempt to call his dynamic with Scott anything but a friendship. Bakugo isn't offering Scott to him as an ally, is he? It'd be a bit much to ask him to protect someone he's hardly spoken to. Unless...]
To fight the House, you mean? True, if he can help with that, that would be useful.
[He's privately stopped holding out much hope that the House can be taken down, period. Certainly not while he's still around to see it happen. But as usual, he keeps his most depressing thoughts to himself.
Bakugo's response to his offer is entirely expected, but of course he blathers on about it, anyway. They're just kidding around; that's what friends do!]
No? That's too bad. You've got the athleticism, the drive, and even the showmanship down pat. You'd just need to work on other things, like singing and dancing. And of course, smiling!
[Then he adds, casually:]
Ah, that nasty smirk you make whenever you tell a joke at my expense doesn't count, by the way.
no subject
Date: 8/9/25 02:11 (UTC)[The kind which pops off a flurry of sparkles, lights, ego, and happiness. He makes a small noise before shoving his hands into his pockets as he moves into the next hallway. No, he would never think so shallowly about Scott. Of course he isn't doing this purely to train an ally. But he's not gonna admit such to Hiyori! He'll tease him without end if he does!]
He can and will. He's got people back home waiting for him as well.
[Bakugo has never once given up on hope of fighting his way out. His goal has reshaped itself and molded compromises and understanding within it, changing his ultimate design, but the core remains the same. No one should be held captive anywhere without deserving to be locked up.]
Hah? I can do both! [Singing, yes. When he wants. Dancing, yes. He kills it on DDR. Does that count as dancing? Maybe. Probably isn't gonna be pulling off moves Hiyori has trained on and performed, but Bakugo can hold his own.] Who the hell are you calling nasty? I'll dump you in the trash can!
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Date: 8/9/25 21:16 (UTC)We all have things that set us off. I've never reacted to someone's words with violence, though. I wasn't raised so poorly as to think that's acceptable.
[It's true, although when his Spades suit becomes active, he does get violent urges. One of the things about his suit which unnerves him most.]
He could just try to get back home the "normal" way, without fighting the House. But I'm glad he hasn't lost his sense of justice.
[Or that Bakugo himself hasn't, for that matter.]
There you go proving my point! Dumping someone in a trashcan, or threatening to, qualifies you as "nasty!"
[He shoots back the words, half-stern and half-smug.
And then the first thing Bakugo said sinks in, and his eyebrows raise.]
... wait. You can sing, too?
[He might've seen him dance a little back at the Halloween party, but...]
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Date: 8/10/25 03:53 (UTC)Che. Wuss.
[Violence is perfectly acceptable response to someone insulting you! Or threatening you. Physical violence, he doesn't doubt Hiyori's statement. But his rapier wit, sarcasm, and sleights? Fighting words.
The guy calls one of his bandmates his slave! Or something like that. Worse than a damn punch to the face!]
Only one or two people have ever made a full deck, right?
[Which more or less invalidates the "normal" way. Stubbornly refusing the Peacock and being sent home out of frustration is a third route, but hell if he knows anyone who willingly chose it.]
We're gonna have to fight this fucking thing one way or another.
[Bakugo summarily flicks Hiyori off.]
You wanna keep touring or get smeared across the wall?
[Who's gonna stand here and get insulted to his face repeatedly?! Never mind he usual snarls and growls but never follows through when it's Hiyori.]
Of course I can sing! Who the hell can't?
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Date: 8/10/25 21:18 (UTC)See, you just insulted me with your words, but I'm not about to hit you for it. Or worse, throw one of these flasks at you! And that alone makes me more even-tempered and reasonable than that Tohsaka girl. And lots of other people too!
[Though "wuss" is pretty mild in the grand scheme of insults.]
I don't know how many people have. The ones who supposedly filled their deck and made their wish were J and Jin Mingming. There's nothing to say there can't be others, though. If someone wished to go back home, then we wouldn't see them around.
[But he doesn't know anyone personally who has filled their deck, and that's worrisome. How long can it really take to collect fifty cards? If it weren't for Jun, he's sure he could have accomplished that a long time ago.
He frowns when Bakugo threatens him (and after that talk they just had about the benefits of not resorting to violence!), but he also recognizes it as an empty threat. And he's still distracted by the "I can sing and dance" thing, so:]
I was going to suggest moving on with the tour, since we've sort of been lingering here a while. But now I want to hear you sing! I don't suppose you'll oblige even if I ask though, right?