[Most of the month for Izuku so far had been spent trying to forget how bad the events of the last were. He spent most of that month severely wounded and in pain, fighting strangers and close friends alike, then just barely making it out of the Blooming with everything still in one piece. He hadn't been too confident that he'd be able to recover after all of that, but it seemed that once the flowers were gone everything else healed up without much issue. The most he was left with were scars...the more severe of which around the parts of his body where flowers had been forcibly ripped out.
So while he'd been spending most of his time running errands and helping locals in the city in search of some sort of respite, it didn't mean he would be immune to this world's oddities. He'd received a blessing in the form of a talisman that had calmed Oroshi considerably since the start of the month. The yokai absolutely despised it and threatened to rip Izuku to shreds over it constantly, but it wasn't like he could force him to take it off. It's not strong enough to keep him from being an asshole, but it seemed to stabilize Izuku's slowly growing abilities, which helped with the tasks he'd been taking up.
Yet, despite one unfortunate thieving incident, it somehow wasn't enough to stop Izuku from mindlessly picking up a little fox trinket from off the side of the road. Maybe someone lost it? And if he couldn't find it's owner, well...he'd just hang onto it until he did, clearly.
He returns back to the apartment that evening to the smell of Katsuki in the middle of making dinner for them both, something he'd been doing regularly for the last two weeks. Izuku knew why, and because he knew he didn't comment on the fact it was being done. Just enough to be appreciative for his effort. If Katsuki looks around the corner he'll see Izuku sit on one of the futons, toying with the fox trinket between his hands before he notices the red string on the bottom. He pulls it, brows raising as he picks out the little roll of paper from the inside. He unfolds it, and...]
Huh?
[It hits him pretty instantly. The black encroaching on his vision is sudden and frightening, akin to the feeling of passing out. It causes him to drop the fox in his lap, reaching up to grip his head...not realizing that the very same sensation is being passed unwittingly on to Katsuki nearby.]
ORIGINAL QUEST TEXT Many establishments on Main Street and beyond have been left in ruins after the forest twisted its way through the city streets. Overgrown roots have pierced through concrete, steel, and glass alike, invading the walls and floors of many buildings. Even what remains of the city's power supply is flickering in and out thanks to the way the foliage chokes the power lines, leaving some places without light and heat to protect them from the perpetual chill. All hands on deck are needed to clear away as much of the foliage as possible. Those who tackle this quest shouldn't encounter much trouble once the clean-up begins now that the Forest Spirit has been pacified, but you should mind your step regardless — the streets can be unstable with the way some roots have broken through. There are defunct subway and sewer passages waiting down below for anyone unlucky enough to take a tumble.
Given the amount of dirty, physical work to be done, this quest is repeatable and can be done many times throughout the rest of the month. If you show concern for the state of the Forest Spirit when accepting this task, Master will simply reply with a tame wink: ”Not to worry. Even the most beautiful of flowers need a little pruning to stay healthy.”
QUEST RESULTS The two are more productive on the surface, it seems. Debris is cleared up perfectly, and with their combined abilities, they're able to set aside useful plant material and thatch it together to helpfully seal one or two of the cracks to the sewers and subway beneath. It doesn't look as though there's anything of interest down there, anyway, though they're free to look at the broken trains or sewer... waste.
One thing will catch Lalli's eyes on the surface, however. There's something like string caught in the vines and branches of leftover foliage, and upon closer inspection, he may realize that the string was purposefully wound and looped into a pattern before it snagged on a branch and was left here. Someone's lost game of ayatori. If the two don't recognize it, their youkai will helpfully mention that it's a game for children. Other than that, the cleaning goes smoothly and without any significant interruption (other than one or two youkai thanking them for fixing some of those cracks!), leaving them to collect their cash reward and earn their thanks.
Now that Lalli isn't HIDING ON THE ROOFTOPS (badly), Katsuki has a better look at him. He doesn't...really work well with others? But that's fine, because Lalli doesn't either. Katsuki is at least very efficient at leading teams, usually. Though moreso when he knows what the fuck his teammates can do.
[They can efficiently work alongside each other, each doing their own thing until one or the other actually needs help with one task or another. Or at least that's what Lalli feels like, it's how he usually works with other people.
And while they're cleaning debris, he hears Katsuki's question and pauses. How does one explain a scout's job? He's not normally one for words anyway, so he has to think for a moment before answering.]
Scouting. I survey nearby areas, looking for the dangerous places and the safe places. Safe places to rest at, dangerous ones to know where to fight, or to avoid.
[He tosses another chunk of concrete into a pile nearby. Get the vines sorted from the rubble, so the vines can be burned. That's what he's working on right now.]
Sometimes I hunt trolls. But I'm not supposed to do that alone, only when there's an emergency.
[That makes sense to him. If you've never grown up around them, you wouldn't actually know that much. So he just accepts that answer and nods.
...and doesn't explain anything further about living in a world of zombies, because he's Like That. Sometimes he needs to be prodded with the right questions to share information, because he doesn't realize he's leaving important bits out.
But that's also about the time he will see the ayatori wrapped around a branch, and he pauses.]
ORIGINAL QUEST TEXT What used to be a popular local favorite is now overrun with playful ghosts that have stolen all its wares. Now that you've proven yourself capable of going toe-to-toe with Hakagemachi, the owner of an old and prestigious kimono shop has come to you for help. With things more lively now, the shopkeep, who introduces herself as Nishimura, has decided to revive her business. She just needs your assistance in retrieving her stock from the fashionable spirits who haunt these walls. The shop is three floors and contains a showroom, fitting and sewing areas, and storage for supplies. Sticky-fingered ghosts are hiding in the various nooks and crannies throughout the shop, hoarding hairpins and decorative cords or brooches, while others are fully garbed in at least ten kimonos just for the hell of it.
They may be willing to trade for the luxurious garments but their price may not necessarily make sense. Some might want an object in the same color or for you to find them a rare print in the stacks of fabrics. Others might be content with just having your company for one spooky night, ask for a song or dance, or challenge you to a duel for it — regardless of the method of exchange, the kimonos must be retrieved. Beware of clothing with a pair of ghostly arms hanging limply from the sleeves as these might be vengeful ghosts ready to strike out and strangle anyone who crosses them.
QUEST RESULTS The spirits can see that there’s a key to more chaos here, and they center in on it. They request trades in the form of the two wearing more extravagant fashion as they go, their snickering filling the room each time they’re listened to. The more they can get away with things, the more they’ll push it. The moment combat starts, however, they threaten the wares of the shop itself. The two have to focus on being quick and clean with their attacks, and then they’re able to wipe them out and retrieve the goods without too much of a mess! If that happens to be mid-fashion show, well, it’s probably fine, right? Miss Nishimura only gives a soft laugh from behind them (when did she get there?), saying that they can keep what they’re wearing in reward, if they’d like. Whether or not they accept that, she does pay them, as well, and says it’s nice to see family working together. She’s moving off before she can be corrected on that.
So, Katsuki isn't great at making friends. Please forgive that, Rom, and don't take him scowling at you badly. ]
D'you even know anything about fashion?
[ Why is that what comes out of his mouth? And why does it matter? ]
( scowls don't faze him, which is probably good--- the boy hasn't done anything but express some kind of disdain for... something. he doesn't really know where it comes from, but what rom DOES know is that bakugou's expressions remind him of his own at times. )
Fashion... ha, well. Kinda.
( he rubs the back of his neck. )
The guys and I all made our own outfits for performances, but what you see is what I've gotten used to.
( vest with no shirt. somewhat snug and dark pants. boots. )
( the request being given, to wear things they consider to be stylish, is... hm. rom knows what he knows, but extravagance seems to be a little out of his forte. formalwear? sure. this? not so much.
the first thing? a top hat. that doesn't seem entirely out of place. there happens to be one conveniently close by, and without much thought he puts it on.
[ That is among his many stupid good skills...what the fuck even is Katsuki Bakugo. But the knowledge does seem to chill him out somewhat? He's glaring yes? So good job there. ]
( well, that's a surprise! then again they look similar enough... the coincidence certainly makes some sense.
the next thing he puts on is a scarf, though he also flips one over to bakugo as well. listen: he's not going to be the only one putting on all these weird and 'fancy' clothes! )
Yeah. Trained my whole life. Broke a few guitars while in school, so they thought drummin' would be a good outlet for my anger.
( for the most part, but rom's also lucky that there's always something that he can break or snap in half or punch. he hopes that this teen also has that opportunity, especially because he looks pretty strong? )
You any good at it?
( but why are the ghosts suggesting heels next... )
Ugh, really? ( one of his eyelids twitches in annoyance. ) Don't tell me you're gonna make me walk around with them on, too.
ORIGINAL QUEST TEXT You receive an email from an unfamiliar source:
I have a job for you. Find me at Yamazaki Bar.
Strangely to the point, given the flighty nature of the youkai thus far. You can quickly find out what's going on if you head to the bar. A dour yet handsome man by the name of Takashi (as Master helpfully provides) is looking to get to the bottom of the suspicious pendants that appeared in Hakagemachi last month. He offers his own insights: it is true that these pendants were used to control the youkai and the Farm shrine spirit in recent events. It is also true that the ones responsible are not youkai. He has his suspicions about the culprits and where to glean more information on them.
As for the reason why, well — that's where you come in.
If you catch him in a less surly mood, he may even engage you in helpful conversation.
"You must be familiar with the concept of this city's magic by now. The spirits here aren't the only ones capable of using it. One of you, a child with glasses, has already started investigating, I've heard. So, I will tell you this: there were once specialists in sorcery and divination who eradicated evil spirits. Those specialists were humans.
Regardless, they're nothing but troublesome occultists now. They've longed to be rid of our existence, but it seems your arrival has caused them to act sooner than they intended. Their arrogance makes them reckless. Since the start, we've been one step behind..."
Master interrupts whatever else he'd like to say with a slide of a teacup across the counter — looks like there's no alcohol being served today. Takashi looks displeased, but he ultimately relents and moves on to explain the task at hand. It's straightforward and involves doing investigative work that will send you to the northernmost residential area of the city, a place that once housed the wealthy and elite. It is eerily devoid of youkai, unlike the city proper.
But try not to let that distract you from what you're supposed to be doing here in the first place.
Illusory methods and sneaking are the best ways to enter the area without being detected. All of the houses were once expensive and beautiful but have now taken on substantial water damage, as if they have been flooded many times over. The air is dark and cold, and breathing in feels much like breathing in sorrow and shards of ice. On the perimeter of the neighborhood, thrashing water can sometimes be heard. Scope out the area and see if you can find evidence that they were here to begin with, or canvas the insides of houses for clues pointing to what their next move might be. Takashi mentions that they're a proud lot, thinking that they own this place even though they're the ones who abandoned it, so you're more than likely to find talismans, scrolls of magic script, pristine golden pendants that are already so familiar... but they are all well hidden, guarded, and likely booby-trapped.
Regardless of the dangers, Takashi wants anything and everything you can find. Disappointing him would not be wise.
QUEST RESULTS Osomatsu can attempt an illusion through his youkai’s abilities. It even seems to work, at first, allowing them entry deeper into this area of the city. Between a number of the houses and shops is a large cluster of beautiful, softly glowing butterflies. They’re enchanting, each flap of their wings seeming slower than the last, but somehow they manage to stay floating gracefully in the air. It’s then that it will become clear to the both of them that something is wrong. Katsuki, who opted to not rely on disguises, is likely further from the butterflies that are beginning to close in on Osomatsu. It’s almost as if they can sense them. And the closer they look, the more they may begin to notice that there’s an illusion at play already. The butterflies are leaving a strange powder beneath them as they fly. Osomatsu will feel the full force of the effects of this, and his youkai may be the one to warn him first. Get away, wash that off! If they remain here, with the butterflies, they will be quickly overwhelmed and sedated before they can kill all of them. After all, more and more seem to appear with every slowing blink.
The two will have to work together to find the right direction to run, but since the powder is the enemy here, they’ll have to find something to wash it off. The lake itself seems to be protected, and trying to run straight towards it will only run them into an invisible barrier. However, there’s a cove off the side of one of the edges, near a peasant’s house, where they can run in without worry. The moment one (or both!) of them enters the water, something else shifts nearby, and the air grows tense and alarming. Looking towards the lake, they may be able to spot the scales of something large coiling near the surface of the water before it whips beneath, sending large ripples across the lake, and even into the cove.
There is something in the water of the lake. Even if they had missed the sight of those scales, that feeling is overwhelming in them now. They’re not alone.
This is only one piece of the story here, of course. Maybe some of the others can help piece this puzzle together...
Katsuki knows Osomatsu, even if his estimation of the guy is "kind of lame" so far. To be fair this is his opinion of a great many competent and demonstrably not lame people, so Osomatsu is more working against Katsuki's dislike of people in general than he is anything else.
That doesn't mean he won't work together with someone on something so important. He's learned a little bit about teamwork, and even if he's unpleasant he will at least give it his all. ]
We need a game plan before we go in. [ So, after they leave the bar, he will actually take the first step towards TeamworkTM. ]
[So all of this is dramatic and on-brand enough for this place. First, there was the intimidating guy he'd had a drink with. Then there was The Mission, which was really epic hero stuff, which means of course Hana was going to compel him into it. That was just the Hana brand. Push someone into heroics, don't care about much else--....something something.
Speaking of heroics! He'd luckily gotten an actual hero to come with him for this mission. Katsuki-kun! Who was a real hero, even if he was...he was like Ichi on a bad day if Ichi was just that much more daring. That's scary. But hey, it's...it's fine. Probably. He was a hero! They were two hero friends, going on a stealth mission!
....Hana had hissed something about 'having regrets' when he realized this was the duo he was stuck with but HE WAS THE ONE WHO ENCOURAGED IT IN THE FIRST PLACE, SO THERE. They were still at the bar working up a game plan, and Osomatsu took a sip of his beer, thinking it over.]
Well. We've got youkai abilities. That's...kind of ALL I've got. You're experienced with this hero-y stuff, but I've got...fire. I can burn things! But I don't think that's good for stealth...
[ You've got illusions.
Do I???]
Oh! And! I've got illusions. That might be a bit more useful, yeah?
[ At least someone is enjoying themselves...even if Katsuki would absolutely object to "hero friends" if he knew that was what Osomatsu was thinking. Luckily noen of his new and exciting powers include the ability to read minds!
[Aw, you'll lighten up to hero friends over time, you Explosion-Monster, you.
Osomatsu scratches his chin.
Let me talk. I'm the one who will plan better.
Ugh. Fine.
He makes the one minute sign, tugging the mask over his face. His voice lowers, and he speaks with an echo.]
Right, since I'll be doing most of the planning...my host is listening in. At any rate, we can create disguising illusions, but at the current extent of his training - which is very little - we should be able to maintain them for blocks of 6 minutes with 10 minute separations. The disguise will work on ourselves. To manifest objects, it'll go down to 4 minutes. Still, it's enough time to catch someone's attention, I feel.
[ Katsuki blinks. He's never seen anyone let their youkai take over completely like that...so far, anyway. Maybe he needs to talk to people less stubborn than he is sometimes. Or at least less stubborn than the usual people he knows... ]
...I guess that's enough to give us a little bit of coverage, but are you guys sure you can handle it?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
12/14 - Great Curse
So while he'd been spending most of his time running errands and helping locals in the city in search of some sort of respite, it didn't mean he would be immune to this world's oddities. He'd received a blessing in the form of a talisman that had calmed Oroshi considerably since the start of the month. The yokai absolutely despised it and threatened to rip Izuku to shreds over it constantly, but it wasn't like he could force him to take it off. It's not strong enough to keep him from being an asshole, but it seemed to stabilize Izuku's slowly growing abilities, which helped with the tasks he'd been taking up.
Yet, despite one unfortunate thieving incident, it somehow wasn't enough to stop Izuku from mindlessly picking up a little fox trinket from off the side of the road. Maybe someone lost it? And if he couldn't find it's owner, well...he'd just hang onto it until he did, clearly.
He returns back to the apartment that evening to the smell of Katsuki in the middle of making dinner for them both, something he'd been doing regularly for the last two weeks. Izuku knew why, and because he knew he didn't comment on the fact it was being done. Just enough to be appreciative for his effort. If Katsuki looks around the corner he'll see Izuku sit on one of the futons, toying with the fox trinket between his hands before he notices the red string on the bottom. He pulls it, brows raising as he picks out the little roll of paper from the inside. He unfolds it, and...]
Huh?
[It hits him pretty instantly. The black encroaching on his vision is sudden and frightening, akin to the feeling of passing out. It causes him to drop the fox in his lap, reaching up to grip his head...not realizing that the very same sensation is being passed unwittingly on to Katsuki nearby.]
DECEMBER 2020: UNLOVED FLOWERS (LALLI HOTAKAINEN)
That said: ]
What the hell can you even do?
[ May as well get down to the basics, here. ]
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And while they're cleaning debris, he hears Katsuki's question and pauses. How does one explain a scout's job? He's not normally one for words anyway, so he has to think for a moment before answering.]
Scouting. I survey nearby areas, looking for the dangerous places and the safe places. Safe places to rest at, dangerous ones to know where to fight, or to avoid.
[He tosses another chunk of concrete into a pile nearby. Get the vines sorted from the rubble, so the vines can be burned. That's what he's working on right now.]
Sometimes I hunt trolls. But I'm not supposed to do that alone, only when there's an emergency.
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...Well. Character development demands he at least try. ]
What the fuck's a troll?
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...big. Kind of like Yokai. And their insides are usually on the outside.
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[ With organs outside, he means. ]
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[ Because like. Brains. ]
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[ In horror movies. ]
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[A pause.]
Trolls eat all of the body. Do zombies do that too?
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[ He doesn't watch THAT many horror flicks, okay. ]
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[Lalli, zombies don't have to make sense.}
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[ He's never spent that much time thinking about the logistics of zombies, okay. ]
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[That makes sense to him. If you've never grown up around them, you wouldn't actually know that much. So he just accepts that answer and nods.
...and doesn't explain anything further about living in a world of zombies, because he's Like That. Sometimes he needs to be prodded with the right questions to share information, because he doesn't realize he's leaving important bits out.
But that's also about the time he will see the ayatori wrapped around a branch, and he pauses.]
What's this?
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[ He hasn't looked that closely yet. ]
DECEMBER 2020: ETERNAL STYLE (ROM)
D'you even know anything about fashion?
[ Why is that what comes out of his mouth? And why does it matter? ]
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Fashion... ha, well. Kinda.
( he rubs the back of his neck. )
The guys and I all made our own outfits for performances, but what you see is what I've gotten used to.
( vest with no shirt. somewhat snug and dark pants. boots. )
How 'bout you?
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[ But moving on from that bout of curiosity: ]
My parents are designers. Picked up shit without wanting to.
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( the request being given, to wear things they consider to be stylish, is... hm. rom knows what he knows, but extravagance seems to be a little out of his forte. formalwear? sure. this? not so much.
the first thing? a top hat. that doesn't seem entirely out of place. there happens to be one conveniently close by, and without much thought he puts it on.
his ears are very uncomfortable. )
And nah. Just a drummer.
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[ That is among his many stupid good skills...what the fuck even is Katsuki Bakugo. But the knowledge does seem to chill him out somewhat? He's glaring yes? So good job there. ]
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the next thing he puts on is a scarf, though he also flips one over to bakugo as well. listen: he's not going to be the only one putting on all these weird and 'fancy' clothes! )
Yeah. Trained my whole life. Broke a few guitars while in school, so they thought drummin' would be a good outlet for my anger.
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[ HE DOESN'T HAVE A PROBLEM!!!!!!!!!
Maybe he has an anger problem. But he seems calmish right now, just moderately grumpy? He catches the scarf no problem and sighs. ]
These goddamn spirits...
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( for the most part, but rom's also lucky that there's always something that he can break or snap in half or punch. he hopes that this teen also has that opportunity, especially because he looks pretty strong? )
You any good at it?
( but why are the ghosts suggesting heels next... )
Ugh, really? ( one of his eyelids twitches in annoyance. ) Don't tell me you're gonna make me walk around with them on, too.
( yes. he will have to. unlucky. )
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[ Katsuki Bakugo has issues.
Anyway. He narrows his eyes at the heels suggestion...at least they haven't made it to him...YET... ]
Are you seriously just gonna go along with whatever?!
FEBRUARY 2021: BORDER OF LIES (OSOMATSU MATSUNO)
That doesn't mean he won't work together with someone on something so important. He's learned a little bit about teamwork, and even if he's unpleasant he will at least give it his all. ]
We need a game plan before we go in. [ So, after they leave the bar, he will actually take the first step towards TeamworkTM. ]
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Speaking of heroics! He'd luckily gotten an actual hero to come with him for this mission. Katsuki-kun! Who was a real hero, even if he was...he was like Ichi on a bad day if Ichi was just that much more daring. That's scary. But hey, it's...it's fine. Probably. He was a hero! They were two hero friends, going on a stealth mission!
....Hana had hissed something about 'having regrets' when he realized this was the duo he was stuck with but HE WAS THE ONE WHO ENCOURAGED IT IN THE FIRST PLACE, SO THERE. They were still at the bar working up a game plan, and Osomatsu took a sip of his beer, thinking it over.]
Well. We've got youkai abilities. That's...kind of ALL I've got. You're experienced with this hero-y stuff, but I've got...fire. I can burn things! But I don't think that's good for stealth...
[ You've got illusions.
Do I???]
Oh! And! I've got illusions. That might be a bit more useful, yeah?
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Osomatsu is safe for the time being. ]
Depends. What are the limits on those illusions?
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Osomatsu scratches his chin.
Let me talk. I'm the one who will plan better.
Ugh. Fine.
He makes the one minute sign, tugging the mask over his face. His voice lowers, and he speaks with an echo.]
Right, since I'll be doing most of the planning...my host is listening in. At any rate, we can create disguising illusions, but at the current extent of his training - which is very little - we should be able to maintain them for blocks of 6 minutes with 10 minute separations. The disguise will work on ourselves. To manifest objects, it'll go down to 4 minutes. Still, it's enough time to catch someone's attention, I feel.
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...I guess that's enough to give us a little bit of coverage, but are you guys sure you can handle it?