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(She is made of glass in comparison to the two of them, but they will always argue about it. It isn't important now.
Alucard rises, but he moves slowly, still unsure. When he reaches Trevor, he stands closer to Sypha, like that might deflect any more negativity if it comes.)
Alucard rises, but he moves slowly, still unsure. When he reaches Trevor, he stands closer to Sypha, like that might deflect any more negativity if it comes.)
[ He pulls both of them into a tight embrace. His hands are still shaking, tone still a little too serious, but he can do that much. ]
I love you. We love you. Even if your dad is an ass.
I love you. We love you. Even if your dad is an ass.
[He's stiff for a moment. Unsure. Terrified. But it melts away all at once, and with that one of Alucard's arms is wrapped around Sypha's shoulder, the other slung low around Trevor's hip. He's found a way to rest his forehead against Sypha's head and Trevor's chest at the same time, and this is...
...exactly what he's wanted for some time now, isn't it?]
He is. And I'm sorry.
...exactly what he's wanted for some time now, isn't it?]
He is. And I'm sorry.
[ This is all any of them have wanted since the dreams began. It’s perfect. In the absence of everything outside of it, it’s perfect. He leans down to kiss the top of Alucard’s head. Sypha nuzzles fondly at his cheek. ]
You don’t need to be sorry. Just promise that you won’t let him hurt her.
You don’t need to be sorry. Just promise that you won’t let him hurt her.
[This stupid cave is full of far too many emotions. Fear is one of the strongest, but it's settling now. Allowing the much more proper ones to take root, and for that, there is a soft sight out of the vampire.
He tries to draw himself closer to them both. He probably fails. That's just fine.]
I promise you both.
He tries to draw himself closer to them both. He probably fails. That's just fine.]
I promise you both.
Good. Perfect.
[ And he lays back, pulling the both of them with him. It's- a little less perfect in real life, in truth. Dream logic allows for things like ignoring how bony Alucard is, how Sypha's robes always find a way to end up inconveniently and uncomfortably wrapped around some limb or another.
But it's also real. It's real, at last, and whatever price they have to pay for that later might just be worth it. ]
Sorry for being an ass about it.
[ And he lays back, pulling the both of them with him. It's- a little less perfect in real life, in truth. Dream logic allows for things like ignoring how bony Alucard is, how Sypha's robes always find a way to end up inconveniently and uncomfortably wrapped around some limb or another.
But it's also real. It's real, at last, and whatever price they have to pay for that later might just be worth it. ]
Sorry for being an ass about it.
You were doing due diligence. Let's...just don't mention it again, please?
[Alucard likes how Sypha's robes catch. That Trevor's softer than he thought is nice too, and everything else is...
this is good.
Better than dreams, because it isn't confined to that space.]
[Alucard likes how Sypha's robes catch. That Trevor's softer than he thought is nice too, and everything else is...
this is good.
Better than dreams, because it isn't confined to that space.]
Yeah. Probably best to stop dwelling on it.
[ Sypha's the most vulnerable of them to sleepiness, and she's already moving to pull a few of the furs from the ground over them. He can't blame her - it's earlier than they'd usually sleep, but worrying about the vampire boyfriend for the last few days is tiring work. ]
We're going to have to start doing work at night, eventually.
[ But he doesn't sound like he's in a hurry to move. Even if he could. ]
[ Sypha's the most vulnerable of them to sleepiness, and she's already moving to pull a few of the furs from the ground over them. He can't blame her - it's earlier than they'd usually sleep, but worrying about the vampire boyfriend for the last few days is tiring work. ]
We're going to have to start doing work at night, eventually.
[ But he doesn't sound like he's in a hurry to move. Even if he could. ]
[Alucard's happy to move past it entirely. He instead sighs, content and quiet and so very, very quiet. Sypha's rest is well deserved, and maybe it'll be nice to just watch her sleep.]
Don't reorient the entire schedule for my sake. Please. I'd rather just fall asleep with you both.
Don't reorient the entire schedule for my sake. Please. I'd rather just fall asleep with you both.
And here I'd thought you'd have had enough of sleeping.
[ He doesn't really want to test Dracula's patience too much, and they were told that his purpose in letting Alucard be with them was to work and further his campaign of kind-of-being-helpful.
But one night. They can have one night, at least. He raises a hand to Sypha's hair, combing his fingers through it. ]
Still, doubt you're going to give me permission to get up and move any time soon.
[ Sypha makes a sleepy noise in response. Nope. He's not going to get permision to leave until she's good and ready. ]
[ He doesn't really want to test Dracula's patience too much, and they were told that his purpose in letting Alucard be with them was to work and further his campaign of kind-of-being-helpful.
But one night. They can have one night, at least. He raises a hand to Sypha's hair, combing his fingers through it. ]
Still, doubt you're going to give me permission to get up and move any time soon.
[ Sypha makes a sleepy noise in response. Nope. He's not going to get permision to leave until she's good and ready. ]
[ It takes a week or so for annoyance at Trevor’s absence to become true worry among the Belmont siblings. Moths are rarely active in winters this harsh. It’s understandable that he mightbe taking longer than usual. The primary concern is that with Trevor gone and Leon’s time so limited in the short days there is too much work for too few hands, even with Alucard and Sypha’s help.
Eventually, though, worry sets in. Not even Leon himself can sense Trevor’s location. They don’t have the resources to search him out the slow way. And so Sypha asks Alucard to be sent to Trevor’s location rather than hers the next night.
Even this late, the market is active. If anything, it seems to be early for the traders. The night is young. A table of banned books, Lisa’s among them, lies just ahead. Beyond it, a stall offers parts from the bodies of all manner of creatures. Humans and vampires and everything in between bustle about, but there’s no sign of Trevor. It’s a tall man, human, who takes note of Alucard first. ]
You’re from His castle, aren’t you? No need to be shy! It is an honour to receive a servant of Lord Dracula to our humble market. Come, come! He cannot be interested in these silly trinkets. No, I will show you my most valuable wares.
Eventually, though, worry sets in. Not even Leon himself can sense Trevor’s location. They don’t have the resources to search him out the slow way. And so Sypha asks Alucard to be sent to Trevor’s location rather than hers the next night.
Even this late, the market is active. If anything, it seems to be early for the traders. The night is young. A table of banned books, Lisa’s among them, lies just ahead. Beyond it, a stall offers parts from the bodies of all manner of creatures. Humans and vampires and everything in between bustle about, but there’s no sign of Trevor. It’s a tall man, human, who takes note of Alucard first. ]
You’re from His castle, aren’t you? No need to be shy! It is an honour to receive a servant of Lord Dracula to our humble market. Come, come! He cannot be interested in these silly trinkets. No, I will show you my most valuable wares.
[Winter is easier for all of the obvious reasons. The nights are so very long, and Alucard can be with the other two for so many more hours. That fact doesn't seem to sit well with Dracula, but he is capable of limiting his iritance to only outward grumbling, and in truth, that's all he's done since October. It is as close to approval as he will ever give.
He's been kept from them for other reasons (Lisa needed help with typesetting a new book, and in truth, Alucard loves working the printing presses to finalize all of her works). Sypha's filled him in though. It has been bad and...
...and Trevor's location has landed him here. A market that deals in the kind of things his mother and others have been accused of being, alive and thrumming and delighted to exist in the current time. Dracula had frowned at the request and insisted his son walk with greater care than usual, and now Alucard knows why.
His coat is augmented with dark grey and white fur, and the fluff sticks out at the collar. He holds himself every inch the prince that he is in all but name, and so that means looking down his nose at the human man who has demanded his attention.]
You will provide a written listing first, before showing me a single item.
He's been kept from them for other reasons (Lisa needed help with typesetting a new book, and in truth, Alucard loves working the printing presses to finalize all of her works). Sypha's filled him in though. It has been bad and...
...and Trevor's location has landed him here. A market that deals in the kind of things his mother and others have been accused of being, alive and thrumming and delighted to exist in the current time. Dracula had frowned at the request and insisted his son walk with greater care than usual, and now Alucard knows why.
His coat is augmented with dark grey and white fur, and the fluff sticks out at the collar. He holds himself every inch the prince that he is in all but name, and so that means looking down his nose at the human man who has demanded his attention.]
You will provide a written listing first, before showing me a single item.
Of course, of course!
[ A little way away, at a stall for ingredients of various kinds, a shopkeep cuts part of an antler off and grinds it into powder for a waiting client.
The man who caught Alucard's attention pushes a blank piece of paper into his hands. A moment later, dips a brush into a bottle of clear liquid and runs it over the paper, 'accidentally' missing a few lines. Best not to reveal to a servant of Dracula's where Dracula's few laws have been broken, after all. Where the liquid is brushed over, words form. It's a list of merchandise, with details and prices. He taps a finger at the bottom of the list. ]
Selkie - Unknown - Unavailable
Forgemaster - Greek - SOLD
Fae - French - For Sale
I'm afraid that the last of our stock of forgemasters has gone to another client only recently. I offer confidentiality, so I couldn't possibly let you know who intends to raise an army. Not for free. But I'm certain some of my other merchandise might be of interest.
[ A little way away, at a stall for ingredients of various kinds, a shopkeep cuts part of an antler off and grinds it into powder for a waiting client.
The man who caught Alucard's attention pushes a blank piece of paper into his hands. A moment later, dips a brush into a bottle of clear liquid and runs it over the paper, 'accidentally' missing a few lines. Best not to reveal to a servant of Dracula's where Dracula's few laws have been broken, after all. Where the liquid is brushed over, words form. It's a list of merchandise, with details and prices. He taps a finger at the bottom of the list. ]
Selkie - Unknown - Unavailable
Forgemaster - Greek - SOLD
Fae - French - For Sale
I'm afraid that the last of our stock of forgemasters has gone to another client only recently. I offer confidentiality, so I couldn't possibly let you know who intends to raise an army. Not for free. But I'm certain some of my other merchandise might be of interest.
Edited 2019-06-21 12:17 (UTC)
[Alucard follows, the air of coldness and superiority trailing in his wake. He does not like this. He does not like this at all, because for all Alucard knows this could be a trap of some kind, rather than a real rescue mission. Oh, not by Trevor's doing of course, but other forces.
He looks down at the piece of paper, noticing the blank lines. This is a thriving trade then. Alucard refuses to dwell on how much or little his father may know of it.
But it has Trevor. That is progress, more than any of them had made so far, and perhaps the spells that bind him here are why no one has been able to track him. With that, Alucard's eyes return to the salesman, gold and cold and glinting.]
The information is more than enough in the case of the forgemasters. [And that is a truth.]
I will see the only available listed item then. You'll bring it out here, in front of others, so that the truth of the listing can be verified. Usually I would not be concerned, but I am sure you understand that the matter of who I speak on behalf of requires certain additional steps.
He looks down at the piece of paper, noticing the blank lines. This is a thriving trade then. Alucard refuses to dwell on how much or little his father may know of it.
But it has Trevor. That is progress, more than any of them had made so far, and perhaps the spells that bind him here are why no one has been able to track him. With that, Alucard's eyes return to the salesman, gold and cold and glinting.]
The information is more than enough in the case of the forgemasters. [And that is a truth.]
I will see the only available listed item then. You'll bring it out here, in front of others, so that the truth of the listing can be verified. Usually I would not be concerned, but I am sure you understand that the matter of who I speak on behalf of requires certain additional steps.
Of course, anything for your master!
[ The man vanishes into one of the wagons. There are noises - demands to stand and walk, the dragging of metal on the wagon's wooden floor.
The figure that stumbles out is barely recognisable. The lower part of his face is obscured by the kind of bridle used to punish scolds and boasts, the upper part of it by the thick iron wires and leather straps holding it in place. One of the wires has been knocked out of place and digs into the side of his face, the flesh trying and failing to heal around it. His antlers are gone, cut away so close to the skull that what remains of his hair obscures the base of them.
As he misses a step and falls to the ground it becomes clear that his wings are gone, too. He is naked and his skin is covered with a mixture of symbols and words, written in purple-black ink. ]
Stand. [ The merchant orders. He does not. The man narrows his eyes, taking a quill and a jar of ink, and proceeds to write 'stand' across his back. ] He is difficult about verbal commands, as you can see, but nearly all of his kind can be controlled in this manner.
[ The ink hisses as sinks in to the scratches made by the pen - it's actually fairly pale. The dark purple colour, it becomes clear, comes from the bruising it causes. As it does, Trevor pushes himself to his feet. He doesn't seem to notice Alucard, staring past him. ]
[ The man vanishes into one of the wagons. There are noises - demands to stand and walk, the dragging of metal on the wagon's wooden floor.
The figure that stumbles out is barely recognisable. The lower part of his face is obscured by the kind of bridle used to punish scolds and boasts, the upper part of it by the thick iron wires and leather straps holding it in place. One of the wires has been knocked out of place and digs into the side of his face, the flesh trying and failing to heal around it. His antlers are gone, cut away so close to the skull that what remains of his hair obscures the base of them.
As he misses a step and falls to the ground it becomes clear that his wings are gone, too. He is naked and his skin is covered with a mixture of symbols and words, written in purple-black ink. ]
Stand. [ The merchant orders. He does not. The man narrows his eyes, taking a quill and a jar of ink, and proceeds to write 'stand' across his back. ] He is difficult about verbal commands, as you can see, but nearly all of his kind can be controlled in this manner.
[ The ink hisses as sinks in to the scratches made by the pen - it's actually fairly pale. The dark purple colour, it becomes clear, comes from the bruising it causes. As it does, Trevor pushes himself to his feet. He doesn't seem to notice Alucard, staring past him. ]
[Alucard hates playing these kinds of games. When the man disappears, he pauses just long enough to readjust his coat, pulling the closures closer to keep himself warmer. What he wants to do is retreat into the collar of the coat, surrounded by fur and walking away with Trevor with no more play acting and--
--Fuck.
All Alucard wants to do is sweep in, tear off every chain on Trevor, and carry him back to Sypha. This is awful. The kind of thing that would make his father seethe about humanity never being worth dealing with in the first place, but perhaps even more so. This is beyond keeping one prisoner for sale, this is mutilation for no reason at all.
The stench of iron dominates, not only for the chains but the things written on Trevor's flesh. He understands the ink's power - there's iron in it. Iron to bind. Iron to control.
Bile rises up Alucard's throat.]
He is not whole, I see.
[The payment for this sort of thing would be too high, and Alucard doesn't trust a man that has this much magic in him. Best to bargain and get out as quickly as possible.]
--Fuck.
All Alucard wants to do is sweep in, tear off every chain on Trevor, and carry him back to Sypha. This is awful. The kind of thing that would make his father seethe about humanity never being worth dealing with in the first place, but perhaps even more so. This is beyond keeping one prisoner for sale, this is mutilation for no reason at all.
The stench of iron dominates, not only for the chains but the things written on Trevor's flesh. He understands the ink's power - there's iron in it. Iron to bind. Iron to control.
Bile rises up Alucard's throat.]
He is not whole, I see.
[The payment for this sort of thing would be too high, and Alucard doesn't trust a man that has this much magic in him. Best to bargain and get out as quickly as possible.]
I am afraid not. They are hard to tame, whole, and- well. The alchemists do need to get their materials somehow, don't they?
[ The salesman tuts, reaching up to fix the out of place wire on the bridle, a reproach about struggling too much under his breath. ]
Consider it an investment. All of it will grow back, of course, and in the meantime the dulled senses and disorientation make them far more obedient and easy to train. You can convince them to make any promise at all.
[ The salesman tuts, reaching up to fix the out of place wire on the bridle, a reproach about struggling too much under his breath. ]
Consider it an investment. All of it will grow back, of course, and in the meantime the dulled senses and disorientation make them far more obedient and easy to train. You can convince them to make any promise at all.
[They'll have to have Sypha track down the parts and destroy each in turn. None of their boyfriend can be left to the whims of others. That is a simple and known fact.
Alucard doesn't flinch as he watches the bridle be adjusted. Don't look away. He can't look away, because that would give his connection to the Belmont away and make the situation harder.]
I expect the missing parts are reflected in your asking price.
Alucard doesn't flinch as he watches the bridle be adjusted. Don't look away. He can't look away, because that would give his connection to the Belmont away and make the situation harder.]
I expect the missing parts are reflected in your asking price.
[ The merchant looks offended by the idea for just a moment, but then smiles again. A client like Dracula is worth taking a less than satisfactory deal, after all. He calls to the shopkeeper tending the ingredients stall, the one who was grinding an antler before, and they talk for a little while before he addresses Alucard again. ]
For a client like your master, I can lower the price by the going rate for a pair of antlers and wings. I'll throw in a few bottles of the ink, too, for the damage he's managed to do to himself.
For a client like your master, I can lower the price by the going rate for a pair of antlers and wings. I'll throw in a few bottles of the ink, too, for the damage he's managed to do to himself.
[As Alucard waits, his eyes remain on Trevor. He's calculating all of the damage done to their Belmont. Trying to figure out what the best way to deal with the iron might be. Magnets perhaps, that seems a logical choice.
These are anchoring thoughts. The kind that help him focus on not flying off the handle, on remaining calm, on not tearing the entire market apart in a rage.
Then the source of that rage addresses Alucard, and he frowns thinly.]
I see. For reasons that are obvious, cash is the only acceptable form of payment.
[Easier to part with gold than to offer body parts or memories or other magic bits.]
These are anchoring thoughts. The kind that help him focus on not flying off the handle, on remaining calm, on not tearing the entire market apart in a rage.
Then the source of that rage addresses Alucard, and he frowns thinly.]
I see. For reasons that are obvious, cash is the only acceptable form of payment.
[Easier to part with gold than to offer body parts or memories or other magic bits.]
i would not dare take anything more from Lord Dracula.
[ There's recognition in Trevor's eyes, at that. His senses are too dulled by pain and the loss of his antlers to recognise Alucard, but he can just about hear that name. Is that where he's being taken? To Dracula? Shit. What if Dracula interprets this as a failure? What if he punishes Sypha for his own being captured?
While the merchant speaks, he reaches blindly at the table of papers nearby, for that blank page written in magic ink. That, he can give to him. Use it to bargain, maybe. There's information there that Dracula would want to see.
The merchant turns back too soon, and he has to withdraw his hand quickly to avoid being caught. ]
We have a deal, then?
[ There's recognition in Trevor's eyes, at that. His senses are too dulled by pain and the loss of his antlers to recognise Alucard, but he can just about hear that name. Is that where he's being taken? To Dracula? Shit. What if Dracula interprets this as a failure? What if he punishes Sypha for his own being captured?
While the merchant speaks, he reaches blindly at the table of papers nearby, for that blank page written in magic ink. That, he can give to him. Use it to bargain, maybe. There's information there that Dracula would want to see.
The merchant turns back too soon, and he has to withdraw his hand quickly to avoid being caught. ]
We have a deal, then?
You've failed to state the price. I do not accept any offer until I have reviewed that and any other paperwork.
[He wants to get out of here and rush it, but that was the problem the first time he had to make some kind of choice that could get the other two hurt, wasn't it? He had to force Trevor to summon Leon to negotiate a better deal.
Not. Again.]
[He wants to get out of here and rush it, but that was the problem the first time he had to make some kind of choice that could get the other two hurt, wasn't it? He had to force Trevor to summon Leon to negotiate a better deal.
Not. Again.]
Understandable.
[ The merchant turns, assembling a stack of papers. Instructions for proper control of Trevor's kind. All of the information that he's been able to gather that makes this look like a good deal, and none of what might make it seem unfavourable. Trevor can just about tell whats going on and when the merchant turns back to confirm the price of the antlers and wings, to knock down the cost by that much, he slips that blank paper into the stack. No need for the ink to reveal the words, Dracula will find a way.
Trading in fairies and forgemasters is one thing. Trading in young fledglings is information that Dracula might want to know. It's not much, but it's the only thing he has to offer.
The merchant writes down his price on the top page, handing the small stack of papers to Alucard. ]
Please, take all the time you like. I should warn you, however, that there are other interested buyers. I can hold him a little while as a favour to your master, but not for too long.
[ The merchant turns, assembling a stack of papers. Instructions for proper control of Trevor's kind. All of the information that he's been able to gather that makes this look like a good deal, and none of what might make it seem unfavourable. Trevor can just about tell whats going on and when the merchant turns back to confirm the price of the antlers and wings, to knock down the cost by that much, he slips that blank paper into the stack. No need for the ink to reveal the words, Dracula will find a way.
Trading in fairies and forgemasters is one thing. Trading in young fledglings is information that Dracula might want to know. It's not much, but it's the only thing he has to offer.
The merchant writes down his price on the top page, handing the small stack of papers to Alucard. ]
Please, take all the time you like. I should warn you, however, that there are other interested buyers. I can hold him a little while as a favour to your master, but not for too long.
Do you accept payments to hold matters?
[It's an automatic question as Alucard watches the papers be assembled. He doesn't care about the rest of it. Just tell him the sodding price and let the matter be absolutely done for.
He waits though, as patient as he can manage given the circumstances. It's not much, and there's a low rumbling fire of anger that's threatening to erupt.
Then he sees the price, and it almost does.]
This is more coin than I have on my person at the moment.
[It's an automatic question as Alucard watches the papers be assembled. He doesn't care about the rest of it. Just tell him the sodding price and let the matter be absolutely done for.
He waits though, as patient as he can manage given the circumstances. It's not much, and there's a low rumbling fire of anger that's threatening to erupt.
Then he sees the price, and it almost does.]
This is more coin than I have on my person at the moment.
Ah. A pity.
[ The merchant considers, then shakes his head. He wants Dracula as a customer, but he can't go lower than that. It's rare to come across a fairy so easily captured. ]
Take the papers, then. Have your master look through them. I'm sure he will find our price to be very reasonable. My market will be here for another two days, and I will hold him for that long.
[ The merchant considers, then shakes his head. He wants Dracula as a customer, but he can't go lower than that. It's rare to come across a fairy so easily captured. ]
Take the papers, then. Have your master look through them. I'm sure he will find our price to be very reasonable. My market will be here for another two days, and I will hold him for that long.
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