sticksandbones | missing poster: one baby boy pls return to grandpa

Not since we first spoke some time ago.

If he said he was exploring outside the Grove and didn't take supplies and hasn't reappeared after some time, it's likely that he's dead.

[GNOSIS EDELWEISS—]

[ Excuse him he is going through Emotions. ]

I do not know if he was exploring, he left without a note but he was quite capable of taking care of himself.

[ Listen it's that or NUH-UH. ]

Similar disappearances have happened since I've been here. I keep a running list of them — Rennuid, Lancelot, Caoimhe, Toge, Irene, Shalem, Kreide, Olivia, BB, Chung, Natsuno, N, and Nai, in no particular order.

Of those, Nai was confirmed dead when Vash brought him back recently. Rennuid died, reappeared, and then disappeared just as quickly. Add isn't on this list, but previously died and came back according to Elsword after "exploring outside the Grove".

I don't mean to be rude, but I refuse to give you a false sense of hope. I find that stringing someone along is crueller than ripping the bandage off.

Oh. No, no my friend, it is not rude, I appreciate your bluntness. I would rather know than sit and wonder. Though knowing a few have returned...

[ Not just Add but Wolfwood had passed and had returned, though after a period of time. ]

Do you know if anyone has gone in after someone and brought them back out?

[Hi, PV. Being the most recent idiot to have experienced this, Vash is just gonna slide in here.]

i wouldn't recommend it, even if it were feasible. it's dangerous out there. the forest whispers to you and tries to break you down. even with golden glasses taking you down "a" safe path, there's no guarantee you'll find yourself on the same one that your friend took, even if you followed their exact footsteps.

there's also the issue of timing. once you're beyond the protection of the grove, things start to distort. it only felt like a few days that i was gone, but way more time had passed out here. you never know how things are going to get twisted up.

i'm sorry. i'm sure it's all hard to hear but...

[His pen dots along the page a few times. He glances toward where he's sure his partners are. He doesn't want to worry them by rushing off into the woods again. And yet...]

if all of that hasn't discouraged you, i can help you look. i've been out there a few times. i know what to expect. i can help keep you safe.

Oh

[ Is all he gets for a moment, because there's a rush of appreciation and affection for this man. Even after his own time within the forest, his own hardships, he's offering to go back in. Simply to help. ]

Thank you, my friend. Words cannot express how much I appreciate your offer. Though I know you will argue with me, saying you are offering, I must say I cannot ask that of you. Not so soon after your own hardships with the very thing. I would not make you go through all of that again.

[ The words also mean it's quite obvious Pure Vanilla hasn't been dissuaded. ]

Edited (TYPOS ARGH) 2024-04-03 01:59 (UTC)

[Much as he might want to argue, Vash can't. Not when he'd just run into the woods himself. Not when there was a chance that maybe his friend could be saved. And if not, maybe he would be "lucky" enough to find a body. Hard as it had been, at least Vash had found closure. He wouldn't ever have to wonder if Nai was out there looking for him. Waiting for him.]

promise me you'll at least speak to the shopkeeper then. get yourself some golden glasses. they won't show you the right way to find your friend, but they will keep you from wandering off onto a bad path.

I give you my word, my friend, I will procure a pair of these glasses before I head in. Are they expensive? I do not wish to wait too long.

[ Not that they'll do any good on him but he can force Dark Cacao to wear them. A pause as he considers something. ]

Are you busy, my friend? I truly wish to show my gratitude towards your offer, and I believe I have something to do just that.

i don't think so? nick was ale to get the glasses he already had enchanted, too, so if you have anything like that it might make it cheaper

[Pure Vanilla's question actually surprises him. There's hesitation there, not that he doesn't want to see the man, he just... hadn't expected an invitation. Not under these circumstances, at least.]

you don't have to give me anything. i just wanted to help. but you're always welcome to knock on my door.

Ah! That is helpful indeed. The enchantment may be able to be laid upon my Staff.

[It shouldn't interfere. And Pure Vanilla notices the hesitance. ]

Only if it is all right, my friend, I do not wish to intrude upon you if you would rather spend time by yourself or with only your partners.

[ Partners cause he really has no idea what they are to each other anymore, and it's a neutral term. ]

But if it is the idea of a gift that off puts, then allow me to remind you of a promise I made about the jelly pizza. But it will keep in the cold box for a later time!

[ And it's maybe a bit of selfishness on Pure Vanillas part, because he can't do anything just yet, and knows he will worry and spiral if not distracted. ]

Edited 2024-04-03 06:44 (UTC)

Ah, I mean -

[He doesn't know how to describe what his relationship with Livio is like. He's flirted a little bit here and there, but any inklings he might have had about the nature of their companionship had gone by the wayside after he'd left. As far as Vash is concerned, he doesn't have any right to it anymore.

Better to just ignore it then!]

The jelly pizza sounds great. Let's, uh. Plan on that! Whenever you want.

[ It's his turn to hesitate, as his self-doubt rears up. Is he pushing himself upon the man? He doesn't know human social graces, after all. Not entirely yet, he's only just learned humans are not okay with random friendly touches for the most part. ]

Hm, how about after my return? As I said, it shall keep inside the cold box for a time, and I do not plan to be gone for long.

In that case... we'll celebrate your return! Maybe I'll throw together more pickle splits so we can have a whole feast!

[Vash does not at all feel put upon. If anything, he's relieved to have such a fast friend in Pure Vanilla. Very few people see the world as he does, and he's not going to let that go, thank you very much.]

It's a deal, my friend. I look forward to it most eagerly.

[ The period grows larger as his pen rests there and ink sinks in then. ]

And... thank you, Vash. Your offer before means the world to me.

You... don't have to thank me.
I'd do anything for the people I care about.

Let me know as soon as you're back, yeah?

Edited 2024-04-06 01:58 (UTC)

[ Oh. Why are you so sweet, sir. ]

Of course, my friend, I shall alert you the moment I have returned home. I promise.

[livio's brain breaks a little when he reads pv mentioning vash's "partners."

it breaks a lot when vash doesn't deny this.]

Edited (i can't believe i missed an apostrophe) 2024-04-04 23:05 (UTC)

[me sobbing loudly i knew i was forgetting someone, add Felicity to the list she is eternal to me so i forgor— anyway.]

The only case I can confidently state is Nene, but she's — from what I understand — an immortal part of the Grove, like the Guardians are. Add, Mizuki, and Irene went into the forest to bring her back once. Of course, immediately proceeding this, we were attacked by monsters not unlike the attack some time ago.

I have personally gone to the Garden to bring back Felicity when she died, but I was led there by Nene, and the Garden is a very different venture from dragging someone out of the forest itself.

[ So Nene can lead someone to the Garden - if the person is dead? If they are inside the forest... ]

Thank you, my friend. Should I attempt to look for him, I will take all the precautions I may. It would do no good to go in after him and befall to a similar fate.

Is it known if they return to the world we have been taken from, if they simply do disappear? Or are they- ah, no, forgive me, I will not ask.

[ Nope, can't say lost in the forest forever. Won't let himself think that. ]

Should you head out during the night, you're welcome to borrow my cloak of the night for it. It should make you invisible to any monsters that may be out there. It has similar effects during the day, but if something is actively searching for you, you'll have less luck getting away. I've used it before with decent success.

And, to be frank with you, I don't know where they go. I don't want to hypothesize on something I have no evidence for.

Between you, me, and everyone else reading this currently: I'd like to think they managed to go home.

[ Oh. Like Vash, Pure Vanilla can't stop the little wave of affection for Gnosis. It's incredibly kind. It takes him a moment to respond. ]

My friend. Thank you. Words cannot express my appreciation. I am sure it would be helpful, and I promise if I borrow it, I will return it as quick as I can.

[ He ... hopes.

And Gnosis that is sweet of you to reassure him. ]

And thank you for those words. It is all I hope. If I cannot find him, then I will pray to the Gods here that he has made it home.

That's all we can hope for. I don't put much stock into "hope" and "chance", but in a world where mere words and belief are some form of magic, I suppose I can try that much.

Even a small bit of Hope can help a seed grow. Thank you, my friend. A thousand times over.

missing poster: one baby boy pls return to grandpa

i rolled a 1 for social graces sorry

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

[[don't mind me, just flavor text.]]

no subject

sssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhh

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject