Inbox for sticksandbones

[lupusxylem]

I will not make this look pretty later, don't believe me it's all a lie

====

INVENTORY:

-The Punisher: Wolfwood's cross gun, normally covered in wrappings.
INFO from the mods on use so I don't forget: The cross-gun will be able to fire regular bullets (regains of these can be handwaved; silvered bullets can be purchased in the bonus AC store) just fine, without any special nerfs. The laser feature will be usable a max of 3 times a month.

-4 Vials of his Drugs(tm)
Info from the mods on use so I don't forget: Wolfwood can start with up to 5 vials of his Lab Drugs. More of these can be regained for the price of a Small Item (a maximum of 5 at once), but they will not work on other player characters for obvious reasons. Their healing ability will also be slightly nerfed to not heal anything instantaneously, but rather over a few minutes.
3/7: All Vials have been used. Will need to purchase replacements if he wants to use them again.
???: Forgot to put the date here but he's purchased more Vials, one has been used to he has 4 currently.

-A lighter

-A carton of cigarettes, more can be purchased/handwaved

-A winter coat that Heimr bullied him into purchasing

-A matching pair of boots for the coat

-A little knit wolf with sunglasses from Elsword.

-A blanket from Livio.

-A handgun with a wolf engraved on the handle.

-A black husky named Angelina

-A belt pouch to carry his regeneration vials with a cross emblazoned into the leather.

-Authentic rosary beads, with beads made from black glass and a heavy, silver cross pendant

-A black leather choker with a silver cross pendant, similar to the rosary

-A whole church(tm)

-A wool knit cat plushie from Pure Vanilla

-3 tomas chicks that currently live in Kiera's barn

-3 londonites

-Wolf skull shaped cufflinks

-A dagger for his "birthday" from Gnosis

Comments

[oleaeuropaea]

[Somehow, Vash manages to climb to his feet. Or rather, he rolls backward, flat into the snow, and then rocks forward to leap up. He makes it look effortless, even if he does skid a bit in the snow. Despite the effortless way he rises up, he still has the kindness to keep his arm extended, helping leverage Wolfwood as he stands as well.

(He does glance away as Wolfwood rubs away the absolutely, totally non-existent tears on his face. He didn't see anything).]

It did. Can barely see you out there. Where'd you go anyway! [He pantomimes flailing about blindly, before shoving his hands back in his pockets. Better that he does, lest he take a damn eye out.]

You wanna grab something from the kitchen to help warm up? Or do you want me to get out of your hair?

[lupusxylem]

[Wolfwood, still dusting snow from his shoulders, flatly states:]

Ain't eaten since the brownies.

[Which is to say: he should probably eat something??? How did he even make it outside without keeling over is a better question.]

[oleaeuropaea]

Wolfwood!! [His voice cracks, which is a whole humilating can of worms but. Whatever.

Sorry, buddy, he's grabbing you by the wrist and dragging you back inside.]

We're eating something, now. I can cook fried rice and eggs and. Uh. Probably more fried rice. What'll it be.

[lupusxylem]

Wh- Oi-

[Wolfwood starts to grumble as Vash very unceremoniously grabs him by the wrist and begins to drag, but at this point he is so wrung out that he doesn't have it in him to protest much more beyond verbally. He's tired, he feels like he's been hit by several cars, let him burrow into the snow and die already-

He breathes a sigh and sort of stumbles into step as Vash's side, fiddling with the edge of his jacket now that he's out of cigarettes.]

Don't matter, as long as it's edible.

[He did not know you could even cook, Vash. Well, things that aren't toast, anyway.]

[oleaeuropaea]

[By and large, Vash can't cook. He is a disaster in the kitchen when it comes to anything more than the basics. Nevertheless, he managed to catch lightning in a bottle with the few recipes he's come to master. Maybe if things go well, he'll make sausage link pasta for Wolfwood.]

Alright. Fried rice it is.

[Vash does not stop marching until they're inside and settled in the kitchen. He peels off his jacket and hangs it off to the side, not wanting to drag his sleeves through whatever mess he's about to make. Then he ambles off to start rifling through the available ingredients.]

You can get comfortable. You've had a long day!

[lupusxylem]

[Back inside from the cold, back in the warmth of the inn, it really hits Wolfwood just how exhausted he is. His limbs tremble as he walks inside, though that's something easy enough to mask by staying one step behind Vash as he goes straight for the kitchen, giving Wolfwood the opportunity to collapse somewhere in the lobby. It's late, so there's nobody else in here...that, and a lot of the residents live elsewhere than the Inn, it seems. All the better for him, someone who very much isn't interested in socializing right now.

He sits back against the couch cushions, reaching into his blazer pocket to pull out the last three vials he has. The fact he's gone through two in such a short amount of time is both concerning and tracks for how he handles things, but still...he grimaces and puts them away. Maybe, if he's lucky, he'll get away with not having to use these again for a long time.

Or, he'll receive injuries so grievous he blows them all at once, and then is left with nothing. Equally likely.

Anyway. He props his feet up on the table, like an asshole.]

Just don't set shit on fire. I don't want to have to put you out on top of everything else.

[oleaeuropaea]

[Vash pops his head out of the kitchen. There's a brief pause as he glances over Wolfwood (mostly) approvingly. There is a bit of a side-eye at Wolfwood dirtying up the table, mostly out of consideration for whoever has to clean this place. He's spared from a scolding by the simple fact that Vash has already put him through enough this evening.]

Heh. No promises!

[His voice is a chirp as he ducks back into the kitchen. Clattering follows, along with some muttering on Vash's part. A few pans try to fall onto the floor. He breaks an egg in his hand, and some of the rice that he flips goes flying straight onto the burner. The smoke smell only lasts for a few seconds, at least.

All told, it takes a little more than a half an hour for Vash to prep their meal. Part of him feels guilty for keeping Wolfwood waiting. The other part hopes he's gotten a little more rest in. But either way, he comes out with two bowls in hand, utensils included.]

Soup's on. I mean, I guess rice is on, but -

[lupusxylem]

[Wolfwood waits because really, how can he complain about being cooked for? After all the shit he’s said and done today, and here Vash is going out of his way to feed him when he wouldn’t be blamed for kicking his ass into the snow and telling him to go forage if he wants a meal.

Yet here he is instead, being presented with a bowl of fried rice that might be slightly burnt in places but, honestly?

Wolfwood is so hungry he doesn’t care. He starts to eat pretty much immediately because he hadn’t realized just HOW hungry he was until the food was placed in front of him. Never mind that weed gives you the munchies and he was not feeding that urge-

It’s hot, and it’s burning his mouth, but he doesn’t care. He just huffs something that might be a laugh under his breath. An amused sound, if nothing else.]

…not bad, needle-noggin.

[oleaeuropaea]

Yeah?

[It's almost alarming, the way warmth floods his body. The thing is, Wolfwood has been so sparse with his praise for him that Vash almost doesn't know what to do with it. There's a little thrill that runs through him, running from the tips of his fingers to the tops of his ears. A grin settles on his lips, smaller and warmer than any of the false smiles he usually offers.

His chin tucks down as he plops onto the couch. He holds his bowl close and takes a few bites, then closes his eyes. He pretends he's savoring the flavor, when really he's just hanging onto the moment.]

I'm glad. Really, really glad.

[lupusxylem]

[Wolfwood certainly makes it difficult, for Vash. Even just a small compliment or praise is enough to elicit a strong response, simply because it's so rare. And really, it's hard for Wolfwood not to notice, given the way he sneaks a glance up at Vash as he sits down.

Ugh. Vash...isn't the only one who feels a sudden warmth, however brief. He's just trying his damnest to ignore it as he continues to simply eat in silence, for a while.]

Yeah. I didn't know you could cook.

[oleaeuropaea]

I can't. Not really. Just picked up a few things here and there that I'm actually good at. [He starts laughing, a hint wobbly at the edges. He isn't the type of person to get nervous usually, but when he's dancing on the edges of a deeper emotional connection? You bet.]

Gotta survive somehow. Especially when eating the same thing every day gets boring. A man can't survive on worm jerky and water! Sometimes you gotta add a little rice in!

[He glances up at Wolfwood for just a second, through his lashes and peeking through a few stray blond spikes.]

What about you?

[lupusxylem]

[His response is to huff, as if the very notion of that is amusing.]

If you count cookin' shit over a campfire actual cooking. Otherwise, not really.

[He's not exactly had access to things like a real kitchen, or even utensils he could cook with. He's lucky to have fresh water most of the time, and Vash has seen it for himself: he isn't afraid to just eat worms alive. He's disgusting, it's disgusting, but hey, it's protein!

It may explain why he's eating this rice like it's the first real meal he's had since waking up here. It's not- he's eaten plenty of more "normal" foods, even if there's a shortage happening and it's mostly dried fare still- but how often do you get the chance to have a meal that one could consider home-cooked?]

[oleaeuropaea]

Maybe not quite. That's just survival cooking, I think.

[Vash purses his lips as he considers Wolfwood's answer. It would be decidedly too embarrassing to declare that he would do nothing but cook for the Punisher going forward. Not to mention dangerous, considering Vash's general inability. A few recipes did not a competent cook make.

Still, he can't entirely keep from saying something cringeworthy. That just isn't how Vash the Stampede works.]

I'll see if I can't try to learn a few more recipes. Can't promise much but... sharin' a meal from time to time isn't so bad, right?

[lupusxylem]

[Vash may not say that, but...it's not hard to see what he's getting at, when he phrases it like that. And...look. Wolfwood has been severely grumpy and cantankerous all day, for good reason. He freaked out while high, Vash knows he's betrayed him this entire time, he punched Elsword in the face and wasted one of his vials. He's had basically the worst day possible.

Yet, here Vash is, acting like none of it happened. Somehow, he's capable of forgiveness to a degree that it doesn't matter that Wolfwood basically spat in his face for just trying to help, or that he's been lashing out like a cornered wild animal whenever Vash would attempt to get close and help him. He still thinks that, had Vash actually pushed him away back there...things would probably be easier for them both. Wolfwood would be able to cut ties with the emotions currently holding him back, and Vash wouldn't have to struggle to reconcile with the idea that Wolfwood never truly was his friend at all.

...he doesn't know if he's just really tired, or if it's that warm feeling he keeps stomping down in his chest that suddenly bubbles up at the thought, causing him to smile. Just a little. He's looking down into his bowl, but he's smiling. Laughing.]

Assuming you don't give me food poisoning? ...sure. Guess I could swing that.

[Maybe make it a regular, even weekly thing, if Vash wants to make that connection even deeper.]

[oleaeuropaea]

[Wolfwood, he decides, has a very nice smile — and an even better laugh — when he means it. Sure, Vash has seen the sneers, the mocking barks, and found them attractive enough. They don't compare, however, to the warmth that radiates from his companion's side of the couch. And though Vash might have his hang-ups still, he finds that he wants to spend tomorrow, and the next one, and perhaps the one after that, trying to coax more of that warmth out.]

I'll be sure to practice first. That way I'm the only one clogging up the plumbing if there's a problem. [Right. Way to ruin the mood. It's better, at least, than whatever horrifically sappy thing that could have followed. Briefly, he had considered offering up simply hanging around for the sake of company, rather than food.

Surely, though, that'd be too much.]

This shouldn't do that, by the way! If anything I kind of overcooked it. It's not like some cheap, portable grill. It's all consistent!

[lupusxylem]

[If Vash were talking to any other person, that person might be like "Come on, really-" but Wolfwood just snorts. Ruining the mood is his favorite past time after all. Makes things less emotionally charged and difficult for him to deal with.

By now he's already starting to scrape the bottom of his bowl, so clearly Vash has done something right, or at the very least decent. It's better than eating worm meat, that's for damn sure.]

You say that like you've ever had a portable grill. And if you have been lugging one around in that pack of yours this entire time, you were holding out on us.

[oleaeuropaea]

[Another bout of warm laughter leaves Vash. He fixes Wolfwood with a grin, crooked and warm.]

Maybe I didn't want to deprive you of the experience of sittin' around a campfire with pals?

[Answer: No, Vash doesn't have a grill. If he ever did, it's long gone now. Besides, trying to run with one was probably a nightmare, and everyone knows that running is what Vash does best.]

Usually it was less about portable grills and more about finding abandoned settlements with busted up appliances. You could make 'em work with a little finesse!

[lupusxylem]

[Abandoned settlements...

Brace yourself, Vash. If you're going to open yourself up to Conversation With Wolfwood(tm), you'd better be ready for him to ask questions. About you, about your life. Not for any nefarious purpose (not this time) but because he genuinely doesn't understand how you function at times.

And for some reason, he wants to.]

Did you find abandoned settlements often? And if so...why not just hole up in one of them for a while? Ain't like there's people there that could get hurt, if it's abandoned.

[Of course, he knows why. Vash is one step ahead of Nai at all times, trying to stop him from abducting the plants. It's not...working, but. You know.]

[oleaeuropaea]

[Vash is actually surprised at the genuine question. Wolfwood prying for information and digging at his stubborn ideals was one thing. He'd gotten a little used to dodging those questions. It's different when he actually seems to want to know about Vash. A slight flush rises to his cheeks as a result, and he quickly turns his head away.

Pretending to be very distracted by a stray piece of thread on the couch, Vash answers:]

Every now and again. Usually places like that get wiped out by bandits running through. Which means they're on their maps to come back to. And in the case that people just... died out or up and left, it's only a matter of time 'til someone bigger and meaner decides they wanna make it their own outpost.

Better to keep moving, yeah? And besides, the more I'm on my feet, the more people I get to come across and help!

[lupusxylem]

[Haha get questioned nerd. If Wolfwood notices Vash's reaction to it, he doesn't comment on it.]

Makes sense. Not like you aren't the Humanoid Typhoon or anything.

[It isn't just about keeping people safe. Vash currently is breaking records for having the largest bounty on his head of any person basically in existence, and therefore, everyone wants a slice of that pie. Be it locals desperate for money, or bandits, or others like Wolfwood himself.]

Plus, you're...different. Imagine you could probably survive just on foot for longer than most people could anyway.

[Even Wolfwood, who is arguably tougher than most, would not be able to do what Vash does.]

[oleaeuropaea]

That's me... [There'sa melancholy note to his voice when he says it, though. Much as he doesn't mind moving, not when it keeps people safe, he wouldn't mind having a place to call home for some time. He's spent decades roaming the sands. Having a roof over his head for a longer period of time almost sounded nice.]

You're not wrong, though. I'm more suited to surviving out there than most folks. [It's another elephant in the room that they haven't yet touched on. They both know that they know, but he hasn't been able to bring himself to expand on it further.

It starts dipping into territory that he isn't sure he's ready to explain, after all.]

Still, I'm not the one walking through the sands with no socks and gettin' hit by cars, you know.

[lupusxylem]

[The good news is, Wolfwood isn't going to pry into that just yet, as much as he would like to know more. Both because he doubts Vash is willing to talk, and also because it's not like he'd be getting any sensitive information that Knives doesn't already know, the two being siblings and all. Wolfwood's job isn't to go ferrying information back to him anyway, just Vash...but he'd get that too if it was a concern.

Wolfwood scrapes the last bits of rice off the bottom of his bowl, having basically cleaned it at this point. Hard to say whether it's a testament to Vash's cooking, or to just how hungry he'd been. Then his head snaps up, his gaze narrowing.]

Oi. You guys ran into the one obstacle in the entire desert, I don't think that's my fault. And what's wrong with that, hah? YOU try getting sand in your socks and then having to deal with that for ten miles.

[oleaeuropaea]

You want some more? [He nods to the empty bowl.] I served it all up but I"m sure I could rustle something new together if you're still hungry.

[Regardless of it being his own cooking, he's relieved to see that Wolfwood has eaten his fill. And he's more than happy to make sure he gets more, if need be. It's nice to have hte resources to be able to dote on people.]

And having gross, sweaty feet sliding around in your shoes is better? I don't think so! [He shakes his head, mock exasperation plain on his face.] Just get long socks and boots. Then you don't have a problem.

[And just to emphasize this, he knocks his own boots together.]

They work great here, too! Though I guess they could be a bit taller.

[lupusxylem]

[Wolfwood shakes his head a little, leaning forward to place the bowl down on the table between them.]

Nah, that's enough. Probably shouldn't overdo it.

[Even if he's still got the residual munchies, he doesn't trust that the weed is completely out of his system yet, so. It's more than he would have eaten if Vash didn't make him anything, which is nothing.

Anyway back to arguing about his shoes, exCUSE you]

Long socks? In 100 degree weather? You're insane.

[No, Vash is the correct, Wolfwood is the wrong one here. He is gross, his lack of socks is GROSS.]

I guess it makes more sense for the ice. More than the sand, anyway.

[Who hurt you why are you so stuck on this-]

[oleaeuropaea]

Say what you will, Nick - [He crosses his arms over his chest defiantly. Every bit of his expression says that he's deathly serious. He will die on this hill, Wolfwood, this is what you're encouraging.] I'm not the one whose feet you can smell from 15 feet away.

[This isn't true, probably. But he will insist on it all the same.]

I'm surprised you haven't lost any toes since you got here. But at least you learned to cover the rest of yourself up.

[A nod toward his chest, albeit one that comes with some hesitation. Maybe he does miss the view when they're outside.]