What Now? [Vanyel/Open]

Vanyel blinked as she mentioned his familiarity with Mana. Well, this was a bit awkward. Even forgoing the time he spent in Shadow Fall and the concealed Seal of Eris on his chest, the Queen of Demons was someone he had become a bit personal with, given those he knew, as well as him just having a habit of calling people by their names. To him, it just felt normal. He found himself rubbing the back of his neck as he answered, partially avoiding the topic.

"Uh...somethin' like that."

The small response to his comment, however, made him freeze. He could see her expression changing as she mumbled, and Vanyel felt a chill run down his spine at the thought of his transformation really being permanent. He knew and could agree that conversion and reversion were vastly different in the manner of processes and difficulty.

But, as Ajita shifted the topic, asking what he was going to do now, Vanyel hesitated. He knew that he had the access to the Demon World, and he knew Mana and Algos on a somewhat personal level, given his involvement with everything that had transpired in the past year. But, he knew that Algos likely despised him for having abandoned he and Calypso's home in Demon World, burning it to the ground.

Mana was a possibility. He was at least on somewhat good terms with her, even if their last meeting had been...

His expression darkened at the thought, only to turn even more dark as Ajita inquired about the nature of the one who turned him. His fingers tightened around the cup, grasping it so firmly that his fingers and hands began trembling. A lump formed in his throat again, but, letting out a shaky breath, his fingers soon relaxed.

"No. She wasn't. She...was my girlfriend, fiancée, whatever. It's...complicated. She was a Danava. The Danava of Dreams and Nightmares, and...the daughter of Mana Asthavon."

Vanyel's head perked up at the mention of her name. He knew that she had some influence before her...passing, but, he was a bit surprised at someone knowing her name. But, as Ajita continued, his expression continued to grow concerned and worried, and his heart began to sink. An Asthavon's potency when it came to conversions, and the potential that she was right about it being permanent.

He almost felt sick to his stomach at the idea that he would be stuck like this, in a body that didn't feel like his own anymore -- it scared him. His head began to lower, his fingers tightening around the glass, cracks beginning to form as his hand trembled. It made him angry, it made him feel sick, it made him upset, but...at the same time, it filled him with spite, with determination and will.

Even as he dreaded the idea of being stuck in this form, the spark of rebellion still raged against the thought. He thought back to what he said, mere minutes ago. The thought scared him, but he didn't care. He would still try and find a way to turn himself back. Mana might be an option, but there was still a large part of the world that he had yet to explore, to see if there was someone who could maybe be even stronger than Calypso and be able to reverse this.

So, as his fingers relaxed again, he took a drink, emptying what remained of the contents, before setting it down and sighing, his hands resting in his lap.

"I guess my hardships aren't over yet, huh?"

Perhaps it was a peculiar response, given the information that had just been presented to him. He knew that there was the possibility, but that wouldn't stop him from trying. His gaze shifted to the table as he mumbled.

"Mmm...to take away someone's meanin' and give 'em a new one. Guess you kinda did that with me. Turnin' into a demon gave me a new purpose, but, I'd lost it. And now, I've got a new one: turn back to a human."

He paused, sighing softly as a hand drifted into his pocket, his thumb gently rubbing against his lighter.

"It's gonna be tough, but, I don't care. Even if it's not in your power, I'm sure that it's in someone's. I guess, I still have a chance to reach that finality, that...'Final Shape'."

Jarred out of his thoughts by Ajita cutting herself off, then making a remark that he had only just now realized: that the two of them had been talking for this long, and yet they hadn't even so much as exchanged names. He blinked a couple of times, chuckling softly. Admittedly, it was a bit embarrassing to have gone this long without knowing her name, but, they at least had the chance to correct that.

As she told him her name and the group she was a part of, something felt...oddly familiar about the name. Maybe he had heard about it in passing when he was in Japan as a teen? The name sounded familiar, almost cult-like, but he couldn't properly think of what it meant or where he had heard it. Sitting up straight as well, resting his cheek on his palm, Vanyel returned the smile as he spoke.

"Vanyel Xiaoyang. Thanks for your help, Ajita. I'm...not really sure how I can repay you, or help you in return for helpin' me, but, if you need anythin', let me know."

Vanyel found himself chuckling softly as she spoke. Given what he knew of the Danava, it really was more than just a job, it was basically a way of life. Yet, even if it was part of who she was, there was still something that he wanted to do, to try and show some level of appreciation other than just saying his thanks. As she insisted on another meeting in the future, Vanyel slipped a hand into his pocket and pulled out his phone.

"Well, not to sound creepy or anythin', but, if you wanted, I could keep you updated through text or call, and if you ever needed me, wanted to meet up again, or just, wanted to talk or somethin', you'd be able to reach me easy."

He smiled awkwardly, his fingers tightening around the device, his other hand resting on his thigh as his leg shook and lightly bounced in place.

"Plus, maybe in the future, you could meet some of my friends, or I could even introduce you to the people I met along the way, or, somethin' like that."

Vanyel breathed a small sigh of relief as Ajita gave a rather positive response. He found himself smiling and chuckling, as he pulled up his contact info, but then quickly switched over to the system settings in order to change his phone's language from Chinese to English. He switched it back to his contact info, set his phone on the table and turned it to face her.

"Not a problem. I've been slowly tryin' to get back into workin' myself, so, my time might end up being a bit limited too."

He had to admit, despite the familiarity of the name, he had to wonder what kind of work she did. What all could something called "The Hand of Maitreya" even entail? Especially when the name alone sounded like a cult. His expression turned curious and puzzled, and he was tempted to broach the topic, but...maybe it was better he didn't ask.

"It was nice meetin' you, and it's been nice talkin' to you, Ajita. I'm not usually the philosophy type, but, that was...surprisingly interesting. I never really thought I'd find some familiarity in somethin' as obscure as The Ringin' Bell."