[ Trevor just shrugs, because this is just how his dad is. Seriously, you should see him talking to Sara during an eclipse. ]
Very well.
[ Leon stands. He raises his head and keeps it raised for a moment, looking upward to force back tears, then lowers it once again and smiles, sitting down. He reaches a hand across the table. ]
It is good to meet you. Better still to see you whole and well.
Trevor's eyes widen in something like horror at that. At exactly the same time, a bright smile spreads over Leon's face. He is both literally and metaphorically radiant.
I did. And my dearest moonlight did. I have been so, so very fortunate.
[ Oh god he's being a Proud Dad and Trevor hates this. ]
[ He laughs. Trevor looks like he wants to sink into the ground. ]
They've been drawn to him. Ever since he was small. They pounce him when he moves as a fey, don't they?
[ Trevor doesn't answer. Oh god, make this stop. Leon just continues. ]
His first hunt was a man who tried to drown his ratter's kittens. I- try not to encourage them to target humans unless they must. But the man survived, and I shaln't say I wasn't a little proud. And oh, the little ones wouldn't leave him alone for months afterward. They would have followed him to the ends of the earth.
[ Just a few words. Just a few words and they could have done so much more. Just a few words and Alucard's family would still be here.
There's no sense in wishing things could be different. ]
-this was all that was needed.
[ Whatever crossed his face for a few seconds passes and he smiles. Warm. Bright. Trevor curls his wings around himself a little, about the same colour that he is in the baths. ]
They were troublesome things, weren't they? Always unravelling his work when he was still learning his craft. So he set about training them. Flew about for them day and night, until they were exhausted from chasing him. Made them the best mouse catchers they could be, so that human families would want to take them in.
[Alucard assumes that meeting Sara will be more just to say hello if all formal elements are well and truly gone. He then looks at Trevor, watching the reaction as Leon explain more and more.
He laughs softly, leaning in to kiss Trevor's cheek.]
You've always been like this, haven't you?
[Wanting to help. Save and make sure someone is in a better place than when they started.]
I'll have to see if there are any young friends in the neighborhood when we return. Thank you for telling me ah--
[ -cats shouldn't get drowned! Why does everyone make a big deal about him thinking that! But he stops, because cheek kiss. Good. But also dad right there. Why is everyone embarrassing him in front of everyone else! ]
-Call me what you wish. But Leon will do, I think.
Somehow, I doubt that 'Godfather' would be less awkward. But if it is- It isn't particularly accurate, I suppose. Dear Mathias never did have his children baptised, and I somehow doubt that *that* family tradition ended in the time our families have spent apart.
[ It's Trevor who stands to open the door of the sunroom, letting Eight in. She boofs and immediately jumps up first to lick Trevor, then Leon. Then she puts her paws on Alucard's lap and her face on her paws, standing on her hind legs by his chair. A sturdy looking short-haired dog, small but entirely muscle, follows and sits by the table, tongue very out of its mouth. A third is long and sleek and content to curl up to sleep nearby.
The non-dog figure that enters is a little shorter than Trevor and covered entirely by a long, dark, hooded robe. She takes Trevor's chair and lays her hands on the table - one flesh and one charred bone held together and animated by a collection of thin roots and vines. A skull stares out from the hood. ]
My daughter, and our Keeper of Secrets. If you wish the return of your family's knowledge, you need only ask her.
[If Alucard could smile wider, he would. Such as it is, he immediately embraces the Best Dog, burying his face into her fluff and muttering all the variations of who's the best girl? into it. It isn't kind to get her fluff over Trevor's hard work but he's missed this dog so much. He knows she has friends with her but no. Eight is special. Eight was so important to recovering. Eight got life back on track.
Finally he looks up from Eight's fluff. He didn't know what to expect from Enid. The lack of glamour is a surprise but...]
[ Eight! Eight is the best girl! And she knows it! She gives a cheery boof and licks Alucard's face, absolutely getting white fur all over the coat.
Enid doesn't respond for a moment. It's a dramatic silence, except for how after a few seconds of it she looks at her father and brother, not possessing the facial muscles to manage a glare. With a soft 'oh', Leon leaves the room. Trevor sighs, waving a hand dismissively. ]
You could have given yourself a tongue, you know. This is important.
[ Leon returns with pen, inkwell and paper. Enid picks up the pen. ]
Very well.
I am Enid. These are Eight, Fourteen and Fifteen.
My library is missing several of your family's writings. Please surrender the following to my scribes for copying as soon as possible-
[ And Trevor snatches the pen out of her hand, because what the fuck. This isn't the time. ]
[ Trevor snatches the pen out of Enid's hands and scribbles that last part out furiously, bright red. ]
They're all like this. Every last one. My love and I were both only children, we never foresaw this. But I am glad. It is good, that they do not feel the need to be the same as us.
[ Eight boofs, just enjoying pets. She's missed her strange human puppy. But he's grown up healthy, and she's so, so proud. She couldn't be happier. ]
[ Trevor stops, but Enid doesn't. She's in the process of writing something rather less appropriate than 'are you calling him your boyfriend now' when Eight gives a disapproving BOOF and she stops. Looking away, properly ashamed of her behaviour from the boof of discipline. ]
Oh, Eight. I'm sorry. We didn't mean to upset you-
[ As Trevor's voice becomes incoherent cooing dog-communication-noises, Enid attempts to roll her eyes (doesn't work, has none) and starts writing again. ]
I will leave the girls here. They will find their way home. Come to the library when you are ready to share your knowledge.
[ Trevor takes his seat back, clapping his hands on his thighs. The sleeping dog immediately perks up and rushes over to clamber into his lap and immediately doze off again, and the smaller stockier one just determinedly trying to put his hand in its mouth as he equally determinedly tries to pet it. ]
She's missed you. [ A pause. ] Eight, I mean. I don't think my sister is capable of missing anything with two legs.
[Two handed petting is not easy! But it is impressive. All Alucard does is keep petting Eight, until he declares fuck it and moves onto the floor to snuggle her properly instead.]
In fairness, she has raised some very good dogs. [The best dogs even! The fluffiest and loveliest and right, Leon's still watching all of this. Alucard looks up, and this time holds eye contact in spite of his blushing.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Alucard looks to Trevor because the kneeling. What the fuck??
He's not sure what else to do. Alucard's eyes return to Leon, betraying the bewilderment.]
You're free. And whatever those secrets are, keep them unless you deem them safe to share.
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Very well.
[ Leon stands. He raises his head and keeps it raised for a moment, looking upward to force back tears, then lowers it once again and smiles, sitting down. He reaches a hand across the table. ]
It is good to meet you. Better still to see you whole and well.
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But okay that's just. Alucard pauses, then tilts his head.]
It's...good, to be standing here. You raised a good son.
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I did. And my dearest moonlight did. I have been so, so very fortunate.
[ Oh god he's being a Proud Dad and Trevor hates this. ]
Has he told you about the cats?
[ HE HAS NOT. OH GOD. OH GOD THIS IS THE WORST. ]
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[Alucard perks up. Significantly. Because now there's no more formality at hand, only absolutely ragging on his boyfriend.]
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They've been drawn to him. Ever since he was small. They pounce him when he moves as a fey, don't they?
[ Trevor doesn't answer. Oh god, make this stop. Leon just continues. ]
His first hunt was a man who tried to drown his ratter's kittens. I- try not to encourage them to target humans unless they must. But the man survived, and I shaln't say I wasn't a little proud. And oh, the little ones wouldn't leave him alone for months afterward. They would have followed him to the ends of the earth.
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Oh, I can see a swarm of moths absolutely being a perfect toy for a cat.
[This is so much. So good.]
What very excellent information to have. There are so many strays in the city.
[S M I L I N G.]
Is there anything else I must do, or should I ask for more stories about Trevor's youth?
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[ Just a few words. Just a few words and they could have done so much more. Just a few words and Alucard's family would still be here.
There's no sense in wishing things could be different. ]
-this was all that was needed.
[ Whatever crossed his face for a few seconds passes and he smiles. Warm. Bright. Trevor curls his wings around himself a little, about the same colour that he is in the baths. ]
They were troublesome things, weren't they? Always unravelling his work when he was still learning his craft. So he set about training them. Flew about for them day and night, until they were exhausted from chasing him. Made them the best mouse catchers they could be, so that human families would want to take them in.
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He laughs softly, leaning in to kiss Trevor's cheek.]
You've always been like this, haven't you?
[Wanting to help. Save and make sure someone is in a better place than when they started.]
I'll have to see if there are any young friends in the neighborhood when we return. Thank you for telling me ah--
How should I call you?
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[ -cats shouldn't get drowned! Why does everyone make a big deal about him thinking that! But he stops, because cheek kiss. Good. But also dad right there. Why is everyone embarrassing him in front of everyone else! ]
-Call me what you wish. But Leon will do, I think.
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[They're getting a cat, he's decided. And for that Trevor gets a second kiss before his attention returns to
his father in lawLeon.]...It'll be Leon then. With some awkwardness, I must admit.
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But you may use it.
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[There was protection in playing the part, at least for a time.]
...I'll work up to that. [Alucard pauses though, because he hears something else.]
Are there dogs at the door?
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[ It's Trevor who stands to open the door of the sunroom, letting Eight in. She boofs and immediately jumps up first to lick Trevor, then Leon. Then she puts her paws on Alucard's lap and her face on her paws, standing on her hind legs by his chair. A sturdy looking short-haired dog, small but entirely muscle, follows and sits by the table, tongue very out of its mouth. A third is long and sleek and content to curl up to sleep nearby.
The non-dog figure that enters is a little shorter than Trevor and covered entirely by a long, dark, hooded robe. She takes Trevor's chair and lays her hands on the table - one flesh and one charred bone held together and animated by a collection of thin roots and vines. A skull stares out from the hood. ]
My daughter, and our Keeper of Secrets. If you wish the return of your family's knowledge, you need only ask her.
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[If Alucard could smile wider, he would. Such as it is, he immediately embraces the Best Dog, burying his face into her fluff and muttering all the variations of who's the best girl? into it. It isn't kind to get her fluff over Trevor's hard work but he's missed this dog so much. He knows she has friends with her but no. Eight is special. Eight was so important to recovering. Eight got life back on track.
Finally he looks up from Eight's fluff. He didn't know what to expect from Enid. The lack of glamour is a surprise but...]
It's safer if you keep that knowledge, I think.
[That's his decision and he's sticking with it.]
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Enid doesn't respond for a moment. It's a dramatic silence, except for how after a few seconds of it she looks at her father and brother, not possessing the facial muscles to manage a glare. With a soft 'oh', Leon leaves the room. Trevor sighs, waving a hand dismissively. ]
You could have given yourself a tongue, you know. This is important.
[ Leon returns with pen, inkwell and paper. Enid picks up the pen. ]
Very well.
I am Enid. These are Eight, Fourteen and Fifteen.
My library is missing several of your family's writings. Please surrender the following to my scribes for copying as soon as possible-
[ And Trevor snatches the pen out of her hand, because what the fuck. This isn't the time. ]
-Enid!
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But right. Alucard leans over Eight to look at the paper and--]
...I'm going to presume that at this point, you're just teasing me?
[please let it be that.]
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[ The writing is a little messier that time, because Enid has to push Trevor's hand down to write with it. ]
...ignore her. He just has no concept of appropriate timing.
Now is a good time for books. All times are good for books.
[ And she pulls the pen back out of Trevor's hand. Leon just sighs, smiling at Alucard. ]
Siblings. You know how they get.
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It's something else entirely.]
I'll take your word for it. I can't say I've ever had the experience.
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Your what? Are we calling him your boyf-
[ Trevor snatches the pen out of Enid's hands and scribbles that last part out furiously, bright red. ]
They're all like this. Every last one. My love and I were both only children, we never foresaw this. But I am glad. It is good, that they do not feel the need to be the same as us.
[ Eight boofs, just enjoying pets. She's missed her strange human puppy. But he's grown up healthy, and she's so, so proud. She couldn't be happier. ]
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I also suspect living here rather than the human world has had some ef-- you almost spilled ink on the dog!
[Eight is the best girl and doesn't deserve this!]
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Oh, Eight. I'm sorry. We didn't mean to upset you-
[ As Trevor's voice becomes incoherent cooing dog-communication-noises, Enid attempts to roll her eyes (doesn't work, has none) and starts writing again. ]
I will leave the girls here. They will find their way home. Come to the library when you are ready to share your knowledge.
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[He's trying to be polite, but honestly? Only Eight matters. Because in all of this, Alucard hasn't stopped petting Eight. At all.]
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She's missed you. [ A pause. ] Eight, I mean. I don't think my sister is capable of missing anything with two legs.
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In fairness, she has raised some very good dogs. [The best dogs even! The fluffiest and loveliest and right, Leon's still watching all of this. Alucard looks up, and this time holds eye contact in spite of his blushing.]
Did you want to join us in dog petting?
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