twomillionvolts | Open Post

[That sounds like a old-timer's remedy for a hangover before getting grilled on last night's wild party details. They've already been pouring over the details Kaminari sent via the email, but it's less about that and more about the kidnapping they want to know more of. How, when, why, what happened, all that good stuff he's gonna get scrutinized on.

And hate to break it to you, but Bakugou already thinks his boyfriend's lips have been "sealed" via a threat or something else... So he's doubtful about this shit. About the kidnappers being "nice" to him and ultimately Denki escaping via being let go.

True. Band does plan on taking the wheel when Chargebolt needs to rest. They can trade off at the various gas refills. The car itself is pretty good on gas mileage, but it's not the greatest compared to more modern cars. One downside. That said, there are canisters of gas in the trunk, secured and stabilized, so there won't be gas station stops...]

Excuse you. That "condom guy" is my husband and a very respectable gentleman. Far better than your grenade-obsessed fuse box. [Band's voice and composure shifts to proud and defensive all in one. Maybe touched a nerve... "Holy shit" her man, and she'll fire right back at yours, buddy. Hmph.

Her eyes focus on the road in front of them, tone softening.] And our "deal" is corporate sabotage. Perhaps you've heard of Gomumamoru? [No? (If not, she'll explain the following to Kaminari.) It was a private production and research company that specialized in rubber products, based in northern Japan. Known for both its quality and wide array of products that ranged anywhere from entertainment such as children's toys and *ahem* adult interests, to business supplies like erasers and rubber bands, to serious construction efforts helping heavy machinery and automotive areas. Both natural and synthetic rubbers were used and studied in the company, which also employed people with rubber-based Quirks for both familiarity with their main production material and to help with researching the material.] Gomumamoru was founded by my father and passed to me when he died. We were on the verge of a breakthrough in producing a new synthetic rubber that we hoped would revolutionize the rubber industry by enabling rubber trees to produce natural synthetic rubber, a compound that combined all the best qualities of natural rubber and synthetic rubber to one superior material. However, the firm we were partnered with at the time sabotaged and stole our research, destroyed our laboratory, and bought out the shares of my company, liquefying all of Gomumamoru's assets and absorbing everything my father, I, my husband, and our workers and researchers had worked on and produced for years.

In the span of a month, we had nothing. Our government did nothing, claiming our research on the rubber trees for themselves and refusing to acknowledge our ownership of it. A benefit for everyone, revolutionizing the industry standard, they said, was not something we could hoard for ourselves. Due to the sabotage and theft, we were unable to produce enough solid evidence the research was our own... We lost everything. Our jobs, our research, our livelihoods, workers, friends...

[Touching her index and thumb together, Band dragged them apart, stretching a length of rubber between the digits.]

Have you ever lost everything, Kaminari Denki?

[ Oh. Wow. That's... not what he expected at all. The guy dressed in a condom cape was her husband? The guy with a rubber hat that looks like a condom tip? That guy?

Denki does his best to choke down the sudden nervous laugh, schooling his face and keeping his eyes on the road. ] Oh man, sorry. My bad.

[ He's quiet as she speaks, trying to concentrate on driving and following her story as well. It absolutely sucks that it happened to her and her family, he can sympathize with that. A lot of hard work just destroyed, pushed out of their own company and with nobody to help? It's heartbreaking, and he wishes it was something that could have been helped by a hero. He has no idea how lawyers work.

It's always something like that... abandoned and alone that seems to grow villains. It's sad.

When she asks if he's ever lost everything, though, he sighs. ]

Not everything. It got close, though... losing friends, teachers, heroes, our whole way of life. I fought in the UA war. So many heroes died...

[ Denki shakes his head, turning on the blinkers to change lane. ]

So no, I haven't. I'm sorry.

[Yeah. That guy. Same with Denki dating a guy who wears grenades on his wrists (stupid, dangerous idea) and puts bladed explosions out the back of his head like he's a bad ass. Yeah. That guy.

Band doesn't seem to chastise him further for the faux pass. After all, he didn't know, and she's not unreasonable. The apology gets a mild shrug of acceptance and she leans back in her seat, casually pulling the rubber band from between her fingers.]

The heroes weren't the only ones who lost things in that war. For all the shit All for One and Shigaraki did, there were plenty of good people out there trying to fight for a better life. Or to reclaim what was taken from them. There was death on both sides...

[Even though the heroes tried to save the villains, there were still casualties. Many villains didn't care about mowing down their "allies" if it meant furthering the more intense goals.]

You're young. You'll experience it at some point. [Band pulls the rubber band around her wrist and rests her head on the headrest.] Everyone does.

Anyways. That's our business. It's not something you, your friends, the police, or even Kyuketsuki needs to get involved in. It's the Rubber's deal and we'll handle it ourselves.

[Just in case Kaminari felt the urge to be a hero and stick his nose in where it's not wanted.]

[ Hey, those grenades are super helpful to his mans and the explosive thing is easy to recognize! Condoms just... make it weird. Seriously!

Still, Denki keeps his mouth shut about it after the explanation, and nods softly when she mentions the losses on both sides. No, he gets that, he's not without empathy for the villains - especially the ones twisted by AFO. In addition to that, a lot of civilians were affected, homes and businesses destroyed... they tried to keep the people safe, but the city suffered.

Nothing's ever perfect, but it was needed. ]

I know. A lot of them would have had a better life if they had received the help they needed from the start. That's why we're trying to do better, now. [ Another sigh. ] ...and I prefer not to experience that, thanks.

[ He's already been on the verge of that one time too many. Hell, he's risking everything right now by trying to work out a deal for Kyuketsuki. His trustworthiness, his hero status, his whole image. ]

I'll keep my nose clean.

[ The electric blonde concedes, and continues driving in silence. ]

[And what's to say those condoms aren't super helpful to her man? To the same point, Chargebolt will never see Condom King and forget who he is. How's that for recognition? Mr. Looks Like He Walked Outta Hot Topic on a Friday Night.

Band doesn't pursue the explanation further, thankfully not a villainness who feels the need to rant on and on about her past and motives. She gave enough to Kaminari to reveal this isn't random and she has a reason for her actions, but isn't looking for sympathy or aid from the young hero. There are problems on both sides of the line and she's aware of them. Heroes and villains often times only care about pierces of the world, rather than the entire thing. The Rubbers are no different. Villains making a living with their own agenda behind it.

Nothing's perfect. It's a sad, but true lesson in life.]

They're not blameless. Many of them could have had better lives if they'd ask for help, been content with their lot instead of demanding more, or accepted their own responsibility in their personal problems. My husband and I should have been more vigilant in who we partnered with, should have been more protective of our work. Heroes can only do so much... and they shouldn't be expected to fix or do things that people could've already on their own.

[While she won't accept responsibility for being betrayed, set up, robbed, and ruined, she will admit to her naivety and bad choices, even if coming at it from a hindsight lens. The heroes are not responsible for her downfall. That would be the government. Chargebolt isn't the only thing the Rubbers have kidnapped over their career.]

I believe this generation of heroes will improve the society they were given. You've a lot to be proud of.

[Perhaps not proud of getting clonked in the head by a plank of wood by old-time expert kidnappers, but you know, take what victories you can.]

[ Hey, Hot Topic is timeless!

He's grateful for her holding back any kind of villain monologue, both because Denki's trying to keep an eye on the road and he's prone to getting distracted, but also because he doesn't really know what to say. It's the same issue all over again, but they're doing the best they can.

Changing. Spreading new values and thoughts on what it means to be a hero, and not saturating Japan with them and making it easier for some to get corrupted without notice.

He is proud, because he's part of that. (Not so much the violence to his head.) ]

I hope so. It's what Japan and the world deserves. Especially after AFO.

[ The electric hero keeps driving until the car gets thirsty, and then takes a moment to let Band take over as he leans his head to the door and looks out the window. At least the weather looks nice. ]

...hey. Kyuketsuki mentioned about losing something to heroes. Do you know what that's about?

[A Goth classic. It'll be in history books forever.

It's not an issue that will go away. Unfortunately, the human condition exists and inequality will always be a part of any society. There will be those down below and those high above, the middle flexible and varied, but all trying to survive, some with more difficulty than others. And the sense of fairness versus unfairness pervades... which leads to all the rest o the mess.

A cynical and embittered view of the world thanks to her experiences. She'll admit the heroes are trying, but they can only do so much. After all, even heroes are only human.

But they have things to be proud of. Japan remains Japan, not the kingdom ruled over by All for One. Any villain who thought that would go their way was a fool.]

Depends on who you ask.

[Band switches drivers when Denki needs his break, getting some food and water from the back so he can take his pick. Apples and oranges, dried snacks, biodegradable packets of water (you can even chew the straw up if you're that kind of munchies person). The car heads back on the road, finally reaching the highway and heading out.]

Kyuketsuki's family was attacked by heroes. I don't know the details, but he lost someone important to him during the event. He's not a man who speaks much of his past to people.

[ He's more than happy to have an orange and one of those cool water packages (you know he'll chew it up). It's a nice normalcy in all of this, having car snacks while on a road trip. All that's missing are some good tunes. Awkward quietness isn't something Denki's good with - with his friends and boyfriend, sure, but like this? He's nervously gonna try to talk about anything.

The electric hero didn't expect Band to actually answer him about Kyuketsuki, though, so he's immediately more interested. ]

Attacked by heroes? Why would heroes just attack people?

[ Was it some of those corrupted Meta Liberation Army people? That's all Denki can really think of. He still hasn't put anything together, teetering between stupid and naive. Maybe both. ]

If that's the case... I hope I managed to give him a little bit more trust in heroes.

[ It looked like he had managed, his own upcoming freedom proof of that. Why they're going to a casino is another hing, but there might be enough people there for Band to just disappear with the car after she drops him off. ]

[The food's in the car so they don't have to stop and pick up something at a gas station. Same as the tanks of gas being in the trunk. All to keep the trip going smoothly without having to stop for any extended period of time. On Kaminari's side, to get him home fast as possible. On the Rubbers' side, to avoid any potential spots or recognition.

And the radio's free to be turned on if Chargebolt wants; Band isn't gonna stop him from listening to music. Provided it's not like... raging death metal at full volume or toddler's nursery rhymes. She's fine with driving in silence, but already figured the electric hero is not.

The surprise and interest on his face is obvious and expected.]

You really don't see things from any side but your own, do you? [Band glances at him with a piqued brow.] The wrong place at the wrong time. A false accusation. An assumption. There are many reason why a hero would attack someone. Often couched in the name of protecting from villainy. [She returns to the road.] Think about it, Chargebolt. Both Hawks and Lady Nagant attacked people. And yet, they're heroes.

[To say "just attack" like it was the heroes who snapped and went mad is a shallow way of looking at things. Of course corrupt heroes are real. Perhaps Kyuketsuki's family fell on the wayside of one of those. Or perhaps they were setup and framed to take the fall for the real villain. Band can't offer information she doesn't know, but simultaneously, she doesn't instantly consider the heroes' the innocent side in Kyuketsuki's background tragedy.]

I can't speak to that. However, I believe you are a good hero. And for what it's worth, I'm sorry you were caught up in this. [Though she offsets it immediately with a shrug.] Of course, to the Rubbers, you're just a paycheck. Nothing personal.

[The casino will make sense once they arrive.]

[ Thankfully Denki's choice of music ends up being some bright pop music that he keeps on a low volume. Both so he can hear her and to not be too distracted by that as well. Now and then the music is broken up by road announcements and commercials, but at least it's not 'Baby Shark'. ]

I don't really have much experience with other sides but my own. [ He points out. ] ...and I know heroes can be flawed. Killers, even. Much of that was because of the HPSC, though. Fucked-up people grooming kids... and then there were the corrupted heroes. I was wondering why they attacked; I wasn't saying it was Kyuketsuki's fault.

[ He realized is might have sounded that way, though, so he concedes to that. Her next words are a surprise, and there's a slight smile when she brushes it off immediately as well. Nothing personal, indeed. ]

Thanks. That's all I hope to be.

[ Denki is already gambling. He doesn't need a casino for that. ]

[Band usually goes quick whenever the road announcements show up, listening in for traffic flow, accidents, impediments, or other such news. Commercials don't bother her and the music is fine. One brief run of the news mentions Chargebolt's continued disappearance, but that's more for the television news rather than expounding on it on air. Which is somewhat odd, considering the information Chargebolt gave them. Perhaps there's an effort not to cause a national panic and suspicion right now...]

That's part of the problem for both sides, isn't it. [The villains can't see from the heroes' side and the heroes can't see from the villains' viewpoint. Both operate on what they see of the other, stereotypes, assumptions, and misunderstandings included.]

That's an interesting way to view it... [Band glances at him.] Because I assume you'd be among the first to defend U.A. and similar schools from accusations that they likewise groom children into child soldiers and heroes. Yet no one would call those institutions "fucked up" despite operating on similar principles.

[She keeps her voice from being angry or accusing, mostly a conversational tone that brings up the counterpoints. Less trying to convince him and more exploring the other side and how things can be viewed differently.]

I don't know much of Kyuketsuki's background apart from what he's told me. And I make it a point not to believe anything I hear without doing my own research. So I can't tell you for certain if his family was innocent or not.

[She'll concede that point to Kaminari as well.]

[ Denki's eye widen a bit when he hears the news talk about him, and it makes him sit back a bit and bite his lower lip. Fuck, everyone's probably still worried about him. This car ride suddenly feels way too slow, but he can't exactly call his Kacchan and go piggyboom to the next prefecture.

Band's comment about not knowing each others sides is a little bit of a sting, because the things they saw during the war, with Shoto's brother and even Shigaraki? Yeah. It's not always fair.

Mentioning UA, however, makes him reflexively want to do exactly what she said he would. He does take a moment to actually think of his argument, though. Katsuki reminded him of doing that all the time. ]

Yeah, sure... some of that is right. We're all pretty much told from young childhood to adore heroes and want to be one - but becoming a hero the school way seems to help with values and critical thinking rather than brainwashing. Our class just happened to be a mess, and then Japan lost almost 200k heroes to corruption and we had to step in. Normally, that doesn't happen.

[ His fingers play a bit with the seatbelt as he speaks. ]

We don't kill people as heroes. Hawks got some bad shit over that, and the fact that the Commission was making hero assassins and essentially eugenics makes it a lot more different than a school that is, in the end, a choice to want to attend. [ Sigh. ] It's not perfect, I know, but after living through both UA and the war... I would say it's more different than you think. However, it's probably a lot more different than I think, too. Like you said... I only have one point of view.

[ If Kyuketsuki's family was innocent or not... well, that's really not the point here. It had hurt the man already, and then he escalated by making a mistake like this. His head felt pretty good, but he's a little sleepy. The rattling of his brain takes a long time to heal even after he feels okay. ]

Do you mind if I take a nap until we switch again? Concussions are stupid and the fatigue comes and goes.

[He's still big news despite the scarcity of it on this channel. Chargebolt is one of Class 1-A after all. Of course they haven't given up on looking for him, especially now that they know he's being released. Which Bakugou is insanely suspicious of. Why the fuck would some kidnapper release a high profile hostage for no reason? The world's not nice like that.

"Fair" is a fool's word. An ideal that cannot exist in a world inhabited by humans. Band might have thought things were "fair" a long time ago, but by now, that's become a figment of imagination. No one truly wants "fair"; they only want what the think is theirs.

When Kaminari doesn't reflexively jump to his school's defense, Band silently gives him a look of surprise, but approval. It's a flicker, there and gone, but she notes his maturity. Been a heavy subject for a while. And she can admit to some fallacies in her own argument about U.A. versus the HPSC.]

Normally. [A quiet agreement. U.A. sought to create heroes, though a hero could be a soldier depending on the battle, if they aren't already. ] You're right. U.A. doesn't want soldiers despite heroes battling regardless. And had they more options, they wouldn't have sent you all into the war. But like you said, they had no choice. Not jumping to defense and explaining your way of thinking's the proper way to do it.

[She changes lanes with an easy move.] There should be more people like you.

[Knowing he's still dealing with the concussion, and satisfied with his answer, Band nods and reaches into the back. A second or two of feeling around and she drags a blanket up, leaving it draped over the armrest in case Kaminari wants it. She won't tax his brain further.]

Do you want to drive through the night or stop at a hotel like last time?

[ 'Fair' and 'nice' both seem like things that cannot exist in their world, but here he is, a war veteran but still believing in both.

The surprised approval from Band feels like the generic version of the one Katsuki gives him when he manages to put his feelings and words together in a way that has a decent point. He did not expect her to agree with him or admit to her own misconceptions, but here they are.

'There should be more people like you.' He wants to say that there are, almost 40 of them, but he allows himself to take the compliment without rerouting it to his friends. ]

I am a delight, I know.

[ Okay, the joking works instead.

The blanket is a welcome surprise and Denki pulls it on himself after Band leaves it for him. He's not exactly cold, but it's cozy and if he's going to rest better than in the nervous half-asleep way, he has to have something comfortable. He was technically in a car with a kidnapper, after all. ]

I want to get there as soon as possible, honestly. However, I'm happy to stop if you don't want to. I'm not gonna be an asshole just because I'm in a hurry.

[ Denki. Kidnapper. Villain. Stop being nice! ]

[She can't very well call those who don't know the other side idiots if she's not willing to listen to the other side and consider their ideas. Rather than lambasting the heroes, Band doesn't see a problem in learning more about them. Though considering her line of work, she probably doesn't get to talk to heroes in such a casual setting very often. Which is usually fine with her. That means she's doing her job well.]

You are. I might actually miss you.

[The little smirk on her lips and tease in her voice suggests it's little more than jesting. After all, she did tell him it was nothing personal. He's merely one of her less-annoying kidnaps.

Once he's settled with the blanket (and she even turns the air on a bit higher to cool the car down more), she focuses on the road again, letting some cars pass her and passing others along the way.]

We'll decide again when it gets closer to night. It won't be the first time I've slept in a car.

[Pull off to the side of the road or crash in a parking lot, that's as acceptable as getting a hotel room. A choice for later then.]

Go to sleep, Sparkplug. I'll wake you if I need to.

[ He laughs a little at her saying she'll miss him, and gives her some classic Chargebolt finger guns in return. She's pretty alright when she's not threatening to sell him off as a sex slave or choking him with rubber bands.

Maybe this is seeing things from the other side?

Cuddling into the blanket, Denki closes his eyes and leans his head to the window so he can feel the slight vibration of the car. He can pretend it's Katsuki on one of the nights when he snores a little bit. Fuck, the electric blonde feels touch-starved for his boyfriend and it's only been three days or so. ]

Mmhm. Sounds good.

[ Is his reply to the suggestion to revisit their nighttime driving once things get darker. He drove the first leg of the journey, up to a little after mid day, so he can rest for a few hours.

When he falls asleep, it's not really that restful. Denki dreams shattered, weirdly fragmented things that make no sense, but at least they're not nightmares. Just weird. ]

[Band offers a small hum of amusement at the finger guns before turning the radio station to something more relaxing. She settles back in the seat and lets her mind wander along her past and her missions.]

You're probably right.

[But just seeing from the other side means little if the actions don't change. That could be said to both sides though, heroes and villains. Leaving Chargebolt to sleep, Band falls into contemplative silence. Two providence away from U.A. and the rest of the area the electric blonde is familiar with. It's going to be a drive.

Weird dreams can still make good sleep difficult. Band doesn't wake the other man until about four hours later. But that's only because she stops and gasses the car up from one of the tanks in the back. Then it's back on the road. It'll be almost 10pm by the time she broaches the subject again.]

We've got about half an hour before the next refuel. We can find a hotel, a place to sleep, or keep driving.

[ He wakes with a bit of a start and a confused snuffle, before his brain catches up and he's yawning and rubbing the back of his head. At least he god a bit of shut-eye and he's feeling alright again.

Hearing Band return to the question from before, Denki looks at the road, trying to see any road signs. ]

I think a place to sleep would be good. It doesn't have to be a motel or anything if that worries you, I've slept in plenty of cars. Could do with some more substantial food and a pit stop, though.

[ Those damn human needs. Food, sleep and bathroom breaks.

Denki knows he's pretty recognizable with his hair bolt even outside of his hero costume, and with his kidnapping being one of the biggest news right now, he's not sure if hiding with some clips is gonna work. His hand comes up to play a little with the collar there, smoothing the buttery-soft leather with a thumb. That's probably really recognizable, too.

...he really needs to stop trying to help his own kidnapper, here. ]

We could stop somewhere for food and bathrooms and then find a parking place to sleep.

[ Then it wouldn't be all at the same place. Does that help? ]

[Least she didn't slam on the brakes or something. Band lets him come awake at his own pace, though she's not going to begrudge him the crick in his neck if he slept on it wrong. It's already dark out by now, so he slept a fair amount. Enough she's wondering if he's going to be able to sleep tonight.

Most of the road signs going by are exits markers and what's at each exit, with the occasional reminder of the highway they're on. Band nods at his answer, and as for the motel, she simply shakes her head.] You recall we were at a motel when we brought you.

[Though his comment about more substantial food and a pit stop get her attention back to the road signs that brush past. She fixes on one of them, an exit in five minutes with a selection of places. There doesn't appear to be any worry about the risk of being detected.]

I know a place up here we can stop at. If you don't mind a B&B over a motel.

[Which... might give some sort of tip off to what's going on.]

[ There's a bit of a crick, but nothing bad - he's rather not have it upgraded to whiplash so he really is grateful that she didn't slam on the brakes.

Denki can tell that it's late, but he doesn't think he'll have an issue sleeping later. Concussion recovery means a lot of drowsy spells in-between the good ones, so he'll snooze more later. Especially since his dreams were so weird and didn't let him rest well.

When Band mentions the motel he first woke up in while he was brought over to Kyuketsuki, he nods slightly. Maybe it was a villain-owned place or maybe it was before at least half the country was keeping an eye out for him. Now it seems like it would be more difficult to be discreet even in that kind of place. A B&B sounds... nicer? He's not sure what to make of that. ]

I don't mind that... as long as we're not making things difficult for some random people.

[ He's a little too confused to pick up on anything at the moment, head full of trying to figure out how much time they'll 'lose' by staying the night. Did they have to kidnap him so far away?? ]

[If it's not already apparent, Band's not a bitch. Most of the time. She puts on the blinker to signal a lane change and eases over to prepare for the next exit coming up.]

Unless it's completely full, I don't think we'll be making trouble for anyone. [Again, no real worry about running into people with the B&B she has in mind. They'll "lose" however many hours they want to sleep before they get back on the road again. Band's aware that Kaminari wants to get home, but he also agreed to the sleep, so unless he opts to drive through the night, they're getting off at the next exit.

As for kidnapping him so far away, do they really want to stay in the same prefecture that houses Endeavor, U.A., and a solid chunk of Class 1-A, especially when they've got Chargebolt stuck in the back of their car? Yeah, no thank you. Going to prefectures away is a far safer option if you're opting to kidnap a war hero.

With the exit behind them, it's only a few roads before they come upon a nice-looking two-story home, somewhat reminiscent of the Todoroki estate, but without the massive wall around it. There's a fence at least? Two cars are parked outside in the little parking lot of a driveway, and a small sign reads "Aki Inn" curled around a red salamander. The light by the front door is on and a gentle wisp of smoke wanders out the chimney.

Band slows the car to a crawl as they make their way towards the building.] How do you feel? If you want to keep driving, we can. We'll have to trade drivers.

[But she wants to give him a last chance.]

[ Luring Denki to another prefecture and then moving him further was a genius move, really. It messed up all the search attempts and people had to travel far to gather in Shizuoka. Far away from the more powerful hero agencies, too.

For that, she's very much still a bitch - especially considering how she treated him before. It's a lot different having her around this time, and he's honestly not sure which one is the 'bit'. Decent-ish, married Band or the playful Toga knockoff?

Either way, they're off the main road and reaching some kind of older homestead. It looks pretty nice and probably not too full if there's only two cars. It depended on how many rooms it had available, of course, but old-style Japanese houses tended to have a lot of add-ons. ]

I feel pretty okay, right now. How about we have something to eat and use the facilities, and revisit that question?

[ Honestly he wants to continue driving, but he also has a feeling that he's pushing himself too much just to get back home quicker. They're not going to save time if he crashes the car. ]

[The Rubbers never said their services came cheap. And there was a reason for that: they were good at what they did. The drive wasn't an issue and the fact their client was far away from their target made sense. Perhaps not the quick turnaround, but a check is a check, and they merely added on another fee for the return delivery. If you will...

No apologies for the bitchy part. After all, would it better to put up one personality to feel out the other person, or to immediately go with the other with no recourse to fall back on. Then again, there's that good cop bad cop analogy. Who knows, Denki.

Band nods at the choice before pulling the car into the parking lot. It rolls to a stop easily and she twists the keys to kill the engine. As the locks pop, the sound of crickets singing outside and a small brook babbling somewhere in the darkness make their way into the car. Band steps out, not even bothering to try and put Chargebolt in cuffs. An understood agreement, probably.]

We can always set and alarm for a few hours and get up then.

[Since driving at night is arguably "safer" for kidnappers than heading down the road in the bright of day. Stepping up onto the porch, she knocks on the door. After a few seconds, there's a click and the glowing porch lights illuminate an inner shoji panel sliding to the side to reveal an opened door inside before an older woman pushes open the screen door covering both. Yeah, it's a triple-layer entrance.]

Good evening, Mother. [Band offers the woman a nod.] Do you have room for two?

Who am I hosting?

Your daughter, and a handsome tourist on route back home.

[There's brief silence before the proprietor, after eyeing Chargebolt through the screen, pops the lock and lets the screen door swing open.]

Come in. For the night?

A meal first, then further arrangements.

[ Re-furbishing a stolen garbage truck with a Faraday cage isn't exactly cheap, either. Especially not when just abandoning it later. No, the Rubbers are definitely professionals and probably pretty damn expensive. Kyuketsuki paid a fat amount of yen for what ended up just a moral vibe check.

Denki gets out of the car once Band does, and takes a moment to stretch. He's a little stiff after the car ride, but most people were after an entire day of traveling.

Band's suggestion is met with an easier smile and a nod. That sounded perfect, honestly. Just a refresher and a couple of hours, then keep going. Best idea so far, and he can understand wanting to move in the dark with a missing hero in the car.

He follows along, stopping at the entrance and immediately feeling under-dressed as he sees the way it is so fancily laid out. It was cool as hell to see this old-style place, and he's about to greet the old lady that arrives to meet them when Band speaks.

Oh. Oh. Holy shit. Those had to be codes. He's poking his head into even more secrets he definitely needs to forget later.

...at least he's 'handsome'. Gotta take his wins, here.

Nervously, the electric hero takes his shoes off and slides his feet into the house slippers. ]

Thank you for having me, Ma'am.

[ Is that a good enough greeting? Help, what would Todoroki do? ]

[makes you wonder what kind of technology they used to accomplish such a thing and still manage to drive it around the city without getting picked up by some kind of scanner or sensor. in hindsight, synthetic hadn't be entirely happy to abandon something he was fairly proud of, but it was safer to trade off for a simple car and take off from there. give the police something to crawl all over and delay them due to the sophistication.

the area around the bed and breakfast is rather peaceful, a quiet, thick woodlands that seems to swallow the road on either side once out of the driveway parking lot. not a place that you'd find by driving in from the highway unless you knew it was here. likely to give its occupants and patrons a private abode to rest without running any interruptions.

considering the strange turn this has taken, band is a little keen to finish the deal as well, not wanting to take more time than necessary, but also not willing to jeopardize anything because someone's got a homesick urge. but since kaminari's being cooperative, she's more ready to compromise with him.]

You're welcome, young tourist.

[the elderly woman nods to him and steps to the side to allow the two in, then closes the screen door, the shoji panel, and finally the main door. lock, click, slide, lock. the interior is rather homey despite the large size of the house. a large living room with a television, a kitchen and dining room further back to the side, stairs resting across from the living room that lead up to a second floor that's lit with lamps on the wall.

band talks to the woman for another minute while kaminari looks around, then heads for the stairs, giving him a whistle to call him over. it's only a short walk and she stops by one of the doors, then hands him his key.] There's a menu in your room, so feel free to order what you like. I'll come get you in six hours.

[yeah, as a show of trust, she got chargebolt his own room.]

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