i dont care, he said while caring [OPEN]

[depressionnap]

Who: Vincent Valentine
Where: locations aren't real you can't force me to fill this out
What: Due to failing his sentencing, Vincent has been basically punished with "be unbearably honest" and sharing everything on his mind. As you can imagine, he hecking hates it. How many times can one man go through Truth Curse, we just don't know but the hits never stop comin etc
Warnings: Probable discussions of body horror/awful science experiments, will update as needed

Comments

LIBRARY

[depressionnap]

[To be honest, Vincent has completely missed the last few weeks -- and frankly, he'd had missed more if Sephiroth hadn't bothered to check on him. He'd spent his days after turning into the Galian Beast by submitting himself to sleep in his coffin; it does nothing to fix what has occurred, nothing will fix it, but he also cannot fathom deserving anyone's company at the moment.

And so, he is... trying. Somewhat.

It's a library though so don't get that excited. He's just perched in the darkest corner he could find, idly thumbing through a book that is titled Loveless.

The only method he gives any hint to acknowledging your presence is a faint tilt of his head, but he does not look up. He does, however, speak:]

I was looking for privacy and have no interest in speaking.

[There's a wrinkle of his nose. Well, he'd intended on just being silent, but he sure can't stop words from coming out thanks to this effect.]

[solitarysoul]

Um, okay.

[Levi was just looking around himself, but Vincent speaking up drew attention. He doesn't think he recognizes that title...]

Is that book any good?

[depressionnap]

Enormous fans of the tale are often pretentious, but the story itself is a classic for a reason where I'm from.

[Vincent screams internally, wanting to stop with the lack of filter between mind and words. It's aggravating being like this.]

[solitarysoul]

[He blinks, not expecting that answer. Or that many words.]

Do you know if they have another copy?

[depressionnap]

I don't know, it's not as if I went looking. Primarily, I am here because someone woke me up and I didn't want to be sought after. I thought a library would be efficient in keeping me out of view and distracted.

I didn't expect a book from my world to be here. Which is absurd, they even have chocobos out in the fields, I should expect it at this rate.

[wow he hates this]

[solitarysoul]

[Okay, something's up here...]

Did you eat something weird or something?

[followyourstar]

[Unfortunately for Vincent, Dante is used to dealing with personalities like his, and considering they haven't seen him since that whole incident with the Galian Beast, Vincent isn't about to shake this clock-headed manager so easily.

...Even if said clock-headed manager is supposed to be back home, resting and recovering from their Dark Hour-related injuries.]

< I just wanted to check in. It's, uh, been a rough couple of months, hasn't it? >

[depressionnap]

[There's a brief pang of guilt for speaking that way to Dante, but the way it's blurted out isn't even so much in Vincent's control. Even now, the words trail out too easily:]

Why are you speaking to me after what happened? I could have killed you, Dante.

I already can't forgive myself for losing control.

[followyourstar]

< Believe it or not, it's not the first time something like that has happened to me. And I don't think it'll be the last, either. >

[Whether they're here or they're back home, they seem to be a magnet for it.]

< And hey, the clock made it out fine. No harm, no foul. >

[depressionnap]

Unfortunate that it is a common occurrence for you. Is it so often people transform into monsters where you're from?

[Vincent closes the book and looks away from Dante.]

It isn't that simple, and you forgive too easily. It has ever been my intention to ensure you could defend yourself, or that I could protect you and others.

Instead, I became the fiend to fear.

[followyourstar]

< I don't know about "common..." >

[Enough to be a problem, sure, but Vincent's blaming himself enough already without them bringing in language like that.]

< Anyway, I was the one to follow you, even after you tried to warn me off. If there's anyone to blame for me almost getting hurt, it's me. You even tried to leave the city once you realized what was going on. >

< If that's not trying to protect people, what is? >

[depressionnap]

[It is true that Vincent tried to do everything in is power to keep Dante away and they ended up being stubborn enough to follow, but Vincent still wishes he had the strength to fight off the urges of the Galian Beast.]

...I still think you're forgiving me far too easily.

But I'm relieved that you were all right, in the end.

[followyourstar]

< I could say the same thing to you, you know. >

[People had attacked him too. And while he could certainly take it while he was like that, that didn't make the blows hurt any less. That much they know from experience. (second-hand experience?)]

< Are you doing okay? Physically, I mean. >

CASINO

[depressionnap]

[The mope adventure continues, in Queen's Blood flavor!

This time, Vincent is in the section of the casino where Queen's Blood continues to be played by various others. Not that the natives -- however real they are -- are too cozy with the Chosen anymore, but nonetheless no one seems to be able to resist the yearning of card games.

For this time, Vincent does not opt to play. He merely watches. Does he want to play? You bet your goddamn Blue Eyes White Dragon he does, but he refrains nonetheless. The true punishment is refusing to indulge in your only hobby that isn't Stand There and Look Like That.]

[fieldtrip]

[ Of course Toph runs into him at the casino -- she's here frequently. And she isn't shy about marching up to Vincent and poking him in the side to harass him. ]

What're you doing standing around like a roof ornament? Come on, I'll play with you.

[ Gargoyle as a concept doesn't quite exist in Toph's language and culture, but there sure is something comparable. ]

[depressionnap]

[He knew that it was highly likely that Toph was here. Honestly, it's why he's here; if Vincent encounters her, then it is a comfort.

He's been willingly honest with her before, so the truth escaping him once again won't be so detrimental.]

...I'd feel ashamed for indulging right now.

[Even if it's a lot of honesty.]

[fieldtrip]

[ That's so honest that Toph takes a step back and openly boggles at him. ]

What's with you? Don't tell me you got your fortune told-- I thought that lady wasn't here anymore.

[ She has to address that part first before she gets to the content of what he'd said. Feeling ashamed for indulging is not a common feeling for Toph, but she could understand it. If she didn't suspect whatever Vincent is feeling ashamed of is total bullshit. ]

[depressionnap]

I failed my sentencing, and since then I've been stuck with this again. I'd spend my time sleeping, but... it worried Sephiroth.

[And that is brutally honest. It should have occurred to him that being gone for so long would have impacted Sephiroth, but instead he shut himself away for a time until he was found.

A nasty habit of his.]

[fieldtrip]

Oh, it worried Sephiroth. Screw everybody else.

[ Toph can't resist roasting him a little. ]

Whatever. You can play Queen's Blood with me, and I promise I'll only make fun of you a little for your embarrassing emotional honesty.