THE WORLD IS FULL OF...

i thought i told you to stay back.

i love you too much to let you get hurt like this.

this affects me, too, you know.

every time you leave, i sit up all night waiting, praying you'll come back alive.

you keep pulling stunts like this and something bad will happen.

do you have a death wish or something?

this isn't fair to me.

i deserve better than this.

i didn't get any sleep last night because i was so worried about you.

you promised me you'd stop going out at night.

i don't like hearing this.

you've been risking your life, and for what? so you can feel like a goddamn hero?

i said i would handle it.

what the fuck are you doing here?

you told me you'd stay put.

so much for laying low.

you remember how bad it was last time.

seems like you haven't learned anything.

i believe you promised me you'd lay low.

i can't keep doing this.

don't give me that look.

we'll discuss this later.

this stops now.

i'm tired of picking up the pieces once you've left.

you keep throwing yourself into danger.

you don't give a shit about yourself, do you?

i'm sitting here, worried out of my mind, while you're out doing god knows what.

that was really stupid of you, and you know it.

i thought you knew better than this.

what's your excuse this time?

you do realize what this does to me, right? seeing you get hurt like this? you know it hurts me, too?

you really don't give a shit how this affects me, huh.

that was the dumbest possible thing you could have done.

i need you to stop throwing yourself into harm's way.

that was completely unnecessary.

they had it handled.

you didn't need to step in like that.

why do you think you're invincible?

the last time you pulled a stunt like this, it nearly got you killed.

i can't just sit here and watch you get hurt.

what are you trying to prove?

you just like fucking with my heart, don't you.

this shit hurts me, too, you know.

you're not the only one affected by this shit.

you've got a lot of people counting on you to come home every night.

what happens if you don't come back?

you think we can just carry on without you?

you think i can handle things if you end up dead?

i'm not sticking around to watch you get hurt.

you're not even slick.

you think you're invincible, don't you.

quit pretending you've got everything under control.

let someone else do it for a change.

you can't keep putting yourself through shit like this and expect me to just sit back and watch.

i'm done with this.

next time you do this, i'm not coming back.

promise me this is the end.

look me in the eyes and tell me you'll stop doing this.

let the authorities deal with it.

you're making a big mistake.

is it worth dying for?

"I   dare   you   to   try."

"Do   you   always   get   close?"

"You’re   pushing   my   limits."

"Stop   looking   at   me   like   that."

"I’m   losing   control   here."

"You   have   no   idea,   do   you?"

"I   can’t   resist   you   anymore."

"Stay   back,   or   don’t."

"I   know   what   you   want."

"This   is   getting   dangerous   now."

"You’re   too   tempting   for   me."

"I   shouldn’t   want   this,   but…"

"I   don’t   play   fair,   remember?"

"Careful,   you’re   testing   me."

"You’re   just   making   it   worse."

"You’re   too   close   for   comfort."

"Do   you   always   push   buttons?"

"Stop   before   I   kiss   you."

"You’re   making   it   too   hard."

"I   can’t   stop   thinking   about   you."

"I   want   you   too   much."

"You   know   exactly   what   you’re   doing."

"I’m   not   playing   games   here."

"You’ve   crossed   the   line   now."

"Keep   pushing,   and   you’ll   regret   it."

"This   is   dangerous,   isn’t   it?"

"I’m   trying   not   to   care."

"Don’t   make   me   regret   this."

"You’re   playing   with   fire."

"You   don’t   know   what’s   coming."

"I   shouldn’t   be   this   close."

"We’re   getting   dangerously   close   now."

"I   can   feel   the   heat."

"Don’t   test   me   right   now."

"I   want   you   too   badly."

"Don’t   make   me   chase   you."

"You’re   distracting   me,   you   know."

"I   won’t   fall   for   this."

"I   want   you,   but…"

"What   do   you   want   from   me?"

"I’ll   never   give   in."

"I’m   trying   not   to   care."

"You’re   playing   with   my   patience."

"Don’t   make   this   harder,   please."

"I   can’t   stop   this   feeling."

"I’m   already   in   too   deep."

"You   won’t   walk   away   unscathed."

"You’re   walking   a   fine   line."

"I’m   trying   to   stay   calm."

He's zoning out a bit, watching the light on the walls. That's not exactly ideal, he really does need to focus.

Oh, the glow fades. It tugs his lips into a frown.

"Why'd you stop?" He asks, voice rough and quiet. The darkened house and the strained atmosphere seems to demand he keep his voice low, though he can't help the relieved groan at the press of heat to his knee. It helps soothe the ache that permeates past when it should have after he came back.

"We'll live, of course, it's all we can do. Just keep living through what others do to us." A sigh boils up from his chest and spills out, aching and heavy, and his fingers twitch to bury in Vash's hair. It's extremely tempting.

But he hesitates, and settles for wrapping them loosely around the blonde's wrist instead. At least he can feel the steady buzz and hum and click under Vash's skin.

Somehow, the thought of this being ‘something someone did to him’ itches. This isn’t something that ‘just happened’, the way someone might ‘just happen’ to be struck by lightning. Vash, both of them, had made choices that lead to this outcome. Just accepting the idea that you were an object acted on by a real person seems… kind of pathetic to Vash.

“He doesn’t have that kind of power,” Vash stares down at nothing in particular, “You don’t have to let him control your thoughts.”

A moment passes before Vash realizes he’s forgotten the preamble to his own speech. “I mean, you don’t have to just ‘keep living’, like a doll put back on the shelf. You can do something about it.”

a collection of character development questions based on the arcana and their themes !! this is part of a collection of tarot-themed asks. if multi, please specify which muse(s) the question is directed toward !!

[THE FOOL] - Do they weight their options when making a decision, or do they impulsively make a choice?

[THE MAGICIAN] - Are they resourceful? What skills do they possess that help them navigate the world around them?

[THE HIGH PRIESTESS] - Do they meditate? Would they be considered "in tune" with themselves, or do they struggle with personal growth?

[THE EMPRESS] - Do they participate in or have a self-care ritual? If so, what does their routine look like?

[THE EMPEROR] - Is your muse a leader? If so, what kind of leader are they? Do they take a hands-off approach, or do they micromanage?

[THE HIEROPHANT] - What are important traditions to them, if any? Do they stay true to these traditions, or do they adapt them to fit their current situation?

[THE LOVERS] - What do they consider to be the "perfect partner", be it romantic, platonic, alterous, etc.? Is there someone like that in their life?

[THE CHARIOT] - Are they confident? If so, what makes them the most confident in themselves/their abilities?

[STRENGTH] - What are they determined to accomplish the most?

[THE HERMIT] - What does their inner voice sound like? Is it self-reflecting and introspective, or domineering and judgmental?

[WHEEL OF FORTUNE] - Do they believe in destiny/fate? If so, what do they believe their "purpose" is in this life?

[JUSTICE] - Are they a mediator, or do they prefer to step away from potential conflict?

[THE HANGED MAN] - Would they sacrifice themselves, literally or metaphorically, for those close to them? If so, what kind(s) of sacrifice would they make?

[DEATH] - What is their view on the cycle of life? Do they believe in reincarnation?

[TEMPERANCE] - Are they a patient person, or do they tend to act on impulse?

[THE DEVIL] - Which of the capital vices is your muse tempted by? (Pride, Greed, Wrath, Envy, Lust, Gluttony, Sloth)

[THE TOWER] - Are they a destructive individual (be it literally or metaphorically)? If so, how?

[THE STAR] - What is their health like? Do they consider themselves healthy, or do they feel like they could make improvements to better their health?

[THE MOON] - If they had to choose one trait to describe themselves, what would it be? Is it a genuine answer, or the illusion/persona they put on for others?

[THE SUN] - What makes them feel good? This can be happy, energized, revitalized, etc. It's all about good vibes, so what gives them to your muse?

[JUDGMENT] - What was an epiphany/awakening they recently had? Did they realize something that they've been naive to? Did they discover something about themselves? What happened?

You don’t have to be a genius to put two and two together.

“What did he do to you?” Vash cracks the door open further. It’s one thing if the other Vash does something to him, he can take it, for better or worse. Legato is a human, and humans are fragile. He has no idea if Other Vash could even do any of his tricks to a human, but it’s easy to imagine it destroying someone: not killing them but shattering their soul in a way nobody could put back together.

The tide of anger that follows nearly knocks him prone. Vash leans against the doorframe for balance. It’s… Vash doesn’t want to think about the past. If he starts thinking about Other Vash like that, he’s never going to be able to look at him without swallowing resentment ever again.

Then the full implications of the question catch up to him. Vash wouldn't know Legato got caught up with his Vash if he hadn't encountered him somehow, right?

"How do you -" A wince as he's tugged inside interrupts the thought, and there's an obvious limp to his right leg when Vash pulls him across the room, but he doesn't resist even a little. They're left staring at each other again, Legato slouching back into the couch because sitting up is just too much energy right now.

"I'm... okay. It was mostly my own fault, I shouldn't have tried anything. But he's... he's not here, and I'm sure he's having a Last Run. A very slow one, but he'll hit that threshold eventually. I tried to help. It was stupid." Trying to be helpful with Vash has never once worked out well. He doesn't know why he keeps trying, just that he feels like he has to.

“Me?” Vash stares, hollow-eyed. “I’ll live.”

How is he supposed to explain any of this to anyone? It’s probably his own fault, anyway. He walked into it. Now we’ll both drown, says the frog to the scorpion.

The light dappling the walls shifts in patterns, electric blues and shock yellows. God, he’s no good. Vash tamps down on whatever lever there is inside him and the glow fades until it’s barely noticeable.

Part of him wants to call the Other Vash sick or deranged, but he’s not sure there’s anything wrong with him that’s not wrong with Vash. Those dreams were both of their’s.

“No… It’s fine…” Vash wipes his nose on his sleeve, “It’s good.”

Sometimes, he forgot just how excessive his tastes could be-- especially here, where people weren't used to the flavors of Yaoqing cuisine to begin with.

“Yeah, sure,” says Vash anyway. He sniffles. In for a penny, in for a double dollar. “Whatcha got, doc?”

He wipes his mouth on his sleeve. “I’m good.”

That doesn't stop him from leaning against the wall next to Vash's door, exhausted and full of the kind of aches that only come from being regenerated after a violent death. He hates that he's familiar with the sensation.

It takes a moment to blink Vash into focus, with him peering out through barely a crack in the door. They both look at each other, in various states of obvious hell. Legato can pass it off more easily for sure, so he levers himself up and peers at Vash with undisguised concern.

"Are you okay?" His voice is rough, and that's probably the most stupid question he could ask. Try again. "Do you... can I help?"

You don’t have to be a genius to put two and two together.

“What did he do to you?” Vash cracks the door open further. It’s one thing if the other Vash does something to him, he can take it, for better or worse. Legato is a human, and humans are fragile. He has no idea if Other Vash could even do any of his tricks to a human, but it’s easy to imagine it destroying someone: not killing them but shattering their soul in a way nobody could put back together.

The tide of anger that follows nearly knocks him prone. Vash leans against the doorframe for balance. It’s… Vash doesn’t want to think about the past. If he starts thinking about Other Vash like that, he’s never going to be able to look at him without swallowing resentment ever again.

"I   dare   you   to   try."

"Do   you   always   get   close?"

"You’re   pushing   my   limits."

"Stop   looking   at   me   like   that."

"I’m   losing   control   here."

"You   have   no   idea,   do   you?"

"I   can’t   resist   you   anymore."

"Stay   back,   or   don’t."

"I   know   what   you   want."

"This   is   getting   dangerous   now."

"You’re   too   tempting   for   me."

"I   shouldn’t   want   this,   but…"

"I   don’t   play   fair,   remember?"

"Careful,   you’re   testing   me."

"You’re   just   making   it   worse."

"You’re   too   close   for   comfort."

"Do   you   always   push   buttons?"

"Stop   before   I   kiss   you."

"You’re   making   it   too   hard."

"I   can’t   stop   thinking   about   you."

"I   want   you   too   much."

"You   know   exactly   what   you’re   doing."

"I’m   not   playing   games   here."

"You’ve   crossed   the   line   now."

"Keep   pushing,   and   you’ll   regret   it."

"This   is   dangerous,   isn’t   it?"

"I’m   trying   not   to   care."

"Don’t   make   me   regret   this."

"You’re   playing   with   fire."

"You   don’t   know   what’s   coming."

"I   shouldn’t   be   this   close."

"We’re   getting   dangerously   close   now."

"I   can   feel   the   heat."

"Don’t   test   me   right   now."

"I   want   you   too   badly."

"Don’t   make   me   chase   you."

"You’re   distracting   me,   you   know."

"I   won’t   fall   for   this."

"I   want   you,   but…"

"What   do   you   want   from   me?"

"I’ll   never   give   in."

"I’m   trying   not   to   care."

"You’re   playing   with   my   patience."

"Don’t   make   this   harder,   please."

"I   can’t   stop   this   feeling."

"I’m   already   in   too   deep."

"You   won’t   walk   away   unscathed."

"You’re   walking   a   fine   line."

"I’m   trying   to   stay   calm."

add '+ reverse' to reverse; bonus points for context clues

[drag] my muse by their arm

[lead] my muse by their hand

[hurry] my muse, prodding their back

[guide] my muse, holding their shoulders

[tackle] my muse, knocking them to the ground

[bear hug] my muse, staggering them

[yank] my muse in, by their clothes

[pull] my muse in, by their hands

[draw] my muse in, by their hips

[provoke] my muse closer, with a vulgar gesture

[signal] my muse closer, with a hand wave

[plead] my muse closer, with frantic arm movements

[lure] my muse closer with a smile and a look

[drop] down with my muse, in cover, under fire

[settle] down with my muse, in a hug, by a fire

It did matter. It didn't feel right to dismiss it like that.

Still, Vash offered a smile of his own. Just as thin. Just as lacking in warmth. He didn't want to think about Tesla and if the other him didn't know then it didn't matter, did it? He ignored the fact that he didn't get any response to the question.

...Just the two of them? He couldn't help wondering just would have affected himself and Knives under their conditions.

"Huh..."

Vash then touched his chin with the curve of his forefinger and thumb. His brows furrowed.

When he tapped into the plantsong, the language of light and music without sound, he could feel a little bit of that endless serenity. It wasn’t anything he could explain with words, because it wasn’t something humans could intuitively understand. The best he could convey was that they truly know peace and satisfaction.

“It’s like…” he fishes for an example, “You remember jellyfishes?” It was a rare earth creature he’d actually seen, floating around in their tiny tank on the SEEDS ship. Of course they were long gone by now, but they’d been a favorite of Vash’s when he was still small.

You feel stillness and motion pressing upon you from all sides. From this, you are stirred, and spurred by your awakening, you step from the long quiet.

You, AGNES TACHYON, find yourself standing before the Temporal Tower, in a garden seemingly tucked away from the seasons of time. Still, people flock here beneath the borealis that lights the sky above, here to greet you. A Guardian approaches.

Hello…. Echo. Well don’t look so confused, everything is exactly as it was made to be in preparation for your arrival. I would know. Yada yada yada, we hope you enjoy your stay… don’t break anything.

You receive the following:

A House Key. Emblazoned upon it is: 202, Seaside Province

A Standard Issue Phone. It lights up when it manifests in your hand.

A REMOTE CONTROL CAR, except instead of a car, it is a horse that on wheels. The guardian hands it to you with a remote control, only making one comment on how the phrase "gotta go fast" must also be popular with you.

Welcome to the Aevum Isles.