[ 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.]
[ She looks down at her hands, sighs, and looks up. ]
You know of my people, yes? How our ancestors hear the stories we tell? My grandfather heard one such story ten years ago. A year from now, Dracula returns to this castle and declares war upon all living things. He wishes to prepare by protecting as many people as possible, but I- I have to know why.
[ He takes that as permission to take over. Not to throw the speaker out, at least, but to step between her and Alucard. ]
Go, get out of his earshot.
[ She's about to complain, but he shakes his head and continues. ]
Come tomorrow morning, once the hunting party has left and had time to make distance. We'll discuss this then. You're not going to learn shit if Dracula kills you.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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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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[Alucard looks to Trevor. The blink he offers is the in one more moment response.]
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[ She looks down at her hands, sighs, and looks up. ]
You know of my people, yes? How our ancestors hear the stories we tell? My grandfather heard one such story ten years ago. A year from now, Dracula returns to this castle and declares war upon all living things. He wishes to prepare by protecting as many people as possible, but I- I have to know why.
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Alucard meets Trevor's eyes. Trevor knows Speakers better than this, but...it's worrying. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.]
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Go, get out of his earshot.
[ She's about to complain, but he shakes his head and continues. ]
Come tomorrow morning, once the hunting party has left and had time to make distance. We'll discuss this then. You're not going to learn shit if Dracula kills you.
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