[ 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]

Not necessarily. Ninety percent of the time you're completely aware of how you're presenting yourself and if someone catches you otherwise? It's likely planned.

[ Vanitas just figures he'd point that out. Save for when the Ascian had been recovering, there are many things that are pre-planned or staged. If it wasn't a real eye, he doubts he would have seen it off anyway...

He moves on from that, also understanding the aversion to having someone use spells on their person. ]

...And what of a magitek eye or something?

[unsundered]

[It's an argument that gets a shrug of acknowledgement. Though Vanitas had seen him immediately after being tortured; if it were detachable, surely it would've come off at some point during that whole... experience. Small mercies that it wasn't cut off anyway... useless as it was now, and far less sensitive in general than any normal eye, getting it sliced into had been bad enough. Emet-Selch somehow avoids wincing at the idea of it being snipped away in its entirety.

Vanitas' continuation was a welcome distraction from his imagination.]

Does anything that small and complicated even exist here?

[Granted... with conjuration, he wondered if he might eventually be able to construct something usable himself. He wasn't exactly unfamiliar with magitek.]

[darkcharge]

[ Someone is going to have to tell the old man that he needs a less vivid imagination. Even Van might cringe at some of those thoughts. Just a little. ]

Honestly I'm not sure. It's not like I venture into many shops.

[ A shrug, but then Van does smirk a little. ]

Are you saying you wouldn't be able to come up with something yourself? As old and as skilled as you are?

[ He has no idea about what sorts of things Emet-Selch had been into prior to the collapse of his own civilization. Still... Someone that is talented in magic - or whose existence sort of circled around it - could come up with some salvageable idea? ]

[unsundered]

[A bit of eye snipping is hardly the worst thing he considers in a day.]

Don't you? I would've thought you a habit for sticking yourself in places unwanted... which would surely encompass most locations.

[An irritable comment that serves as a delay as he considers Vanitas' taunt/question.]

And yes, I no doubt could, between what's made available to me here in addition to what I could conjure myself. The question becomes then- is it worth my effort to bother? I've lived with a lone eye before.

[darkcharge]

[ The comment makes Vantias chuckle. It's true, in a way. Vanitas does have a habit of showing up where he isn't really wanted. Though the statement also implies that he isn't wanted just about anywhere, does it? Eh... He'll let it slide. ]

I would think it'd be worth it. If it were me, I wouldn't like the idea of potentially being blindsided by an attack or something else.

[ A shrug. ]

Or maybe you're just that relaxed being here that you don't see it that way.

[unsundered]

[That certainly was the intended implication, and Emet-Selch huffs, both at Vanitas' own comment, and that he didn't take the bait.]

Perhaps you require two eyes to successfully note what's around you. An understandable limitation. 'Tis no surprise you can hardly imagine ever making do with one.

[But in the end he only shrugs; though he wouldn't have chosen to become half-blinded, he wasn't overly troubled by the injury in itself.]

That I should only witness darkness on one side- is not the worst of fates to bear.

[darkcharge]

No, I just find it foolish to make due with one when there's the potential to have something close to both.

[ A shrug and no he's not biting here either. Honestly Vanitas just thinks it's sensible. Nothing more. ]

Your choice in the end. It was just a thought.

[ Though they still sort of bicker regardless huh? That's just how they communicate. Ha. ]

[unsundered]

[And in the end he just sighs. Bickering is how they showed concern, probably.]

Yes, yes, your opinion is duly noted. [And just as clearly waved off with a flick of one wrist.] And as fascinating a topic as I am, none of this serves to explain why you, with your fine two eyes, were caught shouting at things naught apparent to either of us.

[darkcharge]

[ Damn. Vanitas sort of had hoped that maybe the shift in topic would have put that thought out of the other's mind. He knows better, in a way. Yet it was worth it to try. ]

It's nothing so fascinating. Honestly it's not even worth talking about.

[ Which will do nothing to deter the Ascian, huh? ]

[unsundered]

[Hope does spring eternal... unfortunately.]

You do realize that just playing coy about it does you no favors?

[That is, it's much faster to just tell the Ascian everything so he can get on with mocking it, and everyone can move on with their day.]

[darkcharge]

[ Vanitas shoots Emet-Selch a glare. Yeah, he knows that. He knows that it won't do him any favors, but it really isn't important. It isn't even really worth anyone's time.

Yet Vanitas grumbles, pushing the hair back out of his face. ]

It's this. Dealing with this [ A gesture to his head. ] is what is giving me an issue.

[ Which it hadn't been before because Van's either had his mask or battles with his own Unversed usually resulted hair being sliced or singed off. ]

You don't have to tell me it's stupid. I already know.

[unsundered]

[At first, Emet-Selch isn't entirely sure what Vanitas is even pointing at, it was just so- simple. Mundane. Not an injury or any other alteration just... hair that had done as hair does, and grew out a bit.

And as soon as that sinks in (and as soon as 'Vanitas was fiercely protesting the growth of his own hair with mad shouts to the heavens' also sinks in), Emet-Selch is torn between laughing and just staring incredulously at him.

After a moment, laughter wins out, but it's actually more genuinely amused rather than mocking (well, maybe a little mocking). In any case, it doesn't last for very long, as any good humor on the Ascian's part never does.]

Well, if you already know, I won't waste my breath on informing you.

[That said, he leans in to inspect the offending growth, humming instead.]

You do realize there exist tools made to trim such obscenities.

[darkcharge]

[ He is waiting to be mocked, actually. Becaue there is no way that Emet-Selch is not going to. Color Vanitas surprised when the other starts to laugh. And it's not entirely mocking. No, it's an actual laugh and Van doesn't actually know how to take it?

But as soon as it appears, it also is gone. It's back to the normal, bored expression that the Ascian wears. This is what Vanitas is used to seeing.]

Ah huh...

[ He almost wants to push the other's face away. Make him stop looking like he's interested when he's really not. Come now. Vanitas knows better. ]

Oh? [ 100% mock surprise! ] There is? I had no idea!

[ Actually... Vanitas hadn't really thought about it before so that's a half truth. ]

[unsundered]

[It's true, Emet-Selch doesn't care terribly far for the state or length of Vanitas' hair, and the kid would likely would get more in the way of idle mockery if he severely botched an attempted haircut. But it was just such a... normal thing for someone like Vanitas to be frustrated by, that it bypassed his usual inclination towards casual derision.

No worries, though, as he smirks at Vanitas' faux surprise, peering even closer at the Terrible Bangs, taking full advantage of his superior height. His tone is a theatrical imitation of earnest concern.]

Ah, am I the first to inform you? No doubt all others were frightened off by your display, fearing for whatever demons might think to possess you.

[And now, a generous imparting of Ancient Wisdom:]

They're called 'scissors.' Though a sharp blade on its own should suffice if you're desperate.

[darkcharge]

[ It is a pretty normal thing to be frustrated by, isn't it? Though there are many times where seemingly normal, mundane things that regular individuals don't even think about them too much.

Still, he glares at the theatrics. Stupid old man... ]

Or they just were content to leave things be. Not everyone is overly invested in what people are getting agitated about.

[ Not like the both of them, anyway. Emet-Selch and Vanitas do share that common interest too. The need to poke at people that are already having a hard time is a thing that they both do.

Anyway, the comment about scissors makes Vanitas glare again. ]

Aren't those meant for cutting things like fabric or paper?

[ Nope! Legitimately never heard of it cutting hair! ]

[unsundered]

[That glare certainly doesn't dissuade his casual smugness.]

I wouldn't call my few words an investment... though I can't blame you for wanting to assume my interest in your affairs. 'Tis quite flattering, to receive my attention, after all.

[And it's true that he and Vanitas do share that fine trait (not flaw) of commenting on things that people would prefer not commented on. Though if he hadn't known Vanitas before, the Ascian would've been equally as likely to just ignore it... random people shouting? That's just obnoxious.

Pausing at the last, he tries to discern whether Vanitas is being even remotely sincere, and he straightens up as he replies with a light shrug.]

Scissors are meant for cutting, nothing more or less. Be it fabric, flesh, or hair- the sharpness of the edge cares not what you offer it.

[darkcharge]

[ Vanitas rolls his eyes. Smugness indeed. ]

If you weren't somewhat interested, you wouldn't have walked over to see what was going on. You'd just have passed by, right?

[ Now Vanitas wears a little smug look himself. Emet-Selch doesn't need to answer or even respond to that really.

Back to the scissors anyway. Ironically, Vanitas actually had been sincere. He's never seen scissors used on hair so yeah. How could he have known about it? ]

So then I'll just swing by the house and hack away then. [ A huff. He won't do that. ] I'll just ask someone.

[unsundered]

[And he does choose to ignore the first part, sparing it only a brief frown.

Emet-Selch almost asks instead whether Vanitas had ever considered that hair grew, that everyone's hair grew, and what did he think people did to keep it under control?- but if he were being fair, why would such a topic ever occur to him? The only oddity was him never having needed a trim... ever.]

Daunted by the prospect, I see. Well, better to leave it in steadier hands, else you lose more than a bit of hair.

[darkcharge]

[ To be fair, he hasn't thought about such things. The only person that he had been around for any length of time beyond the guardians of Light ( and before coming here ) had been bald. Doesn't really help anyone get a grasp of the concept of aging. ]

More like I don't want to look like a hack job later on.