[ -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.]
[ Leon just laughs. It's what early morning sunlight must sound like, soft and warm and full of promise. Trevor remains on his chair, now pinned there by the sleepy dog.
And Eight? Eight is overjoyed. Snuggles! Proper snuggles! She's all fluff and wagging tail, now, and seems determined to be as attached to Alucard as possible. ]
I think I will let her have you to herself. I know better than to try to separate the dear eighth from her loves.
Thank you. For that and....this. It felt right to do it, but thank you.
[Alucard is mostly talking through the density of Eight's fluff now. It's good fluff. Fluff that is going to always love him and goodness that's a thought to keep in mind.
He mushes his entire face into the fluff, sighing happily.]
[ Trevor stops trying to pet the dog for a moment, so it starts slobbering all over his hand. His attention is on Leon. He almost seems concerned. ]
You will be visiting your mother tonight, yes? [ Trevor nods, almost nervously, and Leon’s smile turns sad. ] Once night falls, he will take you to her.
[ Trevor is making 'nope, nope, don't offer to do that' motions in the background. Leon shakes his head. ]
I fear that by now, all of my children have refused to bear words to my Moonlight. [ Because it's embarrassing! ] We have found other ways to speak, never fear.
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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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And Eight? Eight is overjoyed. Snuggles! Proper snuggles! She's all fluff and wagging tail, now, and seems determined to be as attached to Alucard as possible. ]
I think I will let her have you to herself. I know better than to try to separate the dear eighth from her loves.
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[Alucard is mostly talking through the density of Eight's fluff now. It's good fluff. Fluff that is going to always love him and goodness that's a thought to keep in mind.
He mushes his entire face into the fluff, sighing happily.]
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[ He bows. ]
You may stay here until nightfall, if you wish. But no longer.
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Alucard tilts his head, not unlike Eight.]
I thought I was also meeting....?
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[ Trevor stops trying to pet the dog for a moment, so it starts slobbering all over his hand. His attention is on Leon. He almost seems concerned. ]
You will be visiting your mother tonight, yes? [ Trevor nods, almost nervously, and Leon’s smile turns sad. ] Once night falls, he will take you to her.
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[He only knows the vague elements of how this all works. Leon is only available in the day, Sara the night. But until then....]
You absolutely should pet Eight at least once before you leave.
[Eight fixes everything.]
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[ He reaches out to touch Eight. She boofs. ]
Ah, my dear snowflake. So lovely. So good.
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[Love letters, he's assuming.]
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I fear that by now, all of my children have refused to bear words to my Moonlight. [ Because it's embarrassing! ] We have found other ways to speak, never fear.
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