[ 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.
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no subject
[ 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. ]
no subject
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.]
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
[ 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. ]
no subject
[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.