[Being able to apply it to not only inanimate objects but to people as well is impressive. He wouldn't call it unlocking something's potential, but can see why Esikko would describe it that way. The closeted nerd in his mind instantly starts mulling over the prince's magic, questioning whether the glove's strength denotes its hardness or mass, thus increasing the impact, or if it's really like some video game giving the glove a "Strength" stat Esikko then tweaks. Likewise whether the man's physical body was augmented or if he gave himself a dose of adrenaline during his fight... Either way, the same result happens.]
You said storing your spells still costs you. [He hasn't changed his mind on the stupid part where Esikko's body continues taxing itself to store those spells even if they're in some external vessel. Is it the same with the talisman he now carries in his pocket? Eternally sapping Esikko's strength as long as it remains active...]
All right. I'll show you when we get back. [He picked them up as Halloween novelties simply because they were there and the vendor was willing to trade them for some sweat. No fucking clue what happened to the guy after the trade went through. Might've blown himself up accidentally.] I'd want you to enhance their power.
There are different kinds of spells. The sort of spell I'd activate like a switch costs me. But this kind— ( He gestures towards Bakugo, towards his pocket where he'd tucked the charm. ) —is different, because it's constant. It took more work to get it right, but it lasts. There are just caveats like "having it on your person works better."
( And you can't turn it off. Changing the characteristics of a target sounds like a good way of explaining it, he thinks, as his arm brushes subtly against Bakugo in his next few steps before granting him more distance again. )
I bet I could enhance whatever existing magic is in place, depending on how it reads. ( How the magic is put into them, he means. Some spells he might prefer to undo and redo himself, others he could build on top of... It's probably going to be the latter. )
Are you thinking of passing them out? ( Because he's not sure Bakugo is the type to use anything like that himself. )
Then make more of these constant augmenting spells and keep them on you. You won't have to cast them- [or as Esikko put it, activate the switch] -when you need them.
[Ideas he expects Esikko to have already thought of, but one thing he's learned from the man during their work on his spells is sometimes basic logic or application flies over his pink head. A second set of eyes helps to think outside the proverbial box. At least Esikko allays his internal worry over the talisman's drain.
There's no lean into those subtle arm brushes, but he doesn't pull away from them either. Silent acceptance.]
You'd have to ask the vendor, but that shitty extra's gone by now. [Seems like the halloween market people up and vanish along with the haunted shopping mall.]
Throwing them or breaking them releases the elemental magic inside. [Is how the charm instructions were presented when he bought them. Has he tested one yet? Nope! He had the vendor test one of his own wares in front of him before making the trade.]
Hell no! I traded my sweat for those things! [He keeps them on principle! And on the off chance he might need them in the future for something.]
No need to ask. I'll be able to tell by inspecting them thoroughly myself.
( Confident and clearly in a good mood— maybe an even better one than before, now that he's got Bakugo's recent "thanks" on his mind— he stretches his arms above his head while they walk. )
From the sound of it, they almost seem to work like some of my potions... But, I suppose I'll have to see. I'll make sure you can get your worth from them, if you traded something precious like that.
( Bakugo is out here making deals, huh... It makes sense, Esikko thinks, as he lowers his arms into different smaller stretches out in front of himself. Keeping active, harnessing some of this rare energy he's feeling from a nice morning walk. )
But that's for later. ( Bright eyes flick over to Bakugo, a small smile lighting up his face just the same. Maybe it's different, having positivity from Esikko of all people pointed his way, but that's what Bakugo has earned from their time together, and Esi doesn't bother shying away from it right now. He's not even thinking about it. )
We always end up speaking about things that sound like work, when we're together. It's not as if I don't appreciate it, of course, but you know... I want to know more about you, too~.
[Don't bitch at him if it comes up strange because some idiot in this world did it. Bakugo presses his foot to a stone in the path and shoves it aside with nary a grunt, sending it rolling down the hill with bounces and crashes through the fall underbrush. Hopefully Esikko won't break his ankle in the hole left behind.]
You don't throw a potion on the ground! [Drink or slather them! They're not liquid grenades, which these spell sticks seem to be. At least according to the instructions and sales pitch. Bakugo rolls a shoulder towards his jaw, scratching an itch on the back round.] It's just sweat. Don't make a big deal out of it.
[Despite just raging about not passing them out because his sweat was the price. Back and forth with this one, huh. Oy! Don't think he's out there whoring out his sweat glands for strange shit! He did it once! ... Twice! The latter one was only to let Hiyori have some homemade bombs.]
Life's work. Anyone saying otherwise is being stupid. [Unfortunately Esikko's stuck with Mr. Stick Up His Ass. Work hard, play hard, even if he's not one for "play" most of the time. His play is beating the ever-living shit out of his competition because he put in all that work! Fucking amazing reward and he thrives on it.
Ugh, and there goes Esikko, fishing for more personal information. Why do people always ask about knowing more of him? Like he's holding shit back accidentally rather than on purpose.] I just told you about elemental talismans from last Halloween!
[Right, cause one tidbit's supposed to suffice for months.]
( You don't throw a normal potion on the ground, sure, but Esikko has made his fair share of flasks that explode or generate smoke on impact, thanks to his potion-making... Still, he lets Bakugo bark out his normal back and forth without more than a glance, eventually dropping his arms from their stretching to angle himself closer again.
This time, after carefully stepping over that hole in the ground, he hooks a hand into the crook of Bakugo's arm, snagging it in a hold. Catch a hint, firework!! )
That's not about you, other than what you were up to, you know. I want to know...
( He pauses, considering what he wants to ask and drawing out the word in his consideration. )
Your favorites, for example. Like, your favorite color.
[That's not the normal idea of "potion" someone thinks about! Multiple colors glowing behind glass bottles arranged or shelves or sitting in bags. Cocks and stoppers popped before throwing it down your throat or pouring it on whatever's getting juiced. Bubbling brew stirring round and around in giant black cauldrons. His idea of what "potion" entails. Heroes and villains dominate Bakugo's society, but those old fantasy tropes remain alive and well.]
Oy! [His shoulder hikes upward, mouth dropping open in a surprised bark.] What're you clinging to?! [Esikko's always a damn fridge when he latches onto him! Seeping through his coat and sweater. Growling, he shoves his hands into his pockets, notably not shaking the guy off. Tch, fine.]
If you were cold, say something. [Mutter, grumble. His favorite color. Of course he has one! What good's it gonna do Esikko? Asides from obvious reasons. Feels so damn childish, talking about that crap.]
( Not exactly true, since he can also overheat, but— mostly true, and the point here is that he is not holding on because he's cold! But sure, he can let Bakugo think that.
But not only is he dense, that favorite color...? Esikko tries to hold back, but a small pfft of a laugh slips from his lips before his free hand covers them, and he tries to think about Bakugo in his school, surrounded by cheery heroes while wearing all black. )
You're so edgy... ( He says this fondly, but he can't help but tease. )
[Why the hell is that logical solution not presenting itself to Esikko's head?! Ugh, this guy's using it as an excuse to be clingy. Bakugo rounds his shoulders slightly as he adjusts his footsteps in time with the pair beside him. What a convenient "excuse" to pull out of his ass.
WHO'RE YOU CALLING DENSE?! He's stubbornly-anti-sap! And dude, have you seen Bakugo's casual wear? It's like 100% black all the time. He wears his school's uniform, idiot! But trades it out once they're back in the dorms. Hmph. A red-eyed glare lances into Esikko's snorting face... and his elbow follows into his rosy ribs.
Convenient, right. ( It's cute, that all of his interests seem to revolve around being a hero. It's endearing that he holds them all back like some tough, mysterious guy. And it's clear in his actions when he likes something versus when he doesn't, when he gets up to something versus when he doesn't...
But boy, he's soooo prickly. Esikko has to step carefully over the next large tree root, but uses it as an excuse to hold onto Bakugo a bit more, relaxing after the tiny hurdle. )
Don't heroes have little fact sheets, or something? ( He's been reading some of the stuff around the resort, so he's got a mixed bag of information on what's normal. But if he filters out all the smut, then it's probably accurate enough, right? ) It's natural for anyone to be curious.
Urusei. [Someone's gonna get his head stuffed in a tree knothole if he keeps this crap up. Bakugo tilts his body and draws Esikko to the path's opposite side, avoiding a protruding set of grabby tree branches. So many people like talking about preferences and what people enjoy; he grew out of talking about most of that stuff a long time ago. People should pick it up when they're with him. Sheesh. Pay attention to what he orders or cooks, what he wears, and learn. It's not hard.
Leaving branches and tree root behind, Bakugo eases them to mid-path once more. Grass dives to their right in a steep hill no one wants to go tumbling down accidentally. A fucking pachinko machine ball with the trees and rocks decorating that slope.]
Che! If they wanna give that crap out, that's up to them. [The answer is: yes. Back home, a lot of heroes (and some villains) have fan sites with information gleaned and given posted in profiles and webpages. Hell, even the Peacock has their own profile people can read. Bakugo didn't fill his out for a long time... but he did recently.] Heroes get interviewed a lot. Some of the reporters are fucking invasive.
( From what Esikko has seen of people, if they can obsess with more public figures, dig for details, learn more, pass judgement, then they get distracted from their own worries for a moment longer. True gossips may do as much throughout their own friend group, rather than just public figures. On the other hand, Esikko can see it from another light, too— when he was stuck in his own bed after particularly rough bouts of illness, he'd want to hear as much as he can about things going on outside of that space. So maybe it's not all so bad?
It's interesting, how he can have both perspectives now, he realizes. Before, he would have stopped after the negative thoughts and not bothered going further... Huh. )
But doesn't it feel nice, to have others care about you enough to wonder?
( With that question, he gives Bakugo's arm a little squeeze, gentle and matched with a curious glance. )
Then they'll lose their nose! [Bakugo's well aware of hero PR, both official work done with professionals and the annoying reality of fans flocking to their favorites while illegal paparazzi and invasive weirdos skulk about for the next scoop. Some do it to make a paycheck, others for some personal need, and more for negative reasons. Doesn't matter their reasons: shoving a camera in Bakugo's face or invading his personal space is gonna result in someone dying. BOOM! There's a difference between official channels and sanctioned news and sleazy tabloids with half-true bullshit.]
Hmph. Feels like shit. [He lies.] If I want people to know something about me, I'll tell them. They don't need to ask a bunch of crap. [The fact he told Esikko his favorite color a moment ago suggests the prince isn't among the "crap" crowd. Pressure squeezes on his arm, muscles flex under his jacket sleeve, a small gush of warmth seeps around his torso.] No one shoved weird questions in your face as a prince?
[Most worlds or countries would see royalty as celebrities, but given Esikko's life, Bakugo can't see anyone asking much after the man.]
( Esikko laughs a little, both at that question to himself and at Bakugo's reaction. There's no way he doesn't eat up some of that attention, right? Though he's sure he's annoyed by plenty of it, plenty of versions of it, he must love the spotlight. Just too cool to admit it, huh? )
People asked me plenty of things, but they were never actually about me.
( Digging about his father's actions, attempts to woo him to earn his favor in a particular direction, searching for weaknesses, for gaps, for chances. Opportunity was all it was, and even as a child he could recognize that much. He was taught for it, taught that it would come from everyone in that way, and even now it can feel a little odd or foreign when someone wants to do something for him without meaning to use it as a trade of some sort, or an owed favor. Certain people reinforce that... others don't. )
So I don't know how I'd feel if they were. It feels like, even here, whenever someone wants to know something about me, they just follow me around and watch.
( Why does he have a stalker problem even in roleplay, I truly don't know, but. First Kirma, now Dodger...? )
So of course that's annoying. A few questions can't be all that bad, though.
Edited (sighing at myself) Date: 12/8/25 05:43 (UTC)
[He's getting glared at. Jaws set and lips pressed tight. Does Esikko want his arm where it is or to get tossed over Bakugo's head for being annoying? Of course he likes being the center of attention! But it quickly becomes annoying when his complex and fickle tolerance flares up. Demanding someone praise him one second, then yelling at them to shut up the next for being noisy. It's a crap shoot when complimenting him. Spotlight's amazing! But blinding!]
Figures.
[Always the sob story with his past. Bakugo's come to accept that about Esikko and one or two others in the resort. He isn't able to resonate with them, having come from a wonderful background and good life. All his struggles as a child were his own doing. Personal hardships started when he entered high school and turned out life didn't give a shit about how he expected it to go. Makes it hard for him when criminals or moaners try using their bad lives as excuses for their actions. Can he acknowledge them? Yes. Understand them? Factually for most, but emotionally very few. There are other people better at doing so than him.]
Learn to use a blowgun.
[Swipe needles from the Broken Wing, blowguns can get by the house's fear of blades, and they're quick to deploy while being easy to carry hidden. Esikko has plenty of hot air in him too.]
( Esikko seems amused by that suggestion, exhaling a soft puff as he ducks his head a little, fingers readjusting themselves in their hold on Bakugo's arm. He already has plenty of needles, actually, and could make his own relatively easy. But... )
I'm trying to avoid fights or conflict now, you know. Even if it means... dealing with annoyances, or allowing people to think less of me, or misunderstand me.
( It's been a trial and a half, wanting to bicker with people who assume things wrong, wanting to kick at someone and tell them off. But the most he's managed is a magic mark that can work as a fallback on the guy he trusts the least right now, and his own growing magic arsenal he's been working on, thanks to Bakugo. But since he dealt with Chobe through violence and a crafted message that held his version of self-defense and it went so poorly, he's been trying to adjust himself. )
Anyway, a lot of questions I can see being irritating. Be honest: how many reporters have you blasted?
[Otherwise he would've suggested one! He shifts his hand in his pockets and adjusts his walk so Esikko's grip on his arm doesn't tug him off course. Someone might give him a weird look for suggesting this guy start shooting needles at people he doesn't like, but unless they wanna defend Esikko against stalkers personally, they can shut the fuck up.]
Yeah, I know. [He disagrees with Esikko's choice, but understands why. Annoyingly, since he knows he's one of the reasons the man's decided to veer towards doormat instead of standing up for himself. Pisses him off. But if Esikko keeps getting himself killed, he'll continue coming back with more and more taken from him, more curses and problems laid on him, more issues until he's nothing left of the man he knows.
Reminds him far too much of someone he knows back home who mouthed off and stood up and wouldn't back down even though he was powerless to stop his aggressor. When bravery and stupidity combine.
He avoids the topic. No point in bringing the hike down.]
More than ten.
[Even if "blasted" was more threatening and shouting than actually slamming one into their faces.]
Mm, but that J guy gave me a mini gun, you know? For that fish problem you took care of.
( Esikko's free hand lifts to mimic the small size of the reward gun with thumb and forefinger, a tiny thing that only holds one bullet at a time. But one bullet is helpful for self defense, so he's been holding onto it when he's heading to the gardens on his own, for example, or other such lonely treks. He's working on keeping himself safe, while trying to balance not troubling the people important to him. Of course, there's a balance between what gets to a point that he should share or not... But, he's keeping careful watch of it, and managing it from there.
Still, he laughs brightly at that answer. Ten. )
I knew it~ ( He can picture it now, the shouting, the snapping, the facial expressions. Bakugo's own, and what he can only imagine to be a shocked reporter dealing with a grumpy guy like him. If only he could pick up that ball of rage and project it at some of the people from his own world, he'd be so entertained just watching them deal with him, it would almost feel like karma.
Mm, but better to never go back there again, anyway. )
You're always so unapologetically yourself, after all. It's inspiring, a little.
With one bullet! And they're still not for sale! [So he's right! Where are people going to get refills for those little peashooters once they use a single shot? Go back to J and gamble something important for more? Fuck no! Bakugo took the gun simply out of novelty; he's already got a knife. Both are on his desk, since he's never cared to carry around a firearm, being a living nuke as he is. Most heroes and villains in his world don't use firearms, relying on their Quirks for combat. The police and small-time crooks, however, sometimes bring them out.
Despite his concern and care for the prince beside him, Bakugo has no intention of being attached to his hip or imprisoning him to keep his ass out of trouble. In his experience, trouble inevitably finds Esikko or he goes looking for it more or less unwittingly. He'll yell at him each time he has to patch his ass up. While patching his ass up.]
Che! Shut up. [He doesn't like interviews! When they go off course. One of the Pro Heroes helping with practice interviews summed it up: "You're better interviewing when you're on your own; you don't mesh well at all with... people." Interviews should focus on how amazing he did, let him have his say, and get the hell outta his face! Red eyes snap a side-long glare into Esikko's jaw. Take the visual dagger, dammit!]
Why the hell would I be anyone different?! Get so inspired, you kill your hangups!
( Kill your hangups is kind of a way to describe what his life philosophy always was before arriving here...? But, yes, yes, he gets it, he's changed his approach to many different things, with so many new angles introduced to him. And Bakugo was part of that help, whether he realizes it or not. So Esikko takes that visual dagger to the side of his face with a closed-eyed smile, head tilting ever so slightly in consideration of the words before he settles on a humming response. )
Will do.
( His steps have been keeping up well along this hike, so far, which is nice. The fresh air helps offset the struggling of his lungs, and his heart is getting used to being a little more active, in small doses, so he doesn't even consider another stop as he blinks softly up at the trees hanging over the path. Evergreens mixed with more seasonal colors, plenty well on their way to bare. Seasons, too, are simulated here...
His voice trails out thoughtfully, tossing aside thoughts that he's sure won't get any reliable answer from Bakugo to land on one simple phrase, instead. )
[He realizes his own influence in Esikko's growth and life; what kind of moron wouldn't want to see results after putting a bunch of effort into helping someone? Heroes are those who people look up to. They lead by example, their presence offers aid even before they take action, a hero who makes others feel weak and afraid is a failure from the start.
He twists slightly to dislodge Esikko's arm from his own, but swiftly inverts his hand and catches the man's wrist to form a tether. Then steps across the small path of stones dotting along an intercepting stream. No double-lane path through the water. Leading him behind his own wake, making sure Esikko won't slip into the water. Any potential of that will get an explosion and yank before a single splash.]
Aa. Being stuck in that shitty casino for days on end sucks. [Even if everything tweeting and breezing around them now is nothing more than facsimile of the truth far beyond their reach, it's a welcome break from the glittering normal.]
I used to go mountain climbing when I was younger.
( Water makes Esikko nervous. A combination of memories lost but still felt, and memories so vivid they occasionally haunt his dreams make for a perfect setup for automatic tension, no matter how he's gotten used to the idea of swimming, or warmer water. Still, Bakugo's firm grasp on his wrist puts him at ease, and so all he has to do is maintain focus on the path his own feet follow.
He's a little slower for it, but it means there aren't any slips, at least.
At the sound of Bakugo actually bringing up something about himself, though, Esikko's head lifts to point a delighted glance at the back of that spiky head. )
Really? ( Not surprising, and so his question doesn't indicate surprise so much as interest. ) Alone, or with company?
[He feels tension in his wrist, twin cords pulled tight among the softness framing it. Bakugo adjusts his grip enough to stay locked on Esikko's hand, palm heel bunched up towards the prince's own for an interlocking grip if the man loses his footing. One step after another, sure footed and steady on water-slicked stones. Another path lower has a bridge, but he wasn't going to walk them out of their way to reach it and abandon this trail in the process.
Boots grind into damp soil along the opposite side, he steps out of Esikko's way so he has clean access, and lets his hand go once the prince has his legs under him again on dry ground. Ugh, he can feel those eyes practically glowing into the back of his skull.]
Haa? I wasn't gonna get held back by a buncha damn extras!
[He, unlike most mountain climbers, had no fear of falling.]
( ...As nice as it is to reach the other side of the stream safe and sound, it feels a little sad when their hands part, even if it wasn't truly a hold. That probably means nothing at all, and so he brushes it aside as a quiet laugh leaves him. For now, he'll leave Bakugo the space again without immediately latching back onto his arm. )
That's against recommendations, isn't it? You rule breaker. ( Teasing, as if he's one to follow rules himself. ) Did you enjoy it at the top, or simply make it there and turn right around? I'm trying to picture it, you know.
[He wouldn't walk someone across the stream if it meant nothing at all. A few more seconds of nothing and he shoves his hands back into his pocket, figuring Esikko's giving him a break from being latched onto like a burr. Shoulders back and head up, he picks the left side on the upcoming fork and heads into a sunlit path.]
Like hell it is! I carried all my safety gear and followed protocol! [Nothing said you HAD to go with a second person; it was only strongly recommended.] Che. Of course I enjoyed getting to the top! What idiot doesn't care if he's victorious?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Date: 12/2/25 02:52 (UTC)[Being able to apply it to not only inanimate objects but to people as well is impressive. He wouldn't call it unlocking something's potential, but can see why Esikko would describe it that way. The closeted nerd in his mind instantly starts mulling over the prince's magic, questioning whether the glove's strength denotes its hardness or mass, thus increasing the impact, or if it's really like some video game giving the glove a "Strength" stat Esikko then tweaks. Likewise whether the man's physical body was augmented or if he gave himself a dose of adrenaline during his fight... Either way, the same result happens.]
You said storing your spells still costs you. [He hasn't changed his mind on the stupid part where Esikko's body continues taxing itself to store those spells even if they're in some external vessel. Is it the same with the talisman he now carries in his pocket? Eternally sapping Esikko's strength as long as it remains active...]
All right. I'll show you when we get back. [He picked them up as Halloween novelties simply because they were there and the vendor was willing to trade them for some sweat. No fucking clue what happened to the guy after the trade went through. Might've blown himself up accidentally.] I'd want you to enhance their power.
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Date: 12/2/25 04:15 (UTC)( And you can't turn it off. Changing the characteristics of a target sounds like a good way of explaining it, he thinks, as his arm brushes subtly against Bakugo in his next few steps before granting him more distance again. )
I bet I could enhance whatever existing magic is in place, depending on how it reads. ( How the magic is put into them, he means. Some spells he might prefer to undo and redo himself, others he could build on top of... It's probably going to be the latter. )
Are you thinking of passing them out? ( Because he's not sure Bakugo is the type to use anything like that himself. )
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Date: 12/3/25 02:10 (UTC)[Ideas he expects Esikko to have already thought of, but one thing he's learned from the man during their work on his spells is sometimes basic logic or application flies over his pink head. A second set of eyes helps to think outside the proverbial box. At least Esikko allays his internal worry over the talisman's drain.
There's no lean into those subtle arm brushes, but he doesn't pull away from them either. Silent acceptance.]
You'd have to ask the vendor, but that shitty extra's gone by now. [Seems like the halloween market people up and vanish along with the haunted shopping mall.]
Throwing them or breaking them releases the elemental magic inside. [Is how the charm instructions were presented when he bought them. Has he tested one yet? Nope! He had the vendor test one of his own wares in front of him before making the trade.]
Hell no! I traded my sweat for those things! [He keeps them on principle! And on the off chance he might need them in the future for something.]
no subject
Date: 12/3/25 20:54 (UTC)( Confident and clearly in a good mood— maybe an even better one than before, now that he's got Bakugo's recent "thanks" on his mind— he stretches his arms above his head while they walk. )
From the sound of it, they almost seem to work like some of my potions... But, I suppose I'll have to see. I'll make sure you can get your worth from them, if you traded something precious like that.
( Bakugo is out here making deals, huh... It makes sense, Esikko thinks, as he lowers his arms into different smaller stretches out in front of himself. Keeping active, harnessing some of this rare energy he's feeling from a nice morning walk. )
But that's for later. ( Bright eyes flick over to Bakugo, a small smile lighting up his face just the same. Maybe it's different, having positivity from Esikko of all people pointed his way, but that's what Bakugo has earned from their time together, and Esi doesn't bother shying away from it right now. He's not even thinking about it. )
We always end up speaking about things that sound like work, when we're together. It's not as if I don't appreciate it, of course, but you know... I want to know more about you, too~.
no subject
Date: 12/4/25 02:39 (UTC)[Don't bitch at him if it comes up strange because some idiot in this world did it. Bakugo presses his foot to a stone in the path and shoves it aside with nary a grunt, sending it rolling down the hill with bounces and crashes through the fall underbrush. Hopefully Esikko won't break his ankle in the hole left behind.]
You don't throw a potion on the ground! [Drink or slather them! They're not liquid grenades, which these spell sticks seem to be. At least according to the instructions and sales pitch. Bakugo rolls a shoulder towards his jaw, scratching an itch on the back round.] It's just sweat. Don't make a big deal out of it.
[Despite just raging about not passing them out because his sweat was the price. Back and forth with this one, huh. Oy! Don't think he's out there whoring out his sweat glands for strange shit! He did it once! ... Twice! The latter one was only to let Hiyori have some homemade bombs.]
Life's work. Anyone saying otherwise is being stupid. [Unfortunately Esikko's stuck with Mr. Stick Up His Ass. Work hard, play hard, even if he's not one for "play" most of the time. His play is beating the ever-living shit out of his competition because he put in all that work! Fucking amazing reward and he thrives on it.
Ugh, and there goes Esikko, fishing for more personal information. Why do people always ask about knowing more of him? Like he's holding shit back accidentally rather than on purpose.] I just told you about elemental talismans from last Halloween!
[Right, cause one tidbit's supposed to suffice for months.]
no subject
Date: 12/4/25 03:20 (UTC)This time, after carefully stepping over that hole in the ground, he hooks a hand into the crook of Bakugo's arm, snagging it in a hold. Catch a hint, firework!! )
That's not about you, other than what you were up to, you know. I want to know...
( He pauses, considering what he wants to ask and drawing out the word in his consideration. )
Your favorites, for example. Like, your favorite color.
no subject
Date: 12/4/25 19:22 (UTC)Oy! [His shoulder hikes upward, mouth dropping open in a surprised bark.] What're you clinging to?! [Esikko's always a damn fridge when he latches onto him! Seeping through his coat and sweater. Growling, he shoves his hands into his pockets, notably not shaking the guy off. Tch, fine.]
If you were cold, say something. [Mutter, grumble. His favorite color. Of course he has one! What good's it gonna do Esikko? Asides from obvious reasons. Feels so damn childish, talking about that crap.]
Black.
no subject
Date: 12/4/25 19:45 (UTC)( Not exactly true, since he can also overheat, but— mostly true, and the point here is that he is not holding on because he's cold! But sure, he can let Bakugo think that.
But not only is he dense, that favorite color...? Esikko tries to hold back, but a small pfft of a laugh slips from his lips before his free hand covers them, and he tries to think about Bakugo in his school, surrounded by cheery heroes while wearing all black. )
You're so edgy... ( He says this fondly, but he can't help but tease. )
no subject
Date: 12/4/25 21:37 (UTC)[Why the hell is that logical solution not presenting itself to Esikko's head?! Ugh, this guy's using it as an excuse to be clingy. Bakugo rounds his shoulders slightly as he adjusts his footsteps in time with the pair beside him. What a convenient "excuse" to pull out of his ass.
WHO'RE YOU CALLING DENSE?! He's stubbornly-anti-sap! And dude, have you seen Bakugo's casual wear? It's like 100% black all the time. He wears his school's uniform, idiot! But trades it out once they're back in the dorms. Hmph. A red-eyed glare lances into Esikko's snorting face... and his elbow follows into his rosy ribs.
*wunch!*]
Don't confuse convenient with edgy!
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Date: 12/5/25 00:49 (UTC)Convenient, right. ( It's cute, that all of his interests seem to revolve around being a hero. It's endearing that he holds them all back like some tough, mysterious guy. And it's clear in his actions when he likes something versus when he doesn't, when he gets up to something versus when he doesn't...
But boy, he's soooo prickly. Esikko has to step carefully over the next large tree root, but uses it as an excuse to hold onto Bakugo a bit more, relaxing after the tiny hurdle. )
Don't heroes have little fact sheets, or something? ( He's been reading some of the stuff around the resort, so he's got a mixed bag of information on what's normal. But if he filters out all the smut, then it's probably accurate enough, right? ) It's natural for anyone to be curious.
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Date: 12/6/25 00:38 (UTC)Leaving branches and tree root behind, Bakugo eases them to mid-path once more. Grass dives to their right in a steep hill no one wants to go tumbling down accidentally. A fucking pachinko machine ball with the trees and rocks decorating that slope.]
Che! If they wanna give that crap out, that's up to them. [The answer is: yes. Back home, a lot of heroes (and some villains) have fan sites with information gleaned and given posted in profiles and webpages. Hell, even the Peacock has their own profile people can read. Bakugo didn't fill his out for a long time... but he did recently.] Heroes get interviewed a lot. Some of the reporters are fucking invasive.
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Date: 12/7/25 05:20 (UTC)( From what Esikko has seen of people, if they can obsess with more public figures, dig for details, learn more, pass judgement, then they get distracted from their own worries for a moment longer. True gossips may do as much throughout their own friend group, rather than just public figures. On the other hand, Esikko can see it from another light, too— when he was stuck in his own bed after particularly rough bouts of illness, he'd want to hear as much as he can about things going on outside of that space. So maybe it's not all so bad?
It's interesting, how he can have both perspectives now, he realizes. Before, he would have stopped after the negative thoughts and not bothered going further... Huh. )
But doesn't it feel nice, to have others care about you enough to wonder?
( With that question, he gives Bakugo's arm a little squeeze, gentle and matched with a curious glance. )
Even if it can get rather annoying.
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Date: 12/8/25 03:57 (UTC)Hmph. Feels like shit. [He lies.] If I want people to know something about me, I'll tell them. They don't need to ask a bunch of crap. [The fact he told Esikko his favorite color a moment ago suggests the prince isn't among the "crap" crowd. Pressure squeezes on his arm, muscles flex under his jacket sleeve, a small gush of warmth seeps around his torso.] No one shoved weird questions in your face as a prince?
[Most worlds or countries would see royalty as celebrities, but given Esikko's life, Bakugo can't see anyone asking much after the man.]
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Date: 12/8/25 05:41 (UTC)People asked me plenty of things, but they were never actually about me.
( Digging about his father's actions, attempts to woo him to earn his favor in a particular direction, searching for weaknesses, for gaps, for chances. Opportunity was all it was, and even as a child he could recognize that much. He was taught for it, taught that it would come from everyone in that way, and even now it can feel a little odd or foreign when someone wants to do something for him without meaning to use it as a trade of some sort, or an owed favor. Certain people reinforce that... others don't. )
So I don't know how I'd feel if they were. It feels like, even here, whenever someone wants to know something about me, they just follow me around and watch.
( Why does he have a stalker problem even in roleplay, I truly don't know, but. First Kirma, now Dodger...? )
So of course that's annoying. A few questions can't be all that bad, though.
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Date: 12/9/25 05:24 (UTC)Figures.
[Always the sob story with his past. Bakugo's come to accept that about Esikko and one or two others in the resort. He isn't able to resonate with them, having come from a wonderful background and good life. All his struggles as a child were his own doing. Personal hardships started when he entered high school and turned out life didn't give a shit about how he expected it to go. Makes it hard for him when criminals or moaners try using their bad lives as excuses for their actions. Can he acknowledge them? Yes. Understand them? Factually for most, but emotionally very few. There are other people better at doing so than him.]
Learn to use a blowgun.
[Swipe needles from the Broken Wing, blowguns can get by the house's fear of blades, and they're quick to deploy while being easy to carry hidden. Esikko has plenty of hot air in him too.]
They don't ask a few questions! They ask a lot!
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Date: 12/9/25 05:49 (UTC)( Esikko seems amused by that suggestion, exhaling a soft puff as he ducks his head a little, fingers readjusting themselves in their hold on Bakugo's arm. He already has plenty of needles, actually, and could make his own relatively easy. But... )
I'm trying to avoid fights or conflict now, you know. Even if it means... dealing with annoyances, or allowing people to think less of me, or misunderstand me.
( It's been a trial and a half, wanting to bicker with people who assume things wrong, wanting to kick at someone and tell them off. But the most he's managed is a magic mark that can work as a fallback on the guy he trusts the least right now, and his own growing magic arsenal he's been working on, thanks to Bakugo. But since he dealt with Chobe through violence and a crafted message that held his version of self-defense and it went so poorly, he's been trying to adjust himself. )
Anyway, a lot of questions I can see being irritating. Be honest: how many reporters have you blasted?
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Date: 12/9/25 06:58 (UTC)[Otherwise he would've suggested one! He shifts his hand in his pockets and adjusts his walk so Esikko's grip on his arm doesn't tug him off course. Someone might give him a weird look for suggesting this guy start shooting needles at people he doesn't like, but unless they wanna defend Esikko against stalkers personally, they can shut the fuck up.]
Yeah, I know. [He disagrees with Esikko's choice, but understands why. Annoyingly, since he knows he's one of the reasons the man's decided to veer towards doormat instead of standing up for himself. Pisses him off. But if Esikko keeps getting himself killed, he'll continue coming back with more and more taken from him, more curses and problems laid on him, more issues until he's nothing left of the man he knows.
Reminds him far too much of someone he knows back home who mouthed off and stood up and wouldn't back down even though he was powerless to stop his aggressor. When bravery and stupidity combine.
He avoids the topic. No point in bringing the hike down.]
More than ten.
[Even if "blasted" was more threatening and shouting than actually slamming one into their faces.]
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Date: 12/10/25 03:43 (UTC)( Esikko's free hand lifts to mimic the small size of the reward gun with thumb and forefinger, a tiny thing that only holds one bullet at a time. But one bullet is helpful for self defense, so he's been holding onto it when he's heading to the gardens on his own, for example, or other such lonely treks. He's working on keeping himself safe, while trying to balance not troubling the people important to him. Of course, there's a balance between what gets to a point that he should share or not... But, he's keeping careful watch of it, and managing it from there.
Still, he laughs brightly at that answer. Ten. )
I knew it~ ( He can picture it now, the shouting, the snapping, the facial expressions. Bakugo's own, and what he can only imagine to be a shocked reporter dealing with a grumpy guy like him. If only he could pick up that ball of rage and project it at some of the people from his own world, he'd be so entertained just watching them deal with him, it would almost feel like karma.
Mm, but better to never go back there again, anyway. )
You're always so unapologetically yourself, after all. It's inspiring, a little.
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Date: 12/10/25 16:37 (UTC)Despite his concern and care for the prince beside him, Bakugo has no intention of being attached to his hip or imprisoning him to keep his ass out of trouble. In his experience, trouble inevitably finds Esikko or he goes looking for it more or less unwittingly. He'll yell at him each time he has to patch his ass up. While patching his ass up.]
Che! Shut up. [He doesn't like interviews! When they go off course. One of the Pro Heroes helping with practice interviews summed it up: "You're better interviewing when you're on your own; you don't mesh well at all with... people." Interviews should focus on how amazing he did, let him have his say, and get the hell outta his face! Red eyes snap a side-long glare into Esikko's jaw. Take the visual dagger, dammit!]
Why the hell would I be anyone different?! Get so inspired, you kill your hangups!
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Date: 12/12/25 06:31 (UTC)Will do.
( His steps have been keeping up well along this hike, so far, which is nice. The fresh air helps offset the struggling of his lungs, and his heart is getting used to being a little more active, in small doses, so he doesn't even consider another stop as he blinks softly up at the trees hanging over the path. Evergreens mixed with more seasonal colors, plenty well on their way to bare. Seasons, too, are simulated here...
His voice trails out thoughtfully, tossing aside thoughts that he's sure won't get any reliable answer from Bakugo to land on one simple phrase, instead. )
It's nice out here, isn't it?
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Date: 12/15/25 19:09 (UTC)He twists slightly to dislodge Esikko's arm from his own, but swiftly inverts his hand and catches the man's wrist to form a tether. Then steps across the small path of stones dotting along an intercepting stream. No double-lane path through the water. Leading him behind his own wake, making sure Esikko won't slip into the water. Any potential of that will get an explosion and yank before a single splash.]
Aa. Being stuck in that shitty casino for days on end sucks. [Even if everything tweeting and breezing around them now is nothing more than facsimile of the truth far beyond their reach, it's a welcome break from the glittering normal.]
I used to go mountain climbing when I was younger.
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Date: 12/15/25 21:11 (UTC)He's a little slower for it, but it means there aren't any slips, at least.
At the sound of Bakugo actually bringing up something about himself, though, Esikko's head lifts to point a delighted glance at the back of that spiky head. )
Really? ( Not surprising, and so his question doesn't indicate surprise so much as interest. ) Alone, or with company?
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Date: 12/15/25 22:28 (UTC)Boots grind into damp soil along the opposite side, he steps out of Esikko's way so he has clean access, and lets his hand go once the prince has his legs under him again on dry ground. Ugh, he can feel those eyes practically glowing into the back of his skull.]
Haa? I wasn't gonna get held back by a buncha damn extras!
[He, unlike most mountain climbers, had no fear of falling.]
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Date: 12/15/25 22:59 (UTC)That's against recommendations, isn't it? You rule breaker. ( Teasing, as if he's one to follow rules himself. ) Did you enjoy it at the top, or simply make it there and turn right around? I'm trying to picture it, you know.
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Date: 12/16/25 22:40 (UTC)Like hell it is! I carried all my safety gear and followed protocol! [Nothing said you HAD to go with a second person; it was only strongly recommended.] Che. Of course I enjoyed getting to the top! What idiot doesn't care if he's victorious?
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