[ She offers him an apologetic look. She hadn't liked leaving him behind the first time they'd gone, but she was even more loathe to do it a second time. Unfortunately, there are still night hoards to be dealt with. ]
You could come with us. I bet there are wards we could put up to protect the castle in our absence.
[That was the response Alucard had expected. It means his face is also very straight and serious when Sypha replies, emotionless because that's what he has to be right now to bear that weight.]
I couldn't take the risk if they fell, and lose both my home and Trevor's to invaders. You know that.
That's getting to some of the heart of it, he supposes. And that's the reason the facade of calmness, being okay with any of the situation, that all drops. Or at least that is the lie Alucard will tell himself later, because right now he's aware it's going to get ugly.]
Want and need are different things. We all need to do what's best beyond our own interests.
[They're pretty words that contrast sharply with how gutted Alucard looks at Sypha's words. He's felt awful since they left, but it was good they didn't see the worst of his fury and his grief. Now though, now it feels like there needs to be someone else around. That yes, being alone is a terrible choice.
But the world needs a Speaker and a Belmont. How can he deny the world that?
He can. He should. The world took both of his parents, offered him these two, and now makes this demand. He could be selfish. He should be.]
[ It breaks her heart to see that facade fall away, even if it means she was right about him not wanting to be alone. It doesn't help to be right when the world is set to work against them.
Her grip on him tightens, as if that would help him realize his error, that he needs to stay with them and they with him. ]
Maybe that's true, but you don't need to sacrifice yourself like that when we could combine our abilities to fortify the castle. I'm certain there are spells here in the hold that could show us how.
[Alucard almost manages a joke about maybe just unbreaking the castle. It dies on his tongue, drowned by the far deeper feelings of sorrow that have bubbled up to the surface after being kept down for so long.
Spyha's grip doesn't even register with him. Doesn't hurt. It's just there.]
[ Even though she is a Speaker, Sypha knows that words aren't always enough. Though they're at an impasse for now, she plans on revisiting the topic later. Between the three of them, they'll figure it out. They have to.
Rather than keep talking, Sypha leans in and rests her forehead very gently against Alucard's lapel. ]
[It's the question of a total dumbfounded dhampir. Sypha has nothing to be sorry for. Neither does Trevor. That Sypha feels the need to say those two words Alucard wants to stare at her, revealing the bafflement.
But the rest of him is already trying to wrap around her. Arms coming to just hug her close, his height making it possible to only put his face down atop her head.]
For leaving the first time when you were hurting. We should have been there for you but we weren't. I'm sorry that you lost your parents, because I know how much that hurts.
[ Book still in hand, she wraps her arms around him as his long limbs engulf her. ]
I want to be here for you, and I know Trevor does too, even if he's a stubborn oaf about it.
[He clings. Really clings, grip on Sypha tightening but no tears coming. That feels like a small, fragile, pointless victory, but for Alucard it's important.
There's no letting go either.]
You had to go. I wouldn't have wanted you to see the utmost worst of it either, you both could've gotten hurt.
[Physically, but he might have lashed out and driven them both away for good.]
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[ She can't help the giggle that accompanies the word, elbowing Alucard lightly as she does. ]
I'm here to assist you now, you know.
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[He elbows back. God, he forgot how fun it is ripping on Belmonts.]
I know. But you haven't said how long you're staying either.
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[ She offers him an apologetic look. She hadn't liked leaving him behind the first time they'd gone, but she was even more loathe to do it a second time. Unfortunately, there are still night hoards to be dealt with. ]
You could come with us. I bet there are wards we could put up to protect the castle in our absence.
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I couldn't take the risk if they fell, and lose both my home and Trevor's to invaders. You know that.
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I don't want to leave you behind, Alucard. It is not good for you to be alone.
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That's getting to some of the heart of it, he supposes. And that's the reason the facade of calmness, being okay with any of the situation, that all drops. Or at least that is the lie Alucard will tell himself later, because right now he's aware it's going to get ugly.]
Want and need are different things. We all need to do what's best beyond our own interests.
[They're pretty words that contrast sharply with how gutted Alucard looks at Sypha's words. He's felt awful since they left, but it was good they didn't see the worst of his fury and his grief. Now though, now it feels like there needs to be someone else around. That yes, being alone is a terrible choice.
But the world needs a Speaker and a Belmont. How can he deny the world that?
He can. He should. The world took both of his parents, offered him these two, and now makes this demand. He could be selfish. He should be.]
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Her grip on him tightens, as if that would help him realize his error, that he needs to stay with them and they with him. ]
Maybe that's true, but you don't need to sacrifice yourself like that when we could combine our abilities to fortify the castle. I'm certain there are spells here in the hold that could show us how.
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Spyha's grip doesn't even register with him. Doesn't hurt. It's just there.]
If something happened, I'd never forgive myself.
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Rather than keep talking, Sypha leans in and rests her forehead very gently against Alucard's lapel. ]
I'm sorry.
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[It's the question of a total dumbfounded dhampir. Sypha has nothing to be sorry for. Neither does Trevor. That Sypha feels the need to say those two words Alucard wants to stare at her, revealing the bafflement.
But the rest of him is already trying to wrap around her. Arms coming to just hug her close, his height making it possible to only put his face down atop her head.]
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[ Book still in hand, she wraps her arms around him as his long limbs engulf her. ]
I want to be here for you, and I know Trevor does too, even if he's a stubborn oaf about it.
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There's no letting go either.]
You had to go. I wouldn't have wanted you to see the utmost worst of it either, you both could've gotten hurt.
[Physically, but he might have lashed out and driven them both away for good.]
S'fine. You're here now. [For now.]