[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

[darkcharge]

[ Augh! What's the tugging even for? Why can't he just... Why does Sora have to be so cheerful and hyper? Now that he isn't even remotely aggressive or sarcastic with Vanitas, it definitely throws him off.

He just doesn't know how to deal with people treating him like a person just yet. Emet-Selch, Mira, Marie, and the rest don't count. This is a completely different dynamic and Vanitas almost feels like he's drowning. ]

I was just using healing magic.

[oathkeeper]

[He doesn't mean to be overwhelming but at the same time, he can't help himself. Gently tugging at Vanitas' hands makes him want to keep asking questions, seeing what else Vanitas can do, talk with him more... He's not sure if it's the pull of their new bond or what, but he goes with that feeling.

Tug tugging towards the bushes again.]

Let's see some more!

[darkcharge]

[ Vanitas just stands there for a minute, staring at Sora. One brow is raised, as if asking Sora if he really thinks that he has a chance moving Vanitas from this spot. He hasn't even budged. ]

You want to see more what? Just healing magic?

[ With an eye roll and an exasperated sigh, Van will concede to letting Sora pull him along. ]

[oathkeeper]

[Sora grins warmly when Vanitas finally unroots from his spot. He might feel a little joy about that.]

Yeah! Your healing magic! I want to see what you can do!

[Dazzle him!! ]

[darkcharge]

You just saw the extent of what I can do.

[ He doesn’t know if he can do it again. ]

[oathkeeper]

I only caught the last part of you casting that actual spell.

[Well-- he felt the entire thing but that's something else.]

Just show me again, okay? Please?

[darkcharge]

I still really don't see the point, but fine...

[ Sora's got to release his hands first. Vanitas looks at them pointedly with a raised brow. ]

[oathkeeper]

[Oh-- He's still holding these hands-- He lets go quickly.]

Uh. The point is I want to see how much you've learned about healing magic here. You're my bonded, right?

[Shouldn't he know these things?]

And have things been better for you now that we are?

[darkcharge]

Do you have to say it like that?

[ Vanitas grumbles, rubbing at his cheek in irritation. And embarrassment. He'll ignore the question itself in favor of putting his hands on a different bush. ]

...It's better.

[ Which is all Sora is going to get out of him at the moment so shush. Let him concentrate. He still has to have a lot of focus to be able to do this. Feeling the flow of energy from the plant. Offering some of his own in return... ]

[oathkeeper]

How should I say it then? My bondmate?

[Whoops- that slips out of Sora's mouth before he can stop himself. He's heard people call it that term a few times so he's just parroting it back.

But then Vanitas starts casting his magic and Sora can feel the flutter over their wayward bond.

Hopefully, Sora didn't interrupt him too badly with that term use...]

[darkcharge]

[ The statement does throw him off for a moment. Vanitas shoots Sora a bit of a glare. There really is no need to say things like that!

Dumb kid. Van huffs and his attention returns to the bush.

And, with some time and effort, he bush starts to come back to life. The withered leaves begin to turn green once more. New growth buds on the branches. ]

[oathkeeper]

[The glare makes Sora look a little crestfallen. But he quickly lets it go when he sees the magic start to affect the bush. It's really neat to watch the healing come to life. The branches budding and the fresh new-growth smell. Sora smiles. He's impressed!]

That's really amazing, Vanitas! Wow! Look at it grow!

[Vanitas' magic flowing through his own body isn't so heavy anymore after the time has passed but he can still feel the little flicker of it inside.]

You're doing really good. Keep it up.

[darkcharge]

[ Praise and complements... It makes Van's stomach do a weird little flip. Acknowledgement. Validation. These are things that he's wanted. No denial of that.

Just it's so weird hearing it from Sora.

He won't keep this up. Just enough to get it all started. If it gets cold again then he doesn't necessarily want this to get damaged. ]

You're such a strange kid.

[oathkeeper]

Who's a kid? Aren't we pretty much the same age?

[Sora grins teasingly. He kneels down to inspect the bush, fingers brushing over some of the leaves and buds gently.]

But really, Vanitas. I mean it. You look a lot better now and your magic feels stable again. I'm glad.

[darkcharge]

[ The response makes him scoff. In reality, he doesn't know if he is younger or older or how all that is supposed to work. ]

Physically, maybe. Mentally I think you may be lacking.

[ It's just how he is, Sora. Don't take it personally. Instead he watches Sora inspect the bush. ]

How do you know all that anyway?

[oathkeeper]

[He was pretty much guessing as well.]

Geeze, Vanitas. You never hold back, do you...

[Sora's always the butt of that joke. He huffs.]

And, I don't know. It doesn't feel like it's burning much anymore. And you don't look sick anymore.

[darkcharge]

[ Maybe Sora isn't the most mature, but so what? Who cares... He's strong enough and that's what counts. ]

No, I don't. I'm not sure why you'd think that this would magically change.

[ That's dangerous territory to tread into Sora. Best not touch that one and move on. ]

Ha. I'm not sick is why. However you're acting like you can actually feel my magic.

[oathkeeper]

Nah, I guess not.

[Vanitas wouldn't change in that regard. So he just laughs a bit.

But then he shrugs??]

Uh, because I can feel your magic?

[darkcharge]

[ Vanitas just stares at him. First Sora seems down because of the comment and now he's just bouncing back? What kind of person has he attached himself to here? It's unbelievable... ]

I didn't know that was a thing.

[oathkeeper]

[One of Sora's best traits is letting comments about how dumb he is wash off his back! Hah!

He pats his own chest for a moment like he thinks the magic is right there.]

Me either, but I get this faint little feeling inside every time you use something.

[darkcharge]

[ Wait for it, Sora. A time will come when Vanitas will probably threaten whoever thinks to do that. Because only he'll be allowed this. ]

A... Feeling.

[ What kind of feeling, Sora? ]

[oathkeeper]

[Sora casually glances up and away to the side.]

A kinda warm...feeling. Haha.

[darkcharge]

And you're sure that you're not coming down with something.

[oathkeeper]

[Sora laughs and gently plucks a tiny flower from the bush.]

Nah, I'm definitely not sick. This is totally real.

[darkcharge]

[ Are you going to eat that flower, Sora? ]

Augh. There needs to be an instruction manual for this stuff.