[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

Vanitas | ota

[darkcharge]

( Stress Relief )

[ Seems like the dummy that they have is going to get some pretty good use after all. Now that Vanitas isn't at risk for exploding or doing whatever it is that people without a Bond do, he is feeling stupidly restless and not in any mood to actually study. He probably could ask people in the house if they want to spar, but for a little bit here Vanitas actually wants to destroy something. He wants to feel Void Gear connect with something solid.

So that is what he is doing for some time. Vanitas is just wailing away at the dummy, taking chunks off of it every few strikes with his heavy Keyblade. There's no rhyme or reason to his swings. It's just pure stress relief. He doesn't care who is watching or if anyone is alarmed. This is just working out his frustrations in the most brutal, violent way possible.

Later, however... After Vanitas, you know, puts back together the dummy with magic... Well the weapon he has in his hands is most definitely not a Keyblade. Someone had gifted him a spear kit the other month and now Vanitas is somewhat interested in learning how to wield it. He's never seen anyone use one of these before. Everyone he knows uses various blades.

That isn't going to stop him from taking a few jobs and at least try to get a feel for the thing. ]


( What are Emotions )

[ It's been happening at random, really. Call it a side effect from being Bonded to a kid that is super cheerful and, well, kind of everywhere with his emotions some times. Whatever the case, it still feels strange. It isn't like the connection with Ventus, where the emotion his other half feels is distant and somewhat disconnected from his own.

So maybe during a visit or when someone is passing by they'll actually hear Vanitas bust out laughing. For what seems like no reason at all. Or, perhaps, one minute he is talking and the next? Well those are certainly tears rolling down his cheeks and he looks so confused as to what is going on. Or... Maybe. The strangest thing of all?

He's smiling. Softly.

What is even happening here? Because you can bet as soon as Vanitas realizes what he's doing, he is horrified. ]



( Practicing Pays Off )

[ With the weather warming up and the snow melting, one would think that things would become a little greener, right? Well, it doesn't really matter. The half-dead, half-dormant plants around the house provide Vanitas with an opportunity that he isn't likely to pass up. He still is working on the healing arts, something that he continues to struggle with. Sure, Vanitas gets a little help with that from a tutor of sorts... But it doesn't hurt to keep at it on his own.

Plants are easier to deal with than people, honestly. Now that he actually does have some positive experiences with people and more stabilized magic... Well why can't Vanitas see what he can do.

For a good, long while does he stay at this particular bush. His eyes are closed and Vanitas is focused. At his point he pretty much tunes everything out. Slowly, but surely, the bush begins to sprout new leaves. These aren't the small, deformed leaves that he is used to seeing the many times that he has tried this. Oh no.

When Vanitas opens his eyes again and sees the bush green and full, even he looks shocked. How had that happened? ]


( Wildcard )

[ Hit me with anything. ]

E M O T I O N S

[kivatteru]

[ Wataru never expected such a sight to welcome his eyes while he was taking a leisure walk after studying hard at the Coven for the day. The laugh, he didn't recognize, but the moment he turned his gaze curiously to see who was having such a good time, he froze on the spot.

Vanitas... or someone who looks like him, perhaps? No, it's definitely Vanitas. He just seems unrecognizable because he's actually smiling, so gently, and Wataru is thrown off the loop instantly.

The grouchy, angry, tenseful boy with issues about missing his half and all those things Wataru didn't really understand... is so devoid of darkness now it almost seems wrong. ]

...

[ Blinking a few times, he then recollects himself and tries to act normal while greeting the boy. Despite the weirdness, that's... definitely a good thing to see. ]

Hello, Vanitas. It's been a while.

[darkcharge]

[ Hearing someone, you know, address him actually pulls Vanitas away from whatever emotion that it had been to make him grin in the first place. Now he is trying not to be embarrassed. Trying not to immediately snap at whoever it is that might have seen him. ...But no one actually did, right?

Right? ]

Wataru. [ Hey look, he remembers. Vanitas is also trying to, uh, be neutral. ] I guess it has been a little while.

[ Lie since the Ball-thing, right? ]

[kivatteru]

Yeah.

[ Everything is 300% more awkward after seeing that smile. He almost wishes he didn't.

But he also wishes to see it again, because this guy really needs to look happy more often. ]

How have you been...? You look alright.

[ More than alright since he heard the laugh, but... vague is better... ]

[darkcharge]

I'm alive and capable of standing on two feet, if that's what you mean.

[ He... Still isn't sleeping well. But there are potions and remedies for that. Anything to knock him out so that his mind doesn't race in the middle of the night.

Wataru does look awkward, huh? Grappling for something to say are we? ]

wildcard bc u trust me

[callmeven]

[is vanitas wondering where his little flood might be right now? well wonder no longer!

the sound of the little collar tinkling can be heard as ventus, shifted in his turnskin form, trots around the house with the flood delicately scruffed in his mouth. he had followed the scent here with the hopes of finding its home...

so here he is.]

[darkcharge]

[ Vanitas has no idea where his Flood is. Half of the time he doesn't actually care where it has run off to. That's why it has a collar.

It's not until he sees a dog outside that Van is confused. What's the Flood doing... ]

Huh.

[ He goes outside, hands on his hips. Just ???? ]

[callmeven]

[the dog wags his tail when he sees vanitas, the end of it kinked from what could have been a badly healed break in the past. one of his ears is tipped and there are a few healed scars that cut through his fur along his muzzle and bag leg.

he steps forward and deposits the little flood at vanitas' feet and looks back up at him with a happy pant.]

[darkcharge]

[ Vanitas groans, dragging his hand down his face. He now doesn't have to guess who the dog is. ]

Ventus.

[ The Flood, for the most part, isn't ruffled by the experience at all. It just slips back inside the house. Probably to fuss around with Breezy. ]

practicing pays off

[oathkeeper]

[It's been a few days since Sora's arrival now. A super strange arrival that Sora's still trying to process. Everything happened to him so fast and now he's wrapped up in this whole new world and city with so much to learn and see. Luckily it's a little easier to adjust with Kairi and Riku here. With a festival of some sort going, Sora has been ready to stretch his legs a little and explore after having seen them. Luckily, he seems to have avoided the execution and heavy politics going on too. At least for now.

He still hasn't forgotten about how he and a certain someone had bonded on Sora's first day too. While he can feel this tug inside of his chest now, the rush of negative emotions sometimes making him ache inside or tremble occasionally, it's been mostly a curious and pleasant experience. Even if he and Vanitas have sort of ... avoided each other a little bit for a day or two now.

But that's why Sora heads over to that little cottage now with a little paper sack filled with cream puffs he'd gotten. When he starts to walk up he can already feel that Vanitas is casting some sort of tingly spell because it makes his own fingers twitch. He only catches the last half of Vanitas' spell casting, the flicker of magic in the air making his nose itch.]

Vanitas? Did you just do that?

[Hi again!]

[darkcharge]

[ It is true. Vanitas has sort of avoided Sora. Once he had started to feel better and more like himself he had been horrified at how loose his lips had been. ...His embarrassment and he following crisis had been pretty intense. Then there are all of the feelings that Sora has been transmitting through their Bond.

Random bits of happiness and a few others things, but Sora's just so cheerful most of the time. It's confusing.

It's neither here nor there. Because Sora is there and his voice legitimately startles Vanitas. ]

...Yes?

[oathkeeper]

[Sora blinks and then smiles quickly.]

That was really good! I could feel it- kinda like... Phhhwaah!

[Is he making a healing spell noise? Yes he is.]

Uhh... I'm glad you're looking a lot better.

[darkcharge]

Phhhwaah?

[ You really, really are a strange child, Sora. ]

What do you mean you can feel it?

[ Nope. Not addressing the "looking a lot better" comment. Nope nope nope. ]

Practicing Pays Off

[wordsinthesoul]

[He's just checking in, but. Huh. Well then.]

That looks like a job well done. [He leans in to look a little closer, to take a better look, with a glance at Vanitas.]. …have you been working on this for a while?

[darkcharge]

[ Well he hadn't expected that someone would be actively watching him. Vanitas does startle a bit - mostly his head jerking towards the sound of Thancred's voice. ]

Uh. Sort of.

[ He's been practicing a lot, to be sure. ]

[wordsinthesoul]

[Perhaps he should have stepped a little more loudly? Ah, well.]

I apologise if I've interrupted.

Are you pleased with it?

[darkcharge]

You didn't actually interrupt anything.

[ Though to ask if he is pleased? Vanitas frowns. He looks back to the bush. It's weird because he hadn't been this successful before. Sure he had healed some injuries, but it had required much more focus and more out of Vanitas. ]

I. Guess I am?

BONUS PROMPT: COMING HOME

[darkcharge]

[ Vanitas had actually been somewhat excited for the chance to get out of the city and explore the areas surrounding. Well, as excited as one like him can get, of course. However, he is far less thrilled upon returning to the city and to the house. There's no scene as he enters the house. No fuss made.

In fact, Van barely acknowledges anyone as he makes his way back to his room. There are bruises on his face, now starting to fade a bit. He hasn't even bothered to heal them or the split lip and scrapes.

Even his Flood tends to stick close, which is probably a good indicator of his mood. Vanitas is a bundle of mixed emotions, as ever. He wants to be let alone, but doesn't necessarily like being alone. But for the next few days, he does keep to himself more, brooding expression at all. He barely even seems to come out of his room.

Oh he is definitely a moody teenager at this point. ]

[unsundered]

[It had been a few days since Vanitas had returned from his little adventure, and Emet-Selch had barely seen him.

Which was unusual. Sure, everyone did their own things at their own times, but there was passing in hallways, coexisting downstairs, perhaps even some few verbal exchanges. But there had been none of that, and if he hadn't heard Vanitas once or twice, the Ascian wouldn't have been sure he'd come back at all. Still, he didn't put much attention towards his behavior right away. Why would he take notice of someone else's emotional state?

But one thing he had noticed, is that he hadn't seen as much of the Flood. And while he had no particular desire for its company, he was used to finding it hanging around, napping nearby, and generally just being an unobtrusive companion.

It wasn't as though the Ascian's mood was any better than it ever was, and he doubted Vanitas had started deliberately keeping it away from him- which meant only that the creature had found a better source of negativity than himself.

Now, combining that fact, along with the few Vanitas-sightings has Emet-Selch wonder what, exactly, was up. Enough that he decides he might as well ask, so that's where he is now, outside the kid's door. While Mira or Irhya might've brought some kind of food as a lure/excuse, the Ascian was somewhat more direct (or at least, was disinclined to bring gifts). So he just knocks on Vanitas' door.]

You're not dead in there, are you? Grievously injured?

[A refusal to answer just means he has reason to come inside to check, you know.]

[darkcharge]

[ Of all the people that would come to his door, Vanitas hadn't really thought it would be the Ascian. Maybe Emet-Selch might have thought to catch him in the hallway, but not this. Not actually seeking him out.

Not that this brings any particular joy to Van, of course. Allies they may be and they get on well enough, but neither one of hem are particularly keen on exposing their more vulnerable sides to each other are they? That's why Van doesn't budge from where he's just bundled up in his own blankets. Nope. Not coming to that door. ]

I'm alive, thanks.

[ His tone is flat, but hey. He answered. Now he can be left alone, right? ]

hello I am late

[omnicrafter]

[Irhya is in the kitchen when she hears the door open. Not doing anything in particular, just picking at some leftovers half-heartedly. In the hopes that whoever just came home will be more entertaining than her dinner, she stands up and shuffles down the hall to the front door.

...It's Vanitas. Vanitas looking like hell, at that.

She leans against a pillar and raises a brow.]

Get in a fight, did you?

never late

[darkcharge]

[ Vanitas pauses in his footsteps, his hasty retreat to his room to sulk put on pause. He hasn't actually treated any of the injuries, despite being capable. There's still the bite on his shoulder, causing it to ache slightly. ]

Gee. What's it look like?

[ There's a bit more bite in his tone than normal. Oops? ]

closed: Sora

[darkcharge]

[ It takes a couple of days and maybe his hug with Mira for Vanitas to finally begin to be a little less stand off-ish and prickly. At least he's not snapping at people and closing himself off entirely. Not quite the same for his bond though. Vanitas is keeping pretty tight control over what is passing through from his end. If he could control it both ways, then he probably would. Van would love nothing more than to cut himself off.

And, perhaps, he will. That had been his original plan, hadn't it? Get a different Bond and get out of the one ha he was so sure would end up being too much for the brat to take. But no, he had thought that maybe the kid had deserved a shot. However even that bright little light had marched off without nary a care. So maybe it is time to just let that go.

Van is in his room again, of course. This time it's more with a book in hand than anything else. The bruises are fading, but the cuts are still there. The bite mark too, really, the bandaging a little more visible now that he isn't wearing anything to cover it. The Flood remains close by still, drawn towards Vanitas and what negative feelings he still is clinging to at the moment. ]

[oathkeeper]

[It has been a terrible last few days for Sora. Returning from the outpost had been a task in on itself with Sora's occasional earaches getting worse. On top of what happened between him and Vanitas weighing heavily on Sora's conscience. He had taken to staying close to the house with Kairi and the others mostly because the earaches got so bad that there was one evening where he could barely handle thinking about anything.

But he didn't want to stay away from talking to Vanitas for too long. He hadn't meant a lot of the things he said, felt, did... The anger from that ghost had burned him so badly that he felt so much regret and shame for all of it. Even running away had been a part of that.

And now that there's nothing but haze coming from whatever is left of their tattered bond now... it leaves Sora with a heavy feeling of dread and upset.

Once his head clears enough Sora manages to slip away from the house without anyone asking too many questions and he heads towards that same window he's slipped through before. He's quiet as he climbs up and when he gets to the ledge he gently knocks. The noise of his knuckles tapping on the glass feels so much louder now.

... Louder now that his body has changed, his ears changing and growing into two long and sensitive rabbit ears. Soft and new and ... totally not a dragon's ears as Sora had been hoping he'd turn into. But that's not really important right now.]

[darkcharge]

[ Unlike before, the knock does draw his attention. Though seeing who it is out there? Yeah, what makes Sora think that Vanitas is even going to entertain the idea now? He frowns, though it's likely distorted by the glass. However he makes his point very clear as he looks straight at Sora...

Then promptly turns his head back down to the book. Indeed, Vanitas is making no move to get up or acknowledge the other teen's presence beyond just a glance.

Sora does, however, get the Flood's attention... ]