#amity celebration; brokeassgoing

[epilvgue]

「𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤 𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤!」- Coating Colors Day. It was something Vash had decided to observe from the side for the most part. Until some younger children who wanted to join in the fun decided to try and get him to play as well. Which he would, quite happily.

Vash was jumping and scrambling all over, making the kids work for their hits. He had ditched his coat and marksman glasses, leaving them with a kind elderly woman who was helping to hand out the balloons. He was dressed now in some work clothes which he didn't much mind getting stained or pigmented in various colors. They got dirty enough at the farms anyways so it really didn't matter.

He had taken a break, telling the kids that he'd just get some water and then be back to continue playing with them. At the moment he was was splattered with blue, orange, and yellow. He caught his own reflection in one of the shop windows along main street - it was strange to see his hair "blonde" again. The gunman leaned against a brick wall beside the tiny pastry shop. He observed everything from a relatively clear spot with a small plastic cup in hand. He spotted a familiar figure then.

Badou! That was a bit of a surprise… he wouldn't have exactly thought that the man was one to get mixed up in the paint-throwing event. Maybe other things but this seemed a little out there from what little he knew about the man. Regardless, here he was. The redheaded was wandering down the street. Vash raised a hand and called over the noise from his small space that was relatively clear of others.

"Badou! You playin' with the kids too?" Although the man looked far more haggard and weary than play might suggest. In fact it looked rather like he had been attacked by a gaggle of kids or teenagers.

@brokeassgoing || Amity Celebration - Coating Colors Day

[bluestringpuppeteer]

When Badou had suggested they go out to see the Luminescence Concerts, Legato hadn't thought much of it. A musical show at the Amphitheater? It sounded like a good time to him.

That was before he knew how many people came to concerts. They were surrounded by people, pressed in on all sides, and Legato wasn't wearing his spiky coat on advice from Badou. Which meant he wasn't protected from the press of bodies by anything except Badou himself.

And the drink Badou had shoved in his hand, that Legato had been nervously sipping. He was pressed up against Badou to avoid as many other people as possible, using him as a shield from the press. The alcohol was helping, though slowly.

"You could have warned me about the amount of people here," he huffs, trying to cover nerves with irritation.

@brokeassgoing

[epilvgue]

「𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤 𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤!」- Vash blinked, at first, at the change of heart towards the children. He had just assumed that Badou wasn't fond of kids, something that Vash really couldn't begrudge him for - kids could definitely be trouble. They were perhaps the most honest of all people at times. Yet, often times, when they were honest, they were sharp and cutting.

Children were extremely observant.

A lopsided sort of grin spread over his face. He set his hands on his hips, looking at the small army of expectant children who were now just lounging and lazing as they waited for the adult to finish.

"I'm ready if you are. It sounds like Mr. Badou is willing to play too now."

That was enough to have the children scrambling to their feet ready to play again, each running to find balloons.

Another smile was offered to Badou, this one full of perhaps dangerous promise. "They won't be too hard on ya. But we better move fast!"

A water balloon was hurled hard in their direction, the black haired Plant laughing as he leaped out of the way. The gangly stature was good for at least one thing.

「𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤 𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤!」- He wouldn't deny his tendencies to be self-sacrificial, call it martyr-ism if you wanted, it had been pointed out to him over and over again plenty of times. Mostly by one loud-mouthed "priest". Or Knives, although that was a slightly different case. But that was beside the point - even if he could see remnants of Wolfwood he had learned just a little bit of how to prioritize himself. To not devalue himself.

Not that he acted upon it. He was still far more than willing to degrade himself for the sake of peace. And if that meant playing with these kids then so be it.

"Hard boiled, huh?" Was that what Badou was calling it? From what they'd experienced together, Vash was more inclined to called him more 'begrudgingly or fatefully present' and 'dragged along by the chaos' (the chaos, in every instant so far having Vash at the epicenter - first with the cigarettes and then with the Crystal Walker, something they had agreed to keep between themselves).

He wouldn't say it but he knew what the children had seen - an easy target. Children were merciless that way.

"I'm just sayin' that ya don't have'ta play with 'em if you don't wanna."

[epilvgue]

「𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤 𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤!」- He wouldn't deny his tendencies to be self-sacrificial, call it martyr-ism if you wanted, it had been pointed out to him over and over again plenty of times. Mostly by one loud-mouthed "priest". Or Knives, although that was a slightly different case. But that was beside the point - even if he could see remnants of Wolfwood he had learned just a little bit of how to prioritize himself. To not devalue himself.

Not that he acted upon it. He was still far more than willing to degrade himself for the sake of peace. And if that meant playing with these kids then so be it.

"Hard boiled, huh?" Was that what Badou was calling it? From what they'd experienced together, Vash was more inclined to called him more 'begrudgingly or fatefully present' and 'dragged along by the chaos' (the chaos, in every instant so far having Vash at the epicenter - first with the cigarettes and then with the Crystal Walker, something they had agreed to keep between themselves).

He wouldn't say it but he knew what the children had seen - an easy target. Children were merciless that way.

"I'm just sayin' that ya don't have'ta play with 'em if you don't wanna."

「𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤 𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤!」- Vash looked sheepish now. A martyr, huh...? Well... Badou wasn't wrong about that. He definitely had a propensity for sacrificing himself.

He managed another smile, this time some odd mixture of embarrassed and genuine. He reached up to rub the back of his neck with his free hand. "...Well, I just mean that it seemed like the kids had sorta gone after ya is all."

Ever the martyr. It was a habit now, a facet of his very being - not something he could quite seem to kick.

[epilvgue]

「𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤 𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤!」- Vash looked sheepish now. A martyr, huh...? Well... Badou wasn't wrong about that. He definitely had a propensity for sacrificing himself.

He managed another smile, this time some odd mixture of embarrassed and genuine. He reached up to rub the back of his neck with his free hand. "...Well, I just mean that it seemed like the kids had sorta gone after ya is all."

Ever the martyr. It was a habit now, a facet of his very being - not something he could quite seem to kick.

「𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤 𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤!」- Vash couldn't help but laugh a little as Badou so warily watched the group of children who were currently sprawled all over the pavement around them, sitting and drinking their water. "C'mon, Badou, they're not that bad."

He might have nudged the other man slightly in the side had he known him better.

"...I think if ya sneak off now, though, they might jus' play with me instead if ya really don't wanna get involved."

[epilvgue]

「𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤 𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤!」- Vash couldn't help but laugh a little as Badou so warily watched the group of children who were currently sprawled all over the pavement around them, sitting and drinking their water. "C'mon, Badou, they're not that bad."

He might have nudged the other man slightly in the side had he known him better.

"...I think if ya sneak off now, though, they might jus' play with me instead if ya really don't wanna get involved."

「𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤 𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤!」- Vash grinned and laughed softly as he took another sip from his own refilled cup of water. "I'll drink just about anythin' but I prefer whiskey or beer."

Wine had been reserved for those who could afford it back on No Man's Land, but he wouldn't say that the Zephyr Lilly Wine tasted terrible. He'd actually rather liked it's slightly floral notes. He might have also gotten a small jug of it from the farmers as thanks for helping with the Blossom Dance.

Vash was happy to simply relax against the wall and chat - until a small gaggle of children peered around the corner right next to them, sizing up the two adults.

One of the children, a slightly older boy, complained at apparently both of them, "Are you gonna come back or what? You called time out forever ago."

"Sorry Badou, just a sec." Vash squatted down to be at the level of the kids. "It'll be just a couple more minutes, all right? And maybe you kids could leave the nice man with the eye patch alone? He doesn't really wanna play anymore. Aren't you kids thirsty too? They're handing out water, y'know?" - The words were amicable and warm.

...Shortly they were both surrounded by a group of six or seven kids all chugging cups of water. Vash offered the redhead a far more sheepish sort of smile and leaned in slightly, "Sorry, I didn' think they were gonna take it as an invite ta hang around..."

[epilvgue]

「𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤 𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤!」- Vash grinned and laughed softly as he took another sip from his own refilled cup of water. "I'll drink just about anythin' but I prefer whiskey or beer."

Wine had been reserved for those who could afford it back on No Man's Land, but he wouldn't say that the Zephyr Lilly Wine tasted terrible. He'd actually rather liked it's slightly floral notes. He might have also gotten a small jug of it from the farmers as thanks for helping with the Blossom Dance.

Vash was happy to simply relax against the wall and chat - until a small gaggle of children peered around the corner right next to them, sizing up the two adults.

One of the children, a slightly older boy, complained at apparently both of them, "Are you gonna come back or what? You called time out forever ago."

"Sorry Badou, just a sec." Vash squatted down to be at the level of the kids. "It'll be just a couple more minutes, all right? And maybe you kids could leave the nice man with the eye patch alone? He doesn't really wanna play anymore. Aren't you kids thirsty too? They're handing out water, y'know?" - The words were amicable and warm.

...Shortly they were both surrounded by a group of six or seven kids all chugging cups of water. Vash offered the redhead a far more sheepish sort of smile and leaned in slightly, "Sorry, I didn' think they were gonna take it as an invite ta hang around..."

「𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤 𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤!」- They were stark opposites in this respect. Sure, kids could be troublesome and he'd met his fair share of little hellions... but Vash really did adore children. It made him a little wistful to watch them grow up and grow jaded.

So, he would almost always been more than happy to play with and entertain them. Create a distraction from life's cruelties and unfairness - both for them and himself. Although he also understood where Badou was coming from and offered a more sympathetic smile asthe man shuffled over and he replied, "Well, I don't think they have beer here, but I'll get ya some water, hang on."

With that he headed to the small stand nearby that was offering water and various juices. Soon he came trotting back with another glass of water in hand.

"Here ya go."

Vash leaned against the wall again. "The had Zephyr Lilly Wine available at the Blossom Dance."

But that had been a few days ago.

[epilvgue]

「𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤 𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤!」- They were stark opposites in this respect. Sure, kids could be troublesome and he'd met his fair share of little hellions... but Vash really did adore children. It made him a little wistful to watch them grow up and grow jaded.

So, he would almost always been more than happy to play with and entertain them. Create a distraction from life's cruelties and unfairness - both for them and himself. Although he also understood where Badou was coming from and offered a more sympathetic smile asthe man shuffled over and he replied, "Well, I don't think they have beer here, but I'll get ya some water, hang on."

With that he headed to the small stand nearby that was offering water and various juices. Soon he came trotting back with another glass of water in hand.

"Here ya go."

Vash leaned against the wall again. "The had Zephyr Lilly Wine available at the Blossom Dance."

But that had been a few days ago.

「𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤 𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤!」- Vash gave a slightly more sympathetic and almost pitying sort of smile. He ignored the comment about "being somewhere he could get his ass kicked." The redhead looked absolutely absolutely exhausted, clearly not having had much fun.

Or rather, it seemed that it had probably been far more fun for the kids. - He was actually kind of surprised that the man had managed to avoid getting any color on his front.

Anyways, he waved Badou over.

"I wasn't playing, by the way. I was at war."

Vash just smiled back, nodding. "The kids are kinda rough, aren't they?" He looked from his cup to Badou. "You want some water? I can get ya some. They've got cups."

[epilvgue]

「𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤 𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤!」- Vash gave a slightly more sympathetic and almost pitying sort of smile. He ignored the comment about "being somewhere he could get his ass kicked." The redhead looked absolutely absolutely exhausted, clearly not having had much fun.

Or rather, it seemed that it had probably been far more fun for the kids. - He was actually kind of surprised that the man had managed to avoid getting any color on his front.

Anyways, he waved Badou over.

"I wasn't playing, by the way. I was at war."

Vash just smiled back, nodding. "The kids are kinda rough, aren't they?" He looked from his cup to Badou. "You want some water? I can get ya some. They've got cups."

「𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤 𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔤!」- Coating Colors Day. It was something Vash had decided to observe from the side for the most part. Until some younger children who wanted to join in the fun decided to try and get him to play as well. Which he would, quite happily.

Vash was jumping and scrambling all over, making the kids work for their hits. He had ditched his coat and marksman glasses, leaving them with a kind elderly woman who was helping to hand out the balloons. He was dressed now in some work clothes which he didn't much mind getting stained or pigmented in various colors. They got dirty enough at the farms anyways so it really didn't matter.

He had taken a break, telling the kids that he'd just get some water and then be back to continue playing with them. At the moment he was was splattered with blue, orange, and yellow. He caught his own reflection in one of the shop windows along main street - it was strange to see his hair "blonde" again. The gunman leaned against a brick wall beside the tiny pastry shop. He observed everything from a relatively clear spot with a small plastic cup in hand. He spotted a familiar figure then.

Badou! That was a bit of a surprise… he wouldn't have exactly thought that the man was one to get mixed up in the paint-throwing event. Maybe other things but this seemed a little out there from what little he knew about the man. Regardless, here he was. The redheaded was wandering down the street. Vash raised a hand and called over the noise from his small space that was relatively clear of others.

"Badou! You playin' with the kids too?" Although the man looked far more haggard and weary than play might suggest. In fact it looked rather like he had been attacked by a gaggle of kids or teenagers.

@brokeassgoing || Amity Celebration - Coating Colors Day

[bluestringpuppeteer]

Maybe one day they'll all be alright, but that's probably too much to hope for considering. At least he and Knives are trying now and are more or less managing. Still, a therapist would probably run screaming from all of them. Good thing that there had been other people who had been able to deal with helping him at least figure things out.

"That is my hope. I have had enough conflict in my life, I think. I appreciate the opportunity to simply exist peacefully here." He tilts his head at Badou and a smile slides onto his face.

"You'd better," Legato chuckles. "I know where you live!" It's all tease, no maliciousness behind it at all.

Vash is one confusing guy. A guy wearing many, many hats and whatnot. That's one he wishes therapy upon, but not necessarily upon the therapist to help him. Maybe one day he'll be alright.

"Well, that's what matters. For him-- and it'll help the two of you in the longrun." Probably. Again, he doesn't know.

Legato's comment has the redhead grinning-- "C'mon, maaaan! I wouldn't sell your info. I keep that shit private. You're good."

Honestly, even if it would've made him anything, it's unlikely he'd betray this trust.

[bluestringpuppeteer]

There had been times when Legato had considered such things as nicotine to soothe the never ending stress of his mind. It seemed to work for so many other humans, why not try himself? But he'd always decided not to, pulling back before he could make an attempt. He needed to be as clean and pure as he could be, for his angel. As much as one such as him was capable of.

It's much less a concern now, if only because neither he nor Knives are letting go for anything.

He runs a hand through his hair and tugs a little, in lieu of gripping his arms. Knives will notice new scratches and he's been so good about that lately.

"I... believe I told Vash something similar. I suppose he isn't the only one with the advantage in time. Where he knows what happened between us that I do not, I have been... Away from home longer then he has. More distance from the things that made us enemies in the first place. Still irritating." A breath, in, out, and he drops his hand from where it's trying to tangle in blue locks.

"Enough. I apologize. We were... attempting to enjoy ourselves and I've thoroughly distracted things. My apologies."

Badou lights a new cigarette-- he deathly needs the nicotine for this conversation. It's a gnawing ache for a moment, up until he takes that first puff.

Legato's a weird dude. A bit of an ass. But overall, a decent sort-- war crimes notwithstanding of course.

"Maybe it ain't succeeding right away, but this shit takes time." Healing isn't linear. Neither is time, to a certain extent. Or it doesn't feel like it.

"It's irritating as fuck," Badou agrees. "Not equal ground, justified or not. It's understandable."

[bluestringpuppeteer]

The furrowing of his brows says Legato doesn't quite understand the question. He knows what's being asked of course he just... Doesn't understand how Badou can ask it. But then, the human doesn't know him, not like the others do. Not like Vash does, more then even Legato knows himself.

"I hurt them, more then they will even tell me. I forced someone to take my life in order to spite the creed he lived by, with someone... close to him as leverage. My dedication to Knives, my desperation to prove myself and win his approval, my hatred of humanity, and my... my hatred of his brother made me into that. One day I'll remember what I am missing and..." There is real fear there on his face, the cold, creeping fear that this is his fate, who he will be regardless from how hard he's worked to be someone different.

The fear he'll disappoint the tiny handful of people who's opinion matters far more then his own.

"They are the ones I have wronged. I am nothing, I don't deserve to allow my frustrations to be the focus. I try to be something different but... I am not sure how well I succeed."

He's looking at Badou like he isn't shaped like a piece of crap. Maybe one day the info broker can appreciate this, but for now, more important matters.

The redhead sees the flash again-- that's an intimidating sight. Blood-chilling, even, to think you might one day turn into that. To hear about it from the voices of your own victims. See it in their eyes what you'd done to them. Some nightmare version of you. Knowing you could...turn into that.

"How don't you have the right? That's a version of you. That ain't you now. It might never be you-- fate is bullshit, it's what you make it."

[bluestringpuppeteer]

"Yes... It's true, I don't." He keeps staring with a strange look on his face, like he's seeing Badou for the first time and he's not shaped like what Legato had expected. "I know... some things. But only what others have told me or-" He cuts off, presses his lips together and his mind is all a mad gold eye and blue hair tacky with blood and the kick of a heavy gun that vibrates up his arm. For several seconds he's not even looking at Badou, until he jerks and shakes his head and bites it all back to focus his attention on the here and now.

Music, a kind he's entirely unfamiliar with, and it's loud and all around them in a way Noman's didn't have the capabilities for, no matter how Midvalley manipulated sound. It helps, as it always does. He breathes out.

"Apologies. I know what I become. I know the ending of my story, if not the details. They are right, to hate me for it. I have no right to be... frustrated by it." And yet, he can't quite help it.

Badou tries not to follow the rabbit, so to speak. The images come in flashes, but he lets them flow, like the surroundings going by past the window on a car ride. It's a mystery. There's no way to interpret that without going crazy.

He blinks-- at least grateful Legato doesn't snap at him for saying something so easy.

"Well, it's true, ain't it? You don't have the road map anyone else does with what happens in your life-- or the life of that guy who is kinda you."

The info breaker can't think of anything as horrible as that!

[bluestringpuppeteer]

At the very least, when Legato isn't using Badou as a human brain shield there's very little to worry about. Now, this, with the loosening of inhibitions booze grants, the rowdy crowd to take shelter from, the strains of music beginning to vibrate in Legato's bones, this is the perfect storm to be too close and let things slip through the many, many cracks.

A coat, gold gone black, a sharp and dangerous look in blue eyes exactly like the other's. The feeling of a hand wrapped around his arm before he slipped down a dark hole.

Well, the mood is lightened for a moment anyway. Badou's next statement has Legato staring at him, a faint furrow between his brows. Confusion, bewilderment, something like relief that aches in his chest.

"You... I think you're the only one to say that," he says softly.

And here the only worry had been Legato getting fed up with Badou's crap and beating him within an inch of his life-- to Knives chagrin. Now they have to worry about all this...psychic stuff. Knives could certainly try to keep Badou safe, but good luck with that! It's impossible.

There's something there, a familiar shade of red, unlike the crimson of blood. A coat.

A cheesy grin is met with that stutter, yes, in-laws, untechnically. Here's the info broker, ever here to lighten the mood.

"Ahhhh...wow, that sucks ass. So he knows all this, and you're at a disadvantage-- and you're technically the same person, but you ain't. That's fucked."

[bluestringpuppeteer]

Feedback loop, he idly, distractedly notes. Must be careful of that in the future. There are dark things in the corners of Badou's mind and he needs to mind what crosses between them or send them both into a spiral.

Knives would never let either of them out of the house again, for fear they'd set each other off.

"Dumb and very annoyingly damage resistant," Legato huffs. "I- in-law?" He blinks, looking startled for a moment. Feeling startled for a moment, before he reigns it back again.

"Ah, right. It's.... complicated. We hated- Actually as far as I am aware he wasn't aware of my existence until shortly before I was taken from home. I hated him. Passionately."

Blood and smoke and rubble and the weight of a body, no, pieces of a body in his arms- No. Calm conversations and awkward attempts to connect.

Legato grimaces.

"We were all not only taken from different places but those from the same place are from different times. He is... ahead of me, so to speak. Things happened between us that I don't know yet."

There's a burst of something dark-dark-void-like for a moment, Badou gets a snatch of it before all the white, the smokey jazz and the warmth of a group of companions that truly don't know what they've got till it's gone.

The image soothes him away from the dark and the knife. At least for now, he's able to calm his heart before he tips too far over the edge. The sounds around them swim back slowly to his senses.

"He's so fucking--- I can't tell if he's dumb or he just lives dangerously to get off," Badou agonizes-- then pauses. "Make his life a living hell? Hell of a thing to do to an in-law, but not that surprising I guess."

Knives had mentioned-- some sins. To humanity, of course, to his brother-- maybe vaguely. Things are smoke and mirrors, without the mirrors, and the smoke is from a cigarette long burnt.

[bluestringpuppeteer]

Legato blinks, hesitates a step, moves on like he didn't. He didn't like that, it makes him think of too many hands that are too big, reaching and grasping out of the darkness of a room he can't escape--

He drags his focus back, thinks of wings that glow white, the warmth and power that radiates along the connection he builds. Shifts a step sideways to jazz playing from a bass saxophone, a one-eyed woman at his back, a giant of a man with a sunshine smile. It's easy for him to drift back to places he doesn't want to go, but he has tethers now, or he's been made aware of tethers he's always had. Either one.

He blinks, drawing himself back from his slip.

"I didn't realize you knew Vash," he says, voice a little distant but returning to normal again. He probably shouldn't have drank so quickly. "Even if I had not fully intended to make his life a living hell, he has enough bad luck to beat everyone on our sorry planet. Sometimes I am entirely bewildered as to how he's survived so long."

Skill, of course. Skill and tenacity and the stubborn in ability to give up and walk away from anything. How one man can have that level of willpower Legato will never understand.

Of all the things Badou's seen, the beings he knows-- some things like that are just. A lot. Awe inspiring, surprising, confusing.

(terrifying. downright terrifying, instead of flashes of white, it's darkness and hissing-breath in the dark)

(shake it off)

"You'd probably be used to it, anyway...you've eaten Plant food like that all your life." There's a shrug. "No idea-- the nutrients in the dirt, maybe? Not much of a farmer."

He's a city boy, through and through. The snack is pretty good, and a good idea for Legato to have on him. His attention is all on Legato, but the music does draw his eye for a moment.

The mention of Vash has him frowning, eye rolling.

"Don't I already know it. Wish you woulda told me that awhile ago."