✙ XI ✙ [Accidental Video/Action]

[neutralbyforce]

[If one happens to be wandering near the forest, they'll hear a strange echo of gunfire from both their surroundings and their communicator. The feed shows nothing but grass and heavily worn combat boots, each round from above shot so rapidly that it sounds like a single firing. It isn't until the equivalent of six magazines have been spent that

Comments

[Video]

[sf_girl_friday]

[Laughing softly when she figures out what had happened to Vash's watch, Jan has to try to talk to him.] I've been wanting to do that for weeks.

[Video]

[neutralbyforce]

[Vash chuckles humorlessly.] I'm afraid I'm a little short tempered at the moment... Unfortunately, it seems I've just wasted a bullet and I don't even feel any better for it.

[Video]

[sf_girl_friday]

I was like that a few weeks ago. Hammers don't work either, but I found it satisfying.

[Video]

[neutralbyforce]

...Hammers?

[His chuckle this time is real.]

Well, I must admit, that does sound like fun. I wish these stupid things would just... even chip, or dent, or... something.

[Action]

[avarice_pays]

[He arrives just in time to see Vash toss the watch up into the air, pausing to watch him shoot it. He stays there, otherwise silent.]

[Perma-Action]

[neutralbyforce]

[Glances over.]

Can I help you?

[avarice_pays]

[Here, have a cool, level gaze back. His tone holds no wariness as to the gun; but a warning tone, even.]

Just passing through.

[He'll walk on by mysteriously, threads appearing to absently sewing up the cloak that's close to falling apart on him.]

[neutralbyforce]

...[Whatever. Vash smoothly reloads his gun and looses the bullets into the target again, their pattern the same tight circle as before.]

[unit_202]

[When 202 starts her answering video feed, the look she turns on the communicator is remarkable for a few reasons. Primarily, because it's not an especially pleased look. Secondarily, because it's exactly eye-level with her... On the floor.]

...Vash.

You have got to start paying more attention to your communicator. At least before filling the feed with the sound of gunfire.

[Her tone is dry, despite her words--Almost amused really, now that her initial panic has passed with the knowledge that he's safe.]

[neutralbyforce]

...

[Happy smile because it's 202, then slight frown at that expression, then confused smile again.]

Gunfire? Didn't it just turn on when I shot it?

[Raise eyebrow.]

...Are you on the floor?

[unit_202]

...Yes, gunfire. No, it was on for just long enough to hear your voice followed by the reports and get, yes, on the floor.

[Hauling herself up onto her elbows with a quiet chuckle, 202 rolls her eyes and gives a quick, self-deprecating shake of her head.]

It was a little disorienting, I thought I was being shot at. I didn't know you had a practice session planned.

[...And without her, no less? Ouch.]

[neutralbyforce]

[Oops. Damn watches. Vash winces apologetically.]

Sorry, 202. I'd been doing a better job as of late at keeping an eye on this thing, but I suppose... Well, this "practice session" wasn't really... planned. I just felt the need to shoot something and clear my head. If I had known I was actually going to be doing this more than a few seconds before I started firing I would have called you.

[There is something off about Vash, beyond his reciting Psalms in German. There are faint creases between his eyebrows indicating that they are spending more time furrowed than not, and his eyes are duller than normal. These are all small things, of course, not likely to be noticed...]

[video]

[l1br4tor]

[Terezi was a bit worried at first at the sound of all that gunfire, but after much frantic screen licking, she determines that Vash is unharmed and grins widely at the camera.]

Are you planning to have another heroic battle? It sounds like you are training pretty hard!

[Video] For the record, I love that image of Terezi licking her watch <3

[neutralbyforce]

[He smiles a bit, able to make out that familiar toothy grin through the film of spit(?) on her screen.]

Hey, Terezi. Yes, I suppose it is a bit of training. Shooting things helps me clear my head as well...

[Video] Well how else is she supposed to see it clearly? :DD

[l1br4tor]

That is good. You want to be in good shape at all times. Who knows when an enemy will appear! But what sort of things are you clearing from your head? Did something happen?

[Video] Good point xD

[neutralbyforce]

...Happen?

[Vash pauses, frowning a little. So help him, he will not be one of those nations, not now, not ever.]

No, nothing really. I guess I'm still just processing things from a few days ago. My thoughts are still rather jumbled.

[holmes_fanatic]

If it's any consolation, other's have had similar results, Vash-san.

[Video]

[neutralbyforce]

[Vash smiles a little sheepishly.]

So I figured... I've been restraining myself from doing just that for a while now, but I thought it might make me feel better.

[Sigh.]

Instead it just made me feel more powerless than before.

[Video]

[holmes_fanatic]

[Conan's sympathetic -- he knows that feeling well.]

It's one of their greatest weapons -- their apparent invulnerability. Don't let it get to you -- that's what they want.

[Video]

[neutralbyforce]

...

[Vash manages a small smile.]

That's good advice, Conan-kun... Thank you. I need to be reminded of such things every once in a while, it seems.