[Voice]

[vanitas_veci]

[Gazing down at the book in his hand, he frowns. He's not anxious to work for someone else again, after being freed from Xehanort's influence, but he knows he has to get stronger.]

My name is Vanitas. I wield a Keyblade and I am the student of the greatest Keyblade Master there ever was; Master Xehanort. I'm looking to join the crew with the strongest fighters.

[Ends there, because, obviously, nothing else needs to be said. Everyone knows the more badass you are, the less you say.]

Comments

[makingfriends]

You should! You're still a wielder!

[never mind the fact that it's not occurring to Ven that this conversation is very public and he's probably just emphasizing to interested parties that the Keyblade really is a force to be reckoned with.]

[vanitas_veci]

Whatever, I think you're making this up. Master Xehanort never said anything about that.

[That actually occurred to Vanitas. Good, job Ven, make him look more attractive to the strongest crew]

[makingfriends]

Like Xehanort cares about the balance! It's what Master Eraqus taught us -- and even you should know there's a reason the worlds are divided in the first place! [THE WORLD WAS ONCE FULL OF LIGHT etc. etc.

and STOP USING ME actually no this pitfall is pretty much Ven's fault huh]

[vanitas_veci]

Oh, I guess I only told Aqua my ultimate goal.

I want to experience the Keyblade War.

[Well, someone had to have the brains between the two of us.]

[makingfriends]

[It's not really a surprise -- Vanitas wanted to make the X-blade for some reason, and with Xehanort rambling on about the War, it's only natural that his lackey would follow in his footsteps.

Predictable or not, Ven growls -- and if you can pick up on it wherever you are, bro, you might be able to tell that he's next to seething.]

Keyblade War, Keyblade War -- that's the stupidest reason to do any of this! [Not just blabbing about the Keyblade, either, but everything that Ven's friends -- no, his family went through -- it was all so meaningless when you look at why they were subjected to it in the first place. For what? Some crazy old man's power obsession?

It wasn't worth it. Not for that. Not at all.

And as frustrating as it is, Ven just turns to lashing out at Vanitas personally. It's all he can do.]

Do you even think on your own, or do you just want this because he told you that you do?

[vanitas_veci]

[Is throughly enjoying Ventus' anger. Good, that's how he feels right now towards you.]

We want it for different reasons. He's curious about the start of the universe and wants to create the universe in his image or something. I got bored as he went on about it.

Me? I just like a good fight. I want to fight as many strong opponents as possible, I want see all that chaos.

[makingfriends]

Your reason's no better than his!

[Calm, Ventus. Calm. Breathe. Heart of light, remember?]

There's -- there's nothing wrong with fighting, or wanting to get stronger -- but if you go at it like the way you do, then there's always going to be someone to stop you.

[vanitas_veci]

Let them try. This world is different. And there's only you this time.

[Save for the strange Roxas he keeps hearing about. The one who wields two blades. That should be impossible... but he's not going to ask Ventus about that.]

And I'll find allies who want the same.

[makingfriends]

I was enough before. And just like last time, I'll do whatever it takes.

[Not just for Terra and Aqua this time, but because it's his duty -- and because, in a way, Vanitas is his responsibility. At least, that's how he feels.]

[vanitas_veci]

I don't know... while I was fighting you in our heart, I was also fighting Aqua and the King... in your body.

[A lot of this might be talk, but you never know...]

[makingfriends]

[The pause is so heavy you could cut it with a knife.]

You...

You're lying!

[no, no, nonono he has no memory of that so it can't be true right this is just a suckerpunch to try and undermine his confidence or...]

[vanitas_veci]

Have I ever lied to you?

[Tries to think back... Nope, telling the Ventus the truth was always the best way to get reactions out of him from what he recalls]

Technically it's my body too.

[Like they share a heart... ugh, maybe he should stop this line of thought]

[makingfriends]

It is not!

[The retort comes without a hitch, but underneath it there's a mess of flickering emotions -- fear, shame, doubt, anger, disappointment, regret, and concern for Aqua that's laced with unspoken apology and an almost numbing sense of disgrace and something perilously close to self-loathing.

He's determined not to let it show -- not to let Vanitas know how badly he's been rattled, even if he tells himself that he can't just believe everything this jerk says -- but it's futile, anyway the fact that he doesn't say anything, that he can't think of anything, might give it away.]

[vanitas_veci]

[You probably don't need to see him to know Vanitas is smirking. He feels vindicated and satisfied with the encounter. He knows he can't beat Ventus in a fight, but the truth and words seem to work even better.]

You know I'm right.

Anyways, I think I'll be going now. I have a crew to find.

Get stronger, Ventus, because the next time we meet I'll be even stronger. And I would hate to have loose easily.

[makingfriends]

[Ven hesitates, but only for a few seconds.

And this time he's the one to slam the book shut and end the conversation there.]