Test Drive Meme #15

[seasonshelpers]

Test Drive Meme #15
LOGS | NETWORK | OOC | MEMES | NAVIGATION

Arrival

Part 1

You arrive in an unknown space, dressed in white clothes (player choice what kind of clothes, as long as they cover everything). Whatever was happening to you before no longer happens. It's like everything was put on a pause and you were transferred away from the situation without you realizing it happened.

The space that you find yourself in is one of these four options:

An empty landscape filled with snow and ice, almost like a blank canvas.
A field with cherry blossom trees and spring flowers.
A sunny beach near an ocean that seems never ending.
A quiet forest with falling autumn leaves.

All of the spaces seem to continue endlessly. No matter where or how far you walk it almost seems like you're not moving at all. There are no animals here - just those who happened to wake up there at the same time, in the same place. Everyone is wearing the same kind of plain, white clothes.

Despite the possible rollercoaster of emotions you might be feeling, the place somehow feels familiar. Like somehow you belong there.

And it looks like you're not alone.


Part 2

After half an hour has passed the surroundings change as everyone is teleported into a room with all the other new arrivals, no matter what space they woke up in. It's a large place with plenty of seats to sit in and beverages to enjoy. Medical attention is offered to those who need it and the doctors here are very prepared for any challenging situations.

Here, in this room, everyone gets an answer to where they are and why. A hologram of a man appears at the center of the room, waiting to be heard. He brings a message on behalf of the leaders of Ellipsa. The staff nearby tells them that the message has finally been properly updated from the original one that can still be found from the records.

The Message [ Click to Expand ]

Hello, my name is Olwen. I'm one of the leaders of Ellipsa as it currently is. I'm also one of the four who summoned you here.

Our world is in trouble and we need your help. I apologize for tearing you away from your world and forcing you to come here but I hope you understand. The magic we used doesn't let us ask in advance, nor does it let us choose who we bring here. We wouldn't have resorted to it if we weren't desperate. Our world has lost the majority of power holders who kept the balance in our world and dealt with the dangers of the Segments. Just having one power holder for each Season isn't enough. That's why we have summoned you to become the new Seasonal Power Holders.

This world is composed of four Seasonal Segments. All of them represent one of the seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer and Autumn. They were the places we used to get our resources from, but now they're dangerous places no one should go into unless they have the power to fight back. All of them have their own sets of powerful monsters and natural catastrophes. We have recently managed to regain some footing in the segments and made them safer, but there is still a lot of work to be done. The Darkness still plagues our world, but we are constantly finding ways to fight back.

Otherworlders like you have already made great differences to the world. They have managed to find and free the dragons who in turn helped us expand the area we live in. They also managed to find the Fairy Queen and even the Mermaids and Sirens of the Great Ocean Lake are at peace due to the efforts of a few otherworlders. All of these things we couldn't have accomplished with just four power holders.

My sincere wish is that you would join us in working towards saving this world. We promise to send you home afterwards, or enable a way to travel to your world and back, as a compensation for your efforts here. You're even free to stay here, if that suits you better. This world can also be yours.

I know we're asking you a lot and that it might be hard to trust someone who just talks as a hologram, but you are always free to approach us at our guilds to talk in person.

The hologram can be viewed in private in a separate room later, should someone wish to look at it again. For now, the staff of the Research Center hands everyone their new smartphones with their small flower lucky charms (the flower is anything the player decides). They're also told that the building next door is where everyone can find a room assigned to them with some of their belongings there and possibly even any animal companions. Those concerned about their mount-sized companions are welcomed to the stables downstairs to see if their friends are there. The mounts are allowed to stay there until you find a place more suitable for them.

In the arrival's hall there are also several stands with information pamphlets.

First type of stand is for the local Guilds and about the benefits of joining one.

Second type of stand is for the Welcome Center that aim to show otherworlders what the world is like and help guide people in the beginning of the journey and helps in getting settled into the new world. They even have people to help if you're unfamiliar with the new phones.

Third type of a stand has various pamphlets about businesses opened by otherworlders.

Once you get your smartphone and necessary information, you're urged to go out and find your apartment. After that whatever you want to do is up to you.

The building next door is where everyone can find their new apartments. As you enter, you're told by a friendly native that for the first two months you can live anywhere rent-free and five meals a day are paid for you. After that they get a monthly payment that helps with some of their living expenses, but otherwise they have to have a job to support themselves.

All of the apartments are comfortable, two bedroom apartments with all necessary utilities. They are also completely soundproof. Sometimes the magic system, however, does glitch and you might find yourself rooming with a stranger. This is not the intention and the staff will immediately prepare you a room of your own. But maybe having a roommate isn't all that bad?

Part 3

The locals have taken upon themselves to advertise the Welcome Center that is run mostly by otherworlders. Newcomers are encouraged to visit it, but sometimes the people might think someone who has been a while is new.

Inside one finds a modern Japanese style lobby with plenty of sofas, soft seats and cushions to sit on. Anyone is welcome to just sit around and eat some home-made snacks. There are also computers for searching information and practicing technology skills. There's usually someone behind the front desk, but if no one seems to be there they might be in the kitchen behind the front desk area.

Upstairs there are many rooms that can be into familiar places for characters (not exactly the same, but similar) with futuristic technology. It's set up to help fight any homesickness and provide a quiet place to relax.

One bonus the Welcome Center provides is a gift basket with some treats, basic ingredients for making meals and some gift cards for the Underground Mall, to possibly shop for new clothes or other necessary items. All of these have been donated by volunteers to help newcomers settle in.

Of course the people working here are always looking for new volunteers to help around! There are plenty of things to do, all in the name of making otherwolders' arrival to a new world more comfortable.

Fix-It Crew

Part 1

The City of Nightwake has seen better days. Windows and fixtures are broken, plants are damaged, roads are charred, rubble and garbage litter the streets with some bloodstains in the alleys and sometimes even in the open. Anyone asked will explain that in late May, a number of crises all happened at once, and while things are calm again, parts of the city are still rebuilding.

Magical and mundane repair help of all kinds is requested by various civilian homes and businesses. Anyone who answers the calls for help can be put to work repairing and restoring any items and buildings, replacing windows, repairing doors, building things, and/or cleaning up messes. Any help is appreciated... especially since people are reporting random garbage falling on them from nowhere, thanks to an ongoing quest!

Anyone who volunteers will also be able to learn a new spell that allows them to repair their clothing or armour on the go. Handy when you're out in the Segments and can't just go to the blacksmith!

Part 2
City council has coordinated the cleanup effort, and snack stations have cropped up near big repair sites so volunteers can get water and food. The snacks vary from place to place, but are always something popular in the district they're in; for example, a stand in Sunwaning might provide curry pan or taiyaki, Dayrise might have fried fish or cream-filled buns, or Coldreach might let you come in for chips or deep-fried pickles.

June and July is also the time of the Solstice, a traditional Ellipsan holiday, and just because everything is in shambles doesn't mean people aren't celebrating. While volunteers take breaks at the snack stations, they're encouraged to weave flower crowns with provided cut flowers that are already enchanted to last longer. Plenty of civilians are already out on the street wearing theirs!

While it's common to make your own flower crown, people are also encouraged to exchange flower crowns with others. Some natives might urge anyone who tries to pay attention to flower language when doing so. After all, while not everyone knows flower language, a crown that says "nice to meet you, can we be friends" is very different from one that says "I hope you lose your fortune" or, for that matter, "elope with me"!

OBLIGATORY BEACH EPISODE

Part 1

With summer just around the corner, word gets around that there's going to be a giant beach party in Solarpeak. The natives see this as another way to thank the otherworlders for their continual efforts to help across Ellipsa. So, just a couple days before it starts, everyone will receive a message inviting them to come to Solarpeak and join in on the festivities and enjoy the decor and events that they'll be hosting.

Upon entering Solarpeak, visitors will see everything looks ike it's part of the party. There's stalls with a variety of savory foods, drinks, desserts, and frozen treats. Otherworlders can totally find their favorite summer treats in the assortment - the natives did their research!

There's also several events scattered in the sandy landscape and in the pool itself. In the pool - there's floaties, pool noodles, and a variety of fun pool games. On land there's an inflated obstacle course, slip-n-slides, a water gun fight arena, and beach volleyball set up. Party goers are also encouraged to start up their own activities Don't worry - there's plenty of shady spots to relax, too!

Oh - and don't miss the giant bonfire everyday at dark! The bonfire will also include sparklers and smores.


Part 2
As part of the summer event, Sage Blaze is hosting a cooking competition. Sage is the most recent winner of one of Ellipsa's televised cooking competition shows – Culinary Quest. This competition isn't just about being the best chef, either, it's about learning how to cook with love. Sage will be showing anyone who wants to participate how to make sure that the chefs are cooking with feeling – literally!

People who are tasting the food of the participants will be able to taste the feelings of that participants in the food. That means a dish made with love have a boost in flavor, and if the same dish is made with hate it'll be noticeably less tasty.

While there's no real winner in the competition, participants will walk away with a handy new trick. Sage may also call out when they feel a dish is especially tasty or creative – as long as they can taste the love!

OOC TIPS

Summary of the prompts [ Click to Expand ]

Arrival
• Characters appear in one of the four seasonal spaces, depending on what season they are
• After half an hour they are teleported to the Research Center lobby and given information
• Hologram of Olwen (Winter Guild Leader) plays, explaining the situation
• They're given their smartphone-like device and told about the Starter Apartments next door
• Possibility of finding a roommate!
• Welcome Center welcomes newcomers and those who have been here for a while alike

Fix-It Crew
• The city is recovering from a disaster, so buildings and fixtures all over need repairs and cleanup
• Garbage and debris may randomly fall on characters due to someone else using a defective magic item for cleanup
• Characters who take part in repair efforts are taught a spell to repair clothing and armour
• Snack stands offer food and a place to rest to volunteers
• During rest breaks, they can also make enchanted flower crowns for the Solstice holiday

OBLIGATORY BEACH EPISODE
• Solarpeak is hosting a beach/pool party!
• Stalls with food, drink, desserts, and frozen treats.
• There's several pool games, floaties, etc.
• Options to play beach volleyball, water gun fight, slip-n-slide, etc.
• When it gets dark, there's a big bonfire with smores and sparklers.
• Cooking competition where participants learn to "cook with love".

- Ask your questions related to the TDM here.

- The TDM is available only to friends of the mods and their friends. If you want to play in the TDM, please leave a note here to inform us who invited you over. We will get to you as soon as possible.

- Test Drive is open for current characters to make a toplevel as well. New characters can add TDM on their subject line to indicate they're new!

- Current characters cannot access the starting area again to meet new arrivals. They can, however, be at the Research Center when the newbies are teleported in.

- The TDM is game canon so anything in the TDM can happen for your character(s) in the game as well.

- Smut is not allowed on the TDM. You can play situations leading to it, but if the thread is turning into smut, please move it to a private space such a post in your character's journal, or a locked post in the game's log community if you decide to app!

- Check Locations: City to find more areas to explore inside the city. Every place in the districts is open.

- Similarly, Locations: Segments is useful for outdoors adventures.

- You can find monsters to encounter in the Bestiary.

- The FAQ has information on characters' smartphones as well as general things about the world that might be handy.

code bases by tricklet

Comments

[boombam]

[Katsuki will let go after Izuku complains about the pinching. Smiling wide now that he's sure that Izuku wasn't some kind of dream, or hallucination or hologram or who knows what else. He was so excited to see him here. He couldn't wait to show him all his new friends that he somehow managed to make on his own, and tell him about all the Quests and harrowing adventures he's been through. Show him all of his cool new powers, and talk about how awesome the two were and how their fights went during the war and what the future will look like after and---]

...m..my arm?

[Izuku looks so shocked at the sight of the amputated limb, and it snaps Katsuki right back into reality. Now that the two are standing and looking each other over properly, Izuku is getting a good look at all these injuries and he looks so worried. Katsuki's smile fades as Izuku reaches out towards the missing limb, and he notices how the boy's eyes begin to look wet.

And notices how he's missing a few scars that he should have.

That gets Katsuki's mind to start racing, and he realizes something he never even thought could be a possibility.]

Before I tell you, Deku. I need to ask you a question.

[If his hunch is right.... this might be a huge problem.]

What... what were you and I doing, before you got here?

[procedere]

Before? Ah, you had all dragged me back to UA. Managed to convince everyone to let me stay. After eating something and having a bath, I was pretty tired. I guess I fell asleep. And then I woke up here?

[Evidently, more had happened on Bakugo's end. But Izuku assumed that it had happened while here? Unless, along with pulling people from different worlds here, it was also the case that people were pulled from different times as well? He's still trying to make sense of it all, only recently having arrived. That and it's probably kind of trickier to figure that part out, unless one encounters it themselves with others from home to compare memories with.

Izuku swallows, glancing at the blonde, concern evident in his gaze as he takes it in. Sure, they both had various injuries from their sparring and fights over the years. Over their time with UA, especially. But....this was different. Worse than Izuku recalls.]

Why? I think I'd remember if you were hurt this badly!

[Izuku can't help but to protest. That he should have been there. Done something. Taken the hit himself before allowing that to happen. Bakugo's arm. How was he supposed to carry on his dream to be a hero like this? Sure, there were prosthetics, but that would never be the same. It couldn't replicate the other's Quirk, even with the best available in their support gear and technology. He can feel his heart hammering in his chest, can tell his breathing is quickening, and he tries to control it, briefly closing his eyes and taking a breath before the other might explain.]

[boombam]

[....shit.

Shit.

Katsuki can't hide how his expression twists into something of complete shock, and perhaps a little bit of horror. He's from back then? After the apology? That feels like so goddamn long ago... and there was such a huge gap in between the two boys and their memories. Izuku doesn't know about the war, and just how bad it got. He doesn't know... anything. And Katsuki doesn't know if he should tell him anything.

What if it fucks up the timeline? That's how it works in Sci-fi movies. You're not supposed to interact with the past.]

...I, uh..

[How the hell does he explain this shit to Izuku?]

Fuck, Deku. I don't know how else to tell you this, so I guess I'm just gonna have to say it.

[please let this not fuck up the timeline--]

I'm... from the future. And I fought All For One head on.

[Honestly, that's probably explanation enough on it's own even if Shigaraki was the one who actually gave him this arm injury. He'll wait to further elaborate, and let Izuku just... take that in, first. Because boy oh boy there's a lot to explain.]

[procedere]

You...you what?! What the hell were you thinking?!

[He barely processes that first part. That the other remembers more than him. Because, of course, Bakugo going after All For One is what he reacts to. No, it wasn't supposed to go like that. He was supposed to fight and defeat All For One. Not Bakugo. Why had he gone in to do that? Where was Izuku in all of this? Was it that they had been attacked while still recovering and planning their next move at UA? That the blonde had been helping defend everyone? Izuku had left for a reason, not wanting to put the others at risk when he knew he was a target. If something had happened because he had come back....

He's probably a little louder than he intends to be. It might cause others to pause and stare. But Izuku doesn't pay any attention if so. His lips purse even as his gaze, angry and terrified, searches Bakugo's from under his mess of green bangs. The next question is softer, quieter, brimming with a mixture of fury and upset.]

Your arm....he did this?

[boombam]

[Katsuki winces, when he's yelled at. Not surprised that Izuku, fresh from his little self-sacrificing journey, would be so angry after finding out that Katsuki's injury was given to him by the Villain Izuku was trying so hard to protect him from. He knew he wouldn't take the news well.. but what else was he supposed to do? Lie to Izuku? Tell him his insane arm injury was from some stupid Quest?

No, he couldn't do that. Izuku knew him too well anyway. He'd be able to tell immediately that Katsuki wasn't telling the truth.]

...technically it was Shigaraki. I think.

[Does he want to get into the whole "they merged into one guy but also weren't merged at the same time but he's pretty sure All For One was in control" thing? It's not even something Katsuki really understands, himself...]

But the Villains were smart. They separated the two of us, because they knew they had no chance if we were fighting together. And "Shigaraki" tried to kill me before you could get to us.

[Katsuki's speaking calmly as he explains himself to an angry, shaking Izuku. Wishing there was any better way to break this news, or comfort the other boy in knowing that it wasn't his fault. But he knows Izuku's blaming himself for this. And he knows he'll continue to blame himself, even after Katsuki tells him everything.]

I survived. I'm alive. But he crushed my arm... completely. And whatever magic they used to fix it here didn't do the job. It wouldn't move.

[He doesn't want to talk about his heart. He's not going to. It's enough as it is that his arm was destroyed-- Izuku doesn't need to know about just how close Katsuki really was to dying.]

I had it removed a month ago. I'm replacing it.

[procedere]

They separated us?

[That would explain it. Izuku would never have allowed that to happen if he were there. He's not sure on the details, but even so. Even just this much. It's enough that he can feel the fury, hot and coursing through him amid his guilt and upset. His gaze lowers, his head bowed for a moment as he allows the tears to fall, clumsily wiping at his face as Bakugo continues to explain. Izuku takes another breath, trying to calm himself.]

It wouldn't move? But then...replacing it? Oh. With a prosthetic?

[Even that wouldn't be the same. Izuku knows that. It's something to help, to support him to get on with things and be more independent after the loss. But even still, it would never entirely be able to replace his real arm. Izuku knew that there would likely be costs in their fight against All For One. He accepted that. He just anticipated that it would more likely be something he had to pay. Not Bakugo. Not like this.]

But still, this is....your arm, Kacchan...I should have...

[Should have gotten there quicker. Never allowed himself to be separated from the other in the first place. He can feel his stomach turning from the upset and guilt. He shakes his head, hating being confronted by the cost of the fighting like this. Feeling his cheeks flush from the upset, the tears falling as he clumsily wipes at his face with his sleeve.]

[boombam]

[Katsuki hates seeing Izuku cry. He's seen it countless times. Over, and over, and over again. And so many times it's been his fault that those tears fall, with this being no exception. It makes his heart hurt so painfully in his chest, and he finds himself wishing he had lied. Told Izuku that it was just completely, 100% Katsuki's own stupid fault that he lost his arm. That it had nothing to do with home, and everything to do with this new place that the two are stuck in.

But it's too late. And it'd only hurt more when he finally learned the truth...]

Shut up.

[Katsuki barks that out at Izuku, as an order. His tone serious and demanding, though his brows were furrowed with sympathy for the other boy. With guilt.]

The Villains planned this, Deku. They strategized just as hard as we had, and there really wasn't anything any of us could do about it.

[...hesitantly. Katsuki reaches up to wipe some of those tears off of Izuku's cheek. Bothered that he can't just make them go away.]

But... you know what? I still won, Deku. I defeated All For One even with my fucked up arm.

[And last he remembered, Izuku was off kicking Shigaraki's ass. He doesn't know the outcome of that fight, but he still knew that Izuku was going to win. He just did.

And it gets a wide, proud grin from the blonde.]

And he was so scared.

[procedere]

Ah?

[The command seems to help. Or at least. It's just like Bakugo to say. That familiarity of the other telling him to shut up makes it instinct, almost. He blinks, glancing back up to the other as the blonde continues explaining. He swallows, closing one eye briefly when Bakugo reaches to wipe at his cheek.]

You did? So...we did it?

[He's almost afraid to ask. Hesitant. Obviously, Bakugo was seriously injured in the fight. He's unsure if he wants to ask about the rest of their class, about All Might or any of the others. If even Bakugo was hurt so badly....]

[boombam]

[Katsuki is almost too eager when he nods in response to Izuku's question. There's some parts of the battle Katsuki himself doesn't know, and some injuries and casualties that he does. But for Izuku's sake, he'll keep all the grizzly details to himself. He'll keep it all buried deep inside. After seeing his reaction to Katsuki's arm... he can't tell him everything.

And he can't let him know that Katsuki doesn't know the actual ending to it all, either. Otherwise Izuku's worries will prevent him from believing that everything was truly okay in the end.]

We did it, Deku. It took a whole lotta guts, and a whole lotta will power. But that bastard is gone now.

[This much is absolutely true. All For One will never, ever, be walking on his Earth again.]

He ain't ever coming back. And... if you ask me? I got really damn lucky coming outta' that fight with most of my body in tact.

[He knows this probably won't help Izuku feel all that better about his arm, but still. He makes this point anyway, his left reaching to gently touch at what was remaining of the right.]

It... could've been a lot worse.

[procedere]

[It's like a breath he didn't even know he was holding is released, like a weight is lifted from his shoulders at that reassurance. We did it. He can't help feeling relieved at hearing that. It's almost enough to make him fall to his knees, as he can feel the tension leave his body. He doesn't even consider asking what the outcome was in terms of his own situation. Izuku is far more concerned with Bakugo, with everyone else being okay.]

We did it...? And everyone else...? Is everyone okay?

[He says it could have been worse. So. It sounds like the others should be alright. Or at least, nothing that they couldn't recover from. Hopefully. He has no way of knowing how much the other might be keeping from him. What he might not be saying, in trying to protect him. He figures that the other might be keeping some things quiet. Given that Izuku had just recently arrived, and they were in public and all. So maybe he could ask for more details later. For now, he just wants to know that everyone was alright.]

[boombam]

[Katsuki can just see the relief in Izuku's eyes. How his tense body relaxes at the news. And he gives the boy a couple of nods, one after another, in response to Izuku's questions.]

Everyone's okay. And, actually, you and I saved All Might's life. Together.

[Katsuki's wide grin is back, and he hopes the image of the two of them saving their lifelong Hero together can help cheer Izuku up. Even just a little bit.]

It was right in the nick of time, too. He was seconds away from getting killed, but we managed to reach him in time and pull him away from All For One.

It was awesome.

[His grin gets even larger, as he reminisces on how the two had flung at him at top speed. Hand in hand. How they used their combined speed to beat his predicted death yet again.]

We were awesome.

[procedere]

We did?

[He blinks at that. All Might. He'd needed their help? Izuku isn't sure if he should press for more details. But the important thing to note was that he was alright. That everyone was. Izuku knows he probably looks ridiculous, chuckling and teary, unable to help grinning with the other at his reassurance.]

Yeah? I'm just glad he's alright. We did it....!

[It seems like it might be taking a moment for him to really process everything. It's kind of a lot. Ending up here in and of itself, let alone even the little that Bakugo has shared with him about things back home.]

[boombam]

[There's that smile! Seeing Izuku chuckling a little through his tears has Katsuki feeling relieved even if he does look a little silly. Relieved that Izuku believes him when he tells him that everything and everyone was okay, especially All Might. He knows how Izuku's mind likes to worry about the worst, and sometimes goes in circles and he knows he'll be thinking about this for days and days even after Katsuki tells him it's alright... but at least, for the moment, he's smiling. That's all that matters to Katsuki right now.]

We did it. We saved the world, Deku.

[And now that Izuku's calming down, and starting to process, Katsuki's smile softens and he'll reach to ruffle Izuku's green curls. Teasing him because he's still so happy to see his childhood friend here.]

And, you know what? It was broadcasted on TV all over the place. All those douchebags who made fun of you for wanting to be a Hero got to watch dumb little Deku be the Hero they could never be.

[Katsuki realizes it's kind of ironic for him of all people, who was the one behind all of that harassment, to say something like this. But even though Izuku is from the past, he's heard Katsuki's apology. He knows how Katsuki feels about their past, and how he doesn't approve of his actions or find himself feeling very proud of what he did to Izuku.]

And... I got to pose like All Might after I defeated All For One.

[Oh, Katsuki is just BEAMING mentioning that. It was the last thing he remembered doing before waking up in Ellipsa. Shoving his fist into the air, and then the sensation of falling as he passed out.

He looks SO proud of himself. That smile reminiscent of how he used to grin as a child. So wide, so happy, and a little cheeky as he thinks about how cool he must have looked with that fist in the air.]

[procedere]

Huh? It was live....? Everyone was watching?

[Oh. He could just imagine how worried their families were. Still, that would have been proof enough that they were fine in the end. Even if some of them were injured in the process. Izuku laughs nervously at the idea of everyone being glued to their screens, watching as he had been fighting. As Bakugo helped him and did All Might's pose. He closes one eye as Bakugo reaches to mess up his hair. That beaming smile of Bakugo's makes him nostalgic, remembering seeing it far more often when they were younger. He's glad that they managed to work through things together. That they're a team. That they've gotten so much closer.]

I bet you looked awesome.

[boombam]

[The live part was a lot to digest when you think about their families watching... poor anxiety ridden Masaru probably had a heart attack seeing his son nearly die on the battle field.

Katsuki won't dwell on that too much, though, because Izuku's more important. He missed hearing Izuku praise him so much. Hearing that boy tell him that he bet he looked awesome was like music to his ears, and Katsuki's cheeks hurt from grinning so goddamn much. Ugh. He missed his Nerd!!!]

You're dying to see me do it in front of you, aren't'cha?

[He might if Izuku asks nicely!! Though.. come on. It's obvious Katsuki just wants to show Izuku his cool pose and bask in the praise some more--]

[procedere]

[It isn't like there's much Izuku can do about the situation back home. Even if he does feel bad for his mother. Instead, he tries to focus on what he can do from here. In supporting Bakugo. He grins, nodding enthusiastically, hands raised in front of him like an excited little kid. Like they aren't actually still kids, really. Still teenagers. Even if they had been through far more than anyone so young should have.]

Yeah! Show me!

[boombam]

[They really were both so young, still. Months and months apart in ages, even further than usual thanks to Katsuki arriving earlier than Izuku. Yet both still have that childish side to them that peeks out now and then. Sometimes more often for Katsuki than the other, in the form of stupid insults or his cringey Hero name.

It's nice to have that childishness, still. Even after the war and losing his arm and everything else wrong with him that he still needs to get into. But how does he explain, after all this, that he's also a fucking vampire now?

He doesn't. That's how. Instead he's going to be a little nerd, for the moment. He still has about 20 minutes before the sun starts to burn him, anyway--]

Heh. Alright, but you better watch careful 'cuz I'm only gonna do it once!

[Katsuki takes a couple of steps back, and then with a wide grin he plants his feet into the sand and triumphantly pumps his remaining fist into the air above him. He doesn't say any catch phrase because he's a little too embarrassed to yell and get even more attention on the two of them-- but he feels so damn happy to be able to do this in front of Izuku. Boasting about his victory in front of his number one fan.

...he won't tell Izuku that he totally flubbed the pose back home and passed out midway through. It was definitely, absolutely, just as cool as it is now. 100%]

[procedere]

Yes! That's it! Just like that! Just like All Might's pose! Perfect!

[He is vaguely aware that, of course, they aren't alone. But he also can't help it. He's always been impressed by Bakugo. He's always been enthusiastic and has always supported him. No matter what. Even if the other bullied him. That didn't change that Izuku thought he was amazing. Izuku grins, laughing for the first time since he had arrived here, as he watches Bakugo. He's oblivious to the other having more to tell him about what had happened here more recently. He's just relieved that Bakugo is here. That there's a familiar face in all of this. They're together. He'd do what he could to support the blonde.]

[boombam]

[Izuku's excited praise has Katsuki's form waver, and he lets out a small "pff!" of a laugh that breaks his composure entirely. He feels so stupid posing like that in the middle of the beach, but he doesn't really care. He has Izuku here with him and that's all that really matters. Izuku and his stupid praise that fills Katsuki's ego up more and more.

Today was such a good day.]

You're such a freaking nerd! You know that?

[Calling his All Might pose "perfect"!! SO nerdy!!!]

Now that you're all caught up with what happened back home, I should prolly catch you up with what's happened here. 'Cuz I've been here since the beginning of the year, and it's already June.

[procedere]

Eheh. Like it's the first time you've ever called me that. But ah, yeah! Tell me about this place. What you've been up to! I bet you've made some friends here?

[Besides. You know. The arm thing. Surely there were some good things. This place didn't seem all that horrible. At least not so far. But then, Izuku has not exactly been here for long, so it might be harder for him to say. He had not been sure how long Bakugo had been here before he had shown up. Six months? He couldn't help the way his expressions faltered ever so slightly at that. Bakugo had been here for so long. Izuku had not even realized.]

....Six months?

[boombam]

[Katsuki nods to both of Izuku's questions. Both that he's made some friends, and that it's been half a year already. Time really flies...]

Let's find somewhere to sit, first. Then I'll tell 'ya everything.

[No need for them to be standing around in the sand any longer, and Katsuki's skin was starting to hurt. So he turns around and leads Izuku back to where he had been sitting before. Picking up his black parasol as they walk by where he'd tossed it.

He leads him to a nice, shady tree and plops his butt down into the sand. Patting the area next to him for Izuku. Wanting him to sit close beside him.]

Have you noticed anything weird about me, Deku? Besides the whole arm thing?

[He starts by asking that. Curious if Izuku has picked up on the tiny fangs sticking out of his mouth or that the usual Katsuki who would be sitting right out in the hot sun is sticking to shade.]

[procedere]

[Izuku is glad to hear it. Bakugo could be....a bit loud and all, sometimes. So it was nice to hear that others were able to see past his temper and bluster. To see that he wasn't really that bad, underneath the initial first impressions they might have of the blonde. He smiles, following Bakugo to where the other had been sitting earlier under the tree, joining him under the shade.

The question takes him by surprise a little. And he takes a moment to consider as he sits down next to Bakugo, glancing from the ocean waves to the blonde next to him.]

Mm. Well, you're not usually this careful about getting sunburned. With the parasol and the tree and all.

[Given the more immediate and obvious concern regarding his arm, Izuku has yet to really notice the fangs. That seems far more minor a detail after realizing that his best friend had lost an arm.]

Why? Is there more? Did something else happen to you...?

[He all but immediately tenses, his gaze concerned as he looks Bakugo over again, worriedly. Wondering what he had missed. The arm was awful enough. Let alone the fact that Bakugo had been through something else on top of that. And he hadn't been there.]

Are you okay, Kacchan...?

[boombam]

[Honestly, the fangs probably look natural with how sharp Katsuki's canines usually were anyway. He can't blame him for not noticing, and it gets a small smile from him when Izuku talks about how he normally doesn't mind the sun. He can always count on his nerd to know every little detail about him... his own personal historian.

That might end up dangerous if he and Mike ever meet. The embarrassing stories Izuku can tell...]

I'm fine for the most part.

[That sounds more ominous than he means, whoops. Katsuki reaches up to scratch the back of his head as he continues. Feeling awkward because he wished he didn't have more bad news to give Izuku.]

But I, uh... don't freak out. Okay?

[He's going to freak out--]

I found out the hard way that vampires are real. And they're just like how they are in the movies.

[procedere]

You telling me not to freak out probably means I'm gonna freak out, Kacchan.

[Izuku says, his expression changing from concern and worry to something more deadpan briefly as he raises an eyebrow at the other, not wanting him to freak out. But he does hope that whatever it was, it couldn't be worse than the arm? Surely.

He almost seems to be on pause for a moment as he seems to process what the other seems to be implying. It seems to take a minute before it sinks in. Izuku pales, his eyes widening as he almost immediately wants to deny it.]

Vampire? Wait, you don't mean....?

[The arm was bad enough. If Bakugo was a vampire on top of that, it just seems like. A lot. He can't help the pity, the concern as his gaze searches the blonde's. The way he's almost asking that the other deny it. Reassure him that it wasn't that. How much more had he missed, while Bakugo had been here? If he had been here, maybe he could have done something.]

[boombam]

[Katsuki sees the pity just written all over Izuku's face. Pity with a mix of fear, and a look that begs him to lie to him. He really wished he could tell him that he was totally fine and nothing happened but. It's Katsuki. He's so stupid and reckless sometimes that these things just end up happening...]

It's not as bad as it sounds!

[For some reason, Katsuki snaps at Izuku for looking at him like that. He knows the other boy was going to be upset, and was going to feel bad for him but he just... hates it when he sees that gaze. He feels so... weak. Like he should've done more to prevent these things from happening to himself. So Izuku doesn't have to worry so much over him, like this.]

I'm way harder to kill now, Deku! And you know what else?

[Maybe if he convinces him it's a good thing, Izuku won't feel so bad...]

I've got super strength AND super speed! Which means I can catch up with you even with half my Quirk gone!