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"Honestly, I'm not really all that good at the whole loathing and despising thing to begin with. The old monster and the three that are basically just him in different forms pretty much have that locked up for me."
Why no, she doesn't think Xehanort's final moments were all that redemptive.
"And even then, I'm not sure I'd want them to be suffering every moment of their lives... I'm not sure I wouldn't want that either, but still."
Why no, she doesn't think Xehanort's final moments were all that redemptive.
"And even then, I'm not sure I'd want them to be suffering every moment of their lives... I'm not sure I wouldn't want that either, but still."
"Maybe that's something we both share at least."
After all, Vanitas hadn't worked for or with Xehanort because of some misguided sense of loyalty. At first the old man had made something of a promise to him. He had been told by the old far that he could regain what he had lost if he follows Xehanort's plan. Even after Vanitas had known the man's honeyed words to be a lie, he had his own reasons for being a part of the Organization. It had nothing to do with Xehanort and his goals.
Vanitas doesn't even like him. At all.
"I wish he could have actually suffered."
After all, Vanitas hadn't worked for or with Xehanort because of some misguided sense of loyalty. At first the old man had made something of a promise to him. He had been told by the old far that he could regain what he had lost if he follows Xehanort's plan. Even after Vanitas had known the man's honeyed words to be a lie, he had his own reasons for being a part of the Organization. It had nothing to do with Xehanort and his goals.
Vanitas doesn't even like him. At all.
"I wish he could have actually suffered."
"Yeah, I'm... actually completely with you there. It really does seem like he got off too easily."
Yes, she realizes she's horribly biased, there. No, she doesn't particularly care. She's got every right to be angry, and if someone wants to so much as suggest that she should forgive and forget, she'll smack them upside the head.
"No matter how he tried to justify his actions, he did everything he did of his own accord. No one pushed, manipulated, or forced him into it. He just thought he knew how to run the worlds better than anyone else."
Time shenanigans notwithstanding.
Yes, she realizes she's horribly biased, there. No, she doesn't particularly care. She's got every right to be angry, and if someone wants to so much as suggest that she should forgive and forget, she'll smack them upside the head.
"No matter how he tried to justify his actions, he did everything he did of his own accord. No one pushed, manipulated, or forced him into it. He just thought he knew how to run the worlds better than anyone else."
Time shenanigans notwithstanding.
[Sora blinks in surprise and raises his brow. He reaches up and rubs his forehead.]
Well, I guess that's better than a Keyblade to the back.
Well, I guess that's better than a Keyblade to the back.
Tch. There'd be no point in shoving Void Gear in your back.
Vanitas' hand hovers over the 'neck' panel, regarding Kairi for a moment. Honestly he had been expecting something along the lines of forgiveness for the old man. Or at least trying to be more positive about that parting. Hearing that it's not the case for Kairi is unexpected. Then again there are quite a few things that have been said here that are surprising and, dare he admit it, refreshing.
She's might've earned a small amount of Vanitas' respect from all of this. It's not something he is outright going to tell her.
"Apparently he didn't though. He did fail and it's in no small part the fault of you and your friends," he shrugs. "Good riddance. I had my own reasons for wanting that stupid blade and in the end none of that mattered."
Definitely hitting neck.
She's might've earned a small amount of Vanitas' respect from all of this. It's not something he is outright going to tell her.
"Apparently he didn't though. He did fail and it's in no small part the fault of you and your friends," he shrugs. "Good riddance. I had my own reasons for wanting that stupid blade and in the end none of that mattered."
Definitely hitting neck.
"Well, mostly the others." She doesn't want to delve too far into that, but she also doesn't feel right taking credit for what was mostly down to the actions of... basically everyone else.
Oh hey, he responded. After a moment of consideration, she presses chest, since that's where his heart is.
The buzzer sound makes her wince even harder for having gotten the last few right.
"Gaaaaaah. Okay, no more going with gut instinct, got it."
Oh hey, he responded. After a moment of consideration, she presses chest, since that's where his heart is.
The buzzer sound makes her wince even harder for having gotten the last few right.
"Gaaaaaah. Okay, no more going with gut instinct, got it."
At least not now that the Keyblade War is over?
There was never a point in shoving it in your back. How would that have gotten Ventus to return to me?
Uhhhh... but he got out of me before the war ended, right?
Yes. What's your point?
[ Because again, Vanitas can't really see why Sora would think that he actually meant to go out of his way to lash out at anyone that hadn't been Aqua. ]
[ Because again, Vanitas can't really see why Sora would think that he actually meant to go out of his way to lash out at anyone that hadn't been Aqua. ]
"Just because you can't fight like them doesn't mean you're not as important or troublesome," Vanitas offers.
He enjoys his backhanded complements. From what he's been able to observe there's not much power to the girl. She's too new to her power and to her weapon to really have been any help. Though that's really not what makes Kairi a valuable piece, now is it? It's definitely the emotional attachments others have to her.
Honestly, that is the very definition of annoying to Vanitas.
He enjoys his backhanded complements. From what he's been able to observe there's not much power to the girl. She's too new to her power and to her weapon to really have been any help. Though that's really not what makes Kairi a valuable piece, now is it? It's definitely the emotional attachments others have to her.
Honestly, that is the very definition of annoying to Vanitas.
"That's... oddly nice of you to say." Though in her experience, what that tends to mean from people on the opposite side of her is "how quickly can we kidnap her and use her against Sora and Riku?"
Regardless, he probably didn't mean it as a full compliment anyway. But she'll take it.
Regardless, he probably didn't mean it as a full compliment anyway. But she'll take it.
I don't really have one. [Sora points out, shrugging.]
Remember, I'm trying to understand you. I make an assumption, and you tell me I'm wrong, so I gotta figure out how I'm wrong and what I should think instead.
Basically, everything ever with the Organization members have been like that. None of you are like I originally thought.
Remember, I'm trying to understand you. I make an assumption, and you tell me I'm wrong, so I gotta figure out how I'm wrong and what I should think instead.
Basically, everything ever with the Organization members have been like that. None of you are like I originally thought.
[ Vanitas groans in irritation and rubs at his face. Of course now Sora would be trying to use his diminutive brain... ]
The one I needed was Ventus, not you. What I wanted to do was to rip Ventus right out of you to rejoin with me. Even then it was just because it was convenient timing. Notice how I didn't chase you down even though I could have.
[ See, it's not that he's actually without logic and reason. Vanitas could have tracked Sora down with some ease. ]
Even at the Graveyard you must have noticed. None of us were really surprised or shocked that you won. It's like it was expected.
So, no. Shoving a Keyblade in your back wouldn't have served me at any point.
The one I needed was Ventus, not you. What I wanted to do was to rip Ventus right out of you to rejoin with me. Even then it was just because it was convenient timing. Notice how I didn't chase you down even though I could have.
[ See, it's not that he's actually without logic and reason. Vanitas could have tracked Sora down with some ease. ]
Even at the Graveyard you must have noticed. None of us were really surprised or shocked that you won. It's like it was expected.
So, no. Shoving a Keyblade in your back wouldn't have served me at any point.
So if what you wanted was to rejoin Ven... Why didn't you want to join us when we offered?
That's the thing I don't understand, Vanitas.
That's the thing I don't understand, Vanitas.
I am what I am. There's no changing that. Even if there was a chance, an opportunity, that has long since passed.
[ This is the only way he knows how to be. How to survive. Also don't mind him he's swiping some kind of sweet treat and chewing on it. ]
[ This is the only way he knows how to be. How to survive. Also don't mind him he's swiping some kind of sweet treat and chewing on it. ]
( Angela would produce the counterargument that there are peaceful ways to resolve things without hurting others— which could have been a concern, if someone didn't get the hint with him, perhaps. She doesn't think he would, but it's reason enough to step in when others seem irritated to her. Stick her on the bomb squad, captain, she'll defuse any sitch!!
She can deal with his displeasure, honestly. She's just glad he's following her, and she's heading toward the only stall that doesn't sell anything sweet, swinging through for a basket of fancy other-universe takoyaki with the battered and fried octopus legs latticed in a drizzle of mayo. It's definitely way too much food, so she's offering him the paper boat immediately to share. )
I know; spirit in the air and such. It's making it difficult for others to remember their boundaries, but...
( There's a little shrug there. What can they do other than say no and split off? She's been kissed an embarrassing amount of times by complete strangers all because she put on that silly lip gloss. Please. Understand that she Gets It. )
Every world has their own set of rules. Usually it's just a matter of figuring them out. [ A shrug. ] Or breaking them entirely.
[ Though it might seem like none of them can here. This is probably one of the more disturbing realization that any from "his" pocket of reality could have. Their Keyblades are limited and they are unable to leave. Even Vanitas can feel the strain on his body, limiting the number of his Unversed that are able to beckon to him. ]
Right now the question is: split up or stay together.
[ Because at this point Vanitas is fine with either. ]
[ Though it might seem like none of them can here. This is probably one of the more disturbing realization that any from "his" pocket of reality could have. Their Keyblades are limited and they are unable to leave. Even Vanitas can feel the strain on his body, limiting the number of his Unversed that are able to beckon to him. ]
Right now the question is: split up or stay together.
[ Because at this point Vanitas is fine with either. ]
That part is true. Usually for people it would mean she is the best choice to kidnap and whatnot. Though something like that isn't really how Vanitas operates. It's just silly of him to dismiss the motivation that she seems to give to some of the others. No one has to kidnap or grievously injure the princess for that one.
"Or annoying."
Ah, there it is.
"Or annoying."
Ah, there it is.
[ Oh Vanitas would absolutely hurt others if push comes to shove in this situation. If not him, then certainly one of the many creatures that are born from him in moments where he can't contain his emotions any longer. Or when he forcefully expels them. Either way it likely wouldn't have been a very nice situation had Angela not elected to step in.
Vanitas doesn't really care about that either way. It suits him to have someone interfere - though not treat him like he's some lost child - or to deal with it himself. At least he can think that way once he's out of there and just looking for a place to sit down. ]
If they can't remember something simple like that then they deserve a rude reminder.
[ And Vanitas doesn't mind giving those out at all. ]
Vanitas doesn't really care about that either way. It suits him to have someone interfere - though not treat him like he's some lost child - or to deal with it himself. At least he can think that way once he's out of there and just looking for a place to sit down. ]
If they can't remember something simple like that then they deserve a rude reminder.
[ And Vanitas doesn't mind giving those out at all. ]
Okay, that she can't help but laugh at.
"I know you mean that to be insulting, but given that just about everyone you consider annoying is either a friend of mine or someone I admire, it's basically a compliment."
Well, okay, he probably doesn't think the one on his side are not annoying, but presumably less so.
"I know you mean that to be insulting, but given that just about everyone you consider annoying is either a friend of mine or someone I admire, it's basically a compliment."
Well, okay, he probably doesn't think the one on his side are not annoying, but presumably less so.
Okay laughing when he hadn't really meant to be complementary isn't very nice. Vanitas makes a little irritated noise in the back of his throat, but really that's all he does. Truthfully, she's half right. Vanitas finds just about everyone irritating. Life is irritating.
"I think that one was the last."
So now they can be free of each other, right?
"I think that one was the last."
So now they can be free of each other, right?
"Oh good. So now they give us our results-"
A screen pops up, a digital display showing three digit places. The hundreds digit pops up at first, cycling rapidly through all possible numbers... before settling on zero.
"... The highest possible score is a hundred, right?"
The tens digit is next, running through the cycle a few times before stopping on four. Kairi winces, knowing that means they came in under fifty. Probably not a winning score. The last digit cycles through... and ends up at a two.
"So... we got forty-two?"
A screen pops up, a digital display showing three digit places. The hundreds digit pops up at first, cycling rapidly through all possible numbers... before settling on zero.
"... The highest possible score is a hundred, right?"
The tens digit is next, running through the cycle a few times before stopping on four. Kairi winces, knowing that means they came in under fifty. Probably not a winning score. The last digit cycles through... and ends up at a two.
"So... we got forty-two?"
The halfway point between kindergarten and middle school, naturally. Every year you go through school, you go up a grade level. It's like that.
[ Have fun with that, you crotchety youngster. Xigbar just shrugs. ]
Whatever you say, kiddo. You oughta keep a better leash on 'em, anyway.
[ Have fun with that, you crotchety youngster. Xigbar just shrugs. ]
Whatever you say, kiddo. You oughta keep a better leash on 'em, anyway.
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