Tie Now a Silver Thread
A/N: Thanks for all the wonderful reviews, both on here and AO3. I'm a little nervous to post back on here after some of the - ahem - more demanding reviews, but I'll persevere.
With that, enjoy!
9 | a message passed on
It's perhaps rather odd, to tour a school when classes have already begun. Students passed Izuku in waves between classes, and a few nod amicably toward his tour-guide, an enthusiastic dark-haired girl introduced as Emma Wann. She's at most a year or so above Izuku's Year 7, making her his senpai in other words. She's lively, gesticulating wildly with her hands as she speaks, and Izuku can't help but listen attentively to her as she leads him to the Great Hall. The cacophony of hundreds of students reverberates down the hall as they approach. She's speaking about the history of this particular school, dating back to the pre-Quirk era, which fascinates Izuku.
The school was based on an old manor in the outskirts of London, to which the Duke of the lands had left it to his Lady upon his untimely death. Grieving, the woman sought to make a refuge among young scholars of the time, seeking to guide them into a future with solid foundations to work upon. It worked, as most graduates and alumni went into the world with great prestige and backing. They say that the top ten graduating students will make waves wherever they are to walk, carving their own path into the vast future.
"Fascinating!" Izuku breathes out. "Your school is as historic as some Universities, with the same prestige that Japan gives UA!"
"That's their top Hero School, correct?" asks Emma excitedly as she pushes the door open.
"Yeah, it is!"
Fascinated, Izuku barely registers when they walk in the dining hall, but he does register when the buzz of various conversations seems to fizzle out into a murmur of questions.
"Don't pay attention to them," says Emma, "they're unused to new students. Here, have some Shepherd's Pie. Madame Dee's cooking is to die for."
She then leads Izuku down to sit with a group of five more girls of various ethnicities and an effeminate boy with his nose in a book. They shuffle around to make room for Emma and him. Emma gestures to the chair left to her for him to settle on. She then gestures again, widely this time, across the table. "Izuku, these are my friends. Guys, this is Izuku Midoriya, he'll most likely be starting here come next Monday."
Izuku waves, smiling brilliantly from his seat. "It's a pleasure to meet you all, feel free to call me Izzie."
The one across Izuku, a dark-skinned beauty with a halo of hair framing her face, leans in. "I'm Elaine Waters, my quirk is Star Gaze, I can always see the stars in the sky at night with vivid clarity."
The next one to pipe up is — "Helen Gomez. My quirk is Blossom. It's just a fancy green thumb, don't let anyone tell you otherwise."
"Lyra Holmes, my quirk is called Crystal Healing. Do you know all that mumbo jumbo about crystals and their healing properties? I can use crystals to do just that."
"Blanca Rivera. I can emulate voices and sounds, it's called Mimic."
"Victoria Wang, I'm able to change my range when singing. I can be a soprano or a bass if I wish to. I call it: Vocal Range."
"Luca Pevensie, my quirk is Breathing Esse, usually wood works better, but if I blow a breath onto an object, they become animated and follow my commands for a brief period of time."
"And you already know me! Emma Wann, quirk? Transcripture, meaning I can transcribe thoughts onto paper."
"I'm quirkless," Izuku blurts out. It used to bother him, it used to put him down, but he would no longer let that pull him down. Izuku has magic, despite it being too much for his body to handle at times, he still has magic. And if these people, who admittedly appear to be nice, are not, well, that's just their prerogative.
There's a moment in which they all blink before Elaine swallows her food and says, "Whatever, mate, as long as you can keep up with our chaotic energy then you'll fit right in." The rest of the group voices their agreement and Izuku can't help but breathe out in relief.
"Thank you," he says, before munching on the Shepherd's Pie.
"Has anyone ever given you grief about that?" Helen asks to his left, scandalized. Momentarily forgetting her food, she whirls around to face Izuku. "Izzie, how dare they?"
Izuku swallows his food. "Japan is different. There's a lot of focus on heroics and pro-heroes as a whole. That makes being unbiased towards quirks really difficult."
"Still!" Elaine exclaims as Helen contorts her face at his response. "That's demeaning. Not everyone has quirks suited for heroics or quirks at all, and that's fine."
"You guys are so sweet," he says, choking back a bit with thickness in his throat. "I will admit that Japan wasn't the best environment for me, and moving here may have been the best idea my mom had. So, I will say it now: I'm glad I moved to the Isles and that I'm being allowed to meet you all, by some string of fate."
Blanca mutters something in Spanish, to which Izuku replies, "Así serán la gente."
She blinks, before grinning widely. "I have a feeling we'll get on great, welcome to our group of friends, Izzie."
↞ « o » ↠
It's Saturday, about four days after Izuku's introduction to Willow's Point Preparatory, where he'd be enrolled and attending come Monday. The name Ainsworth sure carried some weight around, but as to what weight it carried, exactly, Izuku has yet to find out. He just knows that Elias has some power or other in the mortal realm, perhaps due to his and Chise's supposed immortality quirk to others. They're walking and talking relics, in a sense, after all. They've thrived since before the dawn of quirks, and that's got to account for something to the higher-ups. And then there's the wealth they've accumulated since then. They're humble and philanthropic about it, donating to local-ran charities and sometimes heading to grand fancy galas to do so, from the pictures Ruth has shown him.
"Maybe one day you'll accompany them," Ruth said absentmindedly, "you're such a hero-nerd that you'd implode when catching sight of all of them there."
"I would not!" Izuku proclaimed. At the blank stare the Grimm had directed at him, Izuku reiterated: "I wouldn't!"
"Sure, kid, sure." Izuku ended up chasing Ruth around the Myrge Nyht for that, to the delight of everyone who hollered encouragement to Izuku. Some even attempted to trip up Ruth, much to his dismay and Izuku's mirth.
Currently, however, it is Saturday and Izuku is curious as to where or what his Ariel Neighbors are leading him to. Sara is perched on his right shoulder, eyes closed as she dozes on peacefully with the rest of her body in Izuku's hood.
It's a nice, cool day and Izuku is still surprised Sara was willing to leave the comforts of the hearth to join their little adventure. Bo and Peep are off somewhere wreaking havoc, and Izuku can't find it in himself to be concerned. For such beatific and angelic-looking fae, they sure are tricksters when they set their minds on something. Izuku certainly won't be caught in the crossfire.
Soon, after fifteen minutes into their walk in the thickening foliage of the forest, do they come across a clearing with a beautiful and wide oak standing proud, some of its thick branches hanging low due to their sheer weight. Wisteria, Chrys, and Iris settle comfortably on one of the branches, giggling and wiggling a little.
Izuku chuckles, "What's gotten into you guys?"
A chime of bells and trickling laughter like a summer shower. A presence so irrevocably inane and overpowering in its sole power.
Izuku whirls around, watching, sensing, as the ground beneath his feet quivers with magic, chaotic and wild and free and so, so tantalizing. He looks back to his Ariel Neighbors, thinks back on their nightly escapades, and says, "Ah."
"Izzie," a voice whispers, near his right ear, in his head, all-encompassing as it is comfortable and disagreeable at once. "Won't you greet me?"
"Queen Titania, what a lovely surprise," Izuku drawls in Pictish. "What can this one do for the Queen?"
"Hmph!" Queen Titania harrumphs suddenly, appearing from behind the oak tree. Wisteria, Chrys, and Iris flock toward her, offering her kisses before settling near Izuku. Huh.
Their stance, though somewhat unclear at first, almost took Izuku's breath away.
They really did stick with him.
To the end of the line.
Behind Queen Titania are three dark wolves and a diminutive fae, Spriggan the winds inform him, Protector of the Courts. Titania's mule grazes on the pasture to the side.
Izuku then bows. "Despite all misgivings, it truly is an honor to meet all of you."
Titania surges forward, pinching his cheek. "You're too cute to stay mad at. You're just as precious as the Ancient Keeper."
"Aiyah," Izuku pouts. "Woush yoush pweashe schtop—" she keeps pulling at his cheek before Spriggan, gods bless him, steps forward.
"Your Majesty, you had a message for the young Sleigh Beggy, did you not?"
"Ah, yes!" she exclaims. Titania lets go of Izuku's cheek, clapping her hands excitedly. "A friend of mine has set a date to meet you, Izzie. It'd be in your best interests to meet them at the mountains near Tromsø, in the Lyngsalpene mountain range, a fortnight after Samhain."
"What do I-" Izuku starts, pauses, before continuing on. "What have I got to gain from this?"
"Well," Titania's gilded eyes gleam at him. "Where's the fun in just telling you? Though, if you were to take advice, any advice, from this meeting, it'd be that leaving a waiting deity is a faux pas, don't you say?"
Izuku shuddered at the implications.
"Well!" Titania says suddenly, "I must go before that mischievous husband of mine finds trouble. You're a delight, Hellebore," she mounts her mule, and Spriggan offers a bow to him before turning around. "Ta!"
"Uh, bye?" he offers hesitantly, waving at their retreating backs. He then looks up to his hovering Neighbors. "Well, thanks?"
"You're welcome!" They chorus.
Izuku just sighs.
↞ « o » ↠
It's his first day of school, and Izuku can't help but fidget with the sleeves of his dress shirt. His new uniform is ironed courtesy of his mom, and the trousers are crisp and gray. His blazer is navy blue and his cardigan is a lighter shade of gray. His mom had helped him with the windsor knot to make his tie presentable and then proceeded to smother him. It made Izuku elated — having the support of his family at his disposal as he sets out to school — it's a comfort he likes to indulge in. Just basking in the familial warmth of his mismatched family, makes a protective streak spark within his chest.
Small daisies were weaved into his hair, plucked from their very own greenhouse by his mother with a teary smile as she set them by his vanity that very morning. Chrys did his hair, a simple french braid that nicely brought together his growing hair away from his face into something presentable, and then proceeded to carefully place them in his hair. Izuku had been pleased by the final look, staring at his mirror to and fro, tilting his head to take it all in. Wisteria gave him a pep talk as Iris kissed his nose, and all of them told him how proud they were of him.
Before he left, Izuku turned to look at the Ainsworth-Hatori home, a big smile on his face.
But now, after a train ride and a bus stop, he sets foot at Willow's Point Preparatory as a new student. His Ariel Neighbors disperse, telling him to behave and not go looking for trouble.
Emma's waiting for him just outside the school's gate. They chatter amicably as they make their way in, and Izuku waves energetically at his friends. Friends. Who'd've thought? That the quirkless, weird, and weak Deku could have friends?
They wave back as well, smiles lighting up their faces.
"Izzie!" Blanca sidles up to him, linking their arms together before dragging him over to the group. Emma follows along as well, far too happy to be ruffled about Blanca's haste. "Izzie's here! Let's compare timetables."
It turns out that he, Helen, Elaine, and Luca share most classes. All four share the first block, so they set off for pre-Quirk History and Arts all while giving Izuku a rundown on what has been done so far. So far they've covered the rising arts of the early 21st century, to the unrest of the beginning of the whole century throughout the world as a whole, it was a nice juxtaposition.
Izuku's never really given much thought to it before, seeing as his old school couldn't be bothered to teach pre-Quirk History and Arts, but just having a run-down of it all was exhilarating. He couldn't wait for the class and as his friends gush about their Professor Morgan — a man who loved to make people enjoy history as much as himself — makes this a class Izuku definitely looks forward to.
As they enter, their chatter slowly ceases and Elaine guides Izuku to their shared desk by the windows. Izuku takes note of the classroom: from the lively vintage posters on the wall to the knick-knacks around the room like the various books behind the professor's desk, and whatever was on it as well.
The bell rings and a hush falls upon the room as the professor turns from his position by the windows — the one nearest to the blackboard — and he smiles brightly. There's a gleam in his eyes, and his red hair appears to be set aflame with the morning sun. The moment is broken as his cheery tenor breaks the silence that's fallen. "Welcome back, all! I've been told by the powers that be that we have a new student for your year. Now, I want everyone to give a warm welcome to Izuku Midoriya!"
There was a round of applause as Izuku ducks his head, feeling warm. Elaine bumps his shoulder, cheering enthusiastically.
"Now with those introductions out of the way, let's start by talking about the rising phenomenon of social media platforms. About how they shaped people's livelihoods to how they were used to spread information about the many going-ons of the 21st century. Has anyone read ahead? Yes, the floor is yours, Adam."
Adam went into a tangent of the mid-2010s, and how an app meant initially for pure entertainment had spun into something eldritch with information and misinformation. How it also gathered information on the users and catered to their whims and likes and whatnots. Izuku was starry-eyed as more and more of the students piped up, some even pulling out their phones for demonstrations (with their teacher allowing, of course) of famous clips of music that flooded said platform. Some went on to say that it still remained for entertainment, but that people could also use it to spread news of the happenings of their nations, to keep people in the know.
Some taught. Some were entertained or did so for others. Some just liked the attention. It was an amalgamation of all those things and more that brought that platform fame and notoriety. The teacher then brought forth clips of actual videos to show the class. Of the Asian-pacific islanders using it to show the hula dance it all its glory, to the indigenous people of America showcasing their beautiful heritage. It was wonderful. It was surreal.
Eventually, before the bell rang, Professor Morgan invited them all to their own research in the form of a PowerPoint. It could be about its rise to fame and notoriety, or even about its downfall, or, if it survived, how it was included in their culture now. Like Youtube becoming Herotube, etc., and the likes.
Izuku's fingers twitch to start right away, and he makes a note to look into the smaller-known platform 'Tumblr' that was on the list, highlighting it quickly.
So, the day went on, with either Elaine, Helen, or Luca showing him around to his classes before lunch came about. They listen eagerly to Izuku as he prattles on about his classes, showing his enthusiasm as he hadn't before. Luca snatches Izuku's phone from his flailing hands, and deftly puts his number in it with a simple Luca Pevensie as the contact name.
Helen goes next, inputting a rather creative Helen of Troy as her name, and Izuku sniggers when he sees it. There's a plant emoji next to it.
Emma follows with a quick Manuscript Emma, and then Elaine grabs the phone, typing in Astronomic Elaine and a sparkle emoji.
White River for Blanca, and Izuku nods approvingly. Rivera meant on a riverbank, afterall.
Victoria struggles for a moment, contemplative, before inputting Nike.
"Like the shoes?" Emma asks.
"No," Izuku shakes his head, catching on to what she did. "Nike as in the Greek Goddess of Victory. Right?"
"Mn," Victoria agrees, smiling widely.
Lyra goes next with a Euterpe to which makes Izuku once again grin. "The muse?"
"It's fitting," she says. "Lyrical poetry and music, both things I enjoy. Talking about this, Luca, you gotta change yours!"
"Absolutely not," he grits.
"Please?" Victoria begs, sticking out her lower lip. Luca glowers.
"How about Pevensie the Magnificent?" Izuku tries, smiling when everyone whirls around to stare. Luca's face goes aflame.
"Mag-magnificent?" he stutters.
"Your surname is Pevensie," Izuku explains, "like the books from C.S. Lewis that are allegorical to the old christian bible. In the books, there were four siblings. These siblings stumble upon a land fantastical and so different from their own, and they are later on crowned as Kings and Queens of Narnia, the fantastical land. You have High King Peter the Magnificent, Queen Susan the Gentle, King Edmund the Just, and Queen Lucy the Valiant. Honestly, you can pick any of those, I just thought it was fitting."
"I've never heard of this before. What are the books called?" Luca asks, contemplative.
"The Chronicles of Narnia," Izuku then grins. "It's a good, but old book series. I highly recommend it." Chise had made him read a few of her books while he'd been grounded. It made for a relaxing, stress-free time.
"I'll go with it," Luca says, and the girls' jaws drop. "I've never seen my surname used in a book before. It'd be fun."
Izuku snatches his phone from Lyra's hands and quickly edits Luca's contact name to Pevensie the Magnificent. "It's settled, then!"
"Woah," Emma exhales quietly, and Izuku pretends not to overhear her. "I've never seen Luca fold so easily."
"I know, sista," Elaine answers in return. They both shriek when Luca appears behind them, glaring darkly.
"You have five seconds," he grits out.
The bell ends up saving them within three seconds. They quickly gather their stuff and rush off, bellowing, "Text you later, Izzie!" The others follow at a much more sedate pace.
"Easy," Izuku says, laying a hand on Luca's shoulder. "I'm sure they're just teasing you. We have a free period now, don't we?" When Luca nods, Izuku continues, "Let's go to the library, I'm sure they have the series."
The library, unfortunately, does not have the series on their shelves. Luca, despondent, settles on a nearby desk to sulk, laying his head upon the wood and laying his arms above his head and across his face.
"It's not so bad," Izuku starts. "I'll just ask Chise if she can lend you her copy."
"Who's Chise?" Luca asks, voice muffled by his arm. He's still sulking as Izuku hovers awkwardly.
"She's, uh—" he stumbles, unsure. "My aunt? I guess?"
"You guess?"
"Well," he scratches his cheek, "she was called in by my mom for help while we lived in Japan—" close enough, "—due to my, uh, chronic illness? Since she had the same thing as I do. She managed it well enough, and now she's teaching me how to handle it properly. It's why I'm here, actually. In England, I mean. She gave my mom the option to come live with her and her family as I go through this learning curve. I haven't spat blood in weeks! I still get dizzy, and nauseous, but that's all! Haven't been sick and hospitalized in months and it's great and now she's sort've taken me under her wing. Like a benefactor, maybe? Am I using that word right? She's paying for my tuition, afterall."
"Back. Up." Luca says, sitting straight. "Chronic illness? HOSPITALIZED?!"
"Sh!"
"Apologies, Ms. Overlovst!"
Izuku flinches, chuckling awkwardly. "I word-vomited again."
"Yes, you did." Luca stares at him, before sighing. "At least you're doing better?"
"Knock on wood, but yes."
"Then that's all that matters. Free period is almost over, let's go meet with Helen for your last class."
"Let's."
↞ « o » ↠
Pevensie the Magnificent is typing…
Pevensie the Magnificent 02:14
Do you want to talk about what you word-vomited today?
Izzie 02:14
which part? (;￣ー￣川
Pevensie the Magnificent 02:17
Insomniac, much?
Izzie 02:18
_(´ཀ」 ∠)_
i've been exposed by a fellow insomniac
no, but srsly. Am fine, no worries,
haven't had an attack in months!
Chise is a great teacher
Pevensie the Magnificent 02:23
Unsure if that's supposed to help me not worry…
Izzie is typing…
Izzie 02:25
!
I asked Chise
she said you're good to borrow her books,
in fact, she's thrilled someone else will read them!
Welcome to the Oldies-but-Goodies club,
where we read pre-quirk books for entertainment
next up, To Kill a Mockingbird
Pevensie the Magnificent 02:31
Neat. I'd be honored to join.
Izzie 02:33
we can hash out specifics later,
but i'm bringing the first three books with me
じゃね!
have a good night, Luca
Pevensie the Magnificent 02:40
Goodnight, Izzie.
↞ « o » ↠
Helen of Troy is typing…
Helen of Troy 06:45
Good morning, Greenie!
[Picture attached: It's of the school's garden set in the low light of pre-dawn. There's a rather large tree in the center, and at its roots sit Izuku's new friends. They smile and wave at the camera]
We're waiting for you at the Glade of Monarchs
Izzie 06:52
i made it!
i'm at the school's entrance, currently
i'll see you all soon
Helen of Troy 06:57
I see you! Look up!
↞ « o » ↠
And so, the days went on. Izzie keeps a steady line of communication with his friends and, eventually, they form a group chat. The name of the chat changes continuously but is currently settled on The Chaos Clause. It's the most fun he has had, ever, in a school setting ever since his diagnosis of quirklessness. It makes a pang go through his heart when he thinks of his old friends, specifically Kacchan. Sometimes he thinks of Tsubasa Ryuuta, another friend that used to poke at him in harsh fun. He hadn't seen him since elementary school, they'd been friends, too, before Tsubasa gained his wings and Izuku gained nothing of the sort.
In the days that pass, he gets to know his new friends a bit better. They're open about their aspirations of making it in the entertainment industry. They'd like to revive musicals once more; something about wanting people to come together to enjoy a good sit-down with friends and family while making an impact.
In passing, he mentions that Chise has a collection of old musical CDs and vinyls. His friends become starry-eyed, and demand that he introduce them to her. He laughs freely and assures them that she'd love to meet them.
"You should come over," Izuku says one morning as they huddle close. "Chise says you can come over sometime and listen to her CDs and whatnots. Why not this weekend?"
Izuku grins when they eagerly agree. Victoria shakes him in maniacal glee.
Perhaps moving to England hadn't been for naught, after all, Izuku thinks with a smile as he watches his friends — friends! — clap each other on their backs. Not if I get friendships like these out of it. It's nice.
A/N: "Así serán la gente." - means "That's how they'll be."