deercountry | [Open] 🚬 April Flames

Entry tags:

[Open] 🚬 April Flames

Who: Dabi & others
What: April Catch-All
When: Various
Where: April

Content Warnings: Scenes and mentions of domestic / child abuse, some body horor and monstrous transformations, violence, adult language, topics of patricide and fratricide

Notes: General and specific starters will be below. Contact under cut.

If you want to hit me up for ideas on prompts or plots, feel free to comment on Dabi's plotting post, hit me up on my contacts – Plurk (

StarSeed69) / Discord (StarSeed#3572) – shoot me a PM, or drop an ooc comment down below, and we’ll hash it out. I'm down to write a unique starter for our threads if you prefer.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It is a slippery slope, hence why Ochako is mitigating that decent as much as possible and trying to keep it to just a bare minimum of stolen goods. Take what's needed, nothing more. Waste not, want not, right? That's the sort of principle she's always lived by - it's the poor man's way, sure, but Ochako's never considered herself or her family anything but poor. Regardless though, she'll never resort to stealing in excess like Dabi is. It sucks, her situation and her parents' financial burdens, but she's already making her way to help them. Or, well...she was.]

I have other clothes. And they do sell them here, too.

[She snorts back, arms crossed. It's...not like the idea didn't cross her mind. Alternating what she had as often as possible, and really only "purchasing" (trading for, really) the necessary undergarments and footwear. A week's worth of clothes could last a while if they were clean and well taken care of!! Plus, Ochako knew how to sew, she could mend certain things if the damage wasn't outrageous.]

Whatever... Just please leave most things in there. [She's asking, and actually asking relatively nicely, too. Ochako expects nothing, but...hell, she'll shoot her shot.]

[sucks to be her. he's already tumbled down that slope and finally managed to get to his feet to scrape the rest of the way to the bottom. this is nothing for him. the idea of what's "needed" is extremely flexible. what's "needed" to prepare for the future depends on how far into the future you care to look. dabi's actually not had the allowance to splurge on shit. it wasn't like the league could set up in some abandoned school and make a home there for weeks. their base changed regularly. that's not the case in trench. he has a stable place to stay and intends to stockpile in it.]

Hn. Thought this place operated on the barter system...

[no one told him of a currency to use; both transactions he's dealt with came through trades. plants for medical supplies and shiny beads for a semi-physical. though shouto did have some kind of... credit, but seemed to be built off what he brought earlier. dabi's obviously the kind to make clothes last; villains couldn't just walk into a store and whip out a credit card to pick up some nice new jeans. but at the same time, why wast the opportunity in front of him?

in return for the request, "nicely" as it is, she only hears dabi's voice from inside the rift.]

I ain't takin everything.

[shit like toys and makeup and frozen foods he's leaving behind without a second's thought.]

[While she may not have hit rock bottom, Ochako and her family were right at the edge. Scraping by is what she knows, and constantly struggling to clamber up the mountain of life's hardships, too. Looking forward, having a plan, and stockpiling...yeah. Ochako knows that, she's lived that live up to the present. Circumstances might be different, and she definitely had more than Dabi, but she's not as pristine a Hero as others. Even those in her class.

Even here in Trench, she has to scrape by just to get clothes. Basic necessities. This isn't ideal, but she's not going to look a gift-horse in the mouth...too much, anyway.]

It does, but it's still good being offered. Blood, though...that's the main thing people want.

[Trade goods, bartering and haggling, or working it off. That's the kind of system Trench seems to have. A really difficult one, yeah, but still one that works...oddly enough. It just means Ochako has to get used to it. She's not exactly in the avenue of donating her blood willy-nilly, either. She sighs, knowing she's essentially talking to a brick wall, and rubs her face. Whatever...a burglary is better than anything else. She just has to keep telling herself that.]

Thank you...but please hurry up. [She's going to put your shit somewhere else as instructed.] This is uncomfortable enough as is.

[wouldn't she be surprised to know the reality... maybe she'll find out at some point. she's gonna be hanging around shouto and all. other people may find out the truth and then it'll come up when they talk to ochako once it's revealed she knows dabi. who the hell knows. doesn't really matter if people in trench know the truth. unless they try to do something untoward at him, then it might matter. but no one in these rifts are going to bother them.

it's because trench life is so very "scraping" that dabi's even more intent on milking as much from these rifts as possible. they might never open again. probably a good thing it's just a convenience store...

more shit starts flying out of the rift. batteries. shades. cleaning supplies. bathing supplies. towels (these stores always have towels). bauble keychains and little sacks of marbles and beads (because someone had mentioned "sparkling stones" as a fine trade item). lighters. razors. beauty supplies (more like tweezers/clippers sets rather than lipstick and makeup). non perishable foods in bags and cans.]

About that. Ya got any idea how that works? Blood? If ya wanna shirt, do ya cut yourself and bleed on their hand or is it more a capsule of ya blood?

[shouto froze a lot of dabi's blood when he was helping him redo his staples. he's also stealing as many little bottles, vials, stoppers, jars, whatever he can find.]

If ya uncomfortable, why dontcha come in here and help?

[no one's approaching ochako from outside, so as long as they're willing to occasionally take out a bag of stuff and stash it, they can go back and forth.]

[She will, eventually, whether it be by her friend laying down the truth, or the hands of time catching up with her at some point. It's anyone's guess. What she does with the knowledge she eventually will gain is going to be what really matters though, isn't it?

Sighing as things start to come out the first as she returns, Ochako can't deny that a lot of it is extremely useful. Batteries, cleaning supplies, toiletries--oh god, and towels. Glorious, soft, fluffy towels... Ochako and Bakugou only have one each for literally everything, so the way her nose wrinkles at the sight of such precious goods that was so damn practical is indicative that her resolve is slipping. At least, it was, until he starts to goad her into it. Ugh...]

Mm, it can vary depending on who it is you talk to, I think. And how much they want. If it's just a drop or two - usually it's a finger prick or a little cut and they've got containers for it, yeah. For vials, it's like drawing blood normally.

[Frowning again, Ochako grumbles something and pushes her hair back and ties it up in a ponytail.] ...Fine, but the second that portal starts to flicker even a little bit, I'm throwing you out, got it? And you're not allowed to be mad about it!!

[Because yes, Ochako will all too happily yeet a grownass man a good ten-fifteen feet for various reasons.]

[what she does with the knowledge isn't in dabi's eyes to care, unless she decides to use said knowledge and get in his way. of whatever he's planning on doing. at the moment, nothing at all maniacal or evil. mostly sticking to looking out for himself. maybe taking advantage where he can. exploring and learning.

of course this shit's useful! convenience stores are there for convenience. you could live off one well enough for a while if you don't set your bar of necessities and luxuries low enough. dabi's only fishing out shit for himself, save for what uraraka explicitly requested, so if she's seeing things with covetousness in her eyes, she'd better get her ass in here and start her own procurement. he's not shopping for his lookout. can't help it if he's got practicality and survival on the mind instead of being the typical villain in her head and going for the cash register.]

Disgustin. Reminds me of... [dabi's voice trails off as he heads further into the store. reminds him of the creepy doctor. as well as what he and all for one had plans for him in the past. his body and quirk. guess he'll be sticking to some side bartering to avoid spilling blood for a while more until he's a little more comfortable with the idea. still, he's taking her answer and slotting it away as "preparation" for later.

he glance up when he hears her coming through the rift. sorry, but she's going to have to worm between two shelves to get to the aisle, but if dabi can do it, so can ochako. she ends up in a darkened convenience store, much like home, lit only with emergency lights and night likes. dabi's heading back towards the rift with an arm full of cheap bedding.]

Think ya missed the part where I'd leave you behind.

[if that portal starts to flicker, he's getting himself through it and to hell with whoever else is behind him. still, now that she's inside, he has to go through the portal to stash shit in the duffel bags and then return.]

[In all honesty, it's that sense of necessary survival that makes Ochako willing to help, willing to break a few rules. Because even she can't deny that this is the least they could do. And also...she does regret not having the courage to take the repercussions and help out someone close to her in the past. Come what may, she won't hesitate again.

And while she could have just as easily took the things he was taking for herself an bailed, Ochako notices something a bit odd about this place as she looks over the shelves and aisles. It's kind of...dusty. Not overly so, but noticeable enough that she frowns and rubs on finger through a line of it. Huh...no good conbani would allow that much dust to gather. Something feels a bit off here...like it was just left like this all of a sudden. For some reason. Hell, even looking out at the town out the glass windows...feels a bit bleak. Why?]

Hm? [She snaps out of it, taking a few things off the shelves to inspect - scissors, some hygiene products, and kitchen supplies - and sighs. Of course he would leave her behind...] I'd come back to haunt you one way or another.

[Banter, offhanded and kind of lazy, because Ochako is wandering around and picking out things as well, but also inspecting the place. She yelps when she steps on something furry and it races away with a screech - a rat. Wait...rat?]

Mmh, I kinda feel like...this place's been abandoned.

[But again, why.]

[good. hope might not be lost for her yet when it comes to scraping by "on the streets" as they say. when an opportunity presents itself, don't take a few nibbles and run. grab as much of that shit as possible (after scoping out the risks) and then leave once you've taken from it what you can. if she wants to view this as helping herself or her companions, go for it. heroes use any excuse to justify their actions. lawbreaking included.

hah, if she thought she'd get away with more than a duffel or two... oh wait, this bitch could make things float. she actually could've absconded with everything he was gathering. hn... maybe dabi'll give her a slight nudge in the trustworthy area. why else would he invite her inside?

the dust hasn't bothered him. initially it piqued some caution. places like this aren't abandoned without good reason. especially when still stocked as much as this one is. one of the reasons he has stayed cautious and isn't making pains to wreck or break things. the electricity is still running, since the emergency lights are still on and the refrigerated section's running smoothly. but it's merely impetus to get in, clear this place as fast as possible, and then get the hell out.]

Oy. Get away from the windows. Ya wanna get seen?

[god, does she not know how to steal? don't risk shit like that. consider that some advice from a senior in the trade. dabi's still wiping out the medicine supplies, and is almost nearly done. of course he's thought about going into the back, but... that's being far too greedy. it'd take too long as well. best keep what's on display and recognizable.]

A heroic ghost. That'd be a sight.

[he tenses up when she yelps like that, glaring across the shelving at ochako.]

Shut it. [making so much noise...] It's abandoned, but everythin's still stocked. Even the cold items. Wouldn't question it if I were you. Focus on the important shit first. Medical, health, clothing, non-perishables, electrical.

[batteries and lighters too. since she's going to help, dabi's already dragged down all the duffel bags and backpacks and other flexible carrying items. even bedrolls. you bet he's gonna fucking "grinch stole christmas" this place.]

We'll divide all this up later so don't try to "yours and mine" right now.

[though she better not expect an even 50/50 split... well, she can expect a 50/50 split of what she and dabi are gathering since she stepped in. beforehand? he was doing all the gathering. minus the shit she explicitly asked him to get for her.

for his own part, dabi's curious to see what ochako's going to end up doing. if she's going to realize this is definitely an advantageous situation and start taking more, or if she'll be committed to her morals and stick to barely skimming off the top.

if she chooses the latter, dabi plans on... "forcing" her hand.]

[In a situation like this, where it doesn't seem like anyone is really...managing the place? Yeah, Ochako doesn't have too much issue wil grabbing what she can and bailing. Most of the time, however, she would only take the necessities and then work for the rest of it. Call her stupid, but there's a sense of weird spite underneath it all, too. The desire to not give in to just take the easy way out - to steal, to break the law, to grab and go. Ochako's too much of a go-getter to take the easy street, she prefers to earn the right to what she has, even if it's hard. It's always been that way, but things in Trench are going to change that mentality over time.

She sure can make things float, and if she were less of a person, Ochako may very well have taken off with the stolen goods and donated them to other people. But she's not above helping someone out, even if the so-called "help" is committing a supposed crime. These are things they need, and given the state of this store...it doesn't appear like anyone's really coming back to gather the items therein. ]

Sorry... [Ochako moves back, away from said windows, some of which do have posters for various ads and sale items, but most are wide open. Dirty, again, but still see through.] But I don't even see anyone outside, either... Mmn, I think we should probably get going sooner rather than later. I don't like how quiet it is...

[Seriously, even a conbani at night would have the sounds of city life, right? People walking home from the night shift, stumbling drunks, cars passing by the street, stray cats yowling, crickets...stuff like that! All Ochako heard before was the scurrying of a rat, everything else was just...quiet.

But heeding what Dabi said (would you look at that, he doesn't need to force anything!), Ochako's starting to take more things, shoving them into another eco-bag. Knives, some stainless steel water bottles, scissors, canned foods and mugs, things like that. All the while she's also keeping her guard up, senses poised for any sort of sound or movement that isn't her or Dabi. Ugh, it feels like she's in a horror game and Ochako does not like it one little bit.]

Whatever... I didn't need more than a few things even before I came in here. You can take most of it if you want, I just need what I asked for earlier, Dabi-san. You can even grab a pack of beer from a cooler if you want to celebrate later or something. Ah--...do you burn the alcohol if you drink it?

[Call her curious.]

Edited 2022-05-17 00:45 (UTC)

[he found it strange the electric items still worked in an abandoned place. at least, they worked well. still running, none of those telltale flickers or burned out bulbs of an derelict store. no break ins previously either. perhaps it wasn't abandoned long? but long enough to leave dust... strange. nothing here he's gathered appears rotten of decaying. even broken really. the idea of working for any of this is ridiculous, since this world is neither their own, nor something part of trench. there'd be no one here to accept such a stupid trade.

as for thievery being the easy way out, that boils down to worldview and life experiences. after all, for many villains, it's not like they can walk in and get a job, or money, to make ends meet without law breaking. and technically, by stealing something, you have earned the right to what you now have; you were skilled enough to take it, so you earned it. might makes right.]

Hn. [dabi only gives a faint grunt when she apologizes for being an idiot. he pauses by the jewelry rack. nothing really expensive (it's a convenience store) but it's a quick swipe to whisk everything off the display and shove it all into a backpack. if trade was important in trench, shiny things are bound to be of some value.] Quiet only means we're able to hear anyone approaching.

[but she has a point about the outside being quiet. no cars on the streets. not even the flashing of stoplights. a store like this wouldn't be buried away were no one could reach it. convenience stores operated best on the road. the rat earlier at least tells him they've got a place with some regular life. at least they can ignore the toy aisles, though he does breeze through to grab the packs of cards and solid toys, like marbles or jacks. his life's a damn horror game that he's lived for ten years. this is nothing to him.]

Fine. [he's not going to offer twice. he'll take the entire collection of loot for himself, minus what she wants and is deliberately packing for herself now. the comment about beer earns an arched brow. that came from nowhere.] If I feel like it. Most of the time, I don't. [he has to activate his quirk to make it work after all. but when he does, it'll burn the alcohol off. usually he'd rather get buzzed or drunk. and now to shove another round of their ill-gotten gains through the rift, check the status, slip out, hide them all away in the alley across from them, and go back in.] This place has a photo center if ya want a camera or two.

[Likewise. If the electricity still works, and the food is still relatively untouched and actually edible, it begs to question why this store was left the way it was. Not only that, but no one's even broken in, either. A-Aside from them...ahem. Ochako's not sure she likes anything about this, there's too many thing in her head that she feels like could go wrong - like the starting of a horror movie, and she'll be no good with that until the adrenaline kicks in and she fights back out of pure instinct.

As for worldviews...definitely two opposing sides on that one. Ochako is too much of a straight arrow to agree with those points, and can make her own counterarguments if the conversation came up, but she gets it at least a little. It's partially why she's not stopping this outright, because it's just survival. Items can be replaced, after all. Besides, with this place left to the dogs, there's not one that appears to be using the space, except maybe the rat she stepped on.

She does, however, give him a disapproving frown when he starts to take jewelery. Yeah, it's cheap convenience store jewelery, probably no more than the equivalent of 2500 yen at best, but Ochako does cross her arms and stand back - she's not having any part of that, thank you very much.]

Didn't know you wore jewelry, Dabi-san. Do you want some makeup, too? A bit of foundation and blush would really help your complextion. Maybe some mascara, too. To bring out your eyes. [Woof, she's definitely spent too much time with Bakugou... Ochako's getting sassy. She always has been blunt and honest to the point of sometimes being pretty rude, but that's been purely accidentaly. This? This is intentional sass.] I'm going to keep a lookout then...

[And that she does!! For a spell, at least. Crouching by the windows, Ochako peers outside and squints through the gloom as best she can. It's not hard to see other buildings on the street, but no lights...no cars. It's weird. She does note a few of the buildings down the strip look heavily damaged. Like, badly. Roof caved in, windows broken, glass everywhere... and an uprooted tree blocking the entranceway.]

Huh...that's weird. [Is she replying to him or to what she sees? It is a mystery. Ochako's more or less left Dabi to his own devices now. Maybe an evacuation? A natural disaster? Those trees definitely look like someone just snatched them out of the ground...] Eh? Like a polaroid? I--...yeah. I want those.

[Pictures are memories, and she's like to preserve as many of those as she can.]

[who knows. dabi had seen everything was still running and nothing looked rotten or spoiled, so he simply pegged it for a store closed down for the night and carried on with the pilfering. not that he's looking to steal their eggs and milk, mind you. it's non-perishable shit, medical and health supplies, things he thinks are useful for trade, and some of the common commodities that aren't needed but wanted (like backpacks and towels and shit). he isn't questioning the reasons "why" the store's in the state it's in, only noting what he can take from it and be done with. (his life's a fucking horror movie; this is nothing.)

he's not really interested in arguing their worldviews. mostly because there's no need to stall for time right now. and he has a feeling she's similar to that blonde bomb brat and the annoying green kid. too stuck in her ways and brainwashed by a fragile and suck-up society to consider she (and heroes by proxy) is wrong. it's more investing to keep a casual conversation going while the looting continues and more and more stuff is shoved into bags and other holding things before getting dropped out of the rift back into trench. damn, dabi's gonna be a walking convenience store all to himself once this month is done...

at least ochako's gonna know where to go if she's ever in need of something modern trench can't provide.

wow. of all the things they've taken already, it's the fucking cheap costume jewelry that finally sets off the floating bitch's moral compass. no one in trench needs to know this shit's 2500 yen at best. it sparkles, it looks pretty, and dabi's rolling his eyes when she starts up a litany of sarcasm he didn't think someone of her looks could even utter. (she didn't know he wore jewelry? does she not see all the earrings and hoop rings and staples he's got all over his damn body? he's even got a triple nasal piercing on one side of his nose.)]

Oy. [once he's done stripping the tower, he turns and eyes her with a deadpan expression.] Someone in Trench already offered to give me medical treatment for "shiny stones", so whether ya like it or not, this is bartering material there.

[and continues to fill the bag with other things, having soundly debunked her sarcastic argument with one good shot of personal experience logic. by now, it's safe to say that they've cleared out over half the store's contents. at least the stuff dabi's aiming for. the medical and hygiene shelves are completely bare, batteries and some electronic wellness items swept clean. he glances to the side when she mentions a "weird" somewhere, but opts not to chase the topic. if it's something to deal with, they'll deal with it when it arrives. one more bag gets shoved out.]

Yeah. [they are a few items to pick from. the disposable tourist cameras that need their film developed, some more high quality cameras that would need a computer or phone's digital assistance to record or print out (can their omni's sync up with this crap), and then a few of the instant cameras, that take a picture and spit it out immediately. probably the latter being more what ochako wants. better grab the refills if you want that kind, uravity.] See anything interestin outside?

[Yes, it's the 'fucking cheap costume jewelry' that sets off the floating bitch's moral compass. Not that she wasn't miffed about his stealing anything other than actual necessities - like the medicine and nonperishable foods - but those she could easily argue were for his personal benefit, his health, and again...necessities. Even if Dabi is a villain, Ochako can't deny he needs to eat and stay healthy. But she is curious, and said curiosity gets the better of her once he responds to her snark.

All snide gone (for now), Ochako blinks and tilts her head back at him with a somewhat concerned look on her face. Listen, he may be a supreme piece of shit, the stinkiest kind out there, but if he's hurt or injured...well. She can't exactly ignore that. Her aforementioned moral compass won't allow it, even if she knows he won't take her up on her offer to look him over. Not like she could do anything for aches and pains - she's no Recovery Girl - but he could give a baseline diagnosis with the first aid training she has udner her belt.]

Were you hurt by something? [Said as she is, grudgingly, taking four cameras. One for each of her friends, if they want one. If not? Well, they're hers then.] Eh--...not exactly. But I think I know why this place was abandoned.

It must've been a hurricane, or some kind of natural disaster...a tornado, maybe? I've never seen one before that wasn't someone's quirk... There's places out on the strip that are completely destroyed. Probably everyone evacuated and haven't been back since...

[The look on her face seems to be conflicted. It means he has free reign to grab n' go, but her nagging conscience is concerned about anyone that may've been hurt. It's the rescue hero in her, really. But Ochako knows she can't, and shouldn't, do shit. It's not her place, they don't have time, and by god that is absolutely infuriating. So she just chews her lips and grumbles, running her hands through her hair.]

M'taking my stuff and getting out. I'll wait on the other side if you wanna get anything else.

[wow. now he knows what to set her off with in the future. burning building? forest fire? nah, to hell with those, someone's stealing from claire's accessories! and she can't decide for him what constitutes a "necessity" for his life. survival isn't black and white in trench from what he's already experienced. couldn't go out and grab food off the store shelves or divert a delivery truck on its route. wasn't sure about restaurants because he doesn't like the idea of pricking his finger on a damn spindle to pay for the meal. (right, villain + paying for a meal = hilarious) base point is, he's going to use the opportunity to set himself up a comfortable nest and go from there.

dabi takes a moment to scan through the store. apart from the areas he'd already deemed non-essential or dismissed due to lack of advantage or use, the two of them have cleared out most of the store, even if he'd done the lion's share of the work while ochako kept look out and took what her conscience would allow. he doesn't rib her for the comparatively meager gains she collected; it still makes her complicit in the "crime" if she ever wants to lose sleep over it in the future. maybe logic will prevail and she'll be able to excuse herself.

or maybe he'll burn the store down after she's gone and then she can deem her looted gains "rescued salvage" to make it better. ~~what a nice guy he is, helping the point of view~~

the question about him being hurt, however, earns a look over dabi's shoulder. without bothering to answer vocally, he merely sticks one finger in his mouth and then pulls his cheek to the side, igniting fire on his shoulder so she can see the burn scar seam of his cheek split open and reveal the glistening gristle of his flesh beneath, held shut by his staples. then lets go with a wet 'pop' as his cheek plats against his teeth again. does he look unhurt to you, hero? the damage to his body isn't some shit that's going to heal up all nice and healthy. he's charred for life, and it'll only get worse the more he overuses his quirk. can't let his staples and hoops rust in his skin, and he replaces lost ones that fall out or get accidentally tugged free.

but dabi isn't gonna go "woe is me" on her since that's a pointless effort right now. plus he doesn't want a hero's sympathy and pity when it was a fucking hero who did this to him in the first place.]

Yeah? Lets hear it. [while most of his glances towards the windows have been brief scans to make sure there's no lights flickering around outside, no slam of car doors, dabi only bothered to take a cursor look out the windows (carefully) when he first got into the store. he didn't waste time wondering about what happened. but listening to ochako's analysis and thoughts, he replays the images he'd seen in his mind and has to nod as he stuffs a backpack full of cameras and related paraphernalia.] Ya might be right. Probably the first one; think the second wouldn't have left anythin if it got close enough to wreck the rest of the strip.

[likely would've thrown shit through this store's windows as well. don't get too concerned with things, hero, because there are a lot more rifts out there with a lot more worlds and areas that need help. and you can't cover them all. but regardless, it does seem to put a countdown on the assistance and dabi nods at her decision.]

I'm almost done. Cleared this place out good. [a quick swat and he sends something towards her.] head's up.

[it's a little stray box of chocolate from the discount rack. what, girls like chocolate, right? normal girls. not the blood-sucking loony he's teamed up with.]

[A basic human necessity is food, water, shelter, clothing, and somewhere they can clean themselves. Argue with a wall, Dabi, you know she's right, but Ochako's allowing you to take your shitty Claire's jewelry and then some. In all honesty, if the convenience store was left during whatever natural disaster happened here, it probably would have gotten looted regardless. It's what she tells herself, anyway... They'll never see eye to eye, and they'll bicker like cats and dogs, but she's letting him get away with this with literally no consequence other than a brief, scathing comment. It could have been worse if she decided to be stupid and pick a fight over it...but Ochako can excuse the literal pettiest of crimes.

Oh....welp! That was the most horrible thing she's seen all day! Neat!!!! Ochako recoils with a horrified but soft squeak, eyes snapping shut and hands up to hide herself from seeing any more. Good fucking god, dude, warn for that shit!!]

Eyaah, gross!! Ewwww, ew--I didn't mean like that!! Jeez! [She chances opening her eyes and is relieved to see more more of that freakshow. GOD, Dabi, what the fuck?!] If I puke, I'm gonna make sure it's on you next time!!

[Said as she gathers her shit and heads toward the portal exit. She only listens partially, still too grossed out to look at him while he's speaking. Sorry, not sorry...that was gross, and Ochako already has a high aversion to scary shit like that, and a weak stomach as is. What she said earlier wasn't so much a threat but a warning.

She's got one leg in the portal before turning and very nearly missing get beaned in the face with...a box of chocolates? Oh...huh. That's. Unexpected. Very unexpected, seeing as how it's a genuinely kind gesture coming from Dabi. She makes a sound in her throat, like a light huff, but does offer at least and honest smile.]

Thanks.

[food and water if you want to get technical, as none of the others are strictly necessary for survival. they simply help optimize the chances of it. but he's an ass enough to argue and a jerk enough not to care about her answers. gonna do what he wants with what he wants and if she doesn't want him to, well... she's welcome to try and stop him. which she doesn't seem to be doing, so he likewise has no impetus to bother her either. they'll both get out of this with no ill-gained injuries and get to walk away with more supplies than they had at the start of it. if not also some interaction they otherwise normally wouldn't have had. ~~just remember this, young heroine, tonight was the night, you almost caught-~~

well that's what she gets for asking someone as physically fucked up as dabi "are you injured" when the answer's staring at her in the face. yes he's injured. he's been injured since a long time ago. her reaction to his exaggeration of his state doesn't bother him at all. seen worse. she's going to have to deal with seeing shit like that in this place, seems like.]

Unless ya projectile vomit, don't see ya gettin that close to me.

[dismissing it as easily as he's dismissed the rest of her threats. still, while she has her tiny gag time, dabi's clearing out the last few shelves of things he wants, stuffing them into a few more plastic bags since he's run out of backpack, sleeping roles, towel bundles, and other "containers" to carry. these he heads to the portal with.

no apologies for almost beaning her in the face with the chocolate. don't read into it. ochako's thanks goes over his head and he waits for her to exit the portal before shoving the few bags more out onto the ground. that done, he leaves the hero on lookout as he goes around for one last sweep of the store, looking for anything he might want to take. but they've gotten everything. food, medical, cleaning, hygiene, utility, batteries, electrics, entertainment, drugs, and others. ~~later on he'll kick himself for ignoring the makeup because that shit provides VERY convenient blood vial type containers. alas.~~]

Comin out.

[and he does, head first, then worming the rest of himself out, bringing one final bag full of all the money in the till. look, he knows the shit's worthless here, but these shiny metal coins could end up being trade fodder. plus nostalgia from other sleepers. now they have an alley way full of bagged-up items like some kind of dragon's hoard. plus ochako's little selection she asked for and then later took for herself.]

Not bad for ya first criminal activity.

[Exactly that, there's no point in arguing because Dabi won't listen unless an actual fight is involved and Ochako's not stupid. She is distressably unprepared to handle his quirk and again, there's no point in fighting him over something like this. If he wants to steal? Fine, she'll let him do it but just be unhappy about it. Weighing the options of anything else someone like Dabi could be doing...yeah, this is meager in comparison. Sometimes even a Hero has to allo some petty crime to happen so nothing escalates further than that. As for their interactions, well...it's, again, better than any alternatives. And she can keep an eye on him this way, too.

She meant other than his...everything else!! And yeah, don't remind her. Ochako's already seen her fair share in Trench already, and it's been A Time™. She can deal with certain things when the adrenaline is high, but Ochako is only human - there are things that scare her, and make her nauseus without her quirk factored in at all.]

I'll throw up somewhere, not tell you, and hope you trip and fall in it.

[She grumbles, her lips turning up to the hilarious (and admittedly nasty) image her brain conjures up, complete with sound effects and everything. Giggling to herself quietly, Ochako takes their stuff out and waits, already going through her own bag and settling the items withing a little more comfortably, so they 1.) don't look haphazardly tossed in there like they were literally stolen, and 2.) fit better in the bag. The box of chocolates is set neatly on top of everything else. Listen, she can respect a gift when it's given.

Aaaaand then it's all ruined when she sees the bag full of money he also took. Mother fucker. She leaves you alone for three goddamn minutes...!]

You--! ['Put that back' dies on her tongue as she starts to see the portal get a few inches smaller suddenly, and start to flicker. It's probably going to close up, and she won't chance anything try to return money. Instead, Ochako just huffs, cheeks puffed out and doesn't look at him, ignoring his comment altogether. Do not.] First and last. Did you get everything you 'need'?

[she's smart. granted, from what little dabi's seen of her in action and information, uravity isn't a fool. she knows when to pick her battles and to keep herself alive while still managing to hold to the heroic ideals she and the rest of the heroes strive for. no, dabi sees little "threat" to him in her, but he won't simply dismiss her as something to never look at again. much less allow her complete freedom in this little operation the two of them had going. she's valuable here and he made use of that, while also giving her a chance to earn her own rewards for assisting him and learn an interesting lesson in being a criminal. the latter one he won't rub in. for now. dabi's aware she has her eye on him too; he played a card or two, so she knows what his goals are right now. whether she feels it's worth it to stalk and/or interrupt him in the following days... guess they'll both have to see.

get used to seeing more gross stuff. he's only been in this world a month or so and it's seriously something else. almost like living in a world-version of the doctor's underground nomu labs, with some weird haunted house vibes going on. like those horror games shigaraki and spinner sometimes played. whatever. one interesting truth in life? everything burns.

dabi merely scoffs at her petulance. what a childish comeback.

but now he's out of the portal and quickly twists his hips to tug the tails of his coat from the opening. they slap against his legs before dangling back around his calves and he sets down the last of his bags, hand still holding the newest object of ochako's ire. a white brow arches up into choppy bangs and it takes a second for him to realize what's causing her to bristle. but his annoyed sigh and quick lecture are cut off when dabi also notices the portal shrinking and flickering. so much for ducking back in there. he tosses the bag a few times, content to stand by and watch the portal close, with no intention of chucking the cash back inside at the last moment. admittedly, he's tempted to chuck a damn fireball in there at the last moment, but... there's arson for a reason (even for purely felt like burning it sake) and then there's wasting his energy. this falls in the latter category.

"first and last", she says.]

Uh-huh. [he's pointedly not sounding convinced. but after surveying the rather impressive hoard stuffed into the alleyway across from them, dabi nods. he knows her quirk, knows she could help him carry stuff, but... that'd reveal where he's stashing this shit, so no thanks.] Yeah, got enough to last a good while. Personal sustenance and trading.

[he heads for the alley, bringing the final bags with him.] Scram. Ya don't wanna let me catch ya tryin to tail me.

[Trench most certainly does have a way of pitting two enemies together in a macabre sideshow of the most terrifying things even one's wildest imagination couldn't conjure. A horror-game seems fitting, truly. Ochako's only endured the proverbial tip of the iceberg in regards to what this world has to offer, but she'll learn in time. Her fear and dislike of those types of things - ghosts, monsters, and any other paranormal entity she can't explain through logic and science - are going to catch up with her in due time, and she'll have to face them or die trying. Literally. At the very least, she'll be challenged in a new way, and Ochako has never once backed down from a challenge. She's far too pigheaded.

And Dabi is right - everything does burn.

Hence why Ochako is leveling a cold look at him as he plays with his treat like an overly contented cat. Ugh, and there's nothing she can do about it either, which makes her fists curl at her sides, shaking with the effort not to smash into his damnable face for pulling that stunt. Money is useless in Trench, it has no value, so why?! Why did he even grab something like that if not because it's second nature. She wants to grab and toss it back herself, the more Lawful Evil part of her nagging in her ear, but she just rubs a hand over her face and takes a long, long einhale and exhale. What's done is done. Nothing to do now but accept her role in it.]

So long as you're satisfied, and wont cause irreparable damage, then I'm done here. [Ochako shoulders her bag and rolls her eyes to his comment. Good lord, what a jerk. And yet Ochako still nods her head to him as politely as she can muscle and pivots on her heel to walk the other way.] I only take out the trash, I don't chase the dump truck after.

[Read as: have a nice day, stinky.]

[dabi walks away from her with little interest in continuing the conversation. the cold look she gives him hits his back and falls down to tumble around the ends of his coat without doing a thing. if such a stare could affect him, he'd've been dead on the streets so long ago. grew out of it. why not enjoy the spoils of his thoughts? if no one else is going to take advantage of these portals and do what they want for their survival, that's simply more for him. even so, he has things he's going to have to work on. from tracking down those portals that are helpful to marking on his map(s) where they are when he has to do multiple trips. of course, he expects this to be a one and done event, but on the off chance they do return, he'll be ready to seek them out once again.

ochako has been useful, so dabi's not planning on murdering her. as he told shouto, he has no intent of harming the other heroes unless they give him reason to do so. besides, she got a little something for her troubles, didn't she. has to give her credit for swallowing back her temper and not doing anything stupid around him. it's rather amusing how much she wants to punch his brains out, but can't. not even for this sack of money he pilfered at the end. admittedly, some of it was for trading later, but he'd be lying if he said he didn't think about her reaction when he emptied out the cash register.]

Aa, ya are done here. So get lost.

[he doesn't see the nod, won't even offer her a wave as he steps into the shadows of the alley and then ignites a small flame in front of him to survey the seeds of his hoard. taking out the trash and chasing dump trucks? how childish. still, if that's the analogy she's going for, dabi's gonna be languishing on a fucking landfill by the end of the month.

wouldn't that be poetic irony if ochako ends up being a customer at one point...]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Open] 🚬 April Flames

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

sorry he's a jerk

he's perfect fffff... and sorry for slow tags, heatwave here melted my brain

why thank ya. she's been positively lovely too. and yeah, i feel ya on the heat. ugh.

aaah thank you, i'm glad you think so!! ♥♥ and yup, gonna be 93F here today...

guh, it's gonna be 87 here, but that's cause rain... potentially

yuppp gonna be another scorcher this weekend afaik. AND high polled!! haha kill me :'D

ugh, even worse. yeah more heat for us too. fucking hate summer...

biiig same. also gonna start wrapping this up, methinks.

yeah we should be able to wrap it in two or three more goes.

yup, my thoughts exactly

no subject

no subject

no subject