deercountry | i'm not a superhero [September Catch-All]

At least they're not that hard to "get rid of" since they go back in the lamp and the lamp goes back in the pack. Dabi's taking the lead once more, heading towards the bar he mentioned earlier. The area around them is a quiet place, with paths and streets winding through hills. It's a branch off of one of the main districts, avoiding some of the heavier foot traffic.

"Ain't society I don't like. It's the kinda society we got back home. Full of a buncha hero-worshiping idiots who can't see the true monsters their so-called "heroes" really are. Hidin behind that praise and suckin up the lip service to avoid takin responsibility for the shit they've cause that they don't wanna look at anymore." Dabi slips his hands into his pockets, eyes forward and tone as calm and droll as usual, despite the venom in his words.

"You'd be surprised what ya can survive on obsession. It's a hell of a support system." He should know. There's some familiarity in the tone of his voice, talking from experience and not doing shit to hide it. After all, considering the burn scars all over Dabi's body, it'd be anyone's first thoughts to wonder how the guy survived with such horrible injuries. "Insanity ain't as bad as people make it out to be; you can do so much more when ya ain't constrained by shit like morals and carin."

At least it's quieter. He doesn't like busy bars that much. Being packed in with people makes him just afraid for his money. Not that there's really money here, but he still has nice stealable things. He'd prefer to not have that hanging over him.

"Are these heroes really so bad? Surely there's some that aren't like that.... there's plenty of people with all sorts of mindsets. Though I... also don't like hero worship that much. It means people don't try to fix their own problems and turn to someone else to solve all of them." Is he bitter? Not really. Tired is more the word for it. He's glad he's here, without so many people who want him to do things. But he can't just tell people to go awaoy and solve their own problems... it's just not in his nature.

"Oh, I've seen him survive obsession... I'm just not sure if he has the ability to get back. The Sea of Stars is vast, and he's not got a ship like we do. He expended all of the aether he got from the Mothercrystal... I don't think he can turn into Shinryu again. But I suppose I'll find out sooner or later."

One of the good things about being a thief and pickpocket is that it's easier to tell when someone's trying to steal from you. Dabi's stolen from people and had people try to steal from him in the bars he's been to. It didn't end well for those attempting to thieve from him.

"There's always gonna be exceptions. But ya can't change the status quo if you're gonna stay your hand for a few exceptions." The rest of it, Dabi merely gives a shrug in agreement and tugs open the door to the bar, which is literally a building built into the large mound of a hill covering it. A chimney pokes out the top and there seem to be a few other tubes sticking out of the hill in various places. Hard to tell if the building was here first and a hill was "dropped on it" or if the hill was excavated to make room for the bar now sheltered all snug within it.

"Some people can always find a way. If you all made it that place, someone else probably can. And he'll be there to capitalize on that." Dabi heads inside, letting the heavy chocolate-covered door swing back towards Nara'a unless he catches it himself. The interior of the bar is very... rich. Not in the monetary way, but in the depths of its dark browns and tans hues, with dark stone walls and blonde wood bartops and tabletops. The scent of alcohol mingles with a smokey flavor and a spiciness of roots. Lights dangle from the ceiling on spindly chains, each bulb shielded by an inverted cone collar of a metal lampshade, giving each booth-flanked table a very private feeling beneath its single circle of light.

The atmosphere here is quiet, compact, but very much "mind your own business" - a reason Dabi frequents the place.

He's glad he doesn't usually have to deal with things like that - he's learned how to not look like a tourist. Not like there's any tourists in Trench, but he's still good at giving off an air of 'don't fuck with me' when he wants to.

The bar is interesting - he can't quite tell what came first, but it doesn't really matter. It's quiet and cozy, not open and noisy like a lot of the bars he's used to. The air makes him take a deep breath, and he relaxes slightly as they step in and find a booth away from other people. It's a little more advanced than what he's used to - but he's gotten comfortable with lightbulbs by now.

"It depends on the exceptions, and what they do. But I think you and I have a fundamental disagreement about the impact exceptions can make." He's not going to bother trying to convince Dabi that the world is good - he's idealistic, not a fool. "But I do hope that the status quo changes soon in your world. Heroes should inspire people, not be... objects of worship. There's a subtle but distinct difference there."

Considering the state of Trench, anyone's a target to nick something off of if you're able to. Besides, Sleepers tend to be recognizable to the locals, and that's as much of "tourist" stamped on your head as, well... yeah. The "don't fuck with me" vibe is a good help as well.

As least they're not the humming pallor of fluorescent bulbs from a school or hospital, always giving off that static ticking noise at unnerving times. The lights are silent and glow a warm yellow, reminiscent of street lamps from a decade past. Dabi settles into the booth Nara'a picks and flops the hand-written menu off its pedestal over to Nara'a to take a look.

"No shit." They don't agree on many things despite their ability to work together. Ironic thing is, Dabi wouldn't disagree about the world; it's the people who are more often the rotten part. And he's well aware he's also included in the "rotten" side, and doesn't give a shit. This side is the one that'll help him achieve his ambitions. That's all that matters. Well, not here. Trench can't do anything for what he really wants.

"Nah, it ain't subtle at all. Hero worship and inspiring heroes are extremely different." Glancing at the bartender, Dabi only needs one look to get his order in. Then back to the miqo'te. "World's gonna change one way or another. All depends on who's still around to see it and shape it."

At least there's that. His ears are more sensitive, and he wouldn't be able to stand florescent lights. Those ears flick in amusement as he has the menu batted at him. He picks it up and glances over it, pretending like he knows what he's reading. He... knows far less about what he's reading than he's going to let on, though.

"I suppose that's true. But you're not talking about an 'end of the world' event, are you? I know heroes in your world can have pretty... intense powers." Even Dabi, for example... if he wanted to, he could cause major problems in Nara'a's world. Someone with that kind of control over fire aether in a place with so much ambient aether? Absolutely devastating possibilities.

He sets the menu down and glances at Dabi again. "You planning on sticking around? You sound like you've got unfinished business to take care of." He doesn't want to presume, but...

Dabi glances towards the man's ears when they move, the quiet placid of the bar making the sudden movement stand out for an instinctive grab. Then drops back to the menu and finally off to the side to wander the bar for a moment. There are pretty standard tavern fare, from hearty soups to breads and cheese. A few meats, though only one's fish since it's this far inland, and cooked greens. Plus beers and wines. 50% of the menu is drinks.

"Depends. For some people, it's gonna be the end of the world as they knew it. For others, they're not gonna be in the world after the war's done." He rests his elbows on the table like an untrained heathen and laces his fingers together, mouth resting behind their raised gating. "Mind ya, "world" in this case is more national society. Ain't blowin up the planet."

Though that could still count as the world if the entire society you knew was no longer there. Heroes, security, protection, admiration, law, order... Could all be gone after the smoke clears.

"Nah. I got someone who needs to die and I'll drag him to hell myself before I let him escape this war alive."

Besides, given the state of Dabi's body already, it's difficult to say he's got a lot of time left in this charred corpse of his.

At least he can pick out a few things he recognizes as food, and a couple of drinks that he's had in Trench already. He's been here long enough to know what some of those words mean - and he's used to taverns. At least this one has food - not every tavern does. A good hearty soup with bread will help soften the blow of the alcohol.

"And you think that the whole national order is corrupt and needs to be pulled down. No chance of changing it from inside the system?" It's not like he hasn't pulled down corrupt systems... but he'd like to think he tried to do it with a minimum of casualties. Somehow he suspects that's not part of Dabi's plan. "... Just be careful. Stuff like that can spill out of control. But I'm sure you know that."

The question is whether or not he cares. Nara'a just sighs and flicks his ears backwards in annoyance, but... well. "What'd he do to make you so angry at him? Hero-worship? Or something much worse?" He's aware Dabi likely doesn't have much time left, but... he's seen what people can do when they know they're running out of time.

Dabi can at least vouch for the food and drink here. It's not a large menu at all, but at least it's decent to good. Provided they managed to get some good ingredients. Their soup with bad vegetables is pretty fucking bad... Spices can't help a dish once the ingredients go past a certain date. Ah well, the bartender's giving Dabi a hand signal saying his drink's ready.

"It's heavily skewed to favor only the people who fit in a certain mold." He snorts at the mention of changing it from the inside. "Not when the inside's where the problem's coming from." Not only the corrupt government, but even how the teach children, the advertisements regurgitating the same rhetoric and criteria, civilians influenced by the propaganda of the heroes, everything's already so deeply rooted, it's not going to change without ripping it all out.

"Spillin outta control's kinda the point. It's war." A war to give everyone freedom and chance the status quo from its current idolizing stagnation. Dabi's flippant way of talking about it, however, seems to suggest he either doesn't actually care, or is merely reciting a facade he's practiced before. The other question...

Dabi merely fixes Nara'a with a serious eye and points to his burned-up visage, scarred flesh stapled to his face. Then pushes himself up to go get his drink and leave the man to think on that for a hot minute.

"... Hm." Well, worth an ask, at least. He drums his fingers lightly on the surface of the table. Heroes... maybe he should ask Deku if he's from the same world. He's heard the boy mention 'hero names' before... maybe it's the same? He'd like to get the perspective of multiple people. But that's a question for later. Right now... well.

He sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose, trying to not say 'I'm not an idiot'. After a moment he lets go and looks up at the other. "I assumed so, but it was worth asking about that. Even wars can be contained if they're carefully planned, though I suspect you don't exactly have an army to help out with your side." He opens his mouth to say something but...

Oh. ... Oh. Yeah, that... makes sense. Dabi's clearly functional, but he can't help but worry about the other's quality of life with all of those injuries. He stews on that silently until Dabi comes back, and a few moments after. "... Are they in Trench?" He might as well check.

Hey, at least he got an answer. Nara'a's free to start digging into the group of people who are from Dabi's world. He'll definitely find multiple perspectives from each of them. The experience they all share and have individually are pretty diverse, as well as goals, tolerances, and everything else that's normal when found in a group of persons.

Dabi picks up his drink from the bartender and returns to the boot, setting down a large glass mug of amber-colored liquor. The foam on the top is already starting to dwindle. too bad. "This ain't about containin. It's about blowin everythin wide open so all the ass-kissin, propaganda-suckin hero worshipers can see the truth behind all that glamor." As for the army on his side, Dabi merely lifts his mug and sips at the foamy drink. "A big one."

An army. Villains amassed under One for All and the League of Villains. But that answer should suggest that he's not up for discussing a bunch of details on that topic. Even if it has zero relevance here, Dabi's naturally cautious about spilling information so readily regarding some topics. This is one of them. Later, he'll be more open to talk about things.

"Nah. Wouldn't be here if he was."

"I see." He's... not sure this is a good idea, but he can't say that to Dabi. He doesn't know, he doesn't have the context for all of this. He's pretty sure blowing everything up and starting over isn't a great way to change a society, but given some of the things he's done, like tearing down the lies of the Ishgardian Church? He can't exactly say so without being a total hypocrite.

He can't exactly blame Dabi for being tight-lipped. As much time as they've spent together, they still don't really know each other. He just frowns and goes over to the bar to get his own drink, leaving Dabi for a few minutes while he gets a bottle of some kind of brownish alcohol - though that could just be the bottle, He heads back over and pops the cap off of the thing with his claws.

"To be fair, I don't think you'd see much of me if my 'rival' were here." Gods, Zenos could show up here... "I'd be spending most of my time avoiding him."

If that's what Nara'a wants to say. Dabi personally doesn't give a shit what happens to society. The heroes can win. The villains can win. Society can go right back to the way it was, end up even worse under All for One, or flourish anew with the "better" the younger generation of heroes are striving for. All he cares about is making sure one man in particular never sees the result of the war. And that he's at his utmost lowest when he breathes his last, regret-filled breath.

Dabi reflects over this as he nurses at his drink while Nara'a goes to order from the bartender. The man's a nice host and calmly accepts the order, not offering one way or another whether the miqo'te should be careful with his current company. He's seen plenty of people come in and talk or trade with Dabi, but this is the first time the bartender's seen the scarred man simply bring company in with him.

"Sounds like someone I heard in the library. Said pretty much the same thing." Dabi glances up at Nara'a when he rejoins him. "Why'd you avoid him? Think he can beat you as is?"

He sighs and rubs his forehead. "No. Well. He beat me the first time we met, and almost the second - backup showed up. But ever since then he's been... obsessed with me. With trying to fight me, to push me to my limit for the sheer thrill of battle. Seems I'm the only person who..."

How does he make this sound not gross? "Well. The only person he cares about. And he doesn't care who or what gets in his way, whether it be another person or a primal or even just the concept of death itself. He's so obsessed that he gave himself an artificial version of one of my abilities, and was obsessed enough to literally come back from the dead and regain his body. ... Somehow." The details still aren't clear to him.

"He also arranged for my soul to be dragged out of my body after he kidnapped me, and took my body for a ride. He tried to kill my allies with it. And then at the end of the universe, he made a deal with my allies so he could travel to where I was in the form of a primal and helped me beat an embodiment of despair just so he could fight me. Just to make me admit that I enjoyed fighting him, which... I won't say I don't enjoy testing myself. I will say I don't enjoy what he's done in the past. ... Though I suspect he didn't make it after I escaped, once our battle was done. There's... not much out there. No food, water... barely any air."

He takes a breath and rubs at his face, frustrated. "I wouldn't put it past him to show up here... but no, I don't think he can beat me. I do think he could cause a lot of havoc."

Dabi listens silently to the entire spiel, sipping at his drink every now and then while his blue eyes seem to glow beneath his hooded lids and choppy black bangs. Obsession. Fighting. Only one he cares about. Screw what gets in the way. Copying abilities. Coming back from the dead to continue that obsession. Yeah, a lot of that resonates extremely close to home for the burned villain and he finds himself easily relating to the man Nara'a's speaking about. Dabi knows all about those feelings.

The rest of it loses him and he tunes out to the end in an easy gloss over. Nice to know Nara'a isn't trying to spout out some heroic bullshit about not liking the thrill of a fight, though he could've easily stated the guy didn't like what happened in order to prove such a thing. Once the story's done, Dabi sets his drink down, both hands resting around the mug.

"Considerin this place likes causin havoc every month, I don't think that's gonna be a big problem if he does." In the end, everyone here is equal prey for the beasts that stalk them, and the events that plague them.

"Obsession can be a real powerful motivator."

"Yes, I known it can be." He's seen it himself. "It can also completely destroy people and twist them into monsters."

Obsession, depression... there's a reason he tries to limit his feelings to milder ones or more positive ones. He's seen the consequences of going too far. And yet... and yet. There's always something that pushes him, drives him up the wall or to the furthest reaches of what anyone could imagine. He tries to hold himself together, but it's... rough going at times.

He takes a sip of his drink and sighs, scratching at his cheek. "Though there's enough..." Not 'heroes', but... "There's enough people here willing to step up to stop someone like him that I suppose he wouldn't be as big of a problem as he would be normally."

"Some people don't mind bein monsters if it means they can accomplish their goals." Dabi watches Nara'a with a curious gaze flicking in his blue eyes, mouth hidden behind the lifted rim of his mug.

There's always consequences of going too far. Funny part is, so many people usually only attribute that to the "bad guys" of the world. Seldom do they ever think a "good guy" could go too far and have negative consequences. And yet, Dabi's seen the results of that very thing happen. It wasn't a problem, at first, but now, in his world, everything's been ripped apart because of it.

The results have been amazing.

"That depends. There are people here who'd be willing to step up and help someone like him." Dabi's aware that his words and actions definitely slot himself towards one of those "people" referred to. And it's true; if someone stood up with enough power to challenge the "gods" above them to find a way home, he'd likely support them, if just for the amusement to see if they'd make good on their promise. But he'd need plenty of proof he wasn't wasting his time and effort...

But he doesn't want to give Nara'a the satisfaction of thinking most every Sleeper in this place is some "good guy" hero type.

"I know. It's... just that they start hurting everyone around them. And I can't tolerate that." He shakes his head and takes a drink, pushing the images out of his head. As much as he mourns over some of the people he's seen... he can't let that stop him.

He nods at the statement. He's not unaware that Dabi would probably help someone like Zenos. Whether Zenos would accept his help or even care is another issue. And as much as he dislikes everything the man has done, he can see the line of treatment that started with his great-grandfather and stretched to his father and then himself... even though he isn't sure how much Zenos really knew about Solus, the single-mindedness definitely rubbed off on him.

Even if the tendency for planning and a sliver of a care for others did not.

He's aware not everyone is a hero, though. There's a reason Trench keeps him busy. "I mean, I won't say that I dislike a good fight... but this is a man who destroyed settlements pretty much single-handedly. I'm not sure what 'help' he needs. ... It's a shame. If he used his strength to help people rather than just look for the next fight..." But he didn't. "I suppose I should be glad he just wants to fight, and not actively rule. He was technically in his rights to contend for the throne before he was stripped of his title."

Edited 2022-12-06 18:18 (UTC)

"Oh. Ya mean the monsters here." Dabi tilts his head to the side in a general indication of the world of Trench all around them. H was thinking a more generic term of "monster" that people like to levy against others they don't agree with. "Yeah, they don't seem to have any brains left."

At least Nara'a acknowledges the veiled comment. There's some part of Dabi that remains surprised the miqo'te remains interested in him (or tolerant of him) enough to stick around despite their completely opposite placements on the moral spectrum. But then again, same could be said in reverse. And Dabi merely finds the other man interesting and tolerable enough to hang around as well. Plus he has nothing against Nara'a personally. The guy hasn't impeded him in a goal, hasn't tried to hurt or kill him, and generally proved himself a worthwhile ally.

"I know a guy who wiped out half a city without a problem. He still operated with other people." By choice or necessity is a strange call. A little of both, with some probable "encouraging orders" thrown in there as well. But that's not for him to divulge. The latter notion earns a derisive snort from the villain. "There ya go again. Such a shame someone else ain't actin the way you deem "good"; ever consider he thinks the same thing of you, but in reverse?" Such a shame Nara'a wastes his power helping other people instead of making himself a ruler, for example. Or in this guy's case, making himself the opponent he wants.

"Did he go nuts before or after he lost the crown?"

"No, I mean in my world. It's... unusual, but it's been known to happen. Depending on the depth of your despair and the amount of power you have." He's seen it happen... he doesn't want that to happen to anyone else ever again.

Hm. "Sounds like a difficult sort of person. And yes, I've tried thinking it over from his perspective... I can't understand living only to fight. He was never fully in his right mind, I suspect... but it was before. His father gained the crown after a power struggle. He would have inherited it after his father's death - at his own hand, reportedly, and for unknown reasons - but he fled. His cousin attempted to lay claim to the throne but... well. The civil war tore apart the Imperial capital and then the Final Days started... so I'm not sure who would be the ruler now."

And who would rule over a ruined empire? He's not sure who would even want to. "But no, he had a bloodthirst from the moment we met. I knew he was a man who would let the world burn for what he wanted... and he certainly did try."

"So ya used to this kinda stuff." And again gestures to the world at large around them. People turning into monsters, monsters crashing out of the forests to try and wreck buildings or fill their gullets with food.

The rest of that story sounds like some kind of feudal tale, with kings, rulers, princes, assassinations, usurpation, claims, and eventually a war because of the power struggle. Dabi never had been much for paying attention to those kinds of stories in his life, growing out of them quickly in his younger years in exchange for other more relatable topics. He listens to Nara'a, but doesn't find much reason to respond outside of a bare "huh" of interest. "Guess whoever has the most power now."

Might makes right in those kinds of situations. There's always something to be made out of ruin. Power is power, even if you start from the bottom and claw your way up.

The last part earns a brief smirk. "Some people are that focused. A single person has the power to change the world."

"It's... disturbingly similar to something that happened in my world, yes. So I'd like to find out what happened here to cause people to twist that way." He knows 'blood pollution' is the answer people give, but what caused it to be so polluted? He's not sure, and he isn't satisfied with 'it just is'.

He nods and lets out a sigh. "We're trying to give the people a chance to rebuild... there's not even enough people gathered back in the city to figure out who even wants to be in charge. A lot of the citizenry fled, leaving the military in place. But there were a lot of casualties among the military for... various reasons." He winces, being one of those 'various reasons'.

"Oh, I know they can." He did. So did many others. "But it's been a long road to try to get to where I am, and other people have helped."

"Good luck. Pretty sure only everyone here's asked that question. And if the "gods" can't answer cause they don't know..." Dabi shrugs his shoulders and tilts his head back to down the rest of his drink. It lands back on the table with a thud in his fist and he smirks twistedly at the man across from him. "Find out and you'll be this world's hero."

Rebuilding. What comes after a war. Dabi leans back in his seat, resting his arms behind his head. Citizens fled, military in charge, empty ruined cities... sounds like what's gonna be in store for his nation once the war finally kicks off. So many empty neighborhoods already. Noticing Nara'a's wince, Dabi closes his eyes in thought. "Sounds like a real fucked up place right now."

"I mean... I never wanted to be a hero. I just wanted to help people out. ... And I want to help these people out, too. They've been good to me. I want to be good to them as well." If even the pthumerians don't know... hmn. He'll have to think on how to approach the question. He can't even start to form a hypothesis at this stage.

Garlemald... yeah, that sounds about right. "It is. They were our enemies for so long. And even I just thought of them as 'the enemy' for a long time. But they're people. The ones in charge are to blame - both for the orders of attacking peaceful people but also for the punishments they threatened if their troops disobeyed. I'm not angry at the troops. ... I feel guilty for taking their comrades' lives. Could I have stayed my hand sometimes? Probably. But... I didn't. So here we are."

"Sometimes ya don't get a choice whether people think you're a hero." If Nara'a, or any Sleeper, finds a way out of Trench to go back home, they'll certainly be thought of as a hero. Or a savior. Or someone real fucking helpful. Go figure. Were Dabi in any mood to talk to the "gods" they're under, he'd simply ask straight up if there's a way back home and how to go there and use it.

He catches the bartender's eyes and orders another round. Nara'a's still over there brood musing about his history. Dabi settles back on the seat. "Everyone's enemy is "just another person" if ya wanna look at it that way. People are people, bad actions or good. Ya gonna have to draw a line somewhere and decide to take 'em out if ya don't like what they're doin." Whether that 'take out' action is convincing them to stop verbally or using actions to force them to stop.

"You heroes guilt yourself over so much shit."

i'm not a superhero [September Catch-All]

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