[It's clever, but it isn't inaccurate either. Alucard had trusted the other two and the cook with the menu, and the fruits of it are excellent. A design to let the delegation focus on stupid, petty slights that may or may not be intended rather than discussing what they're all really there to deal with.
Alucard's ear twitches ever so slightly, narrowing in.]
And why our ambassador has chosen not to eat as we are. Apparently someone fakes the nutritional value of human food when she's left to her own devices.]
I rather wish they weren't so invested in their legal definition of humanity though. It seems poor dinner discussion among this company.
[ A snort of laughter, which he just about manages to swallow back. ]
They think that's just what we do over here?
[ Contrary to popular belief, there are very few entrails involved in dark and forbidden magic. But that doesn't stop gossip and storytelling, does it? He turns his attention to Theodora, who is pointedly not eating. ]
You know as well as I do that she only loves the pretty little cakes for their looks. I suppose they hadn't figured it out.
[ He goes on, enough to earn a glance from Theodora, who one cannot speak of without sharp ears hearing it. But he's not the only one talking. The conversation continues, continuing on to the topic of the source of the blood.
It is, of course, why the King keeps the Belmont in his court. To keep his son well-fed. I wonder, will we have to watch the cask being opened at the table. ]
[He smiles very thinly, aware it's a joke and actually it isn't
terribly funny. Alucard just lets Theodora take Trevor's comment, and
that? That gets a laugh.]
Obviously. Maybe they'll get the clue at dessert. The chef and I had
very detailed discussions about decoration after you left, Belmont.
[Because of course she did. While she speaks of dessert, Alucard's
ears remain fixed on the conversation down the table, and his face sets
into something firmer.]
[ He can feel Theodora's gaze. Someone's going to be subjected to a conversation on why sugar flowers are good and deserving of respect later. Worth it.
Perhaps I was wrong to take offense that he has a seat here. It is, at least, more proper than if they laid him out on the table with the rest of the meal.
Trevor cant quite catch the individual conversation over the hum of all the others, but he tenses as Alucard does. He doesn't quite understand that he's being spoken about, but he can tell that they've hit a nerve for Alucard. ]
They better. I ended up helping make them because the attention to
detail will infuriate them.
[Theodora's true past time is entertaining. This counts, and it's
so much more fun to fuss over flowers than actual matters of state.
Alucard's face grows more serious as the conversation continues, freezing
into something that would look better on his father. It is a look that
Theodora clocks onto, and she shakes her head.]
Not worth it.
[At the same time Alucard replies:] Very much so. Any point
where people are only placed on the food chain is That Bad.
Ah, that bullshit. [ He corrects himself before Theodora can respond. ] Ah, that.
[ He waves a hand dismissively. ]
She's right. Not worth it. They want you angry, Adrian. If they get a rise out of you here, they can hold it against you at negotiations. Get better terms. Pretend that they're protecting the people on the border from your temper.
[ Dracula wouldn't let a slight go, but Dracula had the strength to turn armies away if he needed to. Alucard doesn't. The scorched earth, 'I do what I want' style of negotiating won't serve them here. ]
I understand that some of you are worried about our Prince's wellbeing. We are, of course, grateful for your concern, but there is no need. Wallachian cuisine serves him as well as it does any of us.
[ Which does, of course, mean 'we chose this as an insult, but if you take it as such then that means you're declaring yourself to be higher than actual royalty, a grave crime in Trantoul'. Then he smirks. ]
He will be taking his second meal tonight, in his own chambers. [ And one perfectly timed pause later. ] Worry not, I will see to it personally.
[It is a little fun, watching the faces of Trantoul's delegation struggle to find the right expression. There are little ohs of understanding, a few faces of distaste because Trevor may be a Belmont, but he's still technically of their country, and then there's the two at the very end of the table who look mortified at being called out.
Alucard's face is ice cold. Theodora's lips, hidden behind a napkin, have become :333.
Now is the correct time to dismiss themselves. Dessert will be served as a small banquet that is being set now at the end of the hall, but a good fifteen minutes makes life easier for dhampir and kitchen staff alike.
Alucard rises, and exits the hall. The castle, good thing that it is, has the door open directly into Alucard's room and the living room/library that overlooks the endless mountains.]
[ He follows Alucard, letting Theodora attend to her own business and the delegation to whatever their imaginations summon up.
It's a relief to be here. Not quite so much that he immediately makes contact with Alucard, but enough that his shoulders sink and he lets himself stretch. ]
[Maybe it's inappropriate for Alucard to grin so wickedly as he does once he takes a seat on the sofa. The contrast of all his formal clothes and crown against being flopped over on the sofa like an exhausted teenager is made only worse as he props his feet up on the coffee table, nearly consumed by the cushions.]
Not at all. I don't know how long you had to look at their muted but horrified faces, but it was there and it was amazing.
[Alucard lifts his head, gesturing Trevor beside him.]
We have fifteen minutes to let them stew. I think the question is should we have you with a visible bandage or not.
[ He likes florr! But he also likes kisses and kisses are easier up there on sofa, so that's a problem. ]
Bandages sounds like the safer option. We want to fuck with their heads a little, not make Theodora's life too difficult. I imagine it'd stop being funny for her sometime around the seventh time she has to explain that I've not been turned.
[ Well, it's more complicated than that. But he isn't going to do anything stupid, and they can't do anything to him. Anything they could say that would really get under his skin, that he hasn't heard a thousand times before, would be intensely undiplomatic if it were said loud enough for him to hear it.
And also? Kisses. That makes all of this so much easier. Normally, he'd bury his hands in Alucard's hair. Right now that's a little less practical because Alucard will need to re-braid the whole thing if he messes it up, but-
He pulls a few strands of hair from the braids, arranging them nicely. ]
Makes it look a little more convincing. Wash your face before you head out, too, so it looks like you've washed something away.
When you're not, I need you to tell me. Immediately.
[Kisses are important, but not as important as this. Alucard can imagine that Trevor's made himself numb to the worst of it, but it is never clear when someone else can think up something new and awful.
Alucard's nearly a blushing maiden when Trevor rearranges his hair. Smiles.]
The wine. If I comment on the wine, I need an excuse to leave. Theodora made me come up with a whole code before this thing.
[ She takes care of them, in her own way, even if a lot of it is disguised as teasing.
And he thinks, bringing up a hand to the side of his neck. ]
I'll pinch it, just a little, so around the bendage it looks redder, and- [ He leans forward, kissing Alucard again before catching his lower lip between his teeth. Only softly, but enough to apply pressure as he rolls it between them. There. ] Your lips get a little swollen, when you feed.
[ Was that to make it more convincing or just to bully a vampire? Who knows. ]
[But it's smart that Theodora did that. Alucard's more certain than ever that she's more Trevor's ally than his, but the situation calls for it. It's stupid, that Trevor has to be more protected, but in a way? Nice. Nice that they can be protected.]
Let me p--- oh! [Alucard doesn't squeal. It's a manly noise! That just sounds like a small squeal. One that's followed by a disappointed sigh as Trevor pulls away.]
Well, you're the expert on that. And I'll wait a few more days before checking to see if you're right.
[ Oh. Good to know. Mischief flashes across his face as he realises what that little manly squeal must mean. Maybe he'll put that to use later. He kisses again, normally. Softly. ]
Didn't want you to worry. Something goes wrong, Theodora can handle it better than either of us can. But I'll be fine. She just worries.
[ One last kiss, then- ]
I'll fetch the bandages. We have a lot of people to offend.
We do. And happily they're in the drawer that's under the coffee table.
[Alucard leans forward, opening said drawer. It means not having to pull away much from Trevor. Nimble fingers pick up the bandages, while Alucard's other hand guides Trevor to the correct angle.]
Theodora worries with good reason. Trantoul likes to be offended by this House's mere presence.
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[It's clever, but it isn't inaccurate either. Alucard had trusted the other two and the cook with the menu, and the fruits of it are excellent. A design to let the delegation focus on stupid, petty slights that may or may not be intended rather than discussing what they're all really there to deal with.
Alucard's ear twitches ever so slightly, narrowing in.]
And why our ambassador has chosen not to eat as we are. Apparently someone fakes the nutritional value of human food when she's left to her own devices.]
I rather wish they weren't so invested in their legal definition of humanity though. It seems poor dinner discussion among this company.
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They think that's just what we do over here?
[ Contrary to popular belief, there are very few entrails involved in dark and forbidden magic. But that doesn't stop gossip and storytelling, does it? He turns his attention to Theodora, who is pointedly not eating. ]
You know as well as I do that she only loves the pretty little cakes for their looks. I suppose they hadn't figured it out.
[ He goes on, enough to earn a glance from Theodora, who one cannot speak of without sharp ears hearing it. But he's not the only one talking. The conversation continues, continuing on to the topic of the source of the blood.
It is, of course, why the King keeps the Belmont in his court. To keep his son well-fed. I wonder, will we have to watch the cask being opened at the table. ]
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They're the magic users, and yet...
[He smiles very thinly, aware it's a joke and actually it isn't terribly funny. Alucard just lets Theodora take Trevor's comment, and that? That gets a laugh.]
Obviously. Maybe they'll get the clue at dessert. The chef and I had very detailed discussions about decoration after you left, Belmont.
[Because of course she did. While she speaks of dessert, Alucard's ears remain fixed on the conversation down the table, and his face sets into something firmer.]
Mm. Now the inevitable speculation.
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[ He can feel Theodora's gaze. Someone's going to be subjected to a conversation on why sugar flowers are good and deserving of respect later. Worth it.
Perhaps I was wrong to take offense that he has a seat here. It is, at least, more proper than if they laid him out on the table with the rest of the meal.
Trevor cant quite catch the individual conversation over the hum of all the others, but he tenses as Alucard does. He doesn't quite understand that he's being spoken about, but he can tell that they've hit a nerve for Alucard. ]
That bad?
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They better. I ended up helping make them because the attention to detail will infuriate them.
[Theodora's true past time is entertaining. This counts, and it's so much more fun to fuss over flowers than actual matters of state.
Alucard's face grows more serious as the conversation continues, freezing into something that would look better on his father. It is a look that Theodora clocks onto, and she shakes her head.]
Not worth it.
[At the same time Alucard replies:] Very much so. Any point where people are only placed on the food chain is That Bad.
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[ He waves a hand dismissively. ]
She's right. Not worth it. They want you angry, Adrian. If they get a rise out of you here, they can hold it against you at negotiations. Get better terms. Pretend that they're protecting the people on the border from your temper.
[ Dracula wouldn't let a slight go, but Dracula had the strength to turn armies away if he needed to. Alucard doesn't. The scorched earth, 'I do what I want' style of negotiating won't serve them here. ]
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But this would be the right opportunity for head games.
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[ Under the table, his hand goes to Alucard's knee. Squeezes, then lets go. ]
With your leave, my prince?
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....Alucard nods once, before his eyes move to his cup. Picks it up, then nods at Trevor.]
As you see fit, director.
[That is his title, technically. Director of intelligence. Everyone is a director. Ministers are forbidden in Wallachia, after all.]
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I understand that some of you are worried about our Prince's wellbeing. We are, of course, grateful for your concern, but there is no need. Wallachian cuisine serves him as well as it does any of us.
[ Which does, of course, mean 'we chose this as an insult, but if you take it as such then that means you're declaring yourself to be higher than actual royalty, a grave crime in Trantoul'. Then he smirks. ]
He will be taking his second meal tonight, in his own chambers. [ And one perfectly timed pause later. ] Worry not, I will see to it personally.
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Alucard's face is ice cold. Theodora's lips, hidden behind a napkin, have become :333.
Now is the correct time to dismiss themselves. Dessert will be served as a small banquet that is being set now at the end of the hall, but a good fifteen minutes makes life easier for dhampir and kitchen staff alike.
Alucard rises, and exits the hall. The castle, good thing that it is, has the door open directly into Alucard's room and the living room/library that overlooks the endless mountains.]
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It's a relief to be here. Not quite so much that he immediately makes contact with Alucard, but enough that his shoulders sink and he lets himself stretch. ]
Did I go too far with that one?
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Not at all. I don't know how long you had to look at their muted but horrified faces, but it was there and it was amazing.
[Alucard lifts his head, gesturing Trevor beside him.]
We have fifteen minutes to let them stew. I think the question is should we have you with a visible bandage or not.
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[ He sits on the floor next to the sofa, leaning his arms against the cushions of it and his head against his arms to look up at Alucard. ]
Well, if we're going to need them later on anyway, no harm in having them there already.
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Hmmmm.
Well, if we don't, it invites curiosity about myself and you. Perhaps you've gained new powers in your time here. That might alarm them.
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Bandages sounds like the safer option. We want to fuck with their heads a little, not make Theodora's life too difficult. I imagine it'd stop being funny for her sometime around the seventh time she has to explain that I've not been turned.
Should I get them?
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True, and we need her more than ever.
[Alucard pauses, waving his hand lazily.]
In a few minutes. I think we've earned that much.
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[ Fine, FINE. He pulls himself up onto sofa, and it's squishy and not as solid-feeling as florr. But there's a boyfriend here so that's nice. ]
Don't let them get under your skin. They want you angry. This? This is better.
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[Because that's what's happening right now, Trevor Belmont.
Alucard leans over, lips light against Trevor's own. He doesn't dare move forward, but one hand rests on Trevor's chest. Plays with the fabric.]
You're okay being around them?
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[ Well, it's more complicated than that. But he isn't going to do anything stupid, and they can't do anything to him. Anything they could say that would really get under his skin, that he hasn't heard a thousand times before, would be intensely undiplomatic if it were said loud enough for him to hear it.
And also? Kisses. That makes all of this so much easier. Normally, he'd bury his hands in Alucard's hair. Right now that's a little less practical because Alucard will need to re-braid the whole thing if he messes it up, but-
He pulls a few strands of hair from the braids, arranging them nicely. ]
Makes it look a little more convincing. Wash your face before you head out, too, so it looks like you've washed something away.
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[Kisses are important, but not as important as this. Alucard can imagine that Trevor's made himself numb to the worst of it, but it is never clear when someone else can think up something new and awful.
Alucard's nearly a blushing maiden when Trevor rearranges his hair. Smiles.]
Anything else you'd recommend, director?
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[ She takes care of them, in her own way, even if a lot of it is disguised as teasing.
And he thinks, bringing up a hand to the side of his neck. ]
I'll pinch it, just a little, so around the bendage it looks redder, and- [ He leans forward, kissing Alucard again before catching his lower lip between his teeth. Only softly, but enough to apply pressure as he rolls it between them. There. ] Your lips get a little swollen, when you feed.
[ Was that to make it more convincing or just to bully a vampire? Who knows. ]
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[But it's smart that Theodora did that. Alucard's more certain than ever that she's more Trevor's ally than his, but the situation calls for it. It's stupid, that Trevor has to be more protected, but in a way? Nice. Nice that they can be protected.]
Let me p--- oh! [Alucard doesn't squeal. It's a manly noise! That just sounds like a small squeal. One that's followed by a disappointed sigh as Trevor pulls away.]
Well, you're the expert on that. And I'll wait a few more days before checking to see if you're right.
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Didn't want you to worry. Something goes wrong, Theodora can handle it better than either of us can. But I'll be fine. She just worries.
[ One last kiss, then- ]
I'll fetch the bandages. We have a lot of people to offend.
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[Alucard leans forward, opening said drawer. It means not having to pull away much from Trevor. Nimble fingers pick up the bandages, while Alucard's other hand guides Trevor to the correct angle.]
Theodora worries with good reason. Trantoul likes to be offended by this House's mere presence.
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