[Open] Come In From The Cold...

[inlikethebrume]

Who: House Darkness Residents and OPEN
When: All of February
Where: House Darkness in the Haven
What: It's an open log!
Warnings: Shadowbringers Spoilers in some threads possible, possible talk of the Snatched Event

[If anyone knows the residents of the house, it might seem strange that such a group have selected a cozy abode for their home in the city. However, it is not to be said that they are unwelcoming (depending on who) and usually when someone comes to visit, there's always a warm cup of tea ready for them...and maybe some food to go along with it. Feels like a crime if someone doesn't get fed. And despite the hardships of the previous month, the house does welcome guests for any particular reasons whether a visit for the soul, a chat to catch up on events, or even maybe go a few rounds with the poor striking dummy in the backyard.

When you live with sword users and have stress, it gets used, ok?

It might be chilly outside but strange enough, the house itself is pretty warm. Just mind the gaelkitten and Flood running around from time to time.]


((OOC: Feel free to make a top level if you wish! Open to all!))

Comments

[unsundered]

[At the realization that he had an audience, Emet-Selch throws Vanitas an unamused look, before shaking his head, turning back towards that dead patch of ground. Another few gestures and- oh look, another training dummy has manifested. Apart from the mess it's like nothing had ever happened! The perfect crime....]

The base had already weakened. I'll have to test it on something alive to know if it'll actually be useful....

[Talking mostly to himself; what good was a tankbuster if you couldn't trust it to hit hard enough? He already knew the damage was insignificant compared to what it used to be, but was it too low to be acceptable? Or were his expectations too high?

...It was nice to break something, though. Turning properly to Vanitas, he finally answers him.]

I could say the same of you.

[Don't think he hadn't noticed that deterioration, Vanitas. He wasn't that oblivious, even as wrapped up in his own misery as he tended to be. Especially since, well, he figured he should probably take more of an interest in the people he lived with.]

[darkcharge]

If it's a live target that you need, I've got a few people in mind that could "volunteer."

[ Vanitas snickers. Mostly if prompted further he'd just list off a few annoyances and leave it at that. But chances are that Emet-Selch isn't really that invested in finding an actual person to test that on. Maybe some mindless beast, but eh. At least Vanitas assumes this because the old man is lazy and dealing with the aftermath would be an ordeal.

Then then mention of his own current state of being earns the Ascian a bit of a glare. Vanitas knows better than to deny it openly. It had been pretty obvious and Emet-Selch had picked up on he whole thing and commented on it before Vanitas had gotten really sick. ]

Yeah well. I guess I have my moments of stupidity too.

[ Which is about as close to "I messed up" anyone is likely to get out of him. ]

[unsundered]

Of course you do.

[Something of a reply to both. Because yeah sorry Vanitas, he's not that interested in your hit-list.

It wasn't even laziness so much as (well it was some laziness) recognizing that trying to kill random people would cause more problems than it solved. Some beast at some point would do.]

Still, I'm relieved you've decided to not persist in your folly. You're not any use at all when you're ill.

[It's not concern or anything like that. It's entirely practical.]

[darkcharge]

Still useful enough even when not my best to help save you.

[ Yes, Vanitas is enough of a brat to point that out, thank you very much. However it also is a good indicator that he is somewhat feeling like his old self again. The statement comes complete with a smug, arrogant look to him. ]

Anyway, I still think you should learn some sort of weapon skill, old man. Magic alone isn't really sufficient.

[unsundered]

[And that gets more of a scowl, though not a deeply-felt one. Vanitas was definitely getting back to his normal, irritating self. Which was good? Probably?

Emet-Selch doesn't even dignify that first half with a response; he'd already said thank you, that was the most the kid was going to get in terms of gratitude. And before he answers the last, he turns back to his new training dummy. Shutting out other thoughts, he focuses on a repeat of that last spell.

Another dark pillar; another shattered toy. Hopefully the neighbors don't mind the sound... or whatever trash gets blown into their yard....]

Magic has always been sufficient.

[Except for all the times when it wasn't. Tilting his head, he glances back towards Vanitas.]

When it's not, 'tis the fault of the caster, not magic itself.

[darkcharge]

[ The scowl actually gets Vanitas to laugh. It's not even a cruel one, which causes him to pause briefly before collecting himself again.

Back to a different matter at hand... ]

It's not always sufficient and you know it. You just told me it was a good thing to not continue in my folly... So does that mean you're going to continue in yours?

[ Sorry, but not really sorry old man. Vanitas really needs these people to look at things objectively. ]

Or is it just too hard for old dogs to learn new tricks?

[unsundered]

[Laughter, and it wasn't even the nasty sort? What was the world coming to. That, and Vanitas was giving him something that probably qualified as sensible advice.

And though the Ascian continues to look displeased at him, he does take his words more seriously this time.]

It's not as though I'm completely unfamiliar with the physical realm.

[He'd had the time to pick up a bit of everything, whenever it was required. But he knew he was no more than average; any sort of specialist could easily defeat him. Much better to stick with what he knew he was good at. However--]

Would some sort of ranged weapon suffice?

[He didn't mind guns, after all....]

[darkcharge]

[ Look, Emet. You share your Bonds with Dark Knights. Vanitas has one with a kid who thinks Gummiships legitimately run on smiles. ...There is going to be an adjustment period.

Honestly though? Even the teen had expected a little more pushback from Emet-Selch. Usually the Ascian, while admitting that Vanitas is at least sensible, doesn't really change his mind. So, really, the both of them can be surprised at something. ]

For as long as you've been around it'd be strange to not have dabbled a little.

[ Ranged weapons. Now there is something that Vanitas should have though about. Then again, he's always been able to shot projectiles from his Keyblade. ]

A ranged weapon would be better than nothing.

[unsundered]

[....well, do they? Run on smiles, that is. You sure picked an interesting Bondmate though, Vanitas.

And Emet-Selch totally wasn't changing his mind so much as... adapting to circumstance. Yes. And guns weren't a terrible thing to have around as a backup.]

I'll see what I can create. I'm not exactly terrible with machinery.

[Another few gestures, and- oh look, another training dummy. This one he just leaves alone, though; with everything he'd been casting, the Ascian was getting... quite fatigued, honestly. His stamina wasn't where it should've been.

Limping over to Vanitas' side, he leans against the wall next to him with some small relief. But after being cooped up so much, he still didn't want to go back inside yet. And there was one thing he was a small bit curious about--]

So... how does it feel, being tied to another?

[Enjoying that Bond yet, Vanitas?]

[darkcharge]

[ Now who said there had actually been much of a choice? One day Emet-Selch is going to be on the receiving end of those baby blues and then let's see how he fares. ]

Machinery?

[ It might not immediately dawn on Vanitas that Emet-Selch means a gun. Vanitas has seen them, of course. Some of the monsters the Organization uses sort of had them built into their bodies.

His eyes follow the Ascian, noting the limp. Vanitas doesn't comment on it or the fact that the old man must be tired. He doesn't need to point any of these things out. Emet-Selch knows them and, like Vanitas, he probably wouldn't appreciate his weakness being called out. At least he is outside and out of his room of all things.

Then the question comes, because of course it comes. Vanitas huffs, taking a drink out of his cup. Maybe... ]

I've always been tied to another. [ Don't forget that fact. This is nothing new, just... ] However this is. Different.

[ Why is he even about to talk about this? Probably for the same reasons that Emet-Selch had thought to talk about Amaurot. ]

Always could I feel Ventus' presence, even though he was numb to me. I knew when he was upset, angry, sad, or even happy. Those emotions I never actually felt myself. This... This is entirely different.

[unsundered]

[If you don't like the Bond, Vanitas, you can always just break it, you know.]

Yes, guns and the like.

[He waves it off, before focusing on the rest. And it is probably good that he refrained from mentioning his obvious weakness; it would've just annoyed him, to no real purpose.

The answer though, is interesting, and he's quiet for a few moments as he considers it. As miserable as was the Ascian's default, he still knew what positive emotions were (they were terrible things). But to feel something even slightly different for the first time... he had a hard time imagining.]

What do you think of it? While it's likely too soon for regrets... will you, I wonder.

[Even positive change could be deeply unpleasant, after all.]

[darkcharge]

[ True, but then he'd be right back where he started, right? In a few months he'd need a Bond regardless. So Vanitas will go along with this and maybe think of an alternative...

Anyway, yes Emet-Selch can really reflect upon what Vanitas has told him. He's said that he is little more than negativity and Darkness. Therefore it should come as no surprise that Vanitas is actually experiencing these things for the very first time. Or maybe it hasn't really clicked for the Ascian until now? ]

I regret a lot already.

[ Considering he had agreed to the Bond, but a part of him still doubts that he'll do nothing but be rejected in the end. Sora could break the Bond himself, realizing what a mistake it had been to Bond with Vanitas, even if it had been to save his life... ]

Tch. I don't know what to think about it, old man. Some of these things I can't even describe.

[ If he hasn't personally experienced it, how could he know what actual joy feels like? It confuses him. And everyone knows what Vanitas is like when he's confused. ]

[unsundered]

[Resign yourself and face caring, Vanitas.

Though the Ascian had accepted as truth that the kid was as he'd stated, as he'd certainly shown no signs of being anything else- this all did serve as additional confirmation.]

I don't doubt it. But somewhat ironic, isn't it- the introduction of a few feelings outside the range of pure negativity, and the result is only an unsettling turmoil. Hardly a positive experience.

[Or so he assumes, anyway. That was how he reacted to Mira inflicting warmth at him.]

Perhaps you'll adapt, even learn to embrace your newfound emotional corruption as it develops.

[He just sounds amused at the thought.]

[darkcharge]

[ You first, Hades.

Emet-Selch is probably one of the first to not actually question Vanitas' state of being. Most are dubious or believe that can't be all there is. Of course the man has a sensible head on his shoulders - for the most part. Still, they both have very similar hang ups when it comes to certain issues. For Van it's just easier to identify when it's not him. Same probably goes for Emet-Selch. ]

Tch. Ironic is right. Who would have thought that being infested in this way would just mess things up even more?

[ Vanitas looks at the old man again. ]

Are you going to embrace them too? Or are you satisfied being miserable?

[unsundered]

[It's probably not unusual to find it easier to identify someone else's issues over one's own. Distance, objectivity- both were a bit more difficult to obtain.

Of course, it did make certain criticisms somewhat hypocritical.]

Perhaps if you'd spent more time finding a suitable Bond partner instead of avoiding it, you wouldn't have had to resort to choosing kindness incarnate.

[You brought this on yourself, Van.]

I've nothing to embrace, fortunately.

[Deliberately ignoring the last. Of course he wasn't satisfied being miserable; who would be? But it was familiar and unchanging. It was reality.]

[darkcharge]

[ Vanitas allows for the smirk on his face to grow. Sure, he could be miffed at that little barb about his stubbornness... But Sora is suitable, if nothing else. Vanitas knows first hand the power that little heart holds. ]

Yeah well. Now you're going to be subjugated to that "kindness incarnate" as well. You don't think he'll be satisfied with inflicting himself only upon me, do you?

[ Oh old man... Do you have any idea what is in store for you now? ]

[unsundered]

[He does have to throw a slightly pained expression at him for that. This... wasn't something he sighed up for, Vanitas.]

Try to keep him in line, will you?

[He's your responsibility, okay.]

How do you plan on managing him?

[darkcharge]

[ Hey Emet-Selch deserves this anyway. He needs more light in his life same as Vanitas, right? Besides he'll deserve this for saying that he could "see it" when Rose is to list the ways they physically and not so physically resemble each other.

The question, however, merits another laugh. This time it's one the Ascian is more accustomed to. ]

I don't.

[unsundered]

[He does not need anymore Light, he is extremely anti-Light, it's very unhealthy for him.

And this is just proving Rose's point, Van. It's not as though Emet-Selch wouldn't have done the same thing, were their positions reversed.]

What a disobedient 'son.'

[darkcharge]

[ Too bad. Once the brat gets his little fingers hooked there is no escape. None.

But no. Vanitas doesn't expect that the Ascian would act any differently. Maybe he is proving Rose's point, but hasn't Emet-Selch already just decided to go with the flow when it comes to his own Warriors?

However the comment comes right as Vanitas is taking a drink. Now there's hot chocolate spraying from his mouth as he starts to choke from shock. ]

[unsundered]

[More of a reaction than he expected, and that was satisfying. Not laughing now, are you Van?

The Ascian doesn't even say anything, settling for just looking incredibly smug.]

[darkcharge]

[ After a bit of coughing and trying to clear out his airways, Vanitas looks up towards the Ascian. Half glaring. ]

Yeah well. I guess "daddy dearest" isn't the best of influences.

[unsundered]

[Sorry, Vanitas, he wasn't bothered by Rose's insightful observation, so he's not offended by the returned 'endearment'. So he only shrugs, still smirking.]

Oh, I already know that. How many children do you think I've sired over the years?

[Is this a conversation you really want to have, Van?]

[darkcharge]

[ Aww. That's not very much fun at all. Vanitas rolls his eyes... But c'mon. Emet-Selch, you know damn well how curious Vanitas is. How can he not ask? ]

You did what now?

[unsundered]

[Which gets a small head-tilt and mild surprise; he hadn't expected him to ask. Not that he minds explaining.]

Fathered children. This host in particular produced one- who was nothing like you, I have to say.

[Which, honestly, is a point in Vanitas' favor (not that he considered Van as related to him in the first place). But. He hadn't disliked that son. But he was dead, and Emet-Selch very much preferred to not be reminded of him.]