museunboxing | PSL for arkfall

[He shouldn't be here. He shouldn't be anywhere. His body should not exist anymore. He wasn't sure what would happen to his consciousness after that, but he was pretty sure it wasn't to wake up in a room with a choice between two doors.

His reaction to the first sight of the natives had been violence. They had been forced to sedate him to protect their lives. What had been even more frustrating was how the drugs had worked. His mind had been forced into an uncomfortable groggy state. He had been forced to listen to the nonsense they were spouting as they dared to examine his body.

He tried to memorize any details about their faces and voices, but he wasn't sure why he put that effort in. Before, it would have been to track them down and murder them later, but now, he didn't have the will to care about doing that.

He wasn't supposed to be here. He wasn't supposed to be at all. He would eventually have to think about what it meant that he was, but his extensional crisis could wait. He could at least thank their sedative for one thing, it relaxed him enough that his mind was respective to the sense of connection that he shared with his brother.

He was in the limo when he first felt it, and despite everything, he couldn't help but laugh. He leaned back in the car and laughed the entire ride to the luxury lofts in the Up. It had unsettled the driver enough that he had hurried to leave once Knives was out of the car.

The building they had left him at was massive and he thought this was as good a place for their reunion as any. He had an apartment number, but he didn't bother with it. Instead, he took the elevator to the roof.

For a human, being in such an elevated place in nothing but a hospital gown probably would have made them cold, but he wasn't human, and he wanted to take the time to see the view of the city while he waited.

Vash would find him. And he could wait here for that moment.

What a sight he would make for his brother. Hair entirely black save for the tiniest streak that kept him alive, body exposed as the wind around him seemed to slide right through the thin fabric of the blue hospital gown, neck entirely bare without even a hint of a black mark there.]

[Vash was really enjoying that donut. It was so perfectly baked! How could anyone feel anything except for pure delightful--]

[--Dread. Vash feels his brother's presence in the city straight away. His stomach turns cold. No, no, no, no, no! Not here! Not this city too!

It had been so long since he's felt the mental touch of any of the Plants that for half a second he tries to lie and tell himself he was just being homesick. Only there was no denying what he felt.

In a move that would shock the friends he has made Vash stands immediately to his feet and let's the donuts fall scattered all around. He doesn't even bat an eye at the waste of his beloved snack. As soon as he's on his feet he's on the move.

His nerves grow more with each passing moment as the elevator to the Up seems like it takes an eternity. Of course his brother had been sorted as a dominant. Why wasn't he surprised?

It took a little convincing at the front door staff to let him in. A lie about arriving to discuss a contract, a quick search to see that Vash was indeed not contracted to someone else, and another staff who had seen someone who looked a lot like Vash just walk through and he's allowed in. The story seems plausible enough to the staff. Brothers, especially twins, did tend to contract together.

They won't let him ride the elevator to the roof on his own. Despite Vash's numerous requests and even pleading that it was to keep them safe if he could go alone. Although once they reach the top where Knives stands waiting they'll leave to let the brothers work out their contract deal alone.

Only Vash had no intention of contracting with Knives. Not yet anyway. To be honest Vash wasn't exactly sure what he was going to do on this roof. All he knew is it had to be something. What that something ends up being is Vash staring in shock at his brother's darkened hair.]

Knives... your hair. [Vash knows what that colour means. Surprised that even after spending months in his brothers prison how alarming it was to see it so black.]

[Knives lets out a breath as he feels his brother's eyes looking at him and hears the concern in that familiar voice. He doesn't turn to look at Vash right away, instead, his focus is still on the world around them. It's strange how the confirmation that Vash is here and is still aware enough to be worried about his hair makes tension that Knives wasn't even aware he was holding in his chest melt away.]

Do you think they're all humans, brother? [He asked in a sort of apathetic, exhausted tone. He didn't even sound invested in his hatred of them anymore. Instead, it felt as if it was a weight barring down on him. Crushing him.] What other race could come up with such a disgusting culture?

They must be. They act human, driven by all of the same base desires and needs.

I stand here and I can only think of one power source that would be capable of bringing me back, but try as I might I can't sense any other siblings on this world - excepting our sisters who are already a part of me. [Those Plants would probably never fully leave him alone again. Their memories still lingered on the edges of his mind, ready to supply warm and protective feelings for humans if he let them slip through.] It's you and me surrounded by a sea of perverted humanity.

Just like old times.

[Vash doesn't move closer. Not yet ready to embrace his brother or provide him comfort, but also making no move to reach for the gun on his hip.

He picks up the different tone to Knives's voice. A tone he hasn't really heard before when his brother has discussed humans in the past. Yet they were still the same hateful words even if there wasn't as much hateful energy behind it. Vash decides not to trust it.] None of our sisters are here. [It was a lonely, isolating fact that Vash has had to live with for seven months now. A connection he had never truly been without completely severed and leaving him abandoned in a strange world.]

Its not fair of you to assume it was humans who molded this world in this way. I don't believe it was. [Nissen who was a major supporter and his abilities didn't seem human to Vash.] I'm not so sure the majority here are even human, but just look the part. Like we do. [He can't help himself as the last part slips out. He knows Knives dislikes it when he compares themselves to humans in anyway. So, maybe he was still at least a little bitter about his imprisonment back home.]

Knives, your hair, what have you done?! [The girls, Wolfwood, Brad... were any of his friends still alive?]

[That phrase 'like we do' did, indeed, make Knives feel sick. He made a soft, bitter noise and grimaced. His jaw tightened as he grasped onto the bile of hatred that filled him. He wasn't even sure what he hated anymore. Was it humans? Or much more self-directed?

Finally ready to turn to look at his brother, Knives turned to ask what Vash was going on about. Vash knew exactly the things Knives had done. He had been there for them. All of it had been a show for Vash, after all. But all talk is instantly halted when Knives finally daw his brother and there was a black line running down his neck.]

They...

[He started and he could feel his mind finally overpower the drugs. His absolute fury overpowered his apathy. He knew then that all that mattered was that he needed to murder everyone who had touched Vash. How dare they think they can mark his brother. How dare they think they can tame him. He wanted to find everyone who had a hand in that tattoo and rip out their entrails.

He closed the distance between himself and Vash, utterly ignoring the gun or that it could come off as threatening. He only wanted to get a closer look at the mark, to put a hand on Vash's chin and lift it so he can double check that it was really there.]

Edited 2019-05-18 17:36 (UTC)

[Vash takes a half step back as Knives approaches him. He can tell by where his brother's sight had landed and the way he walked what he intended to do. The former outlaw wasn't completely sure he was ready to be touched by his brother just yet. Especially on the face after what had happened.] Don't. [He puts up a hand as well to signal that he doesn't wish to be touched but does no more to stop Knives from reaching out to touch his face. Using it as a bit of a test to see how much his brother will listen and respect his boundaries. The mostly blond hair brother would have still grabbed at his chin regardless of Vash's wants to see what the humans have done. What would this one do?

More than his own boundaries possibly being crossed what was Vash going to do about his brother being here? He couldn't let him go about killing humans again, but the last time he fought Knives he had lost and lost badly. Only this time there was no Legato, no other Plants, and Knives's hair was black. Maybe he could take his brother on and win this time if he had to.

He'd worry about the cost of fighting a dominant in this world later.]

[Miraculously, Knives did stop. The command even managed to knock down some of his anger. It was still there, a fury boiling just under his skin, but he didn't look as if he was ready to rush out into the streets and kill anyone who even looked as if they might have had a hand in marking Vash.

This version of Vash's brother - the one who had used up nearly all of his power - seemed to be slightly more controllable than he had been the last time Vash saw him. At least there was something that almost looked like regret in his face at how Vash pulled away from him. It was that sense more than anything which cooled off the edge of his murderous intent.]

They marked you. [He said, completing his thought from before. His fists balled up at his sides instead of forcing Vash to stomach his touch. His voice was hard but managed to hold back his righteous fury.] They labeled you as inferior.

You.

You are more than all of them combined and yet they marked you as submissive? They marred your skin? Isn't it enough that you carry around scars at their expense? They have to do this to you too?

They should pay for that, brother. [And it was the 'should' and the tone of his voice which made it less a fact stated and much more of an argument. Before, he would have said such a thing in a way that would have made it clear he planned to carry out that action. Now, the tone of his voice begged Vash to see his side of things. It was crafted to persuade. That meant there was an opening to convince Knives too. Arguments by their nature went both ways.]

[Vash is pleasantly surprise that Knives listened to his request and didn't touch him. Something had happened and it wasn't just the hair color.] I picked my own door just like you did. [He wants to plant that idea in Knives's mind. That a human didn't mark him. In a way his own choice is what did it.] It showed up when I picked the door. [No one forced him or actually held him down to tattoo him.

He smiles a warm and happy smile; although it won't take Knives any effort to see it's a mostly empty one.] I don't think any of the submissives here are inferior. Just a luck of a draw. That's all. Nothing to get upset about.

And I'm not more than anyone else here. Mark or no mark. [He ends with that. It's the point Vash wants to address the most and believes to be the most important. Also hoping to redirect Knives's anger from the world to him.]

We disagree about a lot, Vash. [Knives turns to look out at the city again. Anything was better than considering that hollow expression. It destroyed the rest of his visible anger and left this weird ache in his stomach.

He almost wished he was the type of person who would be able to wipe it all out with a thought again. It would make all of this so much easier if he could just destroy everything.

The last act of his life was to create something rather than destroy, and that had been inspired by his siblings - most of all his brother. Somehow, he couldn't stomach a desire to kill everything. There was only really one thing that should be gone, and that was him.]

However, this one fact is the difference that frustrates me the most right now.

You are more. You're the best of everything. It would be better if you could accept that.

I am not. We are not. [Vash steps a bit closer to wave his hand over at the city to add to his point.] The people down there they're just like us. They're confused, angry, and even scared. [Yes. He's saying you're scared right now Knives.] They also are happy and have joys just like we do.

Just because we are different species doesn't mean they are better than us or that we are better than them.

[Knives is not willing to budge on this one, so instead, he changes the subject completely.]

How long have you been here?

[Vash stands in slightly stunned silence. Was Knives... changing the subject? That was his move for uncomfortable or uncomfortable conversations he didn't want to have. Not Knives. In the past Knives normally would have literally beat his opinion into him.

Was this some sort of trap? Vash still wasn't sure what to make of it. Which is why his tone of voice may sound just slightly confused and suspicious when he finally gives his answer.] About... seven months?

[How quickly will Knives do the math? The forced quota of this place.]

[Knives's eyes narrow at that answer. He can't imagine his brother being forced to partake in this system as a submissive for so long.]

And do you have an agreement with someone?

[Because honestly, at least that person should probably die if he does.]

Not right now. [His last two have been sent home, but he doesn't really feel the need to open up about that to Knives. Vash is afraid of any information his brother will try to use against him.

So he also tries to change the topic of discussion.] What happened to you Knives? Your hair... [A terrifying thought suddenly pops into Vash's head. If Knives's hair was this black then what did this mean for-] ...the Plants. Knives, what happened to our sisters? Are they okay? [It's not that Vash didn't trust Knives to take care of their sisters it was just-- no, no that was it exactly. Vash didn't trust Knives to take care of their sisters. Think he was? Sure. Actually taking care of them? No.]

What do you mean? [Knives seems genuinely confused by these questions.] You were there. You witnessed my designs to wipe out the rest of the cities. You fought the remaining members of the Gung Ho Guns on the ground. Earth's forces appeared with one of our sisters serving as a pilot. Then... everything that happened after.

[He had tried to insist he was still convinced of his path, but it had all been a ploy to get Vash to end his life, to stop the guilt that had been festering inside of him.

Instead, they had flown away together and a human had been willing to help Vash.]

I knew you were worn out and hurt, but that human said you were going to recover. Did he lie to me?

[Vash thought he could handle what his brother is about to say, but he can't. Where does he even start? He knew the Earth forces were on their way but... a sister? A pilot? Then that would mean...]

There-- there's another Plant? Like us? [Another Independent? He can't keep the shock from his face. What was that about him being hurt and worn out? Something about the Gun Ho Guns? Not at all important.] From Earth?

Yes. [That is what he just said, so he doesn't mind confirming.]

Vash... What is the last thing that you remember before ending up here?

[Vash's mouth twitches slightly. His feet shuffle in place and Knives can probably tell by the look on his twin's face that he's trying to decide if he's going to tell the truth or not.]

I was with you. Stuck with Legato in your ark. [It sounds better that way then using the word imprisoned.]

[That explained why Vash's hair wasn't completely taken over yet, and why he was so confused by what Knives was saying and doing.]

Then, rejoice, brother, for I bring you news of victory.

You won.

[He doesn't even sound all that upset about it. Just tired mostly.]

[Vash's eyebrow raises slightly. Trying to decide if Knives was telling the truth or not. What would he gain by lying? Considering where Vash was when he left home and how for the last seven months he had assumed Knvies had been running wild with no one to stop him it was hard for Vash to imagine. He won? Really?

Then his eyes trail up at that black hair once more. In that moment his heart aches at hearing how tired Knives sounds. That didn't sound like his brother. For all the anger and fear Vash held in his heart towards his twin while being trapped in this world he's surprised by how much it hurt him to hear him that way.] Knives... what-- [He stops. Not sure how to say what he wants to ask.] Are you? Are you okay? [Now Vash finally takes a step a bit closer towards his brother. Worry winning out over his nervous apprehension. His hair was so black.]

[He has the urge to mock Vash over his worry but not enough will to follow through.]

I'm not sure what I am. I used the last of my power to bring my dead body back to life just long enough for the two of us to fly away together. And then I gave an apple tree to the family who promised to look after you and...

I shouldn't be anymore, Vash. I was content with that being my last action.

Now I am here instead.

[Being told he has to find a suitable partner and give into all of those disgusting desires that humans made such a big deal about.]

[Last action?] No! [It's out before Vash can even think to stop himself. He would be a liar if Vash said he never once thought that the world would be better off without the two of them in it. That he hadn't ever tried to kill Knives himself a few times. In the end he hadn't done it for one simple reason; Knives was his brother and he couldn't think of his life without his twin.] If you're here that couldn't be your last action. [Yet he had heard of that; didn't he? That the dead could live again here. That one of his close friends here was dead back in his home.

No. Knives was strong. There was no way that he was gone back home. Vash's eyes flick up at his brother's hair once again. It was awfully black.]

[Knives has no idea how to handle how forcefully Vash has responded to the idea that he may be dead. He blinks in surprise and just sort of stares at his brother for a moment.

Then, slowly, he smiles and then chuckles. He isn't sure why this is so funny to him. Maybe because for such a long time he was sure Vash wanted him gone, and now that had been reversed.]

And instead, I supposed, my life will now be made of finding a way to stomach what they require me to do?

[Vash isn't sure if he's happy that Knives is changing the topic again or not. Probably would have been happy if it hadn't fallen to that. The former outlaw frowns slightly and the tips of his large ears start to turn a bit red. This certainly wasn't a topic he had ever planned on discussing with his genocidal brother before.]

I suggest you find a way to stomach at least the bare minimum because it makes life a lot easier if you do. [He says it without stopping to think that his words and tone of voice allude to the fact that Vash knows, perhaps even experienced, first hand what the harder option is.]

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