nomans_land | Tragic Ends VS Bad Ends, Trigun Flavor

Tragic Ends VS Bad Ends, Trigun Flavor

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.

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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.

[ 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?

[And that's definitely a laugh.]

Aw, whiskey's not dangerous! ..Okay well, not to us. I'll bring your vines a nice bit of fertilizer later, A plus for effort.

[They are not, he's aware, normal vines. But he's going to ignore that fact because it's more entertaining this way. As Vash levers himself up and matches appearance to voice, both eyebrows rise sharply. It's not hard to recognize a Vash, but this one definitely looks different!

... As does he, with the deformed bits and all, some blade sharp, others feathers, recently freed bottle held in a hand with fingers much too long for normalcy. He considers the vines, and then ... decides to not hide his own peculiar traits. Obviously this other plant is already used to weirdness, what's a little more? For all the obvious inhumanness, there's something completely at ease in his demeanor, as if all of this is normal, expected, and just fine.]

"Nai", I like the sound of that. Not as aggressive as 'knives' but it still has that implication. Alas! No, if you're looking for someone specifically, it's probably not me. We haven't met. You can call me El-ahrairah if you want.

[The bottle is wiggled.]

Want some? One hundred percent free plant made.

[ He gets a slight huff in repose, somewhere between amusement and a sigh.

Vash keeps his eyes on the independent, taking in all the strangeness. It's curious, how he sees both himself and his brother at the same time, but also different from it at the same time. An independent from a reality where they're joined?

...that sounds kind of nice. Always being with his brother. ]

A pity. You seem like tolerable company, at least. El-ahrairah.

[ There's no Rem to read him traumatizing stories about rabbits in his mind, so it's just another name to Vash. ]

...and no, thank you. I can't drink right now.

[On this planet, he doesn't expect anyone to get any of his references. An obscure book from an obscure era from a nearly forgotten planet? But he knows, and that was enough to please him. A thousand enemies, indeed.]

I like to think I am, but I'm biased in my favor.

[Now that's a lie, a little tiny one, most people didn't tolerate his company well so he takes what he can get. And right now, this isn't hostile! And it's with ... a brother, he supposed, so even better. One who seemed like he might need a friend, or at least an ear. What plant needed so many defenses, in a town just for plants?

On the other hand, they all had a thousand enemies. And if they were ever caught, they'd be killed.. this might be a last refuge for this Vash.]

Why not? I can probably dig up some juice or something if you'd prefer.

[ It's fun when you can entertain yourself. Unfortunately Vash is still learning that, more used to always being busy. It's partly why this place is making him a little stir-crazy, because what skills does he have to even attempt a job?

So this... amalgamation of himself and his brother is a welcome distraction. Maybe partly because there's a little bit of Nai in there, and that fills the bloody gash where his brother's influence used to be. ]

Juice would be better. I don't mind sharing that kind of drink.

[ It's not like the children would suffer from the alcohol like in a normal pregnancy, but he doesn't want his senses messed with. It's supposedly a safe space here but nothing is ever fully safe, is it?

He can't risk any more damage to himself. ]

But no alcohol. Let me see what I can dig up.

[He's never tried to make juice himself, not without finding someone else with apples or oranges or something and applying a squish, but it seems like that might be a terribly messy thing to do on someone's roof.

The bottle of whiskey is set amongst the vines, partly to see if they'll decide it's a threat again, and drags himself to his feet with a grunt. Every time he gets comfy, suddenly he has to move again.

Maybe he'll see about a snack too. Food was always a nice comfort, wasn't it?]

Give me five minutes, I'll be right back.

[And then he jumps off. It's not like it's dangerous for any of them, if they know what they're doing. He really will be back in a couple of minutes though, it doesn't take long to find what he's looking for and return. But while jumping OFF is fine.. getting back up is harder.

He's gonna just. climb a vine, a bag wrapped carefully in a long and much too flexible feather as an extra hand.]

[ The bottle is unassaulted by the vines this time - they even make a nice little cradle around it so it can be easily found later. Since it was left there as the... mixed-up person jumps off, Vash lets the vines lift him up on the roof and make some nice seats for them both.

If this guy was willing to go get him another drink, Vash can be hospitable. He's here with his people, after all, and this one was interesting.

Once El-ahrairah returns, he gets a slightly impressed look and the blonde offers him a seat - another massive purple flower sprouting to make it softer. ]

You have nice control of your gate.

[Hey things have changed up here! His bottle's still safe, which is nice, and some of these vines now look suspiciously chairlike. Speaking of nice control.

Apparently this Vash is a geo plant. That's fascinating, and he's going to spend a lot more time looking at these flowers when it wasn't right in front of their maker, that might be a bit rude.]

Thanks! I had a lot of motivation. I can't do living stuff like this though, this is pretty spectacular.

[He means it too, even as he sets down the bag and goes fishing inside, coming up with a few bottles of fruit juices and one that definitely is Not, but it's sweet and non-alcoholic and sort of what happens if someone wants to make orange juice without ever using oranges or having actually tasted an orange. And since he already has the feather out, might as well keep using it, picking up his own bottle once more and testing the seat-flower for ability to hold up to his weight before sprawling on it.]

Are they an evolved flower or your own design?

[ It would be a little rude if he doesn't ask first, but at least the flowers look sturdy, acting as pillows without crushing the vibrant petals. Sturdy enough to catch bullets if needed, even.

'Pretty spectacular', the man says and Vash gives a proud smile. Yeah, he's pretty damn spectacular. Angel of Creation, they call him.

...however, he's not going to brag about that. Who knows how his guest will react, or any other independent for that matter, knowing one of them is called that.

When El-ahrairah fishes out the juice with his strange feather appendage, a smaller root reaches for one of the bottles and brings it back to Vash. ]

As far as I know from my studies, they're unique to me. I didn't consciously design them, but they're beautiful and I don't see a reason to change them.

[ He gestures to his guest - and speaking of being rude... ]

What about you? Is that a feather?

I can't think of anything I'd add myself, they're great as they are. I think I've always envied a little bit, that kind of thing. Making life.

[Instead of weapons. This kind of a conversation would have been impossible once, part of him too shy and frightened of his own power to try and the rest didn't have anyone to talk to about it. How he could miss something he'd never had he wasn't sure, but still it was nice.

If it would still be nice if he knew what Vash had suffered..]

Feather! They're easy, anything sharp too, and most combinations of the two. Great to have when the nights get really cold, just puff right up like the sparrows do.

[He pops open the whiskey bottle, forgoing things like a glass in favor of a long swig.]

If you use these for defending yourself, is something after you? This place seems pretty peaceful.

Edited 2023-08-04 00:03 (UTC)

It's my favorite thing! Making life. My brother is a protector, so we're a perfect match.

[ Vash still isn't sure what is going on with this guy, but there's a little bit of both him and Nai, and more at the same time. Just enough to make it kind of a unique person, and he's honestly thrilled at the chance to meet someone like this.

Maybe this is what he would have been if Nai wasn't able to fix him... and it's not a horrible idea to someone so intensely obsessed as he is. ]

That's fascinating! How many can you make?

[ He takes a sip of his juice and finds it to be pretty decent, even if it had the taste of sister-grown rather than earth-grown. ]

It's a very peaceful place, don't get me wrong. I just had some issues when I first ended up in this place and I cannot allow any more injuries to myself or getting involved in fights.

[Knives as the protector, Vash as the creator, what an unusual world this one must come from. But clearly they have a far more peaceful relationship than even he'd had in the past, so it couldn't be all bad. It was heartwarming to find one of his 'kin' that didn't have a terrible life and seemed to be happy. Happy aside from worrying about fights, apparently.]

I'd like to meet him too sometime, if the chance ever arises. It sounds like you two have had a much better time than I've heard of anyone having before. I'm very glad.

[He is too, through the sheer power of not looking too deeply and just assuming things are great! A little good news, is always nice to hear.]

... Hmmmmm. I can't say I've found a limit yet. I can reach all the way to low orbit, so presumably 'a lot', but there isn't really a big need for tons of feathers or blades just all over the place.

[Not.. that he's going to, because that's a tremendous drain of his reserves, but he could. There's a slow nod, he can understand wanting to avoid fighting and injuries. Each one would require time to heal at best, and what about the people injured in the meanwhile?

It's naive, but he'd yet to really shake that off. Maybe he never would.]

Sensible. Hopefully you'll find it as nice here as it seems, safety's a bit thin on the ground sometimes in the desert. And you've already added to the city, I wouldn't be surprised if people begin dropping by just to see what you've done here.

[ Everything is nice and peaceful if you fix your brother to love you as obsessively as you love them! Absolutely normal and healthy idea of how to solve problems. Vash is all happiness and contentment with his brother around.

Right now, well... he's trying. ]

We're really happy in our little Eden. It's... hard to be here without him, but when he arrives, I'll make sure to introduce you.

[ Really, really don't look too close into it, buddy. Ignorance is bliss. ]

That sounds amazing. There might not be a need for it, but I'm sure it's a pretty display. Excellent defense, too.

[ Vash sips his juice, looking a little more at ease with his guest as they talk. He seems decent, no whining about humans or other annoying things. ]

I hope so too. It's good to know that there are independents here, even if they're different from my family. [ He touches one of his flowers. ] I have some ideas of maybe helping grow some other flora in the future, depending on how long I'm stuck here.

[ There's a pause. ]

Have you been here long?

[There's hints of it, like this Eden stuff, but he's not prying out of choice. If anything alerted a little red alarm button anywhere in his thoughts, it was something he's decided to ignore. Life is better if he doesn't pursue everything that seems odd.

Calmer. Less likely to end in pain.]

Hopefully you can find a way to be happy here too. I know it can be hard to not look around and see everything you don't have, though.

[It's so easy to be miserable! Happiness is a choice he chooses every day!

And maybe there would be happiness here, eventually, amongst their own kind. Free plants, not needing bulbs to survive, not having a collective consciousness, just living their lives as they see fit. It was a little miracle all its own.]

I'm certain anyone would be happy to have some help with the uh, lack of vegetation around here. Some nice trees one day, for a little natural shade, might be really nice. I..

[Here, here was this world or the city? He frowns a little, trying to puzzle it out.]

I've been in this city maybe six hours. On this planet, uhm. .. Uuuuhhhh. I don't know. Less than a year, more than month? How about you? Are you really stuck here? Do you need to get out?

[ Happiness here was dependent on whether or not Nai would come. Without him, Vash just couldn't function right. He wasn't a full person without his brother, so how could he be happy? ]

Yeah. I just have to wait and see what happens around here. Need to get the house bigger for the little ones when they're ready.

[ Back in their Eden, the previously trapped sisters had massive tanks to play in that stretched all over the main base, free from needing to produce and always having people around to talk to. They were given the choice to pick names, to spend their energy however they wanted.

To some, that was to die with dignity.

Vash agrees with the needed vegetation, already spinning some ideas on what he could try to create. He can't spend the energy until the babies are ready, but planning was at least something to occupy his mind.

When this mix of him and his brother asks about being stuck, however, Vash looks a little amused. ]

No, I'm not stuck, per say. I meant on this planet, or dimension, or whatever you want to call it. A house or a city couldn't hold me if I really wanted to leave. [ Pause. ] Did it take you long to find this place?

[Little ones are involved somewhere, and for the first time, he wonders exactly where little plants come from, when it's independents. Sure, they just spontaneously were generated when it was a bulbed plant, but did independents manage the same way most other vertebrates did?

It's possible all of that simply goes out the window and Vash is intending to sprout seed pods. He eyes his 'sibling' thoughtfully. Maybe THAT'S what all the vines and flowers were for, wouldn't that be something? No Man's Land's version of cabbage patch children.

The thought is shaken off quickly, if examining a flower would be rude, asking about that kind of thing would be WORSE. At least wait til a second meeting!]

I'm sure everyone will be happy to either find you one or help you make one. So far people seem very willing to help here.

[Which is, in his opinion, a good template for how the rest of the planet could be as soon as resource scarcity was removed from the equation.

That it boils down to Vash wanting to go home is ... understandable. A good, strong relationship and kin waited for him at home, and here? Here was dust and strangers.]

A few people are working on figuring out if there's a way back. I'll keep an ear to the ground if you'd like. It.. um, I knew about it a little after turning up here, but I didn't want to frighten anyone. Even here, most look.. pretty normal.

[There's a small gesture, with the limb most would consider deformed, too long in the fingers and bones, too sharp elsewhere, tiny feathers and blades impossible to hide without constant effort. The ragged cloak and long jacket hid everything else, as it was meant to.]

Happily less a problem than I thought! Good news for both of us, I guess!

[ Growing seeds like cabbage patch kids would honestly be a lot easier than what he's got going on. Normal independents probably have children the normal way, but when you're the only two independents in the world (at least you think you are), you do some fucked up shit.

Some really fucked up shit.

Vash would probably appreciate the ability of his guest to contain himself from asking more, though. ]

I hope so.

[ ...how the fuck is he going to deal with a hundred children on his own? Another reason for him to want to go home quickly, where their siblings and his brother exist that can help out. ]

I'd appreciate that. It's not a thing I'm familiar with. [ He pauses and gives his guest a once-over. ] ...and you look fine to me. We're unique beings, El-ahrairah. We don't have to conform to human standards.

Hey. All you have to do is ask for help if you need it. I know that can be hard sometimes, maybe from pride or maybe from fear but I think ... in this one city, in all the universe, we don't have to be worried about what will happen if we just.. give it a try.

[It's such a strange thought, and didn't align much with anything he'd ever experienced til now. Humans could be kind and merciful but they could also be cruel, and would that hold true of their own kind, with so many here? Or would they build something better?

He was eager to see. On some deep level there was still a low key war of ideals, and this place might well prove it out one way or another.

That last startles a laugh out of him.]

It's not human standards I worry about, just our own. [..Mostly.] But nobody's run screaming yet, so I'll take it. If your brother turns up and you two work on another Eden here, try to put it nearby so it's easy to visit.

[Nai showing up would probably be a disaster for everyone but Vash.]

I am... not used to asking for help, no. You're right, though. This is the place for such things.

[ The independents would hurt his babies, Vash's sure of that. They might even help him to protect them, because they're better than fickle humans who abandon their own offspring without a second thought it it gets too hard.

This place was building something better already, but making progress always mean struggles. If they have prosperity, humans will want it. ]

They shouldn't. After all, our sisters look different from us, but they're beautiful.

[ Vash thoughtfully taps the side of his juice bottle with a finger. ] If we do build a new Eden here, it would make sense to do it in the city. After all, it is for independents.

[ Vash's Nai showing up would be absolute chaos... and make Vash so, so happy. ]

Take your time. It's hard to unlearn a lifetime of habits, we're so used to ... what's out there. Who knew such a place was even here, a couple months ago?

[Humanity would be in for a shock if they tried anything untoward. This wasn't a town full of helpless, bulb bound sisters.

He'd almost want to see them try, just for the rude awakening of not being the apex. This world had learned a harsh lesson under Knives' domination, such a lesson hadn't happened in his own.]

I guess that's a habit too, expecting to make people afraid. .. And hey, there's plenty of canyon to be had! If nothing else, this is a great location for staying the hell out of the suns.

That's very true. This place... it's honestly another paradise. I'm just biased since it's not my own family.

[ It's an amazing place, and Vash realizes that he's been sulking in his loneliness when he could have gone out and explored a city of free independents more thoroughly than resent them all for not being his children.

It's not Eden, not yet, but... it's the closest thing to it. ]

I do like the defensible location. We would be difficult to reach if an attack would come from fools with guns. I heard that there are people from Earth in ships, though. That might be more of a problem, so they better know to stay away rather than trying to leash a whole city.

[ He sips his juice again, mostly drinking to socialize since he stopped needing to when made 'perfect'. Sleeping, though? Yeah, Vash's... doing that a lot more these days. ]

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Tragic Ends VS Bad Ends, Trigun Flavor

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