The Professor

Open Combat and Torture instructor for The Academy of Tactile and Directed Operations Arts.

[bloodiedknucklesandchalk]

ofhokai

“I have an appointment.”

His expression was beyond cool as he entered the bar and sat down across from the few people present in the dingy room. Most notably, a young man with his face obscured by a pale hand, someone that The Professor was informed well enough to know was his potential employer. 

“Whiskey, rocks. Impress me.” He ordered crisply, whether it was directed to the hazy bartender or the villainous leader was entirely up to the beholders. It may very well fit for both.

[bloodiedknucklesandchalk]

@brainquirk

“Although you are not in the hero course, yet or ever, I have been instructed to give you a series of exercises in Anti-Villain Combat. You may find it similar to several exercises you have undergone before but this session will more properly mimic the uncertainty of going into a combat situation. It will be your duty to assess the situation by determining the villain, the victims, and the optimal path to maximize survivors and minimize personal and public property damage.

“You will each pull a number from the box up here. Do not show it to your peers. Your number will determine your partner and the door you will enter to begin your lesson. There will be a full recording and live display in the operating room where your homeroom teacher will be supervising each of you. Afterwards, you will be allowed to keep your performance tapes, should you want to make your own critiques. 

“Be aware that I do not grade lightly. Only one person in each fight is allowed to pass this course, a promise that none of the pro hero staff may dispute. If you do not act quickly and efficiently, you will be injured. In the real world, people like me exist and will not hesitate to scorch the earth behind or around them. If you fail, people will die. Civilians and fellow heroes alike.”

Finally, the tired man paused to bring his coffee mug to his lips. The entire room fell silent in anticipation, in anxiety. Good. Fear was the first ingredient in strength. Setting down his mug, he tapped the box on the desk next to him. “You have five minutes to retrieve your numbers and ask me questions. I suggest you choose wisely and make use of the time.”

[bloodiedknucklesandchalk]

The Professor could honestly say that life had gotten neither harder nor easier when he decided to make the dangerous decision to hand himself over to U.A.. Not the police, but directly into the hands of the pro heroes that shaped the next generation. It had been a great gamble but it was and proved to be his best bet to living a safer life as he left his strongest years behind him. It hadn’t been without sacrifice, of course. He suffered plenty loss for it. Loss of privacy, freedom, and control of his future down this path. Loss of the ability to see her without going through great lengths to keep secrecy. Still, he didn’t feel regret. Not for anything.

As for his relationship with his heroic coworkers, it could be considered mutual distrust at best. He was well aware that many of them had rejected the idea of a murderer teaching the brightest of the next generation of heroes. Understandable. He had killed as young as them, turned his eyes to villain and hero alike. He was dangerous and dispassionate.

However, there were a few staff and students that were bearable. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the former symbol of peace was one of them. The scrawny remains of him, anyway. Which, it just so happened, he rounded the corner to find bent over and spewing blood on the pavement again just outside the school. Odd to find someone that so many had offered great sums to have Professor take out appearing so weak. Time and hard lives spared little to the unfortunate.

Without comment, The Professor moved to put his arms around the great hero to help him up on his feet once more. “Infirmary or leaving?” He questioned without inflection.

@hourlyhero

[bloodiedknucklesandchalk]

nightruled‌

“….You speak Swahili?” Of course he fucking does.

“Wouldn’t be able to correct you, if I didn’t.”

[bloodiedknucklesandchalk]

nightruled‌

“Its more who hired you I find distasteful. It really has nothing to do with you.” Yue said casually, looking around the party once.

“Best way to fix that is to hire me.” He shrugged.

[bloodiedknucklesandchalk]

@nightruled

“That’s the wrong conjugation of that word. At least insult me properly.”

[bloodiedknucklesandchalk]

tearsforgctten‌

Chuuya pretty much just groaned, ‘’Fine old man, do what you want.’’ Though he could probably go for a coffee himself.

“What a good work ethic, Mr. Nakahara. Black coffee. Rum if you got it.” 

It’s a joke but you would never know by his serious expression.

[bloodiedknucklesandchalk]

tearsforgctten‌

‘‘How about I smash it over your head instead? I could care less about the travel mugs just focus on the mission.’‘

“Caffeine is important. We’re going to be sitting here for a few hours until I can land. You’ve got youth on your side.”

[bloodiedknucklesandchalk]

tearsforgctten‌:

‘‘Tch, dumbass…’‘

“It’s a good travel mug, who cares if it says number one mom? Mine says yoga pants and cats. That’s what they had at the store. Just throw it away when we’re done here.”

[bloodiedknucklesandchalk]

nightruled‌

“If I were looking for a contract I would use more subtle ways, flattery and the like.” Yue said, eyeing him just as just as much as he was looked at. “Your joke was poor, I simply returned the favor.” His temper was rising, and he kept himself in check only barely. “And there’s nothing in my hair, I do not know what you’re talking about.”

“Why do you need flattery? Are you insecure about that skill of yours?” He asked with a raised brow, still looking entirely unimpressed by this whole shebang. “Is there something particular about me that you find distasteful? Because lackluster jokes and underdressing don’t warrant how fast you boiled over.”

[bloodiedknucklesandchalk]

winterimbued‌

     She immediately nodded to the half full pot in the corner, opening her laptop to get back to work. ❝Help yourself to anything in the mini-fridge, too.❞ There wasn’t really anything she wanted in there, anyway.

The Professor eyed her computer distrustingly for a moment on his way over the the coffee machine. Technology. Ugh.

“Thanks, i’ll probably pass. It’s all rebottled and repackaged junk, usually.”

[bloodiedknucklesandchalk]

winterimbued‌

     His lack of expression as he spoke has her staring at him in something close to disbelief. Closing her laptop, Aizhan leaned on her elbows, propped on the desk, ❝So you’re the Professor, then?❞ Even without an answer, she nodded, ❝Very well, then. Call me Aizhan.❞

“That’s correct, Aizhan.” 

“Do you have a coffee maker?” He asked tonelessly, setting his duffel bag in a nearby seat.

[bloodiedknucklesandchalk]

@winterimbued

“I’ll be your security detail from now until a week after the completion of your contract with our mutual employer.” 

“I would appreciate your cooperation in the matter.”

[bloodiedknucklesandchalk]

shadowruled‌

     Finally looking up from his book, Blanca chuckled under his breath. ❝If that’s what you want to call it.❞ The lighter is tucked back in his pocket, a bookmark set in between the pages, ❝So, what can I help you with?❞

“Just surveying the scenery. I was told you’re the personal bodyguard so that would make us coworkers, isn’t it common to exchange workplace pleasantries?” 

[bloodiedknucklesandchalk]

nightruled‌

He raised an eyebrow at the dry joke. “I’m sure I can create one if you’re that desperate to kill.”

“I like steady employment and subtlety and I hardly consider myself a one-trick pony.” He said as he turned to look at Yue more directly again. “Lee Yue-Lung, you are aware of common professional courtesy, aren’t you? Don’t run your mouth, even when you are sure you control the room. If you can be subtle enough to keep yourself from getting stabbed by the stuff in your hair, you should be able to talk contracts right.”

[bloodiedknucklesandchalk]

nightruled‌

“Ah. I remember now.” Lee Hua hired him, then Wang Lung did. If that didn’t taint the Professor in his eyes….well, he’d been professional while he was here. “Enjoy yourself then? There’s more food, and anything to drink you’d like.”

“Thanks for the offer but I photosynthesize. It’s a shame to hear you don’t have any openings, though.” He said plainly, not even blinking at his own humor.

[bloodiedknucklesandchalk]

shadowruled‌

     Blanca smiled, not looking up from his book as he dug a lighter out of his coat pocket, handing it over. ❝Is that the only reason you decided to talk?❞

“We don’t have to flirt about it if you’re busy.”

The Professor casually lit his cigarette before offering it back to the other man between his forefingers.