[ open ] Darkness lets the stars shine bright

[darkcharge]

Who: Vanitas + You!!
When: All of Mareuer
Where: Various
What: Open + Closed Prompts
Warnings: TBA



( Familiar Shopping )

[ Vanitas has noticed that instead of having a Bond, plenty of local Witches seem to have Familiars. Do they prefer them over Bonds? He doesn't really know and Van isn't going to bother to ask that question. His Unversed, that one lone Flood, has been sort of serving as a Familiar since it had arrived. However, Van doesn't particularly like it. Okay, so he kind of hates the thing. Other people seem to think that it's cute. He doesn't get it.

That's why he's entertaining the idea of an actual Familiar. So Vanitas has made his way down to some shops, finding one that specializes in this sort of thing. He peruses the contents, making faces here an there; Vanitas isn't impressed by the selection. ]

Cats. Dogs. Rats.

[ That's where he's at in his search. Though perhaps at one point he does hold a hedgehog, somewhat entertained by it. ]


( Library Visits )

[ As always, Vanitas can always be found in the library from time to time. In fact, several times a week. He never reads for recreational purposes, oh no. Rather, he reads to fill the time. Fill the time and also study different kinds of magic. He can always be found practicing healing spells - progressively getting better at them.

There's a lot of magic here that doesn't exist where he's from. This particular instance, Vanitas is practicing Transmutation and Divination. Some days he can be found with a mirror, glaring at it as if he could break it with his mind. Other days he has broken objects lined up - anything from glasses/mugs to some tools he's found lying around.

Hey. He likes having multiple skillsets. ]


( A Flood's Day Out )

[ The Flood that Vanitas has isn't on a leash or stuck in a crate. It is allowed to meander about on its own. It does, however, have a collar and a tag about its neck just so people realize it does belong to someone. Vanitas doesn't actually keep track of it, completely unaccustomed to doing so - never needing to.

That being said, it likes to create problems for people. Enjoying a nice, quite lunch? Not anymore! That Flood darts up, snatches it, and likely takes off a few feet away to gloat. That new trinket that you just bought? That's gone too.

Vanitas might not be far away. Or maybe you just find it and decide to try to return it. Up to you. ]


( Disney Princess? )

[ Unbeknownst to Vanitas, all that time spent practicing healing magic has apparently left its mark. He doesn't know why this has been happening as of late and it's being met with no small amount of irritation. Here he is, minding his own business in the Coven gardens, and little critters keep coming out to say "hi."

No, really. One moment Vanitas is taking a nap and when he wakes? Maybe it's a stray cat sprawled on him. Sometimes a random squirrel. Today, however, it's a little more extreme. There's a bird in his hair and butterflies fluttering around. A rabbit has seen fit to flop into his lap. ]

Oh come on! Go away! Shoo.

[ Yeah, it doesn't work like that. Vanitas, as a result of his casting practices, apparently has a "calming aura" that he knows nothing about. ]


( Cooking Vani )

[ Back at the house, usually people take turns cooking. Van's helped out a little, though it's mostly with the cleaning. He actually wants to do something this time. So he's in the kitchen, a recipe book on the table. Vanitas is turning the pages, as if trying to decide on something. Though it doesn't look like he's really made up his mind.

This is... Probably going to end badly. For everyone. ]


( Wildcard)

[ As always, if there is no prompt that is to your liking, feel free to hit me up on plurk or discord and we can figure something out! I can even write a closed prompt no problem. ]

Comments

[darkcharge]

[ Vanitas doesn't know anything about if the Bond also strengthens with physical proximity or not. Right now, though, he does feel that little tug. Warmth floods through as well as Sora gradually relaxing; that feeling of safety slowly returning. Vanitas considers for a moment then allows for some of his concern to bleed through. Sora needs to know that Vanitas is at least a little worried, right. ]

When you're calm, walk me through what happened. You're fine here.

[oathkeeper]

[As Sora's nerves start to calm down Sora can also feel his heart stop racing so quickly. His long ears twitch and he settles there with a soft sigh of relief.

But then he really does notice Vanitas' concern and he suddenly feels a little self-conscious for his own predicament. Would Vanitas tease him once he finds out the real reason? Call him names or something? Gosh, it's a whole other sort of nervous he feels now.]

Erm... [But maybe he'll just stay conveniently tucked in this hug. Thanks.] I know a lot of us have been going through monster changes lately. So this is probably just me being wound up for nothing.

[He huffs.]

I needed my jacket but Roxas had it. When I asked for it back he ended up snapping at me. [...] He growled at me. And the look on his face was like...

[darkcharge]

[ Any other day, Vanitas might have thought to tease Sora. He definitely has it in him so it isn't as though Sora's thoughts aren't justified. However that doesn't stop Van from holding onto Sora all the same. Nor do his hands stop their soothing ministrations on the other's back.

Isn't it funny what five months of being around people that treat him as a person can do? Here Vanitas is, comforting someone else. No one would have thought he'd do this, let alone himself. So no, teasing doesn't come. Instead he listens patiently and hums. ]

Doesn't matter if it's "for nothing" or not. He gave into some of his new instincts. You reacted in kind. It's not like you did anything wrong.

[oathkeeper]

[He has to admit the motion of Vanitas' hand rubbing his back is really nice. It's similar to how Kairi or Riku might comfort him but so different in other ways.]

I didn't think I'd ever see Roxas look at me like he wanted to hunt me down.

[It was all just instincts, wasn't it? Roxas didn't actually want to... do that...? Right? Sora and Roxas have mostly always had a positive relationship. Maybe it was rocky at first but they've only had one real fight before. After that, it was always supportive.]

[darkcharge]

[ As long as it is working to keep the other calm and relaxed. That's the goal here: to work it all out. ]

He doesn't, Sora. I saw him chase after my Flood like he was hunting it. Ended up being tricked into skidding head first into a trashcan.

[ Now he reaches up to scritch at Sora's ear. ]

When you get back and he's calmed down he'll probably apologize.

[oathkeeper]

Pfft-- [That mental image of Roxas skidding right into the garbage, though-? It has Sora let out a short puff of laughter.]

Vanitas, that's mean...

[But the scritching at his ears? That feels good. Sora's eyes flutter closed as he enjoys the sensation.]

But, I hope so. I want to say sorry too.

[darkcharge]

I didn't do anything but help remove the trashcan from the situation. Everything else is on the Flood and on Roxas.

[ He doesn't have control over his one Unversed, Sora. It is going to do what it is going to do. ]

Stop worrying about it for now though. It's no one's fault and aren't you the one that say things will always turn out okay?

[oathkeeper]

[Sora still chuckles lightly.]

It's still yours, Vanitas. It belongs to you.

[He's not really fighting the topic though. More so, he's starting to feel calmer with each ear scritch.]

But ... Okay. Yeah. I bet it will be. I don't like fighting with Roxas at all. [He sneaks a look at Vanitas.] You're being really nice. Thanks.

[darkcharge]

It's very disconnected from me at this point. I can't even feel it, remember?

[ Then Sora has to say it doesn't he? That Vanitas is being nice. He tenses, huffing. No, Vanitas isn't nice. He isn't doing anything that he needs to be thanked for! Though... Someone being grateful is oddly. Hmm. He doesn't know what that feeling is, but he does know that he's embarrassed. ]

I'm not nice. Just returning the favor.

[ Yeah. That's what that is. ]

[oathkeeper]

Heh.

[He has to wonder if he should poke at Vanitas to say that he is doing something really nice. Favor or not it's really helped Sora calm down from his little nerve-attack. He's grateful because he's not sure what would have happened if he hadn't escaped here.]

Thanks, anyway.

[His eyes close again, resting on Vanitas' shoulder. That flicker of gratitude is very well noticeable across their bond.]

[darkcharge]

[ Augh. Just that thank you... It kind of still continues to make him happy? Is that what the emotion is - that light, fluttery one? Where he’s warm and Van can feel the corners of his mouth twitch? If it is then Vanitas feels silly... Getting so emotional over two words. He’s probably not able to fully suppress it over the bond they share. Sora’s gratitude leaking across doesn’t help at all. ]

Yeah yeah. I take it you are staying tonight.

[oathkeeper]

[Sora can feel it too. This tiny light fluttery feeling that occasionally flickers between them. He doesn't know what it is but he knows it feels good. The bond feels like it's getting warmer, Sora able to sense that crisp ember-y autumn-like warmth closely there.]

Ahh... Um. [He finds himself nuzzling a little before he can help it.] Yeah, I'm gonna.

[darkcharge]

[ Maybe it is getting warmer because they are connecting more? Who knows. Vanitas can feel it as well really. This closeness though? He likes it and it is sort of addicting. Could they stay like this longer? Is that okay? Sora is nuzzling him and that feels nice too..? Rather it makes his ears burn hotter and his mouth feels a little dry. ]

That’s fine. Did you eat?

[ so maybe he has picked up a mothering habit or two. ]

[oathkeeper]

[He wants to stay like this for a moment longer too. Sora's nose buried against the base of Vanitas' shoulder nuzzling with this warmth making him feel better. He's always been a snugly person he just never expected it to be towards Vanitas. But he finds he likes it. He likes giving the attention.

Sora can't help smiling.] You're gonna feed me too?

[He's really become a picked up stray now, hasn't he.]

I am sort of hungry.

[darkcharge]

[ Hey hey hey. He can feel that smile against his shoulder you know! Though Sora likes to give attention... And Vanitas is finding that he likes receiving it. So this situation is fine? ]

Well I don't want to hear your stomach growling when we're trying to sleep. That'd be more annoying than your drooling.

[oathkeeper]

[All's fair in attention and nuzzles, it seems! Sora's content until he pretends to grumble against Vanitas' shoulder.]

What? I don't drool!

[... Does he??????]

[darkcharge]

[ He snorts, leaning his cheek on Sora's dumb soft hair. They are on the floor and this shouldn't be comfortable at all. And yet he isn't ready to get up at all. ]

Heavy sleepers usually do that sort of thing, yeah?

[oathkeeper]

[Then Vanitas has dumb soft hair too.]

I definitely don't drool, you were just dreaming that it happened.

[It was a nightmare! It wasn't real! Sora doesn't drool! :C]

[darkcharge]

[ Oh most definitely - probably even softer because of how it wasn't really exposed to the elements. All that time hidden under a helmet. ]

Try telling that to two of my favorite sleeping shirts.

[oathkeeper]

[Sora's giving a mighty pout...!]

I don't! You're just saying that!

[Now he's gonna fuss about this.]

[darkcharge]

Don't worry. I'll show you your deeds when the morning comes.

[ Because Van, more often than not, does find Sora at least on his shoulder when waking. Thankfully he has gotten used to it somewhat.

At least he isn't jumping at every touch anymore. ]

[oathkeeper]

[He's seriously reaching a hand up to wipe at his own bottom lip as of being self-conscious about it. He grumbles softly.]

Not fair.

[darkcharge]

[ Not that Van really has any desire to pull back from this warm embrace... However he does want to tease Sora a little. So when he does it is only so he can grab at Sora's chin. ]

Usually right about here.

[ Totally tracing the imaginary pathway of drool down Sora's lip and chin. ]

[oathkeeper]

Ah-

[Sora's bunny ears swivel this way and that, suddenly very intently aware of what Vanitas is doing.]

I don't...

[That trailing finger! Sora's going to try and nip at it!]

[darkcharge]

Oh!

[ Good thing he is quick to pull his hand back! ]

What a vicious little bunny!