[ open ] Every day, I'll fight to be....

[apshot]

🧙 WHO: Bakugou Katsuki + OPEN
⚔️️ WHAT: Quests, TDM Prompts, Catch-All
🕒 WHEN: October!
🗺️ WHERE: Various
⚠️ WARNINGS: TBD - but count on Baku's mouth



( Not Quite A Puppy Parade )

[ Bakugou isn't interested in getting a pet. It's not that he isn't responsible enough for one or that he wouldn't do a good job. Katsuki just doesn't think that his personality really works for a furry ( or scaly ) companion. He doesn't want the responsibility. Now that doesn't mean that once he sees one of those winged hamsters run by, he isn't curious.

So initially he's out there trying to track down the critters ( because um that can't be sanitary? ). Ruby, his phoenix, is actually pretty great at helping find them. She flies about the area, giving Katsuki a signal when she catches one.

Though there's going to be one problem. For the most part, he can keep anything from approaching him or getting too friendly. Katsuki doesn't have the best personality. However that doesn't seem to work with the capybara! Maybe Bakugou has something that they are interested in, but either way... The capybara are surrounding Bakugou trying to bump up against him. They want to make friends and he looks like he's about ready to lose his mind! ]


( River Rapid Rumba )

[ Given the opportunity to get out of the city? Bakugou's going to take it. It's getting a little too crowded for him. Honestly that's no one's fault, really, but he doesn't like feeling smothered. There's just a little too many people around for him and instead of just letting lose, he's going to put that energy into something different.

Though the naiads are not what he had thought. Rather, he's standing there. Blinking. ]

You're saying I have to what?

[ How the fuck does one make friends with a naiad!? There's no way in hell he is seducing one! No fucking way! ]


( Pumpkin Mayhem )

GET THE FUCK OUT OF THE WAY!

[ Because there's definitely a pumpkin flying overhead. Breathing fire down upon anyone that is in its path. Some kid thought that it would be fun to decorate the thing like a dragon. Now Katsuki is trying to chase it down before it actually burns something down.

But that's not the only problem here. The kid made several of them. It's an entire patch of pumpkin dragons! A flying fire hazard! ]

MOVE!


( Don't Lose Your Head )

[ As someone who aspires to be a professional hero, the moment that Bakugou had heard about people needing protection from losing their heads - literally - he had packed up some stuff and left. People can say what they want about his personality, but he isn't going to sit around while those that are just trying to help and pay respects be terrorized.

So count on Bakugou tackling people to the ground as the Horsemen attempt to liberate heads from shoulders. Or maybe it's Bakugou that needs saving as he gets distracting trying to fight/get people to safety. ]


( Wildcard )

[ Or just throw me something and I'll respond. Not really picky and I welcome all! If you'd like to plot something, just hit me up at jardaan

Comments

[emet_sulk]

[ Don't sass him, boy. He eyes Bakugou balefully. ]

He certainly has never attempted to render me unconscious with a massive storm of fire.

[ This boy should never meet Lahabrea. ]

[apshot]

You know... If you just would have listened to common sense and reason, then I wouldn't have had to do that.

[ Growling. ]

Like wow. God forbid I want you alive or some shit like that.

[emet_sulk]

You would keep someone alive even when they wish to die?

[ His voice is sharp, eyes narrowed. Granted, he has moved past such sentiments now but the feeling of hopelessness sometimes revisits him when he's alone. ]

[apshot]

If I think that it's a stupid fucking way to die? Hell yeah...

[ Throwing yourself to some siren? Yeah, that's pretty stupid. Now if you want to go out in a blaze of glory, maybe that's one thing.

However he wouldn't... Actually... Let that happen.

Because - ]

Look. I made a really shitty comment to someone once about taking a swan dive off of a building. So no. I don't think I can just let someone off themselves.

[emet_sulk]

[ Scowling, he looks away. He doubts this boy really understood what they saw in his memories of that peaceful time. Then again, how can a mortal being ever conceive of the society he came from? He's tired of trying to justify his and his people's existences. ]

A 'stupid way to die'... Boy, there is no such thing as a good way to die. What does it matter if you are eaten by a fell beast, crushed in a rock slide, or pass away in your sleep? When flesh and anima give out, oblivion is all that awaits the soul until its next incarnation.

[ He sounds bitter rather than angry. After a few moments, he shakes his head abruptly and stares blankly down at his lap. ]

But it matters naught to me now, I suppose. After my confinement, I promised Hythlodaeus I would not leave him alone in the world. I would not see him corrupted by mortal man's cruelty...as I was.

[apshot]

No, there's not a "good" way to die because death is fucking cheap. But there's definitely stupid and shitty ways to die and just throwing yourself out there because you have some kind of death wish is one of them.

[ Look, Katsuki is never going to pretend to understand. Not fully. He's a fighter, after all. While he can't imagine being immortal and practically just making shit out of thin air... Bakugou can understand the feelings of longing. Of wanting to make things right. Of feeling like the biggest fucking failure to ever walk the earth.

Katsuki knows what it feels like to have destroyed something called hope and blame yourself for it. ]

I think the rest of that shit is because you're a pessimist. The world is cruel, yeah. It's just there's also good shit to consider too.

[emet_sulk]

[ He sits in frustrated silence for a time. Certainly there are good things in the world. Brighter moments where one can almost believe the mortal races might have the star well in hand. But all too often, that goodness is snuffed out by the uglier aspects of man's nature, overrun by those who take advantage of the peace to force their own selfishness. It's an argument he has had countless times back when he still believed mortal man could be reasoned with.

There is so much wrong with the world that he wishes he could fix. But in the end, those of his own one rejected the utopia he and his kin wished to recreate. Is it any wonder, then, that he feels like he no longer has any part to play in this story? ]

...I pity you all, for never being able to know what true, lasting peace is like. I've no wish to live in a world where one must constantly take up arms for survival.

[apshot]

[ Bakugou scoffs. He doesn't know much about the old man's world in total but - ]

Ain't that what the majority actually wants though? Pretty sure the problem is that no one can fucking agree on what that "peace" should look like. It's different from person to person. Country to country.

[ Katsuki shrugs. ]

Even then I don't think that's a problem that can't be resolved. It's the people that want to watch the world burn. That are chaotic just to be that way.

[emet_sulk]

[ He grinds his teeth. ]

I've no wish to be a part of a world where it is A FACT OF LIFE to kill one another!

[ That isn't what all those sacrifices were for. That isn't peace. ]

As usual, no-one understands, [ he mutters furiously, pushing aside the animals in his lap. How he hates the violence that wells up so easily as a first impulse now. ] You are so used to slaughter you can't even conceive of any other way of living.

[apshot]

[ Funny, that. Bakugou raises a brow at all of this... Don't understand? No, he actually does. It shouldn't be a fact of life. It should be much easier to conceive of a world like that and living without even needing heroes. Wouldn't that actually be nice. ]

Could argue that this is the gift you left your world. Since you did it first and all.

[ Because he had been willing to sacrifice his own people first. ]

[emet_sulk]

We asked and they offered!

[ He thought he was beyond this fury - this guilt - but no, it won't ever leave, will it? Not as long as he is alive and they aren't. ]

Every single one of our people who gave up their lives gave it up willingly for hope of our people's salvation! And half as much again to restore life to the star!

[apshot]

[ There's more he can say on that, but the animals are getting spooked. They are practically flocking towards Katsuki now. As if they will be protected by the cranky blonde-haired boy. ]

Never heard of the saying that "the road to Hell is paved with good intentions" huh? Don't get me wrong, old man. I don't know a single hero that wouldn't have offered themselves up in your situation. And those that wouldn't, I don't wanna know.

[ So, again, he's not really criticizing the choice... Just the belittlement when taking a life is still taking a life. ]

Looking down on others just makes you blind to your own bullshit. That's all.

cw: suicidal/depressive thoughts

[emet_sulk]

[ His hands ball into tight fists in his lap. A clamour of voices invade his head, furious, loud, calling him a monster, calling for his death. On better days, he can go a without ever hearing them.

He drops his head into one hand, willing them away. Futilely, because they have been there from the outset. Worse now, in fact, for Zodiark's absence. ]

I no longer care, [ he mutters tightly. ] Use your stupid little lives to continue murdering each other until the end of time then and call it 'maintaining peace'. When this is over, I will return to where I truly belong.

[apshot]

[ Yeah there's definitely something else meant there by "will return to where I truly belong." Katsuki debates on calling it out. Something about it just rubs him the wrong way. ]

I think you care a lot, old fart. Wouldn't bother you so much otherwise.

[emet_sulk]

Oh, shut up.

[ He remains slumped over, though he no longer holds his head in his hands. ]

What would you suggest I do, then? And don't give me some pithy speech about setting an example for others.

[apshot]

[ The "command," if you can really call it one, has Katsuki snorting. ]

Don't tell me what to do.

[ Just an automatic response, much like the shut up had been. There's really no heat or frustration behind it. Instead he sits there and ponders that question. Then scoffs. ]

You? A role model? Fuck, you'd make a terrible one. Maybe you need a reminder on how crappy your personality is?

[ Just like Bakugou makes for a terrible one and also has a horrid personality. But even assholes like the both of them can contribute in their own ways. ]

But that's a really broad question, old man. You talking about here after being trapped in some isekai storyline? Where you truly belong?

[emet_sulk]

Here.

[ He lifts his head just enough to eye the boy sourly. ]

I have my little goldsmith and alchemy business while we wait for word on how to stave off calamity. That should have been enough, but it isn't. In my world I had a purpose and now that purpose is gone.

[apshot]

[ Oh. Ooooooh. Some things are sliding into place here. Seriously, what the hell though. For all of the huffing and blustering? This asshole just needs to feel like there's some kind of goal in mind. Something to be driven by.

He kind of hates it that this is something that Bakugou himself can relate to. ]

Who says that it should be enough? Fuck that. If it's not enough, it's not enough.

[ No one gets to dictate something like that. ]

What were your plans if you had won and all that shit?

[emet_sulk]

[ He returns to his hunched over posture, head resting in one hand. ]

I... I would have submitted myself to the judgement of our brethren for all the countless lives desecrated over the aeons. And then I would have unmade myself to let another take my place at the seat of Emet-Selch.

[ ...And in the end it still comes back to this point. ]

[apshot]

You're gonna have to explain that one to me because that doesn't sound like you'd have had any purpose even if everything went your way.

[ Sounds like just the opposite to Bakugou. ]

[emet_sulk]

[ He grits his teeth. ]

Our lives are infinite - when we decide that we have fulfilled our purpose, be that in contributions to the star or otherwise, we unmake ourselves and return to the aetherial sea, so that the star may birth new life in our place. It is an honour to do so normally. An occasion to be celebrated.

[ ...But he clearly does not expect to be lauded with praise in this case. ]

[apshot]

[ Don't fucking grit your teeth at him. It's not like Bakugou really shows interest in other peoples' shit. And besides! You fucking asked for it! ]

So you're telling me that your purpose would've been fulfilled? That you wouldn't have had anything else to fucking offer...

[ That's what he's getting out of it. ]

Peacing out while people still need leadership to put their lives back together and make sense of the new reality that they were just given.

[ Or that... ]

[emet_sulk]

Do I look like the sort of man who could lead others?!

[ The bitter irony of uttering that does not escape him. Before, he would have had thirteen others to consult with. Thirteen differing perspectives beyond his own. How is one man supposed to trust their own judgement, especially when that judgement has so often led others astray? ]

I would not disappear so quickly. No, I would remain until they could govern themselves, make a record of our past mistakes so that they cannot be repeated. And then...and then I would depart.

[apshot]

[ Technically speaking, it would be all Thirteen again, right? Not just him? ]

Old man. You were doing it before. Don't spout bullshit.

[ Katsuki had meant as the Thirteen. Not alone. ]

Anyway. Is that really what you think your ultimate purpose would be? Is that what you set out to do when you took over? Or is it that you just feel so damn guilty?

[emet_sulk]

[ He laughs bitterly. ]

Again, I ask: what exactly are you trying to propose I do then? [ he snaps. ] You have been extremely resistant to my death this whole time. One would think you enjoy seeing an old man waste away. I'll die at a moment of my choosing and not a moment sooner or later.

[ He stares at his hands, despondent. ]

Your lives are so brief you can't even begin to imagine the weight of twelve thousand years of solitude. No. I will follow my friend home and see what awaits me there. If I cannot, then I will see him and all the others off before I die.