( The swift reply earns Alucard a quiet little laugh, a hand lifting to press her fingers to her lips for just a brief moment. Despite the unfortunate circumstances, Lenore is incredibly pleased with the current situation, even if her blond companion doesn't share the sentiment. It's so rare in recent times that she is able to make social calls and...well. After seeing Alucard, she's glad that she decided to make the trip.
Her gaze meets his as he offers his arm for the cloak, the corners of her lips turning upward in amusement. She lifts her hands once again and unfastens the pale fur cloak, offering it out to him after. )
How kind. Thank you. Hopefully I haven't hindered any of your plans for the day.
( Her gaze shifts around the room, as if seeking out signs of other people who might be nearby. Is he here alone? Well...He and her sister. It's very unusual, but she decides to hold back on asking until they have glasses of wine in their hands. )
Given that the plan I had was "figure out how to deal with this problem before my father comes home and makes it a bigger problem," I'd dare to say that you're the opposite of a hinderance.
[It is the easiest thing in the world to take Lenore's cloack and carefully fold it over his forearm. If Alucard is nothing else, he is a good host, as taught. (His mother insisted upon it, as no son of hers would ever make anyone go through the nonsense of her first meeting with Dracula.]
This way.
[Through the grand entrance hall and to the right, but not before Alucard pauses at a small door. That's the closet, and where Lenore's cloak goes for the time being. Then it's down a corridor of fine stone, past several closed doors and into a kitchen that is airy and light even with the half moon shining through. It is as modern as one might expect from Dracula, with a simple table in the middle. A vase of wild flowers sits in the center, and towards one end, two wine bottles.]
I wasn't sure of your drinking preferences, so I took a bottle of red and bottle of white out from the cellars. Do you take food at all, or refuse on principle?
I'm happy to be here, in that case. Don't worry. We'll get Striga out of here and no one will be the wiser.
( Lenore leans herself forward briefly to catch his gaze once more, her own crimson eyes alight with mischief in a way that gives her a youthful appearance for the moment. She winks at him playfully, quickly adding in: )
It'll be our little secret.
( Not everyone would show a relative of a vampire who suddenly decided to take up residence in one's own home such warmth and courtesy, yet here he is, being incredibly polite and kind. Had it been the other way around, Lenore is sure that her sisters would have wanted his head instead of trying to resolve it peacefully and show courtesy to others. It earns him a point in her book for remaining civilized in such a trying situation.
Lenore follows alongside him as he leads her through the grand entrance hall, taking in the elaborate decorations and vast spaces that the room offered. It seemed vastly unused, which was a shame, considering that it would have made for a perfect place for parties or gatherings. Not that she could imagine much of that happening here. After the reach the kitchen, she lingers near the doorway to take in the sight of the arrangement of flowers, as well as the moon hanging low in the sky. )
Your home is truly very beautiful. Thank you again for having me over.
( She offers him another winning smile, heading away from the doorway and over toward the bottles of wine. Reaching out, she brushes her fingers along the neck of the bottle of red wine, shaking her head and sending her auburn tresses brushing against her cheeks once she hears his words. )
How could I possibly be so fussy when you've gone through all of this trouble for my sake? I'm partial to red, and will eat whatever you have prepared.
If only it were under less dire and ridiculous circumstances.
[There's a note of apology in Alucard's tone, and with that he focuses on the simple things first - wine glasses. Cork screw. Both of those go on the table beside the bottle of red.]
Sometimes assuming red gets you accused of stereotyping. Or you have to unfortunately have Godbrand over and he's upset your limited ale selection is not up to his shockingly high beer standards.
[Oh Godbrand. Why is you.
Alucard's happy enough to trust wine pouring with Lenore, and his attention turns to food. He's already cleaned the kitchen for the night, having eaten a while ago, and so he considers the pantry - but not before grabbing a cutting board to balance things on.
There's rummaging from behind the door. A few grunts, and then Alucard emerges with a piece of dried sausage on there, a few containers, and other items. The specifics are still unknown, and his focus goes to getting the cutting board on the counter.
It takes all of five minutes to turn the pile of stuff into a charcuterie board proper. The sausage is a deep, dark color flecked with peppercorns and streaks of healthy looking fat, and it sits besides a pile of walnuts that have been cracked in half so that they're easier to eat. Dried figs and apricots (a Turkish import that no one tells Dracula precise origin of) are offered besides a small bowl of honey, and that all goes with a slightly funky smelling goat cheese. To one corner are slices of slightly stale bread, which in theory shouldn't matter given that it'll be piled high with everything else.]
The sausage is a venison blood sausage. I've no particular need for human blood, but some cravings are inherited all the same.
[The board goes down besides the bottle of wine, and Alucard finally seats himself.]
Well, there's no reason a visit under less dire circumstances couldn't happen, is there?
( As soon as the glasses and corkscrew are brought by, she sets herself to the task of opening the bottle. It's a fairly effortless task for Lenore, afterwards setting the cork and cork screw aside in favor of carefully pouring the ruby liquid into the glasses. Not too full, though. No one liked a drunk.
His commentary brings forth another light chuckle from the woman, being too familiar with the tales of Godbrand and his...unique behavior. Word travels fast among the vampiric circles, after all. She sets the wine bottle to the side and turns her attention over to Alucard, watching him move about and ready snacks to go with their glasses of wine. )
If you have him over, I imagine you have more troubles to worry about than simply a limited ale selection. Fortunately, I'm not nearly as fussy. Having good company is far more important than the actual drink, itself, in my opinion.
( Amusement is written across her face as she stands to the side, crossing her arms absently behind her back. Lenore has yet to see if he's actually good company or not, but he's certainly easy on the eyes. It's worth the trip for that fact alone, in her opinion. With Alucard on his way over to the table, she slips into her chair gracefully and has a seat and looks over the offerings laid out along side their glasses of wine. )
Well, it looks absolutely wonderful. Thank you for showing me such hospitality.
( A curious glance is tossed Alucard's way as she reaches out to steal a piece of apricot from the board, pausing to speak before actually taking a bite. )
How interesting that you still have cravings, even though you don't need the blood. If only we all could get by in such a way, I imagine things might be a bit more peaceful.
Ah yes, going to Dracula's castle for a social visit when he tolerates roughly two people on the entire continent.
[Turns out that Alucard's dryness is about the same as the red he's brought up from the cellar. The tanins are sharp at first, but they mellow into something smoother. There's stone fruits in this one's bouquet, along with minerals from deep in the earth. The vineyard was high in the valley it seems, and happy to display that terrior properly.]
I'd be ashamed of myself if I didn't provide adequate hospitality. It's become something of a watchword and private joke in this house.
[With everything settled, Alucard finally seats himself. Rather than take from the board first, he sips the wine and considers it. Perhaps too earthy for this spread, but it'll work well enough with the sausage. Not a vintage he'll reach for again, that much he's sure of.]
It might. Or it might not. I am not old enough to have the wisdom of my father's people but I am educated enough to theorize that a portion of violence comes not from the nature of the diet, but from the restleness of being so long lived.
( Getting on Dracula's bad side isn't something Lenore is looking to do. She likes having her guts remain inside of her body, after all. And while she isn't a pushover, the thought of doing battle with Dracula on her own isn't appealing, by any means. She'd much rather have peace between them than to provoke the man into a rage. )
Still, it doesn't mean that you have to stay sequestered within these walls.
( After finishing her bite, she reaches for the wine, taking a moment to smell the ruby liquid before actually taking a sip. It isn't terrible, but certainly not her favorite. Still, it would be terribly rude to make commentary about it, so she works at keeping her expression as pleasant as possible. Though, what he says next has her humming curiously, watching him once again with a glimmer of amusement. )
I'm not sure many of us want to think on that, but I think you may be right. Perhaps, after living so long, some of our kind simply forget that there are paths other than violence.
( She pauses, turning her gaze to her glass of wine as a more serious expression finds its way to her face, thoughtful as she peers into her drink. )
I hope that I never forget. If there is an option for peace, I will take it.
It doesn't. I choose it, and I get what little people interaction I desire when I am assisting my mother at her clinic, and I find that more than enough.
[Alucard's a good extra set of hands when needed. Less likely to scare patients than his father, and in some cases it helps to see mother and son working together. It makes the whole thing more of a family business than a lone woman doing mad things, and in that there is safety.
His inclination towards isolation is not something his mother exactly approves of either, but it is a matter they've both worked on over the years. She forces him outside near others from time to time, and laughs at the more childish protests Alucard makes.
Alucard is keen eyed enough to see that sip. There's effort involved, and so he reaches for the bottle of white. It is a vintage he knows and has had before, and wordlessly he reaches for the corkscrew.]
That's a rare sentiment from what I understand. [There is the soft pop! of the cork as Alucard releases it from the bottle.] And something I hope to achieve tonight. Your sister strikes me as the sort who could break a man's back over her knee upon getting the upper hand in a fight.
( Boy, Alucard is an incredibly hard nut to crack. So far, every attempt to arrange another meeting in a round about way has failed. Still, the bit of insight into how he spends his days is welcome enough. Lenore has only heard whispers of Dracula's mortal wife in Styria, so hearing what sorts of things this mortal does is incredibly interesting to Lenore. She can appreciate someone who seeks knowledge, after all. )
A clinic...How interesting. You must see all sorts of people coming and going there. Not to mention, it must be fun working closely with your mother.
( She reaches forward and picks a piece of sausage from the board, along with a slice of bread to eat them together. Her eyes catch the movement to open the bottle of white wine, which is incredibly fascinating. Had he picked up on reluctance to drink the wine, despite the face that she had made an effort to conceal it? Very interesting.
Even so, after chewing her bite of snacks, she takes another sip of the red wine, anyway, before turning her attention back to him. )
Ah, yes. I'm sure she very well could and likely already has. All of my sisters have a fierceness about them. I suppose I'm what you could call a black sheep among us in that I make prefer to make peace. Still, I should be able to manage dragging her out from her hiding spot.
It's an educational enough means of spending my time with her. [Limited time, he knows. Whatever his lifespan is going to be (and not even Dracula knows, dhampirs are far too rare to come with a handbook on these things), it will surpass hers. Best to take advantage of what time is around now.] She focuses on everyone who isn't of wealth to afford well, the stuff that is currently passed off as medicine.
[No boyars care enough about a weird woman doctor. Just the local village wise woman who's now out of a job.
With the bottle uncorked, Alucard stands to get two fresh wine glasses. He knows how floral this one is, and to mix it with the dregs of the red would be a true disservice.]
Mm, and something tells me if your being a black sheep was a real problem, they wouldn't keep you around. [There's always use for peace. Mostly forcing others to sue for it, he imagines, but that's something to keep quiet about. Alucard returns with the wine glasses and focuses on pouring.]
Where should we begin with that, by the way? My best guess as to why she's here in the first place may be the issue of the sun rising and seeing this as the closest and safest option.
[There, that's the wine poured. Alucard slides one of the glasses over to Lenore, knowing the smell is far more pleasing. It's sweet, dominated by honeysuckle and the promise of stone fruit in it's smell and delivers. The crispness is that of pears just as they're bit into, with just enough hint of earth to keep the sweetness from being overwhelming.]
I can imagine. It's always a good idea to have someone else with medical knowledge around that could lend a hand in a pinch.
( Her expression softens when she hears of his mother's focus on those who are less fortunate. She takes one last sip of the red wine before pushing it to the side on the table, following him with her eyes as he uncorks the wine and prepares two new glasses for the both of them. )
Your mother must be very kind. It's incredibly admirable to offer her services to those who aren't wealthy and I'm sure the people of the village love her for it. Though, when I think of her with your father, it paints a strange picture. No offense, of course.
( A dramatic sigh leaves her lips as she leans back a little in her chair, hands lifting with palms facing upward as she speaks in regards to her family. )
Even black sheep have their uses. After all, if making peace was left to Carmilla and the others, they'd rush to making war plans instead of attending peace talks. We're all good at something. My particular thing is talking to people and, it just so happens that I love what I do.
( She watches him come back to the table, looking at the pale colored liquid briefly. She can already tell it will be much easier to drink. The aroma is very pleasing, though she's sure that if her sisters were at this small meeting, they would choose the red. )
Hmm...
( She taps her chin with her index finger, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. )
Well, I may have to sweet talk her from under the stairs. Convince her that she was drunk sleep walking and I'm taking her to bed. I think it's much more likely that she simply was in the area and was too drunk to make it home. There are people nearby outside, waiting to escort her home. Hopefully it won't come down to a fight.
None taken. [Alucard knows his father's reputation, and for a moment, he debates how much of it to puncture. Dracula has been Dracula for centuries. He's been a husband and father for just about two decades. Besides, Alucard isn't so ignorant of vampires and their politics to willingly make things difficult for his family.
He takes a considering sip of his wine as he makes his decision, before letting out a soft laugh.] She immediately took him to task for poor hospitality when she first banged on the castle doors. Kindness may be a trait, but her lack of patience for nonsense is perhaps more important.
[That's probably enough without too much of a risk.]
So what you really do is save them from themselves and making mistakes that could cause larger losses or alienation that would do harm.
[But to business. Alucard considers the logistics, and nods.]
If it does come to a fight, I'd need to ask her to be moved further down the corridor. She's close to the science library and the attached lab, which is naturally full of glass instruments. Since we're trying to keep this underwraps, a sudden collection of shattered glass would give the game away entirely.
( A human taking Dracula to task? That does make Lenore laugh softly, amused by the mental imagery. If the others knew of such a thing, they wouldn't even believe her. After all, Dracula has long since been known for his cruel treatment of others and...well. Impaling. But apparently incredibly old vampires aren't immune to the matter of love.
Or was it a pretty face? Looking at Alucard, Lenore can understand the last one a bit. )
She sounds like a lovely woman. I can appreciate someone who won't take nonsense from others. Perhaps I'll see her at some point.
( The next comment has her considering the idea. Save them from themselves? Lenore has never considered it that way before. After all, they all have their own talents and uses, making up for the weaknesses of the others. There is a time for everything. Still, she isn't going to argue the point with Alucard and hums softly. )
They would argue otherwise. They simply see me as a bleeding heart and see diplomacy as nice, but mostly unnecessarily.
( A pause as she considers her sister. Nodding her head, Lenore taps her chin thoughtfully. Destroying things in Dracula's castle is the very last thing she wants to do, after all. He may have a soft spot for a human, but she knows full and well he doesn't extend the same to vampires. )
I'm fairly certain it won't come to blows. I will do everything in my power to keep your home in tact. I have someone outside waiting to escort her home. All I need to do is talk to her sweetly enough to get her to follow me outside. It shouldn't be too difficult.
Perhaps. [Alucard knows the real answer is probably no fucking way. If there is one thing he would ever qualify his father as, it is overprotective and there are reasons that few vampires have ever met her. The few times Alucard has overheard candid discussions, the names used for humans have been less than kind. How Dracula would respond to such disrespect for his wife is something that would go against everything his mother has tried to instill in his father.] She's usually caught up in her work though.
[Or with him, but Alucard's usually not in the castle when that happens by choice.
Still, that Carmilla's sisters view Lenore in such a way strikes Alucard as very stupid. The thought shows in how he frowns, drumming his fingers against the table top.]
Then they're very, very foolish. Act that way long enough and you'll either have an angry mob at your door or end up with a vampire with enough hatred and free time to take your territory. Even if your army is excessively well trained and headed by an extremely capable general.
[He'll take fairly certain. That's enough.]
I'll give you the space you need for this to work. Does she have any prefered hangover cures?
( She knows better than to push too hard. If his wife ever mentioned that she ran into another vampire during her day, it's very likely that Dracula would hunt her down and gut her simply for being too close to what is his. Red haired, rosy cheeked vampires in their circles aren't exactly the most common thing, so it wouldn't be hard to find out that it was Lenore snooping around. Still, she'll let the subject lie.
Though...Lenore can't resist adding a comment. She smiles mischievously at Alucard and lifts her glass of wine from the table in anticipation of another drink. )
She must be an absolutely beautiful woman, though, if you take your looks from her.
( Hey. She can't help flirting just a little. Alucard is an incredibly beautiful man, even among the circle of the immortals. It's likely he won't be terribly interested in her compliment, given his former reactions to her commentary, but it's fun, all the same. She brings the wine to her lips and takes another drink from the glass, enjoying the fragrance as it lingers on her taste buds.
The next comment has her raising her brows in surprise. Someone calling Carmilla and her sisters foolish? It doesn't happen every day. And if she heard it herself, she'd be out for Alucard's blood. Lenore lets a soft laugh pass from her lips, replacing her glass upon the table. )
You're certainly a breath a fresh air. I like your honesty. You're right, of course. But our kind tend not to be the most logical of creatures. My sister isn't any different. Still...Thank you. Truly.
( Lenore lifts a hand and waves it dismissively at the mention of hangover cures. )
[It takes a trained eye to notice when Alucard blushes, thanks to the paleness of his skin. However, vampires are vampires, and if keen eyes don't do it, there is the slight uptick in Alucard's admittedly slower-than-average heartrate. Compliments are compliments, but flirting? There's a novelty that doesn't happen outside of the young women at his mother's clinic. (His mother always encourages them.)
His eyes do meet Lenore's, but he's almost embarrassed to do so.]
Thank you. That is very kind, coming from my father's people.
[He's pretty sure that there's some your wife's human bias circulating, based on the times his father returns home from dealing with some stupid little emergency that he'd sooner gouge everyone's eyes out for. Some parts of Dracula don't change so easily.
Alucard reaches for a little bit more of the food, having nearly forgotten it was there in trying to get better wine for the occasion. The sausage is far, far better with this. A pleasant surprise.]
I don't think it's logic, it's...established patterns and the perspective of age. All human squabbles are pointless when you live for centuries and see them come and go. But by that point, you're set in your own ways and it takes something to truly push you towards the new.
[My mother, he doesn't say. It doesn't need to be said.]
Oh. Now I really do. Now I'm curious about how much a horror show it is.
[There's an eyebrow raised, and a faint grin on Alucard's face.]
Even if I can't provide it because it requires an alarming amount of blood.
( Oh, goodness. His response to her flirting is absolutely adorable. Lenore finds herself glad that she's having this moment alone with him, not wanting to share it with anyone else, especially not her sisters. There's something about him that touches on the softer sides of her dead little heart, making her want to both shield him and tease him some more. Perhaps it was part of the vampiric nature to be so opposed. Or perhaps it's simply a personality flaw. Carmilla would certainly say it was the latter.
The comment earns him another quiet laugh as she reaches out to pick up another piece of dried fruit, keeping his gaze all the while. )
I would be offended, but...I know how they are. So I can't even argue.
( She eats the piece of fruit as she considers his net words, that logic isn't a part of it so much as age. If that is the case, she could understand, to a point, Carmilla's attitude. A quiet sigh leaves her lips after, her hands coming to rest in her lap. )
You seem to understand remarkably well. I'm impressed. I'm not sure that it would push them toward the new so much as make them try and stamp out the old, though.
( Not so much about his mother, but more about other things. Ah! There's a faint grin from Alucard, which prompts Lenore to do the same. )
Well...Let's just say it involves virgins. Many, many virgins.
[So far, Lenore has proven to be the most close to human of all the vampires he's met in his short life. There's no particular focus on superiority over humanity, the word livestock getting thrown around, or anything that would mark her as immortal and undead if one didn't know any better. She's pleasant. Easy to talk to. Someone he'd even want to talk to again, and many vampires don't have that particular quality to them.
He smiles softly, relieved.]
My father's four hundred. If I'm nothing else, I'm a skilled observer and interpreter of the idiosyncratic. [Alucard is almost certain that every vampire is neurotic in their own way, it is just a question of how the matter manifests.] And perhaps that would be the more likely outcome. Something to force change would have to come in at the exact right moment to avoid such forceful blows.
[Virgins. Alucard has to roll his eyes, because why the hell did he think otherwise?]
May I ask why there is always such a fuss about virginity, at least from a vampire perspective?
Four hundred? Older than I am, to say the least. I imagine you would have all sorts of interesting insights with a father like that.
( Lenore like to think on her own upbringing too much. She simply views it as a thing she's left in the past, along with her humanity. Still, she has to wonder how watching a man like Dracula growing up has affected him. It seems as though his mother was the largest influence on him, by far. Which seems to be an incredible blessing. )
I think it could happen, though. I think there is plenty of room for vampires to change. There's no real reason why violence should be normal. Well...other than wars and such.
( The question has Lenore smirking at him, amusement glimmering in her crimson eyes. )
Because you simply enjoy a meal more if you know it hasn't been fucked, to put it plainly.
My main insight is that he's really happiest when not dealing with vampire squabblings. Or human ones. Knowledge is far more interesting to him.
[Dracula is a nerd who wants to work on science stuff and spend time with his wife. That's really the long and short of it, there's no true complexity involved.]
--Sometimes, I do wonder if the violence is normal because of the diet and the world being dominated by prey. But I'm too tender in years, and must ask your perspective on such a thought.
[Alucard is about to go further but. That smirk. And then he can't help but sigh. A long suffering one, better suited for Belmonts in the future.]
Why anyone is thinking about that matter in the first place is beyond me then.
Knowledge...How interesting. From all that I've heard from Carmilla, it's certain that he doesn't enjoy vampire gatherings, that's for sure. Knowledge is a much more worthwhile pursuit, anyway.
( Lenore can't exactly blame Dracula for being more inclined to avoid squabbles of both vampire and human alike. They are tiresome and rarely end peacefully or with anyone feeling satisfied. Lenore is very well aware of that, herself, being the diplomat for her family. It can sometimes be tiresome, trying to juggle everyone's individual feelings and attitudes, but after a while, one simply gets very skilled at doing so.
The glass of wine is retrieved from the table and swirled around in her glass as she thinks on the question at hand. )
I think, perhaps, it's a bit evolution. For humans, there is a violent streak naturally. It shows up in making war with one another and squabbling. When a human becomes a vampire, the violent tendencies get worse and change due to the necessity of feeding. I think that's where it stems from.
( Lenore isn't a scientist, but it makes sense to her. She's always open to new theories and ideas, though. The long sigh from Alucard makes her laugh softly, leaning forward just a bit and winking at him playfully. )
After you reach a certain age, it's never far from people's minds.
He comes back and usually holes up in one of the libraries. I think he's mostly looking for curses to respond to slights though, rather than doing true academic work.
[It is rare that Dracula even goes to these things. Having the excuse of a family gave him reason to avoid a few more than usual, but then? Then came the questions of why his wife was still a human, and that was perhaps the most private matter of all. One Alucard thought he had a good guess at understanding, but never asked about outright. His mother's humanity was important - to her and to Dracula. To lose it would fundamentally alter their relationship.
There's a luxury of frank discussion here that Alucard doesn't want to take for granted. He isn't sure that any other vampire would even indulge in such a reflection upon their natures.]
Mmm. That does align with a few of my hunches, mostly with relation to feeding. It's as if everything becomes, I don't want to say exaggerated precisely, but something close to the word.
[The wink just gets a shake of his head.]
But with food? Surely no human is looking at an animal they're about to eat and considering the matter. If that were the case, no one would eat eggs.
[As if to make his point, Alucard just drains the full of his glass.]
( It's said with a humorous tone, as Lenore finds the idea of Dracula looking for responses to slights in his vast library incredibly entertaining. Still, there are millions of things that a man as powerful as Dracula could be doing with her time. But Lenore knows better than to judge too much. Some people are just inherently eccentric, such as her sister Carmilla. She's dealt with her for far too long to be shocked about strange behavior.
As for the conversation on the nature of vampires, Lenore doesn't mind indulging Alucard's curiosities and theories. She's thought on the matter quite a bit herself, though discussing it with her family isn't exactly something she wants to do. 'Why are you thinking about useless things, Lenore?' She can practically hear their voices. )
I understand what you mean and I think it may be right. It does make some bit of sense. After all, our senses are heightened, so why would it be so strange that something like that would occur?
( A laugh is heard from Lenore once again as Alucard drains his glass. She mirrors the action with her own before speaking once again. )
No, not an animal. But think of it like a sandwich. Would you be as eager to eat the sandwich if someone had stuck their penis into it first?
Mmm. I'm curious, since your own territory is considered well managed and with few incidents: what are the hobbies in your own home?
[Both her and her sisters, he means. If nothing else, there is a stability to Styria's vampire lands that are often not reflected in other parts of Europe. Some of it is down to personality, Alucard is sure, but that must leave free time. Plus stability is room for eccentricity to grow in.]
Precisely. And unless you're inclined towards self reflection, I don't know if it is something that one might notice. The personalities of those I've met are so...over the top, I'll say, that I don't know how frequently that even happens.
[Yeah, that? That deserves Alucard just reaching for the bottle of wine and refilling his glass nearly to the rim.]
Again: why is it different from other forms of livestock that you know have rutted? The comparison doesn't hold up. Unless you're saying that it's more akin to a first pressing of olive oil, in which case I think I comprehend that.
Don't be too impressed. It's likely fear keeping things together there. My sisters aren't exactly the most well rounded of individuals. Carmilla's favorite hobbies are drinking virgin blood and thinking up grandiose plans, after which she locks herself away for days on end. She thinks herself a genius of sorts. Striga enjoys planning military missions and spending her time with Morana. And Morana...
( This is when Lenore makes a face of clear distaste. There's a bit of a pause as she considers her next words. There isn't much to lose by telling Alucard the truth, honestly, so that's exactly what she does. )
She's incredibly cruel. Her favorite thing to do is torture people for her own amusement.
( She looks back to Alucard and offers a small, mirthless smile, shrugging her shoulders gently. If Lenore could change their nature, she certainly would. It would make her own work easier, that's for sure. But alas. They all play a role and as such, are necessary to keep around. The mention of personalities being over the top goes hand in hand with her description of her sisters. )
You're likely right. And it seems like your experience with them is close to the one I've had. They're so caught up in one thing or another that considering something like that would seem ridiculous. It's nice to be able to speak with someone who is able to think outside of the box.
( The amusement filters back into her expression as she watches him refill his glass entirely. She sits back in her chair and pushes her hair back over her shoulder, lips quirking upward into a small grin. )
Perhaps it is more like the olive oil, then. It doesn't really matter so much to me, personally. But others may have issue when thinking too deeply on the source of their blood and consider it a delicacy.
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Her gaze meets his as he offers his arm for the cloak, the corners of her lips turning upward in amusement. She lifts her hands once again and unfastens the pale fur cloak, offering it out to him after. )
How kind. Thank you. Hopefully I haven't hindered any of your plans for the day.
( Her gaze shifts around the room, as if seeking out signs of other people who might be nearby. Is he here alone? Well...He and her sister. It's very unusual, but she decides to hold back on asking until they have glasses of wine in their hands. )
gently sets this before the series even starts.
[It is the easiest thing in the world to take Lenore's cloack and carefully fold it over his forearm. If Alucard is nothing else, he is a good host, as taught. (His mother insisted upon it, as no son of hers would ever make anyone go through the nonsense of her first meeting with Dracula.]
This way.
[Through the grand entrance hall and to the right, but not before Alucard pauses at a small door. That's the closet, and where Lenore's cloak goes for the time being. Then it's down a corridor of fine stone, past several closed doors and into a kitchen that is airy and light even with the half moon shining through. It is as modern as one might expect from Dracula, with a simple table in the middle. A vase of wild flowers sits in the center, and towards one end, two wine bottles.]
I wasn't sure of your drinking preferences, so I took a bottle of red and bottle of white out from the cellars. Do you take food at all, or refuse on principle?
Works for meeeee!
( Lenore leans herself forward briefly to catch his gaze once more, her own crimson eyes alight with mischief in a way that gives her a youthful appearance for the moment. She winks at him playfully, quickly adding in: )
It'll be our little secret.
( Not everyone would show a relative of a vampire who suddenly decided to take up residence in one's own home such warmth and courtesy, yet here he is, being incredibly polite and kind. Had it been the other way around, Lenore is sure that her sisters would have wanted his head instead of trying to resolve it peacefully and show courtesy to others. It earns him a point in her book for remaining civilized in such a trying situation.
Lenore follows alongside him as he leads her through the grand entrance hall, taking in the elaborate decorations and vast spaces that the room offered. It seemed vastly unused, which was a shame, considering that it would have made for a perfect place for parties or gatherings. Not that she could imagine much of that happening here. After the reach the kitchen, she lingers near the doorway to take in the sight of the arrangement of flowers, as well as the moon hanging low in the sky. )
Your home is truly very beautiful. Thank you again for having me over.
( She offers him another winning smile, heading away from the doorway and over toward the bottles of wine. Reaching out, she brushes her fingers along the neck of the bottle of red wine, shaking her head and sending her auburn tresses brushing against her cheeks once she hears his words. )
How could I possibly be so fussy when you've gone through all of this trouble for my sake? I'm partial to red, and will eat whatever you have prepared.
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[There's a note of apology in Alucard's tone, and with that he focuses on the simple things first - wine glasses. Cork screw. Both of those go on the table beside the bottle of red.]
Sometimes assuming red gets you accused of stereotyping. Or you have to unfortunately have Godbrand over and he's upset your limited ale selection is not up to his shockingly high beer standards.
[Oh Godbrand. Why is you.
Alucard's happy enough to trust wine pouring with Lenore, and his attention turns to food. He's already cleaned the kitchen for the night, having eaten a while ago, and so he considers the pantry - but not before grabbing a cutting board to balance things on.
There's rummaging from behind the door. A few grunts, and then Alucard emerges with a piece of dried sausage on there, a few containers, and other items. The specifics are still unknown, and his focus goes to getting the cutting board on the counter.
It takes all of five minutes to turn the pile of stuff into a charcuterie board proper. The sausage is a deep, dark color flecked with peppercorns and streaks of healthy looking fat, and it sits besides a pile of walnuts that have been cracked in half so that they're easier to eat. Dried figs and apricots (a Turkish import that no one tells Dracula precise origin of) are offered besides a small bowl of honey, and that all goes with a slightly funky smelling goat cheese. To one corner are slices of slightly stale bread, which in theory shouldn't matter given that it'll be piled high with everything else.]
The sausage is a venison blood sausage. I've no particular need for human blood, but some cravings are inherited all the same.
[The board goes down besides the bottle of wine, and Alucard finally seats himself.]
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( As soon as the glasses and corkscrew are brought by, she sets herself to the task of opening the bottle. It's a fairly effortless task for Lenore, afterwards setting the cork and cork screw aside in favor of carefully pouring the ruby liquid into the glasses. Not too full, though. No one liked a drunk.
His commentary brings forth another light chuckle from the woman, being too familiar with the tales of Godbrand and his...unique behavior. Word travels fast among the vampiric circles, after all. She sets the wine bottle to the side and turns her attention over to Alucard, watching him move about and ready snacks to go with their glasses of wine. )
If you have him over, I imagine you have more troubles to worry about than simply a limited ale selection. Fortunately, I'm not nearly as fussy. Having good company is far more important than the actual drink, itself, in my opinion.
( Amusement is written across her face as she stands to the side, crossing her arms absently behind her back. Lenore has yet to see if he's actually good company or not, but he's certainly easy on the eyes. It's worth the trip for that fact alone, in her opinion. With Alucard on his way over to the table, she slips into her chair gracefully and has a seat and looks over the offerings laid out along side their glasses of wine. )
Well, it looks absolutely wonderful. Thank you for showing me such hospitality.
( A curious glance is tossed Alucard's way as she reaches out to steal a piece of apricot from the board, pausing to speak before actually taking a bite. )
How interesting that you still have cravings, even though you don't need the blood. If only we all could get by in such a way, I imagine things might be a bit more peaceful.
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[Turns out that Alucard's dryness is about the same as the red he's brought up from the cellar. The tanins are sharp at first, but they mellow into something smoother. There's stone fruits in this one's bouquet, along with minerals from deep in the earth. The vineyard was high in the valley it seems, and happy to display that terrior properly.]
I'd be ashamed of myself if I didn't provide adequate hospitality. It's become something of a watchword and private joke in this house.
[With everything settled, Alucard finally seats himself. Rather than take from the board first, he sips the wine and considers it. Perhaps too earthy for this spread, but it'll work well enough with the sausage. Not a vintage he'll reach for again, that much he's sure of.]
It might. Or it might not. I am not old enough to have the wisdom of my father's people but I am educated enough to theorize that a portion of violence comes not from the nature of the diet, but from the restleness of being so long lived.
[Now he reaches for a piece of bread.]
With all due respect, of course.
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( Getting on Dracula's bad side isn't something Lenore is looking to do. She likes having her guts remain inside of her body, after all. And while she isn't a pushover, the thought of doing battle with Dracula on her own isn't appealing, by any means. She'd much rather have peace between them than to provoke the man into a rage. )
Still, it doesn't mean that you have to stay sequestered within these walls.
( After finishing her bite, she reaches for the wine, taking a moment to smell the ruby liquid before actually taking a sip. It isn't terrible, but certainly not her favorite. Still, it would be terribly rude to make commentary about it, so she works at keeping her expression as pleasant as possible. Though, what he says next has her humming curiously, watching him once again with a glimmer of amusement. )
I'm not sure many of us want to think on that, but I think you may be right. Perhaps, after living so long, some of our kind simply forget that there are paths other than violence.
( She pauses, turning her gaze to her glass of wine as a more serious expression finds its way to her face, thoughtful as she peers into her drink. )
I hope that I never forget. If there is an option for peace, I will take it.
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[Alucard's a good extra set of hands when needed. Less likely to scare patients than his father, and in some cases it helps to see mother and son working together. It makes the whole thing more of a family business than a lone woman doing mad things, and in that there is safety.
His inclination towards isolation is not something his mother exactly approves of either, but it is a matter they've both worked on over the years. She forces him outside near others from time to time, and laughs at the more childish protests Alucard makes.
Alucard is keen eyed enough to see that sip. There's effort involved, and so he reaches for the bottle of white. It is a vintage he knows and has had before, and wordlessly he reaches for the corkscrew.]
That's a rare sentiment from what I understand. [There is the soft pop! of the cork as Alucard releases it from the bottle.] And something I hope to achieve tonight. Your sister strikes me as the sort who could break a man's back over her knee upon getting the upper hand in a fight.
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A clinic...How interesting. You must see all sorts of people coming and going there. Not to mention, it must be fun working closely with your mother.
( She reaches forward and picks a piece of sausage from the board, along with a slice of bread to eat them together. Her eyes catch the movement to open the bottle of white wine, which is incredibly fascinating. Had he picked up on reluctance to drink the wine, despite the face that she had made an effort to conceal it? Very interesting.
Even so, after chewing her bite of snacks, she takes another sip of the red wine, anyway, before turning her attention back to him. )
Ah, yes. I'm sure she very well could and likely already has. All of my sisters have a fierceness about them. I suppose I'm what you could call a black sheep among us in that I make prefer to make peace. Still, I should be able to manage dragging her out from her hiding spot.
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[No boyars care enough about a weird woman doctor. Just the local village wise woman who's now out of a job.
With the bottle uncorked, Alucard stands to get two fresh wine glasses. He knows how floral this one is, and to mix it with the dregs of the red would be a true disservice.]
Mm, and something tells me if your being a black sheep was a real problem, they wouldn't keep you around. [There's always use for peace. Mostly forcing others to sue for it, he imagines, but that's something to keep quiet about. Alucard returns with the wine glasses and focuses on pouring.]
Where should we begin with that, by the way? My best guess as to why she's here in the first place may be the issue of the sun rising and seeing this as the closest and safest option.
[There, that's the wine poured. Alucard slides one of the glasses over to Lenore, knowing the smell is far more pleasing. It's sweet, dominated by honeysuckle and the promise of stone fruit in it's smell and delivers. The crispness is that of pears just as they're bit into, with just enough hint of earth to keep the sweetness from being overwhelming.]
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( Her expression softens when she hears of his mother's focus on those who are less fortunate. She takes one last sip of the red wine before pushing it to the side on the table, following him with her eyes as he uncorks the wine and prepares two new glasses for the both of them. )
Your mother must be very kind. It's incredibly admirable to offer her services to those who aren't wealthy and I'm sure the people of the village love her for it. Though, when I think of her with your father, it paints a strange picture. No offense, of course.
( A dramatic sigh leaves her lips as she leans back a little in her chair, hands lifting with palms facing upward as she speaks in regards to her family. )
Even black sheep have their uses. After all, if making peace was left to Carmilla and the others, they'd rush to making war plans instead of attending peace talks. We're all good at something. My particular thing is talking to people and, it just so happens that I love what I do.
( She watches him come back to the table, looking at the pale colored liquid briefly. She can already tell it will be much easier to drink. The aroma is very pleasing, though she's sure that if her sisters were at this small meeting, they would choose the red. )
Hmm...
( She taps her chin with her index finger, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. )
Well, I may have to sweet talk her from under the stairs. Convince her that she was drunk sleep walking and I'm taking her to bed. I think it's much more likely that she simply was in the area and was too drunk to make it home. There are people nearby outside, waiting to escort her home. Hopefully it won't come down to a fight.
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He takes a considering sip of his wine as he makes his decision, before letting out a soft laugh.] She immediately took him to task for poor hospitality when she first banged on the castle doors. Kindness may be a trait, but her lack of patience for nonsense is perhaps more important.
[That's probably enough without too much of a risk.]
So what you really do is save them from themselves and making mistakes that could cause larger losses or alienation that would do harm.
[But to business. Alucard considers the logistics, and nods.]
If it does come to a fight, I'd need to ask her to be moved further down the corridor. She's close to the science library and the attached lab, which is naturally full of glass instruments. Since we're trying to keep this underwraps, a sudden collection of shattered glass would give the game away entirely.
Sorry for the wait!
Or was it a pretty face? Looking at Alucard, Lenore can understand the last one a bit. )
She sounds like a lovely woman. I can appreciate someone who won't take nonsense from others. Perhaps I'll see her at some point.
( The next comment has her considering the idea. Save them from themselves? Lenore has never considered it that way before. After all, they all have their own talents and uses, making up for the weaknesses of the others. There is a time for everything. Still, she isn't going to argue the point with Alucard and hums softly. )
They would argue otherwise. They simply see me as a bleeding heart and see diplomacy as nice, but mostly unnecessarily.
( A pause as she considers her sister. Nodding her head, Lenore taps her chin thoughtfully. Destroying things in Dracula's castle is the very last thing she wants to do, after all. He may have a soft spot for a human, but she knows full and well he doesn't extend the same to vampires. )
I'm fairly certain it won't come to blows. I will do everything in my power to keep your home in tact. I have someone outside waiting to escort her home. All I need to do is talk to her sweetly enough to get her to follow me outside. It shouldn't be too difficult.
You're good!
[Or with him, but Alucard's usually not in the castle when that happens by choice.
Still, that Carmilla's sisters view Lenore in such a way strikes Alucard as very stupid. The thought shows in how he frowns, drumming his fingers against the table top.]
Then they're very, very foolish. Act that way long enough and you'll either have an angry mob at your door or end up with a vampire with enough hatred and free time to take your territory. Even if your army is excessively well trained and headed by an extremely capable general.
[He'll take fairly certain. That's enough.]
I'll give you the space you need for this to work. Does she have any prefered hangover cures?
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( She knows better than to push too hard. If his wife ever mentioned that she ran into another vampire during her day, it's very likely that Dracula would hunt her down and gut her simply for being too close to what is his. Red haired, rosy cheeked vampires in their circles aren't exactly the most common thing, so it wouldn't be hard to find out that it was Lenore snooping around. Still, she'll let the subject lie.
Though...Lenore can't resist adding a comment. She smiles mischievously at Alucard and lifts her glass of wine from the table in anticipation of another drink. )
She must be an absolutely beautiful woman, though, if you take your looks from her.
( Hey. She can't help flirting just a little. Alucard is an incredibly beautiful man, even among the circle of the immortals. It's likely he won't be terribly interested in her compliment, given his former reactions to her commentary, but it's fun, all the same. She brings the wine to her lips and takes another drink from the glass, enjoying the fragrance as it lingers on her taste buds.
The next comment has her raising her brows in surprise. Someone calling Carmilla and her sisters foolish? It doesn't happen every day. And if she heard it herself, she'd be out for Alucard's blood. Lenore lets a soft laugh pass from her lips, replacing her glass upon the table. )
You're certainly a breath a fresh air. I like your honesty. You're right, of course. But our kind tend not to be the most logical of creatures. My sister isn't any different. Still...Thank you. Truly.
( Lenore lifts a hand and waves it dismissively at the mention of hangover cures. )
Do you really want to know?
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His eyes do meet Lenore's, but he's almost embarrassed to do so.]
Thank you. That is very kind, coming from my father's people.
[He's pretty sure that there's some your wife's human bias circulating, based on the times his father returns home from dealing with some stupid little emergency that he'd sooner gouge everyone's eyes out for. Some parts of Dracula don't change so easily.
Alucard reaches for a little bit more of the food, having nearly forgotten it was there in trying to get better wine for the occasion. The sausage is far, far better with this. A pleasant surprise.]
I don't think it's logic, it's...established patterns and the perspective of age. All human squabbles are pointless when you live for centuries and see them come and go. But by that point, you're set in your own ways and it takes something to truly push you towards the new.
[My mother, he doesn't say. It doesn't need to be said.]
Oh. Now I really do. Now I'm curious about how much a horror show it is.
[There's an eyebrow raised, and a faint grin on Alucard's face.]
Even if I can't provide it because it requires an alarming amount of blood.
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The comment earns him another quiet laugh as she reaches out to pick up another piece of dried fruit, keeping his gaze all the while. )
I would be offended, but...I know how they are. So I can't even argue.
( She eats the piece of fruit as she considers his net words, that logic isn't a part of it so much as age. If that is the case, she could understand, to a point, Carmilla's attitude. A quiet sigh leaves her lips after, her hands coming to rest in her lap. )
You seem to understand remarkably well. I'm impressed. I'm not sure that it would push them toward the new so much as make them try and stamp out the old, though.
( Not so much about his mother, but more about other things. Ah! There's a faint grin from Alucard, which prompts Lenore to do the same. )
Well...Let's just say it involves virgins. Many, many virgins.
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He smiles softly, relieved.]
My father's four hundred. If I'm nothing else, I'm a skilled observer and interpreter of the idiosyncratic. [Alucard is almost certain that every vampire is neurotic in their own way, it is just a question of how the matter manifests.] And perhaps that would be the more likely outcome. Something to force change would have to come in at the exact right moment to avoid such forceful blows.
[Virgins. Alucard has to roll his eyes, because why the hell did he think otherwise?]
May I ask why there is always such a fuss about virginity, at least from a vampire perspective?
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sandwiches, alucard]omg, that gif. I had to use it.
( Lenore like to think on her own upbringing too much. She simply views it as a thing she's left in the past, along with her humanity. Still, she has to wonder how watching a man like Dracula growing up has affected him. It seems as though his mother was the largest influence on him, by far. Which seems to be an incredible blessing. )
I think it could happen, though. I think there is plenty of room for vampires to change. There's no real reason why violence should be normal. Well...other than wars and such.
( The question has Lenore smirking at him, amusement glimmering in her crimson eyes. )
Because you simply enjoy a meal more if you know it hasn't been fucked, to put it plainly.
what we do in the shadows is always relevant
[Dracula is a nerd who wants to work on science stuff and spend time with his wife. That's really the long and short of it, there's no true complexity involved.]
--Sometimes, I do wonder if the violence is normal because of the diet and the world being dominated by prey. But I'm too tender in years, and must ask your perspective on such a thought.
[Alucard is about to go further but. That smirk. And then he can't help but sigh. A long suffering one, better suited for Belmonts in the future.]
Why anyone is thinking about that matter in the first place is beyond me then.
Absolutely. Now I'm going to have to rewatch it.
( Lenore can't exactly blame Dracula for being more inclined to avoid squabbles of both vampire and human alike. They are tiresome and rarely end peacefully or with anyone feeling satisfied. Lenore is very well aware of that, herself, being the diplomat for her family. It can sometimes be tiresome, trying to juggle everyone's individual feelings and attitudes, but after a while, one simply gets very skilled at doing so.
The glass of wine is retrieved from the table and swirled around in her glass as she thinks on the question at hand. )
I think, perhaps, it's a bit evolution. For humans, there is a violent streak naturally. It shows up in making war with one another and squabbling. When a human becomes a vampire, the violent tendencies get worse and change due to the necessity of feeding. I think that's where it stems from.
( Lenore isn't a scientist, but it makes sense to her. She's always open to new theories and ideas, though. The long sigh from Alucard makes her laugh softly, leaning forward just a bit and winking at him playfully. )
After you reach a certain age, it's never far from people's minds.
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[It is rare that Dracula even goes to these things. Having the excuse of a family gave him reason to avoid a few more than usual, but then? Then came the questions of why his wife was still a human, and that was perhaps the most private matter of all. One Alucard thought he had a good guess at understanding, but never asked about outright. His mother's humanity was important - to her and to Dracula. To lose it would fundamentally alter their relationship.
There's a luxury of frank discussion here that Alucard doesn't want to take for granted. He isn't sure that any other vampire would even indulge in such a reflection upon their natures.]
Mmm. That does align with a few of my hunches, mostly with relation to feeding. It's as if everything becomes, I don't want to say exaggerated precisely, but something close to the word.
[The wink just gets a shake of his head.]
But with food? Surely no human is looking at an animal they're about to eat and considering the matter. If that were the case, no one would eat eggs.
[As if to make his point, Alucard just drains the full of his glass.]
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( It's said with a humorous tone, as Lenore finds the idea of Dracula looking for responses to slights in his vast library incredibly entertaining. Still, there are millions of things that a man as powerful as Dracula could be doing with her time. But Lenore knows better than to judge too much. Some people are just inherently eccentric, such as her sister Carmilla. She's dealt with her for far too long to be shocked about strange behavior.
As for the conversation on the nature of vampires, Lenore doesn't mind indulging Alucard's curiosities and theories. She's thought on the matter quite a bit herself, though discussing it with her family isn't exactly something she wants to do. 'Why are you thinking about useless things, Lenore?' She can practically hear their voices. )
I understand what you mean and I think it may be right. It does make some bit of sense. After all, our senses are heightened, so why would it be so strange that something like that would occur?
( A laugh is heard from Lenore once again as Alucard drains his glass. She mirrors the action with her own before speaking once again. )
No, not an animal. But think of it like a sandwich. Would you be as eager to eat the sandwich if someone had stuck their penis into it first?
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[Both her and her sisters, he means. If nothing else, there is a stability to Styria's vampire lands that are often not reflected in other parts of Europe. Some of it is down to personality, Alucard is sure, but that must leave free time. Plus stability is room for eccentricity to grow in.]
Precisely. And unless you're inclined towards self reflection, I don't know if it is something that one might notice. The personalities of those I've met are so...over the top, I'll say, that I don't know how frequently that even happens.
[Yeah, that? That deserves Alucard just reaching for the bottle of wine and refilling his glass nearly to the rim.]
Again: why is it different from other forms of livestock that you know have rutted? The comparison doesn't hold up. Unless you're saying that it's more akin to a first pressing of olive oil, in which case I think I comprehend that.
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( This is when Lenore makes a face of clear distaste. There's a bit of a pause as she considers her next words. There isn't much to lose by telling Alucard the truth, honestly, so that's exactly what she does. )
She's incredibly cruel. Her favorite thing to do is torture people for her own amusement.
( She looks back to Alucard and offers a small, mirthless smile, shrugging her shoulders gently. If Lenore could change their nature, she certainly would. It would make her own work easier, that's for sure. But alas. They all play a role and as such, are necessary to keep around. The mention of personalities being over the top goes hand in hand with her description of her sisters. )
You're likely right. And it seems like your experience with them is close to the one I've had. They're so caught up in one thing or another that considering something like that would seem ridiculous. It's nice to be able to speak with someone who is able to think outside of the box.
( The amusement filters back into her expression as she watches him refill his glass entirely. She sits back in her chair and pushes her hair back over her shoulder, lips quirking upward into a small grin. )
Perhaps it is more like the olive oil, then. It doesn't really matter so much to me, personally. But others may have issue when thinking too deeply on the source of their blood and consider it a delicacy.
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aaand done!