quasink .

  There wasn’t a better way to say it, but her intention was simple; Towa was determined to skip class. There was no better place than the nurse’s office--and most fortunately, she was more than ready to dish out her “award-winning” performance. It worked well enough through middle school, but surely the top hero school had its own top-tier bs detectors. And just as surely, she hoped not.

As she slid the door open, it was show time. She teetered in, a discomforted look plastered on her face so perfect, it was as if she practiced it a thousand times in a mirror (and she had). Moving toward what she assumed to be the main desk, she fished a note from her pocket, unfolding and flattening it out on the table top. Staring only at the note, she shyly pushed it forward toward whoever was there, careful not to make eye contact.

The girl cleared her throat quietly, preparing her best pained voice.

what  was  she  aiming at  ?  la bomba is a hasty hero, and indra an impatient woman; had towa been an adult, indra would have goaded her to  spit  it  out,  already.  but towa  isn’t  an adult, and so she’s met with patience, though the woman’s face holds an eager curiosity that expects an answer soon.

slots ?  indra faintly remembered her friend saya discussing the concept. in japan, a pro - hero was allowed up to three slots per session. indra felt she could teach a while  class  of kids, if she wanted to — hell, she used to teach classes full of  adults  — but that was neither here nor there. those were the rules of the land, and if she was going to stay here, she had to play by them. 

she had two positions filled already, both by students in class 1-A. one had been taken by mina, and the other by a transfer student, reina. both of them had been specifically requested by the hero, both had been students she’d met and conversed with plenty of times — students she’d seen in action, young girls who she felt would learn her ideals. that left one ‘slot’ left. 

it had been once implied that she might take one of the boys — izuku or katsuki, respectively — but they’d gone ahead and trained with endeavor’s agency. on such short notice, indra more or less acclimated herself to having only  two  students, this year, especially since the rest of the class had found their mentors.

then there was towa.

towa wasn’t even a  part  of the work - study program, as far as she knew. in fact, she was sure of it; saya wouldn’t have left her name out, if she was. still, judging by the uniform, she  did  attend u.a. . that would mean she was general studies, or something else. and she’d  asked  this hero, directly, if she could take a spot. 

that was bold as  hell.

indra smiles a little — it’s not her trademark hero grin, but something more feline, green eyes seeming to flash with amusement. what could she say ?  she  was a  sucker  for spirit.   ❛  — actually, i  do  happen to have one slot left. why do you ask ?  ❜  come  on,  she thought.  you  can  do  it.

One slot left -- her heart hastened at the thought. 

Of course that by no means she was inclined to get it, that Inda would miraculously award it to her.. But if she doesn’t pipe up now, how could she ever know what’s even possible? Nothing ever got done in silence, after all -- even actions spoke loud and clear.

And that’s why.... That’s why.....

❛    I was wondering,  ❜  Her fingers twitched at her sides, desperate to find something to distract themselves with. Unyielding to the request however, Towa curled them slightly, into something of an almost-fist.  ❛    If you had an open spot, because --  ❜

Now you’re just repeating. Her voice was steady, but inwardly, she could probably fall apart at any moment. All you have to do is say it. Just say it.

❛    Because I would like to apply, actually --  ❜  After finally spitting it out, she abruptly took a deep breath, as if those seven words took the wind right out. She hadn’t noticed herself, but her hands really did close into fists. Suppose a gut reaction would do it. 

 ❛    Sorry if it feels weird to put you on the spot this way. ‘N this probably isn’t the ideal style to canvas potentials..  ❜   Forcing her own gaze to meet Indra’s eyes, it was as if the pure adrenaline fueled the way.   

❛    I know most pros prefer to pick the blossoms of U. A.’s festival, but if you have any requirements or tests to pass to be considered for your apprenticeship, I swear I’ll meet those expectations..!  ❜

She nodded, entirely certain about the statement, if nothing else.  

     with the sermons done for the evening, douma was walking around his estate for some free time. no moon meetings tonight, nothing was going on quite yet to where his followers reached eternity.  so he had time to spare. perhaps he will go to the vase room, he needs to braidthe hair that still rests upon the woman’s skull. his followers in the hallway bow to him, their heads touching the floor, eyes never reaching his face. that is until one of his servants kneel to him in the hallway.

  ‘ charitable founder, a traveler, seeking for comfort has arrived. shall we beckon them into your temple?? ‘

  hearing this, the demon breaks out into a smile. he accepts all into his temple, even those who wish to stay even for a while, even those who he will take to an everlastingness. ❝ of course! hey, bring me to them, i want to welcome them in. ❞

  he stands there, bathed in white & gold cloak, the scarlet yet tight-fitting shirt fits against his skin with the crown-like hat sitting upon his hair. his smile is gentle &genuine, the eyes of a prophet shining irregularly.  

  ❝ hello there ! you seem exhausted, how about you come in? hey, ❞ he turns to one of his servants. ❝ make them some tea, ‘k? ❞ turning back to the newcomer, douma’s smile seems to become marginally cold. if she disregards his hospitality, then this would become messy….very, very quickly.

   Unassuming and unaware, the child formally bowed her initial greeting in gratitude, uncertain of the proper way of acknowledging .. Whatever he was. It was apparent he was important, for not just anyone dishes out orders this way, or partakes in this sort of fashion. But that was minimal compared to what she realized upon straightening her posture. His eyes were confirmation; they were unlike hers, anyone else here, and probably unmatched by anyone else in the entire world. Eyes could tell a lot about a person, but she had no idea where to even begin with this. 

   It took her remaining strength not to stare, not even in awe or jealousy. The last thing she would want is to accidentally offend someone who had just offered her great hospitality. 

      ❛❛  --That would be wonderful, thank you,   ❜  She nodded an awkward bow as she spoke, uncertain what the mannerism that the occasion required. Even so, she made sure to voice her gratitude as extra measure. After all, it had been a long while since anyone had shown her such hospitality. It would be criminal and she too was too tired to search elsewhere to let it go unnoticed.

   Her lips pressed shut, and her eyes started to burn with discomfort, but not from anything anyone did, purely from her own inner demons. Should her eyes be at the floor, or focused on him? Should she say anything else, or would that be too much? He is beyond welcoming, and yet she felt as though she were walking on eggshells--the idea of putting a tactless stain on Some’s name for her own ‘peasantry’ .. It haunted her. 

    But, she swallowed her struggles.

      ❛❛  Sorry for the intrusion,  ❜  For his sake, and out of respect for this mans kindness, she will do her best to try.

towa is the antagonist. type  :   hides behind a mask ( WELL.. ) good end  :   take over a kingdom together bad end  :   everyone dies

A moment later, she spread her fingers a bit.  

 But overthinking helped no one. If he was apart of the ranks, surely that meant he had money. Her stomach growled somewhat, bringing her fully back to reality. That was enough reason to risk. 

❛❛   YOU must have traveled pretty far,   ❜   He didn’t look like a townie; in that getup ? That’s for certain.  ❛❛   Aren’t you curious to know where your soul will wander next ?  ❜ 

   WHAT AN INTERESTING BUILDING , she thought, as she marveled at the architecture under the lamp of moonlight. This must have been one of those pretty places Some always detailed in his anecdotes. Despite having traveled from crowded city to some pretty rural areas a few times herself now, her scope was still much too small. If anyone saw, there would be no chance of hiding it; the mark of her origin hasn’t quite rubbed off yet. This was the expression of a pure townie, through and through. 

   Still, enamored by its craftsmanship, this pure piece of art -- and truthfully, further enticed by the prospect of a potential place to rest -- Towa trudged toward it, relieved by its presence. After a few feet, she began leaning this way and that -- as if those meager looks could serve as thorough search for much of anything. 

  Deciding on what she thinks may be the main entry, Towa adjusted her belt, orbiting it around her waist to hide her sword between her back and the covering fabric of her haori. With any luck, its concealment would somehow hopefully lessen the chance of inciting any other humans who may be here ( As if the uniform she wore didn’t already introduce itself ). This appeared to be a peaceful place, and proper etiquette wasn’t exactly her forte. Who knows, though; maybe if she bowed and smiled enough, coughed up remaining funds, that perhaps they would at least refrain from kicking her out until morning. 

   hc . sometimes i think about how gotouge mentions that being a demon slayer is a lucrative job (which makes sense) but in Towa’s case, since she’s pretending to be Some, she’s probably flat broke. Straight up camping out in abandoned buildings, or not really sleeping at all because of the habitual night activity of demons when forced to stay outdoors. She doesn’t even know how to access any of the compensation anyway, and even if/when she figured out how, the guilt of using Some’s accumulated pension -- if any -- would probably still prevent her.