In this illusion

[While he's spent the past few years keeping out of village conflicts and issues entirely, this is a rare time that Vincent is stirred to action. These monsters sound like serious business. Besides, he hasn't slept in days thanks to the nightmares, and needs some kind of an outlet. The demons are all too close to the surface... but that's entirely the point. Better he lets them out on the monsters than on the people he cares for the most.]

There is no choice. I know it's been a long while since I've engaged in battle... but I will join in the fight against this threat.

[He's off to shoot beasties... and during the fighting he'll become a beast himself. They're even less controlled than his counterpart's, so if you're encountering him mid-battle, there is a danger of him accidentally turning on you. He's trying his best to stay alone and keep away from any groups of villagers for this reason, but... well... mistakes happen. If he's encountered early on, he'll start as Galian Beast, but if it's a later time, he'll turn into progressively stronger ones, concluding the beastie invasion as Chaos.]

[Vincent is in the Battle Dome, shooting down monsters, when he transforms. It's not like he's unused to shifting form mid-battle, but it's generally not into the form of a certain lady-scientist. And Lucrecia's body is just not suited for battle. He tries to shoot down the remaining monsters. His skills seem to at least be intact but it's a struggle to physically keep going. So he's heading quickly for an exit.]

[On the way out of the Battle Dome itself, Vincent-as-Lucrecia trips over his considerably too long cape and falls flat on his face. ...Her face. How confusing. And unnerving. He loves Lucrecia and would like to see her more than anything but not in this way.]

...I should have expected this.

[Now appearing live in the town square... but also in voice format on the journals... it's Vincent, once again singing. His monsters are restless because of the messed up AU-ness, so what else can he do but sing about it? This time he's in a blue suit and shorter hair than usual.]

♫Is this the real life?
Is this just fantasy?
Caught in a landslide
No escape from reality
Open your eyes
Look up to the skies and see
I'm just a poor boy, I need no sympathy
Because I'm easy come, easy go
A little high, little low
Any way the wind blows, doesn't really matter to me, to me♫

( cut for LENGTH! not cut ICLY )

[ooc: Vincent is from an AU in which the modern-era Turks found him in the coffin and he went with them in a plan to take the company down from within. Replies will come from demon_turk.]

Does anyone... know what's truly lurking within that mist?

[Perhaps it's best unknown- Vincent dreads and yet needs to know the answer. Since... he's been having problems for a few days now.]

[At first, they were only in the corner of his eye and barely there. But now Vincent swears he's seeing his own inner demons everywhere he goes. As if they're lurking and watching him. Waiting. They're getting closer and more well-defined with each day that passes.]

[He's currently somewhere in town and will immediately draw his gun on anything- or anyone- that approaches him. Perhaps the effect will be spoiled since he's dressed like this, but the look in his eyes is deadly serious and more than a little bit unstable.]

It's been a trying time for us all. These events are far beyond my expertise to handle, although I've done all that I could. [A small sigh about that. This version still has his angst about the monsters, but he also has a way of distracting himself.]

In the meantime, while we have something of a respite... for any ladies who are lonely for companionship, I would be honored to provide that. To those I'm not acquainted with, I'm your resident Valentine. Vincent Valentine.

[Be afraid. Be very afraid. Vincent has actually combed his hair and has tied it back into a ponytail. He's also looking very... gentlemanly and polished overall, and has even set aside his old tattered cape for one that's in much better condition. He's in a mood to wander around town, so you can expect to run into him most anywhere today.]

[...and if you're a woman expect to be randomly given a single red rose if he should so much as glance at you.]

...'bishounen'? That word, yet again...

[He doesn't have to know what it actually means to dislike it. Overall, Vincent sounds utterly appalled.]

I would never commit these indecent acts with allies or enemies. Although it's apparent by now that this is merely... another experiment. Another curse to be endured.

[Yep... Guess who has a journal full of 4chan and is noticing the disturbing fact that he's gotten paired with EVERYONE imaginable from his world? XD]

[Vincent opens his journal with the intent to leave a message, but becomes lost in thought soon after.]

[It's taken this long to acknowledge that Lucrecia really isn't here because the universe hates Vincent. :| Actually meaning that he's been seeing signs of her presence all this time, like she's slept in her bed and has left her things around the apartment. Part of him also wanted to cling to those delusions. Despite knowing they're still the Malnosso's tricks, it's easier to believe in that than the truth.]

...gone...

[He says more along with that, but it's largely incoherent. There's definitely something in there about failure, but it'd be hard to make out. It goes silent a little longer. Then he speaks up once more.]

The more time I spend in this place, the less I understand it. I will be... away from town, for a while.

[...As if there are many places he could go. Even so. He shuts the journal swiftly after that.]

This month cannot end soon enough.

[Yuffie, still want to comment and break his brain? XD He's affected so go for it!]

New feathers, breaking the typical pattern of arrival... This means something.

[Vincent can be seen heading throughout town in his typical quiet broody fashion. He's more than a little suspicious about what's happening and what might come of it next, so will be keeping a close eye on things.]