Nineteenth Shooting Star - voice/action;

[risingwinds]

[It happened when he went to check up on Vanitas and give him some freshly cooked ravioli. He'd gotten his head on straight after the recent experiment, meaning that he'd settled back to his regular routine, albeit with some awkwardness.

But when he went into Vanitas' room, he found nothing. Nothing but his music player and a few CDs left behind. It's... jarring, to say the least. He'd been spending months trying to make Vanitas a better person, but now that he's gone--

He could come back without memories. He'd be back to the way he was, hurting people for his own enjoyment. Trying to forge the χ-blade...

When Ven addresses the journal, there's no mistaking it-- he's upset. While some might be happy to hear the news, Ven is not one of those people.]

For those of you that knew him, Vanitas is... gone.

I guess you guys don't have to worry about him now.

[Except Ven's scared. Housemates might find him up on the roof, warily watching the sky. Later on, he'll be hanging by the bakery and the library, just trying to find a suitable distraction. First one of his closest friends disappeared, and now this... Just his luck.]

Comments

[voice] you so did this on purpose

[fortuneprince]

[Vanitas is gone.

Those are the words she had hoped to hear when she first encountered him and first heard that he was the one who hurt Sora. But now that Ven is actually saying it... she isn't sure what to say, feel or even think. He had been working so hard on making Vanitas a better person.

He gave Naoto his word that he would and she had no doubt that he would succeed. But now... damn those Malnosso.] Ven-kun, I... [What can she say? 'Sorry' for the millionth time now?]

...I'm at a loss for words.

[voice] Maaaaybe ;D

[risingwinds]

I...

[It stinks. Ven might've had some reservations about Vanitas. He certainly wasn't fond of him for the longest time, but after working with him and seeing some genuine progress, he had high hopes for his darkness.

Hopes that came crashing down.]

Yeah, I am too.

[voice] sooooooob you are cruel my dear

[fortuneprince]

[Naoto stays quiet for a moment, trying to come up with something, anything to say. An apology, something encouraging like 'he'll come back and everything will be okay' but really that may be a lie. If he comes back without his memories... it won't be looking good.

But she comes up with this in the end-] Would you like to meet somewhere... ?

[voice]

[risingwinds]

[Some people would like to be alone in times of distress. Ven, though? He relies on the bonds between friends.

So... yes.]

Sure. You got any place in mind?

[action!]

[humility]

[she's there quietly beside him as if she already knew. sitting gingerly down next to him, Aqua watches Ven carefully with a sad smile.]

Was he here for a long time with you?

[action!]

[risingwinds]

[Ven glances up at her, scooting a wee bit closer. Then, he nods.]

Yeah. He'd been staying here for months. Ever since he lost his eyesight.

[humility]

[leans over a little so their arms are against one another. she's clasping her hands around her knees.]

You took really good care of him.

[risingwinds]

Thanks, Aqua. I really did try, but...

[He gazes down at the floor.]

When people leave Luceti, they almost always forget. I'm scared that if he comes back, he'll go back to the way he used to be.

[humility]

[oh, Ven. you're getting a one-armed hug and getting pulled in. Aqua's content to sit like that until she gathers her thoughts.]

...It's really painful to lose someone, especially when you've put a lot of effort into the friendship. He might come back, and he might never. But I think...either way, you've proved that he can change. I think that means a lot. It shows that there really is hope to come back to the light, no matter how much darkness you have or how long it takes. It also proves that you, Ven, are such a good friend and a really strong person.

[squeeze and a smile]

If he does come back, I'll be right there with you.

[voice]

[emp3thy]

[Minato really doesn't know all the complications of Ven and Vanitas' relationship. Most of the details he does know came through Minako, and show that Vanitas was extremely dangerous. But regardless of any of that, Ven is obviously upset now, and Minato is more than aware of how harsh disappearances can be on the people left behind. Especially when they happen close together.]

Do you want company, Ven-kun?

[voice]

[risingwinds]

[It's always good to hear from friends, especially when he's feeling down. And Ven knows Minato just went through something similar with Minako. So... after a moment of silence:]

Sure. That'd be great.

[voice]

[emp3thy]

Where are you now?

[voice]

[risingwinds]

Over at house 39, but I can meet you somewhere else, if you want.

[Action]

[talontrot]

[Kazooie comes out of the bakery with a bag of poppyseed muffins (they're good for drowning awkwardness in) in her beak...

... but nearly drops them when she sees Ven. Seriously, is that Spiky? Her buddy? He looks miserable!]

What the heck happened to you?

[She's saying it through a beakful of bag, so it sounds a little weird, but she's going to put the bag down in a second to properly face him.]

[Action]

[risingwinds]

Huh?

[He probably didn't notice her until she spoke up, that's how distracted he is. But... heh. He'll manage a weak smile.]

I'm okay. Just a little bit distracted, I guess.

[Action]

[talontrot]

I heard over the journal thing you lost a buddy of yours.

[Though she hadn't really been sure what to say...]

... He could come back, right? I mean, it's happened before.

[Though some of the people Kazooie's lost - Peach... - might never come back...]

[Action]

[risingwinds]

But if he comes back, he'll probably forget this place.

[He winces.]

And if that happens... it'll be really dangerous.

[Voice]

[starfishlovesyou]

[Upset Ven? Well that's not like him at all. It takes her a moment to reply, given the past week, but if Ven sounds truly upset then she wants to cheer him up a little.]

I'm sorry to hear this Vanitas-san has gone home. [...] Should Fuuko bring some cupcakes over?

[Voice]

[risingwinds]

[Right now, any potential awkwardness from the experiment really doesn't matter right now. It's good to hear from friends...]

If you want. And... well, I've got some star-shaped cookies leftover.

[Voice]

[starfishlovesyou]

[That brings a small smile to her face despite the situation.]

Sounds great, Fuuko will be over soon. [...] Ah, Ven-san, where do you live exactly? [Probably should have asked this first.]

[Voice]

[risingwinds]

I'm over in house 39! If you want, I can hang out by the porch so it's easier to spot it.

[personafalsify]

[ Rep has been so intent on avoiding a certain someone that he hasn't so much as left his room since the experiment ended... so he doesn't find out about the departure until Ven puts it on the journals.

Finally he pulls himself to his feet to go check, and...

sure enough.

He turns, looking in the direction of Ven's room, and gives a half-shout. ]

Ven...?

[risingwinds]

Huh?

[It takes a moment for it to register that there's someone looking for him. After it sinks in, Ven slowly turns around and approaches Kohan.]

Hey...

[personafalsify]

Hey. Are you... [ alright? No, that was a stupid question. Just listening to his journal entry made that much clear. ]

Anything I can do?

[risingwinds]

Don't worry about it. I'll be okay.

[Maybe. At some point. ...He's still scared, though.]