On two separate occasions, he's had me deliver notes. If he has had contact with anyone else, I'm ignorant of the means.
[It isn't pity, Hector. Just insight as far as Alucard is concerned. He pauses to push down a few flyaways, then continues.]
It doesn't mean you should stop your work or that he is indifferent to it. Just...if you're seeking something from him, stop. Take it from me on that front, you'll be disappointed. [Aware that this all might cause Hector to outie entirely, Alucard is careful to add:]
I won't tell you be satisfied with your current acclaim either, that slows innovation.
[Not to Isaac, not to Isaac, for the love of all that is dark and unholy, NOT TO ISAAC.]
I wouldn't simply stop my work. [His tone is offended. The mere thought of that is ridiculous.] It is too important, even if it's unappreciated.
[He might just... stop coming to the salon. Maybe. A few of the vampires ask relevant questions and listen intently when he speaks, he supposes. He should probably at least finish out the current schedule... and then the special talk he has planned with his pets as a demonstration on postmortem musculature regrowth....]
The first to one of Carmilla's sisters who had the idea that trying to drink my blood was a valid experiment to see if dhampirs provide any nutrition. [Alucard's sigh with that makes it clear that he didn't see the matter as a threat, just tiresome. Framing it as science meant that Dracula didn't murder anyone, just banned them.
the answer was yes but no one needed to have that information.] The second was to someone who gave a historical based lecture and got some details wrong that changed the interpretation of the information in an important way.
[Not Isaac. But Alucard hears something rattle from the closet off to his left and. Hm. Seems someone is indeed listening in. But the word unappreciated makes it clear what this is all about.
Alucard stands up at that, and he walks towards one of the windows. It looks out over the city, and it feels appropriately dramatic for how Hector's dragging this all out into a stupid academic drama.]
You have people that engage with your work, ask you good questions, and who look forward to your demonstrations - with or without your pets present. You have appreciation from all parties except the one you want to impress most, and for some reason you take that as a reason to disregard everyone else. I advise that you don't.
[So their patron only intervenes when someone is wrong? How disheartening.
But he can't dwell on that when Alucard is walking his under-dressed, over-dramatic ass to the window. He... isn't terrible to watch. And Hector does watch.]
'All parties except the one'...? So do you appreciate my work, Alucard?
[He seizes onto the idea as a balm against the hurt of Dracula's indifference.]
I'll continue on, if you attend one of my lectures. No ducking out early like you always try to do.
I respect it. Necromancy is not a particular subject of mine, but it's impossible to say you haven't done the work. Dedication I do regard in high esteem.
[Sorry Hector, senpai won't notice you and--
Excuse you Hector? Are you bribing him?]
Hector, I duck out at literally every lecture to prepare the food. [There would be a riot if he didn't provide food.]
But if your dog decides to sit on me and keep me anchored, then I can't do anything about it. I suppose that--
[Alucard's head snaps towards the right suddenly, like a cat seeing some invisible thing. He frowns, and begins to walk towards a small closet that sits in the corner.]
[Bribing is a valid strategy! Gotta get a sempai somehow, in this economy.]
Do you not have vendors for that?
[Alucard cooks? Hector does not know what to do with this information, so he files it away. But certainly the Lord of Darkness has a budget for his science parties, and Alucard could pay some local with a food stand to do a little work for him after hours.
It's not super encouraging that Alucard likes Cezar more than him, but it's also fair. Hector likes Cezar more than anyone too.]
Sure, go on.
[Hector doesn't know what he intends to do in that door that clearly doesn't lead out. Vampire nonsense, probably.]
[He likes it. It brings him joy, and it balances the stress of managing the actual personalities involved at all of these salons.
With that, Alucard stands.]
Thank you.
[In the future there'd probably be some stunning joke about closets to make here. But for now, it's just an underdressed dhampir going into a door with no actual exit, and staying there.
And staying there.
And staying there some more, until Alucard emerges 20 minutes later looking no different than before. But just before he emerges, something appears on the desk. There's no poof of magic, no sparkling spell work, no cloud, only simple aportation. Two envelopes, the handwriting perfection itself. One is written in Arabic, the other reads Ἕκτωρ.
Alucard reaches the desk, and simply offers the one in Greek to Hector. He knows the contents, but he can keep a poker face for now.]
[He's mostly grumbling to himself as Alucard ducks through the door. Weirdly, the glimpse of the space Hector sees through the frame is larger than logic dictates it should be.
He paces around Alucard's office while he's away, warring with his impulse to snoop. The walls have eyes, apparently. He slips off his hat and cards his fingers through his hair. Alucard is gone some time, and Hector doesn't know if the length of his absence is a good sign or ill.
When the dhampir finally comes back in, Hector shoves his hat back on and hops to claim his letter. Apparently, what it took to get noticed by the Master was complaining. That stupid saying about squeaking wheels wasn't far off.
He's already tearing the seal as he replies to Alucard's question.]
[Alucard seats himself back behind his desk once Hector has the envelope. Keen gold eyes watch, because his father is absolutely going to ask about each man's reaction.
In Greek, the handwriting precise like a printing press, is the briefest of notes.]
Hector--
You and Isaac will meet me on this upcoming Wednesday at 8 PM. Adrian will permit you into the building.
VDT.
[That's it. That's the whole note. No indication of why. What to discuss. Anything. Just to be there and that Isaac will also be present.]
[The virtue of humility has skipped the Tepes bloodline entirely. Hector huffs out a sigh. Maybe 'extra' was an inherent trait for all vampiric entities. Hector's certainly never met one lacked it.
He reads through the note, and raises an eyebrow.]
Adrian?
[He knows Alucard the way he's introduced himself to the salon attendees.
I don't know if that is better or else than you calling yourself that.
[Dracula does maintain a magical displaced palace and holds supernatural salons purely for his amusement. How is Hector to guess his naming conventions for his offspring?]
So he finally decided to have us fight to the death, huh?
[Hector's joking, though he's pretty sure more than one vampire would show up to watch that showdown.]
Actually, it's neither. Others gave me the name for so frequently acting as an inverse of my father. I'll spare you my middle name, as I still don't know how he came up with it.
[Fahrenheit? Really? And it has never been explained to him either.]
Yes, that's my understanding. I'm only here to be the doorman, I don't intend to listen in to the preamble or the death cries.
Names stick after centuries, and if I have to fight that battle or a battle of decorum in the salon, I know which one to pick.
[Alucard pauses, sensing a fly away. He tucks it back, serious faced yet again.]
It's the outcome I'm betting on, if that gives you any sort of reassurance of what is yet to come. How's his Greek by the way, he was concerned that he was slipping into the ancient Attic dialect.
[Hector pouts frowns. He could totally maybe win against Isaac.]
I suppose having two Forgemasters is a novelty not to be wasted. There is usually only one active at a time.
[He folds the letter and slips it back into the envelope. The whole thing gets tucked into his robe. A communication from Dracula, even one this brief, isn't something he'll simply discard.]
It read a little formal, but not yet outdated. Perfectly serviceable written Greek.
For all I know this could take a minute or take hours. Regardless, it has been a little while since I've been able to enjoy the luxury of his company without my attention being pulled in twenty different directions.
[Puppies aren't forever! Alucard's old, he knows that he doesn't like the short lifespan involved.]
He is a remarkably well behaved dog, reanimated or otherwise and I would be grateful for his presence.
[There. There's an actual smile on Alucard's face. It's small, but warm and so very, very fond of the subject.]
[It's... not off-putting, but there's a certain fluttering sensation in his stomach that Hector can't place, watching Alucard's face. Stupid sexy dhampir.
He looks away.]
I'll arrive a little early to make sure we get him settled before the meeting. If that is all you required of me...
[Hector will head out and puzzle over this interaction until it comes time for his meeting with Dracula.]
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[It isn't pity, Hector. Just insight as far as Alucard is concerned. He pauses to push down a few flyaways, then continues.]
It doesn't mean you should stop your work or that he is indifferent to it. Just...if you're seeking something from him, stop. Take it from me on that front, you'll be disappointed. [Aware that this all might cause Hector to outie entirely, Alucard is careful to add:]
I won't tell you be satisfied with your current acclaim either, that slows innovation.
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[Not to Isaac, not to Isaac, for the love of all that is dark and unholy, NOT TO ISAAC.]
I wouldn't simply stop my work. [His tone is offended. The mere thought of that is ridiculous.] It is too important, even if it's unappreciated.
[He might just... stop coming to the salon. Maybe. A few of the vampires ask relevant questions and listen intently when he speaks, he supposes. He should probably at least finish out the current schedule... and then the special talk he has planned with his pets as a demonstration on postmortem musculature regrowth....]
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the answer was yes but no one needed to have that information.]The second was to someone who gave a historical based lecture and got some details wrong that changed the interpretation of the information in an important way.[Not Isaac. But Alucard hears something rattle from the closet off to his left and. Hm. Seems someone is indeed listening in. But the word unappreciated makes it clear what this is all about.
Alucard stands up at that, and he walks towards one of the windows. It looks out over the city, and it feels appropriately dramatic for how Hector's dragging this all out into a stupid academic drama.]
You have people that engage with your work, ask you good questions, and who look forward to your demonstrations - with or without your pets present. You have appreciation from all parties except the one you want to impress most, and for some reason you take that as a reason to disregard everyone else. I advise that you don't.
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But he can't dwell on that when Alucard is walking his under-dressed, over-dramatic ass to the window. He... isn't terrible to watch. And Hector does watch.]
'All parties except the one'...? So do you appreciate my work, Alucard?
[He seizes onto the idea as a balm against the hurt of Dracula's indifference.]
I'll continue on, if you attend one of my lectures. No ducking out early like you always try to do.
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[Sorry Hector, senpai won't notice you and--
Excuse you Hector? Are you bribing him?]
Hector, I duck out at literally every lecture to prepare the food. [There would be a riot if he didn't provide food.]
But if your dog decides to sit on me and keep me anchored, then I can't do anything about it. I suppose that--
[Alucard's head snaps towards the right suddenly, like a cat seeing some invisible thing. He frowns, and begins to walk towards a small closet that sits in the corner.]
Could you excuse me for a moment?
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Do you not have vendors for that?
[
Alucard cooks? Hector does not know what to do with this information, so he files it away.But certainly the Lord of Darkness has a budget for his science parties, and Alucard could pay some local with a food stand to do a little work for him after hours.It's not super encouraging that Alucard likes Cezar more than him, but it's also fair. Hector likes Cezar more than anyone too.]
Sure, go on.
[Hector doesn't know what he intends to do in that door that clearly doesn't lead out. Vampire nonsense, probably.]
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[He likes it. It brings him joy, and it balances the stress of managing the actual personalities involved at all of these salons.
With that, Alucard stands.]
Thank you.
[In the future there'd probably be some stunning joke about closets to make here. But for now, it's just an underdressed dhampir going into a door with no actual exit, and staying there.
And staying there.
And staying there some more, until Alucard emerges 20 minutes later looking no different than before. But just before he emerges, something appears on the desk. There's no poof of magic, no sparkling spell work, no cloud, only simple aportation. Two envelopes, the handwriting perfection itself. One is written in Arabic, the other reads Ἕκτωρ.
Alucard reaches the desk, and simply offers the one in Greek to Hector. He knows the contents, but he can keep a poker face for now.]
Would you like a moment of privacy?
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[He's mostly grumbling to himself as Alucard ducks through the door. Weirdly, the glimpse of the space Hector sees through the frame is larger than logic dictates it should be.
He paces around Alucard's office while he's away, warring with his impulse to snoop. The walls have eyes, apparently. He slips off his hat and cards his fingers through his hair. Alucard is gone some time, and Hector doesn't know if the length of his absence is a good sign or ill.
When the dhampir finally comes back in, Hector shoves his hat back on and hops to claim his letter. Apparently, what it took to get noticed by the Master was complaining. That stupid saying about squeaking wheels wasn't far off.
He's already tearing the seal as he replies to Alucard's question.]
No, here is fine.
[Now to find out what Dracula has to say to him.]
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[Alucard seats himself back behind his desk once Hector has the envelope. Keen gold eyes watch, because his father is absolutely going to ask about each man's reaction.
In Greek, the handwriting precise like a printing press, is the briefest of notes.]
Hector--
You and Isaac will meet me on this upcoming Wednesday at 8 PM. Adrian will permit you into the building.
VDT.
[That's it. That's the whole note. No indication of why. What to discuss. Anything. Just to be there and that Isaac will also be present.]
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He reads through the note, and raises an eyebrow.]
Adrian?
[He knows Alucard the way he's introduced himself to the salon attendees.
He taps the note with a finger.]
Do you know what this says?
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[He raises an eyebrow, and folds his arms at that. C'mon Hector. Really?
The pose doesn't change with the question either.]
I'm aware of his plan, yes. I disagree with it, but I also am not going to argue about something so minor with him.
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[Dracula does maintain a magical displaced palace and holds supernatural salons purely for his amusement. How is Hector to guess his naming conventions for his offspring?]
So he finally decided to have us fight to the death, huh?
[Hector's joking, though he's pretty sure more than one vampire would show up to watch that showdown.]
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[Fahrenheit? Really? And it has never been explained to him either.]
Yes, that's my understanding. I'm only here to be the doorman, I don't intend to listen in to the preamble or the death cries.
[Alucard's tone is completely serious.
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[He'll try to discover the middle name in time, now that he's been told it's terrible. Hector can't leave a mystery unprobed.]
That's a waste. You should at least see if you can't get a pool going on which forgemaster survives.
[These independently wealthy lordlings, they've never had to earn money to fund their own research and it shows.]
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[Alucard's laugh is short and sharp. Hector can actually be funny - who knew? The dhampir mostly just pays attention to his dog.]
While doubtlessly entertaining, it seems poor sport. What if you both survive?
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[This time, he's not as distracted, and he notices Alucard's laugh, and how it transforms his face for that single moment.
Fuck, had he always been that attractive??]That does sound like the worst possible outcome for you. Well, still, something to consider before Wednesday.
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[Alucard pauses, sensing a fly away. He tucks it back, serious faced yet again.]
It's the outcome I'm betting on, if that gives you any sort of reassurance of what is yet to come. How's his Greek by the way, he was concerned that he was slipping into the ancient Attic dialect.
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poutsfrowns. He could totallymaybewin against Isaac.]I suppose having two Forgemasters is a novelty not to be wasted. There is usually only one active at a time.
[He folds the letter and slips it back into the envelope. The whole thing gets tucked into his robe. A communication from Dracula, even one this brief, isn't something he'll simply discard.]
It read a little formal, but not yet outdated. Perfectly serviceable written Greek.
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[Alucard watches where the envelope goes.]
I'll let him know. I also trust you won't let that fall into wrong hands. And--
[There is a beat of hesitation, and it comes with a faint bit of color to Alucard's cheeks.]
Might I offer to dogsit that day?
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Oh? Do you think your father will keep us long?
[Or do you have a whole giant magical castle but daddy won't let you have a puppy?]
I could bring Cezar along. He is wonderfully travel-sized.
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Stone faced, Alucard shrugs.]
For all I know this could take a minute or take hours. Regardless, it has been a little while since I've been able to enjoy the luxury of his company without my attention being pulled in twenty different directions.
[Puppies aren't forever! Alucard's old, he knows that he doesn't like the short lifespan involved.]
He is a remarkably well behaved dog, reanimated or otherwise and I would be grateful for his presence.
[There. There's an actual smile on Alucard's face. It's small, but warm and so very, very fond of the subject.]
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in spite of that smile making him feel a little melty.]You'll have to promise not to spoil him. He doesn't need to eat, though he'll beg as if he does.
[He still gets treats, but Hector tries to limit him... as much as he can.]
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[He's still smiling. Because dog!]
I'll limit myself to that, if that's acceptable. And er, thank you for the diet clarification. I had wondered.
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[It's... not off-putting, but there's a certain fluttering sensation in his stomach that Hector can't place, watching Alucard's face.
Stupid sexy dhampir.He looks away.]
I'll arrive a little early to make sure we get him settled before the meeting. If that is all you required of me...
[Hector will head out
and puzzle over this interactionuntil it comes time for his meeting with Dracula.]no subject
[Alucard totally knows how he looks. He stands up though, willing to at least move to the door to see the necro-academic out.]
Until then, Hector.
[It is polite. Pleasant, although with a little note of please leave so I can do things alone under it all.]
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cw: opium use because that stupid tfln thread is now canon in at least one au
slightly tweaked AU, since Alucard has the dog
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should we wrap here?