autumn catch-all (open)

[unchainer]

WHO: Vanitas and you!
WHAT: Catch-all with open prompts
WHEN: Throughout autumn
WHERE: Various
WARNINGS: There will be eventual NSFW!

cruise ship - general.

[ Vanitas' designated date from the auction is Amber, and while he can't say he's having a bad time, there are moments in which he can be caught without her around the ship.

Sampling the wine is something he's not opposed to, and he may or may not be tipsy when someone approaches. He can also be found at the buffet, squinting at a dessert dish...that looks like Tarte Tatin?? Wow, he's going to scrutinize the hell out of it. It'd better be good. ]

chocolates.

[ He's not a fan of chocolate, especially if it's too sweet. He's got zero idea about the bonus effects, too, but while he's out in town square, he idly pops a piece into his mouth.

He grimaces a bit. Too sweet, too sweet – but he starts to realize something was terribly wrong with it when he sees the next person and instinctively approaches. And then, without warning, he will pick them up bridal style. (Effort will vary depending on the individual.)

He blinks down at whoever he's just scooped up. ]

...Huh?

[ And then he'll promptly drop them. Oops. ]

wildcard.

[ I am down for anything! Tasks, Bingo, etc.! ]

Comments

[archivists]

Ah.

[ Noé can hold back that gasp as much as he'd rather not make any unnecessary noises. Vanitas seems to be very skittish right now. ]

Does he make you do things you never would have done before?

[unchainer]

[ He nods again, dead silent. Also dead on the inside, but that's not important. ]

[archivists]

[ While he has seen Vanitas like this once before, it also feels somewhat different. Noé isn't sure what makes it so, but he watches Vanitas in silence for a moment before asking another question: ]

Would you drop everything and go help him in the middle of the night if he was in danger?

[unchainer]

What are you trying to get at?

[ He's not answering anymore of these questions. ]

[archivists]

[ He still got three out of five, so that's pretty promising. Noé can't imagine Vanitas sharing this opinion, though. ]

You'll see when the time comes.

[unchainer]

Stop being so cryptic! That's supposed to be me, not you!

[ And yet, he's blushing madly. ]

[archivists]

Do you really want to know the answer?

[ It's hard not to show Vanitas a wide smile after asking that. ]

I might say something that will scare you.

[unchainer]

Out with it.

[ He has a bad feeling he knows what Noé's about to say, but they've gotten this far. It'll be more agonizing if he doesn't hear the answer. ]

[archivists]

These questions have been prepared by an expert.

[ Noé will always have high regard for Gaku. If Gaku has million number of fans he is one of them. If Gaku has ten fans he is one of them. If Gaku has only one fan and that is him. If Gaku has no fans, that means he is no more on earth. If the world is against Gaku, he is against the world. ]

You're falling in love, Vanitas.

[unchainer]

[archivists]

You got three out of five right...

[ Should he continue or give Vanitas a moment to accept his fate? ]

[unchainer]

Who came up with these questions?

[ Gaku is the real MVP. ]

[archivists]

What are you planning to do?

[ He has no idea what Vanitas can do when he's like this... ]

[unchainer]

I'm asking if your source is reputable.

[ He's not going to do anything...hopefully... ]

Who is it.

[archivists]

[ Do I really have to put that cursed metatext in Noé's mouth so Vanitas will believe that Gaku is legit... ]

He is.

[ Noé's still not sure if he should reveal that kind of information. ]

It's... oh, I should probably order something. I've been here for quite a while.

[unchainer]

[ He doesn't care if Noé orders something or not, but – ]

You're protecting him. I'm not going to do anything to whoever you're referring to.

[ He has other reasons that are...not very nefarious, actually? ]

[archivists]

I just don't want you to lash out at him or whatever you're going to do.

[ He can't tell what is going on in Vanitas' head. But he does know about his heart, more or less. ]

We're far from home... you should give yourself a chance, Vanitas. A chance you've been denying yourself for so long.

[unchainer]

You know more than enough about me, Noé. You know why that'd be a waste of time.

[ He's scowling, now. Vanitas has carried many burdens with him over the years and lashes out as a result. He's made many mistakes. He shouldn't have been born.

There is no room for someone like him in Aether's life. This isn't even about what he wants anymore.

Without realizing it, he lets something crucial slip: ]

If you care about keeping Aether safe, then you'll stop insisting that you know what's best for me.

[archivists]

Safe? From what?

[ His eyebrows knitted together quite tight. ]

You wouldn't hurt him. I don't know what is best for you, truth be told. I just want you to see that you deserve something more.

spoilers!

[unchainer]

[ He presses his forehead to his palm again and lets out an aggravated sigh. ]

How can you say that, after what you –

[ –saw, at the carnival. The memory shakes him up, though, as he recalls his attempts to kill Noé that night.

He ducks his head, hides his face from view.

He's a mess. ]

[archivists]

We weren't ourselves that night.

[ That might not be enough to convince Vanitas not to go back to these memories, but he should at least try to understand that they were both pushed to their limits and forced to fight. ]

I wouldn't want anyone to see that part of me either. [ He lets out a sigh. ] And I don't think Aether is in danger.

[unchainer]

[ Hearing that from Noé is somewhat of a relief, even if the guilt he has with him is still lingering. He seems to calm down a bit, and he takes a moment to sip on his water.

It's quiet, for a moment. ]

... I'll consider it.

[archivists]

[ Noé lets the silence linger for a little while as if he wanted to give Vanitas some time to get used to the thought that Aether isn't at a risk. ]

Now... I'm curious what he thinks of you.

[unchainer]

Don't tell me you're going to talk to him about this.

[ He might actually shank Noé if he does (no). ]

[archivists]

I won't bring up the questions, I can promise you that.

[ He will do his best not to. Who knows how it'll go, though. ]

Aren't you curious?