Eri: CMO

[gyaku]

This is open for castmates and crosscanon alike! Feel free to hit me up on plurk if you wanna plot something specific, or just tag her with anything.

Comments

throws a curveball

[zutsuki]

[Izuku had mentioned something about a young girl that was in the care of UA due to having been in an unsavory circumstance prior. He hadn't met Eri yet, but given he could only take a few of the classes offered at the school (he was intelligent, but had never really had any formal schooling, so a lot of the curriculum was beyond him), it made sense that he'd have the downtime to wander and potentially see and do things some of the other students didn't typically get to.]

[Someone had given him a camera, and he spent a fair amount of his free time taking pictures. He'd started keeping journals, despite not knowing if he'd be able to take anything but himself home with him whenever a way to send him was found, and had a stack of Campos notebooks in the box she had once slept in. It was one such afternoon that he'd gone out to take pictures in the nice weather that he rounded a corner only to be collided with something only just taller than his knees, and immediately crouched forward to take hold of the small girl that ricocheted backward from him.]

Oh-- gosh, I'm sorry! Are you all right?

[gyaku]

[It wasn't uncommon these days for Eri to visit UA to see the students, more specifically class 1-A in particular. She'd been pretty overwhelmed by everything at first and preferred to cling to Mirio's side- who currently stood as her primary caretaker next to Aizawa, who also had teaching to do- while he showed her everything there was to see. A little while since her first few visits had passed though, and her confidence had grown in spades compared to how she was when she'd first been rescued. For the first time in her life, she actually has the opportunity to be a child when that had been so cruelly taken away from her.

She wasn't allowed to TOTALLY be by herself obviously, so the fact that she'd run into Tanjiro like this was because she was currently wrapped up in a game of hide-and-seek with Mirio and had dashed off giggling to find a good spot. Most of the students were in class so she hadn't expected to see anyone much outside of them right now...

Despite her progress, Eri still had a healthy fear of strangers, and with good reason. So when Tanjiro crouches and tkes hold of her to steady her she squeaks with surprise, her eyes screwing shut for a fraction of a second before she blinks and looks up at him, immediately studying each facet of his expression in a way she probably shouldn't have to. Then her eyes land on his earrings, and her face lights up with recognition.]

A...are you Mr. Tanjiro?

[zutsuki]

[Small girl, long silver-white hair, red eyes... It's the little horn on her head that knocks it fully into place who he's looking at as he checks her over, but he's startled by the recognition from her. He releases her carefully once he's sure she won't fall, reaching up to fidget with one of his earrings as she looks at them.]

That would be me! I guess Midoriya has told you about me, huh?

[gyaku]

[She nods, reaching down to tug on the edge of her skirt a little, shy.]

Mr. Deku said you wore earrings.

[Look out for the boy with the earrings...not hanafuda specifically, she wouldn't know what that was. But she's not seen anyone else with earrings, so that has to be him.]

[zutsuki]

[Oh no she's precious. Tanjiro's expression practically melts, and he nods.]

They were a gift from my father. They're called hanafuda. You're Eri-chan, right?

[gyaku]

[Eri nods, looking down at her feet as she scrubs her toe against the grass. Just as she's about to say something else though, there's a sound from around the corner...like, something growling...

In an instant, a much taller, broader boy with blonde hair emerges with his hands up, fingers curved like claws as Eri tilts her head back and squeals, shrieking with delight as she suddenly runs towards Tanjiro, skirting his legs to hide behind them.]

"I've got you! All this time and you weren't even looking for a proper hiding spot!!"

[Mirio laughs as he starts for the little girl, but then he sees that she's found somebody to guard herself with, prompting him to lean back with his hands on his hips.]

"Oh hey! You must be Kamado-kun. Midoriya-kun has told me a lot about you."

[He tils his head, leaning over a little as Eri hides further behind Tanjiro's pants, gripping onto the leg of one of them.]

"I guess you've gotten wrapped up as part of our game right now, though!"

[zutsuki]

[So much just happened, and it's a struggle for Tanjiro to not be immediately on the defensive when Mirio just fucking materializes-- but he's slowly starting to get better at the way things work around UA. He knows well enough that the sound Eri's made is one of excitement, not fear, but he has a moment of uncertainty when she runs to hide behind him. He plays along when it's Mirio that stands before them-- something about him is far too genial and good to be misconstrued as anything to fear.]

[He smiles broadly at the taller teenager, ducking into a short bow. Toogata Mirio, he figured-- Izuku had mentioned a light-haired upperclassman with blue eyes and a boisterous personality who was usually in charge of Eri when Aizawa was not.]

That would be me! That would make you... Toogata-senpai, right? [That was what Izuku called him, at least. Carefully, he angles himself to speak quietly to Eri.] Eri-chan, go hide now, I'll keep him distracted!

[gyaku]

[Mirio of course hears what's said, but he too plays along as he catches Eri's face light up with understanding before she turns around and runs away, giggling as she goes. She won't go very far knowing her, since there's a lot of the school she's still not familiar with.

With Eri farther on finding a new hiding spot, Mirio grins and offers Tanjiro his hand to shake.]

"Yup! I was going to introduce Eri to you myself later today, but it seems like she got to that before I did."

[He leans in a little, one hand to the side of his mouth.]

"I apologize in advance if she asks you some strange questions...some of the other students have already filled her head with ideas of you being from the past, and I don't think she fully understands it yet."

[zutsuki]

[He keeps an eye on her for a moment, turning back when Mirio holds out his hand. For a moment he's baffled as to what to do with it-- but Izuku had introduced him to another very tall blonde man who did the same thing. A handshake, which he'd been told was a western means of greeting that had been growing in popularity in Japan. It made him feel strangely old, but he took the larger hand and shook it firmly.]

I don't mind at all-- I keep meaning to get out and around more of the grounds, anyway. [It's just all really overwhelming so he's very slow about it. His mouth pulls wide in a smile and he laughs softly, nodding.] That's fine, really. Maybe she can answer some questions I have, too! [He loves children, Mirio. Let him love your adopted baby.]

[gyaku]

[Speaking of that...Tanjiro's words seem to give Mirio an idea as he leans back on his heels, folding his arms across his chest.]

"In that case...how would you feel about letting Eri show you around the grounds a bit?"

[And because he knows that's- probably alarming, since they literally just met-]

"Midoriya-kun has already vouched for you highly. He told me that you're very good with children. And we're trying to introduce Eri to new people, slowly. She isn't able to go very many places outside of here, so I think it would be fun for her."

[zutsuki]

[Tanjiro seems stunned by this-- both that Izuku would vouch so strongly for him (it isn't that he feels untrustworthy or undeserving of it, it just warms his everything that they'd trust him with a little girl that is clearly very important, and that Mirio would immediately follow suit. His face colors faintly and he smiles, nodding.]

Absolutely! I haven't really found my way around a lot of the school, so we can learn together.

[gyaku]

"Alright then, it's settled! Give me just one sec."

[Mirio winks at Tanjiro before stepping around him, wandering off in the direction Eri had run without making it obvious he knew where she was. About a minute later, Tanjiro will hear the little girl scream again as her hiding spot is discovered, Mirio lifting her up in his arms now that he's "caught" her. His mouth moves as he comes walking back with her propped up on his hips, her eyes going a bit wide as she looks over at Tanjiro.]

"Okay! So, Eri-chan, you're going to do a good job of showing Kamado-kun around our school, aren't you?"

[Eri nods once as Mirio sets her down in the grass, prompting her to skitter over to Tanjiro. She seems a bit less shy than she was before, bolstered by the task Mirio had given her. She reaches up a tiny hand for Tanjiro's, her whole hand curving around his fingers.]

I'll show you, Mr. Tanjiro!

[zutsuki]

[He's going to die in the future because of an unreasonably precious little girl. She reminds him so much of Hanako he could actually cry, but he won't, really, at least not right now because it would probably upset her. He folds his fingers neatly around her hand and smiles, crouching down to reach out at pat her on the head.]

I'll be in your care, Miss Eri.

[gyaku]

[Mirio seems content that Tanjiro- and Eri, of course- are both in good hands as Eri starts to tug Tanjiro along, Mirio waving to them both as he calls after them.]

Make sure you're in before it gets dark!

[He knows Tanjiro will make sure of that, though by then Eri will probably be trying to show him all of the Heights even though he's...seen it...

For now though, he's being treated to this little girl he just met pulling him along behind her, craning her head as she tries to decide where to take him first.]

Umm...

[zutsuki]

[Listen he will let Eri show him whatever she wants to, he already adores her and he's known her like five minutes. He follows along behind her easily, not outpacing her but not trailing too far behind, either, and swings their hands just a little with a smile.]

What's your favorite place on the school grounds? You should show me that first.

[gyaku]

My favorite?

[She has to stop and think. What place is her favorite? It's a school, and seeing as how she's never really been inside one like this, basically every room and hall is new to her. But then she thinks of something and bounces on her heels, pointing back to the main building.]

I know, I know- this way!

[MORE TINY CHILD LEADING as she drags him back inside, where the halls are currently empty thanks to most students being in class. Eri doesn't run (because she knows you're not supposed to run in the halls even if she's not a student), walking at Tanjiro's side now. It's a bit of a distance though, assuming she can remember how to get there on her own.]

It's really big.

[The school, she means.]

[zutsuki]

[God he could die. It's startling that he keeps busy enough to not usually realize how much he misses the uneven pattering of small, off-balanced feet, the sometimes-too-tight grip of tiny fingers on his hand, but Eri is doing wonders to make his whole chest hurt with the kind of happiness and longing that is sure to stay heavy in his bones for days to come.]

[He's also... very enthused by the school itself, which probably does wonders for Eri's enjoyment of showing him around. She's absolutely right-- UA is huge, especially in comparison to almost every structure he's ever seen or been inside of. The architecture is wholly different, sleek and modern and while they still take their shoes off to swap for indoor ones, there's not a square of tatami in sight. He squeezes her fingers gently.]

It's super big. Buildings aren't half this big where I'm from!

[gyaku]

[That's right...Eri remembers being told that Tanjiro is from the past. A time beyond anything she'd ever known, a time a lot simpler than things are now. It makes her curious, naturally, but also a little...scared in a distant way that only she could know, posessing a Quirk that affects people in time as it does.

Her grip tightens a little on Tanjiro's hand as she thinks about that.]

Mr. Aizawa [She says his name slowly, carefully enunciating each part.] says you're from very far away.

[zutsuki]

[It's a strange concept, and he tilts his head thoughtfully when she brings it up, squeezing her fingers briefly.]

Yep! It's the Taisho Era, where I'm from. Everybody dresses different, and electricity is only in big cities.

[gyaku]

Taisho...

[She repeats the word slowly, looking down at her shoes squeaking against the smooth floor as they walk.]

Is that why you wear earrings?

[She's never actually seen any boys wear them that wasn't, like. A deliquent. And she's pretty sure Tanjiro is Not.]

I MISSED THIS

[zutsuki]

[He looks down to watch her watch her shoes, making a point of shifting his head enough so the gesture makes the very earrings she asks after shift, making a quiet, but ultimately very pleasant hollow clink of a sound as they knock into his jaw.]

Not specifically because of the Taisho Era, but these were handed down to me from my father. They've been in our family a very long time.

oh NO

[gyaku]

[The sound surprises her, causing her to look up at him. Now she's just wondering what they're made of...]

Oooh...

[Normally she might ask him what his father is like, or something similar, but...she notably goes quiet at that, like it's not something she wants him to ask her about. Instead she just looks ahead, keeping an eye out for the sign she's looking for until...]

There!

[She points up near the ceiling with her other hand, the door...comically large to accomodate those with Quirks who make them much taller than their peers. The sign is universal as being the school cafeteria, even if Tanjiro has never visited the school before.]

Mr.- Mr. Lunch Rush can make anything anyone wants to eat. It's amazing...

I CAN'T MISS THE BABY

[zutsuki]

[He figures hanafuda are way less common these days, so her startle at the sound doesn't surprise him, really, though the way she goes quiet and doesn't say anything else for a moment is... Telling, and his eyebrows crease together. He squeezes her hand, gently, and decides maybe he'll ask her if she minds if he tells her stories about his family, a little later. He doesn't know her backstory, really, but he knows she's very young and isn't related to anyone at UA. There's clearly something that's happened, so he wants to tread carefully.]

[He looks up and stares at the sign for a long moment before he smiles, sinking down into a crouch and releasing her hand only in favor of holding out his arms.]

Do you want to go in? [Please let him carry you, Eri.]

[gyaku]

[It takes Eri a moment to realize what it is that Tanjiro is offering. To carry her inside instead of walk with her. Aizawa, Mirio, Izuku...they all carry her frequently if there's somewhere long distance they need to get to to save her from walking, but also she just enjoys it sometimes too, especially when Mirio is carrying her. He's so tall, it makes her feel like she's flying...

There's a moment where she pauses, her left hand reaching up to unconsciously touch the horn protruding from her forehead. It's small right now, unlike how it had been when it grew before, but still enough to be noticable. She's not afraid to have contact with people as much as she had been, but at least if she's holding a hand she can quickly let go if she realizes something's gone wrong. What about here, though? What if something happened? She wouldn't know what to do if she hurt this nice man.

She moves her hand away after a moment, telling herself that it's fine. It's small...there's not enough power for her to do anything. She hasn't been able to for a long time, now.

Eri walks over to Tanjiro a little shyly before she holds her arms up towards him so he can pick her up.]

[zutsuki]

[Tanjiro is nothing if not patient, so he lets Eri think the gesture over, watching her paw at her horn and only really then taking a good look at it. Her Quirk, he figured, despite not having any real idea of what it was. He remembered Izuku mentioning she didn't know how to use it, which made sense given how young she was. He said they usually showed up around age four? So Eri had probably only had hers a few years, by now...]

[When she shuffles toward him, all shy and meek, he very nearly feels his insides melt and slosh around inside of him, and he can't help the positively gooey smile on his face-- even if it's bizarrely kind of sad, as well. He doesn't waste any time, then, reaching out and scooping her to him, squeezing her gently before standing back up, letting her perch on his forearm while his other hand rests between her shoulders so she doesn't tip over.]

So you said he can make anything? What's your favorite to have him make, then?

[gyaku]

[Eri wraps her arms around his neck to hold on now that she's picked him up, brightening a little at his question.]

Candy apples! Though...they're not for dinner. I like apple pie, too...and sometimes he makes applesauce at lunchtime!

[She really likes apples.]

[zutsuki]

[That is... so cute. He literally can't stop smiling, she's so fucking cute.]

So you like apples then, is that right? [He hums in thought.] You know, you can put apples in spices and cook them to make them soft and make them a treat with any meal, too! Usually with cinnamon and nutmeg, which are really good for you!

[gyaku]

[It's the little things, really...Eri has suffered so much that her likes and the things that bring her joy in life are terribly simple compared to most children her age. Honestly, it's only been recently that she knew just how to experience that joy without expecting it to be taken away from her.]

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away"!

[She suddenly parrots, her legs swinging a little in Tanjiro's grasp.]

That's what Mr. Lemillion says.

I KEEP MISSING THE BABY

[zutsuki]

[His whole face scrunches up in a smile at that, and he nods.]

I think I've heard that saying, before... They're very good for you, so Mr. Lemillion is right when he says that. Have you ever had apple slices where the skin is cut to look like a rabbit?

[gyaku]

[Eri nods right back. Aizawa had brought them to her while she was in the hospital following her rescue.]

Those are my favorite.

[zutsuki]

[Screeeeech. He has to resist the urge to squeeze her to him, instead just jostling her gently in his arms.]

They're the best way to eat apple slices, that's for sure.

[gyaku]

[Eri looks down at Tanjiro, then, the smile on her face bright, if rare.]

Can we ask Mr. Lunch Rush if he has any today?

[She asks him, as if she doesn't already have more authority here than he does by proxy.]

[microwaveable]

[He was watching Kouda's rabbit while he was visiting his family over the weekend. He could have taken the rabbit with him, but usually one of his classmates wanted to watch the small animal, so it usually got a babysitter for the weekend.]

[Incidentally, he was also given the rights to babysit Eri for the weekend. It was a masterful plan. Eri didn't know about the bunny currently residing in Izuku's dorm as he kept her hand in a gentle but firm grip walking up the stairs.]

Ready for the greatest sleepover weekend ever, Eri-chan?

[gyaku]

[Eri loves to visit UA, but the Heights specifically because that means she gets to see class 1-A. Deku, most importantly. It was hard not to have favorites when the guy had saved her life, after all...

So Eri walks at Izuku's side with her hand held in his, her other swinging loose at her side with a hand-made bracelet with flower and apple shaped beads sliding across the strings.]

Uh-huh! Mr. Aizawa said I get to stay with Mr. Deku all weekend!

this is deku's i cannot handle adorable child face

[microwaveable]

[He is way too young to have a daughter but holy shit he loves one child. Basically every time she talks he has to resist the urge to scoop her up and squeeze her. It's worse when she smiles or laughs, but he's learning. He beams at her, smiling so hard it almost hurts, and sinks into a crouch in front of his door.]

It's gonna be great. I have a surprise for you, okay, Eri-chan? So you have to close your eyes.

[gyaku]

Ah...? Okay...

[A surprise, for her? She has no idea what it could be...but she does as Izuku asks of her, taking her hand from his so she can actually cover both eyes with her palms.

So she's not tempted to look, of course.]

[microwaveable]

[He turns the knob of his dorm room and nudges it open, carefully shuffling behind her to guide her by her shoulders.]

I'm gonna pick you up a second, okay? To set you on my bed. [And he does just that-- she weighs nothing, he could throw her into the air and catch her for hours, and has considered asking if she'd like that, but she's still a little skittish and he's still pretty new at babysitting, so he's taking baby steps with her, so far. Once she's set on the bed, he moves away and there are a few strange sounds-- a metal enclosure being opened and closed, and the shuffling of something that sounds very soft.]

Keep your eyes closed, but hold out your arms?

[gyaku]

[Eri nods with her hands still held firmly over her eyes- maybe a little too firmly, but she doesn't want to accidentally peek- waiting patiently as Izuku picks her up and puts her on the edge of his bed. Then he tells her to hold out her arms, which would drastically heighten her chances of being able to look...

But curiosity is slowly getting the better of her, especially with that strange sound she'd heard. So she moves her hands down, holding her arms out in front of her with her eyes still shut.]

Like this?

[microwaveable]

Mm-hmm! Very good. Now stay still...

[He transfers the rabbit carefully-- Kouda had done really well socializing it, so it was pretty mellow, but he still didn't want it to spook and hurt Eri or get hurt. He repositions her arms around the creature and then smiles, sitting back.]

You can open them now.

[gyaku]

[It's soft. That's the first thing she notes as Izuku puts her arms more securely around the rabbit before she opens her eyes, looking down at the rabbit with a twitching nose and long, fuzzy ears sitting in a cotton-like loaf on her lap.

She gasps, the sound impossibly deep for such a little girl, but she also whispers when she speaks.]

It's a bunny!!

[microwaveable]

[He's pretty sure if he smiled any harder his face would actually split in two.]

Yep! This is Kouda-kun's-- he's visiting his parents for the weekend, so we get to look after his rabbit! [He'd made sure to clear it with Kouda and Aizawa first-- Aizawa agreed it would probably be a good exercise for Eri, in the long run. Help her learn to take care of small things, help her regulate excitement and care. It might help with her use of her quirk, too, for that matter. But that was the farthest thing from Izuku's mind, right then, he was far too interested in Eri enjoying getting to look after something small and fluffy.]

[gyaku]

[The thing is, with Eri's extremely rocky upbringing, she's never really had a chance to have contact with an animal like this one. No expenses were spared to "try" to keep her happy when she was with Overhaul and his people, but even so...something like this would have naturally been beyond them, for practicality purposes. Eri's actually a little afraid to move too much, lest she disturb the rabbit which is for all intents and purposes not really planning on going anywhere, content to sit where it is.]

Can I pet him?

[microwaveable]

[Eri is too good for this world, too pure. Izuku's expression wobbles just a little-- he can't handle how sweet she is, honestly. He nods, scooting closer to her and letting his hand hover over the rabbit's back.]

Of course! Just be real gentle, yeah?

[gyaku]

[Eri nods, very carefully lifting one hand to slowly run it down the length of the rabbit's back.]

Heehee...he's so soft. Like a cotton ball.

[microwaveable]

He is! You know they call them cottontail rabbits, right? Maybe that's why.

[The rabbit is pretty used to pettings and generally being the passed-around school pet of a bunch of rambunctious hero types, so Eri's gentle stroking is quite pleasant. He just kind of chills and does the cute little nose-twitch, nibbling at the front of her shirt.]

[gyaku]

[Eri giggles again at the rabbit's antics, every action gentle like she's afraid she might scare the rabbit away if she moves too quickly. Fortunately for her this rabbit is battle hardened, so she probably couldn't startle it even if she tried.

Her legs swing idly over the edge of Izuku's bed, her fingers carding through the bunny's soft coat.]

Animals are...okay to be in here?

[That's a bizarre notion, to her. Given the sort of germ-free environment she had to have perpetually lived in, the thought of an animal being anywhere near where people live is hard to grasp.]