[Kyuketsuki seems to contemplate the comment for a few seconds before giving in with a small smile.] Heroes really are amazing people. [His fingers fly across the keyboard, summoning up more information and holograms on the surface of the desk.
His work here... Guess that's not hard to disagree with. Though the same old issue of what's considered "right" between different people and groups will never completely go away. He understands where Kaminari is coming from at least.]
Because that is the kind of thing we would be dealing with. One cannot simply waltz into the top office of a national electric company and accuse them of wanting to cause a blackout of the entire nation in an effort to silence their competitors and emerge with a monopoly on Japan's electrical resources.
[With a final flourish of his fingers, Kyuketsuki sends three holographic buildings flying up onto the surface of the desk, sitting above a slightly-tilted 3D model of Japan splayed out across the desk. Kaminari might have to wander around the desk to look at them better if he wants.]
Chisaki Kai usurped leadership of only one branch of the underground yakuza. There are more yakuza factions than his, even though the general public would like to refer to the yakuza as merely one overarching entity. Like any national "underground" or "gang" society, yakuza are broken up into branches, sects, groups, and other organizations, even if the Heroes and All Might have largely wiped them out of public concern.
[ Denki isn't really sure what to think of that comment. It's... weird, how this guy acts. Walking closer to the desk, he looks over to the holograms and tries to make sense of them. The way Kyuketsuki talks and how he runs this place is really amazing for the environment, and if this didn't happen, he would be so on board to promote and help out with electric quality checks.
Instead the man kidnaps him and fucks everything up.
At the same time, it's not wrong, the things he says - but Chargebolt's already explained how their underground and surveillance heroes could find enough evidence. Heroes were not as spread thin any more like they used to be.
He just needs to know who they are.
Then the holograms changes to buildings, and he does his best to see if he can recognize any of them and their placement. It's difficult, though... and Denki's in a shitty situation. ]
[It's a guarded sort of conversation, letting small things come through to test and see Chargebolt's reactions to know whether it's safe to bring out more intense pieces of this topic. As the blonde looks at the desk, it's soon going to become apparent the buildings summoned up are simply placeholders. There are no schematics or specific representation of the other companies' plant models.
Kyuketsuki frowns and rests his elbows on the desk surface, lacing his fingers as he focuses on the building markers in front of him. Yes, it's true that Chargebolt has faith in the heroes being able to maneuver through the underground and carry out their own inspections and surveillance, but that's the problem with this. The heroes would be doing it. And as they saw in the past, heroes have agendas and bias.]
I believe one of them has ties with the yakuza. The other two are focused on their own resources...
[The man's mismatched eyes flick up towards Chargebolt.]
How foolish of me would it be to ask for your help, and silence, on this?
[ Damn, the buildings being placeholders sucks; he's got a pretty good relationship with some of the power plants and remembers the look of some of them. His parents even work at one.
...fuck, they have to be so worried. He's been gone a whole day longer than he thought.
It's a pity Kyuketsuki doesn't trust heroes. Chargebolt has all the fate in his fellow UA graduates after everything they've gone through. They might be young, but they have more experience with nasty things than most seasoned heroes.
Hearing that it's just one of these supposed disaster-planning villains is possibly involved with the yakuza is a bit of a relief. Dealing with both that and the plans would be messy. They tended to have a lot of very loyal underlings.
Denki meets that strange mismatched gaze with a serious one of his own. ]
I will help you, but I can't do it alone. We need more people, Kyuketsuki-san. I already offered to help you avoid being charged for my kidnapping, but I can't keep this dangerous disaster plan from the people that need to be involved.
[ He also leans his hand on the desk, even if he's standing. ]
Let me contact Dynamight and my agency. We can stop this.
[ So determined, so trusting, so ready to fight. A pity he's missing the waning signs. ]
[Kyuketsuki's taking some precautions of his own, not wanting to outright blame a certain identified company to someone whom he knows has a working relationship with plenty of the larger power plants around the nation.
There's a reason he doesn't trust heroes... but that's only a quiet hint that can be surmised due to his words and hesitance. Though he's still discussing this with Chargebolt, taking his time as if getting adjusted to the idea in his mind.
The yakuza is still pretty reduced due to the Heroes and All Might. Their strongest time, when the vigilantes ruled, is merely a glory of the past, a faded dream that the remaining members skulking around in the shadows would only hope to aspire towards. Overhaul had been one of those, ambitions giving rise to his plans and actions.
Kyuketsuki falls silent at the agreement to help. It's obvious he can't send Denki in there alone, nor does he want to. The reminder of his offer to avoid the kidnapping charge is likewise another point to Chargebolt's favor.]
All right. You've convinced me.
[He leans back in his chair and stretches his arms over his head.]
But I want to work through a proxy. If word gets out that I'd kidnapped you, even if my reasoning was fair, albeit selfish, I could have trouble. And I can offer my own people to help your team as well.
[ Denki's face relaxes into relief and a smile returns to his previously stressed features. He managed to convince the guy, and now they could work on the disaster at hand. The request to work through a proxy makes sense, and by now he really will put in a good word for his kidnapper, even if he might not escape all charges. He still has a terrible headache, after all. ]
That's wonderful, Kyuketsuki-san! Please let me have a phone and I'll call them right away. They're going to be worried at first, especially my boyfriend, but they'll come around when I explain the situation. It will all work out.
[ It's a sweet smile now, excited to see Katsuki (and make sure that he's not gonna blow up Kyuketsuki). They could now prevent this disaster from happening, and they could make sure things were prepared if it still went down. ]
I'm glad we could settle something.
[ Eagerly, he waits to be handed a phone or showed to one. ]
[Kyuketsuki at least seemed to be annoyed that his workers had hurt Kaminari, but there was little he cold do about it after the fact asides from medication and some rest. The lack of push back on the proxy request was appreciated. Despite the ill-fated but well-executed kidnap because I care plan, it seems Chargebolt is willing to offer his help.
When the blonde lights up about it, Kyuketsuki's expression mirrors it, happy to see Kaminari smile like that. As for the request, that puts a slight falter on him and he purses his lips in thought. How best to do this...]
What do you think would be best? To call from here, or elsewhere? They'll trace whatever call you make.
[Leading to Mizudenki's lines and or at least the location, which won't help with the request for a proxy and would just make anyone involved in this suspicious despite Kyuketsuki's vouch. Probably not the best idea to go into a working partnership with people who immediately think he's some nefarious villain...]
[ The smile remains, and Chargebolt seems ready to go despite his rather ragged state. He's tired and hungry, but this is a lot more important. He's dealt with things in a worse mood.
As for Kyuketsuki's question, the blonde gives a slight nod. ]
I think it would be good to call from here and get some heroes to this location to help plan things together with us. I will vouch for you, Kyuketsuki-san. As long as you are helping us, I'll keep you out of trouble. I promise.
[ He leans a bit closer over the desk. ]
...and if that doesn't work for you, you could leave me here with an intercom or something to talk to you with. No personal involvement.
[Kyuketsuki frowns in thought. There are some things he has to weigh here as well. Obviously there are trackers looking for Kaminari's kidnappers. And for him to suddenly turn up at a power plant, that will lay suspicions on Mizudenki immediately. Who would believe that a power plant wouldn't be involved with the kidnapping of an electric Hero? Even if Chargebolt says they had nothing to do with it, Kyuketsuki doesn't trust people enough not to immediately go for the tabloids.]
I wish I could trust the heroes as much as you do. Unfortunately, despite the improvements, I'm one of the stubborn skeptics.
[He pushes himself up from the desk.]
Why don't you get something to eat and drink, take a small break and wash up? I'll prepare something for you to contact... what was his name... Dymarie? for a quick message. I'd like a moment to detail how I play into this, though I'll accept whatever coverstory or vouch you come up with.
[Likely he would use an intercom. It's more the reality of people asking how Chargebolt came to be in a power plant in the first place? Did the kidnappers throw him over the bridge and he washed into Mizudenki's strainer fencing? Was he sold by the kidnappers and Kyuketsuki surreptitiously purchased him with the intent to free him rather than use him? Or should they stage Chargebolt being found elsewhere and they keep Mizudenki's involvement completely anonymous for the time being...
There are a lot of spins that can be put on this that could be dangerous. Plus it would involve Denki's lying.]
[ Denki doesn't particularly like that frown, but he's too damn elated to start up another 'trusting heroes' explanation. Instead he just nods softly, deciding to continue to open up the man's trust in his friends after a break. Stupid of him, maybe, but he's so damn exhausted and needs a moment to make his scrambled head working again.
As long as he can keep convincing Kyuketsuki to work with him, he's made progress. He could get out of this. ]
Dynamight. [ The blonde corrects with a slightly softer smile. ] Thank you, Kyuketsuki-san.
[ He's not sure where to go to get get himself sorted out, so that's up to the two-toned man. Denki brushes back his bangs again, halfway interested in a shower as well, but deciding that's a little too vulnerable in this situation. Maybe a granola bar and some water and he'll continue the planning... and the convenient lies to keep this guy out of the heat so he can continue giving information.
The electric hero is so sure that he's getting his kidnapper on his side that he doesn't realize he's the one changing his opinion about Kyuketsuki. ]
[It's partially because Denki is exhausted, injured, hungry, and basically worn out that Kyuketsuki's opting to put this new direction on hold. The hero needs to get cleaned up, fed, and rested before they start to make any kind of plan. With a soft glide of his chair backwards, the man stands up and comes around his desk. He'll need to talk to a few people before going into this decision, but for now, helping Chargebolt recover is more important.]
I'll make sure you get a chance to call. But you need some rest. There's little sense in trying to make a decision like this when you're still recovering. Follow me.
[So he says, though Kyuketsuki ends up pausing for a few seconds when Kaminari pushes his bangs backwards like that. Almost like he's caught staring, but then shakes himself out of it with a little smile. Right. Nodding forward, he leads them out of the room and back into the halls. It's only a short walk before they enter another room, which looks like a personal quarter. A couch sits off to one side, there's a hidden bed tucked into the wall, and a bathroom sits through a door in the back beside the little table with chair.]
Why don't you get cleaned up. I'll bring some food and a first aid kit for you to dress your injury, unless you'd rather my on-site medic look at it.
[ Denki does his best to hide the little flinch as Kyuketsuki moves, but he blames it on how exhausted he is. He follows along, trying to take notes of how they've been walking so far. The blonde is pretty certain he can get to the entrance again without any problems - his spatial awareness is pretty excellent after all the years with his pointers.
Now he just has to get that call... and maybe eat something. It's not like he's about to starve to death and he's had water, but it's still fucking with him. By now it must have been two days, as he didn't have lunch yet while being on the power station mission.
...that look on the man is odd, and Denki wonders if he's looking at his scar? Or something else? It seems intense, even if Kyuketsuki shakes it away.
When they reach the new room, he can tell that it's not some worker's suite. Was it Kyuketsuki's room? Maybe a guest room. That would be less weird. ]
...thank you. I think I still have a bit of a concussion, honestly. Maybe some pain pills will help.
[ Would it be weird to have some medic look at him? Does the medic know what's going on? ]
Otherwise I can handle myself.
[ Anything to get things moving quicker. He needs to contact his agency and Katsuki to tell them he's alive. It's been uncomfortably long now that he knows the real date, and everyone must be worried. ]
[He could probably find his way back with that knowledge, since he just had to find the catwalk section, cross it, and then head out to the big hallway that overlooked the power plant's inner workings. One of the hallways branching off of that massive expanse led to the loading dock and way out.
It's definitely not Blesk's personal room. He doesn't stay over at the power plant, though he can if he needs to. It's more a guest quarters for if something happens to one of the workers. An injury or an illness or needing a private place to rest or talk. There are a few of these kinds of rooms scattered around Mizudenki's premises.]
All right. [Kyuketsuki pulls his phone out and after a brief tapping, puts it to his ear.] Yes. Room A 114. Pain killers, concussion treatment, and a small head impact injury.
[With that, he hangs up and focuses on Kaminari again.]
The medic will bring those up to you. [He sighs and runs his hand through his hair, golden fringe pulling back before flopping over his brow and eye again.] Try to get some rest for a bit. I need to figure out what's the safest way for myself and my company to help you and avoid damaging our public image.
[ Denki takes a moment to sit down, exhaustion creeping into his bones. The head injury is still messing him up a bit - feeling sluggish and hazy is a common symptom after a concussion and he needs to be his best right now. Keep the discussion going and get that phone call as soon as he can.
He needs to get all of this out to the other heroes... and he needs Katsuki. Maybe it's childish, but the electric hero feels absolutely alone in this mess and he worries about his boyfriend.
Once Kyuketsuki turns to him again, he manages to give a slight smile. The way the strange guy smooths back his fringe reminds Denki of himself, and he mimics the movement almost subconsciously. ]
...thank you, Kyuketsuki-san. Please let me contact my people as soon as possible.
[ As soon as the guy leaves, he's going to look for his own way to contact his agency, but it's best to keep the helpful way open. This is so serious and he's honestly not sure if he's the guy to deal with a big thing like this.
Still. He's a hero, and he's not going to allow this blackout disaster to happen. ]
[He's not going to be at his best without some rest, food, and treatment. Kyuketsuki can see that already, even if Chargebolt is stubbornly holding out for that phone call. Unfortunately, he's not going to allow him to make it until he can bring his name and company into the clear to avoid being linked to the electric hero's kidnapping. Sorry, Chargebolt, but it's just good business.
The national blackout threat won't be happening in a few hours, so the blonde can get some rest without worrying about it. This kind of thing isn't going to crash down in so little time.
A small smile appears on Kyuketsuki's visage when Kaminari runs his hand through his hair almost on reflex. But he's still sticking to his decision right now.]
Of course. As soon as I can.
[With that, he takes his leave. Kaminari gets to be left alone for a good ten minutes before a medical person arrives. They'll have some light food and drink for him, a change of clothes and towels, and a first aid kit to help treat his injury with far more skill than the kidnappers did.
But that'll be only if Kaminari's still in the room and hasn't, you know, snuck out and tried to find the exit and take off into the woods.]
[ As soon as he's alone, Chargebolt is looking over the room, trying to see any other exits, windows or cameras. He should just sit and wait for the medic, but he's stressed as hell and has no idea when this disaster is going to happen. Hopefully Kyuketsuki will hurry.
When the medic arrives, Denki calms a bit and lets them work on his injury without complaint. In the end, he has a new bandage and two stitches, as well as a nice amount of pain relief and strict orders to rest. His head is a little swollen, but at least he's used to shocks to his brain. Nothing serious.
He doesn't ask the medic for help to get out.
After getting patched up professionally he uses the bathroom and cleans off his face, still tempted to use the shower but avoiding it in the end. No point in risking being naked if shit goes down. This isn't a safe place, no matter how much he's unwittingly leaning in to Kyuketsuki's side.
The food and drink is a bit of a concern at first, but nothing he's seen so far tells him that he's about to be poisoned. Still, the blonde eats slowly and sips the drink, trying to see if it makes him tired. Not that he isn't, already, but still.
...all while nervously staring at the door, waiting for that phone. ]
[Cameras, no. Exits, just the door he came in. Windows, nope. It's within the powerplant, so little use for windows where you'd not be able to see anything but more hallways and walls. Or the room next to you. The woman who arrives to help with his injuries is good at what she does. Testing the concussion and inspecting the damage done to his head. She doesn't possess a healing Quirk, but she's skilled as a medic. Cleaning, stitching, bandaging, and finally telling him to rest to help with the swollen knot on the side of his head.
It's another half an hour after she leaves that the door finally opens again, Kyuketsuki walking through it with a worker following him. Rather young, probably about just-before-university age. Maybe even an intern, who knows. But he seems comfortable with what's going on and gives Chargebolt a grin and a wave.]
Yo! Charge-man~ Sup? [Finger guns him twice before heading to the little table and dragging up a chair. Kyuketsuki gives Kaminari a quick scan, noting the head dressage and the fact the blonde's eaten a little something. He isn't at all surprised the electric hero hasn't gone to sleep. But he does set a cellphone down on the table, and older model. It has buttons and lacks a touch screen kind of older model. The kind with digital numbers that'll turn 5318008 into BOOBIES if you turn the phone upside down.]
I'm glad to see you're doing better. [Nodding towards the food and Kaminari's bandages.]
[ Chargebolt is resting but not sleeping as the strange guy opens the door again, causing him to flinch and sit up straighter. He's a little surprised to see a younger guy with Kyuketsuki. An intern? A brother? The way he greets Denki would have been met with a grin and fingerguns right back if he wasn't in this messy situation. The smile that does bloom on his face is instead fully directed towards that ancient phone.
(He thinks he knows how to use one. Uraraka had one back in UA.)
Denki goes for his chance at picking it up before he even answers his captor. ]
I really am feeling a lot better. Thank you so much, Kyuketsuki-san.
[ It still feels weird to be thanking someone who ordered people to kidnap him and cause this injury in the first place, and then weirdly says creepy things like 'being his' (even if it might have been a joke) and saving him. All the disaster talk and trying to get the guy to tell him everything switched his priorities and really made him forget the weird start. How immensely cool this place was helped as well. ]
I'll call Dynamight first, and then the agency. If I don't he's going to think something bad is up.
[Despite the proceedings of the day, they are still in a place of business. Mizudenki continues to run, producing electricity for the surrounding areas and beyond. Of course there are interns alongside the workers, probably even some temp employees that help to fill out the ranks during a crunch time. Kyuketsuki notices Chargebolt's lackluster response to the intern, but can't say he's surprised given the circumstances. It's unfortunate, but hopefully things can improve later.
It really is telling how Denki's entire source of happiness is resting on that phone and the chance to reach out...]
It's the least I could do after what happened.
[This entire experience has been quite the ride, from the tumble out of the car to finally meeting each other to the strange conversations between them to the revelation of the tri-fold plot spreading out in the electricity of the rejuvenating country.]
Go ahead. Jammer here [he nods towards the young man sitting at the table.] is able to prevent electrical signals from being traced and can help or hinder their flow between transmitters and receivers.
[Not only could he prevent the phone from being located, but he could shut off the call in a split second...]
[ With less pain and food in his belly, Chargebolt has been able to sense the flow of the power plant's electricity a lot better... and it feels like his pulse has started to match it. He can almost taste it, and kind of wishes he had one of his power banks or a cord to have a charge. It's a great place, after all. Too bad it's owned by some weird guy with a savior complex for electric blondes.
He needs to get the villain plot out ASAP.
If he throws himself over the phone like a dog with a treat, you can't really blame him. A smile on his face and eyes lit up with joy he dials the well-known number into the weird buttons. Denki's voice is a little shaky as he waits, ready to speak as soon and his fellow hero picks up. ]
...Dynamight?
[ Is it pathetic, how much he wants to hear that voice? ]
[There's certainly something very 'fresh' about the electricity the Mizudenki plant churns within itself, created from the natural flow of the river and the solar panels around. But there's also something... more within the electricity. It's hard to place. But there's a lot of it. Whether it indicates the company's production is greater than expected or something is augmenting the electricity produced is left up to Chargebolt to wonder in his mind.
Hey, someone's got to save all the electric blondes. Can't have them getting themselves killed out there in a blackout apocalypse.
The phone certainly feels weird in his hand, more a cylinder than the flat rectangle people are so used to. Hey, that's the fun part of old-time tech. Blast to the past. Have an nostalgic roll in actually pressing physical buttons on the phone, feel them depress with that soft 'click' sensation beneath your fingers. And the dial tone. Ah, the lovely dial tone...
*cr-chrck*]
D-
[There's A LOT of noise on the other end.]
DENKI!?! FUCK, WHERE TH FUCK ARE YOU?! ARE YOU OKAY?! WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED?! TRACK THIS RIGHT NOW, ASSHOLE!!
[Sorry, Kaminari, that last part wasn't aimed at you.]
[ That's probably why it feels nice, that freshness - and the fact that it's being generated right here. It's the difference between just caught fish and the supermarket frozen fillets. That something extra overshadows it a bit, though, and Denki wonders what it is. Maybe he'll ask, later.
Right now he's very distracted by that dial tone and then the click of the call being accepted. He immediately moves the phone a bit away from his ear, knowing there will be yelling. ]
Hi, babe. I can't... I can't tell you where I am right now. Maybe later. They can't track this, it's being jammed.
[ He briefly glances at the two men in the room. He has to make sure he doesn't say anything wrong right now, and fuck everything up. ]
I'm mostly okay, I promise. Got hit over the head but it was taken care of. I didn't even know I was gone this long because I was unconscious.
[ Sigh. Now for the hard part. ]
There's a lot more important things going on than that, though. I need you to listen and send this to every agency in Japan.
[ That's Chargebolt talking, not the previously soft and lost side of Denki. This is hero stuff. ]
[There's a very loud commotion on the other end, with some voice Kaminari's familiar with shoving into the receiver. Mina and Kirishima immediately, with Bakugou shouting at them to get their fucking mouths out of his goddamn ear! But they refuse, demanding to hear Kaminari's voice and wanting to know where he is and if he's okay and what the hell happened!]
I JUST FUCKING ASKED HIM THAT!! LISTEN, YOU BRAIN-DEAD IDIOTS!!
[All grown up and a few years out of U.A. and still acting like the teenagers they once were. Some things never change. At least the electric blonde knows his friends well enough to spare his own ears the volume blasting through the speaker.]
Tell your fucking kidnappers they're dead.
[Katsuki's voice is a mixture of rage and seriousness, unable to stay completely calm at the moment with Denki's voice on the phone, but picking up from the other man's lack of information that he's still with his kidnappers and is being monitored right now. He scoffs at the notion of not being able to track the jammed signal, but doesn't say anything.
Not aloud, however, since he's mouthing to Jiro the tracking and jamming comment so they can start working on cracking the jammer with brute force if they need to. Katsuki's job is now to keep Denki on the phone long enough to track the location.]
The hell do you mean, it was taken care of? Did you escape them? [Okay, now gears are shifting and he's moving into information gathering rather than demanding responses. The next part, however, isn't completely unexpected.
Here comes the demands.]
We're not negotiating with kidnappers or terrorists... [There's a warning in his voice, but he's opting to listen.]
[ There's something about hearing his friends being so worried about him that rips a gash in his stomach and once again reminds him that this is bad and while he's being treated really well, he's still been kidnapped and worried everyone a lot. ]
I'm fine, guys. [ Denki says softly, knowing the gang is definitely doing their best to listen. ] ...and I'm not going to tell them that, it seems counterproductive. [ About telling his kidnappers they're dead. ]
They had a medic look me over. My head is a little swollen but everything's fine. I could have been tried to a chair in chains so I'm not going to complain about a 4-star kidnapping.
[ A little hint of the Denki jokester in the middle of it all, just in time for Katsuki's warning. Yeah, he knows that. He knows, and maybe that's why this is better than being used for money or other demands. He's not a top hero, he doubts the commission would allow negotiation in the first place. ]
This doesn't have anything to do with the one who ordered the kidnapping of me.
[ AKA "It's one person, with henchpeople and power/money enough to get their hands on a hero." ]
I was told about an incoming nation-wide blackout ploy by three power chains to fight about the sole provider spot. I need you to tell all agencies to make sure hospitals and other places have good backup power and to start generators in their offices to help the population. Sidekicks need to be ready to direct traffic, and any people with power-generating quirks need some protection.
[ Sigh. ]
That's apparently part of why I was taken. To protect me from the chaos.
[Bakugou focuses on the phone, one arm up to fend Kirishima, Mina, and Sero off via his forearm, elbow, and bicep/shoulder so they couldn't keep yelling into the fucking phone. Trying to make sure Kaminari's able to talk without getting interrupted. They're all expecting some kind of ransom or deal, but that's not what it sounds like.
Which then begs the question, why did Kaminari get taken alive if there was no trade or payment?]
You're kidnapped and you're "fine"?!
[Thanks for that outburst, Kirishima. Bakugou glares at him before putting the phone deliberately to his ear.]
What the hell do they want then? [More confused expressions as Kaminari talks about a medic looking him over, concern when he talks about a head injury, and then a few glares and "huh's?" as the electric blonde goes off talking about chains, chairs, and 4-start kidnapping.] But you still can't tell us where you are.
[Leave it to Chargebolt to be kidnapped by unconventional kidnappers. And the lack of bargaining or negotiating with villains had nothing to do with top heroes or importance; after all, there'd be zero intent to negotiate with the League of Villains when they kidnapped Bakugou. Only a quick and immediate gathering and assault on their positions to rescue him and take down the group who thought they could get away with such a bold and foolish move.]
That's pretty fucking hard to believe. [That "one" person who ordered Kaminari kidnapped doesn't have shit to do with his kidnapping treatment. Bakugou scowls at the phone, though at least gets the implication right off the bat that "one person" means the "head of something" in actuality. So they're dealing with an organized group.
The rest... WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT LOAD OF BULLSHIT?!]
And you believed that?
[Bakugou's keeping his incredulous yelling restrained for a surprising second, treating this seriously, but not about to take that whopper of a story and immediately disseminate it as truth.]
Gonna need a lot more proof than the words of someone who kidnapped you for your "safety".
no subject
His work here... Guess that's not hard to disagree with. Though the same old issue of what's considered "right" between different people and groups will never completely go away. He understands where Kaminari is coming from at least.]
Because that is the kind of thing we would be dealing with. One cannot simply waltz into the top office of a national electric company and accuse them of wanting to cause a blackout of the entire nation in an effort to silence their competitors and emerge with a monopoly on Japan's electrical resources.
[With a final flourish of his fingers, Kyuketsuki sends three holographic buildings flying up onto the surface of the desk, sitting above a slightly-tilted 3D model of Japan splayed out across the desk. Kaminari might have to wander around the desk to look at them better if he wants.]
Chisaki Kai usurped leadership of only one branch of the underground yakuza. There are more yakuza factions than his, even though the general public would like to refer to the yakuza as merely one overarching entity. Like any national "underground" or "gang" society, yakuza are broken up into branches, sects, groups, and other organizations, even if the Heroes and All Might have largely wiped them out of public concern.
no subject
Instead the man kidnaps him and fucks everything up.
At the same time, it's not wrong, the things he says - but Chargebolt's already explained how their underground and surveillance heroes could find enough evidence. Heroes were not as spread thin any more like they used to be.
He just needs to know who they are.
Then the holograms changes to buildings, and he does his best to see if he can recognize any of them and their placement. It's difficult, though... and Denki's in a shitty situation. ]
So... they're all yakuza?
no subject
Kyuketsuki frowns and rests his elbows on the desk surface, lacing his fingers as he focuses on the building markers in front of him. Yes, it's true that Chargebolt has faith in the heroes being able to maneuver through the underground and carry out their own inspections and surveillance, but that's the problem with this. The heroes would be doing it. And as they saw in the past, heroes have agendas and bias.]
I believe one of them has ties with the yakuza. The other two are focused on their own resources...
[The man's mismatched eyes flick up towards Chargebolt.]
How foolish of me would it be to ask for your help, and silence, on this?
no subject
...fuck, they have to be so worried. He's been gone a whole day longer than he thought.
It's a pity Kyuketsuki doesn't trust heroes. Chargebolt has all the fate in his fellow UA graduates after everything they've gone through. They might be young, but they have more experience with nasty things than most seasoned heroes.
Hearing that it's just one of these supposed disaster-planning villains is possibly involved with the yakuza is a bit of a relief. Dealing with both that and the plans would be messy. They tended to have a lot of very loyal underlings.
Denki meets that strange mismatched gaze with a serious one of his own. ]
I will help you, but I can't do it alone. We need more people, Kyuketsuki-san. I already offered to help you avoid being charged for my kidnapping, but I can't keep this dangerous disaster plan from the people that need to be involved.
[ He also leans his hand on the desk, even if he's standing. ]
Let me contact Dynamight and my agency. We can stop this.
[ So determined, so trusting, so ready to fight. A pity he's missing the waning signs. ]
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There's a reason he doesn't trust heroes... but that's only a quiet hint that can be surmised due to his words and hesitance. Though he's still discussing this with Chargebolt, taking his time as if getting adjusted to the idea in his mind.
The yakuza is still pretty reduced due to the Heroes and All Might. Their strongest time, when the vigilantes ruled, is merely a glory of the past, a faded dream that the remaining members skulking around in the shadows would only hope to aspire towards. Overhaul had been one of those, ambitions giving rise to his plans and actions.
Kyuketsuki falls silent at the agreement to help. It's obvious he can't send Denki in there alone, nor does he want to. The reminder of his offer to avoid the kidnapping charge is likewise another point to Chargebolt's favor.]
All right. You've convinced me.
[He leans back in his chair and stretches his arms over his head.]
But I want to work through a proxy. If word gets out that I'd kidnapped you, even if my reasoning was fair, albeit selfish, I could have trouble. And I can offer my own people to help your team as well.
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That's wonderful, Kyuketsuki-san! Please let me have a phone and I'll call them right away. They're going to be worried at first, especially my boyfriend, but they'll come around when I explain the situation. It will all work out.
[ It's a sweet smile now, excited to see Katsuki (and make sure that he's not gonna blow up Kyuketsuki). They could now prevent this disaster from happening, and they could make sure things were prepared if it still went down. ]
I'm glad we could settle something.
[ Eagerly, he waits to be handed a phone or showed to one. ]
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When the blonde lights up about it, Kyuketsuki's expression mirrors it, happy to see Kaminari smile like that. As for the request, that puts a slight falter on him and he purses his lips in thought. How best to do this...]
What do you think would be best? To call from here, or elsewhere? They'll trace whatever call you make.
[Leading to Mizudenki's lines and or at least the location, which won't help with the request for a proxy and would just make anyone involved in this suspicious despite Kyuketsuki's vouch. Probably not the best idea to go into a working partnership with people who immediately think he's some nefarious villain...]
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As for Kyuketsuki's question, the blonde gives a slight nod. ]
I think it would be good to call from here and get some heroes to this location to help plan things together with us. I will vouch for you, Kyuketsuki-san. As long as you are helping us, I'll keep you out of trouble. I promise.
[ He leans a bit closer over the desk. ]
...and if that doesn't work for you, you could leave me here with an intercom or something to talk to you with. No personal involvement.
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I wish I could trust the heroes as much as you do. Unfortunately, despite the improvements, I'm one of the stubborn skeptics.
[He pushes himself up from the desk.]
Why don't you get something to eat and drink, take a small break and wash up? I'll prepare something for you to contact... what was his name... Dymarie? for a quick message. I'd like a moment to detail how I play into this, though I'll accept whatever coverstory or vouch you come up with.
[Likely he would use an intercom. It's more the reality of people asking how Chargebolt came to be in a power plant in the first place? Did the kidnappers throw him over the bridge and he washed into Mizudenki's strainer fencing? Was he sold by the kidnappers and Kyuketsuki surreptitiously purchased him with the intent to free him rather than use him? Or should they stage Chargebolt being found elsewhere and they keep Mizudenki's involvement completely anonymous for the time being...
There are a lot of spins that can be put on this that could be dangerous. Plus it would involve Denki's lying.]
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As long as he can keep convincing Kyuketsuki to work with him, he's made progress. He could get out of this. ]
Dynamight. [ The blonde corrects with a slightly softer smile. ] Thank you, Kyuketsuki-san.
[ He's not sure where to go to get get himself sorted out, so that's up to the two-toned man. Denki brushes back his bangs again, halfway interested in a shower as well, but deciding that's a little too vulnerable in this situation. Maybe a granola bar and some water and he'll continue the planning... and the convenient lies to keep this guy out of the heat so he can continue giving information.
The electric hero is so sure that he's getting his kidnapper on his side that he doesn't realize he's the one changing his opinion about Kyuketsuki. ]
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I'll make sure you get a chance to call. But you need some rest. There's little sense in trying to make a decision like this when you're still recovering. Follow me.
[So he says, though Kyuketsuki ends up pausing for a few seconds when Kaminari pushes his bangs backwards like that. Almost like he's caught staring, but then shakes himself out of it with a little smile. Right. Nodding forward, he leads them out of the room and back into the halls. It's only a short walk before they enter another room, which looks like a personal quarter. A couch sits off to one side, there's a hidden bed tucked into the wall, and a bathroom sits through a door in the back beside the little table with chair.]
Why don't you get cleaned up. I'll bring some food and a first aid kit for you to dress your injury, unless you'd rather my on-site medic look at it.
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Now he just has to get that call... and maybe eat something. It's not like he's about to starve to death and he's had water, but it's still fucking with him. By now it must have been two days, as he didn't have lunch yet while being on the power station mission.
...that look on the man is odd, and Denki wonders if he's looking at his scar? Or something else? It seems intense, even if Kyuketsuki shakes it away.
When they reach the new room, he can tell that it's not some worker's suite. Was it Kyuketsuki's room? Maybe a guest room. That would be less weird. ]
...thank you. I think I still have a bit of a concussion, honestly. Maybe some pain pills will help.
[ Would it be weird to have some medic look at him? Does the medic know what's going on? ]
Otherwise I can handle myself.
[ Anything to get things moving quicker. He needs to contact his agency and Katsuki to tell them he's alive. It's been uncomfortably long now that he knows the real date, and everyone must be worried. ]
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It's definitely not Blesk's personal room. He doesn't stay over at the power plant, though he can if he needs to. It's more a guest quarters for if something happens to one of the workers. An injury or an illness or needing a private place to rest or talk. There are a few of these kinds of rooms scattered around Mizudenki's premises.]
All right. [Kyuketsuki pulls his phone out and after a brief tapping, puts it to his ear.] Yes. Room A 114. Pain killers, concussion treatment, and a small head impact injury.
[With that, he hangs up and focuses on Kaminari again.]
The medic will bring those up to you. [He sighs and runs his hand through his hair, golden fringe pulling back before flopping over his brow and eye again.] Try to get some rest for a bit. I need to figure out what's the safest way for myself and my company to help you and avoid damaging our public image.
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He needs to get all of this out to the other heroes... and he needs Katsuki. Maybe it's childish, but the electric hero feels absolutely alone in this mess and he worries about his boyfriend.
Once Kyuketsuki turns to him again, he manages to give a slight smile. The way the strange guy smooths back his fringe reminds Denki of himself, and he mimics the movement almost subconsciously. ]
...thank you, Kyuketsuki-san. Please let me contact my people as soon as possible.
[ As soon as the guy leaves, he's going to look for his own way to contact his agency, but it's best to keep the helpful way open. This is so serious and he's honestly not sure if he's the guy to deal with a big thing like this.
Still. He's a hero, and he's not going to allow this blackout disaster to happen. ]
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The national blackout threat won't be happening in a few hours, so the blonde can get some rest without worrying about it. This kind of thing isn't going to crash down in so little time.
A small smile appears on Kyuketsuki's visage when Kaminari runs his hand through his hair almost on reflex. But he's still sticking to his decision right now.]
Of course. As soon as I can.
[With that, he takes his leave. Kaminari gets to be left alone for a good ten minutes before a medical person arrives. They'll have some light food and drink for him, a change of clothes and towels, and a first aid kit to help treat his injury with far more skill than the kidnappers did.
But that'll be only if Kaminari's still in the room and hasn't, you know, snuck out and tried to find the exit and take off into the woods.]
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When the medic arrives, Denki calms a bit and lets them work on his injury without complaint. In the end, he has a new bandage and two stitches, as well as a nice amount of pain relief and strict orders to rest. His head is a little swollen, but at least he's used to shocks to his brain. Nothing serious.
He doesn't ask the medic for help to get out.
After getting patched up professionally he uses the bathroom and cleans off his face, still tempted to use the shower but avoiding it in the end. No point in risking being naked if shit goes down. This isn't a safe place, no matter how much he's unwittingly leaning in to Kyuketsuki's side.
The food and drink is a bit of a concern at first, but nothing he's seen so far tells him that he's about to be poisoned. Still, the blonde eats slowly and sips the drink, trying to see if it makes him tired. Not that he isn't, already, but still.
...all while nervously staring at the door, waiting for that phone. ]
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It's another half an hour after she leaves that the door finally opens again, Kyuketsuki walking through it with a worker following him. Rather young, probably about just-before-university age. Maybe even an intern, who knows. But he seems comfortable with what's going on and gives Chargebolt a grin and a wave.]
Yo! Charge-man~ Sup? [Finger guns him twice before heading to the little table and dragging up a chair. Kyuketsuki gives Kaminari a quick scan, noting the head dressage and the fact the blonde's eaten a little something. He isn't at all surprised the electric hero hasn't gone to sleep. But he does set a cellphone down on the table, and older model. It has buttons and lacks a touch screen kind of older model. The kind with digital numbers that'll turn 5318008 into BOOBIES if you turn the phone upside down.]
I'm glad to see you're doing better. [Nodding towards the food and Kaminari's bandages.]
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(He thinks he knows how to use one. Uraraka had one back in UA.)
Denki goes for his chance at picking it up before he even answers his captor. ]
I really am feeling a lot better. Thank you so much, Kyuketsuki-san.
[ It still feels weird to be thanking someone who ordered people to kidnap him and cause this injury in the first place, and then weirdly says creepy things like 'being his' (even if it might have been a joke) and saving him. All the disaster talk and trying to get the guy to tell him everything switched his priorities and really made him forget the weird start. How immensely cool this place was helped as well. ]
I'll call Dynamight first, and then the agency. If I don't he's going to think something bad is up.
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It really is telling how Denki's entire source of happiness is resting on that phone and the chance to reach out...]
It's the least I could do after what happened.
[This entire experience has been quite the ride, from the tumble out of the car to finally meeting each other to the strange conversations between them to the revelation of the tri-fold plot spreading out in the electricity of the rejuvenating country.]
Go ahead. Jammer here [he nods towards the young man sitting at the table.] is able to prevent electrical signals from being traced and can help or hinder their flow between transmitters and receivers.
[Not only could he prevent the phone from being located, but he could shut off the call in a split second...]
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He needs to get the villain plot out ASAP.
If he throws himself over the phone like a dog with a treat, you can't really blame him. A smile on his face and eyes lit up with joy he dials the well-known number into the weird buttons. Denki's voice is a little shaky as he waits, ready to speak as soon and his fellow hero picks up. ]
...Dynamight?
[ Is it pathetic, how much he wants to hear that voice? ]
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Hey, someone's got to save all the electric blondes. Can't have them getting themselves killed out there in a blackout apocalypse.
The phone certainly feels weird in his hand, more a cylinder than the flat rectangle people are so used to. Hey, that's the fun part of old-time tech. Blast to the past. Have an nostalgic roll in actually pressing physical buttons on the phone, feel them depress with that soft 'click' sensation beneath your fingers. And the dial tone. Ah, the lovely dial tone...
*cr-chrck*]
D-
[There's A LOT of noise on the other end.]
DENKI!?! FUCK, WHERE TH FUCK ARE YOU?! ARE YOU OKAY?! WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED?! TRACK THIS RIGHT NOW, ASSHOLE!!
[Sorry, Kaminari, that last part wasn't aimed at you.]
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Right now he's very distracted by that dial tone and then the click of the call being accepted. He immediately moves the phone a bit away from his ear, knowing there will be yelling. ]
Hi, babe. I can't... I can't tell you where I am right now. Maybe later. They can't track this, it's being jammed.
[ He briefly glances at the two men in the room. He has to make sure he doesn't say anything wrong right now, and fuck everything up. ]
I'm mostly okay, I promise. Got hit over the head but it was taken care of. I didn't even know I was gone this long because I was unconscious.
[ Sigh. Now for the hard part. ]
There's a lot more important things going on than that, though. I need you to listen and send this to every agency in Japan.
[ That's Chargebolt talking, not the previously soft and lost side of Denki. This is hero stuff. ]
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I JUST FUCKING ASKED HIM THAT!! LISTEN, YOU BRAIN-DEAD IDIOTS!!
[All grown up and a few years out of U.A. and still acting like the teenagers they once were. Some things never change. At least the electric blonde knows his friends well enough to spare his own ears the volume blasting through the speaker.]
Tell your fucking kidnappers they're dead.
[Katsuki's voice is a mixture of rage and seriousness, unable to stay completely calm at the moment with Denki's voice on the phone, but picking up from the other man's lack of information that he's still with his kidnappers and is being monitored right now. He scoffs at the notion of not being able to track the jammed signal, but doesn't say anything.
Not aloud, however, since he's mouthing to Jiro the tracking and jamming comment so they can start working on cracking the jammer with brute force if they need to. Katsuki's job is now to keep Denki on the phone long enough to track the location.]
The hell do you mean, it was taken care of? Did you escape them? [Okay, now gears are shifting and he's moving into information gathering rather than demanding responses. The next part, however, isn't completely unexpected.
Here comes the demands.]
We're not negotiating with kidnappers or terrorists... [There's a warning in his voice, but he's opting to listen.]
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I'm fine, guys. [ Denki says softly, knowing the gang is definitely doing their best to listen. ] ...and I'm not going to tell them that, it seems counterproductive. [ About telling his kidnappers they're dead. ]
They had a medic look me over. My head is a little swollen but everything's fine. I could have been tried to a chair in chains so I'm not going to complain about a 4-star kidnapping.
[ A little hint of the Denki jokester in the middle of it all, just in time for Katsuki's warning. Yeah, he knows that. He knows, and maybe that's why this is better than being used for money or other demands. He's not a top hero, he doubts the commission would allow negotiation in the first place. ]
This doesn't have anything to do with the one who ordered the kidnapping of me.
[ AKA "It's one person, with henchpeople and power/money enough to get their hands on a hero." ]
I was told about an incoming nation-wide blackout ploy by three power chains to fight about the sole provider spot. I need you to tell all agencies to make sure hospitals and other places have good backup power and to start generators in their offices to help the population. Sidekicks need to be ready to direct traffic, and any people with power-generating quirks need some protection.
[ Sigh. ]
That's apparently part of why I was taken. To protect me from the chaos.
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Which then begs the question, why did Kaminari get taken alive if there was no trade or payment?]
You're kidnapped and you're "fine"?!
[Thanks for that outburst, Kirishima. Bakugou glares at him before putting the phone deliberately to his ear.]
What the hell do they want then? [More confused expressions as Kaminari talks about a medic looking him over, concern when he talks about a head injury, and then a few glares and "huh's?" as the electric blonde goes off talking about chains, chairs, and 4-start kidnapping.] But you still can't tell us where you are.
[Leave it to Chargebolt to be kidnapped by unconventional kidnappers. And the lack of bargaining or negotiating with villains had nothing to do with top heroes or importance; after all, there'd be zero intent to negotiate with the League of Villains when they kidnapped Bakugou. Only a quick and immediate gathering and assault on their positions to rescue him and take down the group who thought they could get away with such a bold and foolish move.]
That's pretty fucking hard to believe. [That "one" person who ordered Kaminari kidnapped doesn't have shit to do with his kidnapping treatment. Bakugou scowls at the phone, though at least gets the implication right off the bat that "one person" means the "head of something" in actuality. So they're dealing with an organized group.
The rest... WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT LOAD OF BULLSHIT?!]
And you believed that?
[Bakugou's keeping his incredulous yelling restrained for a surprising second, treating this seriously, but not about to take that whopper of a story and immediately disseminate it as truth.]
Gonna need a lot more proof than the words of someone who kidnapped you for your "safety".
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Don't you national ass me, Helen Zass.
;)
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sorry for the delay. vacation + plumbing issues
♥
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