-010- [voice] usual spoiler warning

[vanityunbcoming]

[As this entry opens, there's several seconds of faint birdsong in the background. A good indicator that Vanitas is outside somewhere. Why not? It's finally overcast and not so glaringly hot, today.

Just when it might seem the journal was clicked on accidentally, a voice finally speaks up, cool and even as always.] Once upon a time, there

Comments

[risingwinds]

[He's listened to some of the comments. Needless to say, Ven's a little suspicious.

It doesn't help that he's really tired by the time he responds.]

What's all this about?

[vanityunbcoming]

Nothing much. [A slight pause.] How was your trip?

[risingwinds]

Exhausting. It was really hard on everybody.

[He's not going into too much detail, mainly because this is Vanitas.]

[vanityunbcoming]

You seem to have made it out in one piece.

[risingwinds]

Well, I wasn't alone out there. I had friends with me, and I did my best to keep up with everybody.

[vanityunbcoming]

Good to know that 'survival of the fittest' is still null and void with you.

[risingwinds]

It's not about who's the strongest, Vanitas. There were people out there who couldn't fight, but they still had to go out there. We weren't gonna let them get hurt or even die just because they weren't as strong as the rest of us.

Maybe we have to slow down to protect 'em, but it's the right thing to do. Even if we can't stop all of the soldiers, if we can all make it back here, then it still counts for something. Might not be the victory they're looking for, but it means a lot to the rest of us.

[That last "they" being the Malnosso.]

[vanityunbcoming]

How moving. [not that he sounds very moved, himself...]

Do you even know the people you're fighting with? How would you feel if your noble actions got you killed in the place of some worthless moron?

[risingwinds]

It doesn't matter if I know them or not. Their lives are just as important as mine.

[vanityunbcoming]

[Silence. This would be Vanitas stewing in annoyance for a moment.]

[risingwinds]

Guess you wouldn't understand, though. You probably still think friends're useless.

[vanityunbcoming]

[It seems like all they do is go around and around this topic every time they talk. And finally, Vanitas has had enough. But rather than totally shutting Ven out, like usual, it takes him another, angry second to respond.]

And who's fault is that?

[risingwinds]

[Did he just--]

Why d'you think it's my fault?

[filtered//100%]

[vanityunbcoming]

[Though he's not exactly thinking about this as carefully as he should, Vanitas still has the sense to throw up a filter on this. He doesn't want others listening in.]

Because you wanted it, Ventus.

[filtered//100%]

[risingwinds]

Why would I want something like that?

[He'd never wish for someone to hate friendship, etc. Or be a jerk like Vanitas.]

[filtered//100%]

[vanityunbcoming]

[More silence for a moment, before Vanitas can think of a way to put it.] Why d'you think I am the way I am?