Yeah. This part would always be safe, so long as- [ Father. He pauses. It's easier to refer to him by name. ] -so long as Leon was on the other side.
The estate is nice, but my sisters were older when we were turned. They'd had a whole world to explore, and now they were trapped in this tiny place. We had to go somewhere to spread our wings. Leon didn't want us to bump into humans before he knew if we'd be able to control ourselves, and so we came here. It was- nice.
[ He goes quiet for a moment again, shaking his head. Correcting himself. ]
[Alucard listens. Nods along, a little jealous. He didn't have siblings. Didn't have many friends, and by nature he clung close to home. Exploring ruins like this? Never happened.
He squeezes Trevor's arm gently.]
It sounds it. And I'm sure you got to find out how fast you could climb or run or...anything.
[ He offers his arm again, in case Alucard needs it for support. It probably wouldn't be proper to just scoop him up and carry him. ]
I know it's not an easy place to be. And I'll take you back soon if you need. But I want to see if you can use your magic here. It's- maybe it's the key to bringing it back, if you can.
[ The place he's leading Alucard to is close, but well-hidden. It looks like a small hill. The entrance is hidden by the thick grass and leads to a space dug out at the hill's centre, the dirt roof supported and fortified by building materials scavenged from the ruins of the estate. It's not unlike a very large wolf's den, save for the fortification and the way that it's furnished sparsely, with a braided rug and some worn, threadbare cushions. There are books strewn about on the ground.
Most importantly, the inescapable light of the sky doesn't reach here. The place is lit by an oil lamp in one corner instead, and when Trevor lights it the light it gives off is softer. The discordant colours aren't quite as nauseating by it. ]
This used to be our fortress. Our ships and our wagons and whatever else in between we wanted it to be. Then we grew up, and it was just where my sister went to read.
[He takes it readily. Alcuard's legs are steadier already, but he seems to be more focused on just having Trevor's arm in his. It's nice.]
What kind of magic works best in this place?
[Trevor may or may not know, but it fills in the time. Helps him focus on Trevor and noise rather than everything else. Perfect as they head under the hill.
His eyes take a moment to adjust but...this is perfect.]
What was your favorite thing to have this place be?
A ship, I think. I've never been to the sea. Shit, I don't know if I could. Running water and all.
[ He sits down on a cushion, gesturing to another. ]
I've never really used magic. But know that elemental magic like Sypha's can be more difficult to control here. It relies on your understanding the laws it's breaking. They don't apply here, so things can go wrong. So- not that.
[He does sit down though. Even that's kind of more than he expected, as when Alucard hits, the softness of the pillow feels just a little too much.]
None of my magic is elemental. It's all based on very specific instructions....and usually more mundane in the result. Good for hiding or revealing things.
[Alucard seems to like the idea as well, but..right.]
Hm. Like this.
[There are a few murmured words. And then something heavy suddenly appears at Alucard's side, bundled tightly in brown leather, attached to his belt. The dhampir unhooks it carefully, then unwraps. Lays the thing in his lap and--
--it's a book.]
The travel version of my family's most important spells and medical information.
[ He reaches out to touch the book. It feels real, at least to his untrained hands, rather than a magical construct of some sort. ]
How is it made? Did you move the book from somewhere else to here? Or did you create it from magic? Or the information in the book stored in the spell, and the spell gives it form?
[ He almost sounds half-informed on the topic. Especially for a non-mage. So maybe he’s been reading up on this, trying to understand something that means so much to the humans. Don’t tell Sypha he has to keep being tsun at her. ]
It's written as a normal book. But you make ink according to the first spell in the book, and it indexes and updates the rest of it. To ensure safety though you have to be a blood relation of mine to access it, or I have to write your name in the book.
[Alucard opens the first page. For him, it's a title page. For Trevor? It's blank.]
Flip through. It should be blank for almost every page, save a few dummy pages that are scribbles.
[ He flips through the book. Sure enough, nothing. ]
And that’s where the hiding things comes in, then? Because other people can’t get the secrets out of it. Clever.
How are you feeling? This isn’t draining you, is it?
[ On the contrary, this place should be becoming more bearable with every spell cast. Up until a certain point, having magic passing through a body mades everything easier here. ]
Correct. Without access to magic, I can't call it up to reveal itself. It's a good thing I've had it in my head for as long as I have, but it's also what I mean when I speak of how magic connects me back to my family.
[It is so, so literal.
Alucard laughs softly, nudging his shoulder against Trevor's.]
It does. But that you're more focused on magic working here means a lot, Trevor.
I’d thought you meant something a little less literal, to be honest.
[ A warmth rises to his cheeks as Alucard brushes against him. He’s not sure if it ought to. Alucard and Sypha share one of the guest rooms now. He doesn’t object, of course he doesn’t. But it means moments like this are. Maybe not allowed. ]
I- can’t go with the two of you. So I can’t keep you safe the normal way. I figure- you know. You’ll be safer with magic than without it. And it gives me something to work on.
[ Both make sense. He's pretty sure it was Mathias' power that made the estate as it is, rather than Leon's. Leon had gained an understanding of magic over his long years, one that allowed him to work with the gates, but was hardly a natural.
He shakes his head. ]
S'fine. I'm best equipped if anything decides to try to come through the gate. And- I Wouldn't want to separate you.
[ He knew they were always glad to return to the estate, to warmth and food and safety. He’d thought of himself as an extension of that. Maybe Sypha needed him, in that she needed anyone around and who it was didn’t really matter. Alucard always seemed determined not to need to be around anyone. ]
I miss the both of you, too. Aurelius isn’t bad company, but he’s- you know.
[ A dog, and not the kind that’s actually really a vampire. ]
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The estate is nice, but my sisters were older when we were turned. They'd had a whole world to explore, and now they were trapped in this tiny place. We had to go somewhere to spread our wings. Leon didn't want us to bump into humans before he knew if we'd be able to control ourselves, and so we came here. It was- nice.
[ He goes quiet for a moment again, shaking his head. Correcting himself. ]
Lonely, maybe. Sometimes. But nice.
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He squeezes Trevor's arm gently.]
It sounds it. And I'm sure you got to find out how fast you could climb or run or...anything.
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[ It doesn't really matter anymore, does it? Leon isn't here anymore. This isn't a place for children anymore. ]
Let me know when you're feeling up to walking. We dug a little space not far from here. All of this is easier to deal with if you're underground.
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[This is probably a lie, but somewhere easier to deal with this? Yes please and thank you.]
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I know it's not an easy place to be. And I'll take you back soon if you need. But I want to see if you can use your magic here. It's- maybe it's the key to bringing it back, if you can.
[ The place he's leading Alucard to is close, but well-hidden. It looks like a small hill. The entrance is hidden by the thick grass and leads to a space dug out at the hill's centre, the dirt roof supported and fortified by building materials scavenged from the ruins of the estate. It's not unlike a very large wolf's den, save for the fortification and the way that it's furnished sparsely, with a braided rug and some worn, threadbare cushions. There are books strewn about on the ground.
Most importantly, the inescapable light of the sky doesn't reach here. The place is lit by an oil lamp in one corner instead, and when Trevor lights it the light it gives off is softer. The discordant colours aren't quite as nauseating by it. ]
This used to be our fortress. Our ships and our wagons and whatever else in between we wanted it to be. Then we grew up, and it was just where my sister went to read.
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What kind of magic works best in this place?
[Trevor may or may not know, but it fills in the time. Helps him focus on Trevor and noise rather than everything else. Perfect as they head under the hill.
His eyes take a moment to adjust but...this is perfect.]
What was your favorite thing to have this place be?
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[ He sits down on a cushion, gesturing to another. ]
I've never really used magic. But know that elemental magic like Sypha's can be more difficult to control here. It relies on your understanding the laws it's breaking. They don't apply here, so things can go wrong. So- not that.
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[He does sit down though. Even that's kind of more than he expected, as when Alucard hits, the softness of the pillow feels just a little too much.]
None of my magic is elemental. It's all based on very specific instructions....and usually more mundane in the result. Good for hiding or revealing things.
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[ He listens intently. He's never been good with magic, but that doesn't mean he can't be fascinated by it. ]
Can you show me?
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[Alucard pauses. Then nods.]
What kind of magic would you like to see?
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[ Stop trying to make this about things he wants, this was meant to be a good thing for you! ]
I don't really know. What does revealing things mean?
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[Alucard seems to like the idea as well, but..right.]
Hm. Like this.
[There are a few murmured words. And then something heavy suddenly appears at Alucard's side, bundled tightly in brown leather, attached to his belt. The dhampir unhooks it carefully, then unwraps. Lays the thing in his lap and--
--it's a book.]
The travel version of my family's most important spells and medical information.
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[ He looks at the book for a moment. Reaches his hand out to touch it but stops short. ]
Shit. Magic books. [ A pause. ] My sister used spells to find words and passages in her books. Can you do that?
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[Alucard smiles, moving the book closer. Telling him it's okay to touch.]
I could, but I have most of this committed to memory. There's no need.
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[ He reaches out to touch the book. It feels real, at least to his untrained hands, rather than a magical construct of some sort. ]
How is it made? Did you move the book from somewhere else to here? Or did you create it from magic? Or the information in the book stored in the spell, and the spell gives it form?
[ He almost sounds half-informed on the topic. Especially for a non-mage. So maybe he’s been reading up on this, trying to understand something that means so much to the humans. Don’t tell Sypha he has to keep being tsun at her. ]
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[Alucard opens the first page. For him, it's a title page. For Trevor? It's blank.]
Flip through. It should be blank for almost every page, save a few dummy pages that are scribbles.
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And that’s where the hiding things comes in, then? Because other people can’t get the secrets out of it. Clever.
How are you feeling? This isn’t draining you, is it?
[ On the contrary, this place should be becoming more bearable with every spell cast. Up until a certain point, having magic passing through a body mades everything easier here. ]
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[That comes with a small, prideful smile.]
It does feel a little better. Just...there is something to be said about having to remind myself where I am, exactly.
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[ He takes a moment to figure out what that means, then nods. ]
Oh, right. Hell has- kind of a bad reputation with humans, doesn’t it?
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[It is so, so literal.
Alucard laughs softly, nudging his shoulder against Trevor's.]
It does. But that you're more focused on magic working here means a lot, Trevor.
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[ A warmth rises to his cheeks as Alucard brushes against him. He’s not sure if it ought to. Alucard and Sypha share one of the guest rooms now. He doesn’t object, of course he doesn’t. But it means moments like this are. Maybe not allowed. ]
I- can’t go with the two of you. So I can’t keep you safe the normal way. I figure- you know. You’ll be safer with magic than without it. And it gives me something to work on.
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[Alucard doesn't miss that look on Trevor's face. He smiles at it, perhaps a little too kind.]
We should switch you out at some point. Travel with Sypha or myself, just for a little while.
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[ Both make sense. He's pretty sure it was Mathias' power that made the estate as it is, rather than Leon's. Leon had gained an understanding of magic over his long years, one that allowed him to work with the gates, but was hardly a natural.
He shakes his head. ]
S'fine. I'm best equipped if anything decides to try to come through the gate. And- I Wouldn't want to separate you.
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[They'd never be in this situation to begin with. Alucard sighs and--
--oh.]
We miss you, you know. When we're away.
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[ He knew they were always glad to return to the estate, to warmth and food and safety. He’d thought of himself as an extension of that. Maybe Sypha needed him, in that she needed anyone around and who it was didn’t really matter. Alucard always seemed determined not to need to be around anyone. ]
I miss the both of you, too. Aurelius isn’t bad company, but he’s- you know.
[ A dog, and not the kind that’s actually really a vampire. ]
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