( closed. ) catch-all

[uncourteous]

WHO: callisto... and people. 🧍‍♂️
WHAT: catch-all.
WHERE: seoul, busan, & everywhere in between!
WHEN: throughout the month (that's almost over)
WARNINGS: blood, gore, & anything else will be updated as i go!

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Comments

[photosympathies]

( Survival.

Yeah, Nai would call it that too. It makes Vash appraise him again. He wonders just who Callisto has had to fight against to keep living. He's royalty, that must involve some level of hypervigilance. He's not cruel enough to imagine it an entirely easy life. He can imagine the complications.

But, the arm comes up, Vash stills, blinking at him. )

I don't think my words are that sly. ( What he settles on, either way. ) I'd just rather not hurt someone first without giving them a chance to change. Sure, nine times out of ten I might get a little bruised. But I'm hardy. And the one time it doesn't happen makes it worth it. And I know what being hungry feels like, I know sometimes it makes people choose the wrong path. That doesn't mean they can't get back off of it.

( And then, stubbornly. )

It also doesn't mean you need to and intimidate me. I'm helping you, aren't I? I already know the kind of person you're aiming for. I've just decided to do it anyway. ( A crack of a smile, a half laugh, a shrug of his shoulders. ) I'm sure you're very scary to most people, your highness. I've just met worse. I don't think you're that bad.

[uncourteous]

[ aren't all words a bit sly? at the very least, vash seemed to hold his own when it came to conversing with all manner of characters. maybe it'd be a compliment if callisto himself weren't so horrifically jaded. though, it's less about vash himself than the culmination of his own experiences, really. just like now, he knows the man basically exudes an unrealistic amount of goodwill. enough that even he doesn't test his limits as much as he would have anyone else.

not that he would actually put that into words. but, perhaps asking him to act as his bodyguard and agreeing to do this mission together was enough of a sign. ... and it helps assuage any lingering doubts he may have had when every word and syllable that came out of the man's mouth seemed to align perfectly with that. at the same time... ] That may just be a sign that you are stronger than those risks. [ or maybe, they're not risks at all.

kind of like how even when he has vash in this proximity, there's not even a hint of actual fear. when he cracks a smile, all callisto can do is stare for a moment, before he eventually draws his arm back. ] ... Is that supposed to be a compliment or an insult? But, I commend you for using that head of yours. As you've likely gathered, there is no merit in drawing your blood. It was simply a warning.

[ even if it seems like a ridiculous one in hindsight. ]

Let's just provide what we have. If you feel so guilty, leave it to those at base to handle the rest. [ ... ] If that'll suffice, then let's get going. [ okay, but how did this actually work... when vash is actually a bloodthirsty prince whisperer. ]

[photosympathies]

I wouldn't insult you.

( Sniffing, childishly. ) Maybe you're just used to people not helping, but I'm going to. There's no reason for me not to. Besides, you're not so bad to hang out with. We've had fun, right?

( A little nudge against his side, as uncaring about getting into Callisto's space as the other man with his threats. Fighting fire with unwavering friendship, apparently. Even so his own smile turns goofy, pleased. He jiggles a little on the spot, rocking on his heels. ) Okay, sure. ( Legitimately surprised, but he's not gonna look a gift Toma in the mouth. ) I guess Chip gets to commit crimes for another day. But you'll bring me next time, right?

[uncourteous]

I would correct your definition of fun. [ callisto says easily, as if that were the only focus of the man's words. really, even now he can't bring himself to readily rely on others. couldn't put his faith in them, nor could he bring himself to shift his unique world view in spite of his experiences here.

just knowing one doesn't intend any harm on him... wasn't enough insurance. but, in direct opposition to that is the way in which he may have hesitated, at least for a second, before: ] Perhaps. That will depend entirely on your behavior. If you manage to please me, then maybe accompanying, or even becoming my next knight is not entirely off the table. I was serious with what I said.

[ ... and maybe callisto looks delighted in his own way. while his humor remains unchanged, there may be a glimmer or something else in there. ]

[photosympathies]

( Listen, it's not that he even has a vast wealth of context for knighthood, it's not something he aspired to even as a child. He'd read fairytales because Rem liked them, and he liked the heroics of it, but it never truly sank in. He just thinks hanging out with Callisto is fun and framing it this way does no one any harm. Sylvain is a knight and he's a good guy, so it makes sense. It's entirely just for burgeoning comradery that Vash's smile is so wide, delight palpable. )

Good. Me too. You're not gonna be disappointed with me.

( Crossing boundaries again with another light pat on the shoulder, squeezing once. He's almost tempted to loop an arm around the other man but reconsiders. Baby steps. )

Come on, let's go back. We did a good job and we absolutely deserve a reward. I could do with some donuts.

[uncourteous]

[ these are words he's probably heard time and time again. "i won't disappoint your highness" in any number of contexts. in his youth, he probably had once believed them all to be genuine, sincere, and with his best interests in mind. what else could he believe with no other allies to speak of the in the palace. he's long come past the point in believing such trite phrases that people speak more on whimsical fancy than anything rooted in real, unadulterated kindness. but, just this once.

this one single time, maybe he could at least not entirely dismiss it.

when he feels that pat on his shoulder, he stares for a second, before his hand lifts, as if to swat it off of himself. yet, he doesn't he simply moved forward. instead, he focuses on what he can. ] Donuts? You'll ruin your physical condition... If you are to become my knight, [ insert lecture here as they go get donuts anyway. ]