inheritance | IC Inbox

[ she's been here for a bit, but things still aren't quite... settling for her. maybe it's just the dissonance between being stuck in a place and the powerlessness slash peace she feels regarding that? who ever heard of an aimless robot, honestly...

so, aigis is prone to wandering. it's more often than not that she comes to the edges of the forest--her gaze looming there for what is probably longer than acceptable. she's heard more than enough warnings about the forest when she first got here to take it seriously, but it's still... there.

and apparently, today, something else is there too? or rather... someone, on the outskirts. ]

Hm...?

[ she doesn't need to scan the unfamiliar figure to realize this isn't someone she's met before, and she doesn't need to be a genius to consider what their hanging around the edges of Danger McDangerland means.

so, she approaches. hope she's not interrupting anything, izuku, but! here's the somewhat odd-looking girl in a school uniform approaching, her expression a mix of friendly and slightly concerned. ]

Excuse me... I was told it was dangerous to linger around here on your own.

[ she says, as if she's not new.

leave it to the veterans, aigis. ]

[Even if Izuku's actually capable of handling himself in the forest, Aigis is still right to worry about him. He pauses after finishing his round-house kick and glances back at her.]

Hey! [Is the bright greeting she gets, a smile curling at his lips.] Whoever told you that wasn't wrong. It is usually dangerous to go in by yourself.

You don't have to worry about me, though. [Anyone who's known him for a while would say that's a complete lie.] I've been in here pretty often already.

[ sorry, aigis didn't quite expect that kind of sunniness in response to what is essentially a very dangerous warning, so. give her a second. ]

Oh... Um, hello.

[ okay! she manages that. now, this is where any sane person would be like *squints* and be a little suspicious, but she decides to take izuku completely at face value. after all, he seemed... confident. not that she isn't still concerned, but. yeah.

if he's been in there before, he wouldn't be acting that way if he couldn't handle himself, would he?

(aigis, no.) ]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to doubt your abilities. It's difficult for me to determine who's new or not, since I've just arrived here recently.

[ just! getting that out of the way. he doesn't see the type to get offended now that she's collected her bearings, but it doesn't hurt to be polite.

maybe it'll distract from the way her curiosity is clear in her eyes when he mentions being in there pretty often. she can't help it, not when that silly forest is concerned-- ]

That's okay! This place takes some getting used to. [From the way his smile hasn't wavered at all, Aigis was definitely on point about him not being offended! Actually, he seems to be smiling even more at her now.] Besides, it's not a bad thing for you to be worried about other people! Making friends, sticking together--it's what's helped us get through everything so far.

Ah, I'm Izuku Midoriya, by the way. [There's just a hint of bashfulness now, like Izuku's suddenly remembered that he's talking to a new girl--a pretty one!] What about you?

[ bless izuku's cute soul.

with how dull the surroundings are, aigis has to wonder why the characters here are always so unbelievably bright. the way she smiles in return certainly isn't as sunny, but she tries to match his friendliness. hopefully it's working?

(and yes, she is completely oblivious to that bashfulness and the reasons for that.) ]

Aigis, Izuku-san. You're right that depending on each other is how we'll get through all of this, so... It is nice to meet you.

[ truly. this would definitely be 1000 times more overwhelming without people like izuku around.

she glances back at the forest. ]

Do you usually train at the outskirts here...?

[It's definitely working! Whatever Aigis might feel about her smile, Izuku can sense her sincerity, and that's enough for him.] It's nice to meet you, Aigis-san.

Oh, this? Yeah. It's out of the way of the main buildings so I don't accidentally hit anything when I'm working on my accuracy and speed, not to mention it lets me keep an eye on the forest in case there's any trouble. Not that there's always trouble from there, it's just that it's good to keep the danger in mind... [Luckily, Izuku realizes that he's rambling on about something she didn't even ask, and he quickly stops himself with a nervous, stuttering laugh.]

A-anyway! This is one of my favorite spots to train. Were you looking for someplace like that, too?

[ he's like a rambly akihiko... not that aigis really considers him rambly--if anything, she's listening attentively to his every word.

so he's friendly... he seems reliable, and he pays attention to the needs and risks of others. he's definitely a good person... though perhaps that's a bit too analytical. ]

No, I...

[ hm. she doesn't want to make it seem as if he's talking too much, and she certainly doesn't mind that, so--maybe a little more information on her end wouldn't hurt either. ]

I've never had much need for training, so it hasn't crossed my mind to look for a place to do it. I just come here to... um, think sometimes.

[ it's in her programming, and tartarus was usually good practice. so... usually, there wasn't any need to actively pursue it. ]

[Immediately, Izuku forgets the flicker of embarrassment, sympathy welling up in his eyes instead.] I guess you'd be doing a lot of that. Thinking, I mean. You've only been here a few days.

[Now, there's something eager-to-please in the way he leans in toward her slightly.] Anything I could help with? You've probably got a bunch of your questions answered already, but if there was anything else....

[ it isn't his eagerness to help that makes aigis hesitant. it's the fact she can't really leave well enough alone. she kept coming here, after all, even though everyone warned her about...

well. she glances at the forest, a slightly frustrated expression on her face.

she shouldn't. but her inability to do anything is really making her restless. she glances back to izuku. ]

... Thank you, Izuku-san. But I don't want to interrupt your training.

It's not interrupting if I'm offering.

[There's an understanding little smile curling at his mouth now. The way she'd glanced at the forest just now--Izuku has a hunch about what brought her out here.]

You wanted to check it out, didn't you? Even though you've been told you shouldn't.

[ izuku "bad decisions" midoriya.

she knows she was being incredibly transparent with her curiosity, so aigis can't really find it within her to be surprised at izuku calling her out. him pointing out what she's been told, though... that does get her looking somewhat guilty.

it's been a common warning. it's a little silly and reckless to ignore it just a few days after hearing it, isn't it...? ]

I... find it somewhat frustrating to wait and see, when so many people have told me of the danger in the forest. I haven't...

[ been programmed to do that? no. ]

... Lived my life doing nothing about perceived threats.

[ oops. now she's rambling--and she definitely looks both apologetic and sheepish about that. ]

Um...

[A little huff of laughter escapes him even as he ducks his head sheepishly.] I'm...kind of the same [He means, a lot the same.] so I understand how you feel.

To be honest, the warning's there just so people know not to wander in without being prepared for trouble. [Izuku pauses now, looking her over thoughtfully.] Do you know how to fight?

[ again, she shouldn't. but he says he's been there more than once, and... were anything to go wrong, she could protect him...?

maybe it's a combination of that and his reassurances, his understanding, that gets her moving.

without hesitation, she answers: ]

Yes. You could say I was made for it...

[ ha! ha! that's said as a half-joke, but it seems there's a bit there that she isn't quite divulging. ]

[Half-joke or not, Izuku doesn't seem to think there's anything strange about her answer at all, casting another grin her way.]

We could go in together to have a look, if you want! A lot of the quests end up involving the forest anyway.

[He has no illusions that she'll eventually go into the forest, especially if she's capable of defending herself.]

[ he's too nice for his own good.

but. this is an opportunity, and she shouldn't remain oblivious to something that's so obviously going to come up later--

she takes a moment to consider it, glancing at the ground, before she looks up at him again. and... nods. ]

If you're certain...

[ yes. ]

... But please stand behind me in case anything happens, Izuku-san. You're doing this favor for me... so I will not allow anything to harm you.

[ aigis

no

you don't even know what you're doing ]

I'm certain. [For all his smiles and eagerness, Izuku says those words with the firmness of someone who's familiar with danger.]

That's nice of you, Aigis-san. [He has to admit, standing back and simply letting someone protect him is something that doesn't sit right well with him.] But...it's my choice to go, too. Instead of putting all the responsibility on one of us, why don't we just look out for each other instead?

[On equal terms!]

[ oh.

aigis hesitates on that, itching to say otherwise... but, no. he has a point--it was his choice. still, it lingers on her mind that she'd make his safety a priority... though she trusts he'd do the same for her, as well. ]

... You're right. We're both comrades... let us protect each other.

[ on equal terms. it's with that resolution that she glances one last time towards the forest, taking a couple of steps forward.

and, finally: ]

Shall we go now?

[ bad decisions, here we go-- ]

Yeah, exactly! [His sunny smile returns swiftly when she agrees. It's a relief knowing that they'll be on the same page when they head out.

Speaking of which--] Sure, let's head out now. Everyone's already told you what to expect when we go in, right?

[He falls into step beside her, not looking too worried yet. All the monsters and tricks are deeper in the forest, after all.]

A bit... I was told there would be both physical and psychological threats, though nothing specific was mentioned.

[ so. it could mean a lot of things.

like maybe it's bears? hypnotic bears? who knows. either way, whatever it is--aigis is actively scanning their background surroundings, keeping incredibly alert as they begin to head in.

but. speaking of what to expect... ]

... Ah. Actually... How do you fight, Izuku-san?

[ that's a little bit important. ]

[Oh, that's pretty vague.] I can give you a few examples! The psychological threats usually involve illusions of some kind. The forest really likes to use our memories against us, to lure us into danger by showing us visions of the people we care about.

[He's briefly distracted from his long-winded explanation when she pipes up again.] Oh! Good point, Aigis-san. We should know what we both can do before we run into anything. Um, long story short, I have increased strength and speed. I can use long distance wind pressure attacks, too. What about you?

[ oh... interesting. she takes note of that, trying to visualize his skills and those threats to try and get a clear vision of what to expect...

before he asks for her own. she expected that, really, but she'd hoped that an appropriate answer to that question would've popped in her head by the time he asked it. which... well, it didn't.

in this case, perhaps it's better to be honest...? it isn't like confidentiality is an issue here, not when there's so many people from so many different worlds. starting with the easiest thing: ]

I'm not certain how detailed I should be with my explanation, as there are others here who can use this power... But I can use a Persona, Athena, which allows me to heal, support, and utilize some stronger physical attacks. And I, um...

[ ... she's a little more awkward here. ]

I myself am a machine specialized for combat, so I'm equipped with several firearms. I'll do my best to adjust to your fighting style as I observe it, so please do not worry.

[Izuku slows to a stop, looking at her in surprise. There's a lot to unpack here??]

You're a persona user? There's a few other like you here--maybe you guys even know each other!

[And while he'd normally begin to ask questions about her persona, there's something else here that he just can't help but get stuck on.]

Wait...you're a machine?? [Wide-eyed, he looks at her face, studying her more carefully now.] Wow...I couldn't tell at all. [That's some impressive technology, there.]

[ maybe she should have dropped these bombshells outside of the forest... aigis slows with him, looking somewhat sheepish at izuku's... understandable reaction, but you know.

she's dividing her attention between their surroundings and his surprise. the latter honestly doesn't get any easier, no matter how many times she experiences it. ]

Not many people can... At least, not when I wear my school uniform.

[ the oddest part of her face is probably her eyes... but besides that, totally human looking. ]

That's really cool, though! [If anything, Aigis doesn't have to worry about Izuku freaking out too much about her nature. Growing up around as many strange quirks as he has, he's generally able to take things in a stride.]

I'm looking forward to seeing how you fight, Aigis-san! [He gives her a grin.] I know I'll be in capable hands.

[ ahah... "really cool" is a good thing, so she'll... offer a friendly, somewhat relieved smile at that. not that she expected him to reject her or anything based on that, given what she's seen of him.

... still. every one person she tells is another person she's a little more natural around. as natural as a robot can be, anyway. warmly: ]

And the same to you.

[ though ideally they wouldn't have to fight at all, but they all knew what they expected coming out here. ]

Now, let's move on, Izuku-san. I... suppose I can say this now that you know what I am... [ she glances at him, a bit of light tone in her voice. ] I don't detect anything abnormal just yet.

[ at least, she thinks she doesn't...? ]

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backdated 9/13?? some time after intros, who knows.

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