middaeg | [ open ] Life is ten percent what you experience

[ open ] Life is ten percent what you experience

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! ) ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hey now. The person who posted the request wanted a nice-looking garden. Magic only sped up the process...

[ No need to bring that up now! Vanitas huffs. Lio sounds fairly close. Just what is the Harpy doing up there anyway?

All Van can see is that fox. Glowering at him. ]

I might. Especially since the thing is giving me such a hard time right now.

Have you tried being nice? Or maybe not being so... you know, angry?

( of course lio's going to be sympathetic! even though van is doing a pretty good job of blocking the hole, he can almost see the equally upset fox doing its best to keep itself as far away as possible from van. )

... or apologize. Surely it didn't attack you for no reason.

It bit me. How can I not be at least a little peeved?

[ However it does make Vanitas stop and pause, even if momentarily. He sighs, huffing. ]

I went to get those seed, right? The little beast was apparently also enjoying them.

[ So Vanitas had, accidentally mind you, startled the thing. ]

( lio snickers, before standing back straight up and stretching. his wings follow his arms up toward the sky as he now moves around van but keeps his eyes toward the hole. )

Maybe sharing would've been the right play.

( and he gives van a gentle tap on the head. )

Get out of there. If you want, you can lure it out with some of those seeds. I have a few on me, but...

( well, lio went through a bit of a dead arm period for it. )

How was I supposed to share if I didn't know it was there in the first place?

[ He gives a bit of a grunt followed by a growl when tapped on the head. Vanitas huffs but pulls himself back out of the hole. However he continues to sit in front of it. Glaring at the hole and the creature that is inside. ]

And you think that using the seeds with lure it out? Really...

( honestly, who's acting more like an animal right now? lio's probably lucky that van didn't retaliate. either way, he's already digging into the pack on his side. )

Yeah. I'm pretty sure. ( holding out his hand, a few tiny clusters of seeds rest in his palm. ) I saw what looked like tracks around some of the bushes over there, while I was harvesting some.

( with a grin, the harpy watches past van. the fox's eyes are already locked onto what he's holding. )

Just... be nice. Okay? Be nice.

[ Excuse! ...Actually Vanitas has always acted a bit more like a feral cat than what people tend to realize. So maybe he is acting more animal right now. So what?

He huffs and just sits back. Vani will get out of the way so that Lio can take his place. Of course Vanitas doesn't think that this is going to work. Lio's probably going to get bitten... ]

I'll laugh if it bites you.

( at first, he says nothing once he keeps his hand at the entrance of the fox's hiding spot. but then he turns to look at van, keeping his eyes off of the approaching animal. )

If it does, will you heal the wound?

( the smile on his face fades quickly as he closes his eyes. he can feel the tongue trying to gather up the seeds and the slight grazing of teeth following right after. nothing sharp. )

... it's... licking. A lot.

( and then the fox gets the smart idea to go to where it can smell more of those tasty seeds, immediately pawing and nipping at his side. )

Hey! Stop, dammit!

[ A smirk before: ]

Maybe.

[ Though the fox doesn't decide to do that after all now does it? Rather it just seems to be after the seeds, which makes Van huff. It's kind of irritating that being nice is what gets the stupid thing to come out!

But then it's going after Lio with more fervor and Van can't help but start snickering. Lio could be on his own to deal! ]

It's trying to eat my bag!

( lio tries his best to grab onto the fox, which somehow is able to maneuver itself so that it can't be easily touched. but he does his best to swing it away with enough momentum that kind of flings it back and forth. its teeth latch onto the cloth, making it tough to dislodge. )

Sorry!

( said to the fox. but with one final twist, lio finally gets the fox to release, only to aim it right toward van...! )

That's what you get for trying to be nice to the thing.

[ He watches the display, sort of laughing. It's like some kind of comedy routine, with the shaking and shifting. The fox latching on and unwilling to let go. But then the thing is flying at him and Van helps.

At least he catches the fox! But they both look at each other with wide eyes. Just kind of in shock, trying to figure out how thy should appropriately respond to the sitaution. ]

Nice... catch?

( he stares at van. then, at the fox. he goes back and forth a few times before looking down at that brown and somewhat plain bag and sees the hole in it, then spots the seeds down on the ground. scooping them up, lio slowly offers them to van. )

Here, feed it. And be nice.

( that last part is definitely directed to both the witch and the fox. )

Huh?

[ He looks down at what he is being offered. Seeds... Oh right to feed the fox. Is this a method to make nice with the creature? Vanitas frowns. ]

I'm not the one that needed to be nice in the first place.

[ And he will firmly stick by this, thank you. However, despite his grumbling and complaining, Van will offer those stupid seeds to the equally stupid fox. ]

It's not about needing to be nice. ( his smile is small. ) It's about wanting to be when you don't have to.

( the stupid fox is happy to eat the stupid seeds and not bite anyone, especially when there aren't any more seeds on lio's person. as he watches van feed it, the harpy snickers. )

It never hurts to be kind and smart about it.

"Nice" really isn't in my nature.

[ Because, you know. Darkness and all that. Yes, yes. Vanitas is aware that there is more to it now, but that is his origin. However it really doesn't change the core of his personality. He's just kind of a rough person to get on with.

Yet the fox does seem happy, huh? Vanitas is even able to set the creature down and it doesn't seem to be going anywhere. ]

( and because the fox is happy, lio is also happy. not because of eating seeds out of van's hand, which lio is not doing and totally hasn't been thinking about it, but because he simply likes seeing van do the good deed.

that, and he's not making it into a belt. no fox belts, please. )

It's okay. ( a second, and he laughs. ) I'm patient.

( he gives van a gentle pat on the shoulder before checking out the state of his bag. )

Damn, it really got in there... I'll have to gather some more.

[ He supposes that he won't make a belt out of the thing after all. In the end, the fox is curling up on Van's lap once done with the seeds. ]

What's that supposed to mean, Lio?

[ Lio can be patient about Vanitas eventually becoming nice? Doesn't seem like something that can happen, honestly. ]

Anyway... You should repair the bag first.

( lio doesn't answer. he just tries to hide a smug grin. )

... I'll probably take care of it when we go back into town. ( he frowns at it, while also looking at the comfy looking fox, chilling out and being all cozy.

he huffs! )

Those seeds can be found underneath some bushes, but you have to watch out for the thorns. If you get pricked, that part of you will go numb.

[ He gives the blonde a look for that lack of answer... ]

Why bother to do that when I can just fix it?

[ Yeah. That fox is just making himself at home there. Van is slightly glaring at it, but making no move to actually remove the furry creature. ]

See, I knew there was a catch to getting those things. I haven't come into contact with the thorns, but the didn't look like they'd give you a fun time.

( lio looks down. then, up. then? somewhere for away, before returning his eyes to van. )

Oh. Yeah, I guess you could. With magic?

( or can van sew some holes real quickly with some thread and a needle? he takes a moment to pull it off, untying the string. )

They're awful. It takes a lot of time for it to pass.

( and now he sits next to van, bag in his hand. )

Yes, I could. With magic. I've been practicing.

[ Because he doesn't trust people with what little material possessions he has. So Vanitas wants to be able to fix them on his own without having to rely on another person.

He holds his hand out, fully expecting Lio to give it to him. ]

What's it feel like?

( the bag is placed in van's outstretched hand without a thought. of course he trusts him to repair it! why wouldn't he? it's also a good way of watching the process; magic will always be interesting to him.

with a thoughtful frown, lio shrugs. )

Just couldn't move it. It felt like dead weight.

( the fox is starting to doze off and the harpy reaches over to give it a very gentle pat on the head, which it accepts with a yawn. )

[ Vanitas simply holds it between his hands. If the fox hadn't thought to just next there on his lap, that's probably where he'd have put it. Then he just focuses on the hole in the bag and mutters a few words. ]

Inconvenient. Consider yourself luck that nothing thought to make a snack out of you.

[ Eventually the hole begins to mend itself. ]

( lio shakes his head quickly. )

I still had another arm, but my bonded was also with me. He would've kept me safe if anything went wrong.

( he watches with curiosity. the hole looks like it's melting away, making the back whole again. )

But even then, I have my wings. My sword. I won't go down without a fight.

Good. I remember you saying that he has a pretty strong personality. Good thing that he has some fight in him too.

[ It does look kind of like that - the hole melting away and soon it looks like there had never been anything there to begin with. Vanitas hands back the pouch to Lio once he's finished. For a moment Van looks like he is going to get up. But then his eyes drop to the fox, remembering that it's there. ]

I know you wouldn't. You're not that weak.

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