[No. That'd just be funny and awful for them both.
A more human sigh follows, and there's Alucard again. One that has at least bathed recently, as his hair is in far better shape than last Ciri saw him, and his clothes have foregone all decoration. It's just a plain duster coat now, along with his white tunic and black trousers.]
I suppose that answers the question of how you're doing.
[ Ah. There he is. That transformation mid-step really is fascinating, and a bit impressive -- not that she'll tell him as much.
Ciri raises a brow, but there's a small smirk there, and the spark in her eyes is back. No longer haggard and hard-edged. She too looks like she's eaten and bathed more recently than the last time they'd encountered one another. ]
I do not recall being asked such a question, as my companion until a few moments ago was the silently slinking type.
[ It's a tease, mostly. But she answers after a beat. ]
I am well enough. And you? I see you have decorated.
Do you have any idea how exhausting it is being a person? [Is he complaining? Yes. Is it a joke? Maybe?] I need you to learn wolf body language, it'll do us both a world of good.
[Stop making him be a people 20k22.]
I did no such thing. Jaskier needed a distraction, and decided this was what he was going to do.
Yes, yes. I understand basic anatomy. The joke isn't funny if you take it too literally.
[ Perhaps Ciri is also spending too much time with Jaskier. ]
Hah. Yes, well-- that is one of his charming points, I'm sure he'd say.
[ She recalls how uncertain and put out Jaskier had looked when they'd asked Alucard for help he seemed so grudging to give, though. And then he'd gone and helped Alucard... beautify the cemetery, built him a cactus house, and grew a bunch of flowers. Guilt, perhaps, as much as a distraction. The last few weeks have been a whirlwind. Ciri isn't entirely clear on the situation with Hector, or how Jaskier is involved between the two of them, but she can tell Jaskier is worried. ]
That said, Alucard shrugs it off. He's genuinely gotten the question before, but he won't protest and insist on being earnest anyway. It's a little easier to sidestep right now, especially--
--especially at the threat of anything like sincerity. He's barely up on his feet, and that's only because drinking with Gideon was a much needed catharsis.]
Has he not written his own biography in your world yet? He does seem the sort. [Light. Far too light, wanting to just move away from anything serious. It's the reason his reaction to the next statement is to try the same tactic.]
[ On many things, in fact. The bard is often writing -- or at least, he usually is, the last few weeks of heartache and sleeplessness notwithstanding.
Ciri catches the subtle shift in tone from Alucard and shoots him a look, a single eyebrow rising. ]
There are such people, yes. But you are correct that he is often friendly.
Do not mistake his friendliness for foolishness. He's a good man.
[ There might be the faintest hint of... not quite a threat, not exactly, but a firmness in her voice. Jaskier's been through a lot recently. And while Jaskier has told Ciri to be patient with Alucard as he's in the midst of his own struggles (and... living in a cemetery), she is less willing to cut the dhampir slack if he's being rude to her emotional support bard friend. ]
[Oh no. He was kidding about that. Alucard's mouth opens, then closes for a moment, before he lets anything like a reply go. Sometimes, it is just smarter to let it go, he's learned that lesson lately.
So maybe it's better to cut to the point. it is not. At least, with Ciri's tone shift.]
Say what you mean, then. I realize neither of us are likely in a good place to dance around anything volatile.
[ But Ciri takes his point. There's something sharper about him, guarded. She sighs, shaking her head, and steps off to the side of the road with a gesture to Alucard to join her. They stand in the shade of an awning to the side of a building, a shop or a tavern of some kind, out of the way. Ciri leans back against the wall (she is not wearing her sword today, only her wolf's head dagger at her hip) and crosses her arms. ]
Listen. Alucard. We are both grateful for your help some weeks back, but it did not escape my notice, nor his, that you seemed unwilling to give it. That's your prerogative; I expect nothing, and you have given no promises.
But Jaskier worries about you. He considers you a friend. I... [ She looks at Alucard, expression neutral, but sharp-eyed on his face. ] I only wish to know if you are an ally who can be relied upon again in the future. If not, tell me. I'll do my best to make sure expectations are as they should be.
[ She just doesn't want Alucard turning Jaskier away if there is another situation where he asks for help. And, frankly, Ciri rather dislikes not knowing where he stands. The vampire seems so noncommittal, disinterested, spurning conversation and then moments later deciding to follow her. He invites her to his domain and offers a decent sparring partner, and then acts as though it's a great surprise allies (?) seek him out for help in times of need. If he's unreliable, so be it. She does not like being indebted, and even less so to a man whose motivations she can't understand. ]
[Alucard follows. He's not thrilled about leaving his graveyard and being around people in the daylight, but he'll do it. The conversation merits it, just as it merits frankness. There's the illusion of privacy around them, and that'll do fine.]
I appreciate your straightforwardness. [And maybe those at the first sincere words that he's said since Ciri's arrived. It is for that reason, and not her too sharp gaze, that he seems to deflate a hair.]
I've...not been at my best, lately. [The absolute understatement of the year.] And I think Jaskier is the first person who has actually managed to be present when I have been as such. [A sad fact, but one Alucard's not going to dwell on yet. It also means he doesn't consider it an excuse or explanation for behavior, just part and parcel of it.]
I can't tell you what your expectations should be, because I cannot predict my own course at the moment. [Straightforwardness deserves the same in response.] I realize that an opaque and unhelpful response.
[Alucard is able to meet Ciri's eyes, and while there's not shame there, there is a note of apology. For not being the person he was a few months ago. He quite liked being that person himself.]
[ Ciri listens patiently, gaze perhaps unnervingly fixed on Alucard's face, but she does not interrupt, and her expression remains neutral. Finally, she nods. ]
But it is an honest one. That tells me enough.
[ He is self-aware, at least. He isn't being flippant now, as she'd thought he might be. Honesty and an understanding of oneself are traits Ciri can respect, at least.
She even offers a smile. ]
Finding another person seeing you at... not your best... can be a discomforting experience. Lucky for you it was Jaskier.
I don't like having debts between us. But a favor from a friend of Jaskier's, I will accept. And, if the opportunity came along, I would repay such a favor to my friend by helping his.
Then don't worry about there being any debt between us. [It's not slack, exactly, but it is Alucard trying to give a genuine thank you for Ciri in being so understanding. So much of her comes off as unwavering. It feels only correct to acknowledge it.
He's no understanding about what debts are like on the Continent. He'd probably be better off not finding out.]
[ Ciri nods, conclusive. As if this seals... some sort of deal, somehow. At the very least, she seems satisfied.
Jaskier's vampire bud is apparently in good standing with his Witcher niece again. ]
I wish you luck clearing up your opaque affairs, Alucard. There is nothing more we need to speak on.
[ As far as dismissals go, it's not actually as cold as the words may be on their face; she sounds genuine, and she really does hope he figures something out. Better company for Jaskier. Besides, she's tired of trying to have a conversation with a stubborn wolf every time she needs to speak to the dhampir. ]
[Alucard can detect the note that Ciri really does mean it, and if nothing else, the phrasing puts a very thin smile on his face. One that stays there as he adds:]
If you're in need of a surprised look on his face, ask him about how the cactus started out.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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A more human sigh follows, and there's Alucard again. One that has at least bathed recently, as his hair is in far better shape than last Ciri saw him, and his clothes have foregone all decoration. It's just a plain duster coat now, along with his white tunic and black trousers.]
I suppose that answers the question of how you're doing.
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Ciri raises a brow, but there's a small smirk there, and the spark in her eyes is back. No longer haggard and hard-edged. She too looks like she's eaten and bathed more recently than the last time they'd encountered one another. ]
I do not recall being asked such a question, as my companion until a few moments ago was the silently slinking type.
[ It's a tease, mostly. But she answers after a beat. ]
I am well enough. And you? I see you have decorated.
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[Stop making him be a people 20k22.]
I did no such thing. Jaskier needed a distraction, and decided this was what he was going to do.
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[ Ciri snorts, shaking her head and sparing him another glance as they walk. ]
Perhaps you should learn to use your wolf mouth for human speech.
[ Yes, she knows that's not how it works. Put a little effort into being a people occasionally, Alucard! ]
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[There's a soft hmph! at the suggestion, even as Alucard follows.]
The problem is the vocal chords, actually. And I am bound by the laws of nature in that regard.
[But he doesn't want to!]
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[ Perhaps Ciri is also spending too much time with Jaskier. ]
Hah. Yes, well-- that is one of his charming points, I'm sure he'd say.
[ She recalls how uncertain and put out Jaskier had looked when they'd asked Alucard for help he seemed so grudging to give, though. And then he'd gone and helped Alucard... beautify the cemetery, built him a cactus house, and grew a bunch of flowers. Guilt, perhaps, as much as a distraction. The last few weeks have been a whirlwind. Ciri isn't entirely clear on the situation with Hector, or how Jaskier is involved between the two of them, but she can tell Jaskier is worried. ]
He is fond of you, Alucard.
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[He's a good influence on you Ciri.
That said, Alucard shrugs it off. He's genuinely gotten the question before, but he won't protest and insist on being earnest anyway. It's a little easier to sidestep right now, especially--
--especially at the threat of anything like sincerity. He's barely up on his feet, and that's only because drinking with Gideon was a much needed catharsis.]
Has he not written his own biography in your world yet? He does seem the sort. [Light. Far too light, wanting to just move away from anything serious. It's the reason his reaction to the next statement is to try the same tactic.]
Is there anyone he isn't?
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[ On many things, in fact. The bard is often writing -- or at least, he usually is, the last few weeks of heartache and sleeplessness notwithstanding.
Ciri catches the subtle shift in tone from Alucard and shoots him a look, a single eyebrow rising. ]
There are such people, yes. But you are correct that he is often friendly.
Do not mistake his friendliness for foolishness. He's a good man.
[ There might be the faintest hint of... not quite a threat, not exactly, but a firmness in her voice. Jaskier's been through a lot recently. And while Jaskier has told Ciri to be patient with Alucard as he's in the midst of his own struggles (and... living in a cemetery), she is less willing to cut the dhampir slack if he's being rude to her
emotional support bardfriend. ]no subject
So maybe it's better to cut to the point.
it is not.At least, with Ciri's tone shift.]Say what you mean, then. I realize neither of us are likely in a good place to dance around anything volatile.
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[ But Ciri takes his point. There's something sharper about him, guarded. She sighs, shaking her head, and steps off to the side of the road with a gesture to Alucard to join her. They stand in the shade of an awning to the side of a building, a shop or a tavern of some kind, out of the way. Ciri leans back against the wall (she is not wearing her sword today, only her wolf's head dagger at her hip) and crosses her arms. ]
Listen. Alucard. We are both grateful for your help some weeks back, but it did not escape my notice, nor his, that you seemed unwilling to give it. That's your prerogative; I expect nothing, and you have given no promises.
But Jaskier worries about you. He considers you a friend. I... [ She looks at Alucard, expression neutral, but sharp-eyed on his face. ] I only wish to know if you are an ally who can be relied upon again in the future. If not, tell me. I'll do my best to make sure expectations are as they should be.
[ She just doesn't want Alucard turning Jaskier away if there is another situation where he asks for help. And, frankly, Ciri rather dislikes not knowing where he stands. The vampire seems so noncommittal, disinterested, spurning conversation and then moments later deciding to follow her. He invites her to his domain and offers a decent sparring partner, and then acts as though it's a great surprise allies (?) seek him out for help in times of need. If he's unreliable, so be it. She does not like being indebted, and even less so to a man whose motivations she can't understand. ]
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I appreciate your straightforwardness. [And maybe those at the first sincere words that he's said since Ciri's arrived. It is for that reason, and not her too sharp gaze, that he seems to deflate a hair.]
I've...not been at my best, lately. [The absolute understatement of the year.] And I think Jaskier is the first person who has actually managed to be present when I have been as such. [A sad fact, but one Alucard's not going to dwell on yet. It also means he doesn't consider it an excuse or explanation for behavior, just part and parcel of it.]
I can't tell you what your expectations should be, because I cannot predict my own course at the moment. [Straightforwardness deserves the same in response.] I realize that an opaque and unhelpful response.
[Alucard is able to meet Ciri's eyes, and while there's not shame there, there is a note of apology. For not being the person he was a few months ago. He quite liked being that person himself.]
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But it is an honest one. That tells me enough.
[ He is self-aware, at least. He isn't being flippant now, as she'd thought he might be. Honesty and an understanding of oneself are traits Ciri can respect, at least.
She even offers a smile. ]
Finding another person seeing you at... not your best... can be a discomforting experience. Lucky for you it was Jaskier.
I don't like having debts between us. But a favor from a friend of Jaskier's, I will accept. And, if the opportunity came along, I would repay such a favor to my friend by helping his.
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He's no understanding about what debts are like on the Continent. He'd probably be better off not finding out.]
I appreciate this and this alone, in truth.
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[ Ciri nods, conclusive. As if this seals... some sort of deal, somehow. At the very least, she seems satisfied.
Jaskier's vampire bud is apparently in good standing with his Witcher niece again. ]
I wish you luck clearing up your opaque affairs, Alucard. There is nothing more we need to speak on.
[ As far as dismissals go, it's not actually as cold as the words may be on their face; she sounds genuine, and she really does hope he figures something out. Better company for Jaskier. Besides, she's tired of trying to have a conversation with a stubborn wolf every time she needs to speak to the dhampir. ]
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[Alucard can detect the note that Ciri really does mean it, and if nothing else, the phrasing puts a very thin smile on his face. One that stays there as he adds:]
If you're in need of a surprised look on his face, ask him about how the cactus started out.