PSL for arkfall

[goldenglasses]

[Vash was getting use to his life in the city. Some of it has been pretty bad, but for the most part he really can't complain. He always had enough to eat. He had stopped pouring sand out of his clothing. Could have all the water and shower for however long he wanted. No one had tried to shoot him in months. The people here even didn't care about his scars. In fact some people really liked them!

He was currently without a dominate, but he didn't mind. A small grace period to find another one and he wasn't in a rush. Which is why he was taking a moment to enjoy a bit of people watching in the Down. Munching on a donut and enjoying the day.

The only problem was in times like these his mind tends to wander to thoughts of home. Worry starts to settle in. Hoping that his friends were alright without him. Things certainly looking good when he left. Of course, there wasn't much he could do for them here so he tries not to think too much about it.

Besides, this donut was really tasty. Right now he just wanted to sit and enjoy them. Nothing bad could happen on this day, right?]

Comments

[goldenglasses]

We'll think of something. Like if we're a dog or cat person!

[arkfall]

What are you talking about?

You'd probably get teary-eyed over having to choose and pick both.

[goldenglasses]

[Vash actually chuckles at the teasing.] Yeah, I probably would if I could have a pet!

[He pour the cooked noodles into a strainer.]

[arkfall]

Why can't you?

[goldenglasses]

Moving around like I did back home? I couldn't do that to an animal. Better that they have a steady place to call home. [Although there was this one cat.] And here? I guess because of how people just vanish without warning and returned home. I'd hate to suddenly vanish and leave a dog or cat behind with no one to look out for it.

[arkfall]

[Knives shrugs at that, accepting that reasoning.]

I'd probably be more interested in having a cat.

[goldenglasses]

Really? I thought you'd be more of a loyal dog companion sort. [Although. Vash wonders to himself. Maybe Legato is enough of that.] But I suppose you've always had in interest in those who are incredibly stubborn once they make their mind up on something.

[He dumps a can of premade sauce onto the noodles. His desire to make something from scratch long gone.]

[arkfall]

[Knives thinks pretty much the same thing when Vash says 'loyal dog companion' as his thoughts rest on Bluesummers.]

I like the fact that it would be able to take care of itself. Dogs can be so needy.

[goldenglasses]

I have heard that about dogs. But I like how they love their owners unconditionally and just want to please even if it is a little needy sometimes.

[There was no mince in the fridge so he experiments and shreds up a bit of the sandwich meat into the pasta before he plates it.] Food's ready. Come get your plate.

[arkfall]

Now I feel like you're doing it on purpose. [Knvies says as he gets up to get some of the pasta.]

You do realize that you're describing Bluesummers don't you?

[goldenglasses]

Maybe a little. [Vash slides over a plateful of pasta. Red sauce with bits of sliced sandwich meat in it. He frowns a little bit as he does.] I wish you would treat him a little better. That's another reason we need to get you back home. I don't think I want to know what he'd do hearing that you're gone.

[arkfall]

[Knives considers the plate of pasta. He frowns at what Vash says.

Then, after a moment, he says softly.]

He's dead.

[goldenglasses]

[Vash looks shocked. Someone beat Legato? It didn't seem possible. Even after his back was shattered it was only because of that man that Vash had been unable to escape for so long.] Wolfwood...? [Did he find some way past Legato's ability? It must be when the priest was rescuing him. How else would they have escaped?] Unless... [There was ONE person Vash knew could actually hurt Legato.] Please don't tell me you killed him because I got away.

[Legato was a monster, but especially now after hearing about his past, Vash didn't want him dead. It was a strange mix of sorrow and relief to hear that he had died.]

[arkfall]

[Knives looks up at the accusation and for a moment he seems a little surprised at the idea. He isn't sure why he had that reaction to what Vash had said. He had always planned on killing Legato along with all of the other humans. He had never flinched away from hurting him either. Somehow, though, the thought that Vash would think he would kill Bluesummers over something like that surprised him just the same.]

No, of course not. He died during the final battle for Octovern.

[goldenglasses]

[Vash opens his mouth then shuts it. Deciding not bringing up how Knives nearly killed Legato once before didn't seem like it would be helpful.] Octovern, huh? [His frown deepens slightly. Octovern was a pretty big city. He can't help but what kind of casualties happened because of it.

He shoves a bit of pasta in his mouth and for once fully chews it before speaking again.] So a cat person, huh? [Seemed safer than talking about home.]

[arkfall]

[Nearly killed. Nearly killed is not the same. Legato had needed to be punished for overstepping before, but Knives had never meant to kill him.

Still, he doesn't try to explain any of that, or talk more about Octovern. Not when Vash is so clearly changing the subject.]

If I had to choose, yes.

But I think I'm much more of a houseplant kind of person. [That might be a joke.]

[goldenglasses]

[Vash finally smiles at the mention of houseplants. He's not completely sure if his brother is joking or not, but just the change in conversation helps his mood.] Good. Because I put one in your room. Now that I have more space I might pick up a few more later too.

[Just fill the place with flowers. He'll try to keep the red ones to his own room.]

I hope the food is alright. With a proper shop I'll make better pasta for you sometime. [He tries to fill the air with conversation. That way his mind can't start drifting back to the future and what this city expects of them soon.]

[arkfall]

[Knives tries it out then, and he finds he doesn't hate it at least.]

Thank you. For cooking. And for the plant.

[goldenglasses]

You're... welcome. [It's a bit awkward, but an honest answer. He smiles and for a moment wonders if maybe this was some sort of really strange dream. He had them before of being with his brother again as if the fall had never happened.

True, those dreams didn't tend to be set in a city that forced everyone to have sex all the time, but they were still nice dreams.]

Maybe I'll show you how to cook a bit too once you're settled in a bit better. I like cooking. I find it relaxing and you get a nice tasty reward when you're done too.

[arkfall]

[Knives feels much the same way. It's strange but beautiful to be eating with this brother, to have a meal that Vash made for him. It somehow makes him feel so warm in his chest and he isn't entirely sure how to process that so he focuses instead of the process of eating.

He finds he doesn't hate the idea of Vash teaching him more too.

Things for them seem to settle in like this for now. Knives is much calmer when he's in their apartment. It's only really tense for him any time he has to go outside.

So he limits that. He stays in as much as he can.

But they have a public shaming coming up and he can't ignore that without risking Vash being carted away. When it is finally the day they are scheduled to make the scene Knives feels aggravated over the whole thing.

He's trying not to show it though. He doesn't want to frighten Vash more than necessary and he can't imagine his anger would bring up anything but terrible memories.]

Are you sure this is what you want to do? [He asks, as they are getting ready to leave.]

[goldenglasses]

[Vash doesn't make a single mention of the shaming coming up. In fact the way he goes about the next couple days it was like it wasn't something that existed. Instead he keeps himself busy by settling into the apartment. Taking Knives shopping so he can start cooking better meals and he still goes to his job.

Even the day of the shaming he's acting like it was a normal day. The only difference is he didn't bother to put on the armor he usually wears under his coat. He can guess what this place will want and having more clothes on seemed more of a hassle then it will need to be.

So that is why Knives will find his brother lounging the wrong way in a sofa chair. Long legs dangling over the arm rest and a box of donuts sitting on his stomach. Half the box has already vanished into his mouth as he looks over at his brother. Nodding until his current mouthful is swallowed and he can speak properly.]</small. Yeah. It will be faster than whatever they might have planned. Might as well get it over with quick. Besides, there's not a lot you can do that will overly embarrass me these days anyway.

[arkfall]

[Knives hasn't been able to eat all day. His stomach feels all twisted up.]

That's not entirely reassuring, Vash.

[goldenglasses]

It will be fine. Really. [Would it?] It's going to be fine. [He jumps nimbly to his feet.] Shall we get going? Probably not a good idea to be late to these sorts of things, huh?

[Vash will head towards the door. The same calm and cool expression he always wears on his face, but Knives will probably know better. He will be able to feel through there shared connection that his twin was actually pretty nervous.]

[arkfall]

[Knives is worried. He's worried that he'll take things to far and end up hurting his brother.

He doesn't want to do that anymore, and yet he has to in order to protect him in this world.

It makes him feel like he's weak.]

They'll probably make it worse if we are.

[goldenglasses]

Yeah. [Vash never loses that smile as they walk. Not even as they get closer to the square where already the clue of a crowd can be heard. They seem excited for the show that is about to come. Still Vash look at ease and unconcerned.

Inside he's disgusted that these people are excited to watch him be humiliated. He's also nervous about being at the mercy of his brother.

He falls behind his brother. It would be much better to show that his dominant is in the lead and command here as they step up onto a raised platform to make it easier for all to see the upcoming event.

They're pretty much left to decide what to do themselves. Just the twins and a table of items for Knives to use should he wish to.]