[ as emergency aid once said when he just barely kept daylight from bleeding out to death with packing foam and duct tape: better than nothing.
a minute or two will pass before a message comes up: ] Can we meet up at Town Hall? People usually don't go there unless they need info or fill in info, so I think that's a good place to have a chat.
[ This is strange. Nobody seeks Vanitas out of their own volition, especially if they don't know one another, and the cryptic reason doesn't clear anything up.
But he goes to Town Hall, and ducks inside. True to form there's nobody here, but its the first time he's ever been in this building, and he takes his time making a circuit while he waits for Daylight to appear. ]
[ it doesn't take long for daylight to make his arrival know. stealthy he is not thanks to his frame's colour scheme and his towering height.
he knows that very well, it seems, with how he hurries into town hall. he closes the door behind him after making sure no one - neither spirit of fellow person - had been following him.
the seconds he sees vanitas, daylight raises his servo to get his attention and says the following the moment they're close enough to each other:] I know about Dr. Solis too. She wants to meet me.
[ might as well cut to the chase while he had time. ]
[ Few things could have taken Vanitas' attention so fully as this. It isn't his size, or how he looks, but what he says. In the dark, Vanitas seems like little more than a shadow, and despite being significantly shorter than Daylight the sharpness of his yellow eyes and the way his hands ball into fists makes him suddenly seem very dangerous. His voice goes deep and almost angry. ]
[ daylight raises his servos up in the universal 'please no, i am friendly' gesture, trying to show he's not trying to cause trouble or anything like that. riku's claims that vanitas has a soft spot for her has been confirmed!
and it looks like a nightbreak's version of having a soft spot for someone which means yikes. better spit the words out, day. ]
I sent her a gift during the winter holidays! I swear- I didn't know it was her at the time. It was addressed to the Friend in the Basement and then... [ he pauses, wondering if he'll be believed here because the situation is a little too far-fetched.
but then he remembers their circumstances - world eaters and all - and decides why not. ] Then she replied back with a gift. The card that came the music box had her name signed and everything.
I... I don't know why but I decided, after awhile, I should write her a letter. She replied.
[ His gaze cuts away, to the left, like he's making a calculation. He knows he isn't the only person that's interacted with her, but she was also so defensive about her name... maybe it's because of him. When he told her about the images Bruce had seen, she had taken off her mask and asked for them to send her letters.
Vanitas, defensive and distrusting, hadn't wanted to share the information.
His yellow eyes flick back to Daylight before he ever raises his head, and a moment passes before he finally raises his chin. ]
What did she say?
And why does she want to meet you?
[ There's a snarl there, like he finds something about Daylight lacking. ]
[ well- this conversation is taking a turn and he's not even sure where they're both driving this topic off to. so the 'please no, i am friendly' gesture will stay up until morale or the urge to possibly maim improves or deescalates.
(so he has a feeling he'll be keeping his servos up the entire time as he talks and he's going to have to live with that. because the alternative right now. whoa boy-) ]
She said she was willing to meet me and discuss stuff over some tea. [ he knows that sounds lame, he really does, but that's the basic gist of it. as for why she wanted to speak with him: ] I just asked if there was some way we could prove that it's safe for her to come and see us in person. She said she couldn't. Not yet. But... if I wanted to, I could meet her and we could talk. I could bring someone with me as well.
I- I forgot to bring the letter with me when I rushed here but that's what she said. I swear. I don't have a reason to, like, lie or anything. Not over this. Not over Dr. Solis' safety. [ daylight looks concerned now as he speaks more and more. less nervous for his well-being and more worried for dr. solis. especially when he thinks about how she can't even contact them via the network since she had no means. ] I only want to help her.
[ knowing he might be pushing it with this bit, he pushes all the same and adds, ] And I bet you do too.
[ Vanitas' eyes stay unblinking on Daylight's face, tracking him too keenly. From what he knows of this guy, that might even be true— but part of him still doesn't believe it.
The fact is Vanitas isn't convinced about helping any of these people in Beacon. He's not even especially interested in helping her be convinced that its safe out here— because he doesn't think it is. ]
Everyone has an agenda.
[ But she told him, face to face, that she wanted them to write to her. That she wants information. So...
Because Riku mentioned you when I asked for suggestions on who could come with me to see her.
He trusts you so I trust you. [ and. yeah. that's it, really. it's... not that hard for day to do, putting trust in someone else if a friend of his believes them. he's always willing to extend a hand to someone new.
he would even do that now but- again- keeping his servos up to show he's not going to do anything funny. please don't maim him. he doesn't think there are any doctors for him here. ]
[ Hearing it a second time doesn't make or any easier. Vanitas' expression does something difficult to discern, it looks almost like a cringe, before it disappears. ]
Then you're either stupid or incredibly naive. Blindly following your friends is a good way to get yourself killed.
[ His eyes carve over Daylight, like he's assessing him. ]
Put your hands down, you look like a fool.
[ Vanitas looks, at the very least, less like he's going to attack. ]
So are you inviting me to come with you or are you here to get information?
[ day visibly winces at the comment about how trusting his friends will get him killed because- hm-
he tries to focus on the positive for now. like the fact he gets to lower his servos and allow his stiff joints some respite from how long he's been holding them up. yay, he mentally cheers to himself for a second before he addresses the pressing question at hand: ]
I first want to know if you're interested in the idea of coming along.
[ with sir cao pi and mr. hughes and sir kuai liang, their interest in coming along with daylight were obvious enough for him to take note.
but with vanitas that's something he needs to figure out first. ] I'm, um, curious about what you know about Dr. Solis, yeah, but I'm not pushing on that. If you don't want to then you don't want to. I don't like the idea of forcing others to do or be something that's not their thing, you know?
Which is why I want to know if you'll be up for something like this. If you don't wanna go, I don't wanna force you.
[ concentrate on the topic, day reminds himself as he stands his ground. even if you find yourself wondering if you can handle this sort of interaction for the duration of however long a tea with dr. solis will take. ]
I've spoken to others about this. Others- Others have been interested in her, Vanitas- [ he pauses a bit, wondering if it was alright to address him as much. daylight doesn't know his last name and he has a feeling vanitas wouldn't like it if he was addressed as 'mister' so. ] -and that was even before learning about her real identity.
[ he remembers the early days of when they got here. everyone trying to open the trapdoor and find ways to interact with her. it got to the point she had asked him to put up a sign to stop the more 'egregious behaviour' as his great grandpa would have described it. ]
And, besides, this isn't something I should just... decide by myself. Others should have a say and know what's going on. See if they'll have something to say or have tips to give. Stuff like that since, well, we have to work together.
[ He remembers the obsession, the constant need to find out what was underneath. Vanitas had never really cared — not until she came up to stop him.
He hunts closer until he's within arm's length, and the narrowed distance means Vanitas has to look up. It would almost be comical, if Vanitas didn't look so dangerous. ]
You've all always been obsessed with the one under the door.
And what do you think you're deciding now? You think we can give her the peace of mind we aren't like anyone who came before?
I'll tell you this:
[ He cocks his head just a little, and the new angle makes the gold of his eyes shine, inhuman in the low light. ]
I don't care who you take with you. But if something happens to her as a result of this little tea party?
You'll wish I'd done something so simple as let you die and have her bring you back.
[ yep. definitely nightbreak-type when it comes to being protective for those they care for. really unfortunate that he's on the receiving end of it and not the reason for someone being murderously caring.
more than ever, he misses nightbreak. ]
I don't know why you need to do this but sure. [ he doesn't raise his servos up all the way up to resume the gesture but makes little sincere jazzhands of honesty, at the very least. ] If it gives you the security to know that this will make me do what I can to ensure she's safe- Okay.
... Riku was definitely right about you having a soft spot for her.
[ His lip curls, enough that it flashes one of his canines with his derisiveness. It's a flippant response, but Vanitas has grown somewhat accustomed to being underestimated in this place.
Riku was right. It doesn't bother him as much as it would have a few months ago. She represents much more to him than some woman he has a soft spot for, but he also isn't going to discuss it with someone he doesn't know and doesn't particularly like. ]
Everything you do has consequences, Daylight.
[ He walks passed him, then, very close but without touching, toward the door. He pauses with his back to the other guy. ]
I know what it looks like when you're choosing to use someone for your own gain.
[ He turns his head just slightly, so part of his face is visible, a sliver of his jaw, without turning around. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
I know who you are.
What's this about?
no subject
I'm sorry but it's important that we do this somewhere private-private. The network isn't a safe place to discuss this.
[ a few seconds pass and then daylight sends another message. here's hoping it's cryptic but clear enough: ]
I know them too and I want to help them.
no subject
Whatever.
Where?
no subject
a minute or two will pass before a message comes up: ] Can we meet up at Town Hall? People usually don't go there unless they need info or fill in info, so I think that's a good place to have a chat.
no subject
[ This is strange. Nobody seeks Vanitas out of their own volition, especially if they don't know one another, and the cryptic reason doesn't clear anything up.
But he goes to Town Hall, and ducks inside. True to form there's nobody here, but its the first time he's ever been in this building, and he takes his time making a circuit while he waits for Daylight to appear. ]
no subject
he knows that very well, it seems, with how he hurries into town hall. he closes the door behind him after making sure no one - neither spirit of fellow person - had been following him.
the seconds he sees vanitas, daylight raises his servo to get his attention and says the following the moment they're close enough to each other:] I know about Dr. Solis too. She wants to meet me.
[ might as well cut to the chase while he had time. ]
ah hit post too quick
How did you find out about her?
enter key is the true enemy of the game
and it looks like a nightbreak's version of having a soft spot for someone which means yikes. better spit the words out, day. ]
I sent her a gift during the winter holidays! I swear- I didn't know it was her at the time. It was addressed to the Friend in the Basement and then... [ he pauses, wondering if he'll be believed here because the situation is a little too far-fetched.
but then he remembers their circumstances - world eaters and all - and decides why not. ] Then she replied back with a gift. The card that came the music box had her name signed and everything.
I... I don't know why but I decided, after awhile, I should write her a letter. She replied.
no subject
Vanitas, defensive and distrusting, hadn't wanted to share the information.
His yellow eyes flick back to Daylight before he ever raises his head, and a moment passes before he finally raises his chin. ]
What did she say?
And why does she want to meet you?
[ There's a snarl there, like he finds something about Daylight lacking. ]
no subject
(so he has a feeling he'll be keeping his servos up the entire time as he talks and he's going to have to live with that. because the alternative right now. whoa boy-) ]
She said she was willing to meet me and discuss stuff over some tea. [ he knows that sounds lame, he really does, but that's the basic gist of it. as for why she wanted to speak with him: ] I just asked if there was some way we could prove that it's safe for her to come and see us in person. She said she couldn't. Not yet. But... if I wanted to, I could meet her and we could talk. I could bring someone with me as well.
I- I forgot to bring the letter with me when I rushed here but that's what she said. I swear. I don't have a reason to, like, lie or anything. Not over this. Not over Dr. Solis' safety. [ daylight looks concerned now as he speaks more and more. less nervous for his well-being and more worried for dr. solis. especially when he thinks about how she can't even contact them via the network since she had no means. ] I only want to help her.
[ knowing he might be pushing it with this bit, he pushes all the same and adds, ] And I bet you do too.
no subject
The fact is Vanitas isn't convinced about helping any of these people in Beacon. He's not even especially interested in helping her be convinced that its safe out here— because he doesn't think it is. ]
Everyone has an agenda.
[ But she told him, face to face, that she wanted them to write to her. That she wants information. So...
His eyes narrow. ]
Why are you telling me this?
no subject
Because Riku mentioned you when I asked for suggestions on who could come with me to see her.
He trusts you so I trust you. [ and. yeah. that's it, really. it's... not that hard for day to do, putting trust in someone else if a friend of his believes them. he's always willing to extend a hand to someone new.
he would even do that now but- again- keeping his servos up to show he's not going to do anything funny. please don't maim him. he doesn't think there are any doctors for him here. ]
no subject
Then you're either stupid or incredibly naive. Blindly following your friends is a good way to get yourself killed.
[ His eyes carve over Daylight, like he's assessing him. ]
Put your hands down, you look like a fool.
[ Vanitas looks, at the very least, less like he's going to attack. ]
So are you inviting me to come with you or are you here to get information?
no subject
he tries to focus on the positive for now. like the fact he gets to lower his servos and allow his stiff joints some respite from how long he's been holding them up. yay, he mentally cheers to himself for a second before he addresses the pressing question at hand: ]
I first want to know if you're interested in the idea of coming along.
[ with sir cao pi and mr. hughes and sir kuai liang, their interest in coming along with daylight were obvious enough for him to take note.
but with vanitas that's something he needs to figure out first. ] I'm, um, curious about what you know about Dr. Solis, yeah, but I'm not pushing on that. If you don't want to then you don't want to. I don't like the idea of forcing others to do or be something that's not their thing, you know?
Which is why I want to know if you'll be up for something like this. If you don't wanna go, I don't wanna force you.
no subject
You have no back bone at all. No wonder you need someone to go with you.
[ He's too kind, and that wince told him everything he needed to know about the nerve he's touched. It doesn't even surprise him. ]
You can't even ask me a direct question.
[ He advances then, his eyes narrowed and sharp. ]
Yeah, I'd go along. But something tells me I'm not the first person you've asked.
[ Which doesn't surprise him. Why would anyone come to Vanitas for anything other than a need to destroy something? ]
no subject
[ concentrate on the topic, day reminds himself as he stands his ground. even if you find yourself wondering if you can handle this sort of interaction for the duration of however long a tea with dr. solis will take. ]
I've spoken to others about this. Others- Others have been interested in her, Vanitas- [ he pauses a bit, wondering if it was alright to address him as much. daylight doesn't know his last name and he has a feeling vanitas wouldn't like it if he was addressed as 'mister' so. ] -and that was even before learning about her real identity.
[ he remembers the early days of when they got here. everyone trying to open the trapdoor and find ways to interact with her. it got to the point she had asked him to put up a sign to stop the more 'egregious behaviour' as his great grandpa would have described it. ]
And, besides, this isn't something I should just... decide by myself. Others should have a say and know what's going on. See if they'll have something to say or have tips to give. Stuff like that since, well, we have to work together.
no subject
[ He remembers the obsession, the constant need to find out what was underneath. Vanitas had never really cared — not until she came up to stop him.
He hunts closer until he's within arm's length, and the narrowed distance means Vanitas has to look up. It would almost be comical, if Vanitas didn't look so dangerous. ]
You've all always been obsessed with the one under the door.
And what do you think you're deciding now? You think we can give her the peace of mind we aren't like anyone who came before?
I'll tell you this:
[ He cocks his head just a little, and the new angle makes the gold of his eyes shine, inhuman in the low light. ]
I don't care who you take with you. But if something happens to her as a result of this little tea party?
You'll wish I'd done something so simple as let you die and have her bring you back.
( 1/2: gag tag. )
( 2/2: a real tag but it might as well be the same thing. i'm sorry for day here. )
more than ever, he misses nightbreak. ]
I don't know why you need to do this but sure. [ he doesn't raise his servos up all the way up to resume the gesture but makes little sincere jazzhands of honesty, at the very least. ] If it gives you the security to know that this will make me do what I can to ensure she's safe- Okay.
... Riku was definitely right about you having a soft spot for her.
[ daylight, apparently, does not fear death. ]
no subject
Riku was right. It doesn't bother him as much as it would have a few months ago. She represents much more to him than some woman he has a soft spot for, but he also isn't going to discuss it with someone he doesn't know and doesn't particularly like. ]
Everything you do has consequences, Daylight.
[ He walks passed him, then, very close but without touching, toward the door. He pauses with his back to the other guy. ]
I know what it looks like when you're choosing to use someone for your own gain.
[ He turns his head just slightly, so part of his face is visible, a sliver of his jaw, without turning around. ]
I'll be watching.