[ 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

[sing_for_me]

Hmmm..Doesn't look like you're going anywhere anyway. Might as well keep them happy, right?

[ Squeezing through all the wool doesn't appear to be working either. Though that has Alex looking at the clippers she had in hand. Well, might as well go for two birds with one young boy.

She tests the waters, approaching one of the sheep and crouching by it. It doesn't seem bothered, too absorbed in trying to get the young man's attention. The merrow tries resting a hand on the wool next. Oh, still nothing? ]

Give me a few minutes. Maybe I can make you some room to push through.

[ Alex starts the clipping, snipping away as the sheep try to nudge at the boy. ]

Did you want a pair? Might go faster if we both go at it.

[darkcharge]

[ His cheek is going to have a permanent mark from all of the licking. Though another has taken to licking Van's hair - as if it doesn't stand up on its own without the additional help. ]

Augh. Just give them to me.

[ Van is reaching out to try to get the other set being offered. Because yes it better for the both of them to work on them. Even though Vanitas hadn't even given a thought to actually working on this task, it doesn't seem like he has much choice. ]

[sing_for_me]

[ She turns her face towards her shoulder, laughing a little at the sight of him reaching out from behind all that fluff. it was tempting to take a picture.

But she doesn't, handing the clippers to him. One of the sheep turns when it sees her hand. Alex stops, slowly letting go once he gets a hold of it. Slowly she pulls away, the sheep watching intensely until her hand is far enough from his. ]

Looks like they don't want to share.

[darkcharge]

[ Actually, he almost wants to take a picture of that expression. She's right. Somehow those sheep don't seem to keen about her. Oops?

Vanitas does, however, manage to grab the sheers. ]

Well who would? Can't you just tell that I have a stellar, award-winning personality?

[ He scoffs and starts to get in there to cut wool away from the first sheep. ]

Knew I should have stayed further away.

[sing_for_me]

[ Alex laugh is a lot louder than she intended. It felt good though, to laugh like that. ]

I'm glad you didn't. Otherwise, I'm not sure we would ever get to sheer these guys.

[ Now she wondered if there might be some similarities between him and the sheep themselves. Have a bite to them, but still soft. Would he get mad if she said that out loud? ]

What are you doing out here anyway? I'm guessing it wasn't to sheer sheep.

[darkcharge]

[ He raises a brow at the comment. Van figures he's not really being laughed at here though. So he let's that one slide. ]

It's not like their bite would hurt too much.

[ A good thing she doesn't say that out loud though. Vanitas has softened somewhat since his arrival. Oh he's still abrasive. Still something of a jerk. However he's gotten to where he can tolerate people. Maybe even carry on something of a civil conversation. ]

Augh I had no interest in taking their wool, no. It was just funny seeing everyone get nervous around them.

[sing_for_me]

It did look like you were enjoying yourself.

[ Laughing from a 'safe' distance and all. ]

I think they're enjoying your attention now though.

[ At least, the sheep was was working on looked quite pleased, bleating pleasantly while the others tried to push in and get their turn. ]

Are you this popular with other animals too?

[darkcharge]

[ Of course he had been. Vanitas has somewhat mellowed out because of his bond and better understanding of things... But he is still himself. Watching other people make fools of themselves is amusing to him. Just because he isn't evil per se doesn't necessarily make him a good person. ]

They're enjoying it entirely too much.

[ He says as another to his right licks his cheek. Even the one that Van is shearing gives him a soft headbutt. He pushes the face of the creature away. Let him just finish this! ]

To answer your question? Yes.

[ He can be just as popular to other animals, it's true. ]

[sing_for_me]

[ Alex can't help but giggle at the sight. It really was quite adorable. His disgust at the affection only made it more endearing. She places the clipped wool into the basket, moving on to the next one, facing him more from this position. ]

Then you must not be so bad after all.

[darkcharge]

[ Vanitas had just been grumbling right up until that last comment. Then he tenses, fingers on those shears completely stilled for a moment. Not be so bad... Obviously this person couldn't possibly know what kind of person Van really is. What he is at his core. Whole being bonded to literal sunshine and rainbows has mellowed his personality out, it doesn't change his origins at all. ]

I'm definitely not good either.

[ Don't be fooled. Vanitas could easily revert back if he so chooses. However there is something to be said for not being miserable and hateful all the time. That doesn't mean he likes people any better than he had in the past though. Only certain people are okay. ]

[sing_for_me]

That's a relief.

[ Another soft laugh. It was probably selfish to say, but she would always feel out of place amongst others she deemed as..too good for her to be around. She knows she's not pure evil, but she's no saint either. And..those were the people she felt most comfortable with. ]

But good enough for these sheep it seems.

[ She places even more wool into the basket, looking over at him with a small smile. ]

I know it wasn't your intention but, thanks for helping out.

[darkcharge]

Tch. Now that's something I didn't expect to hear.

[ Though he won't inquire further. While curious, Vanitas has no interest at this point in time in making someone explain themselves. Normally he might needle, but the sheep are the primary source of his annoyance. He's not particularly in the mood. ]

And they're sheep. Obviously they can't know what's best for them.

[ Or else they wouldn't be here with him. Or else they'd not confront those that want to shear them. That's something they need and feel better about...

Either way, Vanitas scoffs at the comment, but there's no real bite to his words nor is he mocking. ]

Suppose if I am going to be stuck here then I might as well make myself useful.

[sing_for_me]

They do say animals know if someone's a threat.

[ Even her own monster instincts haven't set off an alarm around him. Or maybe it was her soft spot for those that were younger. ]

Since you're stuck here and making yourself useful, do you want something to eat while you're at it? Ah, but you'll have to try and not get wool on it I guess.

[darkcharge]

So are you saying everyone that is trying to shear them is a threat?

[ Wow don't tell him that. He'll have some feelings about not setting off any alarms. Vanitas still should put people on edge. Just a little.

But why, then, is he being offered something to eat? ]

...Do you actually have anything?

[ He's like a stray cat. Motivated by food, actually. ]

[sing_for_me]

...

[ She pauses, looking at the clippers in her hand. ]

I mean...if someone came at me with sharp objects and trying to take my hair....I guess I would think so, huh.

[ She raises a brow at his next question. Was that a hint of interest in his tone? Veiled as it was with mockery. ]

Just some pastries from the bakery. But if you don't want any, I understand. Probably shouldn't accept food from a stranger, right?

[darkcharge]

I suppose... If it were my first time. Some of these creatures should be used to it by now, correct?

[ It's something that happens at least once a year. So it isn't as though the beasts are unaccustomed to someone coming at them like this. Something else much have them riled up, but Van wouldn't even be able to guess as to what.

Now it is also true that, perhaps, Vanitas should not take treats from strangers. But... ]

Who said that I wasn't interested?

[ If he's going to sit here and radiate calming energy he might as well be fed for it! ]

[sing_for_me]

Just because you get used to something, doesn't always mean you'll be okay with it.

[ Her gaze seems to go distant for a moment, but she quickly brings her focus back. Her eyes smile at his reaction, putting down the sheers to open her bag and pull out a wrapped package.

Holding it over the sheep, she presents a few pastries to him. ]

There's some different flavors--it would be better warm, but they should still be good--Ah! That's not for you!

[ Alex has to raise her arms higher as one of the sheep tries to shove its nose into the pastries. ]

[darkcharge]

[ Once again, Vanitas is a bit like a stray cat. The way to get into his good graces can very well be by feeding him. While he's not the sort to look like he enjoys sweets...

He's still reaching over the sheep and just about growling at them to get the pastries. ]

Being warm doesn't matter. What kinds of flavors?

[sing_for_me]

[ The growl makes them more hesitant, but they're still curious, gently nudging the underside of the wrapping. ]

Butter, chocolate, I believe there's still an apple one in there [ she might've eaten the other already ] and blueberry--Ahh you guys are going to make me drop them...!

[ Actually, that's probably the point. It was awkward holding the food out while kneeling too. Not the most stable of positions. ]

[darkcharge]

Hey. Cut that out.

[ Van shoves at a sheep and it finally gets the hint. ...He's snatching up a chocolate one. Apple might have been an option, but it's just not sweet enough.

But then he does notice that awkward position. Rolls his eyes. ]

Sit down already.

[sing_for_me]

[ The sheep let's out the saddest of bleats as it's shoved aside. Alex felt just a little bad for it.

On reflex, as soon as she's told to sit, she sits on her heels. Maybe a little too quickly. It was more comfortable though.

So he prefers the sweeter ones, huh? ]

I..realized I didn't ask for your name yet. I'm Alex.

[ The other sheep stop shoving, but they start to settle around him. ]

[darkcharge]

[ oh please don't feel sorry for the beast that had been about to devour your treats. Vanitas watches Alex fumble a little with sitting down. It's a bit of a strange reaction, but he's not liable to point it out or mock it at this time.

He's too busy taking a bite out of the pastry. Because he likes sweets and don't judge him.. ]

I didn't exactly ask for it either. [ He's not actively trying to be rude. Just stating a fact. ] Mine is Vanitas.

[ Which is not a nice name to have at all, but that's fine. ]

[sing_for_me]

,small>[ It's not a name she's hear of before that's for sure, but there were people named after guns where she was from so can she really say it's strange?

Watching him eat gave such a long forgotten but still satisfying feeling. It was also quite the sight seeing him nibble away while there were sheep laying all around him.

Alex wraps up the rest of the pastries in case one of the sheep decide to be sneaky, and goes back to clipping one of the sheep now that it was more relaxed. ]

Is chocolate your favorite flavor?

[darkcharge]

[ And there Vanitas sits. He's essentially bait isn't he? Just a tool to keep the sheep mild mannered and calm. Something to be utilized to help someone shear the sheep without any issues.

Normally he'd be pretty offended by this, but right now it is just what it is. Vanitas will just mind his pastry. ]

One of them I suppose. It's not as if I've tried everything.

[ He doesn't know the entirety of what he likes and what he doesn't. ]

[sing_for_me]

[ She gives a hum in response, clipping sway at the sheep. After a short pause, she peeks over at him. ]

Do...you want to try other things?