[ It does mean he'll need to leave sooner rather than later. Alucard was half-starved when he came here. He's not exactly grown better in the last few days. He heaves himself out of the bed, only half-grumpy about having to do so. He was enjoying sleeping next to Alucard. But errands to run is a small price to pay for being able to hear his husband talking to him. ]
[ If Alucard wakes while Trevor is gone, he might notice a rabbit sitting on the chair next to the bed just. Staring at him. Perfectly normal, that.
Waking proper comes with a new smell, and with the sounds of people talking some way away. Meat and fruit of some sort. The second voice goes quiet once they realise he's awake, and a rabbit swiftly leaves the house.
It takes a little longer for Trevor to approach with a plate of rabbit meat and pears and something dark green and leafy.
...yes, he asked a rabbit for advice on how to cook rabbit. ]
It's- [ -not the world's most impressive plate of food. But not bad for a first try. ] -all from over that side.
[Alucard doesn't wake. He wants to just stay asleep. Maybe the fae can just do that for him, like in stories.
But food rouses him, and in all his awful thin-ness, Alucard's stomach growls. It's furious even, being punished because the brain of the meatsack is sick in it's own way.
He sits slowly. It's only his arm and the soles of his feet that are in a bad way. The rest is from his own lack of self care, and when Alucard looks to his good arm, he knows he's done himself wrong. The bone is too prominent.]
[He tries the rabbit first. It's cautious and unsure and Alucard's good hand shakes a little, but oh.
Food is good. Duh.
He eats. It's not quick, because he knows better than to rust, but he finishes all as quickly as he can. His stomach wants more, more and now, and the promise of broth forces it to settle for the time being.
[ He sits and watches as Alucard eats. A difficult, too-thin human. His difficult, too-thin human. He has questions to ask. Things to say. But instead he just watches, delighted by the entire scene of man eating meal. ]
I’m going to guess you’re still feeling like shit.
Trevor. [ And then, more awkwardly, pulling his hand back for a moment - he knows this is relevant and he knows it'll spook Alucard. ] ...Belmont.
[ And before Alucard can say anything, he leaps to justify everything. He knows he's fucked up, and that there'll be consequences for this in the future. He doesn't want to think about that. Now? Now is nice. Except for the 'Alucard having recently been on fire' part. He'd like to stay at now for a little while longer. ]
I didn't know it was you before I brought you here. [ Then softer, stroking again. ] But you're here now.
[Yes he is absolutely in Hell. Trantoul. Belmont. Names that hung heavy in his own family's history.
Be it stress, exhaustion, anxiety, or some combination thereof, that's what finally does Alucard in. If he was standing, he'd swoon. Such as it is, he only falls back against the pillows and stays there.
He flits in and out of consciousness for the next few days. Waking up if he's offered food or water, but otherwise just letting rest claim him. It's good for his body to have food and little movement, and by the end of the week, he has some weight back to him.
It's at the end of the first week that he well and truly gets out of bed to do something more than use the bathroom or wash his face. He walks the bedroom that he's been confined to, trying to make sense of it.]
[ Early winter isn't the worst time to have to use only real, human food, but it's close. He's not failed to return with food yet, he's too proud to return empty-handed, but his ventures away from the house-shaped cage that Alucard is confined to take longer than they might earlier in the year. It would be easier if one could just feed humans on meat, hunting living things is simple, but plants that humans might be willing to eat are growing more and more scarce.
The place is- not entirely finished. It didn't exist until he needed a place to put the human, and now it's in a state of existing only as much as it needs to. The bedroom and washroom and kitchen exist, yes, but other doors lead to nowhere. The parts of the walls Alucard wouldn't have been able to see from his bed shift about, because he hasn't decided what should be there yet. the world outside the windows is too bright to really see. In this state, it's easier to see it for what it is - a thing constructed to be an ideal. To make someone want to stay there. No doubt that one of those nothing-doors would prove to lead to a reading room if Alucard suggested a fondness for books. Or lead outside into a garden.
It's a little much to call it an illusion - it's real enough for all human purposes. But it's a thing built for Alucard. A thing built to keep him in. ]
You're- shit.
[ Trevor puts down a basket of plums as soon as he enters - no meat today. Two days ago he returned with a deer and they don't eat that quickly - and turns his attention to Alucard instead, concerned. He's awake and moving about. Should he be? Are humans even allowed to walk around if they're hurt? ]
Are your feet healed enough to be walking around like that?
[If Alucard didn't know where he was, he'd be far more alarmed with how the place shifts and moves with him. Doors that go no where. Walls that move with him. Nothing outside the windows besides an approximation of sunlight.
Alucard understands. It's a jail cell. Just with more comforts than he usually has in such places.
He's still too worn to panic. Part of him? Part of him wonders if maybe he should just stop questioning it and be confined here. It's a nicer place to spend his days, although it isn't clear what the Belmont wants from him yet.]
Most likely not, and yet.
[He's ignoring the pain because he has to move around. He can't be in bed forever.]
How long does time pass here compared to the human world?
[That wasn't what he was asking, but it is good to know all the same. Alucard considers it and--
--a few months. The worst of winter will pass at least, and he can make deals until then. Little ones. Ones that let him survive, just as they always have.
Alucard doesn't take the offered arm. He simply sees himself back to bed, carefully lowering himself onto it.]
I see. That's good to know.
[He settles at least, then crosses one leg over the other so he can look at the soles of his feet.]
Why did you break the agreement between our families?
[ He was going to repeat that he didn't know. But he knows well enough that ignorance is no excuse, and also? It's not the truth. He was listening through that whole confession. Alucard gave his name. He knew. He pulls the reading chair closer to the bed, sitting in it to join in the examination. ]
-I tried to be indirect, and it didn't work. So I decided I didn't care about the agreement.
[Alucard's feet are no longer red and raw blisters. So much of them now is thick skin trying to heal. Struggling. He shouldn't have walked at all, but Alucard feels caged enough. Staying in bed? Makes it worse.]
What made you want to break it in the first place?
[ He goes quiet, at that. He doesn't like where this just went. He stands and collects the jar of poultice - a mixture of clay and something floral-smelling that dries hard and grey. Enid's verdict - and he trusts her, because she's clever - is that medicines are only food if they're taken by the mouth. Poultices and ointments for the burns are Not Food. He places it next to Alucard, and returns to silence.
[The jars at least catch his attention. He can distract himself with them, and he's careful when he examines the first of them to determine it's contents. And so on down the line.]
The opportunity passed. There will be others, I'm sure.
[One of the jars? That's very familiar. He opens it slowly.]
The two who date back to my own ancestor. Are they aware I'm here?
[ He's glad to be away from the FIRE topic, but this is also a bad topic. He doesn't like having his family being so angry with him. It's a bad feeling. ]
...do you want me to take you back? I know it won't mean the agreement isn't broken, but- I can.
[ He was kind of assuming that he'd be able to keep the human, at least for a while. Until he was strong enough to go. But if he doesn't like this and wants to be on fire, then he doesn't like this and wants to be on fire. ]
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[ It does mean he'll need to leave sooner rather than later. Alucard was half-starved when he came here. He's not exactly grown better in the last few days. He heaves himself out of the bed, only half-grumpy about having to do so. He was enjoying sleeping next to Alucard. But errands to run is a small price to pay for being able to hear his husband talking to him. ]
You'll be okay like this on your own?
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[Probably?
Yes.]
I'll sleep.
[That's all he can probably do. And if to prove the point or because truly tired, Alucard is almost out of it again.]
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Waking proper comes with a new smell, and with the sounds of people talking some way away. Meat and fruit of some sort. The second voice goes quiet once they realise he's awake, and a rabbit swiftly leaves the house.
It takes a little longer for Trevor to approach with a plate of rabbit meat and pears and something dark green and leafy.
...yes, he asked a rabbit for advice on how to cook rabbit. ]
It's- [ -not the world's most impressive plate of food. But not bad for a first try. ] -all from over that side.
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But food rouses him, and in all his awful thin-ness, Alucard's stomach growls. It's furious even, being punished because the brain of the meatsack is sick in it's own way.
He sits slowly. It's only his arm and the soles of his feet that are in a bad way. The rest is from his own lack of self care, and when Alucard looks to his good arm, he knows he's done himself wrong. The bone is too prominent.]
You swear it?
[He isn't eating faerie food. He won't.]
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[ He sets the tray in Alucard’s lap and hovers over him anxiously, waiting to see if he eats. ]
There’ll be bone broth in a few hours. It might be easier for you.
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[He tries the rabbit first. It's cautious and unsure and Alucard's good hand shakes a little, but oh.
Food is good. Duh.
He eats. It's not quick, because he knows better than to rust, but he finishes all as quickly as he can. His stomach wants more, more and now, and the promise of broth forces it to settle for the time being.
With the plate cleared, he meets Trevor's gaze.]
Thank you.
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I’m going to guess you’re still feeling like shit.
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[He knows his injuries. They should be manifesting after he rests and wakes next.]
I will.
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...is medicine a food? I can find something for pain.
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[In a better frame of mind, Alucard might be able to tell. For now, he simply shakes his head.]
I need to lie back down.
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Sleep. Unless I go hunting, I'll be here.
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What's your name?
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[ And before Alucard can say anything, he leaps to justify everything. He knows he's fucked up, and that there'll be consequences for this in the future. He doesn't want to think about that. Now? Now is nice. Except for the 'Alucard having recently been on fire' part. He'd like to stay at now for a little while longer. ]
I didn't know it was you before I brought you here. [ Then softer, stroking again. ] But you're here now.
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[Yes he is absolutely in Hell. Trantoul. Belmont. Names that hung heavy in his own family's history.
Be it stress, exhaustion, anxiety, or some combination thereof, that's what finally does Alucard in. If he was standing, he'd swoon. Such as it is, he only falls back against the pillows and stays there.
He flits in and out of consciousness for the next few days. Waking up if he's offered food or water, but otherwise just letting rest claim him. It's good for his body to have food and little movement, and by the end of the week, he has some weight back to him.
It's at the end of the first week that he well and truly gets out of bed to do something more than use the bathroom or wash his face. He walks the bedroom that he's been confined to, trying to make sense of it.]
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The place is- not entirely finished. It didn't exist until he needed a place to put the human, and now it's in a state of existing only as much as it needs to. The bedroom and washroom and kitchen exist, yes, but other doors lead to nowhere. The parts of the walls Alucard wouldn't have been able to see from his bed shift about, because he hasn't decided what should be there yet. the world outside the windows is too bright to really see. In this state, it's easier to see it for what it is - a thing constructed to be an ideal. To make someone want to stay there. No doubt that one of those nothing-doors would prove to lead to a reading room if Alucard suggested a fondness for books. Or lead outside into a garden.
It's a little much to call it an illusion - it's real enough for all human purposes. But it's a thing built for Alucard. A thing built to keep him in. ]
You're- shit.
[ Trevor puts down a basket of plums as soon as he enters - no meat today. Two days ago he returned with a deer and they don't eat that quickly - and turns his attention to Alucard instead, concerned. He's awake and moving about. Should he be? Are humans even allowed to walk around if they're hurt? ]
Are your feet healed enough to be walking around like that?
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Alucard understands. It's a jail cell. Just with more comforts than he usually has in such places.
He's still too worn to panic. Part of him? Part of him wonders if maybe he should just stop questioning it and be confined here. It's a nicer place to spend his days, although it isn't clear what the Belmont wants from him yet.]
Most likely not, and yet.
[He's ignoring the pain because he has to move around. He can't be in bed forever.]
How long does time pass here compared to the human world?
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Right now? Probably about the same. Maybe a little slower, but not much. It always goes about the same, if you have something to measure it by.
[ He moves forward, offering his arm to take Alucard’s weight. ]
You’re not going to heal faster here, if that’s what you mean.
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--a few months. The worst of winter will pass at least, and he can make deals until then. Little ones. Ones that let him survive, just as they always have.
Alucard doesn't take the offered arm. He simply sees himself back to bed, carefully lowering himself onto it.]
I see. That's good to know.
[He settles at least, then crosses one leg over the other so he can look at the soles of his feet.]
Why did you break the agreement between our families?
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[ He was going to repeat that he didn't know. But he knows well enough that ignorance is no excuse, and also? It's not the truth. He was listening through that whole confession. Alucard gave his name. He knew. He pulls the reading chair closer to the bed, sitting in it to join in the examination. ]
-I tried to be indirect, and it didn't work. So I decided I didn't care about the agreement.
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[Alucard's feet are no longer red and raw blisters. So much of them now is thick skin trying to heal. Struggling. He shouldn't have walked at all, but Alucard feels caged enough. Staying in bed? Makes it worse.]
What made you want to break it in the first place?
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[ That comes out flat. Look he adores you but that's a stupid question. ]
I thought it was bad that you were on fire.
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[He did. Still does, mostly, although the novelty of being in a place where that's liable to not happen is...nice.]
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[ He goes quiet, at that. He doesn't like where this just went. He stands and collects the jar of poultice - a mixture of clay and something floral-smelling that dries hard and grey. Enid's verdict - and he trusts her, because she's clever - is that medicines are only food if they're taken by the mouth. Poultices and ointments for the burns are Not Food. He places it next to Alucard, and returns to silence.
For a little while. ]
Do you want that? I can- find a fire for you.
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[The jars at least catch his attention. He can distract himself with them, and he's careful when he examines the first of them to determine it's contents. And so on down the line.]
The opportunity passed. There will be others, I'm sure.
[One of the jars? That's very familiar. He opens it slowly.]
The two who date back to my own ancestor. Are they aware I'm here?
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[ He's glad to be away from the FIRE topic, but this is also a bad topic. He doesn't like having his family being so angry with him. It's a bad feeling. ]
...do you want me to take you back? I know it won't mean the agreement isn't broken, but- I can.
[ He was kind of assuming that he'd be able to keep the human, at least for a while. Until he was strong enough to go. But if he doesn't like this and wants to be on fire, then he doesn't like this and wants to be on fire. ]
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