Hello, coming in to edit and fix up - 4/24/23
And rewriting 5/13/2023
Don't worry there will be some Dadzawa soon!
Dropping down into Crime Alley, I was expecting nothing more than my dirty alley with its horrid smell, and walls lined with trash with its thin grimmy pathway. Ready to get some sleep, but the smell of chicken made me alert once more. It was very out of place, especially with its fresh scent. Looking just past my small shelter that held my makeshift bed that was hidden by stacked material around and on top of it, to see Skeleton man, who smiled as I finally noticed him, holding up a plastic bag, no doubt the source of the scent, up a little higher.
"Thought you might be a little hungry," he offered with a smile. He wasn't wrong, I was starving, and that bag smelled delicious, but small problem.
"What do you want," narrowing my eyes at the man. I wanted to snatch up the bag and run. How much was in there, it could be only a meal or two, but that was a meal or two that I didn't need to hunt and steal for. The man looked genuinely surprised by the question, why is he so weird?
"It's… a thank you, for last night," he offered instead, holding the bag out to me. This time I didn't wait.
"You didn't need to," he still wasn't getting the bag back. My bag now, opening it and pulling a box out and opening it. It was a type of curry over rice and it looked amazing. Scooping up the food with my fingers. Not really caring about anything but eating. Thankfully Skeleton only laughed, not questioning my desire to just gulp the food down. Little did I know this was a start of a new beginning. Not even bothering to ask him how he had tracked me down.
It was the third night a week after Skeleton had found me that I was starting to get jumpy. The jacket over my wings was getting itchy. The desire to let them out rising, but that would give a link to 'Izuku', Viridian, or Vi needed to be as quirkless as possible. So besides a little growling at the cheese burger but I didn't say anything, the old man sipping on his meal replacement shake. Eyeing the burger. It was a small dance. The man obviously longing for heavier foods he had already explained his doctor had told him off of. I couldn't blame him much. The shakes did smell rather disgusting.
"Is something bothering you, Young Vi?" Skeleton asked because of course he would see the shifting of the threadbear jacket. Of course he would notice, he comes to the Glades, and I had seen him duck out of trouble a few times over and disarm another mugger with nothing but a smile and kind words. The star struck look from the fledgling mugger was strange even up close when I had come to check on Skeleton.
"You could say that," I offered diplomatically. Not entirely sure what to make of him. It had been two weeks of his visits, and maybe three to four of seeing the man around the Glades.
"If you would like to talk about it, I am more than willing to offer an ear, I can keep a secret," He smiled that knowing skeleton smile that really was strange in how it was comforting, so disarming in the way it was given.
"Seeing how the police haven't descended on the alley yet, I suppose you can," I grumble, before taking a large bite out of the burger, less than half left of the sandwich. "Why do you keep coming back here?" I decided to ask instead of removing my jacket, his smile seemed to only brighten more at the fact I was attempting to make conversation. Usually it was him carrying most of our conversations with sheer will power.
"I like the company," Skeleton chirped and I was so willing to call him on such an obvious lie. Instead I finish my sandwich. Wondering over the risks, and after stuffing the wrapper into my coat I pull it off, revealing the harness underneath that kept my wings locked tight to my back. The harness was getting to be too small but I couldn't make or find a bigger set. Fiddling with the straps until I was able to free my wings, setting the straps over my jacket.
"Why do you wear those?" Skeleton finally asked a personal question as I stood up and stretched my wings out in the small space of the alley. Flapping them a little even to settle the dull feathers, unbothered by the loss of a few. Already just letting them hang free was a load off.
"Less to connect me too," dancing around my less than legal nigh activities. "The police looking for a slim winged girl is far easier than a wide shouldered teen." I offered not really offering any extra information than what he could currently see. Settling back down on the cushion next to my box. Picking at the paper bag to see if there was anymore within the bag. Humming at finding fries and quickly pulling the small cup out to munch on the salty still warm treat.
"There…. Like a muzzle, but for your wings, are they not uncomfortable?" He questioned on, he seemed so bothered by them. So concerned over something so simple.
"Well yeah, course they are," Taking another bite of my fries. "It doesn't properly fit and it's cheaply made, but it works. Keeps them safe. Not like I know how to fly anyway." Not entirely bothered by the lack of knowledge. I knew they were dull and close to lifeless compared to other avians, not including the fact there an absolute mess. He didn't ask any more questions thankfully.
I was walking one of the kids home 2 days later when Skeleton found me again.
"Young Vi!" He called out rather loudly, flinching at the fact that he had used my gang name, the abbreviation of my vigilante name. Shifting a wing around the kid abit to hide them from most sights.
"Don't call me that, Skelly," I snipped at him as he ran, well jogged, across the street to join us.
"Who's this Aunty Zu?" The little one pushed aside some of my flight feathers to look at Skeleton man. Curious as to who the stranger who apparently knew me. Skeleton now joining us on the sidewalk.
"This is Skeleton, he's mostly harmless," I huff as I looked down at the kid before looking back up to Skeleton man. "It's Izuku, old man, don't go confusing the kids." Acting annoyed on behalf of the kids, but taking the time to look about subtly. Glancing around at who could have heard the name.
"Skeleton?" He questioned, blinking his strange blue eyes, his smile faltering but not in a bad way. The kid chuckled.
"He looks like my floppy bunny!" The kid giggled tugging on my hand.
"Oh does he now," I chuckled softly. Well, hearing a harmless name from the kids might be better than Skeleton. "Should we call him that instead, Firecracker?" Gently nudging the kid with a gentle wing.
"Oh, I never did introduce myself huh," Skeleton chuckled embarrassed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Sorry about that, I'm Yagi Toshin-"
"Naw, your Bunny now," The kid chirped, I snickered as the man blinked a few times.
"You got to be new to The Glades," I snort shaking my head. "Explains the nice clothes, which makes you a target you know." I gently nudge the kid on towards the park, which the kid happily took off. "Street names are all the rage out here. Makes it easy if you are avoiding or running from someone. Or keep business separate from home life." I explained to Skeleton. "So congrats, the kids shall likely forever call you bunny." I sent him a teasing smirk. All while he sighed.
"Well, I suppose it helps that they are cute," He was definitely trying to convince himself of this than he believed it. I snorted but still smiled.
"If it helps, I'll keep callin you Skelly, oo, maybe Death warmed over, Bones, Skin Suit, Mane?" Throwing out a list of names and he just looked a little bothered.
"You really like death names huh?" He asked rhetorically, though the subject itself didn't seem to bother him much. "I think I will stick with Bunny then."
"Aw, my name gets shot down," I sighed wistfully, a shared look and the both of us are laughing together.
"So what about you?" Yagi- Skeleton- Bunny asked as he collected his breath again. His laughter having to come to a stop sooner to avoid coughing up a lung.
"Hmm?"
"What are your names," Now that had me sober up a bit. Thinking it over. He didn't seem to be that much and no one was really around.
"Got a few," I shrug, "You've seen two now I suppose, Aunty Zu, the unofficial babysitter of The Glades, and Vi."
"For Viridian, right?" Yagi asked me for clarification, and while I didn't like he was referencing to me in broad daylight.
"Yeah, not that that matters, right?" Sending the old man a side glare, shoving my hands into my sweatshirt pockets, left hand brushing against the hilt of one of my knives. The old man was nice and all, but one could never be too safe in The Glades.
"So what does Zu stand for," The question seemingly out of place, but it was a name.
"Nothing that matters any more, old man," I answer him this time before moving on. I had kids to watch, not old men to entertain.
"Fucking bullshit," There, no it can't be, a common crook shot Eraserhead! No, no it was very possible, even the best heroes could fall to the smallest things. Deep breaths. I can't leave him here. It would only be asking him to die from either; bloodloss, infection, or some other criminal coming to finish the job. Trying to use my flames were out of the question. He needed a medic, and he needed one now. There was an underground clinic, only a few blocks from here, alright. Alright this could still work.
Slowly approaching Eraserhead I reached out to him, expecting something from the underground hero. Unfortunately I was uncontested as I pressed my hand to his throat. Feeling a flighty pulse, it was going so fast but still weak. Looking down at his injury his arm was still bleeding. That shouldn't have taken him out as fast as it apparently did, so there could be more than just this effecting him. Looking at his limp capture weapon it was likely the cleanest thing here. Reaching out and taking it I began to tightly wrap Eraserhead's arm. I was rewarded with little less than a groan from the injured hero.
"Alright, hopefully you weigh far less than 70 killos," Grabbing Eraserhead's arm and pulling him up into a fireman's carry. I would need to be fast, and hopefully no one was going to care about a teen carrying a tall thin man too much.
It was probably not too much to ask of the Glades.
Coming to the right alley and even the hidden door along the metal wall, I slammed my foot into the door, quickly stepping inside, my legs were going to kill me in the morning with all the added weight.
"Brat, what the hell are yo- who is that?" The first nurse spoke from the reception desk. A small gasp from other patrons who had been waiting.
"It's Viridian," Some whispered.
"She's real," A child spoke enawwed. Ignoring them all as the receptionist and another nurse charged over to me with a medical bed. I set him down and quickly he was wheeled away. Already taking vitals and stats as they vanished behind the door.
"How long ago did you find him?" The receptionist returned soon to ask questions and I offered the answers best I could.
"Few minutes ago, ran straight here, I don't know anything other than he is Eraserhead." I inform her softly. She winces at the information. "Sorry." I offer softly, "He's,"
"I know," He was one of the few heroes that would enter the Glades. One of the few ones that may even turn a blind eye to places like this. "Do you want me to stay… I might not be able to do much, but i can give you time."
"I'll let you know, could you stay close?" She asked, I nodded my head.
"I'll be right outside, up on the roof," I told her, with that I was dismissed and sent away. Heading out I went and sat on a nearby fire escape. Wondering what had changed so much in my life that so many heroes were starting to appear in The Glades
hope you guys are enjoying this. if you leave any comments I love to answer them.