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They've been like this as long as I remember.
[ He's not quite socialised enough for this to be inherently awkward. But he still tenses as Alucard moves downwards. That feels weird. He preferred it before. ]
I just- woke up like this, one day. Before that it was hot and bright, and I don't remember much.
[ He's not quite socialised enough for this to be inherently awkward. But he still tenses as Alucard moves downwards. That feels weird. He preferred it before. ]
I just- woke up like this, one day. Before that it was hot and bright, and I don't remember much.
I still- I just don't like it.
[ He's repeating himself. that's how you can tell that he doesn't have a real argument. That this isn't really what this is about. ]
[ He's repeating himself. that's how you can tell that he doesn't have a real argument. That this isn't really what this is about. ]
[Alucard makes quick work of washing below. For propreity's sake if nothing else. He then turns his attention to Trevor's hair, first getting soap onto his hands and then? Then he starts to scrub at Trevor's scalp.
Well, massage. That's the better word for it. He's avoiding even a hint of roughness.]
Is there anything you remember either before or after hot and bright?
[He knows what Hot and Bright is. That's a fire. A murder attempt.]
Did someone step in?
Well, massage. That's the better word for it. He's avoiding even a hint of roughness.]
Is there anything you remember either before or after hot and bright?
[He knows what Hot and Bright is. That's a fire. A murder attempt.]
Did someone step in?
[Damnit where's Sypha when you need her?]
Well, what would you have me do instead?
Well, what would you have me do instead?
[Ever well, himself, Alucard reaches into a nearby drawer and takes out a clean spoon. He dips it in, tastes, and then gives a long moment's consideration. Then with a nod, passes the bowl over towards Hector.]
I'm happy with it, but you should try as well. You're the expert.
[He says that without even a hint of irony.
As Hector starts, Alucard settles down on one of the stools that's in the kitchen.]
They only looked like animals?
I'm happy with it, but you should try as well. You're the expert.
[He says that without even a hint of irony.
As Hector starts, Alucard settles down on one of the stools that's in the kitchen.]
They only looked like animals?
[ This is nicer. Comfortable, almost. It's still strange, an he still doesn't like that it's nice, but- it is. He's warm, warm and safe and about half as heavy as he was before.
That last part might be literal. He's lost a lot of dirt. ]
It was just hot and bright, and then I was there in the den and I was like I usually am.
That last part might be literal. He's lost a lot of dirt. ]
It was just hot and bright, and then I was there in the den and I was like I usually am.
I don't- I don't know.
[ SULKING. ]
It's the wrong way around. I don't know what the fuck to do when things are that way around. I'm not supposed to need protecting. Not made for it.
[ He has one (1) vaguely positive way of interacting with things, and it doesn't apply here! This is difficult. ]
[ SULKING. ]
It's the wrong way around. I don't know what the fuck to do when things are that way around. I'm not supposed to need protecting. Not made for it.
[ He has one (1) vaguely positive way of interacting with things, and it doesn't apply here! This is difficult. ]
No explanation of what had happened?
[Alucard frowns. Usually there's a moment of explanation before a curse kicks in, isn't there?]
[Alucard frowns. Usually there's a moment of explanation before a curse kicks in, isn't there?]
[...Is that what this is about? Protecting?
Alucard pauses to consider the idea. It's....it sounds plausible enough, but he doesn't move beyond that thought yet.]
Logically you know we're both capable of holding our own, I'm sure.
Alucard pauses to consider the idea. It's....it sounds plausible enough, but he doesn't move beyond that thought yet.]
Logically you know we're both capable of holding our own, I'm sure.
[Hector rolls his eyes —suck up — but samples it and declares it ‘fine’. Back into the ice box it goes.
He walks from the ice box to the stools, but doesn’t take a seat.]
Yes, they came in the forms that the villagers denounced as ‘witches’ familiars’— black cats and ravens and rats and horned toads. We were not very popular with the locals, as you can imagine. I could hear them, or at least sense what they chose to convey. They lead me to places where I could learn more about my powers, and they kept me safe.
[He is pacing the length of the kitchen by this point.]
They were spirits of demons possessing the animals, hoping they could cultivate my power to the point where I could give them bodies of their own.
[He isn’t regretful about it. It is just a fact. It’s a time he recalls more fondly than his youth, at least.]
He walks from the ice box to the stools, but doesn’t take a seat.]
Yes, they came in the forms that the villagers denounced as ‘witches’ familiars’— black cats and ravens and rats and horned toads. We were not very popular with the locals, as you can imagine. I could hear them, or at least sense what they chose to convey. They lead me to places where I could learn more about my powers, and they kept me safe.
[He is pacing the length of the kitchen by this point.]
They were spirits of demons possessing the animals, hoping they could cultivate my power to the point where I could give them bodies of their own.
[He isn’t regretful about it. It is just a fact. It’s a time he recalls more fondly than his youth, at least.]
Some people find books very personal things and can become very protective of them.
[Vanessa tosses him a sheepish smile before returning to the shelf and picking out another tome to carefully ease from between it's kin. It's beautifully bound and as she cracks the hardbound cover she lets herself become absorbed in the illustrations. Because, like he predicted, it is in a language that she cannot read.]
[Vanessa tosses him a sheepish smile before returning to the shelf and picking out another tome to carefully ease from between it's kin. It's beautifully bound and as she cracks the hardbound cover she lets herself become absorbed in the illustrations. Because, like he predicted, it is in a language that she cannot read.]
None. I was just here.
[ And then, unusually for him, he continues. He's not been dishonest in these talks, but he's been terse. Unhelpful. But- this is nice, the way he can feel life returning to his body under the hands of someone who isn't here to hurt him. Even if he doesn't want life to return to his body. Even if his throat aches from talking more than he has in years.
He keeps talking, because if he keeps talking then this will all continue. ]
People tried to tend the land, after I was here. I didn't see any reason to stop them. They cut the roses and took them home to their wives, and I didn't stop that, either. Then one of them beat his child in his home, and I could see it through the roses, and I decided to stop that. So the roses made a noose of thorns and hanged him. The work stopped, after that. They didn't try to tend the land anywhere those roses grew.
I told you. I'm not cursed, I am the curse.
[ And then, unusually for him, he continues. He's not been dishonest in these talks, but he's been terse. Unhelpful. But- this is nice, the way he can feel life returning to his body under the hands of someone who isn't here to hurt him. Even if he doesn't want life to return to his body. Even if his throat aches from talking more than he has in years.
He keeps talking, because if he keeps talking then this will all continue. ]
People tried to tend the land, after I was here. I didn't see any reason to stop them. They cut the roses and took them home to their wives, and I didn't stop that, either. Then one of them beat his child in his home, and I could see it through the roses, and I decided to stop that. So the roses made a noose of thorns and hanged him. The work stopped, after that. They didn't try to tend the land anywhere those roses grew.
I told you. I'm not cursed, I am the curse.
I know. I know.
[ That's what makes this frustrating. Or at least it's part of what makes this frustrating. He hates the image of either of them diving in to save him. And he knows that in so many situations it's the soundest strategy. Sypha can stop just about anything with a wall of ice thick enough. Alucard- is Alucard. He's human. Human and nonmagical. He doesn't doubt his combat skills, not even a little, it's more- his idea of his place in the world and his idea of his place in a sound strategy aren't even close to the same.
He was born to protect people. And the two people worth protecting don't need it. ]
I know that you don't need protecting. And I know that anything you did need protecting from would be so out of my fucking league that I wouldn't be able to do anything anyway. But- fuck.
[ No. No, he's trying. He's going to put this into words. ]
-but I don't like feeling like I can't make you safe. Even if I don't need to. It puts me on edge.
[ That's what makes this frustrating. Or at least it's part of what makes this frustrating. He hates the image of either of them diving in to save him. And he knows that in so many situations it's the soundest strategy. Sypha can stop just about anything with a wall of ice thick enough. Alucard- is Alucard. He's human. Human and nonmagical. He doesn't doubt his combat skills, not even a little, it's more- his idea of his place in the world and his idea of his place in a sound strategy aren't even close to the same.
He was born to protect people. And the two people worth protecting don't need it. ]
I know that you don't need protecting. And I know that anything you did need protecting from would be so out of my fucking league that I wouldn't be able to do anything anyway. But- fuck.
[ No. No, he's trying. He's going to put this into words. ]
-but I don't like feeling like I can't make you safe. Even if I don't need to. It puts me on edge.
[The vampire keeps washing the Belmont's hair. Cool finger pads run over and over his scalp, and it's impressive how much dirt has clung to the man over the years. A skill of sorts, although he'd never say that out loud.]
You're not the curse.
[He can say that much with confidence.]
All this means is that the roses are connected to innocence and cruelty. Which I believe makes sense in regards to the rumors of what happened here.
You're not the curse.
[He can say that much with confidence.]
All this means is that the roses are connected to innocence and cruelty. Which I believe makes sense in regards to the rumors of what happened here.
[It's obvious that Trevor at least knows that this situation is...it isn't strange, but it's an emotional need versus practical matters. He understands that much, and so Alucard nods quietly. Considers.]
Would it only have to be on the battlefield?
Would it only have to be on the battlefield?
They can be. But then that person is less person and more dragon with a hoard.
[Which is a bad joke in it's own way, given how Dracul translates.
From where he sits, Alucard can see that one of the older books has been selected. The exact tome he's not sure of, but he knows the section.]
That section is all early printings in Romania. It took the country some years to start to take advantage of the printing press.
[Which is a bad joke in it's own way, given how Dracul translates.
From where he sits, Alucard can see that one of the older books has been selected. The exact tome he's not sure of, but he knows the section.]
That section is all early printings in Romania. It took the country some years to start to take advantage of the printing press.
[Alucard rests his chin in one of his hands, watching Hector move back and forth. He's quiet. He's always quiet when he gets an answer to this question.]
Smart demons, although it's a wonder that the villagers did nothing else to you other than denounce the things as familiars.
[It's luck. Very good luck.]
What did you do?
Smart demons, although it's a wonder that the villagers did nothing else to you other than denounce the things as familiars.
[It's luck. Very good luck.]
What did you do?
It’s no wonder. They were afraid. Humans claim to be more logical and reasonable than beasts, but they operate on instinct. They’ll mob an innocent that bears them no ill-will, but against someone with real power, they sense the threat and hesitate. I never stayed any place for very long in those days, and any villager that grew braver than spitting at me or casting stones when I passed...my friends intervened.
[He continues stalking back and forth through the kitchen. That time spent traveling shaped his view of humanity, that is certain.]
I saw much of this section of the world. The natural world is incredible- endlessly diverse, constantly evolving to better survive. People...they are the same everywhere.
[He shrugs, unsure of what to offer up to sate the clear hunger on Alucard’s face.]
I mostly studied whatever magic or physical sciences I could. It was not a sight-seeing tour.
[He continues stalking back and forth through the kitchen. That time spent traveling shaped his view of humanity, that is certain.]
I saw much of this section of the world. The natural world is incredible- endlessly diverse, constantly evolving to better survive. People...they are the same everywhere.
[He shrugs, unsure of what to offer up to sate the clear hunger on Alucard’s face.]
I mostly studied whatever magic or physical sciences I could. It was not a sight-seeing tour.
Mm.
[ It's a noncommittal noise. He doesn't believe it, but he's figured out already that that argument is going to be a hopeless one. ]
That's all I know. It's been - fuck, maybe a decade? I go out to hunt monsters and work as much of the land as I can alone.
[ It's a noncommittal noise. He doesn't believe it, but he's figured out already that that argument is going to be a hopeless one. ]
That's all I know. It's been - fuck, maybe a decade? I go out to hunt monsters and work as much of the land as I can alone.
I've only ever thought about it on the battlefield.
[ That's not entirely true. The truth is that it's easier with Sypha. She doesn't need him to keep her safe physically, but she's so much more open with her emotions and quick to say when she wants support than either of them. But that's a whole other level of difficult to talk about. It's going to be at least another year before the topic of 'expressing emotions is healthy' is on the table. ]
Where else would it be?
[ That's not entirely true. The truth is that it's easier with Sypha. She doesn't need him to keep her safe physically, but she's so much more open with her emotions and quick to say when she wants support than either of them. But that's a whole other level of difficult to talk about. It's going to be at least another year before the topic of 'expressing emotions is healthy' is on the table. ]
Where else would it be?
[Alucard doesn't let Trevor see his frown, but it's there. Doesn't believe that's all of it, but well, he'll believe Trevor that it's all he recalls.]
How far afield do you go, usually?
[That seems important to know.]
How far afield do you go, usually?
[That seems important to know.]
What about here?
[The battlefield can't be compromised. There's too much risk. But home? They can do home. Home is here. They can start here.
[The battlefield can't be compromised. There's too much risk. But home? They can do home. Home is here. They can start here.
Before, a few days' walk. Less far since she got stuck like this.
[ He doesn't want someone sneaking onto the estate and smashing up the statue. ]
I can go as far as I please, but I can't sleep anywhere but the den.
[ He doesn't want someone sneaking onto the estate and smashing up the statue. ]
I can go as far as I please, but I can't sleep anywhere but the den.
Here.
[ He repeats it, at first sounding a little incredulous. What's he meant to protect them from here? Reading so much that their eyes crap out?
Actually yeah, they do need protecting from that. ]
Don't stand up.
[ He walks over while Alucard's still sitting down, almost experimentally. It's nice, towering over him like this. Even if it's just because he's standing and Alucard's sitting. ]
[ He repeats it, at first sounding a little incredulous. What's he meant to protect them from here? Reading so much that their eyes crap out?
Actually yeah, they do need protecting from that. ]
Don't stand up.
[ He walks over while Alucard's still sitting down, almost experimentally. It's nice, towering over him like this. Even if it's just because he's standing and Alucard's sitting. ]
Edited 2019-12-04 23:50 (UTC)
It's a more warming display: a creature curled up on a pile of books rather than coin.
[Satisfied with her choice she takes the item back to her seat and sits. Indeed it is an old book containing wood-cuttings from old Romanian/Ottoman/Wallachia folklore.]
What beautiful and intense art. We hold such a fascination with the dark and dangerous. What a thing for prey to do, I wonder why.
[Satisfied with her choice she takes the item back to her seat and sits. Indeed it is an old book containing wood-cuttings from old Romanian/Ottoman/Wallachia folklore.]
What beautiful and intense art. We hold such a fascination with the dark and dangerous. What a thing for prey to do, I wonder why.
Edited 2019-12-04 23:59 (UTC)
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