Since it went just to voicemail the moment that Shigaraki had called, and knew that there was a lag in the time since it rang and then went to voicemail. No one dares, other than Dabi, to send him to voicemail. HE won't even validate the move by leaving a voice mail. No. Instead, Dabi could enjoy the text.
Since you won't answer your phone, I hope you look at your texts or I'm sending you back out. Go to the corner shop and bring home hot chocolate when you come home.
That was all. That was it. He, personally, had more important things to attend to while waiting. Since quitting his job and waiting for the new one to start up, he had a lot of time on his hands. Time to peruse the network, to sit there and text to Hizashi about this school that he was trying to start. Shigaraki didn't want to help with it, but he knew the perfect plant for going and in fact already had her working on something like it on the side.
With Dabi at work later than most, there wasn't much that he cared to do. Go out and have a look around had already been done. When he wasn't busy doing that, he had spent most of the time sitting in front of the TV, playing whatever game it was that he happened to have in. For all his devious words and concern over this Christmas dinner, a few other things on his mind where being tracked was concerned, he was a slouching mass of man that got considered supervillain even still. He was a take-out-type who at least left something for his roommate. Dabi, to Shigaraki at least, felt markedly less bitchy when he wasn't hungry. Whatever degree of less bitchy either of them got.
Soda beside him and Doritos not that far off, he waited to see if Dabi would respond or if he just had to guess he had seen it at all. Well, he would know if Dabi brought back what he asked, or if he really had to send him back out. Or even worse, do without.
Since you won't answer your phone, I hope you look at your texts or I'm sending you back out. Go to the corner shop and bring home hot chocolate when you come home.
That was all. That was it. He, personally, had more important things to attend to while waiting. Since quitting his job and waiting for the new one to start up, he had a lot of time on his hands. Time to peruse the network, to sit there and text to Hizashi about this school that he was trying to start. Shigaraki didn't want to help with it, but he knew the perfect plant for going and in fact already had her working on something like it on the side.
With Dabi at work later than most, there wasn't much that he cared to do. Go out and have a look around had already been done. When he wasn't busy doing that, he had spent most of the time sitting in front of the TV, playing whatever game it was that he happened to have in. For all his devious words and concern over this Christmas dinner, a few other things on his mind where being tracked was concerned, he was a slouching mass of man that got considered supervillain even still. He was a take-out-type who at least left something for his roommate. Dabi, to Shigaraki at least, felt markedly less bitchy when he wasn't hungry. Whatever degree of less bitchy either of them got.
Soda beside him and Doritos not that far off, he waited to see if Dabi would respond or if he just had to guess he had seen it at all. Well, he would know if Dabi brought back what he asked, or if he really had to send him back out. Or even worse, do without.
[Mother of god, this is the most nerve-wrecking shit Ochako has done in months. She has paced around her room for a good...probably forty minutes, writing, deleting, writing again, and reading over her text before hitting send. Finally, she decides to hell with it, and she came this far. Yolo, right?
Here we go.]
Dabi-san,
I wanted to ask you if it was alright if I got you a present for Christmas? I'd really like to, and of course you can say no, and I don't expect anything in return.
If there's anything you need or want, that I can actually get you, please let me know. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Uraraka
Here we go.]
Dabi-san,
I wanted to ask you if it was alright if I got you a present for Christmas? I'd really like to, and of course you can say no, and I don't expect anything in return.
If there's anything you need or want, that I can actually get you, please let me know. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Uraraka
[ Dabi spends a considerable amount of time reading and rereading that text, checking the signed name and username.
???
To her formal and well-composed message, he jots back: ]
Right, so...
Do I know you?
???
To her formal and well-composed message, he jots back: ]
Right, so...
Do I know you?
[...
"no. have a nice day".
Ochako really and truly has to fight with the urge not to reply with that, and takes in a deep and calming breath because, goddamnit, she's trying. Still isn't really sure herself as to why, but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯]
one of the ua students
...
toga turned into me a few times
"no. have a nice day".
Ochako really and truly has to fight with the urge not to reply with that, and takes in a deep and calming breath because, goddamnit, she's trying. Still isn't really sure herself as to why, but ¯\_(ツ)_/¯]
one of the ua students
...
toga turned into me a few times
[ oh. ]
You're one of the poor kids she likes, aren't you?
[ sucks to be her, honestly. ]
Didn't think the lot of you goody-goodies would be eager to spread the holiday cheer around to some villains.
We gonna act like one big happy family now that we're in someplace new?
You're one of the poor kids she likes, aren't you?
[ sucks to be her, honestly. ]
Didn't think the lot of you goody-goodies would be eager to spread the holiday cheer around to some villains.
We gonna act like one big happy family now that we're in someplace new?
[SIGH. This was to be expected.]
unfortunately...yes...
but she's getting something, too, you all are.
[Don't think you're special.]
no, of course not, and i'm not stupid enough to think that could change without outside forces being involved.
you're still as much my enemy as everyone else is in the league.
but i'd still like to do something nice for you all, JUST me, because you are all still people...like me. so let's toss aside our titles for the time being.
is there there anything you want or need? that i can actually GET?
unfortunately...yes...
but she's getting something, too, you all are.
[Don't think you're special.]
no, of course not, and i'm not stupid enough to think that could change without outside forces being involved.
you're still as much my enemy as everyone else is in the league.
but i'd still like to do something nice for you all, JUST me, because you are all still people...like me. so let's toss aside our titles for the time being.
is there there anything you want or need? that i can actually GET?
Edited (whoops forgot the text format) 2020-12-11 01:03 (UTC)
[ this is extremely unexpected—for a many reasons. he doesn't know her, and truthfully has kept his presence in this world rather scarce other than a few contacts with Bakugou Katsuki and All Might. they could've informed their 'colleagues' about Dabi's presence, and the villain really expected as much, but he highly doubts whatever they said would inspire a cold call like this. ]
Sure thing, Uravity-chan. I'll think about it.
In the meantime, why don't you tell me about your change of heart?
Sure thing, Uravity-chan. I'll think about it.
In the meantime, why don't you tell me about your change of heart?
[Yes, they do communicate. Not perfectly all the time - each person has their own things to deal with most of the time, among the heroes here - but she’s also been keeping an eye on things...that are left unlocked. A little bit of Intel here and there. It’s in her blood, after all - for as nice as Ochako can be, they are still all her enemies.
People, yes, at their core they all are people...but they are still villains.]
There is no change of heart. I still know what SORT of person, what sort of people, you are. And I’m prepared to face you when the time comes.
[This is a conversation she’s had before. And she’s had to steel her resolve.]
Regardless, I would like to do something kind until that time comes, and try to understand you all a little better without taking Heroes and Villains into account. You can call it whatever you like, or think of me however you like, but that’s all it is.
People, yes, at their core they all are people...but they are still villains.]
There is no change of heart. I still know what SORT of person, what sort of people, you are. And I’m prepared to face you when the time comes.
[This is a conversation she’s had before. And she’s had to steel her resolve.]
Regardless, I would like to do something kind until that time comes, and try to understand you all a little better without taking Heroes and Villains into account. You can call it whatever you like, or think of me however you like, but that’s all it is.
Let me put it this way: I doubt someone from UA would contact me out of the blue unless they wanted something from me.
[ he had been prepared enough to receive demands to stay away or abide the law—that much he could imagine. ]
The realization that the masses surrounding you are people after all doesn't instill a magical sense of obligation towards them. You can understand that people are people and never say a word to their faces. You should be keeping your distance, like the rest of your classmates. Even your teachers.
But you chose not to, so now I'm asking why.
[ he had been prepared enough to receive demands to stay away or abide the law—that much he could imagine. ]
The realization that the masses surrounding you are people after all doesn't instill a magical sense of obligation towards them. You can understand that people are people and never say a word to their faces. You should be keeping your distance, like the rest of your classmates. Even your teachers.
But you chose not to, so now I'm asking why.
Even if I did want something, do you really believe I'd expect you to give it to me so freely?
[Honestly. She's not fucking stupid - Ochako knows a bribe would be considered as much an insult to one of the League as her literally just slapping one of them across the face. Probably more so, actually. But...well, she'd been honest to Shigaraki, and that went relatively well, but at the same time, she...really doesn't want to throw him under the bus here, either.]
You're right. I may work for the populace, but the majority of them I'll never know, or probably see again. But that doesn't stop me from wanting to do nice things for people from time to time - that's just who I am.
But, the truth is, after being here a while I came to realize it's not so bad to simply TALK to some of you. Or listen. And I think I've learned a little bit more by doing so. So maybe this is my way of extending my thanks to you all, I don't know...I'm still trying to understand it myself, actually.
Is that acceptable, Dabi-san?
[Honestly. She's not fucking stupid - Ochako knows a bribe would be considered as much an insult to one of the League as her literally just slapping one of them across the face. Probably more so, actually. But...well, she'd been honest to Shigaraki, and that went relatively well, but at the same time, she...really doesn't want to throw him under the bus here, either.]
You're right. I may work for the populace, but the majority of them I'll never know, or probably see again. But that doesn't stop me from wanting to do nice things for people from time to time - that's just who I am.
But, the truth is, after being here a while I came to realize it's not so bad to simply TALK to some of you. Or listen. And I think I've learned a little bit more by doing so. So maybe this is my way of extending my thanks to you all, I don't know...I'm still trying to understand it myself, actually.
Is that acceptable, Dabi-san?
[ honestly, if he'd been told to stay the hell away, he might just go with it; he had little interest in the UA presence on this world up until now. the answer Uravity offers up is curious though, and prompts Dabi immediately to suspect Twice. it would no longer be the first time he's gotten in close to a hero. ]
Well, I can't stop you from talking to anyone else, can I? You should thank the ones helping you come to your realizations.
I have no business with anyone here now.
[ and that, implicitly, includes Uravity. but who knows? he has plenty to say when he feels like it. ]
Send a gift card. I'm sure that's easy enough.
Well, I can't stop you from talking to anyone else, can I? You should thank the ones helping you come to your realizations.
I have no business with anyone here now.
[ and that, implicitly, includes Uravity. but who knows? he has plenty to say when he feels like it. ]
Send a gift card. I'm sure that's easy enough.
[Not at all a bad guess, and certainly the first to get her foot in the door to actually being willing to talk and listen. Twice definitely has a way of bringing people together. For better or for worse, but this...is going well. Ish.
Better than Ochako anticipated, honestly, given the rocky start...but that’s to be expected. He has his bias and she has hers. That won’t change.]
I will in time, don’t worry. But you are still part of the collective, Dabi-san, so I’m extending it to you as well.
Of course! Food, clothes, or anything specific? Or just a general money card?
[Probably the latter, so Dabi can use it on whatever, whenever he wants. Out of the whole league, he was the hardest to think of anything for, and seems the least interested in...literally everything. This is probably the easiest way to go about this.]
Better than Ochako anticipated, honestly, given the rocky start...but that’s to be expected. He has his bias and she has hers. That won’t change.]
I will in time, don’t worry. But you are still part of the collective, Dabi-san, so I’m extending it to you as well.
Of course! Food, clothes, or anything specific? Or just a general money card?
[Probably the latter, so Dabi can use it on whatever, whenever he wants. Out of the whole league, he was the hardest to think of anything for, and seems the least interested in...literally everything. This is probably the easiest way to go about this.]
Household appliances.
[ but he thinks again about the price of a single lamp or frying pan and discards the idea. he is talking to a high schooler. seems he'll just have to buy everything Shigaraki's shitty apartment is missing on his own after all. ]
Nevermind. Something for a drugstore is fine.
[ but he thinks again about the price of a single lamp or frying pan and discards the idea. he is talking to a high schooler. seems he'll just have to buy everything Shigaraki's shitty apartment is missing on his own after all. ]
Nevermind. Something for a drugstore is fine.
[That's...not what she expected. In the slightest. Please hold a moment while Ochako squints at her phone, as if trying to solve a very difficult puzzle. Does he mean like...a toaster? Or a microwave??
...For fuck's sake, can any of these grown ass men fend for themselves? How the hell have they lived this long?! On cup noodle and take out, probably. HEAVY SIGH.]
I can do half and half, if you want, but.
Dabi-san...
Are you eating well?
...For fuck's sake, can any of these grown ass men fend for themselves? How the hell have they lived this long?! On cup noodle and take out, probably. HEAVY SIGH.]
I can do half and half, if you want, but.
Dabi-san...
Are you eating well?
[ look, his concern isn't 'eating well' but how not to have his quirk be put up to various stupid uses like reheating Shigaraki's food. :/ ]
I can't fathom what kind of life you imagine I'm living, but I don't need charity from a kid either way.
I can't fathom what kind of life you imagine I'm living, but I don't need charity from a kid either way.
they have been utter garbage lately. :| idk if you got mine from the party log?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
floatsaway
2020-12-20 01:12 am (UTC)(link)
[EATING WELL IS IMPORTANT. Says the girl who regularly skips meals to save money, but details.]
Better than what you're probably imagining, Dabi-san, but I'm sorry if my assuming you can't cook is wrong.
...
You're not THAT much older than me, probably!!
Better than what you're probably imagining, Dabi-san, but I'm sorry if my assuming you can't cook is wrong.
...
You're not THAT much older than me, probably!!
yes! i haven't gotten to action tags yet but i will hit u all back asap!
self_immolate
2020-12-20 02:36 am (UTC)(link)
I didn't respond to comfort you over your age, kid.
You got your answer. Now you can perform an act of goodwill that will make you feel good about yourself and reinforce your unshakeable faith in heroic deeds.
Congratulations.
You got your answer. Now you can perform an act of goodwill that will make you feel good about yourself and reinforce your unshakeable faith in heroic deeds.
Congratulations.
okok, no worries!! just making sure since I can't fuckin trust dw anymore. 8|
floatsaway
2020-12-20 03:35 am (UTC)(link)
[Ah...there's the absolute shitkicker Ochako expected to see rear his ugly head. Right when she thought, maybe, this conversation was going in the right direction. Sigh.]
You are
Impossible. =3=
Yes, I'll feel good about doing something nice, but not because of any heroics or whatever else you're thinking. I actually could care less.
But whatever, I can't change your mind either way, so I'm not even going to argue.
I'll get you a gift card and make sure it gets to you, Dabi-san. Please be well, and Merry Christmas.
You are
Impossible. =3=
Yes, I'll feel good about doing something nice, but not because of any heroics or whatever else you're thinking. I actually could care less.
But whatever, I can't change your mind either way, so I'm not even going to argue.
I'll get you a gift card and make sure it gets to you, Dabi-san. Please be well, and Merry Christmas.
[ look!! he was just here to answer a specific question. not to share private details like how old he is. that shit is personal.
not going to argue though? ]
Good choice.
not going to argue though? ]
Good choice.
Dabi had a habit of not picking up back in the 'old' world—it's no different here just because locations changed. In fact, he has his phone on silent most of the time, but luckily for Shigaraki's cravings, there's not much else to do on a late night (or early morning) walk home than to check his phone.
Dabi swipes on his screen and scoffs quietly at the message. From one job to another. Shigaraki is sure getting comfortable playing the boss, and it's much to Dabi's reluctant assessment that picking up the drinks will let the rest of his night run smoother. At least it's on the way, one of those 24/7 convenience stores that mostly only sees drunk college kids at this time of night. It's thankfully empty when Dabi enters to scan the haphazardly-stocked rows of snacks and daily necessities, stopping at a rack of instant mixes.
The text doesn't specify brand, and Dabi can't be bothered to remember Shigaraki's preference by memory—he grabs the cheapest thing in sight on the shelf and tosses it onto the counter in front of a visibly cowed cashier. What a pain. Another thing fantastic thing about this world being the gawkers. Once he's stared enough for the poor employee to scan his damn item and drop it in a bag, he snatches the purchase and goes.
Might've forgotten to pay back there, but it doesn't seem as though the cashier finds his voice to object. You can't expect a villain to turn back around for that.
Errand complete, he's soon back in his own doorway and struggling out of his boots. If Shigaraki isn't there to personally receive his package, Dabi is going to find him to lob the packets of Swiss Mist at his head.
Dabi swipes on his screen and scoffs quietly at the message. From one job to another. Shigaraki is sure getting comfortable playing the boss, and it's much to Dabi's reluctant assessment that picking up the drinks will let the rest of his night run smoother. At least it's on the way, one of those 24/7 convenience stores that mostly only sees drunk college kids at this time of night. It's thankfully empty when Dabi enters to scan the haphazardly-stocked rows of snacks and daily necessities, stopping at a rack of instant mixes.
The text doesn't specify brand, and Dabi can't be bothered to remember Shigaraki's preference by memory—he grabs the cheapest thing in sight on the shelf and tosses it onto the counter in front of a visibly cowed cashier. What a pain. Another thing fantastic thing about this world being the gawkers. Once he's stared enough for the poor employee to scan his damn item and drop it in a bag, he snatches the purchase and goes.
Might've forgotten to pay back there, but it doesn't seem as though the cashier finds his voice to object. You can't expect a villain to turn back around for that.
Errand complete, he's soon back in his own doorway and struggling out of his boots. If Shigaraki isn't there to personally receive his package, Dabi is going to find him to lob the packets of Swiss Mist at his head.
Ochako had given him something to give to Dabi a while back, but it didn't seem right giving it out so early and it was good to make people sweat. He wasn't their delivery boy even if it made it less dangerous and more convenient. So, the gift card that Dabi gets from Ochako is left for him to find when he decides he's going to come home. Clearly marked and different tone, it's obvious enough which came from whom along with the present that Shigaraki has left for him with a hand written tag on the box that's sitting out on their counter.
[ this year's Christmas is an anomaly. Dabi never quite spent it 'with' people, at most only as part of transient groups that would exchange a pack of cigarettes or a can of beer wherever they ran into each other—here's to making it to another year, almost. it's a routine he would've stuck to this year, if not for the restitution-gift he'd sent Twice, and everyone else's apparent desire to go all-out; he's not one to get carried away by group enthusiasm, but it's easy enough to think of things that would be useful to the handful of people he sees. some are also undeniably practical for stopping complaints about encroaching cold weather.
he doesn't expect much in return. not even when it comes to finding a box sitting ontheir Shigaraki's kitchen counter. it is, apparently, for him, along with the gift card Uravity had said she'd send (just at the right time for him to pick up more hair dye). he pockets the latter and cautiously, not entirely without suspicion, runs a blade through the taped edges of the box. when nothing odd happens, he finally pushes the flaps aside and peers in.
he raises an eyebrow. then he picks up the tag and snorts. "his" bitching makes this gift apt. hello, meet kettle. no one else would nag him to manually heat their water rather than use a perfectly good stove because his fire is 'faster.'
at least an electric kettle is practical.
he finishes unwrapping the kettle and finds it a place to live on the counter, next to an outlet where he plugs it in. he turns over the tag Shigaraki had generously addressed to him and leaves it by the shiny new appliance, with the following handwritten instructions: ]
1. add water
2. press button
3. wait.
he doesn't expect much in return. not even when it comes to finding a box sitting on
he raises an eyebrow. then he picks up the tag and snorts. "his" bitching makes this gift apt. hello, meet kettle. no one else would nag him to manually heat their water rather than use a perfectly good stove because his fire is 'faster.'
at least an electric kettle is practical.
he finishes unwrapping the kettle and finds it a place to live on the counter, next to an outlet where he plugs it in. he turns over the tag Shigaraki had generously addressed to him and leaves it by the shiny new appliance, with the following handwritten instructions: ]
1. add water
2. press button
3. wait.
Not knowing that Dabi had committed a crime gasp was the worst part of it. Petty thievery was the cornerstone of... Nothing really but they'd all done it. When he heard the door make its telltale sounds Shigaraki's attention was temporarily pulled from the RTS that he had changed over to. Pinkies up off the controller while looking over to see him come through the door. Not many other people would have come through their front door so brazenly and even if it hadn't been Dabi, it would have been the last mistake anyone had made in their life. That's how good the RNJesus of this game had been to him.
Lucky for everyone but Dabi who had to live there at times where he had to do things like retrieve items for an otherwise bratty leader, it wasn't a random stranger. Not so lucky for Tomura, well, sort of. Sort of until each of the packets were lost to gravity somewhere in his lap or beside him from the shaken-slappy sound of them hitting the side of his head and sliding down. Shigaraki drew in a long, tired breath, letting it out in similar style as it had been taken in.
Well, Dabi had at least gotten them. The thanks is the silence and the, "I left dinner on the counter." Dinner being the loose term when it had to do with just whatever had been left over after putting half of it on his plate. He was a villain not a pig, not unless he wanted the whole thing to himself, then he'd be the sort to have licked it right in front of them. "It's from the Chinese place." Speaking of licking, he picked up one of the packages, after pausing his game and opened it. Licking his finger before dipping it in and bringing it back to his mouth, he leaned his back against the place where someone's legs might hang down on the small couch.
Good yes, this was what he wanted. Maybe if he felt like using his absolutely perfectly healthy legs, he might even add water. Maybe.
Lucky for everyone but Dabi who had to live there at times where he had to do things like retrieve items for an otherwise bratty leader, it wasn't a random stranger. Not so lucky for Tomura, well, sort of. Sort of until each of the packets were lost to gravity somewhere in his lap or beside him from the shaken-slappy sound of them hitting the side of his head and sliding down. Shigaraki drew in a long, tired breath, letting it out in similar style as it had been taken in.
Well, Dabi had at least gotten them. The thanks is the silence and the, "I left dinner on the counter." Dinner being the loose term when it had to do with just whatever had been left over after putting half of it on his plate. He was a villain not a pig, not unless he wanted the whole thing to himself, then he'd be the sort to have licked it right in front of them. "It's from the Chinese place." Speaking of licking, he picked up one of the packages, after pausing his game and opened it. Licking his finger before dipping it in and bringing it back to his mouth, he leaned his back against the place where someone's legs might hang down on the small couch.
Good yes, this was what he wanted. Maybe if he felt like using his absolutely perfectly healthy legs, he might even add water. Maybe.
Dabi honestly was surprised the first few times he came home to takeout on the table. Going their separate ways, as they usually did, he'd defaulted to grabbing shitty fast food from whatever was still open for late-night drunks, only to return to the apartment and be pointed to whatever was left in the kitchen. He got the message, eventually. Even cleaning up Shigaraki's leftovers is probably better than burgers and fries every night.
Amazingly, Shigaraki says nothing about the cocoa packets launched at his head—just as well—though in not leaving immediately, Dabi is treated to another endearing habit. He watches as the other tears open a packet and licks a finger to dip inside, sucking the cocoa powder off that way.
"That's disgusting," he observes from the doorframe. If that's business as usual, he doesn't even want to know the state of the leader's controller.
Amazingly, Shigaraki says nothing about the cocoa packets launched at his head—just as well—though in not leaving immediately, Dabi is treated to another endearing habit. He watches as the other tears open a packet and licks a finger to dip inside, sucking the cocoa powder off that way.
"That's disgusting," he observes from the doorframe. If that's business as usual, he doesn't even want to know the state of the leader's controller.
There was no way he was going to get up and actually make it. The decision about using his perfectly healthy all things considered body to get up and do something human on his day off wasn't made yet. This would have to do. Would have to do as if he wouldn't have done it down the line anyway. Mind that Dabi was probably right, at least half right, he was very careful to clean his controllers and probably took better care of them than himself aside the essentials.
"Not at all, it tastes pretty good." He knew what the other man had meant and could give a flying damn that he found it abhorrent. "Your loss." But, fine, he pushed himself up onto one knee while favouring the open package as not to spill it and plucked another from the place it had found on the couch when he stood up and gravity again took over. "It'll be your fault when it's ruined."
Shuffling himself toward the kitchen, the intent was clear that he was really actually just going to attempt something he often didn't care to do. Doing something himself if it wasn't driven by passion, desire or a march to his end goal. Something he didn't have much of here, all things considered so far.
"Not at all, it tastes pretty good." He knew what the other man had meant and could give a flying damn that he found it abhorrent. "Your loss." But, fine, he pushed himself up onto one knee while favouring the open package as not to spill it and plucked another from the place it had found on the couch when he stood up and gravity again took over. "It'll be your fault when it's ruined."
Shuffling himself toward the kitchen, the intent was clear that he was really actually just going to attempt something he often didn't care to do. Doing something himself if it wasn't driven by passion, desire or a march to his end goal. Something he didn't have much of here, all things considered so far.
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