[ open ] Don’t worry if people think you’re crazy

[darkcharge]

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


( CIRQUE MYSTIQUE: 3rd-4th )

[ Vanitas had heard about this thing called a circus before. Of course he's never been to one before, like many things really. There are reasons for him not to go and he considers staying inside. However his curiosity soon gets the better of him and he soon finds himself in the midst of the things.

Once more Vanitas finds himself overwhelmed, as he normally is crowds, by the smell of food and the sounds of people selling wares. Vanitas is more interested in the food than the games, since after watching people play them for a while he figures they're rigged ( or maybe he mocks whoever tries to play them ). So he's walking around and watching the performances with mochi or dumplings in his mouth.

And at night? Vanitas watches the displays. Even he seems a little taken in by it all. Surprisingly. ]


( WONDROUS THINGS )

[ The pay is what draws him to this particular quest. Whisper Cloud reeds need harvested and for some reason the locals don't really seem to be interested. When Vanitas hears why, it is understandable. They tell secrets.

If he goes into an area alone it won't be a problem right? Not to mention Vanitas doesn't consider himself a person that has a bunch of secrets. Most things he's willing to speak on. So it'll be fine.

But it's so not fine. The moment that his fingers touch the fuzz, there are things murmured that he'd not been able to voice himself. Some of his inner thoughts and Vanitas draws back. ]

What a stupid enchantment. Wonder if it will still work if I chop the thing down...

[ And he looks like he's actually considering it! ]


( GATHERING SAMPLES )

[ There's a list of things that someone desires to get cuttings of. Vanitas is someone that more or less can be found roaming around the Wilde. So while he is out finding creatures to put down, he figures that he can do this little errand as well. It isn't as thought he is going out of his way now is it?

There are two things that Vanitas hopes to acquire: the branch from the Orapple tree and the root from the Silphin herb. The Orapple tree is pretty easy to find. Getting the branch? Also not too difficult. Vanitas scales the tree -

And is promptly attacked by a bird whose nest happened to be hidden in there. Vanitas bats at the thing, but ultimately falls out of the tree into a bush. ...Maybe no one will be around to see that? ]


( RUNAWAYS )

[ Here's the thing about the runaway kids. They are angry and sad and feeling so many negative emotions. What's good at sensing these emotions? Well at one time that would have been Vanitas himself. However his Food can. Vanitas thinks to use this to his advantage.

The creature scurries about in the Wilde and Vanitas can be seen following behind it. Void Gear is strapped to his back and visible for the moment. ]

Can't you hurry up? You should have been able to track at least one down by now. [ Snorts ] Worthless thing.


( FLOODS AND KITTENS )

[ Vanitas isn't fostering any kittens. But there are plenty of people that are! Be mindful that the kitten doesn't get too far away from you.

Vanitas' Flood might be scooping them up and running off with them. Where? Well who knows. Maybe it thinks to try to make a meal of them! ]


( A HAIRY SITUATION )

[ Now one of the things that Vanitas hadn't really thought about before had been something along the lines of haircuts. He's been here for a few months shy of a year and not once has he gotten his hair trimmed. In the past he's worn the mask and has never had to worry about it. Now though? It's starting to get in his face - in his eyes. He can't stand it!

Vanitas is in the middle of sparring - training, really - and he keeps having to blow it out of his eyes. He gets fut up and throws his weapon down on the ground, growling. Tugging his hair and just having a rightful fit of it. ]

STOP GETTING IN MY FACE!

[ It probably looks pretty amusing to anyone passing by. ]


( WILD CARD )

[ Nothing above tickle your fancy? Feel like doing something else with Vanitas? This is where you can do whatever. Need an idea? Hit me up! Van can also be found in the Coven library and out in the Wilde either offering healing services ( for practice only!!! ) and smacking creatures around. ]

Comments

[darkcharge]

I don't see what the big deal is. They're just out here to prove something.

[ That's something that Vanitas can all too well relate to. But the Flood soon runs off further into the Wilde. Where the trees are more dense. Maybe it's picking up on something like fear? Hard to tell without the connection to the creature that Vanitas once had.

But is it because the child is in over their head? Or did they just get lost along the way and are crying, hidden away?

Suppose they are about to find out. ]

[loverboi]

Because they might get seriously hurt if we don't stop them!

[ he doesn't even want to think about these kids getting killed, so he'll stop there. the trees are getting larger, taller too; lance doesn't have a good feeling about this. he narrows his eyes a little, following the creature that's run off into the Wilde. ]

...What is that, anyway?

[ he points to the Flood. ]

[darkcharge]

Then those are just more lessons for them to learn from.

[ Though he is still out here looking isn't he? Still going to drag them back home despite all this. brats should be thankful to even have a home. People to care about them. People are cruel and are going to say things even if they do prove how strong they really are out here. ]

As for that... It's an Unversed.

[ Because that explains everything! ]

[loverboi]

[ well, as long as vanitas doesn't just up and leave, lance supposes he'll have to deal with this. he sighs a little. geez... cheer up a little, he wants to say, but decides to bite his tongue (for once).

at his explanation though, lance raises an eyebrow. ]

And an Unversed is...?

[darkcharge]

[ Van clicks his tongue against his teeth. He's not really going to just clam up. There's hardly a point. ]

A creature created from my irritation.

[ Nothing more. Nothing less. It is what it is. And what there also is? Howling in the distance. ]

[loverboi]

...You know, somehow that doesn't surprise me.

[ lance. please.

moving on though, he hears that howling, and lance turns the source. ]

Alright, we're on the right track. [ he'll start heading in that direction, then. ]

[darkcharge]

You should consider yourself lucky that the Flood is the only one here.

[ As he can create quite the array of nasty little beasties. Vanitas isn't overly fond of the Unversed really.

Vanitas pauses. Seems like the Flood is heading in that direction. So it had been on the correct path all along. ]

I'd pick up the pace if you're so concerned for the well being of any child.

[ While he isn't, Vanitas is going to speed up. There is a clearing up ahead and the howling is only getting louder. ]

[loverboi]

What's that supposed to mean?

[ he couldn't be raising his eyebrow any higher. but more important things need to be attended to, like the children. also, vanitas is speeding up and no way is lance going to be left behind, so he speeds up, too. the howling is louder and lance actually starts a light jog, keeping his eyes peeled for any signs of the kids...

in the near distance, there's a tail swooshing from behind a tree. could that be one of the children? ]

Hey look, over there!

[darkcharge]

[ Looks like Vanitas isn't going to get to answer that question! It's far too important to get tot he kids, right? Or at least a kid because wow they weren't told how many are out here. ]

I see it.

[ Van has his Keyblade out and ready, just in case it is troubel rather than a missing child. Probably going to be for the best since, well, it isn't going to be. It is, however, the source of the howling.

A wolf. Which means there may be more. ]

sorry this is so late!

[loverboi]

Alright, easy now...

[ he inches towards the wolf, and he sees the tail shaking. there's the faint sound of sniffling, too, and when he approaches -- ]

Hey, buddy. You okay?

[ it is, indeed, one of the kids. the young boy looks up at him with watery eyes and nods, clinging to lance's leg. he's afraid.

lance turns back to vanitas. ]

The others might be nearby. Can you send your friend out again to track them?

it's all good!

[darkcharge]

[ The Flood had brought them to one of the kids. Probably just feeding off of all that fear and nervous energy. Vanitas watches Lance with the kid. He doesn't approach, of course. No idea how to handle kids over here. ]

Yeah. If they are all as scared as this one is, it will be easy.

[ Van gives a nod to the Flood and the creature takes off further into the woods. ]

[loverboi]

Normally I'd hope that they aren't, buuuut...

[ it's better that they're scared for a number of reasons, really. but lance can handle the kid. the wolf boy is so scared that he's willing to cling to safety, and safety is, well, lance. so he has the boy's hand in his and he falls to vanitas' side. ]

Alright, ready to go. Let's follow that thing.

[darkcharge]

[ He clicks his tongue. ]

Don't you think you might need to head back with that one? No sense putting the kid in potential danger.

[ Though Vanitas is sure that nothing would happen. He just... Doesn't know how to deal with kids. Especially scared ones. With a huff, he picks up the pace. The Flood doesn't get too far ahead and he considers for a moment that maybe he should put some sort of tracking spell on the thing.

He knows when they are close though. The Flood is practically vibrating and twitching. However this child? Seems to have been caught up in a mess. As in caught in a tree, tangled up in vines. ]

[loverboi]

And leave you to deal with the rest? No way.

[ unfortunately, he has Doubts about vanitas being good with kids, so he's sticking around. ]

I'll keep him safe.

[ he sounds pretty sure of it when he says it, too. he hangs onto the boy's hand as he follows vanitas and the flood to the next child...

...who's tangled up in vines. shit. ]

Oh, great. ... So, what's the plan?

sorry. was not in good place this week

[darkcharge]

[ lance is right. Vanitas isn't really good with kids. Honestly he prefers setting terror into their hearts. That's kind of a given though, considering how he put back together his own heart. ]

Suit yourself...

[ Looking up at the kid, however, Vanitas has an idea. ]

Cut him down. Cast a small winds spell to break the kid's fall.

[ Sounds reasonable at least. ]

i hope you're feeling better <3

[loverboi]

[ lance has his lance(haha) with him hoisted onto his back, thankfully. ]

That's -- [ not gonna work is his instinctual reaction, just because it's vanitas, but... ] not a bad idea. Uh...here.

[ he grabs onto his lance and looks over at vanitas. ]

I'll cut the vines, you do the wind spell. Sounds good?

i think i will after a real vacation

[darkcharge]

[ He clicks his tongue against his teeth, waiting. Honestly Vanitas expects Lance to say something like it is a bad idea. Thus color him surprised when that isn't what happens.

So instead he sizes up the lance, wondering about the other guy's skill. ]

Sure. Just don't slice up the kid in the process.

[ is he serious or joking? Could be hard to tell! ]

[loverboi]

Of course not!

[ he says it with so much insistence, because of course he won't -- but a part of him is worried that he might harm the kid on accident. but sylvain taught him well. he's got this.

he takes in a deep breath and holds out his lance. he points it at the child's feet and swipes. the kid is shaking with fear...but the vine is cut in half. lance can't help but look surprised at this, but he does it again and again, going vine by vine. then, on the last two that are holding the child up, he turns towards vanitas -- ]

Get ready!

[ and he slices into those two, freeing the child. ]

[darkcharge]

[ Man that kid is scared. The Flood at their heels is practically twitching and shaking. It's picking up on all that fear and is getting excited.

Vanitas, on the other hand, merely watches. He's already prepared to cast a spell. ]

Got it.

[ The child yells as they fall. Though Van does cast a puff of wind to catch the little creature. It's actually a bit harder than he anticipated, but he does manage to successful bring the kid down to the ground safely. ]

[loverboi]

Nice one!

[ seriously, nice. that's a compliment. look at them, getting along (??) ! the kid is terrified and lance walks over to her, putting a hand on her shoulder. he takes a moment to reassure her that they're here to rescue her, and once he mentions that, he walks back over to vanitas. the wolf boy's holding onto lance's hand while this other girl is latching onto his leg. ]

Alright, mind sending your buddy out to see if there're any more? Or did we get them all?

[darkcharge]

[ Kids must like Lance. Vanit as has no problems with this. Being touched by people he doesn't really know, much less kids, isn't really something that would settle well. ]

There's more, but we're not the only ones looking.

[ He looks at the two brats who are clinging to the other. They do look scared even now. ]

Probably should take these ones back. If we keep gathering more it will be harder to keep them safe.

[loverboi]

Yeah, good point.

[ look at them, cooperating. though...there's one slight problem. ]

...Uh, your buddy can lead us back to where we started, right?

[ please say yes-- ]

[darkcharge]

Huh?

[ Yeah. Look at all of this cooperation. He does, however, give Lance a flat look. ]

Of course it can. Even if it couldn't, I could.

[ He's been out here a lot. Vanitas can navigate pretty well. ]

wanna wrap up here? :D

[loverboi]

Okay, okay! Fine.

[ he steps back, moving behind vanitas and the flood. ]

Lead the way, then.

sounds like a plan. can torment lance more this month anyway

[darkcharge]

[ He'd feel bad for being snippy, but wait. Vanitas isn't really the kind of guy that feels bad about that sort of thing. Stupid questions lead to irritated answers. BUT EITHER WAY... They are going to start heading back the way that they came. ]

This would be easier if I had access to a Corridor.

[ Grumble grumble complain. It might take a bit on foot, but eventually they will make their way back to the city with eager parents crying out in relief to see their children safe. ]