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[Hector runs a finger over the cork in the wine bottle, but he’s not going to be able to get it without two hands and a corkscrew. He sets the bottle on the couch beside him and returns to two-handed pats.
He works his way down the wolf’s back, stopping at the spot just above his tail, the returns to the head to focus on the areas Alucard seemed the most fond of. Ears, under the ears, neck scruff, repeat. It’s calming. This is how he spends a lot of evenings.]
If you spend too long like this, will you smell like wolf to other vampires?
He works his way down the wolf’s back, stopping at the spot just above his tail, the returns to the head to focus on the areas Alucard seemed the most fond of. Ears, under the ears, neck scruff, repeat. It’s calming. This is how he spends a lot of evenings.]
If you spend too long like this, will you smell like wolf to other vampires?
[Alucard takes Trevor's weight all too easily. It's like carrying a little sack of grapes if he's being honest, and as he walks forward?
No. He can't imagine what it'd be like, walking away from a burning wreck. Someone in his arms, gloriously alive instead of all the variations on the other option. He has to stay focused and in the moment. Eyes ahead. Ignoring the scent of blood in the air.]
I can cross streams, Belmont.
[The tone is soft. Chiding. And so Alucard keeps moving them both, to the stream. Along to the undergrowth.]
Keep talking to me, so I know you're not passed out of blood loss.
No. He can't imagine what it'd be like, walking away from a burning wreck. Someone in his arms, gloriously alive instead of all the variations on the other option. He has to stay focused and in the moment. Eyes ahead. Ignoring the scent of blood in the air.]
I can cross streams, Belmont.
[The tone is soft. Chiding. And so Alucard keeps moving them both, to the stream. Along to the undergrowth.]
Keep talking to me, so I know you're not passed out of blood loss.
Thank you.
[Alucard's words do not dwell on the matter any further, and that's a silent request that Vanessa follow suit. The dhampir has no doubt that she'll respect the wish though - she has proven more than respectful to such things so far.
Onward, ever onward, he has to listen and nod.]
Nearly, which was the point. Has your foe offered name or at least alias?
[Alucard's words do not dwell on the matter any further, and that's a silent request that Vanessa follow suit. The dhampir has no doubt that she'll respect the wish though - she has proven more than respectful to such things so far.
Onward, ever onward, he has to listen and nod.]
Nearly, which was the point. Has your foe offered name or at least alias?
Wallachia can manage.
Alucard keeps the words stuffed down his throat, focusing on what's actually important. To call it a proper medical examination? That's laughable. But to take more than a cursory glance is important, and that much Alucard can do.
With D's hand offered, Alucard takes one very gently, and he brings it up to the eye level. Looks. Pays attention to the color, and then looks to D's face for the sake of comparison.
"How advanced is this for you?"
Alucard keeps the words stuffed down his throat, focusing on what's actually important. To call it a proper medical examination? That's laughable. But to take more than a cursory glance is important, and that much Alucard can do.
With D's hand offered, Alucard takes one very gently, and he brings it up to the eye level. Looks. Pays attention to the color, and then looks to D's face for the sake of comparison.
"How advanced is this for you?"
[Alucard's pretty sure he can convince Hector not to drink all night if he's cute and fluffy enough. So that's the goal, all happy rumbles and soft little shifting moments to provide Hector the best access here.
But the scruff? Aw yeah, that's the real spot. Just stay there forever.
Hector's question causes the wolf to pick his head up, then tilt it back and forth. So-so. Kind of. With other stuff mixed in.]
But the scruff? Aw yeah, that's the real spot. Just stay there forever.
Hector's question causes the wolf to pick his head up, then tilt it back and forth. So-so. Kind of. With other stuff mixed in.]
His hand twitches at the contact, as though D instinctively tries to pull back from it but stops himself, and he lets out a slow breath and makes himself relax. Adrian doesn't intend him harm and if there is anyone he can trust here, it would be the other dhampir.
It's still hard - the idea of trusting anyone is a difficult one for D, as is allowing anyone close enough for contact - but he'll make himself tolerate it. Out of the light his skin manages to look slightly less grey, closer to his normal pallor, and he's cool to the touch.
At the question, D considers Adrian's expression. He doubts that the younger man will like anything he has to say on the matter, but... "I've survived worse. I'm in no danger of dying or attacking anyone. I healed a lot of damage and it takes it out of us."
It's still hard - the idea of trusting anyone is a difficult one for D, as is allowing anyone close enough for contact - but he'll make himself tolerate it. Out of the light his skin manages to look slightly less grey, closer to his normal pallor, and he's cool to the touch.
At the question, D considers Adrian's expression. He doubts that the younger man will like anything he has to say on the matter, but... "I've survived worse. I'm in no danger of dying or attacking anyone. I healed a lot of damage and it takes it out of us."
[This time when Vanessa looks down again it is to open her notebook to a previously marked page with a slow sketch of a hieroglyphic.]
We believe that one of his names is Amun-Ra. An ancient name.
We believe that one of his names is Amun-Ra. An ancient name.
Just making sure.
[ Hey, last time he made an assumption about what you could do it almost ended badly. ]
I don't know what the fuck to say. I- [ How does one make small talk. He tries to come up with topics that aren't awful or related to drinking or- anything like that. And it's a combination of the lack of things to say that aren't awful and the dizziness from blood loss that leads to- ]
Have you seen her, whenever she gets a blanket, or the cloak, or anything? [ He laughs, then regrets it. It's fond and also fucking painful. ] Like a caterpillar, if instead of turning into butterflies they just got morning hair.
[ Hey, last time he made an assumption about what you could do it almost ended badly. ]
I don't know what the fuck to say. I- [ How does one make small talk. He tries to come up with topics that aren't awful or related to drinking or- anything like that. And it's a combination of the lack of things to say that aren't awful and the dizziness from blood loss that leads to- ]
Have you seen her, whenever she gets a blanket, or the cloak, or anything? [ He laughs, then regrets it. It's fond and also fucking painful. ] Like a caterpillar, if instead of turning into butterflies they just got morning hair.
You're doing fine.
[That much isn't a lie. Alucard keeps moving, listening.]
You like her, don't you?
[Alucard's figured out that much. He keeps them moving, listening to the running water.
Nothing is overgrown enough yet.]
[That much isn't a lie. Alucard keeps moving, listening.]
You like her, don't you?
[Alucard's figured out that much. He keeps them moving, listening to the running water.
Nothing is overgrown enough yet.]
Dunno. I just wanted someone to agree with me that her hair looks ridiculous first thing in the morning.
[ Trevor nobody in this party is immune to morning hair. ]
It’s nice, this. Except for the bullet. Been doing this shit on my own for so long, I forgot that sometimes people wrap themselves up in blankets weird and it makes all of this worth it.
[ Trevor nobody in this party is immune to morning hair. ]
It’s nice, this. Except for the bullet. Been doing this shit on my own for so long, I forgot that sometimes people wrap themselves up in blankets weird and it makes all of this worth it.
Well, it does. But mine can't be much better.
[It's worse Trevor.]
At the risk of sentiment, you're not currently alone. Although I don't like all the blood in the air.
[There he said it.]
[It's worse Trevor.]
At the risk of sentiment, you're not currently alone. Although I don't like all the blood in the air.
[There he said it.]
Yeah. Not alone. It’s good to have you here. Really here, not just a corpse-
[ Wait shit what. ]
Shit. You’re not going to go into some sort of blood frenzy, are you?
[ KIND OF A RUDE QUESTION. ] Or- shit. Do you need- Have we been starving you?
[ Wait shit what. ]
Shit. You’re not going to go into some sort of blood frenzy, are you?
[ KIND OF A RUDE QUESTION. ] Or- shit. Do you need- Have we been starving you?
It has been a while since I fed, yes. But I won't be going into a frenzy because of a bullet wound.
[For a moment, Alucard bounces Trevor, shifting the distribution of weight. And there they are. The stream. It's overgrown and--]
Okay. I'm going to put you down for a moment.
[For a moment, Alucard bounces Trevor, shifting the distribution of weight. And there they are. The stream. It's overgrown and--]
Okay. I'm going to put you down for a moment.
Egyptian?
[Well, that does take Alucard by surprise. Visibly so, golden eyes widening.]
Of course using a name like that doesn't mean that they're from the ancient days, only that they have knowledge of the language. But if the case is that they are from before the present era, that's unusual even to my ears.
[Well, that does take Alucard by surprise. Visibly so, golden eyes widening.]
Of course using a name like that doesn't mean that they're from the ancient days, only that they have knowledge of the language. But if the case is that they are from before the present era, that's unusual even to my ears.
...I suppose there are worse things you could smell like.
[And with that, Hector is back to petting. Alucard seems sold on the neck, so he focuses there. Wolves are tough, so he digs his fingers in deep, stronger than he is with Cesar or his other, more delicate animals.]
You ever tempted to just...stay a wolf? It seems far simpler.
[Hector isn't sure he wouldn't, if he had the option.]
[And with that, Hector is back to petting. Alucard seems sold on the neck, so he focuses there. Wolves are tough, so he digs his fingers in deep, stronger than he is with Cesar or his other, more delicate animals.]
You ever tempted to just...stay a wolf? It seems far simpler.
[Hector isn't sure he wouldn't, if he had the option.]
Edited 2019-11-20 02:06 (UTC)
[The question, about just being a wolf forever, gets an emphatic nod yes. Maybe a little too certain. It's hard, trying to elaborate in this form, but he tries to snuffle loudly for emphasis.
It is easier. Fewer dreams. Less complex thoughts. It is wonderful.
Just like the fingers in his scruff. There's a softer noise, and Alucard gives up. His head rests on Hector's leg.]
It is easier. Fewer dreams. Less complex thoughts. It is wonderful.
Just like the fingers in his scruff. There's a softer noise, and Alucard gives up. His head rests on Hector's leg.]
Hmmmm.
[Hector nods, not needing any more explanation than that. He is of the same opinion.]
Does it take energy to maintain the form?
[He curls himself up on the couch as much as he can without moving the leg Alucard is using as a pillow.]
[Hector nods, not needing any more explanation than that. He is of the same opinion.]
Does it take energy to maintain the form?
[He curls himself up on the couch as much as he can without moving the leg Alucard is using as a pillow.]
[ He grits his teeth as Alucard moves him around but- good. This is good. It's good that he can still feel it, it'd be worrying if he couldn't. ]
Well shit. If I'd known about an hour ago-
[ He can't really offer much blood right now other than what he's losing already. ]
-Can't do much about that for a couple days, now, unless you want to wring out my tunic to get all the blood that's got into that.
Well shit. If I'd known about an hour ago-
[ He can't really offer much blood right now other than what he's losing already. ]
-Can't do much about that for a couple days, now, unless you want to wring out my tunic to get all the blood that's got into that.
[A huff. No.
Alucard pauses, lifting his head up to let Hector readjust properly and finish getting comfy.]
Alucard pauses, lifting his head up to let Hector readjust properly and finish getting comfy.]
Alucard's careful. He has to be, D's reaction makes it clear that any form of touch is not a matter of comfort for the other dhampir. And so after a few moments of looking, Alucard lets go of D's hands as gently as he took them.
"I see."
D's right that Alucard disapproves of the response, and so he's calm and quiet for a moment more.
"How do we expedite the healing then?"
"I see."
D's right that Alucard disapproves of the response, and so he's calm and quiet for a moment more.
"How do we expedite the healing then?"
It's fine. [Alucard's voice is soft, trying to be soothing instead and--
--the wind picks up. Slow at first and then wildly, tree branches flying. Rocks coming soon after. The ground rumbling, furious and cracking and heralding something terrible.
For the first time, the castle appears as itself. It is jet black, the spires crumbling. Wearing it's age, and yet even then, it imposes.
Alucard breathes out. Nudges Trevor gently.]
Ready?
--the wind picks up. Slow at first and then wildly, tree branches flying. Rocks coming soon after. The ground rumbling, furious and cracking and heralding something terrible.
For the first time, the castle appears as itself. It is jet black, the spires crumbling. Wearing it's age, and yet even then, it imposes.
Alucard breathes out. Nudges Trevor gently.]
Ready?
He sighs again, aware that Adrian isn't pleased about something in all of this, but he can't seem to grasp what it is that the younger dhampir wants of him. D has never been skilled with the subtleties of communication - or communication in general really - so like most things, he approaches the matter head-on.
"You don't like that I got injured." While it's posed as a statement more than a question, D is largely guessing, relying on his noncommittal tone and level look to get Adrian to confirm or deny.
"Why? Would you prefer I remained here and ignored the creatures beyond these walls?"
"You don't like that I got injured." While it's posed as a statement more than a question, D is largely guessing, relying on his noncommittal tone and level look to get Adrian to confirm or deny.
"Why? Would you prefer I remained here and ignored the creatures beyond these walls?"
Shit. That's-
[ Familiar, in a way nothing should ever be. In a way that it wasn't whn it was the abbey or the cottage. It doesn't feel like returning to a long-lost home, that's not even close to what this edifice is, but the strength of it is the same. The sense of calling. It's the end of a nine-century journey, the culmination of a quest that's lasted more lifetimes then he's lived years or scars. ]
-that's what it looks like, without the mask on. Fuck. [ For a second, he's forgotten the lump of metal lodged in his side. Forgotten that they need to find blood for the vampire. Forgotten everything but the thing looming over them. ]
Yeah. Ready.
[ Familiar, in a way nothing should ever be. In a way that it wasn't whn it was the abbey or the cottage. It doesn't feel like returning to a long-lost home, that's not even close to what this edifice is, but the strength of it is the same. The sense of calling. It's the end of a nine-century journey, the culmination of a quest that's lasted more lifetimes then he's lived years or scars. ]
-that's what it looks like, without the mask on. Fuck. [ For a second, he's forgotten the lump of metal lodged in his side. Forgotten that they need to find blood for the vampire. Forgotten everything but the thing looming over them. ]
Yeah. Ready.
[Hector shifts and gets himself into a more comfortable lounging position on the couch, because let’s be real, this is his evening now.]
Good boy. [He murmurs reflexively, giving the wolf a scratch behind the ears as he settles back down.
If it didn’t cost anything, then why wasn’t Alucard a wolf more often?
...ah, the Belmont and the Speaker, and the weight of the castle placed upon his back like mythical Atlas.
Hector wouldn’t let himself get entangled in such things, but Alucard is an entirely different beast than he is.]
You’ll have to turn back in the morning. I’m teaching you how to make proper Greek food, not making it for you. And I’m not convinced a canine’s tastebuds are distinguishing enough to appreciate it. Never met a picky dog yet.
Good boy. [He murmurs reflexively, giving the wolf a scratch behind the ears as he settles back down.
If it didn’t cost anything, then why wasn’t Alucard a wolf more often?
...ah, the Belmont and the Speaker, and the weight of the castle placed upon his back like mythical Atlas.
Hector wouldn’t let himself get entangled in such things, but Alucard is an entirely different beast than he is.]
You’ll have to turn back in the morning. I’m teaching you how to make proper Greek food, not making it for you. And I’m not convinced a canine’s tastebuds are distinguishing enough to appreciate it. Never met a picky dog yet.
"You're inferring a lot."
There's almost some pride there - that D feels confident enough in having a measure of Alucard to make that kind of a guess. However, the conclusion is wrong, and he's ready to dash that. So Alucard folds his arms over his chest and sighs.
"Getting injured is a matter of course. But had you told me where you were going, I could have helped you prepare for what you were to encounter. Provide maps of the area. Support from afar. And I would know where you were if you took longer to come back.
"My countrymen burn what they fear, D. As capable as you are, I harbor a fear of that fate for all of those in this castle."
There's almost some pride there - that D feels confident enough in having a measure of Alucard to make that kind of a guess. However, the conclusion is wrong, and he's ready to dash that. So Alucard folds his arms over his chest and sighs.
"Getting injured is a matter of course. But had you told me where you were going, I could have helped you prepare for what you were to encounter. Provide maps of the area. Support from afar. And I would know where you were if you took longer to come back.
"My countrymen burn what they fear, D. As capable as you are, I harbor a fear of that fate for all of those in this castle."
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