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!))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He actually pays no mind to the slight discomfort that Sora may feel. Vanitas... Has his own agenda when it comes to wanting to touch those ears. And tug on them.

Van does, however, feel some of the tension in their bond ease. Now he's not sure what that feeling is that comes across after; the one that is likely the cause of Sora's smile. What is that emotion?

Before Vanitas can think to ask, Sora's arms are around him. There's a brief moment of alarm, but Vanitas recognizes the gesture for what it is. A hug. His second one in such a short period. However thinks this one is less about seeking comfort and instead tied to relief? Joy?

Whatever the case, Van's hand is on Sora's back. Not quite a return of the embrace, but not pushing him away either. ]

Huh?

[ Does this really mean that much? ]

[Sensative rabbits ears that Sora's not too sure what to do with. They twitch and move when Sora's listening or feeling certain things. They are so sensitive to touch and the fur tickles when he feels fingers across them. There might even be the slightest tingle of Sora's own particularly strange puca magic there in the softness of the new brunette fur. They perk up automatically when he feels Vanitas not exactly pull away or return the action of this hug.

The tension that slowly flickers away from the bond between them has Sora's relief continue. He's happy although it's still somewhat careful now as they hug. Sora squishes away certain feelings to try and focus on that joy and relief that maybe things really will be okay.

He curls a little closer, not quite letting go yet.]

This is good, right?

[ Guh. Vanitas has no idea what to do with some of his own feelings lately! With Mira, it had been a strong urge to hurt the people who had used her, regardless of the fact he knows who they are and doesn't really have an issue with them personally. But the desire to do that anyway so they couldn't do it again had been almost dizzying.

Right now though? It's. Warm? Warm in a weird way that Vanitas can barely describe. Sora hugging tighter does not help him sort this out. He huffs, feeling a little overwhelmed. ]

It's not bad.

[ But enough, enough. Van pushes Sora a little to let him know it needs to stop. It's good, yes, but Vanitas feels like if it doesn't stop, he'll get sucked into some nameless emotion and he doesn't want that. ]

More importantly... [ He takes Sora's ears, eager to change conversation and not linger on how unsettled he really feels. ] When did you get these.

[Sora lets go when he's pushed and drops his arms to his sides while dropping his gaze too. The warmth that's returning to the space between their bond is welcome again and he finds he likes it much better than the empty haze from the night before.

He's more than happy to swap subjects as well, letting whatever warm feelings he'd been feeling to be tucked away.]

Er... The other night. I kept getting so many earaches and then it got bad enough that these popped up instead.

[It feels weird to have someone grab at them. They twitch and Sora makes a face.]

I was gonna go to the coven tomorrow to make sure I got it right. But I guess I'm turning into a puca.

[A rabbit. NOT A DRAGON.]

[ Poor Sora. Vanitas can't help but tweak those ears a little. They are... Stupidly soft. ]

Just say it. You're turning into a widdle bunny wabbit.

[ There's the first sign that Vanitas is bouncing back. ]

You don't seem too thrilled.

It's called a puca!

[Sora pouts, a small noise of protest coming from the back of his throat. His ears twitch again under those fingers. It feels so weird to have someone touch that soft new fur!!]

I was hoping I would be something cooler, that's all. Like a dragon or maybe even a fae.

[Or even a vampire or merrow he would have liked. But a rabbit? It's not cool!]

[ Van drops one hand, but not the other. Nope. He is still rubbing his thumb inside one of those ears.

It's... Cute. ]

Hmm. Fae could have been worked. You, however, are a far cry from a dragon. A bunny suits you just fine.

What do you mean I'm a far cry from being a dragon?!

[He's fierce? He's dangerous!! Or at least he can be.

Sora fusses, his hands going up to swat at Vanitas' rubbing fingers. It's starting to feel a little too weird.]

[ Fine. Fine. He'll remove his fingers. Vanitas' hand drop to his lap, finding some amusement in Sora's dismay. ]

You're jumpy and hyperactive. You dart all over the battlefield and do not have an aggressive, fiery temperament. Ergo, a rabbit suits you just fine.

[His ears pop back up with a little twitch here and there.]

I guess that's true. [Sora's still pouting, though.] But I wanted something strong and useful.

[If he can help his bondmates by being strong too, it's good! But can a rabbit do that?]

[ Really? Of course Sora would want that though. Vanitas can't blame him for that, considering Vanitas has always believed that things without a use are tossed aside.

He makes a motion with his hand. The Flood jumps up onto the bed. It sits between them. ]

Sora. What does this thing remind you of?

[ It does look like a mutated rabbit, don't lie. ]

[It does look like a mutated rabbit. It's true. Sora reaches out to touch the top of the Flood's head with a gentle pet.]

Ummm. A little like a weird rabbit I guess.

[He smiles a little lopsidedly.]

Mmm. You'd be surprised how many of them do. After all, you were only exposed to such a small variety.

[ He clicks his tongue. Makes a face of disgust at Sora petting the Flood. Vanitas still doesn't understand why people do that. ]

Floods, in particular, are the most common as they come from feelings of Irritation. You've seen them in action both within the battlefield and outside of it. Do they come across as useless and powerless to you?

[He remembers his brief stint of having to fight the occasional unversed and they were pretty hard to deal with sometimes. Fast and strong and he guesses that Vanitas used them for all sorts of useful things.]

They were a pain in the butt for me sometimes. [He gives Vanitas a sheepish look. Sorry for beating on Vanitas' unversed, anyway-] They are pretty strong and really fast.

[But he also remembers that Vanitas makes these creatures out of his negative emotions and that it wasn't always pleasant. And yet this Flood right here is so cute. And maybe just to take a jab at the way Vanitas makes a face at him Sora scoops up the Flood again and hugs it, cheek nuzzling it like it's a real rabbit.]

You're right, rabbits aren't so bad.

Edited 2020-02-24 03:25 (UTC)

[ Yeah... Yeah, Sora he's just watching all that and it makes him so, so uncomfortable. Visibly uncomfortable ]

Put that thing down. You don't know where it's been.

[ But at the very least, Sora seems to somewhat understand what Vanitas is getting at. Each Monster type has their own unique talents and abilities. None of them are powerless and useless. It's just going to be on Sora to utilize those attributes and find out how they can best be useful. ]

And it's creeping me out. Between the old man treating it like a cat and Ventus saying it smells good...

[ He makes a face and shudders. ]

[It's going to be a struggle for Sora to adjust to his newfound monster attributes but at least Vanitas is right about a few major things. Rabbits are fast and just because they're small and tend to jolt around they can be just as dangerous as any other wild animal. Those teeth and powerful legs aren't to be taken lightly.

And speaking of teeth Sora glances quickly at the bite mark that would be at Vanitas' shoulder and then to the cut he's left on Vanitas' lip and he frowns a little bit about it.

But anyway-]

Ven said it smells good?

[Ventus, what? He chuckles.]

But what's so bad about holding this guy? He's not attacking or anything. And he's not dirty.

He did. Ventus said it smelled "good and familiar." Whatever that means.

[ However he had also said that about Vanitas too. That he had smelled "familiar" and whatnot. Being a puppy and being given a sharper nose should not make him even more brazen and reckless than he already is. But here we are. Ventus saying these things where everyone could read it.

He shakes his head, turning his focus back to Sora and the Unversed. ]

It's weird. Under normal circumstances I would be able to feel it and with how it is right now, I can't. You're holding an extension of myself and the disconnect makes it weird.

I can't really say what Ven meant by saying that since he can't remember us but? Maybe because it reminded him of you? Or maybe it's because he's a puppy. It's probably both.

[Even if Ventus is in some weird spot in time maybe he can still recognize the other half of his heart. But Sora still thinks it's kind of funny Ventus associated a smell with Vanitas. He really is a puppy.

But then it really starts to dawn on Sora with what Vanitas says. He can usually feel what his unverse feel??? Sora makes a face and then suddenly holds the little one a little closer.]

Are you serious? Really? You can feel what they feel usually?

[Oh GOSH... NO.]

Probably both. He's sniffed both myself and the Flood out enough times that there's probably some lingering scent. Who knows.

[ Van shrugs. Other than it being super weird and somewhat creepy, it's harmless. And it, ultimately, is kind of meaningless.

Instead his gaze shifts to Sora's hands. How they hold the Flood tighter. ]

Anyway, yes, Sora. They are my emotions. Little fragments of myself. How could I not be able to feel them?

[Sora gives quite the mighty pout at this realization. With how he's treated Vanitas, that bite mark on his shoulder, the various bruises and cuts, not to mention that red mark on his lip... And now he's realizing that Sora having demolished several unversed in the past meant that hurt Vanitas too?

Sora inhales softly. He feels TERRIBLE.

He cuddles the unversed so close he's got it up to his cheek. Sorry, he's not letting go.]

I'm sorry I ever hurt one of these little guys...

[ His head tilts to the side. Vanitas feels the distress. He has no idea where it is coming from. ...Well he sort of gets it. Sora is distraught over the fact that he's harmed the Unversed.

Van can't imagine why that is. ]

Why? I do it all the time.

[He barely contains a gasp.]

Vanitas?! I know you told me a little about how you first got these guys but you don't have to hurt them anymore, right?

[Sora tucks his chin downwards.]

You don't gotta hurt yourself.

[ Poor Sora. Vanitas just can't comprehend this at all. ]

Why not? They disgust me. I never wanted anything to do with them in the first place.

[Sora frowns and looks down. The wound between them still feels quite fresh so Sora doesn't want to argue a lot about this but he can't help but feel like this isn't right.]

Even If they're an extension of you?

[ He doesn’t see it as an argument just yet. This is how Vanitas truly feels about the Unversed and, in some part, how he sees himself. ]

Yes. The ugliest parts. They’re monsters, after all.

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