middaeg | [ open ] When you light a candle...

Entry tags:

[ open ] When you light a candle...

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! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.

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.

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. ]

...

[ 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?

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! ]

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. ]

[ 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?

[ 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. ]

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.

[ 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. ]

[ 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. ]

,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?

[ 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. ]

[ 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?

Hmm?

[ Vanitas shrugs. Then gives a nod. ]

I try other things when I'm offered. There weren't... A lot of options where I'm from.

[ Thoughtfully, she glances upwards, her fingers pinching and fidgeting some of the wool she was holding. ]

Then...if I offered you some...would you try them?

[ And just like any wary stray, Vanitas does pause to look her over. Trying to see what her angle is. If there is benefit in believing her words. ]

...What would you get out of something like that?

[ His question..makes sense to her. She would have asked the same herself. That was just how things worked, even where she came from. ]

Someone to give me critiques on my cooking? I've been trying to work on it.

[ She gives a small shrug. ]

Still a no?

[ He's probably not a very good person to ask for this. Vanitas is still learning about the things that he likes and the things that he dislikes. Still very much learning how to exist and be rather than just something.

But he isn't going to discuss that. ]

I didn't refuse.

[ Because this could help him in this area, at least. ]

[ She wondered, from his answers, if he didn’t like to admit to certain things. But his response makes her smile in delight. ]

Thank you, Vanitas. I’ll do my best. I can at least promise they’ll be edible.

[ A response he still doesn't completely understand: people smiling at the simplest things. Vanitas just doesn't understand how his roundabout acceptance can be seen as something to bring delight? ]

At least they'll be edible? Is that where the bar is set?

Lowered expectations make for less disappointment.

[ Probably not something she should promote. ]

And if it does turn out good, won’t you be pleasantly surprised?

[ Van hears that first comment and actually bursts out laughing. That's not something he often hears with the people that he's around. ~~Emet-Selch doesn't count~~. To hear it from someone that would be so "kind" as to offer food...

It just strikes him as funny. ]

There's quite a bit of truth to that, yes.