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

[callmeven]

Everyone is going through changes right now, Vanitas.

[so don't talk about his new changes or remind him about how he keeps pulling old teeth out of his mouth to make way for canines. he settles a hand on the handle of his keyblade, uncertain.]

How... did you want to fight?

[darkcharge]

I'm not so clearly it's not everyone. Just the monsters.

[ If ya'all don't think he isn't going to go as far as he can with that, then you're sooooorely mistaken.

Vanitas huffs, picks up Void Gear and rests it on his shoulders. ]

You are the one that challenged me.

[callmeven]

[that stings and ven's frown deepens.]

You're going through changes too, they just aren't visible yet.

[no one is left unaffected here. not even vanitas.

holding wayward wind in his familiar way, ven's ears flip back in annoyance.]

Fine- keyblades it is then!

[darkcharge]

The only change I'm experiencing is relearning spells.

[ But even that isn't really all that difficult. But okay Ventus! So they get to use their keyblades. ...But Ventus isn't stating any other rules is he?

It's fine. Vanitas moves into his stance, ready to go. ]

[callmeven]

[no, no other rules stated here. something ven will regret later, but it just isn't something he's thinking about right now.

finished with talking ventus rushes forward with his keyblade ready to strike out at vanitas. a part of him knows this won't end in his favor, but he'll throw himself into the fight either way.]

[darkcharge]

[ Now now Ventus. A frontal assault really isn't going to work here. There's no possible way that telegraphing what you're about to do is going to go well. Vanitas is still quick on his feet, after all!

Sure, he can't create an afterimage of himself yet, but he can still dodge with a flip to the side and come at Ventus with a counter. ]

[callmeven]

[he barely manages to block vanitas' counter without the proper footing to keep his balance, sending him back and nearly tumbling to the ground. vanitas is strong, he knew that but-

had terra and aqua been going easy on him during their training sessions? not even terra's blows were that heavy...

he runs forward again, aiming to try and swipe at vanitas' side.]

[darkcharge]

[ Whether or not Terra and Aqua have been taking it easy on Ventus is of no consequence to him. Ventus is weaker than before. Weaker than when they had fought inside their heart station. It's pathetic.

Pathetic and makes Vanitas agitated all over again. So while Ventus takes a swipe, Vanitas blocks. With his block comes an electric current. Someone gets a little zappy when mad. ]

[callmeven]

[he didn't expect the electricity to hit him with that block and it shocks ventus back, nearly dropping his keyblade from the pain of it. he screams out in response, fumbling for the handle again and charges forward with his own anger boiling under his skin.]

Vanitas!

[he just wants one hit, one blow to strike him.]

[darkcharge]

[ Once again, charging Vanitas head on is not really going to work. Ventus is so much weaker like this - without his heart healed and without all the power he had gained from dealing with the Unversed and other enemies. Does he really think he stands a chance?

So while Ventus commits to this course, Vanitas merely launches a fireball at him. ]

[callmeven]

[he uses his keyblade to block the worst of the fireball when it hits, but he feels the heat scorch the skin of his hands and wrists. there will be burn marks later that he hopes he can heal away before aqua sees them.

he launches his keyblade at vanitas, using it as a distraction to tackle into his side with a clawed grip intending to dig into his skin.]

[darkcharge]

[ Well if Venty-Wenty wants to keep this a secret from mommy-dearest then yes. Yes he had better get all this healed before heading home!

Ventus throwing his Keyblade is a bit of a surprise. Surely he knows that it won't come back to him in this state. That's the reason why Ven is able to knock Van down. But Vanitas? He doesn't play clean. So naturally when Ventus goes to try to claw at him?

Van takes a fist full of dirt and throws it at his eyes. ]

[callmeven]

Gah-!

[ventus hisses when the dirt hits his eyes, but he doesn't stop clawing at vanitas, digging into his chest and neck hoping to draw blood. he shakes his head furiously like that might clear up some of the dirt with a low growl.]

[darkcharge]

[ THANKFULLY, the dark suit he still wears provides some protection against claws. Not that this is going to stop Vanitas from getting mad. ]

Get off!

[ And oh is he going to bring a fist around to smash against the side of Ven's head. Someone is viciously trying to rend him. That's not going to fly. ]

[callmeven]

[he growls louder this time, lips pulled back into a toothy snarl. a yelp escapes him when vanitas' punch connects with his head that turns into another growl.]

No! [ven screams before he moves to sink his teeth into the dip between vanitas' neck and shoulder.]

[darkcharge]

[ VENTUS IS VERY WELL NOT GOING TO DO THAT. Because the moment that face gets too close? Van's hand slaps over the blonde's mouth.

Then casts an ice spell. ]

[callmeven]

[he nearly chokes on the ice now in his mouth, sharp teeth crunching down on it immediately.

raising a hand he swipes his claws across vanitas' face. ventus feels hot with a fury he's never felt before, nearly feral in his need to draw blood. vanitas' words had hurt him before this fight and boiling with the frustrations of every failed attempt to make some civility led to what he felt now.]

[darkcharge]

[ He catches both of Ventus' hands. There's no good way for this to end now. While he heats up his own hands, uncaring about any potential scalding, he works his legs and feet under Ventus. ]

Why don't you show me how you really feel about me, Ventus?

[ Vanitas only releases Ventus as he kicks the other hard in the stomach. Van then rolls off to the side, snatching up his Keyblade. He slaps a hand down on the ground, making the earth shake just a little. ]

Doesn't it feel good? To let out all that anger and hatred aimed at me?

[callmeven]

[he crunches down the last of the ice in his mouth, for the first time thankful for his new teeth, spittle and blood dripping down his chin. when vanitas kicks him in the gut it sends ventus reeling and he falls to his side clutching at his midsection. he coughs up bile into the grass. some of the adrenaline is starting to wear thin and he can feel his limbs shaking.]

I- I don't hate you... [his voice is just as shaky and when he looks up to see vanitas there are tears slipping down his face. slowly he moves to stand again, coughing.]

I'm- I'm angry, but I don't hate you!

[darkcharge]

[ All Vanitas does in response to Ventus shakily getting up is to read Void Gear once more. He can still go on, of course. Vanitas isn't even feeling remotely tired. Or sorry. ]

And yet you're the one that just tried to rip my throat out. Seems a little extreme for just anger, Vents.

[callmeven]

[of course he isn't.]

Yeah, and I've also been chewing on bones and tree branches without understanding why but it doesn't mean I hate trees now.

[he sniffs, wiping his face with the back of his hand.]

[darkcharge]

It's because, Venny, you're a monster now. You've got urges and itches. Wanting to maim what's in front of you is part of your nature now.

[ Ventus can stop the crying any time now. Vanitas casts another spell, this time aimed at the tip of his boots. Poor Ventus better be ready because Van?

He's more than ready. ]

[callmeven]

[it could be that, but ven doesn't have the patience to consider vanitas' words right now. it digs under his skin in a new, unfamiliar way that makes him want to grip vanitas' neck in his maw.] Shut up!

[he won't stop crying, but he will move again when vanitas sets his spell off. for now he's abandoned his keyblade, somehow moving faster without it. it was heavier now that it was just a simple blade without the connection to his heart- what was left of it.

he aims for a side attack, turning his foot to kick up dirt into vanitas' face just like he had done earlier.]

[darkcharge]

[ All Vanitas can do in return, of course, is laugh. Because Ventus getting so worked up over nothing. Well not quite nothing but it's not really rational now is it?

Too bad that the spell Vanitas had just enchanted his boots with is an agility spell. So it doesn't matter if Ventus is a little quicker than before. Vanitas is as well. So he can easily move out of the way of Ven's little kick. ]

Man, Ventus. You're looking a little rough and dirty. Let me get that for you.

[ Which means he's casting a quick water gun spell - it's pretty weak and tame really - right at Ven's face. ]

[callmeven]

[nothing that happens between them is rational.

ven stops and sputters when the water hits his face, shaking his head and sending droplets flying everywhere.]

Stop it and fight me already! You aren't trying hard enough- I know it!