Ebony

by EbonyAnimalSpirit

It started with a single crimson feather. One single feather, fallen among a sea of black... Lost to the fluttering, ebony waves, cold and drowning... Alone. We should have guessed we were bad for one another... but we didn't... Idiot {My Hero Academia} {HawksXOC} {Spoilers for Anime/Manga}

27. Chapter 27- Downtime

Chapter 27

Downtime

.:+:.

The car was idling outside the building when she got to the bottom floor- black, unmarked, and with heavily tinted windows that spared no chance to see through them. But it did render the glass rather reflective, and Spirit stuttered to a quick halt when she caught sight of herself staring back at her from in the dark window- and the visage of the very bright red feather poking from her hair still.

Shit, I didn't give it back-

She lift her hand and index finger with it, waving a small gesture at the window in a sign to halt a moment, before she carefully pulled the feather out from the bun, and sending her auburn locks tumbling about her shoulders. She pinned the end of the feather between her fingers lightly, biting the inside of her cheek when it jostled slightly in her grip the minute she grabbed hold of it. Her eyes flashed as she gave it a pointed (though perhaps useless) stare.

"I know you're paying attention and can hear me or whatever, Hawks." Spirit started lowly, and the feather twitched again, straightening almost and at attention- and she sighed internally.

I forgot about it, which is sort of understandable- but the Bird-Brain could have reminded me before I left his apartment.

... Did he forget too, or did he say nothing on purpose...?

Spirit bit the inside of her cheek a little at the thought, shooting the feather in front of her a halfway wary, halfway exasperated look.

... Maybe it wasn't on purpose... He was kind of over the moon about me giving him my mobile number, the childish bird-brain... So maybe he forgot too.

Maybe

"... Take your damn feather back. And next time don't let me walk out with it." Spirit huffed lowly, and the feather pulled itself easily out of her grasp, spinning once and the top half bending a bit in what sort of mimicked a nod or something- before it zipped off upward, climbing fast to the top of the building. Spirit watched the blob of red grow to minuscule, then too far to be visible for a few seconds, before forcing another breath and turning back to the patiently waiting car.

She pulled the passenger side door open with a silent sigh, her eyes not finding the driver as she climbed in and shut the door once more. And only once she was all the way seated did she cast a weary glance to the right, red eyes glinting as she met amber colored ones, the man sitting in the drivers seat casting her a quiet glance, eyebrow quirked ever so faintly as he took in her appearance in rapid time.

"... Thank you for coming to get me, Tanaka." Spirit murmured quietly, and the man's genuinely barren and unreadable expression didn't falter, except his brow quirked ever so slightly more, and his eyes seemed to flash.

"What, are you too old to call me Ojisan?" The man asked flatly, and Spirit grimaced at it, her eyes flicking away from him and out the front window. She bit down on the inside of her cheek, huffing once.

"... Shut up and take the damn 'thank you'."

.:+:.

Earlier That Morning-

"A-AAH?!"

Kaminari jumped, startled out of his early-morning doze by the sudden shout coming from the other side of his dorm room wall. He jumped so hard he stumbled out of bed and landed hard on his ass, groaning a bit as he glanced behind him, bleary-eyed and super confused.

"... What the...?" He mumbled, a bead of sweat falling down his jaw and eyes going wide when his lagging thoughts registered which wall the shout came from, and whose room was on the other side.

"W-was that Koda...?" The electric blonde mumbled to himself, unease quickly getting clear on his face as he started to clamber to his feet in haste. He stumbled, staggering toward the door and wrenching it open, ready to rush out and go next door, and he had to go fast- because Koda never makes any noise..!

Let alone something loud enough to carry through the wall!

He pulled the door open roughly, two seconds away from darting into the hallway- only to draw up when he saw someone else already outside. Tokoyami actually, the avian boy grimacing at hearing the startled (though still rather low) shout from Koda's room, and hurrying quickly toward the door to it.

"Dude, what's going on-?!" Kaminari asked quickly, and Tokoyami shook his head a bit, not pausing in his hurried walking, and not casting Kaminari a glance either.

"I was hoping to catch him before he saw the news-" Tokoyami answered, and rather vaguely at that, which made Kaminari falter, blinking several times and lost.

"-heh?"

Tokoyami drew up at the door, knocking once and then wasting no time on an answer before he turned the handle and let himself in, Kaminari following close behind despite being unsure of what the heck was going on.

"Koda-?" Tokoyami murmured, his eyes scanning the room as soon as the door was open enough, and stepping in. But much like Kaminari before him, he faltered before he got all the way through the doorway, halting rather abruptly as Koda whipped around toward the avian boy- and Kaminari peeked around Tokoyami (and now Dark Shadow too).

"S-She's in the hospital..?!" Koda squeaked, his voice hushed and trembling, the poor boy clutching to his cell phone tightly and looking about ready to have a heartattack.

(In fact he wasn't altogether sure he wasn't, given how much his heart jumped upon reading the slew of notifications awaiting him on the device- and had elicited that rather unusual shout that drew Kaminari out)

Tokoyami frowned slightly, looking a little unsure as he forced a small breath, and Kaminari's head tilted. "... who's in the hospital..?" The blonde mumbled, but he was rather ignored. Tokoyami stepped inside the room, his hands raising in what was meant to be a calming gesture, and Dark Shadow mimicking the movements at Tokoyami's shoulder.

"Yes it would appear she ended up there last night, but I am sure she's not there any longer." Tokoyami assured quickly, but Koda shook his head stiffly.

"B-but there's no report of her leaving, a-all there is says she g-got taken in an a-ambulance, and there was no report of how h-how she is, or how serious her injuries w-were...!" Koda stammered shakily, and Tokoyami let out a breath again, wilting.

"... I know, but you can't assume the worst. She probably did her best to avoid the media on her way out. She's not really keen on them generally, yes..? She likely wouldn't want to draw so much attention." Tokoyami murmured coolly and Koda froze a little, swallowing hard. "Besides, Spirit-Sensei is a very strong Pro, even if she was injured, I doubt it was very serious." He pointed out and Koda paused a little more, looking desperately like he wanted to believe the rational response- and he sort of did, he was just a little wound up and freaked out. Kaminari perked though, eyes wide and instantly honing in on the name,

"Spirit-Sensei?" The blonde echoed, "Wait, are you guys talking about Animal Spirit?" He asked and Tokoyami nodded slightly, his eyes moving off Koda and glancing over his shoulder toward Kaminari now.

"Yes, she got into a fight with some Villains robbing a mall last night, and there are reports she was injured during it." Tokoyami explained levelly, "She was sent to the hospital according to the news, but there's nothing else about her condition, or her having been discharged. I saw the reports on it when I woke up." He murmured, his eyes moving toward Koda again. "But simply because there are no reports on her leaving the hospital, does not mean the worst... please try and calm down if you can." He sighed and Koda seemed to swallow at it,

"Ah, okay I get it now." Kaminari hummed, "Tokoyami's right dude, you should chill...! Animal Spirit's super badass, she's not the No. 19 Hero for nothing ya know? If she got hurt it probably wasn't anything too major, but you know the EMTs and stuff wouldn't leave her alone even if it was minor." Kaminari smiled, nodding his head toward Tokoyami as he set his hands on his hips. "And I totally agree with him, she probably just ghosted the news-people camped outside the hospital cause she didn't wanna deal with it. That's totally in her M.O.~!"

Koda paused, eyes gleaming at the reply before they dropped from both his classmates and toward the phone in his hands apprehensively. "... I...I guess that probably makes sense..." He mumbled softly, and Tokoyami blinked, wilting a little.

"... if it would put your mind at ease, perhaps you should simply ask Spirit-Sensei directly if she is alright?" Tokoyami suggested with a nod of his head toward the phone in Koda's hands. The large boy glanced up quickly at the suggestion, eyes flashing and looking surprised- while Kaminari's head snapped around toward Tokoyami at the words.

"Woah woah, wait, what...?!" He stammered quickly, his attention darting quickly from Tokoyami and back toward Koda. "Are you saying you have Animal Spirit's number?!" He nearly yelled and Koda flinched at the loudness, sweatdropping and looking unnerved.

"... a-ah...?" Was all the large boy could muster, but it was enough- and honestly Kaminari didn't need an answer. The blonde let out an exasperated groan, his head falling back and looking almost... pouty.

"Dude, you are so lucky..!" Kaminari sighed, "How come you guys got to have such cool Pros for your Internships...?! So not fair...!"

Tokoyami blinked once at the blonde, sighing in exasperation but otherwise ignoring Kaminari again and looking back toward Koda. The large boy's hands fidgeted around the phone, his feet shuffling slightly too and looking not at all sure of the suggestion, and Tokoyami blinked.

"... y... you don't think she'll... w-won't it be like... bothering her...?" Koda asked softly and Tokoyami paused, before shaking his head softly,

"No, I do not think she will mind." Tokoyami replied lightly, and Koda's eyes flashed as he looked up again, Tokoyami matching the larger boy's gaze steadily.

"I think she'd prefer you not to wallow in unease on her part. So if you have a chance to earn a bit of relief from your concern, I think Spirit-Sensei would be more than alright with you checking in."

.:+:.

Present-

Spirit frowned to herself, staring up at the roof above her bed, laying still and having been entirely unmoving there since coming in and plopping down after being dropped off... Oh, about two hours ago?

"... He didn't lecture me at all..." She mumbled to herself, her eyes narrowing in suspicion as she chewed on the insides of her cheeks. "... Nothing about injuring my shoulder, or not talking to him in awhile, or not calling him last night... And nothing about being around Hawks either..." She kept mumbling under her breath, red eyes flashing in the dim of her little underground apartment.

No, there had been nothing. From getting in the car and heading here, there had been little but 50 words spoken between herself and the man (and that was including the initial exchange on getting in and him taking the damn thank you). There had been a simple 'are you alright?' asked, to which she replied with the general 'I am fine'- and then that was it. No small talk (not that small talk would be normal from him), no questions, no prying- nothing.

Nothing but 'how are you', 'be careful', and then he let her out in front of the building and drove off- though not before saying something about coming to visit him 'sometime'. Which in itself was rather vague, and it only put her more on edge, because he definitely had something to say. Some comment, some thinly veiled jibe at what she'd been doing, who she'd been around- but he didn't say it right then and there.

No, he kept his mouth shut, and that was not normal from him.

Spirit frowned, red eyes narrowing to slits and biting down hard on the inside of both cheeks.

He's up to something, the old git

She huffed, grumbling to herself and shutting her eyes rather haughtily, frowning to herself and about to cross her arms over her chest in a natural (not at all huffity) motion- only to earn a sharp stab of pain from her dislocated shoulder that stopped her before she even got halfway through, and she cringed. Though of course that only made her more irritated, and she let out an agitated, unhappy groan.

"Bloody hell, I am already over this..!" She snapped, and to no one in particular since she was all alone. She shot the roof another glare and lay still again, red eyes glinting madly in the dim and completely not pleased.

What the hell am I supposed to do for the next few days, and the next week...? I have no work for awhile, and no Hero work for longer after that... I have literally nothing to do.

I hate downtime

Spirit groaned again, her left hand lifting off the bed and red eyes tracing over the tracks of split flesh welded together with the medi-glue Hawks had applied earlier.

... Maybe I should have tried asking Tanaka to set me up with someone with a Healing Quirk, so I wouldn't have to wait so long...?

She grimaced at the thought though, huffing a bit.

Hmmph, though knowing him if I had asked he'd have definitely given me some sort of lecture about 'taking things easy and going slow'...

... Hell, he'd have probably taken me to Recovery Girl, and she'd definitely lecture me. I don't need another one now, after the one she gave me back in Hosu.

She groaned again and let her hand fall back on the bed, a heavy sigh escaping her.

"... Shit... I'm gonna have to figure out something to do with myself..." She muttered softly, shaking her head a bit.

... Question is what? We already established I don't have hobbies... Or really have a life, so-

The sound of her phone buzzing broke into her thoughts, her head tilting toward where it was lying on the second pillow to her right. The screen lit up, indicating it was a text message of some sort, because otherwise it wouldn't have warranted illuminating the screen. She paused for half a second, her eyes narrowing and instantly unsure as to who it was, and some portion of her mind immediately assumed it was Tanaka and whatever the old bastard had in planning. Or maybe even Hawks already getting overzealous with his newfound Animal Spirit Phone Number privileges.

Stupid Bird-Boy would already be bugging me only after a few hours

Spirit rolled her eyes and reached across for the device, tapping the screen to life and pausing to find that the awaiting message was from neither of the aforementioned.

Anima

Are you okay Spirit-Sensei?
I saw the news about what happened last night,
and that you'd been taken to the hospital.
I'm sorry for contacting you out of nowhere,
but I just wanted to make sure you were alright...

...
It's not a problem.
I am okay, so please don't worry about me.
Thank you for checking in

...
I am so happy to hear you're alright, Spirit-Sensei!
You aren't still at the hospital, are you..? If you don't mind my asking..?

Spirit blinked, a small breath escaping her as she read the new message. She sat up, adjusting her phone in hand and tapping her fingers against the screen to type out a response.

Anima

You aren't still at the hospital, are you..? If you don't mind my asking..?

...
Don't worry about asking, I don't mind.
And no, I'm home now. I left the hospital late last night, I just avoided the Press.

She sent off the first few and paused, her thumb hovering over the screen and her shoulders sinking a little.

Anima was a nervous personality in general, and if his reaction to seeing her bruised after that scuffle with the drunk guys, and after the fight with Dark Shadow was any indication- he had probably freaked out just as badly as Sasaki had when he saw the news... Maybe more so, really. And from the timestamp on the original message he had texted her fairly well first thing in the morning, which meant when she replied at noon he had probably been all worked up the whole morning, and she swallowed at it.

It's the middle of the week too, and getting close to final exams for him, yeah...?

He was probably sitting through class all day until lunch just worrying about it... About me.

Spirit sighed again, shaking her head at herself. Her thumb began tapping the keyboard some more, sending another message through before Anima had a chance to reply to what she had already sent.

Anima

Don't worry about asking, I don't mind.
And no, I'm home now. I left the hospital late last night, I just avoided the Press.

...
I'm sorry for making you worry, Anima.

...
Oh no it's okay!
I am glad you're alright, and at home now!
Please get plenty of rest, I hope you get well soon!

Spirit smiled faintly, her eyes flashing in the dim as she watched the words pop up one bubble at a time, and in rapidity as the boy typed them on the other end.

Anima

Please get plenty of rest, I hope you get well soon!

...
Thank you, I will.
And good luck with your finals.

...
Thank you..!

She hummed a bit to herself and locked the phone, laying back down in the bed and holding it to her chest with a weary sigh.

... Hopefully he can relax now, yeah...? I hope so...

Her eyes dropped halfway and she let out another lower, slower breath, her shoulders sinking back into the bed- and so much so the right one ached for half a second, before her muscles unwound a bit more and it went away.

... Hmmph... I still think Tanaka is planning something... And I don't know what I'm gonna do with myself for the next few days... but for now...?

Her eyes fell closed all the way, her hold on her phone slackening a little.

... Sleep sounds kinda nice, even though I slept a long time at... Feathers' place... I'm still a little... Drowsy...

Ugh... But I swear if another dream comes back... I am gonna be pissed...

Spirit swallowed slightly, her hand letting go of her phone and lazily pushing her bangs back out of her face, before letting her hand fall on the bed above her head, tendrils of her auburn hair twined in her fingers. And at the simple action of it, she recalled the feather that had been accidentally(?) left in it when she left... And it being put there in the first place.

.:+:.

"Hehe... Well, no worries~!" He hummed, suddenly starting forward toward her and rounding her a bit. Spirit went rigid at the unexpected movement on the blonde's part, and more so when he stopped directly behind her and his hands came down ever so lightly on her shoulders (and subsequently stopped her from turning to face him).

"W-what the hell are you...?!" She started quickly with a glance over her shoulder that never actually followed through- she only barely saw him shake his head from the very corner of her eye.

"Ah, don't be so tense I'm not gonna hurt you~" He told her lightly, his hands already leaving her shoulders and Spirit froze at the sensation of his fingers suddenly gliding through her hair. She sucked in a quiet breath of air without meaning to, a shiver running down her spine as his fingernails dragged ever so faintly across the back of her neck and over her scalp. His fingers worked their way gently through little knots and tangles here and there, never deterred by them in the slightest, and he simply kept on. He worked away nimbly, and so delicately, pulling the strands back and her bangs from her face- and then began bundling up the auburn locks in both hands. He hummed to himself as he did it, brushing through her hair with his fingers and then coiling all of it into something of a bun, a scarlet feather plucking itself from his wings and easily sliding through the center of the bun, pinning it in place.

Spirit didn't move the whole time he did it, and honestly she didn't really breathe either- she was sort of paralyzed, her mind shuddering to a standstill and heart picking up immediately... And then getting a tad faster with every touch, every graze of his fingers against her scalp, every brush against the back of her neck, and every tiny, fluttering, tingling sensation ignited with the strands being tugged and detangled- all of it.

And all of it had shivers running up and down her spine and through her shoulders without end, and it was difficult not to let herself noticeably shiver or let herself move for it... Hell, it was difficult to keep herself from doing anything- and there was no way to keep the rather heavy flush of red from washing over her cheeks. All she could do was stand there, her muscles locking, face growing redder with every electric-sensation running through her scalp and down into her shoulders, and all of which had her heart racing and pounding now quite loudly in her ears. She could not stop herself, or the reaction- or stop her body from reacting, because... I...it... It-

She swallowed hard, forcing the breath she was holding back out and eyes falling closed again, frowning to herself as a last, final tremor ran down her spine and she bit down harder on her cheeks for it.

Tch... why did him doing that have to feel so nice...?

.:+:.

Spirit bit the inside of her cheeks wearily at the thought of it, another- albeit smaller- shiver running through her shoulders and down her neck. She sighed again, her body sinking further into the bed and her mind sinking too, even despite the memory resurfacing. She was slipping closer toward sleep and a lot faster than she anticipated, the lingering sensation of the gentle brushing of his fingers through her hair following her all the way down toward the pits of sleep coming up fast to claim her.

She let out a soft breath, shaking her head once, and barely staving it off for a moment. She cast a sideways glance toward her nightstand, and the Access Card set on top. She reached out for it slowly, holding the card up above her and red eyes gleaming as she traced the lettering of her name, the feathers making up the 'H' at the top, and the curves of the pawprint symbol stamped to it.

And upon looking it over again, she felt something in her core flutter, twist, and warm all at once- just as it had when he'd given it to her earlier.

... It is really fast still... really close... and almost way too trusting on his part... this is not something people just give out, but...

... He gave it to me, still so cheery, and bright, and at ease... even with him literally giving me something that could be used to harm him, if it were to be put in the wrong hands... He gave it to me without looking wary at all, or even hesitant... so does some part of him... actually trust me not to do anything bad...?

She didn't understand how he could do that, she didn't get it, and she wouldn't have done the same if the situation were reversed- but still, he did... He gave her that card, and that offer for some place to go if ever she needed. And in doing so he handed her more than just the card- he gave her the card along with some small show of his trust in her too, and she wasn't sure how to feel about it even now.

... fucking hell...

Her hand and the card with it fell onto her chest, her eyes dropping closed and letting out a heavy, long sigh. She quit with her short-lived attempt at staving off sleep, her breathing mellowing out and her attention drifting off again as sleep crept up to swallow her whole.

... I really don't get you, Feathers... or why I actually... like you... damn Bird-Brain...

.:+:.

Slightly Earlier-

"T-Tokoyami...!"

Tokoyami and Dark Shadow in tandem jumped at the rather loud, (and almost squeak-like) call of his name out of near nowhere. And immediately the two of them were both wary, and a little panicked, because the voice was recognizable. And if Koda had any reason to be breaking his usual hushed to near nonvocal behavior at all- it was either really good, or really bad. And given what it was likely about (and had been the reason Koda had been tense all day), hearing his name shouted had Tokoyami immediately fearing the worst.

Tokoyami turned quickly, already about to get to his feet when Koda turned the corner into the quiet folds of the common room. Tokoyomi faltered halfway through pushing himself to his feet, because instead of seeing the larger boy panicked as he expected- Koda was smiling, and almost teary-eyed in relief.

Koda wasted no time in making his way straight up to Tokoyami, clutching tightly to his phone and nearly bursting at the seams. Tokoyomi pushed himself on to his feet, blinking as the shaky smile on Koda's face got a little brighter, and a little more breathless.

"... Is everything... Alright...?" Tokoyami asked slowly, and Koda nodded quickly.

"S-Spirit-Sensei's o-okay...! S-she replied finally... She's home, a-and she left the hospital last night... S-She's not hurt too badly...!" The larger boy told him happily, eyes gleaming and sounding very, very relieved. Tokoyami paused for half a second at the words, before letting out a small breath and relief worked its way into his expression too. Dark Shadow even hummed a bit, looking pleased at his shoulder.

Tokoyami smiled back toward his friend with a small nod, and Koda smiled a bit more in turn to it.

"That is wonderful news."

.:+:.

... BZZZTTT...

... Hmm...?

... BZZZTTT...

... What... What the hell is that noise...?

She groaned, rolling over slightly and pulling her pillow closer, burying her face in it (while something fell onto the bed beside her, though she really didn't care to think of what or look...) and trying to block out the infernal buzzing noise. And she only sort of registered a strange ache in her hands and shoulders as she rolled over, but it didn't make much a dent past the heaviness and drowsiness still clinging desperately to her- and she had no want to shake it off. All she wanted was to stay tightly wrapped up in what had been an entirely dreamless and deep sleep, one of the like that was rather rare.

... BZZZTTT...

She groaned again, pulling the pillow up over her head to block the noise out.

... Just leave it... It'll stop...

... BZZZTTT...

...ugh... eventually...

She sighed, her mind slipping back away into the throes of nothingness oh so gratefully as the buzzing ceased... And she was two seconds away from falling all the way into the depths of it, before getting snapped back to the edge of wakefulness again by another low rumble.

... BZZZTTT...

... Bloody hell... There better be a goddamn... Massive disaster going on... To keep... Bugging me...

... BZZZTTT...!

... Fucking hell...

Spirit forced herself back, rolling off her side and onto her back again, her hand fumbling with the pillow she'd tucked herself under and grimacing as she did it. This time when she rolled over there was a sharper burst of pain that radiated out from the top of her right shoulder and she cringed, gritting her teeth and sucking in a sharp breath of air. Her attention on the buzzing getting cut off for a few more seconds as she waited for the pain to dull back down.

... D... Damn it... Owwww...

She took in a breath when the throbbing dulled, adjusting the rest of the way and her hand fumbling along the bedtop beside her looking for the incessant buzzing object... And after four or five too many missed attempts at finding hold of it, her fingers curled around her phone and she pulled it up in front of her face, another vibration sounding, though muffled this time by her grip.

The light from the screen was painful for more than a few seconds, and it took longer than a few for her vision to clear enough to make out why it was buzzing so much.

... Hmm...?

Her eyes narrowed, pulling the multitude of notifications down to expand them and get rid of the unimportant ones (news stuff). The only thing of real importance (and what had earned the buzzing) were some text messages from?

... Oi...

Yes, you guessed it- Hawks.

(Though to be fair there was one from Death Arms checking in... but that one didn't really amount to much among the several awaiting to be addressed from the Winged Hero)

With a heavy sigh she pulled them up, her red eyes scanning the text bubbles in rapidity, and without really caring all that much about their content. She didn't care to really read them, but she ended up drawing up in her scanning nonetheless.

Wait a minute... These are all...?

Feathers

...(6:27 pm)...
...

Just checking in, you get home okay?
I hope so~! Be sure to get plenty of rest, Spirit~!
And don't hesitate to hit me up if you need anything, okay~?

...(7:34 am)...

Good morning Sunshine~! Did you sleep well?

...(9:02 am)...

You still asleep, Spirit?
If so, sorry to bug~!
Otherwise, are you okay?
Hope you're not feeling too sore or anything~!

...(11:13 am)...

Hello, hello~! How are you~?
Up to anything interesting~? Watch any good movies without me~?
Get any good takeout~?

Spirit paused for half a second, reading them through the first time, and then backtracking again to read them over again- and more importantly, the times they came through.

Wait, does that mean I've slept until... almost noon...?

And sure enough her eyes darted up toward the clock at the top of the screen to find '11:15' showing.

Well shit... I've slept till noon two days in a row...? And Hawks has been texting me... the whole time... even if it's been intermittently...?

Oi... bloody pestering bird... I am pretty sure I warned him about being overzealous on the texting thing, didn't I...?

Spirit let out an exaggerated sigh, rolling her eyes a little and pushing herself into sitting up (and rather stiffly at that). She arched her back in a stretch and rolled her neck a bit once she was up, a few pops and cracks making their way through her vertebrae and down her spine for it- before the Ebony Hero slouched a bit, adjusting to sit crosslegged on the bedtop and her attention falling back on the phone.

Ugh, whatever... At least he had the good sense to wait a few hours between each message.

Her thumb tapped lightly against the keys in a short and simple reply of; 'I'm not doing anything interesting, and I am fine. So you can stop pestering me, Bird-Boy.'

She sent it off and backed out to clear the text from Death Arms as read, before shuffling across to the nightstand by her bed with the intent to plug her phone in (seeing as how it was near dead after what little juice it had managed after the hour or two charge she had allowed it the night before). She paused halfway through the motion though, her attention finding the Access Card Hawks had given her halfway tucked underneath her pillow.

She picked it up slowly, swallowing once, before shaking her head to herself and putting it on the nightstand with her phone (after attaching the charger of course).

Spirit pushed herself up off the bed, stretching again as she got to her feet and letting out a heavy sigh as she did it. A short trek around the corner and into the kitchen ended with the realization she didn't have any food in her fridge. And given she hardly ever spent time here anyway, there was nothing in the way of dry food or anything to eat in the cabinets either... Not that she was surprised, she'd known that there was nothing edible before even looking- but that didn't stop her from huffing a bit.

Spirit turned on her heel, heading for her dresser instead.

"... And now I'm back to that question of what I'm going to do with myself again, hmm?" She mumbled to herself, pulling the drawers open and pulling some clothes out. She took out some jeans, underwear, and a loose long-sleeved black shirt (ya know, to hide the bandages and whatnot), tossing all of it on the bed and her left hand reaching up to undo the sling strapped about her person and right arm.

"I need food, so I guess going shopping is something to do... for a little at least..." Spirit kept on quietly to herself, her voice fading off a tad as she slowly eased her arm out of the sling and set that on the bed too. She pulled the sweats she was wearing off before replacing it with what she'd pulled out already (all while biting down on her cheek for the ache of pulling with her right arm brought). She sat down on the bed when she was done and started tugging at the knot made of the straps to the shirt Hawks had lent her, untying them and letting the shirt fall down her figure and into her lap before wriggling her way out of it.

"... Not grocery shopping though, no use in trying to cook anything... Mmm... A convenience store would work, yeah...?" She went on softly, dropping the shirt on the bed beside her and picking up the long-sleeve. "... Instant noodle cups will work, and whatever ready-made meals they might have... It'll be cheaper than ordering takeout too..." She sighed, pulling her right arm carefully, and slowly through the shirt sleeve (and without lifting it too much), before less delicately pulling it over her head, and then snaking her left arm through last. She stood back up and headed to the bathroom, holding her right arm steady against her ribs as she went, red eyes glinting. "... There's one... Like three blocks away from here, yeah...?" She asked allowed as she got into the bathroom, stopping at the counter and biting the inside of her cheek in uncertainty.

"... Maybe...?"

... I'm honestly not really sure... I never walk around the neighborhood for anything other than going to work...

Of course that was just another reminder that she didn't have any sort of a normal life though, so she had to toss it away and force a sigh.

... Well, guess I'll find out if there is one nearby when I start heading there, huh...?

With yet another sigh, she began combing through her hair and making it some sort of presentable while letting it stay down and falling about her shoulders (since, as Hawks had pointed out the day before, she wasn't gonna be able to put it up like she usually would- not with not being able to lift her right arm).

She paused after heading out of the bathroom to pull some slip on shoes on, and then grabbed her phone and put it in her back pocket. She turned again and intended to head for the front door, but stopped before even taking a step, her eyes trailing slowly toward the sling abandoned on the bed top and chewing the inside of her cheek pensively.

She could hear about four different people telling (or rather chastising) her about it just then, and all with varying degrees of annoyance, commanding, and exasperation- and their own looks portraying all of those. The faces of someone disappointed in a stubborn child, and quiet condemnation too... Ugh.

She stepped back a pace toward the bed, huffing to herself and gritting her teeth in her own wave of annoyance and exasperation both.

"... Tch... You all better be goddamn happy... Getting this damn thing back on is hard as hell..."

.:+:.

"... Welcome in..."

Spirit hardly cast the man at the register any more than a fleeting glance, and he didn't really look up from the magazine he was fingering through to look her way, even despite mumbling the half-hearted welcome. He must have just heard the door open and reflexively said something, but he didn't care enough to look up. Spirit gave it no thought, humming a small thanks in reply and immediately moving left down into the aisles and shelves full of food and whatnot. She tugged the hood of the jacket she'd put on a bit, making sure it was more or less covering some of her face, and sighing quietly under her breath as she headed toward the back of the store in silence.

The jacket had come after (struggling) to put the damned sling back on, and Spirit deciding she could use the jacket to cover up a bit and make it a little less obvious she was injured. She didn't put her right arm through the jacket sleeve of course, it hung loosely over her shoulder, but it did mostly hide the almost obnoxious pale blue and white of the sling so she couldn't complain. And bonus- it had a hood.

She didn't wanna give anyone too good a look at her face right now, since she was only a few blocks from home, hadn't bothered to put her blue color contacts in, and 'Kage' definitely with her arm in a sling if you played attention enough. And while she didn't assume anyone would pay her mind enough to piece together who she really was, she wasn't about to just risk it blindly without taking some sort of precautions (even if said precautions were rather light... Oi).

Whatever, just get some food, don't talk to anyone, and go home. It's not hard, Spirit.

She shook her head at herself and kept going, grabbing a small little handheld basket from the pile at the door and started in on meandering a bit, her eyes scanning shelves filled with dry foods and the like in quiet interest. She didn't pause too long on anything in particular, and not much really caught her eye either outside of simple curiosity, but still she kept a slow pace all the way through. She didn't really go shopping at all, and snacks wasn't normal for her to go searching out- so this was new, and she might as well take her time yeah?

So she took her time, winding slowly through the aisles and red eyes tracing package after package as she went. It was actually sort of content, and it was surely a way to pass the time, as she had an abundance of it the next few days. But the store wasn't huge (it was a convenience store after all), so even with her taking her time it didn't take long to make her way through all the aisles and toward the back of the store. And by then, she'd grabbed a few instant noddle cups that looked sort of decent, and had started becoming a little more focused on her nose rather than her eyes. The scent of 'fresher' things steered her toward the far wall from the entrance and the refrigerators set there, and from the smell of it, the place in the store that was filled with more what she was looking for.

She rounded a bend toward it, catching sight of the first chilled basin of food and intent to head straight for it- but a gleam of yellow and white in plastic packaging layered on a stand diverted her briefly. She stopped, eyes flashing as she gave the stand a quick once over, and in doing so her nose honed in on something other than fish, vegetables, and all else she'd been following.

Hmm?

There were two dozen or so scattered and stacked on the stand, spherical in shape and in tightly wrapped packaging. The sheer plastic on the tops of each made it easy to see what food they held, and her red eyes gleamed at the distinct crisscross thatching in golden-tan bread, with crystals of sugar on top like stardust.

Melonpan

Her mouth watered almost right away at the sight of it, the memory of the melonpan Anima had brought to her during their Internship rushing to the forefront of her mind. These ones were smaller surely, and with a factory-made precision to them all that differed from the homemade of the ones the large boy had presented her- but all the same it was definitely melonpan. And she paused for a heartbeat only, before promptly scooping up three from the shelf (all different brands it seemed), and placing them in her basket with the noodle cups she'd already picked up.

Spirit continued her original path toward the refrigerated sections and stood over them, her gaze trailing the packages of things already cooked and meant to be eaten cold, or just tossed in the microwave for a bit.

Mmm... Egg sandwiches... Oden... Steamed Buns... Onigiri (Killjoy's favorite thing...)... A bunch of different Bento bowls/Boxes... Sushi.

Spirit paused, picking up a small package of six mixed sushi rolls and giving it a tentative sniff.

... It smells a little off... Like not bad, but not great either... I guess I can't be super surprised, convenience store sushi can't be superb...

She blinked at the price tag and let out a small breath.

... Especially when its this cheap.

Ah well, as long as it doesn't smell too off it should be fine.

She set the package she was holding back down and picked up another, giving that one a sniff too... Still, not great- but passable.

Mmm... Besides, none of you carnivorous fish-loving idiots will care if the meat is a little less than fresh anyway, so I won't mind either... Perks of being in the same body, hmm...?

She shook her head at herself a bit, casting the thoughts (and rather internal, (one-sided) conversation) off. She picked up another two or three, and only one passed- so she stuck that in her basket and shifted down the line a bit to give some cans of soda, tea, and whatever a look. She was faintly aware of someone coning up to her right and giving the sushi and bento boxes a look as she had been previously, but she never looked their way, as there was no point. This was a store, there were other people of course, and again- she wasn't looking to chat or draw any attention to herself.

Spirit picked out a few things from the tea and coffee that looked sort of interesting, setting them in her basket and turning on her heel to head back toward the front and pay. But not a few steps in she ended up slowing to a hesitant half-halt, because she noticed from the corner of her eye the dude that had drawn up not far from her was holding on to a package of sushi. And without even thinking about it she gave the air a sniff as she stepped by, and sure enough- that one's not passable.

She stopped, biting the inside of her cheek and casting the guy's back an uncertain glance.

... Should I tell him...?

It's not good good, but it probably won't make him sick if he ate it... I could just leave it be- I mean, it's cheap sushi. What do you expect?

She went to take a step and continue on but faltered again despite herself, grumbling a bit under her breath.

Damn it

Spirit stepped back the few paces she'd managed and pulled up on his left wordlessly, tilting her head a bit to get more in his line of sight. "I wouldn't get that one." She murmured, gesturing briefly toward said package of sushi in his hands before picking up a different ('passable' smelling) one of the same mix, but better quality- according to her nose. "It smells a little too off, it might make you sick- this one would be better." She explained, her eyes moving from the package she'd picked up and back up to meet the guy's eyes for the first time. He turned his head her way stiffly, posture rigid and expression absolutely... irritated, sour, and sort of angry. Hell, he even seemed to give off a dark and almost prickling aura like a lightning storm the minute they matched eyes- Spirit's crimson red on his steel grey ones, sharp and flinty.

Spirit blinked once, her expression falling flat and utterly unfazed even under the sudden stare that would have likely had most anyone else scurrying off in fear and surprise.

What the hell... is with that face...?

He was tall (taller than her anyway, by about a head and a half), lanky, and seemingly younger than herself. He had a head of fiery red hair that was a few shades brighter than even the vermilion of Hawks' wings, and faded to a near pinky-white at the ends. His hair was short, ruffled, and spiked, with a few thin strands defying the upward posture the rest seemed to have and falling against his forehead. He was wearing a dull grey-brown jacket with three rust-orange stripes running across the top part of the sleeves, and the hood was the same color. Underneath it was a rather worn white t-shirt (seriously, there were holes in the bottom), and a pair of jeans matched with a pair of black sneakers.

There was a little glint of light that sparked off the pair of metal rings pierced through the top of his left ear. Though honestly the first thing she really took notice of was the little scar running over the top of his nose... Well, second thing she supposed- outside of that awful look on his face out of nowhere.

"Eh...?" The dude growled lowly, his teeth rather sharp and pointy, and again- he sounded way too annoyed, and Spirit blinked once more, her face falling even flatter in response.

... He looks like he ate a lemon and wants to murder someone for it... Oi.

I should have just left it alone

Spirit huffed a bit under her breath, red eyes flashing as she pushed her hand and the passable container of sushi closer to him. She kept her expression as neutral as she could manage, though there was a surge of agitation in her core now for the look he gave her, the tone of his voice, and her own inability to just walk away.

Stupid Spirit, stupid

"The one you picked up smells a little passed its expiration date. This one is better." She repeated shortly, pushing the container she was holding a little bit closer and his grey eyes darted down to it, still scowling for the most part. Though despite that he did move to take it from her finally, silent as can be- but he halted just before he got hold of it, and Spirit blinked.

What is he...?

She saw his eyes narrow and she followed where they had landed, not on the sushi now, but on her hand instead, and the little bits of her arm that had poked through past the end of her sleeve. Where across her flesh were those tracks glued together and raw, where the String User's Quirk had cut into her with such ease two days prior. Spirit hissed under her breath as his eyes darted quickly from the cuts and toward the center of her person, locking to the bits of the sling her arm was in- and that was more than enough.

Damn it I should have just kept walking-

She pushed the container the last of the way forward, it bumping his hand so he reflexively took hold of it and Spirit let go promptly. She stepped back and turned, moving directly passed him and avoiding his eyes altogether with a small huff under her breath. "... just trying to be helpful." She muttered a touch crossly as she went, but that was all.

She made a beeline for the front counter, all too aware of the dude's intense (and glowering) eyes on her back as she went, but she never dared look back. She just grit her teeth, paid for her food, and left.

-so much for not talking to anybody Spirit, or drawing attention... tch... why was that guy so fucking grumpy anyway?

UGH

She rounded the bend from the store and started down the street, her pace brusque but not too quick. She wanted to leave as fast as she could, but she couldn't look like she was running away from something, so she went quick enough to make it to the next bend before anybody (least of all the sour-faced Sushi-Dude) could leave and see which way she turned. And that way he couldn't have hint where she was going, or any chance to follow, should he have a mind to.

She didn't understand why he seemed so annoyed with her stepping in, nor did she think her trying to help out warranted having what was more or less a death-glare. Was he just in a bad mood? Just prickly about being talked to at all? Had she overstepped somehow?

She didn't know, but she didn't want to linger and find out if he had any intention to confront her, or anything else.

Spirit bit the inside of her cheek, red eyes flashing as she stepped down another street quietly- it was a turn that was a little out of her way, and not the path she'd taken to get there. Again, no following, no clue where she was going, divert their path. It was ingrained, instinctual really, and she did it without thinking- but then faltered soon after doing it.

... shit... are these my not so normal, shouldn't be so paranoid sort of thoughts again...?

The ones I have, because maybe... my life shouldn't be... like this...?

She swallowed hard, slowing her walk a bit and forcing the tautness in her muscles to unwind after they'd unconsciously grown rigid. She also forced herself a small breath, her eyes dropping to the ground and her hold on the plastic bag filled with food tightening despite herself.

... it might be... damn it...

.:+:.

Feathers

...(11:13 am)...

Hello, hello~! How are you~?
Up to anything interesting~? Watch any good movies without me~?
Get any good takeout~?

I'm not doing anything interesting, and I am fine.
So you can stop pestering me, Bird-Boy.

...(3:17 pm)...

Ah, I am happy to hear you are fine!
And I will quit pestering you so much, just wanted to check in~!
Take it easy for the rest of the day, kay Sunshine~?
Try not to get into any fights with Villains, intentional or otherwise~?

Spirit looked up from her food to read the message as it came through, the Ebony Hero sitting crosslegged on the couch in her apartment and- up until that moment- having been more or less staring absentmindedly at the far wall, quiet. The reply from Hawks diverted her attention toward her phone on the arm of the couch, and she huffed a bit upon reading the last two lines, and for the fact that he'd only replied several hours after she had- especially when she'd replied nearly right away earlier.

Took him long enough, the dumb Bird... is he trying to space out his texts still, to try and annoy me less?

Dumbass... and what does he mean don't get into any fights? I'm not an idiot, I can't even Shift into anything and walk around, or fly, with my shoulder like this.

She huffed a bit more to herself at the thought, and the idea he felt the need to tell her what to do... though even then she supposed it might have just been him referring to her getting in that fight that had agitated the wounds from Stain, and maybe he had a point.

Not that those drunk assholes hitting me was something I planned on, mind you.

Either way though, she wasn't stupid.

Hmph... Stubborn, but not stupid.

She shook her head, stalling in her eating long enough to tap a few keys on the phone screen and send off her reply (and in much better time than he had, by the way).

She started in on typing out 'shut it', but she drew short before even finishing the first word. She hummed a bit under her breath, shaking her head at herself and backing out 'shu', then starting again, and sending a different two letter reply instead.

.:+:.

Hawks blinked, golden eyes gleaming as the message popped into view on his screen not a minute after sending his own, and the corner of his mouth twitched upward ever so slightly.

Sunshine

Ah, I am happy to hear you are fine!
And I will quit pestering you so much, just wanted to check in~!
Take it easy for the rest of the day, kay Sunshine~?
Try not to get into any fights with Villains, intentional or otherwise~?

...
No promises

He had to stifle the laugh he nearly let out, before humming to himself as he leaned back a bit in his seat, feet dangling over the edge of the building he was perched upon, and the ground very, very far below.

"'No promises', huh~?" The Winged Hero hummed aloud, one hand lifting to rub the back of his neck and letting out a small breath.

She had a sense of humor surely, she'd shown him that once or twice, and told him outright too- but it was so rare a thing from her, and given her track record... well.

"... Man I really hope you're joking, Spirit..."

.:+:.

The Next Day-

So big surprise- she got bored.

After a day of sleeping half of it away, her brief stint to the convenience store, and then a small amount of time spent eating, and looking at the wall- she got bored. So she went on a walk, aimless with no direction, and ever aware of unseen eyes and those she passed on the street (and progressively growing more paranoid with them after Sushi-Dude earlier)- she went on a brief walk, headed home, and then ended up sleeping again.

So the next day she woke up, and did her best to do something that kept her kind of content. She cleaned (briefly), organized her closet (again, briefly- she had little to organize), and ate breakfast (which ended up being melonpan and tea). And all that only lasted her till about 9 in the morning, and afterward she couldn't manage to think of anything else to do with her unwanted downtime.

So, she only lasted one day.

And what was perhaps a bit of a bigger (actual) surprise- just how did she end up curbing her boredom?

Spirit grumbled a bit to herself, chewing on the insides of her cheeks incessantly and tugging a little nervously at the bottom of her shirt sleeve on her right arm. She was standing off to the side of the center of the sidewalk, nearly pressed against the window of a small, quaint little cafe at her back, and fidgeting despite herself. Overhead the sky was clear and turning a more brilliant blue as the sun climbed, shinning warmly into the streets of Heiku around her. The streets themselves were only sort of busy with people slowly leaving their jobs for their lunch breaks, but it was not quite at the peak of lunch hour just yet. Which was great, because there had yet to be a huge amount of people to see her standing there, and less actually heading into said cafe- to which she would eventually go in... You know, once the person she was meeting got there. Eventually.

Soon

... Hopefully soon.

She sighed internally, pulling her phone out to look at the time, for one. But also so she could focus on that and not on anybody else, and hopefully stop being hyper aware of the fact she was just standing there fidgeting, like an idiot.

... Damn it, this was a bad idea.

At least she was in civilian clothes, and therefore less recognizable- but even still this was Heiku, she was the Animal Spirit, and so there were people glancing her way and recognizing her nonetheless. Thankfully none of them stopped to hound her just yet, they simply said good morning or nodded her way, and kept on. But still, with every second standing there she was getting more and more convinced that this was not an ideal way to curb her boredom.

And what was she doing?

Going to lunch... With someone.

And who was she waiting for?

Spirit tapped her nail pensively against the edge of her phone, chewing harder on the inside of her cheeks.

Well, as aforementioned- she'd gotten bored. And also mentioned, she didn't have hobbies or any sort of life, and she really didn't do 'hanging out', or had many people she knew to hang out with. Unwittingly she'd earned one in Killjoy, and she had thought of contacting him earlier, but she still wasn't sure she wanted to venture down that road toward 'enjoying each others company' just yet, so she'd held off.

Her next choice would have been Death Arms, but from what she knew of his Patrol schedule, he was busy today. And while she was sure he'd take time off to meet up with her, she wasn't going to put him in that position. So she had to pass on him too.

Hawks could have been a contender she supposed, but being around him always brought up complicated things, or just generally managed to irk her in some way, and she didn't want that today. Once again, pass.

The next person up was who she was waiting on, after having had to work herself up to texting him in the first place... Her first text message to him, even after having his number for awhile now, but never intending to use it. Not even after he'd asked her to, and mentioned wanting to take her to dinner- which this wasn't dinner of course... Should it be dinner? Lunch is fine right?

Spirit only barely stopped from groaning at herself, her hand around her phone tightening.

Bloody hell Spirit stop it. This is fine. Lunch is fine. Lunch is normal...... But do I know what normal is really?

She grit her teeth at the thought, her eyes dropping closed and biting down hard on her cheeks.

God damn me

So anyway- who was she waiting on? And getting nervous on, and about the whole lunch thing?

Ingenium

Well... It's actually Tensei now though, huh?

Maybe her being a bit worked up wasn't unwarranted. Even after seeing him that night in Hosu after the UA kids defeated Stain, and the conversation they'd had, she couldn't really say she'd worked though any of her lingering... Issues, anxiety, whatever- about the whole thing. It helped a bit to be sure, all his assurances she'd done fine, that she didn't need to have what happened hanging over her head anymore, the works, but it hadn't gotten rid of all the unpleasantness. It was still biting at her heels, and she swallowed hard for it.

Working herself up to even contacting him at all had been hard enough, honestly. She'd almost abandoned it altogether and gone for her last choice of someone to be around today-

"-Ah, Spirit. Sorry to make you wait."

Spirit glanced up quickly at the sound of her name, her red eyes landing on the (former) Engine Hero as he rolled up the sidewalk toward her, the people parting slightly to give him room. She instinctively took a step up to meet him, tucking her phone away in the back pocket of her jeans and catching his eyes. He smiled apologetically as he slowed to a stop in front of her, oblivious or otherwise uncaring of the looks he eared from passerby- all his attention was on her, and with such practiced ease from being a Pro and having to ignore the masses at times.

"I apologize for running a little late. My fiancé called right as I was about to head here." Tensei explained softly, letting out a small breath. "She... Well, she got a little worked up after an appointment with one of her students earlier, it took her a bit to settle down again and stop ranting, hehe." He chuckled lightly and Spirit blinked, shaking her head a bit.

"... Ah, no it's fine, I don't mind waiting." Spirit replied quickly, and almost reflexively too. She paused, her head tilting ever so slightly, while Tensei just smiled back.

Did he say... Fiancé...?

"Well, then I appreciate you being so understanding." He hummed and she nodded just once, though rather sluggishly.

"... Of course..." She mumbled, reflexively again, and she didn't get a chance to ask just then, because Tensei was already moving on.

"Shall we head in?"

She agreed with nothing more than a nod and lead the way to the door, holding it open for him to come in after her. Following a small word with the greeter at the door, they ended up at a table near the back of the shop and by some windows lined with flower boxes, and looking out to a little courtyard of a building butting up against the cafe itself. Spirit took her seat slowly while Tensei settled in too, her eyes darting from him and sticking to the menu the waitress set in front of her, and sticking there even as Spirit shrugged her jacket off her shoulders and pulled the one arm out of the sleeve. Like the day before she had (though grudgingly still) elected to wear the sling for her shoulder, so similarly to yesterday she was wearing a long sleeve to cover up the wounds on her arms, and had used her jacket less as a jacket and more as a means to cover up too. Though now there was no point keeping it on while sitting at the table, so she took it off and set it on the chair back in silence while reading the first few lines on the menu.

For a few moments she was totally invested in her reading, rather than the man sitting across from her and who was watching her quietly, his expression softening a tad- and especially so for the subtle, yet nearly imperceptible hitch that worked its way unto Spirit's movements when she moved her shoulders back a bit too far. It was faint and barely there, but something hurt when moving the shoulder and arm that was in that sling (and that he'd noticed right off, despite the jacket and not saying anything at first).

"... Are you alright?" Tensei asked after a moment of letting her continue reading. Spirit jumped faintly for the question, her red eyes flicking up toward him and blinking once.

"Hmm...?"

"Your arm." Tensei elaborated quietly, "I saw in the news you'd gotten taken to the hospital a few days ago, but there was no information about it. I hoped it wasn't too bad... But I suppose it had to be bad enough to make you take a few days off, hmm?" He asked lightly and Spirit paused, her eyes flashing.

"... Ah, I'm fine." She replied slowly, "I mean... I do have to take a few days off, you're right- but it isn't that bad. It was a few cuts and things, and the worst was that I dislocated my shoulder... I'm just sore, but I'll be okay in a bit." She mumbled, and he blinked in surprise at that; 'in a bit'.

It actually takes more than a few days for a dislocated shoulder to heal, as Tensei knew quite well. Spirit could probably quit with the sling in a few days, but the shoulder itself would take weeks... Though from the way she said all that just now, it almost seemed she planned to ignore that.

It wasn't all that unlike how she'd deflected any mention or thought of her injuries back when he'd seen her at the hospital. She'd gone back to work really quickly after what had gone on with Stain, and it seemed she probably had a mind to do so again now, with how quick she was to say she was fine and it 'wasn't that bad'.

Tensei sighed internally, debating for a moment if he should mention her taking more time off or not- but he figured it might not go over well, and he had a feeling she wasn't likely to listen even if he did. So no use throwing a wrench in the conversation before it had even properly begun... Though he did wilt a little despite himself, he shook it off as quick as he could.

"... I see." He murmured, offering up a small smile. "I'm glad it was nothing too serious... Though I am glad you had to take a few days off, since it meant you decided to call me." He added lightly, eyes gleaming slightly. "I suppose you must be bored, hmm? I can't imagine you'd have asked to go out so suddenly otherwise." He chuckled, and Spirit looked a bit more nervous for the comment, her eyes darting away from him again and chewing on the inside of her cheek.

"... Sorry..." She mumbled quickly and he smiled more,

"Don't be, I don't mind."

There was a little bit of quiet again, reserved for the two of them to decide what they would order and doing so- the waitress coming back to take the orders and leaving drinks behind when she left. And the quiet kept up for a few moments, almost awkwardly, and Spirit found herself fidgeting ever so slightly again- ugh.

This was a bad idea, damn it... I have nothing to talk about... well I guess maybe I could ask now...?

"... So... You're engaged...?" Spirit started at slowly, and Tensei blinked.

"Hmm? Oh yes, I am indeed." He replied lightly,

"... I didn't realize... Congratulations." Spirit murmured, and he smiled a bit more.

"Ah, thank you." He told her, "We've actually been engaged for awhile, but with how busy Hero work kept me, we hadn't managed to get around to a wedding just yet... I have more time now, so hopefully we'll figure it out soon." He mused, chuckling a bit to himself as he linked his hands together on the table top. "Though Cece's been rather busy with all the chaos going on at UA herself, so it might be awhile yet before we have it all sorted still, heh." He added with a half sigh, half laugh, and Spirit tilted her head curiously.

"Does she work at UA?" She asked,

"Yeah, she's a councilor." Tensei replied, and Spirit blinked at that, faint bits of intrigue working it's way into her expression.

"A councilor...?" She echoed softly, "... is she... a Pro...?" She asked and Tensei seemed a little confused with it, and Spirit bit the inside of her cheek. "Ah, well all the hype about UA is that their staff is made up of Pro Heroes, right...?"

"Oh, alright I can see why you're asking- but no, she's not a Pro." Tensei hummed, "Thankfully not, I can't imagine we'd ever have time to see each other if she was both a Pro and a Councilor at the same time... and I'm not sure her sanity could take working two jobs either." He mused, before letting out a slightly exasperated sigh. "... I'm not sure my sanity could handle that either, actually..." He mumbled, and Spirit paused a moment at it.

"... Why...?" She asked, and long before she ever thought about it, or could tell herself not to pry. Tensei just looked amused at the question though, and not at all like he felt she was asking things she had no right to (as she was afraid of).

"The horror stories, and rantings I hear from Cece about the kids that come to see her are more than enough for me. I can't imagine what I'd end up sitting through, and listening to, if she was a Pro on top of being a Councilor." Tensei explained lightly, "And she's wound up enough just with her duties at UA, I'd hate to imagine what would happen if she had two jobs to juggle- least of one that can get as crazy as being a Pro Hero can be."

Horror stories...?

She wasn't sure she got that bit, but the rest of it was easy enough to understand. After all, her life was crazy as hell most of the time, and most of that was because she was a Pro.

Spirit blinked, her expression softening a tad as she nodded. "Ah... I guess I can understand that..." She murmured quietly, and he smiled.

"I bet you can." He quipped back a bit, and Spirit let out a bit of an exasperated sigh for herself.

Of course its that easy to tell my life is crazy, oi... And you don't even know the half of it...

Even outside my job as a Pro, my life is bloody insane

Tensei didn't mention anything further on the insanity of her life though, which was appreciated- but the little bit of joking about it did help to make Spirit relax. And from there the conversation they had was considerably less awkward, and actually became quite enjoyable after awhile. She didn't talk to people for the hell of it generally (as had become abundantly clear with Killjoy). She wasn't a social person, so having lunch and talking with someone like Tensei- who she had only ever interacted with in a professional (and very brief) manner before now- was foreign... But this isn't awful, actually.

Once they got passed the initial part, it was actually kind of nice, and just about as nice as her conversation with Killjoy, and her regular meetups with Death Arms were. They didn't discuss anything super important or anything, it was mostly just small talk- what she planned to do the next few days, what they'd been up to (Spirit mentioned Hawks but didn't get too far into anything, and Tensei didn't pry), some reminiscing about passed missions and stuff while working as Pros- light stuff. They also touched base a bit on how his younger brother was doing, and the kids who had been with him, and apparently they were all doing fine.

Overall it was content, simple, easy-going and Spirit even started to lose track of time while they kept up, still chatting even as they ate, and after they had finished their food. She'd even managed to forget all about her earlier restlessness, lack of anything to do, and her own nervousness to start... oh, and also her doubt and regret about having initiated the lunch idea at all.

(Lunch is good)

It had been a good couple of hours of simple conversation by the time they decided to call an end to it, and left the cafe together. And they even went on a short little walk afterward, moving a few streets over before coming to a halt again and waiting for the car that would arrive to take Tensei back to wherever he was headed off to next.

"This was great, Spirit." Tensei hummed as the car rolled to a stop in front of them, "I'm glad you called me, it was nice to get a chance to just talk to you, and get to know you a little better." He murmured softly and Spirit blinked,

Get to know me better...? But... we didn't talk about anything super personal...?

He must have noticed the look on her face as being a little unsure, because Tensei smiled softly and shook his head a bit. "I just mean it's been nice getting to know you in a less professional capacity is all. We never talked much when we saw each other in the field, and certainly never about anything outside of work. So this was nice." He elaborated and Spirit nodded a bit,

"Ah, I see... yeah, this was nice." She murmured, crimson eyes glimmering slightly as she offered him a small smile. "And thank you for lunch, I appreciate it." She hummed, and he smiled back, nodding once.

"Of course, my pleasure."

Spirit waved once before the car door closed and then the tires began to roll, and it headed off, leaving her standing there on the sidewalk for a moment and quiet. She'd thought she'd be all twisty and wound up still, what with those emotions and turmoil still lurking after the whole Stain ordeal. And to be fair, a lot of that was still there tucked away in some corner of her soul for the moment, and far from being touched right now- but it was still there. It would probably always be there, stuffed down and with her doing her best to leave it untouched... Though of course nothing ever stays untouched or buried, no matter how hard I try.

Spirit let out a heavy sigh at the thought, shaking her head at herself and tugging the hood of her jacket up over her face as she stepped back and started walking.

... Ignoring that for now though... This was nice... A lot nicer than I could have anticipated.

She smiled a bit to herself, letting out a breath that sounded more like a humm and setting her left (and only free) hand in her jacket pocket. A quick glance upward had the sky slowly getting a little more washed out- it wasn't near to sundown, but it was getting there. She'd managed to kill a number of hours with Tensei, which was great because she was utterly without anything to do with herself beforehand... Well, now she was without something to do with herself again, she supposed.

But at least now the heavy and uncomfortable sensation of being overly restless from this morning was gone, and unlikely to come back again so quickly. If she was lucky, she might actually manage the rest of the day until going to sleep before that came back... Hopefully.

Anyway, for now though?

Might as well take my time walking home... since I have absolutely nowhere to be~!

She faltered ever so slightly in her next step, grimacing as she grit her teeth a bit for the little flourish in her own head.

Damn it I'm starting to emulate Hawks, ugh

Spirit shook her head at herself and tossed the idea away before moving on to another stint of wandering aimlessly, working her way through the familiar streets of Heiku and ever so slowly (and perhaps on a very roundabout and out of the way path) toward Shinjuku Kabukicho, and home. She avoided a lot of the bigger roads and spaces where she knew other Pro Heroes would be out and about on Patrol, and she gave the area in which Hawks' Agency was in a rather wide berth. Even in more casual clothes and with her hood up, anyone paying attention enough might recognize her, and Hawks totally would spot her even among a crowd if he got the chance, so she wasn't gonna chance it. She was content to be left alone for now.

The more she wandered the more unawares of anything around her she became, and the more lost in her own head she started to get. And unlike the days and week before where she'd been wound up and swimming in terrible nagging thoughts, questions, and all such other heavy things- this time her mind was rather blank, and calm... Almost like that empty space full of nothing but gentle, warm white light that had invaded her mind the first time she had been to Hawks' apartment. And a same empty nothing that had never appeared before then, or since. This was close, but definitely not a dream.

Too much walking to be the dream again

Spirit let out a breath for the thought, her eyes dropping closed even while she kept her slow pace up the sidewalk. She'd reached the edges of the Red Light District a few minutes ago, the sun was starting to sink finally after all her walking about, and with the time and new location both- there were less people out and about. Which worked well for not really looking where she was going, and more just letting her ears and nose guide her forward... at least for the next couple doze blocks, once she was closer to home she'd have to pay more attention.

It's probably still too early to eat dinner when I get back, I'm still pretty fine from lunch... I suppose that's because I'm not used to eating three meals a day, or even two, hmm...?

I'm not used to sleeping as much as I have the last few days either, I'm not even remotely tired, I dunno if I'm gonna be able to fall asleep even if I try...

She bit the inside of her cheek at the thought, her posture wilting ever so slightly.

... I probably shouldn't try, at this rate my sleep schedule is gonna be entirely off, and it'll be awful to go back to normal again...

She drew up at a crosswalk, the light shinning red and mixing with the harsh yellow rays of the sun as it fell and painted the tightly-knit streets around her. A few other people drew up around her, quiet and eyes down while keeping a good distance away from everyone- the usual behavior around here, and Spirit didn't mind the distance at all (she rather preferred it actually).

BZZZZT

Spirit blinked, pulling her phone out of her pocket as it buzzed and tilting her head as she read the text that had just come through;

New Message from Feathers: Did you have fun out today with Ingenium~? There's a lot of chat online about seeing you two eating lunch together~!

Spirit huffed a bit, her eyes flashing as she shook her head in exasperation.

Of course there is... and of course he's pestering me about it.

The red glare cut out and became greenish-white, and Spirit started forward across the crosswalk slowly. She wasn't looking where she went, she'd started busying herself with typing out a quick reply to Hawks that basically said 'mind your own business' without being completely bitchy about it... well, not super bitchy anyway.

More firm, more like 'stop being so nosy, dumbass'

... maybe it wasn't actually that firm.

Ugh

She stepped up off the street and back onto the sidewalk, leaving the crosswalk behind and replacing her phone back in her jacket pocket. She turned to go left, sidestepping a bit and giving a bit of of a wider berth around a small shop that had a three people milling about in front picking things up and sweeping, etc.

So if I don't end up going to sleep, what am I gonna do in the meantime?

What do people do in their downtime anyway? Outside of be around other people?

Movies...? That's what Hawks turned to apparently... mmmm... I guess I could look for videos online maybe...?

I never really saw the appeal of it, to be honest. But watching that movie with Feathers wasn't awful, so maybe I might enjoy it?

But what would I watch...?

Spirit tilted her head one way, then the other, musing as she shot the sky a glance, the dying sunlight reflecting in her crimson eyes and turning them amber.

I guess I could look it up..? I bet there's lists and stuff floating around on the web that might be helpful, yeah...?

"Oi."

Spirit went rigid in an instant, her eyes narrowing to slits and on high alert at the low, gruff voice sounding suddenly behind her- and the rather curt one word. She stiffened, her walking slowing up and instantly more controlled as she took two brusque steps forward, then pivoted on her heel in quick succession and brought herself around. She took one step backward once she had, then planted her feet firmly, defensive and wary in an instant as she came to face the owner of the voice. They were taller, clearly having been directly behind her when they spoke up (though they had stopped now), and immediately her attention landed on the hand they had stretched toward her and stalled in air between them. She'd probably managed to step forward fast enough they couldn't grab her, but it made her core knot at the idea they'd been trying to touch her at all.

And worse, she'd been so caught up in her own head she'd been completely unawares of anyone getting this close at all- damn it.

What did they want? What possible reason would there be to try and reach out to grab her? Was it a Villain? Someone just trying to get her attention? Was this planned, unplanned?

More than anything though- who the hell is this guy...?!

She took him in in rapidity, red eyes darting along his thin and lanky frame, the hand he had held out, the short, spiky, and fiery red hair held back by a thin black headband. The grey eyes, t-shirt, jeans, apron(?), a broom(?) in his other hand and the utterly overbearing and even nasty demeanor, and sour look on his- wait.

Spirit faltered ever so faintly in her reactive suspicion and annoyance, her eyes widening a tad and her heart skipping a beat in surprise.

W-wait a minute...?!

There was a little glint of light that sparked off the pair of metal rings pierced through the top of his left ear, and apart from the sour look on his face- she honed in on that little scar running over the top of his nose... but what..?!

T-this is that guy from the store yesterday...?! The one who looked like he wanted to murder me for telling him about the sushi...?!

His face never stopped being that awful annoyed one, not even when she faltered for a second. No, he just stood still where he was, almost stiff in his spot too with how quickly she seemed to whip about and react as she had. He didn't even move to take his hand back at first, he just settled a look on her quietly, hesitant even- almost as if he was trying to gauge if he should move at all.

So neither one of them moved, not an inch. For a few heartbeats it was just tense, and silent while he kept his eyes level with Spirit's... before slowly he did pull his hand back, wrapping it around the broom he had like the other was, and he even backed up a minuscule half-step too.

"... Thank you." He grumbled lowly, still ever glowering and Spirit blinked, her own face falling flat.

"Heh..?" She mumbled, and he seemed to frown a bit at it.

"For warning me about the sushi." He elaborated shortly, huffing a bit and backing up another pace. He averted his eyes then, shark-like teeth gritting as he kept himself from looking at her directly any further... is...?

Is that... nervousness...?

HEH..?

"... that's it. Just trying to be polite." He grumbled, turning stiffly on his heel and heading back up the street toward the shop she'd passed, and the other two still outside cleaning. Doing so left Spirit standing there rather dumbstruck, her mind shuttering to a halt and completely fucking lost..!

W-What was that..?! 'Just trying to be polite'...?!

Spirit's jaw dropped slightly despite herself, the last of her ingrained tension and will to be wary melting as confusion and bewilderment flooded in. She blinked several times over, utterly motionless as he walked away and her mind struggled to make sense of... are you kidding me...?!

D... Did he seriously just see me walking by, recognize me, and decide now was his chance to say 'thank you'...?!

That... that's insane, why not just leave it be..?! Why even go through the effort...?!

She grit her teeth, hissing slightly and backing up another pace. She turned quickly, shooting a last glance backward toward Sushi-Dude and grimacing. He didn't look her way even as she spared him a look, he just went back to sweeping and Spirit grumbled, starting in on walking again and rather stiffly at that, continuing the way she had been going before the... the totally insane interruption!

She bit down hard on the inside of her cheeks, shaking her head furiously and picking up her pace a bit to more quickly put some distance between herself and Sushi-Dude... who yeah, might have totally intended to just say 'thank you'. She didn't get the feeling of anything else from him from the brief exchange- no malicious intent, no suspicion he was up to anything else. It was just a simple (albeit entirely crazy) conversation. Chance even, that they passed each other again... but just chance she felt.

It wasn't totally crazy to think she would run into him again in more or less the same part of town, and even despite the awfully sour look on his face- she didn't get a bad vibe from him. Generally she was good at reading people, so instinct told her it was nothing and she was fairly inclined to believe it (for once). It was just chance, just a random encounter... But even still, that was insane...!

Spirit huffed under her breath hotly, rounding the corner and frowning to herself, cheeks puffed up slightly in irritation and red eyes glinting like mad.

Bloody fucking Sushi-Dude and his stupid 'thank you's'... Hmmph

.:+:.

The Next Day-

The internet is a bottomless hole.

Not a sensational nor divine revelation to be sure, but Spirit had never really delved much into the web and all it's affairs. So once she gave it a shot she inevitably did end up diving down into some pretty deep (and perhaps dark) holes. She hadn't intended to of course, her first tentative dipping of her feet into the shallows had been simple and innocent enough- a list of 'worthwhile' movies last night had lead into some more wading to find suitable places to watch such movies.

She didn't really see much a point in signing up for a streaming service to watch movies for three days or whatever, so while it was probably sacrilege for a Pro Hero to pirate videos- she tried her hand at it... and quickly lost interest.

(Way too much effort)

So she turned from movies to just whatever was free and available, and easily accessible too. This had ended in a traversal of truly random things, a bit of dabbling just to see what there was, what might keep her attention, that sort of thing. And as expected, nothing really ever caught her eye per-say, but she didn't generally cut a viewing short or just skip passed something in the first ten seconds or so regardless. She didn't have to be totally invested really, it was just something to pass the time yeah? And maybe some things were sort of amusing, or interesting... she'd actually done a few videos that were more factoids about different Pro Heroes that were popular, and guess where that lead?

Notably at first, a lot about All Might. But she had little interest in him, and so she ended up at the No. 2 instead- and gave it a good shot. Endeavor was Hawks' favorite, yeah? She knew just about nothing about the Flame Hero since she had never cared to know anything, but it was there and she figured why not. It was actually kind of informative, she learned a few things she hadn't before (some notable battles), but for more personal stuff on Endeavor she couldn't really trust much public perception, she felt.

Anyway, moving on from the No. 2 had lead her (you guessed it)- to the No. 3... and honestly, she more or less watched half of one video and moved on. Best Jeanist is good at his job and all... but eh, a lot of what the video was talking about was fashion so- next!

Sprinkled in her browsing was Edge Shot, Ryukyu, Ingenium, Gang Orca, Yoroi, and just about every other super popular Pro Hero one could think of on the top of one's head. This included videos about Hawks of course, and not surprisingly Spirit herself- though she steered clear of the latter two and honed in one some specific ones at first.

Her top 3 favorite heroes took up a lot more of her time than she anticipated, and perhaps it was a bit 'fangirlish' of her... but hey, who the hell doesn't look up their favorite Pros? Even other Pros?

(... At least she hoped it wasn't too weird...)

Anyway, she actually rather enjoyed that bit a lot more than any of the previous, unsurprisingly. And she probably spent well over 3-4 hours just circulating between those three, before she eventually figured she ought to give it a break (and not seem obsessive or anything).

From there she actually went out of her way to look up Killjoy just to see if there was much on him... and not a lot no, but enough to say he was actually a semi-popular Pro. But info on him was basic, and not anything she hadn't already pieced together- so she listened, hummed, and then moved on.

Anyway, back to where this had ended up leading?

Hawks of course. With lots and lots to be seen and browsed upon the subject of the Winged Hero... And of course, mention of him, had mention of herself popping up in conjunction about 85% of the time.

('Hawks and Animal Spirit' must be a pretty popular tag and search query)

And despite herself, she actually spent some time cycling through fact-videos and overviews of the Feathery Twat. And mostly because she really knew nothing about him (which still bugged her, honestly)- so maybe she'd learn something she didn't know, or hadn't bothered to know before now of the ever popular Hawks? She had little hope she'd find much though, and her assumptions were proven correct when she only managed to learn about a few notable Villain attacks and crises Hawks had been in. She also learned a bit more on how much he did internationally too, but nothing super enlightening. Like near all Pro Heroes, Hawks' public persona was bright and illustrious- but incredibly vague, shallow, and illusive all the same.

That was fair enough she supposed, no decent Pro Hero would ever let personal info become public, or let any deeper details or personal traits be seen by the masses. She herself didn't do that at all, and she was much more closed off to the media than most Pros ever were- so she couldn't get annoyed at not learning anything substantial... Though perhaps she knew more about Hawks than most anyone...? Like more than was normal...?

He did tell her about his Quirk, and his favorite Hero, and all manner of other sincere and (in her mind at least) totally way too trusting things...

Spirit sighed and backed out of the Hawks videos, shaking her head at herself and tossing the thoughts away.

I don't wanna brood about all of that right now

The next dive she took was probably the ill-advised one, but she sort of found she couldn't help her curiosity. So she pulled up a video titled '10 Things You Didn't Know About the Ebony Hero' and tuned in... You know, just to see what people 'didn't/did' know.

No huge shock that she herself knew all 10 things, but even then she couldn't imagine most people wouldn't. They were all very basic things, despite what the title implied. She supposed this was fair, since she never let much about herself get shared with the public, so they really had little to work with to start. Most videos of this nature, or of the like that just did an overview of her were quite the same, and just shuffled around the 30 or so well-known things known to the public- so she lost interest in those and ended up in some rather strange ones dubbed with 'theory' in the title.

A lot of these were rather far-fetched or just altogether nonsensical, really. One in particular that postulated why all her animal forms were black in coloration was because 'black is a lot more fan-forward than boring normal colors', was a little amusing though. Totally wrong, but amusing.

There were actually quite a few theory videos involving her Quirk, and numbered right up there with All Might's. Since, like her, the No. 1 had never publicly discussed anything about his Quirk either. Spirit wasn't surprised people wondered of course, but she didn't click on any of them to hear the ideas, because she had no want to know how far or how close people could get to the truth of it.

Eventually she got tired of mulling through videos, but by then it had consumed the whole of her night and lead into the next morning. She hadn't really been aware of just how long she'd been moving through hours of videos until her phone flashed her a low battery warning, and she looked at the clock and saw 7:03 am.

It seemed absurd having spent that much time on it, but it had helped to pass the time. And that had been the point, yeah?

Spirit plugged her phone in, got off the bed with a stretch, and decided for now to do something else. A quick shower, the last of the melonpan eaten, maneuvering her arm once more into the sling, a stuffing of her hero costume in her bag and pulling it onto her back, and then a change of clothes later- she returned to her phone to find it at about 80%, and unplugged it. She stuffed that in her jacket pocket and went to grab her keys and wallet to head out... But ended up pausing where the Access Card Hawks had given her on the nightstand, and she sighed.

She put it in her wallet and put that in her jacket pocket too, keys now in hand and headed for the door.

8:58 am

This morning she headed up the stairs from her basement-bound apartment and knew precisely where she was going. There would be no aimless wandering for now, she had to head to the train station and make her way to the Hero Support Office and get her Uniform repaired... You know, after the String-Woman had shredded her arms and costume with it. It was just the sleeves that were ruined of course, and she could go without them if she really needed to, but she had nothing else to do, so going to get them replaced wasn't any sort of nuisance. Better do it and get it over with, and in much faster time than when she'd had to get the whole thing replaced after fighting Stain.

(The Support Agency had apparently gone ahead and made a backup suit for her after last time, so they had sleeves on hand to replace the ones she lost... Of course that meant they'd have to make them again for have a full suit on hand, but they had time enough to do it after today)

Making her way toward the train station in Shinjuku would have been quick enough, but it was early still and she saw no point in getting on just yet. So instead she did as she had the day before, and made her way over toward Heiku before boarding, and ending up in that same Train Station she had gone to meet up with Anima every day of their Internship. She passed the light pole she had perched upon that first day and slowed up as she reached the crowds waiting, wading through the lines as they all moved aboard in silence and settled for the departure. She didn't sit down, she just shuffled herself to the edges and hooked her hand lightly around a pole to keep herself steady when it started moving again, and kept her eyes either down or stuck out the windows and not focused on anyone else. She wasn't looking for conversation, or even just the simple hellos, smiles, and good mornings that would have been typical if she was out on her Patrol this early. She just minded her own business, and most everyone else did too... Though of course there were a few here and there that recognized her (even out of costume) and started mumbling, or shooting her curious (excited!) looks. Spirit just pretended not to notice though, and did so easily with all her practice of doing just that. Ignoring the fuss and clamor made it sort of second nature now, and she didn't even think about it.

BZZT

Spirit pulled her phone from her pocket and blinked once as she read the incoming message, red eyes flashing.

New Message From Feathers: Good morning Sunshine~! I'm heading out of the country this weekend, my offer still stands for you to come~!

... I already told him no... Dumb Bird.

She swiped the notification off the screen to clear it and put her phone back where she had it, a small silent sigh escaping her.

Though I guess this means I won't be seeing him for a week or two once he goes? That'll be different, no popping in on Patrol, no worrying about running into him around Heiku... Huh.

She glanced quietly out the train window, distant sky-scrapers moving passed sluggishly while the foreground whipped passed at breakneck speed.

That'll be... Kinda weird.

After so long of constant Hawks always hanging about, a week or two of nothing is gonna feel off, isn't it...?

She shook her head slightly, her attention diverting away from the city line and toward the doors as the train came to a slow stop, and people began to shift and get ready to depart.

10:01 am

Spirit filtered out with everyone else getting off at this stop, the Ebony Hero slow in her walking and doing her best not to bump anyone or be bumped. Despite efforts someone did bump into her though, and even though it was only barely it was enough- and it was against her right elbow, which made her shoulder light up with dull pain right away. She grit her teeth and stayed quiet, it wasn't bad, but it was uncomfortable, and she huffed a bit.

I am over it already. I fucking hate dislocating my shoulder, it sucks ass.

The person to bump her mumbled a rushed apology but never really looked her way, he was clearly in a hurry. She stepped to the side in order to right herself and let it be, shaking her head a bit and continuing her walk with little but a tiny hitch in her step for the whole thing.

It took a bit longer of walking to reach where she was headed, a huge building with lots of ads and billboards set atop the front and flashing Pros, costumes, gadgets, and whatever. She slipped passed the first floor and general public area, stopping only briefly at the security gate before heading deeper in.

The mortified look she got from the techs upon pulling out what scraps of blood-ridden rags her sleeves had been turned into was both a little exasperating, and (perhaps bad of her) a little amusing. Though of course several of them started fussing over her all worried like and whatever- which the concern was appreciated, but entirely unnecessary. There also came some pushing for a bit of a redesign on her uniform, as was per the usual every time she came. Mostly they wanted go do some reinforcement stuff, but she couldn't imagine they'd manage much while still keeping it easy to use her Quirk.

She did humor the techs on their ideas and suggestions, though, and for a bit longer than she usually would have, ever with a polite smile on her face. She had no issues with them pitching ideas, and she really had no issue with practical upgrades if they were feasible- but cosmetic ones she really couldn't care about.

"- have you given anymore thought into a communication device, Animal Spirit?" One of the techs inquired after awhile, and Spirit blinked. "I realize you use your phone generally, but wouldn't it be easier to have something you could communicate on without having to switch back to human form all the time? It'd be more efficient at least." The tech murmured and Spirit nodded slightly,

"Ah, I'm not opposed to coming up with something... It would be easier, and useful if I could communicate with people without reverting back to my regular form, you're right." Spirit replied, "But I change forms a lot, and having something I could keep on me between them isn't easy really- it'd have to be able to work for me no matter what animal I am. Shape, size, or otherwise." She explained, sweatdropping slightly as she rubbed the back of her neck a bit. "I can't just stick something in my ear, it'd be too big or small between different animals... and some don't really have 'ears' that you can stick things in, ya know...?" She murmured, "... It's a nice idea, but with my Quirk it's almost too complicated..." The tech nodded slightly, looking thoughtful, and a bit put-off too.

"... I see..."

She thanked the Support Agents and left the way she came, her replacement sleeves stuffed in her bag now, all new and shiny and totally not sliced to ribbons like the pair that had previously been in there. The sun shone brilliantly overhead as she stepped through the front doors, waving a last goodbye to the clerks at the front desk and the security guards standing outside.

11:41 am

She took a right to head back up the street the way she had come, descending the small flight of steps up toward the door and left hand gliding over the railing as she went.

"Spirit."

She stopped as she got down to the last step, her head turning in surprise to the sound of her name and blinking. Her eyes landed on someone a few paces up from the stairs, hands in his pockets and smiling placidly as their gazes matched, red on green.

"... Killjoy." Spirit mumbled softly, and he nodded once, humming a bit under his breath, stepping forward to clear the distance between them and halting just beside her, and that last step she'd not made it down just yet.

"Good morning." He hummed, smiling a bit more. "Or shall I say afternoon instead?" He mused and Spirit let out a quiet breath at it, and he chuckled lightly. "Ah, well no matter- I'm surprised to have run into you." He told her lightly and she nodded a bit.

"Likewise." She mumbled, her head tilting a bit back toward the building she had just left. "Are you here to pick up some Support items?" She asked and he nodded slightly, though he more just bobbed his head a bit in a sort of relenting manner, but not so much a 'yes'.

"Sort of. The lab techs want me to test out a new dispersal system for gasses and other substances. With my Quirk they figured they could try and incorporate a new delivery system for me, and make a guinea pig out of me all at the same time. I'm here for the prototype, and I'll have to test it in the field and report back on how it works." Killjoy explained with ease and Spirit nodded again,

"I see."

"Hmm, and what about you?" He asked next, easily shifting subject as his eyes moved from being level with hers for a moment and he gave the sling her arm was in a look. "I see you're hurt from your fight the other night, so I have to assume your uniform was in need of repairs?" He asked and Spirit let out a sigh,

"Yeah." She murmured with a small shake of her head. "It wasn't anything major though, I just needed the sleeves replaced."

"Ah." He hummed, meeting her eyes again and head tilting ever so slightly. "I realize I asked this before already, but are you alright?" He murmured and Spirit bit the inside of her cheek slightly for that damned question again.

Ugh

"I'm fine." She replied levelly, "It's nothing to worry about, I just need a few days with this on, that's all." Killjoy paused half a second at the reply, before nodding a bit and offering up one of those all too pleasant smiles he was so, so good at.

"Understood." He murmured, "I'm glad it's nothing serious, and I will not mention it further if you do not wish." He told her easily and she let out a breath, but said nothing to it. He smiled a little more at the breath that was really more of a huff, pale green eyes glinting as he looked away from her toward the door, and he nodded once to himself. "Hmm... are you headed somewhere in particular?" He asked next and Spirit's eyes narrowed a tad,

"... no?" She murmured slowly,

"Well then, if you are free now would you care to come with me for a bit?" He suggested, "We could go for a walk, or grab some coffee or tea if that would please you. I wouldn't even say no to a meal, if you were up for it." Spirit blinked, stiffening slightly and a little taken aback.

"... aren't you supposed to be getting a Prototype?" She asked reflexively, and he just kept up that cool smile.

"I am on no time table for it. I can return later." He replied easily and Spirit bit the inside of her cheek, quiet for a moment. Her eyes moved away from him almost nervously then, Killjoy smiling still as she seemed to fidget ever so slightly, clearly debating with herself... and wavering.

... mmm... I mean I guess I'm not... busy... and last time I was out with him... well, it wasn't awful... so...

"... ah... sure." Spirit murmured softly and at length, her eyes still away from him so she didn't see the way his eyes glittered with the quiet, and near flustered agreement from the Ebony Hero. But she couldn't help herself, you know...?

She wasn't super sure agreeing was right, or really something she really wanted to do, but... this is what normal people do yeah...?

Spend time with other people, just casually...? And I am trying to be... a bit normal... and have a life, I guess... as much as is possible anyway...

"... I'm free, and if you have time, I wouldn't mind a walk, or a coffee..." Spirit kept on slowly, her eyes moving back toward Killjoy at last and her words dying off when she saw the way he was smiling at her, and almost looking a touch amused now...?

... huh...?

"Lovely." Killjoy murmured lightly, stepping back a pace and erasing the fleeting bit of amusement from his face too. Now he was just as he ever was, placid and calm. He offered a hand for her to take the last step down, tilting his head toward the street away from them and pale green eyes glittering in the afternoon light.

"Shall we?"

.:+:.

"... hehe, I have to admit, I didn't really pay much attention at all to the plot when I watched it. From what I remember though, you are right. A bit of a snafu on the writers part I suppose." Killjoy admitted lightly, walking at her right and holding to a coffee cup in his left hand as he and Spirit trekked their way through dabbled sunlight under trees, and through a fairly quiet park. Spirit had her own coffee in hand, shooting him a sideways glance after having paused in her recant to what plot-hole she had discovered in her little movie watch with Hawks the other day. "When I watched it I was more interested in the stunts, truth be told. I didn't give the plot much thought at all, so I suppose it's not a surprise that went over my head till now." He told her and Spirit quirked a brow at that, pausing in having about been to take another sip of her drink.

"The stunts?" She echoed and he nodded, "Seriously...? Most, if not all of them were totally insane, and not at all realistic ya know." She pointed out lowly and he chuckled again.

"Yes I am aware of that." He replied, "But the impractical nature of them is what makes them interesting, if that makes sense? It gets me wondering who came up with those movements and staging at the very least... and how difficult a time the actors and actresses likely had pulling them off for the sake of cinema, heh." He told her and Spirit blinked, her eyes moving away again and letting a breath out.

"That's fair I suppose." She relented, "I can't imagine they were pleased all the time, trying to do them... I definitely wouldn't waste time trying to make things look pretty." She mused, taking that sip of her coffee finally and Killjoy let out an amused breath for it.

"I don't think you'd have to try hard at all to make anything look pretty." He told her without missing a beat, and Spirit stalled halfway through her sip, the edge of the cup already on her lips and only half a centimeter away from the coffee hitting her tongue. Killjoy on the other hand moved and took a drink of his coffee in a very nonchalant, and non-bothered manner, and Spirit grit her teeth a bit for it, shooting him a fleeting glare from the corner of her eye and then finishing her sip quickly, and hating she stalled at all.

... He really does think he's charming.

Her hand fell and her cup with it, shooting the ground a disgruntled stare this time around and swallowing rather hard, since she was all too aware her face had heated up ever so slightly, and she hated that.

... he kind of is... tch.

"Hmm, despite the shaky plot-line and unrealistic stunts though- did you find your viewing entertaining at all?" Killjoy asked after a moment, easily skipping passed the little bit of flirting or whatever, and Spirit blinked.

Hawks asked the same thing too... do I really not seem like I enjoyed it, because I picked it apart...?

"... yeah, it was entertaining." Spirit replied softly,

"I see, then perhaps you'll enjoy the sequels too, if you ever get around to them."

Maybe

"If ever you're interested in more current movies, I wouldn't be opposed to seeing one with you, should the mood ever strike you." Killjoy went on, "Or if an outing is less appealing, a movie-night in would not be so bad either. I have subscriptions to most of the most popular streaming services, we'd have plenty to choose from." He explained and Spirit blinked,

Ah, so there'd be no pirating things like I tried last night. That'd actually not be so-

She faltered a bit despite herself, the thought dying as quickly as it formed and ending in a rather incredulous (and internal); eh?

- did I just... kinda consider doing that...? Seriously...?

What the hell...?

She bit the inside of her cheek, shaking her head at herself ever so slightly.

"... hmph, thank you for the offer, but I'm gonna pass for now." Spirit replied lowly, and he nodded, but smiled a bit more nonetheless.

"'For now', hmm?" He asked quietly and Spirit stiffened, huffing a little and looking away from him rather haughtily.

Damn me

"Tch, don't read into it." She replied curtly, and he chuckled under his breath.

"I'll try not to."

.:+:.

"Thank you for the walk, and the coffee too, Killjoy."

"Of course, it was my pleasure. I had a pleasant time."

"... Me too."

"Hmm, I am glad to hear that. Be careful on your way home, will you?"

"I will... and good luck with that prototype you're testing."

"Ah, thank you."

.:+:.

The temperature of the air was dropping rather quickly, the sky becoming cached in storm clouds and wind winding through the streets- chilly, stiff, and doing nothing to offset the regular drab and gloom of the Red Light District. Especially now with the sun totally set, and not even the faintest hints of orange or pink left to be seen on the far horizon.

The minute the sun was gone and the clouds set in the air got cold, and near to the point her breath billowed out in front of her in a haze. A shiver ran up her spine and she shuddered, the tremor jostling her shoulder a bit too much and she grit her teeth against the discomfort. Her left hand moved up to grab under her other one, holding it gingerly and hoping it might lessen the dull throbbing that had set in by now, and would not go away.

... Again... So over my shoulder feeling gross...

Her ears rung faintly with the sound of cars a few blocks over, people talking lowly on a more densely populated street, some glass shattering, and all of it mixing with the wind. This part of the city was never quiet or still, there were always people, lurking and moving and stalking... Unseen things in the background, unsavory types milling about, or drunken ones stumbling from one bar and over to another. In the daytime things were calmer, but the minute the sun dipped out of sight the crowds got bigger, the noise got louder, and the movement and action amped up to. Always being watched, always someone doing one thing or another, always some ruckus or crisis- always something.

It was actually really hard to sleep the night through around here, since some noise outside inevitably woke her up, and way too easily (and often). It wasn't a huge nuisance since she wasn't usually at home and asleep in the evening- but just walking right then made her a bit more hyper aware of how loud the night was, and she sighed.

Mmmm... I don't know if I'm gonna manage to get to sleep when I get back... And I am actually sort of tired now.

To be fair, it'd been over 24 hours since she last slept now. What between yesterday out with Tensei, all night exploring the internet, and then today with the Support Office and Killjoy- she had been up awhile, and most of it spent out and about. So of course she was tired now, and especially after having decided on a long wander through Heiku after leaving Killjoy behind, as opposed to heading back straight away.

She'd spent a good few hours just walking about and chatting with Killjoy, and much like the time before it- it had actually been nice. And she'd told him so this time around too, as opposed to last time where she'd stayed quiet and stubborn about it.

Saying she had a nice time wasn't like a huge thing, but it was something- and made a bit more of something when she had inadvertently considered that offer of going over to watch movies with him, and did so without thinking. It was just automatic, and that was not normal- tch.

I don't 'go over' to people's places, for any reason... I guess except Hawks, but still- those were abnormal too.

Why the hell would my mind have automatically moved to even consider Killjoy? Seriously...?

Spirit sighed heavily, red eyes gleaming in the dim that clashed with colorful neon and other lights around her.

... what is wrong with me...?

She shook her head at herself, hoping maybe it would shake off the thoughts and other such nagging things... it sort of helped, but not much.

Her head fell back, glancing upward at that sky filled with nothing but clouds and the wind getting a bit stiffer with every step she took forward. She sniffed at the air, a million things flooding in but all of them overlaid with the steadily heavier scent of rain. On the far horizon lightning flashed between the buildings, eerie washed-out gold against a dismal grey, and the rumble of thunder came soon after.

... mmm... hopefully the rain will hold off till I get back...? I don't feel like getting wet right now...

"... s...omeone... help...!"

Spirit drew up slightly in her walking, perking as the voice reached her ears from somewhere far-off, and almost nearly drowned out by the sound of thunder. No one else milling about on the street around her seemed to hear it though, and for a moment she wasn't sure she did either... until it came again, and this time a little louder.

"A-Anybody... I need someone...!"

Spirit grimaced, starting again in her walking and headed forward, quick-paced and ears trained on the voice. It sounded like a woman, and she sounded rather freaked out, so of course Spirit was already headed that way, and without a second thought for it.

"... A-Are there any Pro Heroes around...?!"

Spirit rounded a corner, her pace quick and on a beeline toward the woman's voice, now much louder, and paired with the sound of her feet tapping on the pavement. She did sound freaked out, and clearly she was running- but there were no other sounds mixed in that would make it clear she was being chased.

What is going on-?

"P-please, there's a fight...! This guy jumped in against a huge group... He... he's gonna get beat up...!"

- A fight?

Spirit rounded the next corner and had to slow up for half a second, a quick survey of the next street lined with sparse few shops and whatnot, and people coming into view. Her attention immediately honed in on the woman who was doing all the shouting, about a hundred feet up from Spirit, and headed down another road, frantic and still yelling for someone to do something. Her hand swept up the opposite way she had been coming from, eyes wide and looking frazzled, while those on the street around her turned and looked on, surprised, wary, and unsure.

"C-come on, those guys are gonna beat the shit out of him..! Someone needs to stop it... T... They'll kill him...!"

Nobody immediately moved to do anything, of those hearing the pleading and seeing the woman running- perhaps naturally so. No normal person just out and about would willingly put themselves in the middle of a fight, or what sounded like some sort of beating on a single person, not here. No normal person would stick their nose in that, not when it was none of their business. This was the Red Light District, them getting involved might earn them trouble from some Gang or Villain group, and not a soul would risk that.

Well, nearly not a soul.

"C-come on, there's got to be a Pro somewhere..?! Somebody call them, o-or the police...!"

Spirit had headed in the direction the woman had gestured long before the next bit of pleading came, her ears moving focus from her shouting and ahead as she did her best to pick up on the sounds of this apparent fighting. She picked up on it almost right away, the sound of feet scraping over the cement, panting breaths and grunting, and the meaty sounds of impact (fists, feet, whatever). She also got a whiff of blood and booze that hit her on a gust of wind, and she huffed.

Drunk dumbasses again

"... grahhhh..! Fuck you man!"

"Learn to mind your own fucking business...!"

"Who said you could bud in...?!"

The words were heated, breathless, and sort of slurred- and from three different guys. But no sooner did the last one reach her than was it interrupted by the distinct sound of flesh snapping.

And then the blood-curdling scream that followed had her rushing forward the last few feet to a corner, the scent of blood getting stronger and the sound of it setting her teeth on edge.

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"

"Y-You bit him...?!"

"S-shit..!"

"GET IT THE FUCK OFF ME!"

Another round of heavy thumps of a fist coming down on someone's figure sounded, and following each one were muffled groans and winces. But still there was shouting, less loud than the first one, and clearly there was a bit of panicking and pounding going on now.

Fucking hell, they are beating the shit out of someone-

"Let go damn it..!"

"T-This is crazy...! I... I don't...!"

"GET OFF!"

Another heavy hit and she heard flesh rip this time, a yell of pain followed with the faint crack of bone splintering, and the spatter of blood on the concrete in the quake of it all. Something heavy hit the ground, hissing as it went, and something else sounded like it stumbled- presumably the one to do the hitting, or maybe the one that had been 'bit'.

Spirit turned sharply around that corner, only to immediately have to sidestep out of the way of someone that nearly ran into her, and seemed to be trying to scurry off from the scene. The guy stumbled to veer out of her way too, and managed it- but only by slamming rather roughly into the wall and he had to pause, lest he end up on his face. Spirit grimaced though, her red eyes darting toward him and taking him in in quick succession, and she recognized him.

Or more accurately- she recognized his clearly recently broken nose.

You have got to be kidding me, this was one of the guy's that went after Sasaki...!

Broken-Nose Guy's eyes darted up toward her the minute he managed to keep his feet, and the instant their gazes matched his face fell in shock, and then in fear- especially so for the rather unhappy look on Spirit's face just then.

"Didn't I already kick your ass?" The Ebony Hero deadpanned lowly and the man jumped, sweating up a storm and trembling.

"S-shit...!" Broken-Nose Guy hissed, eyes wide in panic and fear. He tensed, before haphazardly darting her way, all wild and uncoordinated and swinging out with his fist in blind reaction, or just in some rushed attempt to get her out of his way- she wasn't really sure. But whatever way, Spirit huffed and easily stepped out of his path, avoiding the clumsy hit and sweeping her foot up against his shins with practiced ease, tripping him. He lost his footing entirely and slammed into the ground and the edge of the sidewalk with a terrible thud. He didn't get back up again right away, he just let out a groan and held a nose that was all the more crooked and bleeding anew- and Spirit let it be. Her eyes darted back up the street, dancing quickly between the bodies further up from her and gritting her teeth as she took it in.

Four other people were ahead of her, and none of them were those she recognized from the fight before like she had Broken-Nose Guy. Three of them were on their feet, one of them holding a heavily bleeding arm (guy who got bit she assumed) and bleeding and bruised in several places also, while the other two were quite the same, actually. They weren't hurt hurt, but they were a little rough from whatever stint of fighting they had gotten into... They did not compare to what a mess that last guy was, however.

The fourth guy was on the ground, dirty, already black and blue- and rather covered in blood. On his face especially, large streaks of crimson stained his face and mouth, and dribbled down his chin in a steady stream, making him the one who had done the biting she figured... and apparently the one getting the shit beat out of him too.

Bitey trembled as he pushed himself off the cement a bit, grunting as he drew his knees back underneath him to try and get up, and shot the other three a glare. Though those three didn't see the look, or pay Bitey any mind, since they had diverted briefly now toward where Spirit was upon hearing Broken-Nose Guy shout 'shit'.

"Heh...?" One of them mumbled reflexively,

"Who the hell are you?" Another asked gruffly,

"And what're you lookin' at, eh?" The third hissed furiously, and Spirit clicked her tongue in agitation.

"That's enough." Spirit ordered lowly, stepping toward the lot a pace or two and red eyes flashing in the dim, and the shadow cast by the hood of her jacket. "Back off and quit with the fighting, right now." She grumbled and the three on their feet stiffened at the words, incredulous faces and annoyance all at once flaring, and they bristled.

"Heh?! Who are you to tell us to quit?!" #1 snapped hotly,

"Bug off, this ain't any of your business..!" #3 hissed, hands clenching into fists and eyes blazing.

"This asshole's gotta pay for picking a fight with us, ain't no way we're gonna quit just cause some random bitch says so!" #2 (the bitten one) yelled furiously, taking what was supposed to be a threatening step her way, and an advance mimicked by the previous two behind him.

Spirit of course was not at all intimidated with their pacing toward her however, in fact she just got all the more annoyed and stalked a few more steps their way- which rather seemed to make them falter... though maybe it was more her face that had them hesitate, and not just the walking.

"I said enough." She repeated again, her tone just as flinty as the first time and they frowned further for it. "I don't give a damn what the fight is about, or any of that. I am telling you to quit, right now." She muttered lowly, slowing to a halt a few feet in front of them and stopping there for now, straight backed and steady even under the increasingly more furious looks she earned from the three. She huffed a bit under her breath at the looks, annoyance flaring bright in her core.

"Yeah no, fuck you." #2 muttered lowly, his body tensing as his face twisted in quickly bubbling rage, and Spirit tensed slightly herself, red eyes narrowing.

God damn it-

"-You and this asshole need to learn to mind your own fucking business!" He roared, starting forward straight for her with fists raised and super angry, super defiant, and so, so stupid.

And even more stupid, his other two cohorts shifted too, ready to start in on their fighting again and advance her way. Spirit huffed under her breath again for it, her foot sliding back a few inches the instant #2 started toward her.

They should have quit when I said quit

Spirit faltered a bit in her little movement though, a sudden stint of movement from Bitey behind #1 and #3 catching her attention ever so briefly. She hadn't been paying the guy much mind until then, and she blinked in surprise when he pushed himself up on to his feet and... Shoved his way passed #3 and #1?

Wait a minute what is he-?

Spirit reflexively took three quick steps backward, putting some space between herself and #2 still headed for her all heated and whatnot- and for it, completely unaware of Bitey darting forward behind him. And then #2's movements in Spirit's direction were halted about as quick as they started, the dude letting out a strangled yelp as Bitey's hand grabbed tight of the back of the guy's shirt, and yanked hard.

#2 lost his footing, slamming back against the concrete and the air getting knocked from him. Bitey himself hit the ground though too, since he hadn't been all that steady on his feet to begin with, and the rushed movement to yank #2 back and stop him had him stumbling and crashing onto his shoulder next to the guy. Each impact was painful clearly, both men cringing and curling in on themselves as their bodies thudded against the unyielding cement, and now both a rather jumble of limbs and whatever not two feet from where Spirit stood. The Ebony Hero grimaced, shooting them both a glare as they hissed in pain and her attention darted toward Bitey in particular.

"You idiot-" She hissed lowly, but her words died on her tongue when she saw #3 and #1 move after a brief pause at the turn in events, and she had no choice but to focus on them instead.

Spirit moved forward and over the two on the ground nimbly, avoiding Bitey but making a point to let her foot make contact with #2's chest and push him back against the ground again before he could get up. He puffed as she did it, the air driven from him once again, and before he'd managed to get much back after the first time. Spirit stepped off him, using him sort of like a spring board forward and red eyes locked to the last two, posture tense and ready.

They were not bigger than her by much, if at all. They were rather normal looking, no clear mutations to speak of and no real indication of Quirks or whatever. Plus a bonus- they were already roughed up, so dealing with them should be easy enough, and hopefully just tossing them around a bit would convince them to quit with this nonsense.

#1 drew up slightly at the fact she'd not hesitated in heading up to meet him and his companion, and that little bit of a falter on his part was all Spirit needed. She ducked expertly under the swing of #3's fist as he drew ahead of #1, the Ebony Hero stepping passed him without a single hitch in her step for the dodge, and right toward #1. Her left hand swept up and grabbed tight hold of his upper arm, her right heel digging in hard and the other foot gliding over the cement in one fluid motion as she turned tightly, and dragged #1 around with her. He lost his footing as she threw him and her weight around, and then let go to send him swinging into #3 behind her. Their bodies collided with a painful smack, both coughing and sputtering as their figures got tangled together, and they landed in a heap.

Spirit stepped forward a pace or two to steady herself again before her red eyes danced away from them and back toward the two she had stepped over just a moment before. #2 was on his feet again, just as unhappy as before and rather stumbling toward her now as he pushed himself back onto his feet in a rushed, haphazard manner. She sidestepped to avoid him, and he staggered to a half-halt after moving a step passed her, quick to straighten up all the way and swing his elbow and bloody arm around toward her. Spirit hissed, her left hand darting up and snapping down in an iron-like hold on his wrist, the blood painting his skin slick in her grasp but regardless- she stalled the swing rather abruptly and the dude stiffened for it, eyes going wide and looking almost unsettled for half a second.

She... she stopped him like it was nothing..!?

The Ebony Hero's eyes flashed, narrowed to slits and looking quite annoyed now- and #3 visibly gulped.

Her muscles locked and she moved, his wrist twisting in her hand as she held tighter and pivoted on her heel, turning swiftly and stepping back roughly into his shoulder while pulling forward on his wrist all at the same time. Her body weight jolted forward as she jerked his arm forward from behind her in one swift, deadly fast movement, pulling him through air over her shoulder to slam him in into the ground. Doing so earned a sharp prick of pain in her right shoulder but she pushed through it, continuing the motion all the way and letting him smack against the concrete. It drove the breath from him for a third time in the last three minutes, and still she didn't pause. She slammed her foot down onto his shoulder and pinned him tightly even as he lay sputtering and winded, her head snapping around toward the pile made up of #1 and #3- who by now had started to push themselves onto their knees and de-tangled from one another. They were pale-faced and looking stricken for at the rather brutal slam-down they had just witnessed, and then paled further when her eyes landed on them, and they went rigid, frozen in place with panic lighting up in their gazes.

"Do. Not. Move." Spirit ordered lowly, her tone low and chilling and they shivered, recoiling slightly and looking all the more fearful now.

In that moment, collectively in all their minds ran one single thought; We screwed up

But they had little time to ruminate on it, and Spirit had no time to stay simmering in her annoyance for the situation either. Her attention got diverted to the sound of something whisking through air and she tensed, ready to move or dodge or whatever.

But a glint of light caught her attention soon after, and it was headed toward the two she had told not to move. And no sooner did she see that little flash of light, did a pair of metal wired wrap tightly around the two of them and snap tight, locking them together again and the impact making them tilt back over, completely immobile.

Huh..? Those are Capture Weapons-

"Step away from the man, slowly..!"

Spirit stiffened faintly for the order called out behind her, clear and demanding and totally aimed at her, like she was the offending party... which was a fair assumption she supposed, from how it looked- but it was not the order that gave her pause, no. It was the fact the voice was totally familiar.

She blinked though, cause while it was familiar it wasn't the voice of someone she expected, not out here.

Spirit stepped back a pace and removed her foot from #2's shoulder, turning slightly and eyes narrowing in question as her gaze settled on the owner of said voice, and the arm he had raised her way, poised to toss another capture wire her way. He tensed instinctively the minute she started moving, and even looked ready to apprehend her right then and there- but he faltered when their eyes met, and Spirit settled him a rather flat stare.

"What the hell are you doing here, Manual...?" Spirit mumbled lowly and the Normal Hero jumped a little, his eyes going wide and instantly a little flustered. "This isn't Hosu, you're not in your district."

"A-Animal Spirit...?!" He stammered in surprise, and behind and below her, Spirit heard the men she'd tossed to the ground take in startled breaths of air and let out a collective 'what?!'

Manual snapped his hand back and stopped with the aiming of the wire at her, looking a tad mortified he'd even been about to throw it her way. But Spirit just tilted her head a bit, giving the suddenly flustered motions no mind. "Yeah." She mumbled simply, and he looked all the more flustered with the confirmation.

"A-ah, man... I well I... I switched shifts with someone for tonight so I'm here and... uhm... I-I didn't realize it was you...!" Manual stammered quickly in reply, stuffing the device in his belt and taking a a few rushed steps forward and closer to her. "I-I thought, based on what that woman described, you must have been the one that jumped in and... started the fight..." He explained quickly and Spirit quirked a brow.

"Started the fight?" She hummed and he nodded,

"Yes, apparently some of these men were being rather forward with her before, and they wouldn't leave her be even when she asked." Manual explained, "She said someone had stepped in and told them to back off, and started a fight... they were outnumbered, so she was worried they were gonna get hurt." He murmured and Spirit blinked,

Ah, so that's why they were beating the hell out of that guy? 'Chivalry' never goes unpunished I guess...

"I see." Spirit mumbled, her eyes moving from Manual and back toward where Bitey had fallen. "I stepped in to stop them beating the crap out of that guy-" Spirit told Manual, her hand gesturing that way as she said it, only to cut herself off and her hand went a little limp when she found the spot where Bitey had been totally empty.

"... eh...?" She breathed, her eye twitching as she looked around quickly, saw Broken-Nose Dude, #1-3 too, but found no sign of Bitey anywhere at all.

EH?

Her eyes skimped passed Manual now, the Normal Hero looking a little lost while she grit her teeth in agitation- because what...?!

"... where the hell...?" She hissed through her gritted teeth and Manual swallowed, the confusion on his face passing as he seemed to catch up.

"Are we missing someone, then...?" Manual asked and Spirit frowned,

"Apparently." She huffed a tad shortly, and Manual smiled a little nervously for the rather agitated reply. "Tch... he must have run off when I was focused on these dumbasses." The Ebony Hero muttered hotly, and Manual nodded a bit.

"Ah, right..." He mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck slowly as Spirit seemed to frown all the further. "I suppose it can't be helped much... I'm actually kinda surprised you managed to do this much damage with only one hand, though." Manual pointed out with a small nod of his head toward the sling and her shoulder, and Spirit glanced back his way.

Damage...? What does he-?

Oh... Ah.

I didn't actually beat these guys up at all, just tossed them a bit... well, that other guy's broken nose is my fault I guess-

"Are you okay..? I'd heard you got hurt, so I wasn't expecting to see you out working." Manual asked softly, breaking Spirit's thoughts off and she forced a low sigh at that damned question;

'Are you okay'

"I'm fine." Spirit mumbled, "And I'm not working, I was just out walking. When I heard this going on, I just stopped to try and put an end to it, that's all." She explained and he looked a little surprised at it, and almost questioning. Because why was Animal Spirit out walking in the Red Light District of all places...?

He didn't ask about it though, instead the question on his face faded to something a little more exasperated, and Spirit blinked at the change.

"... I see..." Manual mumbled quietly, "... it's good you stopped them fighting, Animal Spirit... but you really shouldn't just jump into any fights at all when you're injured, ya know... Pro or not..." He pointed out, sweatdropping a bit. "... you really work super hard... maybe even too hard..." He sighed and Spirit stiffened at it, biting the insides of her cheeks and looking away from him a little saw the way she averted her eyes, the Ebony Hero frowning now and he smiled for half a second, before shaking his head a bit and perking up.

"Well anyway, thank you for breaking it up." He hummed, giving her a bit of thumbs up. "I'll handle these guys and hand them off to the police, since they're the offending party." Manual explained, "Whoever the other guy was, though he had good intentions I think, he'll need to be tracked down too- for a statement at the least, and to make sure he's okay. I'll have to see about finding him after I'm done with these four." Spirit nodded slightly, her attention moving from Manual and upward toward the cloud-laden sky overhead, musing.

"... I might be able to find him for you." She suggested after a moment, and Manual blinked.

"Hmm?"

"I can try and track him down by scent, while you stick with these guys." Spirit explained, tilting her head toward #2 on the ground to her right. "It'll be faster that way, and more efficient than trying later. It's gonna rain soon, so it'll get harder to follow him wherever he went if you wait too long." She murmured and Manual paused, looking a little unsure.

"... that is true..." He relented at first, before fading off for a moment in thought. He tapped his knuckles to his chin a bit pensively for a heartbeat or so, before nodding stiffly. "... Alright, if you don't mind giving it a go, I won't argue with you trying." He told her, smiling a little nervously again as he dipped his head toward her. "Please call me if you find him, or anything comes up, okay? I don't mind you looking, Animal Spirit, but I would prefer you not get into any more fights if you can...?" He asked and Spirit's eyes flashed.

'Don't get into any more fights'... Hawks asked that too, huh?

Kinda failed on that end already... oi.

"... I'll try." Spirit murmured softly, "And I will call you when I have an update, yeah." She told him, and Manual smiled a little more.

"Cool."

.:+:.

It wasn't terribly hard following 'Bitey', given how much blood he'd been covered with- both his, and everyone else's. Even around the wind and the quickly growing overwhelming scent of rain, staying locked on to the tang of blood was not an issue... Though she was actually surprised how far she had to go before she caught up.

He moved a lot faster and farther than I expected he could after being beat to shit

Her walking slowed up a moment when her eyes caught a smear of blood painted across the wall of a building, and one of a few she'd seen already along with about half a dozen more little dots of blood speckled across the cement in a trail from early on. It wasn't a lot of blood, it didn't even smell that fresh either so it must have just been from bits of it still stuck to his person and clothes after the whole thing that had shaken loose with his rather quick retreat from the fight.

She wasn't sure why he ran off, other than maybe he didn't wanna have to get involved with the police and everything. He wasn't technically in the wrong if he had tried to bud in on behalf of that woman, but starting a fight at all was probably I'll advised- and biting that other guy as hard as he did was walking a thin line between being a good Samaritan, and actual assault.

He probably realizes that, and it is probably why he bolted.

I get it I guess, I wouldn't wanna explain to the police why I bit him that hard either, his arm was bleeding a lot... He probably took out bits of flesh too, though I wasn't paying attention enough to really notice.

She moved passed the wall and the smear of crimson, rounding the corner ahead and into the alleyway that it dumped into. She moved up the narrow corridor between the buildings, trash cans and other miscellaneous waste littered about and stacked against stairs that lead to back doors- but it was all quiet, and utterly empty. This was a more deserted and less populated side of town, and more filled with apartments and buildings that didn't see much foot traffic at night even if they were in the Red Light District... And again, she got that too.

Bitey's trying to avoid everyone, and not get seen, hmm...?

She slowed up subconsciously after a bit, her ears catching the sound of somewhat shallow breathing paired with barely stifled winces. She instinctively started to step more carefully so her footsteps were muted, she didn't want him to know she was there till she had sight of him, lest he spooked and ran off again. So she moved carefully a few dozen feet further into the alley and toward a small alcove carved out of it, about seven feet wide and across. It was where two buildings bordering a third, but they stuck out more than the one in the center- thus the alcove.

Spirit drew up at the corner, tilting her head around it cautiously and blinking.

Bitey was there, sitting on the ground cross-legged and with his back pushed up against the wall she'd peeked around. He didn't notice her since he had his eyes shut tight and was gritting his teeth rather hard, one hand on his knee and his fingernails digging, while his other hand held gingerly to his left side. And judging from how quick, yet shallow his breaths were, she figured he probably had some pretty bad bruising on that side... Or maybe some cracked ribs.

She let out a silent breath and shifted, stepping out from around the corner silently and taking in the rest of him in quick succession. His nose had clearly been bleeding rather bad, but like the blood that had covered his face after biting the other guy, it was all smeared now and more a pinky-brown stain than actual blood. His cheek was bruised badly on the right side, his lips were split in three different places and already swollen- much like his hands, and his knuckles. Of which, they were all black and blue now and the skin had split in a few places too. There were scrapes on his arms and poking through from the holes in the knees of his jeans, probably from getting thrown to the ground and falling when he'd rushed to yank #2 backwards earlier... But all in all?

He was a complete mess

"... You shouldn't have run off." Spirit mumbled quietly, her hip cocking as she moved to stand just next to him and her left hand falling on that hip. 'Bitey' immediately jumped at the sound of her voice, his head snapping up and eyes opening too as he looked around, and even shuffled back a little when it became clear how close she was to him and he hadn't realized it. Spirit on the other hand didn't move an inch, she stayed absolutely still in her place so as not to startled him any further. Her red eyes stayed level on him, calm as can be as he scooted back an inch or two just out of sheer surprise... And then their eyes matched, red on grey, and she got a much better look at him for the first time.

Under the stain of red spattered across his face and chin, and right there across his nose was a scar she had seen before, and on a face that was perpetually sour, even as he looked up at her now (though a little less intense this time, and a bit more wary).

Spirit froze, blinking several times over and stunned into sudden stillness as he shot her an uneasy glare, shark-like teeth gritting... and yeah, that was definitely Sushi-Dude.

You have got to be kidding me, that's three days in a row I've run into this guy! Seriously...?!

Her face must have fallen or done something untoward, because the sour look on his face became a bit more wary, and even slipped somewhere close to dour. He tensed, looking like an animal that'd been cornered and his fingers curled into fists against the concrete, rigid and ready to fight like hell- and Spirit just blinked again.

"... What are you...?" He muttered lowly, and Spirit's eyes narrowed slightly at the question. "You jumped into that fight like it was nothing, you stopped his hand like it was nothing, and threw him to the floor... So what the hell...? Are you with a gang, or the Yakuaza or something...?" He elaborated slightly and Spirit stiffened, while he just frowned a bit more, tensing a fraction further and shifting back a centimeter more too. "... Or are you some kind of Villain?" He grumbled next and Spirit went rigid, her mind stuttering to a standstill and now suddenly wide-eyed, her heart skipping a beat.

A... A Villain...?

She ended up standing there looking sort of dumbfounded for not one, but rather five whole seconds. And for all of those five seconds her mind kept repeating one thing, over and over; I come off as a Villain?

The assumption both irritated and scared her a little, and she swallowed hard against the little lump now suddenly in her throat. She moved slightly, taking a small, tiny step back and her hands balled tightly into fists as she forced herself a breath that was meant to be steadying, but it did little good. She tugged the hood of her jacket down cautiously, shaking her head stiffly in an answer of 'no' and swallowing one more time.

A Villain

"... I'm not a Villain, or with a gang or anything." Spirit mumbled quietly, "I'm a Pro Hero, so that's why I jumped in so quickly, and didn't hesitate, and stopped his hit easily." She explained and he stiffened, his wary expression falling flat for half a second, before it changed a second later and he looked almost incredulous.

"... A... A Pro...?!" He snapped back rather loudly, "T-There's no damn way...! There ain't no Pro Heroes as young as you, I call bullshit...!" He hissed and Spirit blinked, her head tilting.

"... As young as me?" She echoed, and he nodded stiffly, "Wait, how old do you think I am?" She asked shortly and he swallowed, lifting a hand and gesturing at himself a touch uncertainly now.

"Same age as me, yeah...?" He mumbled and Spirit bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from sighing in exasperation at the rather not at all helpful response.

"... And how old are you?" She asked as levelly as could be managed, and his hand wilted a little.

"... 18...?" He answered and Spirit bristled slightly.

18...?! Y-You're kidding me, he definitely looks older than that...!

Spirit swallowed hard, crimson eyes flashing in the dim as her lips pulled slightly downward at the edges.

He's a kid for fuck's sake...!

She forced herself a breath and shook her head a bit, doing her best to shake off her shock with the motion and keep her voice as steady as she could manage. "... Yeah no, I'm 22." Spirit replied lowly and he stiffened even further, grey eyes wide and glittering like mad.

"No goddamn way...!" He snapped again, shaking his head furiously, and Spirit let out a quiet sigh. "Hell no, I... Well if you are a Pro prove it...! I ain't gonna take you at your word just like that, you ain't even in Hero costume...! And don't try and tell me some bullshit Hero Name either, I'll know if it's real or not...!" He hissed and Spirit paused, one brow quirking.

... So suspicious... And loud.

"Animal Spirit." She murmured evenly and he faltered, before that ever sour look on his face grew all the more twisted. She sighed,

"LIKE HELL YOU-"

"Hold on." Spirit cut him off, her hand raising in a sign for him to stall and his voice cut off rather sharply with the little gesture. Hell, he even gave her hand a wary little look and seemed to flinch back, just faintly. She blinked at it, frowning a bit to herself before pulling her hand back, and he watched her move with rather rigid, and intense focus.

... He's so... Wary.

Hell

"You want proof, yeah...?" Spirit mumbled, earning his eyes off her hand again, but he still looked suspicious as ever. She paused half a second more, before adjusting to pull her bag off her back and dig in it, finding her wallet. She shifted her bag back around and rather struggled to fish out something from her wallet with her one free hand, but she managed it. She moved her wallet into her right hand and took one single, entirely cautious step forward, her left hand extending just slightly with a plastic ID card held in her fingers and up to face him; her Hero License.

His eyes moved quickly toward the card as she held it up for him to see, dancing over the official lettering and numbers (date issues, identification number... No real name though of course, for privacy/security reasons), and her photo. And along with all that, the Pro Hero Association stamp in the top right corner. But more importantly, his attention darted over the bold lettering of 'ANIMAL SPIRIT' in super large font, and he almost seemed to pale. Then the sour look on his face turned increasingly more dumbfounded and even unsettled as he looked back to her, then the picture on the License, back to her, back to the ID... And he kept it up for about half a dozen more times, and by the seventh time through he looked almost mortified.

"... Y... You're kidding... Me...?!" He hissed shakily, sweating up a storm now as his hands pulled into his center and he started fumbling quite nervously with his hoodie. His eyes dropped from her, fidgeting and getting increasingly twitchy, while Spirit blinked in surprise at the sudden shift in attitude. "H-Holy shit, I ran into a Pro Hero at the Quick-Mart...? A-and now a-again...?!" He hissed under his breath, his hands fuddling with his jacket a bit more fiercely and pulling the collar up as he shrank a bit in on himself, and buried his chin into the fabric.

Spirit just paused, her hand still extended slightly and her head tilting at the rather quick slide from him being all confrontational and suspicious, to just being a downright nervous-wreck.

"I...I called a Pro Hero a Villain, s-shi-!" He hissed shakily, before his voice cut off with a very audible SNAP.

Spirit jumped a little, a shiver running up her spine and her heart skipping a beat for the rather unsettling sound, and one that was clearly a hard clang of teeth on teeth as his jaw suddenly snapped shut, and without hesitation or care.

She would have been shocked if he didn't break a few teeth with how violently he forced them together, honestly. The snap was almost earsplitting, though it was slightly muffled since he seemed to have bit down on the collar of his hoodie. But of course he bit down on the zipper too, and the sound of metal on bone was just as rattling as the rest of it.

"... u..uh...?" Spirit stammered uncertainly, a little nervous herself now as he seemed to hunch in on himself even further, his hands coming up to hold his face as he shut his eyes tight. She heard his breathing pick up to something rushed and perhaps a little frantic, his hands earning a tremble in them that radiated down his shoulders, and Spirit swallowed hard. She instinctively went to step closer, her hand reaching out as her mind started racing for the rather abrupt turn in events- and Sushi-Dude was all too aware of her moving. But this time he did more than back off, he actually flinched- folding in on himself and ducking his head, his breathing picking up to something a little faster and more breathless. His fingers dug in hard into the back of his neck, his hold on his face growing firmer too, and so much so he might have been likely to bruise himself, while still his teeth remained shut on his zipper and with no hint that he'd be letting go anytime soon.

Shit... is... is he...?

"... d...a...mn...i...t..." He hissed behind his teeth, breathless and husky, and Spirit stalled. He moved his trembling hands from his neck and started trying to tug at the jacket in his teeth... and then sort of pry his teeth open, though it just made his already split lips start bleeding anew.

Crap... he's... really freaking out... shit shit shit...

She went to move again but thought better of it, stopping herself short and frowning slightly when she realized how quick he'd been to recoil from her beforehand... and grumbling silently under her breath for why he'd have any reason to do so.

Tch

She glanced from him to the side, and then the other, and repeated it a few times, her mind whirling as she struggled to come up with something to do, and hopefully something that wouldn't cause more harm than good. This was way out of left field, the whole thing- running into him again, the fight, him being so combative, his jaw locking shut, and now absolutely freaking out. And she was just standing there, frozen in place and her mind failing to manage something... anything.

Fuck... what do I do...?

She swallowed hard, fidgeting faintly on her feet and grumbling to herself. This was dumb, she'd gotten trained for stuff like this, she'd dealt with stuff like this before, she needed to quit acting like an idiot. But hell if it happening out of literally nowhere hadn't caught her totally off guard... damn it. Snap out of it.

Spirit forced herself a breath, stepping back a pace and slowly so, before stuffing her wallet and ID into the sling for now. She settled down slowly into sitting on her heels in front of him, her left hand finding her knee and staying there as she settled a level look on him, though he didn't really look up at her as she did it.

She didn't know him well enough to really guess what would help, but she could at least try something- and what came to mind?

Just talk, and focus on anything other than... freaking out.

Distract him, if I can.

"Alright, we got off on the wrong foot." Spirit murmured levelly, dipping her head slightly to try and catch his eye, but he still had them shut tightly. "Let's start over... as I already said, I'm Animal Spirit. But you can just call me Spirit, okay?" She hummed and he stiffened slightly, his eyes cracking open but stuck on the floor and she nodded a bit. "... What can I call you?" She asked softly and he grimaced, shaking his head stiffly and tugging at the zipper in his teeth in near frustration.

Hmm...? Can he not... let go of it...?

Ah, okay... maybe it's a nervous tick...?

Spirit blinked, before nodding slowly. "Alright, we can get to that later. You don't have to talk for now." She murmured and he seemed to grimace a bit more, but he nodded stiffly anyway. "And don't worry about calling me a Villain, it's alright. I'm not offended." She added in with a small, calm little smile, and he stiffened a bit further at the mention, but his eyes darted up off the ground and met hers at last.

There we go

"I get why someone would figure that. Like you said, I'm not in Costume right now, so I can see why you were skeptical." Spirit hummed, red eyes glinting faintly. "It's better you were wary anyway, especially around here, hmm? I could totally be some creepy person, or a Villain running around, heh." She murmured lightly, and he blinked, the rapid tenor of his breathing slowing just a tad as he honed in on her speaking. Which was good.

"Plus I didn't do myself any favors running around with my hood up, and jumping into that fight without making it clear who I was. Even a pair of cat ears would have gone a long way, hmm?" Spirit admitted, continuing on and pointing a finger up toward her own face. Her hair moved a bit, a ghostly black-red haze coming into being around her ears, before condensing a bit and stretching up into a point, and forming a pair of large, yet slightly see-through cat ears that replaced where hers should have been. Sushi-Dude perked slightly at that, his breaths hitching again as his attention got pulled more in, and even the tautness of his grip on his jaw and the jacket stuck in his teeth let up too.

And once again, even in the midst of freaking out- people's faces were always awestruck when they saw her Shift up close. And this time was no exception, even though the Shift was rather slight, and incomplete.

And again, that was good- he was focused more on her and what she was saying and doing, rather than all the rushed and whirling things going on in his own head, and that had sent him into a flurry so quickly. And even better, it seemed she'd managed to get him to focus on her quick enough that he didn't freak out too bad, and coming back from the edge of it was a lot easier too.

Distractions can be good

One of her ears twitched, a drop of water hitting the back of it suddenly and the little movement sending fractured bits of reality to fall softly onto her shoulder. Another cold drop of water hit her nose next, and Sushi-Dude himself jumped slightly when a few spattered against his cheeks without warning. Spirit's eyes moved up from him and toward the sky, her shoulders sagging a bit as the few drops quickly turned into several, and the speed and multitude of them falling toward the earth began to increase quite rapidly.

Lovely

Spirit glanced back down, her eyes catching Sushi-Dude's again for a brief moment, before he looked away rather quickly, and she let out a breath. She waited a moment to make sure his breathing didn't pick up again, and when it didn't she decided it was okay to change subject to something a bit more pressing.

"... you should probably get checked up, at a hospital." The Ebony Hero commented quietly, and he grimaced, shaking his head roughly as his already locked jaw went even tighter, the metal of the zipper scraping on his teeth. Spirit paused at the reply, a silent sigh escaping her though she nodded slightly anyway. "... alright, no hospital." She relented,

For now

The rain came down harder, soaking through her hair and starting in on little streams down to her shoulders- much like it did with Sushi-Dude, flattening his otherwise spiky red hair and even starting to smear and wash off the blood on his face. Spirit lift her hand slightly, waving a bit to get his attention again and he shot her a sideways glance, grimacing still and tugging again at the jacket clenched between his teeth- though much more intermittently now, and with less trembling and frustration that had been so easy to see in his hands a few minutes before.

"How about we find somewhere to get out of the rain?" Spirit suggested softly, and he paused, his eyes narrowing at the words. Spirit offered up another smile at the look, though the smile itself was much softer this time so it was really only barely there- but it was as calm as can be now, and steady too. "Like I said, you don't have to talk, and we don't have to go to the hospital either... but for now, can you let me take a look at those injuries?" She hummed and he stiffened at it, pulling back ever so slightly and Spirit felt her core knot a bit.

... he's so... distrustful... hell, he probably has a reason to be... but still. He's young, still a kid really... so why is he so hesitant to trust even a little... even a Pro...?

... shit...

"... I won't prod at you." Spirit assured gently, "I won't do anything you don't want me to either, I promise... and I will leave you alone, if you want me to. But first, I have to make sure you're alright... okay..?" She told him softly and he seemed to swallow a bit, his teeth grinding slightly on the zipper again as he seemed to hesitate and mull it over. Spirit let out a quiet breath as he did it, pushing her bangs out of her face and the black-red haze of her Partial Shift disappearing along with her cat-like ears. She pushed herself up on to her feet a tad stiffly, Sushi-Dude peering up at her warily as she did it, and then more so when Spirit held her hand out, inching forward slowly as to not make him flinch as badly as she had before... and he noticed the deliberate slowness, his grimace softening and deepening all at once.

Spirit tilted her head a bit, red eyes flashing in the dim and the rain. 'Sushi-Dude' seemed to swallow, his grey eyes landing on the offered hand, and the cuts and bandages wound about her palm and fingers, while the Ebony Hero waited patiently, her voice quiet and soft.

"Would you like some help up?"

---

There is A LOT of jumping around in this chapter, please forgive me ;w;

I do hope you guys enjoyed it, even with there being so much packed in and so many days gone over! I hope it wasn't too boring for you all QwQ

Anyhoo, I apologize for the wait! I was doing so well on updating all of my stories every month... until now XD

But I do appreciate your patience, and all your support! Thank you, all of my lovely readers for sticking with me as you have! I love you all so, so much!

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