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.
[ He lets Alucard guide him, and- he likes his part. The part that usually comes after feeding, when Alucard fusses over him and cleans and binds the cuts and- it's nice. He likes the being cared for, and this is one of the few times that his pride doesn't get in the way of letting it happen.
This is, sadly, going to have the side effect of him not wanting to do anything but lean against Alucard and be pulled close for the rest of the afternoon, but that's just how things are. ]
It's been a few centuries. They forget that this house has no connection to the man who killed their Princess. [ ...well. it does. but nobody here knows that right now. ] Time is weird like that, when you're mortal.
[ He moves a little. He has to, to look at Alucard's lips. Look at and touch, because he draws a thumb over his lower lip, making a big show of checking it. It's probably not a detail anyone is going to catch but- well, it's good to be thorough. ]
[It's a detail that Alucard notices, because of course he does. Because to him it's a terribly important one, and as Trevor withdraws his hand, he smiles thinly.]
Then let's go see how low key their scandalous reaction faces are, hm?
[ One last kiss, and he fusses with the buttons of his tunic as he stands. Not quite undoing them, but making it look as though they've been done up hurriedly and clumsily.
It's worth the effort, to see them try to hide the scandalised looks on their faces. It's worth it to see how Theodora's expression doesn't change at all until her mouth is safely hidden behind a slice of cake and when it is her smile still reaches her eyes. It brings few practical advantages, their guests already being wrong-footed as is, save for that it feels like it's something they can do to make Alucard feel more in control.
It works. For a few days, it works. It's on the last day of the talks that their guests ask to bring another man into the talks. It's a clergyman, tall and thin. He speaks rarely, and his voice is soft and calm when he does. ]
...the wine.
[ There's less than an hour to go before the talks are done. Trevor's been pale since the man arrived this morning. He's been quieter, too, trying less to get under people's skin, and his food is untouched. But he hasn't given the signal until now, stubbornly trying to manage.
By all appearances, he's talking to the staff, but the message is meant for Alucard and Theodora. He needs to leave. Now. ]
The wine is running low. Another bottle, for our guests.
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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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This is, sadly, going to have the side effect of him not wanting to do anything but lean against Alucard and be pulled close for the rest of the afternoon, but that's just how things are. ]
It's been a few centuries. They forget that this house has no connection to the man who killed their Princess. [ ...well. it does. but nobody here knows that right now. ] Time is weird like that, when you're mortal.
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The gauze winds around and around. Covering a phantom.]
Historical memory is a strange thing.
[But there. It is done, and with that, Alucard presses his lips to the bandage.]
Check my lips, please?
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[ He moves a little. He has to, to look at Alucard's lips. Look at and touch, because he draws a thumb over his lower lip, making a big show of checking it. It's probably not a detail anyone is going to catch but- well, it's good to be thorough. ]
Perfect.
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Then let's go see how low key their scandalous reaction faces are, hm?
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[ One last kiss, and he fusses with the buttons of his tunic as he stands. Not quite undoing them, but making it look as though they've been done up hurriedly and clumsily.
It's worth the effort, to see them try to hide the scandalised looks on their faces. It's worth it to see how Theodora's expression doesn't change at all until her mouth is safely hidden behind a slice of cake and when it is her smile still reaches her eyes. It brings few practical advantages, their guests already being wrong-footed as is, save for that it feels like it's something they can do to make Alucard feel more in control.
It works. For a few days, it works. It's on the last day of the talks that their guests ask to bring another man into the talks. It's a clergyman, tall and thin. He speaks rarely, and his voice is soft and calm when he does. ]
...the wine.
[ There's less than an hour to go before the talks are done. Trevor's been pale since the man arrived this morning. He's been quieter, too, trying less to get under people's skin, and his food is untouched. But he hasn't given the signal until now, stubbornly trying to manage.
By all appearances, he's talking to the staff, but the message is meant for Alucard and Theodora. He needs to leave. Now. ]
The wine is running low. Another bottle, for our guests.
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