Work Text:
The gravel of a mountain trail is never a kind place to rest for the night but it’s all Himiko Toga has. The only objects on her person are a mp3 player that doubles as a small radio, a pair of headphones, a small battery pack to recharge her device, a small bag of money, and a bag of basic necessities. It does help that the orphanage kicked her out just after she was able to grab her packed duffel bag of clothes stuffed full for occasions just like this one.
Toga knew that she was going to be kicked out of that place sooner rather than later. No one wants to deal with her or her quirk. Of course the police are obligated to take the girl to the nearest shelter whenever she is caught on the streets. The shelters do take her in for a week or so, but she is kicked to the curb as soon as the police no longer have their eyes on her. One less mouth to feed. One less problem to worry about. One less monster to take care of.
So, Himiko has learned to take care of herself. She ran to the mountains where it’s less likely to be caught by the cops and she only takes trips to the city whenever she runs low on supplies but doesn’t tend to stay for long. It’s better not to risk anything more than you have to. Today just happens to be her next city errand day.
She places the headphones on her head, changing the setting to radio mode. There is always great music on this time of day.
Welcome back listeners to yet another long hour of Put Your Hands Up Radio. I'm your radio show host Present Mic. For this next set of songs we got a request from one of you listeners to listen to a few of the songs made by Daisy the Great, a band from the pre-quirk era. I personally have had the chance to listen to some of their music. Let me know what you think!
Toga makes her way down the mountain following a small neglected trail that clearly hadn’t been used for years at the point she found it. Luckily for her it is a trail that has been largely forgotten by everyone in the area. She takes a moment to rest as the next song on the set starts playing. She takes a sip from her last blood pouch before continuing on slinging the duffel bag over her shoulder.
I’ve been looking for an unturned stone
But I’ve been picking up the same rocks
Sifting through the dust, tryna find a glimmer of gold
And every other day I trick myself, I prick myself
on glass cuz’ it shines like glitter
My bleeding fingers want to feel they want to heal
Too fast and the blood is bitter
By now she has reached the outskirts of town. Himiko makes her way to the laundromat at the corner. Here she starts a cycle and drops off her duffel bag before heading off to the nearby butcher shop.
All I had I want it back
Come back to me wish I didn’t have to be so
Curious, it killed the cat
It’s coming after me
Am I just greedy woman
Or just another person
I’m just another person Oh God
She starts working on prepping one of the fresher animal carcasses for butchering, starting the blood drainage process first. The butcher of this shop takes requests to butcher game brought in by those who hunt for sport. Himiko made a deal with the butcher. She comes in once or twice a week depending on the time of year to help with any excess animals. In exchange for her help the butcher pays her in blood supply and any excess meat. Oftentimes her payment also comes with a bit of money on the side.
I’ve been kicking over pots and pans
Maybe if I make a bigger mess
Wouldn’t be so obsessed over the blood on my hands
And I could open up to anyone
It seems like fun until it isn’t
‘Cause every time I bruise myself
I lose myself, I know
Why don’t I listen?
It really is a win-win situation. The butcher doesn’t have to deal with the extra work and Toga gets her blood supply so that she won’t go crazy from iron deficiency. She gets to wield the knives she used to obsess over as a kid. Legally and without hurting anyone. Not that she would have otherwise. Obviously…
All I had I want it back
Come back to me wish I didn’t have to be so
Curious, it killed the cat
It’s coming after me
Am I just greedy woman
Or just another person
I’m just another person Oh God
Butchering is a straightforward process there isn't much room for deviation except for the different types of animals you can butcher. After a few years of practicing the girl can butcher a deer in her sleep. Serow’s on the other hand? Those take a lot more thinking.
Tell me what to be
Where is the rest of me?
In a paper boat, lost at sea
God tell me what to be
The work is done. Toga leaves the shop with a few fresh packs of blood and a small stack of cash. She quickly makes her way over to the laundromat to pick up her newly washed bag of clothes. Her small bag A few of the customers avert their gazes as she leaves. Great, rumors must have already spread. Might as well find another place to use the next city run.
Tell me what to be (What am I supposed to do now?)
Where is the rest of me? (What am I supposed to do now?)
In a paper boat, lost at sea (What am I supposed to do now?)
God tell me what to be (What am I supposed to do now?)
She rounds the opposite corner and enters a convenience store. She picks up a few canned meals and some preserved meat. She also takes a small bottle of toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner. When Himiko reaches the counter she is met with the sharp gaze of the cashier. Not wanting to add to any suspicions she places her items on the counter immediately.
Nothing is wrong, just pay for the stuff and leave. You aren’t in trouble.
Where is the rest of me? (What am I supposed to do now?)
In a paper boat, lost at sea (What am I supposed to do now?)
God tell me what to be (What am I supposed to do now?)
Where is the rest of me? (What am I supposed to do now?)
In a paper boat, lost at sea (What am I supposed to do now?)
She hands the cashier her money and the interaction is over. The girl leaves, stuffing her newly plundered items into the duffel bag. The last stop is the bath house. On the way there the streets seem busier than usual. Families crowd the sidewalk, friend groups walk by and again Toga is reminded of what she didn’t have. Someone who loved her for her. Keep your mind focused Himiko you are the only one who has your back. Just get over to the bathhouse and wash up. It’s getting late.
All I had I want it back
Come back to me wish I didn’t have to be so
Curious, it killed the cat
It’s coming after me
Am I just greedy woman
Or just another person
I’m just another person Oh God
Her time at the bathhouse is less than pleasant. As soon as she walked in to the door she had a group of three ladies glare at her as she went to put her stuff down. The girl spent her time trying to avoid super crowded areas lest she annoy someone and get kicked out. The actual cleaning part of it was nice though. Living in the mountains can cake the dirt under your fingernails. Not a cute look.
After scrubbing off her layers of grime she felt like a whole new person. She left the bathhouse promptly, tying up her wet hair to keep it out of the way and grabbing her items on the way out. The sun is setting in the sky so Toga only has a small window of time to make it up the mountain and to her campsite before losing visibility. Hopefully she can survive another week before another city run.