[ open ] When you light a candle...

[darkcharge]

Who: Vanitas + Open
When: All Iuneril
Where: Various
What: Open Quest Prompts + Closed Prompts | Hit me up at jardaan if you'd like!
Warnings: TBD



( On Fleece )

[ This isn't the first time there's been something going on with the sheep, right? Well the first time Vanitas hadn't been all that interested. Honestly he's not all that interested this time either. However, the reports of sheep with fangs has sort of piqued his interested. The only reason that Vanitas is there is to poke some fun at people. He has no intention of actually helping. So that's what he does. He'll see someone intimidated by one of the wooly beasts and then he jeers. Vanitas mocks and teases. Because that is the sort of person that he is. Who could possibly be afraid of these things?

Of course the tables turn a little, don't they? While Vanitas doesn't help anyone out - not one bit - he seems to have his own following of sheep after some time. They eventually block Vanitas in and he shoves at them. He's not nervous about their forward attitude. ]

Go away! [ Oh they aren't budging. ] Come on! Get lost!

[ The sheep aren't going anywhere. In the process of Vanitas trying to get them to go away, one licks his cheek instead. ]

Augh! Gross!

[ He might have forgotten about the fact that animals like his aura, okay? ]


( Berry Picking )

[ Seems like all of the bakeries are wanting these iunerberries. It feels like pretty tedious work, so Vanitas doesn't really take any interest in it at all. However, when one of the shops is offering double? That is when he takes notice. How hard can it be to pick some berries and get some money for it, after all?

Hence he is out in the fields, with what feels like a bunch of people. Vanitas' basket is coming along fairly well, but he is trying to keep to himself. There are a few people that Van can get on okay with, but for the most part groups still annoy him.

Come bother him? All he's doing is plucking berries. One in particular catches his eye. Just what do these iunerberries taste like? ]


( Candle Crafts )

[ After Irhya drags him to this activity the first time, Vanitas will stop by now and then. How many people have told him that he needs to find a hobby? Thancred sure seems to have been encouraging it. Vanitas would prefer to do something other than create candles for a holiday that he knows nothing about nor cares to but whatever.

He doesn't take to carving anything or designing. Vanitas is pretty content with just the pouring aspect. The staff teaching those that are wanting to learn are used to this, but are trying to coerce Van into learning how to design as well.

The look on his face is one of disgust. ]


( Silent Forest )

[ Vanitas is going to be going out each and every time an infusion is requested. Each and every time he's going to say this: ]

I don't need any help. I'm perfectly capable of protecting myself. Go find someone else.

[ At least that's what his response is to anyone that approaches him. Yet in the end that isn't going to work, is it? In the end someone is going to be stubborn enough to work through his prickly exterior and come along with him, huh? Thus here he is, in the company of someone that he never asked for, walking through the forest. ]

The leyline should be somewhere around here. Let's just get this done and go.


( Wildcard )

[ As always, I am open to any and all ideas. If none of the prompts tickle your fancy, just throw something my way and I'll roll with whatever. Or just get with me and we can do something else! ]

Comments

[darkcharge]

[ He actually gives a huff of a laugh at the comment. No, the wound isn't that bad at all really. ]

Pretty sure that we've both had much worse.

[ But that's not really the point. The point here is that it doesn't have to just linger. Besides... Who knows what the sight of blood would do to the sheep. Or what weird infections one could get. Nah. Vanitas would just prefer to deal with it now rather than later.

So with one hand he holds Lio's arm. The other hovers over the bite. This is something he can handle with his level of healing magic. So that's what he does.

Of course it probably makes the sheep even more mellow now. Oops? ]

[piromare]

( it's not just the sheep that grow even calmer, to the point of lethargy, but as lio watches with genuine interest his eyelids start to flutter. his wings droop, and his breathing gradually slows down. though the healing spell is clearly working, the puncture marks starting to mend, lio feels a soothing warmth pulse throughout his body. a drowsiness settles on him next, and he leans forward as he closes his eyes. )

... not sure if I should make it a point to get hurt more often, if it's going to feel like this.

( his mumbling is quieted by a sheep that has now settled in front of him, and lio finds it to be a suitable place to rest as his arm goes limp in van's hand. )

[darkcharge]

[ Hey! That's not how this is supposed to work! Or, rather, it hadn't been his intention at all to add a bird to his growing collection of sheep. At least this confirms one thing for Vanitas: it's the healing magic that is making the animals of this world feel more relaxed around him. Thus to remedy it all he'd have to do is stop using healing magics altogether.

...Yeah that's probably not going to happen since he's pretty sure that he's the only one in the household that has even bothered to learn. So Vanitas needs to become proficient. He needs to master this. Van is going to have to find a way to deal with the after affects, though Lio's reaction has him huffing, embarrassed. ]

Who says that I'd even do anything about it the next time you got hurt? If you want to be that reckless, see how far it gets you.

[ He's only a little flustered about it, okay? Animals are one thing. They can't make comments like that! ]

[piromare]

( if van hates smiling, then there's no way he'll be able to deal with lio's next laugh: bright and cheery, maybe the first time he's had a chance to... ever? there were no laughing matters when it came to his survival, every moment was fraught with danger, and so lio had very few times to reflect on anything.

this happens to be one of the very few times. )

You wouldn't leave me hurt, would you?

( the napping sheep in front of him is his next and last shearing opportunity. he'll make this one the best one yet. )

[darkcharge]

[ Vanitas only gets upset if the laughing is aimed at him. Right now he isn't sure what this laughter is for. Is it at his expense? His ears are burning slightly from it. He's somewhere between irritated, confused, and embarrassed. ]

Do you want to find out?

[ Probably not, no. Van doesn't exactly take to many people. But the ones that he does? Well... What's his is his. End of story. ]

[piromare]

In a way, yeah. But I also don't want to be in that kind of position.

( the kind of position where vanitas might have to worry about lio's health, something more life threatening than a bite from a defensive sheep. he wouldn't want van to take any risks on his behalf. he'd feel guilty.

but also, if he were to be injured and van didn't care... that might hurt more. not just physically, too. )

I'm glad you were here. It made this a lot easier.

( that and the company's nice. the sheep is putty in lio's hands. )

[darkcharge]

[ This is why Vanitas gets ruffled when there are people trying to tell him that he is not as bad as he seems. Yes, he really is. Just because he's capable of being decent doesn't change the fact that he still chooses when to be. Fortunately in Lio's case, he does choose to be. ]

You mean so you can take advantage of the fact the sheep aren't intimidated by me.

[ Van knows full and well that he also means the company. He just doesn't know how to respond properly to that. ]

[piromare]

Of course. I don't think they'd react very well if it was just me. Surely there have been sheep that have been preyed upon by other monsters... or possibly a Shade.

( even though lio probably doesn't look that intimidating, that's all in the eye of the beholder. as he finally finishes the last animal, he pushes the pile of wool off to the side though he stays seated next to vanitas. )

But you can't say I didn't save you, either. You might've never been able to escape that crowd of sheep without me.

( his wings idly flutter; a sign of contentment. )

[darkcharge]

[ Upon first glance? No, Vanitas would not have thought that Lip could be dangerous. However he has seen how reckless and headstrong the other can be. There are a lot of those types around here. ]

Perhaps. I would think that being attacked by a Monster or Shade is a rather common occurrence.

[ He glances over as Lio pushes the wool away and takes a seat. Save him? That merits a laugh. Okay there could be something there. ]

Ever stop and think you might have just saved them from me?

[piromare]

If that were the case, then I saved them in the nick of time.

( lio smirks, pulling his knees up to his chest. his wings folded closer, imitating a feathery cloak as he rested his chin on top of his kneecaps. )

Or, they might've licked you to death. That'd be a sad way to go.

( he chuckles to himself. ) But I doubt you would've killed them for no reason. You were here to do a job, too. Right?

[darkcharge]

[ Vanitas makes a face at the phrase "licked to death." ]

That would be a stupid way to go.

[ He clicks his tongue against his teeth. It's actually pretty easy to fall into conversation with Lio. Again, Van wonders how he has gotten to this point. For the last eight months that he's been here... Can one really change that much? ]

I wasn't here to help. Just to make fun of people running away from the fangs.

[piromare]

Sad and stupid. ( a correction, said with a smile. ) But I wouldn't judge.

( lio might judge. maybe it's because he expects van to be strong, to not take things sitting down? even if it's sheep of the big toothed variety! )

Oh, is that why? ( an eyebrow raise follows, as lio blinks a few times. ) Good thing no one was here to make fun of you.

( not for running, obviously, but for being a real sheep magnet. lio certainly wouldn't. )

You see a lot of people losing their nerve?

[darkcharge]

You'll judge.

[ Because to be honest, Vanitas would judge too. Not just himself, but anyone really. Getting taken down by sheep of all things is just laughable.

He does give an indignant huff at being called out. Yes, it really is a good thing that no one had been around to see this. None save Lio, that is. ]

Anyway. Some did, yes. I saw one person throw the shears in the air and run off.

[piromare]

( he snorts! )

Well, I hope they didn't hit anyone with them. Maybe if they weren't so intimidated by a few sheep.

( lio quietly rubs the spot where he got bitten. a reminder that even the softest can be dangerous. looks can be deceiving... etc. )

Did you laugh at them?

[darkcharge]

It's really not just a few sheep in the end now is it?

[ There's a chuckle. A rather dark chuckle at that. Looks can be deceiving indeed. ]

Of course I laughed. How could I not?

[piromare]

( nope, he can't hold back another laugh. )

No, but they could try harder. There are more dangerous things out there.

( and now lio shakes his head, still amused. )

You're horrible. ( not really. ) You could stand to be more sympathetic. ( again, not really. )

[darkcharge]

There are, yes. Have you even encountered Shades yet?

[ Vanitas hates them. They aren't all that "fun" to deal with. However his expression falls into an easy smirk. At least Lio finds him humorous. ]

Horrible? Yes. [ A chuckle. ] Be more sympathetic? Nah... That's not me.

[piromare]

No, but I'm sure that I can get away quickly if I need to.

( though he would rather run one through with a sword, or any weapon that he could get his hands on. )

It's not. ( a pause, before he smiles. ) You're great the way you are.

( standing up, lio cranes his neck before stretching up and out, then goes to touch his toes. )

How long are you planning to stay here?

[darkcharge]

They really like to mess with your head.

[ The scar on his lip is proof enough of that. Someone had been semi possessed and Vanitas has encouraged them to release their anger.

He'd comment on it, but Lio's next words make him pause. Vanitas tenses up and stares at Lio. Lio is perhaps only the third person to have actually come out and said something like this. Others likely feel this way, but hardly do they vocalize it. ]

I. Uh. Not too much longer.

[piromare]

Do they? ( the harpy shrugs, rolls his shoulders. ) I'm not too worried. My head's been messed around with before.

( but he doesn't want to go any further with that, instead focused on how tense van suddenly looks. )

I'd offer to fly you somewhere, but I don't know if I have the strength to do it yet.

[darkcharge]

I would say it is more that their feelings and emotions are forced upon you.

[ Not that this really works with Vanitas. He is negativity personified after all. ]

...So you've been working on your wings?

[ Good deflection, Lio. ]

[piromare]

( he frowns, but it's short lived. the idea of having to shoulder someone else's feelings and emotions? it's not like he hasn't done that before, but lio doesn't assume it's the same thing in the slightest. )

I have. ( a smirk! ) How else will I be able to swoop down and catch you off-guard if I can't get used to going fast?

[darkcharge]

[ Shouldering another's burdens is also kind of different than having them be forced upon you. In one case, someone is asking to also be a part of your suffering. In the other? There's no choice in the matter. ]

I think you might have to work a little harder to be able to pick me up.

[ Amused! He's not really a lightweight with all of that muscle mass. ]

[piromare]

( he's taken aback, squinting as hard and as narrowly as he can. )

Really, Vanitas? Then you really better watch out, or you'll find yourself up in my clutches up in the air, and you'll have to hope I did do all that work.

( but he'd never, ever put van in danger. no, not just because lio couldn't imagine himself harming anyone that didn't deserve it, but because... he wouldn't hurt a friend like that. )

[darkcharge]

[ Of course Vanitas is just grinning, a smirk, in return. ]

I still welcome you to try, Lio. Sweep me off my feet.

[ Then he's laughing. Something light-hearted rather than condescending. But he doesn't think Lio would do something that would put them at risk. Although a little risk will be fine. Slight threat of danger is exciting. ]

You look like you're getting used to your new form at any rate.