Oh, and the trouble that stalks your blood by nature of the work.
[That's actually said with warmth rather than a single dhampir bitching endlessly. All three of them get into trouble constantly, but being a hunter of all manner of night things? It begs more trouble. A perpetual trouble machine. And Trevor alone is a handful, and Alucard's always been aware of the fact his own presence doesn't help. It's a miracle Sypha endures either of them.
Likewise, Alucard would be a fucking liar if he said that the lack of judgement is a relief. Walking past that massive portrait of Leon every time he's come down to work in the Hold, he's felt those eyes follow him. Felt the offended spirits of countless Belmonts demanding to know why the son of Dracula is in such a space. Logically, Alucard knew it was simply a manifestation of guilt and awkwardness. But a logical brain is not always in control.
He returns his attention to the index page he's been working on.]
How are you feeling with regards to your injuries anyway?
"I'll let you know if it becomes anything I can't handle." [ Leon's study-bodied, so his natural pain tolerance is already quite high as it is. Now that Alucard is returning to work, he looks at the ceiling. ]
"I suppose it's something difficult to know until it's happened." [ A thin smile, deciding it's probably best left unknown. It dissipates as he collects his reality again. ] "—In any case, I can't help but feel like my time here is as limited. I'll have to face that thing when I'm taken back. I mentioned looking at my journal a while ago, but you said it was bound in silver, is that right? Can I lend you my glove...? Sorry, I hate to trouble you with it. I'm just uncertain as to when I'll be pulled back there."
That is very kind of you, but I'm afraid that even with the thickest hide gloves, the silver is a problem. [Alucard's almost embarrased to admit it. But also, hey, thanks Future Leon!]
I dislike the idea of forcing you upward at all, but I believe I could carry a chair with you in it to the appropriate spot and let you select the correct tome.
[ Odd to consider, that idea is. Though Leon realizes Alucard's more than capable of lifting the seat and himself along with it (the strength of a species not totally human will render one able to), it's just... a strange image, if not a little embarrassing. ]
"You needn't go so far for me." [ He's doubtful. Somehow, he doesn't think Alucard will comply. As he reflects on the entirety of their circumstances, he can see that despite the chilly demeanor the other bears, he's been nothing but accommodating. Leon's finally able to really see that now, initially having been distracted by the quips and snips. ]
"Truthfully, I'm able to handle myself if you'll allow me." [ Ahem. If you'll allow him, Alucard. ]
[It comes with a heavy sigh. And then Alucard saying fuck it to everything, and flat out just walking over to where Leon is and easily lifting the whole damn chair without batting an eye.]
It isn't worth risking injury for a book that's meant to help you avoid injury.
[ Leon warbles in the seat as it's lifted, worried he may fall out of it if he doesn't pay attention enough to his balance. His hands clutch the cushion beneath himself, clinging nervously to pretty much whatever he can grab to stay stable. Nooo! This is the embarrassing image he'd foreseen... ]
"If there's anything I've come to learn from this, it's that you aren't easily persuaded once your mind has been made up..." [ He's so defeated, still holding on to the chair like an animal in a pet carrier. Despite that, he knows that the two of them will squabble in circles if he insists that, no, he won't injure himself or that yes, he's now physically ready to do as much as he wants. Alucard will take opposition. ]
"You really don't look as if you should be able to lift all of this so easily. Do you accidentally break things around the house?"
I'm glad that that much as been made clear at this point.
[Pet carrier or not, Alucard moves them over to a section of the book stacks that are on the first floor of the hold. That much is a blessing, because that's even Alucard can't imagine carrying the whole thing up the stairs and down the narrow aisles.
He moves down a few feet, past one or two shelving units, cheerful enough.]
No. I know how to manage my strength.
[But more importantly: there's a section of shelves that are so very shiny. Silver. Alucard clears his throat and gestures at them.]
You'll have to check the dates on journals, I'm not sure which volume is the correct one.
"Is that so..." [ He certainly doesn't seem the clumsy type. Still, making conversation is an odd thing to do when you're being toted from point A to point B. Leon's pointedly self-conscious about he and the chair's heaviness, careful to try and avoid sinking any unnecessary weight into Alucard's load. He's visibly relieved when they reach the designated shelves. ]
"The silver ones, I take it." [ Yeah, obviously. ] "It's sort of funny to think of the material as a substitute for a lock on a diary. That's basically what it is."
"All right." [ Leon traces his fingers over the silver spines, finding the left-most journal and pulling it free. While the material might scald Alucard's skin, to Leon it's as easy as unclipping a buckle. ]
"Easy. It looks like I started documenting only about a week after Walter's defeat." [ He's turning the pages. ] "I wonder if there'll be some kind of drawing of this creature I'm facing. I want to share it with you because it's honestly so horrible looking that I can't bear keeping it to myself." [ Misery loves company! ]
[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.
"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. ]
[Alucard's tone makes it clear he isn't buying that particular excuse. Smells like bullshit if you ask him.
But he listens. Listens carefully, and he understands why Leon probably needed his father. His...observation skills probably need a second pair of hands to help make them truly effective. It isn't always a bad thing, and he's seemingly managed unharmed enough to start the Belmont line, but still.]
As the taxidermist I'm well aware of the traumas. He just likes to spite me.
[Trevor is RUDE, Leon.
But more on that later. Alucard's eyes go down to the monster on the page, and his nose wrinkles immediately.]
That's...something...I suppose. How large is it? Obviously drawings can't be to scale.
"Does he at the very least pay you for your work?" [ Leon can't imagine wanting to be near the monsters, nor their remains, any longer than needed be. From what he hears of Trevor, it seems the other Belmont views their bodies as reminders of his past accomplishments. While Alucard golf claps for him...? That's the impression he gets. ]
"Ah. Right, right. Well, see his hand here?" [ This vague blob of scribble, Alucard. ] "I'm about as long as this part of his finger, sort of like between the knuckle and the first joint." [ Leon gestures with his own fingers, pinching a small space estimate to his own description, and then lowers his hand to touch the page. ] "To scale. You'd probably be about the same, but maybe you can turn into something bigger." [ He's actually really curious about the extent of Alucard's abilities, but too polite to ask outright. ]
Not exactly. [The obvious answer about their sex life is much, much better left unsaid. Alucard just lets the matter drop, and proceeds to lean over Leon's shoulder to follow what he's talking about.]
That's extremely large. [An understatement.] No wonder you arrived as you did.
[He shakes his head at the thought.]
I can't change my body mass, I'm afraid. Do your notes reveal how the thing came to be defeated?
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[That's actually said with warmth rather than a single dhampir bitching endlessly. All three of them get into trouble constantly, but being a hunter of all manner of night things? It begs more trouble. A perpetual trouble machine. And Trevor alone is a handful, and Alucard's always been aware of the fact his own presence doesn't help. It's a miracle Sypha endures either of them.
Likewise, Alucard would be a fucking liar if he said that the lack of judgement is a relief. Walking past that massive portrait of Leon every time he's come down to work in the Hold, he's felt those eyes follow him. Felt the offended spirits of countless Belmonts demanding to know why the son of Dracula is in such a space. Logically, Alucard knew it was simply a manifestation of guilt and awkwardness. But a logical brain is not always in control.
He returns his attention to the index page he's been working on.]
How are you feeling with regards to your injuries anyway?
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[ Leon looks to his bandaging. ]
"It's a shame the other two aren't here for me to meet. Do you think that me talking them would make the world's storyline unravel, or something?"
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[Alucard knows where he can go and get it, and it won't take more than a minute or two.]
Truly, I do not know. A meeting may be fine, but learning details could be a bigger problem.
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[ Leon's study-bodied, so his natural pain tolerance is already quite high as it is. Now that Alucard is returning to work, he looks at the ceiling. ]
"I suppose it's something difficult to know until it's happened." [ A thin smile, deciding it's probably best left unknown. It dissipates as he collects his reality again. ]
"—In any case, I can't help but feel like my time here is as limited. I'll have to face that thing when I'm taken back. I mentioned looking at my journal a while ago, but you said it was bound in silver, is that right? Can I lend you my glove...? Sorry, I hate to trouble you with it. I'm just uncertain as to when I'll be pulled back there."
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I dislike the idea of forcing you upward at all, but I believe I could carry a chair with you in it to the appropriate spot and let you select the correct tome.
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"You needn't go so far for me." [ He's doubtful. Somehow, he doesn't think Alucard will comply. As he reflects on the entirety of their circumstances, he can see that despite the chilly demeanor the other bears, he's been nothing but accommodating. Leon's finally able to really see that now, initially having been distracted by the quips and snips. ]
"Truthfully, I'm able to handle myself if you'll allow me."
[ Ahem. If you'll allow him, Alucard. ]
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[It comes with a heavy sigh. And then Alucard saying fuck it to everything, and flat out just walking over to where Leon is and easily lifting the whole damn chair without batting an eye.]
It isn't worth risking injury for a book that's meant to help you avoid injury.
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"If there's anything I've come to learn from this, it's that you aren't easily persuaded once your mind has been made up..." [ He's so defeated, still holding on to the chair like an animal in a pet carrier. Despite that, he knows that the two of them will squabble in circles if he insists that, no, he won't injure himself or that yes, he's now physically ready to do as much as he wants. Alucard will take opposition. ]
"You really don't look as if you should be able to lift all of this so easily. Do you accidentally break things around the house?"
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I'm glad that that much as been made clear at this point.
[Pet carrier or not, Alucard moves them over to a section of the book stacks that are on the first floor of the hold. That much is a blessing, because that's even Alucard can't imagine carrying the whole thing up the stairs and down the narrow aisles.
He moves down a few feet, past one or two shelving units, cheerful enough.]
No. I know how to manage my strength.
[But more importantly: there's a section of shelves that are so very shiny. Silver. Alucard clears his throat and gestures at them.]
You'll have to check the dates on journals, I'm not sure which volume is the correct one.
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"Is that so..."
[ He certainly doesn't seem the clumsy type. Still, making conversation is an odd thing to do when you're being toted from point A to point B. Leon's pointedly self-conscious about he and the chair's heaviness, careful to try and avoid sinking any unnecessary weight into Alucard's load. He's visibly relieved when they reach the designated shelves. ]
"The silver ones, I take it." [ Yeah, obviously. ]
"It's sort of funny to think of the material as a substitute for a lock on a diary. That's basically what it is."
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[If Alucard sounds annoyed, it's directed at the situation rather than at Leon.]
Take one and examine the date. That should give us an idea of which volume the information you're looking for is in.
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"Easy. It looks like I started documenting only about a week after Walter's defeat." [ He's turning the pages. ] "I wonder if there'll be some kind of drawing of this creature I'm facing. I want to share it with you because it's honestly so horrible looking that I can't bear keeping it to myself." [ Misery loves company! ]
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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.
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"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. ]
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[Alucard's tone makes it clear he isn't buying that particular excuse. Smells like bullshit if you ask him.
But he listens. Listens carefully, and he understands why Leon probably needed his father. His...observation skills probably need a second pair of hands to help make them truly effective. It isn't always a bad thing, and he's seemingly managed unharmed enough to start the Belmont line, but still.]
As the taxidermist I'm well aware of the traumas. He just likes to spite me.
[Trevor is RUDE, Leon.
But more on that later. Alucard's eyes go down to the monster on the page, and his nose wrinkles immediately.]
That's...something...I suppose. How large is it? Obviously drawings can't be to scale.
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"Ah. Right, right. Well, see his hand here?" [ This vague blob of scribble, Alucard. ] "I'm about as long as this part of his finger, sort of like between the knuckle and the first joint." [ Leon gestures with his own fingers, pinching a small space estimate to his own description, and then lowers his hand to touch the page. ] "To scale. You'd probably be about the same, but maybe you can turn into something bigger." [ He's actually really curious about the extent of Alucard's abilities, but too polite to ask outright. ]
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That's extremely large. [An understatement.] No wonder you arrived as you did.
[He shakes his head at the thought.]
I can't change my body mass, I'm afraid. Do your notes reveal how the thing came to be defeated?