[livio can't tell how long it's been since wolfwood and vash's... most recent disagreement. hours, at the very least. long enough for him to regain some strength in his heavy limbs, and to realign with his own body, rather than feeling like he's sitting a few inches to the side. he couldn't possibly guess whether he's aided by the healing rain left in the wake of the serpent's flight. if it weren't for one of his partners being upset and missing, he might be more fascinated by it. unfortunately, bringing vash home safely beats out indulging in the first rain livio has ever felt, magic or otherwise.
not having anything to go off of besides the barriers they physically can't cross, once he's up to it, he sets to walking up and down the beach in a bid to find vash. he's aware that with the wings, vash could likely fly out onto some small island or another out in the water, but seeing as livio can't swim... he just has to hope he'll run into the plant somewhere.]
[Perhaps surprisingly, it won't take him long at all to find Vash. He's actually not all that far from the Cabans, having already made it back in time to speak to Gnosis. At present, though, he's far more preoccupied with plucking up shells along the beach. He already has a fair few in hand, having folded up the lower half of his (admittedly burnt) undershirt.
With his back halfturned, Livio will undoubtedly see that a good chunk of Vash's lower, left wing has been burned away. Despite the damage done, it already seems to be healed over. The upper most one is not without damage, and it too seems to have had some of it's injuries undone.
He turns at the sound of sand shifting beneath feet and... very quickly jumps. A few of his shells making his way down the beach. Notably, he's not flying, which probably isn't a surprise. What is a surprise is that Vash's eyes are back to normal, albeit slightly wide as he spots Livio.]
[unfortunately... it isn't exactly a shock to livio that vash has gotten injured somehow. he can't know for sure when it happened, but it seems most likely that, as usual, he let himself fall into some sort of danger as he self-destructed.
not that livio is here to judge him. in fact, he's relieved. as he approaches, he stoops to pick up some of the dropped shells, rather than go to either reprimand or coddle vash.]
[It should bother Vash that people read him for filth so easily, or expect so little of him. But number one, he can't exactly hear Livio's thoughts. And number two, he's far more distracted with the task at hand. He holds his palm open for the collected shells, that puts them back into the makeshift pouch.]
S'fine. [He turns away and grabs a few more out of the surf.] Adrian needs some supplies. Promised I'd gather them up.
[liv nods, and immediately sets to gathering shells, himself. he doesn't ask whether vash wants his help, because he knows the independent would likely feel obligated to refuse. maybe this isn't the best way of going about it, but... livio wants to give vash the fewest possible chances to hurt himself.
before they get into the whole julai mess, though, he has to know...]
[Without even so much as looking up, Vash shakes his head.]
He was... interesting. But not any trouble. Made fun of me some, but that's nothing new.
[Once again, he's silent as he moves to his next task. He trudges back toward the cabanas, pouch of shells still outstretched. He's careful not to drop any as he goes.]
[His tone is quick, but not sharp. He isn't angry at Livio, has no reason to be. He just has things to deal with, and doesn't want to let his own feelings slow him down. Besides, he has no doubt in his mind that word has at least spread of his disappearance. The more room he allows for conversation, the more likely he is to be asked after. Especially in the state he's in.]
[oh, vash, buddy. it's cute that he thinks that isn't coming, anyway. but livio will refrain, for now, seeing as vash is on a mission. that'll help him, for as long as it takes to complete.]
[This time he does turn. There's no anger there, just... resignation. Resignation, and a singular firmness. He tries to speak in a way that will brook no debate.]
[trying to out-stubborn a second eye assassin in a row... vash is persistent! livio meets his eyes, with neither amusement nor anger, but a look as level as his tone.]
[Vash's brows draw together, only it's... less out of anger. There's a faint waver to his expression, like he looks like he's about to breakdown. Just as quick as it comes on, though, Vash steels his jaw.]
And I'm fine as it is. So let me handle this alone.
[it sounds like an attack, but livio can't help but feel like there's self-hate at the heart of it. he certainly thinks he would recognize it. he doesn't agree on the last point, though, for better or for worse.]
You're right -- I'm being selfish. [and yet... not moving to leave. making it a point to continue being selfish.]
[It really isn't much of a choice. Company now, or company later. And while Gnosis's words still weigh heavy on his mind, there's still so much more he has to weigh. Dealing with anyone familiar to the situation threatens to make his stomach upend itself.
The situation frustrates him to no end. Part of him wants to scream as much to Livio, but some small sense of wisdom tempers his tongue for the time being. And so...]
Wait out here. I'll get what I need. Then you can follow me 'til we see the lighthouse. Just until we see it.
[he won't complain. it's more than he expected he would get, after everything. he does offer what shells he's gathered to vash before the independent goes to make his purchases.]
[Vash takes the shells with a nod. He... does appreciate it, even if he won't say as much.
In any case, he emerges from his business sometime later. He holds a notebook in one hand, and a rucksack of various goods in another. He slings the bag over his shoulder, before making his way past Livio. He knows he'll be followed, at least.]
[well... livio would prefer to help carry something, at least, but vash clearly isn't having it. so liv supposes he'll take what he can get, and walk alongside vash, as agreed.
it hurts, a little, that vash is so insistent on shutting everyone out when he's clearly in turmoil, but... well. it's become obvious what happens when he's forced to deal with things before he's ready, and livio stays silent.]
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not having anything to go off of besides the barriers they physically can't cross, once he's up to it, he sets to walking up and down the beach in a bid to find vash. he's aware that with the wings, vash could likely fly out onto some small island or another out in the water, but seeing as livio can't swim... he just has to hope he'll run into the plant somewhere.]
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With his back halfturned, Livio will undoubtedly see that a good chunk of Vash's lower, left wing has been burned away. Despite the damage done, it already seems to be healed over. The upper most one is not without damage, and it too seems to have had some of it's injuries undone.
He turns at the sound of sand shifting beneath feet and... very quickly jumps. A few of his shells making his way down the beach. Notably, he's not flying, which probably isn't a surprise. What is a surprise is that Vash's eyes are back to normal, albeit slightly wide as he spots Livio.]
Ah - uh... Um. Didn't expect company!
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not that livio is here to judge him. in fact, he's relieved. as he approaches, he stoops to pick up some of the dropped shells, rather than go to either reprimand or coddle vash.]
Sorry to startle you. What're you collecting for?
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S'fine. [He turns away and grabs a few more out of the surf.] Adrian needs some supplies. Promised I'd gather them up.
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before they get into the whole julai mess, though, he has to know...]
Did Razlo give you any trouble...?
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He was... interesting. But not any trouble. Made fun of me some, but that's nothing new.
[Once again, he's silent as he moves to his next task. He trudges back toward the cabanas, pouch of shells still outstretched. He's careful not to drop any as he goes.]
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I'm sorry, Vash.
[he trails vash, stooping to swipe up more shells he passes. his legs are longer than vash's, so he has no trouble keeping up.]
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[His tone is quick, but not sharp. He isn't angry at Livio, has no reason to be. He just has things to deal with, and doesn't want to let his own feelings slow him down. Besides, he has no doubt in his mind that word has at least spread of his disappearance. The more room he allows for conversation, the more likely he is to be asked after. Especially in the state he's in.]
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What all are we picking up?
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We?
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Yeah. We.
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[This time he does turn. There's no anger there, just... resignation. Resignation, and a singular firmness. He tries to speak in a way that will brook no debate.]
Nick needs you right now. I don't.
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Nick is already taken care of.
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And I'm fine as it is. So let me handle this alone.
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his voice softens even further.]
We don't have to talk about it, Vash. But I don't want to leave you.
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I'm fine Livio. Why can't you listen to me?
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[...]
Let me do it for my own peace of mind, if not for you. Please.
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[Something rises up in his throat. It feels ugly and angry, but it spews out nonetheless.]
Nick did the same thing. He didn't want to listen to what I wanted, either. [He knows he should stop, and yet - ] You two deserve each other. Not me.
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You're right -- I'm being selfish. [and yet... not moving to leave. making it a point to continue being selfish.]
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[He wants to be alone. He wants someone to listen. He wants to scream and cry and...]
Please.
[His voice sounds like it's on the verge of cracking.]
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If you won't let me help you deliver the supplies, will you at least promise me you'll come home afterward?
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The situation frustrates him to no end. Part of him wants to scream as much to Livio, but some small sense of wisdom tempers his tongue for the time being. And so...]
Wait out here. I'll get what I need. Then you can follow me 'til we see the lighthouse. Just until we see it.
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[he won't complain. it's more than he expected he would get, after everything. he does offer what shells he's gathered to vash before the independent goes to make his purchases.]
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In any case, he emerges from his business sometime later. He holds a notebook in one hand, and a rucksack of various goods in another. He slings the bag over his shoulder, before making his way past Livio. He knows he'll be followed, at least.]
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it hurts, a little, that vash is so insistent on shutting everyone out when he's clearly in turmoil, but... well. it's become obvious what happens when he's forced to deal with things before he's ready, and livio stays silent.]
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