[ 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.
[Alucard has been a perfect king the entire time. Tall. Saying little. Looking at the delegates with purpose. Letting Theodora and Trevor act as his mouth pieces most of the time, and so it has gone well.
The negotations are nearly done. They're so close to having everything perfect, all they need is to agree on a few finer points.
Then they bring a priest into the castle.
It's enough that Theodora nearly loses composure. They know it's an insult. They've done it behind her back, and she is going to have strong words when all is done. Alucard's anger is barely masked, and she tells him it must be buried further.
Alucard picks up the word. He nods.]
Trevor, why don't you go and see what would be best from our stores? I believe we have hours yet to go, and to uncork something in celebration would be pre-emptive.
[ There are eyes on him as he stands, slowly, as if trying to move away from a wild animal without provoking them. He can feel them. The excuse raises some eyebrows - they’ve hired staff for these talks, why would Trevor be sent on errands? A few take is as a sign that Trevor’s place here is lower than it might seem, and they seem satisfied by this. The priest doesn’t look at Trevor at all.
When the priest does speak, it’s about the people of the villages on the border. How recent weather has ruined harvests, and he and his church only wish to support the people in these hard times. He claims to be grateful for the opportunity to bring people’s plight to Alucard’s attention and promises that he will leave should the crown attend to their needs and make his church’s presence redundant. The last point offends a few of his own countrymen, though few seem to want to speak against him.
[Alucard's face is stone cold when the priest speaks. His eyes blaze with the same cold fury as his father's, although those looking very close will know it's an approximation of that anger rather than the real thing. Alucard trying his best to channel his father.
He nods to Theodora.]
We have already been working to address the harvest issue on our side of the border, sir. It is difficult and continuing work. You understand that from a political stand point, your actions are an insult to Us rather than charity, correct? Never mind provocation?
We appreciate your perspective. We do not appreciate your presence uninvited on the last day of negotiations.
With all due respect, my lady, I care nothing for the politics here. Only for the wellbeing of your people.
[ It’s a challenge. Whether the priest knows it or not, he’s being used to force Alucard into a corner. Kill him, a man beloved on the border towns, make him a martyr, start a war and spark riots among the people he’s served, or let the insult slide and prove himself lesser than his father. ]
I have said my piece. If you wish me to leave, I shall.
We will visit this issue after a half an hour break.
[Alucard understands that this is a challenge. If the priest is complicit or not is a different matter. For now, time.]
I believe it is an appropriate moment for mid-morning coffee and pastries. They are in the next room, if you would kindly adjourn yourselves.
[It is indeed a coffee, tea, and pastry buffet in the next room. One that Alucard does not attend, instead excusing himself and going to find the Belmont. Theodora is his representative in the next room.
Alucard doesn't know where Trevor is. He lets the castle guide him instead.]
[ The smell of bile hits long before he actually sees Trevor. He’s in his underthings on the floor of one of the washrooms with a tub of water and a washboard, scrubbing intently at his dress shirt. In a country of living corpses, he looks the most worn and deathly of anyone here. ]
[Alucard doesn't question anything he's seeing. He settles beside Trevor, offering presence without a stare. Lukewarm companionship, but only literally.
He's a sight, all finery and heavy rob against the washroom and Trevor's state of undress.]
[ He finally, finally, starts to wring the water out of his shirt. It's like he got stuck on repeat in the middle of the task, just continuing to wash the thing because he couldn't make himself move on to the next step, and Alucard's presence has knocked him out of the cycle a little. ]
Either I've taken ill or you wanted to give them the opportunity to speak to you in my absence. Let Theodora decide which works better.
[He nods once, and carefully. The crown on his head can't be knocked askew, and nodding has an awful habit of upsetting the careful balance just ever-so-noticeably.
Alucard breathes out, knowing he can't do anything more at the moment.]
[ His trousers are still splattered with vomit, and there's a slight sheen of sweat over his face. He probably needs a bath once he's done with cleaning his clothes. ]
Whatever comes of this, I'll fix it. I just need you to do this part without me. I'm sorry.
[ He knows that it's Alucard trying t help him, he's not an idiot, but he likes it when it's worded like that. At least pretending to let him keep his pride intact. It's not running away. No, it's working. Fixing problems. What he's good at.
He 'works' in the kennels for the rest of the day, once he's washed and changed. What this means in practice is sitting on the floor, letting the dogs climb on and lick at and flop next to him. It helps, a little, until the sound of crackling grows too loud and he has to leave. Get somewhere open with less wood. Less bodies.
The vampire killer is on the bedside table when they sleep, that night. Dracula would have his head for bringing it so close to his son, but he needs it. He wraps his arms around Alucard tightly and spends the night staring at the door, daring it to open.
He attends to say goodbye to their guests - there's no real way around it, unfortunately, and so Theodora fusses him into looking respectable and stands ready to intercept anyone who tries to speak to him - looking like he weighs about half as much as he did the previous day. Like bones shoved haphazardly into a sack made of clothes. Theodora is furious today, more so than she had been at the initial appearance of the priest, but she manages to keep the end of the talks on track regardless. ]
[Trevor had always been good with the dogs. Alucard never questioned why, he just understands that right now, it's the best spot for him.
He and Theodora manage the rest of the day. The priest is still present, although the more he talks the more he seems to make the group liable. Alucard has an idea for dealing with him that strikes a careful balance, and he suggests it to Theodora in one of their breaks: find a way to mute the priest's voice through magic that is threaded along Wallachia's border. That way it is the border itself that protects, and no spell is done on the priest himself.
When they sleep, Alucard holds Trevor tighter than normal. But he does sleep, exhausted from the day's work.
Things circle around and around. Agreements are in rough draft form now, and that means Theodora is in her prime furious form. She is wonderfully in tune with the nuances of language, and knows how to edit things so that they favor Wallachia. The priest's language is obvious in some parts, and she is careful to edit them out in front of the man's eyes.
Alucard's gaze moves around the table, but every so often, he lets the toe of his boot brush over Trevor's to remind him that this will be all right. That they are almost done.]
...Who added the extradition clause?
[It's towards the end of the draft. Very fine print, but there all the same.]
To assuage your concerns over our priests. [ One of the men says. It isn’t one of the two who were gossiping a few says ago, and it’s one of the few not slightly cowed by Theodora. ] We will not extradite them for simple missionary work, but should you believe they have been acting against the crown, you may request that they go to trial in your own courts.
[ He makes no mention of the reverse, of sending Wallachians to Trantoul courts. ]
Wallachia will not honor the clause as written. It must contain a start by date, such as when this agreement is signed. This is to show acting in good faith.
[Alucard inclines his head slightly, communicating his agreement with Theodora's point.]
[ Trevor looks up for a moment, then down again. He heard extradition, even if he couldn’t quite make himself react. That’s- fine, probably. Alucard won’t let anyone take him away. ]
She keeps reading. Murmurs a few times, and then another question comes up. It's about a particular set of legal terms, and this time it careens off into a debate that Alucard has no heard nor heart for.
It goes like that for some time yet, until:]
We will have a fresh draft of this in the next hour for all to look over. After that draft, all details will be finalized and signed by both parties. Let us give our copyists their time to work.
[ He sounds exhausted, burned away to nothing. But he turns the word over in his mouth, feeling it. There's something hidden in it, he can tell.
It isn't meant for him. That's what's hidden there. That clause was never about him, just made to look like it was. It was meant for practitioners of witchcraft. Meant for the speakers. Made to put Alucard and Theodora on the defensive. ]
Wallachian law does not recognise witchcraft as a crime. We will not call for the extradition of your missionaries, nor of those who flee to Trantoul to practice the faith. But you will not call for your witches to be returned for trial, should they pass the border.
[ That's it. That's all he can manage right now, but he manages it before the copyists set to work. They leave, and as soon as they're out of sight Trevor's head falls onto Alucard's shoulder softly. ]
[Alucard's side room is in fact not close to the meeting room at all. It's far and away, with a great bay window that overlooks the forest that surrounds the castle to the north end. It has become a room of creature comforts, soft furs draped over the comfiest of sofas and all the other essentials.
The curtains are closed for Theodora's safety at the moment. She watches as Trevor's head falls on Alucard's shoulder.]
I'm going to supervise the copyists and alert the delegation to the new wording. I don't expect debate, but I want to be sure.
[She leaves. Alucard waves a hand and the curtain opens, and then? Then he just pulls Trevor onto his lap in full.]
My own fault. I was the one who wanted to taunt them. Shouldn't have-
[ He doesn't finish that sentence, just settles closer to Alucard. He'll explain more fully later, for now he just wants comfort. Enough to actually seek it out. ]
-they know. That I'm- important. And they're going to try to use me to get to you. I'm an easy target, and a safer one than Dracula or Miss Lisa. I don't want you to let it work.
[ A sigh. He's been inconvenient for a while now, hasn't he? Between Loretta's assassination attempt and this and his upsetting Alucard by avoiding touch. ]
[Alucard doesn't care what that other shouldn't have is. He knows it's stupid, and he rests his chin atop Trevor's head. One hand strokes up and down his arm gently, the other keeping Trevor snug against the dhampir's chest.
He can't call for the furs yet to bundle them up until they sleep, but this is enough for now.]
It won't. That's why people like Theodora are essential. And if they're so keen to throw words like extradition around, then they'll have it boiled down to a fine point so that they can't get to you. It's why including dates is an essential thing.
[ He sighs, settling more. He's tired. So tired. Almost enough to sleep without the vampire killer to hand. Alucard's presence is comforting, one of few constants in his life. ]
Another few hours. Once the papers are written and signed and they're gone - we still have that dinner then, right?
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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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The negotations are nearly done. They're so close to having everything perfect, all they need is to agree on a few finer points.
Then they bring a priest into the castle.
It's enough that Theodora nearly loses composure. They know it's an insult. They've done it behind her back, and she is going to have strong words when all is done. Alucard's anger is barely masked, and she tells him it must be buried further.
Alucard picks up the word. He nods.]
Trevor, why don't you go and see what would be best from our stores? I believe we have hours yet to go, and to uncork something in celebration would be pre-emptive.
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When the priest does speak, it’s about the people of the villages on the border. How recent weather has ruined harvests, and he and his church only wish to support the people in these hard times. He claims to be grateful for the opportunity to bring people’s plight to Alucard’s attention and promises that he will leave should the crown attend to their needs and make his church’s presence redundant. The last point offends a few of his own countrymen, though few seem to want to speak against him.
Trevor doesn’t return. ]
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He nods to Theodora.]
We have already been working to address the harvest issue on our side of the border, sir. It is difficult and continuing work. You understand that from a political stand point, your actions are an insult to Us rather than charity, correct? Never mind provocation?
We appreciate your perspective. We do not appreciate your presence uninvited on the last day of negotiations.
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[ It’s a challenge. Whether the priest knows it or not, he’s being used to force Alucard into a corner. Kill him, a man beloved on the border towns, make him a martyr, start a war and spark riots among the people he’s served, or let the insult slide and prove himself lesser than his father. ]
I have said my piece. If you wish me to leave, I shall.
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[Alucard understands that this is a challenge. If the priest is complicit or not is a different matter. For now, time.]
I believe it is an appropriate moment for mid-morning coffee and pastries. They are in the next room, if you would kindly adjourn yourselves.
[It is indeed a coffee, tea, and pastry buffet in the next room. One that Alucard does not attend, instead excusing himself and going to find the Belmont. Theodora is his representative in the next room.
Alucard doesn't know where Trevor is. He lets the castle guide him instead.]
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Adrian. [ His voice is small and raw. ] Sorry.
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He's a sight, all finery and heavy rob against the washroom and Trevor's state of undress.]
He's caused problems before, hasn't he?
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I'll- once they're gone, I'll talk about it.
[ Sorry, Alucard. He doesn't trust you to not start a war just because he's a little bit upset. ]
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[There's no way he's forcing Trevor to remain here.]
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[ He finally, finally, starts to wring the water out of his shirt. It's like he got stuck on repeat in the middle of the task, just continuing to wash the thing because he couldn't make himself move on to the next step, and Alucard's presence has knocked him out of the cycle a little. ]
Either I've taken ill or you wanted to give them the opportunity to speak to you in my absence. Let Theodora decide which works better.
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Alucard breathes out, knowing he can't do anything more at the moment.]
Very well. I'll see which one she'll accept.
Will you be okay left alone for a few hours?
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[ His trousers are still splattered with vomit, and there's a slight sheen of sweat over his face. He probably needs a bath once he's done with cleaning his clothes. ]
Whatever comes of this, I'll fix it. I just need you to do this part without me. I'm sorry.
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[He still needs something, now that Alucard must withdraw.]
The kennels could use a hand today.
[The kennels are also a little pointless for vampires. But some of the humans in the castle enjoy using dogs to hunt.]
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[ He knows that it's Alucard trying t help him, he's not an idiot, but he likes it when it's worded like that. At least pretending to let him keep his pride intact. It's not running away. No, it's working. Fixing problems. What he's good at.
He 'works' in the kennels for the rest of the day, once he's washed and changed. What this means in practice is sitting on the floor, letting the dogs climb on and lick at and flop next to him. It helps, a little, until the sound of crackling grows too loud and he has to leave. Get somewhere open with less wood. Less bodies.
The vampire killer is on the bedside table when they sleep, that night. Dracula would have his head for bringing it so close to his son, but he needs it. He wraps his arms around Alucard tightly and spends the night staring at the door, daring it to open.
He attends to say goodbye to their guests - there's no real way around it, unfortunately, and so Theodora fusses him into looking respectable and stands ready to intercept anyone who tries to speak to him - looking like he weighs about half as much as he did the previous day. Like bones shoved haphazardly into a sack made of clothes. Theodora is furious today, more so than she had been at the initial appearance of the priest, but she manages to keep the end of the talks on track regardless. ]
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[Trevor had always been good with the dogs. Alucard never questioned why, he just understands that right now, it's the best spot for him.
He and Theodora manage the rest of the day. The priest is still present, although the more he talks the more he seems to make the group liable. Alucard has an idea for dealing with him that strikes a careful balance, and he suggests it to Theodora in one of their breaks: find a way to mute the priest's voice through magic that is threaded along Wallachia's border. That way it is the border itself that protects, and no spell is done on the priest himself.
When they sleep, Alucard holds Trevor tighter than normal. But he does sleep, exhausted from the day's work.
Things circle around and around. Agreements are in rough draft form now, and that means Theodora is in her prime furious form. She is wonderfully in tune with the nuances of language, and knows how to edit things so that they favor Wallachia. The priest's language is obvious in some parts, and she is careful to edit them out in front of the man's eyes.
Alucard's gaze moves around the table, but every so often, he lets the toe of his boot brush over Trevor's to remind him that this will be all right. That they are almost done.]
...Who added the extradition clause?
[It's towards the end of the draft. Very fine print, but there all the same.]
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[ He makes no mention of the reverse, of sending Wallachians to Trantoul courts. ]
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[Alucard inclines his head slightly, communicating his agreement with Theodora's point.]
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[ Trevor looks up for a moment, then down again. He heard extradition, even if he couldn’t quite make himself react. That’s- fine, probably. Alucard won’t let anyone take him away. ]
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She keeps reading. Murmurs a few times, and then another question comes up. It's about a particular set of legal terms, and this time it careens off into a debate that Alucard has no heard nor heart for.
It goes like that for some time yet, until:]
We will have a fresh draft of this in the next hour for all to look over. After that draft, all details will be finalized and signed by both parties. Let us give our copyists their time to work.
We will see you here in an hour.
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[ He sounds exhausted, burned away to nothing. But he turns the word over in his mouth, feeling it. There's something hidden in it, he can tell.
It isn't meant for him. That's what's hidden there. That clause was never about him, just made to look like it was. It was meant for practitioners of witchcraft. Meant for the speakers. Made to put Alucard and Theodora on the defensive. ]
Wallachian law does not recognise witchcraft as a crime. We will not call for the extradition of your missionaries, nor of those who flee to Trantoul to practice the faith. But you will not call for your witches to be returned for trial, should they pass the border.
[ That's it. That's all he can manage right now, but he manages it before the copyists set to work. They leave, and as soon as they're out of sight Trevor's head falls onto Alucard's shoulder softly. ]
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The curtains are closed for Theodora's safety at the moment. She watches as Trevor's head falls on Alucard's shoulder.]
I'm going to supervise the copyists and alert the delegation to the new wording. I don't expect debate, but I want to be sure.
[She leaves. Alucard waves a hand and the curtain opens, and then? Then he just pulls Trevor onto his lap in full.]
Trevor, I'm sorry.
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[ He doesn't finish that sentence, just settles closer to Alucard. He'll explain more fully later, for now he just wants comfort. Enough to actually seek it out. ]
-they know. That I'm- important. And they're going to try to use me to get to you. I'm an easy target, and a safer one than Dracula or Miss Lisa. I don't want you to let it work.
[ A sigh. He's been inconvenient for a while now, hasn't he? Between Loretta's assassination attempt and this and his upsetting Alucard by avoiding touch. ]
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[Alucard doesn't care what that other shouldn't have is. He knows it's stupid, and he rests his chin atop Trevor's head. One hand strokes up and down his arm gently, the other keeping Trevor snug against the dhampir's chest.
He can't call for the furs yet to bundle them up until they sleep, but this is enough for now.]
It won't. That's why people like Theodora are essential. And if they're so keen to throw words like extradition around, then they'll have it boiled down to a fine point so that they can't get to you. It's why including dates is an essential thing.
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Another few hours. Once the papers are written and signed and they're gone - we still have that dinner then, right?
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