[Skipping generations without being seen or shown until the perfect alignment suddenly brings it into light. Bakugo leans back in the seat, both arms resting on its sides. Esikko's offering him magic and his pride quickly rises up. His Quirk has always been with him since the start, he's never needed anything else, and ultimately, never wanted anything else. He intended to claim his dream with his strength alone! So no one could look at his results and say he was assisted by someone or something else. As if it wasn't 100% him.
Bakugo's never believed in magic before. Always a Quirk. Always science. Magic was make believe. But in this place, magic is very real. People bring it from their own worlds. The peacock replicates it. Fucking amazing and weird.
He bristles slightly when Esikko suggests his Quirk could "benefit" him to use magic, lips twitching and ashen brows furrowing over his red eyes.]
You heard me.
[There's a difference in learning a technique separate from him. He's picked up archer, marksmanship, martial arts, a host of skills and abilities, many of which don't play at all well with his Quirk, and some that do.
And yet... wouldn't it be cool to magic up something? Hmph. Little wide-eyed kid inside.
Esikko launches into a fucking litany of words, pouring out and chattering with all the energy of some fucking nerd rambling about his favorite topic. Bakugo sinks back in the seat, like he can somehow retreat from his bluster. With Midoriya, he definitely would be moving away, backing up with a flat face and growling about how creepy it is. Definitely creepy here too. Who the hell talks that much at once?!]
You're talking way too much, dammit!
[Right, that protest gets run over and swallowed by the maniac on the pulpit. So much for speaking out. He's left sunk in his seat and scowling by the time Esikko finally finishes his happy place.]
Urusei. [Yeah, he's not doing all that crap. Time to rein this guy in!] Get out the shit you use for the mind wipe spell.
( It's an immediate retort, one that hardly breaks the enthusiastic energy practically radiating from him right now. A mild annoyance, one that he's matching with the urgent flipping of his journal's pages, food forgotten for moments longer as he does. Any retort or argument from Bakugo on that is completely ignored and pushed through as he starts up again. )
It's not a mind wipe, it's a memory block. A seal, if you will. To make it succinct as possible... Goal: block access to any memories of one specific person. To lower the cost, make it temporary, with an expected expiration. The pathway: I used the higher energy connection of the basement and its overrunning of spirits to form the symbols required. Cost: burnings of rabbit fur, candles, and presenting a chunk of a lizard tail at the locations of the symbols. Also, physical contact, no matter how brief, and a transmission or insertion of just the tiniest bit of my blood. I planned on a needle, but that idiot came and grabbed my hand and sucked on my finger.
( During all of this, he sets out a few things from his bag on the table. The journal is turned to the correct page, symbols all drawn and described, and there are sealed jars of fur, blood, and a set of candles. Sealed and sanitary, and away from the food, don't worry. )
So, there are two methods that I can think of to move around shortening the requirement or extending the impact.
( He holds up his fingers one at a time to symbolize this, counting them off. )
One: rather than a memory block, a memory erasure. The cost would increase highly, and the energy required could be a problem for my body as it is now. Two: a stronger memory block, more permanent. It's cost isn't as high as erasure, as there's the potential for the barrier to break down over time or persistent agitation. It's still a higher cost than what I've already managed.
[Snapped back in a reflexive volley. Can he even stop this damn deluge of nerdy passion spilling out of Esikko's mouth? Probably not, much to his chagrin. Bakugo sinks further in his chair, foot propped on the coffee table as if he might shove back and sink into his chair's secret recess. It's always weird when people get impassioned about stuff for minutes on end. He's an explosive force when going off about something he likes, but usually done soon. Rambling's fucking weird. And Esikko plunges ahead, earning a flat-faced scowl from his companion. Ugh.]
You formed a bunch of symbols out of energy and spirits? [Sounds like bullshit, even if he's seen people make images with energy in his own world. His upperclassman could do so with her Quirk. Made a damn rose in the air. Esikko's recipe for the spell sounds straight out of a witch's handbook. Yeah no, while the prince gets all his shit out, Bakugo's taking a moment to abscond to the kitchen and put food away. If they're getting out gory pieces of animals and shit, he's not having food present. Esikko's remaining pieces the exception.
Back to the chair when he's done, sitting cross-legged on the surface with his hands resting on either shin. He leans forward over the edge, peering at the items with a mix of caution and interest.]
Both those options have a higher cost. That's more time spent on the damn ritual. If you can't speed up your ritual, you're fucked against anyone who finds you or moves faster.
[Unless Esikko doesn't need to do the ritual and cast the spell at the same time... With the ritual being akin to loading a gun with the spell (bullet) he can then carry around with him and fire at any time.]
( Esikko doesn't even seem to mind that Bakugo is moving things around and removing some of the food. He eats a bit more himself, and as soon as the blond is sitting again, he scoots himself closer, placing his hand flat over the journal as he traces idle shapes, trying to imagine the pathway. )
The ritual generally comes first. It's the activation and the toll that may take more. Mm, like...
( He thinks, leaning forward, turning one or two of the jars to get a better look at the things inside. There are herbs, too, plants and leaves and some things he's ground to dust... )
I can pre-draw the correct symbols, burn the offerings, line things up... I had been in the process of doing as much when that asshole found me, you know? I wasn't going to start the spell right then until he grabbed me like that.
( So, kind of like a loaded gun. Yes. )
Preparing it in advance would mean that the signal to open the pathway is less immediate, such as another drawn symbol instead of a snap of a finger, but it's doable. I've managed as much by biting my tongue and tracing it in my own mouth, too. But I also have to speak the correct words, so that requires a few different movements on my part.
Putting even that aside, the spell itself, the more complex it is, can be so exhausting that I risk passing out the more it demands. That's not such a problem if I have backup, really...
[He's not having a bunch of rabbit pelts and lizard guts next to open food. Even if they're tightly sealed, he doesn't trust Esikko's hyped up state not to bust out some wiccan craziness right there in the damn foyer. For now, he pays attention to the journal as the guy continues on his explanations.]
Then start stockpiling. Take some time to build up a reliable set of spells and make sure you've always got them on hand.
[Even if it means Esikko needs to go into a few days of hibernation to set himself up. It's better than being caught off guard if someone runs into him. Since there it seems like the prince is a target for a bunch of assholes in the hotel. Bakugo doesn't like the idea of the prince spelunking around in the hotel's basement though.]
Can you do the ritual anywhere else? You said the basement's most conductive, but if it's not necessary, pick a better place.
[It's fucking ridiculous Esikko can do everything to set the spell in the chamber, but then when he goes to fire the damn thing, he STILL has to do a few more steps to actually launch it. Shitty process for magic in Bakugo's opinion.]
( A serious and thoughtful expression crosses his face as he lifts the pen he's pulled out, flipping past a handful of pages (many of them look blank) to find one that he determines is actually blank. Here, he begins to write with his left hand, scribbling a few notes.
Pre-loading spells? Calculate the strain for each, gather a regular arsenal )
Mm... The basement makes it easier on my body. That is, the spiritual energy there is so potent that it doesn't have to draw as much from me when I cast something using support from it. The next best would be the gardens... but, you know, I was attacked there, too.
( If safety is the issue, he wonders if anywhere is safe anymore. He taps the back of his pen against his bottom lip. )
There's an effort and strain from preparing it, and another from use, but they're separate portions... I could think of ways to alter the spell paths to arrange for that. But— to be honest, I come up with most spells on the spot, here.
I once turned my blood to a paralyzing poison. That could be one, I suppose... ( He's writing this down too, his handwriting foreign but quickly translated by the mechanics of the resort. Still, it comes across as incredibly neat. ) What are some things that could get someone out of a situation where they're trapped? Help me brainstorm.
It may take time, to build up enough. A few weeks, perhaps... But then, if I reliably reset any I have to use... Ah, and, can't you just escort me to set some of them up? If all of them are outside of the basement, it could be difficult.
[Bakugo leans back in the seat, fingers drumming on the armrest, other hand swirling a bottle of water around from the fridge. Esikko's taking notes. Left-handed, huh. Somehow that doesn't surprise him at all. While his dominant hand is right, Bakugo forced himself to be at least competently ambidextrous.]
Feels like you're fucking attacked anywhere. [Half a grumble to himself, half a commentary on Esikko's track record. If no place is safe, then he can go wherever the fuck he wants, because it won't matter. Hardly a silver lining. Another issue with the basement is the peacock has more sensitivity and "eyes" down there. Closer to sensitive areas.] Does your spell go down in effectiveness if it takes you longer to prepare it?
[Sure, it might require Esikko to spend two hours on a fireball "bullet" to lessen the burden on his body, but if he can do it in the relative safety of his room, instead of spending an hour in the dangerous underbelly of the basement, take the fucking extra hour. Not Bakugo's preference for himself, but in Esikko's case?]
Stop coming up with shit on the spot. Build a small arsenal of spells you can rely on and focus on improving them.
[One of his mentors had a similar lesson. Don't try to do everything at once. Pick one action, learn it until it becomes automatic, then add a second one. He's pushing the same idea to Esikko. Create a toolbox of spells he can logically use for any situation, then polish them, working on lessening his preparation time, lessening the casting cost, lessening the resources needed.]
Sensory deprivation. Smokescreens, poison clouds, paralyzing dust, numbing agents. You're good with plants, so use them as the basis for your spell effects. [Granted, these are helpful for situations Esikko can distract and escape from. Not if he's stuck in a room with no way out but a fight. Another topic altogether.]
I'm not your damn on-call bodyguard! [Ignoring the reality he just came when Esikko called. He cares, but he's not such a nice person (mostly *ahem*) to shackle himself so often. Esikko needs to be self-sufficient too.] Stay out of the basement and set your spells up in your room. Even if it takes longer, it's safer.
You attract bad attention; don't make it easier on those assholes.
It's not just the aspect of time— to prepare multiple spells is to split my attention that many ways, too. It's only after they're cast that I can release that energy from myself. I may be able to manage a small handful, but...
( He writes down each of Bakugo's little ideas, pausing only to tap the pen against his lip again, anxious. How many can he manage? He's never really tried this before. Once or twice, a few spells at once, maybe. )
I think I'll need to work up to it slowly. Two, to start. Then adding on a third after a week. Each time I add a new one, there's a risk for it overloading me to the point that my body can't handle it, you know, and I pass out, so...
( Especially if they're done from his room. But maybe? He's scribbling little diagrams, now, on the next page over, like he's trying to determine how many spells is the limit before it might be too much. Hard to say, when he's never tried it. )
If I reach that breaking point, I'd have to start over, but I'd be more informed, I suppose... So I should make a list, arrange them in terms of weight and strain, and also importance for escape, don't you think? Mm, and if I track my stamina and improvements with your training, then I can make a spot for my wellbeing while holding them...
[Though now Esikko brings up the concept of his own loaded bullets putting pressure on his body while carrying them around. He's had red flag after red flag thrown in his face by life, circumstances, his own body, all pointing to the reality magic is NOT doing him any goddamn favors-- it doesn't sound like it's even good for him! --and Esikko doggedly pushes past all of them. Fucking stupid.]
You should've become a poison master instead.
[Grumbled under his breath as he turns in the chair and throws his legs over one arm, his own arms coming to rest behind his head in a mild posture of exasperation and getting comfortable. Some dreams too far out of reach no matter how hard someone tries.]
You'll add a third one after your body can safely handle two without overloading, breaking down, or getting tired. I didn't teach you a shoulder throw until after you could perform an arm lock easily, remember?
[No running until you can walk without problem. If Esikko wants his help, this is the kind of instruction he's going to get. Of course Bakugo doesn't always ascribe to the same teaching! But that's because his body can handle it. He didn't go for larger explosions until he could safely do smaller ones when he was learning how to use his Quirk.]
The hell do you mean start over? [If a gun breaks, that doesn't mean the bullets are suddenly useless!
... and if it does, Bakugo's quickly starting to view Esikko's world's magic as extremely inherently flawed. Maybe there's a good reason it was locked away and never practiced. It sucks?!]
...I already am good with poisons and plants, you know. Potions and powders are my go-to, but there are so many people here with unique strengths, and I always end up unable to manage to grab them.
( So he started looking into more drastic things, secret things, explosive things no one would expect. Of course, he doesn't realize that Chobe has picked up on his need to speak magic words into the air and is going to cancel that out all the same, just from one observation, but...
He frowns to himself, genuinely frustrated. He just wants to be less useless. Sure, sure, he gets working to his own strengths, but what kind of strength is "can make a really mean poison potion" anyway? He taps his pen on the page a few times before writing out that he needs to stay steady at two before moving on. Annoying, but fair... )
I just mean that my body has trouble recovering if I push it too far. So I should move cautiously, like you said. Wait for it to become easy before I move on... ( He sighs, after a moment, sinking lower in his own seat, journal flopping against his face. )
And as I work at that, I suppose I'll just have to be extra cautious in going out. I'll alternate it, of course, and not bother you every day...
( Dabi some, Bakugo others, maybe Loki... It feels like just existing is becoming a weight on everyone around him, though, and he's starting to feel depressed about it. So, he shuts his journal, dropping it back on the table and rolling the pen right after it. )
That should be plenty to start with. Thanks for your help.
[Stop making enemies with people more powerful than you... A thought he grumbles in his head. Some people might think Esikko has no choice in whether or not people make enemies with him; Bakugo has opposite opinions. Does he expect Esikko to become a wheedling suck up trying to kiss ass and stay on everyone's good side? Hell no! But unless he's able to protect himself one way or another, he's gonna become prey to unsavory dick heads. People are people, no matter what damn world they come from.]
Stop making excuses. Everyone has a weakness. Crush them. If you can't grab your poison, start incorporating it where you don't have to reach it.
[He didn't mean a master poisoner in crafting only. He meant assassination arts, secret applications, shit you see in fantasy films, ninja movies, and other action pieces where the weaker person uses other means to augment their lacking strength.
Even Bakugo's aware Esikko needs to speak his spells; figured that shit out the first time they fought together against the stupid painting. Anyone with half a brain can figure out Bakugo's Quirk comes from his hands, Dabi's Quirk burns him too, Scott's mutant power utilizes his eyes, blah blah fucking blah. It's up to all of them to work around those noticeable weaknesses and conquer them. Using your limitations as an excuse is pathetic.]
Tch. Everyone has to deal with their own damn stamina. [It's difficult to advise Esikko in this. He comes from a world where almost everyone has some kind of supernatural power. Plenty of them suck, but many of them are strong. They make do with what they have.] Don't look down on what skills you have.
If you're bothering me, I'll tell you. [But Esikko's right. Rotate. Bakugo will help him some days, Dabi others, more of his companions. As many enemies as he has, the prince has friends too. Ironically, Bakugo deals with the same annoyance of being a burden on people around him, fearing becoming so and doing everything he can to never find himself in such a position. Doesn't matter if he has to for his broken leg to move, he'd rather stab his femur through his thigh muscle walking out of the room than rely on someone's offered shoulder.
Doesn't mean he always gets or goes through with what he'd rather...]
In my country, a long time ago there were two groups of warriors. Samurai and ninja. Samurai used strong weapons like swords and spears. They rode horses, had strong bodies, could fight for hours. Ninja were weaker physically, so they used stealth attacks, poisons, hidden weapons, and trickery. Guess which one their enemies feared more.
( Slumped as he is, Esikko isn't taking notes, but he does take mental note of all that Bakugo is saying. It's his usual sort of deal— words that are both inspirational and frustratingly blunt. Words that aren't cushioned by falsities or niceness that does nothing for him, and instead smack back his thoughts with a realistic sort of harshness he can't help but appreciate, even if it irritates him all the same. Because that's the sort of thing he needs, right?
The opposite of people like Kirma, who would tell him he doesn't need to fight, that they could do it all for him. To strip him entirely of every ounce of autonomy he could have. Bakugo's words would rather empower him, push him, all while backing him up...
And he's not so blind as to ignore the occasional hypocrisy, of course. Bakugo is stubborn enough that Esikko can't help but feel that he doesn't know enough about him, his feelings, his internal struggles. That he can guess to many of them, based on what he's seen, but that getting the man to ever admit to any of it would be like pulling teeth. Is that a testament to their bond not being close enough, or is it more just that Bakugo tries too hard to be strong enough for everyone? He's beginning to realize it's the latter. And so he leans, after a moment, to put himself closer to Bakugo, subtle as it is, eyes trailing over the items laid out on the table. )
Maybe... the problem is that I've always been trying to view how to do these things alone.
( Quietly, thoughtfully, he's clearly in his own head, but it's a little more productive this time. Not self-deprecating, just reflecting. )
Stealth and trickery, is it? I'll try to focus entirely on my strengths, then, and not think about where I lack. ( Hard as it is. He's not sure he can stop, but he'll try. ) So, I'll rely on some of you to help fill in the gaps. That's fine, isn't it?
( He's still so quiet... But he turns his head, finally, glancing over. )
Perhaps one day I'll be able to fill a few gaps for someone else, too. ( He wants to be useful, more than anything. )
[He's not the kind of person to sugarcoat things or let people down nicely. Doesn't have the patience to drag shit out when getting to the point is much faster and ultimately the only reason in the first place. The truth hurts, reality's a bitch, and he's had those two bastards crammed down his throat multiple times in his life with merciless efficiency. There are things Esikko has to face and contend with. He can either dick around feeling sorry for himself or he can stand up and get to work.
Bakugo's never liked relying on other people. Sharing his victories or losses with others pisses him off. Being reliable doesn't mean being someone's crutch. He can help Esikko up, but what good is that if the man crumbles on his weak legs the second he lets go?
He's seen the kind of power the prince can wield, even if he knows so little about either form asides from Esikko's fear of them and the one's ridiculous attitude. Sucks neither can be utilized here.]
Aa. Don't forget what you lack, but don't focus so much on it you forget what you can do. [There's nothing wrong with working on your weaknesses. Fuck, you should be doing that most of the time. But neglecting your strengths in favor of the opposite only drags yourself down. Until even what you could do well becomes a disappointment.]
Hmph, why the hell wouldn't it be fine? [A hero's supposed to be reliable. Bakugo wants to be someone Esikko looks to and knows he'll get help each time. When he needs it. Heroes have to be able to work as a team, supporting each other, but also strong enough to stand alone against adversity. A tricky balance sometimes.]
You already do. [Esikko's given people tools and gifts both useful and pleasant. He has friends, people who can come to him. If he can't see his usefulness, he's fucking blind.
Bakugo clicks his tongue after a few more seconds under the prince's gaze. Che, sap... He sits up on the seat and grabs his drink again.]
You ever poisoned your nail polish?
[Back to brainstorming! Before he gets uncomfortable with the softer stuff.]
( Bakugo has been the target of a lot of sap lately... But how is he supposed to help that? He went from a world where universe after universe of trying and clinging to any small amount of attention or kindness, no matter how twisted or toxic underneath, to a place where he can actually have people who understand him, who are there for him, who he can rely on? It feels so foreign, so freeing, like a weight is being lifted, and it's hard not to get a little starry eyed over it, even now. Maybe because he's so used to being told or shown that he doesn't deserve this, to be shown otherwise is just warming...
And there are others who have shown it, of course, like Dabi. But all here, and it makes him not want to return to his own home at all. He'll find somewhere else. And the more he thinks on it, the more that seems... possible? Allowable?
Thankfully, Bakugo interrupts his thoughts from daydreaming too much further. The idea of poison nail polish sparks something inside Esikko enough that it lights up his face, eyes blinking wider. )
I... hadn't thought of that. ( It's genius? How had he not thought of that? He holds out one of his hands to admire the nail polish on it now, curious. Well, it's a new idea to him, relatively speaking, and he had been introduced to it as purely aesthetic, with some skincare levels of aid. He was only thinking of it looking nice with his hair and being further away from what his father would like, when he'd first decided to try it. ) I suppose, so long as I'm capable of making an antidote quickly for anyone I'm intimate enough with, that could work.
( He'd hate to kill or paralyze someone unintentionally, especially mid sex. )
Nail polish like this wasn't a thing, where I'm from, so I only started using it here. You're so smart, Bakugo~ ( Praising him because he loves this idea, singsong and all. )
[Not just from Esikko, even if he's not going to put any admission to lips. He's no stranger to people being nice; Bakugo came from a world where he has friends and family, people who support him despite his attitude, people he cares about despite their annoying antics. There's no sob story or dark background clinging to his soul, no villainous origin waiting for any unsuspecting questioner to get cut on. And yet for all of his offerings in life, he refuses to flop down and rest on cushions of support and care. It happens, sometimes; hell some friends drag him down yelling and screeching. But there exists a gulf between him and certain others, unable to see how or why someone would continue to think so little of themselves. He knows, he's not stupid, but... how fucking pathetic to choose such a route.
Weeks to months after his arrival, he wanted nothing more than to obliterate the peacock and send everyone back home where they came from. A hero's vicious salvation. Until cold reality lanced him through when he realized some people are better off in this place, some don't want to go home... and he came to care about people as well. A damnable trap, a bad mistake, but an unavoidable fact. He's only human. As most of them are.
Thoughts for himself. His expression flattens when Esikko's lights up in surprise, blinking in a stunned stupor. He... hadn't thought of that.] BAKA! [*WHAP!* Right on the bastard's stupid pink head!] You're good with poisons but don't think like a poisoner!
[Not that Bakugo thinks like a poisoner, but he's read plenty of comics, watched plenty of hero shows, pushing the heroes to contend with not just powerful villains, but sneaky ones too.]
Nail polish, hairpins, needles in your sleeve, poison pills in necklaces, you ever seen chloroform on a patch of cloth knock someone out? You can even poison your damn lips. [It's not a lightly-tossed litany of options. Esikko knows he'll have to treat his new arsenal with care to avoid hurting his friends and innocent people. But he should've at least been thinking about things outside of magic! ... Maybe he didn't have assassins in his homeworld.]
( It's an overreaction for the drama of it, of course, as Esikko whines about the whap on his head, hands reaching up to clutch at it as if it's a serious injury. It is not. It didn't really hurt— but no one usually dares to hit him, slapstick or not?!
It's kind of nice, not being treated like some fragile thing you can't even interact with. But that thought flutters away as quickly as it came, because he's busy taking in all of those ideas. He stands, after a moment, to grab his journal and jot them all down, pacing left, and then right... )
Okay, okay! Maybe I'd think of my strengths a little more if some people would list them a little more generously, hmm?
( He's joking, and that much is clear by how his gaze doesn't linger on Bakugo. His steps keep him pacing, and he tosses the journal back on the table. It's a little hard to focus on strengths when so many mocking voices sound in his head listing his faults, but... it's gotten better, here. He can work past this. He thinks. )
Anyway, perhaps I'll leave some magic in your suite, too? ( A curious glance flicks over to Bakugo, asking for permission as he moves back over to him. Now, when he sits, he tries to crowd into his space. To share a chair, or sit on a lap, or whatever he can get away with. He did this once before, ages ago, he remembers... )
The lines work better with some distance between their main points. If I draw symbols in yours, and Dabi's, and my own... you know, it works better. And in the meantime, I'll continue growing my plants.
I already have an assortment of useful ones... I grind some into powders, make others into sleep aids for the few people who seemed interested... I guess it's possible.
[Good! Maybe that'll make sure he remembers his words next time. Keep it jogged in his brain. Esikko better be glad he didn't include an explosion.
Bakugo drops his head back over the chair's arm, legs sliding out so his knees are flopped over the other one instead of his previous scrunched position. This is the second time the prince had to go pick up his notebook. Put it down when they're done talking, Prince Prick. Sheesh.]
If you need people to tell you you're strong, you're not gonna last.
[Joking or not, Bakugo takes the comment seriously. This is another point they can't see eye to eye on. He loves getting praised, flattered, having his strength extolled. But only for a short while before it becomes annoying. And he'd never let someone else's words be the source of his strength. Knowing what he can do, how strong he is, his own opinion of himself matters more than someone else. Even if everyone in the world called him weak... he'd have to rely on himself to stay strong. He can't let his own doubts and insecurities overpower him.]
Leave some magic? What do you mean? [If he's talking about his ingredients, plants, and other shit, that's fine. But if he's talking about weaving magic into the walls and setting up some kind of damn ritual circle in his closet...] Oy! I'm sitting here, dammit!
[Slender butt bastard! Ultimately Esikko ends up squished into his lap, with Bakugo glaring at him from "below" but not trying to shove him off. For now. One arm thrown over the back of the chair, the other wedged beside him.]
How much space do you need? [Sounds like the ritual circle path. Not like he's using every room in his suite. And he'd rather Esikko be in his and Dabi's suites than down in the basement.]
You know how to concentrate their extracts, right?
( A simple response as he settles in, cold as he is, in Bakugo's lap. He's bony, but at least he's lightweight, even as tall as he is. He holds up both hands, approximating the size of something, like... cantaloupe sized? )
Maybe this big, on the floor somewhere, beneath a bed, or on a wall behind a painting. You know, just a sigil, which would require the set up of a larger setting but leaves only a small marking in exchange.
It may smell like my blood for some time afterwards, but it fades. ( He'd just need maybe a couple in each, to help direct things? He has to map them out later, but... Anyway. )
In any case, yes, I do. Multiple methods of it, in fact. I can use each and every bit of any plant you can think of, truly, and perhaps even some you don't know of. If there's a problem, I can solve it with a potion, or a supplement, or a powder or cream... You know, I did offer these things in my earlier days, but no one took me up on it.
( So he stopped offering, and kept them mostly to himself. )
Since before I even bothered with magic, I was fascinated with plants. I studied them closely, so I'm familiar with horticulture deeply. When I use my magic to create plants based on descriptions, it's actually my knowledge of their systems as a whole that leads me through it, rather than magic itself.
Shut up. [Esikko's chill. Like keeping a cool pack in his lap. Bakugo scowls at him before dropping his head on the chair back. Bony butt digging into his hips. He's got no problem holding Esikko up. Red eyes take note of his sized estimate, immediately thinking to different places around his suite. Not much of a problem if they're small.]
You can set it up in the spare room. [There's a few places he could put it. Behind a dresser, in the corner, under an end table, in the closet. It'll give Esikko his privacy if/when he needs it later.]
I've got candles. [Not that Esikko's blood reeks of usual copper gore. Wait, A COUPLE?! Don't turn his suite into a damn coven! Fuck!]
Then focus on plants with deliberating effects. [Blinding, numbness, pain, stupors, all the fucking drugs made from plant-based byproducts. Sure, it might not affect everyone in the resort, but having something reliable on hand is better than doing fuck all.]
I make grenades using flasks and chemistry vials. [Even though his has his Quirk, even back home Bakugo had gear he utilized along with his sweat and Quirk to battle. Since he obviously doesn't have them here, he's improvised. And made some for one or two companions. If he's going to a dangerous place, Bakugo usually brings a few along.]
...I used to make similar vials to your grenades. For myself, and for Hiyori. He stopped asking for them when he got angry with me, and I've already learned he's gotten help from you instead, now.
( Again, his hand lifts, fingers showing the length of the tiny vials he would make. )
One type would explode on contact hard enough to break the glass. Another type would create a sort of smokescreen, temporarily, with the same impact.
I realized that repeatedly, the sort of people who come for me are ones that can grab my wrist before I can manage to even throw them. I began to only make them for him, but now they're... ( Useless? That's what it feels like, anyway. Who would want them? But he stops himself, shifting one arm to hook around Bakugo a little, as if he's not close enough by sitting in his lap. )
So... I could do the same for other effects, of course. But it's frustrating, when I prepare and still get overpowered. That's why I wanted to learn more maneuvers to break free, though.
Che. I can't give him the same stuff you do. If he wants more of your extracts, he'll ask.
[Might not given he's aware of Hiyori's broken faith in Esikko, but isn't going to bring it up to the man. Not tonight when he's already dealing with his self-worth issues. Another simpler suggestion is Hiyori hasn't gotten through the supply Esikko gave him, so why would he come asking for more?]
What kind of plant produces explosive extract? [He figures Esikko means a magical potion, but since he said he could create brand new kinds of plants from memory and description, maybe he concocted a blasting flora? Smokescreen isn't hard to guess, given his spells.]
I'm already teaching you grapple breaks and pressure points. [Bakugo shits as that arm hooks around him, growling when he has to pull from the seat a bit so he's not racking his ribs on Esikko's arm.] You said you use sigils and symbols for your spells. Can you create a mark that will react on touch?
[Like those traps and magics in comics where one accidental touch causes the ground to collapse or a spell to activate. Bakugo doesn't exactly want Esikko to turn his body into a living weapon...
but at the same time, what the hell's the harm in doing so? People are grabbing him anyways. His own world has Quirks, part of his own body is his weapon. Bakugo himself is an explosion living in human form, right?
If Esikko can't get external offense, can it hurt to look at internal? Time to look into the ugly mirror.] Your painting self was casting spells without any effort.
There are a handful of plants, at least, that have various uses for seed pods that explode, though most of their exact methods are due to things like ripening or tension. But, there is a plant from my world that I use— the oil from its seeds acts as a vital component, as it can produce a gas that builds up intensely when mixed with hydrogen peroxide.
It requires a violent sort of strike, so carrying the vials around isn't dangerous, but a harsh impact starts the reaction.
( He exhales softly, thinking as Bakugo continues to offer ideas. He's starting to feel sleepy, which is... nice, in a way? But a little frustrating all the same, because this talk feels productive, and Bakugo feels warm, feels nice. But a lot happened today, he supposes, and maybe the relaxation of having someone who can watch out for him is making his body actually calm down from its usual insomnia. )
My painting self ate a lot more gods and was barely alive. ( He frowns a little, thinking on it. Right now, he wants to describe that version of him as "hardly himself," but... the truth is more that the him sitting here in the resort is the one barely like his old selves, right? But it's because of the opportunities, the people, the scenes, right? He feels sick thinking about it. ) There are "shortcuts" I could take... by using the Divinity, the thing that makes my blood so unique.
But it causes pain, it causes madness, it threatens to allow that thing to take over again, and what happens is— like those roots you tore out of me. There are times I've allowed myself to use it too casually, when I cared less about what happened to myself. ( He pauses, pinching lightly at his own fingers, quietly thinking. ) But, I suppose... there are one or two people I don't want to worry, here.
So I'm trying to avoid that. ( Dangerous, life threatening god powers are an entirely different sort of magic that a normal human shouldn't have access to. His body barely allows it. )
But a mark that reacts on touch is something I could do, at some level... If you mean on the floor, or a wall. I've done that before. A "trap," set to react to a stimuli.
Hn. [Different kind of explosion, but it works. Pressure placed within the seedpods until it bursts for one reason or another. Not the combustive detonation he's referring to. Anything is useful when it comes to what Esikko can do with plants. He's read about heroes and villains making use of foliage and plants with their Quirks, taking themes or actions or gear from their nature. A girl in one of the other hero courses has a Quirk which causes prehensile vines to grow instead of hair. She's used those for offense, defense, insulation, bindings, and more.]
That's similar to nitroglycerin. [Requiring an impact to set it off, which causes the necessary friction to make the heat enough for an explosion. Bakugo notes the way Esikko's breathing softens, and glances towards the clock. It's late. Later than he usually stays up. And Esikko's been running on adrenaline for the past two hours at least. Crashing hard's in his future soon enough. Guess he can't begrudge something actually forcing the guy to sleep well.]
Yeah, yeah. I'm not saying eat a buncha fucking gods. [He throws the topic out the window. Doesn't make a damn lick of sense and he'd rather not talk about that aspect. Gets confusing. What he wants to note is the actions the guy was able to take and glean some inspiration.]
You're not taking any fucking shortcuts if you're gonna work with me, dumbass. [The only "shortcuts" he allows are those found by improvement and efficiency. Strong enough to do away with the training wheels. Smart enough to combine two steps into one. Inspired to try a safer, better alternative. He's not gonna let Esikko cut a corner and fuck himself up.]
Uh-huh. And they're gonna kick your ass if you keep stressing them out. [Speaking from experience since he already chewed Esikko out tonight. Of course he wants Esikko to avoid doing shitty actions! He's going for other routes.]
No. Your skin. [He turns his hand over, showing the underside of his wrist and his forearm.] I read a comic where the hero had tattoos on his body. Each one correlated to a different action. If he touched the one on his forehead, he could project his thoughts. The one on his wrist made his body heat up. The one on his leg made him invisible.
Go brush your teeth while you think about it before you fall asleep on me.
( At those first comments, moving through the conversation from nitroglycerin to no shortcuts to kicking his ass, he smiles. It's genuine, softer than his default; of course he knows there are no more shortcuts, and of course he knows they'll kick his ass. Bakugo is one of the two people he's sure have some amount of care for him here, after all.
A genuine care, for whatever reason. Not the twisted kind that stands to gain something. He's not sure what he's done to deserve it from anyone, but he's not about to turn it away.
His thoughts are interrupted by that last idea, though. On his skin? He looks thoughtful, suddenly, as he compares Bakugo's thoughts to the reality of it with his magic. Could it be possible? Certainly. But how would it work on a body like his? Traps might mean he can't even get touched in pleasant ways, which could serve to be a problem here...
Mm, but if he applies more specifications, maybe? Is there magic that can read intent, buried somewhere in his journal? Or maybe something he can do to switch it on and off? There's also the issue of the mark itself on skin. The methods—
Bakugo tells him to brush his teeth and he can't help but laugh, a soft closing of his eyes allowing him to soak in this last bit of comfort. Aww, he's being kicked off his lap. )
I can't sleep on you? ( Lightly, like a tease, he leans in to kiss at the side of his head. It feels easier to leave these quiet little signs of affection, of appreciation, when he's teasing along with it. Something to excuse it, maybe...
And he slips away and off him just as quickly, grabbing the bag he'd brought and moving towards one of the bathrooms. )
Fine, fine. Let me think on what I could manage. Be right back~
[He wouldn't be entertaining the man in his suite if he didn't give a shit about him. Bakugo doesn't want Esikko getting into more trouble or getting hurt, but he's not a nice enough guy to give him a bail each time. He wants him to grow strong, work smarter, improve himself, find his way around his own weaknesses. OF course he'll save him; he's a hero and likes the guy. But don't think he won't yell at Esikko while doing so! Tough friendship.
This is also the guy who tutored one of his friends while beating him over the head with a rolled up book to help. Esikko should be glad he's not getting that brand of assistance from the blonde.
Esikko's thoughtful expression and mild confusion earn him another flat look.] Dammit, Prince Prick. How the hell'd you live all these lives and not think about shit like this?
[Bakugo spent so much time with his Quirk, trying to do all sorts of actions, wringing out its features from experimenting with his sweat to cutting his palm's tough skin to see how his Quirk affected it (okay the last one was done with parental supervision and a doctor's guided permission. And only once. He wanted to make sure a stupid slash across the palm wasn't going to screw his Quirk forever! Shut up! What fabrics soaked up sweat the most, which liquids diluted his sweat more, whether he could detonate his sweat faster or slower depending on temperature. A month or two ago (back home) he learned how to double coat his explosive sweat with normal sweat. Etc. Always experimenting. Always improving. Always looking outside the level he's currently on.]
Hell no! Your bony ass is digging into my fucking thighs! [Another few minutes and he's gonna lose feelings in his legs! Bakugo gives Esikko a light shove with his forearm, not knocking him off, but definitely encouraging his long legs off his body and onto his feet. Complete with grumbles as the man leans in and kisses his head. Embarrassing... His face pinks slightly at the mixture of familiar intimacy and old-man doting.]
Scram. [Once Esikko's off his lap, swings his own legs off the armrest and stands up. Ugh, there's a crick in the spine. He arches backwards, stretching his lower spine with a struggling grunt. Fuck. More for Esikko to think about. They don't have to go further tonight; he feels like the man has enough to brainstorm.
While his guest gets ready for the night, Bakugo checks his room's door, then shuts off the lights in the kitchen and heads to his own bathroom to clean up as well.]
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no subject
Date: 8/25/25 03:17 (UTC)[Skipping generations without being seen or shown until the perfect alignment suddenly brings it into light. Bakugo leans back in the seat, both arms resting on its sides. Esikko's offering him magic and his pride quickly rises up. His Quirk has always been with him since the start, he's never needed anything else, and ultimately, never wanted anything else. He intended to claim his dream with his strength alone! So no one could look at his results and say he was assisted by someone or something else. As if it wasn't 100% him.
Bakugo's never believed in magic before. Always a Quirk. Always science. Magic was make believe. But in this place, magic is very real. People bring it from their own worlds. The peacock replicates it. Fucking amazing and weird.
He bristles slightly when Esikko suggests his Quirk could "benefit" him to use magic, lips twitching and ashen brows furrowing over his red eyes.]
You heard me.
[There's a difference in learning a technique separate from him. He's picked up archer, marksmanship, martial arts, a host of skills and abilities, many of which don't play at all well with his Quirk, and some that do.
And yet... wouldn't it be cool to magic up something? Hmph. Little wide-eyed kid inside.
Esikko launches into a fucking litany of words, pouring out and chattering with all the energy of some fucking nerd rambling about his favorite topic. Bakugo sinks back in the seat, like he can somehow retreat from his bluster. With Midoriya, he definitely would be moving away, backing up with a flat face and growling about how creepy it is. Definitely creepy here too. Who the hell talks that much at once?!]
You're talking way too much, dammit!
[Right, that protest gets run over and swallowed by the maniac on the pulpit. So much for speaking out. He's left sunk in his seat and scowling by the time Esikko finally finishes his happy place.]
Urusei. [Yeah, he's not doing all that crap. Time to rein this guy in!] Get out the shit you use for the mind wipe spell.
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Date: 8/25/25 04:40 (UTC)( It's an immediate retort, one that hardly breaks the enthusiastic energy practically radiating from him right now. A mild annoyance, one that he's matching with the urgent flipping of his journal's pages, food forgotten for moments longer as he does. Any retort or argument from Bakugo on that is completely ignored and pushed through as he starts up again. )
It's not a mind wipe, it's a memory block. A seal, if you will. To make it succinct as possible... Goal: block access to any memories of one specific person. To lower the cost, make it temporary, with an expected expiration. The pathway: I used the higher energy connection of the basement and its overrunning of spirits to form the symbols required. Cost: burnings of rabbit fur, candles, and presenting a chunk of a lizard tail at the locations of the symbols. Also, physical contact, no matter how brief, and a transmission or insertion of just the tiniest bit of my blood. I planned on a needle, but that idiot came and grabbed my hand and sucked on my finger.
( During all of this, he sets out a few things from his bag on the table. The journal is turned to the correct page, symbols all drawn and described, and there are sealed jars of fur, blood, and a set of candles. Sealed and sanitary, and away from the food, don't worry. )
So, there are two methods that I can think of to move around shortening the requirement or extending the impact.
( He holds up his fingers one at a time to symbolize this, counting them off. )
One: rather than a memory block, a memory erasure. The cost would increase highly, and the energy required could be a problem for my body as it is now. Two: a stronger memory block, more permanent. It's cost isn't as high as erasure, as there's the potential for the barrier to break down over time or persistent agitation. It's still a higher cost than what I've already managed.
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Date: 8/26/25 00:39 (UTC)[Snapped back in a reflexive volley. Can he even stop this damn deluge of nerdy passion spilling out of Esikko's mouth? Probably not, much to his chagrin. Bakugo sinks further in his chair, foot propped on the coffee table as if he might shove back and sink into his chair's secret recess. It's always weird when people get impassioned about stuff for minutes on end. He's an explosive force when going off about something he likes, but usually done soon. Rambling's fucking weird. And Esikko plunges ahead, earning a flat-faced scowl from his companion. Ugh.]
You formed a bunch of symbols out of energy and spirits? [Sounds like bullshit, even if he's seen people make images with energy in his own world. His upperclassman could do so with her Quirk. Made a damn rose in the air. Esikko's recipe for the spell sounds straight out of a witch's handbook. Yeah no, while the prince gets all his shit out, Bakugo's taking a moment to abscond to the kitchen and put food away. If they're getting out gory pieces of animals and shit, he's not having food present. Esikko's remaining pieces the exception.
Back to the chair when he's done, sitting cross-legged on the surface with his hands resting on either shin. He leans forward over the edge, peering at the items with a mix of caution and interest.]
Both those options have a higher cost. That's more time spent on the damn ritual. If you can't speed up your ritual, you're fucked against anyone who finds you or moves faster.
[Unless Esikko doesn't need to do the ritual and cast the spell at the same time... With the ritual being akin to loading a gun with the spell (bullet) he can then carry around with him and fire at any time.]
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Date: 8/26/25 04:12 (UTC)The ritual generally comes first. It's the activation and the toll that may take more. Mm, like...
( He thinks, leaning forward, turning one or two of the jars to get a better look at the things inside. There are herbs, too, plants and leaves and some things he's ground to dust... )
I can pre-draw the correct symbols, burn the offerings, line things up... I had been in the process of doing as much when that asshole found me, you know? I wasn't going to start the spell right then until he grabbed me like that.
( So, kind of like a loaded gun. Yes. )
Preparing it in advance would mean that the signal to open the pathway is less immediate, such as another drawn symbol instead of a snap of a finger, but it's doable. I've managed as much by biting my tongue and tracing it in my own mouth, too. But I also have to speak the correct words, so that requires a few different movements on my part.
Putting even that aside, the spell itself, the more complex it is, can be so exhausting that I risk passing out the more it demands. That's not such a problem if I have backup, really...
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Date: 8/26/25 22:27 (UTC)Then start stockpiling. Take some time to build up a reliable set of spells and make sure you've always got them on hand.
[Even if it means Esikko needs to go into a few days of hibernation to set himself up. It's better than being caught off guard if someone runs into him. Since there it seems like the prince is a target for a bunch of assholes in the hotel. Bakugo doesn't like the idea of the prince spelunking around in the hotel's basement though.]
Can you do the ritual anywhere else? You said the basement's most conductive, but if it's not necessary, pick a better place.
[It's fucking ridiculous Esikko can do everything to set the spell in the chamber, but then when he goes to fire the damn thing, he STILL has to do a few more steps to actually launch it. Shitty process for magic in Bakugo's opinion.]
no subject
Date: 8/28/25 01:05 (UTC)Pre-loading spells?
Calculate the strain for each, gather a regular arsenal )
Mm... The basement makes it easier on my body. That is, the spiritual energy there is so potent that it doesn't have to draw as much from me when I cast something using support from it. The next best would be the gardens... but, you know, I was attacked there, too.
( If safety is the issue, he wonders if anywhere is safe anymore. He taps the back of his pen against his bottom lip. )
There's an effort and strain from preparing it, and another from use, but they're separate portions... I could think of ways to alter the spell paths to arrange for that. But— to be honest, I come up with most spells on the spot, here.
I once turned my blood to a paralyzing poison. That could be one, I suppose... ( He's writing this down too, his handwriting foreign but quickly translated by the mechanics of the resort. Still, it comes across as incredibly neat. ) What are some things that could get someone out of a situation where they're trapped? Help me brainstorm.
It may take time, to build up enough. A few weeks, perhaps... But then, if I reliably reset any I have to use... Ah, and, can't you just escort me to set some of them up? If all of them are outside of the basement, it could be difficult.
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Date: 8/28/25 22:00 (UTC)Feels like you're fucking attacked anywhere. [Half a grumble to himself, half a commentary on Esikko's track record. If no place is safe, then he can go wherever the fuck he wants, because it won't matter. Hardly a silver lining. Another issue with the basement is the peacock has more sensitivity and "eyes" down there. Closer to sensitive areas.] Does your spell go down in effectiveness if it takes you longer to prepare it?
[Sure, it might require Esikko to spend two hours on a fireball "bullet" to lessen the burden on his body, but if he can do it in the relative safety of his room, instead of spending an hour in the dangerous underbelly of the basement, take the fucking extra hour. Not Bakugo's preference for himself, but in Esikko's case?]
Stop coming up with shit on the spot. Build a small arsenal of spells you can rely on and focus on improving them.
[One of his mentors had a similar lesson. Don't try to do everything at once. Pick one action, learn it until it becomes automatic, then add a second one. He's pushing the same idea to Esikko. Create a toolbox of spells he can logically use for any situation, then polish them, working on lessening his preparation time, lessening the casting cost, lessening the resources needed.]
Sensory deprivation. Smokescreens, poison clouds, paralyzing dust, numbing agents. You're good with plants, so use them as the basis for your spell effects. [Granted, these are helpful for situations Esikko can distract and escape from. Not if he's stuck in a room with no way out but a fight. Another topic altogether.]
I'm not your damn on-call bodyguard! [Ignoring the reality he just came when Esikko called. He cares, but he's not such a nice person (mostly *ahem*) to shackle himself so often. Esikko needs to be self-sufficient too.] Stay out of the basement and set your spells up in your room. Even if it takes longer, it's safer.
You attract bad attention; don't make it easier on those assholes.
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Date: 8/29/25 05:51 (UTC)( He writes down each of Bakugo's little ideas, pausing only to tap the pen against his lip again, anxious. How many can he manage? He's never really tried this before. Once or twice, a few spells at once, maybe. )
I think I'll need to work up to it slowly. Two, to start. Then adding on a third after a week. Each time I add a new one, there's a risk for it overloading me to the point that my body can't handle it, you know, and I pass out, so...
( Especially if they're done from his room. But maybe? He's scribbling little diagrams, now, on the next page over, like he's trying to determine how many spells is the limit before it might be too much. Hard to say, when he's never tried it. )
If I reach that breaking point, I'd have to start over, but I'd be more informed, I suppose... So I should make a list, arrange them in terms of weight and strain, and also importance for escape, don't you think? Mm, and if I track my stamina and improvements with your training, then I can make a spot for my wellbeing while holding them...
no subject
Date: 8/30/25 03:21 (UTC)[Though now Esikko brings up the concept of his own loaded bullets putting pressure on his body while carrying them around. He's had red flag after red flag thrown in his face by life, circumstances, his own body, all pointing to the reality magic is NOT doing him any goddamn favors-- it doesn't sound like it's even good for him! --and Esikko doggedly pushes past all of them. Fucking stupid.]
You should've become a poison master instead.
[Grumbled under his breath as he turns in the chair and throws his legs over one arm, his own arms coming to rest behind his head in a mild posture of exasperation and getting comfortable. Some dreams too far out of reach no matter how hard someone tries.]
You'll add a third one after your body can safely handle two without overloading, breaking down, or getting tired. I didn't teach you a shoulder throw until after you could perform an arm lock easily, remember?
[No running until you can walk without problem. If Esikko wants his help, this is the kind of instruction he's going to get. Of course Bakugo doesn't always ascribe to the same teaching! But that's because his body can handle it. He didn't go for larger explosions until he could safely do smaller ones when he was learning how to use his Quirk.]
The hell do you mean start over? [If a gun breaks, that doesn't mean the bullets are suddenly useless!
... and if it does, Bakugo's quickly starting to view Esikko's world's magic as extremely inherently flawed. Maybe there's a good reason it was locked away and never practiced. It sucks?!]
no subject
Date: 8/30/25 06:02 (UTC)( So he started looking into more drastic things, secret things, explosive things no one would expect. Of course, he doesn't realize that Chobe has picked up on his need to speak magic words into the air and is going to cancel that out all the same, just from one observation, but...
He frowns to himself, genuinely frustrated. He just wants to be less useless. Sure, sure, he gets working to his own strengths, but what kind of strength is "can make a really mean poison potion" anyway? He taps his pen on the page a few times before writing out that he needs to stay steady at two before moving on. Annoying, but fair... )
I just mean that my body has trouble recovering if I push it too far. So I should move cautiously, like you said. Wait for it to become easy before I move on... ( He sighs, after a moment, sinking lower in his own seat, journal flopping against his face. )
And as I work at that, I suppose I'll just have to be extra cautious in going out. I'll alternate it, of course, and not bother you every day...
( Dabi some, Bakugo others, maybe Loki... It feels like just existing is becoming a weight on everyone around him, though, and he's starting to feel depressed about it. So, he shuts his journal, dropping it back on the table and rolling the pen right after it. )
That should be plenty to start with. Thanks for your help.
no subject
Date: 8/30/25 12:42 (UTC)Stop making excuses. Everyone has a weakness. Crush them. If you can't grab your poison, start incorporating it where you don't have to reach it.
[He didn't mean a master poisoner in crafting only. He meant assassination arts, secret applications, shit you see in fantasy films, ninja movies, and other action pieces where the weaker person uses other means to augment their lacking strength.
Even Bakugo's aware Esikko needs to speak his spells; figured that shit out the first time they fought together against the stupid painting. Anyone with half a brain can figure out Bakugo's Quirk comes from his hands, Dabi's Quirk burns him too, Scott's mutant power utilizes his eyes, blah blah fucking blah. It's up to all of them to work around those noticeable weaknesses and conquer them. Using your limitations as an excuse is pathetic.]
Tch. Everyone has to deal with their own damn stamina. [It's difficult to advise Esikko in this. He comes from a world where almost everyone has some kind of supernatural power. Plenty of them suck, but many of them are strong. They make do with what they have.] Don't look down on what skills you have.
If you're bothering me, I'll tell you. [But Esikko's right. Rotate. Bakugo will help him some days, Dabi others, more of his companions. As many enemies as he has, the prince has friends too. Ironically, Bakugo deals with the same annoyance of being a burden on people around him, fearing becoming so and doing everything he can to never find himself in such a position. Doesn't matter if he has to for his broken leg to move, he'd rather stab his femur through his thigh muscle walking out of the room than rely on someone's offered shoulder.
Doesn't mean he always gets or goes through with what he'd rather...]
In my country, a long time ago there were two groups of warriors. Samurai and ninja. Samurai used strong weapons like swords and spears. They rode horses, had strong bodies, could fight for hours. Ninja were weaker physically, so they used stealth attacks, poisons, hidden weapons, and trickery. Guess which one their enemies feared more.
no subject
Date: 8/31/25 05:00 (UTC)The opposite of people like Kirma, who would tell him he doesn't need to fight, that they could do it all for him. To strip him entirely of every ounce of autonomy he could have. Bakugo's words would rather empower him, push him, all while backing him up...
And he's not so blind as to ignore the occasional hypocrisy, of course. Bakugo is stubborn enough that Esikko can't help but feel that he doesn't know enough about him, his feelings, his internal struggles. That he can guess to many of them, based on what he's seen, but that getting the man to ever admit to any of it would be like pulling teeth. Is that a testament to their bond not being close enough, or is it more just that Bakugo tries too hard to be strong enough for everyone? He's beginning to realize it's the latter. And so he leans, after a moment, to put himself closer to Bakugo, subtle as it is, eyes trailing over the items laid out on the table. )
Maybe... the problem is that I've always been trying to view how to do these things alone.
( Quietly, thoughtfully, he's clearly in his own head, but it's a little more productive this time. Not self-deprecating, just reflecting. )
Stealth and trickery, is it? I'll try to focus entirely on my strengths, then, and not think about where I lack. ( Hard as it is. He's not sure he can stop, but he'll try. ) So, I'll rely on some of you to help fill in the gaps. That's fine, isn't it?
( He's still so quiet... But he turns his head, finally, glancing over. )
Perhaps one day I'll be able to fill a few gaps for someone else, too. ( He wants to be useful, more than anything. )
no subject
Date: 8/31/25 16:21 (UTC)Bakugo's never liked relying on other people. Sharing his victories or losses with others pisses him off. Being reliable doesn't mean being someone's crutch. He can help Esikko up, but what good is that if the man crumbles on his weak legs the second he lets go?
He's seen the kind of power the prince can wield, even if he knows so little about either form asides from Esikko's fear of them and the one's ridiculous attitude. Sucks neither can be utilized here.]
Aa. Don't forget what you lack, but don't focus so much on it you forget what you can do. [There's nothing wrong with working on your weaknesses. Fuck, you should be doing that most of the time. But neglecting your strengths in favor of the opposite only drags yourself down. Until even what you could do well becomes a disappointment.]
Hmph, why the hell wouldn't it be fine? [A hero's supposed to be reliable. Bakugo wants to be someone Esikko looks to and knows he'll get help each time. When he needs it. Heroes have to be able to work as a team, supporting each other, but also strong enough to stand alone against adversity. A tricky balance sometimes.]
You already do. [Esikko's given people tools and gifts both useful and pleasant. He has friends, people who can come to him. If he can't see his usefulness, he's fucking blind.
Bakugo clicks his tongue after a few more seconds under the prince's gaze. Che, sap... He sits up on the seat and grabs his drink again.]
You ever poisoned your nail polish?
[Back to brainstorming! Before he gets uncomfortable with the softer stuff.]
no subject
Date: 8/31/25 20:34 (UTC)And there are others who have shown it, of course, like Dabi. But all here, and it makes him not want to return to his own home at all. He'll find somewhere else. And the more he thinks on it, the more that seems... possible? Allowable?
Thankfully, Bakugo interrupts his thoughts from daydreaming too much further. The idea of poison nail polish sparks something inside Esikko enough that it lights up his face, eyes blinking wider. )
I... hadn't thought of that. ( It's genius? How had he not thought of that? He holds out one of his hands to admire the nail polish on it now, curious. Well, it's a new idea to him, relatively speaking, and he had been introduced to it as purely aesthetic, with some skincare levels of aid. He was only thinking of it looking nice with his hair and being further away from what his father would like, when he'd first decided to try it. ) I suppose, so long as I'm capable of making an antidote quickly for anyone I'm intimate enough with, that could work.
( He'd hate to kill or paralyze someone unintentionally, especially mid sex. )
Nail polish like this wasn't a thing, where I'm from, so I only started using it here. You're so smart, Bakugo~ ( Praising him because he loves this idea, singsong and all. )
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Date: 9/1/25 13:29 (UTC)Weeks to months after his arrival, he wanted nothing more than to obliterate the peacock and send everyone back home where they came from. A hero's vicious salvation. Until cold reality lanced him through when he realized some people are better off in this place, some don't want to go home... and he came to care about people as well. A damnable trap, a bad mistake, but an unavoidable fact. He's only human. As most of them are.
Thoughts for himself. His expression flattens when Esikko's lights up in surprise, blinking in a stunned stupor. He... hadn't thought of that.] BAKA! [*WHAP!* Right on the bastard's stupid pink head!] You're good with poisons but don't think like a poisoner!
[Not that Bakugo thinks like a poisoner, but he's read plenty of comics, watched plenty of hero shows, pushing the heroes to contend with not just powerful villains, but sneaky ones too.]
Nail polish, hairpins, needles in your sleeve, poison pills in necklaces, you ever seen chloroform on a patch of cloth knock someone out? You can even poison your damn lips. [It's not a lightly-tossed litany of options. Esikko knows he'll have to treat his new arsenal with care to avoid hurting his friends and innocent people. But he should've at least been thinking about things outside of magic! ... Maybe he didn't have assassins in his homeworld.]
Tch! Think about your strengths more.
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Date: 9/3/25 06:06 (UTC)( It's an overreaction for the drama of it, of course, as Esikko whines about the whap on his head, hands reaching up to clutch at it as if it's a serious injury. It is not. It didn't really hurt— but no one usually dares to hit him, slapstick or not?!
It's kind of nice, not being treated like some fragile thing you can't even interact with. But that thought flutters away as quickly as it came, because he's busy taking in all of those ideas. He stands, after a moment, to grab his journal and jot them all down, pacing left, and then right... )
Okay, okay! Maybe I'd think of my strengths a little more if some people would list them a little more generously, hmm?
( He's joking, and that much is clear by how his gaze doesn't linger on Bakugo. His steps keep him pacing, and he tosses the journal back on the table. It's a little hard to focus on strengths when so many mocking voices sound in his head listing his faults, but... it's gotten better, here. He can work past this. He thinks. )
Anyway, perhaps I'll leave some magic in your suite, too? ( A curious glance flicks over to Bakugo, asking for permission as he moves back over to him. Now, when he sits, he tries to crowd into his space. To share a chair, or sit on a lap, or whatever he can get away with. He did this once before, ages ago, he remembers... )
The lines work better with some distance between their main points. If I draw symbols in yours, and Dabi's, and my own... you know, it works better. And in the meantime, I'll continue growing my plants.
I already have an assortment of useful ones... I grind some into powders, make others into sleep aids for the few people who seemed interested... I guess it's possible.
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Date: 9/4/25 02:07 (UTC)Bakugo drops his head back over the chair's arm, legs sliding out so his knees are flopped over the other one instead of his previous scrunched position. This is the second time the prince had to go pick up his notebook. Put it down when they're done talking, Prince Prick. Sheesh.]
If you need people to tell you you're strong, you're not gonna last.
[Joking or not, Bakugo takes the comment seriously. This is another point they can't see eye to eye on. He loves getting praised, flattered, having his strength extolled. But only for a short while before it becomes annoying. And he'd never let someone else's words be the source of his strength. Knowing what he can do, how strong he is, his own opinion of himself matters more than someone else. Even if everyone in the world called him weak... he'd have to rely on himself to stay strong. He can't let his own doubts and insecurities overpower him.]
Leave some magic? What do you mean? [If he's talking about his ingredients, plants, and other shit, that's fine. But if he's talking about weaving magic into the walls and setting up some kind of damn ritual circle in his closet...] Oy! I'm sitting here, dammit!
[Slender butt bastard! Ultimately Esikko ends up squished into his lap, with Bakugo glaring at him from "below" but not trying to shove him off. For now. One arm thrown over the back of the chair, the other wedged beside him.]
How much space do you need? [Sounds like the ritual circle path. Not like he's using every room in his suite. And he'd rather Esikko be in his and Dabi's suites than down in the basement.]
You know how to concentrate their extracts, right?
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Date: 9/4/25 03:55 (UTC)( A simple response as he settles in, cold as he is, in Bakugo's lap. He's bony, but at least he's lightweight, even as tall as he is. He holds up both hands, approximating the size of something, like... cantaloupe sized? )
Maybe this big, on the floor somewhere, beneath a bed, or on a wall behind a painting. You know, just a sigil, which would require the set up of a larger setting but leaves only a small marking in exchange.
It may smell like my blood for some time afterwards, but it fades. ( He'd just need maybe a couple in each, to help direct things? He has to map them out later, but... Anyway. )
In any case, yes, I do. Multiple methods of it, in fact. I can use each and every bit of any plant you can think of, truly, and perhaps even some you don't know of. If there's a problem, I can solve it with a potion, or a supplement, or a powder or cream... You know, I did offer these things in my earlier days, but no one took me up on it.
( So he stopped offering, and kept them mostly to himself. )
Since before I even bothered with magic, I was fascinated with plants. I studied them closely, so I'm familiar with horticulture deeply. When I use my magic to create plants based on descriptions, it's actually my knowledge of their systems as a whole that leads me through it, rather than magic itself.
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Date: 9/4/25 21:36 (UTC)You can set it up in the spare room. [There's a few places he could put it. Behind a dresser, in the corner, under an end table, in the closet. It'll give Esikko his privacy if/when he needs it later.]
I've got candles. [Not that Esikko's blood reeks of usual copper gore. Wait, A COUPLE?! Don't turn his suite into a damn coven! Fuck!]
Then focus on plants with deliberating effects. [Blinding, numbness, pain, stupors, all the fucking drugs made from plant-based byproducts. Sure, it might not affect everyone in the resort, but having something reliable on hand is better than doing fuck all.]
I make grenades using flasks and chemistry vials. [Even though his has his Quirk, even back home Bakugo had gear he utilized along with his sweat and Quirk to battle. Since he obviously doesn't have them here, he's improvised. And made some for one or two companions. If he's going to a dangerous place, Bakugo usually brings a few along.]
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Date: 9/4/25 21:47 (UTC)( Again, his hand lifts, fingers showing the length of the tiny vials he would make. )
One type would explode on contact hard enough to break the glass. Another type would create a sort of smokescreen, temporarily, with the same impact.
I realized that repeatedly, the sort of people who come for me are ones that can grab my wrist before I can manage to even throw them. I began to only make them for him, but now they're... ( Useless? That's what it feels like, anyway. Who would want them? But he stops himself, shifting one arm to hook around Bakugo a little, as if he's not close enough by sitting in his lap. )
So... I could do the same for other effects, of course. But it's frustrating, when I prepare and still get overpowered. That's why I wanted to learn more maneuvers to break free, though.
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Date: 9/5/25 23:14 (UTC)[Might not given he's aware of Hiyori's broken faith in Esikko, but isn't going to bring it up to the man. Not tonight when he's already dealing with his self-worth issues. Another simpler suggestion is Hiyori hasn't gotten through the supply Esikko gave him, so why would he come asking for more?]
What kind of plant produces explosive extract? [He figures Esikko means a magical potion, but since he said he could create brand new kinds of plants from memory and description, maybe he concocted a blasting flora? Smokescreen isn't hard to guess, given his spells.]
I'm already teaching you grapple breaks and pressure points. [Bakugo shits as that arm hooks around him, growling when he has to pull from the seat a bit so he's not racking his ribs on Esikko's arm.] You said you use sigils and symbols for your spells. Can you create a mark that will react on touch?
[Like those traps and magics in comics where one accidental touch causes the ground to collapse or a spell to activate. Bakugo doesn't exactly want Esikko to turn his body into a living weapon...
but at the same time, what the hell's the harm in doing so? People are grabbing him anyways. His own world has Quirks, part of his own body is his weapon. Bakugo himself is an explosion living in human form, right?
If Esikko can't get external offense, can it hurt to look at internal? Time to look into the ugly mirror.] Your painting self was casting spells without any effort.
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Date: 9/6/25 06:18 (UTC)It requires a violent sort of strike, so carrying the vials around isn't dangerous, but a harsh impact starts the reaction.
( He exhales softly, thinking as Bakugo continues to offer ideas. He's starting to feel sleepy, which is... nice, in a way? But a little frustrating all the same, because this talk feels productive, and Bakugo feels warm, feels nice. But a lot happened today, he supposes, and maybe the relaxation of having someone who can watch out for him is making his body actually calm down from its usual insomnia. )
My painting self ate a lot more gods and was barely alive. ( He frowns a little, thinking on it. Right now, he wants to describe that version of him as "hardly himself," but... the truth is more that the him sitting here in the resort is the one barely like his old selves, right? But it's because of the opportunities, the people, the scenes, right? He feels sick thinking about it. ) There are "shortcuts" I could take... by using the Divinity, the thing that makes my blood so unique.
But it causes pain, it causes madness, it threatens to allow that thing to take over again, and what happens is— like those roots you tore out of me. There are times I've allowed myself to use it too casually, when I cared less about what happened to myself. ( He pauses, pinching lightly at his own fingers, quietly thinking. ) But, I suppose... there are one or two people I don't want to worry, here.
So I'm trying to avoid that. ( Dangerous, life threatening god powers are an entirely different sort of magic that a normal human shouldn't have access to. His body barely allows it. )
But a mark that reacts on touch is something I could do, at some level... If you mean on the floor, or a wall. I've done that before. A "trap," set to react to a stimuli.
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Date: 9/6/25 21:16 (UTC)That's similar to nitroglycerin. [Requiring an impact to set it off, which causes the necessary friction to make the heat enough for an explosion. Bakugo notes the way Esikko's breathing softens, and glances towards the clock. It's late. Later than he usually stays up. And Esikko's been running on adrenaline for the past two hours at least. Crashing hard's in his future soon enough. Guess he can't begrudge something actually forcing the guy to sleep well.]
Yeah, yeah. I'm not saying eat a buncha fucking gods. [He throws the topic out the window. Doesn't make a damn lick of sense and he'd rather not talk about that aspect. Gets confusing. What he wants to note is the actions the guy was able to take and glean some inspiration.]
You're not taking any fucking shortcuts if you're gonna work with me, dumbass. [The only "shortcuts" he allows are those found by improvement and efficiency. Strong enough to do away with the training wheels. Smart enough to combine two steps into one. Inspired to try a safer, better alternative. He's not gonna let Esikko cut a corner and fuck himself up.]
Uh-huh. And they're gonna kick your ass if you keep stressing them out. [Speaking from experience since he already chewed Esikko out tonight. Of course he wants Esikko to avoid doing shitty actions! He's going for other routes.]
No. Your skin. [He turns his hand over, showing the underside of his wrist and his forearm.] I read a comic where the hero had tattoos on his body. Each one correlated to a different action. If he touched the one on his forehead, he could project his thoughts. The one on his wrist made his body heat up. The one on his leg made him invisible.
Go brush your teeth while you think about it before you fall asleep on me.
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Date: 9/7/25 04:25 (UTC)A genuine care, for whatever reason. Not the twisted kind that stands to gain something. He's not sure what he's done to deserve it from anyone, but he's not about to turn it away.
His thoughts are interrupted by that last idea, though. On his skin? He looks thoughtful, suddenly, as he compares Bakugo's thoughts to the reality of it with his magic. Could it be possible? Certainly. But how would it work on a body like his? Traps might mean he can't even get touched in pleasant ways, which could serve to be a problem here...
Mm, but if he applies more specifications, maybe? Is there magic that can read intent, buried somewhere in his journal? Or maybe something he can do to switch it on and off? There's also the issue of the mark itself on skin. The methods—
Bakugo tells him to brush his teeth and he can't help but laugh, a soft closing of his eyes allowing him to soak in this last bit of comfort. Aww, he's being kicked off his lap. )
I can't sleep on you? ( Lightly, like a tease, he leans in to kiss at the side of his head. It feels easier to leave these quiet little signs of affection, of appreciation, when he's teasing along with it. Something to excuse it, maybe...
And he slips away and off him just as quickly, grabbing the bag he'd brought and moving towards one of the bathrooms. )
Fine, fine. Let me think on what I could manage. Be right back~
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Date: 9/7/25 21:23 (UTC)This is also the guy who tutored one of his friends while beating him over the head with a rolled up book to help. Esikko should be glad he's not getting that brand of assistance from the blonde.
Esikko's thoughtful expression and mild confusion earn him another flat look.] Dammit, Prince Prick. How the hell'd you live all these lives and not think about shit like this?
[Bakugo spent so much time with his Quirk, trying to do all sorts of actions, wringing out its features from experimenting with his sweat to cutting his palm's tough skin to see how his Quirk affected it (okay the last one was done with parental supervision and a doctor's guided permission. And only once. He wanted to make sure a stupid slash across the palm wasn't going to screw his Quirk forever! Shut up! What fabrics soaked up sweat the most, which liquids diluted his sweat more, whether he could detonate his sweat faster or slower depending on temperature. A month or two ago (back home) he learned how to double coat his explosive sweat with normal sweat. Etc. Always experimenting. Always improving. Always looking outside the level he's currently on.]
Hell no! Your bony ass is digging into my fucking thighs! [Another few minutes and he's gonna lose feelings in his legs! Bakugo gives Esikko a light shove with his forearm, not knocking him off, but definitely encouraging his long legs off his body and onto his feet. Complete with grumbles as the man leans in and kisses his head. Embarrassing... His face pinks slightly at the mixture of familiar intimacy and old-man doting.]
Scram. [Once Esikko's off his lap, swings his own legs off the armrest and stands up. Ugh, there's a crick in the spine. He arches backwards, stretching his lower spine with a struggling grunt. Fuck. More for Esikko to think about. They don't have to go further tonight; he feels like the man has enough to brainstorm.
While his guest gets ready for the night, Bakugo checks his room's door, then shuts off the lights in the kitchen and heads to his own bathroom to clean up as well.]
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