Colors in the Dark

[41] Tulpamancer

A/N: Featuring Shinsou's bad naming skills, a day one Work Study for Guardian and the other gals, the Bakusquad minus Bakugou himself getting caught up in Mina's shipping theories, Kaminari's utter despair at being single amidst a class- scratch that, a school- of cuties (his words, not mine), and Bakugou's less bad but more obscure (and sometimes obscene) nicknames.

That morning, Ayami was dressed and ready early, meeting up with Tsu and Ochaco as they headed off for their first day at their Work Study.

From behind them, a cheery voice called, "Hey! You three, you're going with Nejire to Ryuukyuu's agency, right? Asui, Uraraka, and Ayami if I remember correctly!" Ayami turned around to see the face of the Big Three, Toogata, with a smile plastered to his face. Midoriya was trailing behind him, and she could see Hadou running to catch up with them.

"Yes," she replied, waving to her classmate. "You two off to Sir Nighteye's?"

"Mhmm!" He turned back to Hadou, giving her a thumbs up as the blue-haired girl ran past with a smile and reached the girls. "You've made some good choices in interns, Nejire!"

"Thanks, Mirio!" She giggled, throwing her arms around the three girls. "See ya soon, and good luck Izuku!"

She excitedly lead the girls forward, though Ayami stopped when she felt her leg bump something. Her amber eyes looked down to see true blue ones. She sighed, reaching down to pick up the soft, snow-white cat, who had been trailing her- as well as Shinsou and Aizawa, it seemed- around ever since she arrived.

"What am I ever going to do with you, little kitty?" She murmured, swaying on her feet.

"Hey, Shiro, there you are!" A voice called, and Ayami looked up to see said indigo-haired boy walking toward her. She gave the cat one last stroke before handing her over.

"Shiro? We're just going with the word 'white' for her name?" Ayami chuckled, adjusting the bag on her shoulder.

He shrugged with a lazy smile. "It's fitting, though, don't you think? Anyway, I don't want to hold you up. You're going to work with the Dragon Hero, huh? I thought you said Hadou of the Big Three was a little too pushy for your tastes?" Shinsou asked, petting the silky fur of the cat in his arms.

"She's giving me a chance for a real Work Study, and Hawks even recommended me to Ryuukyuu. And don't worry- just like before, if anything happens, I'll be the first to fly home safely and make sure the world knows the true story. Take care of 'Shiro' for me while I'm gone, okay?"

The two shared a nod of agreement before parting ways, Ayami running after her three fellow interns as not to miss the train.

~

When they arrived, Hadou excitedly dragged the three girls to a building shaped like a large dragon, only knocking once on the door they came to before opening it. Inside sat the woman Hadou had showed them a picture of, though in the flesh she was much more detailed.

Short blonde hair swept back; a light green headband with large talons and black wings expanding from it; slitted yellow eyes and a neutral expression; hands folded neatly together on her desk. Her maroon qipao looked even more like it was made of satin, a bit of gold decorating its turtleneck. She also had on silvery-white gloves that stopped at her wrists and knee-high gray boots.

"Nejire-Chan and our newest additions," she regarded them. "Girls, welcome to the Ryuukyuu Offices. At our agency, we strive for peace, justice, and honor. From what my prodigy has said about you, I am expecting great things. Are you ready?" She gave them a smirk that was both challenging and reassuring.