smaaaaaash | IC INBOX: awashrpg

[Ochako... is here! And by "here" I mean, um, standing on All Might's doorstep, holding onto a floating pumpkin with one hand as she uses the other to nervously knock on his front door. It's not that she's scared of him; after sitting through so many of his classes, she can even admit that she isn't nearly as starstruck as she used to be. There is, however, still something a bit awkward about the prospect of spending time with him outside of class? It's not like she's had any one-on-one time with him in class! She's honestly not sure what to say, let alone do.

But it's high time she checked in on him, and this pumpkin-carving quest has given her the perfect excuse. Last month was a quest with Aizawa; this month is a quest with All Might. She can do this! She can totally do this.]

H-Hello? [Ah! She clears her throat as she knocks one more time.] It's Uraraka! Uraraka Ochako! I really hope I didn't come at a bad time...

[She's havin' some doubts!]

[For his own part, All Might had pondered over how to behave around his students, particularly after Izuku told him the truth about what the future held in store. He's worried about them and wants to know how they're doing, of course, but he's left with a huge gulf between what his students now know about him and the image he'd tried to maintain all this time. With that illusion torn away... What then? The thought of being seen as his real self is still enough to make him panic, even knowing what he does now.

So when he hears Ochako at the door, he freezes up temporarily. He still has no idea what to do, but he also doesn't want to make her feel unwanted, either... So he swallows and opens up, a nervous smile on his gaunt face.]

Ah, hello, young Uraraka! Not at all, what can I do for you?

[N... nailed it???]

[The door swings open and Ochako immediately stiffens, because—ah! Ah! He's here, and that's great, but for a few awkward seconds all she can really do is blink up at this incredibly tall man as her brain reboots. He was probably resting? Why is she bothering him again? Oh, right—]

A quest!

[It's the first thing she thinks of, and... jeez. She straightens her back, telling herself not to wince as she offers him a nervous smile of her own.]

I mean, I was wondering if we could do a quest together? Since we're here? [She hoists her weightless pumpkin up in front of her, voice becoming a bit more natural as she hurries right along.] I haven't carved many pumpkins before, b-but I've watched other people carve theirs. It's definitely way more fun when you work with someone else!

[Teamwork makes the dream work!]

[For a second, when he notices her stiff reaction, his panic ratchets up a notch. Maybe he made a mistake and should have answered in muscle form? But then she speaks, putting a few of his doubts to rest.]

I-I see! The fine American tradition of pumpkin carving in fall! You'd like to do it with me?

[His eyes light up in recognition, his smile becoming more genuine. Well, getting him excited about something familiar is one way to ease off those self-conscious nerves, and he's touched she'd think to ask him over all the friends she doubtless has here.]

That sounds like fun. Come inside! I should have everything we need to carve it.

[Aside from that slightly awkward start, things seem to be going... relatively smoothly? Not that she expected things to go south in a hurry! It's just, you know, nice to hear a trace of excitement in his voice, nice to know that he doesn't mind spending time with her when he doesn't necessarily have to. Ochako unconsciously relaxes, shoulders dropping a bit as she follows him right inside.]

Oh, good! I spent so much time trying to find the perfect pumpkin that I... forgot to go home and grab my knife.

[A hero should always be prepared, yadda yadda yadda, but hey, she was excited! And nervous. Pulling the floating pumpkin to her chest, she trails right behind All Might as he makes his way through his home. What to say, what to say—]

So you've carved pumpkins before? I mean, before you came here?

[She Is Not Surprised.]

That's right. I've tried it a few times in the States. It's popular over there, especially with the kids.

[He can't elaborate beyond that, besides sounding a little wistful. All Might isn't permitted luxuries like a private life, and that habit is so ingrained that even here it seems like a bad idea to talk about it. Still, the memories of his best friend and his little girl are fond ones...

As he leads her inside, the house is looking much better than when he arrived a month ago. Had he been living alone the repairs and decorating would have taken much longer than he would have liked, but thanks to Ari, the team effort went a lot more smoothly.

He grabs a bowl, some spoons and some knives in the kitchen, setting them on the side.]

While you decide on a design to carve, I'll make tea. Would you like some? [It feels chilly outside today, so he figures he should offer.]

[Ochako glances around at her surroundings as they make their way through the cottage, pleased that things look... well, homey. He deserves a nice place to stay! Even the kitchen looks nice and inviting; she places the pumpkin on the table as soon as they enter it, making sure that it doesn't, like, roll right off onto the floor after she releases her quirk.]

Tea? Yes, please! [Ah, wait, where are her manners—] A-As long as it's not too much trouble.

[Tea is a hot commodity around these parts! But while he fiddles around in the background, she stares very, very intently at the punkin, trying to figure out what, exactly, they should carve on the darn thing. A spooky face? No, that's way too boring; he probably did that in the States. She's half-tempted to say a bee, because last month was a bee-autiful disaster, but... nah. That does, however, remind her of a certain someone.]

Maybe we should carve something for Aizawa-sensei? I'm not really sure what to pick, but it would be nice to give the pumpkin to someone. It's like... a treat!

[He sets about heating up some water and getting the cups ready, pausing to think as he busies himself around the kitchen.]

For Aizawa-sensei... [All Might feels a bit apprehensive, being from a time where he feels Aizawa doesn't particularly like him, so he couldn't possibly guess what to carve that he'd like. Not knowing how things stand here makes things more confusing, but...]

Yes, I think that's a great idea! Maybe we can carve his face. [And then, slyly:] Don't tell him that was my idea, though.

[Aizawa's... face? Ochako presses her lips together, trying to pretend like she's reeeeeeally thinking about this, because—pfft. It's not a bad idea! She thinks an Aizawa punkin would be kind of cute, actually, but there's just something funny about All Might suggesting it... and then trying to cover his tracks...

Honestly, she's still trying not to laugh as she turns and flashes him a quick smile, but her amusement is as plain as day. She's never been very good at hiding things!]

I won't! I promise. But if he likes it, that means I'm going to get all of the credit!

[There's a part of her that realizes she's joking around with a teacher—with All Might—but it feels... surprisingly natural? Things feel much more comfortable than they did back at the front door, anyway which is why she shoves her slight worry to the side as she reaches for a knife.]

Should we try to make it really look like him, or should we go for something... easier?

[...Cuter. She means something cuter. A stick figure with messy hair.]

If he likes it, that's when you surprise him and tell him it was my idea, too! Then maybe he'll like me...?

[He mutters that part under his breath. Ochako doesn't need to hear the interpersonal difficulties he has with certain coworkers...!!! Even if they're glaringly obvious.]

Simple is best! That's what I always think, when it comes to pumpkins. [He grins, turning to pour both of their drinks and leaving them to steep. The relaxed atmosphere does feel nice, even if it's going to take a lot of getting used to being seen in this form without feeling-- exposed? Vulnerable? He owes it to his students to try to be at ease with them, at the very least.

He brings the drinks over next and peeks over at her progress.] How is our Eraser-pumpkin looking? [Or maybe 'Pumpkinhead' is a catchier hero name...]

[All Might, please refer to this pumpkin as "Pumpkinhead" and watch Ochako absolutely lose her mind. It will be a true learning experience. But as he approaches, she shifts to the side so that he can see...

...Well, an effort is clearly being made? It's still a stick-ish figure, but the hair is nice and wavy, and she's definitely captured that half-lidded, I'm-too-tired-to-deal-with-this Look that he always seems to have; she's even added a capture cloth scarf and is starting to carve... a small cat sitting right by his feet. Does All Might even know that he's totally into cats? Ochako visited a cat café with him a few months ago, so she definitely does. She has All Might's back...!!]

Okay, I think! But it's not... too simple, is it? [She tilts her head a bit, squinting as she examines her work with a critical eye.] Maybe I should add some stubble...

[Ochako, don't.]

[ though she let him go off from the trip without too much fightback on the day of, she has been thinking about how quickly he went. she hopes he's ok now. ]

Hello All Might,

I wanted to check on you to see if everything is well? Is the emergency you mentioned resolved now?

-Zelda

Hello Miss Zelda!!! Thank you for your concern, but everything is fine now! Did the trip go well?

The trip was a great success in my book! Even better than expected really, which is good. I'm hopeful that I can cajole our always weary lead into helping arrange another one in the far future.

I'm happy to hear things are ok now, but next time you shouldn't just rush off like that! I was worried for you the whole time.

I'm sorry! I would have sent you a message, but these laptops are awfully restrictive. I took for granted the days where we could call or text anyone at the push of a button!

[does Zelda even know what he's talking about... maybe not]

I'm glad to hear everything was a success. :) if morale is high in the defence force, that will help raise everyone else's spirits, too!

[ she does not, but she's used to it. ]

Exactly. I hope next time you'll be able to join us for longer regardless of the activity. And if you need any help in the future, you can always call on me for assistance. We are teammates after all.

[ (that last bit doesn't matter so much to her, as she'll help anyone really, but it might inspire him to use that sort of rhetoric. ]

You're very kind, young Zelda! I'll be sure to keep the offer in mind for next time.

Likewise, if you need any help, please tell me too! It seems you and Ichinose have shouldered a great deal, so I hope there are ways I can be of more assistance in future!

[There's a hex code that's changed in the last couple of days. Though that alone is reason enough to check in with All Might, there's something else that Izuku's been needing to discuss with him, too.]

All Might, do you have time to meet me today? There's something I wanted to talk to you about.

Edited 2018-11-01 22:26 (UTC)

I'll always have time for you, my boy! Where do you want to meet?

Is my place okay? Shouto's not here right now.

[And as friendly as Ari is, Izuku would rather he not overhear this when the mixup is the main reason for this talk anyway.]

That's fine. if there's nothing special I need to bring, I'll head over now.

Just yourself! I'll be here ヾ(＾∇＾)

OK! See you soon.

[The emoji means it can't be that serious, right... Who is he kidding, it's Izuku. He wouldn't contact him out of the blue to meet in private if it wasn't serious.

Despite his apprehension, All Might heads straight there as promised, knocking on the door, then stuffing his hands back in his jacket pockets to ward off the chill.]

[Izuku rushes to the door, almost tripping in his haste to open it.]

C-come in! [Wheeze. Izuku, as per usual, looks a bit nervous as he moves aside to let All Might in. This bodes well!]

[A nervous Izuku never bodes well. So to try to get him to relax a bit, All Might just puts on a dumb smile and lowers his voice conspiratorially.]

I am here, while young Todoroki is away! [So sneaky. Anyway, he does enter, toeing off his shoes and shrugging off his jacket as he does so.] Thank you for having me as a guest.

[Fidgety as Izuku is, All Might's little gestures like that usually work in getting a smile out of him.] You're always welcome here, All Might. I don't think Shouto would mind seeing you over more often either, you know.

[Now let him be a good host and take your jacket for you.]

[He does let him take his jacket, then steps inside, pleased to see Izuku at least looking a little less nervous.]

Really? But how could I intrude on you two love birds! Hahaha!

[He cackles to himself, blood spray and all. Nice. Though it's mostly to hide that he's not actually sure of just inviting himself to other peoples' places, even Izuku's. He's spent so many years of his life holding people at arms' length that being elusive is ingrained now.

Still, he's here now, so he might as well jump straight to business.]

So, what was it you wanted to discuss, young Midoriya?

All Might! [If All Might was trying to get Izuku to blush, he's definitely achieved his goal now. Izuku covers his face, rapidly turning red under his hands.] He... he told you, didn't he?

["He" being Shouto, of course. It wouldn't surprise him, considering how open Shouto is about these things.]

He did. Actually, he seemed to have some confused ideas... He acted like he was seeking my blessing as a future father-in-law!

[He laugh-coughs into his hand again. Poor Izuku. The perils of being stuck with someone as blunt and forthright as Shouto Todoroki!]

I'm afraid he has the thought that because of our Quirk, and because of my interest in teaching you, we're father and son. He was very serious about it, and I couldn't think of a way to persuade him otherwise without talking about One for All, so... [An apologetic pat on the shoulder. This is your life now, Izuku.]

[Izuku sighs, not even surprised at this point.] Of course he did. [He can't even blame Shouto for this, when logically it all makes sense.]

I-it's okay, I understand. I've had trouble explaining it all to Shouto before, too. [Then, he adds more softly as he reddens again-] Besides, I don't really mind. There are worse things to be mistaken as.

I can think of a few things, too.

[He smiles. It makes his heart swell to hear that response from Izuku. Of course, their bond through One for All runs far deeper than any theory Shouto could come up with, but to an outsider, it would seem like the easiest way to make sense of it.]

I'm sorry. I should have mentioned I knew about you and young Todoroki sooner, but I wasn't sure if you wanted to talk about it.

[Izuku furiously shakes his head.]

You don't need to apologize, All Might! I would've mentioned it, but sometimes it still feels really surprising... and new. [Yes, even after months.]

Actually... I guess it's a little ironic, that people like Shouto would think we're family. [Izuku looks up at All Might hesitantly now.] Even though I've been learning from you for so long, I realized... there's a lot I still don't know about you.

[Of course there isn't much he knows about him, not with those starry-eyed fanboy tendencies. Though he won't spell that out for Izuku, exactly -- perhaps, like with the practical exam, it's something better left for him to figure out for himself.

However, he does offer the following--]

Well, I can't answer questions if they aren't asked! What do you want to know?

Um.. your civilian name? [Though Izuku's talked himself into doing this, asking still makes him cringe. He knows he has a good reason to ask, but it just still feels so intrusive!]

You've been using it to introduce yourself while you look like this, right? [Izuku rubs at the back of his neck.] I just thought... you know. It might be a good idea for me to know, so I don't slip up...again.

IC INBOX: awashrpg

10/12? maybe earlier? time is so mysterious

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#03B2F7 (after camping is over)

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#FFDF00; 11/1

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