bluediligence | (no subject)

[If you show up in the produce section of a grocery store holding some strawberries, at least you won't look too out of place, right? Although, sorry if the guy right next to where you popped up happens to lightly bump his cart into you, as he started to move without looking up from the produce on display. He was sure no one was next to him a moment ago?? He draws his cart back, startled.]

-Ah, my apologies! I didn't see you there.

[He's hella tall but also a tired walking skeleton in baggy clothing, which makes him seem a little smaller. Everyone seems tall next to Aoko though, so--]

[ Wow what the fuck this is not the castle she was looking for!! She doesn't have time to parse much beyond what the fuck and why am I in front of vegetables — the bump, when it comes, makes her jump almost out of her skin. She spins around quickly, ready to Defend Herself! A couple of strawberries topple from the overly full bowl, scattering across the floor. ]

…! [ Except … rather than some scary monster to fight, or any other kind of threat, it's just a tall, skeletal guy who looks like he gets even less sleep than her brother. ] Oh … uh! No problem. It, uh … happens? [ No it doesn't. ]

[Oh no, her strawberries!! He steps away from his cart to pick up them up, long limbs making it an easy reach, though his bones pop a bit as he carefully straightens.]

Nonsense, I should have been paying more attention! I was too focused on my future meal plans, it seems.

[Not that he knows she literally just popped up out of thin air. If he notices her scarring, he doesn't mention it. He checks over the strawberries he picked up for signs of bruising.]

I hope I didn't do any harm to your strawberries... did you buy these at another store?

[He has a more store-traditional container in his own shopping cart, a slightly different shade of red from the ones she carries. There isn't much in his cart aside from that; some bananas, low fat milk, eggs, and a handful of veggies.]

Ah, you don't have to—! [ … Too late. She quickly bends down to help, scampering to scoop up a couple that had rolled away behind her. ] It's okay, really! It wasn't your fault at all.

[ WHOSE (WHAT'S??) WAS IT THO ]

[ Guess how much she likes not knowing!! ]

[ But instead of showing her Inner Fuss, she grins sheepishly, gingerly dusting the wayward berries with the hem of her t-shirt before adding them back to the bowl. ] I, uh — [ Guess you could say that? No- ] They were a gift ... But! I'm sure they're fine. Thank you for helping me pick them up, mister.

[ What a healthy-looking cart, though ... it doesn't seem like enough for somebody so thin. ]

A gift? Even more precious, then.

[He gently dusts off the berries he picked up before adding them back to her bowl as well.]

It's the least I could do-

[And then there's a loud crash and at least one car alarm going off outside the glass storefront, quickly joined by screaming, running, and shouts of 'Villain, there's a villain!!' He looks over sharply, eyes widening and the narrowing in some quick unspoken thought process before he looks back at her, only the tight grip on his shopping cart belying his tension.]

You should get to safety, Miss.

[ Crashes and screams aren't new (though the cries of villain are) after All That Shit she's been through. Stiffening, she looks over — ]

[ And before her new acquaintance has even finishes speaking, she drops the bowl of fruit and bolts towards the source of the commotion. She's seen so many people, too many people, injured or killed to stand back and do nothing. ]

S'cuse me! Excuse me, please, coming through!

[Oh. Well. She must be a hero, then- not one he recognizes, but it would explain her scars.]

[Still, she didn't have to ignore him...]

[But this works out in his favor regardless. With everyone running or hiding, he gives the sad abandoned strawberries one last glance before he leaves his cart to slink out the back of the store.]

[Meanwhile, the state of things out certainly seem to warrant all the screaming. Not far down the street, some kind of monster is on a rampage. It's easily five stories tall on hind legs and draconic in nature, covered in dark red scales and spines. While it doesn't have wings, in between tearing at the closest buildings it spits a stream of acidic fluid along the streets, leaving steaming craters in its wake. It's like a scene out of a giant monster movie, except, y'know, this is no movie.]

[ Fuckin' YIKES that's big. ]

[ Too big, maybe? Maybe … all the same, she's got to try. Still running flat-out towards the monster, she concentrates hard, channelling energy through her pendant, moulding it. ]

Time out!

[ Out of nowhere, a massive cylindrical bubble bursts to life around the monster, shimmering gold and translucent. It's just big enough to contain the monster, like a glass over a spider. Unlike a glass, though, the inside is reflective – any acid it spits will bounce right back into its face. It should be strong enough to hold it for a minute or two … fuck, she hopes it's strong enough. ]

[It is clearly Displeased by this development, especially when it splats some acid onto itself. It roars, though it sounds more like a deep human voice yelling... the delay allows time for more civilians to run away, though some of them stop, staring at something behind Aoko- but rather than fearful, they're smiling.]

It's all right now! Why? I am here!!

[Aoko will find a Huge Muscled Man behind her in what can only be described as a spandex superhero suit. There are some cheers of It's All Might! All Might is here!! from the bystanders. He comes right up to her, hands on his hips and wearing a wild smile.]

That's an amazing quirk! Quick thinking, too. Once the civilians are clear, you can release them and I'll take care of the rest!

[ Having something Unknown at her back is deeply disconcerting, thank you! She glances quickly over her shoulder, tense, and … oh – ]

Eh?

[ Quirk. Quirk. Quirk, that's familiar, where has she heard that word before – no, that doesn't matter right now. Later. ]

… Right! [ She curls a loose fist over her heart, and, incidentally, over the golden pendant hidden beneath her clothes. Whoever this guy is, he's clearly somebody the people here trust to protect them. But still, just in case … ]

It looks like everyone got away safe. I'll let the shield down in three … two … one-!

[ Just like that, it vanishes. ]

[Before she makes it to one, has has crouched down and propelled himself into the air with such speed and force that he leaves a strong burst of wind in his wake. The shield falls, and the beast has little time to react before All Might's fist comes down on its head (with the accompanying cry of Detroit Smash), the force knocking it straight down to the ground with another gust of wind, where it lies still, out cold.]

[Sirens can be heard approaching as All Might lands and- after he discreetly double checks to make sure they're not about to get up again- poses for those who (rather foolishly) stuck around nearby to take pictures and ask for autographs. As he's doing that, the "dragon" begins to shrink until it's a much more human-sized person with draconic features lying unconscious in the middle of the crater its formerly giant body left in the street.]

Everything is fine now! The police will handle it from here- ah!

[He hustles over to Aoko-]

Thank you for your service today! I don't believe we've met...?

[He doesn't recognize her or her quirk, so maybe she's not a hero from around here...?]

Edited 2019-05-25 22:22 (UTC)

[ Whatever she'd been expecting to happen, it sure wasn't that. Holy shit. One man, one punch … and that was it. Even after all of the things she's seen and been through, it's – amazing? Awe-inspiring? Terrifying? Yeah, all of those things sound about right. She lets out a breath, watching from a distance as the monster shrinks down into a (sort of) man, and the spandex-clad superhero … poses for pictures? Well. Okay. That's … sure … a thing … ]

… [ She'd just started to turn away, intending to seek out and help anybody who'd been unlucky enough to get hurt during the rampage, when the man hurries over to her. ]

Ah … no, I'm not from around here. My name's Aoko. Thank you for coming to help out! [ Turning back to face him, she bows. ] You were really cool. I've never seen a fight like that finished so quickly before. Hopefully nobody got hurt before we got here, though … [ She glances away, scanning the crowds – or, trying to. She's too short to see much of anything. ]

Aoko?

[Is that her hero name? Peculiar choice, but... he's not one to judge!]

Thank you again, Aoko! Paramedics should arrive shortly, but if you are willing to help the wounded that would be greatly appreciated! I am unfortunately very busy, so I must count on you and the police to manage recovery.

[He still has time today, but he'd best save as much as he can in case more incidents crop up. There are some in the crowd who got out of range who seem to have light or non-life-threatening injuries or acid burns, but the attack was stopped so quickly that most of the damage seems to be to the road and faces of buildings. It also helps that the people know to run when a villain appears. He lifts a hand in a rigid wave.]

I will do a quick check of the premises to ensure no one was trapped or seriously wounded in the attack. In the meantime, please comfort those that you can!

[Annnd he runs off with inhuman speed, down the street to where the rampage began- which isn't all that far away, and easy to find thanks to the giant footprints. It looks like they transformed in the middle of the street and only smashed a couple of empty parked cars in the process, so there's not much in the way of fallen rubble that could hide injured or- worst case scenario- bodies. It could have been much worse, if he and that mysterious foreign hero hadn't stopped the villain quickly. After a brief check (during which he directs a couple who had been hiding in an alley to go join the others waiting for help), he breathes a short sigh of relief, turns just long enough to give Aoko a thumbs up if she's looking, and leaps away out of sight.]

[Police cars and ambulances arrive shortly after, so she's free to stay and help the wounded or go on her way.]

[ This guy … whoever he is, he's a force of nature, huh? The people of this world are lucky to have him on their side. She doesn't have a chance to ask him anything before he's bounding off again, gone just as quickly as he appeared. ]

[ … Ah, well. She's not doing anybody any good standing here gawking. With a shake of the head and half a laugh, she jogs up to the closest cluster of bystanders, asking whether they're okay and if there's anything she can do to help. It's not unlike the aftermath of a game, except for the parts where it's totally unlike the aftermath of a game. (She's not a bloody smear across the floor, for one—) Most people are unhurt and in good spirits, there's no empathy bond throbbing with pain and forced calm … ]

[ Things are … okay. ]

[ She does find a few people who'd been splashed with acid, and one unlucky kid who'd been struck with flying debris, leaving a painful gash and some bruising across his arm. There's not much she can do for the former except offer comfort and reassurance before sending them over to the paramedics. The kid, though ... ]

Hey, it's gonna be okay … you'll be just fine. Let me see? [ Even as she chats with him, asking his name and where his parents are, she's switching gears – so to speak – on her pendant, funnelling the energy from shield to healing. Then, it's a simple of matter of casting. There's no fancy glow or special effects – the wound just slowly begins to knit back together. ]

[As soon as he's out of sight, he hurries to where he stashed his civilian clothes and shrinks back down to his true form. Man, it was lucky he happened to have his hero outfit on hand today... he probably could have gotten away with his casual clothes, but since that other hero had just seen him, he didn't want to risk creating too much of a coincidence.]

[Once he's changed, he heads back to where he'd left his cart. So much for shopping today... the staff are likely long gone considering the attack. He could head out and see if there's anything he can do to reassure the people outside... not that he makes for a very reassuring presence, in this form. Frustrating as it is, there's not much he can do like this that the police and paramedics can't do a better job of, so maybe he should just head home for now...]

[The strawberries scattered on the floor stop him from leaving.]

[When he heads out, he holds the bowl of strawberries in one arm. It's not too hard to spot their owner, and he rushes over- or at least hobbles over, a far cry from his superhuman speed minutes ago. Is she comforting a child? How admirable-]

[He slows as he comes close, staring as he clearly sees the child's wound close up. A healing quirk? But...]

[He'd meant to call out to her when he got close enough, but instead he just stands there staring, the bowl of strawberries he holds temporarily forgotten.]

[ The bruises, too, begin to fade. Before long it's like the boy had never been injured at all; all that's left is a scuff of dirt and some blood. She tugs out a clean handkerchief and dabs it away as best she can, smiling. ]

There you go. You were so brave. [ He doesn't seem too traumatised, either … just shaken, and probably more than ready to go home. He thanks her, calling her Miss Hero, which, uh— ] Eh? Ahaha, please, you can just call me Aoko … what's your name? And are your parents here? We should get you back to them.

[ She's just offering the boy—apparently named Souji—a hand when she finally realises she's being watched. Immediately she's on guard, tensed and ready for … the nice man from the store to be holding her strawberries? ]

[ …! ]

Oh! [ The tension eases away as quickly as it had come. With a sheepish laugh, she turns to face him and offers a small, apologetic bow. ] Hi again. I – do you mind waiting a moment? Souji-kun here doesn't know where his parents are, so I was going to help him speak with an officer.

[It doesn't make sense, not in any way that he wants it to. But- maybe he's reading too much into it? He doesn't know exactly what her quirk is, maybe this is just an extension of it-]

[She looks at him, and he mentally shakes off those thoughts. She's clearly no villain, that's the important part.]

-Right, of course! I will be... here.

[Come to think of it, it's kind of strange for him to come back with her strawberries after a villain attack, isn't it? Oh well... he's had to come up with excuses for worse things. He gives Souji-kun what he hopes is a reassuring smile, despite his less than reassuring physique.]

Don't worry, Souji-kun! You'll be reunited with your parents before you know it.

[ The little boy smiles back, in that tight, tremulous way that suggests he's trying to be Very Adult and Very Brave. Aoko beams. ]

Be right back.

[ She holds Souji's hand all the way to the nearest officer, and keeps a hold of it while she and Souji explain the situation. The officer promises to take good care of him until his parents can be found ... and as much as Aoko would love to help him herself, it's for the best. The police are professionals. She bids the officer farewell with a bow and a grateful thank you very much, and Souji with a gentle fistbump. ]

[ With her charge safely delivered, she turns and jogs back to the friendly stranger. ]

Thank you for waiting! And for saving my strawberries! [ It was an odd thing to do, but it was so kind she can't help feeling a little charmed. ] And, uhm, I'm sorry I ran away so abruptly back there … in hindsight, it was rude of me. Were you okay during the — everything? [ "Everything" is punctuated with a gesture around at all of the destruction. ]

[He watches them walk away, then turns his attention to the nearest bystanders. When she returns she may overhear him awkwardly telling them Sorry, these actually don't belong to me or I wouldn't mind letting you have some... he excuses himself when he sees she's returned.]

It's no problem! I understand, acting quickly is what heroes do. I was able to get to safety, and once the danger had passed I came back and couldn't help but notice your strawberries... Speaking of which- here you are.

[He somewhat sheepishly offers her the bowl.]

I know something like this is trifling when lives are on the line, but it would be a shame for a gift to go to waste.

[ Strawberry-loving bystanders, please. ]

… Heroes, huh … [ Spoken thoughtful and quiet, as she carefully takes the bowl from him. Heroes, and Quirks … she'd thought it must be, but this just confirms it: she's in Bakugou's and Deku's world. Somehow. What the fuck. But, hasn't she known two different Bakugous? Which one is it? Is it even one of theirs, or is it some other one entirely? ]

Mmm … ah, well! I'm glad you're safe! [ With the bowl tucked safely in one arm, she rubs the back of her head, grinning up at him. ] That's the most important thing. Still … this was really thoughtful of you. [ A beat, and then — ] Would you like a few of them? You've helped to rescue them twice, and I still feel bad for ditching you like that …

[ Not that she'd blame him for declining strawberries that have been on the floor twice. ]

[She seems to be preoccupied with something... just where is she from, anyway? Not that he can ask her that straight out; it was All Might who had started that conversation, not Yagi Toshinori.]

That's generous of you, but there's no need! I really didn't do much, and we're strangers so you didn't ditch me... hm, I may have to put off shopping for another day...

[He says as an afterthought, glancing around at the aftermath of the villain's brief rampage.]

It's a good thing you happened to be close by.

Edited 2019-05-27 23:02 (UTC)

[ It's on the tip of her tongue to ask if he's sure about the strawberries. Sure, he's not wrong that they're strangers … and it had been kind of an emergency … but still, he really has been nice to her, and - ]

[ … Oh. A good thing she happened to be close by, huh. She quickly stifled a sheepish laugh, an equally sheepish smile twitching at the corner of her mouth. Just happened to be is an understatement. ]

Aha … [ She rubs the back of her head again, following his gaze. ] I guess it was pretty lucky. More lucky that guy — ah, All Might — was around. My shields are strong, but I don't usually make them that big.

[Of course, All Might. He opts not to comment on that, which is made easier by focusing on what she says next.]

Shields? Your quirk isn't healing?

[It's a little bit of playing dumb, but he'd feel better having an explanation for this...]

Eh? Ah … no, not exactly. [ She doesn't exactly want to explain her pendant, so — ] I can manipulate energy …

[ It's not a lie even if it is vague. She really is channelling her energy, just ... through a conduit, to cast spells. That totally counts, right? Despite decision not to talk about it directly, her hand still slips down from her ruffled hair to once again rest just over her hidden pendant. ]

Using it to make shields is what I practised most. I always thought, isn't it better to stop people getting hurt in the first place?

[Manipulate energy... it's certainly very vague, but it's also normal for a pro hero to keep the finer details of their quirk a secret, to avoid exploitation of weaknesses. It wouldn't be proper for him to press. If only he were All Might, it would be another story... this whole identity-switching thing is such a pain at times like this...!]

[But he's really overthinking this! Just because she has the appearance of having more than one quirk isn't enough to go suspecting her of anything untoward, not after she's so clearly proven her heroism. It's a little shameful that he even suspected her, really... he sighs softly.]

Fascinating... and commendable! You're an amazing hero, A- Ah-

[Shit, she hasn't told him her name or hero identity while he was like this! And he hasn't introduced himself either- he coughs into his hand for a few moments, which at the very least, isn't faked. He draws a tissue from his pocket to discreetly wipe his hand without flaunting the flecks of blood on it.]

-Sorry. I should at least introduce myself- my name is Yagi, Yagi Toshinori.