[ Lifting his hands to let him go, he has to sort of just - watch him for a second. This kind of reaction isn't necessarily uncommon, but it's pretty much immediate.
Shouto eventually does lower his hands completely, hands in his pockets in a rather unprincely pose as he slowly raises his eyebrows. While he could say or do something to reprimand him, he's not particularly interested in doing so. ]
You don't have to call me sir. [ Prince is fine, considering it's his title, but still. ] And it's fine.
[ His head cocks a little at him. ] You've never been to one of this gaudy balls before?
[He'll slowly rise out of the bow and look at Shouto... The prince might be attractive in pictures, but he's far more attractive in person. There's not a shade of paint in the world that could capture the blue of his right eye. With the two-toned hair, he's quite striking.]
Ah... Yes, prince.
[He shakes his head at the question.]
No. I'm um- I'm usually busy during these.
[Busy cleaning their house from top to bottom.]
You don't like them? I guess they'd get annoying after the first couple if you're the one hosting...
I've been waiting for the tododeku hype train to come to my station tbh
[ Conversely, he can't help but assess the stranger in front of him for a second. Most would probably call him plain, maybe, but he's never seen such... fluffy hair, or so many freckles. It's almost fascinating to him, like there's as many freckles are there are stars, somehow.
Todoroki doesn't ask him what he's busy doing, since it could be anything, honestly. He knows a lot of the elite, so. ]
Not really. [ His nose scrunches somewhat in disdain. ] The pomp and circumstance is fake as hell, like someone decided to fill a room with a flock of peacocks. I don't stick around long if I can help it.
[Izuku's never been to one of these, but his stepmother and step siblings certainly have. Not that Izuku looks like he's related to any of them.
As little time as he's allowed around other people, he's still quick to pick up on the small things in Todoroki's body language. He really doesn't like these things.
He can't help but laugh a little bit, looking out into the ball room. Full of peacocks, huh? Well, he can't say that image is wrong.]
Peacocks, huh? They are trying to show off, but I guess that's what's expected during a ball.
Where do you usually go- uh... You don't have to answer that of course. It's your privacy, Prince. And I'm just a stranger so obviously you wouldn't have to- I'm sorry.
[He was doing alright, but then he stumbled over his words a bit and now he's almost as red as he was when he first realized he ran into the prince.]
[ While people tend to apologize to him relatively frequently, Shouto can't say that it's ever been to this degree or with this level of earnestness. Like it's just impulse to apologize, and no matter how many times he says it, it's sincere. It sort of reminds him a little of Fuyumi, but at the same time... not quite.
He shrugs his shoulders, a quick bob. ]
It's fine. [ Because he has a feeling that Midoriya's not about to run off and inform his father or anyone of where he's gone. ] The garden is usually pretty empty during these, except when couples sneak off. But there's a gate, at the back, where you can leave the castle grounds.
[ The redness of his face is further enhanced by his hair... it's fascinating. ]
[This kid seems to get nervous and stutter very easily. But after a few seconds of considering the information that Todoroki's given him, he makes a decision.]
Then... would you like to go to the garden, Prince?
[As nervous as he is, this brief interaction with the prince actually is nice. He wouldn't mind expanding it until midnight. Besides, he's not much of a dancer- he's never really had a chance to practice something like that.]
[ When you grow up in the lifestyle that the royal family has, you sort of wind up isolated. He's blunt where the other teen stutters, and aloof where he's nervous, but he's... actually pretty lonely, too, even if he doesn't realize it that often. After all, he's been raised to stand above others.
Sometimes, though, there are reminders that he's just another kid.
He just - stares for a second. ]
You don't want to stay here? [ Isn't it his first ball? ]
[Ever since his stepmother got to him, he's been raised to not be seen or heard from. At least he's gotten very good at sweeping.
Now that the prince is looking directly at him, he's nervous all over again, fussing with his gloves and looking away. He did say something a bit strange, didn't he?]
W-well, I mean... I don't really know how to dance. I've never done it before. And I don't really want to step on anybody's toes- I don't think anybody would be happy about that.
And the garden seems nice- and you seem nice. I'd like to spend time with you-- that sounds weird, doesn't it...
[ It shouldn't be that farfetched, but this isn't because of him being the prince. Even he can tell that, despite the fact he's so inexperienced with social interaction beyond what's expected of him as a member of the royal family. Shouto stares for another beat, two, before inclining his head slightly. ]
I can show you around, then. [ Because it's better than being here, isn't it? Slowly, he lifts his hands out of his pockets and gestures, indicating that he should follow him before he moves to navigate his way through the bustle of the party around them. ] It's not as exciting as this place might be.
[He's actually surprised that Todoroki would agree to something like that, but he bows quickly and follows the pace that Todoroki's setting.]
Even if it's not that exciting to you, it's still much livelier than I'm used to.
And even if it isn't exciting, I have good company. It's a lot better than stepping on the toes of royalty. [He mumbles, thinking that the prince isn't paying that much attention to him, and his voice is getting drowned out by the ball.]
[ Even he's a little surprised, to be honest. But it's better than hanging out around here. ]
We'll see about that. It's less crowded, anyways.
[ He does miss some of what he's mumbling, between the crowd and the mumbling, but he turns his head to look properly at him. At least it can be passed off as assessing, rather than him needing to turn his head to actually see him clearly since his vision is a little poor in his left eye. ]
The waltz is what's popular right now, but it's easy to learn. Even if it's a little boring to spend all night doing.
[ Yeah, he's starting to learn that. Where exactly did he come from if he thinks the vacant garden will be lively? ]
Unfortunately. It's a requirement, since we're expected to dance with everyone. I'm fine with a few, but...
[ He makes a dismissive noise. Especially since the only person he dances with of his own volition is Yaoyorozu, who knows his tolerance levels. But he appreciates her company, where she can frequently save him from potential suitors that pursue him for his title and obviously stare anywhere but at his scar. ]
[Vacant, but very beautiful. The roses in red and white trailing up a pillar look a lot like Todoroki to him.
He sighs softly.
He doesn't even have one person who he can really talk to. The mice in the house are his closest friends, and while he really does like them- it's a bit sad to say something like that aloud.]
[ A part of him is pretty sure that was intentional, or at least a gift to his mother. Not that it matters too much to him, in the end. She tried to have them destroyed when her mind started to slip. Todoroki tends to ignore them.
He heads down the steps into the garden proper, rather than the space overlooking it. It's fairly easy for the two of them to slip away, and he's thankful for that. ]
I don't think about it that often, not when I don't really have the time between training and duties. But I guess it is. [ ok shouto very healthy. ]
[He seems a bit bewildered at the question. He's so used to having to apologize for anything he does. It takes him a moment or two to figure out what he wants to say.]
I don't want to bring up anything that might be painful for you. And I feel like I keep saying the wrong things to you...
His brow furrows for a moment as he considers that, hands back in his pockets. More than one tutor has scolded him for it, but he's disregarded it every time. ]
Honestly, you're probably the least offensive person I've talked to at these things. [ Blunt, as usual, but in a different way. Sort of a sincere honesty for once. ] You're actually not saying anything that bothers me.
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yeeee
Todoroki might not sound annoyed, but he's been around plenty of people who don't sound annoyed, but still want to punish him in some way or another.]
I'm- I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I-I didn't mean to get in your way- sir. Uh. Prince!
[He doesn't even know what he's supposed to say to a prince. He wasn't expecting to even run into him tonight.]
It's just- this is my first time at one of these! I'm sorry I was distracted. I-I won't run into you again, sir. Prince!
I'm so pumped
Shouto eventually does lower his hands completely, hands in his pockets in a rather unprincely pose as he slowly raises his eyebrows. While he could say or do something to reprimand him, he's not particularly interested in doing so. ]
You don't have to call me sir. [ Prince is fine, considering it's his title, but still. ] And it's fine.
[ His head cocks a little at him. ] You've never been to one of this gaudy balls before?
All aboard the tododeku hype train
Ah... Yes, prince.
[He shakes his head at the question.]
No. I'm um- I'm usually busy during these.
[Busy cleaning their house from top to bottom.]
You don't like them? I guess they'd get annoying after the first couple if you're the one hosting...
I've been waiting for the tododeku hype train to come to my station tbh
Todoroki doesn't ask him what he's busy doing, since it could be anything, honestly. He knows a lot of the elite, so. ]
Not really. [ His nose scrunches somewhat in disdain. ] The pomp and circumstance is fake as hell, like someone decided to fill a room with a flock of peacocks. I don't stick around long if I can help it.
choo choo, full speed ahead
As little time as he's allowed around other people, he's still quick to pick up on the small things in Todoroki's body language. He really doesn't like these things.
He can't help but laugh a little bit, looking out into the ball room. Full of peacocks, huh? Well, he can't say that image is wrong.]
Peacocks, huh? They are trying to show off, but I guess that's what's expected during a ball.
Where do you usually go- uh... You don't have to answer that of course. It's your privacy, Prince. And I'm just a stranger so obviously you wouldn't have to- I'm sorry.
[He was doing alright, but then he stumbled over his words a bit and now he's almost as red as he was when he first realized he ran into the prince.]
the only acceptable runaway train
He shrugs his shoulders, a quick bob. ]
It's fine. [ Because he has a feeling that Midoriya's not about to run off and inform his father or anyone of where he's gone. ] The garden is usually pretty empty during these, except when couples sneak off. But there's a gate, at the back, where you can leave the castle grounds.
[ The redness of his face is further enhanced by his hair... it's fascinating. ]
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Then... would you like to go to the garden, Prince?
[As nervous as he is, this brief interaction with the prince actually is nice. He wouldn't mind expanding it until midnight. Besides, he's not much of a dancer- he's never really had a chance to practice something like that.]
no subject
Sometimes, though, there are reminders that he's just another kid.
He just - stares for a second. ]
You don't want to stay here? [ Isn't it his first ball? ]
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Now that the prince is looking directly at him, he's nervous all over again, fussing with his gloves and looking away. He did say something a bit strange, didn't he?]
W-well, I mean... I don't really know how to dance. I've never done it before. And I don't really want to step on anybody's toes- I don't think anybody would be happy about that.
And the garden seems nice- and you seem nice. I'd like to spend time with you-- that sounds weird, doesn't it...
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[ It shouldn't be that farfetched, but this isn't because of him being the prince. Even he can tell that, despite the fact he's so inexperienced with social interaction beyond what's expected of him as a member of the royal family. Shouto stares for another beat, two, before inclining his head slightly. ]
I can show you around, then. [ Because it's better than being here, isn't it? Slowly, he lifts his hands out of his pockets and gestures, indicating that he should follow him before he moves to navigate his way through the bustle of the party around them. ] It's not as exciting as this place might be.
no subject
Even if it's not that exciting to you, it's still much livelier than I'm used to.
And even if it isn't exciting, I have good company. It's a lot better than stepping on the toes of royalty. [He mumbles, thinking that the prince isn't paying that much attention to him, and his voice is getting drowned out by the ball.]
no subject
We'll see about that. It's less crowded, anyways.
[ He does miss some of what he's mumbling, between the crowd and the mumbling, but he turns his head to look properly at him. At least it can be passed off as assessing, rather than him needing to turn his head to actually see him clearly since his vision is a little poor in his left eye. ]
The waltz is what's popular right now, but it's easy to learn. Even if it's a little boring to spend all night doing.
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The waltz...? As the prince you'd know all the popular dances, huh?
[He takes a second to look out onto the floor.
It looks like people are mostly swaying? It's a bit hard to tell the dance steps underneath the women's huge dresses.]
I don't have many chances to get out.
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Unfortunately. It's a requirement, since we're expected to dance with everyone. I'm fine with a few, but...
[ He makes a dismissive noise. Especially since the only person he dances with of his own volition is Yaoyorozu, who knows his tolerance levels. But he appreciates her company, where she can frequently save him from potential suitors that pursue him for his title and obviously stare anywhere but at his scar. ]
We have that in common, then.
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He sighs softly.
He doesn't even have one person who he can really talk to. The mice in the house are his closest friends, and while he really does like them- it's a bit sad to say something like that aloud.]
It's lonely, huh?
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He heads down the steps into the garden proper, rather than the space overlooking it. It's fairly easy for the two of them to slip away, and he's thankful for that. ]
I don't think about it that often, not when I don't really have the time between training and duties. But I guess it is. [ ok shouto very healthy. ]
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He follows Todoroki down the stairs still.]
You really don't have any time for yourself? I mean... I guess you have the balls when you get to slip away like this.
[Is that worse or better than what Izuku has at home? He's not quite sure.]
Ah- I didn't mean to make you think about it more- I'm sorry.
[It's like every couple of sentences he regrets what comes out of his mouth.]
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[ The best Shouto can do is defying his father, skipping out on what he says are important lessons, his attempts to mold him into his perfect tool.
He stops and looks around at the garden, letting out a thoughtful noise instead of responding at first. But then he looks back at Izuku. ]
Why do you keep apologizing? [ Genuine curiosity, like he can't quite understand that level of regret bred with sincerity. ]
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Wh-Why...?
[He seems a bit bewildered at the question. He's so used to having to apologize for anything he does. It takes him a moment or two to figure out what he wants to say.]
I don't want to bring up anything that might be painful for you. And I feel like I keep saying the wrong things to you...
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His brow furrows for a moment as he considers that, hands back in his pockets. More than one tutor has scolded him for it, but he's disregarded it every time. ]
Honestly, you're probably the least offensive person I've talked to at these things. [ Blunt, as usual, but in a different way. Sort of a sincere honesty for once. ] You're actually not saying anything that bothers me.
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Oh... [It takes him a while to figure out what to say.] I'm glad I'm not offending you.
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It's kind of obvious that you don't come to these events much. [ A beat, and he explains, realizing that's not very helpful. ] It's refreshing.
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Um... I guess I did tell you.
[He chuckles a bit, smiling.]
You think so? I'm glad to be that then.