[𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲]

I never considered myself an introvert but when the class president scooped me by the scruff of my neck and dragged me to the before party (isn’t that just a party?) I found myself at a loss for words. Before I could ask where or what the before party was, she handed out pamphlets to me and a few other students. Apparently, she was wranglin’ the newbies. UAU was no stranger to transplants making their debut in the middle of the year. And Dream World was a perfect substitute for the mixer she usually hosted.

“Yahello, newbies!” Short hair, big glasses, bigger… eyes. Watanabe Sakura seemed like the prototypical archetype of a teacher’s pet. “If you look closely at the pamphlets, you’ll notice an invitation to Nirvana. Don’t lose it.” Her voice dropped. “Not only are we going to the Unity Festival… we are going to the party of. the. year.“ Watanabe hands out packets of business cards to each of us. “And you’re promoters.”

Everyone searched for answers in each other's eyes.

“Promote or pay to get but you have to come. It’s my duty as class president to integrate you into UAU.” She takes off her glasses and gives everyone puppy dog eyes. There’s no way this’ll wo— “I know you’re coming, right, Ruru?”

“I, uh —”

Before I know it, I’m handing out cards to Nirvana at the festival. Things are going… well, they’re going. I’m getting my shake of ‘no, thank you’s’ and ‘maybe, next time’s’ but I’ve seen a few people excited about the prospect. Clubs aren’t my forte but I have to go. Watanabe picked me out of the crowd and if I’m to survive the school year, I need to find out what she knows.

“Hey,” I offer a business card to a stranger. “I know this is Dream World but it’d be a dream if you came by to Nirvana. See you tonight?”

---

Elias

[Elias]

The Bird of Hermes is    my name                       Eat  My   WINGS   TO   KEEP   ME   TAME 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲

Oh, how awkward. Or opportune, perhaps? No, Elias would stick with awkward. Aina assured him she had things handled. She rode up to the festival with a handful of Nirvana's staff, called some local agencies, and even contacted a few nearby universities to handle promotion. Yet again, his right-hand woman came through, but that didn't stop Elias from popping by to check in on things--see what the dream festival hubbub was all about. But now it was time to leave.. until it wasn't. Held up by one of your own, even if they didn't know it. Oh well. 

Glacial eyes fell on the card before retrieving it from the strapping young fellow (as if the man wasn't basically Elias' age). "Oh, I'm sure you'll see me around" Elias spoke with words of silk. Aina wasn't too far off—time for a little impromptu evaluation. Just how well-informed were their little promoters? 

It was a decent spot to be handing out material. Not too far from the entrance, it was a crossroads for those still deciding what activities they wished to partake in first. With rides, games, and charades in all their forms, the dream festival was fun for all ages, including some of the more mature clientele they would want in attendance tonight. 

"Have you ever been before? To the Nirvana, that is? Or will this be your first time there?" He asked the boy, eyes drifting from the fellow to a few of what must've been his classmates dotting the small intersection. 

OWL

[𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲]

The man spoke with familiarity befitting a regular. His sophistication implied a level of prestige to Nirvana. I misjudged Watanabe’s efforts. Whether he was a high-class socialite or had financial investments tied to the event, it spoke to her status. If she didn’t have friends in high places, she climbed atop the jagged mountainside and led us like kids. Like, the baby goats not human children. We were her status symbol, a numerical value measuring her worth. The event wasn’t for us newbies. It was for her.

“I’m new to the country,” The man’s eyes wander to the intersection where a few peers mingled with other strangers, mirroring my previous conversations. “And so are my friends.” It’s easy to keep people’s attention when you address what they care about.

“Our class president, Watanabe Sakura, set this up.” My eyes don’t leave his face. If the name rings a bell, I’ll know. “It’s her way of introducing us to different communities of Japan and practice interacting with strangers — as future heroes, it’s our job.”

Everyone has an opinion on heroes. If he bites, I’ll leverage my status at UA University. If she plans on corralling us transplants for her career, I’ll show Watanabe the danger of keeping secrets from me.

“I’m Rahul,” I offer my hand. “You seem to know the place. Recommend any drinks?”

---

Elias

[Elias]

The Bird of Hermes is    my name                       Eat  My   WINGS   TO   KEEP   ME   TAME 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲

Watanabe Sakura, Watanabe Sakura... the name wasn't entirely unfamiliar to Elias, but no face came to avail the silhouette forming in his mind. Ah, because there was no face to draw from. She was Aina's point of contact at one of the universities. Not just any university, but UAU. Hedon, though he was, NIrvana's success was no stroke of luck. The Wish-Maker knew how to run an operation.

He read through Aina's contact list, snatched the pertinent nuggets, and stashed them away for safekeeping. For this exact moment, actually. So, this lot was heroism's best and brightest heroes of tomorrow, the next generation. People, he might have to kill one day. If his benefactors willed it. 

"Ah, well then, may I be among the first to offer salutations and felicitations to your class president on her refined choice of purlieu. I assure you you'll find a most diverse crowd of clientele from all walks of life at the club." 

Had Elias clued in on his true relationship with the club? Maybe, but it mattered little. Certainly not enough to dampen or elevate his mood. The amused temperament with which he carried himself remained steadfast. An eyebrow rose with Rahul's mention of the academy but nothing more. Heroism was always the talk of the town, a stale subject for a club owner. Still, it never hurt to learn more. 

Elias took Rahul's hand for a shake, "Pleasure, Rahul. My name is Elias, Elias Kamiya. And I would recommend the Midnight Ataraxia," he offered, his eyes now firmly set on Rahul. "It's a special mix exclusive to the Nirvana. Not unlike a Sazerac, though perhaps slightly sweeter, and with the most radiant blue glow." 

"So, tell me, how are you and your fellow classmates new here liking your stay in Japan?" 

OWL

[𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲]

I struggled to parse his words. Japanese wasn’t my native tongue but I was fluent much to the chagrin of my parents, neither of which spoke the language. It was precisely because of their deaths that I was prepared for the country. Tanaki took good care of me but as my primary interlocutor, his preference for simple and direct conversations made moments like these difficult.

There was enough context to fake my understanding but remembering those drinks would prove impossible. If I’m lucky, Watanabe could give me the rundown. Not that I trusted the tastes of a rich man. A prospective sponsor invited the Heavy Hands Hero Agency to dinner during my time there. The dishes were stained with worn hands and exploitation.

“I just met them,” I point towards the group with my head. “Aside from paperwork and classes, Nirvana will be my first impression.”

“RURU!” Watanabe pierced my ears before her arms wrapped around mine tugging me down to her whisper. “That’s the owner of Nirvana. And I don’t mean that Cobain shit.”

“This is Watanabe.” I try to keep things smooth. “The one I mentioned.”

“Omg you brought me up?” She’s doing this on purpose. It’s an act. A disgusting one at that. “I’m so excited for the after-party! Will you be there?”

---

Elias

[Elias]

The Bird of Hermes is    my name                       Eat  My   WINGS   TO   KEEP   ME   TAME 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲

The practiced smile Elias wore crooked up ever so slightly. The cat was out of the bag, but why complain when little Sakura was fawning over the feline? Elias's rise was swift. His name was sprawled across quite a few papers a few years back. A successful club owner who wasn't even of drinking age at the time. He had earned much adoration and praise for that. Self-consumed as he was, he never tired of it. 

"Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Watanabe," Elias offered, taking her free hand and offering it a gentle kiss in greeting. "Of course, I shall," he continued as he drew back. "Such occasions require practiced eyes to run smoothly." 

The duality between the two was clear enough. Watanabe Sakura, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. College student, even if from UAU. Nothing more, at first glance, at least. The foreigner - Rahul? Mystery. Wild card. Hesitant maybe? He certainly wasn't vibrating like his classmate. There was a little something in the eyes, an ocean just waiting to freeze over. 

"I appreciate your assistance, both of you. It won't go unreciprocated. First round will be on the house for the entirety of your group here, as will any food your order."

How much damage could a few students possibly do? The slightest bump in operations cost to put a little more pep in their step and push a few more boots through the door. Besides, it couldn't hurt to build a little rapport with students of the most prestigious hero academy in the country.

"If you don't mind, a question of my own, may I ask why each of you decided to pursue the lives you have? Heroics, that is."    

OWL

[𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲]

Watanabe freaks out when he kisses her hand with an excited hop as her face blushes. I can’t tell whether it’s part of her act but she recomposes herself before I read into it. We’re offered a free round of drinks and food before he blindsides us with his inquiry: why did we choose to become heroes?

Whatever interest Watanabe had in me redirected itself to Elias. She doesn’t need time to think about her answer. It’s something she’s practiced a thousand times. Each word was carefully picked. Each sentence was perfectly crafted.

It rang hollow.

“My grandfather belonged to the first generation of quirk users. And despite the hardships that brought him, he knew it was his duty to protect the people of this country. When my father was born he inherited my grandfather’s quirk. And, with that, his responsibility. With the proliferation of quirks and an increasingly dangerous world, I must protect the people of this country like my father and his father before him.”

There was truth in there somewhere. A fixation on her family’s image. Maybe she’s afraid to disappoint them. Or, maybe, she believes the lie she’s telling herself. Narratives are easier to digest than the complex human underneath it all. Shame on her for taking the easy way out.

“You don’t inherit responsibility. You choose it.” I ignore her glare and keep my eyes on Elias. “I’m here to protect the people I love.”

---

Elias

[Elias]

The Bird of Hermes is    my name                       Eat  My   WINGS   TO   KEEP   ME   TAME 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲

Approval. From her family? Or from those onlookers that cheered their names when man overcame monster, when the hero conquered the beast? Either. Both. It didn't matter, Watanabe Sakura was circling a legacy, and likely dreaded the thought she might not stick the landing. Knowing she was of heroic lineage was another nugget Elias could stash away, for whatever purposes he may later require. 

On the other hand, Rahul here was pretty straightforward. To protect the people he loves? Oh love, what it was to leave oneself so open. Had loss already carved its mark in his heart? If he had no obligation to heroism, did he, in fact, choose it to spare others the hurt he felt? It was only after losing such love that one understood it needed defending. Oh, those fanciful tales of love and loss which made men into something more... none of that was for him. He wanted their motivations, some inkling of their desires, and now he had them. 

"Noble goals. I'm sure your families are quite proud, and that you will find much success in your pursuits. We'll be relying on you, you know," he replied.

As long as they weren't interrupting his benefactors, then by all means, may they find their success. The Hibernacula, the club below the club, wouldn't hold much value in a world where criminals weren't afraid of their heroic counterparts. If they stayed out of his way, let them play hero.

"In any case, I won't take up much more of your valuable time. I'm sure you wish to enjoy the festivities, so I won't stall your efforts in assisting with our promotion any further. And you do have my thanks. If there's anything else you might need, either here or at the party tonight, feel free to ask."

He didn't budge yet. No, Aina would soon come to him, and then he would be on his way. There was work to do back at the club still. It was an interesting choice to opt for UAU students to help, but there was wisdom in that. If a bunch of students from such a prestigious school were handing you the invite, maybe you'd be more inclined to attend- see what the heroes of tomorrow got up to in their own time.  

OWL

[𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲]

The conversation is over.

Repetition is vital. Without the constant reminder, how else would I remember to bite my tongue? I’m bombarded with the urge to correct people's misconceptions of the world — and, more importantly, their misconceptions of me. My reasons for becoming a hero are entirely selfish. Take us to the Stone Age and you won’t find a hero, you’ll find a warrior. I’m willing to die for those I love but more importantly willing to kill. The hero institution provides a more stable alternative. There’s an unwritten code we all live by. And it protects the people I care for when I cannot. But should it ever falter or the last of my loved ones perish, there’s no reason to be a hero.

“It was a great meeting you!” Watanabe’s still sour but saves it for when we’re alone.

“Take care.” I don’t have a strong impression aside from his suspicious generosity. ‘Great’ was premature at best. And still a lie.

“I’m grillin’ your shit later.” She says, heading back to the rest of the group, ready to tell the tale of her fantastical encounter.

Later never comes. Only sleep.

---

Elias

[Jinx]

☆ MISSION SUCCESS ☆

An ominous first meeting~
Great thread you two!

+ 75 Tokens!!

Playboy: 100 // 175
Elias: 175 // 250

tag: 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲,Elias