starrymused

[starrymused]

"I plan to be, yeah." He wanted to join the Hero Course by second year and Aizawa-sensei had said that there would be a place for him as long as he passed. In his mind, a second failure wasn't an option. With the support and training he'd been receiving, he knew he had a far better chance at passing.

Shinso glanced at Sara as they left the school to travel the short distance to Heights Alliance. "Do you have any plans on transferring? With the right support item, you could have a shot, too." Nothing was impossible, even if certain Quirk was difficult to navigate in specific situations.

"Mhm! And don't worry. I have all of those things already prepared," She appreciated him looking out for her! Shinso was so kind. She couldn't understand why others had been leery about him all because of his Quirk. After all, couldn't many quirks easily be misused?

"Do you think you'll be prepared in time for this year's hero license exam?" she asked as they headed back. Try as she might, she couldn't help but pay attention to such important dates, even if they no longer concerned her.

#lannamused #&; ( shinso ic ) #&; shinso verse ( main )

[starrymused]

"Not really but I'm used to helping my grandpa outside, so the practical stuff isn't anything new to me." His grandpa was someone who enjoyed the simple things of life; working the rice fields out in the countryside, then coming home to his wife where they could sit down to a family meal. It was only recently that they'd both agreed to be taught how to use smartphones in case they were away from their landline and needed to call anyone.

"Make sure to bring proper protection— bug spray and sunscreen. Even when it's cloudy, you can get sunburned." Shinso pulled his backpack further up, lessening the tension on his shoulders. "You heading back to the dorms?" He'd gotten everything he needed from school and was heading back himself.

"I'll be sure not to answer any weird voices then," she chuckled. "I'm quite excited for the trip, actually. I've never been camping -- not properly. My father isn't very fond of such things."

She could just imagine him wailing if he was bit by a bug! Actually, she didn't have to imagine it. She could remember a handful of instances. He had such sensitive skin!

"Have you been camping before?"

#lannamused #&; ( shinso ic ) #&; shinso verse ( main )

[starrymused]

"Working with my vocal cords, expanding my range— and practicing with the binding cloth as always." The latter would take years to master but Aizawa-sensei was confident that it wouldn't take Shinso the same amount of time as it did him. For one, Shinso had a mentor gifted in that area whereas Aizawa-sensei had learned from scratch.

"But he did say that I should try to have fun, too." It was good that the General Studies students got to go on a trip. And they weren't even tagging along with the Hero Course, either. It finally felt like they were getting some recognition by the school instead of being shoved to the side and viewed as inferior to the higher classes.

"So, if you hear any weird voices in the night, it might just be me." Although, he'd probably do it intentionally just to spook Agoyamato.

Ah! She had been caught. Not that she was trying particularly hard not to, of course. She was just an innocent General Studies student who had picked this particular wall to lean against as she played on her phone! Why would anyone suspect her?

"Non, it is as you said. Nothing worthy of gossip," she sighed -- then smiled at him. "May I ask what assignments they are?"

She wasn't just being nosy this time! She genuinely wanted to know. Watching someone as impressive as Shinso move from the General Studies into the Hero Course was exciting! It wasn't like she'd ever make it that far. She wanted to live vicariously through him.

#lannamused #&; ( shinso ic ) #&; shinso verse ( main )

[starrymused]

@lannamused

With an arched brow and a curl of lips, Shinso stepped out from the teacher's lounge, amused by the figure loitering in the hallway, her back turned. That vibrant red hair was unmistakable.

"Hear anything interesting during your eavesdropping?"

He liked Sara's company, probably more than he liked 85% of his peers. Shinso didn't mean anything bad by it — he just found it difficult to connect to them on a personal level. If he was transferred to the hero course, maybe he'd put in more of an effort to get to know more people. Until then, he was fine with sticking to his preferences and putting his energy into improving himself first.

"Aizawa-sensai was just going over some assignments while we're on the school trip." Shinso couldn't afford to slack on his training just because he was off school grounds; if anything, he was looking forward to trying out what he'd learned in a more open area.

"So, nothing all that exciting or gossip-worthy."

#lannamused #&; ( shinso ic ) #&; shinso verse ( main )

[starrymused]

Did that make it less awkward? He supposed from an outside perspective. Ajaz sighed but he wasn't quite as exasperated as he was pretending to be. Truth be told, Prisha was amusing and even dumb conversations like this between them helped break up the days when things got particularly boring.

"I was going to eat and drink my body weight at one of these taverns." No way was he going to tell Prisha the actual reason for his arrival here. If he played along for now, the other would eventually get bored of waiting for him to leave the airspace and head off in search of something else. Right?

"So, if you're making this a date, does that mean you'll treat me?" Ajaz matched the other's grin, knowing fine well that Prisha wasn't exactly generous with his credits. "That's kind of you, Pri-Pri, I feel valued."

"Boundaries? I'm sorry, I don't know the meaning of the word," Prisha tittered gleefully. "Besides. Would you expect an uvaax to give its next meal a little space in its web? No, of course you wouldn't. That would be silly."

Still, Prisha wasn't entirely against playing with his food -- within reason.

"We can always make it less awkward if you permit me to run around town with you. You know, like a date?" He grinned. "Wherever are you running off to today anyway, Jazzy?"

#lannamused #&; ( ajaz ic ) #&; ajaz verse ( main )

[starrymused]

"Desiree."

A café— so she'd achieved her dream of opening one. Did she live there too? That was nice. That was normal. And it was away from the wizarding world. Regulus wanted to tell her no. That he wouldn't come by and that she would be better off forgetting about him. Putting distance between them, making this their last meeting— it would be for the best. If there was no relationship, no contact between them, then it meant they couldn't be linked.

...But then again, Yaxley didn't know of their connection and had still nearly killed her tonight. Regulus sighed, closed his eyes for a brief moment. He was tired. Far too tired for any of this. Desiree was stubborn and if he denied that request, she really would stay here until he agreed. But to go to her home? It was wrong. Stupid. Something that he shouldn't even be considering.

"You know how crazy that is," He began. But the more time they spent out in the open like this, the more danger they were inviting upon themselves. Damn it. Before he could do anything else, Regulus was agreeing.

"Fine, I'll come but not for long." For five minutes. Ten minutes at the most. Enough to give her closure. This had to end tonight even if it broke his heart. None of this was about him; he didn't get to feel sad about any of this when he was the reason behind it.

"Go now." He turned away, mask materializing back in place as darkness began to envelop him. Would he really go to her? He couldn't say. If he was smart, he'd ignore that request and break his promise. If he made her resent him, wasn't that the best way to keep her away? He had some thinking to do.

This was all too much. Seeing him without his mask broke her heart. It was still him. Despite the fatigue and dark circles under his eyes (which weren't entirely out of character for him anyway), it was still Regulus Black under there. Still only nineteen years old -- like her. They were barely out of school, stranded on different sides of a war neither of them belonged to.

She did have to go. She knew she had to.

"Woodruff Cafe in South London." It was selfish and stupid and uncooperative. She wasn't usually like this, but the idea of leaving him here was incomprehensible. "Promise me you'll come tonight. Or I won't go."

#lannamused #&; ( regulus ic ) #&; regulus verse ( renegade )

[starrymused]

John knew he hadn't been sitting here for that long but it felt long. He'd never been great with sitting still, waiting for something to happen. But he wouldn't blow this and "act out" like the doctors said he did. They were just itching to put him back in isolation but he wouldn't let that happen. Not when he was this happy!

When the door opened, he sat up straight and proper. Like he was a good little church boy living in jolly ol' England, Guv'nor. His lips twisted but he kept them closed to force the laughter back.

No, John! Good impressions only this time! Putting on his best smile, he locked eyes with the man who arrived and—

Wait. Was that really? Was he seeing things again?

"That can't be right..." He mumbled to himself, confused and downright puzzled! Now, John didn't know much about the world of celebrities but he knew that the man who just walked in was none other than Bruce Wayne, Gotham's prince. What was a prince doing in a place like this? Was that even allowed?

Before things could become awkward (or maybe they were already? John wasn't very good at picking up on that kind of thing) he leapt up with a grin that changed his "trying to be normal smile" into his real one. "It's really Bruce Wayne! Wow, it's an honor, really!" Was it an honor or was he just saying that because that's usually what people said to men like Bruce Wayne? John didn't know but he didn't regret the words either! "Are you sure you're here to talk to me? Cos lemme tell you, it wouldn't be the first time Arkham has messed up something, sooo maybe we should double check? I mean, not that I'm not happy to see you because I am!"

This felt like such a terrible idea, and yet even Bruce had to admit that -- if done correctly -- it would help Arkham and its patients immensely. And regardless of how deranged many of them were, they did deserve treatment. Or at least a chance to live normally, if only within Arkham's walls.

Besides, he couldn't imagine what might happen if any of the larger criminals in Arkham were transferred to another prison. It would be utter chaos.

He sighed and straightened his tie as he felt the elevator begin to slow. Dr. Leland had spent most of their meeting on the phone talking up this 'quirky, but harmless' John Doe so much it made him nervous. It was more like she was trying to get rid of him, rather than properly praise him; then again, he couldn't be too hard on most Arkham staff. They had a lot to deal with.

Once the elevator doors slid open, he was the charismatic, if not cautious Bruce Wayne once more. The armed guards nodded to him as he passed down the corridor until he made it to the Visitor's room.

They wouldn't put a violent offender in a room with Bruce Wayne, would they? He wondered wryly before opening the door.

#lannamused #&; ( john ic ) #&; john verse ( main )

[starrymused]

"Ingo? He's taken over?!" But how?! And where was Malon and Talon?! Ingo got rid of his own brother? What did that mean? "We have to go anyway," Link said firmly, turning to head out into the main area of the temple. "If we want to stop Ganon, then we'll need to stop his allies along the way."

Pausing, he looked back at Sheik. "First Lon Lon Ranch, then we pay a visit to Kakariko. I need to see the scope of his takeover."

"There isn't anywhere we can purchase supplies," Sheik shook her head. "As for LonLon ranch... it's been renamed. To Inigo Ranch." Her expression darkened. "The owner's brother allied with Ganon and got rid of him. We won't find allies there."

#lannamused #&; ( link ic ) #&; link verse ( hero of time )

[starrymused]

@lannamused

"I've been chosen? Really?" A laugh snuck his way out like it usually did but that was okay — he was just happy! His hands fidgeted as he followed Dr. Leland to the meeting room. A sponsor! He had one! He was so certain he wouldn't get chosen and would be left out. This was so exciting!

"What are they like? Did they say why they picked me? Come on, Doc, give me a spoiler!" But the good doctor was as tight-lipped as always, even seeming a bit surprised herself. John had to fight the urge to skip down the hallway; the energy in his veins felt like an electric current!

"They'll arrive in a few minutes," The doctor finally said as they approached the visitor's room. "Try and be on your best behavior, John. He isn't your sponsor yet and has the right to change his mind."

"So it's a man!" Information gained! One skill point earned in observation! The door opened to reveal an Arkham guard who took John's arm and pulled him inside, leaving Dr. Leland to return to her office for now.

The visitor's room was the same as always, the protective glass in place and two chairs set up to face each other. John hadn't actually had any visitors before and the only reason he even knew what the room looked like was because he nagged the Doc until she let him have a peek.

Settling down in the hard and uncomfortable chair like it was a cushy armchair, John wiggled his legs. He was very happy. Someone really wanted to meet him! That had to mean something! Like, he'd made a good impression or something. The guard took his place in the corner of the room, remaining silent while John started to hum a jaunty tune.

#lannamused #&; ( john ic ) #&; john verse ( main )

[starrymused]

"There's only one thing we can do — find a way to get rid of him." And by him, he of course meant the one behind all this: The Dark Lord, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, Voldemort. Many feared the name and others couldn't even bear to utter one of his many nicknames.

"Which will be... difficult." Extremely. More than any of them knew. Not when Voldemort was so many steps ahead and had more in his army. There would be many deaths on the Order's side, many innocent people falling to his takeover. Tragedies that would be unavoidable. If they didn't find some kind of weak point, it would soon be too late and he'd grow too powerful for them to stop.

"I'll do all I can to get information to Dumbledore without making anyone suspicious but I'll have to be careful." Because the moment any of those Death Eaters (or worse Voldemort himself) caught on that he was up to no good, he'd be dead. It was a dangerous game he was playing and Regulus believed he'd end up in over his head. But he had no other choice; there was no time to lament his inexperience in life due to his youth and sheltered upbringing. It was do or die now and he just had to keep going if they were to somehow make it to the other side of this war.

"I imagine I won't be among you often. I can't stay for long each visit." A bitter smile came to his lips. "I don't think the others would want me around anyway." He'd always felt the odd one out and would make it worse by pushing people away. How often had he longed to be part of his brother's friendship group growing up? The Marauders. A ridiculous name and yet he'd felt jealous of them. For having such a close bond. For taking his brother away.

"I'll do everything I can." Because that was all he could promise in a world so bleak and a future so uncertain.

no. there really isn't, is there? for their hands were bloody, and there would be history books, written to account for the sins of the idle, the banality of evil as it existed upon your doorstep. how many families were like her own? safe, in their bloodline, but otherwise guilty for their inaction? it SICKENS HER in a way that sticks, the ways that matter... and marlene, well, she's grown determined to be anything but that, even if it's definitely something to witness up close... how easy it was, for a person to slide into that belief, that they were in the right. that they hadn't done anything wrong. and if nothing else, marlene could tell that she'd walk away from this all with a dented sense of morality and trust, her paranoia alone, already eating her alive whenever she didn't have a drink in hand.

just another ACCIDENT waiting to happen...

which brings them to this moment, this truth. that here was regulus, willing to do his own part. how could he blame her for finding shades of doubt within his words? his actions? after all, while his reactions all spell the right things... this war has eaten a part of her that she knew would never come back. war is ugly, war takes, but nobody tells you just HOW DEEP the cost is to the personal psyche, beyond the obvious suffering that follows. he'd find that out himself. a snake in a den of murderers... well. she supposes they all were now, in a way. swallowing thick, listening keen. "please." she takes a slower breath ; her gaze weary, uneven. even now, she wasn't quite the girl she'd been months ago, when they'd last met.

but he might no longer be the boy he'd been then, either. perhaps that's a small comfort. perhaps it's just a point of further CONTENTION to be found. this part is hard to say, to pin, to name. "then what of it now, regulus? what do you plan to do? because in this, it's more than a name scorched from a portrait. but i'm sure you've thought through all of that. what do you hope to do, and how? because if you're in this. there's no leaving." trust me, she wants to say. she knew all too well.

- @starrymused

#redemptioninterlude #&; ( regulus ic ) #&; regulus verse ( renegade )

[starrymused]

She already knew that he liked mountain climbing and cooking, so he didn't say those. And he was no longer a little kid who was into All Might stuff, especially after recent events.

"Horror movies, manga, old tv shows my dad likes, and performing dark rituals in my room when you all think I'm asleep." It was an obvious joke, but if he'd said that to any of his friends (excluding Kirishima) they'd believe it right away and spread the rumor.

"What do you like?"

Bakugo knew some things she liked but not enough to paint an entire picture of her. Well, he wouldn't be able to do that even now after one hangout but he'd have a better idea. Maybe then he'd be able to get her a birthday present or something. He remembered it being two days after Christmas because they were on winter break by then. Man, would that be obvious though? Whatever, it wasn't a big deal; he'd just give it to her privately.

"Amajiki? Oh, right!" That was the really frightened guy, wasn't he? Or maybe not frightened. Maybe it was more like... depressed? Ochaco shrugged, "All three of them have really powerful Quirks! But I think Togata's is the most popular because of how uncommon it is. Food and element-based quirks aren't unheard of, but Togata's..." She shook her head. "I've never heard of being able to just fall through matter like that."

It was kind of scary, actually. The way he had explained how important his focus was, how he could infinitely fall if he didn't concentrate -- the most powerful Quirks really did seem to be the most dangerous ones.

Like Deku's, she fretted for a moment. Or even that Shigaraki's.

" -- It's a little difficult not think of training all the time when you think about what we've all been through as a class, though," Ochaco admitted now sheepishly. "Plus, we live at school now! It's like a constant reminder or what we have to become! So I get it."

Still, it was nice to just hang out with the girls and talk about normal stuff, like fashion and TV shows and celebrity gossip. She wondered if Bakugo had that with his little squad, too.

"Sooooo what else are you into then?" she prompted.

#lannmused #&; ( bakugo ic ) #&; bakugo verse ( main )

[starrymused]

"Yeah, you've been doing this for ages. Isn't it time to call it quits? Go settle down on a farm somewhere. Take on some honest work for once." The thought of Prisha spending time on a farm or doing any sort of labor was a laughable one. The image just didn't fit him. Ajaz, on the other hand, would like to go back to a quiet life once he grew tired of exploration and adventure. Once his uncle and friends back on Maevandor were granted the same privileges as him, maybe they could all find a new planet to call home.

"Well, if you aren't going to attempt to capture me yet, do you plan on following me around like this the entire day? Really, people are gonna think you're a jilted ex who can't let go. Look, I get it, you're obsessed, but don't we need some boundaries?"

"I could also just chain you up in my ship and wait for your bounty to go up when people get nervous about you disappearing," Prisha purred, absolutely undeterred. Everything could lead to flirting if one was creative enough. And Prisha was very creative. It came with being a shapeshifter.

"Don't worry about me, Jazzy. I know exactly how to make as much profit as possible. Been doing this awhile, you know?"

#lannamused #&; ( ajaz ic ) #&; ajaz verse ( main ) #//he's so annoying #//classic enemies to lovers trope

[starrymused]

Hell hath no fury like a boytoy distraught

#&; ( kazuma visage )

[starrymused]

"We can't." It didn't surprise Regulus to hear Desiree talk like that; she'd always been one to try and find solutions to any problem, the Ravenclaw in her always at the ready. But not in matters like this. Not when it would put her safety on the line and cause a manhunt if Voldemort became aware of their connection. If he knew there was a chance that she could steal Regulus away, she would be dealt with in the worst way imaginable.

"You have to go." He didn't know why he did it but he let his mask fall away. Maybe he needed her to see his eyes so that she knew how serious he was about this. Them meeting like this was dangerous and he couldn't let it happen again. His hands raised to cradle her face as if the contact would help get his words through to her. Or maybe he was being selfish and wanted to feel her touch one last time.

That his feelings for her remained unchanged.

"I need you to go and not look back."

He needed her to keep herself safe, to live on for the both of them. Regulus, despite his deal with Dumbledore, was already dead. If this war ended like they hoped, he wasn't going to come out the other side. Even if he survived, he could never return to live as a normal member of the Wizarding community.

The fact that she was alive wasn't just luck -- it was a miracle. And part of her (the part that had earned a place in Ravenclaw) screamed for her to do as he said and run as fast as she could, no questions or anything.

And yet...

"Reg--"

It was horrible to see him like this. She knew he was going to end up here. He had said it himself. There was no escape from the path his family had set him upon; especially not when he had been given the Dark Mark.

And for that horrible man from before to have listened to him... that would mean he had climbed the ranks, at least a little. He had been a good Death Eater. The thought made her sick.

"This can't..." She had to go. She didn't want to. "Come with me." It was a stupid offer, but she said it anyway. He was going to tell her no, but she had to let him know she still cared about him. "Please, we can -- we can hide you, or leave the country, or..."

#lannamused #&; ( regulus ic ) #&; regulus verse ( renegade )

[starrymused]

Just as Prisha had expected, Ajaz had been ready to take a swing at whoever was following him. Relaxing (but only by a little) he fixed the other with a raised brow. What did he feel about Prisha? Half the time he couldn't work out what his opinion of him was. It also depended on his mood and whether he was interested in the chase or if he had other things that he needed to deal with.

"You don't have anything better to do?" Before Prisha could throw in some flirtatious joke — Ajaz sometimes worded things that made his comments easy targets — he continued. "I'll be staying here for quite a while and I doubt you have the time to be hanging around." He wasn't actually staying here a while but maybe it would put the bounty hunter off for now. Or not. Prisha could be very insistent.

"Anyway, I haven't stolen what I'm here for yet yet. If you wait a bit longer, my bounty will go up. Probably by a lot." A casual, charming smile directed the shorter man's way. "And isn't it in your best interest to make as much as possible?"

Ah~ Prisha had been caught. Well -- nearly caught. If Ajaz had recognized him, he would've known such a silly little trick wouldn't work on him! He was a professional.

Still, it wasn't like he could start shooting up a sidestreet in Lulea. So he popped out from around the corner, wiggling his fingers in a wave.

"Ajaz, dear -- don't hit me!" Prisha moved back and out of the way before the big lug could react, hands up. "I'm just stalking you, for old time's sake! Not looking to start a fight in pretty little Lulea. Not today, at least."

What that actually meant was that he was on the local government's shit list and didn't feel like being banned from here. It was one of the few nice planets around that wasn't actually a secret cult or something.

"I mean, I do intend to chase you as soon as you leave port -- but why make that a problem now?"

#lannamused #&; ( ajaz ic ) #&; ajaz verse ( main )

[starrymused]

The Forest Temple. So, Sheik knew where he had to go? It made sense if he was to be Link's guide. He was grateful to be put on the right track, otherwise he'd probably be wandering for a bit as he tried to gather himself and his bearings.

"I'm ready." And it would give him the opportunity to check in on Kokiri Forest. He hoped Saria was safe... no, he hoped they were all safe. "How are we going to get there? On foot? Horse? Do we have supplies?" Even as a child, he hadn't understood just how dangerous traveling was without being properly prepared. Luckily, with Navi's help, he'd learned as he went and, in time, became rather skilled at knowing how to manage a long-distance journey.

Speaking of a horse, how was Lon Lon ranch? Was Malon and her father safe, too? They'd shown him a horse called Epona who had taken a liking to him. Maybe a detour would be for the best.

"We could head to Lon Lon Ranch on the way and get us a horse. It'll cut the journey by half."

Sheik observed Link quietly, watching as he processed the information she gave him. She had to tilt her head away to maintain her composure upon him recognizing his adulthood. Technically, they weren't adults...but perhaps it didn't matter for someone who had been a but a child until recently (for him).

Still, his revelation reminded her of the reality of the situation. She scolded herself inwardly for finding even the littlest bit of amusement.

She shook her head.

"You have been through a lot in a short amount of time," she said quietly. "It is understandable to have revelations." She paused. Then added gently, "Regardless of your origins, however, you were raised among the Kokiri. And the Forest was still your home, whether you were meant to leave it or not."

...

She cleared her throat and turned away. "--- In any case. Yes. We should head for the Forest Temple first. Are you ready to depart?"

#lannamused #&; ( link ic ) #&; link verse ( hero of time )

[starrymused]

---

Yosuke was trying his best to focus on school like he said he was going to do but all he really wanted to do was hang out with his new friends. He'd gradually been getting to know them all, including Yusuke from Kosei High School.

Currently, he was hanging outside a clinic in Yongen-Jaya with Ryuji while they waited on Ren to come out. He didn't know why Ren was in there (it wasn't like he would ask about personal medical things) but Ryuji didn't seem too worried. His phone pinged with a message from his mom asking him to pick up some milk before he came home today. Man, his phone was so dry. The only people who ever messaged him were his parents. That was kinda lame.

"This place is pretty cool," He said as he tucked his phone away again. "Leblanc is just down the street, right?" He'd visited once before but was still getting used to the layout of the area. There was a lot packed into these narrow streets but it was interesting and quite convenient to have a clinic, market, laundromat, and public bath so close together.

"I don't know," Haru confessed. "There's one who seems to check up on me, but he's..." He really likes my fiancee. She shook her head. "None of the board members stopped my father when he went as extreme as he did. I don't know who I can trust within the company."

She offered him a tired, but grateful smile.

"But I do appreciate your offer, Yosuke. It's very sweet. And I may just take you up on it if things don't improve...so long as your father wouldn't mind."

She was perhaps a touch jealous of what sounded like a strong bond between father and son. Sometimes she wondered if she had been born a boy, if her father would have been kinder to her.

With a sigh, she shook her head and went back to eating her lunch.

"Anyway, I don't want to be a downer! Life is just a little wild sometimes," she continued. "But I'm glad we've come to be friends, Yosuke. I appreciate you trying to help."

#lannamused #&; ( yosuke ic ) #&; yosuke verse ( main ) #//we can just have the bros hanging out #//maybe haru can come up at some point