Just Another Empty Vessel

It couldn’t have been more than a half an hour before she felt the imposing presence fall around her. The steps outside her door were like bellowing drums in her skull. She wanted to be left alone. She knew it was unwise to ignore the eventual calling for her, but dammit, she really couldn’t muster up the will to leave her self-imposed isolation.

Or… maybe she could? It was strange. A voice called from beyond the door. She took comfort in the way it helped her feel less alone. More put together. Less trapped. A voice in the dark to help pull her out.

A step outside the door couldn’t hurt, right? If it was with the voice, she could just ignore the other people out there. Surly a voice so welcoming wouldn’t drown her in questions and attention. With a shaky breath, Xion stood, carefully pushing the chair back into its place. She stretched slightly as joints popped from remaining still for so long. Moments after she’d shook her head clear of the suffocating dread she’d been drowning in before, making her way to the door with careful purpose. No matter how inviting the voice sounded, the rest of the world beyond it still had her heart racing.

With a light grasp of the knob, she turned it, pulling the door open part way. She was weirdly relieved to see the man opposite from her.

“Uh, hello,” she said a bit nervously. Not from him though. From the eyes she could already feel around them. Surly they were on her. Her eyes moved down, to stare at his clothed chest rather than to confirm her suspicions. Her wrist started to heat up. She subtly shook her right hand, ignoring the trapped feeling as it quickly returned.

She considered stepping out of the doorway to stand closer to the only person in the entire place that wasn’t making her skin crawl, but quickly dismissed it. She pulled the long grey sleeve of the shirt she’d been forced to wear over her fists. She wanted to stand closer to him. But she chose to wait. Maybe he was just saying hi and she could retreat back into the room. She’d be disappointed that he left, but at least the heavy sense of being watched would lessen as much as it could in a place like this.

@vanitys-vessel

            The small girl stepped out, looking as if the were under a spotlight. It made sense for an invisible girl to be frightened now that she couldn’t use her disappearing act. Having to force a patient smile on his lips as she slowly maneuvered herself to just out of the threshold. Part of him wanted to snap at the girl to move quicker but he found that such outbursts usually colored his tone.

            Too risky to play with then the girl was so essential to his breaking out of this nightmarish ‘rehabilitation center’. So, for now he would play nice.

            “Hello.” The words repeated back at her, pushing himself off the wall to stand up straight. That warm honey still coating his tone as he took a small step towards her. Eyes scanning the girl’s face, surprised to see that her eyes weren’t rimmed with red. Although, he supposed that she had already passed her grieving time.

            “I was starting to think you would never come out.” Forcing a chuckle to leave his lips as he bent down, that patient smile still plastered on his lips. He was certain that if he continued to speak sugar coated words to the girl that she would be following him like a lost little duckling.

            It was easy to capitalize on newcomers. They were always afraid. Always so lonely. His words promised them comfort and company without him having to say it. “I figured it was time that someone gave you the grand tour.” Another step forward. Wanting to fill the silence with his voice. The longer she was exposed the more he could captivate her. “the name’s Vanitas.” Golden eyes glinting as they narrowed on her. A useful tool.

            That is, if he could make her feel completely dependent on him.

            From the way she greeted him to the way she slouched as if trying to take up as little room as possible, he felt it wouldn’t take too much to coerce the girl. Just a little time talking to her and she would be as transfixed as the rest of them.

            When he was done with her, he could ditch her on the side of the road. Go back to his old life.

♥︎ There was the roll of the turquoise coloured eyes, but of course he helped the other stand back on their feet. After all, he wasn’t that much of a dick- at least not as much as Vanitas could be sometimes. A small snort left him as he raised a brow as he looked back at the black haired male.

“’Pretty boy’? And as much as I pride myself on my strength, I’m pretty sure I’d end up dropping you after awhile.”

They crossed their arms slightly as they turned away from Vanitas. After all, the other clearly seemed maybe a tad bit uncomfortable even if they didn’t show it. He picked up his keyblade before allowing it to disappear to signal that they were done training for the day. Which is what they had been doing prior to what just happened.

“And to respond to your previous comment, training usually tends to be ‘hands’ on.”

            “There’s a difference between hands on and hands on, Riku.” Ignoring the boy’s question to badger the man with his own. Merely sparing a glance as the weapon dissipated before his eyes quickly flicked back to the other, taking a few steps so that he could once again see the boy’s expression. “And you used more than your hands, if I recall correctly.” Amusement flitted across his own features for a split second.

            He tilts his head slightly, golden eyes studying the man’s face. He didn’t think he would get an actual reason for why the keyblade master had been so forward but it would be fun to tease him anyways.

        Yes it had been and now the brunette is very unhappy “So what!” He was way too busy saving the worlds to have a kiss, and now his first one had been stolen “That’s not okay!”

        The other looked so pleased with himself and that only made Sora even more upset, what was this guys deal!?

        The look on his face showed enough that he was upset, in all honesty he had been hoping to have his first kiss with kairi but now he couldn’t have that.

            “Not okay?” He had to fight back the laughter that threatened to break up his words. Lips pressing together as he attempted to keep composure. Although the boy’s irritation resembled a small child’s pout.

//Finally got wifi to our new apartment soooo I’ll be getting back on again

//Hey guys, unfortunately there are issues with the internet at my new apartment. Until that gets fixed I won't be very active on here. They are estimating it will take 30 days to get everything wired to the building. Sorry!!

But for my mutuals if you still want to plot or just talk in general my dis/cord is:

name : Caitlin nickname/s : Tiny or Cat height : 4′11″ nationality : american favourite fruit(s) : pomegranates although I also really like cherries favourite season : Fall favourite scents : vanilla scents or scents that are sweet like that favourite animals : cats (to be more specific about my absolute favorite it would be a snow leopard) tea, coffee, hot cocoa : hot chocolate. I love it when it is chilly outside average hours of sleep : anywhere between 3-10 hours. I really need to fix my sleeping schedule when my blog was created : Very recently (although I did have a different Vanitas blog that was pretty much permanently hiatus-ed/archived)  random fact : The nickname tiny came from my playstation username.  favourite food : steak probably.  favourite t.v. shows : parks and rec (I am not including anime because I have too many) favourite movie : Well I really love all the marvel movies and I really love musicals like rent, evita, etc. Too many to choose from. favourite vine : A KNIFE sexuality : chaotic bisexual pronouns : she/her favourite book series : well I like the percy jackson series and I really like apocalypse books such as the dead and the gone favourite video game(s) : the kingdom hearts series but other than that I would say it’s a toss up between overwatch, bioshock, mass effect, and eternal sonata favourite subject :  english  guys or girls : Both tbh (but I have a preference for girls) last time I cried : Playing kh3. The ending where I thought something happened but the secret ending made me stop.  what I should be doing : getting ready for bed/sleeping. I have work in the morning. oh well favourite fandom : Critical Role followed closely by kingdom hearts

@vanitys-vessel Continued from here:

“No, no, no…” Vanitas said with a sigh as he threw up his hands into the air with frustration. “That’s not how this is supposed to work, Vanitas.” He reaches up and taps on the glass again. “I ‘initiate’ the conflict, right? Annoying you, that’s step one. Then, you respond with a threat, an insult or a shove. I shove you back. Then we beat each other up.”

He was obviously being sarcastic but was still somewhat disappointed. “What’s wrong with you? Feeling nice today?” He asks as he casually takes off his helm.

            “You caught me.” The words are heavy with his own sarcasm, eyes narrowing from behind the thick glass as he swatted at the man’s hand. “I am all rainbows and sunshine now.” Slowly, he claps his hands together. Mocking his mirrored image with the exaggerated movements.

            Today was painful. More painful than usual. He felt as if he might fall apart, the same pain that ripped tore through each nerve with Ventus struck him down.

            Not that he would admit that this day wasn’t a good one.

@kcystotheheart

            Vanitas had a quip ready before the man walked up to him. However, the moment Vanitas was leaned back, his hands quickly gripped into the boy’s shirt as if Riku might drop him and that clever little remark was quickly forgotten. Glancing up at the boy with a raised eyebrow only to have his mouth silenced by the other’s. A soft hum of surprise leaving his lips as his brain tried to keep up with what was happening.

            As their lips separated, he found his face growing flush. Hand still gripping into his shirt as their lips were no longer connected.

            “Couldn’t keep your hands off of me?” The words spoken with a chuckles as his eyes flitted from the boy’s face towards the ground. It wouldn’t be too painful if he fell but he was certain he would be sore. “Mind letting me back up now pretty boy or were you planning on keeping me like this all day?” A touch of sarcasm enters his tone as he resists the urge to squirm.

The little creatures catch her eyes, but the Ghostly Guardian did not recognize them. They didn’t appear to be any of the Shadows she had seen before, but they weren’t from this cold world either. They didn’t seem to be friendly with that bear either so an alliance, however temporary that may be, she won’t question.

“Hey!” The white-masked being barks at the bear, glaring it down now she has its attention, “Eyes on me, bastard.” The polar bear heartless viciously roars at her and charges again, each step causing the earth beneath them to rumble. She waits until they were too close to comfort to roll away to the left as the bear hits headfirst into the tree behind her. They quickly cast Dark Blizzaga onto the Heartless but the spell doesn’t seem to have any great effect and they were quickly back onto the charge. 

However, the white-masked keybearer sees that of these strange creatures had run into the path of the polar bear’s charge. Running toward the unversed and the shadow, she quickly scoops up the strange creature with one arm and raises the teeth of the Heartsickness keyblade up to catch onto the bear as they slid under. She lets go of the keyblade, left on the Heartless’ underside as it once again slams its head against another tree. 

“Reckless little fella aren’t you…” The Ghostly Guardian puts the unversed down, not without a small scratch behind of what she thought were the ears. She stands up and summons her keyblade back to her hand to face the polar bear Heartless.

            That was odd.

            He had never seen anyone attempt to save any of his little monsters before. The very idea was perplexing and his mouth instinctively opened as if to speak up. But with nothing to say, he found no noise slipping out. Questions clinging to his throat as he stared at the woman as if she were a puzzle that had missing pieces. Eyes narrowing, he cracks his knuckles before slowly beginning to make his way towards the battle field of sorts.

            That frustration that had been building was temporarily quelled. Giving way to an odd fascination in the stranger. Outstretching his hand so that void gear would appear in it. His gaze momentarily flitting to the heartless before moving away, uninterested.

            The creature was just another monster that was created from weak beings who lost their light. Boring enemies that weren’t too difficult to disperse. He licks his lips in anticipation, slowly stepping out of the tree line as he cocks his head slightly.

           His little creation that she had just rescued jerked back towards the heartless, beckoning to his will. Continuing his slow strides forward, coming up from just behind the girl. “Having a bit of trouble, there?” Voice rasping out, gripping his keyblade tighter as he continued to listen to the creature. Not giving it all of his attention but knowing the creature was pacing closer them. It was a simple being. Not one that was too wise. He noticed the way it had to regain it’s senses the moment it slammed into a tree. All it would take was some patience and attacking it while it was stunned.

“Mission what are…….” His eyes went wide as the fringes of his body wavered again and he fought against it……… what power was this? It felt like his very being was being changed into something foreign.

The pain was almost unbearable…… he was turning into something else and he could feel every painful change. He fought it regardless which only made it more intense “You insolent little ngh……” his eyes were odd….. the whites gone “What have you done to me!”

He was unaware the other could shape negative emotions to his will and that really was what his being was made of……. a mass of Malice, of hate, and it was being tampered with.

Vanitas was getting his wish….. every second was agony, and even though it only took maybe a few minutes, to the king it felt like hours thanks to the burning pain searing across his being.

He had enough sense of self to keep his original form, for now, with just a few minor changes….. specifically and most noticeably the emblem now emblazoned in gold upon his cape……. the unversed sigil.

He panted as the pain ebbed away…… his blurry sight returning to him.

He stared out, feeling so very strange….. what was this, what had the other done to him, he didn’t know.

            The laugh that escaped him was similar to a giggle. Pure glee as he looked over the slight changes. It wasn’t nearly as much as he had been hoping to warp the man but he was certain it would take some time.

            As the man’s voice rose in anger only causing the more to adopt a smug expression.

            “Now, now, that’s not how you address your new boss.” Humor entering his tone as he rocked back on his heels. Taking a moment to look over his handiwork but not moving forward just yet. Ganon was resilient and more difficult than any other emotions he had molded in the past.

            Which meant the transformation would take a little more time and precision. If the man suffered than it would be worth it..

            Still, he hadn’t quite expected that the man was so akin to darkness that it couldn’t be separated from him. A fun little tidbit of information that Vanitas would keep in mind for any other potential victimns candidates.

            “So, how did it feel big guy?”

“Don’t pretend to care, Vanitas.” Standing up, she fixated him with a glare, despite the puffiness of her eyes. Not very intimidating, admittedly. All she’d wanted was to be alone. To let these feelings pass. But she felt suffocated and trapped, and the only response she could give him was to bite back against his cruel sarcasm.

Should he cross a line then she’d retaliate without any hesitance, but for now, if all he was going to do was mock her with his words, it wasn’t worth the energy it took to summon her blade.

Whatever he had to say to her, she’d already heard worse.

“This is my problem to deal with. It doesn’t concern Terra or Ven.” Perhaps she shouldn’t openly admit to him that her friends were not aware of her whereabouts, but Vanitas didn’t frighten her.

Once more she wiped at the remaining tears, her face now stinging where they’d been brushed off by calloused hands. “Are you just here to try and kick me when I’m down.”

            He didn’t realize just how tense he had been but the moment she admitted that the rest of her little entourage wasn’t around he could feel each muscle relax. That nervous tension leaving him with a breath that he hadn’t realized he had been holding.

            “As much fun as kicking you,” in any sense, “while you are down would be, I don’t think I am quite up for that yet.” An eyebrow raises as he shrugs his shoulders, each movement sluggish. Taking more effort than it should have.

            Soon. All the boy needed was a little more time to regain his strength..

            He allows a chuckle to fall from his lips. The sounds still hoarse compared to how his voice once was. “So, little miss, what has a keyblade master run all the way out here just to cry alone?”

            “Let me guess, you had a nightmare?” The words are dripping with mockery as yellow eyes roll skyward before flicking back to the woman.