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[The age catches Alucard's attention. It's borderline too young, a turning that if his father knew of it, he would have investigated the matter. He doesn't like it, and it sets off alarm bells immediately.
He'll ask that question in due time. For now...]
To what end?
He'll ask that question in due time. For now...]
To what end?
So to make him dead.
[ There's no sign in her tone that that was meant to be sarcastic. She just throught that was an acceptable answer. Trevor clears his threat, and she looks up at him then back upward again, less cowed into answering more completely and more simply made aware that the first answer wasn't complete enough. ]
It is wrong, that there are humans in the castle. We turn so to not be humans. To be better. We should not be taking orders from them.
[ There's no sign in her tone that that was meant to be sarcastic. She just throught that was an acceptable answer. Trevor clears his threat, and she looks up at him then back upward again, less cowed into answering more completely and more simply made aware that the first answer wasn't complete enough. ]
It is wrong, that there are humans in the castle. We turn so to not be humans. To be better. We should not be taking orders from them.
I see. And how old were you when you were turned?
[The response is a child's logic. He doesn't like it. Makes the vampire worry.]
[The response is a child's logic. He doesn't like it. Makes the vampire worry.]
[ She tugs her hands against the cuffs again. There is a crack this time and she looks at that hand in interest, wiggling her fingers. Two of them don't move. Trevor barks a stern 'Stop that.' She doesn't seem particularly concerned with it. ]
Fourteen. [ And then, after a moment- ] Turned myself.
Fourteen. [ And then, after a moment- ] Turned myself.
[Shit.
That's too young. Dracula's laws are 25 and older. Between 18 and that age he'll consider allowing it. Something about brain chemistry. Ability to make decisions. The law as it stands on the books is mostly a scientific paper.
Alucard manages to go even more still.]
Why?
That's too young. Dracula's laws are 25 and older. Between 18 and that age he'll consider allowing it. Something about brain chemistry. Ability to make decisions. The law as it stands on the books is mostly a scientific paper.
Alucard manages to go even more still.]
Why?
I told you. To not be human. To be better.
[ Another experimental tug with that same hand. Trevor brings his hand to the sword at his waist and she settles. ]
I had blood, so I took it. Then I was stronger, and humans had to stop bothering me.
[ Another experimental tug with that same hand. Trevor brings his hand to the sword at his waist and she settles. ]
I had blood, so I took it. Then I was stronger, and humans had to stop bothering me.
....Are you a citizen of Wallachia?
[This one is cautious. Because if she answers no, then this is a whole different ball game.]
[This one is cautious. Because if she answers no, then this is a whole different ball game.]
[ She just shakes her head. ]
Trantoul. A human land. Too many human lands.
Trantoul. A human land. Too many human lands.
[Alucard does not let his eyes grow big and wide in a panic. The most that he does is look to Trevor, nod once, and head for the door.
She's a citizen of Trantoul. That means that the situation has become infinitely more complex, and today? She cannot die.]
She's a citizen of Trantoul. That means that the situation has become infinitely more complex, and today? She cannot die.]
[ Trevor follows, hand not leaving his sword. They're going to have to move her before noon, but that's going to be a whole affair in itself. He only speaks when they leave the room. ]
Well, shit.
[ The ambassador is going to need to hear about this, if nothing else. This doesn't seem like an act of war on Trantoul's behalf, but they'll need to know for sure. ]
Well, shit.
[ The ambassador is going to need to hear about this, if nothing else. This doesn't seem like an act of war on Trantoul's behalf, but they'll need to know for sure. ]
I'll have the castle shut the sun hole before it passes. We're leaving her in there.
[She isn't allowed out. She's going to create an international fucking incident is what's going to happen.]
Go contact the ambassador and take care of notifying Trantoul. Better that Theodora informs them than you given the situation, but they have to know immediately. Their response determines what we do next but--
[He hates this.]
She can't live, can she?
[She isn't allowed out. She's going to create an international fucking incident is what's going to happen.]
Go contact the ambassador and take care of notifying Trantoul. Better that Theodora informs them than you given the situation, but they have to know immediately. Their response determines what we do next but--
[He hates this.]
She can't live, can she?
Not unless they feel like making a compelling argument in her defense. I doubt they will. Trantoul doesn't recognise non-humans as citizens.
[ Which brings up the question of what must have happened in order to make her think turning would be a good idea. Assuming that any of that is true, that she's not just lying to protect a sire who turned children. ]
The choice is yours. But you know what I would have to recommend.
[ Which brings up the question of what must have happened in order to make her think turning would be a good idea. Assuming that any of that is true, that she's not just lying to protect a sire who turned children. ]
The choice is yours. But you know what I would have to recommend.
No. There's no choice in this matter. Not according to my father's laws.
[If the child is under the age of sixteen, they too must be executed. Their mind, stuck in the age at which they were turned, will either age and their body will not match, leading to trouble, or else they will be at the same mental age as well. Either is crueler than death.]
Go contact the ambassador. I'll begin the written words for contacting Trantoul about this. We can resume questioning after that, with you as lead.
[If the child is under the age of sixteen, they too must be executed. Their mind, stuck in the age at which they were turned, will either age and their body will not match, leading to trouble, or else they will be at the same mental age as well. Either is crueler than death.]
Go contact the ambassador. I'll begin the written words for contacting Trantoul about this. We can resume questioning after that, with you as lead.
Right. I'll meet you once I've sent the summons and looked over the archives to see if I can find her or her sire. Being able to use the shadows up weapons to attack is rare enough to narrow it down.
[ It's two hours later when he seeks out Alucard. He's a little paler when he does. It's mid-morning, now. Neither of them have slept in far too long. ]
I have questions for her.
[ It's two hours later when he seeks out Alucard. He's a little paler when he does. It's mid-morning, now. Neither of them have slept in far too long. ]
I have questions for her.
Edited 2020-01-05 19:04 (UTC)
[Alucard's spent most of his time in his Office of State. Dracula's, technically, with no changes to the decor. He has a few drafts of required paperwork that needs to be dashed off, and all he's waiting for is the last bits of information to fill in.
He stands immediately, aware of Trevor's state.]
Good. And then you need to sleep, you look like someone fed from you far too much.
He stands immediately, aware of Trevor's state.]
Good. And then you need to sleep, you look like someone fed from you far too much.
I- shit, that's not it.
[ He shakes his head. Blood loss might be contributing. The poison's effects, even neutralised, might be taking a toll. But more than that- ugh. ]
I know who she is.
[ He shakes his head. Blood loss might be contributing. The poison's effects, even neutralised, might be taking a toll. But more than that- ugh. ]
I know who she is.
I'm listening.
[Alucard tenses as he walks to the door.]
Castle. Long enough corridor for conversation, please.
[Alucard tenses as he walks to the door.]
Castle. Long enough corridor for conversation, please.
Using the shadows like that? That's not common. The only vampire thought to have an affinity with that sort of thing strong enough to pass on to a fledgling was called Brauner. He was killed a few generations back by the Lecarde clan.
[ He falls into line behind Alucard, sighing. ]
They- they were wiped out a few years before I was born, when Trantoul began to crack down on unsanctioned magic. Eric Lecarde and his two daughters. Twins. Either would have been about the right age when it happened.
[ He falls into line behind Alucard, sighing. ]
They- they were wiped out a few years before I was born, when Trantoul began to crack down on unsanctioned magic. Eric Lecarde and his two daughters. Twins. Either would have been about the right age when it happened.
[Alucard listens. It isn't information he knows well, but he can quickly confirm it through his father's notes and Theodora's immense repository that resides inside her head.
He frowns.]
That explains her state and identity, but that doesn't give us motive. Especially with you as the target. She could have come for you at any time. Why now? What purpose does it serve? I don't think she's acting alone, and I think her mental age will make her give that information up.
[And there's the door.]
Lead. I'll listen.
He frowns.]
That explains her state and identity, but that doesn't give us motive. Especially with you as the target. She could have come for you at any time. Why now? What purpose does it serve? I don't think she's acting alone, and I think her mental age will make her give that information up.
[And there's the door.]
Lead. I'll listen.
[Summer has come and gone with little incident, and the castle has only become more and more hospitable to life. Most of the first floor is perfectly inhabitable now, with the kitchen working, all the rooms cleaned and most furnished, new rugs in place and Alucard's learned upholstery. There's a garden whose bounty has only provided and provided, and now with autumn on the horizon, it is time to prepare for harvests.
They've figured out how to be three. Three who go to bed, using Trevor as the mattress. Three who can cooperate and live together. Three who have figured out how to be intimate together, and so, so happy for it.
And then there are smaller kindnesses. Not gifts exactly, but ways to make life better. Which is what Alucard has in mind as he walks out to the garden now, followed by a guest who happens to be a centaur.]
Trevor?
They've figured out how to be three. Three who go to bed, using Trevor as the mattress. Three who can cooperate and live together. Three who have figured out how to be intimate together, and so, so happy for it.
And then there are smaller kindnesses. Not gifts exactly, but ways to make life better. Which is what Alucard has in mind as he walks out to the garden now, followed by a guest who happens to be a centaur.]
Trevor?
[ He likes his garden. Their garden, really, but he’s the one who’s laid claim to it. The word suits him well, physical and filthy and sometimes difficult. Easy to take pride in, when it’s hard to find things to be proud of. And it all dies, every winter, and there’s a comfort to that.
He’s comfortable here in a way he never was anywhere before, in a way he’s still working on being within the walls of the castle proper. So comfortable that he doesn’t make a habit of wearing the eyepatch out here. ]
What is- shit!
[ He’d been in the process of turning toward Alucard and the guest and swiftly turns away again, fumbling around in his pocket for that strip of cloth that Alucard hates so much. ]
You have to warn me when we’re expecting guests.
He’s comfortable here in a way he never was anywhere before, in a way he’s still working on being within the walls of the castle proper. So comfortable that he doesn’t make a habit of wearing the eyepatch out here. ]
What is- shit!
[ He’d been in the process of turning toward Alucard and the guest and swiftly turns away again, fumbling around in his pocket for that strip of cloth that Alucard hates so much. ]
You have to warn me when we’re expecting guests.
Don't bother with the cloth.
[Alucard sighs, looking apologetic at the centaur before his gaze returns to Trevor with a calm certainty.]
If all goes well, you won't need to be dealing with it ever again. Chiros is a healer, and he specializes in removing magic-based brands.
Complicated ones.
[Alucard sighs, looking apologetic at the centaur before his gaze returns to Trevor with a calm certainty.]
If all goes well, you won't need to be dealing with it ever again. Chiros is a healer, and he specializes in removing magic-based brands.
Complicated ones.
Removing-
[ He goes quiet at that, bringing a hand up to his eye before he turns around. Feeling the stylised dragon burned into the skin over it. Even now it hums with nasty dragon magic. ]
You’re- you’re sure? It’s- [ He hesitates for a second, but the guest already knows about the brand now. ] -it’s the kind that sends the magic into your brain if you fuck around with it.
[ It’s not like they can die, but the idea of being brain-dead forever isn’t exactly a more appealing prospect. ]
[ He goes quiet at that, bringing a hand up to his eye before he turns around. Feeling the stylised dragon burned into the skin over it. Even now it hums with nasty dragon magic. ]
You’re- you’re sure? It’s- [ He hesitates for a second, but the guest already knows about the brand now. ] -it’s the kind that sends the magic into your brain if you fuck around with it.
[ It’s not like they can die, but the idea of being brain-dead forever isn’t exactly a more appealing prospect. ]
[Alucard nods quietly. Walks over and reaches up to take Trevor's hand in his.]
I'm sure. And if you feel it's too much of a risk, we'll stop. Agreed?
I'm sure. And if you feel it's too much of a risk, we'll stop. Agreed?
If you’re sure.
[ He sounds less than certain himself, but turns back. Finally looks at the visitor, scar and all. ]
What do I need to do?
[ He sounds less than certain himself, but turns back. Finally looks at the visitor, scar and all. ]
What do I need to do?
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