smash_logs | merry merry christmas, and I want you to know

Entry tags:

merry merry christmas, and I want you to know

Who: YOU
What: KISSLETOES
When: December 14th - January 1st
Where: Everywhere
Warnings: Sloppy makeouts.

SUDDENLY, AND WITHOUT WARNING...

title or description

The entire school has become covered in mistletoe overnight. It grows out of the walls! The ceilings! Everywhere you least expect it? HOW CAN THIS BE??

It's probably best not to think about it. Attempts to uproot the plants or burn them away only makes the plants grow back faster. For the time being, it seems the school must live with it.

[OOC INSTRUCTIONS:
+ Post dudes, get kisses!
+ Some (NOT ALL) plants are cursed. If you manage to step under a cursed plant, you will exchange a memory when or if you exchange a kiss. The memories will be first-person and very vivid, and characters will feel like they are experiencing the memory in real time, though in reality the transfer is instantaneous. Memories can be as short, long, happy, sad, or traumatic as you like.
+ If you'd like to participate, we highly suggest making a list of a few memories (with accompanying links/descriptions) that are up for grabs, and linking or posting the list in your top-level comment. Memory exchange is COMPLETELY OPTIONAL. When in doubt, OOC communication!
+ PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE TAG YOUR CHARACTERS
+ That's it, we love you.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Had it not been for her own run-ins with mistletoe, perhaps she would have been none the wiser. Except she did know and briefly she replayed her very reaction to it. Right in front of Kiyotaka, no less. And normally she was so composed. There was some shame in letting the unexpected get the better of her.

She shook her head slowly, more or less sympathetic to his plight, though she really knew nothing about it.

Carefully winding her arm about his, she lowered her tone, so she could keep their conversation precisely between them. "...Hm...? Whatever could you mean...? The mistletoe condition is certainly not your doing."

The Venusaur blinked, not expecting the sudden intimacy of her arm entwining against his. It was a bit surprising coming from Voile, especially when he was only used to that careful closeness from Bulba - but he couldn't say he entirely minded. He relaxed quickly enough, and lowered his voice as well.

"They... exchange memories when you kiss," he told her, a nervous flutter in his throat. She must not have known - or maybe they didn't happen all the time. Still feeling ashamed, he couldn't bring himself to meet her eyes and stared aimlessly at the ground instead.

"I saw some things I really shouldn't've saw. Said things I shouldn't've said. Y'know - just made a mess overall."

Ah. And yes, the so-called mistletoe 'condition.' Yet she could relate. There were certainly memories she hadn't wanted to see—shouldn't have seen—and yet they were there all along. She replayed Bulba's insecurities in her mind and her grasp on Vinnie nearly tightened. Yet she refrained for the sake of subtleties and nodded along slowly.

"That does certainly seem to be the way of it, Vincent. I played audience to a few of those myself." Her free hand brushed along his forearm as reassuringly as she could manage. Yet she seemed to know well enough that she wasn't good at that kind of thing. Especially when it came to Vinnie, who she had put a wall up against several times.

"Surely not all is lost, though, no?" she asked with raised eyebrows. "It isn't your fault. You cannot be held so responsible for reactions. At least, not in my opinion. Expecting a stone face in the pathway of a memory that isn't yours is unfair and not justified. I wish you would not be so hard and judgmental of yourself."

Who was actually at fault hardly mattered at this point - and maybe it was because of the residual emotions from the memories he'd momentarily lived through. The Venusaur knew that the things Char threw at him weren't unfounded, and he knew how deeply he hurt inside. But the Fire Type had been vulnerable - he'd opened up to him, both willingly and unwillingly - and Vinnie had used it against him. Even knowing it was wrong, he couldn't stop himself in time.

"Maybe, but I still have t'fix it somehow," said Vinnie, glancing back to see the concern on her face. It was a mutual mistake, and Char definitely wasn't going to be the one to save things.

Because if he didn't, if this stretched much further beyond the holidays, the Venusaur knew it'd become a much larger problem for him, and for Bulba. Peering into the deep, unrequited love his boyfriend had for Green was bad enough, but with uncertainty on two fronts, Vinnie couldn't help shake the feeling that whatever happiness he'd managed to build between them was doomed not to last.

It was... interesting, at the very least to hear both sides of the intertwined story. While Voile had never really gotten onto any side of Char, she knew there was tension between Red and Green teams. Marie and Bulba had been indicative of that enough. But to be fair, all things considered, Voile had no outstanding fondness for Red. Grudges were bad and she shouldn't have held them, but her own memories had quite the hold on her. More than she'd thought, thanks to the exchange with Kiyotaka.

As she eyed Vinnie, she tried to listen for everything he didn't say as inconspicuously as she could. Not necessarily to help. She imagined it wouldn't be of much help at all. Well, that she wouldn't be of much help. Vinnie had a bad case of independence and for her to chide him about that would have been so stupidly hypocritical that she knew where the line was drawn and also knew when to keep her pretty, plush mouth shut.

It didn't make her feel any different on the inside, however, and perhaps part of wanting to see this or that fail for him was for her own benefit. Not that she felt it would change anything. She wasn't confident (or arrogant) enough to think she could be what he needed. She merely wanted to be what he needed. But wants and needs. Compulsive little things that were selfish, self-indulgent, and while Voile knew she was a terrible person for it, she didn't hate herself as much as she probably should have.

So she patted him gently, but took the initiative to have them stroll at a remarkably slow pace. "What do you intend to do?" Voile asked him tenderly, surprisingly patient.

Vinnie let himself be led, barely aware that they had started moving at all. "I don't know," he admitted. "I have no fucking clue."

Something about walking seemed to help words flow more freely from his mouth, however. Like his legs were secretly turbines that got the gears in his head turning. Concrete answers eluded him still, but at least he was starting to feel more comfortable speaking freely. The need to be alert for mistletoe just simply hadn't crossed his mind, not with Voile's reassuring presence at his side.

"At least I don't have any Christmas plans with Green's team," he thought out loud. The mere idea of celebrating the holidays with them was just too awkward for Vinnie to stand, especially now. "I was just gonna let Bulba spend time with his family. Probably better that I stay out've the way."

It was a good idea on her part. Listening to him allowed her to stop listening to the voices in her head, but like Vinnie, her mind certainly wasn't on mistletoe immediately. Eventually it'd crop back up there—probably too late—but for the time being, she was blissfully ignorant of the pretty sprigs of green and white.

She listened attentively, nodding along occasionally. She wasn't going to ask for details, and prying was only going to get her so far. Part of her wanted specifics. The rest of her decided that Vinnie was more important than team drama. And he was, really. At the end of it all, how he was feeling was far more of import than the 'how's and the 'why's.

If that's how you really feel, she found herself thinking as she eyed him with the one free eye.

So what she said to follow up with came out quicker than she'd meant for it to and without the most necessary verbal filter. Because otherwise she wouldn't have said it at all, and just kept it locked up nice and tight, like several other things she had no intention of sharing. "As it may be wiser for the situation. Would you care to spend it with me, then?"

The look in Vinnie's eyes lightened, pleasantly surprised by her offer. "I wouldn't mind," he said, and the words came out easily, even if his smile took a bit more effort to muster in the midst of his mood.

But just as quickly, he added, "Sonny wouldn't either. We were thinking 'bout making some food together. Since none've us have trainers around, it might be nice t'spend it with family we made here."

Perhaps in part to all that changed and transpired without his knowledge, Vinnie still regarded Voile as the little sister of Red Team. After all, she was dear not only to himself, but to both Sonny and Marie as well - but that made it all the more difficult for him to move beyond and see her as something more. It might've been a fleeting notion he'd considered ages ago, but the idea never stuck. It felt like too much of a betrayal for him to let himself even entertain it. Marie hated him, and Sonny loved him unconditionally. All the same, in his heart they were both his little brothers, even if Vinnie himself was no longer sure if he could go back and call Red Team home.

She didn't reply immediately. Mostly because the thought of Sonny halted her right quick. She had nothing against the Snorlax. Except that wasn't true. She disliked very much that after his absence for a year—which admittedly was for a decent reason and somewhat out of his control where time lines were concerned—he seemed to press for a Voile who simply couldn't exist any longer. Because she wouldn't permit it to.

Voile looked aside, as if giving the whole concept some thought. Vinnie had a good point, however. Sonny and Vinnie were a team. Brothers. And if Marie had been there still, Marie would have been with them. It didn't matter if Red was there or not. And it didn't matter that Vinnie had voluntarily left Red's team to pursue his own avenues. She found herself patting his arm again.

"Oh, that's right," she said, sounding far lighter of heart than she actually was. Because if she was honest, she had no desire to be joining a 'Red family event.' "You should spend it with Sonny." As she looked back to Vinnie, she gave him an encouraging nod.

If Marie was there, more likely Vinnie would've avoided it altogether, for the Wartortle's sake and his own, and just spent Christmas alone. For that reason, he hadn't really thought of it as a Red family event, just... two brothers and anyone who wanted to join them. Sonny was the most inviting soul he knew, after all.

But maybe some bad blood still lingered, in Voile's mind. He couldn't entirely blame her. Though no one had truly been at fault, he knew from personal experience that such situations only made the sadness all the more frustrating, with no one to rightfully direct it towards.

"S'not just Sonny. There's a Jumpluff joining us and Skid might play games with us later." It was just reassurance that she wouldn't be the odd one out, but she didn't have to accept. "It's up to you, though."

"That hardly seems like a place I belong," she admitted with a soft laugh. "I implore you to enjoy the holiday with your family."

For evidently talk of Sonny was more than enough to keep her out of things. She'd read more than once that someone only had power if another empowered them. Voile may have been strong and mildly independent, but when it came to emotional sentiment, just about every single person overpowered her. And those who had a grasp at some point in time over her heart had even more sway.

Much to her chagrin.

"I thank you, however, for the generous invitation. How rude it was of me to assume that you did not already have plans." But she was still smiling and still looking kind, which took more effort than she'd anticipated it to. "Yet they sound lovely."

"If you're sure," Vinnie said, with a hint of hesitation. He knew she was just gently letting him down with a soft no. Of course, it was her decision - he had no wish to force her do anything that would make her uncomfortable.

They'd only been spur of the moment plans, but right now the Venusaur was glad for them. It just gave him something to do, something to work on that'd distract him from the emotional conflict that loomed over him. He wasn't even honestly sure if he'd be able to enjoy the company fully this way, but as long as he had some sort of job to do, he wasn't completely unneeded.

Maybe he was just fooling himself into thinking that Sonny needed him too. He'd thought that way about Sasha, but in the end, all he'd been doing was stifling her from becoming the proud young woman she was. It was an old fear, but one beginning to re-emerge. He needed to be needed. For something. Anything.

It was the source of that protective urge that would come over him when loved ones were concerned. Frowning just a little out of concern, he still had to remark, "I don't like the idea've you spending Christmas alone, though." There was a beat as he tried to come up with a solution, and landed on, "Maybe I could join you later...?"

Since there was no original intent to even extend the offer to him, Voile managed to evade what possibly could have been incredibly awkward for her, and she had neither lost nor gained anything. Holidays were a thing for certain. Only one of them she'd spent with her actual team. And briefly she'd gone back to Lilycove to visit Alcin, just for a fleeting peace of mind. But now she was back at the academy and wasn't quite up for another trip to Hoenn.

And if she was honest with herself, she was under the impression that trying to spend holidays with anyone where she wasn't distracted likely wouldn't be a very enjoyable time. So in the end, it was probably for the best that Vinnie had his plans. Better for all parties involved, because it could have easily made Voile all the more bitter towards him, and for no reason intentionally on his part.

"It would not be the first," she replied, though hardly sounding displeased by it. Was she lonely? She couldn't say. She just didn't know and she was beginning to think that being alone suited her. Because she still couldn't rely on anyone. Maybe Warren. Maybe. "I doubt I'll be doing anything of interest, so it probably is for the best to be granting that time to the others. I'm not a good hostess when it's not a contest or a host club."

Vinnie smiled, though it was a little sadly. "You're still putting everyone else before yourself," he observed. But it was something he couldn't reprimand her for, even if he maybe wished she didn't - not without being at least a little bit of a hypocrite. It was a tough habit to break. And even if Vinnie liked to think he was learning to be a bit happier by being more selfish these days, there were still times that he'd feel a surge of guilt for it.

He couldn't change that nature of hers any more than he could change the seasons - but at the very least he could try to reassure Voile that she was still someone important to him.

"You don't need t'be a perfect hostess all the time 'round me. You know that, right?" On instinct, Vinnie leaned in and nuzzled his cheek against her hair, with his flower smelling ever-so-sweeter so it could impart a small gift of his aroma onto her as well.

"You're still putting everyone else before yourself."

Like she hadn't heard that before. Worse, she couldn't even argue it because there would be no point. So I am, she thought. And I'm disgusting for it. Disgusting for my heart, and for being influenced by others for the sake of others. We'll see how long that lasts. On the other hand, Vinnie wasn't too terribly different. She'd never known the Venusaur to be particularly self-indulgent and it wasn't like she could chide him for it. Especially since she was only recently learning how to be a little more self-centered herself.

Admittedly, she felt multiple things the moment he leaned in. A wave of irritation that she knew was hers. The affection she almost didn't mind, but it was very conflicting. Like the heart and the mind were brandishing blades and striking at one another until they met in a death lock. While she toyed with the idea of pushing him off, she found it'd be far too suspicious. So she gave him a few moments to be endearing with her before she tried to snake her way out from him and the proverbial way he held her.

"I-I'm aware," she managed to get out with a dejected sigh. "Old habits die hard, or something like that. Pretty sure that's the human turn of phrase. Better to be a good hostess than to be a bit—a not good one," Voile corrected herself sharply. "My point remains. I should probably be using my time to plan upcoming contest and host club for springtime."

Vinnie was pretty sure he just imagined it, but did Voile almost swear? He blinked, and tried to shrug it off. Still, it was surprising. She was probably more stressed about putting up proper appearances than she wanted to seem - maybe it'd just put more pressure on her if he pointed it out?

Maybe he was just making things worse.

He wanted to be there to support her, so he ought to just support her, right? Plain and simple. She was perfectly responsible already, so it meant respecting her choices, even if he couldn't help but be a bit worried for her. Protecting someone who didn't want it would just be like making the same mistake with his siblings all over again, he reminded himself. Injecting himself where he wasn't needed only ended up pushing people away - or worse, causing resentment.

So, he breathed in deep and tried to look encouraging. "Look, no matter what you do, I'm sure it'll be amazing. A host club event sounds like the perfect thing t'welcome in the spring. And you probably have a ton of contest dresses you need t'plan."

And thankfully he didn't dare address anything she stumbled over. Because he was right. She stressed a lot as it was, and had tried to let go of it. But the funny thing about stress was that there was an unrequited adoration where it was concerned. She could turn her back on it and pretend it didn't exist and yet there it was, waiting for her when she came in for the day, and sleeping with her in the night.

Enough that she was ready to stop going to her room period. Even sleeping in the commons room would be easier and as she was standing there talking with Vinnie, she was highly considering just such a thing.

"Yeah," she replied with a nod. "It'll be fine. My events always turn out spectacular, so a spring club and contest deal will be just as fabulous as everything else I've done." Because it was true and she knew it. When she touched a host club or a contest, it became perfect. It wasn't even bragging, because it was matter-of-fact and anyone who'd been to any of those things witnessed it firsthand.

"When I get everything set up, you better make sure you attend. That is, if I still can't convince you to be a poster child for me this year."

"You're still after me for your posters?" His face cracked in a slightly flustered smile of disbelief - it'd certainly been a long time since the last time she brought that up, but it looked like she'd hadn't ever forgotten.

Back then, he hadn't exactly been in a great state when it came to being comfortable in his own body. With the scars over his back still fresh, the idea of being around Voile for any length of time with them exposed, much less plastered around the halls, was too shameful to even think about. But it'd been years since then, and his recovery had been nothing but positive for a while. The scars themselves had receded by a fair bit already, allowing Vinnie to regain confidence over his own body.

Sure, the idea of people looking at posters of him a bit more than he wanted to admit (since he was a tough man type and all), but... well, he did want a way to help Voile. She'd pretty much handed him one. Besides, Bulba probably wouldn't object to the posters? ~~Completely forgetting about his insecurities regarding Vinnie and beautiful ladies~~

"You know I'd definitely attend," he told her. "And... well, maybe I could be convinced. A little."

"What can I say?" Voile shook her head and offered up her shoulders in a shrug. "I'm stubborn. When I want something, I want it."

And I find a way to get it.

Her smile was thinner than it usually was, but not overt or in excess. "I think you'd be well-suited for it, still. I can't be in my own posters, though naturally I would be first choice. People will see plenty of me, after all." She made something of a 'tsk'ing sound and continued. "I can tailor an outfit just for you. Something that screams you and makes you comfortable. I'll make it extremely easy on you, Vincent. I would only need you to come in for garment discussion, textiles, materials, and two or three fittings, and then hair and makeup."

Was that a tsk pointed at his taste in clothes?

...Well, she did have better taste than him, he couldn't deny that. Probably he deserved some tsk-ing.

"Uh-huh. Easy." Vinnie smirked in good humour. It was rather nice to see her talk like she was in her element, even if it was still a bit intimidating to someone who'd never bothered with dressing up much. (She said easy, but it still sounded like a lot to him...)

"You're a hard woman t'say no to once. I don't think I can do it twice."

"All right," she conceded. "Easy for me." Voile motioned to herself and cocked an eyebrow, "But that's because I'm used to it. I'm going to try to make it as easy on you as possible. The only thing you have to do is stand still while I take your measurements, fit things to you, and make some of your best features more prominent."

"You're a hard woman t'say no to once. I don't think I can do it twice."

And something about hearing him say it inflated her ego all the further. She enjoyed hearing it, especially from someone like him.

"If that's really the case, then perhaps you should save yourself the trouble and just say yes this time around. Who knows, maybe you'll find something that'll be worth your while."

Standing still through for all that sounded like a different kind of excruciating, actually. But he didn't say so out loud.

Vinnie chuckled. "Al'right, al'right - you can stop twistin' my arm. You got your yes already."

There was a confidence and twinkle in Voile's eyes that he just felt reassured seeing. It made him feel a lot better for agreeing to help, especially with how internalized she was before.

"Twisting your arm?" she asked with some feigned surprise. "You are so dramatic. I always thought that was my gift."

And Warren's, though she wisely kept that to herself.

"I guess since you're so nice to agree to it that I'll have to find a way to compensate for the trouble." Voile nodded, as if confirming it with herself. "I'll find something at some point in time for the contest."

~~Something that was not going to be her coming onto him, surely.~~

"Y'don't actually have t'do that. I just wanna be able t'help you out," Vinnie insisted. The fact that he felt useful in some way was payment enough. That was already more than he could ask for.

"Besides," he added, "bein' able to do something with you is enough for me already." After all, how often did he get to spend quality time with the Gardevoir these days? He enjoyed her company, but they did lead very different lives. It'd be interesting to see her world for a change. New experiences and such.

~~Just come onto him the whole time, do it.~~

"Oh, listen to you..."

Voile couldn't resist laughing. She shook her head, as if in a sort of disbelief. "Keep talking like that, I'll starting turning red and I can't hide that." But she was still grinning like nothing else even considered bothering her.

"I didn't know you were so interested in doing anything with me. I was pretty certain your interest in me was purely of a guardian to his ward. Basically, as long as I was vertical and breathing, that was good enough for you." She chortled softly. "How flattering."

merry merry christmas, and I want you to know

8D

how dare you I can't unsee it

BUT ARE YOU IN A GLASS CASE OF EMOTION?

I MIGHT BEEEE

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ugh I have no suitable icons

I'LL PRETEND.

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