[ 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

circus circus

[711]

[At least someone here is having fun. Suzaku spent the better part of his evening tailing Vanitas who, as far as he can tell, has been here far longer than himself. When evening rolls around, Suzaku finally makes his presence known.]

You seem like you're having fun. Have you ever been to a festival like this before?

[Suzaku had been to plenty as a child, but he has no interest in browsing the stalls and loading up on food. As far as he's concerned, this entire world is one big circus, and none of its resident clowns have gotten so much as a laugh out of him.]

[darkcharge]

[ He doesn't appreciate being followed. Vanitas has more or less figured out that someone is kind of stalkerish. He allows for it to continue for the time being. In the end he doesn't have to address the issue. Rather the stranger approaches him first. ]

Does it appear that way? [ With his flat expression and general avoidance of crowds when he can? ] This place holds festivals nearly every month.

[ With that said, Van takes a huge bite out of the mochi. ]

I've been to several so you'd better get used to the same.

[711]

[Get used to it? No, Suzaku thinks he won't. Getting unceremoniously dropped into a new world when he had important business to attend to and a certain demon emperor to slay hasn't settled well with Suzaku. If Vanitas is looking flat, Suzaku is looking downright sour.

There's mochi here too. This is downright insulting.]

I don't plan on staying here. You wouldn't happen to know how to leave, would you?

[No, asking a miscellany of strangers how to leave hasn't yielded any results, but Suzaku's not going to give up so easily, damn it.]

[darkcharge]

[ Oh he laughs at that. It's not kind either. ]

Who does plan on staying here? Do you think there would be this many people lingering and allowing for their more monstrous changes if anyone had the choice?

[ Obviously the answer is no. And obviously this guy just has a few dead brain cells or he'd have been able to figure it out. ]

[711]

[Wow. At least this little trash gremlin is honest with him. Everyone else Suzaku had (politely!!!) asked answered him with looks of pity and little else.]

I understand. [He does, dead brain cells and all.] There's no need to be rude.

[Disappointed as he looks, as he sounds, Suzaku shakes his head as if to dispel the notion that there's no way out of this place.]

There has to be a way out. If you're content to stay here, then you're free to, but I'm not.

[darkcharge]

If you'd use your brain for a moment then I wouldn't have to be sarcastic.

[ Which he doesn't see as rude, unfortunately. But hey. Messing with newcomers is entertaining in its own right. So don't mind him as he continues to snack. ]

Oh there's a way out.

[ In a way... ]

Though I'm not so inclined to share when you feel like you have to make an offhand comment about my feelings on the matter.

[711]

[Can he just? Pick this thing up and drop it into the nearest trash can??? Have a heart, Vanitas.

Suzaku restrains a sigh and crosses his arms.]

So you want me to beg? Is that it?

[Someone's been spending too much time with His Highness. These days, that never fails to put him in a bad mood.]

[darkcharge]

[ Wouldn't be the first time someone's thought of that. Though wow. Such an offensive statement about a heart...

Vanitas, for his part, doesn't really look all that entertained. At least not outwardly. ]

Beg? No, I don't really go for anything like that.

[ Nah. Not in this case. Maybe if it was a competition or uh. A death match? ]

[711]

[He's not trying to cater to a kink here, child. (Child? Yes, Vanitas certainly looks like one. It's the face, really.) Besides, if Suzaku isn't willing to beg at the heel of an emperor, this brat is no more worthy of the effort. Suzaku is reformed trash, he'll have you know. His boot-licking days are long over.]

Then what would you go for?

[Nothing strange, please. This hellish wonderland is strange enough.]

[darkcharge]

[ He's most certainly not a child, thank you! But it's fine. Vanitas merely hums in thought. Taking the remaining mochi he has, he just starts to juggle them. ]

An answer for an answer.

[ That's not too weird or strange! ]

[711]

[This child (manlet?) is coordinated enough to hold conversation while juggling mochi, of all things, which is something Suzaku makes note of. That, and he's rather built for his age, which suggests he might be something of a fighter.

He'll see, perhaps.]

Seeing as I've only just arrived here, I don't think there are many answers I can give you, but I can try.

[So stop sassing him for just a minute, please?!]

[darkcharge]

[ He has been a little bored and when given the opportunity to be a brat, Vanitas will take it every time. And what better way than this? He can't help it if he likes to be dramatic and show off at the same time. ]

Now now. The answer that I seek has nothing to do with your length of stay.

[ So don't worry! ]

What I want to know is pretty simple: What do you fear losing if you can't return?

[711]

[What is this, a riddle? Is there a right or wrong answer? Pardon Suzaku for snorting, he's just, you know, a little tired of getting jerked around left and right. He isn't in the mood for games.

So to that, he gives a very dramatic–]

Everything important to me.

[darkcharge]

Hmm. What a boring answer that is.

[ Which is likely the truth, but not in its entirety. There's always more to it than that. Vantias looks rather put out, all three mochi landing in one hand before throwing one into his mouth. ]

You could lose everything even if you return. Too bad the method to return is also something beyond your control.

[711]

[Of course there's more to it than that, but this brat isn't entitled to know it. Suzaku's eyes narrow.]

That's up for me to determine when I get home. [Not you, cheeky creature.] Are you going to tell me what you know or not?

[darkcharge]

Oooh. Such power you must have to be able to hold onto everything you hold dear while another loses it.

[ He is a cheeky creature. A very cheeky one at that. ]

Whatever the case, I just told you. It's beyond your control. One day you'll be here and the next? Poof.

[711]

[Very cheeky and a bit of a dick, yes. Is dealing with this creature karmic retribution for something? Probably.

Suzaku isn't in the mood to entertain his antics, so the bulk of what Vanitas says goes in one ear and is ushered out the other.]

And if you die?

[darkcharge]

[ Well. The conversation sure has turned into a different direction! Vanitas looks at the newcomer, grinning. ]

Are you thinking if you get yourself killed then you'll return? How would you go about it?

[ A laugh. ]

Go ahead and try it. See if that will work out for you.

[ He is curious. Vanitas hasn't met anyone that's died here just yet. ]

[711]

I wouldn't let someone like you do the honors, if that's what you're suggesting.

[Silly gremlin, that wouldn't be a very honorable death. More importantly, gone are the days where Suzaku considered death to be a good answer to his problems. He has no intention of dying, but he'll kick manlet ass all day to blow off some steam, and he suggests that much through the filthy look he gives Vanitas.]

If you want a fight, you'd need to keep magic out of it. I'm not interested in fighting you on an uneven playing field.

[So keep your little spiky anger baby out of this. Suzaku isn't a cat.]

[darkcharge]

Don't flatter yourself. If I was even remotely interested the aftermath would be too problematic t to deal with.

[ Unlike Suzaku, Vanitas actually does possess the ability to weigh the pros and cons of a situation and then determine a course of action. Killing someone that had just arrived? Yeah, that won't do. The lecture Vanitas would get just isn't worth it. ]

Though it seems to me that you are the one itching for a fight. Why is that? Can't find a healthier outlet for your anger and frustration? My my...

[ And just like that, he's actually behind Suzaku. ]

Unfortunately I don't fight unless I can go all out. There's no benefit in testing and breaking my limits if I handicap myself. So find someone else to beat bloody.

[711]

[He could, you know, bend Vanitas like a pretzel and call it a day maybe??? Maybe. Suzaku's angry, don't get him wrong, but he's not in the mood to render Vanitas a stain on the ground or test the limits of his strength. No, even Suzaku knows it's too dangerous to lash out when he doesn't know anything about his environment or opponent.

But that won't stop him from swiveling around and giving Vanitas one hell of a dirty look. Don't test him.]

Fair enough. I suppose you're out of useful information too?

[Not that Vanitas had any to begin with!!]

[darkcharge]

[ Oh Suzaku can try it. Won't be a good time for him if he does though. Vanitas, despite being slightly more pleasant now than when he has first arrived, is still rather volatile. His breezy demeanor and controlled expressions shouldn't be taken lightly. ]

Now what gave you that impression?

[ He grins, chomping down on that final treat. Believe it or not, he isn't an information hoarder. ]

You just haven't asked the right questions.

[711]

[A bit difficult to believe when Vanitas is this unreasonable and hard to work with, but please, don't go calling Suzaku a hypocrite. He looks past Vanitas' shoulder, considering leaving now before he really does get frustrated enough to try this boy.]

If you have reliable information you're willing to part with, I'll hear you out. I'm not interested in playing games with you.

[darkcharge]

[ If Suzaku thinks that this is "unreasonable" and "hard to work with" then ha. He doesn't really know anything. ]

I'm willing to part with just about anything. All you need but do is ask.

[ Too bad Van will keep some games. It's all he's got, really. ]

[711]

Then I'll ask you something simple. How long have you been here?

[Surely that isn't asking too much.]