cryptsleeper | 20s AU Post

20s AU Post

Current Carmilla plot outline
--Post-fire, Carmilla and Mr. Peanut team up mostly to use each other. Carmilla's spent the past several months (since November, it is now February 1925) networking, and it's clear to her that Alucard's not suited for the position and that the other two are the obvious weakness. Mr Peanut needs something back, so this is perfect on her end. Mr Peanut can only imagine the joys of vampire blood in his work, and he'd like an army of vampires for his own ends.
--Shit stirring from Mr Peanut (all of March?)
--Mr Peanut also begins to sell mis Miracle Serum, which has vampire blood in it.
--Gang is very much trying to murder Mr Peanut during this.
--Start of April, vampire gets a call from one of the blood bank contacts that 3 patients have come in and are displaying some bizarre signs. Investigation yields the fact that they're in process of turning, and they've all taken the same serum.
--Additional investigation reveals O FUCK IT MR PEANUT
--Meanwhile Carmilla's been made aware of a familiar she didn't sire, so she knows something's up. Big fight with Mr. Peanut and thus Mr. Peanut is left depowered
--Gang commits a murder
--Carmilla's well sured up on her contacts now, and it's time for open rebellion (mid-April)
--In a more subtle attempt to let Alucard just step aside, she cuts the breaks on demon car and shows up to gloat/suggest he not pull a dad and go to deal with his grief quietly while she runs the city. The how he wants to do it is up to him (black widow joke goes here.) Treffy and Sypha walk in.
--1 week of straight up rebellion; feedings, no help from allies, need to do damage control instead of fight carmilla, every dracula rule is
--MEANWHILE IN GRAVITY FALLS, triangle shows Vlad what's up to try and psyche him out, somehow this finalyl snaps Vlad out of his depression and he heads home
--Just in time for Alucard and Carmilla to be tearing each other to bits in one of the bayous, it's not going well
--Vlad coming in means the king of vampires is accosted by a belmont with a pair of blessed knitting needles and a speaker with a fucking gun and he's just like what the shit happened to the world while i was gone
--Wards around the fight means that only demon car can break the wards, everyone has to pile in.
--Carmilla gets her ass kicked AND SENT TO THE JUSTICE DIMENSION

THEN THERE WERE FAERIES.
--Prior to all of this the vampire and Sypha have done a shit ton of research on how to get their Belmont back
--Sypha has also been practicing debating with dad, which leaves everyone Very Tired.
--When Trevor is actually snatched up (1 year after marriage, it takes fae effort. Taking Arn's shape fails, so it's a lot more kidnapping by force), Sypha and Alucard go into Faerie
--But they're playing this as politics, not as heroes rescuing their damsel, so that means the faeries are just "wait what now excuse u?"
--There are 3 gates and 3 trials (the particulars we're still bullshitting.) Each is asked to sacrifice 3 things. (Alucard: voice, his titles as bestowed upon by his father and his people, i forget the third; Sypha: her human form (she's a birb), fuck what were the other two)
--They enter the court at the end of the third trial. After LITERALLY ALL THE TITLES Sypha declares she Speaks for Trevor Belmont
--Claim debate over Trevor, turns out that the rules are in Sypha's favor.
--But that means debating to leave Fae without giving up what they've chosen.
--Sypha lawyers it all out, Alucard is a safety deposit and hangs out with Fae!Trevor
--In the end, safe passage out of Faerie consists of Sypha giving up her memory of the necromancer (billed as a great mage she studied under), the vampire gives up his immortality, and Trevor is replaced with Carmilla (dad was aware of this option and OK with it), but Trevor has his ability to swear taken. He now soundslike a rubber ducky when he tries
--Everyone gets home okay, except for the AU of this AU where the gang fails, but Trevor's on their doorstep like a bat out of Hell because time doesn't work right and he's been in Hell for a WHILE.

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[The city is not a safe place for Speakers, and that's why it's good that her family has left for the west. They made it out before it became too dangerous to stay, and that's a good thing. That's important. They're on their way to safety, carrying with them the story of Alucard's mother; it's one that will survive to see the next generation now, and the next after that, and the world will know her name. The world will remember, because the Speakers will never forget.

But she stayed behind, and by all rights she is still a Speaker, and the city isn't safe for people like her. From listening to Alucard, it's not particularly safe for anyone at the moment, given everything. So when he suggests that they move from the familiar surroundings of the townhouse to his father's castle, she knows it's not just because he's eager for a change of scenery. There's a safety component to the request, and that's why she doesn't refuse.

But whatever it was she was expecting, it wasn't...this. The castle is vast and ancient, with a feeling of some sort of malice built right in to its walls. Its spires look like they're dripping ichor; its structure is bizarre and in some places even defiant of the laws of gravity, or so it seems. The interior is lush and ornate, but in its way that just makes her even more unsettled; Speakers aren't often invited into lavish, magnificent settings, after all.

He shows her to a room, which is where she sets her things and changes into her filmy, transparent-sleeved nightgown, but sleep doesn't come easily. Or at all, even. The ceiling above her feels oppressive, somehow, and the shadows shifting on the walls capture too much of her attention to allow her to relax and fall asleep. It's not that the bed isn't soft enough, or warm enough, or comforting enough. It's just that it's strange and different and so —

...big.

It's so big, and it makes her feel small, and feeling small makes her ache. It's not the good kind of small, the way she feels when she looks up at the night sky from the rooftop of a steamboat and sees nothing but the universe spread out above her. It's small in the way that leaves her aching with loneliness, missing the bustle of her family around the warm glow of their campfire.

It's no surprise, then, that she eventually gets up and starts walking, looking for — something. Anything. Alucard, perhaps, but maybe even just a small note of comfort she can derive before going back to try to sleep again.]

[The castle is...hard. Even before this, it was big and vast and entirely possible to have everyone home and not see a single soul until dinner or even for a few days, depending on everyone's schedule. In spite of that, there was never a sense of the place being empty, not really. There was always going to be someone coming in the front doors.

Now that isn't the case. If Sypha wasn't there, the castle would only have Alucard in it, and that would be unbearable. Yes, residing in it is helpful, it is the best form of protection that can be had in a city on edge, but it is so painfully fraught that Alucard's only in one of several rooms at any given time: his own bedroom, the library, the garage, and the kitchen. The last one is painful, but getting used to it is the first step in being used to the rest of the castle.

He's made notes to himself of basic, all consuming tasks to accomplish in the next few days. Drawing Sypha a map of the castle so she can navigate it is the most important. Replying to letters meant to check on him is the next (there are two: one from Theodora and one from Agatha.) Then actual housekeeping, as much of it as he can possibly accomplish.

For the night, he's sure Sypha will be fine. He hasn't had the time to make the map yet, and it has been a taxing day. Bidding her good night and then going to bed was about all he could accomplish in the end, and right now he's simply covered himself in a warmer blanket and is mostly asleep.

The castle's a thing of magic and technology, but it has always recognized one master. Alucard jumps when there's a sudden sensation from the walls around him that there is something afoot because that has never happened before. He doesn't open his eyes. He only sighs.]

You must be kidding me.

[The candles in the wall sconces are all unlit; that's not surprising, with how long the castle has stood empty. There are plenty of tapers that are still lengthy and fresh, however, and she quietly moves to take one, forming a little spark of fire at one fingertip and using it to light the wick.

She could just use magic to light her way, she knows, but there's something about the castle that makes her edgy, wary of doing so. Almost like it's a magical thing in and of itself, and therefore somehow acutely aware of when any other magic is used within it.

Or maybe she's just being superstitious. Still, she's got a light now, and she glances around hoping for a familiar landmark, frowning at the walls and the designs on the floor runners before sighing and choosing a direction to continue wandering.]

[As it turns out, the castle is not kidding. Every time the vampire tries to close his eyes and rest, that same tug of attention returns, and after a few tries to ignore the sensation, Alucard admits defeat.

Sitting down and getting up is still a slight strain, so Alucard moves accordingly. He hisses when he rises, but after a moment of finding his balance, it's fine. All that there's left to do is to walk over to the chair towards one side of the bedroom and put the bathrobe that is there on, knotting the belt around it once and then moving to the door.

(Wait. Slippers. He goes back for those.)

There's only one reason the castle would nudge like this, rather than go into a full panic mode, and that's to let him know that someone else is wandering the halls. Given the only other option available, Alucard at least knows what direction to start in, as well as which name to call for.]

Sypha?

[It's a casual inquiry. No urgency, no panic, just checking in.]

[Oh. So those are how the acoustics in the castle corridors work. She hears Alucard's voice before she sees him, and turns to head in the direction of it without further ado — which means he'll probably see the glow of her candle approaching before he ever spots her properly.]

Adrian.

[There he is. Good. Yes, good, all right, there's some life in this castle after all.]

[Being in the same (admittedly long) corridor does wonders. But it's also a lie, because with how the corridors carry noise, they're designed to make one think they're closer to the source of a sound than they actually are. One trick of many to trap the lost and confused who'd try to gain entrance to the place and do it's architect harm.

The fact that Alucard moves with precious little noise doesn't help either, and it takes actual minutes before he sees the candles and...

...well, this is a cliche, isn't it? Alucard's not sure why that thought even pops into his head, but he knows it to be a frequent enough image of horror stories: a young woman in her night clothes, traveling darkened corridors aided by a giant candelabra and her own wit.

None of the stories have the monster wearing dark red slippers, a black bathrobe, and flannel PJs.]

I thought you were asleep.

I...couldn't.

[She genuinely has no idea what a stereotypical sight she makes right now, with her filmy nightgown lit by the gold-range of the fireglow, setting off the red of her hair and warming the blue of her eyes. She's not thinking about appearances right now, in the slightest; it's all just practicality, and she shuffles over to Alucard with barely-disguised relief, lowering the candle from where she'd had it raised to light her way like a beacon down to just casting a soft yellowed illumination instead.]

It — it was not anything to do with the room. Everything was very comfortable — and pretty! I just...

[Felt trapped. Boxed in. Confined. She hesitates.]

I couldn't sleep.

[In any other moment the vampire would insist on taking the light from Sypha and holding it for her. Right now it would be too much of a strain, so he brings his arm around her shoulder to pull her closer. He can't squeeze her against his side, not yet, but he can usher her near it, and that'll have to do.]

What helps you normally when you can't fall asleep?

[It wasn't like this in the townhouse.

Then again, that's a normal enough dwelling place. The castle, save for three people in it's history, has always meant to trap and to strike fear. Alucard is sure that must be in play.]

Normally I just go to the library.

I...

[She hesitates, then ducks her head, a little ashamed.]

...I sit by the campfire. And look up at the stars.

[Because that's where she's used to being, when she sleeps. Outside, under the open sky. Free to pass back and forth, in and out of shelter, at her whim. Surrounded by her family, who have all gone on to the west, and she hasn't.]

[...Oh.

Shit.]

My room has a fireplace.

It also has a bed, for you, that you should be in.

[With her free hand, she reaches to lightly touch her fingertips against the fabric of his robe, gently against his chest where she knows his bandages sit a few layers beneath.]

You need your rest.

I need to know you'll be able to sleep first.

[He can nap at the drop of a pin these days. He has been, wherever he can find a comfortable enough space and a few hours of silence. There's memories that go with it though, of being angry enough over some slight in childhood that he simply put himself to bed but...

...those aren't memories for right now.

Carefully, because Sypha's hand is still where it is, Alucard starts to corral them both in the direction he came from.]

It's this way. I'm sorry I didn't think to draw a map to my room, at least.

I'm sorry you had to get up. How did you know I was up and about?

[She hadn't...thought she was making that much noise, but...]

I just had a feeling that wouldn't go away.

[He isn't even sure what's going on with the castle, so like hell he's going to explain.]

I see I was right.

A feeling that wouldn't go away.

[She's quiet a minute, following along with him, and then a slow and almost sly smile starts to creep across her lips.]

So you were thinking about me.

Of course. Why wouldn't I when I know it's your first night here?

[Far more focused on what's ahead, Alucard misses that look on Sypha's face. She's close, he can hear her, and there's still a few more doors to go.]

Wait. [He the turns and looks, catching that...Sypha...] What did you think I was thinking about you for...

Oh, I don't know. Alone in your room, after whisking me away to your castle, having a feeling that would not go away...

[Know what else is not going away? That little smile.]

Thinking of me so much that you had to come looking for me...

[Oh he is never telling her about the castle now.]

Now that sounds like something out of a film. [Never mind bad romance novels, that's for later.]

How does that story end?

Badly for your thoughts, with that injury of yours getting in the way.

[Still, she's perking up a little, which is a good thing. It's not doing much for the prospect of her getting to sleep, but at least she's not anxious anymore, either.]

I suppose your thoughts will simply have to stay that way, until you're healed.

[There's a soft laugh, but that's more to Sypha's manner than how the story ends.]

We've managed so far, haven't we?

[Just barely, at certain times, but the point remains. Alucard's head tilts to the right as they approach another door, one that's ajar.]

Through here.

...I truly cannot tell if you're making overtures at me or not.

[Luckily, they're at the door, so the point may wind up being moot in light of the fact that they've reached their destination.]

This is your room? Just...this door?

Well, fair is fair on that front.

[Alucard opens the door for her, although he sneaks in first to turn on the light.

Alucard's room is clearly in one of the castle's turrets, made clear by the part of left the room that seems to be a part of a hexagon. That part has a few chairs and a sofa, all upholstered in dark, rich reds. There are no visible pieces of wood framework there, and the curtains are currently drawn. On either side there is a set of bookshelves, and those do have elaborate cabinet work. The house's carpets have long seemed ahead of their time with their style, but now, now they're essentially Art Deco and so is much of the furniture.

The right actually has his bed, and the woodwork there (bird's eye maple) is much the same. Beyond it is a door for the closet, and opposite that door is the dresser itself with an overly large mirror. There's another door near the dresser that leads to the bathroom, and right opposite of the doorway into the room is the aforementioned fireplace. There's only one armchair in front of it, and it seems the least used.

There's a few old things of childhood placed in the sitting corner, because things are hard to say farewell to entirely. A plush wolf is given the entire sofa, and a few other friends sit on one of the chairs. Framed on one wall is a painting from his father's collection - an impressionist's view of a river at twilight. There's a map near one of the bookcases, but the mantle is kept very bare.

It's a mercy that there's firewood in the fireplace.]

The wood might be a bit old. I think it's been there since I moved into this room.

You don't need to light it on my account. You don't...have to go to such lengths, just for me.

[Her attention is immediately drawn to the stuffed animals, though, just because their presence is somehow so incongruous with the rest of the room — the furnishings stylish and fashionable, yet littered with things that speak of youth and innocence. If she were a little braver, she'd go over and pick the wolf up, give it a soft squeeze to her chest.

She's not, so she stays where she is, and nudges Alucard lightly toward the bed.]

Go lie back down. You really should not be up; I'll help you get settled in again.

Sypha, you just said you couldn't sleep.

[It's important, as far as the vampire's concerned. She's staying here, she needs to be as comfortable as possible.

For once, he doesn't let himself be nudged back to resting. He stays there, eyes resting on Sypha worriedly.]

Fussing isn't a one-way street.

It's not the lack of a fire that's keeping me from sleeping.

[Which sounds ungrateful, a little, but. Now, finally, she does go over to the couch and sit down on it, only hesitating a moment before pulling her heels up onto the edge of the cushion and hugging her knees for the sake of having something to hug.]

I think...I miss my family, perhaps.

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