"If I need one, that would do quite nicely. Such as it is, I suspect the fact that you barely believed the matter of my father was real is more than enough."
It has been weird, watching that change and morph and be understood as more story than truth. Not bad...just strange. Humanity is a complicated thing, and the stories it tells itself even more so.
Far more wonderful is how Sypha's mind builds a plan. Watching it in real time is a joy, because each gear is visibly turning in her head. Processing, understanding, then putting step after step into place. He understands some of Speaker culture, but it's old and likely outdated knowledge. How to access even basic information in their histories? He's never learned.
"Given that I also don't know their current opinion of me, that's a good place to start. The last I heard it was very cautious."
For no reason other than how things unfolded as they did. Alucard then inches a little closer to Sypha on the sofa.
"What else would you like to know about the night world, since it will take a little time to contact and communicate with your people?"
It has been weird, watching that change and morph and be understood as more story than truth. Not bad...just strange. Humanity is a complicated thing, and the stories it tells itself even more so.
Far more wonderful is how Sypha's mind builds a plan. Watching it in real time is a joy, because each gear is visibly turning in her head. Processing, understanding, then putting step after step into place. He understands some of Speaker culture, but it's old and likely outdated knowledge. How to access even basic information in their histories? He's never learned.
"Given that I also don't know their current opinion of me, that's a good place to start. The last I heard it was very cautious."
For no reason other than how things unfolded as they did. Alucard then inches a little closer to Sypha on the sofa.
"What else would you like to know about the night world, since it will take a little time to contact and communicate with your people?"
I like it. It makes it hard to hunt, but it's nice. Humans are good at making light and noises.
[ He would like it. So many candles to flit around, people to observe as they engage in people-business every hour they can. He's not sure if it's something he could deal with for a long time, but in the moment it's exciting. ]
May I touch you? Just for a moment?
[ He would like it. So many candles to flit around, people to observe as they engage in people-business every hour they can. He's not sure if it's something he could deal with for a long time, but in the moment it's exciting. ]
May I touch you? Just for a moment?
[ By the time they reach the library, he feels a little more steady. Still uncomfortably vulnerable, but stronger. He sits and extends his arms to try to make it clearer what he's asking of Alucard.
To be a rock for him to cling to, just for a little while longer. ]
To be a rock for him to cling to, just for a little while longer. ]
[Alucard absolutely just sits down. Not next to Trevor, but in his lap. If the Belmont wants him elsewhere, he'll have to say so. Because from here, Alucard can be something warm that the dhampir wraps himself around. A constant heartbeat.]
[Alucard's gotten used to it. For a very long time he slept poorly, until he was sure the little space he ecked out in the city for himself was safe.
And it's been safe for years now. Wonderful and not entirely without peril, but far better than Wallachia could ever be.
To the question, the alchemist nods.]
You may.
And it's been safe for years now. Wonderful and not entirely without peril, but far better than Wallachia could ever be.
To the question, the alchemist nods.]
You may.
[ Slowly and very cautiously, he reaches out.
To carefully touch at Alucard's beard. He tilts his head and then laughs, withdrawing his hand. ]
Never been able to manage that, myself. I'm jealous.
[ Always stubble, never beard. ]
To carefully touch at Alucard's beard. He tilts his head and then laughs, withdrawing his hand. ]
Never been able to manage that, myself. I'm jealous.
[ Always stubble, never beard. ]
[ It's not what he expected. Not even what he hoped for. It's better, and he coils his arms around Alucard.
His humans. His very own humans, who'll always come back for him. ]
I- think I- [ The words are difficult, like saying them is a little too vulnerable even for this moment. He mushes his face into Alucard's chest, mumbling them above his heart so they're barely audible. So he's not putting the words into the air where they can break. ]
-I love you, too. Both of you.
His humans. His very own humans, who'll always come back for him. ]
I- think I- [ The words are difficult, like saying them is a little too vulnerable even for this moment. He mushes his face into Alucard's chest, mumbling them above his heart so they're barely audible. So he's not putting the words into the air where they can break. ]
-I love you, too. Both of you.
She'll want to hear it too.
[Alucard presses a kiss to the top of Trevor's head. Then another. Letting the Belmont just mush his face into tiddies, and in the back of his mind? He rather likes that.]
Let's wait for her here.
[Alucard presses a kiss to the top of Trevor's head. Then another. Letting the Belmont just mush his face into tiddies, and in the back of his mind? He rather likes that.]
Let's wait for her here.
[Of all the things for Trevor to touch, Alucard didn't expect that. But it's wonderful and so very...Trevor. So it gets a laugh.]
It makes me look a little older. Helps people take my medical advice seriously.
It makes me look a little older. Helps people take my medical advice seriously.
It’s lovely. You’re lovely.
[ He knows that this is pushing it a little far. But he’s never made a secret of his fondness for the-man-who-is-not-his-husband. And this is all familiar in a wonderful way. The domesticity of it, of sitting opposite Alucard while he eats and just talking. Of weaving while he grinds herbs for medicine, both focussed on work too much to speak but quietly acknowledging the others’ presence.
He loves Alucard. He has for a long time. And his presence is so soft and calming that it barely hurts at all that it isn’t reciprocated. It’s enough just to love him and be allowed in his presence. ]
I’m glad you didn’t stay. You wouldn’t have grown it, if you had. You wouldn’t be helping people.
[ He knows that this is pushing it a little far. But he’s never made a secret of his fondness for the-man-who-is-not-his-husband. And this is all familiar in a wonderful way. The domesticity of it, of sitting opposite Alucard while he eats and just talking. Of weaving while he grinds herbs for medicine, both focussed on work too much to speak but quietly acknowledging the others’ presence.
He loves Alucard. He has for a long time. And his presence is so soft and calming that it barely hurts at all that it isn’t reciprocated. It’s enough just to love him and be allowed in his presence. ]
I’m glad you didn’t stay. You wouldn’t have grown it, if you had. You wouldn’t be helping people.
[He can take the compliments, at least. The grandmothers in the neighborhood have said so very many similar things to him over the years, combined with soft tutting about how he's still alone.
It is nice, when there's patient's families around. Quiet presences who want to help because they have to occupy their time. And those are all the visitors Alucard really has most nights. Friends are still something he doesn't do, born of fear of how it might end. He is, by and large, still alone.]
But I did need it. I know that much now, with the power of retrospect.
It is nice, when there's patient's families around. Quiet presences who want to help because they have to occupy their time. And those are all the visitors Alucard really has most nights. Friends are still something he doesn't do, born of fear of how it might end. He is, by and large, still alone.]
But I did need it. I know that much now, with the power of retrospect.
I’m glad I could give it to you, then.
[ He thinks he understands. He needed a time of stillness. A winter. To recover and rest before growing again. ]
Let me take you upstairs, when you’re done? I can carry the chair like before, so I don’t need to touch you.
[ He thinks he understands. He needed a time of stillness. A winter. To recover and rest before growing again. ]
Let me take you upstairs, when you’re done? I can carry the chair like before, so I don’t need to touch you.
Thank you.
[He needed to be dragged out of his own head, at the end of the day.]
--The stairs are too narrow for the chair, so it'll have to be the old way. Would it be too demanding to ask that you help me up, and the bring some water up so I can soak my feet?
[He needed to be dragged out of his own head, at the end of the day.]
--The stairs are too narrow for the chair, so it'll have to be the old way. Would it be too demanding to ask that you help me up, and the bring some water up so I can soak my feet?
You've never seen yourself taking it from behind, so how would you know?
[ Not at all ashamed to put that out there, he turns his head just enough to let lips brush over those fingers at his jaw... while fingers gingerly work their way on helping Alucard out of all of that that he's got on. ]
But you do strike me as the romantic type.
[ Words he mumbles as he begins to undo the front of that... jacket. ]
My face just that handsome you can't get enough of it?
[ Not at all ashamed to put that out there, he turns his head just enough to let lips brush over those fingers at his jaw... while fingers gingerly work their way on helping Alucard out of all of that that he's got on. ]
But you do strike me as the romantic type.
[ Words he mumbles as he begins to undo the front of that... jacket. ]
My face just that handsome you can't get enough of it?
Because I get to see you in that position, and I know it's much better.
[He laughs, a little smug. A smugness that fades when Trevor's lips touch his fingers. He does keep the tips of his fingers against Trevor's lips. Hoping he'll take the hint.]
Correct on both accounts, you'll find.
[The jacket fastens with only a button, but it just reveals the path of the lace that traces over Alucard's chest. It's a simple enough configuration, framing more of Alucard's torso.]
What are you going to do about it?
[He laughs, a little smug. A smugness that fades when Trevor's lips touch his fingers. He does keep the tips of his fingers against Trevor's lips. Hoping he'll take the hint.]
Correct on both accounts, you'll find.
[The jacket fastens with only a button, but it just reveals the path of the lace that traces over Alucard's chest. It's a simple enough configuration, framing more of Alucard's torso.]
What are you going to do about it?
Not at all.
[ Nothing could be too much to ask, really. What Alucard's asking is the easiest thing in the world, compared to what he's doing for Sypha. ]
Should I put it over the fire to get warm while you finish your food?
[ Nothing could be too much to ask, really. What Alucard's asking is the easiest thing in the world, compared to what he's doing for Sypha. ]
Should I put it over the fire to get warm while you finish your food?
In which some issues with the new landscape design are had (aka post s3 coming home to GOING DAD.)
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cryptsleeper
2020-03-05 04:06 pm (UTC)(link)
[The doors to the castle do not open to them.
Indeed, the doors to the castle are the least of all problems, for the woods surrounding the estate and the castle are laid thick with traps, some magical, some physical. It's easy for the two of them, because of course it is. They sit in perfect balance. It takes effort though, real effort, and Alucard knows every moment that another trap fails.
He uses the viewing mirror to confirm who it is slipping past his defenses.
The doors remain closed.
The doors remain closed and there are two skeletons leading up to them now, picked clean by birds and maggots and the natural elements. They remain supported in their positions by will.
The doors remain closed until Alucard is called a cockwart one too many times, but even then he puts in no appearance. They don't know the layout besides what they saw, and the castle is hardly in a good state. There's still glass on the floor.
If it wasn't for the traps, it would be fair to assume the place was abandoned, or that Alucard had indeed gotten himself a coffin to rest in. (He's working on it.)
Night falls.
He (seemingly) isn't there.]
Indeed, the doors to the castle are the least of all problems, for the woods surrounding the estate and the castle are laid thick with traps, some magical, some physical. It's easy for the two of them, because of course it is. They sit in perfect balance. It takes effort though, real effort, and Alucard knows every moment that another trap fails.
He uses the viewing mirror to confirm who it is slipping past his defenses.
The doors remain closed.
The doors remain closed and there are two skeletons leading up to them now, picked clean by birds and maggots and the natural elements. They remain supported in their positions by will.
The doors remain closed until Alucard is called a cockwart one too many times, but even then he puts in no appearance. They don't know the layout besides what they saw, and the castle is hardly in a good state. There's still glass on the floor.
If it wasn't for the traps, it would be fair to assume the place was abandoned, or that Alucard had indeed gotten himself a coffin to rest in. (He's working on it.)
Night falls.
He (seemingly) isn't there.]
--The bucket keeps it at the correct temperature, actually.
[His smile is a little fragile. It comes with an equally unsure laugh.]
If one is to carry that accusation, I suppose they should deserve it just a little.
[His smile is a little fragile. It comes with an equally unsure laugh.]
If one is to carry that accusation, I suppose they should deserve it just a little.
[ He's furious.
Sypha is horrified, worried, maybe slightly in denial. He's just furious. At Alucard. At himself, for ever thinking he could trust a fucking vampire to not be a fucking vampire. They search for him, for a while, and then that proves too slow. He'll just draw him out.
If Sypha realises that he's taken the morning star from his belt, she doesn't say anything. She's been uncharacteristically quiet since the bodies, in truth. This so soon after that rotten fucking town seems to have shocked her into silence.
It's the room where Dracula died that he heads to. Because he's angry enough to go for the low blow. He slams the door with his shoulder to open it. ]
Get the fuck out here, bloodsucker.
Sypha is horrified, worried, maybe slightly in denial. He's just furious. At Alucard. At himself, for ever thinking he could trust a fucking vampire to not be a fucking vampire. They search for him, for a while, and then that proves too slow. He'll just draw him out.
If Sypha realises that he's taken the morning star from his belt, she doesn't say anything. She's been uncharacteristically quiet since the bodies, in truth. This so soon after that rotten fucking town seems to have shocked her into silence.
It's the room where Dracula died that he heads to. Because he's angry enough to go for the low blow. He slams the door with his shoulder to open it. ]
Get the fuck out here, bloodsucker.
[Alucard isn't there.
In the end?
He's in the engine room. He's sat on the floor there, books stacked in a semi-circle around him. Repairing the castle seems like the smartest option right now. Get the engines un-melted and then move the castle far away into the mountains where no human can reach because the air is too thin and the peaks are too high. That's safe enough.
He's not sure what he'll do with the Hold yet. It can't remain as it is, open to the world. Everything in there, it can be used against him.
But it is still not in his nature to destroy knowledge.]
In the end?
He's in the engine room. He's sat on the floor there, books stacked in a semi-circle around him. Repairing the castle seems like the smartest option right now. Get the engines un-melted and then move the castle far away into the mountains where no human can reach because the air is too thin and the peaks are too high. That's safe enough.
He's not sure what he'll do with the Hold yet. It can't remain as it is, open to the world. Everything in there, it can be used against him.
But it is still not in his nature to destroy knowledge.]
Oh. He chuckles. Clever.
[ He knows that this must be difficult, so he reaches out his hand. Not far enough to touch, just far enough to offer it. Back in the cottage he could just bring books or a dog or furs when he wanted to offer comfort. Here he's not quite sure how to go about it. ]
Are you happy to deserve it, just a little? [ Because if so, he has IDEAS!!! ] Any more little secrets I should know about?
[ He knows that this must be difficult, so he reaches out his hand. Not far enough to touch, just far enough to offer it. Back in the cottage he could just bring books or a dog or furs when he wanted to offer comfort. Here he's not quite sure how to go about it. ]
Are you happy to deserve it, just a little? [ Because if so, he has IDEAS!!! ] Any more little secrets I should know about?
I sometimes see to my own comforts.
[There's still that hesitation for taking the hand. But Trevor's earned trust in the right ways, so Alucard takes it all the same.]
There are still moments it gives me pause. But then my feet remind me that there is a reason for it, and the moment passes. [They don't burn witches here. But heretics? The Ottomans still deal with heretics.]
None in particular. It's the only indulgence I rely on.
[There's still that hesitation for taking the hand. But Trevor's earned trust in the right ways, so Alucard takes it all the same.]
There are still moments it gives me pause. But then my feet remind me that there is a reason for it, and the moment passes. [They don't burn witches here. But heretics? The Ottomans still deal with heretics.]
None in particular. It's the only indulgence I rely on.
[ He doesn't go to the engine room. He doesn't go anywhere. Instead, he takes the ring from the floor and hands it to Sypha. ]
Here. Now. Or she melts it.
[ Sypha looks at him in alarm, clearly not fond of that plan but still too shocked to come up with an argument against it. It's a little horrifying, to see her have words stolen from her so completely. ]
I know you can fucking hear me, Mr. 'Animals Humping in the Undergrowth'.
Here. Now. Or she melts it.
[ Sypha looks at him in alarm, clearly not fond of that plan but still too shocked to come up with an argument against it. It's a little horrifying, to see her have words stolen from her so completely. ]
I know you can fucking hear me, Mr. 'Animals Humping in the Undergrowth'.
[...................Shouldn't have let him in the door.
He makes his way there. Human speed. The engines aren't terribly far below that room, for the central core of the castle is condensed in case parts must be jettisoned off. The main living wing? It was around that engine room hub.
What Alucard doesn't do is walk further into the room beyond the door frame. There are only cold, furious eyes that land on the Belmont.]
Get out of my castle.
He makes his way there. Human speed. The engines aren't terribly far below that room, for the central core of the castle is condensed in case parts must be jettisoned off. The main living wing? It was around that engine room hub.
What Alucard doesn't do is walk further into the room beyond the door frame. There are only cold, furious eyes that land on the Belmont.]
Get out of my castle.
Good. You ought to.
[ He closes his fingers around Alucard's, smiling. Not even at the contact, glad as he is for it. At the thought that this gives him so many more ways to help. ]
Would you take offense to other indulgences?
[ He closes his fingers around Alucard's, smiling. Not even at the contact, glad as he is for it. At the thought that this gives him so many more ways to help. ]
Would you take offense to other indulgences?
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