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Of course.
[Alucard shouldn't be taking that so seriously. But he does, and then the work comes next.
He watched his mother do this before, dress wounds. They're cleaned with alcohol, so is the needle and thread, and then all gets sewn up. But first he removes the bullet with very sterile tweezers, the focus on the task at hand alleviating the millions of questions he has for Sypha's new situation.
There's no words said. The bullet comes out, and then there's blood. There's a little bit of blood that gets on Alucard's fingers, and that? That takes effort to not lick and consume. Sypha's presence helps.
Everything gets sewn quickly. Patched. Bandaged, and then Alucard sighs.]
There.
[But then ALucard looks to Sypha, blazing so bright.]
Are you going to be able to separate, when you must? You can't merge with this building, it isn't safe.
[Alucard shouldn't be taking that so seriously. But he does, and then the work comes next.
He watched his mother do this before, dress wounds. They're cleaned with alcohol, so is the needle and thread, and then all gets sewn up. But first he removes the bullet with very sterile tweezers, the focus on the task at hand alleviating the millions of questions he has for Sypha's new situation.
There's no words said. The bullet comes out, and then there's blood. There's a little bit of blood that gets on Alucard's fingers, and that? That takes effort to not lick and consume. Sypha's presence helps.
Everything gets sewn quickly. Patched. Bandaged, and then Alucard sighs.]
There.
[But then ALucard looks to Sypha, blazing so bright.]
Are you going to be able to separate, when you must? You can't merge with this building, it isn't safe.
[Sometimes you meet a person and you are helpless to resist their pull, and are immediately pulled into their gravitational field.]
I have heard The British Museum is a supreme treasure trove of knowledge from all corners of the world. Our researcher, Mr. Lyle is an Egyptologist he was the one that read the original hieroglyphics. They were originally found carved into the flesh of one of these undead.
I have heard The British Museum is a supreme treasure trove of knowledge from all corners of the world. Our researcher, Mr. Lyle is an Egyptologist he was the one that read the original hieroglyphics. They were originally found carved into the flesh of one of these undead.
Mm. If he can compile a list of where to start, I have enough time to actually go through the material and see where it leads.
[Alucard pauses, then clarifies:]
Linguistics are a hobby.
[Alucard pauses, then clarifies:]
Linguistics are a hobby.
It would be such a boon to us if we had your assistance, and I am sure he would be happy to help. Quite the gentleman and the scholar, our Mr. Lyle.
[There is a fond smile for the man with a sweet heart and amazing hair.]
How many languages do you currently speak?
[There is a fond smile for the man with a sweet heart and amazing hair.]
How many languages do you currently speak?
I think so. I hope so. Once it's stronger and we have a proper building for it to use.
[ That's a comforting amount of certainty, right? She looks down at her dark, angular, ever-spinning heart. Honestly, the only thing keeping her from panicking more right now is the fact that this makes her feel so energised, so powerful. ]
It was dying. I thought if I pulled this part out and sustained it with magic, then it could at least survive and eventually regrow. But the second I touched it it lashed out. I think it didn't see me, just saw something it could consume to survive. I tried to stop it, and- [ she spreads her arms in an annoyed sort of helpless gesture. ] -this happened. I'm a castle, now.
[ She huffs. The entire castle huffs, grumpily shrugging dust off itself. ]
[ That's a comforting amount of certainty, right? She looks down at her dark, angular, ever-spinning heart. Honestly, the only thing keeping her from panicking more right now is the fact that this makes her feel so energised, so powerful. ]
It was dying. I thought if I pulled this part out and sustained it with magic, then it could at least survive and eventually regrow. But the second I touched it it lashed out. I think it didn't see me, just saw something it could consume to survive. I tried to stop it, and- [ she spreads her arms in an annoyed sort of helpless gesture. ] -this happened. I'm a castle, now.
[ She huffs. The entire castle huffs, grumpily shrugging dust off itself. ]
I'm doing both, thank you.
[He is, indeed, doing both. The stove has one lump of dough rising up, whereas Alucard appears to be using an early pizza peel with the oven, taking another pita out.]
I wanted to see which was more effective myself.
[Son of A SCIENCE NERD.]
[He is, indeed, doing both. The stove has one lump of dough rising up, whereas Alucard appears to be using an early pizza peel with the oven, taking another pita out.]
I wanted to see which was more effective myself.
[Son of A SCIENCE NERD.]
Mm. I've heard the name before, but I don't believe I have ever met the man himself.
[Alucard has lurked the halls of the British Museum before. Perhaps that's not surprising.]
Quite a few. Romanian, including the older form of the language. English, as you can see. French and German. Ancient Greek, Latin, and Egyptian. Turkish as well. Should I keep going?
[Alucard has lurked the halls of the British Museum before. Perhaps that's not surprising.]
Quite a few. Romanian, including the older form of the language. English, as you can see. French and German. Ancient Greek, Latin, and Egyptian. Turkish as well. Should I keep going?
[That isn't comforting at all. Alucard's quiet as Sypha explains, his eyes on the spinning heart. He wants to reach out and touch it, but it feels like a very bad idea.]
It wanted to survive, and knew you could make that happen. [It's only a guess, but it feels correct.]
But to do even that much requires a certain level of compatibility. Your fire and flames, perhaps. That may have represented energy in it's mind.
It wanted to survive, and knew you could make that happen. [It's only a guess, but it feels correct.]
But to do even that much requires a certain level of compatibility. Your fire and flames, perhaps. That may have represented energy in it's mind.
"D."
Is that almost a parent level chiding? Perhaps, and Alucard has no shame in it. A frown crosses his face, deep set and deciding that the nicer, slower approach here isn't worth the time or effort.
"That isn't the point. You probably know that isn't the point, as I have every faith in your ability as a monster fighter in general. But this isn't home, you don't know the land or people, and you're a guest. How would you feel if someone suddenly disappeared?"
Is that almost a parent level chiding? Perhaps, and Alucard has no shame in it. A frown crosses his face, deep set and deciding that the nicer, slower approach here isn't worth the time or effort.
"That isn't the point. You probably know that isn't the point, as I have every faith in your ability as a monster fighter in general. But this isn't home, you don't know the land or people, and you're a guest. How would you feel if someone suddenly disappeared?"
I suspect if you've met him you would remember him.
[It's an impressive list of languages. Vanessa has heard that Ancient Greek is a particularly difficult language to master.]
No need. [A brief laugh.] Unless you'd like to continue, I don't want to hold you back from your moment to shine.
[It's an impressive list of languages. Vanessa has heard that Ancient Greek is a particularly difficult language to master.]
No need. [A brief laugh.] Unless you'd like to continue, I don't want to hold you back from your moment to shine.
[In that moment, Hector is struck by how alike Alucard is to his father...at least, the version that Hector had known first, who had sought Hector out in his seclusion just to know the truth behind the rumors about him.
He looks away and clears his throat. Maudlin this early in the day, and he didn’t even spend the evening before getting drunk.]
Fine. Do it how you wish. I’m going to check on our yogurt.
[There is an ache within him. Not for love of his former master, but of the sheer loss of his potential. Dracula could have been so much. Alucard could be so much, were he not shackled to his father’s ruins.]
He looks away and clears his throat. Maudlin this early in the day, and he didn’t even spend the evening before getting drunk.]
Fine. Do it how you wish. I’m going to check on our yogurt.
[There is an ache within him. Not for love of his former master, but of the sheer loss of his potential. Dracula could have been so much. Alucard could be so much, were he not shackled to his father’s ruins.]
Does his expression turn a little more stoic out of stubbornness? Possibly, but he'd never admit it. The direct approach is appreciated, however much he might have trouble with what Adrian is saying, he does appreciate that he doesn't have to guess his meaning.
But the other problem with the openness is that... He has to answer it. On his own, he can't rely on the parasite to step in with its own version of events to distract from him.
D's throat works silently for a moment, and it's clear that it's something of a struggle for him to continue. But he does try.
"If something hadn't happened to them I would assume that they had chosen to leave. Vampires hunters and dhampirs in particular don't have friends, Adrian. I... Have never had anyone care what happened to me."
He doesn't like talking about it this much. "I don't know why you keep trying."
But the other problem with the openness is that... He has to answer it. On his own, he can't rely on the parasite to step in with its own version of events to distract from him.
D's throat works silently for a moment, and it's clear that it's something of a struggle for him to continue. But he does try.
"If something hadn't happened to them I would assume that they had chosen to leave. Vampires hunters and dhampirs in particular don't have friends, Adrian. I... Have never had anyone care what happened to me."
He doesn't like talking about it this much. "I don't know why you keep trying."
Edited (GDI phone) 2019-11-21 23:39 (UTC)
Take half of one from each cooking method and let me know which one's better? I'll finish the rest of the dough by your preference.
[Perhaps he yells it into the fire as he removes another pita. But all the same, the concentration means he misses the way Hector looks away. How his words sound.]
[Perhaps he yells it into the fire as he removes another pita. But all the same, the concentration means he misses the way Hector looks away. How his words sound.]
"Because that's how I was raised and the wisdom that was imparted to me by my parents."
Mostly his mother, but the point still stands. But listening was also a key part of that, and so Alucard does his very best to shut up and listen.
It makes sense that D's not used to this whole someone-giving-a-shit thing. His circumstances are so dramatically different that for it to be otherwise would be the truly strange element at hand. But it doesn't make it easier, because Alucard can't simply rely on phrases like common politeness or social contracts to get D to maybe be a little more open.
He lets out a soft, considering noise.
"In the future, can you let me know when you head out?"
Mostly his mother, but the point still stands. But listening was also a key part of that, and so Alucard does his very best to shut up and listen.
It makes sense that D's not used to this whole someone-giving-a-shit thing. His circumstances are so dramatically different that for it to be otherwise would be the truly strange element at hand. But it doesn't make it easier, because Alucard can't simply rely on phrases like common politeness or social contracts to get D to maybe be a little more open.
He lets out a soft, considering noise.
"In the future, can you let me know when you head out?"
No, I think my resume needs no more padding.
[But this all returns to one point that Alucard doesn't want to ask, but knows he must.]
Time is of the essence for such work, but can you set an arbitrary deadline?
[But this all returns to one point that Alucard doesn't want to ask, but knows he must.]
Time is of the essence for such work, but can you set an arbitrary deadline?
[Hector ducks into the alcove where Dracula kept his strange ice box. He takes a deep, steadying breath, then pulls out the bowl of chilling yogurt.
Gods, he has so many more feelings about Dracula than he does his own parents.
He gives the yogurt a quick stir, silently declares that it is coming along nicely, then returns to the main kitchen area with, hopefully, no sign of any unsightly emotions.]
Alright, let me see...
[He assesses a sampling from both groups. Pockets achieved in each...a uniform color on the oven-baked, some crisp dark spots on the stove-baked for extra texture.... Of course Alucard would have to pick this up like he does everything else, the smug, infuriating bastard.
...so like his father...]
They are both good. It’s a matter of personal preference whether you prefer them soft or crisp.
Gods, he has so many more feelings about Dracula than he does his own parents.
He gives the yogurt a quick stir, silently declares that it is coming along nicely, then returns to the main kitchen area with, hopefully, no sign of any unsightly emotions.]
Alright, let me see...
[He assesses a sampling from both groups. Pockets achieved in each...a uniform color on the oven-baked, some crisp dark spots on the stove-baked for extra texture.... Of course Alucard would have to pick this up like he does everything else, the smug, infuriating bastard.
...so like his father...]
They are both good. It’s a matter of personal preference whether you prefer them soft or crisp.
Perhaps.
[ She raises her hand to the spinning heart, letting its edges graze her fingertips. ]
It knows so much, things that nobody else in the world knows. I'd rather not be a castle forever, but I can't let that sort of knowledge die and do nothing.
[ The attack has left them all worse off than they were before, in one way or another. Sypha's hands move over the kitchen table and her eyes narrow in concentration as she searches herself for a more suitable- there, there's a guest room there. The table vanishes, replaced with a bed. She's just patching the castle together in whatever order is convenient right now. It can put itself right later. ]
[ She raises her hand to the spinning heart, letting its edges graze her fingertips. ]
It knows so much, things that nobody else in the world knows. I'd rather not be a castle forever, but I can't let that sort of knowledge die and do nothing.
[ The attack has left them all worse off than they were before, in one way or another. Sypha's hands move over the kitchen table and her eyes narrow in concentration as she searches herself for a more suitable- there, there's a guest room there. The table vanishes, replaced with a bed. She's just patching the castle together in whatever order is convenient right now. It can put itself right later. ]
For you? [It takes a moment, uncertain what he's asking a deadline for. She can think of a few things but none that she really wants to dwell on.]
Or do you mean for Mina?
Or do you mean for Mina?
It has almost a millennia of advanced knowledge in it, Sypha.
[But he's been gone for over half of it now. Alucard wants to think about anything else, and instead the--
--well, Trevor's on a bed, so that counts as an advancement. The blankets on it are hardly moth eaten, and so Alucard tucks Trevor in carefully.]
I can move the bed closer to the fire for now. You should rest too.
[But he's been gone for over half of it now. Alucard wants to think about anything else, and instead the--
--well, Trevor's on a bed, so that counts as an advancement. The blankets on it are hardly moth eaten, and so Alucard tucks Trevor in carefully.]
I can move the bed closer to the fire for now. You should rest too.
D considers the request, finding it easier to think of it as a contract in a way. An equal exchange rather than something offered from a place of concern that he has difficulty understanding.
"If you want to offer help instead of stopping me, then I will," he agrees. Then D tilts his head, watching Adrian. He's tired, exhausted and drained and needs rest, but there's time for that later and now there's another focus. Not a job, exactly, but close enough that it feeds into his single-minded focus all the same.
"Will you trade questions with me again, now?"
"If you want to offer help instead of stopping me, then I will," he agrees. Then D tilts his head, watching Adrian. He's tired, exhausted and drained and needs rest, but there's time for that later and now there's another focus. Not a job, exactly, but close enough that it feeds into his single-minded focus all the same.
"Will you trade questions with me again, now?"
{Alucard sniffs at the air as Hector departs. The smell isn't terribly strong, but the yogurt has only aged over night. Besides, that's not the point. The cucumber is the point.
Paul Hollywood's Hector's return comes with a dhampir who watches the entire matter progress. He leans in a little, intrigued. Wanting the judgement and...]
Well, what's yours? Preference I mean.
Well, what's yours? Preference I mean.
[ The observatory again. ]
-they don't like the sun. So they're more active in the winter. I thought all of them hibernated, but once I started observing them some of them seemed like they were moving from place to place throughout the year.
[ She spins the globe again, taking all of it in. Someone has just had northern and southern hemispheres explained to her by a dhampir, and it's set her off on a whole journey of babbling about her monster studies. ]
So if it becomes summer here in Wallachia, then it would be winter on the other side? So maybe that's where they go, when the nights get so short that they don't have time to hunt.
[ Another few spins, and then she moves her hand backward. It slots easily into Alucard's. The globe keeps spinning for a little while longer before coming to a stop. ]
I'm going to find out. I'm going to live. There's far too much I don't know for me to die here. You- you have to live, too. Live with me.
-they don't like the sun. So they're more active in the winter. I thought all of them hibernated, but once I started observing them some of them seemed like they were moving from place to place throughout the year.
[ She spins the globe again, taking all of it in. Someone has just had northern and southern hemispheres explained to her by a dhampir, and it's set her off on a whole journey of babbling about her monster studies. ]
So if it becomes summer here in Wallachia, then it would be winter on the other side? So maybe that's where they go, when the nights get so short that they don't have time to hunt.
[ Another few spins, and then she moves her hand backward. It slots easily into Alucard's. The globe keeps spinning for a little while longer before coming to a stop. ]
I'm going to find out. I'm going to live. There's far too much I don't know for me to die here. You- you have to live, too. Live with me.
[ Trevor sleeps fitfully. But waking, waking is pleasant. He's in a warm bed. A warm, soft bed, the like he's not been in in years. The room smells like the good sort of fire, the kind that warms hands and bakes bread. Something hurts. He can ignore it.
It's only when he opens his eyes that he hisses out a profanity, scooting away from whatever the fuck that fire monster is that's decided to share his bed and predictably irritating his injury in the process. Fuck. Fuck, that hurts. ]
What the shit?!
It's only when he opens his eyes that he hisses out a profanity, scooting away from whatever the fuck that fire monster is that's decided to share his bed and predictably irritating his injury in the process. Fuck. Fuck, that hurts. ]
What the shit?!
I don't know if I--
[If I can what? Live? Deal with the guilt that will come from this action? Something else? Alucard doesn't know. He can't respond anyway, because there are lips against his and now he's promised to live.
But with her.
So maybe he can at least deal with the grief.
Trevor stirs, and so does the wolf on his chest. The Belmont was far too cold, and like this? Alucard could hear a heartbeat. So he slept, head over Trevor's heart, until Trevor's awake and the wolf is on the floor.]
Rrfffh.
[It's a snort-snuffle, and then the wolf is Alucard again.]
It was a way to monitor your heart rate while we all rested.
[If I can what? Live? Deal with the guilt that will come from this action? Something else? Alucard doesn't know. He can't respond anyway, because there are lips against his and now he's promised to live.
But with her.
So maybe he can at least deal with the grief.
Trevor stirs, and so does the wolf on his chest. The Belmont was far too cold, and like this? Alucard could hear a heartbeat. So he slept, head over Trevor's heart, until Trevor's awake and the wolf is on the floor.]
Rrfffh.
[It's a snort-snuffle, and then the wolf is Alucard again.]
It was a way to monitor your heart rate while we all rested.
Appreciate the concern, but not what I had questions about.
[ What the fuck is that fire lady and why isn’t Alucard more concerned about her and- ]
Wait. Shit, is that her? Is she- okay?
[ What the fuck is that fire lady and why isn’t Alucard more concerned about her and- ]
Wait. Shit, is that her? Is she- okay?
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