[ open ] Life is ten percent what you experience

[darkcharge]

Who: Vanitas + Open
When: All Aguril
Where: Various
What: Open Quest Prompts + Closed Prompts | Hit me up at jardaan @ plurk


( Antler Fruit )

[ Granted Vanitas doesn't care what the fruit is going to be used for. He never cares when it comes to these sort of "fetch me this" or "fetch me that" sort of stuff. However what he does care about is the fact that there is a pretty price tag on the whole thing. That is what Van is interested it. That is what gets him to go out in the Wilde and track down one of those deer. Besides... He's never seen an animal able to grow fruit on their bodies, so he's interested.

Now one might think that he'll look for hoofprints or find signs that one had been close. That's what someone with any tracking skill would do right? Well not necessarily in Vanitas' case. Rather he has a trick up his sleeve that, while he is loathe to do it, he is going to employ. So when he goes out he finds a rather secluded area. He sets up some wards that should tell him if something or someone is approaching. The Flood has gone with him this time, serving as another pair of eyes.

Then Vanitas just sits down at the base of one of the trees. Curious way to try to get a deer, huh? ]


( Forget-Me-Nots: A )

I suppose I could always burn it. Or find a way to kill it.

[ Another one of those "please get this for me" type of ordeals. They always sound so simple at first, but it never is. Of course it couldn't be an easy task or else the people of this world wouldn't require aid now would they? For this, Vanitas has found a rather sizable amount of flowers. However with it comes a massive bush and he has no desire to get himself scratched up. ]

Would wards work?

[ To prevent scratching that is. Van wonders if there is some kind of spell that would prevent the nettles from doing this. Perhaps a ways to slide like how water does off of the feathers of ducks? ]


( Forget-Me-Nots: B )

When I get my hands on you...

[ Now here is a curious sight. Looks like Vanitas has come across some trouble while looking for those flower seeds. He's half in and half out of a den or a borough, snarling and digging. The Flood is just there on standy, watching for anyone passing through or any threats. ]

I'm going to make you into a belt!

[ Just what is he so furiously trying to get at? ]


( Worm Wrangling )

[ Now Van doesn't care much for the people of the Underground. He doesn't care too much for the natives in the city either. There is no trust there ( not even the Coven really, but they are useful so that's a different matter ) so why should he bother doing any of this to "help out." Well there are some benefits to it. Sometimes there is money involved and other times... Well other times are just like now.

He's managed to find some of those nomads down here in the tunnels. Van grins, almost feral as he steps into view. ]

Well well. What do we have here?

[ The group immediately looks up towards Vanitas. Two stay behind to keep the captured worms at bay while the rest start to approach the Witch, weapons slightly raised. They don't want to give up what they've managed to steal! Honestly Vanitas doesn't care, but it does make him laugh. ]

What? Can't we just get along? [ Now they are beginning to charge him in earnest! ] No?

[ Van's grin only grows wider as he pulls out his Keyblade and takes a ready stance. ]

Good.


( What's Missing: Available Only at the End of August )

[ It's hard for Vanitas not to immediately notice that his Bond with Sora has immediately dulled and become fuzzy. With how the Puca had been adamant about Van not trying to block their bond, there is no way that Sora himself would. In fact, Vanitas is certain that the other doesn't even know how to go about such things. That's why this puts Van on alert. Something is wrong. Something is very wrong and it is putting him on edge. Of course he is going to drop everything that he is doing to either find Sora or find out where he's gone.

And when it discovered that the Puca is missing? Taken by people with unknown motives? Vanitas sees red. He is livid and there is no way to calm him down. Who would DARE to think to take that which is his!?

That's why he's in the shadier part of the city, down where illegal parts and bits are being sold. Normally he wouldn't care. People are prone to doing what they are going to do and he has no interest in stopping them. However when it comes to Vanitas? Someone crossing him? Then all best are off. That's why he can be seen slamming shop keeper's heads onto their counter-tops. That's why he's picking people up and practically throwing them against walls. Anything to get answers about why someone would desire a Puca and where someone would go to get away.

Needless to say he's leaving quite a few distraught shopkeepers and customers in his wake. There's also quite a bit of property damage that he doesn't even remotely care about. So... Either stop him or help him out because there's no getting through to the Witch at this point. ]


( Wildcared )

[ Nothing above tickle your fancy? Then by all means either hit me up on plurk or at verthunder#9612 to work something out. Alternatively, just throw something at me and I will be more than happy to roll with what you've given me. Vanitas can always be found in the Wilde fighting off creatures or at a settlement providing some aid ( as training of course! ) ]

Comments

What's Missing

[inlikethebrume]

[It starts when she feels this intense dread and anger seep through one of her Bonds, a pit forming in her stomach as she has to hold onto something to keep herself steady. She's intimately familiar with this sensation, recalling when the Rathmores took someone she cared for back then. And this time, someone she knows is feeling the same kind of pain and anguish and it's palpable.

It's then that she drops what she is doing and uses for the first time the tracking means of the Bond between her and Vanitas, leading her to the more shady areas of the city. Oh she can tell her son is around and not because of the Bond but rather the carnage he leaves in his wake. Bloody hells, she was much cleaner but that's what happens when a loved one is in danger. It's when she sees the boy that she calls out.]

Vanitas!

[Boy, do not hit that poor shopkeeper's window or anything else!]

[darkcharge]

[ He hadn't been bonded to anyone during the time that a large amount of people had been kidnapped and tortured. So Vanitas doesn't know the sort of emotions that had been running rampant during that entire affair. Even so would he have cared? Would that really help him keep a level head now? Of course not.

Vanitas is so livid that he can't even feel Mira's presence before she speaks. It's only her voice that stops him from breaking that window. Come on now... All Van is trying to do is intimidate here. ]

What?

[inlikethebrume]

Destroying glass will not get you what you want in the end as much as you wish it to be.

[She rushes in, stepping in between the poor window and her son and stares him down. The shopkeeper should be thankful she isn't right there ready to destroy with him but Mira shakes her head.]

Would it not be better for us both to work together and get to the bottom of this?

[darkcharge]

It's not about the dumb glass.

[ It's about proving a point. If it means getting what he wants, he'll destroy this whole place. Won't be a reason to hold the brat anymore if there's no more market to sell parts to, right? Seems like a very practical way to go about it!

Either way, Mira can stare him down but it isn't doing much to temper Vanitas. Sure, on some level he knows that she's right. Well. Partially right. ]

This is taking too long.

missing

[unsundered]

[Emet-Selch had his own reasons for being in the more questionable areas of the city. Nothing that had borne any sort of fruit, and nothing of particular relevance- and he's distracted from his own work by the unmistakable sound of spreading commotion. Shouting. The crack and smash of glass, the deeper thuds of things yet unidentifiable. And the Ascian pauses in thought, considering whether this would be a good time to retreat (Why risk getting involved in whatever petty squabble was going on? It would be unlikely to fetch him anything of value.), or whether he was curious enough to see what was causing all the fuss.

...Perhaps just a look.

The sight of Vanitas at the center of it all has Emet-Selch pause, quickly taking note of the scene. Onlookers scrambling to apparent safety, the boy the picture of absolute fury, entirely unlike anything he'd seen of him before. He'd seen him upset, even fiercely so- but this was different. This had the feeling of focus, of purpose, something beyond a momentary burst of particular spite.

Emet-Selch did not dislike Vanitas. He was a nuisance, clever, and far too good at saying exactly what would hurt most. And as troublesome as he was, the Ascian was not wholly unsympathetic towards him. Not indifferent. And it's for that reason, when he makes the decision to approach, he says nothing at first. Nor was there anything casual or flippant in his manner. There was a time for idleness and mockery, and this wasn't it.

Nor does he make any move to hinder him in his rampage.]

What happened?

[Brief, to the point; gold eyes flicker between Vanitas and the carnage around him.]

[darkcharge]

[ By the time that the Ascian does manage to come forward, Vanitas already has another shopkeeper ( this one selling meat of all things ), up against a wall. Despite his size, Vanitas doesn't seem to be struggling with keeping the man pinned there at all.

He doesn't spare Emet-Selch a glance, no. Rather Vanitas slams the captured man so hard his head cracks against the wall. ]

Something of mine has gone missing. This trash has to know something.

[ Now his hands begin to heat up. Torture is not below Vanitas after all. ]

I won't stop until I get answers.

[unsundered]

[Torture away, Vanitas; Emet-Selch was neither opposed to torture, nor had the slightest inclination towards trying to calm him down. If he'd lost someone important to him, due to the malice of others (as this possession of his had to be a person; he doubted Vanitas would respond this way to a missing object, however valuable), what other response could there be but to tear the world apart?

The shopkeeper- who had perhaps turned a desperate eye towards the Ascian, only seems to pale that bit further when it's clear that he's not there to interfere, reassure, or do literally anything other than encourage Vanitas in his rampage (and in a distant way, Emet-Selch notices how natural the scene felt, familiar and comfortable in a way; something to do with his own intrinsic nature, he supposed, the call of chaos and disorder).

And when Emet-Selch finally speaks again, it's in the shopkeeper's direction, and while his voice turns towards the idle, it's only that much darker for it. No, there's no sympathy for this mortal, regardless of how innocent or not he is of this particular crime.]

He's serious, you know. And the penalty for not knowing anything... is much the same as remaining silent, I suspect.

[Better have something useful to say, and quickly- to have any chance at all of limiting a considerable application of pain.]

[darkcharge]

[ If there is one thing that Vanitas can count on from the Ascian, it is indifference. He isn't going to be like others that will try to stop the Witch from doing what he deems necessary. Won't try to talk him out of it. On the other hand, Emet-Selch won't be the sort of person that will save Van's captor either.

Though he does somewhat acknowledge the fact that the old man does speak at all. Vanitas hadn't expected that. Though he does note the tone and it's not that he expected any sympathy either way... But rather the old man is prone to watching and making snide commentary. An odd thing for Emet-Selch to remind this shop owner that Vanitas is serious. ]

Should listen to the old man's advice. I'll burn this place to the ground with you in it.

[ He will too, make no mistake of that. Vanitas pressed that too hot hand against the exposed skin of the owner's neck. The man screams, begging soon following. He doesn't know anything about a Puca. Hasn't requested any sort of Puca parts. But that doesn't satisfy Vanitas does it? Just because this one hasn't asked for it doesn't mean he doesn't know of suppliers...

So he cranks up the heat emanating from his hand. ]

Forget-me-Nots B

[piromare]

( he doesn't try to be stealthy as he lands on the ground with a grunt. acknowledging the flood with a nod, lio hovers over vanitas with raised eyebrows and a curious hum that's half amusement and half concern. )

You okay?

( did something bully him... is van doing okay? has he lost his marbles somewhere down in that hole he's trying to make bigger? )

A belt, huh...

[darkcharge]

[ The voice does make Vanitas pause. A cold feeling washes over him. Embarrassment... To think that he'd be caught like this.

And Lio will likely hear the sound of growling. ]

I don't need any help if that's what you're thinking.

[piromare]

You know, I could've swooped down and snatched you up with your back turned.

( lio grins. the thought did cross his mind, but there's nothing honorable about that! especially when the last time they fought, it was pretty much equal... maybe if lio had a little more time developing his own style with his wings, it would've been easier.

folding his arms and his wings, lio continues to watch. )

What're you trying to do, anyway?

[darkcharge]

You'd have needed to drag me out of this hole in the ground first.

[ Just saying! Lio probably could have swooped in and yanked Van out by the ankle. He supposes that he should be thankful that the Harpy hadn't.

Though he could also get his head out of this hole too. But he won't. ]

This little beast attacked me and I'm going to get him back for it.

what's missing

[omnicrafter]

[As a frequent vigilante patrol of the seedier parts of town, Irhya isn't surprised to hear someone's pitching a fit inside a shop -- that they've repeated the motion in several stores now, leaving chaos and damage in their wake. What does surprise her is to catch Vanitas red-handed when she walks in to assess the situation.

Something happened. It must have. He wouldn't just go on a rampage like this without good reason. With calm footsteps, she walks over to him behind the service counter and grabs his wrist, gentle but firm.]

Vanitas.

[It's not so harsh a grip that he can't yank his hand away. But she holds it, mostly to assess just how dire it is to restrain him right now. Will he stop if talked down, or does she need to exercise a little force?]

[darkcharge]

[ There's a fire in the palm of his hand right as she grabs his wrist. He had all but intended to destroy the back counter merchandise. Maybe losing such valuable stock will make the owner a bit more willing to talk about where he had gotten it from.

Irhya grabbing him doesn't make the flame snuff out. However it does stay his hand, if only for a couple of moments. ]

Don't get in my way, Irhya.

[ Despite the destruction. Despite how livid he is... Vanitas' voice is as low and in control as it always is. There's just an edge to it that, frankly, she probably hasn't experienced before. ]

[omnicrafter]

[At the very least, the murderous intent to his voice doesn't offend her enough to lash out in return. She does not let go of his hand, though, only huffing briefly.]

You won't get much done if you rough them up before they get a chance to answer, you realize. Targeting people at random tends not to work well, either.

[Among other things, but she doesn't particularly want to take him down with force of her own, either.]

You gonna tell me what's burned your biscuits so badly, at least?

[darkcharge]

Why shouldn't it work well enough? Seeing their fellow men being roughed up since they're not proving any answers should show what I am willing to do until I get those answers.

[ Making an example out of everyone, basically. Vanitas isn't about to be deterred from those path at the very least. He is going to get answers or he will destroy everything in sight. There is no finding common ground here. ]

Something that is mine has been taken from me and I'm not going to let anyone get away with it.

Worm Wrangling

[darkestbefore]

[ She'd been out here searching, as well. She's not so good at tracking, but she has become familiar with many of these tunnels and burrows over the past few weeks. She's spent a lot of time in them, after all. There are a few others out here with her as well, but she thought she'd spotted something in the darker depths of this particular passage and had headed over to investigate, leaving the security of the others behind for the moment.

At least she'd gotten much better at being stealthy?

Finding herself on a ledge overlooking the scene unfolding below, her eyes widen when she realizes that's Vanitas charging into a conflict with the nomads. Thieves, too, from the look of it - they've got quite a few wormipedes rounded up behind them.

Unwilling to let anyone rush into such a fight alone, she tugs her bow off her shoulder and quickly takes aim at one of the rushing nomads. She's had a few encounters herself in these caverns - enough to know that the guards of the Underground had been right. All of them she'd encountered so far had been savage and near feral. There was no talking, no reasoning - they were always out for blood.

Taking a moment to make sure her aim was steady and sure, she loosed her arrow straight at one of the raging nomads to the left of Vanitas down below her, taking one down before he could reach them and immediately be surrounded. ]

[darkcharge]

[ Honestly this is how he prefers things. Vanitas likes to stretch himself - almost too much really. Having a small group of them come at him almost makes this a fair fight in Vanitas' eyes.

That's why the arrow and the dropping of one of them to the ground surprises him. Surprises them all really.

It's that shock that he uses to his own benefit. With a swipe of his hand, Van throws the group back with a gust of wind. ]

Don't ruin my fun!

[ In other words, butt out! He has no idea who is interrupting, but it's not like he needs help with this! ]

[darkestbefore]

[ She huffs at his reprimand, having no intention of backing down. He's still far too outnumbered for her tastes. ]

Stop being so needlessly reckless! [ She calls back instead, even as she notches another arrow, sending it towards the fighters farthest away from him. ]

Missing

[lostinshadows]

[Rage.

It's new to Lavi ever since he became Bonded with Vanitas. The witch has always kept his side of the bond either calm or somewhat muted. In a way, it's pleasant for Lavi, considering how his own emotions are jumbled up and he has difficulties assessing himself anyway.

But that--that is something else.

So far, he's only seen very little things affect Vanitas so strongly. In fact, the only time he can recall Vanitas being so angry was at him after he hurt Sora.

...

Lavi sincerely hopes nothing has happened to Sora again.

He ends up following that rage. That desire to hurt. It's like a beacon right now. It's hard for him to miss even if he wanted to ignore it. It's an angry flame that only keeps growing stronger and stronger until it finally begins to consume the witch in its entirety, enveloping in an endless rage that will burn not himself, but everyone around him as well.

It takes a bit before he finally finds Vanitas in the more shadier part of the city. The puca has the hood of his jacket up, just enough to try to conceal his rabbit ears and makes his sure his tail is tucked in enough where it can't be noticed as easily. He doesn't like this place. He's heard whispers, but right now, what's important is getting to Vanitas.

He slows his pace when he finally does spot the witch.]

Doubt property damage is going to get them to talk.

[darkcharge]

[ The reasoning behind keeping his connection with Lavi muted is simply because Lavi hadn't seemed too keen on the idea of sharing in emotional turmoil. Thus it is out of some respect for the other than Vanitas attempts to keep the connection from deepening to the point where things simply can't be hidden.

Yet right now he could care less. Vanitas wants anyone and everyone to feel the full eight of his anger, his rage. He's always said he hates the world at large. Now others can finally see it. They can experience it and what happens when someone crosses him.

Lavi is smart to conceal his ears at least. However by the time that he finds the Witch, Van is only slightly aware of his presence at all. In fact, it barely registers even as Lavi speaks. Van's hands are in tight, balled fists. Had he sharper nails, he'd probably be bleeding. ]

Then I'll break more than just their wares and windows.

[lostinshadows]

If you want information, then you need to interrogate people properly.

[a.k.a possible torture. Since it seems like Vanitas is in that state of mind anyway.]

Breaking their wares and windows are intimidating, but can be fixed.

[The anger is like a flame that's only growing. Lavi, at least, knows better than to confuse it for his own. He's more worried, but there is a surge of a desire to hurt as well. He's not that close to Sora, but he's a...friend.

Someone that Lavi can trust at least.

So he understands the need to find Sora as soon as possible, but if Vanitas doesn't cool his head, they'll lose precious time and each second wasted is another second of Sora being in danger.]

Antler Fruit

[enkidoh]

[Well, Enkidu is the one who does look for tracks. They are also the one who mutters awkward spells to make them visible. Their magic is slightly better when being in the forest but it's still nothing to write home about.

Still, they need the cunes, they need to pay a thing called 'rent' and some other things like food and important stuff like that.

Focused on tracing the deer they trigger some of the wards close to Vanitas. Of course, there is a slight disturbance in the magic around them but they don't pay attention to it. What they do pay attention to are the tracks that are lightening up.]

Ah! [Slowly they rise again.] There you are.

[darkcharge]

[ Vanitas tends to use two magic schools the most: healing and elemental. His elemental magics are great and very rarely does she struggle to grasp a concept. Healing has always been difficulty for him, since it draws from more positive feels. Positive feels that Vanitas hadn't had until recently. It's because of this reason he uses more healing spells than anything else and thus grants him this calming aura that he's had mixed feelings about since he's found out about it.

That's how he intends to get one of those fruit. Animals seem to rather like being around him because of it. Eventually one of those deer will come around as well. Van just has to be patient and quiet. ]


Hmmm? What are you looking for?

[enkidoh]

[Compared to Vanitas, Enkidu doesn't specialize in anything. They mostly use what they think is best at the moment, what feels best. Ever since they lost their bonds their magic has been unstable and unreliable so when they use it, they do their best to dose it.

When they hear his voice they rise a little.]

Ah...

[A small smile appears on their face.]

...I am looking for the deer with the fruit on its anglers. And you? [They sneak a little closer.] Is there something interesting about sitting still?