[For his part, Vanitas is doing everything he can to maintain a reasonable attitude and not be his usual condescending self. He, too, wishes to make Aether happy, and is working double time to ensure that happens.
It seems that informing Xiao of Aether's involvement was the correct move, like the traveler surmised. It's enough to make Vanitas smirk slightly, but he maintains his politeness all the same.]
Ah, that's right. You have some kind of corruption or something, don't you? ...is it merely an affliction which hurts those around you, or do you yourself suffer because of it?
[It's said as he walks up to the car and deposits his gift before going back to where he was, crossing his arms.]
[ Xiao waits until Vanitas returns to where he first was, before hopping back again. He crosses his arms once more, looking down at the human with those bird-of-prey eyes. ]
That's none of your concern.
[ It's constant, endless agony. Mad whispers, angry screams only he can hear. It pulls, and pulls and pulls on his mind, tearing at it. He has to be cold, he has to be in control, and he has to stay away from everyone around him.
Always lonely. Always hurting. Until Aether. ]
You can leave, now. We are not strangers, but neither are we acquaintances. I will tolerate you.
[For his part, Vanitas meets Xiao's gaze with a merely curious one of his own, along with a light shrug.]
Tch... So stubborn. Would it help you to know you aren't the only one of Aether's friends who is suffering? That fears being near him in case, eventually, things go beyond your control and you might end up hurting him?
[Because that seems to be what Aether was implying with Xiao's corruption, that he would hurt those around him, hence the whole keeping his distance thing.]
Mmm. I suppose I'll have to settle for that, then. Though I bet it would please Aether to know you tried to go further. He seems the sort to like his friends to be friends.
My suffering is my own doing. It is not the business of someone else, no matter the similarities. I would suggest not pushing your luck once again.
[ It's a tender spot, after all. Knowing that someone else is in pain like him, though... it's an odd feeling that he can't really understand. Human emotions are still strange sometimes.
...but yes. He has spent two millennia keeping away from everyone but his god. Then this golden traveler came along and now he has friends. ]
I do not become 'friends' with people I have just met. You've yet to earn my trust, and I doubt you will.
[ Everyone he has ever let into his heart as friends are dead, Vanitas. Only Aether remains. ]
Mmm. Very well. And yet a burden shared is a burden lessened. Surely that much you realize through knowing Aether. He's a kind soul who lifts those around him to new heights, who brings peace to troubled hearts.
[He won't push, though. He's here on behalf of their mutual friend to make amends, not incite more hostilities. Normally he wouldn't share his own story, but if it'd help convince Xiao that he understood at least a little bit, he would have.]
Ah well. That's a shame. It's a pity my sense of humor is enough to drive a wedge between us, even if it is of my own doing. I suppose there's nothing I can do to earn said trust?
[Even knowing the pain of losing those you care for is familiar to him. It's one reason he tries so hard to drive others away as well. He simply does so by being an insufferable ass...]
[ Those crossed arms and stand-offish nature isn't swayed by talking about Aether this time. Instead, he ignores Vanitas' attempts and instead gives him a dismissive look. ]
'Humor' should never involve jokes about assaulting people. [ He sounds so disgusted. ] My trust is not easily given, and you've already proven untrustworthy once. I have given you a boon to start over. Use it well, and I will decide in the future if you're worthy of any of my favor.
[ Also known as don't push it and play his cards right, and one glorified bird might look at you with less disdain. ]
You can leave. Tell Aether our grievances are done.
[Ah well. He didn't expect this would be easily resolved by bandying about the traveler's name alone. That he hasn't been attacked or outright killed is probably enough of a success for now.]
Quite right. I was out of line. [He says that much with ease, giving Xiao a sweeping bow.] Many thanks, o' exalted one. That opportunity pleases me more than you know. It's more than I deserve.
[Even now he can't help teasing a bit, though he does spare a friendly little wave for Aether's dear friend as he turns to go.]
Very well. I'm sure he'll be delighted to hear we're starting over. So tell him I tried my best, will you?
[ Give it time, Vanitas. Who knows, maybe next time they'll share a cell together while being turned inside-out! As it is, words alone are not going to sway Xiao any time soon. Actions always speak louder.
Xiao crouches down and picks up the 'offering' as Vanitas turns to leave, yellow eyes sternly watching him as he heads off. Personally he has no desire to ever see the other man again, but he also knows that Aether deeply values his friends.
They'll meet again. Question is just how well that meeting will go. ]
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no subject
It seems that informing Xiao of Aether's involvement was the correct move, like the traveler surmised. It's enough to make Vanitas smirk slightly, but he maintains his politeness all the same.]
Ah, that's right. You have some kind of corruption or something, don't you? ...is it merely an affliction which hurts those around you, or do you yourself suffer because of it?
[It's said as he walks up to the car and deposits his gift before going back to where he was, crossing his arms.]
no subject
That's none of your concern.
[ It's constant, endless agony. Mad whispers, angry screams only he can hear. It pulls, and pulls and pulls on his mind, tearing at it. He has to be cold, he has to be in control, and he has to stay away from everyone around him.
Always lonely. Always hurting. Until Aether. ]
You can leave, now. We are not strangers, but neither are we acquaintances. I will tolerate you.
no subject
Tch... So stubborn. Would it help you to know you aren't the only one of Aether's friends who is suffering? That fears being near him in case, eventually, things go beyond your control and you might end up hurting him?
[Because that seems to be what Aether was implying with Xiao's corruption, that he would hurt those around him, hence the whole keeping his distance thing.]
Mmm. I suppose I'll have to settle for that, then. Though I bet it would please Aether to know you tried to go further. He seems the sort to like his friends to be friends.
no subject
[ It's a tender spot, after all. Knowing that someone else is in pain like him, though... it's an odd feeling that he can't really understand. Human emotions are still strange sometimes.
...but yes. He has spent two millennia keeping away from everyone but his god. Then this golden traveler came along and now he has friends. ]
I do not become 'friends' with people I have just met. You've yet to earn my trust, and I doubt you will.
[ Everyone he has ever let into his heart as friends are dead, Vanitas. Only Aether remains. ]
no subject
[He won't push, though. He's here on behalf of their mutual friend to make amends, not incite more hostilities. Normally he wouldn't share his own story, but if it'd help convince Xiao that he understood at least a little bit, he would have.]
Ah well. That's a shame. It's a pity my sense of humor is enough to drive a wedge between us, even if it is of my own doing. I suppose there's nothing I can do to earn said trust?
[Even knowing the pain of losing those you care for is familiar to him. It's one reason he tries so hard to drive others away as well. He simply does so by being an insufferable ass...]
no subject
[ Those crossed arms and stand-offish nature isn't swayed by talking about Aether this time. Instead, he ignores Vanitas' attempts and instead gives him a dismissive look. ]
'Humor' should never involve jokes about assaulting people. [ He sounds so disgusted. ] My trust is not easily given, and you've already proven untrustworthy once. I have given you a boon to start over. Use it well, and I will decide in the future if you're worthy of any of my favor.
[ Also known as don't push it and play his cards right, and one glorified bird might look at you with less disdain. ]
You can leave. Tell Aether our grievances are done.
no subject
Quite right. I was out of line. [He says that much with ease, giving Xiao a sweeping bow.] Many thanks, o' exalted one. That opportunity pleases me more than you know. It's more than I deserve.
[Even now he can't help teasing a bit, though he does spare a friendly little wave for Aether's dear friend as he turns to go.]
Very well. I'm sure he'll be delighted to hear we're starting over. So tell him I tried my best, will you?
no subject
Xiao crouches down and picks up the 'offering' as Vanitas turns to leave, yellow eyes sternly watching him as he heads off. Personally he has no desire to ever see the other man again, but he also knows that Aether deeply values his friends.
They'll meet again. Question is just how well that meeting will go. ]
Goodbye.