Tragic Ends VS Bad Ends, Trigun Flavor

[procreation]

CW: mildly Plantcesty bc of canon end events but mostly toxicity, mindfuck, extreme codependency and.... co-parenting?

Somewhere in the sands is a tall person traveling on bare feet, a cloak of galaxies and roots covering their face from the sun. Vash moves slowly, not because he's tired or struggling, but because he's not really in a hurry. He doesn't get tired anymore, or hungry. Just weak, sometimes, but he's always been weak, hasn't he? That's why his brother has to protect him.

So this place couldn't be bad, because Knives would never leave him somewhere bad.

He stops briefly to collect a bleached skull left in the sand, picking it up with the roots and wisps of shadow and then holding it with the curiosity of a detached scholar rather than a compassionate man. Human, by the looks of it. Not killed by one of their brood, just unlucky in the desert.

Shrugging, Vash lets it drop into the sand again like an unwanted piece of trash and lets all those roots and glimmering energy unfold around him. He makes a little seat for himself, black flowers with shiny blue specks acting as cushions as the rest of his cloak peels away for a canopy. The dark undersuit is an echo of his brother, including the sturdiness of four perfectly fine limbs.

No memories were left, physical or otherwise. Sometimes you just have to remake your little brother to make him understand your point of view, and Vash... doesn't really know any better, anymore. It's fine, all he needs to focus on is making new Independents.

The roots continue to stretch over the sand, slithering over the area to see if they can pick up anything other than old bones of a doomed race.

Comments

[el_llorono]

It had been enough days, and he really didn't think it was going to do any good, but Wolfwood couldn't help journeying out into the desert where he'd found himself after the earthquakes hit, hoping to find any sign of the Vash from his home. He really should have left Rem's place ages ago, but he hated to leave, now that her and the other Vash knew he was there. He knew they would worry, as pointless as it was to worry about a guy who'd been dead for who knew how long, but they would regardless. So...he stayed, and he watched the deserts for any sign of the man he was supposed to be following, and he waited, hoping that nothing happened to him in the meantime.

Which was how he found the figure that morning, a couple iles out from what was supposed to be JuLai (July? It was hard to be sure, he'd never seen the city in his childhood, so he had no way of knowing how alike the two cities were to know the difference) and approached quietly.

It was obvious it was Vash, regardless of the weird thing he was wearing, walking around barefoot in the fucking desert, and looking...looking as if he didn't know what the fuck he was seeing as he picked up some poor son of a bitch's skull and then just tossed it like a piece of garbage.

Something was wrong, here. Very, very wrong. And he didn't know that he was the best person to address it. But...he didn't want to just leave him out there.

So when the man sat, perched on those weird branching vines that seemed to be the form his..."feathers" took, Wolfwood sat, too. Not far away, watching him and waiting. But not talking to him, no, he had been making an ass of himself with that too much, lately. Back to silent and watchful it was.

He reached out gently as one of those vines slithered by, flicking one of those strange, black flowers with his fingertips, mildly curious as to why some versions of the man manifested their powers like something out of an illustration from the old testament, while others ended up manifesting these strangely beautiful flora. And why this one in particular seemed content to manifest them in seeming perpetuity. They were a sign of stress, weren't they?

"Surprised you're not losin' your shit right now. If Spikey had this much power showin', he was a fuckin 'wreck. Maybe just another one'a those differences, I guess?"

[procreation]

[ Vash wiggles around a bit in his seat, finally settling in a lazy lounge almost on his stomach and staring at the horizon with a bored look on his face. Any attempts to change location wasn't working, so maybe he wasn't pulled into his head at the moment, but actually in the desert.

Huh.

It seems a bit weird that he was left out here, because he was barely even allowed to leave his room any more because of his overprotective brother. Vash can't remember if he was bad lately, so it couldn't be a punishment..? Then something flicks on of his flowers and the blonde frowns, withdrawing the vine to look at it. It wasn't a bug bite or anything, it looked completely fine. ]

Naaaai, this is a weird game....

[el_llorono]

Oh, of all the people-...The fact that he could apparently feel when one of those little flowers was touched was one thing, but had he just called him by the name his brother used to have? He is not Millions Knives, thank you very much!

"Oi! Have a little respect for the dead, dumbass." Not that he really expected him to know any better, but he was still going to say it. He reached out and flicked another flower in a tiny, petty show of retaliation. Still silent, though, still letting him be blissfully unaware of the dead man sitting right next to him. "And maybe get out of the suns! You're pale enough, you're gonna sunburn just as red as your stupid coat."

Now he was just being childish. He couldn't remember a single time he'd seen the man take any damage from the suns. He was probably the luckiest SOB on the entire planet, especially considering how pale he was. Anyone else with that complexion would have burned up into a shriveled little husk, even with the shade those vines were giving him overhead.

[procreation]

[ Sadly Vash is none the wiser about his ghostly company, even if poking his flowers is weird as shit and he withdraws the next one as well with a confused squeak that... at least sounds a little more like the normal goofy Vash. It fades pretty quickly, however and he's now looking around with a little more wary expression.

Sadly he doesn't know anything about a red coat to compare his nonexistent sunburn to. It's all body suit and weird cape here, what do you mean he used to be less eldritch in his fashion style? Or full of damage? Nai had healed all his wounds after some time of being good, so the only leftover is a tear at his ear where the earring used to be, no little gold ring glimmering in the sun. ]

Zazie? [ That's the only one left he can think of that would play with him like this, and could use some insects to poke his flowers. ]

Nai's gonna be reaaaaally mad if you disturb the babies.

[ He sounds so unlike himself, no guilt or grief, just a slightly spoiled attitude and mild amusement. ]

[el_llorono]

The dumb little squeak he gave got an amused snort out of him, but it was short lived. There was just...far too much about this that felt...off. And none of it has to do with the fact that he's currently sporting all of his limbs, though a little voice in the back of his head tells him that that has to be related, somehow.

And then he made his own indignant squawk, his mouth hanging open as he stared up at him with a look of utter disbelief.

"Zaz-!? Why in the Hell would your brother give two shits about a bunch of baby worms??? You have got to be the weirdest Needle-Noggin I've met so far! Is this what you woulda been like if you hadn't gone through the Big Fall??? What the Hell?"

He reached both hands out, holding them over a couple of vines, and then furiously ruffling two whole lines of flowers right where he could see them, like a petulant child.

There was only so much one ghost could do when he wanted to act out, but didn't actively want to hurt or upset someone. Normally he would go for the little things that amused him. This was just too weird for even that, and he had to do something.

[procreation]

[ The lounging blonde continues to not really pay attention to much... until the flowers are touched again. Instantly, two-feet thorns erupt from their center, like sharp spikes striking outward towards the touch. Vash turns his head with a too-wide smirk that really doesn't suit him, and honestly looks a little disappointed when he doesn't strike blood. ]

Aww. Miss?

[ Nai doesn't really play with his enemies. Too serious. Vash had always been more sociable and playful twin, and when 'fun' now means doing anything you want with your human toys, you end up with twisted, playful cruelty. After all, what are humans worth? Nothing, Nai says, and Nai is always right.

This wasn't a human, though. None of them are invisible. ]

I was sure I was going to at least nick something...

[louboutinjudas]

He almost misses it. The suns are in his eyes, his water's nearly gone, the radio hasn't picked up anything but static for over an hour, and there's something wrong with the front right wheel that's making the car vibrate in a concerning way. Wolfwood's half watching the desert in front of him, half scanning over the map spread out over the steering wheel, checking for any town between here and December that might be big enough -- or intact enough still -- to have fuel, water, cigarettes, because this car is about to die, and he's got no plans to die with it.

It's just a flicker on the horizon, and at first he thinks it's just more rocks. But the color isn't right -- it's not the dark brown-red of stone in shadow. It's black, and very few things out in the desert are black during the day. Is it a person, out there wearing all black in the desert heat like some kind of idiot? He's grumbling as he turns the wheel, but he can't just leave them out there, can he? With his luck, it's another him, out here skeletonizing in the middle of nowhere.

And then he sees the roots, and everything slows down. He knows those roots. He watched them climb out of the tower in Julai and destroy the town, roots the same color as the wing Stampede had sprouted when he fell out of the sky. Roots that crushed everything in their path. Roots that are now stretching out across the desert, with a human-sized shape in their center.

He should get back in the car (when did he get out of the car? Suddenly he's standing beside it, mouth agape, with no memory of stopping) and drive away as fast as he can. He should flee... but he has to know. He has to see it for himself.

"Blondie?"

[procreation]

[ The sounds and glint of a car in the distance catches Vash's interest, blue eyes following it as it turns in his direction. Did Nai send Legato to pick him up? No... it's some other pathetic creature. A lost human, he thinks at first, roots starting to curl up more protectively around him, shielding himself in the hood of darkness and starlight.

Then it comes out and stares at him like an idiot, so Vash cocks his head a bit to the side, a too-wide, sharp smile on his lips. Blondie, is it? Not my Lord, not Angel, not even Vash. It's insulting and a little funny at the same time, to be addressed like that.

It seems like it knows who he is, though... and instead of fleeing, it comes to gawk at him. Humans have such bad self-preservation instincts sometimes! ]

Yes~? [ Vash finally replies, a little bit sing-song to his tone as he looks at Wolfwood with no recognition in his eyes, just slight amusement. ]

[louboutinjudas]

[ Every instinct is screaming at him to run, to start shooting and not stop until his clip is empty, to pray. The roots and flowers are bad enough, but that expression doesn't belong on Stampede's face. He's an idiot, not a monster, and this thing here? This thing is monstrous, just like the creatures that climbed off Priest William's slab.

Is this even really him? Is it really the Stampede? Wolfwood doesn't approach any closer -- he's not that stupid! -- but he raises his hands to show Blondie here that he's unarmed. Just here to help, pal, please don't bite his head off. ]

Are you doin' okay over there? You look a little... [ He gestures broadly at the pile of vines at Stampede's feet. ] ...stressed out.

[procreation]

[ It's smarter than he thought, to keep its ground and make a show of hands. Still being awfully familiar with him, though... like he's supposed to know who it is. It's not like Vash can remember every underling they have, they usually get replaced so quickly anyway. Only the Eye of Michael remains somewhat useful in their fanaticism, if so only to raise the first generations of their brood. Not even Vash can be a doting enough father to five hundred or so by now. ]

I'm not stressed. I'm just waiting for Nai. [ He starts, roots lowering to a more relaxed state. The way he says his brother's name is close to religious in its absolute trust, far too creepy for the standard sibling love. ]

Or did he send a useless toy here to pick me up?

[ Now those eyes narrow, the pretty blue turning so very cold. A split second, and then sharp roots have embedded themselves deep into Wolfwood's knees. ]

[louboutinjudas]

[ No version of Stampede, in any universe, should talk about Millions Knives with that kind of... of reverence. He's made a mistake, Wolfwood realizes, a big big mistake, and he needs to get away from this Vash immediately.

But before he can take a single step, before he can even start to move, those roots snap forward and then there's nothing but blinding pain. He screams, and falls to the ground, legs unable to support him, hands going instinctively to his pockets to find a vial. But he doesn't have any -- hasn't, not for months. He can't heal. No vials, no gun... no kind of luck. ]

I work for him! [ It's a desperate gamble, but what other option does he have? He tries to keep his hands raised and visible, for all the good that did him a moment before, his voice tight with pain. ] N-- Knives, Millions Knives, I'm one of his! I serve him, don't...!

[procreation]

[ Humans make so much noise when they break. Vash watches with a bit of aloof curiosity, pulling the desperate little rat closer with his bloodied roots. It screams about working for his brother and Vash huffs a little. He hasn't seen this one around at all... completely forgetting that he killed a friendhuman with that face a long time ago.

It was just vermin. You don't have to remember the faces of trash. ]

That's okay! [ Vash says with a pleased, twisted little grin. ] Nai doesn't mind if I teach you some manners.

[ The great Millions Knives spoils his adoring brother too much. ]

Independent Garden

[procreation]

[ It's taking Vash some time to get comfortable in his new home. Being surrounded by other independents was a blessing, but it also makes him miss his other kids at lot. He was used to the rambunctious one-year-olds running around and asking questions, and the older near-adults learning about their gates and helping out with the research. Servants and sycophants, zealots. Zazie and their flock.

Being alone is terrifying.

Then there was Nai. God, he feels like he's missing half of his soul and he barely remembers how to make choices by himself. He even started to sleep again just to dream about of his brother. How is he supposed to go on without his twin? No proud words whispered in his ear, no strong chest to lean to. Nothing.

The small dwelling is so empty.

Then there's the issue of his growing little ones. He was used to Nai checking on them constantly, happily talking about how much they're grown and how strong they are. Between being hit with a car and being stressed, anything could have happened inside his gate - and stressing about that didn't help.

Sighing, he slips some more roots out of the open window, having almost completely covered the house with them by now. Bright night-sky blue flowers bloom all over, making a beautiful statement house in the city.

...and well-fortified if he unleashes the thorns. ]

[somatichybrid]

[There's a tap on a vine, the light sort of way a person might tap a shoulder to get attention.

From the roof, though. Nobody is around but other plants, at least..]

[procreation]

[ Vash jolts at the tap, confused why it would come from the roof. Sure, some people touched his vines now and then but not up there!

Suspiciously he sticks his head out the window, mostly obscured by his cloak of smoky darkness and galaxies. Looking upwards, he calls out; ]

What?!

[ Okay, so maybe he's not the friendliest of guys at the moment. Blame faux-hormones. ]

[somatichybrid]

Your vines stole my bottle. Can I have it back?

[Whoever's up there sounds friendly, cheerful almost, and possibly familiar. Not like the Vash he encountered, a bit like Nai, but not quite.]

I don't mind sharing but.. I'd need it back first to do that.

[procreation]

[ Oh. Well, that was weird. ]

Don't put it down in the vines, they're meant to wrap around anything that might be dangerous. Like people on my roof.

[ He mutters, a little on the edge from the weirdly familiar voice. Still, Vash draws the crawling mess back to return the bottle, but also uses them to move up to the roof as well.

The sight is... well. ]

...Nai?

[ornamentals]

[ when nai had tucked into bed next to vash that night, he expected to have woken up in that same bed and with vash taking up most of the bed and the blankets for himself.

he had dreamed deeply and woke slowly, yet even in his groggy state he knew something was wrong. the bed felt different, firmer, a complete absence of blankets, and worst of all-

vash was gone.

nai slowly turns over on the couch he suddenly found himself laying on, sleep clothes ruffled and his hair scruffy from sleep. he rubs a palm against his eyes as he blinks away stars, slowly sitting up. ]

Vash...?

[procreation]

[ He's dreaming. Surely he's dreaming, finding a little blonde boy on his couch? Vash's heart aches as he stops in the doorway, just taking in the child. It's... difficult, at times, to keep up with five hundred of the previous generation, but this one... he looked so much like his brother used to back when they were little.

Vash radiates soothing, loving energy as he step into the room, smiling. ]

Right here. Where did you come fr...

[ Closer now, and there's no way he would not recognize his brother. Their children at this age were beautiful mixes of all kinds of blue to green eyes, dark blonde to white hair in many styles and even some dependent plant markings like darkened fingertips. Moles in different places. Beautiful and unique, even when shared by a twin.

But nobody had that awful haircut. Only they did, as kids. Vahs isn't sure why. It's shaggier now, but he knows it. ]

N-Nai?

[ornamentals]

[ immediately nai's attention is focused on his brother - older - in the doorway, what little sleep still clinging to the corners of his mind now gone in a blink. he slides off the couch, already crossing the room to vash with wide eyes as he takes in his brother's appearance.

he looked so different from every other brother he's come across here, none of that familiar, striking red he's come to associate with the older brothers by now. the dark second skin and familiar markings they shared with their sisters that decorated vash's body captivates nai's full attention. ]

I just- woke up... Are you alone here?

[ the warmth rolling off of vash along their connection is soothing, but it doesn't ease the pinched look of concern on his features. ]

[procreation]

[ It's a strange place, this brother has - walls and floor covered in roots and large flowers. Strangest of all, however, is the way Vash's legs give out and he sinks to the floor with tears in his eyes.

Good tears, if his flood of joy is anything to go by. There's pain - so much - but it's drowned in his happiness to see his brother, no matter how small. Obviously this is the child Nai the sick him and the dogs were so concerned about.

Ironic, how he was the one who came to Vash. ]

Nai... I am so alone.

[ He admits, holding his arms out to the boy. It's like having his children and his brother in one, a perfectly huggable size. ]

I just ended up out there in the desert and there are humans. I can't sense our Eden anywhere.

[dontdeserve]

[ It's taken him a while, to build up enough of himself, but he's tried to not to delay coming to check on the other him too long, either.

He doesn't try to hide who he is as he approaches the house, but also he doesn't raise a hand to knock, in case his touch might be unpleasant, given how much of the outside is covered in, well, Vash. ]

Hey. Are you receiving visitors?

[ No hostility or coldness in his voice, not right now. He does want the other Vash to be all right. He just doesn't know what 'all right' may be, the screams of the person inside the shell of NAIness still echoing in his mind. ]

[procreation]

[ He can feel the other him approaching, and it takes some willpower to not activate all the thorns on the vines outside. It's still technically a him, after all... no matter how sick and wrong.

A few of the roots move to open the door for Vash, showing the hood-clad version inside with his arms crossed. He looks okay, at least... a little stressed and with dark circles under his eyes. ]

What do you want?

[ He asks, cold eyes doing a quick once-over to check for weapons. ]

[dontdeserve]

[ Of course Vash has his gun, he couldn't very well leave it for little ones to find, but his pose is relaxed, calm, and he tilts his face to make sure the light does not make the lenses of his glasses a pair of mirrors. His eyes are open and... warm. And, yes, of course he is in readiness to defend himself if he is attacked - he knows it is a high probability with this Vash - but he refuses to take it as a certainty.

And he has no intention of attacking first. ]

To check on you. Perhaps spend a little time with you, if you'd like. See if there is something you need... beside what I can't give because it's simply outside my abilities.

[ He cannot give him his Nai. It's a simple matter of fact. ]

To me, you are family. All of you.

[ It is the truth. Painful, in some ways, but truth all the same. ]

[procreation]

[ Needing human weapons is pathetic, weird-self. You're so much more powerful than a measly metal thing! Still, the wrong Vash seems honest and his smile is less annoying when Vash isn't annoyed already. No hugging dead dogs. ]

Why?

[ He asks, but the Vash answer that's quickly. Family. Family means everything to Vash, but it's hard to see another self, an impostor and a reminder of how sick he used to be before he was reformed as family.

Vash is bored, though, and painfully lonely. ]

Alright. Get inside and don't get any stupid ideas.

[ The house is small and clean but covered almost everywhere with his roots on the inside as well. Huge ones to make places to sit, smaller ones holding some baskets for storage, a large coil of roots and flowers making a bed. ]