[ day-to-day life in the valentina isn’t so far removed from life as a convict in the fortress. granted, the latter came with far worse living conditions during his time as an exile—but the close proximity to all kinds of personalities is something wriothesley still navigates with ease when coming and going from his assigned room.
really, if he’s being honest, the only thing that feels familiar is the act of sparing passing glances toward open doorways or catching snippets of conversation down the hall.
it’s not until he strolls through the hotel floor by floor—instead of taking the elevator like usual—that he hears a voice that stops him. suspiciously familiar, in a language just adjacent enough to his own from fontaine, that he slows to investigate the source. ]
Oh. [ that’s all he manages at first. it’s hard to forget a face, after all—not when you’ve shared a string of cheesy romcoms in a dimly lit room, sprawled out on a couch, probably splitting snacks between viewings. just two bros doing bro things. but the last time they’d spoken in person—verso hadn’t looked anything like this. not with that telltale corruption clinging to him now. ]
[Wriothesley catches Verso just as Vanitas peels off to use the showers, so he's in good humour as he hears Wriothesley address him.
Even after the number of days it's been since he returned from his... adventure, he's not used to the way people's eyes always fix straight on his horns. He's considered cutting them off, but... Vanitas would disapprove.
[ as strange as it is to make sense of, it's probably thanks to the Genshin Get-Together—with seeing others in different stages of their corruption—that wriothesley is able to pivot past the initial shock. it’s not so much the sight of verso’s horns that throws him, but how quickly someone's augmented soul can start to show. ]
I caught another rom-com the other night. All charm and clever lines, the kind you pretend not to like, but always end up smiling through anyway.
[ hopefully it’s obvious that he’s checking in without prying, offering a softer alternative to the usual string of questions verso is already regularly subjected to. it’s more of a quiet reassurance, laced with his usual dry charm. ]
If you’ve got time to spare one of these days, I wouldn’t mind catching up properly.
[ he's not the type to really ever drink, but what the helly in return. a glass won't hurt him. ]
Sure. Apologies in advance for dropping by unannounced.
[ he gives a small bow before entering proper. and even though everyone's rooms in the valentina are all the same, he tries not to pry into any particular details. ]
[Verso brushes off the apology with a wave of his hand.] You're an invited guest — nothing unannounced about that.
[He swipes his Syntrofos on the access panel and steps aside to allow him to enter first.
Verso hasn't amassed much in his time here. The only significant possessions in the room are a round humanoid cloth doll with a mask surrounded by rays to make it appear like the sun, a crate of wine Verso has been rapidly working his way through, and his sword, propped up next to the bed.
He takes one of the remaining bottles of wine and uncorks it, filling the glass that appears in his hand and holding it out.]
[ A few days following their initial encounter, Vincent will show up at the door to Verso’s room in the Valentia. Evening has set in, yet he’s dressed appropriately enough for company, sans coat, and a bottle of pricy red wine in hand.
Following a polite knock, he’ll step back and tuck his arm behind him in wait. ]
[Verso wasn't expecting anyone, and while presentable enough, he's obviously confused as he pulls the door open. Truthfully, he expected it to be Vanitas, trying to press Verso into more sex. So when it's Vincent, his smile turns a shade unpleasant, before his eyes divert to the wine, and the nastiness is again replaced by confusion.] Monsieur Vincent.
[ While Verso processes, Vincent simply allows him the time to do so, brow raised with some entertainment. At the address, however, he will faintly tip his head in greeting. ]
Good evening. I hope it’s not a bad time? If you’d be open to it, I’d like an opportunity to speak with you over a drink. For a proper apology.
Not at all. [But if the low note that creeps into Verso's voice indicates anything, it's that he's at least on guard. Still, he steps aside in a sweeping gesture.
Scratches are still present on the wall from their scuffle, a reminder of the fight.]
Wouldn't turn down a drink. [His natural soul would kick him in the teeth.]
[ Weariness is to be expected, Vincent would think. That much doesn’t faze him, but he is relatively impressed to be met with some semblance of agreeability. Smile widening, he nods in thanks. ]
Relieved to hear it.
[ Passing Verso to enter the room, he’ll set the bottle onto his desk. ]
That will be for you to keep, of course. May I sit?
[ A polite gesture to the desk chair. If he’s granted as much, he will take a seat with an utterance of thanks, hands adjusting down his vest while one leg swings to cross over the other. ]
[Verso nods, accepting the request to sit and snagging the bottle before taking his own seat on the bed.] Sure you wouldn't like a glass? [Because he is uncorking it now. Again, natural soul — the thing likes its booze.]
[ Following a brief hum of consideration, he will shrug his shoulders with a chuckle. ]
If you have one to spare, I’ll take a half pour, I suppose. [ Folding his hands atop his leg, his head cants off to the side just so, fringe swaying. ] I couldn’t help but notice—… [ An idle gesture toward the wall. ] I’ll tell the front desk to charge me for damages.
[Verso winks, and conjures a pair of glasses in a flicker of chroma. He speaks as he pours out a small measure of the wine for Vincent, then a larger one for himself.] Only if you have it spare. Don't think the next augmented to get this room will care — more pressing matters. [The whole "turning into a monster" deal.]
[ Brows tick upward, as Vincent nods to commend the display with some sense of amusement in his eyes. ]
I don’t imagine they would, no. [ A nod, upon accepting his glass. ] I wouldn’t chance having the responsibility pinned on you, however. It’s no matter.
[Given that Vanitas has a key and the freedom to come and go as he pleases, there's something he's been wanting to do for a while. Now that he's beaten the spectral's death and feels, ironically, alive again, he decides to just go for it.
So once Verso comes home today, he'll be greeted to the sight of his place being much more crowded. Because lo and behold - there's a baby grand piano taking up a good portion of space! It's accompanied by a large bow and ribbons, a bottle of high quality wine with the same around it, and perhaps most telling of all, one (1) Vanitas dressed in fancy attire to match the blue ribbons he's partial to. He's perched on the bed, one leg crossed over the other and impatiently swinging said leg, hand tapping the mattress idly.]
There you are. [He smiles warmly, rising and striding over to greet Verso, hands clasping behind his back as he leans in.] Welcome home.
[One thing — possibly the only thing — Verso doesn't mind about his Natural Soul is how it has heightened his sense of smell. Which means he opens his door with the fond smile he rarely shows to anyone other than Vanitas. But once open, he freezes. Deer in the headlights. Eyes as wide as saucers, he steps forward.]
Vanitas...
[A piano.
Being able to play as much as he liked in Kelesis is one thing, having his own is entirely another. His ears flick up as he turns his stupefied expression to Vanitas.] Is this...? [He trails off, unable to voice his hopes — what the ribbons and Vanitas' smug look should mean, but he still can't bear to open himself up to the possiblity it's not—
He swallows. At some point, his hands rose to the height of the keys, fingers spread wide, already itching to play.]
[It's always a delight to know that Verso smiles for him. He likes seeing the other man happy and at peace. It's such a rare thing for a soul as tormented as his. Hence the not so little present he's arranged. He's heard Verso play before, it's come up in idle conversation here and there, so he knows it should be a present that won't go to waste. That reaction is exactly what he'd hoped for.]
Hehe... It is. All yours.
[It's beautifully made and completely pristine, as he saw to its delivery personally and made sure the porters didn't scratch it. Grinning, he steps aside, sweeping an arm towards the gift.]
Go on - give it a go. Play me a piece that means something to you. I want to hear it.
[Getting behind Verso, he gives him the faintest nudge to get him moving.]
[Even with the confirmation — it is his! — Verso approaches hesitantly.]
I can't... [He doesn't know what he planned to finish that sentence with. "Accept"? "Repay you"? "Play something that means enough?"
Except, again without wholly conscious thought, he's pulled out the piano stool and placed his fingers to the keys. He plays the first note. Others follow. As he continues, he says, a true joy in the words,] I would play this, for my sister. Other sister, she wrote it. Meant it for the harp. I always... [He falls into the music for a moment, forgetting to finish his sentence.] Piano fits better. She knew it too. Would never say, but... [But once she heard him play it she accused him of stealing it, then declared it no good, surrendering it to him. Her way of handing it over without lowering her pride.] I love this piece.
[Which might speak to how much Vanitas' gift means to him.]
[The hand pushing at Verso's back turns to gently guide him closer to his gift, making sure he doesn't try to back away. Though the whole time, Vanitas is wearing a content smile.]
It's alright. [However he planned on finishing that sentence, he wants it to be known that all is well. No need for hesitation or repayment, nothing to hold him back should the urge strike him.
Once Verso is sitting, he too takes a seat nearby on the bed, gloved hands clasping on his knees as he leans forward to listen. His feline ears flick with interest as the notes fill the room, and his eyes widen slightly to hear Verso talk of his family. It turns his features soft and smile warmer.] I can see how it'd suit a harp. [Without realizing it, he starts saying in time to the music, tail following in time.] It does suit your talents well. I'm glad she bequeathed it to you. [At least, that's the impression he gets.]
It's a beautiful piece... Thank you for sharing it with me.
[His fingers still when he reaches the end of the piece, and he smiles at Vanitas. Then angles his head, indicating the empty spot beside him.] Come on.
[He has an entire piano to himself, he won't be stopping any time soon, and Vanitas wanted to listen, he can do that from the best seat in the house.
The next piece begins with a faster, quirky tempo.
Despite the upbeat tone, his next topic is melancholy. Still warm with love, but bittersweet.] You remind me of them — my sisters. They're better off, not being here, but... I miss them. [He flashes Vanitas a smile. He doesn't miss a note.] Selfish, me. Keep hoping they'll turn up. [It would be awful for them to be here, as Augmented, but... if anyone's strong enough to stay herself through having an extra soul welded to her, it's Clea. And Alicia, he could help Alicia see that she never needed him to be strong. She was strong all along. The most talented of any of them. The one to fly.]
[Perking up at the invitation, he switches seats to be beside Verso, close but not enough to get in the way of his playing.] You know I'm going to expect this to be a regular thing from now on.
[Unable to help himself, his gaze is divided between watching Verso's fingers glide over the keys, sending beautiful notes up to their ears, and between watching his face to gauge his expression.
One brow raises at the comparison to his beloved siblings, but it's met with an appreciative and warm if sad smile.] I do, huh... It's only natural you'd wish to be together with your family. [So he shakes his head, trying to ease some of the guilt Verso may feel for that desire.] The longer you go without seeing those you care for, the stronger the desire becomes. It doesn't get any easier, despite the circumstances being less than ideal. [Just like despite everything, he still wishes he could see Mikhail again. To try to fix the gulf between them, get him to understand, even if it's impossible.]
[For a few moments, he focuses on playing. Music always helps.] Any time, mon petit chaton. Say the word. [He's indebted to him, and Verso can't bring himself to mind in the slightest. Not for this.]
I have you. Few others. [He flashes Vanitas a smile, indulgent, fond — adoring.] Mostly you.
[The offer brings a smile to Vanitas' face, as the music brings back memories of his own, both good and bad, but mostly positive. Coupled with being here alongside Verso, he can't help the welling of happiness within himself.] Maybe I could try to teach you one I know, too. [He's not the most musically inclined, but he did learn a little from the band of players that he and his father traveled with.]
Verso... [Here, his mood falters somewhat as guilt becomes the dominant emotion.] About that... I know you've been trying to drive me off for a while now. As much as I enjoy what we have, it can't continue.
[He's silent a moment before hurrying to add:] But we can still be friends.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pre-spooky kidnapping times
really, if he’s being honest, the only thing that feels familiar is the act of sparing passing glances toward open doorways or catching snippets of conversation down the hall.
it’s not until he strolls through the hotel floor by floor—instead of taking the elevator like usual—that he hears a voice that stops him. suspiciously familiar, in a language just adjacent enough to his own from fontaine, that he slows to investigate the source. ]
Oh. [ that’s all he manages at first. it’s hard to forget a face, after all—not when you’ve shared a string of cheesy romcoms in a dimly lit room, sprawled out on a couch, probably splitting snacks between viewings. just two bros doing bro things. but the last time they’d spoken in person—verso hadn’t looked anything like this. not with that telltale corruption clinging to him now. ]
Mr. Verso?
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Even after the number of days it's been since he returned from his... adventure, he's not used to the way people's eyes always fix straight on his horns. He's considered cutting them off, but... Vanitas would disapprove.
Still, it puts a damper on his smile.]
Yes?
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I caught another rom-com the other night. All charm and clever lines, the kind you pretend not to like, but always end up smiling through anyway.
[ hopefully it’s obvious that he’s checking in without prying, offering a softer alternative to the usual string of questions verso is already regularly subjected to. it’s more of a quiet reassurance, laced with his usual dry charm. ]
If you’ve got time to spare one of these days, I wouldn’t mind catching up properly.
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Free now? I have wine.
[Sometimes you take the hand offered.]
incredibly sorry for the lateness! irl absolutely bodied me second week
Sure. Apologies in advance for dropping by unannounced.
[ he gives a small bow before entering proper. and even though everyone's rooms in the valentina are all the same, he tries not to pry into any particular details. ]
all g! I've been slooow myself.
[He swipes his Syntrofos on the access panel and steps aside to allow him to enter first.
Verso hasn't amassed much in his time here. The only significant possessions in the room are a round humanoid cloth doll with a mask surrounded by rays to make it appear like the sun, a crate of wine Verso has been rapidly working his way through, and his sword, propped up next to the bed.
He takes one of the remaining bottles of wine and uncorks it, filling the glass that appears in his hand and holding it out.]
action;
Following a polite knock, he’ll step back and tuck his arm behind him in wait. ]
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Good evening. I hope it’s not a bad time? If you’d be open to it, I’d like an opportunity to speak with you over a drink. For a proper apology.
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Scratches are still present on the wall from their scuffle, a reminder of the fight.]
Wouldn't turn down a drink. [His natural soul would kick him in the teeth.]
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Relieved to hear it.
[ Passing Verso to enter the room, he’ll set the bottle onto his desk. ]
That will be for you to keep, of course. May I sit?
[ A polite gesture to the desk chair. If he’s granted as much, he will take a seat with an utterance of thanks, hands adjusting down his vest while one leg swings to cross over the other. ]
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If you have one to spare, I’ll take a half pour, I suppose. [ Folding his hands atop his leg, his head cants off to the side just so, fringe swaying. ] I couldn’t help but notice—… [ An idle gesture toward the wall. ] I’ll tell the front desk to charge me for damages.
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I don’t imagine they would, no. [ A nod, upon accepting his glass. ] I wouldn’t chance having the responsibility pinned on you, however. It’s no matter.
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[He hands Vincent's glass to him and clinks it with his own.] To this hellish world, or something cheerier?
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cw: suicidal something
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clair obscur: expedition 33 spoilers in thread.
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Action!
So once Verso comes home today, he'll be greeted to the sight of his place being much more crowded. Because lo and behold - there's a baby grand piano taking up a good portion of space! It's accompanied by a large bow and ribbons, a bottle of high quality wine with the same around it, and perhaps most telling of all, one (1) Vanitas dressed in fancy attire to match the blue ribbons he's partial to. He's perched on the bed, one leg crossed over the other and impatiently swinging said leg, hand tapping the mattress idly.]
There you are. [He smiles warmly, rising and striding over to greet Verso, hands clasping behind his back as he leans in.] Welcome home.
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Vanitas...
[A piano.
Being able to play as much as he liked in Kelesis is one thing, having his own is entirely another. His ears flick up as he turns his stupefied expression to Vanitas.] Is this...? [He trails off, unable to voice his hopes — what the ribbons and Vanitas' smug look should mean, but he still can't bear to open himself up to the possiblity it's not—
He swallows. At some point, his hands rose to the height of the keys, fingers spread wide, already itching to play.]
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Hehe... It is. All yours.
[It's beautifully made and completely pristine, as he saw to its delivery personally and made sure the porters didn't scratch it. Grinning, he steps aside, sweeping an arm towards the gift.]
Go on - give it a go. Play me a piece that means something to you. I want to hear it.
[Getting behind Verso, he gives him the faintest nudge to get him moving.]
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I can't... [He doesn't know what he planned to finish that sentence with. "Accept"? "Repay you"? "Play something that means enough?"
Except, again without wholly conscious thought, he's pulled out the piano stool and placed his fingers to the keys. He plays the first note. Others follow. As he continues, he says, a true joy in the words,] I would play this, for my sister. Other sister, she wrote it. Meant it for the harp. I always... [He falls into the music for a moment, forgetting to finish his sentence.] Piano fits better. She knew it too. Would never say, but... [But once she heard him play it she accused him of stealing it, then declared it no good, surrendering it to him. Her way of handing it over without lowering her pride.] I love this piece.
[Which might speak to how much Vanitas' gift means to him.]
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It's alright. [However he planned on finishing that sentence, he wants it to be known that all is well. No need for hesitation or repayment, nothing to hold him back should the urge strike him.
Once Verso is sitting, he too takes a seat nearby on the bed, gloved hands clasping on his knees as he leans forward to listen. His feline ears flick with interest as the notes fill the room, and his eyes widen slightly to hear Verso talk of his family. It turns his features soft and smile warmer.] I can see how it'd suit a harp. [Without realizing it, he starts saying in time to the music, tail following in time.] It does suit your talents well. I'm glad she bequeathed it to you. [At least, that's the impression he gets.]
It's a beautiful piece... Thank you for sharing it with me.
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[He has an entire piano to himself, he won't be stopping any time soon, and Vanitas wanted to listen, he can do that from the best seat in the house.
The next piece begins with a faster, quirky tempo.
Despite the upbeat tone, his next topic is melancholy. Still warm with love, but bittersweet.] You remind me of them — my sisters. They're better off, not being here, but... I miss them. [He flashes Vanitas a smile. He doesn't miss a note.] Selfish, me. Keep hoping they'll turn up. [It would be awful for them to be here, as Augmented, but... if anyone's strong enough to stay herself through having an extra soul welded to her, it's Clea. And Alicia, he could help Alicia see that she never needed him to be strong. She was strong all along. The most talented of any of them. The one to fly.]
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[Unable to help himself, his gaze is divided between watching Verso's fingers glide over the keys, sending beautiful notes up to their ears, and between watching his face to gauge his expression.
One brow raises at the comparison to his beloved siblings, but it's met with an appreciative and warm if sad smile.] I do, huh... It's only natural you'd wish to be together with your family. [So he shakes his head, trying to ease some of the guilt Verso may feel for that desire.] The longer you go without seeing those you care for, the stronger the desire becomes. It doesn't get any easier, despite the circumstances being less than ideal. [Just like despite everything, he still wishes he could see Mikhail again. To try to fix the gulf between them, get him to understand, even if it's impossible.]
...but you're not alone, here.
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I have you. Few others. [He flashes Vanitas a smile, indulgent, fond — adoring.] Mostly you.
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Verso... [Here, his mood falters somewhat as guilt becomes the dominant emotion.] About that... I know you've been trying to drive me off for a while now. As much as I enjoy what we have, it can't continue.
[He's silent a moment before hurrying to add:] But we can still be friends.
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clair obscur: expedition 33 spoilers like whoa
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