[ It's the busiest the castle has been since Lisa was first taken, with representatives of the vampires of all regions. Loud and overwhelming. Last time, Dracula had summoned his generals to have them seek out any way to return his wife to him from the land of fae. This time, he summoned them to oversee a transfer of power to his son, to free him to go personally.
They had both been children back then, but now Alucard stands like a living star in his robe and crown before the guests. As the castle begins to lead the guests to their own rooms at the approach of dawn, Trevor steps away for a moment. Alucard needs him now, but he has other things to attend to.
It's in Alucard's room that he reappears, knocking only out of habit before entering and coughing out an awkward apology. He knows tonight was difficult for Alucard, and that he shouldn't have left him alone to deal with the weight of that crown. But he'd rather he deal with the intruder they had tonight than anyone else they might have run into. ]
The intruder- she's having breakfast. With your leave, I'll turn her loose before your father wakes tonight. He doesn't need to know she was here.
[ Sometimes when you host important events, Speakers sneak in to hear the story. These things happen. ]
[Alucard doesn't know if Trevor's given him a few minutes alone on purpose or by pure happenstance. Both are likely, as they've known each other for over half their lives now. They understand each other, even if there are lines of expectation (and Dracula) that suggest they should not be as close as they are.
Regardless, he takes those moments alone to shrug off the heavy robe. It is a combination of dark furs and darker cloth that suggest a moonless night, and to be free of it is a very literal weight off his shoulders. All the other decorative elements follow, save the crown itself - and that's for a much more practical reason.
He's sat in front of his dresser and it's mirror when Trevor comes back, fingers carefully digging into his own intricately done up hair. This is the reason the crown's been left be: it's tangled. He needs another set of hands to get it out, and while Alucard is always loathe to use Trevor in place of attendants or servants or whatever else, sometimes he has to make that request.] I agree entirely, especially since he's in a foul mood about doing this at all. Did she say why she's here?
[ He doesn't need to make the request. Trevor pulls a stool up behind Alucard's chair, carefully starting work on releasing the delicate wirework of the crown from his hair. It's calming work, after the fuss that was finding a way to get the intruder safely out from a crowd of vampires while figuring out if she intended any harm toward Alucard. ]
She was here to witness the event. It's a good thing, means word'll spread quicker. Should have probably put her in a dungeon, but it didn't look like she'd had a good meal in weeks.
[It's calming on Alucard's end too, having someone else just comb through his hair. He feels himself start to relax, bit by bit, although that's a low bar. He had barely slept in the preceeding days, and he isn't sure how much rest he'll be getting from now on.]
Is it wise, having word spread quicker that my father is elsewhere?
[ He doesn't look like he's capable of being as careful as he is. It'd be quicker work if he wasn't, if he worked a little more roughly and didn't take pains not to tug at Alucard's hair at all. But for now, at least, there's no hurry. And there's a quiet satisfaction that comes from doing things like this right. ]
If anyone's stupid enough to risk it, it might spur them on to learn that he isn't here. It's a real danger. But it's better they learn from the speakers. That way we know for sure what they're hearing. If they heard it through the networks of his generals, it would get tangled up with people's judgements. Different people interpret things in different ways over and over, add parts or forget them, and suddenly we have people deciding whether or not to take action based on something that isn't even close to the truth. If people are going to think this is a good time to fuck around, I'd rather they think that based on our actions rather than something we have no control over.
[The sigh that Alucard lets out is one of the more needy ones. It betrays his stress, but also his desire to just curl up and stay away from the world. He knows why this is happening. He understands that it's probably the best chance to bring his mother home, as all other attempts have failed. But none of that makes it easier to be put in charge, convinced that no one will listen to him.
He rests one hand on top of his own shoulder, hoping for Trevor's to brush over it.]
Understood. And I presume you've discussed any strategy for dealing with the rumor mill with my father, so I won't waste time or breath fussing over it.
[Alucard knows that security is a tenuous thing to discuss with the Belmont, but certain topics like Alucard's safety are permitted.]
[Being Alucard's emotional guardian still counts as body guarding.]
You've pretty much jinxed that, but I will be careful. I promise that.
[Alucard's hands move up to pat at his hair once the crown is gone. There's a soft cushion on the dresser for the thing, and with it gone, Alucard is quick to remove the pins from his hair and undo the braiding.]
I know I won't be. You'll stay in here for the next few days?
[ Once the crown is in its place, he lifts one of the braids. Watches it unwind and fall apart in his hand.
Brings the hair up to his lips to kiss it. ]
I will. For as long as you need.
[ He does, technically, have his own room. A small, spartan place, the way he likes it. But enough of his things have found their way here over the years that there’s no real issue with staying here for a long period of time. ]
[Alucard suspects that it'd have been done even if he didn't ask. None of the three full time residents of the castle are exactly happy with this turn of events, and the paranoia has only grown. In two day's time, Dracula departs for real, and the paranoia of something happening has only grown.
But the kiss is reassuring in a way it has no right to be. Alucard sighs for the illusion of safety that comes with it.]
I'm going to try and sleep. If you want to get our visitor out of here, now's probably the right time.
[His eyes go to the window, and behold. The sun has risen.]
[ He bows before he leaves. He knows Alucard hates that sort of thing, but he likes to do things correctly. More than that, they can’t really afford to drop that formality right now. Not with Dracula as on edge as he is.
Especially not with their intruder causing so much bother. She doesn’t leave. Nothing short of actually throwing her out seems like it will work, and- maybe he’s a bit of a sucker, but he doesn’t do that. Or inform Dracula. Or put her in the dungeons. He locks her in his own quarters with a couple of books to occupy her.
He enters Alucard’s room probably an hour after he probably should have been back, sneaking in as quietly as he can and sitting down in the large overly-cushioned chair by the bed to sleep a little himself.
[The rest is easy enough. Alucard goes about his usual settling into bed routine, changing into his night clothes and making sure every pin has been removed from his hair. Once he's satisfied, he climbs into bed, which for this time of year is thick with warm furs. Alucard likes their weight. It give the illusion of being held when he otherwise can't be.
But he doesn't fall asleep. Not yet. Trevor's not back, and so his eye remain fixed on the door. He's not impatient, but he is worried.
[ He probably should have physically thrown her out. It'd be one less thing bothering Alucard, and keeping things from bothering Alucard is about 90% of what matters to him. ]
I've hidden her in my room. I'll take her food and she can stay there until your father leaves. I'll try to deal with her again then. I don't want to risk making a fuss while he's here.
[Alucard sighs heavily, and with that? He's out of bed. His bathrobe is in the closet, that doesn't take too much effort to go and get.]
He'll smell something amiss if she's here for more than half a day. Let me speak to her. Maybe she can take another story as payment for doing as asked.
[ Please don't get out of bed. Please don't - nope, there he goes. Trevor sighs and walks over to the dresser, where he put down his sword when he first came back into the room. Just in case. He didn't really need it for dealing with the speaker when he was alone but if Alucard's going to be there, things are different. ]
[ He looked like a living star an hour and a half ago. Now he's wearing a dressing gown with a sword tucked into the belt of it. And maybe (absolutely) Trevor's biased, but he doesn't seem an inch less radiant.
He leads Alucard out of his own chambers, into the smaller room nearby. Where there is, indeed, a Speaker perched on the bed. With a book larger than her torso. ]
You both have swords. [ She says before anything else, looking over them both a little warily. ] May I ask what for?
[Alucard knows how high his contrast has been. It is his preference to appear as he is now, in warm, fluffy clothes that are so very comfortable indeed. He's used to Trevor's all too impersonal room, but the Speaker?
She's new. And as nice as it is to have another human around, it can't last.
He doesn't move. But he does sigh.]
Speaker, it isn't safe for you here. Neither of us can vouch for your safety against Dracula at the moment, and we have no desire to see you or your people face harm for coming in to do your work.
[ Trevor gestures wildly at Alucard when she says that. See? She's being so unreasonable! It should not be this difficult to convince someone to leave Dracula's castle! Historically people WANT to leave Dracula's castle very quickly!
The speaker just continues. ]
There is a story here, and I intend to see it unfold. I stay in these halls to bear witness, or I leave with the hunting party in the evening.
[ And Trevor freezes in horror at that. Any right-thinking person would freeze in horror. A single human, inviting themselves to a hunting party of vampires. That's unthinkable and not liable to end nicely. ]
Then I will make you a promise: when my mother is returned, I will permit you safe passage back through these doors to collect the rest of the story. Until then, stay with your people. Pass on this first portion, because if you do not survive this night, the tale will not be told at all.
[Alucard doesn't flinch at the threat. He can't, because he's Practiced now.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
SHAMELESS PRINCE AND BODYGUARD AU
They had both been children back then, but now Alucard stands like a living star in his robe and crown before the guests. As the castle begins to lead the guests to their own rooms at the approach of dawn, Trevor steps away for a moment. Alucard needs him now, but he has other things to attend to.
It's in Alucard's room that he reappears, knocking only out of habit before entering and coughing out an awkward apology. He knows tonight was difficult for Alucard, and that he shouldn't have left him alone to deal with the weight of that crown. But he'd rather he deal with the intruder they had tonight than anyone else they might have run into. ]
The intruder- she's having breakfast. With your leave, I'll turn her loose before your father wakes tonight. He doesn't need to know she was here.
[ Sometimes when you host important events, Speakers sneak in to hear the story. These things happen. ]
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Regardless, he takes those moments alone to shrug off the heavy robe. It is a combination of dark furs and darker cloth that suggest a moonless night, and to be free of it is a very literal weight off his shoulders. All the other decorative elements follow, save the crown itself - and that's for a much more practical reason.
He's sat in front of his dresser and it's mirror when Trevor comes back, fingers carefully digging into his own intricately done up hair. This is the reason the crown's been left be: it's tangled. He needs another set of hands to get it out, and while Alucard is always loathe to use Trevor in place of attendants or servants or whatever else, sometimes he has to make that request.]
I agree entirely, especially since he's in a foul mood about doing this at all. Did she say why she's here?
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[ He doesn't need to make the request. Trevor pulls a stool up behind Alucard's chair, carefully starting work on releasing the delicate wirework of the crown from his hair. It's calming work, after the fuss that was finding a way to get the intruder safely out from a crowd of vampires while figuring out if she intended any harm toward Alucard. ]
She was here to witness the event. It's a good thing, means word'll spread quicker. Should have probably put her in a dungeon, but it didn't look like she'd had a good meal in weeks.
[ He's kind of a shitty jailor. ]
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[It's calming on Alucard's end too, having someone else just comb through his hair. He feels himself start to relax, bit by bit, although that's a low bar. He had barely slept in the preceeding days, and he isn't sure how much rest he'll be getting from now on.]
Is it wise, having word spread quicker that my father is elsewhere?
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[ He doesn't look like he's capable of being as careful as he is. It'd be quicker work if he wasn't, if he worked a little more roughly and didn't take pains not to tug at Alucard's hair at all. But for now, at least, there's no hurry. And there's a quiet satisfaction that comes from doing things like this right. ]
If anyone's stupid enough to risk it, it might spur them on to learn that he isn't here. It's a real danger. But it's better they learn from the speakers. That way we know for sure what they're hearing. If they heard it through the networks of his generals, it would get tangled up with people's judgements. Different people interpret things in different ways over and over, add parts or forget them, and suddenly we have people deciding whether or not to take action based on something that isn't even close to the truth. If people are going to think this is a good time to fuck around, I'd rather they think that based on our actions rather than something we have no control over.
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He rests one hand on top of his own shoulder, hoping for Trevor's to brush over it.]
Understood. And I presume you've discussed any strategy for dealing with the rumor mill with my father, so I won't waste time or breath fussing over it.
[Alucard knows that security is a tenuous thing to discuss with the Belmont, but certain topics like Alucard's safety are permitted.]
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[ He pauses for a moment to lay his hand on Alucard’s. ]
That’s all you need to worry about. You’ll be back in the library all day by the end of the year.
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[Alucard's fingers extend upwards to brush over Trevor's palm.]
If something takes place and I"m alone, I don't know what'll be done.
[That's the fear, in the end. He can't even address the library comment.]
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Just- find a way to keep yourself out of harm’s way, and your father doesn’t need to know if you get involved.
[ He squeezes Alucard’s hand firmly before returning to his hair, removing the crown from his head. ]
You won’t be alone.
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You've pretty much jinxed that, but I will be careful. I promise that.
[Alucard's hands move up to pat at his hair once the crown is gone. There's a soft cushion on the dresser for the thing, and with it gone, Alucard is quick to remove the pins from his hair and undo the braiding.]
I know I won't be. You'll stay in here for the next few days?
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Brings the hair up to his lips to kiss it. ]
I will. For as long as you need.
[ He does, technically, have his own room. A small, spartan place, the way he likes it. But enough of his things have found their way here over the years that there’s no real issue with staying here for a long period of time. ]
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[Alucard suspects that it'd have been done even if he didn't ask. None of the three full time residents of the castle are exactly happy with this turn of events, and the paranoia has only grown. In two day's time, Dracula departs for real, and the paranoia of something happening has only grown.
But the kiss is reassuring in a way it has no right to be. Alucard sighs for the illusion of safety that comes with it.]
I'm going to try and sleep. If you want to get our visitor out of here, now's probably the right time.
[His eyes go to the window, and behold. The sun has risen.]
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[ He bows before he leaves. He knows Alucard hates that sort of thing, but he likes to do things correctly. More than that, they can’t really afford to drop that formality right now. Not with Dracula as on edge as he is.
Especially not with their intruder causing so much bother. She doesn’t leave. Nothing short of actually throwing her out seems like it will work, and- maybe he’s a bit of a sucker, but he doesn’t do that. Or inform Dracula. Or put her in the dungeons. He locks her in his own quarters with a couple of books to occupy her.
He enters Alucard’s room probably an hour after he probably should have been back, sneaking in as quietly as he can and sitting down in the large overly-cushioned chair by the bed to sleep a little himself.
Why are speakers Like This? ]
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[The rest is easy enough. Alucard goes about his usual settling into bed routine, changing into his night clothes and making sure every pin has been removed from his hair. Once he's satisfied, he climbs into bed, which for this time of year is thick with warm furs. Alucard likes their weight. It give the illusion of being held when he otherwise can't be.
But he doesn't fall asleep. Not yet. Trevor's not back, and so his eye remain fixed on the door. He's not impatient, but he is worried.
So when Trevor does come back, Alucard sighs.]
Everything go okay?
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[ So that’s a no. That’s how he says no, things did not go okay. He huffs, leaning his head back and pulling a blanket over his chair. ]
Fucking hate speakers sometimes.
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[Alucard sighs, and with that slowly sits up in bed.]
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[ He probably should have physically thrown her out. It'd be one less thing bothering Alucard, and keeping things from bothering Alucard is about 90% of what matters to him. ]
I've hidden her in my room. I'll take her food and she can stay there until your father leaves. I'll try to deal with her again then. I don't want to risk making a fuss while he's here.
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He'll smell something amiss if she's here for more than half a day. Let me speak to her. Maybe she can take another story as payment for doing as asked.
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[ Please don't get out of bed. Please don't - nope, there he goes. Trevor sighs and walks over to the dresser, where he put down his sword when he first came back into the room. Just in case. He didn't really need it for dealing with the speaker when he was alone but if Alucard's going to be there, things are different. ]
-I could just carry her out, if you want.
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[He shrugs the robe on. Ties it. Grabs his sword and puts it on his waist.]
If that's also ignored, then carry her out I suppose.
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He leads Alucard out of his own chambers, into the smaller room nearby. Where there is, indeed, a Speaker perched on the bed. With a book larger than her torso. ]
You both have swords. [ She says before anything else, looking over them both a little warily. ] May I ask what for?
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She's new. And as nice as it is to have another human around, it can't last.
He doesn't move. But he does sigh.]
Speaker, it isn't safe for you here. Neither of us can vouch for your safety against Dracula at the moment, and we have no desire to see you or your people face harm for coming in to do your work.
Please, let us see you safely out these doors.
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[ Trevor gestures wildly at Alucard when she says that. See? She's being so unreasonable! It should not be this difficult to convince someone to leave Dracula's castle! Historically people WANT to leave Dracula's castle very quickly!
The speaker just continues. ]
There is a story here, and I intend to see it unfold. I stay in these halls to bear witness, or I leave with the hunting party in the evening.
[ And Trevor freezes in horror at that. Any right-thinking person would freeze in horror. A single human, inviting themselves to a hunting party of vampires. That's unthinkable and not liable to end nicely. ]
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[Alucard doesn't flinch at the threat. He can't, because he's Practiced now.]
Do we have an agreement?
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If I leave, I leave with Dracula and his party.
[ Okay, that's enough of that. Trevor looks to Alucard, frowning. ]
Do I have your leave to throw her out?
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