Uhhh, of course it matters. [Priorities. Vash doesn't have them.] C'mon, don't downplay yourself here. You're an important member of the town here!
[Thankfully Vash does sober up a bit. His expression becomes just that faintest bit more serious. He motions Hunter further in with his head, then closes the door behind him. While he waits for the answer to his first question, he guides him to the couch. It's only once Hunter does answer about how he is (and Vash WILL stare pointedly until he does) that he allows the conversation to move on.]
What did you find? Was it dangerous? Are you okay?
[ugh, vash is SO annoying. this is pointless! hunter snaps out a very quick "I'm fine!" before getting right to it. which... he is pacing, definitely not sitting.]
So, people are talking about reviving the Gods and Guardians. I asked Pure Vanilla whether all or any of them actually want that. I understand that the Forest has some sort of -- incomplete control over life and death, and it might be more akin to something like an undeath or maybe -- more like their life force is simply frozen until they're revived? But still! It doesn't feel like it should be our choice to raise anyone from the dead just because they might be able to save us!
[he might be getting a little too worked up. and he might have said all of very quickly that in one breath and has to take a really fucking deep breath here. at least that helps calm his nerves a smidge?
... before he speaks again, he pulls a single, large iridescent feather out to show vash. his own face is still anxious, but less outright panicked. more somber, now.]
I received this when I first arrived in the Grove. It has this... sort of warm feeling when I hold it? I followed it nearly to the burned part of town, and when I dug down in the spot there... I -- I think I found the Sky Guardian's bones.
[he looks up at vash with big, pleading eyes. vash couldn't possibly know all the responsibilities hunter has borne in his short time, but this... this is a little too intense for him to figure out on his own.]
[That is a lot. Not for Vash to handle, he's shouldered worse. But it's a lot for someone who barely looks older than fifteen to be thinking about. It's also something Vash probably should have been considering all along. The fact that someone so young has to point it out is... a little troubling.]
I think you make a good point. And I think it's something you should pose to the others. [He says it calmly enough, at least.] If nothing else, you should talk to the Guardians that are alive. Zahliya or Moder might be able to answer that question better, I think. They knew the others more, or at least Moder did. They could probably tell you the kind of people the others were and whether or not this was something they'd actually want.
[To Hunter's second point, Vash's brows lift high. He leans forward, studying the feather first, then Hunter himself. This isn't a lie, he knows that. And.. again, it's a lot for a kid to handle.]
Can I... make an assumption? [He waits for permission, before:] You're afraid to tell the others, because you're afraid they'll jump right into talking about how they can bring it back, right?
[hunter shrinks down a bit at vash's suggestion. why the hell didn't he think of that? obviously the other guardians would know best, on that front... ugh.
it's reassuring that vash just looks over the feather. it's very likely that hunter would have handed it over to him if he'd asked, but... the fact that he doesn't assume is comforting. if nothing else, he's feeling confident that he came to the right person to discuss this at first. enough that he simply nods to vash, and listens to what he has to ask...
he nods, head tucking down afterward.]
Right.
[he pauses, staring the feather, turning it over in his hand.]
I do think Pure Vanilla means well. And the feather didn't... grow colder, or anything, when I was trying to talk to its skull about whether or not we should revive it... but it still feels... wrong, to assume it's our choice to make.
[Vash doesn't miss the way Hunter seems to deflate at his suggestion. Gently, and as casually as he can manage, he adds:]
No one would hold it against you for not thinking about that. It's hard when you're in your own head. Lots of angles to consider, and when it's just you, it's easy to lose track of it all!
[He waves his hand casually.]
Pure Vanilla does mean well. He and I are good friends, and I usually have a good eye for character! [A grin.] But that doesn't mean it isn't a lot to take in. Nor is it wrong to want to take a moment to consider someone else's perspective. Most people your age wouldn't have the idea to do that.
[that's the thing -- hunter considers himself plenty book-smart. but as far as this interpersonal stuff goes... he's doing leagues better than before, but he's still pretty damn ignorant on the whole.]
I -- think you're giving me too much credit. [at least in this one instance. if he's honest with himself, he doesn't know that he would've ever considered how the revived individuals might feel about it, if not for... his own situation. before he even know about that, he'd have walked all over countless people for what could be perceived as his own benefit.
but as much as he's comfortable around vash, their trust isn't nearly strong enough to get into hunter's reasoning.]
Thank you. For letting me talk to you about it. Sorry to just... drop it on you out of nowhere.
[Another flapping hand, waving Hunter's praise off. The warmth of his smile hasn't yet faded. Whether or not he knows the truth of Hunter's background doesn't actually matter. He's still proud of the little dude for even talking about it in the first place.]
Doesn't bother me one bit. I'm glad you got it out of your head. Will you let me know what you end up finding out?
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[Thankfully Vash does sober up a bit. His expression becomes just that faintest bit more serious. He motions Hunter further in with his head, then closes the door behind him. While he waits for the answer to his first question, he guides him to the couch. It's only once Hunter does answer about how he is (and Vash WILL stare pointedly until he does) that he allows the conversation to move on.]
What did you find? Was it dangerous? Are you okay?
no subject
So, people are talking about reviving the Gods and Guardians. I asked Pure Vanilla whether all or any of them actually want that. I understand that the Forest has some sort of -- incomplete control over life and death, and it might be more akin to something like an undeath or maybe -- more like their life force is simply frozen until they're revived? But still! It doesn't feel like it should be our choice to raise anyone from the dead just because they might be able to save us!
[he might be getting a little too worked up. and he might have said all of very quickly that in one breath and has to take a really fucking deep breath here. at least that helps calm his nerves a smidge?
... before he speaks again, he pulls a single, large iridescent feather out to show vash. his own face is still anxious, but less outright panicked. more somber, now.]
I received this when I first arrived in the Grove. It has this... sort of warm feeling when I hold it? I followed it nearly to the burned part of town, and when I dug down in the spot there... I -- I think I found the Sky Guardian's bones.
[he looks up at vash with big, pleading eyes. vash couldn't possibly know all the responsibilities hunter has borne in his short time, but this... this is a little too intense for him to figure out on his own.]
no subject
I think you make a good point. And I think it's something you should pose to the others. [He says it calmly enough, at least.] If nothing else, you should talk to the Guardians that are alive. Zahliya or Moder might be able to answer that question better, I think. They knew the others more, or at least Moder did. They could probably tell you the kind of people the others were and whether or not this was something they'd actually want.
[To Hunter's second point, Vash's brows lift high. He leans forward, studying the feather first, then Hunter himself. This isn't a lie, he knows that. And.. again, it's a lot for a kid to handle.]
Can I... make an assumption? [He waits for permission, before:] You're afraid to tell the others, because you're afraid they'll jump right into talking about how they can bring it back, right?
no subject
it's reassuring that vash just looks over the feather. it's very likely that hunter would have handed it over to him if he'd asked, but... the fact that he doesn't assume is comforting. if nothing else, he's feeling confident that he came to the right person to discuss this at first. enough that he simply nods to vash, and listens to what he has to ask...
he nods, head tucking down afterward.]
Right.
[he pauses, staring the feather, turning it over in his hand.]
I do think Pure Vanilla means well. And the feather didn't... grow colder, or anything, when I was trying to talk to its skull about whether or not we should revive it... but it still feels... wrong, to assume it's our choice to make.
I should talk to the other Guardians...
no subject
No one would hold it against you for not thinking about that. It's hard when you're in your own head. Lots of angles to consider, and when it's just you, it's easy to lose track of it all!
[He waves his hand casually.]
Pure Vanilla does mean well. He and I are good friends, and I usually have a good eye for character! [A grin.] But that doesn't mean it isn't a lot to take in. Nor is it wrong to want to take a moment to consider someone else's perspective. Most people your age wouldn't have the idea to do that.
Just shows how smart you are!
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I -- think you're giving me too much credit. [at least in this one instance. if he's honest with himself, he doesn't know that he would've ever considered how the revived individuals might feel about it, if not for... his own situation. before he even know about that, he'd have walked all over countless people for what could be perceived as his own benefit.
but as much as he's comfortable around vash, their trust isn't nearly strong enough to get into hunter's reasoning.]
Thank you. For letting me talk to you about it. Sorry to just... drop it on you out of nowhere.
no subject
Doesn't bother me one bit. I'm glad you got it out of your head. Will you let me know what you end up finding out?
no subject
[it's the least he can do after bothering vash with the whole thing, after all.
even though vash literally just said it wasn't a bother.]