Catch All

[cryptsleeper]

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[miraclewhip]

Not at all.

[ Nothing could be too much to ask, really. What Alucard's asking is the easiest thing in the world, compared to what he's doing for Sypha. ]

Should I put it over the fire to get warm while you finish your food?

[cryptsleeper]

--The bucket keeps it at the correct temperature, actually.

[His smile is a little fragile. It comes with an equally unsure laugh.]

If one is to carry that accusation, I suppose they should deserve it just a little.

[miraclewhip]

Oh. He chuckles. Clever.

[ He knows that this must be difficult, so he reaches out his hand. Not far enough to touch, just far enough to offer it. Back in the cottage he could just bring books or a dog or furs when he wanted to offer comfort. Here he's not quite sure how to go about it. ]

Are you happy to deserve it, just a little? [ Because if so, he has IDEAS!!! ] Any more little secrets I should know about?

[cryptsleeper]

I sometimes see to my own comforts.

[There's still that hesitation for taking the hand. But Trevor's earned trust in the right ways, so Alucard takes it all the same.]

There are still moments it gives me pause. But then my feet remind me that there is a reason for it, and the moment passes. [They don't burn witches here. But heretics? The Ottomans still deal with heretics.]

None in particular. It's the only indulgence I rely on.

[miraclewhip]

Good. You ought to.

[ He closes his fingers around Alucard's, smiling. Not even at the contact, glad as he is for it. At the thought that this gives him so many more ways to help. ]

Would you take offense to other indulgences?

[cryptsleeper]

Hm?

[That comes with a head tilt.]

You had something in mind?

[miraclewhip]

I might. If discreet magic isn't a problem.

[ He places Alucard's hand back down on the table, brushing his fingers softly over the knuckles of it, then lets go. ]

I still owe you payment for her treatment, after all. And- I'm sure it won't surprise you that I don't really deal in coins.

[cryptsleeper]

Often times I end up bartering. I'm listening, Trevor.

[Alucard withdraws both of his hands, folding them neatly in his lap.]

[miraclewhip]

I weave.

[ It's the simplest thing, but there's not much else he can offer. ]

Simple things, with little spells. Things that won't draw suspicion.

[cryptsleeper]

Did you have specific items in mind?

[It's a mildly curious question. One that's clearly eager to listen.]

[miraclewhip]

I think so.

You said you didn't like the noise. If I made curtains that didn't allow sound through-?

[ He studies Alucard's face as he speaks, looking for any sign of disapproval. ]

[cryptsleeper]

[Alucard nods at that. Smiles a little wider.]

That'd be very nice, I think.

[miraclewhip]

I'll start work on them tomorrow. It shouldn't take more than a few days.

[ The cloth for the bandages has been much quicker, but if it's for Alucard then he wants it to be better. Not suspiciously good, but he wants to be able to take some pride in it. ]

You're ready to go upstairs?

[cryptsleeper]

I am, yes.

[Alucard's careful as he stands. Put both of his hands on the table to steady himself, because he wants to at least do that much before Trevor scoops him up yet again.]

You'll find I weigh more now.

[miraclewhip]

About time. Never did manage to fatten you up, did we?

[ He's careful as always when he lifts Alucard, but he's right. He's heavier. Sturdier.

It's not a full-on princess carry, at least. More him making a chair with one arm and supporting Alucard in it with the other. He's trying to do all he can to not be weird. It's just that he's naturally kind of weird. ]

Doesn't feel like carrying around dry leaves anymore. That's a relief.

[cryptsleeper]

[He remembers the routine. Where to hang onto. How to move.]

I'd hope not. And you'll be happy to know there's a pack of grandmothers here who have tried to get more skin on me. It's never going to take, i'm afraid.

[miraclewhip]

I commend their work so far.

[ It's a comfortable routine, at least for him. Alucard's warm body and slow heartbeat against his cooler one and constant thrumming of tiny moth hearts.

The journey up the stairs is careful but steady. ]

Let me take care of you, while I'm here? Consider it part of the bartering.

[cryptsleeper]

I don't want to get terribly used to it.

[It's a near protest. But...he's going to be working himself to death with Sypha's recovery.]

But I will take any help you offer.

[miraclewhip]

I'll try not to spoil you too much.

[ Not that he has a great concept of what 'too much' is. ]

Where do I put you down?

[cryptsleeper]

Well, there's only one place.

[There's only a single door upstairs. Beyond it is Alucard's room, little more than a straw bed raised up of the floor by some old boxes with a few thin layers of bedding to account for Istanbul's warmer weather, dyed different shades of blue or yellow, a chest of drawers for his thing, a trunk at the foot of the bed, and a nightside table. The only touch of something fancy is the rug on the floo colored a deep red.]

The bucket is downstairs, placed inside another bucket beside the dinner table.

[miraclewhip]

Down you go.

[ He sets Alucard down carefully before leaving for the water. A few moments and he's back with the bucket. ]

Brought your terrible dark magic.

[cryptsleeper]

Very terrible.

[Alucard has rolled up his trouser legs to his knees, and beside him is a little bottle of a fine purple powder. He's dressed otherwise. When the bucket is placed down, Alucard leans forward, adding a small sprinkle. Then his own feet go in,

The comfort visibly spreads across his face. Trevor's seen the scars before, and over the years they've mostly grown thick and dark.]

Thank you. Most nights I do this I end up sitting at the table until I fall asleep there.

[miraclewhip]

Seems like you'd be fucking up your back worse than you'd be helping your feet, that way.

[ Not that he'd know, because there is no uncomfortable sleeping position when you're just a bunch of moths on the wall. ]

I'll go back down to watch her soon, but- there's nothing else I can do, to make it easier?

[cryptsleeper]

Not for tonight. Just wake me if she stirs

Il giorno giovedì 5 marzo 2020, miraclewhip - DW Comment < dw_null@dreamwidth.org> ha scritto:

[miraclewhip]

[ She doesn't. But the next day she's awake long enough to take a little solid food. She's groggy enough from painkillers that talking to her is a lost cause, but she can eat and only occasionally refers to Alucard as a beautiful golden sunshine man. As the days go by she becomes more coherent. Her name is Sypha, rather than Plague Lady.

It scares her, being in a strange place in a new country, separated from her people and in pain. Trevor stays with her most of the time, only leaving in the evening briefly on days when things are difficult for Alucard. Sometimes he is in his normal form, often he is moths. But he is there and he weaves.

It's when she's asleep one evening that he comes to sit with Alucard at supper again, laying a few thin cloths on the table. They're finely made but undyed, looking plain enough to anyone who doesn't put an immense amount of effort into studying curtains. ]

I'm- doing bartering.