middaeg | [Open] Come In From The Cold...

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[Open] Come In From The Cold...

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!))

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[ Of course he's going to wander inside. Naturally this would be the case, huh? Maybe someone should tell Van that he's getting a taste of how annoying and nosy he can be. ]

...And what if you were?

[ Vanitas doesn't seem to be in the mood for the banter today. He's still practically cocooned in those blankets, face visible only. The Flood's there, right at the foot of the bed. ]

Then that would be a pity.

[Because he's here now, ready to bother you anyway. Though he's not sure what he expected, Vanitas huddled up among blankets wasn't exactly it. Leaning against the frame of the door, Emet-Selch observes what he can see of his face.]

What are you sulking over now?

[This probably isn't the best way of showing concern. Though he frowns at a sudden thought.]

Don't tell me you're ill too.

[ Whether or not Emet-Selch decides to fully enter the room, Van makes an irritated noise in the back of his throat. He isn't going to respond to that sulking comment. That's not at all what he's doing here. Vanitas just wants to keep to himself.

Because things are better that way. He doesn't like remembering these feelings. ]

Too?

[ Who is ill? Van hasn't actually noticed. ]

[He raises an eyebrow at that.]

Mira finally collapsed under the weight of her own efforts. Wrapped up in yourself [And blankets.] as you are, I'm not surprised you missed it.

[So now he had two people to scold.]

So, are you? Or is there some other reason for your sudden hermitage?

[ See, hearing that Mira is unwell isn't really all that surprising. Vanitas had warned her - had tried to force her rest. If anything that gets through to him. There's some actual concern in his eyes.

He might have to go bother her...

And then it's gone because Emet-Selch has to ask that question. ]

I'm fine. [ Broken record much. ] I can take care of myself.

[Well, at least the kid could react to something outside himself. Not that the Ascian was really one to talk when it came to wrapping himself up in his own misery.

He has to hum at Vanitas' actual response, though.]

You do know it's faster to just tell me what's happened that has you so wound up. Satisfy my curiosity and I'll leave you be, 'tis not a bad offer.

And invite you to mock me further?

[ Because let's face it. They both know that this is what is to happen. That and why would he want to admit to the Ascian that Vanitas actually doesn't want to be alone? That he hates the feeling of loneliness in general and he actually might have thought, for once, that he didn't have to be?

Yeah, Emet-Selch probably would belittle him for being naive or foolish. ]

I'll pass.

Only if you've done something worthy of mockery. Have you?

[Almost anything could be mocked, especially the things that shouldn't be. So yes, Vanitas' instincts were quite apt.]

Whether I did or I didn't, you'll find fault in something.

[ Especially since Vanitas had opened himself up to this. Oh he knows. He knows very well. ]

Oh, almost certainly.

[Lightly, friendly as anything.]

But it must've been pretty foolish for you to be this reticent.

Right. So go bother someone else that will actually entertain you. I'm not in the mood for it.

[ HUFF HUFF HUFF. Go away. He doesn't feel like talking to the old man who will just make him feel worse. ]

No, I doubt you're in the mood for much of anything right now.

[The Ascian doesn't seem to be budging. He'll get bored of this eventually, but for the moment he looks amused enough, still leaning heavily against the doorframe, favoring his still-healing leg.]

I could start guessing. I'm sure I can hit on something relevant if I tried.

So glad you noticed.

[ There's bite to his words, not that Emet-Selch will necessarily heed that. Van can practically see the amusement in his eyes.

But he can totally wait out the Ascian, right? ]

Let's see... you went on that recent trip out of the city, didn't you? It must've happened out there, considering you've been sulking away ever since you returned.

[He notes that bite, and ignores it. Technically he's playing with fire a bit here; Vanitas knows enough about him to hurt, if he wanted. It's not enough to stop the Ascian, though.]

You're the type to react more strongly to people than events. Which means whatever occurred involves someone who was also on the trip. Some manner of interpersonal drama.

[ That's the real problem here though: they both know enough about each other to make those comments that cut to the core. Probably even more so now than several months ago and that incident hadn't been pleasant for either one of them. ]

Wow. Great job, Detective Hades. Figure that all out on your own, you did. I'm so impressed.

[This was probably not the best time to warn off Vanitas from using his name (not that he particularly liked being called old man either, but), and it gets more of a frown than the sarcasm does. The sarcasm he expected, and was easy enough to ignore as he continues, as though Van hadn't said anything at all.]

Now who was with you that could have such an effect? Mira was here, I know that much. The other most likely candidates are those from your own world, I think. I don't know who else was on your holiday, but... I'd wager on it either being Ventus again, or your Bondmate.

[ Truth is, Vanitas has sort of picked up on the fact that he shouldn't use the name "Hades" in reference to the Ascian. It's personal and he gets that. Had he not been in such a foul mood, he probably wouldn't be using it. But this is Vanitas and he tends to use words as weapons, doesn't he?

All of these things he's saying are pretty easy to figure out. The amount of people that can actually work him up to this degree are few and far between. Literally it is those in this house - maybe Marie - and then a select few from his "world." ]

Gee, I don't know. Why don't you run off and start asking them?

[It's not a terribly hard thing to narrow down, he's aware. But who knows, maybe he'll get a reaction in the process that'll give something away. Or the insults will get progressively more personal. Or he'll lose interest and wander off.

Vanitas' comment gets a mildly surprised look, though.]

Would you really prefer that...? I'm sure if I let them know you're unwell and asking for them, they'll come running. You'll probably bore me into leaving eventually, but you'll have a harder time untangling either of them.

[ Oh does the old man have a point there and it shows. Van's expression sours. Ventus would probably be clingy. Though Vanitas is fairly certain that Sora will just not have anything to do with this. After all, he had run away. ]

Back off. I don't recall pestering you with all the details of your capture. But maybe...

[ Welp. ]

So tell me. What was that like? Sitting there, broken and helpless? Powerless to do anything to stop those people from hurting you over and over again?

[Just because he knows Vanitas is lashing out because that's what he does in this sort of situation doesn't mean his words don't land. Don't serve as a reminder for things he couldn't forget.

But Emet-Selch also knows that reaction means he's getting closer to something. But which one? It's just an instinct, but--]

Is it problems with your Bonded then...? You seemed to be getting on so well to start, but I suppose the shine has wore off. Did he give up on you as well?

[Completely ignoring Vanitas' commentary. That he's replying like this at all is likely clear enough of an answer, tone all condescendingly concerned.]

After all, he hasn't turned up to check on you in all this time. Don't tell me you expected anything else.

[ No reaction. At least no visible reaction. What the heck, old man. Van practically growls, expression darkening.

Getting on "so well" might be a stretch, but things were amiable enough. There had been something like hope there. ]

Coming from the guy whose on people turned on him? I don't think you have any room to talk. Even your attempt at coming to an understanding failed. Don't tell me you expected anything else.

[A narrowed expression, fingers digging into his palms, though his tone remains even.]

He seemed pretty convinced too, that dark and light could work together. I suppose you showed him what nonsense that was....

[Of course there was no hope, Van. There never had been.]

Once he knew who you really were, that was the end of it, I'd wager. Better to learn it now, than before you got too attached to some dream of something better.

[A hint of bleakness; the only acknowledgement of Vanitas' words.]

We both know that's beyond us.

[ Ah... When had the old man actually met Sora? Van doesn't entirely know. But dark and light could work together? Yeah, definitely sounds like something Sora would say.

But man. Is nothing going to make the Ascian leave it alone? Not even that dig gets more than Emet-Selch curling his fists tighter. There's no explosive reaction like he had wanted from that.

Van gets progressively angrier for it too. He doesn't need someone to tell him all these things he's been telling himself. Vanitas had already known it, but had allowed some attachment and now this... Even though he had known better. And really, there's another comment on the tip of his tongue, but then Emet-Selch says that right at the end. Us. ]

...I know.

[ To which, he just sort of deflates, whatever anger he had bleeding from his features. ]

[When that anger just... fades, the Ascian falls silent in turn, losing the rest of that impulse to lash out at him.

He supposes he... sort of found out what was wrong with Vanitas. Some manner of falling out with Sora? Emet-Selch isn't sure why he feels almost- offended at that. The kid had seemed so certain about taking a third option when he'd spoken to him; had it been nothing but words, as he'd suspected?

And as always, it was those of the dark left to suffer for it. For daring to believe, if only for a little while--]

...'Tis an insidious feeling. You would think we'd know better by now than to give it any purchase.

[And yet.]

[ Emet-Selch has, indeed, found out what has been bothering Vanitas so. Despite the fact that Sora had run away, leaving him there, out of of his own sense of shame, Vanitas still feels as though a back has been turned on him. He's all but been tuning out as much of the bond as possible. Hadn't bothered to heal his own face because they are reminders of his own foolishness.

Of believing in anything. ]

Why is that though? Why do we have to settle for that? Is this all that it ever really will be?

[ He huffs, already bracing himself for whatever mocking the Ascian is likely to give to him. ]

I should have known better. Don't know why I thought otherwise.

[Open] Come In From The Cold...

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