SEED 12 - Along the lonely road of the heart

[doubledollar]

WHO: Vash + The Network, + The Cottage
WHERE: Both at his home and on Libra
WHEN: Around 11am on Jan. 3
WHAT: Hey guess who woke the up
WARNINGS: Possible mentions of death, but otherwise it's just a sad plant man waking up.

.//_ Long Sleep - ○ [ closed to Kni ]

[ Nights on No-Man's land are long and cold. The days are blazing hot in a way that can't be described--but the moment the sun went down, the air became dry and unkind to the skin, and to anyone who didn't have the privalege of a home heated by gas or fire learned to bundle up and wait it out.

The best that Vash the Stampede--once again a Wanted Criminal with millions of doubledollars on his head--chooses the warmest place he could to spend the night. The remains of a beat-up old restaurant that had been long abandoned now that the city it was in no longer had a Plant to breathe vitality into it.
That was his life, lately. Eat what he could. Run as fast as he can. Stay away from the major cities where the majority of people lived now that the world was so changed--now free of Millions Knives and those who wished to wipe out humanity.
Earth knew of the Plight of No Man's Land, now, and it'd be only a matter of time before the planet became one that thrived.

And Vash would be no part of it. Having saved the world, Noone knew the whole story of what he'd done. Only that the fight between he and his brother lasted too long, endangered the lives of too many--and they all wanted someone to blame it on. That's fine. It suited Vash fine to be the one they blamed. They were safe, and that's all he cared about.

《 All he cared about? 》

No, that's not entirely true. There are other things to care about. The insurance girls. Livio. Wolfwood's memory, and a small apple tree were things he'd have to take care of, still.
...And of course there was

...Eve, and Dante. Zulius and Jun... Rose. Waver, Takame--

Kni.

《 Who? 》

He's drifting into sleep that feels lucid. Like he's falling through space, sparkling stars passing through his fingers as he tries to wake up; tries to stop himself before he falls too far.

《 But how far? 》

The building he'd fallen asleep in had been dark--pitch dark, enough so that you could see the entire galaxy spread out in the sky just outside. And he's sure that's why his eyes suddenly ache, why there's a bright blue light that threatens to blind him.
And the touches of a ... song. One that, by instinct, he feels himself gently ... singing along to.

《 It always comes to me. That song. 》

It isn't in the dark, cold building in a forlorn, abandoned city that Vash wakes up in, but rather, the warm, bundled comfort of his own bed, in his home. His home--on Earth, not on No Man's Land. But...
His eyes fly open as it all comes back in a rush. Like a flooding of his brain, the dam between where he was and where he should have been simply breaks, and were it not for the glowing blue Plant holding onto him where he lay.

He might have thrown himself out of bed, all at once.

There are patterns dancing across Kni's face, in an odd, and yet familiar way that he can't quite recognise. His own skin almost turns pale and white under the others' touch, small, featherlike scales lifting up--under his eyes, out of his ears--until he's looking a little leafy under that glowing light.

...Unsure if the other is asleep or awake, Vash does the one thing he can think of in this moment:

He laughs. A short little unsure sound that bubbles in his chest, uncomfortably. An unamused, uncertain sound as he moves to wrap his arms around the small version of his precious brother. ]

.//_ Hello, World - ○ [ Open to Libra Network ]

video: un: ♡☮STAMPEDE

[ he almost wants to just do this over text. But. Given what's happened, he manages to tell himself that it'd probably mean more to show his face. to show he's alive and okay and--not. dying. Having looked back to the post Kni made, he figures it's pretty important people know he's. You know. Alive.

So the image that's appearing on the screen is of one Mr. The Stampede--and while he does smile, the expression does appear to be a little hollow, a little tired. Mixed in with the fact that his hair is nearly fully black--...strangely, save for some very minor golden roots at the very base--he's not exactly looking himself.

But alive. alive is important, right? ]

I'm sorry if Kni--
No.
I'm sorry if I worried anyone. Falling asleep like that and not waking up must have been pretty uncomfortable for anyone to witness. But.
...I'm okay. It was weird, but I wasn't ... here. I know I was here, but I wasn't. I think I went back home for a while. ...A long while. Once my internal clock figures itself out, I'll figure out exactly how long.

But I'm okay. I'm tired and I definitely feel like I'm made of rusty wire--and my face hurts a bit for some reason.

But I'm okay.

I don't know what you all did while I was asleep, but. I probably have a few of you to thank for what you did do while I was out.

Thank you.

...

Um. Now if I can. Put that aside for a minute, I have a really important request.

...I don't want to leave this world ever again.
I.

[ he's quiet, and his expression goes vacant--like he's somewhere else. Just for a minute. ]

I don't have any reason to go back to No Man's Land.
So if anyone knows how I can... keep from ever having to go back there.

I'd appreciate the help.

Thanks.

.//_ Home Free - ○ [ Open to Anyone at the Cottage ]

[ and after the message on Libra is done, he's going to get up from bed, where he's tucked Kni in--who probably hasn't slept in days and desperately needs it.

He'll be puttering around, refamiliarizing himself with the home he'd been away from for what is... likely years, at this point. Fixing his hair back into its usual style, and. Maybe looking for a certain something he knows Wolfwood might have hiding away in some corner in the cottage.

Feel free to stop him in his sort of manic, quiet shuffling. He could probably use a friendly voice or touch to bring him back down to earth after all that's happened. ]

Comments

[action] 1/2

[asipofbride]

[ Wolfwood doesn't realize just how much he and Dante have in common, sometimes.

there's inevitably going to be a surge of people to look at Vash--to see that he's alive, safe, well, and inverting his hair by some means of strange biological fuckery. wherever the press of people is, Wolfwood is not. Kni needs Vash, Eve needs Vash, all of Vash's friends need Vash, and Wolfwood

... Wolfwood needs Vash too, but he's used to swallowing down his wants and desires for the greater good, for choking his heart down and burying it deep under what had to be done. he smokes his feelings in cigarette after cigarette behind the house, tucked in the shaded nook they'd built despite how the cold bit into his legs and back, and there he'll wait 'til things calm down, when the garden grows quiet and cold again, when Kni's fallen asleep after his long vigil. ]

2/2

[asipofbride]

[ and when things are quieter--when it's probably just Vash, Dante, and himself left awake in the embers of the day, he'll eventually be as ready as he can be to deal with all of this everything inside of his chest, affection an agonizing shackle that he's once again wearing, love festering in his chest and making him weak, not just a weapon, a tool for violence and everything that means

Nicholas D. Wolfwood has not been human in a long time, but he can't help but feel so terribly weak and open in the wake of standing before Vash, cigarette between his teeth, hands in his pockets as he tries to feign nonchalance while feeling so blessedly relieved that this pretty little interlude isn't over, that he gets to keep dreaming. ]

Quite a fuss you kicked up, Needlenoggin. Guess people ain't ready for you to do more than your usual two hours of shuteye anymore.

[action]

[fionnuisce]

[In the kitchen, he would find the world's most pissed off housewife professor hard at work. Sleeves rolled up to his elbows (and some worrying jagged scars across his right forearm), Waver turned to Vash in the kind of irritation that could only come from concern and gestured with the spatula in his hand. (Vegetarian stir-fry, by the smell of what was cooking. He figured it a safe bet Vash wouldn't be one for eating meat.)]

You. Sit down before you dissociate out of your skin. Inhale, count to four, then exhale and tell me if you're alright.

[doubledollar]

[ good lord of all the people to be acting like the worlds most irritated mom, he did not expect it to be waver. Vash... blanks with a heavy expression at the professor as he's suddenly being corralled, in his OWN HOME, no less, doing as he's told without a moment's hesitation. Sitting on a little wooden stool at the little wooden kitchen table and looking like a very frumpy, tired owl.

Waver would have the correct assumption here. Despite the cottage having a mini fridge powered by a solar generator, he would find tofu--but not a scrap of meat exists in the cottage pantries. the smell of cooking rice makes his stomach rumble in a way that's nearly painful--and of course, it's food that brings him back down to earth. Light returning to teal colored eyes that almost looked muddy moments ago. ]

...Ffh. [ he breathes in.

.....then out. counting to four, before he nods his head a little dumbly. ]

I'm. I think I'm okay.
...Tired. Sore.

And unbelievably hungry.
I was. Really here. This entire time.

UN: hikari-vi | voice

[whiteshroud]

[Oh thank God. Jun lets out a sound of relief. There's a lot to unpack here, but first thing first...]

I'm glad to see you're alright. There were quite a number of people worried about you. Welcome back.

[doubledollar]

[ Jun.
He's never been more relieved to hear someone's voice in a long time. How had he forgotten the kid who'd helped him out so much, back there? He can't help but to laugh again--a dry, amusement-free sound that serves as an attempt to cut the tension He's feeling. A smile that tries to be bright as he lifts both hands--waving them at Jun. ]

Sorry for worrying you. And everyone.
I know, I know--it's not my fault. How could I have forseen falling asleep and--
Anyway. That's not important.

Thank you.
A lot has happned. I still haven't figured out how much time has passed here.

Video

[prunedworlds]

"I'm glad you're alright."

She'd chosen to believe he would be, of course, that was just how Ritsuka worked, but that doesn't mean she's any less relieved.

"Is Kni doing okay?"

[doubledollar]

"I really did worry a lotta people back there, huh.

I'd apologise, but I've already been told off for apologising already, so..."

He gives a bit of a sheepish laugh. The usually so bright and jokerlike man has no light in his eyes, and a smile thats hollow.

"Kni is sleeping. I have a feeling he's been awake the whole time I've been comatose. I really worried the kid."

action!

[poisontippedcure]

[As soon as Rose hears the message over the network, Rose rushes back inside the cottage. She couldn't bring herself to return home, really. Couldn't bring herself to pull away from Vash, and Kni--who's probably sleeping like a log right about now.]

[It doesn't take her long to find Vash, and when she does, she immediately latches onto him from behind. She hadn't meant to startle him with a surprise hug, but she could feel tears starting to form, and she needs a moment to compose herself.]

[When she pulls away, her eyes are miraculously dry. It's fine, she's fine. Everything's fine now that the weight of the world feels like it's lifted off her shoulders.]

You had us quite worried, you know.

[doubledollar]

[ she'd be right about that. Kni is safely tucked in and quietly sleeping off his two--three day vigil right now, while vash putters around almost manically, trying to keep his mind busy by keeping his hands busy.

he does stop dead in his tracks when Rose grabs him around the middle, though. Human touch... it's been years since he's had a hug. He'd almost forgotten the warmth, the feeling of closeness--it really takes every bit of strength he has not to just crumple into it. Locking his knees as his hands move down--one cold and metal, the other warm under the leather glove--resting them over Rose's arms.

He takes a breath that is more a shudder, and he lets his eyes close: even if it means letting the tears escape from the corners. ]

Sorry. I didn't mean to worry anyone. [ because of course he'd apologise for going into a coma. ] You were here, taking care of everyone, weren't you.

...Thank you.

video; un: kesitakame

[hoshikiri]

[This was a relief. An immense relief. Takame was not an optimistic man by any means, but there was absolutely hope alive in his heart that Vash would return. For once, he did not feign the stoic optimism he gave to Wolfwood.

As for what Takame could say here... It felt cruel to greet the man who wanted a smile out of him with anything but that.]

... 'Tis good to see you awake, Vash.

[doubledollar]

[ all he wants is to see everyone smile. Even people like Takame--especially people like Takame--who felt it difficult to express joy.

He can't help but to smile himself--even if the expression doesn't fully reach his eyes. Takame's voice... ah, he'd missed the sound of that. ]

It's good to see you, Takame.

I've missed you, terribly.

video: un: Kore

[aslowburn]

You are awake, good. Do you know what it was that put you into such a deep slumber? Kni was very worried about you.

[Casually:]

Your face is hurting because I slapped it.

1/3

[doubledollar]

[ ...ah ]

2/3

[doubledollar]

...You have a good arm, Landlady. I can still feel the sting. Wow.

[ he's not blushing at all, nope. ]

3/3

[doubledollar]

[ ROUGHLY, he's going to clear his throat. It's such a comical gesture, he almost seems himself for a moment. Just a moment.
The melancholy returns, despite how he's trying to force some sort of calm demeanor. ]

I don't know what caused it. I got crazy drunk on New Years, but like.

...I get drunk pretty often. I love drinking with my friends. I don't get hangovers, so.

This time was... different. It was like I. Went home?
But I was here.

video: UN: trienemybest

[droptheious]

Vash!!! Oh man, I'm so glad you're okay. Welcome back!

[Oh and that's...hm. A request. Should he say anything about it? Hmm Hmmm. You know, he's gonna:]

[Private]

There was a way that trapped people in this world. I mean. It uh...happened to me. And the way to do it is...gone. But even if it was still around, I really don't recommend it. It ties you to the spirit vein I literally can't leave the city. Like. At all.

[doubledollar]

I worried a lot of people, and I really didn't mean to. I knew people could go home, entirely, but the idea that you could fall asleep and visit...

[ he wants to laugh, but he's feeling a little. Humorless, right now. His attention is hyperfocusing on what he's saying in private, and...

maybe it sounds insane, but. ]

If I'm going to be.
...Deadly serious with you, Varian.

I'd take being stuck in this city for the rest of eternity.

Rather than ever return back to No Man's Land.

Action;

[bebest]

[Zulius has been coming back to the cottage on the regular, worried about everything going on. Once that message goes out, he's teleporting the heck back as quickly as he possibly can. Sorry Vash, were you expecting to not immediately be pulled into a bone-crunching hug? Because you are immediately being pulled into a bone-crunching hug.]

Oh my GOOSE, you scared the bejebus out of me!!! Are you okay? What even happened? Wasn't I EXPLICITLY clear that we weren't gonna have any shenanigans this month? P.sure I was explicitly clear about that. But seriously, are you okay?!!

[doubledollar]

Sorry.

[ he pauses. ]

I know, I know. I shouldn't be apologising for something like this, but I really worried a lotta people here, didn't I.

[ it... feels awful. but at the same time. he's so happy to be back. this... this is home. ]

I'm okay. I'm starting to figure some things out. Like how long I was out. ...versus how long I was actually gone.

Apparently it was. Three days here?

In my 'dream'; or.. Whatever it was? I experienced what was closer to... Two years.

video; un: jcarter_news

[phoenixwiz]

(That was a relief. When he saw the post about Vash in deep slumber, Jamie was understandably worried that he wouldn’t wake up as soon as he returned from that long Christmas family trip to New York City. To see him posting on the network does send in some relief to his worrisome heart.)

Thank goodness that you’re okay. I was very worried for you like everyone else during that time. It is great to know that you’re back in the city again.

[doubledollar]

Hey, Jaime.

It's been... rough, to say the very least.

I still can't figure out what happened. I was still 'in the city', according to everyone. Just asleep.

But from my perspective, I was gone for nearly two years.

It's a lot to catch up on.

[ornamentals]

[sleep hasn't come easily to kni since he learned about vash's uncertain state. he'd been difficult to pry away from his brother's bedside, afraid that in any brief amount of absence something would change - for the better or, more terrifyingly, for the worse. kni couldn't stand the suspense of it all, weighed down by the pressure of an uncertain future that might not have vash in it. there were promises that his brother wasn't on a slow, but steady drift towards the next life, but no one could explain beyond that.

the only moments of rest he could find were curled up by vash's side, jarring himself awake when his heart would jump at imagined movements, a change in vash's breathing. yet exhaustion is quick to sink its hooks into him again and, mixed with desperate instinct, kni moves up closer to rest his head beside vash's on the pillows as his markings begin to glow. slow and faint at first as he calls out for that familiar song they share. it's all so familiar, memories of nights spent on the ship with vash hidden beneath bedsheets as they huddled close, awash in the glow of their hidden heritage.

kni isn't sure when he dozed off again, but his markings continue to glow warmly, unaware of the effect it has on vash as little feathers begin to lift from his skin. this time, however, when he awakens with a startled noise, it isn't to his own overactive imagination but to vash's laugh, vash's own arms wrapping around him.]

Vash?

[his voice is so small, already threatening to crumble around the edges as he turns his head to look up. hands move to cup at vash's face, hoping this isn't some cruel dream.]

You're awake?

[doubledollar]

[ their songs crash together, that telepathic link that'd been silent for almost three days is so loud it's almost painful--and it's just like that day in the rain when he'd first found Kni in Kaisou.

The grief that threatens to swallow him having him set to remind him that he was alone for the rest of his life--but here he was. Knives was alive. But in a form that's still so small, still so much kinder than the one he fought to a bloody, senseless standstill.

The one who became an apple tree, destined to be eaten by humanity like he'd always feared.

He curls tighter around Kni as the boy says his name, asks if he's awake--and there's no stopping it. The tears that flow from his dark, tired eyes as he leans into those hands, holding the smaller plant so tightly he might need to be told to lay off it, a bit. ]

--I'm here.

I'm here, you can hear me, right? This isn't... some cruel dream, right?

[ please let it be real. please let this be real. please. ]

voice; un: wisteria; private

[reenforces]

[This poor man is bleeding emotionally for everyone to see. Mikleo clicks their convo to private, neat and tidy, one less thing for Vash to worry about on top of his current burdens.]

Hey. [gently] Welcome home, Vash.

[A pause, and then he adds:]

I'm here if you need someone to listen, or to just be here. You don't have to say anything if you don't want to.

You're not alone, okay?

[doubledollar]

[ mikleo, you're one of his favorite people in the world. you get him, and honestly, this isn't even the first time Vash has broken down crying in front of the nature spirit. He's glad the other can't see him as he slowly sits down, enough to crumple into himself a little. Welcome Home.

Those words... those words alone. Make him feel in any sort of way... ]

There's a lot.
There's alot I could say. And a lot I'm not sure how to say it. Two years have ... gone by for me.
And yet it's been barely half a week here.

...how does that happen.
I'm.

...I don't want to go back there.
This is home. Kni and Wolfwood are alive, here.
I don't have to be constantly running away, here.

I know it's selfish. To throw away my world and desperately try to stay here, but.

This is home.
This is my home.

UN: ripfan

[bbbrightside]

[Oh.

But that's mostly because I kind of like it here, better. Than I do home.

Oh.]

I'm so glad that you're okay. [She'd been keeping quiet tabs on things while setting up her living space.] I... wish there was more I could say.

[doubledollar]

[ ah... the little one. He hates to show such a dour face to his new little friend--especially given they'd just met--so he tries his best to put on a smile.

It's a little hollow. Sorry, Ruby. he'll need a few days. ]

Hey, Ruby.

I'm sorry if I worried you. And don't fret about 'not knowing what to say'--the fact that you worried about me at all means a lot. I admit I'm not super used to people worrying after me so much.

Home Free

[playtag]

[When Kni had finally fallen asleep, Eve had retreated to give the brothers some privacy. First to the kitchen to try and help cleaning dishes, then she was gently shooed to the chair in front of the TV. Someone had kindly turned on some cartoons as a distraction, but even as Eve stared at the moving pictures, she barely comprehended them. Mind still focused on the sleeping Vash in the other room.]

[Was this how Sven had felt when she had slept away her wounds? Was that why he had tried to go their separate ways? Not because she had failed but because the painful wait was too much to bear repeating.]

[But even as restless as her mind felt, eventually Eve fell asleep.]

[And so Vash might find her, huddled into a ball on the chair. Someone was nice enough to put a blanket over her, a cocoon that partially obscured her tight hold on the chair cushion.]

[She stirs as she senses movement, eyes blinking as she tries to focus on the world around her.]

...Vash?

[Was that really him?]

[doubledollar]

[ ...ah. He'd been trying to be quiet--but he's definitely not being careful as he could be. He shouldn't be surprised that he woke her up.
He tries his best to give her a smile, his head tipping to the side. He chuckles. ]

...hey.
Sorry to wake you up.
It's me.

[ 'sorry to worry you' sounds... bad in his mouth. dumb, even. ]