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

Entry tags:

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

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. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ 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?

[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.

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.

[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?

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.

[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?

[ 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. ]

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.]

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.

[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!!]

[ 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.

[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.

[ 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. ]

Edited 2020-07-09 20:35 (UTC)

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

[Surely that isn't asking too much.]

[ Nope. Not asking too much at all! ]

Nine months, give or take.

[ So, for a while. ]

That explains a lot. [Like why Vanitas acts like such a baby, not that Suzaku has any room to talk.] I appreciate you being forthright with me. If you've been here this long, then you must be accustomed to living here.

[Hence Suzaku's desire to... not get into a fight with this brat. Not yet. The desire to kick his butt clear out of sight is still strong, but he'll save the impromptu beatings for Lelouch whenever they're talking again.]

I have no reason to be deceitful. So why wouldn't I be forthright?

[ Vanitas releases a laugh at that. Funny that everyone seems to think that he is the lying sort. Or that he has something to gain by not speaking truth. ]

So yes. I'm somewhat used to living here now.

[It's the attitude, really. Suzaku's quick to clarify, shaking his head slowly–]

I'm not accusing you of lying. What I'm saying is that I appreciate you giving me an answer without making me work for it first.

[So Vanitas is exceedingly childish rather than a filthy liar, maybe. If that's the worst of it, then Suzaku can deal with him.]

I don't suppose I'll have to pay a high price for your name, will I?

[ That clarification just makes Vanitas shrug. ]

I told you that all you had to do was ask the right question.

[ Additionally... There's no "price" for his name. He'd have given that out eventually anyway. ]

My name is Vanitas.

[Please. Suzaku manages not to roll his eyes, but he strongly considers it.]

Vanitas? It's nice to meet you. [Is it really...] I'm Suzaku.

If we meet again in the future, I'll be sure to bring the right questions with me.

Suzaku. [ A slight laugh. ] It's fine to not to think of meeting me as "nice."

[ He knows he isn't overly pleasant, all right? And honestly he's fine with that. ]

Though I can't tell if that's quite sarcasm or not...

[Ah, well. Sarcasm isn't quite what Suzaku would call it, but truthfully, he wasn't entirely serious. He can hope that, should he run into Vanitas again, he'll be something resembling pleasant, but Suzaku isn't counting on it.]

It doesn't matter if you're nice or not. [Suzaku would prefer if Vanitas were, but he isn't bothered.] You don't seem like the type to cause problems for the sake of causing problems. That's all I meant.

Some would very much disagree. And it wouldn't be the first that I've been scolded, not that it has yet to rub off on me.

[ Though he does consider what this Suzaku says. Cause problems for the sake of causing problems? Eh... That's not entirely incorrect. Not entirely correct either. If it suited Vanitas to, if it meant that he would gain something from it? Then perhaps he might. ]

I guess you're entitled to your opinions.

Believe whatever you will.

[Entitled to his opinions just about sums it up. Suzaku will keep the rest of those opinions to himself– he's lingered here too long, wasted time on idle conversation that could've been spent searching for a way out. It's about time he leaves and burns the rest of his evening on other fruitless endeavors.]

You were in the middle of enjoying this festival, weren't you? I'll leave you to it. [But allow him to make a suggestion before he heads out. Suzaku points a finger in the direction of a rickety booth adorned with stylized octopuses.] They're selling takoyaki over there. If you like this sort of food, then I suggest you give it a try.

Takoyaki...

[ Vanitas looks over towards the stand. Funny how his demeanor changes somewhat when the topic of food is brought up. Just like a stray cat indeed, motivated by food. ]

What is it?

(no subject)

711 - 2020-07-26 17:46 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

darkcharge - 2020-07-28 23:11 (UTC) - Expand

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only