floatsaway | IC Inbox

Context? Hatchlings. Baby chocobos, to be exact.

YOU CAN HATCH CHOCOLATE BALLS HERE??!!

[The tiny bit of time between is because he's trying to think of what she may be talking about. Maybe it's a different topic.]

I'll ask Bakugo that, maybe he'll know. Until then I was wondering if you enjoyed baby birds.

[Why...why would Bakugou know about--...actually, he is a really skilled cook. It's made sense, event with his flavor preference being spicy food, that he'd know how to make chocolate balls and truffles or whatever.]

YEAH! I WANT CHOCOLATE BALLS!!

And awww, I love little baby birdies! ^O^ ♥♥♥
Did you find a nest somewhere? Make sure not to disturb them too much, Todoroki-kun!!

[That's settled, Bakugo will have to school them in ~~salty~~ chocolate balls.]

Alright. We'll see to it.

No, I work at a stable here. Every so often there are hatchlings. Would you like to come with me to work and see them? I could take you for a ride as well.

[Unpack that wording, too.]

Edited (No YOU messed up my HTML not me.) 2021-07-22 02:18 (UTC)

[Who allows these two idiots to communicate? Surely not anyone intelligent.

The innuendo soars high and proud over Ochako's head, much like a bird itself. Look, there it goes now! So majestic.]

OMG!!! Yes please!
I'm at home right now so I can change and get ready right away!!

What should I wear?
I've never ridden a horse before!

[Someone up there doesn't think it's a bad idea, when it is.]

Alright.

You'll be riding a young bird. You can wear whatever you'd like. I suggest pants in the outfit, however. I don't know how to teach sidesaddle.

A bird?
'O' !!!
Todoroki-kun, are we going to go flying??!!

WAHHH I'M GOING TO CHANGE RIGHT NOW, AND PUT ON PANTS AND MY SNEAKERS AND A CUTE TOP!!

[That's...an extremely generous offer.

Ochako is a bit taken back by it, given that she doesn't quite know this girl very much at all. Still, they did just have a long talk, discussed things about themselves and their pasts that revealed quite a bit about their individual characters, so maybe time is irrelevant in certain aspects. Bonds can be formed in a matter of just a few minutes, after all, and the outstretched hand is a sign of that.

Blinking, Ochako stands up herself and grins, nodding her head as she clasps Homura's hand in her own, grip firm and tight. A promise.]

I would like that, thank you. Even if I can't go forward with it in the end, I'll have at least tried and set myself straight on what I choose to do. What sort of Hero--...mmh, what sort of person I want to be.

[And with that, Ochako nods, and jumps through the trapdoor that'll take her and Homura back to Camelot.]

((OOC: From here!!))
---

[Shinsou's magic is strong, and it catches the siren off guard when it's suddenly repositioned and further away from the object it craves to have. The siphoning magic is also working in tandem as well, keeping its alluring voice from having a heavier effect on Ochako. It's also making the visage, the illusion surrounding itself, falter just slightly. There's a more manic, crazed look to the woman - beastly almost - as the magic seems to be slipping out of her.

Ochako, meanwhile, is confused and horrified by what she's seeing - Shinsou is attacking her mother, and she's ready to rush in to grapple him, tell him to stop, or flat out knock him out. What in the actual hell has gotten into him?! But it's as she's jerking forward, hands stretched out to grab at him, does Ochako finally start to see through the haze of magic clouding her judgement. Not entirely, but she's breaking through, because that...th-that terrifying person in the water doesn't look at all like her mama. Her mama never, ever looked that terrifying before.]

Wha...wh-what's going on? Mama? Mama, who do you--...I'm...scared.

[The siren is snarling now, feeling its grip slipping more and more, and the intimidation works, as it rears itself forward and lashes out with clawed arms toward the boy, that twisted visage starting to become ugly, predatory, completely unlike what it was before.

'I'm her mother!! I know what's best for her! Go away, you wretched boy, or I'll take you to the depths, too!!']

Stop...stop it!! DON'T HURT MY FRIEND!!!

They're called Chocobos. I don't think they fly or... I haven't seen them fly. I've been working here since we got here but, I'm not too good on the animals and their intricacies yet. I've learned a lot though.

I think they're going to like you very much. I'll attach a map for you.

Oh...I thought you said 'chocolate balls' before...
Huh...
So they're kind of like ostriches or something?

I'm excited to meet them!! It's really cute that you're working with animals, too, Todoroki-kun, I think it's a good fit for you!
You're so calm and quiet and gentle...I bet the animals really like you, too.

It's a very close word to something we would be used to. One moment.

[To which she gets a very nice video of a stunning, yellow bird in an equally well maintained stable. The video has his other hand gently petting the bird's beak and the soft cooing noise as a result.]

That's a Chocobo.

[Which he enjoys very greatly being able to tend, all the animals are great. But he never considered it 'cute' and the use of the term is a little confusing... however, the compliments are pretty blunt. His head is a world of not what's on his face, but he's glad it doesn't show through, sometimes.]

Thank you. I hope they do. I want them to, they're very well behaved.

[It's part of their culture, loathe as many are to admit it. Don't be a burden to others, and don't be the center of attention for something you can do yourself. Your problems are your own, and no one else's. The weight is yours and yours alone to bear. Ochako is also of this mindset, in a way - she keeps her feelings hidden away and pushed back because she doesn't want to burden others with them. It's...wrong. It's wrong to ignore so many outstretched hands reaching for you.

A smile can instill peace, yes, but when the one smiling is so filled with sorrow, anguish, and pain...is it really a smile at all?]

Mm, no, I do need to apologize. I...never thought to ask before. I was content with what was on the surface and I...don't think that's really right. So I'm sorry, Deku-kun. But I'd...really like that. G-Getting to know you better, I mean. [It just makes her happy. Ochako genuinely just wants to feel closer to her friends, and to feel like they're actually friends again. She's so mixed and knotted up inside that it's all starting to unravel. Those tight bonds she made feel like they're coming apart at the seams.] ...All of you guys. Y'know you're real important to me, right? S'why I don't like feeling like this, and. Um...wh-why I wanna do better.

[She takes a deep breath in, then exhales.]

Can we hangout sometime? Just you and me. No quests or anything like that, just... J-Just as friends. [To reconnect.]

[ While he hates to hear that intense stress in Uraraka's voice, it gives him the permission to unload on the creature. If his classmate hasn't fully snapped out of it by now, maybe this'll do it. He grins back at Uraraka with a knowing smile, as if to say 'Watch This' and 'Welcome Back' all at once.

Instead of gently tugging out the Siren's power like he has been, he yanks as much as he can at once like the crack of a whip, the noise that punctuates after the initial pullback has happened first. With both portions of siphoned magic collected in his hands, he aims for her mouth with both wrists smashed together in front of him, hands splayed wide like one of their favorite manga superstars. With no audible warning for any of it, no signal other than his hand gestures as he remains staunchly placed between Uraraka and the Siren, the collected energy of his enemy blasts forth back at her. ]

[Oh no, it's so cute! And definitely not the kind of bird Ochako was first imagining. This is sort of like a mix of a giant chicken or rooster and an ostrich. Or...wasn't there a kind of flightless bird in Australia, too? Ochako can't remember the name of it.]

Oooh it's so cute!! ♥♥♥
I'm so excited to meet and ride them now, they look so soft and sweet!
You handle it so well too, Todoroki-kun!

I KNOW they do! They look relaxed around you, and I bet they can feel you're there to take care of and protect them.

[Todoroki just always seemed to be the type to look out for people. After he, haha...cooled off during the Sports festival, and opened up to making actual friends and being more approachable and kindly, that sort of person was what Ochako saw. He's very caring, and when he helped her out that one time too... Yeah. Todoroki just seems to have a good, kind heart that extends towards all things.]

I'm going to get ready now!! Can you text me directions so I can come find you?
I'll let you know when I'm heading out.

[Cute is the word to describe the birds and Ochako seems excited, by her own admission and just from what he's seeing so that makes Todoroki happy, too. She had most certainly helped him too, and taught him he could trust himself since every other time he had been around someone that long, something had always happened.]

Thank you. I've been learning from a lot of very animal savvy people. I hope they know I'll be here to protect them. They're very gentle, loyal avians that I hope to have one of some day. There are other animals here I'll show you when you arrive.

I will attach directions.

[To which, the next message is just how to get there from home.]

Yeah, there's a few people here that are good with animals.
I wonder if who I'm thinking of works there, too...

[Eskel. Ochako remembers him saying he had a horse?? Or at least she thinks she remembers. It's been a while since they last spoke, though that's partially her fault... What with her being so reclusive and withdrawn they first few weeks, too nervous to really go out more than maybe an hour or two and keeping mainly indoors by herself. It's really, really good to be breaking free of that and getting out more again. Freeing, actually.]

Got it! Thanks, Todoroki-kun!!
I'll be there soon!! ^O^/

[And true to her word, Ochako does arrive as quickly as she can. It's still a while yet, but she's decent enough with directions and following a map, so when Ochako gets there, she's looking around to try and spot that familiar head of two-toned hair.]

Tell me their name when you get here, I know people by name here. Even if we don't interact.

[Todoroki lets the comm down and settles comfortably back in to work. He knows she'll be here, the last thing she is could be considered anywhere near a liar. If she says she'll be here soon, she will. He knows approximately how long it takes them to get there, he takes the trek all the time and sometimes cuts off the time using his quirk. Sometimes. It also comes in handy around the barn when it gets too hot or cold and they just need a quick temperature fix.

So with that knowledge, he's there, waiting. Dressed half in and half out of his uniform, the arm portion of it is tied around his waist and the white tank top is facilitating that he's already been hard at work hauling around bales.

A usual look on his face and the happiness to see her there more in the quickness of his step, he walks over and greets her.]

You made it in good time. Was it easy to find?

[Unfortunately, that's very true. It's something that a lot of them are raised to be like. Don't be bothersome, don't make a problem when you can figure it out. Don't worry others... It's a difficult truth.

But even with all of that Izuku is grateful for his friends and classmates too. Having a chance to be surrounded by so many amazing people? He really does feel blessed.]

Y-yeah... Me too. I think sometimes it's hard to remember that we're more than just students training to be heroes. We're... we're us too. Just us?

[He wants to do better too.]

I think that'd be great, Uraraka-san.

[And once the power - the siren's magic - is literally ripped from its body, the veil is lifted entirely. The façade breaks like shattering glass, and the terrifying image of the creature appears in all its true fury and animosity. It's like an odd mixture of man and beast - furred and gaunt long spindly limbs almost like that of a cat. Long teeth and whiskers...and bulging, black eyes. Of course, there's also the lower half as well...that of an otter-like creature.

With its voice gone, it still lashes out with claws and teeth, frothing at the mouth and gargling a slurry of unintelligible sounds like shrieks and hisses. It can no longer speak after all, and the string of curses is just growls and snarls spat at the boy. ...Until he fires that powerful magic back at it. The magic is strong just on its own - it's what the being uses to lure in its prey - but to have it refocused and thrust back at it is like being shot with a canonball. At point blank, too, there's no way the siren isn't crumpling back into the water, reeling and gripping its chest.

And that's where Ochako springs forth as well. Free of the spell completely, she hesitates only a second before going on the offensive to help Shinsou battle the creature. There's a ripe sort of fury in her brown eyes that speaks volumes in and of itself, a coldness that she's never directed toward anyone before. No person, anyway, and the chill of her glare translate into her magic as well.]

Shinsou, get away from the water!! Behind me! [Because the glow from her fingertips, pale blue and cold, travels up each digit, and the length of her forearms, like frost.]

[...Heaven have mercy.

Ochako feels a tight knot curl itself right in the pit of her stomach when she sees her good ~~looking~~ friend hurry over towards her, flushed and a bit, um...s-sweaty. She really hates the fact that she's suddenly seeing both her two male friends in this kind of way ever since coming here - or at least been far more attuned to the fact they are very attractive - but it's just how it is. Ochako swallows hard and shakes her head to clear those awful, terrible, sinful thoughts.

Gosh. Holding hands. Absolutely deplorable.]

Yes, you're fine. I MEAN, I MADE IT IN TIME!! Good... Time... We're gonna have a good time.

[There is no gods, only white tank tops, muscled arms and shoulders. Those are the only things present. If she's eyeing him over and he caught it, he's not smart enough to understand the implications for that kind of social interaction. She's safe.

~~You can't just hold hwands in this economy.~~ But you can stare at your hot classmates all you want. And tell him that he's fine, which gives a moment or two for a tip of his head.]

Yes, I'm alright.

[He's totally fine. Just not in the head.]

I promise you'll love it.

[The animals. Or the view in her case.]

There are some private animals that I can show you. We can't ride them, but there's one I know you're going to want to see.

[Of which he turns and then looks over his shoulder, gesturing for her to follow. Or, you know, see what those muscles look like from the perspective behind him.]

I won't ruin the surprise.

[A difficult truth to accept and an even harder one to overcome. It's why having others to intervene and support you in your endeavors is so critical - for both of them. Through the lows and the highs, those that stay by your side are the ones that are true gifts...and the ones that should be treasured most of all.

It's why Ochako is so glad she and her dear friends are slowly...working past everything. It's hard, and she doesn't really know how to navigate everything with everyone, but she tries. She tries, and the reassurances that they all care and are ready to help, even when she doesn't ask, even when she says no--]

Y-Yeah... [Just us. Just people. Just...kids. Kids who don't really have anything figured out at all, and have only walked in the big, wide world for less than a year.] You know, sometimes I kind of just want to be Uraraka, you know? Just...just have a day off. From everything.

[And that's okay.]

Thanks, Deku.

[ He does jump backwards like she asked, before spinning around to leave, now that his massive attack was unleashed. He knew that his telekinetic efforts - that he was good at, for now, at least - were more of a defensive style. He managed to get a few steps before the Siren quickly dashes past Uraraka. She hadn't even unleashed her magic yep, just powering it up, when the Siren struck Shinsou at his back.

Her claws tore a big gash through his clothes and part of his back, making Shinsou cry out in pain. Instinctively, the best he could think of was one of his better tactics - he made himself switch places with Uraraka again.

Now, at least, Uraraka could unleash her magic right in the Siren's face again. Shinsou, meanwhile, dropped to one knee while still wincing and bleeding. ]

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