middaeg | [ open ] Life is what our thoughts make it...

Entry tags:

[ open ] Life is what our thoughts make it...

Who: Vanitas + You!!
When: All of April
Where: Various
What: Open + Closed Prompts
Warnings: Violence, PTSD, Fluff, and more to be added later

( Cometflies: 4/3 only )

[ Vanitas has already spent enough time watching the meteor shower. He's a little dazed and confused trying to walk back to the house and there's a reason for it, but that's neither here nor there.

He is soon distracted by all of the colorful little glowing things now fluttering around. The natives seem amused by it, but Vanitas does not. Red and yellow seem to want to linger close to him as well as blue, but he keeps batting them away before any single bug can actually hand on him. ]

Go away and bother someone else!

( Pile's Plantagorium: A )

[ Earning some funds by growing plants? Well count Vanitas in. It's not that he went out with the mindset that he is going to specialize in flora. In fact, it isn't as though Vanitas really finds any relaxation or enjoyment in this activity. However, he is good at it and he believes plants are easier to deal with than people are.

So, sure. Vanitas spends plenty of time helping out on that rooftop, tending to and growing what seedlings tare there. Vanitas can be seen putting his talent to use, standing above flower beds and soon seeds become greenery and leaves. Then they begin to bloom in an array of colors. ]

( Pile's Plantagorium: B )

[ Buuuut there's more to be had if he ventures outside, right? Vanitas is standing right at the edge of the Wall. His Keyblade, Void Gear, is strapped to his back. The problem is, Van sure doesn't know what is a deadly plant or what isn't. So maybe stop him before he goes out and offer a hand?

Or maybe Vanitas is encountered already exploring beyond the wall. He has a plant isolated, it's true. It doesn't look sick... But those are a lot of sharp looking thorns on it. That's probably not a very good thing to bring back, but it looks like Vanitas doesn't really care. Only... he's kind of circling it. Looking for how he can get a cutting of it. ]

( Out of the City )

[ Once again Vanitas takes the opportunity to not stick around the city. When the chance is offered to venture beyond the Wall to one of the settlements, Vanitas takes it. He makes sure to leave a note stating that he'll be out. Doesn't state why or for how long because who needs to know that? He played it pretty safe last month by staying within the city walls so naturally Vanitas needs to get out and actually do something.

To get rid of some of his restless, excess energy, Vanitas takes to patrolling around the settlement he is brought to. There are plenty of infected monsters in the area and the spar he had last month isn't enough. Thus he can be found engaging in battle, fierce grin on his face and laughing. It's almost like he's enjoying every single moment that he cuts down one of those monsters, hurling around Void Gear like it weighs nothing. There's no magic used, just brute strength.

And when Vanitas tires of this - not that he will ever fully tire - there is something else he can do. Don't get him wrong it's not that he cares about these people. He doesn't, at all. Vanitas isn't doing this for their sake, but for his own. He joins some of the other Witches that have set up healing stations. Vanitas, see, has been working on the healing artes for months. Now he's putting himself to the test to see just how much mastery he has over those skills. Feel free to bother him or tease. ]

( Book shopping )

[ Vanitas enjoys being self-sufficient. He doesn't like to rely on others, though there are at least a few people out there that... Well he'll let them help him out if he really needs it. Over all? Vanitas still is uneasy. Normally that would be his motivation for getting out and learning anything.

That's not the case this time, but he's going to keep that to himself. Instead he's at this bookstore, going through the shelves. However, Vanitas looks more and more irritated as he goes. ]

Augh. This one's useless too.

[ He's getting aggravated enough that he's not bothering to put all of the useless ones back. Nope. There's starting to be a book scattered here and there. ]

Why is this proving to be so difficult!?

[ All he wants is a ding dang recipe book. To meet certain Monster dietary requirements. ]

( Wildcard )

[ Anything that you wanna do with Van, of coruse. As always, feel free to contact me at

jardaan

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He arches an eyebrow.]

Isn't that the same thing?

[With surprising ease he suddenly lifts one of his arms and wraps it around Vanitas' shoulders.]

That help?

No.

[ Because it's not like he's shivering or shaking or anything like that. He's just wanting more. That's different, yeah?

Vanitas startles at first, though. He hadn't been expecting that. So give him a second for his brain to catch up. ]

...Mildly?

[He huffs, amused despite himself by Vanitas' apparent need to be argumentative. Not so much like Sora after all...It's like a checklist in his head that he's not aware he's even making, equating the two. Maybe it's the fact that he's so familiar with everything about Sora that it makes all of Vanitas' differences that much more apparent.]

Well, it'll have to do until we can get you inside.

[But he silently pushes himself a little closer and gently rubs his hand up and down Vanitas' arm to stimulate additional warmth.]

Which way are you headed?

[This being his not so subtle way of inviting himself to walk Vanitas home.]

[ Best not let Vanitas know. Then he will go out of his way to show exactly how unlike Sora he actually is. Won't even be necessary to make a list then. ]

That's what I was trying to do before you distracted me - get back inside.

[ At least he only flinched somewhat at Riku's hand on his arm. Only one flinch, but Van is still pretty tense even as the walking starts. ]

Back towards the residential areas...

[He notices the flinch, feels it, and his hand stills its motion on his arm.]

Should I stop?

[He thought it might help keep the other boy warm, but maybe it's making him uncomfortable instead.]

Yeah, because it was me getting in your way. Whatever. I'm heading that way too.

[ Augh it's such a weird feeling. To desire that closeness but also to want to slap the hand away. It just makes Vanitas irritated. ]

No. It has nothing to do with you.

[ That's the most polite way that Vanitas can put it. He's not delving into his issues with this guy. If there are issues he cares to admit to. ]

You're the one that distracted me.

If you say so.

[He keeps his arm where it is as they begin walking again in the direction of their homes.]

I prefer to think of it as lending a helping hand.

[ As Van grows accustomed to it, he does relax. That has nothing to do with the influence of the cometfly smacking him in the head. The only thing it's really done is made Vanitas desire the closeness. Everything else is just on him. ]

Oh... So the fact that one smacked me around a little is what you call "helping" huh?

[ There's actually no malice in his tone. ]

You were worrying about nothing. When you're being that stubborn a little smack on the head doesn't hurt any.

[He raps his knuckle gently on the top of Vanitas' head.]

But luckily, Sora and Ven both have pretty thick skulls, so you probably do too.

Hurt? Oh no, it didn't hurt. However I do feel weird.

[ As indicated by the face that he's practically curled against Riku's side as they walk. Which... Doesn't completely satisfy. However it will do for now because oh Vanitas is fighting it a little.

And that's not the only reason he makes a face of disgust. He scoffs. ]

Hardly. I actually know when to back out of a fight.

[If Riku wasn't enduring his own effects he might be more suspicious about...everything really. Their actions and reactions would definitely seem really off when viewed from the other side.

Like how they barely know each other but are walking side-by-side in a half-hug. But since he is everything seems fine. More then fine even. He's making a new friend! Maybe.]

Really? I'll have to see that for myself. From what I've heard you like picking fights.

[ Now Vanitas, on the other hand, has enough awareness to know that this is strange. Things are definitely off. However the thing is that he doesn't particularly care at the moment. What matters most is the fact that he wants warmth and Riku seems pretty content to provide it. ]

...Of course I like picking fights. Pressing someone's buttons to see how much it takes to push them over the edge is entertaining.

[ To him at least. He's not going to lie about that. ]

That has no bearing on whether or not I know when to back out.

[In some ways he can kind of understand what Van means. Riku might not pick fights exactly, but he does enjoy getting a rise out of people by teasing them. Sora in particular.]

So you like seeing how angry you can make people? I think you should get a new hobby.

[Like he can talk.]

Yeah, but you shouldn't start fights you're just going to lose. What's the point of that?

[ He makes a little noise in the back of his throat. Vanitas is irritated by the comment, make no mistake. Really is it any different? Getting a rise out of people? That's what Vanitas does. It doesn't necessarily have to lead to a fight...

Just it usually does. ]

So people keep saying. I think it's fine the way I am.

[ After all it isn't as though Vanitas is really starting too much crap around here... ]

I didn't mean anything by it.

[He raises the arm that's wrapped around Van enough that he can pat him on the head. It's supposed to be soothing, and for his friends it usually is.]

What is your hobby anyways? You've been here awhile, right? You must have found something you enjoy doing around here.

[ The pat actually does have something of a soothing affect. Perhaps it is partially because Vanitas desires the closeness and the warmth at this moment. But then again, it is also something that Mira does that Van finds...

Well he doesn't mind it. ]

I just practice and train.

[ He frowns. What else is there to do? How is he supposed to find a hobby anyway... However it does mean that is magic? It's quite well-rounded. ]

[It's a good answer because those two things also happen to be hobbies of Riku's. He's like a dog with a bone when it comes to testing his abilities and seeing how far he can push himself.]

Me too. I've been practicing elemental type magic lately. Mostly wind and water. What about you?

[ Vanitas pushes himself so because he doesn't know of any other way to be. Being weak and vulnerable are just not options for him. Never were in the past and likely won't change in the future. ]

Lately it's transmutation and healing.

I'm thinking about studying some healing spells next. I know it'll come in use.

[Especially with as much traveling outside the city and Outpost work he does.]

Do you have a favorite type of magic?

[ Vanitas would say that it is useful. Then again, he had never learned healing magic in the first place. The others will likely have an easier time of it than Vanitas. ]

I don't. Magic is a tool just like anything else.

[ A tool to be used and be utilized. ]

You mean you don't enjoy learning it at all? But you spend all your time practicing?

[His tone is curious. No judgement here.]

[ Yeah well Vanitas thinks that there is some judgement there... ]

I spend all my time practicing for the sake of proficiency. To excel and to always be prepared.

[ What else is there? Fun? Enjoymnet? Meh.... ]

So you've never just done anything for fun?

[There's a short pause, and then he continues as if he's just realized something.]

Do you not know how?

Not really, no.

[ Which is the truth. Vanitas doesn't necessarily do things for what others define as fun. At least not the joyful, filled with happiness and laughter fun. His "fun" has always been to mock others... To make himself feel better, not that he'll acknowledge that as such. ]

Not unless you count fighting, which I know you and others don't.

[ Because, again, that can be more malicious than it is anything else right? Whatever the case, Van also anticipates the next question. Does he not know how to have fun? ]

I suppose you can say that I don't. However there are a few that have been attempting to teach me.

[ Riku can probably guess who one of those individuals could be. Sora tends to like to drag Vanitas out and about. Van also cooks with Mira from time to time. He still doesn't understand how such things can be defined as "fun." Yet he'd say that he does enjoy them. But he doesn't go out seeking them. That's the part he doesn't know how to do.

It's a very weird disconnect. ]

Fighting can be fun.

[You're talking to the guy who loves to annoy his friends and instigate certain shenanigans. He didn't spent a lot of his childhood running around his island with a wooden sword because he was interested in peaceful diplomacy.]

I guess it just depends on what you're doing it for. It's doesn't have to be about beating someone.

[There's no doubt that Sora is involved somehow. He thrives on imposing the joys of friendship and fun onto people. Vanitas doesn't stand a chance.]

I'm sure if you keep trying things you're bound to find something you like enough to keep doing.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject