((reposted with permission from @my-favorite-aesthetics, a little active storytelling going on in which Toshi takes Izuku to some of his favorite waterfront shops)) Izuku looked around as they entered the door of the popcorn shop, distracted by all the new sights and sounds and SMELLS, OH WOW, THE SMELLS— It made him a tiny bit dizzy with the sudden intensity of it. Toshinori waved cheerfully at the greeting calls of "oh hello, Mr. Yagi!" A plump lady with her hair wrapped up beamed and bobbed welcome. "Just in time for the fresh batch--and who is this?" Toshi grinned. "This is Izuku, my student. Izuku, this is Madame Popol. I've been talking up your skills all afternoon so you might want to break out your best flavors." Madame Popol looked delighted at that and bustled off to do just so. Toshi took a seat at the nearby bench and breathed deep. How he missed the scents that mingled here! After flashing a grin and small wave at Madame Popol, Izuku took a seat beside his dad, smiling up at him fondly. He looks so happy...♡ Madame Popol soon returned with a circular wooden tray carved with multiple notches. In each notch sat a handful of popcorn, each a different shade of color. The plump lady began to describe the flavors and Toshi made his mind wander. remember when you used to get bags full of popcorn all the time? And Torino would bark disappoint at your snacking habits while Master would just roar laughter and steal a few kernels? "...now this one is strawberry, over here is smokey chipotle, and this one is classic white cheddar." Toshi's mouth watered a bit and he glanced about at the brightly colored bags, tied with equally bright ribbons. Then, unbidden, a sudden urge to rise up and plunge his hands into the barrels and bags of popcorn. Sink in, elbow deep, and start wildly stuffing his face. that would be incredibly stupid. I know You'd land yourself in the hospital with a stunt like that. I know. And so Toshi busied himself with watching Izuku's reactions to the many flavors presented him. Izuku’s eyes were wide as he listened, not remembering all of the flavors in the list but making a beeline for the strawberry, picking up a kernel and popping it in his mouth. “Mm!” His eyes somehow got wider. “That’s really good!” Madame Popol winked. "Excellent! Sweet taste for an equally sweet boy. Don't you worry now, Mr. Yagi, I got some of yours all prepped and ready to go." Toshi began to pull his wallet out and Madame Popol cheerfully swatted his hand. "Poppi!" "You just let me borrow this one's tastebuds for a few more flavors and we'll call it even. ...how about cookies and cream, Izuku? Or pickle? Bet you never heard of that before!" Half Izuku’s face scrunched, though he kept smiling amusedly. “Bet I have!” "But have you actually tried it?" “Wwwwwwell....” Madam Popol held out the tray. Toshi leaned back on the bench and smiled, closing his eyes and breathing deep again. just one handful surely it wouldn't be that bad A really small handful, even Izuku took a piece.... His whole face scrunched up. Toshi was finding the temptation getting a bit too strong and turned to Izuku to stammer out some sort of excuse-- --saw the kid's face-- "What on earth?!" --and gave in to a helpless bout of laughter. Madame Popol beamed at both of their reactions, still keeping a knowing eye on her lanky regular. "Isn't that marvelous?" she chirped. "I'm... not sure it's... my cup of tea." Izuku shook his head, a tiny bit of blush on his cheeks, but being honest. Really don't like pickles.... "It isn't for everyone," Madane Popol agreed, not even slightly put out. "Now then. As you can see, we're pretty talented here. So I need to ask--what is one flavor you'd never expect to taste on popcorn? And not anything too weird or wild. I'm asking from a curious business owner standpoint." Izuku thought for a bit. "....Well I wouldn't want to eat it, but... horseradish?" Madame Popol nodded thoughtfully. "And what about something you would eat? Something like--" With a sudden expert motion that surprised even Toshi, she snatched a small bag from behind the counter and tossed it to the tall blond. "Mr. Yagi," she scolded fondly but firmly, "My dear, have a munch on that and please cheer up. And you--" she said, pointing at Izuku. "--flavor?" Toshi looked sheepish as Madame Popol dropped a large cloth bag in his lap and began filling it with assorted flavors of popcorn. "How many kids in your class again, hun? I'm sure our lovely Mr. Yagi will make sure these all get to them, won't he?" "Uuuuhhh...." Izuku thought more. "Really, I just like the cheddar stuff, mostly." He popped one in his mouth, smiling at the flavor. "Strawberry is good, but I could eat these about forever." Am I being too familiar? This is oddly easy. If the words are coming this easy, are they really good? Or am I just not paying enough attention.... He looked around at Toshi and Madame Popol. They do seem unoffended though... maybe it's good, maybe I'm just being funny... yes, play the clown, I can do that... be sure not to try too hard, though, no one likes that-- stOP OVER TH I NK I N G Toshi froze as the cloth bag filled up. Was I that easy to read? Crap. I need to get better about that. To stop making it so visible. He glanced at Izuku--my anchor--and grinned. "You heard him, Madame Popol, biggest bag of cheddar you got." She pretended to look offended. "I dont think you realize just how big the biggest bag I have is. I daresay you'd need to bring your big self out to haul it away." She flexed one arm and giggled. Toshi gave a gentle smile at that. "Sounds like a challenge," he returned, a little less enthusiastic than he had meant to sound. Izuku covered his face and squeaked happily at that. "I didn't mean FOREVER forever!" Oh noooooo, that's too much! I can't let him buy that for me... but I can't STOP him! He grinned widely, though not missing Toshi's tone of voice. He didn't quite know what to make of it, though, so he filed the fact away while keeping it in reach. Madame Popol wedged one last portion of popcorn (bacon jalapeno) into the cloth bag and tutted at Toshi's protests. "Now now, I dont expect you boys to carry any of these around all day. You look like you have other places you want to visit. I'll just have these sent to your office, Mr. Yagi, darlin." Toshi shifted for his wallet again and she cheerfully hmphed. "This man," she sighed in frustrated adoration, "he doesn't even eat yet like I ask and yet still tries to pay before services rendered." "Poppi--" "Shoo with you now! Out of my shop, no, out, I'll send you the bill later. Izuku please, one moment." She beckoned to the boy while still shooing Toshi out. "--?" Izuku looked between Madame Popol and the currently-leaving Toshi nervously. He could feel his muscles tensing at the idea of staying behind alone, but... his gaze settled on her. She produced a pocket sized bag of strawberry popcorn and pressed it into his hands. "Whatever you're doing, keep it up. This may sound odd but...you're very good for him." She sighed softly and gazed about her shop. "Would that I could show him my appreciation for all that he's done with more than just popcorn but that's what the heavens saw fit. So that will be as I keep doing. But you--" Her eyes twinkled knowingly. "--you've been blessed with the ability to bring his smile out." She looked like she wanted to say more, then shook her head and waddled back to the counter. "Come back anytime, lovey. There will always be a bag of your favorite waiting here for you." Izuku gazed up at her as she spoke, completely understanding what it feels like to want to support someone you're grateful to but... not being able to. He smiled down at the bag of strawberry popcorn in his hands, glad he had met this Very Warm Person. "Thank you," he said softly. She gently tweaked one of his freckled cheeks. "No no," she replied. "thank you." Then, returning to form, she cheerfully flapped her apron at him. "Get on, now! That man has long legs and could be halfway to Kyoto by now. Go catch up!" He squeaked and ducked at the tweak, and hurried obediently after Toshi out the door......... ---------- yknow, for a one off character, I adore Madame Popol --pretty sure she was half inspired by Madame Pomphrey by name and half by Professor Sprout. gonna see if I can doodle her up later.
