In Too Deep Log

[darkcharge]

▶ PROMPTS

Harvest Moon Simulator: Tree Edition

[ Vanitas finds himself out and about long after Sandalphon had "convinced" him to participate. If someone had thought to ask him if he'd be out planting trees and taking care of some of the other plants, Vanitas might have laughed at them. The only sort of "life" that he's ever "maintained" are the Unversed and one could hardly call them symbolic of new life. If anything they are kind of the opposite, created from darker emotions than what gardening seems to represent. He might even laugh because the thought of doing something so mundane and normal is a far cray from anything he's ever pictured himself doing.

However, things change. Being completed has done a lot of that, even if it hasn't been for overly long. Vanitas has also given much thought about what Sandalphon and Xigbar have spoken to him about. Trying new things. Seeing what he likes and doesn't like. Figuring out who he is now that his goal is complete and there's no Xehanort to pull the strings.

In that respect he's found that this task is something that's just that: a task. It's repetitive and doing things like pruning and dead-heading flowers takes focus, a sharp eye, and precision in some cases. Most importantly, it takes his thoughts away from the array of new emotions that he still has issues processing and understanding.

Vanitas pretty much minds his own business over the course of the days and can be found on both days working like this. The crowds don't even seem to bother him. As he moves about, some small Floods can be seen carrying the gardening tools behind him. ]

Harvest Moon Simulator: Flower Crowns

I'm not interested in trying out.

[ That's what he's telling one of the maidens at the shrine. The girl smiles in understanding but doesn't seem to be inclined to leave just yet. Vanitas snaps a little, asking what she wants. Instead of an actual answer, she simply drops one of those flower crowns up on top of his head. Vanitas is taken aback of course. ]

But I said I wasn't going to join your stupid little dancing audtion.

[ "That's okay" are the words that come out of the shrine maiden's mouth. She states that Vanitas looks like he needs them more than anyone auditioning and simply turns away to find someone else to volunteer. This leaves Vanitas staring after her. Blinking. Because what. ]

What just... Happened?

[ People confuse him so much. ]

Just Like Animals-Mals: Moon Shenanigans

[ Knowing that some people he is acquainted with, Vanitas is already looking to track some of them down. Mainly Ventus because the annoying pest is likely out there and affected. Of course Vanitas himself never thought to remove the bracelet, thinking that maybe he should hang onto it just in case. That puts him in a good position to:

A) Confront anyone that is Sanguis. Vanitas wonderfully provides a service that many effected by the red moon could take up: fighting. As he enjoys a good fight himself, Vanitas will helpfully step up to the plate and "help" work out any aggression that these individuals might need to alleviate.

B) Get caught by anyone that is Iris. In this scenario there's a good chance to catch Vanitas off guard by a random hug or help him get out of a situation in which he's being smothered by a Prismal that forgot to wear a bracelet or tossed it away. ]

Comments

[purport]

It helps to have experience. I spent so long on such tasks, I need very little time.

[ Although, with that said as they pick their way through the area, he supposes there's something to add. ]

Actually cultivating the plants requires much more time, effort, and precision. The more one expends on the plants as they grow, the better the results.

[darkcharge]

What do you mean the better the results? It's a plant, right? All it does is grow.

[ So what... Certain care does what exactly? Make it bigger? Seems lame. ]

[purport]

Think of it this way... If you were to put the minimum effort into training, someone who exerted himself more would have superior results.

[ In a way, it's something Sandalphon takes comfort in. Effort yields results, more often than not, when caring for plants. ]

Plants can be more robust with better care. They may grow larger and stronger, and produce more ample and sizable blossoms or fruit. They may even change in unanticipated ways. Some even say food grown with care tastes better, but I've only bothered with coffee.

[darkcharge]

Sometimes. People with natural talent will shine through even with minimal training every now and then.

[ Regardless, Vanitas is going to follow Sandalphon. Both physically and the analogy that he is trying to make. ]

Change? Change how?

[purport]

Skill will always overcome simple talent, but no matter.

[ It's easy enough to navigate to a table where an attendant is accepting returned tools and handing out potted plants as rewards. Sandalphon recognizes it's the same woman he saw earlier when Lucifer brought him here. ]

Unanticipated can mean all kinds of things. For instance, certain cultivation might yield a new sub-species.

[darkcharge]

[ Vanitas could debate that. His skills are sharper than Ven's. yet it had been a draw the last time they seriously fought.

His eyes don't leave the attendant. Vanitas always kind of watches people as if he is waiting for them to do something so he can either take off or retaliate. ]

How could a sub-species be created? An apple tree is always going to produce the same kind of apple...

[purport]

Not if you decide you want to cross-breed different apple trees. You could end up with something no one has seen before. It's a matter of how you attend to them, and what your aims are.

[ The attendant smiles and thanks them, commenting about how it's nice to see Sandalphon again as she offers up a potted plant for Vanitas to collect. ]

[darkcharge]

[ Vanitas falls silent then with a little "huh." He hadn't thought of something like that before. Perhaps he should have, but the thought never occurred to him that something new could be made by mixing two things together.

Besides food that is.

Now, however, he stands there. With a potted plant. In his hands. What is he supposed to do with this now? ]

[purport]

[ Mission achieved. With that, Sandalphon steers Vanitas away from the table by his elbow. ]

You can always give it to someone if you don't want it, but personally... I find tending plants can be soothing, in its way.

[darkcharge]

[ Wow Feathers. Aren't you just a little touchy! ]

Soothing? How am I supposed to take care of it?

[ He can barely take care of himself. ]

[purport]

[ There there, darkling, it's only an elbow.

And he lets go once Vanitas is moving. ]

There are care instructions on the card there. You water it on a schedule, ensure it has enough sunlight, and as it grows you prune it to retain its form.

[darkcharge]

[ Honestly the gesture is fine. Vanitas is around a bunch of people that are more handsy than Feathers ever is. It's just doesn't go unnoticed is all. Odd way of making Vanitas move when words would suffice. ]

What happens if you don't prune it?

[ He plucks the card, looking over it. Reading. The instructions seem simple enough. ]

[purport]

[ Sometimes, gestures are simpler.

But then, Sandalphon isn't the best direct communicator, depending on the subject. ]

The plant's form and health will see decline, generally.

[darkcharge]

And if I cut it too close?

[ Might be a little worried on that. ]

[purport]

It could cause damage, or stunt future growth. Precision makes a significant difference.

[ He believes in you, darkling. ]

[darkcharge]

So this actually sounds incredibly fragile and difficult to maintain.

[ Outright glaring at the plant now! ]

What's the payoff.

[purport]

All life is, depending on the way you look at it.

[ To him, so much can end so easily and be damaged just as simply. ]

It's difficult to convey the experience, but when something flourishes as a result of your effort, it's gratifying.

[darkcharge]

[ Feathers, please. That is an infinitely deep statement to make. One that Vanitas is wholly floored by because he had not seen that coming. ]

Basically you're telling me it will be worth it if I just stick to it.

[purport]

[ Sometimes he acts his age. But only sometimes. ]

Right. And as you're becoming familiar with different emotions, it may be worthwhile simply for that.

[darkcharge]

To use as an outlet?

[ At least Vanitas knows what one is. ]

[purport]

Something like that.

[ He knows at least that it helped him clear his mind, when his own thoughts and feelings were nigh-overwhelming. ]

[darkcharge]

I'll give it a try.

[ The worst that could happen is just that it dies right? ]

[purport]

[ That earns Vanitas one light pat on the shoulder. ]

I'll look forward to your results, next time.

[ And with a small wave, off he goes.

Who needs social skills? ]