[It's only because Noé is here that Vanitas has confidence that he won't get too much of an earful or worse. So for that he's grateful to his friend. Otherwise he probably would've stalked out of there simply to avoid the inevitable backlash for his request.
Although it's clear by his surprised expression when Vincent tugs on him that he's not expecting to be hauled into his lap, thus it's easy to accomplish even if he's weakened still. Heat creeps up onto his cheeks immediately, leaving him all the more put out, but at least he manages to meet Vincent's stare without backing down or looking away this time.]
It's my belief that it would've only been temporary. [He reiterates that point, but glances over at Noé with a troubled look. He knows that it probably would have disturbed him greatly, especially having been the one to do it. Left him guilt-ridden and in tears, no doubt. Still, he doesn't want to admit it was foolish notion and a bad choice.
His hands come to rest on Vincent's shoulders, gripping at him tightly in turn.]
D-Don't be absurd... There would be no need for you to do something so damn dramatic as following me to death's door! And you! What of Gilbert, hmm? You think you should just leave him without his brother? No more nonsense. If I'm not allowed to go and die, then neither are you. Either of you!
[Noé blinks, though he supposes he shouldn't be surprised that he is coming into the conversation, even if it seems more like something to discuss between the other two, perhaps. But it is true that he would have struggled even more if he really had gone through with Vanitas' request. His lips part even as he frowns slightly, feeling his cheeks warm as Vanitas continues.]
Either of us? Then don't you go being so reckless!
[He exclaims, stubborn even as his voice breaks a little. While they have had these arguments before, and it always seems to just go around in circles, he can't help speaking up then.]
You couldn't kill me. Even when you had your knife at my throat. So how do you expect me to?!
[ Reiteratied or not, Vincent will quirk his brow in disbelief, head canted.
Of course, before he has an opportunity to respond, Noé chimes in. Closing his mouth, his eyes roll over to the other man - but he makes valid points, so it’s difficult to be annoyed about it, either way. With an impressed little hum, his vision settles back upon Vanitas, squeezing his waist to command his attention back on him, before the other has a chance for an outburst himself. ]
As for me, I’m afraid that love hardly makes reasonable; however, it does strengthen my resolve. If you can swear to me that you will stop pursuing destruction, then you can rest assured when I say that I’ll do the same. If not… well. [ Shrug! ]
I never take on more than I can handle, dammit! And because I--
[Yes, it's certainly a circular argument that they would've gotten into not for the first time, were not for Vincent's intervention. The pressure around his waist silences him before things can get too heated, perhaps surprisingly. Fingers twist in the fabric of his lover's shirt and he growls, a sound ending more in a feline hiss as his ears flatten back.]
...I only desired an out from what our captors were doing to us, nothing more. [Not strictly true, but for now it's the only compromise he's willing to make. He tries to never make promises he can't keep, and this is no exception.] I have no intention of dying anytime soon. So neither should you. I plan on staying alive long enough to see my revenge through, and that includes against Patho-Gen.
Good. Because I've no intentions of freeing you, either.
[He chimes back, still bristling a little himself, even as Vincent acts as a balm to deter things from escalating between them, as it usually does with their bickering often ending up with someone (usually the vampire) getting kicked or smacked. His jaw is set even as he pouts, stubbornly defiant as usual, as Vanitas hisses and continues. Not that Vincent might quite get what he means by that, but the blond can probably guess. From the context, anyway. That this isn't the first time they've had such an argument.]
[ While Vanitas’ response was relatively expected, Noe’s comment would earn a knit of his brow. Yes, he can assume its meaning, based on everything he’s learned about the young doctor. That doesn’t mean he enjoys the phrasing.
With a sigh, Vincent shakes his head. Otherwise he’s undeterred by his lover’s hissing, enough so that he would bridge the distance between them with a kiss. ]
I see. No promises, then. I’d been looking forward to making Patho-Gen suffer at our hands, but I suppose that I’ll need to reconsider that, as well, if it means seeing you off.
[It's muttered to Noé under his breath as he scowls that much harder. He still recalls telling Noé that he would "free" him from the confines of his relationship with Dominique at the start of their fight, so the meaning isn't lost on him, even if he hasn't experienced Noé refusing to give up on him during their fight.
His bristling tones down though once Vincent kisses him, swallowing his growls until they're a mere whine and his tail ceases lashing about quite so hard.]
I still have my revenge back home to see through, so don't think I'll going to go and off myself the moment we punish Patho-Gen. Besides, I doubt we'll be able to easily return the favor to them enough to satisfy me...
[Meaning he's damn pissed at them and a few bodies aren't going to be enough to sate his ire.]
[Noé agrees, seeming more satisfied as Vanitas calms down some. If nothing else, appealing to Vanitas's stubborn side tended to work. He still has plenty of vampires to save and help back home. They still need to figure out how to resolve their situation here. What to do about Patho-Gen. He wouldn't be against ensuring that Patho-Gen couldn't torture anyone else, at least.]
You know I'll support you. We'll figure it out. Together. All of us.
[ Though Vincent would eye Vanitas skeptically, the noises emanating from his lover are enough to make a corner of his mouth pluck higher. It’s difficult to scold one who is just so lovely when agitated. Being able to affect that mood is just as satisfying.]
Hm. No, easy certainly wasn’t what I had in mind, either…
[ Gaze settling on Noé thoughtfully, he hums. If the man is as capable as Vanitas claims, he would certainly be an asset. It hadn’t been something he’d envisioned for himself, working with the both of them. ]
[Heaving a heavy sigh knowing that he's "stuck" with Noé for the foreseeable future, Vanitas continues his mini hissy fit by pouting outright into the attentions he's getting. It's difficult to remain threatening and defiant when your weak points are being exploited, though he's trying his best to.]
We wouldn't want them to simply roll over, now would we?
[Casting off his gloomy mood, he grins, a wicked, feral smile that's unlike any he's used up to this point.]
No... I want them to fight and struggle as much as I did.
[He's exclaimed enough times by now that Vanitas is well aware of how stubborn and persistent he is about staying. He has no intention of leaving Vanitas at this point. Least of all in a place and situation like this. When he is so worried about Vanitas here, given the experiments and all.
That and he just figures, the more of them working together, the more likely they might manage to succeed in something, at least. While he might not be quite as inclined to be as cruel as Vanitas probably plans, and doesn't want to harm those working for Patho-Gen that weren't involved with their torture, he's also not against the chance to punch one of them either.]
....We're not torturing them. I just want to make sure they don't do something like that to anyone else.
[ Oh, but that smile would only make Vincent’s grow, in turn. It drives a need in him that he often keeps pushed far down enough to subdue, but seeing it spoken on his lover’s lips leaves him starving for it. With a purring him, his hands glide over Vanitas’ hips. ]
I see no problem making them suffer. Simply losing a few employees would hardly matter to Patho-Gen, but the dread of terrible repercussions will seep through their ranks like poison in their veins.
[It's actually rather reassuring to know that even here in this world, despite the hell they've been through, Noé still remains steadfast by his side. He flashes his companion a surprisingly soft look, but when the subject turns to Patho-Gen, that expression is devoured by ire.
It's true that together they could manage more than any of them would alone, but their methods are clearly going to clash. Yet in this case it's rather clear who the winners are. Two against one here, Noé. You're out voted.]
What better way to make sure they never have another chance to do so than to get all the information of their operations first, so that it won't be repeated? And Vincent's right: without proper punishment, there will be no deterrent. A few suffering now will save many more from heartbreak later.
That still doesn't mean we should torture or kill them....!
[But. Well. It does seem that Noé is in the minority in that opinion. He probably shouldn't be too surprised. Given how focused Vanitas is on revenge, even back home. Of course, he would also be furious at Patho-Gen here as well. After what he had been put through because of them. It isn't that Noé isn't also furious. He is. More at what had happened to Vanitas than himself, but he still isn't necessarily that cruel to want to do the same in retaliation.]
Maybe we can just find and damage their buildings or something? That way, nobody would get hurt, but we could stop them from being able to torture us.
[ Idly nuzzling along Vanitas’ cheek, thumbs kneading into his hips, Vincent only chuckles. ]
What would stop them from reforming, then? Doing so would provide them an opportunity to rebuild with better technologies - and safeguards. To retaliate, rather than focus their efforts on defense.
Oh, Noé... You still have so much to learn. It's not merely about revenge. It's a tactical approach, meant to keep us and our fellow Augmented safe in the future. Surely even you can understand the value in that...
[He has to laugh, too, though his is a darker, deeper one. But all the same, he reaches out to pet Noé's hair soothingly, nosing at Vincent in turn.]
Don't worry. It isn't as though we'd go on a mindless rampage. ...probably. Hehe. Or we could follow the tried and true method of taking a hostage again.
It's not that I don't want to keep everyone safe. I just...Think we should consider options.
[It isn't necessarily that he has the answers. But he is still much more soft-hearted in comparison to the other two. Less keen on anything too violent or cruel. He pouts, closing an eye as Vanitas reaches to pet his hair. The vampire does want to help, of course. He's just less sure about how to go about it.]
A hostage? One of Patho-Gen's employees? Assuming we could figure out access to get to one of them.
[ Humming doubtfully, the blond’s head lulls in thought. ]
In my experience, the employees which we have access to here in the city know nothing of what happens outside of their scope. We can assume that they have little worth to the entity as a whole. [ A shrug. ] If we can locate the testing facilities, that might be another matter.
[At that Vanitas can't help sighing heavily. Though rather than argue endlessly, he nods.]
I admit there will be times where brute force won't have any merit. Especially when it concerns the likes of the forward-facing employees like those we deal with everyday. Them, there's little point in hurting. We would need to get our hands on a higher up to make it worth our while.
As you say, locating the testing facilities would be most ideal. It nothing else, we could demolish them with our powers. Ah well, for now it's mere venting...
[Which is annoying in and of itself, but, well... One has to make do with what one has.]
Hm. I doubt finding them would be easy. Especially when my memories of that week are kind of not the best. But I'm guessing that was probably on purpose. To stop us from finding those buildings again. But you're right. I doubt the ones we see around otherwise know much more than we do, probably.
[He supposes this may take time, anyway. To plan things out. To decide just how to go about finding out more about this place and all. It isn't like they are in any major rush about it. Really, having been here all of a month or so, if that, he's still settling in and adjusting to everything. And he figures the same for Vanitas.]
[ Who’s arguing? This is discussing strategy, a necessary first step if they’re to be working together. Vincent can sense Vanitas’ frustration, however, and massages his fingers into the other’s hips in some effort to soothe. ]
Hm. You were transported out of the city somehow, and it’s possible that at least one of the employees saw something of interest. It’s still worth pursuing that knowledge, I merely suggest that we manage our expectations - and rather, focus our efforts on interrupting their operations, and their confidence. There’s still a plethora of destruction to be had there, rest assured. [ An all too pleasant smile. ] In fact, we’d be counting on it.
Ugh... Yeah, even though I've been able to recall more and more of what we went through, our arrival there remains a frustrating blank... Damn them and their devious ways--!
[Knowing they were moved outside of the city helps a bit, at least. And he supposes there must be people who saw their transport, though how they identify them is a matter for debate.]
Yes. Even if we can't locate their testing facilities, perhaps we can interrupt their work here. Through whatever means are necessary. [The hands upon his hips help soothe him, though he still grins menacingly.] I want the right people to know the pain and fear we went through...
I remember some bits and pieces a little. But....yes, a lot still seems to be missing. Like how we got there in the first place. Still, so long as the destruction won't hurt people who weren't involved with our kidnapping and torture.
[Because, for all that he can't entirely disagree on the idea of messing with Patho-Gen and wanting to make them pay for what they'd done to Vanitas, let alone everyone else, he doesn't want to involve those who might just happen to work for Patho-Gen and have had no idea about what went on. He would want to be sure that it was their captors.]
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Date: 2025-10-31 03:44 am (UTC)Although it's clear by his surprised expression when Vincent tugs on him that he's not expecting to be hauled into his lap, thus it's easy to accomplish even if he's weakened still. Heat creeps up onto his cheeks immediately, leaving him all the more put out, but at least he manages to meet Vincent's stare without backing down or looking away this time.]
It's my belief that it would've only been temporary. [He reiterates that point, but glances over at Noé with a troubled look. He knows that it probably would have disturbed him greatly, especially having been the one to do it. Left him guilt-ridden and in tears, no doubt. Still, he doesn't want to admit it was foolish notion and a bad choice.
His hands come to rest on Vincent's shoulders, gripping at him tightly in turn.]
D-Don't be absurd... There would be no need for you to do something so damn dramatic as following me to death's door! And you! What of Gilbert, hmm? You think you should just leave him without his brother? No more nonsense. If I'm not allowed to go and die, then neither are you. Either of you!
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Date: 2025-10-31 04:19 am (UTC)[Noé blinks, though he supposes he shouldn't be surprised that he is coming into the conversation, even if it seems more like something to discuss between the other two, perhaps. But it is true that he would have struggled even more if he really had gone through with Vanitas' request. His lips part even as he frowns slightly, feeling his cheeks warm as Vanitas continues.]
Either of us? Then don't you go being so reckless!
[He exclaims, stubborn even as his voice breaks a little. While they have had these arguments before, and it always seems to just go around in circles, he can't help speaking up then.]
You couldn't kill me. Even when you had your knife at my throat. So how do you expect me to?!
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Date: 2025-10-31 05:30 am (UTC)Of course, before he has an opportunity to respond, Noé chimes in. Closing his mouth, his eyes roll over to the other man - but he makes valid points, so it’s difficult to be annoyed about it, either way. With an impressed little hum, his vision settles back upon Vanitas, squeezing his waist to command his attention back on him, before the other has a chance for an outburst himself. ]
As for me, I’m afraid that love hardly makes reasonable; however, it does strengthen my resolve. If you can swear to me that you will stop pursuing destruction, then you can rest assured when I say that I’ll do the same. If not… well. [ Shrug! ]
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Date: 2025-10-31 05:55 am (UTC)[Yes, it's certainly a circular argument that they would've gotten into not for the first time, were not for Vincent's intervention. The pressure around his waist silences him before things can get too heated, perhaps surprisingly. Fingers twist in the fabric of his lover's shirt and he growls, a sound ending more in a feline hiss as his ears flatten back.]
...I only desired an out from what our captors were doing to us, nothing more. [Not strictly true, but for now it's the only compromise he's willing to make. He tries to never make promises he can't keep, and this is no exception.] I have no intention of dying anytime soon. So neither should you. I plan on staying alive long enough to see my revenge through, and that includes against Patho-Gen.
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Date: 2025-10-31 06:13 am (UTC)[He chimes back, still bristling a little himself, even as Vincent acts as a balm to deter things from escalating between them, as it usually does with their bickering often ending up with someone (usually the vampire) getting kicked or smacked. His jaw is set even as he pouts, stubbornly defiant as usual, as Vanitas hisses and continues. Not that Vincent might quite get what he means by that, but the blond can probably guess. From the context, anyway. That this isn't the first time they've had such an argument.]
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Date: 2025-10-31 06:32 am (UTC)With a sigh, Vincent shakes his head. Otherwise he’s undeterred by his lover’s hissing, enough so that he would bridge the distance between them with a kiss. ]
I see. No promises, then. I’d been looking forward to making Patho-Gen suffer at our hands, but I suppose that I’ll need to reconsider that, as well, if it means seeing you off.
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Date: 2025-10-31 06:43 am (UTC)[It's muttered to Noé under his breath as he scowls that much harder. He still recalls telling Noé that he would "free" him from the confines of his relationship with Dominique at the start of their fight, so the meaning isn't lost on him, even if he hasn't experienced Noé refusing to give up on him during their fight.
His bristling tones down though once Vincent kisses him, swallowing his growls until they're a mere whine and his tail ceases lashing about quite so hard.]
I still have my revenge back home to see through, so don't think I'll going to go and off myself the moment we punish Patho-Gen. Besides, I doubt we'll be able to easily return the favor to them enough to satisfy me...
[Meaning he's damn pissed at them and a few bodies aren't going to be enough to sate his ire.]
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Date: 2025-10-31 07:11 am (UTC)[Noé agrees, seeming more satisfied as Vanitas calms down some. If nothing else, appealing to Vanitas's stubborn side tended to work. He still has plenty of vampires to save and help back home. They still need to figure out how to resolve their situation here. What to do about Patho-Gen. He wouldn't be against ensuring that Patho-Gen couldn't torture anyone else, at least.]
You know I'll support you. We'll figure it out. Together. All of us.
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Date: 2025-11-01 02:19 am (UTC)Hm. No, easy certainly wasn’t what I had in mind, either…
[ Gaze settling on Noé thoughtfully, he hums. If the man is as capable as Vanitas claims, he would certainly be an asset. It hadn’t been something he’d envisioned for himself, working with the both of them. ]
Yes. All of us.
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Date: 2025-11-01 02:27 am (UTC)[Heaving a heavy sigh knowing that he's "stuck" with Noé for the foreseeable future, Vanitas continues his mini hissy fit by pouting outright into the attentions he's getting. It's difficult to remain threatening and defiant when your weak points are being exploited, though he's trying his best to.]
We wouldn't want them to simply roll over, now would we?
[Casting off his gloomy mood, he grins, a wicked, feral smile that's unlike any he's used up to this point.]
No... I want them to fight and struggle as much as I did.
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Date: 2025-11-01 02:58 am (UTC)That and he just figures, the more of them working together, the more likely they might manage to succeed in something, at least. While he might not be quite as inclined to be as cruel as Vanitas probably plans, and doesn't want to harm those working for Patho-Gen that weren't involved with their torture, he's also not against the chance to punch one of them either.]
....We're not torturing them. I just want to make sure they don't do something like that to anyone else.
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Date: 2025-11-01 04:23 am (UTC)I see no problem making them suffer. Simply losing a few employees would hardly matter to Patho-Gen, but the dread of terrible repercussions will seep through their ranks like poison in their veins.
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Date: 2025-11-01 06:43 am (UTC)It's true that together they could manage more than any of them would alone, but their methods are clearly going to clash. Yet in this case it's rather clear who the winners are. Two against one here, Noé. You're out voted.]
What better way to make sure they never have another chance to do so than to get all the information of their operations first, so that it won't be repeated? And Vincent's right: without proper punishment, there will be no deterrent. A few suffering now will save many more from heartbreak later.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-01 07:42 am (UTC)[But. Well. It does seem that Noé is in the minority in that opinion. He probably shouldn't be too surprised. Given how focused Vanitas is on revenge, even back home. Of course, he would also be furious at Patho-Gen here as well. After what he had been put through because of them. It isn't that Noé isn't also furious. He is. More at what had happened to Vanitas than himself, but he still isn't necessarily that cruel to want to do the same in retaliation.]
Maybe we can just find and damage their buildings or something? That way, nobody would get hurt, but we could stop them from being able to torture us.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-01 05:01 pm (UTC)What would stop them from reforming, then? Doing so would provide them an opportunity to rebuild with better technologies - and safeguards. To retaliate, rather than focus their efforts on defense.
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Date: 2025-11-01 11:14 pm (UTC)[He has to laugh, too, though his is a darker, deeper one. But all the same, he reaches out to pet Noé's hair soothingly, nosing at Vincent in turn.]
Don't worry. It isn't as though we'd go on a mindless rampage. ...probably. Hehe. Or we could follow the tried and true method of taking a hostage again.
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Date: 2025-11-01 11:41 pm (UTC)[It isn't necessarily that he has the answers. But he is still much more soft-hearted in comparison to the other two. Less keen on anything too violent or cruel. He pouts, closing an eye as Vanitas reaches to pet his hair. The vampire does want to help, of course. He's just less sure about how to go about it.]
A hostage? One of Patho-Gen's employees? Assuming we could figure out access to get to one of them.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-02 12:38 am (UTC)In my experience, the employees which we have access to here in the city know nothing of what happens outside of their scope. We can assume that they have little worth to the entity as a whole. [ A shrug. ] If we can locate the testing facilities, that might be another matter.
no subject
Date: 2025-11-02 12:53 am (UTC)I admit there will be times where brute force won't have any merit. Especially when it concerns the likes of the forward-facing employees like those we deal with everyday. Them, there's little point in hurting. We would need to get our hands on a higher up to make it worth our while.
As you say, locating the testing facilities would be most ideal. It nothing else, we could demolish them with our powers. Ah well, for now it's mere venting...
[Which is annoying in and of itself, but, well... One has to make do with what one has.]
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Date: 2025-11-02 09:07 am (UTC)[He supposes this may take time, anyway. To plan things out. To decide just how to go about finding out more about this place and all. It isn't like they are in any major rush about it. Really, having been here all of a month or so, if that, he's still settling in and adjusting to everything. And he figures the same for Vanitas.]
no subject
Date: 2025-11-03 09:59 pm (UTC)Hm. You were transported out of the city somehow, and it’s possible that at least one of the employees saw something of interest. It’s still worth pursuing that knowledge, I merely suggest that we manage our expectations - and rather, focus our efforts on interrupting their operations, and their confidence. There’s still a plethora of destruction to be had there, rest assured. [ An all too pleasant smile. ] In fact, we’d be counting on it.
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Date: 2025-11-04 12:11 am (UTC)[Knowing they were moved outside of the city helps a bit, at least. And he supposes there must be people who saw their transport, though how they identify them is a matter for debate.]
Yes. Even if we can't locate their testing facilities, perhaps we can interrupt their work here. Through whatever means are necessary. [The hands upon his hips help soothe him, though he still grins menacingly.] I want the right people to know the pain and fear we went through...
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Date: 2025-11-04 09:20 am (UTC)[Because, for all that he can't entirely disagree on the idea of messing with Patho-Gen and wanting to make them pay for what they'd done to Vanitas, let alone everyone else, he doesn't want to involve those who might just happen to work for Patho-Gen and have had no idea about what went on. He would want to be sure that it was their captors.]