Catch All

[cryptsleeper]

Comments

[conductives]

That is an understatement.

[Vanessa gives a breathy laugh because there is nothing else to do. The world, her wold is spinning out of control, careening into darkness and there is noting to do except cling to her soul and cry out to God. Except God is so far away.]

Amun-Ra seeks Amunet, the mother of all evil. When they join together they will bring eternal darkness. While the rest of the prophecy isn't spelled out I am assuming that means things for humanity will end poorly.

[cryptsleeper]

[For a moment, there's nothing from Alucard. Only careful silence, one that's clearly digesting the information shared but not reacting to it. Then after the quiet, Alucard's eyes meet Vanessa's with a very soft urgency.]

Is this foretold from past sages, or transmitted as future knowledge that the thing is supposedly come to pass?

[conductives]

[A dainty brow furrow as she parses his words. What she's getting stuck on is the difference between the two.]

I apologize, Mr. Tepes I'm not sure I quite understand what you mean. It's, I believe, a warning perhaps? That this is what evil seeks so it may obtain victory, do not let this come to pass.

[cryptsleeper]

Mm. There are a tribe of nomadic oral historians that often get lumped in with gypsies. Among themselves and those who know them, they're Speakers, and they carry with them oral histories of the centuries. They also carry prophecies with them, including some that have reached them not from the past, but from the future, transmitted to them through magical means.

[It could be nothing, but Alucard still feels compelled to clarify.]

I want to ensure we're dealing with predictions of the past, not future knowledge.

[conductives]

[It's Vanessa's moment to look surprised. That is not something that she previously considered and it pulls her attention away from the current conversation to lean forward.]

Truly from the future? How far in and how do you know they are true? /[She catches herself, a slight apologetic smile.]

Predictions from the past, yes.

[cryptsleeper]

Past experience. It's proven true before.

[There's nothing in Alucard's tone to suggest that he might elaborate on that.]

But we're looking at the past. That to me says that there have been great numbers of attempts before. Has the historic record yielded anything?

[conductives]

[His full stops are more fuller than other people's it seems.]

No, not at the moment. Our pool of researches is currently at one, and, thanks to your kindness - another.

[cryptsleeper]

Ah, I've signed myself up for library duty, haven't I?

[It's almost rueful. Almost. Alucard folds his arms over his chest and considers all of this.]

Looking there will be far more useful than any other stories I have from Romania, I'm afraid.

[conductives]

To resist would be futile, Mr. Tepes.

[The broad of her smile can be seen even as she bows her head.]

In Egypt you mean?

[cryptsleeper]

Oh, I quickly gathered that.

[There is a sheer force of will Vanessa carries with her. That much is clear.]

Mm, I'd begin here before heading that far abroad. Your people seem particularly obsessed with Egypt these days.

[conductives]

[Sometimes you meet a person and you are helpless to resist their pull, and are immediately pulled into their gravitational field.]

I have heard The British Museum is a supreme treasure trove of knowledge from all corners of the world. Our researcher, Mr. Lyle is an Egyptologist he was the one that read the original hieroglyphics. They were originally found carved into the flesh of one of these undead.

[cryptsleeper]

Mm. If he can compile a list of where to start, I have enough time to actually go through the material and see where it leads.

[Alucard pauses, then clarifies:]

Linguistics are a hobby.

[conductives]

It would be such a boon to us if we had your assistance, and I am sure he would be happy to help. Quite the gentleman and the scholar, our Mr. Lyle.

[There is a fond smile for the man with a sweet heart and amazing hair.]

How many languages do you currently speak?

[cryptsleeper]

Mm. I've heard the name before, but I don't believe I have ever met the man himself.

[Alucard has lurked the halls of the British Museum before. Perhaps that's not surprising.]

Quite a few. Romanian, including the older form of the language. English, as you can see. French and German. Ancient Greek, Latin, and Egyptian. Turkish as well. Should I keep going?

[conductives]

I suspect if you've met him you would remember him.

[It's an impressive list of languages. Vanessa has heard that Ancient Greek is a particularly difficult language to master.]

No need. [A brief laugh.] Unless you'd like to continue, I don't want to hold you back from your moment to shine.

[cryptsleeper]

No, I think my resume needs no more padding.

[But this all returns to one point that Alucard doesn't want to ask, but knows he must.]

Time is of the essence for such work, but can you set an arbitrary deadline?

[conductives]

For you? [It takes a moment, uncertain what he's asking a deadline for. She can think of a few things but none that she really wants to dwell on.]

Or do you mean for Mina?

[cryptsleeper]

For myself.   [The latter cannot be controlled or accounted for.  Alucard, however, can work with a deadline.]

Although I may have to request at least four days for an appropriate and minimal amount of research.

[conductives]

Of course, we are somewhat at your mercy and generosity regarding the timeline.

[Incoming mildly delicate topic of conversation incoming: compensation.]

We are very happy to repay the generosity of your time as well, Mr. Tepes. You are doing us a great favor.

[cryptsleeper]

I'll ask for reimbursement if any library or archive requires a researcher fee. That will be all.

[Alucard has no particular need of money, and to charge more than that feels incorrect given the circumstances.]

[conductives]

Consider it yours.

[A little tension drains from her shoulders, the dark of her eyes at the conclusion of their business.]

I am indebted to you for aid, Mr. Tepes and the delightful refreshments. They were a wonderful, unexpected treat.

[cryptsleeper]

Then we have an agreement.

[Alucard is inclined to rush people out the door, away from his little sanctuary, but in Vanessa's case, it seems a cruelty.]

You're welcome to take some with you when you depart. I've more than enough for myself.

[conductives]

[Vanessa is also not making any real move to leave. There is something oddly soothing about speaking with the Researcher, maybe his soothing dulcet tones. Or how he didn't even remotely question her story.]

Ah, now that is tempting, Sembene might have words with me. I am to love no other man's sweet baked good but his. Though that reminds me, do you live here alone?

[cryptsleeper]

Well, I won't say anything if you won't.

[It's a very silly secret, but the whole conversation is silly. The tone of it is a pleasant contrast to the moments before and, indeed, now.]

Yes, I do. The home is small, and I prefer to look after my own affairs rather than use another's labor.

[conductives]

A secret Baklava affair. How scandalous!

[Out of all the secrets in the world Vanessa must hold in her heart that one may be the easiest. Her smiles are lighter, more frequent now.]

I was surprised when you greeted me at the door. You're a unique man, Mr. Tepes, I cannot recall any other man that I have met that does not have help. Do you cook your own meals, or are you a member of a club?