goldenglasses | [Accidental Voice]

["A word in my defense, Captain. Apples seem to be very popular this time of year."

He knew this dream. He knew it as more than a dream. A memory. The way the kids bit into the apples he bought instead of the ice cream they had demanded. Those young lives so full of energy and life. They had been so kind. Looking out for each other and the people who lived in the city with them.

It was a good city. It had been a great city. One of the largest on the planet. Filled with so many different lives and voices. He had played with those kids and they had so easily welcomed him into their group. What had he done for them in return?

"Oh. Hey, Vash."

What had he done in return?]

[A green eyed cat watches as her pet tosses and turns in his bed. He was usually so quiet when he slept that this was all just a bit unnerving to her. She tries a few meows to try to wake him, but it fails and she moves to jump onto him. Only as Kuroneko jumps from the desk to the bed Vash's journal falls to the floor. It shows nothing but the darken floor, but the audio picks up everything for those up early around 3am.

It starts off with unintelligible moaning. The very keen ears might be able to pick up a few words like: Stop. Light. And jumbled pleading. It grows in intensity and volume until suddenly the mutter stops and instead breaks into a scream.]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH-AHHHHHHHHHHHH! GRAHHHHAAAH! NOT AGAIN! PLEASE NOT AG- [The scream cuts off as Vash fully awakens. Unable to catch his breath and breathing rapidly for a moment before the sounds of his feet hit the floor and they go running off out of the room followed by a door being slammed open. The audio goes quiet after that until Vash is finished emptying his stomach and returns to his room. Crying softly as he does.

Alert him to his open journal? Or for those who would rather speak to Vash in person the next day he'll be people watching at the fountain. Only lacking his usual cheerful smile and lost in distant thought as he sits on the fountain's edge.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Vash closes the closet door before shoving his hands in his pockets.]

Not exactly. [A wave of embarrassment would be falling off him in waves.] But see, I'm alright. You could go home now if you wanted.

[Of all the emotions he could have expected to taste from that seemingly innocent question, embarrassment wasn't it.]

You really don't seem like you're all right. I'm going to stay with you until I know for sure you're feeling better.

[In other words, when your emotions stop tasting so good.]

What did you dream about?

It was something from home is all. It's alright. It's old and in the past.

But it's still bothering you.

[It's not even a question, nor is it phrased like one.]

What happened back then?

Something that happened a long time ago.. It hurt many people and a lot of people ended up dying because of it too.

[Ooh, now that sounds worth poking at a little. All under the guise of benign and innocent concern, of course.]

Oh, that's awful. What was it?

I-- I'm not sure if it's something I should say. It's a very sad story. [He didn't want to be giving kids nightmares about cities being blown away.]

It's okay, Vash. I may just be little, but I've seen a lot. I survived a war, and I used to live in a town near a valley filled with dragons. I can handle sad and scary things.

[He scratches at his head. He really shouldn't. Even if the kid had seen some bad things that was no excuse to add more to it.

Maybe if he kept it simple then it would answer enough that Phibrizzo would stop asking. The kid did come all the way over here, even if it was by teleporting.]

A big city, one full of over a million people, blew up back on my home world. [He'll just leave out the fact that no one died instantly in the blast. That is was a slow death for those people because of the type of world he was from.]

[Om nom nom, delicious negative emotions. He'll just keep asking questions.]

Did someone do it on purpose, or was it because something went out of control? The city of Sairaag blew up in my world...but that was because of the demon beast Zanaffar.

Out of control. An accident.

What went out of control?

It's late; shouldn't we both be headed back to bed? [He deflects the question not wanting to clarify that it's a who and not a what.]

I don't think you're going to get much sleep until you talk about it with someone. It's...what's that word - therapy.

[Nope, he's not going anywhere, Vash. You're too delicious to be in the presence of right now. He'll leave when you feel better and the yummy aura of negative emotion goes away.]

No really! I'm feeling much better! Just saying what I have so you don't need to worry. [He even flashes a small smile for the kid.]

I'm not sure I believe you, Vash. You had a really upsetting nightmare.

[Yeah, he knows that not everything is okay.]

I'm not dumb, you know. I know when grownups are trying to pretend that everything is fine when it's not.

I know! How about some warm milk! Yeah! That sounds great! That sure will make me feel all warm and good inside! HAHAHA! Would you like some?

[Deflecting! Vash's favorite method for getting out of talking about himself.]

Vaaaaaaash.

[His tone is pouty, and not in the least bit impressed. Also, not distracted.]

You're doing that pretending everything is fine thing again. Stop it.

[Can't hear you. Laughing. Vash heads towards the kitchen. Just expecting Phibrizzo to follow him. He'll stop laughing by the time he gets to the kitchen and starts pouring himself some milk.]

[Wow, that is some pretty impressive deflecting of the truth, even if Phibrizzo makes a face.]

Vash. At least talk to a grown-up about it if you won't talk to me more about it. You're not fooling me.

Hm? Well, if it makes you feel better I will after a bit more sleep, but I really am feeling better.

[Curses. This did not have the intended effect at all. Still, he puts on a smile of his own.]

I'm glad to hear it. I guess I can go home now. But don't forget to talk to a grown-up about it, okay?

[When Vash decides to stop talking about himself then he stops. He forgets the hot drink in hopes that Phibrizzo will go home and get some rest.]

Don't worry. I won't. I'll get on it after a bit more sleep!

All right. I'll head home now. Bye, Vash!

[That's all it takes before Phibrizzo disappears with a little burst of black and white energy.]

See ya later! [Vash smiles and waves as Phibrizzo blips away. The moment the boy is gone he lets the smile drop with a sigh. Feeling worn out from acting happy today.]

[Accidental Voice]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

Action]

Re: Action]

Action]

[Action]