Nov Catch-All

[darkcharge]

Who: Vanitas + Open
When: All throughout November
Where: Various
What: There are some open prompts and also some closed ones in comments. I can write individual starts for anyone who would be interested in threading something out.
Warnings: None, yet



( Magic Practice: All Month )

[ Vanitas has always excelled when it comes to magic. His elemental spellwork has always been top notch. Thus it shouldn't come as a surprise that he's taken to evocation and enchantment as his main fields of "study." Yes, he actually attends classes. Though usually Vanitas tends to stick towards the back, hood always drawn up to keep his face hidden. He doesn't openly question or mock instruction, though his body language always says he's disinterested.

There are moments where he is also found in the library, perusing over textbooks and reading theories. Vanitas also carries around paper that he's scribbling notes in.

Otherwise, he spends his time in the barracks, actually practicing. Be careful, though. There's plenty of fireballs flying to hit the intended target. The air is charged with electricity. And one only mildly irritated Vanitas complaining about how it's just not good enough. ]


( Incompatible: All Month )

[ There is, however, magic that Vanitas has never been taught. Either Xehanort had never bothered or the opportunity never really revealed itself. He's sitting down, out of the way, as he's pulling up the sleeve of his coat. There's a fresh burn there, probably from some earlier practice gone wrong - magic gone awry. ]

Sloppy...

[ He is irritated with himself. His hand hovers over the burn and he takes a deep, focusing breath. Sure enough, the soft glow of a very basic healing spell makes itself known... For three seconds before it just fizzles out. The result is a very, very agitated Vanitas that knocks over anything on the table instead. ]

Why won't it work!?


( Coven Grounds: All Month )

[ He pays very little mind to anyone as he comes and goes about the Coven. They aren't important enough to even catch his notice. However, every once and while one of the unbonded monsters sees him and sees fit to approach him. He throws up a hand and keeps walking. Every time. ]

Not interested.

[ Sometimes this exchange is witnessed by someone else. A witch. Another monster. Maybe someone bonded maybe someone that isn't. Either way they see fit to interject themselves, trying to tell him about the benefits to being bonded to another. Why he should consider it, because in the end it's unavoidable right?

Vanitas is, as always, disinterested. He couldn't care less about these bonds. How can he want something that is just a mockery of what he should have? ]

Why is it you can't get through your little heads that maybe some people are fine the way they are? No, I don't care what you have to say. I don't want it. So back off before I give you a reason to stay away.

[ He'll follow through with the threat, of course. ]


( Unfamiliar Familiars: After Nov 20 )

[ In the past, Vanitas has never bothered to keep track of his Unversed. He's never had to, being connected to them in such a way that he knows where they are at all times. After all, they are a part of him, his broken off emotions. Their entire purpose is to go out and collect more negative energy, whether through natural means or by creating it themselves.

This is why he doesn't keep the lone little Flood by his side. It's free to do as its pleases. The connection is different now, the creature no longer able to replicate or perform its intended functions. However that's not going to stop it for what its nature is.

The item in your hand that you're thinking about buying? Maybe that piece of food that you're about ready to take a bite out of? One moment it's there and the next it's being snatched up by this blue rabbit-looking thing and taking off. Or maybe the Flood is seen scurrying along the streets, pausing only to scare a small child or a baby in a stroller before going about its business once more. ]


( Wildcard )

[ Of course, there is always the option to just do whatever your heart wants if no other prompts inspire. Alternatively, I can write a starter for you or you can get in touch with me at jardaan if you want to do something. ]

Comments

[lightblooming]

[ Aqua stops when the Flood scurries up the tree, her sharp, blue-colored eyes following it before she looks to Vanitas.

It's then that she frowns, her wings folding outwards ]

Control your Unversed.

[darkcharge]

[ Vanitas looks at Aqua. Wow. She really is a monster isn't she? How ironic! He snorts and drops the Flood. It takes off running somewhere. He's not concerned. In fact Vanitas doesn't even look that impressed with Aqua as he considers the cupcake. ]

Can't.

[ OM NOM NOM CUPCAKE. ]

[lightblooming]

Its yours, isn't it?

[ Don't make her fly up there, Vanitas. She's been practicing. ]

[darkcharge]

Obviously. Who else do you know that can create monsters from their emotions?

[ He waves her off, eating his cupcake and going right back to reading. ]

[lightblooming]

[ Fine, have it your way.

She readies herself then, leaning down before she gives her wings one strong flap - sending her flying upwards onto the branch that Vanitas is sitting on. Unfortunately, that's all she can manage right now. ]

If its yours, you can control it.

[darkcharge]

[ If she expects some sort of reaction, she isn't about to get it. Vanitas doesn't even bother to look up from the book. ]

It's mine, but that doesn't mean I can control it. The connection is string thin.

[lightblooming]

Then, if it keeps causing trouble I'll find a way to stop it myself.

[ She's growing increasngly more mad just speaking to him like this. She's still upset about what happened during the masquerade. ]

[darkcharge]

Causing trouble is what it does. It's an emotion. Come back and talk to me once your Irritation doesn't trouble you.

[ Gee, you think? Her current irritation is just radiating off of her. That's why he's phrased his words accordingly. ]

[lightblooming]

Stop trying to change the subject. Haven't you done enough damage here?

[ It's a bad idea to try to anger her further right now. ]

[darkcharge]

[ He looks up from his book, but there's no smirk. No playful glint in his eye nor any sign of cruelty. Frankly, Vanitas just looks exasperated. ]

It's the same subject. I'm being very literal.

[ Vanitas closes the book and slips from the tree. ]

A Flood is what it is. It's representative of the emotion it was born from. If it acts in a manner that is different than that, then it ceases to be a Flood.

[lightblooming]

What does that have to do with me?

[ He brought her up. She doesn't understand why. ]

[darkcharge]

You're asking me to control something that is just being what it is meant to be. So I'm asking you how easy it is to control your emotions.

[ Obviously, Aqua. So black and white, this girl. Maybe she really isn't all that bright after all. ]

Though I am wondering why this expectation is upon me when you know full well none of our abilities are working here.

[lightblooming]

Of course I know it's not that easy. [ Aqua frowns. ] ... It took Terra and I years to learn to calm our hearts.

But, they're your monsters. They did your bidding back in other worlds. ... I don't know how that Unversed is here, but now that it is - I won't let it hurt the people here.

[darkcharge]

Now that isn't very fair at all! Comparatively speaking, Aqua, you've hurt more people here than I or this little beast has. Pot calling kettle much?

[ Once again it simply blows his mind that he hasn't been the aggressor in any situation. He hasn't attacked unless struck at first. Yet their first reaction, every time, is to resort to some kind of violence! ]

Maybe you should go back to practicing those "heart calming" techniques.

[lightblooming]

[ Her eyes widen at that, guilt evident in her expression before she looks to him defiantly. ]

That isn't the same and you know it.

[darkcharge]

Isn't it, though? I can't control the Flood so it's simply acting on its nature. Suddenly you've found yourself with traits and instincts you can't fully control so you're simply acting on your newfound nature.

[ He shrugs and waves her off. ]

The difference is that you are sentient. You can make choices. The Flood is only a fragment of a greater whole. It can't make any choices against what it is.

[lightblooming]

No. I may have changed, but I'm still myself. What happened during that night made everyone feral.

[ But, now that she's like this - she needs to find a bond more now than ever. ]

[darkcharge]

[ Oh really... Vanitas looks at her again with the same look as before. He really is, honestly, tired of this stupid conversation. ]

You don't think it's been influencing you already? I didn't start anything at the little party. Who was that again? Oh, right. That was you. I didn't interrupt your study time with threats. That, again, was you.

[ He snorts. ]

Get over yourself, Aqua. This was fun at first, but now it's just pathetic and I don't have the time nor energy to deal with this nonsense.

[lightblooming]

[ She reaches then, taking that book from Vanitas. ]

You could have refused. You knew it was me. I offered to help you, and you did nothing but mock in response.

Find a way to control your Flood, or I'll put a stop to it myself. That's all.

[darkcharge]

I suppose you'll remember it however you see fit to. Far be it from me to try to correct something you've already decided is reality.

[ He hadn't actually mocked her. Vanitas had, for once, explained things. But, he supposes, this is what he gets for allowing one moment of vulnerability. It had been stupid of him to allow the magic in the air to sway him so.

But whatever. It doesn't matter and it never has. It never will. How could he ever accept help from people that are so blind. Aqua can keep the book. Vanitas has already checked out, mentally and now physically as he starts to head out. ]

Do what you want. I don't care.

[lightblooming]

[ She doesn't miss the resigned tone in his voice. It's enough for her to stop, her wings folding against her back. ]

... I don't understand you at all. Why did you tell me all of those things, knowing who I was?

[darkcharge]

Isn't it obvious? You asked without your stupid prejudices. I may twist the truth at times or paint it in a light to provoke... But I never lie.

[lightblooming]

You're wrong. Darkness isn't evil. It's people who manipulate darkness for their own goals that are evil.

Darkness is a part of Terra's heart. ... And it's a part of mine now, too.

But you. You've caused so much trouble for others back in other worlds.

[ She stops, looking away. ]

... But, no one deserves the way that Master Xehanort treated you.

[darkcharge]

[ And again, the point is missed. Vanitas wonders why she could ever think that he would accept her help. Daily reminders that he is evil? Yeah, she really hadn't understood anything that he had said. Of course Vanitas had predicted that too.

While he's almost surprised that she'd speak about the matter of Xehanort, he's also not. Vanitas hadn't said it for guilt or pity. ]

I am what I am because of him. Without that I wouldn't even be here.

[ He'd still be that pitiful creature, wailing about his other half without any purpose or reason to exist. ]

[lightblooming]

[ She wasn't calling him evil, mind you. It was Xehanort. ]

Are you really alright with what he's done?

[ He reached out to her. She can't just ignore that. ]

You opened up to me. If you didn't want help, you wouldn't have done that.