Catch All

[cryptsleeper]

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[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.]

[petcromancer]

[Hector runs a finger over the cork in the wine bottle, but he’s not going to be able to get it without two hands and a corkscrew. He sets the bottle on the couch beside him and returns to two-handed pats.

He works his way down the wolf’s back, stopping at the spot just above his tail, the returns to the head to focus on the areas Alucard seemed the most fond of. Ears, under the ears, neck scruff, repeat. It’s calming. This is how he spends a lot of evenings.]

If you spend too long like this, will you smell like wolf to other vampires?

[cryptsleeper]

[Alucard's pretty sure he can convince Hector not to drink all night if he's cute and fluffy enough. So that's the goal, all happy rumbles and soft little shifting moments to provide Hector the best access here.

But the scruff? Aw yeah, that's the real spot. Just stay there forever.

Hector's question causes the wolf to pick his head up, then tilt it back and forth. So-so. Kind of. With other stuff mixed in.]

[petcromancer]

...I suppose there are worse things you could smell like.

[And with that, Hector is back to petting. Alucard seems sold on the neck, so he focuses there. Wolves are tough, so he digs his fingers in deep, stronger than he is with Cesar or his other, more delicate animals.]

You ever tempted to just...stay a wolf? It seems far simpler.

[Hector isn't sure he wouldn't, if he had the option.]

[cryptsleeper]

[The question, about just being a wolf forever, gets an emphatic nod yes. Maybe a little too certain. It's hard, trying to elaborate in this form, but he tries to snuffle loudly for emphasis.

It is easier. Fewer dreams. Less complex thoughts. It is wonderful.

Just like the fingers in his scruff. There's a softer noise, and Alucard gives up. His head rests on Hector's leg.]

[petcromancer]

Hmmmm.

[Hector nods, not needing any more explanation than that. He is of the same opinion.]

Does it take energy to maintain the form?

[He curls himself up on the couch as much as he can without moving the leg Alucard is using as a pillow.]

[cryptsleeper]

[A huff. No.

Alucard pauses, lifting his head up to let Hector readjust properly and finish getting comfy.]