Seventeenth Shooting Star - voice;

[risingwinds]

[Ever since Vanitas moved in, Ven's had a lot on his mind. Taking in the same guy who nearly killed a lot of his friends, took over his body, and caused general chaos isn't something most people would even consider.

But Ven's not like other people. He's far too nice for his own good, and what some may consider reckless he views as the 'right' thing-- especially when someone's starving and dehydrated.

So, when he opens the journal, he doesn't look or sound particularly sad-- just a little confused. Something's on his mind, if nothing else.]

Hey, guys. I've got a question... [A beat.]

Let's say you know this guy who's kind of a jerk. What's the best way to help him lighten up a bit and improve his attitude?

[Suddenly, there's another voice chiming in. One some people will probably recognize as Vanitas.]

I hear a lobotomy works wonders.

Hey!

[What follows is some shuffling, followed by a resounding SQUEAK! Probably from an inflatable hammer.]

[ooc: Italics = Vanitas. Ven's gonna be doing most of the talking, but Vanitas might make some background comments!]

Comments

[fictionalniece.livejournal.com]

Hey, you asked for advice, so I'm giving you advice in the form of some 24-karat life experience. Free of charge!

[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

Hey, there's no price better than something free.

[A beat.]

Whenever he acts up, I do have a few tricks up my sleeve.

[fictionalniece.livejournal.com]

Yeah? How d'you figure?

[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

Well, if he gets outta hand, sometimes I'll use sleep magic on him.

[fictionalniece.livejournal.com]

Magic again? Does everyone here know magic but me?

[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

I don't know about everyone. I've met a few people who don't really know it, but they do teach magic over at the school. You don't even have to take regular classes to do it.

[fictionalniece.livejournal.com]

You don't say...

Anyway, it sounds like you've got your problem solved. Guy gets outta hand, you give him a taste of your sleep voodoo. What's the fuss?

[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

It might stop him for a while, but it's only a temporary solution. I really want to help him change for real, otherwise he'll go back to hurting people once he gets his sight back.

[fictionalniece.livejournal.com]

Oh. That kind of jerk. Well why was he hurting people in the first place?

[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

He's really detached. Vanitas doesn't have any friends; he doesn't think they're worth his time, and he never had a chance to make any before.

I think the way he was treated and what he is has a lot to do with it. It's kind of a long story, but all he's ever known is fighting.

[fictionalniece.livejournal.com]

Hm... Not gonna lie to you, pal. This guy sounds like a tough nut. Are you even sure he can change?

[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

I think anyone can if they're given a chance. He might not realize it, but I can tell he's changed a little. All he really needs to do is open up a bit.

He's spent so much time alone that I think he might be afraid to change.

[fictionalniece.livejournal.com]

This is pretty important to you, huh?

How 'bout a round of healthy competition? You know! Two opponents duke it out 'til only one's left standing, but once it's all over, they team up and form a beautiful new friendship based on respect and cooperative butt-kick.

[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

[Man, that sounds so dramatic! But in all seriousness, it gets another laugh outta Ven.]

I just wonder what kinda competition we could have while he's blind.

[fictionalniece.livejournal.com]

He's blind? Hm... Maybe you can blindfold yourself to make it fair. Or there's pin the tail on the donkey.

[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

I guess that could work.

[Pin the tail on the...]

He'd probably think it's silly, but it'd probably be good for him.

[fictionalniece.livejournal.com]

You think? Might be kind of a bummer if you can't see if you actually won or not, though. Or where the donkey is in the first place.

By the way, my name's Jade. What's yours?

[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but it's still something to do. He's been kinda bored lately. [A beat.] But he'd probably like it better if he pinned it onto a living target.

[Oh, Vanitas. Such a pain lover.]

Anyway, my name's Ventus! Call me Ven.

[fictionalniece.livejournal.com]

Uh... Maybe you'd better save it for when he's a little less stab-happy, then.

Nice to meetcha, Ven. You must be pretty swell, goin' this far for this guy.

[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

That's what I'm thinking. Maybe I can get him to listen to music, though. It'd give him something to do.

[A beat.]

Thanks, Jade. I just wanna do what I can, since he's my responsibility now. If it can keep my friends safe at the same time, I don't mind working with him.

[fictionalniece.livejournal.com]

But y'know. Just 'cause he can't see, doesn't mean he has to sit in and be a boring butt. He just needs to be... handicapable!

[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

I've been trying to get him to pick up a few hobbies, but he's been really stubborn about it. Vanitas won't even listen to music, and I think that'd be a great place to start.

[fictionalniece.livejournal.com]

He doesn't like any music? At all?

Well... They've also got those book on tape things too, but he doesn't sound like the bookish type.

[risingwinds.livejournal.com]

He doesn't wanna give it a chance. I guess he thinks all music is too happy or peaceful.

[A beat.]

And the only way he'd listen to books on tape is if they were dark. Maybe tragedies.

[fictionalniece.livejournal.com]

That's because he hasn't experienced the wild, soul-slammin' beats of Zed Leppelin, or gone for a kick with the Red Hot Bell Peppers. It's just too bad I don't have my tunes with me here.

I'd recommend some books, but the ones they make us read in school are kind of PG.