[ It doesn’t react. But it’s solid, and the sound of the trowel hitting it echoes, and since Alucard has bat hearimg it’s clear from the way the sound bounces that There’s something in there. ]
[Alucard doesn't want to break it open. It could impact the environment and make the grounds unliveable. That's unacceptable, and so Alucard crouches there, staring at the whole damn thing like that will finally reveal the secret within.
...And it does. Alucard extends his nails and scribbles something madly into the dirt. An illumination spell, an attempt to get a sense of what's inside. An x-ray.]
[ The magic moves through the thing in the same way that the sound had, bouncing over surfaces to give a picture of the inside of the know of roots.
It’s distorted, hard and brittle where softer skin ought to be, and curled in upon itself, but it’s a body. Three of them, to be exact. Two very small and one larger. The larger of the three hangs in the centre of the thing, suspended by vines. The source of all of them.
In the distance, something heavy scrapes over the ground. The hunt is over. ]
[Alucard frowns. Three small humans, much like a bundle of fetuses. He isn't sure what it means, his only thought is of mandrake roots and how they supposedly look like humans.
But Alucard hears Trevor's approach, and so he replaces the dirt as quickly as he can. Tamps it down. Replaces the furs. And for good measure he withdraws from being inside the fireplace, but not removing himself from the den's area. There are still tools he's dropped, and so when Trevor returns?
The vampire is on his hands and knees, scooping up another scattered tool.]
[ The scraping stops, and Trevor stalks in. He looks around at what’s happening before picking up a dropped work glove in his jaws, bringing it to Alucard. ]
You’ll need to make more of the medicine.
[ It’s one of Vlad’s inventions, if one dedicated to Lisa. A medicine for the sicknesses caused by proximity to the night creatures. He’s been bringing back the bodies of late, so that Alucard can take samples to brew it, before heading back to put that medicine into whatever water supplies the might creatures have tainted.
For the moment, at least, Alucard is off the hook.. ]
[Alucard does take the work glove, but he brushes against Trevor's fur before he puts it on. It's a thing he's trying, petting the bear every so often.]
[ He makes a soft noise, like an exhale but louder, leaning into the contact. He's started to be used to it, by now. The touching, that strange warmth that he doesn't deserve. ]
No more so than they usually do this time of year. Come summer, most of them will have moved on. I shouldn't need more than last time.
[ Then he raises his head to sniff at the air. Something seems wrong. ]
[ Then he turns and enters the den, pawing at the furs to feel for anything underneath them to make sure he can return the tools. And then freezes. Something is wrong. Something is very wrong.
Every flower in the area turns to face Alucard. When he next speaks, it comes out as a growl. ]
[Them. So Trevor has known what he lies on top of to some degree.
Alucard knows better than to lie. He never did it in front of his father, and he won't do it now. It'll ruin everything, but better truth be the destruction than a lie.]
I only found them. Did nothing else. Returned dirt to where it was. No finger even brushed over that hollow form.
[ The only answer that Alucard receives is a low snarl, and that itself is the only warning he receives before he's being charged down by a bear. He launches itself at Alucard, all claws and fangs, as thorny vines stretch out to block off every exit but the way to Alucard's own wing. ]
[On some level, this is what Alucard expected. An angry bear. And yet he had hoped otherwise. That Trevor might have a moment of sense in him and let Alucard at least get a single response to what he's found.
He is a wolf after a step. It's the wolf that runs, but...
...he's petty. He wants to make a point.
Alucard returns to human form and slows. Lets the bear charge into him, taking the damage.]
[ Trevor doesn't slow. He charges Alucard, claws digging into his back and teeth into his neck. Vines writhe about like thorny whips, coiling around his wrists and tightening. ]
[ There's no response. His teeth and claws remain where they are, blocking the skin from knittng together, but they don't dig in further. The weight above Alucard grows heavier. Colder.
[Alucard tries to pull himself up. The shattered vines are a good sign, but they could return. So he floats. Or tries to, with Trevor's weight pressed upon him.]
For your God's--[No terror allowed.]
You deserve better than living like this. All five of you. The three in the ground and Sypha and yourself.
[Alucard gets up to his feet immediately, and once that happens, he brings both of his hands to his mouth. Shit. Shit. He did miscalculate. He didn't account for the stone spell to be turned back on the other party.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
Immediately Alucard is at the bear's side, fingers moving over Trevor's sides. Trying to find the source of blood. Panicking.
...No.
He already was told how to break the spell. Make a promise. See it through.
Alucard breathes out. Puts his hands over the bear's heart.]
I swear this oath: I will continue to carry out my three year agreement and take care of both Sypha and the Belmont in however they define that offer.
[ It's Alucard's blood that he's smeared with. And there's no response. No grumbling that this is foolish, that Alucard's already made himself free from one oath only to immediately swear another. And no indication of whether this will work. Only silence, as the stone spreads through all of the roses in the house.
To hell with this. The origin of all the problems are in the den, and so if he hasn't had his agreement acknowledge, then he'll do this:]
I also swear that after I have examined this den to determine the source of all these spells, I will do what is in my power while confined here to fix what I can.
[So he picks up the trowel. Rubs Trevor behind the ears, and walks over to the fireplace.
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[Alucard uses the trowel to gently poke at the lumpy hollow shape. Touching it is a bad idea. But if this thing reacts, well, that tells him a lot.]
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...And it does. Alucard extends his nails and scribbles something madly into the dirt. An illumination spell, an attempt to get a sense of what's inside. An x-ray.]
Let's see...
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It’s distorted, hard and brittle where softer skin ought to be, and curled in upon itself, but it’s a body. Three of them, to be exact. Two very small and one larger. The larger of the three hangs in the centre of the thing, suspended by vines. The source of all of them.
In the distance, something heavy scrapes over the ground. The hunt is over. ]
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But Alucard hears Trevor's approach, and so he replaces the dirt as quickly as he can. Tamps it down. Replaces the furs. And for good measure he withdraws from being inside the fireplace, but not removing himself from the den's area. There are still tools he's dropped, and so when Trevor returns?
The vampire is on his hands and knees, scooping up another scattered tool.]
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You’ll need to make more of the medicine.
[ It’s one of Vlad’s inventions, if one dedicated to Lisa. A medicine for the sicknesses caused by proximity to the night creatures. He’s been bringing back the bodies of late, so that Alucard can take samples to brew it, before heading back to put that medicine into whatever water supplies the might creatures have tainted.
For the moment, at least, Alucard is off the hook.. ]
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[Alucard does take the work glove, but he brushes against Trevor's fur before he puts it on. It's a thing he's trying, petting the bear every so often.]
Are they intensifying?
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No more so than they usually do this time of year. Come summer, most of them will have moved on. I shouldn't need more than last time.
[ Then he raises his head to sniff at the air. Something seems wrong. ]
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Understood. I'll get right on it.
[Shit. Alucard doesn't freeze up, but he does sigh in an apologetic tone.]
Some of the tools rolled into your den and wedged themselves under your furs. I apologize.
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Did you find them?
[ Then he turns and enters the den, pawing at the furs to feel for anything underneath them to make sure he can return the tools. And then freezes. Something is wrong. Something is very wrong.
Every flower in the area turns to face Alucard. When he next speaks, it comes out as a growl. ]
What did you do?
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Alucard knows better than to lie. He never did it in front of his father, and he won't do it now. It'll ruin everything, but better truth be the destruction than a lie.]
I only found them. Did nothing else. Returned dirt to where it was. No finger even brushed over that hollow form.
[He stays so still.]
Who are they, Belmont?
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He is a wolf after a step. It's the wolf that runs, but...
...he's petty. He wants to make a point.
Alucard returns to human form and slows. Lets the bear charge into him, taking the damage.]
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But it's still painful with Trevor's claws in him. With the threat of ripping his throat out from behind. Being pinned like this.
A sharp hiss of pain escapes the vampire, even as his skin starts to heal the moment it can.]
Belmont.
[He's calm. Confident. Collected.]
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This is what becomes of oathbreakers. ]
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Our agreement: I don't get hurt.
You've broken that. Not entering the den was no formal agreement, only a matter of respect.
[Let giving voice be what breaks this. Please. Please.]
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He miscalculated.
Shit.]
She's going to be stuck like that forever then.
[To hell with this. Alucard yanks his wrists upward, well aware that vampire strength should give him some leverage.]
You broke the agreement and she's going to suffer.
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For your God's--[No terror allowed.]
You deserve better than living like this. All five of you. The three in the ground and Sypha and yourself.
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Then the weight falls to one side with a crash, and Alucard can finally turn to see the blood-smeared stone bear behind him. ]
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[Alucard gets up to his feet immediately, and once that happens, he brings both of his hands to his mouth. Shit. Shit. He did miscalculate. He didn't account for the stone spell to be turned back on the other party.
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
Immediately Alucard is at the bear's side, fingers moving over Trevor's sides. Trying to find the source of blood. Panicking.
...No.
He already was told how to break the spell. Make a promise. See it through.
Alucard breathes out. Puts his hands over the bear's heart.]
I swear this oath: I will continue to carry out my three year agreement and take care of both Sypha and the Belmont in however they define that offer.
Please.
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Alucard is alone. ]
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To hell with this. The origin of all the problems are in the den, and so if he hasn't had his agreement acknowledge, then he'll do this:]
I also swear that after I have examined this den to determine the source of all these spells, I will do what is in my power while confined here to fix what I can.
[So he picks up the trowel. Rubs Trevor behind the ears, and walks over to the fireplace.
Time to excavate properly.]
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