Vsagis - Blog Posts

vsagis​:

“Ah, there you are!” Izuku welcomes the other in a tone just as cheerful as before, seemingly committed to play a part of Rody’s friend. It’s not a kind of guise that would withstand an attentive examiner, but in a situation like this, it’s as good as any.

When the other boy asks him about the plane, the villain moves to answer it in the exact same, ligh-hearted manner. “At an airport, of course,” he says as he, again, hooks his arm around Rody’s elbow. Just a small safety measure to remind him that they both are on the job here. “There’s a pretty small one not too far away from here, but I guess you already know that. Let’s walk a little, I’ve already called for someone to pick us up.” And after walking for a few minutes, they would reach a car like any other, with a man behind the wheel, waving at the boys when he notices them.

“As promised.” He tried to give a small smile, but it was nothing compared to the other’s faux cheeriness. It was hard to be happy about disappearing on his family for some hours. With a stranger. Seeing the plane was probably the only thing Rody could look forward to. “Well- yeah,” there’s that moment of being caught off guard, maybe a bit annoyed, with the arm hooking. He merely sighs as he lets it happen. “I know that much. That’s where airplanes tend to be. But calling for one like this...” some shady guy could just land in a field and pick them up.

Rody notices the car, taking in the outside details of it; its make.. model... He glances at Izuku before looking at the car door. There was no way he was going in before the other. “You first, pretty boy.” Rody gestures his hand with a smile, in that playful charming way guys do when they let ladies go first.

vsagis​:

Judging by the ease he shows as he agrees to the other’s request, the villain must be feeling pretty sure of himself now. “Just make it quick,” he asks of Rody, expression unchanged even when he finishes with a veiled warning: “I’ll know if you try anything, so… don’t.”

And just like that, Izuku lets go of the other boy’s arm, even going as far as to give him a small wave. “I’ll wait here.” And wait he does.

Minutes pass, and Izuku finds himself bored, but not alarmed. Instinct tells him Rody isn’t a dodgy character, and he’s going to keep himself true to his promise to come back — and Izuku has long learned to trust his gut feelings.

Despite the uneasiness, Rody responds in all seriousness, "I won't." He wasn't going to risk anything. Especially with his siblings nearby now. Rody steps back once he's freed. "I'll be back." And off he went, jogging to his destination.

It was ten minutes of checking on his siblings, making sure they had food for the night, telling them that he would be back later and that they should go to bed without him, and then changing into fresh clothes and saying goodbye.

He would be back. But leaving them made his heart sting and his stomach twist. It was never easy to just leave.

Jogging back up in a clean (but patched-up) hoodie and jeans, Rody was somewhat relieved to see the other still standing there. That meant he didn't follow him home. That meant he trusted Rody's word. "Alright." He spoke up to get Izuku's attention if his footsteps didn't alert him already. "So where are we getting this plane?"

vsagis​:

Though he didn’t expect Rody to give up this quickly, the villain isn’t about to act or feel dissatisfied with the fact that he didn’t get a chance to show the other just how convincing he can be. On the contrary — his lips stretch out in a content smile, and he pats the other boy’s forearm with a nod.

“Yeah, we can take a small detour,” he agrees, but not without putting emphasis on the we. It’s something Rody should have figured out by now, but the green-haired boy still does it, just in case. You’re not going anywhere until I let you, the implications say.

“Why, you need to grab something from your house, or…?” Or maybe let someone know he’s going to be away for a while. A smart tactic, really; Izuku would have done the same if he were in Rody’s position. That means that, if anything bad were to happen to him, there will be somebody looking for him. Not that there’s any plans to get rid of the other as an inconvenient witness or anything, but that’s something the other boy can’t know.

Rody could have gone without the forearm pat. First they linked arms and now that- touchy, isn't he? Rody dreaded the "we" that came from his mouth. He had expected Izuku to tag along, given the circumstances, even if he would really prefer him not to.

"Well, unlike you, I just worked a five hour shift and would rather not fly for two hours in these clothes." It wasn't a lie. But it wasn't the reason he wanted to go home. He could have put up with staying in these clothes, but no way was he going to bring up his siblings. So now he was going to have to change. "Let's get going." Rody promptly left the alley, keeping Pino out of sight as he led the way.

Once they were a block away from the trailer park he lived in, Rody came to a stop, gaze landing on his partner. "...Can you at least wait here for like ten minutes? You should understand my caution of not letting a stranger know where I live, right?"

vsagis​:

Judging by his looks alone, Izuku doesn’t seem concerned by the other refusing him. “Of course it wasn’t,” he agrees with yet another one of those wide smiles as he hooks his arm around Rody’s elbow. “Just as delivering incomplete information.” The way he’s talking about it, as if discussing the weather or the prices in the neighboring grocery shop, makes Izuku seem much different than he was the day before, and the day before that. Colder, despite the tone.

“You’re going with me, Rody,” he moves to explain, “Because you didn’t deliver what I expected from you.” He fishes out his phone from his pocket and begins scrolling the contacts list as he speaks. “That, and because I’m not stupid. I didn’t have the time to verify what you did get me, so I’m taking you as my insurance policy. If the location doesn’t check out, I’ll have you near so you don’t vanish with the payment, and I’ll just keep bothering you to get me more.” It does make sense, one would have to admit, and even of someone who does work for a legitimate agency. And his attitude? Somewhat plausible; agents have to adjust their behaviors to get what they need, right…?

“I’ll get you home by midnight, don’t worry. You won’t be breaking your curfew,” he finishes with a joke.

Rody noticeably leaned away as Izuku linked their arms together, but he didn't pull his arm away. "Hey, I did my best. I got you more information than you originally had, ya know." The guy was honestly lucky it was Rody of all people who helped him out. Any other person probably wouldn't have been able to get the same piece of information.

Damn chip... Even if it did have all the information that Izuku was looking for, he still would have been dragged along, wouldn't he? It was smart to since Rody could have written down complete nonsense just for some money. Izuku was smart. What he said was hard to argue with because Rody would have done the same if he was in his position. He stole a glance at his partner's phone while he debated on a response. "Fine." He answered, albeit reluctantly, but it was an answer nonetheless.

Oh, he's got jokes now. Rody might have laughed if he wasn't so concerned. Hearing that at least eased some of his worries, though. He wouldn't be gone for long but still... he would be gone without any warning. His siblings would worry. "...Can I stop by my place before we go..?"

vsagis​:

Disappointing— is something the villain can’t really say, but he sure feels it. He had such hopes for Rody, and while they may not have been proven by anything, he had a hunch. But everything may not be lost yet — if what the other boy is saying is true, and it’s the coordinates for Humarise’s main base, Izuku might still find what he’s looking for.

“I will, if I have to,” he informs as he examines the paper, trusting the information to his memory before he pushes the note deep into his pocket. “Better get ready, then,” he continues, eyes back up to stare at the other. “If you had any plans for tonight, they’ve just changed.”

Of course he’s going to drag Rody along, both in a role of his safeguard and companion. A two hour flight sounds like a boring trip for someone taking it alone, but having the other boy with him should make it worthy of his time. Even if Izuku discovers nothing of value at the base, he may still be able to force some more information out of the other on their way there. “Come on, we don’t have a whole day.”

Gray eyes met the other’s gaze with surprise. He expected Rody to come with him? All the way to the Humarise base that he never wanted to step foot in again? He could feel Pino rustling around in his coat pocket as his mind started reeling, staring at the other as he gathered his thoughts. 

Of course he had plans for tonight; to go back home to his siblings! He couldn’t leave Roro and Lala alone. Not again. The whole world mission thing was enough as is. He almost died. He could’ve lost them forever. 

“What?” He finally spat out, disbelief heavy in his voice. He didn’t want to bring up his siblings. He didn’t want them to be brought into this in any way. If they weren’t mentioned, they would be safe. But it would be hard to give a clear excuse that wasn’t the truth. “No- no, I’m not going with you. I can’t.” His tone was firm and determined, with the slightest tinge of worry and fear to it. Rody had no clue how Usagi would react to such an outright no. “That wasn’t part of the deal. I got you info, now you’re on your own.” 

vsagis​:

Izuku’s face seems to beam once his offer is accepted, but who wouldn’t be happy about something like this? It’s the world’s safety nearly ensured now!

Or something like that.

“It’s pure pleasure working with you,” he jokes, body relaxing a little as he speaks. He’s not sure whether it’s a sign of genuine relief, or another element of the part he found himself playing to get here; but either way, it shouldn’t speak ill of him. If anything, it would only help. “I’ll be here when you shift ends, then,” he reassures and grabs the other’s hand. “Just tell me when.”

Who would have thought it could be this easy! One half of him is still worried the guy might be playing him here, especially with him saying yes so quickly, but… he wouldn’t be the only person led astray by the mere mention of money. Plenty of such types around the world.

“So, wanna give me your name now, since we’re temporarily partners?”

Of course the other would look so happy after Rody gave in to the deal. At least they were both getting something out of this. “Yeah yeah, sure it is.” There’s a small chuckle. “Will do. I hope you eat those fries while you wait.” They were probably cooled down completely by now; a shame really.

"Rody." Just the first name was fine. His partner certainly didn't need to know his last name. "And what do I have the pleasure of calling you?"

...

Well, he got the first half as promised. He'd never been more on edge heading home that night with that much money on him. It would have been the worst night to be robbed. Fortunately, it was a quiet walk home and he was back at his trailer in no time with dinner and his siblings waiting for him. Rody made sure to put the money away securely.

The next day, he spent hours at the library before his work shift, going through information on the chip he had. Of course this sort of information couldn’t be found out so easily. Why would it be if they wanted to keep it hidden?

Fast forward to after his shift, the brunette was now standing with the green-haired fellow in the alley next to the bar. Rody held out a folded up piece of paper towards his temporary partner. It was a print out of the layout of the Humarise main base, with the presumed lab circled on the diagram with a question mark next to it, and the location of the base written at the top of the paper.

“This is all the info I could get for you. Unfortunately, most of the scientists that worked on the bombs are either deceased or missing.” Well, one was in a coma. He waited for the other to grab the paper before continuing. “The base is far north of here. Maybe a five hour or so drive... Around a two hour flight if you have access to that sort of transportation.” If Freckles had access to an open account, who knew what else he had access to.

vsagis​:

“So you’re admitting I was right?” Though it’s phrased like a question, down to the intonation even, the underlying sense is that he doesn’t really expect it to be answered. Nor he needs it; he can read between the lines well.

The next part comes easy, as it’s one Izuku knows best. Money is, after all, the best motivator there is. For most people, but that’s the beautiful thing in it all: it means that it works nine times out of ten.

“The world’s safety has no price,” the villain reassures in a light tone. For the persona he has created for this purpose, it may sound innocent enough: just another person relieved he is one step closer to ensure the good guys are going to win again. For the reality… the connexion doesn’t present itself as crystal clear. “I have been given an open account. You want five thousand, you get five thousand, that kind of stuff, you get the gist,” he finishes with a shrug, though a bit quieter this time. Better not to let anybody else hear that, or they might get some stupid ideas.

Not that he can’t handle a robbery, but there’s more important things right now.

“Wouldn’t get too cocky if I were you, still.” Logical, isn’t it? Say a wrong number, either too small and too high, and poof! Suspicion arises, and it’s all gone as if it were never there. “We can do half before, and half after.”

His eyes narrowed at that. Rody wasn't going to agree or disagree verbally. The guy had his attention, for now.

Rody practically mocked such a corny sentence in his mind. The world’s safety has no price. Yeah, sure, but how much are you willing to pay me for its safety? He did his best not to react in any particular way at the hypothetical amount that was stated.

Five thousand? He didn't even make that much in a month! Rody wasn't a truly greedy person. He always took what he could, would sometimes try to negotiate, but never pushed it. And if he ever was greedy, it was for good reason. He had two younger siblings to feed and take care of. Any amount helped.

And five thousand was an amount that would help him out immensely.

"Who says I'm getting cocky?" He retorted with a smirk. Even if the other backed out of the second half of the deal, twenty five hundred was still plenty, but of course it wasn't preferable if five thousand was possible. "I understand how this works. I respect it." Did Rody respect him though? That was a different question.

If he was in on this deal now, Rody was going to have to peek into that memory card with all the Humarise info on it that he should have turned in to the officials in retrospect just to make sure where this formula could be. “I don’t want to do any exchanging while on the job, ya know?” He kept his voice low. “You can give me half outside after my shift ends. Then we’ll meet outside again... tomorrow night? I’ll have what you need by then.” Rody stuck out his hand in classic deal-making fashion. “Do we have a deal?”

vsagis​:

It’s funny how people always imagine heroes to be a magic eraser of some kind; you want to have something to lull your doubts into silence? Heroes! Some hero is surely already on their way to save this woman pulled into a stranger’s car. That agency next block is definitely just now gearing up to help evacuate people out of that gigantic highway car wreck! A hero must have already snatched the most powerful drug’s formula from the hands of evil… right?

The silence, while not given enough time to grow painfully uncomfortable, wraps around the two like a veil as Izuku places both his hands flat on the table. He waits, lips pressed together as if thinking about what he’s been told, and after a moment passes, looks up so his eyes can meet Rody’s again. “Do you really believe that?” The question rings out nearly sorrowful, the boy’s intonation mixed with a worried look on his face. “I wouldn’t be here if that was the case. Sadly.”

At least the creative truth leaves this one thing without taking its claim on it: Izuku truly is unhappy about having to travel all the way here. It would be so much easier for him to just steal the formula from someone who has already retrieved it.

“I don’t think the police are going to be too helpful here, really, and every day matters. You know how they tend to be…”

He was a fool to think he could just walk away from this. Gray irises met green as Rody’s eyebrows furrowed in thought. Did he believe that?

Not really, no. He hadn’t seen any headlines about ‘Heroes Safely Secure Humarise’s Drug!’ Which seemed like a pretty important thing to tell the world, right? That they had nothing to worry about? He hated that the guy had a point. If he was here for it, then... it had to still be out there.

Rody knew exactly how the police were; he knew they wouldn’t be of much help, but recommended them to get the guy off his back. But that obviously didn’t work.

Sighing from where he now stood, he leaned forward, putting his hand on the table. “If I help you,” this was a bad idea, “how much are you willing to pay me?” Hey, he needed money. And maybe the idea of paying someone would steer the other away. If he kept going though, giving information and details wasn’t as bad as getting physically involved... Maybe. It’s not like Rody was gonna fly the green-haired guest over there himself. He wouldn’t go that far.

vsagis​:

It seems like the green-haired one has an answer for every question someone could possibly ask; the confidence in his voice suggests as much. “Well, your usual random member doesn’t have any useful information. Not the kind I need, anyway.”

The answer to the next question — what is it that he’s trying to find in the ruins of Humarise? — comes right after Izuku’s first statement. “You know what they were planning to do, right? I mean, we all do,” he begins in with a sort of introductory note, only to follow it with the words the other wants to hear the most. “This can’t happen again. The formula needs to be found and protected, so nobody else can attempt such a thing,” he lies. The ease uttering these false truths comes to him with is appalling; he even works to reflect the air of concerned urgency in how his fists clench on the table, and how his gaze fills with hope.

Truth be told, it’s not all lies. Izuku truly doesn’t want this tragedy to happen again, but rather find a different use to Trigger. One that wouldn’t work on such a big scale, and that would only be aimed at his individual enemies.

His interest had piqued. As wary as he was, he needed to know where this was going. "Of course," the answer was obvious. Humarise's plan was practically known worldwide.

Rody let the answer set in. The formula...? So that's what he was after. Any Humarise member that worked closely with the formula would be the most preferable then.

...His dad would have been one of them, right? Since he worked on the bombs and all.

...

Would that kind of information be on that chip from the case? He at least knew where the main base was... Some, if not most, of the humanity salvation bombs had to be manufactured there.

"I think anyone in their right mind would agree that it shouldn't happen again." He had to stop thinking so much about this. How did Rody end up as the guy to get information from? "But I really can't get involved in this sort of thing," again. He almost said the word out loud but caught himself. That word alone would have revealed too much. Talking like this was already getting him involved, and he didn't want to dive any deeper.

He eyed the stranger once more. He wasn't a hero undercover was he..? Would a hero go about getting information like this in some shady bar? There had to be better options for intel. A vigilante, maybe? It didn't matter right now. Not like Freckles would tell him if Rody asked. "I'm sure there are others that have thought like you. Maybe a group of heroes already dealt with it and have the formula secured already. Then you have nothing to worry about." The brunette reached out and took a fry, popping it into his mouth as he motioned to get up. "Maybe talk to the police or something." Rody wanted out of the conversation.

vsagis​:

The green-haired boy tilts his head to the side, appearing unmoved by the other’s reaction. It’s almost as if he was waiting for it, the corners of his mouth unmoving with that smile still plastered onto his face. At least it seems to tone down a little, taking back its softer quality.

“You’re talking,” he notes, tone as light as everything he has already said without truly saying anything. When he continues, his voice hushes as he mirrors the other boy’s tone; anybody else’s attention is still very much unwanted. “And you seem to be quite intimate with at least some of the knowledge you have about them.”

Now, that’s only an educated guess. Maybe he would get a similar reaction if he got to this point with anyone else, but his gut tells Izuku otherwise.

“Depends on which members, by the way. You know how it is. Not everyone is useful.”

Rody narrowed his eyes at the two words because he was right, but Rody hadn't really said much either. When he said people didn't like to talk about them, he was included in that group.

Why would he want to talk about a group his father was involved in? Especially a group that no one liked. He knew how that would look if others knew.

He really didn't like that statement. It made his heart rate pick up. What did he mean by intimate? "Just because I live in an area where some members resided doesn't mean I know anything." Rody defended. Hell, even the Otheon police department was working with that cult.

Depends, the guy says. "And what kind of members would be the most useful to you then? What are you trying to get out of them?" The brunette asks as his brows furrow. He's curious, but wary. He wants to know what this guy is looking for specifically, but knows he's not guaranteed any answers.

After all, the guest is the one looking for answers. Yet here Rody was asking all the questions.

vsagis​:

Finally, the green-haired boy’s smile takes a turn, teeth showing behind parted lips as he lets out an amused huff.

“You’re smart,” he comments, still not providing any confirmation or negation for the other’s guesses. Instead, he presses a finger against the edge of the plate and pushes it to the middle of the table, as if inviting the server to help himself to the fries. Then, he withdraws his hand, the wrist curled back, and lays his palms flat on the table before mirroring the other’s position. Now it looks like they’re both discussing some sort of secret— if they were actors on set of a cliché spy film, that is. That’s why nobody will really pay attention.

“You promise you won’t tell?” It sound like he’s joking, but when Izuku finally gives his answer, it’s clear he’s speaking the truth. “Humarise. Or whatever’s left of it.”

A heartbeat, and he adds one more thing: “I couldn’t be any further from associating with them in any way than I already am, before you accuse. They’re scum.”

"I'll take that compliment." From the smile to the simple action of pushing fries across the table, Rody was slowly seeing the real side of this guest. Technically, he wasn't supposed to sit on the job. Technically.

He sat down across from the green-haired fellow, amused. He sat comfortably, as if he was simply talking to a friend. The guy really didn't have to worry about any attention being drawn to him; everyone was eating, drinking, or watching whatever game was on the TV.

"Promise." Rody humored him with a smile. Who would he tell anyway? All jobs were secretive around here. But rumors always seemed to leak through the cracks.

His heart dropped at the name.

Now, Rody's done a lot of lying in his life, had to charm his way out of things often, so he did his best to keep a neutral reaction. At least the guy didn't want to join them.

"You're trying to find Humarise members?" Was the first question out of his mouth. He spoke low. "People around here don't like to talk about them, let alone mention them, so you might be out of luck, Freckles."

vsagis​:

The villain’s eyes follow the server as he walks away, an eyebrow raised in the only acknowledgment of the other’s comment.

Maybe he played it just a little stupid (and tremendously dangerous), but Izuku, while accepting said fact, doesn’t really consider himself dense. It’s all going to pay off one way or the other, either by finding out at least some of the answers to his questions, or bringing attention to him. He can use both.

As he bides the time for the other boy’s return, Izuku slowly scans the other patrons’ appearances. Nothing out of ordinary for this kind of place, and nothing his eyes would rest upon for longer than just a moment. Oh well.

Once the server returns, Izuku welcomes him with another smile; a bit different than the one he gave him before. “So,” he begins, “How about you answer my question, and I answer yours in return?” Sounds shady, but then he follows with a quite innocent inquiry: “Why do you think I came here?”

Coming back with the fries, Rody set them down in front of his current patron of interest. The pink bird stayed in her place by the bar.

Hearing the other start, Rody knew something was up. Well, he knew something was up since the guy walked in. He squints a bit, raising an eyebrow at the inquiry. It doesn't hurt to entertain him. "Sure." Rody smiled leaning against the booth, getting 'comfortable.' He thought maybe the question would be straight to the point, and Rody would finally have a clear answer to why he was here. With that expectation, the actual question caught him off-guard for a moment.

But he liked it.

The brunette hummed with a smile. "People come here for lots of different reasons. To generalize, they come here looking for jobs and information. To meet with others they plan to work with." There was a pause as Rody looked him over. "Seeing that you asked me a question like that, I don't think you're here for any jobs. I think you're already on the job, looking for something."

He leaned in a bit from his side of the booth. "Now, should I ask the obvious question and hope you answer me honestly?" He rhetorically asked before asking his real question. "What's your real reason for coming here? I think being honest is in your best interest if you want what you're looking for. But that's just your server speaking."

vsagis​:

Ah, of course he’s made it obvious.

Izuku rests his chin on his hands, fingers linked together to support himself better. “Sometimes you just get a craving,” he jokes with a huff. Normally, more time would pass between him just appearing and someone asking this kind of questions, but this situation is different. In such a close-knit community, if it can be called that, every stranger stands out like a sore thumb.

“I think I’ll have the fries. Gonna go with the craving first.” At least he can make the other work for it. Get him more curious, and get something in return.

Hopefully.

“Right.” The word was practically laced with suspicion. A craving for a specific place’s fries, when you’ve never been to said place. Makes total sense. There were plenty of other, non-shady, places to grab some unhealthy fries at.

Whatever squint Rody’s eyes held was immediately lost as he grinned, reverting back to that customer service personality for the moment. He was on the job after all. “Alright, I’ll go get those for ya then. If you want anything else to drink besides water, let me know.” And off to the kitchen he went. Though, a certain pink bird did fly out of his work apron onto the bar counter.

Looks like she was keeping watch. Let’s hope the new fry-loving customer didn’t mind two little eyes observing his every move.

vsagis​:

The green-haired boy seems lost in his thoughts, but his head turns towards the server the moment the other approaches him, a polite smile plastered onto his face.

“Hi.” It’s always a good choice to start with a greeting. It shows manners, and it gives one a few precious seconds to gather his thoughts, if he so requires.

Izuku doesn’t.

“Hope you don’t mind me just picking a table on my own,” he follows as his expression changes and takes a tinge of embarrassment. “I wasn’t sure if I should wait,” (Read: it doesn’t look like that kind of place.) “And you seemed busy, so…” He finishes with a small shrug. “But a recommendation would be helpful.” A meal is one of the last, if not the last, motivations that could bring him here, but Izuku isn’t that thoughtless; asking questions from the moment he stepped inside won’t get him anywhere. Well, maybe it would — outside, kicked out by the server, and that’s an eventuality he can’t afford here.

Seeing the other smile was a good start, but Rody couldn't tell if it was genuine or not. He'll find out eventually. "Don't mind at all; it's what people usually do here."

Taking a quick glance behind him to look at the rest of the establishment, he took note of what was being ordered the most as of tonight. As if he didn't already know, having served all that stuff himself. "Burgers are always a safe bet." Rody grinned, facing back to the stranger. "Or just some fries if you're not that hungry." There was a thoughtful hum, Rody's suspicion and curiosity slipping into it.

"But would you really come to this area just for some greasy fries? Doesn't seem worth the trip."

@vsagis​

Rody knew the locals. Rody knew the regulars.

He wasn’t one of them.

The guy stuck out as soon as he walked into the establishment. Rody was well-aware that he would have to go greet the newcomer, and could only hope that things went smoothly. He would have to get a feel for the guy. See if he knew what kind of area he was in; what kind of people typically dined here. And if he was one of them.

“Welcome to Stanley’s Bar.” Rody threw on his typical customer service grin as he addressed the green-haired fellow, placing a glass of water on the table in front of him. “I’ll be your little caretaker for tonight. Is there anything I can get for you? Do you need any recommendations?” His name was purposefully not handed out to the other, nor did he wear a nametag. That’s just how this place ran.​