☽ I: video

[inabluemoon]

[The video flicks on to reveal a figure silhouettes against the red moon glowing full overhead behind them. It looks like Vanitas has somehow gotten onto the roof of somewhere and is perched very precariously on the edge, his hair ruffled. For as dim as his face is in the darkness it's clear that he's grinning widely, his teeth looking almost suspiciously sharp and his blue eyes glowing with what seems to be red.]

Hello, fellow Moonblessed! To those of you who I haven't met yet, my name is Vanitas.

[Briefly the video becomes a blur as he spins to face the moon, gesturing to it broadly as the red glow washes over him.] Where I come from this sort of red moon usually heralds the birth of beings known as vampires. But it's a shame that such doesn't seem to be the case here, you know?

[He laughs, the sound just a bit manic.] You might be wondering why... It's simple- I'm a doctor to vampires, and without any patients it's just impossible for me to do my job! And I'm a very busy man, you know... So I'd like to make an offer to all of you!

If there are any vampires here, I want you to let me test something on you! If you're inhuman but not a vampire I suppose I could still try it on you, really... So what do all of you say?

Comments

[ciao]

Oh this?

[ there was the opening and closing of the paw before reaching back and pulling the tail into view ]

I don’t know, I kind of just woke up like this—nobody tells you how hard it is to manage a tail. [ there was the thoughtful look up ] I guess I’ve never met anyone with a tail though...

I’m just glad I’m not an octopus! Austria would have been so upset and I wouldn’t want that at all.

[inabluemoon]

[Vanitas just. Stares.]

And you don't think it's a little weird that you suddenly woke up with all of that!?

[He can adjust to odd stuff pretty easily but he still questions it at least!]

[ciao]

Oh, I do. I really do, the first person I called about it was Germany. I felt a lot better after he calmed down and we tried to figure it out, nothing was figured out because he still thinks it was the food and I said if it was how much I ate I probably would’ve been a whole wolf.

I think the important thing is that it doesn’t hurt... I wonder if I suddenly became a werewolf or something? I don’t want to live the teen wolf life. [ the things he focuses on ]

I know it’s not your expertise since you’re a vampire doctor, I thought you might have a theory or two but you seem pretty surprised too.

[inabluemoon]

[Vanitas pauses for a moment, tapping a sharp-nailed finger to his chin as his mind races through all the options. He hadn't considered the food before but it's certainly a distinct possibility... But then again he would expect more people to be experiencing things like this if that were the case.]

Of course I'm pretty surprised! So were you like this when you woke up today?

[ciao]

I got woken up in the middle of the night because I was feeling pretty hot and was feeling a little... uncomfortable?

[ that was the right word to use, right? it seemed like it anyway ]

I was a little confused at first, and then I realized what had happened and got really scared--then called Germany over to talk, because I knew he wouldn't believe anything I said if I just told him what was going on. Except for a few additions and some temper issues and stuff everything else seems to be okay. I don't have a weird hunger or anything, though I guess my sense of smell is pretty sensitive...

Hey, weren't you talking about a test or something?

[inabluemoon]

[While Vanitas hasn't exactly noticed his temper issues- it's difficult to really notice when your mood is already erratic and you spend a good deal of time lying to yourself- the comment on his sense of smell does catch his attention. Now that Italy mentions it he had thought that something was irritating his nose, but he thought it was just the unfamiliar smells of this place. But he certainly hasn't been growing ears or a tail...]

I was, yes, but it's hard not to get distracted when someone shows up looking like a weird animal hybrid!

[ciao]

Ah yes, I'm sorry, sorry~

[ there was the wagging of the tail in the background, now more enthusiastic than it was before and probably a lot more noticeable ]

It seems like you have a few little changes too though, were you affected as well? I think... is it just the teeth and nails? And I'm pretty sure your eyes were blue before, they were a very pretty shade--not that the red isn't nice too.

[inabluemoon]

[While it was pretty clear that this guy was excitable before, that tail just really makes it all the more evident. Clearly it distracted Vanitas for a moment too, eyes following the movement like an animal's might.

But when the topic went to him he seemed to snap back to attention, blinking before he huffed.] There's nothing wrong with my nails.

[As for the rest... Well.] I didn't eat much of the food and I didn't even notice my eyes until someone pointed it out tonight. I wonder if it's the moon?

[ciao]

Oh no? Maybe I just didn't notice them before...

[ he was thoughtful, as if recollecting from the last encounter before he stopped and smiled. ]

Really? Like moon-phases and werewolf mythologies? That would be interesting I guess, but it's still interesting how it's just randomly and not everyone.

[inabluemoon]

[He nodded.]

If you realized overnight and so did I then there's a possibility that it's the cause. It wasn't red like this before either...

[Vanitas glanced over his shoulder, staring at the moon for a few long moments before shaking his head.]

But you're right, it's odd that not all of the "Moonblessed" are experiencing things.

[ciao]

[ italy's tail slowed to a stop and he seemed deep in thought, trying to mentally go back to a lot of the mythology he had so dearly loved over the years ]

I mean... there are different phases of the moon, just like there are three goddesses of the moon even though a lot of modern day mythology only regards one...

[ there was a shake of the head and a sigh ]

It's been too long since I've read those stories though, I do remember there were some cults in Crete totally devoted to this sort of practice. Maybe if you find a library it'd be easier to look it up.

[inabluemoon]

[Vanitas had knowledge on a decent range of subjects, but most of the information was mostly specifically geared towards vampires and curses. Religions and mythology outside of the garbage that the Church had attempted to force into his head was never his strong suit either.]

It would certainly be beneficial to try and find a library or any sort of archive that outlined this place's history... Or anything that might explain it's magic and mythology.

[Because it was unlikely that this place would have much in common with either of their worlds.]

[ciao]

I'm surprised that nobody else has really openly talked about looking into this, there more than likely should be something though. History is kind of important no matter where you're at, right?

[ he was so proud of himself, smiling back at vanitas ]

Is there anything else you're trying to figure out?

[inabluemoon]

That's right.

[Especially when he still didn't trust this place or the locals at all.]

I still want to find out how we all wound up here and why, obviously. But before that I'd say understanding the workings of this place would be important.

[ciao]

Huh... I guess for that kind of question, you have to look for someone in charge don't you? But yeah, this seems a lot more pressing than trying to figure out how we got here...

[ there was a pause, italy looking like he's considering something before leaning into the screen a little ]

... There's something I meant to ask you about earlier, but it seemed like it might've been alarming... but what era are you from?

[inabluemoon]

Like I'm just going to believe what anyone who claims to be in charge here says. But it would be useful to at least hear what they had to say on the matter.

[Even though Italy wasn't actually there Vanitas leaned away from the screen a little, almost on instinct.]

Era? [He blinked before frowning a little.] Well as far as I can tell that sort of thing isn't easy to give a direct answer about, since my world underwent a catastrophe that put a damper on civilization and development for a while.

[ciao]

[ there was some slight nodding, following along. he had some clue about vanitas' distrust, so it wasn't something he was totally thrown off about. but at the mention of catastrophe he stopped and looked thoughtful for a moment ]

... Well, it's not too important overall--the details that is. I mean, it just felt like you came from a different era so I didn't want to throw you off too much with modern concepts.

[ at the end he was just trying to be thoughtful really, though now it just may have gotten more confusing ]

If you ever need assistance with something, just let me know! I've learned a lot over the years and like to offer anything I can~

[inabluemoon]

[Vanitas raised an eyebrow before looking almost insulted and snorting, lips pursing into a dramatic pout.]

I might not know what a lot of this stuff is but I'm not a country bumpkin, you know. [He had a certain vampire for that.]

If I couldn't figure things out by experimentation what sort of doctor would I be?

[ciao]

Okay~ I was just offering, I'm sure you're plenty capable!

[ that pout, so cute... ]

Anyway, I'll learn what I can and maybe some time we could compare notes~

[inabluemoon]

I suppose that wouldn't be a bad idea.

[While this guy has seemed a little spacey so far maybe he could turn out to actually be good at gathering information. It would certainly be useful...]

[ciao]

Great! I love learning about new things, so I’ll be vigilant while also being careful not to mishandle books or anything~

[ suddenly a perk of the ears before he continues]

Do you prefer sweet or savory foods?

[inabluemoon]

I don't really care if you mishandle anything, but I doubt the locals would like it.

[But not that he cares much about that, either. He raises an eyebrow at the question.]

Savory, why?

[ciao]

Books should always be respected, you never know how important they’ll become in time.

[ there’s a smile and an excitable wagging of the tail ]

I’m thinking of food options for a party, and I’d like to make things do everyone could find something they enjoy!

[inabluemoon]

[Man that tail was distracting.]

A party? [He smirks a little.]

I suppose that doesn't sound too bad.

[ciao]

Doesn't it? There'll be drinks and food, lots of music! We haven't got all the details done yet, it was more of just tossing around ideas but I'll let you know what's going on because I'm definitely inviting you over!

[ sorry vanitas, he's not great at controlling his tail at all. it will just go wild at any sort of excitement ]

Our biggest issue might be food choices though, so maybe it'll be a potluck sort of deal--but not everyone has to bring something if they don't want to.