[That's certainly something to fret over later, when life hasn't been so cruel as it always seems to be here. There's a good reason Vanitas is so desperate for comfort, for the familiar safety that is Verso.]
Missed you... [Even as he clutches at both Verso's back and front, determined not to let him slip away, his ears flick softly, taking in those words like they're water and he's parched from a trip to the desert. It soothes his souls, and calms his nerves.
At least until Verso brushes up against his new appendage. That makes him jump and bristle a bit, though there's no hostility in him, merely nerves. At that question, he hesitates, trying to think how best to explain it. How much to say.]
...ex-Patho-Gen members. They started a new group, Anti-Gen. Supposedly wanting to help us. Their little testing went awry.
[Even though he started off calm, by the time he finishes, the words are growled out and his ears flatten back, tails lashing out of barely concealed ire.]
[Verso sucks in a breath. His skin ripples and his shoulders stretch. But he pulls Vanitas in closer, squeezing him tight. Perhaps a little too hard, but he can feel Vanitas' upset. And he hates it. Hates that he can't put it right more as he struggles to keep his natural soul under control.]
We can't trust them. [Not a reproach in the slightest — were he here he might have heard them out himself — but a bitter agreement. Patho-Gen are reckless fools.]
[And Vanitas was foolish enough to go investigate. That's what pisses him off the most, that he just couldn't stay away, he had to go get himself into trouble. He's only glad Verso wasn't there to be affected by it, too. And that much he can share through their connection: relief.
Still, he starts tugging at Verso to get them out of the middle of the street.]
No. They could have good intentions, maybe, maybe not, but they still haven't a damn clue what they're doing. Idiots, the lot of them. C'mon, let's get you dressed.
[That gets a smile from Verso, and he chuckles as Vanitas pulls him away.] More changes I don't know about? Never heard that from you before. [Wanting Verso's clothes on.
It's... easier to tease him than think about how this happened, why it happened. Whether it could happen again.]
[Huffing slightly with reddened cheeks, Vanitas only drags him harder by the arm, pointedly keeping his nose up in haughty defiance.] Fine. If you want, I can strip you down once you're in the bushes. Would that make you feel better?
[Not that he's going to; too risky on several levels, especially with spring in the air and his soul playing havoc with his emotions.
Once they're safely behind some bushes and trees, he sets the bag down and starts unpacking it: shirt, pants, shoes. Even a comb so that Verso can tidy himself up in case he'd been out doing who knows what. Once all laid out, he starts tugging at the gown Verso is wearing.] Here-- Gimme that useless thing. You don't need it anymore.
There he is. [The brat who wants him naked. But Verso gives him a half-squeeze and presses a kiss to his cheek before releasing the gown, snapping the fastenings rather than bothering to undo them.
He pulls the trousers on, but raises an eyebrow at the shoes, giving Vanitas a pointed look before looking back at his hoof... which slowly reforms into a foot so he can shove the shoe on.]
Shush, you. [It's a weak protest, because it feels so good to banter with Verso again after what feels like forever. These last weeks have been taxing in ways he doesn't want to think about. In all honesty, he'd much rather simply fall into the bushes with the man naked, but he's sworn off such antics, and he's doing his damnedest to stick to it.
So even as he shoves the destroyed robe into the bag, he keeps stealing glances at Verso, cheeks heating up a bit. Though he looks apologetic at the whole shoes thing.] Sorry. Wasn't sure if you needed them or not.
Haven't for a while. [But he still appreciates the consideration, and shape-shifts his other hoof to fill the second shoe. Having his shirts is more of a boon, shifting his wings away a bigger challenge than forming toes. He catches the looks, but doesn't comment. It's a good sign, he thinks. After all, it's hard to be worried about Verso leaving — or being taken — and lust after him.] Should get rid of them. [But when he can change his body, even temporarily, he hasn't quite managed to pull the plug.
He fastens the buttons of his shirt top to bottom, but even as his fingers move swiftly, he steps closer to Vanitas. He needs him. Even the small amount of distance was too much space.]
[Nodding a bit, he holds out each article of clothing as is needed, trying hard to focus on the task at hand rather than the nakedness of his friend in front of him. It's not easy though, and while he continues to fret a bit, he finds himself more and more distracted, until his concern and fear is more background noise than the overwhelming rush of anxiety that it was initially.] You never know when you might need them, though.
[Faint hope that perhaps someday they might all return to normal. He has to hold on to that little bit of faith or he might break completely. As is, he finds himself meeting Verso halfway, reaching out to start at the bottom of his shirt buttons to help.]
You're okay, though...? No injuries? Nothing missing or changed?
Nothing. [That he's noticed. But he's only been back to himself for less than an hour, plenty he could have missed. He'd rather focus on—] And you? [There's the additional tail, but that's practically normal, these days.
Their fingers meet on the final button. The slightest tremor is present in Verso's hand.]
Good. I thought that-- [That maybe he'd been kidnapped. That Patho-Gen was using Anti-Gen's appearance to perform more experiments on them. Once their hands meet and he feels Verso trembling, he takes hold of him and draws his hand to his lips, brushing them over each finger in turn, relief and gratitude overflowing through their connection.]
I'm alright. [New tail aside. Though suddenly, Vanitas perks up, eyes shining like the nineteen-year-old he is.] I've got something to show you. C'mon!
[Orienting himself, he tugs Verso along with a sudden spring in his step, tails waving as he leads them towards the city's edge.]
[Verso loves that look, though he sees it all too rarely. For all Vanitas claims to be frivolous and immature, he's seen too much in his life and achieves happiness infrequently at best. So Verso's ears prick up, and he grins back at him, squeezing his hand.]
A good surprise? Could do with a few more of those.
[It's far and away too rare an expression on him, which makes this even more a special occasion than the surprise he has in mind. It's made all the better for the way Verso holds his hand, and Vanitas can't help threading their fingers together as he breaks out into a jog, mindful of Verso's condition in case he's still not feeling a hundred percent.
Eventually though, they reach a scattering of trees, where there's a large object covered with a dark green cloth to match the foliage. Finally, Vanitas lets go and hurries ahead, yanking off the covering to reveal an old-school carriage, which Vanitas immediately swings himself up onto, whirling around to grin at Verso with his hands on his hips.]
[While Verso has many of the memories of the real Verso Dessendre — enough to shape him into an accurate representation of that man — having never lived in Paris himself, this is the first time he's seen a powered vehicle other than a train.
Verso can see why Vanitas is excited. And his expression grows warm and excited as he studies the cart.]
What does it use as fuel? Not chroma [not enough of that here, and it wasn't well suited to travel, even inside the painting. Esquie was the premiere mode of transport there. He dredges up the word from the real Verso's memories:] Petroleum? [Though, no, surely not—] Not Katalyth?
[Parking himself atop the carriage, Vanitas swings his legs a bit while watching eagerly for Verso's approval. Much like the young man he is, he still can't help seeking praise and acknowledgement from those he likes.
Excitement is clear in every line of his body, from his head craning over to his two tails swishing happily. He laughs a bit as Verso guesses, pleased that it's not evident what powers it.]
Nope. [He shakes his head a bit, cheeky grin manifesting with a fang revealing itself. At the second guess, he gives his legs a little kick.] Not that either. [The Katalyth answer turns his expression wry, but still smiling.] Uh uh. Electricity! I filched an electric engine from Patho-Gen and studied how to hook it up.
[He finally jumps down, landing beside Verso. With a snap of his fingers, he shoots a spark at the vehicle, starting it up.]
Neat, huh? I finally figured out how to commune with my carnivora soul a bit better.
[Hearing and feeling that he's met Verso's approval and inspired his excitement, Vanitas hurriedly climbs in, turning to hold out a hand to Verso to bring him along inside.]
Sure thing! Hop in! [Whether he likes it or not, he's getting dragged into the vehicle, where Vanitas can nestle up against him before throwing it into gear.]
It can go pretty fast, too. A good eighty or or ninety kilometers per hour, I'd say.
[And they're off! Headed away from the city so as not to get in trouble with the authorities for driving where he shouldn't.]
[As an entirely predictable side-effect to their bumpy departure, Verso wraps his arm around Vanitas' shoulders, inspecting the controls and holding him steady.]
No, I don't believe that. Not without proof. [Give him a demonstration, kitty cat.]
[It may be difficult to hear or even feel over the rumble of the engine, but Vanitas starts purring at the contact, tails curling around Verso's waist as though to pull him closer.]
You want proof, huh? Well then get a load of this! [Without an ounce of hesitation, he floors it, sending them bumping up and down with ridiculous speed as the trees fly by. Thankfully it seems Vanitas has been through here enough that he knows a path to take them safely through the woods, until they're out in the open and on smoother ground in the fields south of Karteria.]
[Verso chuckles.] Have I mentioned my friend Esquie? [He undoubtedly has with the toy version of his friend that arrived with him one of the few personal possessions in his apartment.] Ask again when it can fly. [Despite his words, Verso is thrilled by the ride, sitting forward in his seat and willing the carriage faster.]
Mmm. I believe so. [At the flying comment, Vanitas has to laugh. Honest, genuine laughter that's so rare for him. It feels good to have Verso back, and to be sailing across the plains without much of a care in the world, at least in this exact moment.] Don't tempt me. We have airships back home. Maybe I could find a way to get one of them. [He's kidding, of course. A carriage is one thing, an airship is an entirely other.]
[Vanitas isn't the only one relieved to have this moment, and to hear that laugh, so different from his cynical chuckles and humour put on for the sake of others.]
In mine, we use rocks. [Non-arcane radiation spewing rocks.]
[That piques Vanitas' curiosity, causing him to glance sideways at Verso with a raised brow. The reason being:]
So kind of like astermite, maybe? It's a form of coal which had its formula altered during the Babel Incident and produces no emissions. [A blessing, really.]
"Special", huh... Is that your polite way of saying he's not entirely right in the head? [He might be smirking just a bit, having been called crazy more than a few times himself.]
He's... often full of wine? And rocks. Something of a legend actually. Said to turn up when people are in their lowest moments.
The real Verso Painted him when he was young. [So, Vanitas sure was right about how long Verso has been like this.] He's sort of my best friend. He'd like you. [Well...] He likes everyone.
The rock that lets him fly? Its name is "soarrie". Or so he claims. He has a few. Keeps losing them.
[Hearing that first part gets a snort from him.] Full of wine, rocks, and plenty of other things I imagine, especially if you think he would like me. [There's that self-loathing again.]
Sounds like he's quite the character, though. Wish I could meet him and see just how kooky he is compared to how you make him sound. Maybe one day he'll show up here.
[Not that he'd wish this place on more than a couple select individuals, but he would love to know more of Verso's friends and people from his world.]
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Missed you... [Even as he clutches at both Verso's back and front, determined not to let him slip away, his ears flick softly, taking in those words like they're water and he's parched from a trip to the desert. It soothes his souls, and calms his nerves.
At least until Verso brushes up against his new appendage. That makes him jump and bristle a bit, though there's no hostility in him, merely nerves. At that question, he hesitates, trying to think how best to explain it. How much to say.]
...ex-Patho-Gen members. They started a new group, Anti-Gen. Supposedly wanting to help us. Their little testing went awry.
[Even though he started off calm, by the time he finishes, the words are growled out and his ears flatten back, tails lashing out of barely concealed ire.]
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We can't trust them. [Not a reproach in the slightest — were he here he might have heard them out himself — but a bitter agreement. Patho-Gen are reckless fools.]
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Still, he starts tugging at Verso to get them out of the middle of the street.]
No. They could have good intentions, maybe, maybe not, but they still haven't a damn clue what they're doing. Idiots, the lot of them. C'mon, let's get you dressed.
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It's... easier to tease him than think about how this happened, why it happened. Whether it could happen again.]
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[Not that he's going to; too risky on several levels, especially with spring in the air and his soul playing havoc with his emotions.
Once they're safely behind some bushes and trees, he sets the bag down and starts unpacking it: shirt, pants, shoes. Even a comb so that Verso can tidy himself up in case he'd been out doing who knows what. Once all laid out, he starts tugging at the gown Verso is wearing.] Here-- Gimme that useless thing. You don't need it anymore.
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He pulls the trousers on, but raises an eyebrow at the shoes, giving Vanitas a pointed look before looking back at his hoof... which slowly reforms into a foot so he can shove the shoe on.]
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So even as he shoves the destroyed robe into the bag, he keeps stealing glances at Verso, cheeks heating up a bit. Though he looks apologetic at the whole shoes thing.] Sorry. Wasn't sure if you needed them or not.
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He fastens the buttons of his shirt top to bottom, but even as his fingers move swiftly, he steps closer to Vanitas. He needs him. Even the small amount of distance was too much space.]
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[Faint hope that perhaps someday they might all return to normal. He has to hold on to that little bit of faith or he might break completely. As is, he finds himself meeting Verso halfway, reaching out to start at the bottom of his shirt buttons to help.]
You're okay, though...? No injuries? Nothing missing or changed?
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Their fingers meet on the final button. The slightest tremor is present in Verso's hand.]
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I'm alright. [New tail aside. Though suddenly, Vanitas perks up, eyes shining like the nineteen-year-old he is.] I've got something to show you. C'mon!
[Orienting himself, he tugs Verso along with a sudden spring in his step, tails waving as he leads them towards the city's edge.]
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A good surprise? Could do with a few more of those.
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[It's far and away too rare an expression on him, which makes this even more a special occasion than the surprise he has in mind. It's made all the better for the way Verso holds his hand, and Vanitas can't help threading their fingers together as he breaks out into a jog, mindful of Verso's condition in case he's still not feeling a hundred percent.
Eventually though, they reach a scattering of trees, where there's a large object covered with a dark green cloth to match the foliage. Finally, Vanitas lets go and hurries ahead, yanking off the covering to reveal an old-school carriage, which Vanitas immediately swings himself up onto, whirling around to grin at Verso with his hands on his hips.]
Whatcha think, huh? Got her running myself!
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Verso can see why Vanitas is excited. And his expression grows warm and excited as he studies the cart.]
What does it use as fuel? Not chroma [not enough of that here, and it wasn't well suited to travel, even inside the painting. Esquie was the premiere mode of transport there. He dredges up the word from the real Verso's memories:] Petroleum? [Though, no, surely not—] Not Katalyth?
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Excitement is clear in every line of his body, from his head craning over to his two tails swishing happily. He laughs a bit as Verso guesses, pleased that it's not evident what powers it.]
Nope. [He shakes his head a bit, cheeky grin manifesting with a fang revealing itself. At the second guess, he gives his legs a little kick.] Not that either. [The Katalyth answer turns his expression wry, but still smiling.] Uh uh. Electricity! I filched an electric engine from Patho-Gen and studied how to hook it up.
[He finally jumps down, landing beside Verso. With a snap of his fingers, he shoots a spark at the vehicle, starting it up.]
Neat, huh? I finally figured out how to commune with my carnivora soul a bit better.
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Did you now? [Vanitas has his approval, and more than that, he has his enthusiasm — his excitement.] How does it work then? Show me?
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Sure thing! Hop in! [Whether he likes it or not, he's getting dragged into the vehicle, where Vanitas can nestle up against him before throwing it into gear.]
It can go pretty fast, too. A good eighty or or ninety kilometers per hour, I'd say.
[And they're off! Headed away from the city so as not to get in trouble with the authorities for driving where he shouldn't.]
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No, I don't believe that. Not without proof. [Give him a demonstration, kitty cat.]
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You want proof, huh? Well then get a load of this! [Without an ounce of hesitation, he floors it, sending them bumping up and down with ridiculous speed as the trees fly by. Thankfully it seems Vanitas has been through here enough that he knows a path to take them safely through the woods, until they're out in the open and on smoother ground in the fields south of Karteria.]
How you holding up? Not motion sick, are you?
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In mine, we use rocks. [Non-arcane radiation spewing rocks.]
Well, Esquie does. He's a bit special.
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So kind of like astermite, maybe? It's a form of coal which had its formula altered during the Babel Incident and produces no emissions. [A blessing, really.]
"Special", huh... Is that your polite way of saying he's not entirely right in the head? [He might be smirking just a bit, having been called crazy more than a few times himself.]
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The real Verso Painted him when he was young. [So, Vanitas sure was right about how long Verso has been like this.] He's sort of my best friend. He'd like you. [Well...] He likes everyone.
The rock that lets him fly? Its name is "soarrie". Or so he claims. He has a few. Keeps losing them.
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Sounds like he's quite the character, though. Wish I could meet him and see just how kooky he is compared to how you make him sound. Maybe one day he'll show up here.
[Not that he'd wish this place on more than a couple select individuals, but he would love to know more of Verso's friends and people from his world.]
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