It's alright. They don't like me, either. It'll make it easier when Cezar and I are ready to leave them.
[And, silver lining, none of them will ever know Dracula's pain of losing someone they love so dearly. So it's fine. Hector isn't emotionally stunted. It's fine.]
If I may be blunt, I'm a bit surprised you haven't left yet.
[Alucard's pretty sure that that's rude. But they seem to also be in a strange liminal space that's much easier to talk through than normal, and he'll take advantage of it.]
[It probably helps that Hector's still pretty fucked up from the opium. His filter floated away with a puff of smoke a few hours back.]
Problem is, I'm not ready to leave the city. [The salons are here, and he hasn't exhausted the library or the black market shops of magical oddities yet.] But my father has influence here. I can't slip away and hope to elude his notice for long.
[And for some reason, even though his father hates him, he refuses to let Hector out from under his rule. The man was notoriously greedy with anything he considered his possessions.]
[Which one throws Hector off balance more, the compliment or the sudden shift in the carriage? It's hard to say.]
Um, well... [He peels himself off of the side of the carriage. Probably should've worn that belt, huh?] I'm now allowed out into the daylight world, so that limits things. I think my father's gotten a few inquiries, but he turned them away when he realized they were from vampires. My mother doesn't want to allow me to 'breed more devils', so she's kept my father from selling me off to them.
[But that explains a few rumors. Alucard's careful to keep his eyes on the road now, especially as some of the even grander homes come into view.]
I'm equally surprised he isn't trying to angle towards more legitimate political connections and is instead choosing to double down on the night world. Given his stature, pursuing legitimate power seems more...hm. Less risky, I'll say.
He's a cautious man, and he's taken precautions against a pretty wide spectrum of supernatural entities.
[Wards on their home, meetings held in daylight, handshakes with silver rings and a cologne laced with holy water. Few members of the Night Court came around the alchemist without him at least being aware they weren't human.]
They don't think any human would have me. More of my mother's influence. Apparently I'm 'monstrous' and 'utterly intolerable'. Trust me, if my father thought he could get away with it without my souring the alliance, I'd have been sold off to some politician's daughter the moment I came of age.
[Alucard makes a noise that's soft. Sympathetic, because God. He doesn't exactly like Hector, but the circumstances are truly awful. There's no good option, no wonder he's clung to the salon as hard as he has.
The fake horse slows. Alucard's pretty sure that he will be clocked as a part of the Night World if he goes further, and it is only a few hundred more feet to Hector's home.]
There are witchy political families. I think they've give your father a wide berth on purpose.
[Alucard knows them. He's had a few dalliances over the years, finding those involved in the supernatural but not engrossed easiest to get along with. The carriage slows, and Alucard hops out so he can get Hector out.]
[Hector will be mortified come tomorrow when he's properly sobered up. But for now, it's a relief to be able to rant a little about all of this. He talks to his pets, of course, but they never talk back he's still working on that one, if he's being honest.]
Wouldn't blame them if he did. Don't know why anyone gets near him, to be honest. Is money really worth that?
[Apparently it is, but Hector just doesn't get it. Riches mean nothing to him, other than a means of getting the tools he needs for the actual important things in life. Or in death. Same difference for him.
They seem to be coming to a stop, so Hector looks around for something to hide Cezar in for the short walk back into the house. Usually he'd use his hat or one of his sashes, but he'd stripped out of all extraneous layers during the opium haze.]
Hmmm. Don't suppose you've got something Cezar could hide in.
[Hector, if you were like this more often Alucard would genuinely enjoy your company. Such as it is, looks like he just has to get you near dad first.]
Money, most of the times. Power? That's the real thing. Your father having the position that he does is what has mortals and the night world willing to play dice. I mean, vampires think they'll outsmart any human, so take that as you will but--
[He shrugs. Clearly Hector needs to be with more peers than just vampires though, and it isn't as if there's a dearth of families that truck in magic in the area. There's a thought, and Alucard has people he ought to catch up with anyway.
Alucard turns all the way around, peering into the back.]
There's a blanket to your right. That should be enough, I think.
[Hector retrieves the blanket and wraps up a wiggling, whining pug. Cezar should be used to it by now, but he always treats 'hide from the humans' like a game of 'peekaboo'. Lucky they don't have far to walk.]
Power has too much responsibility with it. My father wastes so much time, playing at politics. Don't know how he gets any real work done.
[He scoops up the bundle of dog and opens the door.]
Anyways, I must go back to the dragons' den. Til tomorrow night. I'll expect the snacks to be of exceptional quality.
[Duh? Alucard knows that who you delegate to is the one who gets the work done. That's his job, after all. At least watching the dog bundle is a delight.]
When are they not?
[He's faux-insulted, but that is a rather nice challenge.
It means that come tomorrow, the snacks are extra. The dhampir has mostly stuck to his usual offerings, but he's added baklava made from scratch to the offerings, and he lurks near the tray, seemingly in wait for Hector.
Moreover, there's a few new faces present. Not vampires, that much is sure, and they seem to stick closer to Alucard and among themselves rather than interacting with some of the more usual visitors.
(Lenore's also present, and there are a few Looks with her and the dhampir. That's probably nothing.)]
[Since when has Hector noticed interpersonal interactions? He's got vague memories of unloading all of his secrets on Alucard the day before, and he's keeping his head down today to prevent any more humiliation.
He's got his second best robes and hat on (he's not looking forward to the lecture he's going to get whenever his parents realize he lost his best clothes, the ones he'd worn to meet Lord Dracula), and he avoids the mingling going on in the main parlor. The snack bar is usually the safest option for when he's not feeling sociable. The arrangement of food is immaculate, as always. It must be a point of pride for Alucard at this point.
He picks at the offerings until he gets to the end and finds both the baklava and the dhampir who made it. Shit, busted.]
[Hector takes a square of the baklava and pops it into his mouth. Chews, swallows, licks his lips, and immediately adds three more squares to his plate. He doesn't meet Alucard's eyes as he licks the honey off of his fingertips.]
It's not bad.
[If any damned vampires try to finish it off before he can get more, he's going to sic a night creature on them. So maybe a little better than 'not bad', in fact.]
I can take them tonight. But, ummm... you're not getting your blanket back. It's Cezar's new favorite bed, and he's already chewed two of the corners to rags.
Sorry. I'll get you a new blanket. Where'd you get the old one?
[He could try to get the thing away from Cezar, but the pug was fixated on it, and Hector didn't fancy listening to him whine for days if Hector took it from him.
He looks around, finally noticing the extra guests. They don't read as especially monstrous to him, though his senses usually aren't fine-tuned for much more than 'undead or not'.]
Oh? Do they have an interest in necrobiology? [He assumes they must care about his work if Alucard is making an indirect introduction like this.]
Don't worry about it. [Because it was a really fucking expensive blanket, and Alucard's not going to make Hector repay that cost. Cezar is welcome to it, because Cezar is the best dog and Alucard will always indulge the pug.
A thin smile plays across Alucard's lips in response.]
One or two. But they all have a broad interest in magic, and are inclined to talk about their own arts as well.
[His interest perks up. Hector is only able to perform his brand of forgery, but the theory behind other magics is a fascinating point of discussion. Most spellcasters tend to be tight-lipped about their secrets, so to find a group willing to share is a rare opportunity.]
Do you think they'd be open to speaking with me after the lecture? I'm curious to know more.
For as long as I can manage before I must put the second round of snacks out.
[It's more of the current spread, but things still have to be replenished. Alucard already knows he has done the right thing though. The look on Hector's face confirms it.]
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It's alright. They don't like me, either. It'll make it easier when Cezar and I are ready to leave them.
[And, silver lining, none of them will ever know Dracula's pain of losing someone they love so dearly. So it's fine. Hector isn't emotionally stunted. It's fine.]
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[Alucard's pretty sure that that's rude. But they seem to also be in a strange liminal space that's much easier to talk through than normal, and he'll take advantage of it.]
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Problem is, I'm not ready to leave the city. [The salons are here, and he hasn't exhausted the library or the black market shops of magical oddities yet.] But my father has influence here. I can't slip away and hope to elude his notice for long.
[And for some reason, even though his father hates him, he refuses to let Hector out from under his rule. The man was notoriously greedy with anything he considered his possessions.]
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He pauses, turning back to look at Hector a bit better.]
This place has more cover for the night world than most, but--
[Parents. The dhampir frowns slightly.]
There are expectations of family as we age. Has the matter come up with him yet?
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Expectations, no. Threats, yes. My father has not decided if he can profit from me, so he wants to keep me close until then.
[He sees Alucard watching him, and nods toward the road before them.]
Shouldn't you be watching where you steer?
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[It may have been a while since Alucard's dated, but he knows an attractive individual when he sees them.
To Hector's point uh--
yes.
Which means the next turn is a little too sharp and liable to throw everyone off to the side.]
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Um, well... [He peels himself off of the side of the carriage. Probably should've worn that belt, huh?] I'm now allowed out into the daylight world, so that limits things. I think my father's gotten a few inquiries, but he turned them away when he realized they were from vampires. My mother doesn't want to allow me to 'breed more devils', so she's kept my father from selling me off to them.
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[But that explains a few rumors. Alucard's careful to keep his eyes on the road now, especially as some of the even grander homes come into view.]
I'm equally surprised he isn't trying to angle towards more legitimate political connections and is instead choosing to double down on the night world. Given his stature, pursuing legitimate power seems more...hm. Less risky, I'll say.
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[Wards on their home, meetings held in daylight, handshakes with silver rings and a cologne laced with holy water. Few members of the Night Court came around the alchemist without him at least being aware they weren't human.]
They don't think any human would have me. More of my mother's influence. Apparently I'm 'monstrous' and 'utterly intolerable'. Trust me, if my father thought he could get away with it without my souring the alliance, I'd have been sold off to some politician's daughter the moment I came of age.
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The fake horse slows. Alucard's pretty sure that he will be clocked as a part of the Night World if he goes further, and it is only a few hundred more feet to Hector's home.]
There are witchy political families. I think they've give your father a wide berth on purpose.
[Alucard knows them. He's had a few dalliances over the years, finding those involved in the supernatural but not engrossed easiest to get along with. The carriage slows, and Alucard hops out so he can get Hector out.]
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he's still working on that one, if he's being honest.]Wouldn't blame them if he did. Don't know why anyone gets near him, to be honest. Is money really worth that?
[Apparently it is, but Hector just doesn't get it. Riches mean nothing to him, other than a means of getting the tools he needs for the actual important things in life. Or in death. Same difference for him.
They seem to be coming to a stop, so Hector looks around for something to hide Cezar in for the short walk back into the house. Usually he'd use his hat or one of his sashes, but he'd stripped out of all extraneous layers during the opium haze.]
Hmmm. Don't suppose you've got something Cezar could hide in.
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Money, most of the times. Power? That's the real thing. Your father having the position that he does is what has mortals and the night world willing to play dice. I mean, vampires think they'll outsmart any human, so take that as you will but--
[He shrugs. Clearly Hector needs to be with more peers than just vampires though, and it isn't as if there's a dearth of families that truck in magic in the area. There's a thought, and Alucard has people he ought to catch up with anyway.
Alucard turns all the way around, peering into the back.]
There's a blanket to your right. That should be enough, I think.
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Power has too much responsibility with it. My father wastes so much time, playing at politics. Don't know how he gets any real work done.
[He scoops up the bundle of dog and opens the door.]
Anyways, I must go back to the dragons' den. Til tomorrow night. I'll expect the snacks to be of exceptional quality.
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[Duh? Alucard knows that who you delegate to is the one who gets the work done. That's his job, after all. At least watching the dog bundle is a delight.]
When are they not?
[He's faux-insulted, but that is a rather nice challenge.
It means that come tomorrow, the snacks are extra. The dhampir has mostly stuck to his usual offerings, but he's added baklava made from scratch to the offerings, and he lurks near the tray, seemingly in wait for Hector.
Moreover, there's a few new faces present. Not vampires, that much is sure, and they seem to stick closer to Alucard and among themselves rather than interacting with some of the more usual visitors.
(Lenore's also present, and there are a few Looks with her and the dhampir. That's probably nothing.)]
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He's got his second best robes and hat on (he's not looking forward to the lecture he's going to get whenever his parents realize he lost his best clothes, the ones he'd worn to meet Lord Dracula), and he avoids the mingling going on in the main parlor. The snack bar is usually the safest option for when he's not feeling sociable. The arrangement of food is immaculate, as always. It must be a point of pride for Alucard at this point.
He picks at the offerings until he gets to the end and finds both the baklava and the dhampir who made it. Shit, busted.]
Alucard, uh, good evening.
[SMOOTH, Hector.]
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[Alucard's trying not to look smug. But he is gauging Hector's reaction very carefully, looking from him to the baklava, then back to Hector.]
You can take your things back home with you tonight or tomorrow, as you see fit.
[WHAT like they're gonna hang onto your clothes buddy? Alucard won't fit.]
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It's not bad.
[If any damned vampires try to finish it off before he can get more, he's going to sic a night creature on them. So maybe a little better than 'not bad', in fact.]
I can take them tonight. But, ummm... you're not getting your blanket back. It's Cezar's new favorite bed, and he's already chewed two of the corners to rags.
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There's a spare tray packed with your clothes.
[So you know, don't be a hoarder?]
Then it is his. I'm....fond of that blanket, but it isn't something that can't be replaced.
[There's a pause. The dhampir wants a nice segue, but no. Not happening.]
I made an effort to invite a few friends from further away tonight, if you're wondering why there are some unfamiliar faces.
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Sorry. I'll get you a new blanket. Where'd you get the old one?
[He could try to get the thing away from Cezar, but the pug was fixated on it, and Hector didn't fancy listening to him whine for days if Hector took it from him.
He looks around, finally noticing the extra guests. They don't read as especially monstrous to him, though his senses usually aren't fine-tuned for much more than 'undead or not'.]
Oh? Do they have an interest in necrobiology? [He assumes they must care about his work if Alucard is making an indirect introduction like this.]
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A thin smile plays across Alucard's lips in response.]
One or two. But they all have a broad interest in magic, and are inclined to talk about their own arts as well.
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[His interest perks up. Hector is only able to perform his brand of forgery, but the theory behind other magics is a fascinating point of discussion. Most spellcasters tend to be tight-lipped about their secrets, so to find a group willing to share is a rare opportunity.]
Do you think they'd be open to speaking with me after the lecture? I'm curious to know more.
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[The dhampir's smile is gentle. Genuine.]
I'll keep an eye on the group during your lecture and let you know. At the very least, I think introductions can happen.
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Then I'll aim to impress. Does that mean you'll actually be in attendance for the main event?
[Double the reason to make this the best lecture he's delivered.]
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[It's more of the current spread, but things still have to be replenished. Alucard already knows he has done the right thing though. The look on Hector's face confirms it.]
Is Cezar with you tonight?
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[Alucard will have to make due with just a necromancer until then.]
Do you think your practitioners would like him?
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should we wrap here?