[You know, Bakugou is getting really tired of being scruffed.
But more than that, he's getting really tired of people just going and assuming he's some uncontrollable criminal. It's just annoying, more than anything else. It's not something he's fragile enough to take personally, after all. But the fact that he keeps being lifted in the air by people who think they have the right to just go and do that? That's where the annoyance kicks in.
The kid is ignored, in favor of Bakugou kicking and squirming in midair in order to try to turn and glare at the man who just hauled him up off his feet.]
So what? People turn into dragons and shit like that all the time where I'm from. If they get in my way I'll kick their asses whether they're a god or not!
[Okay, turning to glare at this guy isn't really working. And as much as Bakugou's palms itch with the desire to explode himself out of this grip-- they are standing on a pier. He's not looking to actually destroy things. At least not for now.]
Criminal--?? I haven't done shit! [Ope, there he goes, kicking and screaming again.] And why the hell should I apologize for anything?! If her stupid feelings are hurt by me calling her stingy, then maybe she should go and grow a damn backbone!
[ she would have liked to believe she could handle this herself, but nevertheless there is a wave of relief that washes over her as Wriothesley rounds the statue and scruffs Bakugou by his jacket. later she will thank him for his assistance, tell him how gallant and brave and handsome he was─ later! not now! focus Furina! ]
A backbone? My pauvre imbécile trompeur. My feelings are not hurt by your petty words, they are little more than water off a duck's back.
[ she has nothing to prove to him, not at all, and yet she allows her form to shift regardless; her hair grows longer, her outfit changes, the very air about her seems to shift and almost grow colder. Focalors steps forward to look up at the wiggling boy with barely contained disdain. ]
Do you forget kicking the statue upon your first day, petit imbécile? That is the crime you committed, the crime in which the beasts of the waters themselves believe you guilty of. Count yourself lucky the laws of this world abhor executions, you would have found yourself with a blade hanging over your neck otherwise.
[ it's fine. The duke has held onto more wriggly prisoners than Bakugou--and while most of his threats to lock the kid up was entirely lip service--a thinly-veiled threat to warn the other that his attitude was, in fact, something he could get into serious trouble for were they actually in fontaine, he still isn't at all impressed, completely nonplussed by his explosion as he considers putting the kid down.
if he's going to act like a feral kitten, he's going to get treated like a feral kitten, it's as simple as that. words and actions have consequences. ]
Noone needs any ass-kicking, kiddo. And to agree with Furina, 'I haven't done shit' is a little too far in terms of pleading innocence. If you 'didn't do shit', the Seals wouldn't be on your butt for what you did do.
The rules of Fontaine have been set in stone by a goddess. Abusing artifices of said goddess is an extreme offense and would normally set you up for about a year of jail time at minimum--more, depending on the level of damage done to said artifice.
We're not here to lock you up or take your head.
We're here to hear your proper apology. So we can agree that mistakes were made and so we can call the seals off you. [ and finally, when Furina says 'let's try again', the Duke will place Bakugou back down on the ground. There's a heavy metal clink as his gauntlets settle at his side. ]
You can start by not screaming every sentence. My hearing is pretty sensitive, you know.
[Transformations aren't exactly something new, to Bakugou. They're a dime a dozen, back home. But he can't deny the way the hair stands up on the back of his neck, the way he feels like he's bristling under this shift in the girl in front of him, the way she's looking at him.
Even if it pisses him off. Even if it's so damn obvious that she's looking down on him.
He's placed on his feet, wrenching his arm out of the Duke's grip, even if it was about to be loosened, anyway. He has his pride, after all. Ohhhh, how he has his pride.]
... I don't owe anyone a damn apology. [At the very least, his voice is a little calmer. He's no longer yelling, instead his voice is a low growl, annoyed and on edge.] Statues are just hunks of rock. Statues of gods are just hunks of rock devoted to assholes looking down on people and expecting to be worshiped even though they've never done shit for half the people they expect things from.
[He raises his chin, if just so he can look down on Furina, despite the way his skin crawls with impending danger.]
You haven't done a single thing to prove yourself to me. I don't owe you anything, no matter what your stupid "rules" say.
[Bakugou why are you even here then, you spiteful, prideful little shit? Try to stay focused for once.]
I do not expect people to worship me, I would never ask that of people. None of the gods who reside within this city demand worship from the people around us, we desire nothing more than to live as normally as everyone else does.
[ her arms cross across her chest, meeting his gaze with one as steely as his own. the two Melusines she had been walking with settle behind Wriothesley, frowns decorating their faces as they observe the sight before them. they would chide the boy themselves but between the Duke and Furina herself, they see no reason to step in.
Focalors looks to the discarded bottle of water, then back to Bakugou himself. something he said gives her pause, makes her think. ]
Why are you here, then? Why did you think to pour water on the statue and the god you disregard so? State your desires clearly.
She does a lot more in this city than she'll be willing to admit. It's thanks to her, for one, that people can breathe down in the waters of the harbour, after all.
[ He's going to cross his arms over his chest calmly, his voice even and low, doing his level best to keep his tone neutral. If there's one thing he's learned about dealing with volatile types with Bakugou, it's to talk to them civilly, without taking an arrogant tone that might light their fire up, more. He's a lot calmer than he was--even if he's still being a bitey jerk. He nods his head at Furina as she asks her question, though, and the Duke will stay quiet to let them hash it out, now that his part is done.
[There's a sharpness to Bakugou's eyes as he shifts his stance, as he lets his chin lower in order to regard Furina a little... more seriously. As he lets himself actually study this so-called goddess.
He can't deny the way his own instincts are telling him this is trouble. The way he's picking up on her surety, her confidence, the loyalty of the weird... water rabbit creatures? and the damn guard dog she had accompanying her.
It's something that has him actually thinking, actually calming down enough that, in response to Wriothesley's input, he's just crossing his arms and letting out a little "Tch" as he just... keeps thinking.
Even if that thinking is interrupted in a little full body flinch as he's completely and totally called out.]
.... that ain't crap. [He's grumbling, shoulders shrugging up in his tension, turning in order to scowl down at the water bottle he'd dropped when he was so rudely dangled.] Just-- I dunno. I don't know shit about gods and statues. I just know water's something we pour on graves at home. Figured since you're apparently all about water, or something, that'd be the same.
[His eyes flick back to Furina, now, the tension and frustration in him not unlike a caged animal.]
I just want to be able to walk on the damn beach without getting mobbed by seals.
[It's only been like a week. This boy has no patience.]
[ the more she observes him the more she sees that tension within him, the frustration of not knowing not understanding, of being out of place. it's a feeling she so keenly remembers. she shifts, her gaze flicking to Wriothesley and softening. her focus shifts back to Bakugou, the tension in her shoulders lessening as he speaks, fingers tapping against her own crossed arms.
as rough as his edges appear to be, this boy is just a boy thrust into a world not his own and expected to swim when all he can really do is sink. ]
Would you like to know about the gods and their statues? [ Focalors expects rejection, but it will not hurt to reach out a hand. ] I'm willing to tell you all that I know. About the gods, this city, this world you find yourself in.
[ the air about her shifts, that biting cold becoming warmer. ]
I will also ask the seals and blubberbeasts to be kinder, I cannot guarantee they will change their ways immediately but if you were to bring them treats that will help. There are some fishermen along the harbor who always leave aside part of their catches to feed to the seals, if you were to ask them kindly they may give you some of it to give to the seals.
[There's a tension building in Bakugou at Furina's words, her shifting treatment of him, the looming presence of Wriothesley looming menacingly to the side.
It's... easier, now that he's watching this tiny woman move and listening to her speak, that she's not the kid she originally appeared to be. It's not the first time he's seen someone like this. Quirks manifest in a whole lot of ways back home, it's hard to judge someone's age based on how they look in any direction.
Doesn't mean he won't always be rude about it, to start off with.]
Like hell I'm gonna ask kindly. [He scoffs, sneers, almost, seems so dismissive as he starts with that comment and not Furina's offer. But... ] If I'm gonna offer anything, I'll fish it up myself.
[It's a shift, at least, in the general attitude he's still projecting.]
.... but yeah. Sure. Fine. [He's scowling, so obviously annoyed and frustrated, but there's an edge to his anger, now. A slight confused franticness that betrays just how overwhelmed he's starting to feel about how differently this world works.] Tell me about the other assholes people worship in this stupid world.
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But more than that, he's getting really tired of people just going and assuming he's some uncontrollable criminal. It's just annoying, more than anything else. It's not something he's fragile enough to take personally, after all. But the fact that he keeps being lifted in the air by people who think they have the right to just go and do that? That's where the annoyance kicks in.
The kid is ignored, in favor of Bakugou kicking and squirming in midair in order to try to turn and glare at the man who just hauled him up off his feet.]
So what? People turn into dragons and shit like that all the time where I'm from. If they get in my way I'll kick their asses whether they're a god or not!
[Okay, turning to glare at this guy isn't really working. And as much as Bakugou's palms itch with the desire to explode himself out of this grip-- they are standing on a pier. He's not looking to actually destroy things. At least not for now.]
Criminal--?? I haven't done shit! [Ope, there he goes, kicking and screaming again.] And why the hell should I apologize for anything?! If her stupid feelings are hurt by me calling her stingy, then maybe she should go and grow a damn backbone!
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A backbone? My pauvre imbécile trompeur. My feelings are not hurt by your petty words, they are little more than water off a duck's back.
[ she has nothing to prove to him, not at all, and yet she allows her form to shift regardless; her hair grows longer, her outfit changes, the very air about her seems to shift and almost grow colder. Focalors steps forward to look up at the wiggling boy with barely contained disdain. ]
Do you forget kicking the statue upon your first day, petit imbécile? That is the crime you committed, the crime in which the beasts of the waters themselves believe you guilty of. Count yourself lucky the laws of this world abhor executions, you would have found yourself with a blade hanging over your neck otherwise.
Now, let us try this again shall we?
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if he's going to act like a feral kitten, he's going to get treated like a feral kitten, it's as simple as that. words and actions have consequences. ]
Noone needs any ass-kicking, kiddo. And to agree with Furina, 'I haven't done shit' is a little too far in terms of pleading innocence. If you 'didn't do shit', the Seals wouldn't be on your butt for what you did do.
The rules of Fontaine have been set in stone by a goddess. Abusing artifices of said goddess is an extreme offense and would normally set you up for about a year of jail time at minimum--more, depending on the level of damage done to said artifice.
We're not here to lock you up or take your head.
We're here to hear your proper apology. So we can agree that mistakes were made and so we can call the seals off you. [ and finally, when Furina says 'let's try again', the Duke will place Bakugou back down on the ground. There's a heavy metal clink as his gauntlets settle at his side. ]
You can start by not screaming every sentence. My hearing is pretty sensitive, you know.
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Even if it pisses him off. Even if it's so damn obvious that she's looking down on him.
He's placed on his feet, wrenching his arm out of the Duke's grip, even if it was about to be loosened, anyway. He has his pride, after all. Ohhhh, how he has his pride.]
... I don't owe anyone a damn apology. [At the very least, his voice is a little calmer. He's no longer yelling, instead his voice is a low growl, annoyed and on edge.] Statues are just hunks of rock. Statues of gods are just hunks of rock devoted to assholes looking down on people and expecting to be worshiped even though they've never done shit for half the people they expect things from.
[He raises his chin, if just so he can look down on Furina, despite the way his skin crawls with impending danger.]
You haven't done a single thing to prove yourself to me. I don't owe you anything, no matter what your stupid "rules" say.
[Bakugou why are you even here then, you spiteful, prideful little shit? Try to stay focused for once.]
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[ her arms cross across her chest, meeting his gaze with one as steely as his own. the two Melusines she had been walking with settle behind Wriothesley, frowns decorating their faces as they observe the sight before them. they would chide the boy themselves but between the Duke and Furina herself, they see no reason to step in.
Focalors looks to the discarded bottle of water, then back to Bakugou himself. something he said gives her pause, makes her think. ]
Why are you here, then? Why did you think to pour water on the statue and the god you disregard so? State your desires clearly.
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[ He's going to cross his arms over his chest calmly, his voice even and low, doing his level best to keep his tone neutral. If there's one thing he's learned about dealing with volatile types with Bakugou, it's to talk to them civilly, without taking an arrogant tone that might light their fire up, more. He's a lot calmer than he was--even if he's still being a bitey jerk. He nods his head at Furina as she asks her question, though, and the Duke will stay quiet to let them hash it out, now that his part is done.
For now.
Ever the watchdog. ]
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He can't deny the way his own instincts are telling him this is trouble. The way he's picking up on her surety, her confidence, the loyalty of the weird... water rabbit creatures? and the damn guard dog she had accompanying her.
It's something that has him actually thinking, actually calming down enough that, in response to Wriothesley's input, he's just crossing his arms and letting out a little "Tch" as he just... keeps thinking.
Even if that thinking is interrupted in a little full body flinch as he's completely and totally called out.]
.... that ain't crap. [He's grumbling, shoulders shrugging up in his tension, turning in order to scowl down at the water bottle he'd dropped when he was so rudely dangled.] Just-- I dunno. I don't know shit about gods and statues. I just know water's something we pour on graves at home. Figured since you're apparently all about water, or something, that'd be the same.
[His eyes flick back to Furina, now, the tension and frustration in him not unlike a caged animal.]
I just want to be able to walk on the damn beach without getting mobbed by seals.
[It's only been like a week. This boy has no patience.]
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as rough as his edges appear to be, this boy is just a boy thrust into a world not his own and expected to swim when all he can really do is sink. ]
Would you like to know about the gods and their statues? [ Focalors expects rejection, but it will not hurt to reach out a hand. ] I'm willing to tell you all that I know. About the gods, this city, this world you find yourself in.
[ the air about her shifts, that biting cold becoming warmer. ]
I will also ask the seals and blubberbeasts to be kinder, I cannot guarantee they will change their ways immediately but if you were to bring them treats that will help. There are some fishermen along the harbor who always leave aside part of their catches to feed to the seals, if you were to ask them kindly they may give you some of it to give to the seals.
no subject
It's... easier, now that he's watching this tiny woman move and listening to her speak, that she's not the kid she originally appeared to be. It's not the first time he's seen someone like this. Quirks manifest in a whole lot of ways back home, it's hard to judge someone's age based on how they look in any direction.
Doesn't mean he won't always be rude about it, to start off with.]
Like hell I'm gonna ask kindly. [He scoffs, sneers, almost, seems so dismissive as he starts with that comment and not Furina's offer. But... ] If I'm gonna offer anything, I'll fish it up myself.
[It's a shift, at least, in the general attitude he's still projecting.]
.... but yeah. Sure. Fine. [He's scowling, so obviously annoyed and frustrated, but there's an edge to his anger, now. A slight confused franticness that betrays just how overwhelmed he's starting to feel about how differently this world works.] Tell me about the other assholes people worship in this stupid world.