[Shouto and Damian have actually had a nice conversation about shitty parents and shitty parenting, but it isn't the place to bring it up and dig for more information. Shouto was quite open with him about most things.
But Damian understands the intent--breeding specifically for a fire and ice quirk.] I see. [It's sad he isn't a Marvel so he can talk about the X-men and Xavier's school...]
I'm sorry. [It comes out of nowhere really, and Damian doesn't sound broken up about it. He also doesn't sound insincere. It sounds polite, formal.] About how I acted a long time ago in regards to the way your world functions with heroes and quirks.
Leading a team of people like you... I should have been more respectful.
[Today's just full of surprises, isn't it? Izuku smiles at him, fondness making his chest warm.]
You don't have to apologize, Damian-kun. You...weren't wrong about the flaws our world has. There's a lot of things that need fixing.
[Testing his luck, Izuku tries to pick up Pennyworth...] Maybe it's a good thing that we have this chance to talk to people from such different worlds, though. It gives us all a chance to think about how things could be different back home, and then find a good halfway point to meet. At least, that's what I think.
I'm aware both of our worlds have their flaws, but I could have been more tasteful with my argument. [He may be a right brat about a lot of things, but he at least is trying to make an effort to do what he thinks his father would be proud of.
Including admitting when you fuck up.] I still don't care for your regulations, but I suppose I can acknowledge the side it's coming from. I also still don't care for your education system's focus, though perhaps it is better than no education at all.
[His eyes drop to Pennyworth. The cat is fine with being held, but gets a bit antsy at the lack of freedom and instead, as cats do, Pennyworthy climbs up onto Izuku's shoulders to stand and lord over lesser mortals below.]
And don't think I've forgotten about wanting a fair duel. I want you to fight me with your full capabilities.
[Izuku, the sucker that he is for animals, lets Pennyworth do as he wishes, of course, only reaching up to stroke along the cat's side.]
Okay. Apology accepted, then. [If Damian's so set on giving the apology, then it's only fair that Izuku listen to him.] And don't worry, I haven't forgotten. We can spar with everything we've got whenever you'd like--I could use a lot more practice, too.
Actually... [Izuku rubs at the back of his neck, somewhat nervously.] That's what I wanted to talk about. Training. Do you... think you could teach me how to handle some of the weapons you're familiar with? I think it's time I learned how to fight without using my quirk.
[Pennyworth's tail loops around Izuku's fluffy head and bats in the way of Izuku's eyes for a moment or two. Typical cat behavior. Cutely annoying. The cat meanders to one shoulder, then shakily turns and meanders back to the other, sometimes teetering between both.
There's an attempt made to groom Izuku's head, but Izuku's hair gets caught in the cat's bristled tongue, resulting in Pennyworth having to stretch far back and smack to get the hair loose. Nevermind. No more grooming dumb humans.]
That's fine. [But Damian's eyes settle curiously on Izuku's face.] We can start with knives.
Why do you want to suddenly learn to fight without your quirk?
Yeah? [Izuku beams at him, pleased that Damian agreed so easily.] I've been thinking about it for a while, but... hearing about what happened at the Siren's island convinced me. This place's magic is really unpredictable--I don't want to be left sitting on my hands if something happens to my quirk later on.
[While they talk, Pennyworth's attempts haven't gone noticed. Deku, seeing the cat perched on Izuku's shoulder, decides to pad over, circling around and meowing. Finally, he stands up on his hind feet, front feet braced on Izuku's arm as he leans up to sniff at Pennyworth.]
[While Damian isn't worried, he is cautious and watchful. He's concerned more for Deku than Pennyworth. He knows his own cat is capable of fending things off. A soft frown comes to his lips as he keeps his eye on the two cats.
Pennyworth is still a bit disgruntled, overwhelmed being in another cat's territory with said cat. Deku gets a few whacks on the head, all paw and toe beans, no nail, and not exceedingly rough. More testing. As if Pennyworth is seeing how Deku will react.] Pennyworth. [It's a light warning.]
Learning basic defense techniques can allow you to stream line your powers more effectively. Learning how the body moves and works. Even if you're using your quirk, you may not need as much power if you can fight the way the body was designed to move.
Power doesn't come from how strong you are, but how well you're able to manipulate motion--physics. Sometimes, it isn't about stopping someone in their tracks so much as controlling their movement.
Mrrrp. [Deku chirps, somewhat reproachfully, as his ears flatten back at the assault. He waits until Pennyworth's reaching out again before playfully batting at the other cat's paws. Playtime??
Izuku's listening to Damian well enough, really he is, but he just gives Damian a torn look when he's told to stand up.]
But Pennyworth is on my shoulder. [He's not allowed to move! Everyone knows you're not allowed to when you have a cat perched on you.]
[Pennyworth, of course, gives the stretched paw some irritated bats, but doesn't seem aggressive. Instead, Pennyworth turns around and teeters to Izuku's other shoulder and sits as best as possible.
Damian just rolls his eyes.] The cat will live, Izuku. Just put him on the floor. [Geez. Even Damian, who would Die For Animals, isn't opposed to dumping cats off him when he needs to do things.]
Anyway. [He makes the motions in front of him with his own hands.] Most people don't know how to fight formally. They don't know martial arts. So they are going to come at you like a street thug. They'll try to brawl. You can tell immediately by how they're positioning themselves when facing you.
Their dominant hand will be what they hold up first, or what they have the weapon in. Usually.
[Well, all right. But it Pennyworth hates him after this, it's definitely Damian's fault. Not that Izuku says that, of course.
Izuku very carefully and gently reaches up for Pennyworth and then sets him down on the ground him apologetically.] Sorry, Pennyworth! I'll play with you after Damian-kun and I are done.
[With that, he hops to his feet.] Okay, I'm up. What do you want me to do?
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But Damian understands the intent--breeding specifically for a fire and ice quirk.] I see. [It's sad he isn't a Marvel so he can talk about the X-men and Xavier's school...]
I'm sorry. [It comes out of nowhere really, and Damian doesn't sound broken up about it. He also doesn't sound insincere. It sounds polite, formal.] About how I acted a long time ago in regards to the way your world functions with heroes and quirks.
Leading a team of people like you... I should have been more respectful.
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You don't have to apologize, Damian-kun. You...weren't wrong about the flaws our world has. There's a lot of things that need fixing.
[Testing his luck, Izuku tries to pick up Pennyworth...] Maybe it's a good thing that we have this chance to talk to people from such different worlds, though. It gives us all a chance to think about how things could be different back home, and then find a good halfway point to meet. At least, that's what I think.
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Including admitting when you fuck up.] I still don't care for your regulations, but I suppose I can acknowledge the side it's coming from. I also still don't care for your education system's focus, though perhaps it is better than no education at all.
[His eyes drop to Pennyworth. The cat is fine with being held, but gets a bit antsy at the lack of freedom and instead, as cats do, Pennyworthy climbs up onto Izuku's shoulders to stand and lord over lesser mortals below.]
And don't think I've forgotten about wanting a fair duel. I want you to fight me with your full capabilities.
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Okay. Apology accepted, then. [If Damian's so set on giving the apology, then it's only fair that Izuku listen to him.] And don't worry, I haven't forgotten. We can spar with everything we've got whenever you'd like--I could use a lot more practice, too.
Actually... [Izuku rubs at the back of his neck, somewhat nervously.] That's what I wanted to talk about. Training. Do you... think you could teach me how to handle some of the weapons you're familiar with? I think it's time I learned how to fight without using my quirk.
no subject
There's an attempt made to groom Izuku's head, but Izuku's hair gets caught in the cat's bristled tongue, resulting in Pennyworth having to stretch far back and smack to get the hair loose. Nevermind. No more grooming dumb humans.]
That's fine. [But Damian's eyes settle curiously on Izuku's face.] We can start with knives.
Why do you want to suddenly learn to fight without your quirk?
no subject
[While they talk, Pennyworth's attempts haven't gone noticed. Deku, seeing the cat perched on Izuku's shoulder, decides to pad over, circling around and meowing. Finally, he stands up on his hind feet, front feet braced on Izuku's arm as he leans up to sniff at Pennyworth.]
no subject
Pennyworth is still a bit disgruntled, overwhelmed being in another cat's territory with said cat. Deku gets a few whacks on the head, all paw and toe beans, no nail, and not exceedingly rough. More testing. As if Pennyworth is seeing how Deku will react.] Pennyworth. [It's a light warning.]
Learning basic defense techniques can allow you to stream line your powers more effectively. Learning how the body moves and works. Even if you're using your quirk, you may not need as much power if you can fight the way the body was designed to move.
Power doesn't come from how strong you are, but how well you're able to manipulate motion--physics. Sometimes, it isn't about stopping someone in their tracks so much as controlling their movement.
Stand up. I'll show you.
no subject
Izuku's listening to Damian well enough, really he is, but he just gives Damian a torn look when he's told to stand up.]
But Pennyworth is on my shoulder. [He's not allowed to move! Everyone knows you're not allowed to when you have a cat perched on you.]
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Damian just rolls his eyes.] The cat will live, Izuku. Just put him on the floor. [Geez. Even Damian, who would Die For Animals, isn't opposed to dumping cats off him when he needs to do things.]
Anyway. [He makes the motions in front of him with his own hands.] Most people don't know how to fight formally. They don't know martial arts. So they are going to come at you like a street thug. They'll try to brawl. You can tell immediately by how they're positioning themselves when facing you.
Their dominant hand will be what they hold up first, or what they have the weapon in. Usually.
no subject
Izuku very carefully and gently reaches up for Pennyworth and then sets him down on the ground him apologetically.] Sorry, Pennyworth! I'll play with you after Damian-kun and I are done.
[With that, he hops to his feet.] Okay, I'm up. What do you want me to do?