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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Of course.

[ He doesn't know enough about how the lab is supposed to be to help with putting the equipment away. Even if he did, he doesn't like it if the others touch his Belmont bullshit without his say-so, so he really ought to leave Alucard's science bullshit alone. ]

Go be dog-shaped for a little while. I'll stay with you and wake you up when it's time.

In a moment.

[He finishes cleaning up the lab first, and Alucard is so relieved that his taking wolf form won't be a surprise.

Eventually he's woken up. Goes through the work of showering and putting on his office hours clothes, which means a suit and tie, and then it's only a matter of waiting. Waiting for the sun to go down, allowing them both precious time to settle into their usual office roles.

It works like this: there's an actual desk. There's a chair to the right of the desk for Trevor, and then there's two chairs opposite them. There's the sitting room on the other side of the townhouse's first floor for casual discussions as well, but things always must start in the office. Everything is formal. Calm. Controlled. Administrative rather than court-like, because Alucard is still regent. This is just waiting for his father to return.

Tonight, only five minutes after sundown, the doorbell rings. Alucard always answers the door, but Trevor goes with him for security's sake. (Now, more than ever, the threat of assassination is high.) To see Carmilla there, face contorted in barely controlled fury, that in and of itself is terrifying.

Then she comes in and demands to know why she had her blood call to blood in the city, as if she was siring a new vampire, and Alucard wants to scream.]

[ As Alucard sleeps Trevor lies next to him, stroking his fur. It's all they get right now, a few hours of rest and happiness, before they have to return to the world as it is, and it ends all too soon.

The night begins in the worst possible way, and it immediately becomes a fortunate thing that Alucard asked him to be here. He walks behind Carmilla as she's led to the office. Once she's there he does not sit and he does not take his hand from the handle of the Vampire Killer.

And then she explains her grievance.

Trevor doesn't often speak at these meetings, but he knows a weakness to strike at when he sees one. Carmilla doesn't know what's happening. She doesn't understand the gravity of the crime. Trevor can inform her of it, and then Alucard can offer her an escape from it. ]

You came here to admit, then, that you are the one who has been going about turning children, violating Dracula's first edict? [ He growls, fingers curling more tightly around the Vampire Killer. Oh, they know it's not her. But she doesn't know they understand that. It's a weakness that Alucard can use. And fuck, it's gratifying to see the look on her face. ]

[It's a face that lasts only for a moment. A simple, gobsmacked moment before Carmilla is back to fire and fury, saying nothing but communicating how dare you with every inch of her being. Alucard watches this, and then it becomes clear what they can do.

There's other ways to track the flow of this awful medicine after all.

When Alucard holds up a hand, there's no released tension from the room.]

Then that means your own blood has been used to paint you as an enemy of this House, and whoever is responsible has been far too bold with the nature of this crime. [Here is the trick.]

Blood has always called to blood. We can track the matter through that same blood, should you allow it, and justice can take it's course as it must.

[ Carmilla's eyes narrow. The fury does not leave her face, but its target is elsewhere now. ]

I will cooperate. Learn who has done this, tell me, and I shall take my course.

[ Trevor bristles at her speaking to Alucard like this, but does not move. He could do this, fight her here and kill her, and they'd have the reason for it. Proof of her misdeeds. But they'd also lose their best chance at fighting the one who did this.

He remains still. ]

Your cooperation will bring this to a swift and decieve end. That is the cold truth in the face of this injustice and horror.

[Alucard is sitting in his chair like the throne it isn't, his eyes ice cold and posture nothing short of imperial. Gloved hands rest on either arm rest, and he looks at Carmilla as if he is a giant observing a bug.]

But I cannot permit rogue justice. In residing here, you've placed yourself under my Father's laws, and that means abiding by them as they are written. No sentences may be carried out by any other hands. Investigations may be delegated, capture may be done by another, but the final judgement can only be done by the vampire in charge. To go against that act would force me to become your enemy, and I would loathe to act against someone as venerable and noble in fang as yourself, Carmilla.

When I say We cannot permit that, know that you will be kept in full knowledge of all developments. The fact that you had blood taken without your knowledge is alarming enough to Us. That it has been used in this way...the sentence will match the crimes.

Very well. [ She says with a long intake of breath. ] But you must be quick about it. If that matter is not dealt with in good time, I will take matters into my own hands.

[ She rests her hands upon her lap delicately. ]

Now. What cooperation would you ask of me, my Lord? You will have it, as soon as I have your word that blame for this- [ And she raises a hand to her lips, pretending at searching for the words. ] -dreadful situation will not fall upon my back, regardless of how loudly certain dogs might bark.

In the matter of this turning, it is known to Us that you are not culpable.

[The words are exacting because they both know that the other is an enemy. There's no denying it, there has been no denying it for some months now. There are too many murmurs for it to ever be denied.

Alucard rises, every bit the prince and regent he pretends to be these days, hands resting flat upon the table. There's another bonus in having Carmilla's blood, having it be given freely, but that is for Trevor to make use of and make use of well.]

I need a small sample of blood, and that requires I fetch the safe and appropriate equipment to do so, if you will forgive my temporary absence from this room.

[What it really is is asking if Trevor can handle this, all without even looking at the Belmont.]

I should have thought there blood aplenty in the city, to cause this mess. But very well.

[ Trevor lets Carmilla speak first, and then just takes his seat. He doesn't speak, but it's a signal that he's content to remain here while Alucard leaves and a promise that he won't do anything stupid. ]

[Alucard takes his leave with no more words. He wants away from Carmilla as quickly as he can, and he trusts Trevor entirely. Part of him hopes that she'll make a wrong move. Do something stupid. Give them cause to end her here and now, because one thing is clear to them both: she's playing politics because she isn't powerful enough to take Alucard in a fight.

So much the worse for the city.

He goes upstairs, finds the right equipment, and returns with a needle, a rubbing pad, a tube and a hose that goes right into it. The tube is small on purpose, but it'll give them both more than enough.

But Alucard knows better than to get started. He lets Carmilla inspect the tube first, to ensure that there's no trickery in it.]

It's as small as we have, I'm afraid.

[ Carmilla turns the tube over in her hands, tutting softly under her breath (slowly, humanity's grasp on technology is catching up with its elders. It isn't there yet, but Carmilla isn't the only one among the older vampires who dislikes every reminder). Eventually she is satisfied that there is no trick here. Or at least that whatever trick is here, it is not in the equipment. ]

Your word, my lord, before you do this. I give you my blood to find your enemy. You will use it only for this. Swear it.

[Exact words. Well, what a time to be versed in them.

Alucard is quiet as Carmilla gives the bottle a look over, trying not to relish that soft tut. It's childish, taking delight in anything she seems to dislike, but he's allowed a little childishness at an enemy.

He takes the bottle back, holding it carefully.]

The House of Dracul will only use this blood to track the enemies that pose a threat to the city's stability. I am afraid that We must deploy the plural here, as there could be more than one individual involved in this disgusting enterprise.

[ She closes her eyes in thought, letting breath out as a snort. ]

You will dispose of it. Once this is done, you will keep nothing of mine. Something within this city makes war upon me already, and I shall not suffer a weapon to be left out of my sight.

[Once this is done. That is a window, one they can try to take advantage of. Alucard nods to show that yes, he agrees.]

Then that is how it shall be. I will work through the actual withdrawing process quickly, if you do not object to beginning the work.

Very well.

[ Carmilla extends a long, pale arm. Trevor stands as she does, moving to be stood behind Alucard as he works. It’s unlikely that she’ll try anything, but he doesn’t trust her at all. ]

[Alucard doesn't doubt Treevor's movements for a moment. It is a thing of confidence to have him there, because he remembers that awful September with the silver. He still wakes from dreams about it some nights, and he burrows into Trevor's arms whenever he does.

The actual procedure is something Alucard does with ease. Disinfect the skin, even for the undead, find the vein, and withdraw the blood as quickly as possible. Alucard is careful as he watches the blood fill the tube, but it's after the tube is filled that he is at his most careful. The needle is withdrawn, and placed into a small disposal tub that he had on the desk. He clamps the lid for it on as Carmilla's skin heals instantly, and it is already labeled: VAMPIRE BLOOD, DISPOSE OF PROPERLY.

Satisfied, Alucard carries the tube of blood with him back behind the desk.]

Thank you. We will begin to work on this matter presently, and I assure you we will get to the bottom of this immediately.

[You are dismissed.]

You will.

[ It's a threat, not a statement of confidence. The light flickers, and Carmilla is gone.

Trevor's shoulders sink. After a moment, he lets out a breath. He's limited, by himself and nothing else, in what he can do while they're in a place of work, but he raises one hand slowly to place it upon Alucard's shoulder. Not squeezing, just letting the weight of it settle there.

He's here. They have the rest of the night to go before he can offer anything more in the way of comfort, but he's here. ]

Well. We survived that.

We did.

[Alucard's voice is calm, which is the opposite of how he feels at the moment. The hand on his shoulder is a steadying presence to be sure, but it does not immediately fix everything. There's a long exhale, and Alucard gingerly pats the hand that is on his shoulder.]

If there's anything else you can make use of in tracking, we have a narrow opening for it.

I'll work with Sypha. Carmilla'll be able to tell if I'm using the blood for anything it oughtn't be used for if I'm doing it alone, she might be able to disguise it somehow.

[ He sighs, squeezing Alucard's shoulder before letting his hand drop. ]

We're going to need to work quickly. I don't believe that Carmilla's doesn't know who did this. Can't think how someone would have taken her blood without her consent.

Whatever you can use, do it.

[Anything to use this horror show to their advantage and get rid of Carmilla as well.]

That is exactly my concern. How anyone could take a vampire's blood without knowledge, never mind consent, sounds impossible. And yet if she is telling the truth here, what are we to do to put safe guards in until we find who is responsible?

I think she's telling the truth about not expecting this. Doing anything directly seems unlike her, especially breaking the laws so completely. Which means if the blood was taken willingly we have good news - whatever her ranks are, there's a betrayal in them.

And the bad news is that she'll know who did it, and I can't imagine there's going to be that much of them left to find if we don't hurry.

[The vampire only nods as Trevor speaks, listening carefully and weighing all possible options. Carmilla might well have an idea of who is responsible, and if she goes after them herself, it's a catch-22. He didn't act fast enough, but she's flaunted the laws and their own agreement. In theory, he could retaliate for that, but it'd be a poor choice.]

I don't want to wait on this. [So, an easier decision.]

We're concluding office hours for tonight. I'll leave a note, and whatever the problem is, it can wait until this matter is solved. Reasonable?

Very well.

[ 'Until this matter is solved'. Those words stick with him, and he can't quite put his finger on why. He turns them over in his mind, until- ]

-she's closing our window. [ Fuck. ] We have the blood until the matter is resolved. And if she kills her ally, it's resolved at that point.

[ Which means, vampires moving with the speed that they do, that they could have very little time at all. The time they have to use the blood could be over already. He'd prefer to have Sypha here, for safety's sake, but- ]

Paper. I need paper.

Yes.

[Alucard reaches into the desk, taking out a clean sheet of paper and placing it on the desk. He has a second for himself, along with a pen as he writes a note to indicate that the office is closed for now.]

Do what you can, then we'll get to the car. I'm afraid that means speeding this time around.

[ He takes a lighter from his pocket and one sheet of the paper from the drawer, burning a hole through it and using the charred paper to write something onto it in shorthand before handing it up to Alucard, grabbing for another sheet of paper, the pen and the blood. ]

Look through this. Be ready for shit to get weird.

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