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[They'll stop. They're three quarters of the way there already, and so Alucard murmurs the words that ends the tunnel.
They're in the mountains now, cold and dark but hundreds of miles from the Silk Merchant and his horrible market. A quiet breeze blows through, and on it is the scent of wild flowers. Alucard looks to Trevor, frowning.]
Sit down, you'll fall over if you don't.
They're in the mountains now, cold and dark but hundreds of miles from the Silk Merchant and his horrible market. A quiet breeze blows through, and on it is the scent of wild flowers. Alucard looks to Trevor, frowning.]
Sit down, you'll fall over if you don't.
[ He does as he's told, lowering himself to sit on the ground, but doesn't let go of Alucard's hand as he does. He pokes at a moth on the ground with his free hand, but it doesn't respond. ]
Where are we going?
[ He probably should have asked that before, but Alucard offered his hand, and that was more important. ]
Where are we going?
[ He probably should have asked that before, but Alucard offered his hand, and that was more important. ]
My family's home.
[Alucard squeezes Trevor's hand gently. It hasn't escaped the vampire's notice that the fae is yet to let go. It also hasn't escaped him what a real risk this could be, how it might simply earn his father's anger. But his mother will be there, and prevail upon her husband probably.
He breathes out.]
If there's a way to set this to rights, it'll be there.
[Alucard squeezes Trevor's hand gently. It hasn't escaped the vampire's notice that the fae is yet to let go. It also hasn't escaped him what a real risk this could be, how it might simply earn his father's anger. But his mother will be there, and prevail upon her husband probably.
He breathes out.]
If there's a way to set this to rights, it'll be there.
[Alucard hovers over Leon's shoulder, but it isn't because of concern for the man's health this time. It is instead to actually look inside the journals. He hasn't really done that, not without Trevor at home to assist with the silver. Being able to see the contents? That's a true novelty.]
I'm surprised you weren't working earlier. Or was that information just lost to time?
[Also. Rude.]
Sounds like Trevor, but he brings home dead things to be taxidermied.
I'm surprised you weren't working earlier. Or was that information just lost to time?
[Also. Rude.]
Sounds like Trevor, but he brings home dead things to be taxidermied.
[ He nods, and he doesn't let go. ]
My master will search for me. I'm- [ his tone is just a few emotional notes off if he were saying he was loved. ] -an investment.
My master will search for me. I'm- [ his tone is just a few emotional notes off if he were saying he was loved. ] -an investment.
Your master values his life. He won't pick a fight with Dracula.
[Alucard's eyes go to the mountains.]
My village is on the other side of this place. How good are you at riding?
[Alucard's eyes go to the mountains.]
My village is on the other side of this place. How good are you at riding?
-Dracula.
[ That's terrifying. He holds Alucard's hand tighter. He doesn't know why he even knows of Dracula - his master certainly never told him of him - but he knows. ]
I don't- [ He doesn't know. There is so, so much he doesn't know. But- he must have hunted once, before the days became short. ] -I think I can ride. I don't remember.
[ That's terrifying. He holds Alucard's hand tighter. He doesn't know why he even knows of Dracula - his master certainly never told him of him - but he knows. ]
I don't- [ He doesn't know. There is so, so much he doesn't know. But- he must have hunted once, before the days became short. ] -I think I can ride. I don't remember.
Good. I'm going to turn into a wolf. You'll hang on, and I'll get us home. Understood?
[ He nods, standing, and then slowly, with immense difficulty, lets go of the hand that's holding Alucard's (he mustn't let go). ]
Home.
Home.
Very well.
[And suddenly, Alucard isn't there. He's a wolf, one who lets out a long, deep howl that shatters the night sky. He remains taught and tense for a moment and--
a bellowing noise responds. Dracula, acknowledging his son.
Alucard's wolf form softens, and tail wags in Trevor's direction.
Let's go!]
[And suddenly, Alucard isn't there. He's a wolf, one who lets out a long, deep howl that shatters the night sky. He remains taught and tense for a moment and--
a bellowing noise responds. Dracula, acknowledging his son.
Alucard's wolf form softens, and tail wags in Trevor's direction.
Let's go!]
[ He climbs atop Alucard’s back, fingers curling in his fur. Yes. He knows this, even if his mind doesn’t recall it. This is who he is. He can ride. That’s comfort, even with Dracula’s howl still echoing through the night.
He lowers himself, coiling his arms around Alucard’s neck and burying his face in fur. Theoretically, it means that Alucard can move faster safely. It’s just also comforting. ]
He lowers himself, coiling his arms around Alucard’s neck and burying his face in fur. Theoretically, it means that Alucard can move faster safely. It’s just also comforting. ]
[In that howl, Alucard had communicated that something happened. His father said that he would be waiting at the door. And so Alucard speeds along once he feels that Trevor can hold on properly.
He spends a few minutes at a mostly human pace. Then? Then he moves at the speed of his father's people, paws thundering up and up and up the mountain paths, until up does become down and into a valley, home to a small community best known for not much at all save it's doctor. Lupu is a long way away from here, as is most of Wallachia. Here was a compromise, for Lisa would not leave humanity entirely, but Dracula could not risk her among Wallachia's people.
And indeed, Dracula is waiting. He is stood on the doorstep of the home the three of them share, the largest in the village because it accommodates Lisa's clinic on the first floor. Or so they all say, but it is still a private home and all other vampires must be granted permission to cross the threshold.
He looms as his son, a wolf, approaches with--
--a Belmont.
A noise escapes Dracula that is already furious, but then? Then he realizes the spells tracked over Trevor's body, and suddenly so much comes into focus.]
Bring him around back, Adrian.
[Around back is a smaller house. Just two rooms, a bed area and a preparation area. A quarantine zone, or as close to one as possible.
He spends a few minutes at a mostly human pace. Then? Then he moves at the speed of his father's people, paws thundering up and up and up the mountain paths, until up does become down and into a valley, home to a small community best known for not much at all save it's doctor. Lupu is a long way away from here, as is most of Wallachia. Here was a compromise, for Lisa would not leave humanity entirely, but Dracula could not risk her among Wallachia's people.
And indeed, Dracula is waiting. He is stood on the doorstep of the home the three of them share, the largest in the village because it accommodates Lisa's clinic on the first floor. Or so they all say, but it is still a private home and all other vampires must be granted permission to cross the threshold.
He looms as his son, a wolf, approaches with--
--a Belmont.
A noise escapes Dracula that is already furious, but then? Then he realizes the spells tracked over Trevor's body, and suddenly so much comes into focus.]
Bring him around back, Adrian.
[Around back is a smaller house. Just two rooms, a bed area and a preparation area. A quarantine zone, or as close to one as possible.
[ Adrian. Adrian. He turns the name over in his head, even as Dracula’s presence chokes all else from his mind. A pretty name. He likes it. Adrian. ]
Adrian.
[ He repeats it softly as he lowers himself from Alucard’s back, returning to the ground. His hands remain in Alucard’s fur, and he doesn’t seem to have any plans to let go. ]
Adrian.
[ He repeats it softly as he lowers himself from Alucard’s back, returning to the ground. His hands remain in Alucard’s fur, and he doesn’t seem to have any plans to let go. ]
[Dracula retreats inside the house. Alucard can hear his mother's voice, and the two begin a long argument. He moves Trevor along, past the side of the house and into the little quarantine, pausing just long enough to nudge the door open with his nose.
One has to pass through the preparation area first, although right now it is perfectly empty. Just a counter, spaces marked out for tools, and a little wood burning stove to heat both rooms. Through there? A real bed, made of feathers, although there are no sheets upon it for now. Alucard nuzzles against Trevor's hand, before his nose points to the bed.]
One has to pass through the preparation area first, although right now it is perfectly empty. Just a counter, spaces marked out for tools, and a little wood burning stove to heat both rooms. Through there? A real bed, made of feathers, although there are no sheets upon it for now. Alucard nuzzles against Trevor's hand, before his nose points to the bed.]
[ Hand still in Alucard’s fur, he moves toward the bed. He stops in front of it, waiting for Alucard to act. ]
Does he want to kill me?
[ He’s not sure if that possibility frightens him or not. ]
He ought to go to my master, if he does. I’ll just come back unless he kills the last piece.
Does he want to kill me?
[ He’s not sure if that possibility frightens him or not. ]
He ought to go to my master, if he does. I’ll just come back unless he kills the last piece.
[Alucard pauses. He needs to be a person to talk, and so Adrian is beside Trevor on the bed.]
You....what is your surname?
You....what is your surname?
I don’t remember.
[ He sits on the bed once Alucard does, once he knows it’s allowed. ]
My master calls me his Weaver, because I make the silk. Is that good enough?
[ He sits on the bed once Alucard does, once he knows it’s allowed. ]
My master calls me his Weaver, because I make the silk. Is that good enough?
[....God. Alucard understands this much now, and he can't imagine the life this fae leads. Completely without any memory save for a miserable existence. It could be an eternal sentence, if it isn't mitigated.
He sighs, patting the top of Trevor's hand tenderly.]
I'll wait for you to have your name back upon your lips then.
[There's quiet from Alucard, but that's broken by the reappearance of Dracula within the room. His disapproval still rolls off of his person, but Alucard knows the look on his father's face. That anger has been temporarily abated.]
Go inside. I need to speak with the fae alone.
He sighs, patting the top of Trevor's hand tenderly.]
I'll wait for you to have your name back upon your lips then.
[There's quiet from Alucard, but that's broken by the reappearance of Dracula within the room. His disapproval still rolls off of his person, but Alucard knows the look on his father's face. That anger has been temporarily abated.]
Go inside. I need to speak with the fae alone.
What exactly are you implying?
[Trevor's grin would have given him away, if nothing else did. They slow to an eventual pause, and Trevor offers Adrian the most gallant bow he can manage while pressing a kiss to the dhampir's knuckles. Infuriating, perhaps, but at least he's sweet about it.]
Where has your mind gone? [Trevor asks as he leads them back to the booth.] I was referring to your uncanny ability to pick out weak points in a sword fight.
[The feigned innocence and wounded pride is really too much.]
[Trevor's grin would have given him away, if nothing else did. They slow to an eventual pause, and Trevor offers Adrian the most gallant bow he can manage while pressing a kiss to the dhampir's knuckles. Infuriating, perhaps, but at least he's sweet about it.]
Where has your mind gone? [Trevor asks as he leads them back to the booth.] I was referring to your uncanny ability to pick out weak points in a sword fight.
[The feigned innocence and wounded pride is really too much.]
"Maybe I was just busy..." [ The only excuse that he can come up with. In actuality, a lot of it likely has to do with his lack of consideration to start writing any sooner. Not until after realizing that there's an actual plan in motion, and he needs to take the required steps to make it happen. ]
"This monster is too big to mount anywhere— it has its own torture chamber in the castle basement where it's all shackled up and I couldn't tell what the mural drawn on the wall before I went in really meant." [ See, he doesn't have the luxury of smart friends like Sypha or Alucard there to accompany him. Just his confused self and a lot of trial and error. He's spent days attempting to figure out simple mechanics, either from being lost or from being too initially unobservant. ]
"Tell Trevor not to do that, though. He's going to traumatize the taxidermist." [ He's frowning deeply, still combing through the pages about fighting Death itself. Explanations of the encounter. Eventually, though, he does come across a page that Other Him has dedicated to a drawing of the notorious monster, but his lack of artistic ability leaves much to be desired. The drawing is a asymmetrical, and the giant maggots look more like poop than anything else. ]
"Look, it's this." [ He can't tell he's bad at drawing, and he shows Alucard with a grim expression on his face. ]
"This monster is too big to mount anywhere— it has its own torture chamber in the castle basement where it's all shackled up and I couldn't tell what the mural drawn on the wall before I went in really meant." [ See, he doesn't have the luxury of smart friends like Sypha or Alucard there to accompany him. Just his confused self and a lot of trial and error. He's spent days attempting to figure out simple mechanics, either from being lost or from being too initially unobservant. ]
"Tell Trevor not to do that, though. He's going to traumatize the taxidermist." [ He's frowning deeply, still combing through the pages about fighting Death itself. Explanations of the encounter. Eventually, though, he does come across a page that Other Him has dedicated to a drawing of the notorious monster, but his lack of artistic ability leaves much to be desired. The drawing is a asymmetrical, and the giant maggots look more like poop than anything else. ]
"Look, it's this." [ He can't tell he's bad at drawing, and he shows Alucard with a grim expression on his face. ]
Edited 2019-08-24 01:28 (UTC)
You are a terrible bully.
[It's all the insult and outrage that Alucard can manage in an establishment like they one they're in. Anything else would break decorum and get them both thrown out, and that's unacceptable for certain. Also, leave it to Trevor to manage to get innuendo into the evening and leave Alucard without a way to fire back against it.
The only other thing that sounds is a huff from the dhampir, and that's as they walk back to the booth. He slides into his side, but catches Trevor's to force him to remain.]
One day, I'll have revence for all those little moments you know.
[It's all the insult and outrage that Alucard can manage in an establishment like they one they're in. Anything else would break decorum and get them both thrown out, and that's unacceptable for certain. Also, leave it to Trevor to manage to get innuendo into the evening and leave Alucard without a way to fire back against it.
The only other thing that sounds is a huff from the dhampir, and that's as they walk back to the booth. He slides into his side, but catches Trevor's to force him to remain.]
One day, I'll have revence for all those little moments you know.
I quiver, truly.
[Adrian had requested Trevor sit beside him for dessert, and Trevor doesn't assume Adrian intends that revenge on him now. So he carefully slides in beside the dhampir, and gives Adrian's wrist a gentle squeeze before waving their server down again.]
Dessert is entirely your choice. Call it recompense.
[Adrian had requested Trevor sit beside him for dessert, and Trevor doesn't assume Adrian intends that revenge on him now. So he carefully slides in beside the dhampir, and gives Adrian's wrist a gentle squeeze before waving their server down again.]
Dessert is entirely your choice. Call it recompense.
As you should.
[Dessert ends up being an apple strudel because sometimes, a classic is a classic, even it is from further west. It's served quickly, still warm with melting cream atop it, and Alucard is so terribly content that he almost melts with it.
But dessert also means the end of at least this portion of the evening, and as they wait for the check, Alucard's hand closes around Trevor's and squeezes.]
Do you want to go home right away, or walk for a while?
[Dessert ends up being an apple strudel because sometimes, a classic is a classic, even it is from further west. It's served quickly, still warm with melting cream atop it, and Alucard is so terribly content that he almost melts with it.
But dessert also means the end of at least this portion of the evening, and as they wait for the check, Alucard's hand closes around Trevor's and squeezes.]
Do you want to go home right away, or walk for a while?
[ He looks down at his hand as Alucard pats. It's- nice. Distantly, he can feel more orders being scrawled over the pages of his wings. Demands to return. Demands to bring the vampire back to his master, let him do the bartering. Other things, too. Idiot. Useless. An instruction to suffer that sends fire through his veins.
But Alucard's hand is on his, soft and tender, and he hasn't forgotten yet. He can't follow any other orders, not until the first one is finished or cancelled out, and Alucard's hand is on his. Nothing else is quite as important as that.
Which makes Dracula's instruction perhaps even more terrifying than his presence. He doesn't want Alucard to leave. Alucard is important. He raises his hand, coiling his fingers around Alucard's wrist, and looks up at Dracula. ]
I mustn't let go.
But Alucard's hand is on his, soft and tender, and he hasn't forgotten yet. He can't follow any other orders, not until the first one is finished or cancelled out, and Alucard's hand is on his. Nothing else is quite as important as that.
Which makes Dracula's instruction perhaps even more terrifying than his presence. He doesn't want Alucard to leave. Alucard is important. He raises his hand, coiling his fingers around Alucard's wrist, and looks up at Dracula. ]
I mustn't let go.
[Alucard feels heat from his side of things too, but that is the cold fury of Dracula as Trevor fails to comply. But that look of utter disapproval moves from Alucard to Trevor himself, and well.
He gestures towards Trevors wings.]
Let me confirm a single suspicion, Belmont.
[That Trevor is receiving orders even now. What those orders were in the first place.
Belmont though. Alucard lets out a worried noise, because he's heard what that family has attempted to do to his father. Shit. Shit he's in trouble.]
He gestures towards Trevors wings.]
Let me confirm a single suspicion, Belmont.
[That Trevor is receiving orders even now. What those orders were in the first place.
Belmont though. Alucard lets out a worried noise, because he's heard what that family has attempted to do to his father. Shit. Shit he's in trouble.]
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