SERGEANT NPC CONTACT

[cartesio]

The Lodge is located on the hills near the town, large and strange. It contrasts a lot when compared to the rest of the town -- its gray and white walls are quite the change from the vibrant and colorful Cartesio, the plants and bushes that are planted on the lower levels of the Lodge only make the contrast more obvious. There are many windows, but no matter how much you look you don't see anyone passing behind them. If you didn't know better you'd think it was completely empty.

But it isn't empty. The Sergeant is there.

You won't get too far into the Lodge before you encounter the Sergeant. There he is in the lobby, standing in front of a door that leads deeper into the building. No matter at what time you come or what you do, he'll always be there, reading self-help books, or with a mirror, practicing his next speech/confrontation. When he's not facing all of you at once, he seems to be easier to talk with.

Want to bother him?

Comments

[amburere]

Flexible. [ Whatever you say, Sergeant. He nods to the question, head slightly tilted. ]

The explosive brat.

[cartesio]

Ah, right. You and him come from the same place.

[Sounds like the Sergeant wasn't fully aware they had met before]

Did he do all that to you? You look like he made your face explode like he tried to do to me.

[amburere]

[ Good to know. ]

Ha, no. [ There's no laughter here, but it sure sounds like there should be. ] This is all me. The brat's power doesn't hold up to what I'm used to.

[cartesio]

It seemed to me he had enough power and the bad attitude to back it up. He's not that weak.

[He crosses his arms. He has no horse in this race, but...Katsuki attacked him. It'd be rather embarrassing if it turns out Katsuki is a weakling]

[amburere]

[ Bakugou is arguably the best in his class when it comes to sheer combat skill. But the difference between USJ students and actual heroes and villains is pretty damn wide. He would tip his hand here, but he's not actually one to be provoked easily unless a certain button is pushed. So let's try this another way. ]

Hawks took care of him in a few seconds. What's that tell you?

[cartesio]

It tells me the kid is so hotheaded he needs someone to restrain him, or else he's going to get himself killed.

[Not the exact point Dabi was trying to make, maybe, but it's not like the Sergeant is wrong, right?]

Besides it's not like that Hawks person is useless. From the three of you, he's the one whose strength everyone should fear.

[amburere]

That too. [ Close enough, he's not going to actually praise Hawks here, that would be a step too far. Even if he is in a way, his pet bird. ]

Maybe, maybe. Too bad he's a hero and all.

[cartesio]

[The Sergeant comments idly:]

You know what makes him tick, don't you? Clever guy...

[There's a pause]

Tell me about him -- what makes him be who he is.

[amburere]

[ ... ]

Y'know, the normal hero bullshit. Fame, glory, self-sacrifice—all for the good of society.

[cartesio]

[Hm. Fits what what he already knew]

Sounds like a man of simple desires -- the altruistic type. Almost too good for this world, as they say.

[amburere]

It'd be deleterious if he wasn't all of that crap as the number two hero. [ A beat. ] Why'd you wanna know?

[cartesio]

I know enough about him, but different perspectives reveal different facets of a person. You must have noticed traits of him I didn't.

[Especially because Dabi has spent time with him, unlike the Sergeant, who has stayed in the same place and has no further interaction than telling him to kill]

[amburere]

[ Dabi just smiles. ]

I'm sure he'd be happy to tell you all 'bout himself, he never shuts up. Can ask the brat too, if he's capable of shouting more than "I'll kill you" over and over.

[cartesio]

I'd rather be away from Katsuki Bakugou's presence as much as possible.

[For Katsuki's sake, he figures. The poor kid's going to get himself killed for attacking without authorization]

I'll have to wait for him to come here, then. It's not like I can get away from these doors to go search for him.

[amburere]

[ Oh Sergeant, if you're having trouble with just Bakugou this whole experience is gonna be a ride for you. Dabi doesn't say much, but he does clearly look amused. And if it turns out it's just out of concern—well that's plenty bad too. Keep to your ideals! ]

Homebody? Or afraid that we'd wreck the place if you left?

[cartesio]

[It was a major hassle to bring all of you, it sure would suck if Katsuki ruined those efforts by getting himself killed for rulebreaking, Dabi! He doesn't want the effort to be for naught!]

The second. It's part of my duty to guard the Lodge.

[amburere]

You're worse than Shigaraki at this whole evil mastermind thing. Even he had an assistant from the start. [ He was more of a babysitter, but the point still stands. ]

[cartesio]

Look, I am the assistant. I can't get an assistant of my own -- although all of you count as my assistants, as far as I'm concerned.

[amburere]

[ Just a smirk. Keep thinking that Sergeant. To the other point though-]

Oh? Is your boss a demanding brat too?

[cartesio]

He's more like the boss who gives a few instructions and then throws you into the deep end to sink or swim.

[He doesn't seem bitter about it, though]

I can't complain about being under his command, I just wish he took the time to check on this whole thing at least every once in a while.

[amburere]

Makes sense, if you're trash you have no worth. [ Dabi is the best hiring manager for the League. ]

Busy guy huh? What else is he up to besides outsourcing killing projects?

[cartesio]

.......

[Dabi's question seems to bother him. The Sergeant fiddles with his helmet, stalling, until...]

I don't know what else he's up to these days. None of my concern, really. You don't ask your superior what else they do that isn't related to you. That's overstepping working relationship boundaries.

[And if there are two things the Sergeant takes very seriously, it's orders and working relationships]

[amburere]

I do it all the time. [ Just follow his example Sergeant, it'll be fine. ]

What's the worst he could do, kill you?

[cartesio]

Of course! Trust me, I'd rather not to die.

[Not that he thinks his superior would kill him, but he sure doesn't want to ever give a reason for that to happen]

[amburere]

You sayin' he's that much stronger than you?

[ A villain giving another villain a peptalk, this is what this has come down to. ]