[ 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

[oathkeeper]

[Sora makes a bit of a face at first before he looks up at Vanitas.]

What do you mean, threatened? What happened?

[darkcharge]

[ Vanitas shrugs. He doesn't see it as that big of a deal. All of that is normal? ]

The typical "stay away from Ventus" crap. As if I even cared about a Ventus from the past that had been clueless about me.

[ He hums. ]

She also asked if I was going to start trouble. Which, obviously I wasn't. What would have been the point?

[oathkeeper]

[Sora's expression falls slightly. He knows how hard it is for people like Aqua to overcome things like this. After all, the past was really rough on all of them. But Sora still believes it was all Xehanort's manipulation that put them there.]

I guess I can't really blame her for wanting to protect the people she cares about and loves. But she didn't need to talk like that to you, either.

[darkcharge]

I don't blame her either. That's just how she is. How can you expect anyone with her strict upbringing and views on Light and Darkness to be?

[ Of course Vanitas had been annoyed. However he understands this much. What had been irritating about the situation is that CLEARLY if Aqua could have thought beyond her own biases - not that Vanitas is without his own, mind - then she would have seen that there was no reason for Vanitas to cause trouble. He's only ever been about achieving his goals.

And Ventus? Merging with him from the past wasn't feasible. So, again, Vanitas has no reason to start anything here. But sometimes emotions win over logic and reason. ]

Anyway. That is over and done with. Now we just keep butting heads here and there.

[oathkeeper]

[He wishes more people saw things how Sora sees them. That Light and Darkness aren't really two entirely separate things. They're a lot closer than people really understand. Sometimes he feels like Vanitas can be stubborn about that too so his relationship with Aqua and Ventus is all just one big complicated mess.

... Honestly, a small part of his heart does wish they would all get along. Sora pokes his nose into it sometimes but he ultimately knows it's really up to them. But still, he would be pretty happy if he ever saw Ventus and Vanitas get along as well as say Sora and Roxas do. But he knows that's a tall order.]

Erm... Well, I think they wanna try to move on. Get along, you know? [Sora glances at Vanitas, his expression still soft. He's not here to needle Vanitas about it.] Sometimes talking it out can be hard and that's probably what makes you bump heads. But I think Aqua really does want to see you differently now. It just takes time.

[darkcharge]

You and I both know that it takes time. There's things that we all have to get over and deal with.[ Van makes a disgusted face here. ] Myself included.

[ There's a lot that he's had to come to terms with - especially where it concerns his "upbringing" and training. To admit that he had been a victim in all of this just as everyone else...? Well that had been no small hurdle to get over. There are times where Vanitas still struggles with it; he doesn't always want to accept it as true. ]

The others seem to think differently. Though perhaps they are starting to realize it takes more than just a couple of weeks and a few conversations.

[oathkeeper]

[Sora watches Vanitas with a piece of food sticking out of his mouth. He honestly can't help but ask with that messy mouthful,]

And... How do you feel about all that now? Things you're getting over and dealing with?

[Meaning moving on and growing from that rough past. He hasn't really asked Vanitas how he feels these days about it all. Months living in a world where he can do his own thing without someone evil driving him in the wrong and hurtful directions.]

You do seem a little different now, you know.

[darkcharge]

Hmm. I am a little different now, I suppose. It would be needlessly stupid and stubborn to deny it at this point.

[ He props his head up on the palm of his hand. Vanitas wears a thoughtful expression on his face. There's no heat in his eyes, no anger. Just a look of reflection. ]

As for how I feel about it? Confused. There are many mixed feelings about it all. I don't think that I could have made any different choices. See, I always knew that Xehanort was using me and I had convinced myself it was fine because I was using him too. I did what I had to in order to survive, but that doesn't make it okay and I don't have to accept what was done to me.

[ Which just saying that out loud... Being able to say it like this without some physical reaction is a big deal. It shows how much he has been able to process it all. ]

[oathkeeper]

[This is a very big deal and Sora can't help but look at Vanitas with some pride flickering in his gaze.]

You know, saying out loud that he was using you, that it wasn't okay what he did, is a really big step.

[He can't really blame Vanitas for saying he used Xehanort too. That's all he learned how to do, how to survive. He didn't ask to be put where he had. He didn't ask to be ripped apart from Ventus either.]

You were hurt along with a lot of us. It's okay to want to heal up now.

[Not everything will heal, but some healing is okay.]

[darkcharge]

You know that I still don't like seeing it that way, Sora. A part of me knows this and accepts it and the other still wants to fight it. Now I don't know if it's pride or not wanting to appear as weak, but it still exists.

[ Besides, lying to himself means that he didn't have to face all those things. Vanitas has always thought that... ]

It's admitting that my control over the situation was limited... Which that is what I don't like to do. I never wanted to be a victim.

[oathkeeper]

Being a victim doesn't mean you're not strong.

[Sora's blue eyes blink. His expression grows soft but serious.]

You did the best you could with what you had. There's nothing weak about that either. You even have control about what you feel now. No one is ever gonna take that from you.

[darkcharge]

It's taken me months to realize that. Months and being around people that don't have an issue with the way that I am. A lot of that stuff is easy to say, but I didn't want to hear it. I didn't want to accept it.

[ He sighs and rubs the back of his neck. ]

Sometimes I feel like people don't understand that. I've been told I could have walked a different path but I don't see how. At least you get it.

[ His eyes slides to Sora's. ]

I guess that's why it was easier to let you help me when I needed it. It's not like you judge me.

[oathkeeper]

[He watches those golden eyes and nods.]

There's no way to change to the past. You're right, it's what you wanna do with right now that makes you, you.

[This world really has given Vanitas a chance to make a life for himself that he couldn't have before. And he's glad that he seems to be slowly taking that for what it is. Vanitas deserves it. He deserves real self-made happiness.]

I'm really happy for you, Vanitas.

[darkcharge]

I suppose so and I am still learning about who that might be.

[ Which had terrified him so much before. In some respects, he still is. Vanitas doesn't know who it is that he'll become in the future. So much uncertainty. Will he even be someone he can tolerate. ]

Anyway, it's great that you're happy and all but don't get too sappy, Sora.

[oathkeeper]

[Sora stuffs a piece of broccoli in his mouth!]

I'm not being sappy!

[His rabbit ears swivel.]

Just take your time, okay! And don't let anyone tell you who you can or can't be. This is yours.

[And who knows maybe he'll be able to forgive and live with Aqua and Ventus someday too...]

[darkcharge]

You are being sappy. Disgustingly and adorably sappy, but sappy nonetheless.

[ He snickers, kind of adjusting the mood. He had been far too serious before. Now he has to change gears a little. Vanitas is not going to be someone that talks about his feelings so freely. Not going to happen. ]

In the end I'll be what I want. End of story.

[oathkeeper]

[Sora lets out a huff and a puff of laughter. Alright, he figures that's all the Feelings talk he's going to get out of Vanitas for one day. He wants to push but he might get in trouble for that. So maybe he'll stop. besides maybe vanitas just inadvertently called him adorable?]

I'm allowed to be happy about it. [Sora finishes with a quick nudge to Vanitas' shoulder.] But okay! End of story.

[darkcharge]

[ He's gotten more out of him in this moment than a lot of people have the entire time they have known him. Sora should just be proud and content that Vanitas had felt comfortable enough to speak on these things.

Though the adorable comment really had been intended to be something of an insult. ]

Allowed to be happy, huh? [ A snort. ] I don't think I'll understand why that is. You're not the first, but it's still so strange to be happy because of someone else.

[oathkeeper]

That's what happens when you care about people.

[Sora says this softly, giving Vanitas a smile.]

Happiness is a pretty big side effect.

[darkcharge]

[ Vanitas smirks just a little. ]

Is that a roundabout way of saying you care about me, Sora?

[ Is that really even in question? Probably not, but maybe he can get Sora flustered a little. That's always fun. ]

[oathkeeper]

[Fluster he might but the truth is...]

Yeah, that's exactly what I'm saying.

[Sora leans his chin into his hand.]

[darkcharge]

Ha... And I haven't somehow convinced you that it's probably a mistake to?

[ There's still a teeny tiny part of him that thinks that he really isn't worth it. That there is no need to. Someone will just end up disappointed. ]

[oathkeeper]

[Sora puts a hand on his chest as he pretends to look super offended.]

Huh? When have I ever given up on anything?

[He's got a reputation to uphold here! But more seriously,]

I really don't care if someone thinks it's a mistake, Vanitas. I don't think it is.

[darkcharge]

You are ridiculously stubborn, it's true.

[ Then Sora has to go say that part. Vanitas opens his mouth to likely attempt to say something sarcastic... But nothing comes out. Instead he coughs, partially covering his face with his hand as he looks away.

That comment... Makes him kind of happy, okay? ]

...Or just plain ridiculous.

[oathkeeper]

[Sora watches Vanitas react like that and he feels a small jump in his heart before he finishes his snack with a small smile.]

Probably both. [He seems content to admit it.] I hope that's okay.