[ open ] Whatever it is your heart desires...

[darkcharge]

Who: Vanitas + You!!
When: All of Maiuril
Where: Various
What: Open + Closed Prompts | Hit me up at jardaan if you'd like a closed starter or want to plot something out.
Warnings: TBD



( Apiary Adventures: A )

[ An opportunity to smack things around is usually a good way to get Vanitas to participate in any sort of request/adventure/whatever. The promise of honey doesn't really do anything for him, but the cune payment definitely helps. All he has to do is keep infected creatures that get too close at bay, correct? Not really much of an issue.

For the most part he just kind of paces along the edges of the area the beekeepers and others are working. His Keyblade, Void Gear, is held fast in his hand. The moment he sees a bear Vanitas doesn't say anything. He just jumps right to it, blocking those massive claws with his Keyblade before attacking it with elemental magic.

One would think that, perhaps, Vanitas would just do enough to spook the thing off or finish it quickly. No... Vanitas is going to play with the thing before actually putting it down. ]


( Apiary Adventures: B )

[ Eventually, however, even that gets kind of old. If something isn't challenging, then it isn't going to hold Vanitas' attention for very long. So when offered to learn the bee-sleeping charm, he figures he might as well. Thus he can be found at some of the hives - sans some protection because he is something of a brat and doesn't think that he will need it - attempting to coax the insects to sleep.

Which he seems to have no difficulty doing. Vanitas is still unaware of the fact that, since he spends more time practicing healing magic than other schools of magic, that he still retains some calming effect on his person. Seems like the bees are also picking up on that. How convenient.

Though he now has a hive that's asleep and Vanitas looks puzzled over what to do next. ]

What now...

[ No one's told him what he should do next. ]



( Wilde: Some Trouble )

[ It's become something of a habit now, going out into the Wild when the Coven asks for some people to help out the refugees. Vanitas doesn't go because he wants to help people. He goes because he's so restless without some kind of goal or mission in mind. Since he doesn't have a personal one, he'll just work with what he's given. It's a great excuse to keep working on his healing arts and to beat down infected creatures and all it training.

Unfortunately, he's in a bit of a tough spot this time. While out clearing an area of infected wolves, Vanitas might have bitten off more than he can chew. There are more of them than he had anticipated. Several can be seen successfully dealt with, but there are a few more that remain.

One lunges and while Vanitas dodges, another leaps from the brush where it had been hiding. It knocks Vanitas to the ground. Before that powerful jaw can actually tear a chunk out Van, he shoves Void Gear into the beast's mouth. Now it's just a struggle to get control back. ]


( River Cleanup )

[ Periodically along the river over the course of the month, a creature not native to this world can be found picking up trash and whatever else. A closer inspection will show that the Flood does have a collar about its neck, denoting ownership of some kind. For the most part it seems content to ignore anyone nearby. Approaching it, however, will result in the Flood dropping whatever it has collected and trying to scratch whoever would think to get too close.

Not too far away is Vanitas. He's actually just sitting around, watching the Flood do its thing. No one said that Vanitas had to personally pick all that stuff up himself, right? So, really, he can just sit there and enjoy the weather while the Flood does all of the work.

Totally fair, right? ]



( Wildcard )

[ If nothing above works, then just either hit me up or throw something my way and I'll roll with whatever. ]

Comments

closed: Lavi

[darkcharge]

[ It had come up in conversation before. Ever since arriving here, Vanitas has been curious about the strangest things. Really it's an odd thing to pick up on, but a lot of people have things dangling from their ears. Vanitas doesn't really recall seeing much of that, if at all, until arriving here. What is the purpose? What function does it serve?

He might have expressed such a thought to Lavi idly at one point. And, of course, that Puca jumps on everything that he's given opportunity to. He had already suggested to Vanitas at one point that he should try growing his hair out - not something that Vanitas has quite been talked into yet. However it just means that Lavi is a horrible enabler when it comes to trying out something new.

That's the reason why Vanitas is out here with the much taller guy, walking along the city streets. And it's also why Vanitas has his arms crossed, looking skeptical. ]

Remind me again why I am letting you talk me into things.

closed: Emet-Selch

[darkcharge]

[ To say that there had been some underlying tension in the house last month would be an understatement. Things certainly have gone awry, even if Vanitas kind of has benefited from it. Apparently both Dark Knights had gotten into it with the old man and yet only one of them has really come out of it with their Bond intact.

Now to say that Vanitas is annoyed by how all this went down would also be something of an understatement. He is rather close with Mira, after all, and it doesn't sit well with him at all. However that doesn't necessarily mean that Vanitas can't understand how this has all come about. If anything, he does get it. Everyone kind of brought this on themselves in their own way...

However he's not going to let Emet-Selch dance around him either. Vanitas isn't responsible for anything here. So the first chance he gets to corner the old man? Oh he is going to take it. ]

I see you're up and about more often than face down on the ground these days.

[unsundered]

[Does it even count as underlying tension when it's that pervasive and ongoing? That's just regular tension. Overlying tension. And it's certainly still around.

Emet-Selch hadn't been deliberately avoiding anyone in the house. He'd slept a lot in the week after those mostly-unfortunate dreams, and his subsequent brief coma, but by now he was restored to as much energy as he was capable of possessing (which isn't much, to be honest). He'd even started spending ever more time away from the house entirely- but is loathe to actually move out completely, even if he's uncomfortable there. It was his house as much as anyone else's; he wasn't going to be chased from his territory, even if he didn't want it.

And so, he haunts the place just enough to keep the tension levels there.

So while he hadn't consciously avoided Vanitas, nor had he done anything to seek him out in those weeks following everything going... complicated. But running into him was inevitable, and he regards the kid with more than a hint of caution. Vanitas was close to Mira, and he had absolutely no doubt he would've been brought up to speed over what had happened. As for where he stood, well- Emet-Selch tended to assume the worst.]

Is that a note of relief I hear? Some appropriate concern over my health?

[No it's not. But his tone manages to be light, for all that his manner is guarded.]

But yes. As you've noticed, I'm much improved.

[So free and at ease to be rid of those troublesome Bonds.]

[darkcharge]

[ Honestly Emet-Selch's caution is understandable. The reality is, if it had been someone other than Vanitas? They might well have taken sides. Might have come running and scolding and trying to fix things. However, this is Vanitas. He has a different sort of perspective on things than most.

Sometimes the Ascian needs a reminder of that. Which is what he intends to do. After all, Vanitas isn't oblivious. He's always seen more of what's going on than perhaps some of the others in the house. ]

More like expressing relief that no one is going to break their back trying to heft you out of the way. Though I can't say I'm not exasperated by the events that have lead to your improvement.

[ Vanitas doesn't feel like dealing with Emet-Selch's guarded nature. While he's okay to not particularly hit the nail on the head too hard, he's not going to dance around the topic at hand this time. ]

Hate to say I told you so, but. [ A laugh. ] Actually, no. I don't hate saying it. I warned you. But then again... You're not the only one that got a warning either.

[ Implying that, yes, he knows what has happened. Although it also means that he had given a warning to Mira as well. Again, not really choosing sides. Not completely. ]

[unsundered]

[It's a laugh and a tone that gets an irritated look- which is probably to be expected. Though Vanitas' actual words come as something more of a surprise, having anticipated more, well... obvious side-taking.

It's not enough to keep the annoyance from his voice, though.]

Warned me of what, precisely? My reasons for severing those ties [For all that he hadn't been conscious to do the actual severing.] had nothing to do with any advice you provided. If you'd said something useful, I'm sure I would have remembered the event.

[His detachment towards this topic only lasts as long as it's never brought up, so it's... rather quickly that his tone slides towards the rude.]

[darkcharge]

[ Vanitas brushes off the rude tone. He's... Well he's come to expect it. Again is Vanitas not the same way? If he had been approached like this, then he'd also be a little snappish. The thing is that it is easier for him to deal with in the end anyway. ]

I told you that keeping it a secret wasn't a good idea. [ He raises a single brow. ] Pretty sure I also told you that you just need to cut someone off. You were the one that was stubborn and refused.

[ Then he tilts his head to the side with a mean smirk. ]

Wonder what changed.

[ Vanitas doesn't know every detail. Just that something had been said that hadn't been agreeable. He doesn't really care to know either. At the moment he's just being, well, Vanitas. Has to get a barb in there one way or another and see a reaction, if there is to be one. ]

[unsundered]

[And he'd come around to agreeing, in a limited sense, that keeping the information to himself hadn't been the best idea. While he still didn't give a particular damn as to the feelings of his lost Bonds (well, maybe half-a-damn towards Irhya), K'rihnn's response had left him with a most uncomfortable sense of guilt. That was worth avoiding in future, possibly.]

Telling them wouldn't have changed anything. [He waves it off anyway, not wanting to deal with it.] Or perhaps it would've hastened the inevitable result.

[What changed is certainly not anything he cares to discuss.]

And so your incredibly obvious advice went unheeded. Was there anything else you wished to remind me of?

[darkcharge]

[ He takes a moment to look at the Ascian. Part of Vanitas does wonder how much Emet-Selch actually does acknowledge. How much of it he still refuses to. It's not really Van judging him or anything. There's no room here for that and quite frankly Vanitas figures to each their own in the end - as long as it doesn't cause harm to what's his.

This entire situation is borderline, but again. They all did this to themselves. ]

The results might not have... But how they came about would have.

[ Which is neither here nor there. Vanitas isn't here to really tell the old man off about making different choices it's not his place to. However... ]

There is something I'm going to remind you of, yes. Don't forget that out of everyone in this house I know you, Hades. Maybe not the details or particulars of your life but I know what sort of person you are at the heart of everything.

[ That goes both ways, of course. There's been that silent acknowledgement, but nothing ever said outright. ]

You can fool them, but you're not about to fool me. I see through it just as clearly as you see through me. I didn't catch you to talk about how all of you were idiots or make you face anything. I'm not going to make threats or treat you any differently than I have.

[lostinshadows]

[It doesn't help that Lavi has a piercing of his own. Even through a tender rabbit ear. Just a small golden hoop at the end.

But the fact that Vanitas came to him about it suddenly made it more fun. Why is Vanitas letting him talk him into things?]

Why not? You were the one who wanted to see what having a piercing is like.

[Grin~]

[darkcharge]

[ Look. Imagine him asking some of the people that he's around. Emet-Selch definitely isn't going to entertain that sort of question! ...And Vanitas isn't going to just approach a random person. Unfortunately or fortunately, Lavi isn't a random person at this point. ]

No, I asked what was the point and you said I should try it and see.

[ That doesn't really answer why Van is going along with it though. ...Although he did go through with the last bit of advice Lavi gave him. Maybe he should reconsider? ]

If I don't like it, it's not permanent, right?

[unsundered]

[The use of his name gets his attention, but not a protest- primarily because Vanitas seemed to be using it seriously, and not to deliberately antagonize him. The words themselves get a narrowed look, and Emet-Selch wants to protest Vanitas knowing anything at all, to question the presumption of such a claim--

...But it was something he could, most grudgingly, recognize as true. Or at the least, that Vanitas understood him far more than any of those Warriors ever could. Not the fullness of his background, the entirety of his years, but as he said, those were ultimately details. And while they weren't the same person, they had more than a few core elements in common. If hard to acknowledge, it wasn't hard for the Ascian to recognize.

...How disdainful. To share commonality with a broken thing. But his level of ire holds steady, neither soothed nor provoked.]

So what did you catch me for, if not to tell me to play nicely with mine own murderers? If nothing's changed between us, then there's no reason for you to approach.

[He scoffs, tone derisive.]

Or has my distance from the others become a nuisance to you? Upset this mockery of a family dynamic that you've been playing at?

[darkcharge]

[ Oh he probably does hate the fact that he could share anything in common at all with Vanitas, given his state of being. A state of being, however, that Vanitas is correcting. Sure, it will take time, but it is something that is occurring. At the end of the day, he never had given up his ultimate goal.

Vanitas shakes his head, scoffing himself. This isn't the first time that Emet-Selch has done this. Once again, Vanitas, is going to have to correct that mindset. Rose is the one that brought up the similarities. Emet-Selch is the one that seems to constantly want to bring it up any time he can to mock Vanitas. It hadn't worked last time and it's not going to work this time. Just another deflection. ]

I think it's pretty funny that you are the one that keeps bringing up the "family dynamic." Don't really recall calling you "dad" or anything like that. No, that would have been you, stating things like "filial" anything when it had nothing to do with the conversation at hand and now even this. I've carried on with you as I always have. So, perhaps, are you the one that's upset about it?

[ If Emet-Selch wants to go there, Vanitas can. He just hasn't. ]

No, I caught you because you are the one overthinking all of this. There was a reason to approach when you have it in your head that everyone is against you when that's not the case.

[ Then after a moment: ]

This is your space too, after all.

[unsundered]

[Even were his soul made shiny and whole... it still wouldn't change Emet-Selch's opinion very far. Come back when you're properly immortal, kid.

But there seemed to be a certain misunderstanding involved there, which was an irritant, something he waves sharply off.]

I refer to it because that's how you all act, in your deluded state. Not precisely as a family, but 'tis a convenient shorthand for the artifice. Call it a pretension of friendliness and goodwill if you prefer, it makes no difference. Don't make more of it than it is.

[He very much does not want to go there.]

And perhaps you're not against me, by virtue of congenial indifference. As for the others....

[A tense shrug.]

They always will be. You could say I'm weary of pretending things are other than what they are.

[As for being told that this is his space as well, he only frowns. Of course it was his, for all that he didn't want it. He didn't need Vanitas to tell him that.]

[darkcharge]

[ Look... He's technically sort of died twice and he's still here. That's more than what Hades can say right now, right? ]

How can I act like it when I don't know how family dynamics work at all? Again, I am not the one sitting here, pretending that things are more or less than what they really are.

[ Old man, you're the one that had started to go there in the first place. While he may be close to Mira and gets along well with Irhya, he is still kind of a jerk. He's still abrasive. Still prone to violence and tearing things down instead of building anything up.

But whatever. He'll let it go. Vanitas just wonders what about the situation really has Hades all worked up - why he keeps bringing it up only to deflect it and retreat. ]

If you don't want me to tell you that you're stupid for thinking that, then you really shouldn't leave yourself open for it with comments like that. I am trying to stay out of it, but that's another thing that's really between you and them.

[ Vanitas rolls his eyes. ]

You say you're weary of pretending, but isn't that all you do? Play pretend? Which it is what it is. You can keep doing it for all I care.

[lostinshadows]

It's more of a 'firsthand experience' kind of deal.

[This is what happens when you entertain this redhaired bunny.]

It isn't. But it'll take a while for it to heal completely. You can just go without the piercing though if you don't like it in the end.

[darkcharge]

Is everything that's brought to your attention going to end up being an "experience?"

[ In other words, is Lavi a more hands on person rather than studying person. Vanitas is a little curious about it, because on one hand Lavi does seem like the type who wants to go out and live something out. However Vanitas has witnessed firsthand that the Puca spends a lot of time with his nose in a book too.

He sighs, frowning a little as they get closer to their destination. Not too far now. Though he'll also probably be asked if he wants some sort of enchantment placed on the thing no doubt. ]

I can already see myself fussing with it.

wilde: some trouble

[piromare]

( wolves. he doesn't bother counting how many he sees, but he follows them as if they are onto something. whatever has them enraged makes them ignore the harpy, who keeps his distance behind them as they charge through the foliage. hunting the hunters... it's been a while since lio's felt this heated up, hearing his heart beat in his ears.

one of the beasts leap up and pounce their target, a familiar form that has lio's eyes widen. there's no mistaking vanitas with his unique looking... weapon? it's a weapon, what else would he be carrying it around for? no way he's playing fetch, especially with these abominations.

so he does what he can. he may not have a weapon, but he has his feet and his fists. and with the former, he gives the wolf on top of vanitas a swift boot as hard as he can.

then, he holds out a hand. )

On your feet!

wilde

[lightblooming]

[ It's quite the opposite for Aqua. If she's given the opportunity to help out, she won't hesitate to do so. Thanks to her wings, she's able to scout various areas from above. With enough practice using her wings, she's become accustomed to taking flight and using that to her advantage.

And that's what she's doing when she spots Vanitas. It's not only the wolves that catch her eye, but the familiar messy black-colored hair.

She gives her wings a powerful flap, using her ice powers to quickly freeze those wolves in place before beginning to lower herself to where Vanitas was standing. ]

[darkcharge]

[ Biting jaws and dripping saliva that's starting to fall on his own face is not overly pleasant. He's busy trying to figure out how to get out of this without casting magic. Magic isn't going to help matters here.

Though he doesn't have to, does he? Because one moment there's a snarling beast trying to get at his throat and the next? The wolf yelps and howls at the force of the impact. It's knocked off and rejoins one of its pack, cautious at a new arrival.

Vanitas, however, doesn't hesitate to get the hand that's offered. ]

I'm going to hope you can fight without using fire.

[ Vanitas hefts his Keyblade up, taking a more defensive stance. Right now he's not going to question Lio's presence. ]

[darkcharge]

[ Just don't freeze Vanitas in the process! ...Honestly though. Ice powers are kind of cheating. The Coven doesn't really recommend magic being used save for healing. Thus Vanitas had been trying to refrain from using any magic. Hence how he's ended up in this situation.

The wolf on top of him jumps away to avoid the ice. It gives Vanitas an opportunity to scramble back to his feet. ]

Well look who is dropping in...

[lightblooming]

[ Aqua lands on her feet easily, her wings folding against her back. ]

It looks like you needed some help.

[ Though, that isn't something he'll ask for help with. She knows him enough for that. ]

[darkcharge]

So you thought you should be the one to offer said help.

[ No, he isn't the type to ask for help. Not with something like this. Not really from her either. However what's done is done and at this point it would be pretty stupid not to accepted it.

The wolves, however, seem to be regrouping. ]

[lightblooming]

I can't just leave someone alone if they're in danger.

[ And whether Vanitas wants to admit it or not, he was in trouble.

Aqua tenses up when the wolves start to prepare their next attack, flexing her wings a bit in preparation to fly once more. ]

I'll attack from above. You take care of them from here.

[darkcharge]

[ He'd argue about the being in danger part. There might have been a situation, but no way had he been in actual danger!

Vanitas scoffs, then just prepares himself. He takes his stance, ready to swing Void Gear once more. ]

Bait them towards my direction one by one.

[piromare]

Of course I can.

( he wouldn't have come out here equipped with something, and a thick branch seemed to be the most appropriate thing to take with him at the time--- self defense rather than offense. but now it's becoming very obvious to him that he's going to have to use it for more than just something to lean on.

one of the wolves to his side lunges, the shine of spittle trailing with an open maw catching his eye. lio drags the impromptu club up from his side and redirects the wolf, striking its underside and causing it to propel itself into another one of the growling animals. )

Might be more of a challenge without it.

( he waits, getting into a defensive position. )