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[ 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. ]
Mr. Verso?
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?
[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.
Still, it puts a damper on his smile.]
Yes?
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?
[ 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.
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. ]
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. ]
[ 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. ]
Following a polite knock, he’ll step back and tuck his arm behind him in wait. ]
[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.]
[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.]
[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.
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.]
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. ]
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. ]
[ 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.
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.
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.
[ That much manages to get a laugh out of the blond. ]
To making the best of it, perhaps? [ Leaning back into the chair with a swirl of the glass, he idly enjoys its aroma. ] I suppose good company has made me a touch more optimistic these days. [ As in, he’s down bad. ]
To making the best of it, perhaps? [ Leaning back into the chair with a swirl of the glass, he idly enjoys its aroma. ] I suppose good company has made me a touch more optimistic these days. [ As in, he’s down bad. ]
To making the best of it, [Verso says with a tip of his glass and drinks to the toast. To his increasing surprise, the wine is good, better than most that Verso has bought in Karteria.] Would that "good company" include or exclude the present company? [He gestures at himself.]
[ If nothing else, Vincent is sourceful. ]
So far, I might venture to say that I’m leaning toward the former.
[ The approval he notes earns a pleased little grin, as he moves to sample the wine for himself. Tongue dashing between his lips, he’d hum. It’s certainly better than the gin he had at Gil’s place. ]
I regret that we got off to such a poor start. You seem quite important to Vanitas, and that’s of value to me, as well. [ A nod in the general direction of the younger man’s room, a little smirk playing on his lips. ] Not that he’s sent me.
So far, I might venture to say that I’m leaning toward the former.
[ The approval he notes earns a pleased little grin, as he moves to sample the wine for himself. Tongue dashing between his lips, he’d hum. It’s certainly better than the gin he had at Gil’s place. ]
I regret that we got off to such a poor start. You seem quite important to Vanitas, and that’s of value to me, as well. [ A nod in the general direction of the younger man’s room, a little smirk playing on his lips. ] Not that he’s sent me.
[ With a blink, Vincent’s head tilts curiously. ]
That’s to say, I find importance in what makes him happy. Is that wrong?
That’s to say, I find importance in what makes him happy. Is that wrong?
Edited 2025-11-07 08:44 (UTC)
[Verso studies Vincent, trying to pick through the words, work out whether his intent is as simple as it seems. Sometimes he forgets that not everyone is his family, always layering meaning upon meaning.] "Value" can be... [He trails off.
Then tries,] These people [he waves a hand at their general surrounds, his meaning: Patho-Gen] place value on us.
Then tries,] These people [he waves a hand at their general surrounds, his meaning: Patho-Gen] place value on us.
[ Drawing a hand beneath his chin, Vincent hums with some understanding. In truth, he had a very good idea of what Verso implied, but challenging tones would prove to be less effective at finding clarification. ]
I understand. No, not like that. I won’t claim to be virtuous by any stretch; quite the opposite, really. [ A sip of wine. ] Their actions, however, have been unforgivable, and I’m invested in seeing them brought to ruin.
I understand. No, not like that. I won’t claim to be virtuous by any stretch; quite the opposite, really. [ A sip of wine. ] Their actions, however, have been unforgivable, and I’m invested in seeing them brought to ruin.
I'll drink to that. [He takes a large mouthful of wine, then takes his time in swallowing it, turning over what he wants to say next.]
It was dangerous — baiting me with him right there. If I had been slower leaving... [Vanitas could have become one of the trees turned into so many splinters.]
It was dangerous — baiting me with him right there. If I had been slower leaving... [Vanitas could have become one of the trees turned into so many splinters.]
[ A small smirk, at the sentiment. Uncrossing his legs, Vincent shifts to lean against one of the armrests. ]
… Ah. Yes. [ A faint knit of his brow, at that. ] How do I put this… Vanitas acts on emotion, and has positively no regard for himself. I feared worse; that he might attempt to slip into the elevator with you. [ Looking down into his glass, he sighs. ] Especially so, after I’d decided to stay close, and ensure that didn’t happen. If he truly thought I’d left, all the more reason for him to pursue destructive measures. [ A wry sort of smile. ] Damned either way, I suppose.
… Ah. Yes. [ A faint knit of his brow, at that. ] How do I put this… Vanitas acts on emotion, and has positively no regard for himself. I feared worse; that he might attempt to slip into the elevator with you. [ Looking down into his glass, he sighs. ] Especially so, after I’d decided to stay close, and ensure that didn’t happen. If he truly thought I’d left, all the more reason for him to pursue destructive measures. [ A wry sort of smile. ] Damned either way, I suppose.
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