Vectors

[unbirth-vanitas.livejournal.com]

Who: Magus, Schala, Vanitas, Xion
What: Kidnapping in progress, all units to-
Where: Magus' Forest
When: Night time
Rating: PG-R most likely

If there was any word could describe his feelings right then, it would have to be sheer and utter boredom. Vanitas had been sent out to do missions for the past few days following he and Xigbar's sparring match, and the Unversed Lord absolutely hated it. Granted, the loyal Unversed that followed alongside him were good company. They helped him forget his ire, especially since they gladly offered themselves up for beatings when he needed to vent.

He looked up at the canopy of the forest he'd found himself in and scoffed under his breath. Well, he was definitely lost. He gave a kick to one of the Flood Unversed near his feet. The creature let out a little yip as it hit a tree, but then scampered off behind the bushes. The dark-haired young man had to resist a laugh. Good thing those creatures were practically indestructible.

"Tch, of course I get lost in a forest. Fucking pathetic..." he mumbled under his breath. He would have sighed, but fogging up his helmet's visor and running into a tree was not very high on his "To Do" list for the time being.

-----

'Why am I out here?' Xion wondered for about the fifth time that night. Despite the Organization's explicit orders, she had gone out on her own to track the Unversed. She honestly couldn't see the harm in finding a few and and watching what they did. After all, recon was one of the most important aspects of her job, was it not? She had no doubts she would return to the castle with good reports. So imagine her surprise when the master of the Unversed, Vanitas himself, had managed to come across her radar! She'd followed him for several miles, and always had to keep at least several hours of distance between them so as not to get caught.

Him entering a forest made her task a bit simpler. There were lots of sounds in forests, lots of animals, etc. It was the perfect place to follow after him, as there were simply too many other predators for her to be spotted. For all Vanitas knew, she was just another hungry wildcat looking for a decent meal.

Comments

[listless-angel.livejournal.com]

Running her hand along a cold metal table, Schala looked over the various aparatus that were assembled. After giving her gift to her darling Brother, the two of them had begun to wonder if it wasn't possible to give this gift to others. Exploring the idea of possibly sending thorns out all over the world to help them restore the lost people of Zeal.

But to do that, they needed to test it. Hense the laboratory and it's ameneties. The only thing that remained to be found were viable test subjects.

Schala realized that they were in luck though. As the sensation filled her body of people entering the sacred demenses of she and her Brother. Her heart filled with excitement, Schala rushed to the study to find Magus.

"Brother dear, did you feel it?" she asked. "I think they may be perfect!"

[king-zeal.livejournal.com]

The man looked up from his book, swathed in deep cobalt robes, with a slight smile. "I did indeed, Sister. They may be the first steps we need on this road to salvation." it had taken on an almost religious bent for him, plans forming and expanding in his mind, but it all hinged on this first test. If successful, a pair of new Lavoids would be born from these interlopers, but first.. well, first they had to be brought in.

There was also the problem of I-no.. she was by no means a naturally born creature of flesh and blood, and he doubted a Lavoid thorn could take hold in her.. Still, the woman could be useful to him.

"Shall we greet them then, Sister?"

[xiv-obsession.livejournal.com]

Xion kept her hood up as she slipped along from shadow to shadow. Vanitas wasn't that far ahead, if the tracks she followed were to be believed. She almost ran after him, but had to stop herself. Just running along after him was folly. What could she hope to accomplish? Judging by what Xigbar had said, the bloodthirsty young man would probably coat the forest with her blood before she so much as touched him.

She wondered what could have placed the impulse to confront him in her mind, but almost immediately she answered her own question. Her hand strayed to her sternum as she recalled the implantation of the summon orb. 'Why do I keep reminding myself of these things?' she wondered. Xion shook the feeling off and continued following Vanitas. There was enough distance between them now so he wouldn't pick up on her.

Vanitas scowled as he again looked up to the sky. The leaves above his head all but blotted it out. He thanked no one in particular for his natural night-vision. Without it, he might as well be...well, stumbling around in the darkness. He turned to regard the Unversed that traveled by him.

The things were shaking. He didn't know what could put fear into their normally mindless selves, but whatever it was had to be bad. Vanitas just smirked at the thought. He wouldn't mind fighting again. Perhaps it would even be fun.

[listless-angel.livejournal.com]

"Let's have them escorted to the basement" Schala said, and no sooner had she thought it than the trap was sprung, massive plants, large enough to swallow a full grown man that erupted from the ground near the two unwitting trespassers, ready to swallow them up and pass them through the massive root system, depositing them in the castles lower dungeons.

"One of them has a feeling about them, a chaotic and destructive feeling...it's, oh Janus it's beautiful." She told him, then she squeezed her beloved Brothers hand quickly before heading out of the study and down to the basement. Her heart still racing and her mind buzzing with energy.

[king-zeal.livejournal.com]

The Magus chuckled at Schala's response to the way the male of the two felt. The female, more to his amusement, seemed serene and hesitant.. actually, they were very similar to himself and his sister. With a flick, he sent his book floating back to the shelf, finding a huge repository of magic ability at his touch, moreso than ever before due to the parasite that had overtaken his heart and become an essential part of him.

He fell into step beside Schala, one of his cobalt arms resting a hand on her hip. He continued towards the dungeons with her, "Shall we tell them about what we're planning for them, or simply perform the proceedure?" it was rhetoric; he didn't care.

[unbirth-vanitas.livejournal.com]

The Unversed had panicked before the plants even appeared. Naturally picking up on their senses, Vanitas summoned his keyblade on instinct. He tried in vain to escape as the plant maw closed over him. It was to no avail, as his keyblade couldn't even graze the tough inner hide. The Unversed scrambled at the plant and clawed into it viciously, desperate to free their master.

When the plant disappeared back into the soil from whence it came, the creatures just stared at one another before flying into a blind panic. Not knowing what else to do, they vanished into the shadows.

Xion, having seen what happened to Vanitas, gasped in surprise. She made no move to help him, though. After all, why should she? However, she didn't even have long enough to ponder why the plant had taken him before an identical trap appeared before her. Before she could even summon her own weapon, she was down the plant's gullet and zipping fast toward wherever it wished to take her.

When she opened her eyes again, she was shocked to find the room was spinning. A quick survey told her she was in a dungeon of some sort, but where was anyone's guess. There was shouting not far away. Judging by the voice, it had to be Vanitas.

[listless-angel.livejournal.com]

"I believe they have the right to know" Schala told Magus as they made their way down to meet their new guests. They were right where Schala had anticipated them to be, in adjacent cells. The male was holding an interesting weapon, but the female, the one she was the most intrigued by, didn't seem to be armed at all. At least not right then.

"Welcome to our home" she told them, smiling sweetly despite her eerie appearance. "I'm sorry for your rough reception, the plant life is trained to detain trespassers such as yourselves."

She turned to Magus, giving him a slight nod. "Shall we take them upstairs, Brother dear?" She asked in earnest, eager for their test to finally begin.

[king-zeal.livejournal.com]

The Magus nodded at her statement, peering into either cell with a slight smile. "They will do nicely, yes. Come along." it wasn't a request, as when he spoke, dark bands of energy coursed through the air from the myriad of golden eyes covering him, sweeping around Vanitas and Xion, before cinching tight. He turned and strode off, dragging the bands, and their prisoners, along with them.

"Yes, though currently they are under strict orders not to consume trespassers. You are lucky, this day."

[xiv-obsession.livejournal.com]

As the pair were dragged along, Vanitas took every opportunity to protest. He glared at the older pair, both of whom he found bizarre for a myriad of reasons, through his mask. His keyblade had vanished due to his arms being constricted, so all he could do was just thrash and curse.

Xion, on the other hand, just followed along with confusion plain on her hooded face. A nervous feeling rose up from her gut until it coursed through her entire body. She swallowed hard as if to try and steady her nerves. Her nervousness soon blossomed into fear, and she felt lightheaded as the gravity of the situation set in. 'Why did I do this by myself? Why didn't I listen?'

[listless-angel.livejournal.com]

Schala watched them both curiously, and seeing the girl lower her head she put herself in stride alongside her. "Don't worry, it's just a precaution." She told the girl. "We don't want you getting hurt now." Schala said cryptically. She was still smiling as they made their way to the upper levels and eventually into the testing room, with it's metal tables and peculiar devices.

Schala left the girls side then, making her way over to a surgical trolley set off to the side. On a tray there, lay her thorns. She'd allowed Magus to watch her make these new ones, because she had no need to surprise him now. "Soon" she murmured to them, but kept them out of sight of the test subjects for the time being.

"Please remove your outer clothing and lay down on the tables there" she told them, though she was sure that if they didn't comply, Magus would help them along. Roughly if need be.

[king-zeal.livejournal.com]

The Magus stood off to one side, preparing what appeared to be several syringes. He knew that with people like this, things could rapidly get out of hand, so he was ready to tranquilize them first, to dull their minds and senses so that Schala could apply her first thorns, and keep her seemingly perpetual excitement about them. Unlike her, his mind seemed more focused on using these potential Lavoids to his own ends, rather than simply propogating their species. He was interested in that as well, but not so much as Schala seemed to be.

Turning, he walked to her trolley and lay four syringes down on the tray, nodding to Schala, and turning his attention to the two interlopers. "Names." he spoke sternly, brooking no rebellion from either of them, his normal arms folded in front of him, the cobalt arms on his back hanging at his sides.

[unbirth-vanitas.livejournal.com]

Xion went pale as they were given their orders. She looked first from Schala to Magus, then back again to Schala. The female seemed to be the kinder of the two, even if she was clearly as shady as the other. With people like this, it was better to just comply, and so she carefully undid the zipper of her coat after slipping the hood off her head. With it undone, she let the coat fall and moved on to remove her boots. Her tubetop and pants would follow suit.

"I'm...Xion." she said, speaking softly. 'Zexion, Naminé, Roxas...someone help...'

Normally Vanitas would have made a flippant remark about the other girl's body, but he was far too enraged at the moment to even consider looking at anyone other than their captors. Unlike Xion, Vanitas had no intentions of complying. If they wanted to implant him with anything, he'd only do it if he were put out with elephant tranquilizer.

"Now why in hell would I do anything to help you, huh?" he asked, snarling behind his helmet. He reached up and removed the accursed mask on his face, figuring it was better to yell at them face-to-face. His yellow eyes flashed as he threw the casing at Magus, an easy dodge for the older man. "I'm nobody's lackey, you hear me!? You fuckers ain't gonna tie me up like that old git tries!"

[listless-angel.livejournal.com]

Schala nodded as Xion told them her name. She was cooperative, that was nice. The other one was quite feisty though and she knew she would have to let her Brother handle him. As the girl lay down on the table, Schala gently laid a hand on one of the thorns. Unlike Magus', which was designed especially for him and so had been a lovely deep blue color, these two were plain white except for their bright golden eyes. In theory, when implanted they would react with the minds of their new bodies and change into a color appropriately fitting that person, and thus become individuals.

She carried it carefully over to the table, but didn't use it just yet. First she layed her free hand on the girls chest, and from the tips of her fingers thin, snake like ribbons of crystal fromed, slidding painlessly into the girls body as Schala got a look at her insides. At first, everything seemed normal, but then she ran across two very interesting things.

The first one was the source of the energy that Schala found so attractive, it was what appeared to be a crystal lodged in the girls body. "Brother, this girl has an object in her body! It's filled with violence and destruction" she said lovingly. The second surprising thing wasn't much farther from that area either. "Oh my and...she seems to be missing her heart!"

However did this girl live and breath with no heart and no thorn to sustain her? Schala was fascinated, and found herself quite attached to the girl, who reminded her of herself before she became whole.

[king-zeal.livejournal.com]

The Magus had simply batted Vanitas' mask aside, and though he'd struck it, it floated serenely to rest on a shelf, along with Xion's garments. He gave the girl on the table a curious look, then looked to Schala and spoke kindly, "No one should be without a heart to feel, to love and to despair in kind, as all are able.. In this case, we are truly lucky to have had them trespassing, at least in this way we can right the wrong done them by the world." at least in the case of the girl.

As for the young man.. he was less than co-operative, "You will comply with our wishes, young man, whether or not you go peaceably like Miss Xion, or if I have to coerce you, you will lay on that table after removing your clothing." The Magus wasn't as nice as Schala, it seemed, for when he finished speaking, he did sopmething similar to what Schala did.

In a blur of motion, he was suddenly right in front of Vanitas, and had punched both of his cobalt-crystal arms through his shoulders, having made them into scythes once more, and lifted him harshly. His other hands literally stripped the clothing from him, pulling it off his body as if his body were smoke, tossing them towards the shelf as well. He wasn't put off by injuring the boy, knowing the thorn held some of the Frozen Flame's power, and would keep it's host healthy, along with providing a rush of healing energy to ensure the person it was binding to survived.

That done, he slammed Vanitas down onto his table, and held him pinned by the scythe-arms. Then, extending an arm, he punched the same serpentine strands into Vanitas, though he wasn't gentle about it at all. The pain was likely intense and all over as the ribbons wormed through him, and The Magus took a long look at what he found, "Mmh.. this one will do nicely, Sister."

[xiv-obsession.livejournal.com]

Vanitas could barely manage to breathe with how fast the older man had beaten him. He cried out as the blades of the scythes dug themselves into him, and fresh blood poured out. He let out grunts of pain as even more stabbing needles plunged into his chest and stomach after he was on the table. Every nerve seemed to be on fire, and he could barely see straight enough to know what had happened. His eyes seemed to glow as he smirked back at Magus.

"Pah...this ain't shit. Just...just wait til I get free...you're fucking dead. You hear me? Dog meat!"

Xion closed her eyes and tilted her head away. She didn't want to see any of this. She didn't want strange people to look around inside and jeer at what made her so strange; she didn't want to lie there, cold, shaking, scared and hoping somehow Zexion and Roxas would appear to save her; she didn't want beloved Naminé to worry...

[listless-angel.livejournal.com]

Schala shook her head. The boy really should have been more cooperative afteral. But that was fine. Boys will be boys. Turning to Xion, her fingers already removed from the girls body, she stroked her hair kindly to reassure her. "Be at ease and don't worry. You're only going to stop breathing for a moment, then things will be fine." She told the girl with a smile.

"You're going to be our first children." Schala said, sounding like a proud mother-to-be. Then she waved a hand and the first thorn raised itself into the air, hovering a few feet over the place where Xion's heart should have been. She may not have had one before, but she would certainly have one now.

Bringing her arm down while closing her hand into a fist, the thorn shot downward like a bullet, penetrating the flesh and bones of the body and lodging itself in Xions chest cavity. Schala watched with interest as the power of the flame closed the wound up cleanly behind it.

[xiv-obsession.livejournal.com]

She recoiled from the touch, keeping her eyes shut. Kind words, so seemingly innocent of the malice they truly held within. She didn't want to know these people, she didn't want to be part of whatever family they were creating, she didn't want to be one of their "children." She just wanted to be where she belonged.

As the thorn shot into her chest, she instantly flashed back to when Sephiroth had planted Chaos within her as well. The tearing of the skin, the cracking of the bone, the blinding pain that destroyed all her other senses. Xion knew only agony, and her scream hurt even her own ears. Her back arched high into the air on reflex before her body went limp. Air ceased to flow in her lungs, and her eyes lost their light, staring unblinking up at the ceiling.

When she died the first time, it never came close to being so awful. That first time, she had died in the arms of her brother, then had become one with his soul. Sleeping was not the same as death. This time, she died alone.

Or so it seemed. Mere moments after her life ended, her consciousness was forced back into the light. Her eyes flashed a brilliant red and she bolted up in a sitting position. Her body curled as if shivering before she coughed, a spray of blood shooting out of her mouth. 'What's happening? My body...it's on fire!'

Xion screamed again as winglike structures shot out from her back. Fresh blood spilled down her back as more of the armor-like crystals appeared, but said crystals healed the wounds almost as soon as they were inflicted. By the time the pain stopped and she could breathe without feeling pain, the armor of crystal had covered both her arms and one of her legs. It left her chest and below mostly bare save for a few "strands" of crystal that clung to her belly, sides and hips. Despite the thorn itself being white with yellowed eyes, the crystals jutting from her back and arms were black as pitch. Odder still, the eyes that dotted it here and there were as red as her own eyes at the moment.

The girl stared at her hands in horror. Lightly she flexed the fingers, seeing that the black-covered gloves with razored nails were indeed her own. "What...what's happened...to me?"

[king-zeal.livejournal.com]

Satisfied with his 'examination' of Vanitas, he smiled, and gently patted the boy's cheek, before wrenching his ribbons and scythes free, strapping the boy down with the same black strands of shadowy magic. Then, walking over to Xion and Schala, he looked down on the girl as Schala planted the thorn in her.

In moments, the girl died, only to be brought back quickly enough, the thorn having easily overtaken her, due to her lack of a heart, he assumed. Then, she asked her question, and he spoke smoothly, "You have become the very first of the citizens of Lavelle. You, my dear girl, are much more than you once were, or ever would have been on your own."

[unbirth-vanitas.livejournal.com]

"Let me go! I swear I'll bathe in your blood!" he shouted, still thrashing and struggling against the bands. His blood was absolutely boiling from the entire ordeal. If only he could get free...if only he could move enough to summon his keyblade and just destroy everyone in the room. That would truly make him happy. 'Fucking weirdass bastards...'

Xion looked down at her chest, and her eyes widened at what she saw. The summon orb of Chaos was sitting neatly on her chest just under the collarbone, embedded in the skin. Crystal strands across her chest seemed to point to it like little vines.

"That...that's..." she shook her head before holding her head in her hands. The nails would have dug into her scalp had it not been for the crystal "horns" in their way on the sides of her head. "No!! Noooo!!! Roxas! Naminé!! Zexion, help me!!"

[listless-angel.livejournal.com]

Schala helped the girl up, guiding her gently by her arm and shoulder. "Calm down dear, you need to take some time to rest and adjust to your new abilities. It's alright. I'll show you to your room."

Schala remembered when she'd felt that way. Before she'd become whole and realized what a blessing it really was. "Once you realize how complete you feel, you'll be fine" she told the girl as she gave a backwards glance to Magus. She wondered what he was going to do with her thorn, once she was gone. That boy, despite his evident darkness, was fighting much harder than their first born had.

[xiv-obsession.livejournal.com]

Xion just stared numbly ahead at the floor as she was led away. Her ears were deaf to the gentle words of her captor. Her body was cold, but at the same time this intense warmth spread through her veins as the parasite inside tried to regulate her body temperature. All of her senses were heightened; she could smell even the faintest of scents in the air, she could see things far far in the distance with perfect clarity, she could hear the faintest of the background noise far off in the castle, she could still taste the sharp tang of iron in her mouth from when she coughed up her own blood, and she sensed every touch against her skin, no matter how light. She would have normally been overwhelmed by the myriad of things assaulting her senses, but the Lavoid within her had made it easy to comprehend.

"My room...?" she asked. Her head hurt, and she held her hand against her forehead. Again...again she had been made into a toy for other people. Again she was taken from the places she knew, the people she loved...and turned into something horrible. She didn't even want to look in a mirror for fear of what might stare back at her.

[king-zeal.livejournal.com]

The Magus smiled back to the two exiting the room, then returned his scarlet glare to Vanitas. "Now, boy.." he returned to the young man's side, and lifted the thorn, considering it. He wasn't going to give anyone the option of choosing to become a Lavoid, as it was simply not an issue. Expanding the species, and adding to it in ways that would strengthen them were key to this initial push, and while he didn't approve of such recklessness, The Magus recalled a certain redheaded hero type who had the same can-do attitude.

"Come now, you shall look back on this, and be ashamed of your attitude. This is not something we are offering, it is something that is best for everyone. You simply cannot comprehend such matters.. yet." he beckoned the thorn close, and, once it was hovering over Vanitas, he drove it down into the boy so it could continue its grisly work.

"Do not despair, that is not our place."

[unbirth-vanitas.livejournal.com]

"D-Despair...? Ha!! I don't know what that bullshit even is..." The dark-haired young man returned the crimson glare with one of his own, equally intense and hateful. He opened his mouth to say another undoubtedly venomous reply, but could only scream as the thorn tore its way past the flesh and bone that were in its way.

As with Xion, the pain that frayed his nerve endings was blinding. His hands clawed at the table under him until his fingertips bled. There was little else to do but try to get away from the pain somehow, but even that was for nought. All he could see was white all around, all he could feel was the white hot blaze of pain that seemed to engulf every atom of his being...all he could hear was the sound of his ribcage splitting and cracking open to allow its new host shelter.

All at once, the seemingly unending agony came to an abrupt halt as blackness shrouded the Unversed Lord's vision. His frantic motions ceased, and he just lay there limp against the cold table. Only a split second later, the life returned to his vacant eyes, and he bolted up to claw at the air. Blisters broke out all across his body suddenly, then ruptured. They would have bled had it not been for the red crystal growths covering over the wounds almost as soon as they appeared. Once the crystals had formed the all too familiar armor over his chest, arms, legs, and head, they turned jet black and the yellow eyes appeared in many spots.

Vanitas just stared forward, trying to register what had just occured. Nothing was coming to him, but all at once he recognized he was not in a good area. The intelligent being that was once Vanitas had been sucked away by the Lavoid. Now all that remained was little more than an animal capable of speech thanks to its parasite. Of Xehanort, he knew nothing. Of the Organization and other Nobodies, he knew nothing. Of Sora, he knew nothing. The only thing he knew was an enemy was in front of him, and his instincts cried out for him to either destroy the blasted man or run away.

He uttered a low growl at Magus, eyes flashing.

[listless-angel.livejournal.com]

"Of course." Schala said, guiding her down the hallway and finally stopping at a large oak door. She opened it, revealing a beautifully appointed bedroom on the other side, with an oak dresser, a large, comfortable bed, small round table with two chairs for taking tea, and a chair positioned next to a tall window. There was a vanity as well and a night stand by the canopy style bed.

"Rest however long you need to" Schala told the girl, and as if predicting what the girl was thinking, she strode over to the full length mirror placed next to the bathroom door and swiveled it around so that it was facing the wall. Returning to Xions side to pat her shoulder and state simply "You'll look when you're ready."

Schala then made a gesture to indicate the entire room. "This is your room. Not your cell nor your prison." She then pointed to a chain hanging down next to the door. "When you're feeling better, you can pull that chain. It will ring a bell that will let us know you need something. Then you can tell me if you're hungry or if you just want to return to your residence." Schala smiled kindly once more.

"Soon you'll see, you are my daughter and I love you. Even if you're angry with me. Why else would I take the time to construct you a heart using my own flesh and blood and crystals?"

[king-zeal.livejournal.com]

The Magus stood back as Vanitas underwent his transformation, and looked at the new Lavoid impassively, sensing his hostility, his confusion. He'd dealt with this sort of thing before, and, adopting the same kindly smile Ozzie had when he had first taken young Janus in, he knelt before Vanitas. "I understand.. you're hurt, and confused. You do not know where you are, or why you are.. everything is overwhelming."

He put a hand on Vanitas' knee, and tilted his head, seemingly sympathetic, "We are here to help you, Schala and I. You are our beloved son, and we simply want the best for you. Everything is alright, just focus, listen to the world around you, try to remember your name." he hadn't learned the boy's name before turning him, after all. The simple truth was, though, that he felt similarly to Schala in this. They were his children, and he owed them the safety and opportunities Lavelle could offer, they weren't simple tools, and he wouldn't treat them thusly.

[xiv-obsession.livejournal.com]

Xion held her breath as she took in the lavish decorations of the room. It was certainly more luxurious than any room Castle Oblivion or the Castle That Never Was had to offer. While theirs was outfitted in shades of gray and only had sparse furniture, this room made her feel at home. It had been prepared with great care, it seemed, so it would fit a girl not unlike herself.

The dark-haired girl looked over at Schala as the woman fixed the mirror. Another act of kindness? Was this woman mad? Given her earlier actions, she certainly believed she might be. Still...the kindness did seem genuine.

"A daughter..." she mumbled, mulling the thought over and over in her head. Never before had she ever experienced what having a real family might be like. Yes, there were Naminé and Roxas whom she saw as her sister and brother, but as for what a real family was...she didn't know. So now she had a mother?

-----

The young man hissed again and recoiled. The danger in the room had lessened, though only slightly. This environment was so strange, so alien, he didn't know where to begin to study first. At the very least, this imposing figure was no longer threatening. His brows furrowed as he tried to remember his name. What had it been? the Lavoid inside him brought the name up almost at once. How could he have forgotten his own name?

"Vanitas." he grumbled in answer. With the question out of the way, he stood up and began moving around the lab. A smirk rose on his face at the sight of the many sharp utensils most often used for surgery and the like. He knew what those were for. All at once he felt the urge to go out and find something...something that could bleed. All at once his mind went back to Destiny Islands, and a broad smile again crossed his lips. That girl, that redhead who had so defied him...he had wanted to break her, like a pretty porcelain doll. Would he get to do so now? Oh how he certainly hoped so.

"Princess of Heart..." he said softly, just under his breath, "Will you scream for me?"

[listless-angel.livejournal.com]

Schala nodded at the girls comment, then quietly removed herself from the room, closing the door behind her. Xion could lock it if it made her feel more safe, but for now Schala felt the need to return to her Brothers side and see how their son was doing. Stepping lightly down the hallway and staircase she made her way back into the room, and seeing that the transplant was a success brought a smile to her face.

"Hello Brother" she greeted him as she moved closer to the pair. "How fairs our beloved son?" She asked, "Our daughter is safely resting in her room, but I believe it will take her time to adjust. hm, Just like her Mother I suppose." Schala chuckled softly, bringing her hand up to cover her mouth politely.

[king-zeal.livejournal.com]

"He seems.. diminished, which is unfortuneate, but I believe it might simply be shock." he gently brushed the boy's hair back, the way a father would dote over a son he was proud of, "His name is Vanitas, Sister." he looked down upon the jagged crystals jutting from the golden-eyed youth, "Vanitas, this is Schala, your mother. You also have a room of your own, and are welcome here whenever you wish."

He glanced to Schala, assuming it was so. She was great with those fine details, "It might do you good to rest first, you have been through much in a short time."

[unbirth-vanitas.livejournal.com]

Vanitas looked up as Schala entered the room. His eyes narrowed as he stared at her intently, trying to discern her motives. She was less threatening than Magus, definitely, but it still couldn't hurt to be wary.

He sniffed as he was regarded as "diminished," but otherwise let the comment go. What interested him more than that was hearing how his "mother" had offered him a room there of his own. That confused him to no end. Why would these people do such things to him, then suddenly become so generous? He was truly baffled by it all.

"Not tired," he replied tersely, lightly tapping his sharp claws on the table he stood before.

[listless-angel.livejournal.com]

"Indeed" Schala nodded to the boy. "You seem quite full of energy. But allow me to show you your room anyway, and you can then use it at your leisure." Schala turned slightly, beckoning him down the hallway in the same direction she'd lead his sister a moment ago. Poised and calm in the face of his distrust, she passed by the room she'd left Xion in and walked a little further on, stopping at a room slightly down and across from Xions.

"I suspect that you'll become acustomed to your new abilities much more readily than your sister." She said as she unlocked the door and stepped aside to allow him entrance. "No matter that happens or where you go, know that this room will always be here for you if you need it."

[king-zeal.livejournal.com]

The Magus had followed along quietly, not out of subservience but out of habit. No point in talking when he could expect Schala to explain to Vanitas about the arrangement their family had. But, there was one more point he felt he had to mention to his son, and, placing a hand on his shoulder, he nodded, "You are always welcome in this castle, and this room will always be available to you, Vanitas. You may come and go as you please, but be careful if you do." he was worried, with Vanitas energy and seeming recklessness, that he might be hurt, "There are those who will not understand your gifts, or the blessing that Lavelle represents to the world. We cannot force them to like us, Vanitas, we can only hope that with time, they will come to see their error." in the form of invading thorns!

[unbirth-vanitas.livejournal.com]

Vanitas shrugged and followed after the woman. After all, what could it hurt? She didn't seem threatening in the slightest. Well, not anymore. Plus, she was offering him his own room, and his hungry stomach associated a room with a place to get food. He caught Xion's scent as they walked past her room, and scowled. She was weak, he could tell. If not in body, in mind.

He froze as Magus placed his hand on his shoulder. Again there were pleasant words dripping out, but he didn't want to hear them. He was still wary of the man and his new "mother." Still...the words were very enticing. He was free to move about as he wished, and even do as he wished to those outside? Well! That certainly made things different!

"Oh don't worry. If someone doesn't like me...I'll rip their eyes out." he said, chuckling lightly.

[listless-angel.livejournal.com]

Schala nodded. "However Brother dear I think you would agree that we should try to keep the violence only to those who deserve it. As to do otherwise would not present a favorable representation of our race." She smiled a bit, then giggled. "But I suppose force through fear works just as well." She turned back to Vanitas, a warm smile across her face. "Do what you like dear, as long as you're happy, I'll be happy." It was an amazingly sincere statement. Ages ago, Schala had often wondered what it would be like to be a mother. And now here she was, with two children of her own. And indeed they were her children. She'd made their thorns from her own body, and that made them her own flesh and blood.

Feeling warm and content, Schala leande her head against Magus' chest. "Everyone seems to be settled in now" She told him, I believe I need to rest a while now." She covered her mouth to quiet a small yawn that wished to escape. "Please don't think me rude dear Vanitas" She said apologetically.

[king-zeal.livejournal.com]

"Yes. In ages past, I headed a family almost like our own, Vanitas. They were by bond and deed rather than flesh and blood like us, but they were a family, and they were looked upon with distaste by the world." he smiled and hugged Schala with one of his crystalline arms, "Your mother is right in her statement. If you are happy, we are happy, it's as simple as that. But do remember, should you wish to be violent with others.. our enemies are not so well defined at the present time, it might be best to focus on past enemies, and try to bide your time until we are enough to take what we desire in one swoop." he closed his hand in a decisive fist, and in a fatherly manner, knuckled under Vanitas' chin.

"If you need something from either of us, do not hesitate to call." he was nice when not disobeyed, it seemed.

[unbirth-vanitas.livejournal.com]

Picking his fights wisely was something Vanitas thought was useless. If a fight happened, it happened. If he was the victor, he'd be absolutely tickled. If he was the one with the many bruises and cuts lying in the alley, oh well. That's just how things go. So if anyone got in his way, God help their soul if they wanted to make it out alive.

He stared up at Magus with a raised eyebrow and confusion plain on his face. Being a creature of the dark, and one that delighted in the pain of others to boot, he had no idea how to react to such...kindness. It was something incredibly alien to him. Not even his former master had shown him anything even remotely similar to that. 'Those two are odd,' he thought, 'way too strange.' Well, it was none of his business. There were more important things to think about than the oddities of his new "parents." Things like Kairi, for example.

Oh, Kairi would be such a fun project. That defiance shining through her supposed weaknesses, those angry blue eyes that saw him with such disgusted hatred; darkening her supposedly pure white heart would be so satisfying. No one was ever truly pure. He could break that pretty little princess into pieces, then hand the mangled remains to Schala and let her make the girl one of them. Kairi would be his and only his, Sora be damned...

...until he got bored with her, anyway.