Chapter Text
"Goodness!" A green haired boy gasped, rushing over to the origin of a loud crash in the store. You lay confused in a pile of books knocked down from a small shelf, looking about wildly in the new world about you. The sudden change of scenery set in a lot of whiplash and a bit of panic, and when the boy stopped in front of you to help you up, you stared at him in a shocked expression.
"Are you okay?" He asked softly, still holding out his hand. Your eyes focused on his outstretched hand, hesitantly taking it as he lifted you to your feet. He smiled sweetly. "It sounded like you had a nasty fall!"
You wasn't sure what to say, words stuck in your throat and lips unable to decide whether to stay open or closed. Instead, your face flushed in mild embarrassment once you finally got a good look at your surroundings. There were a few customers staring in worry or confusion, and some in shock as though you appeared out of nowhere in front of their very eyes. Not like you didn't do just that though. One moment you were in your attic with some dusty ass book, and then the next your somewhere else entirely — nobody would blame them for being equally shocked. Your attention switched back to the green haired boy, who has already let go of your hand and was smiling in confusion.
"Are you able to speak?" He questioned politely. It seemed to snap you out of your daze, nodding your head. Your skull ached a bit with how rushed the motion was.
"Y-yeah!- Yes! I'm sorry, but- ah, where am I?" Your voice grew meeker throughout the sentence, gripping onto the hem of your leather jacket. It was only then you realized that your outfit was drastically different from everyone else's, too. In fact, they all looked like they were.... In costumes? The boy was wearing what could only be guessed as farmer's clothing, green and white like a clover just starting to get snowed on. Actually, most of the clothing appeared to be right out of a story book, and the whole theme felt almost medieval. Meanwhile you was dressed like a modest punk from 2019.
"Ah! You're in Hollyhead, the central town of Henchester!" He beamed. However, this did nothing to quell your confusion.
"Hollyhead? Henchester? Where even is that on the map? What nation are we in?"
"Lower Dunwick, of course. Can I ask how you got here?" He looked like he might have a vague idea of what happened, more than anyone else who just watched in curiosity or ignored the two. You nodded, massaging your head with one hand.
"I, ah... I think I was just in my attic with a book, I can't remember that much right now—" your eyes opened wider. "Wait, I'm not lucid dreaming, am I?" You immediately went to pinch yourself, to which the other chuckled lightly.
"I'm sorry, but this is all real. I think I know someone who can help, though." His smile was so contagious that it spread right to you, feeling a bit more eased until the words set in.
"Real? Ohh, boy. This friend of yours better be really smart, then, Mr...?"
"Midoriya Izuku! But everyone around here calls me Deku. And your name?"
You blanked for a second. A Japanese name? You're really out of your element, but also relieved he's speaking the same language, or maybe some other weird stuff happened along with the change of scene. It hurt your head even thinking about it too hard. At least there's no language barrier. "Ah- um.." You provided your full name, however suggesting He call you by your first name. He nodded and motioned for you to come with him.
"Let's get going then! Sundown won't happen until a few more hours, and her brothel isn't too far from town. I hope you don't mind!" You nodded and hesitantly followed, leaving the small store in your new quest to find information — and also find home.
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It was roughly fifteen minutes of walking before the you and Deku reached the mossy-roofed house of the witch. It appeared to be rather welcoming, even as the wild flowers opened their petals to quite literally peer at the newcomers. They smelled lovely, though, and like magic they set you into a calmer mood. Deku knocked on the wooden door, smiling back at you.
"You'll like her, she's super nice. Nothing like the books say about witches."
Your brow quirked in curiosity, but said nothing as your attention was moved to the sound of squeaky hinges. The wooden door swung open, and the bright, cheery young face of a lady in a pink cowl emerged. Her shoulder length brown hair peeked behind the hood, and her chocolatey eyes looked on curiously. "Hi Izuku! Long time no see, huh?" Even her voice was bubbly and sweet, like midsummer field flowers or a boba tea. "And who's this? Did you make a new friend?" Her eyes landed directly onto yours, and even they smiled.
"I found them among a mess of books in a store, and they says they doesn't know where they are." He replied politely. You glanced at him before looking back to the witch, who wasn't paying any mind to you anymore.
"Well if you took them to me, clearly something bigger than a case of being lost is happening." The lady's eyes set back onto yours. "What's your name, sweets?"
You hesitantly provided your first name.
She tested the name on her lips before adding on, "hon, do you remember how you got to the store?" The witch leaned on the doorframe, still smiling softly. You shifted your feet uncomfortably. Is it smart to spill the beans to anyone you meet? You supposed it would be smarter to at least confide in these two, rather than wander aimlessly in a strange new world with god knows what's out there.
"I, uh. No... Yes? I sort of just... Fell into the store? I was in my attic," The memories were trickling back in a bit more. "I was just looking through my boxes— I found this book, I think? It didn't have anything on it, so I got to wondering what the book was and then I opened it and it turned into a bit of a blur." You explained anxiously, hoping they won't think you've lost a screw or something. Hell, this place seems just as wild as your story, so surely it won't seem that crazy... Right?
The witch seemed to take in the information well enough, mental cogs turning before it seemed she had an idea. "A case of teleportation, maybe! But you don't know anything about this land, do you?" You shook your head. The witch rubbed her chin in thought. "Where were you at, if you don't mind me asking?"
You hesitated, but complied, reasoning that if you doesn't give them enough info, they won't be able to help. "America— um, California, in the United States of America? I was just in my house." They both looked incredibly confused.
"America.... That sounds like something out of a story book. There's no place in this world called America, unless it's a hidden island we haven't found yet." The witch hummed, and Deku looked deep in thought. Oh boy.
"N-not an island, actually. Its a continent.." You muttered sheepishly, shoving her hands into her pockets. Her eyebrows raised a bit before scrunching back down in thought.
"I think I understand the situation, now. Hang on," The witch disappeared behind the now closed door, and some muffled shuffling of items escaped through the cracks. She came out a few moments later, holding out a blank map. "Here, take this and it will help you find your way back home."
You just stared dumbfounded at the large piece of frayed paper. Even it looked old and medieval. "But its empty?"
The witch shook her head. "Not empty, hon. You have to hold it and think about home, then the image will reveal itself." She smiled, holding the paper out a bit more with both hands. Reluctantly, you took it.
"I just have to think about it?" The other nodded.
"Yes, and the ink will emerge to direct you."
Though confused, you complied and took the paper. You stared at it with perturbation before trying to imagine your house again, and your world in general. Your eyes closed to picture everything better, and when you opened them the map was no longer empty. Your brows shot up in surprise before pushing back down again, looking closer at the fresh ink on the paper. "That's... insane...." You mumbled, to which the other woman chuckled.
"Not insane, sweets, its just magic!" She smiled as you continued to inspect the map. It showed a small red dot among in one corner, and past the drawn trees, hill, rivers, marshes, and fields, there was a bright purple square that sat with nothing too close around it in another corner. The witch peeked over to take a look. "Oh dear, you're rather far from your destination..." She mumbled. Her well manicured finger pointed at the red dot. "That's you," Her finger slid all the way over to the purple square. "And that is where you need to go. There's a bit of an empty halo around it because it's off the map," her eyes glanced up to yours, who looked rather bewildered and slipping into troubled. "But not to worry! The map follows the dot and soon the two markers will be on the same page."
You looked up. "But I have no idea how far away it is?" The witch averted her gaze and chuckled anxiously.
"Yeah... Sorry. Its only common magic, and it doesn't like additional spells cast onto it. Its the best I can do." You turned back to the map.
"It'll have to do. Thank you so much, um-" it was just then you realized the witch never gave her name, but she recognized this lack of knowledge and smiled.
"You're welcome, and best wishes! You two stick together, okay?" She closed the door, leaving the two standing there.
You turned to Deku. "Do witches not give names?"
He shook his head. "Not their real ones, no. I think it was something about being banished if a witches name was spoken, so everyone just calls her different nicknames."
Your head tilted the slightest bit. "What do you call her, then?"
Deku rubbed the back of his neck, letting out a nervous chuckle. "One day I just called her Mocha while we were having a sort of picnic, since I discovered she's fond of chocolate. Other people call her Pink Cheeks or something to do with gravity or magic. Never knew what the gravity thing was about since she didn't explain, though."
"Mocha..." You nodded absentmindedly and took in the name, focusing your attention to the map. "So it looks like we'll have to head.... East? And north." You circle a large, wall-like cluster of drawn trees on the map with your finger. It presented a challenge, as it looked to be too long to walk around, but there was a triangle symbol with an exclamation mark in it. "That looks worrying."
Deku leaned over, peering inquisitively at the sign. "It does... Must mean there's some kind of danger there. Goblins maybe? Fae? I heard they were pretty mad about something recently. They're also pretty territorial." He began mumbling to himself about different kinds of forest creatures when you tapped his shoulder.
"You're pretty versed on monsters and creatures, huh? But you don't look like much of a fighter— no offense," you added quickly, realizing the criticism might be a bit harsh. He just laughed lightly.
"I keep notes on creatures I happen upon in my adventures. But you're right to say I'm not really a fighter! I was a farmer with my mom before I got tired of it and set out. Its been, what..." He tapped his chin. "I think its been two years, and I certainly haven't slowed down!"
Your brows raised a bit. "But wasn't it dangerous by yourself?" He shook his head.
"Nope! I happened to have made a friend or two—" he cut himself off when a new idea came in, his face practically lighting up. "That's it! I can introduce you to Kacchan and Kirishima! They're good fighters, as long as you have enough gold for the former."
"Enough gold...?" You patted your pockets, even though you knew you wouldn't have any spare gold nuggets or anything lying around. You weren't rich, after all.
Deku's hand motioned in a 'no, its okay' way, pulling out a small cloth pouch and opening it up. He pulled out a small gold coin. "Gold! He likes to say he's not a mercenary, but everyone needs to eat, you know?" He puts the gold back in the pouch and stores it in his pocket. "We'll probably find him in a bar or camping outside the city walls this time of year. Lucky us!"
You just smiled with a hint of exhaustion, following the boy as he headed back where you two came from.