audio.

[mercedis]

( as always, he's trying to make this as short as possible, but it's hard to even know where to stop with the way his voice carries into the charm. it's likely going to come out all wrong, but: he figures it's like posting something on the notice board in the slums. no one's going to listen to it, right? )

Looking to head back out into the forest to see if there's any trace of the people that went missing.

Figured it might be best to find someone, or someones, to come with me. Not looking to become one of the missing myself.

Some questions if you're considering it...

One, are you afraid of ghosts?

Two, how do you react when you're scared?

( --and then, with a measured sigh: )

My name is Cloud. Blonde hair, big sword. If you're worried, I'm pretty good at keeping people alive, but.

( imagine if he had just, you know, done a video. )

Comments

[mercedis]

( now here's someone that sounds almost too determined--and, more troubling, young. it isn't like he'd been much older when he'd set out to become a SOLDIER, but even so, he hesitates. )

We might not find anyone out there. You sure you'll be okay with that?

( his gentle way of saying don't get frustrated with a lack of results. )

[heroondecku]

[He’s quiet for a moment. It’s not a possibility he wants to think about, but…]

…yeah. I know. But as long as there’s still a chance even one of those people is within my reach, I have to try.

[mercedis]

Sounds like you have a lot of determination. ( there's a long pause--almost like the message carries on for too long, before he speaks again. )

What's your name? What are your skills?

[heroondecku]

You can call me Deku. [Which...doesn't answer the actual question, but Izuku's not really thinking about that. He's already going into hero mode.] I've had training for rescue operations, and I know basic search techniques. I've had combat training too. And I have a very versatile Quirk--

[He cuts himself off, as though realizing he probably shouldn't use that word the moment he started saying it. Clarity of information is important in situations like this, and it's obvious by this point that most Chosen don't come from his world, so he can't just talk about Quirks like he normally does and expect to be understood anymore...

There's a quiet, confused noise before he tries again.]

Meta-ability?

[He's slowly realizing that he doesn't actually know what to call Quirks when he can't tell if whoever he's talking to knows what "Quirk" means.]

[mercedis]

( it sounds like deku is surprisingly well-trained for someone who might be a few years younger than him--which is both a boon and a burden, he thinks. combat training, search and rescue training, all of that is the sort of thing he went through...

...but this is the first he's heard of a 'quirk'. )

Meta ability? ( there's a hint of amusement in his voice--and a little skepticism. ) Explain. If it's called a Quirk, then call it a Quirk.

( he's at least patient enough to listen. )

[heroondecku]

[The last bit is enough to get a subdued almost-laugh out of him, sheepish and more than a little self-deprecating. He went and overthought things again, didn't he.]

Sorry, I'm just...not used to explaining it. Where I'm from practically everyone has some kind of special ability. Um, my mom can pull small objects to her and my dad breathes fire, for example.

[There's a pause. How best to explain One For All...?]

Mine's more like several abilities bundled together. I'm not as skilled with any specific one as most people are with their Quirks, but I'm getting good at finding ways to combine them.

[mercedis]

A special ability. Got it. That makes sense.

( he's putting it together--it's easier when he has time to process. makes sense, anyway, with the way deku talks. )

You're kinda like a Quirk balloon then... ( there's a soft breath, almost like a laugh. ) A bunch of things all put together. Sounds like I need to see it in action, then. It seems useful.

You're not...able to breathe fire on me or anything, right? Just to confirm.

[heroondecku]

A balloon?

[That's...certainly a new one. He can't keep the bemusement out of his voice. Is is what All Might and Gran Torino felt when he kept coming up with food-in-a-microwave metaphors...?]

No, I didn't inherent either of my parents' Quirks, so you don't need to worry about that. And I don't mind demonstrating, if we can find someplace safe for it.

[mercedis]

Nowhere safer than the forest, right?

( there's at least a little bit of humor in his voice--contained, mostly, but still there. )

...I mean, there's a lot of space. If we want to meet up and see your skills while we go through investigating, I don't think it's a bad idea.

[heroondecku]

[He hates how true all that is, but it’s not like there’s much to be done about it. He needs the trees to properly demonstrate Blackwhip, anyway...]

I’m fine with that. At the very least, we can try to find an open area at the edge of the forest so I can show what I have to work with before we get started.

[mercedis]

Sounds good to me. I'm looking forward to getting to meet you, Deku.

( something he...actually doesn't say lightly. even he's a little surprised. )

[heroondecku]

Likewise.

[It’s not as rare a sentiment coming from him, but no less sincere for it. Anyone willing to organize something like this is someone worth knowing.]

Let me know when there’s a time and place, and I’ll be there.

[mercedis]

Got it. I'll ping your...whatever these are. Charm. ( a soft breath of a laugh, quiet. ) And let you know.