Catch All

[cryptsleeper]

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[cryptsleeper]

[The dog is the other benefit.]

I know the tree, but I don't know if it has fruit at the moment. Do you have a second option if that's the case?

[He catches the spices being used, aware that this is perhaps more access to spices and herbs than Hector may have in his more usual circumstances.]

I'll bow to tasting as we go, at the very least.

[petcromancer]

We can make do with white vinegar if we need.

[Cooking, like necromancy, is flexible. You use the components you have, and so long as you have a decent foundation and some creative, it usually turns out well enough.]

You know, if you really want to learn Greek cuisine, you should take a trip there. I can make a few dishes passably, but you could learn from the masters of their arts.

[Hector knows Alucard has resigned to keep himself locked away in the castle, but really, a man with the abilities and longevity of a dhampir could do so much with the right instruction.]

[cryptsleeper]

But lemons first. It seems more correct.

[Alucard pauses at the mention of going to Hector's homeland. The smile on his face is pained, and he knows Hector's doing this out of kindness.]

Perhaps one day, when things are safer here.

[petcromancer]

Life isn’t safe. If you wait for a convenient time, it will never happen.

[Hector lives the opposite way, impulsively, never planning anything. It hasn't killed him yet.

He shrugs. It doesn’t really matter to him either way... except that necromancers, as a rule, hate wasted potential. Alucard should thrive, not secret himself away. Not that Hector cares.

He doesn’t sound convincing even to himself.]

Whatever we use, we won’t need it ‘til we have the yogurt ready. I recall there being at least one starter culture last time I used this kitchen.

[He looks around. Even if Dracula didn’t eat, he dabbled in all kinds of studies, and kept so many oddities close at hand for experiments.]

[cryptsleeper]

You know what I mean.

[When things aren't hanging by a thread like they are now. Dracula's death has been a new host of problems, with vampires trying to take his place. It's exhausting, and Trevor and Sypha are away too much. The castle and Hold need protecting. That is the end all and be all of it.]

Hm. I might have put it in the pantry with my bread starters.

[Because of course he has those.

Alucard gestures Hector over to a small closet door, revealing a pantry. He's sure Hector must have seen it before, but it's newly reorganized with spices labeled, pickled everything, and in one corner, a small army of starters.]

See anything familiar?

[petcromancer]

['You know what I mean', Hector does not retort. They both have valid points, and both of them are too stubborn to be moved.

He steps into the pantry and begins to poke around at the starters. He opens a few jars and sniffs at them before finally settling on one.]

I think this is the one.

[If it is not the exact one, it will do.]

You're moved things around. Do you bake breads often?

[cryptsleeper]

Once a week if I'm alone, at least three times a week if I'm not.

[That statement gives Alucard pause, because he's realized that he's up on his week. So he has to go back to the starters and he scoops up one of the jars.]

Speaking of, it seems. I can make a second loaf, if you'd like.

[Take out dhampir bread.]

[petcromancer]

It depends. Are we pretending like it never happened? [Hector doesn't think he needs to clarify 'it'.] If so, I don't need a pity loaf.

[He takes the jar and leaves the pantry.]

You'll want pita bread with the tzatziki, if you know how to make it.

[Back to shop talk, because talking about feelings for more than a second is like pulling teeth with these two.]

[cryptsleeper]

No, it was a travel loaf, Hector.

[He was being genuinely nice you knucklehead. Alucard sighs, pausing to grab the container of flour before following Hector out.]

I know what it looks like, but how is it baked to ensure flatness?

[petcromancer]

You flatten out the dough with a rolling pin and bake it on the stove, or on a heated stone in the oven. It'll puff up and make a nice pocket in the middle.

[Bread is definitely the safer of the two topics. How is Hector supposed to know how to deal with genuine niceness?? Help. Well, Alucard said 'was', so maybe the pity loaf is no longer a concern.]

They are quick to make and best fresh, so we can make them tomorrow. Although if you want to practice, they are the superior form of bread and you can put anything in them. It won't be a hardship to use up a batch.

[cryptsleeper]

I'll try the oven first, and see if it puffs up to your standards.

[Alucard is going to just. Stick with bread, really, it is the safer topic.]

mmm. Watch me make the dough and then tell me if I have to make any chances while it proofs over night.

[petcromancer]

The recipe is pretty straightforward.

[Hector watches, though, as Alucard begins to mix up the simple dough, and intercedes to make sure the proper amount of olive oil gets mixed in. There shall be no sub-par pitas on his watch.]

You shouldn't need to do anything else to this tonight. You don't divide and shape the dough until shortly before you bake them.

[Hector has to wonder how they will pass the time until then, if not cooking or kissing.]

[cryptsleeper]

[Alucard's fine with having someone else add the oil. It means his doughy hands aren't touching the oil jug, and that does make life a little easier.]

Very well. If the texture of the dough is acceptable to you, then we're done for the evening.

[Well USUALLY this is the "play with the dog" time but SOMEONE left the dog home.]

[petcromancer]

It’ll do.

[Hector looks through a few more cabinets until he finds a bottle of wine to steal. He’s not getting through this evening without some sort of social crutch.]

What do you do for fun around here? Cards, chess, dark hunts for increasingly more challenging quarries?

[cryptsleeper]

[Make out with the Belmont and the Speaker duh????

Alucard doesn't begrudge Hector the wine. Instead he focuses on cleaning off his hands, and contemplating well, snack options all things considered.]

Reading. Housework, as there's many more repairs left to do. Cataloging in the Belmont Hold. Running with the local wolf pack.

[petcromancer]

[Well, that's not really an option for Hector, is it? It would totally be an option if it was up to Hector.

He sighs.]

Anything I can help with? I am not good at sitting quietly to pass the time.

[cryptsleeper]

[Pretty sure Trevor would veto that one, sorry buddy]

Would be better if I was a wolf?

[He's offering to let Hector pet the woof.]

[petcromancer]

[Umm, yes. Hector gives Alucard a raised eyebrow to convey 'of fucking course.'

Hopefully Trevor has no objections to an evening of heavy petting.

Of course, the danger here is Hector is going to cuddle up with a big fluff and spend the evening drinking and petting.]

[cryptsleeper]

Mmm. Very well.

[He probably does

Oh no cuddling a dog, how terrible. After a few steps, Alucard has no human shape at all. Instead he looks up at Hector with big wolfy eyes, and a soft huff means that whenever Hector's ready, they can get moving.]

[petcromancer]

[Hector takes his wine bottle and nods for the wolf to follow him. If memory serves, there is a sitting room nearby.

Once he can settle down for the long haul, Hector turns to the wolf and starts a nice two-handed behind-the-ear scratch. The fact that Alucard is a killing machine of fangs and claws gives Hector no pause. He is used to wild animals as pets, and he is practiced in giving them affection.]

Let me know if there's any spot in particular you like.

[His voice goes softer, more indulgent, when directed at an animal. He is consciously refraining from calling Alucard a good boy.]

[cryptsleeper]

[This is much safer in every way. Alucard tells himself that as he trots beside Hector, and as he flops down on the sofa next to him. There's far less awkward here, and no risk of another kiss. There's only extremely warm hands petting him, and for a touch starved dhampir, it feels wonderful.

His only response to Hector's offer is to make a content snuffle, not moving. Hector's petting in just the right spot.

I mean you can call him a good boy but i can't promise a good response....]

[petcromancer]

[Hector shifts a little, exploring how head-scratches and below-the-ear rubs are received. One doesn't pet a dog and stick to only one spot.]

Is your sense of smell stronger in this form?

[He asks without any expectation of an answer, to fill the silence. Not that Hector has any regrets about what happened earlier, but wolf-form might have been more practical for their sniff-test.

He doesn't know if information is perceived or retained differently when Alucard is wolfed out, but Hector will try to remember to ask about the grave-smell when Alucard is human again.]

[cryptsleeper]

[Verdict: below the ear rubs are way better.

As for the question, the wolf nods his head in the affirmative, before it settles down. It's nice, Alucard things, resting his head atop his paws and closing his eyes. Not a bad way to spend an evening at all.]

[petcromancer]

[Hector hums in acknowledgement of the nod. He slides his hands down to rub the scruff of the wolf's neck. Alucard seems pleased with everything so far, but who knows if he's been properly petted before? Hector has to show him everything so he can have a real idea of what he likes best.

He lets his mind wander while he pets, moving from neck to shoulder blades, scratching down the spine.]

You'll have to roll over if you want belly rubs.

[He murmurs like he would to Cesar or any of his other dogs. Most of his focus is on wondering if he can get the wine bottle open with one hand.]

[cryptsleeper]

[Belly rubs?

No, those are Trevor and Sypha privileges. Alucard instead stays curled up where he is, with a very, very happy rumble coming when Hector goes for the scruff. There's something about that spot (no Alucard, it's because it's a neck you walking cliche) that's just very good.

A happy snuffle follows. More please.]