risingwinds | Seventeenth Shooting Star

[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!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Well, maybe they've got some CDs in one of the shops.

[He's tempted to look.]

But that's okay. Almost all the books I had to read had to do with different worlds and my training.

You think they'll have 'em? I bet the selection would be out of this world. Literally.

So you're really up-to-date with this whole multi-world shindig, huh? Wish they taught us stuff like that in school.

Well, I had a special kinda 'school,' if you really wanna call it that. I was being trained as a Keyblade Apprentice-- basically somebody who's supposed to protect all the worlds.

So you're like... a galactic soldier? Or maybe a universal crimefighter!

[Aww, Jade. Such amusing descriptions.]

Kinda! My job's basically to protect the worlds from darkness and any other threats.

Sounds like superhero status to me. So what's this "Keyblade" thing you were talkin' about? Is it kind of like your power ring?

It's kinda like a magical sword that's shaped like a key.

It can open any lock, create paths to other worlds, and I can even use magic with it. Plus, it can transform into a hover board.

[Basically, an all purpose, epic weapon.]

Whoa. Any lock? Hover board?!

Where can I sign me up for one of those?

[Oh, Jade. Such enthusiasm!]

Well, in order to get a Keyblade, you've gotta find a Keyblade Master. And if your heart's strong enough, they might take you in as their apprentice.

Oh. Weeelll, you come pretty close to one, don't you?

Not exactly. I'm still an apprentice, so I'm not allowed to train anybody just yet.

Awww. Okay, I hear ya. How long's it usually take for someone to graduate from something like that?

At least a few years, and then they've gotta take the Mark of Mastery exam.

So it's kinda like training up for a driver's license! A driver's license for the ultimate Swiss army knife.

[Oh man. Best description ever.

Yeah, he's totally laughing.]

Yep! Takes a lot of work, but I don't mind. Just wielding a Keyblade is a big responsibility.