29 // [video]

[shadowdive]

Private call to Ven

[Vanitas looks rather pleased, despite trying to obviously not smile at the camera.]

Ventus, I got your package today. Carriers apologized about it being late.. [Pausing a moment, he lets out a sighed breath, a small smile creeping onto his face anyway.] It looks good.



[There's a moment with purple streaking across the screen, paws hitting the Gear and unlocking it for the rest of the network to see; Vanitas petting a very affectionate Purrloin on his shoulder with a red ribbon tied around the kitty's neck, smiling a bit more openly.]

Nitas, don't jump up like that. I was done talking anyway.. impatient.

[Turning his attention back to the Gear, he clears his throat.]

Thanks, Ventus.

[.... o o p s, he didn't know the call unlocked. Well, either way, he's hanging up now, so the feed clicks off.]

Comments

[video]

[ex_aeroga402]

Gosh, I thought maybe they'd lost it or something...

But you're welcome, hope it works better. Nero said that kind of wood was sturdier than the stuff I'd been working with before.

[video]

[shadowdive]

It feels the same weight as the other one, but even without hitting anything, I can tell it can handle striking things. [There's still a kitty on his shoulder, and she's interested in the face on the screen. The Purrloin is going to crawl down his arm now and stick her face in real close, sniffing like she could smell more than the gear.]

[video]

[ex_aeroga402]

Seems like materials really do make a big diff-

[He pauses as the screen is suddenly dominated by the face of a kitty]

New friend?

[video]

[shadowdive]

... A gift. Her name is Nitas. [Kitty purrs like she's actually able to rub her cheeks against the blond on the screen, substituting the gear for what could have been his face.]

[video]

[ex_aeroga402]

I don't think I've seen a cat like her before. She's cute.

[Because Ven can say that without feeling at all awkward. Cute things are cute, guys can totally acknowledge this]

[video]

[shadowdive]

The dex says she's a Purrloin. [She is totally cute. Weak to certain cute things. Nitas crawls her way back up Vani's arm once she's done greeting Ventus, and makes herself comfortable roaming between his shoulders and under his chin. Vanitas is just idly reaching up to scratch between her ears, making her purr louder.]

[video]

[machinamonkey]

Aw, you look good when you smile!

[video]

[shadowdive]

[WHAT KIND OF COMPLIMENT IS THAT -- actually wait how did she see him smile anyway. Looking all sorts of awkward when he realizes the gear recorded his message only partly locked.]

Uh.. [HOW DO I TAKE COMPLIMENTS.]

[video]

[machinamonkey]

You should smile more often!

[video]

[shadowdive]

I'd rather not. [Even if smiling does feel nice. Far too awkward at his dere showing though.]

[video]

[machinamonkey]

Why? Being grumpy all the time's not healthy, you know.

[usedshooshpap]

[ brb laughing from the other room. ]

[shadowdive]

[By this time, he's already figured out that Nitas pushed the buttons and unlocked the post. Hearing Karkat laughing in the other room... OH NO YOU DIDN'T. Stomps on over and boots the door open, his cheeks a little red from embarrassment.]

What's so funny?!

[usedshooshpap]

Your smiling face is fucking adorable maybe?

[shadowdive]

[How does he even properly respond to that? By grabbing his other gift and pointing the wooden replica into the room, narrowing his eyes and ignoring that his face is a funnier shade of red.] Shut up.

[usedshooshpap]

[ Karkat just kind of stares at it. really, Vanitas. Really? ]

You done puffing the fuck up yet?

[newberktown]

[Oh, it was the grumpy guy! ...Only he doesn't look or sound grumpy!

Yep, not going to say anything. Just going to stare.]

[shadowdive]

[He's caught on by now that his smiling was available for the whole network to see, so he's scowling when he answers.] Keep saying nothing. [IT'S REALLY HARD TO BE INTIMIDATING WITH A CUTE KITTY ON HIS SHOULDERS. Nitas is taking the opportunity of new faces on the screen to run up to it each time and purr, smearing her nose against it and leaving little streaks.]

[newberktown]

[Hiccup complies, continuing to be silent, and simply setting his gear down on the counter so he can prop his chin on a hand. He wouldn't really know what to say, anyway.

With the slightly different view, the Swablu egg in his lap is a little more visible.]

[shadowdive]

[Clearing his throat, Vanitas takes a few more minutes to regain his composure.] ... How is the egg doing?

[newberktown]

[Hiccup just sits there patiently, being quiet. He's pretty used to waiting out the rants and raves of vikings, so Vanitas sorting out his embarrassment is a cakewalk.

Oh, he's allowed to speak now! While he addresses Vanitas, his eyes are kind of...stuck on that cat. Hi, Nitas.]

It's good. My Noctowl likes mothering, so even if I'm not around for whatever reason, it's taken care of really well.

[video]

[fathersbeloved]

[Looks at the screen even moments after the feed had stopped. It... well, it wasn't the first time she sees him smiling, but still, he looked really happy.

Mirroring his smile, she calls him moments later.]

That's a very cute pokémon, Vanitas.

[video]

[shadowdive]

[He still looks a bit awkward, knowing by now that he was recorded looking so darn happy, but at least the conversation is about the Purrloin.]

Her name is Nitas. Karkat gave her to me, though I still don't see why he named her after me. [Kind of tsunning like hell still...]

[video]

[will_to_burn]

[ Because someone replied directly as opposed to checking for other responses and is therefore oblivious to the fact that other people already informed Vanitas of the fact -- ]

Um, Vanitas-kun? Your gear is recording.

[video] ... I DON'T CARE, I TAG WHAT I WANT also how the fuck did i miss this :(

[shadowdive]

I know. [AND HE HAS AN UNCOMFORTABLE SHADE OF PINK ON HIS CHEEKS FOR IT.]