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[cryptsleeper]

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[petcromancer]

[No answer from Gef II, who stills, hidden within the safety of the upper walls of the hut. He can be patient. Though he'll pilfer food, he has no need to eat or drink. A perk of being an undead construct.

So while Alucard prowls, Gef II is quiet, cautious. After a long stretch of stillness, he begins to creep quietly again, slinking his way to somewhere Alucard isn't to cause just a little more mischief. Perhaps he can find a nice sock to drag away and burrow into as a cozy bed.]

[cryptsleeper]

[Lucky for Gef II, there is indeed a warm pair of socks. They are beside the woodburning stove in Alucard's room, alongside his thick leather boots that are also excellent for hiding in.

Alucard, meanwhile, decides that this isn't worth the investment of his time. He lets out a sigh, then turns back to his room. More naps, please.]

[petcromancer]

[A boot! How Gef II has dreamed of a boot as fine as this one. He creeps into the room and wiggles his way inside of it. Such a wonderful tube to nap in! Warm from the fire and dark and secure.

And once Alucard is safely asleep, he can emerge and begin to drag the boot away. The dhampir has two and Gef II currently has none. Alucard can afford to share the bounty.]

[cryptsleeper]

[The boot-ny, if you will.

And so, the dhampir does sleep. For a while, curled up and warm, fire still popping and hissing. It is only when the flame dies down that he rises and---

--why is his boot against the door?]

[petcromancer]

[The door does present a problem. Gef II is in possession of tiny, mischievous fingers, but not of the size or strength needed to manipulate a door knob. The boot is too heavy to scale the walls with, and there are no holes near the baseboard of a size to drag it through.

He has labored to get his prize as far as he can, but no more. The dhampir rises, as do the ferret's hackles. With an angry hiss, he scrambles across the floor and up the wall in a blur of dark grey and white fur. Farewell, beloved boot! How poor Gef has loved and lost.

He will go shred up some toilet paper in the bathroom as he mourns.]

[cryptsleeper]

[Alucard grumbles, getting up to return the boot where it should be. He doesn't sleepwalk, so it's...odd that it moved here. Especially when the other is where he left it.

Concerning.

The dhampir considers what to do, now that he's standing. Perhaps-- yes. A walk.

So both boots go on. He sheds the blankets for a warmer coat, lined with fur and perfect for moody autumn walks.

Alas, Gef II is left alone, his hard work of toilet paper shredding ignored!]

[petcromancer]

[Don't worry, Gef II bounces back eventually. After venting his grief on the toilet paper, he moves to self-expression with the medium of paw-prints in flour on the kitchen counter. Finally, a nap on Alucard's pillow, leaving a circle imprint and a dusting of gray furs in his wake.

Meanwhile, Hector has tried to head home, but Alucard's damn labyrinth is harder to navigate without an animal to guide him with sight and scent. Ironic that the defenses meant to keep everyone out have now succeeded in keeping Hector IN far longer than he planned.

So, yes, he may encounter a moody vampire on a moody walk as he quietly curses and shoves his way through the tangled branches and vines.]

[cryptsleeper]

[What a treat for Gef II.

Alucard finds Hector, eventually. Only because he walks so far and for so long, content in idleness and likely to stay there if allowed.

But Hector comes into his field of vision and the dhampir's face sours immediately. Far be it from him to be accusatory, but he is suspicious and doesn't bother hiding it.]

Enjoying yourself?

[petcromancer]

No.

[He's got twigs in his hair and his feet are tired from a long, winding walk. He doesn't want to be in Alucard's presence any more than Alucard wants to be in his.]

I find myself disoriented. Which way gets me out of this hell-hole?

[This isn't the first time he's been in and out of Alucard's domain, but usually he has a dog or two with him that can lead him back on the path he came in on by scent. An oversight on his part this time, in his eagerness to deliver the ferret to his new haunt.]

[cryptsleeper]

--Hm.

[Usually, his Domain should just lead someone out. Strange that it isn't, but no matter.]

Follow me, or else you could just pull back into the waking wold.

[petcromancer]

[If anyone can mess up an exit and inconvenience Alucard, it's Hector. He sighs, but follows.]

I... didn't think of that. It takes some getting used to, popping in and out.

[cryptsleeper]

Yes, it does. [Meaning that the dhampir isn't going to be a dick about this, at least.]

Still, I didn't expect to see you here. I'd imagine you'd be elsewhere. Probably not getting damp.

[petcromancer]

I like exploring.

[He's totally not pouting. He can do what he wants! His curiosity has never gotten him into trouble ever, not once!]

Why are you out? In your human form no less?

[He would expect Alucard skulking in wolf form for exercise, honestly.]

[cryptsleeper]

[Hector you are a walking cautionary tale.]

I like walking here. Usually there's just myself, so form doesn't matter as much. [It is the honest and straight forward answer. Maybe he'll warn Hector about the vampire horses here.

Maybe.]

And I can't make use of the kitchen I have here with paws for hands.

[petcromancer]

[Better warn the vampire horses about Hector, more likely. He'll try to take one home.

Alucard is getting out of the house a little, and eating. Not that Hector cares. But Alucard is maybe doing slightly better, and that's... good.]

That's true. Unless you can figure out how to transform into some sort of monkey. I hear they have little hands quite like a human's.

[It's not a traditional vampiric animal, but Alucard isn't really a traditional vampire, either.]

[cryptsleeper]

[Fuck it, he's gifting them to Jaskier.

Yes Hector, in his pretend house in his pretend depressing forest. How is that good?]

I'd have to be a very tall monkey to manage that. Not worth the effort, I imagine. [Although--] Have you tried changing forms here?

[petcromancer]

Monkeys can climb. [Idiot.]

No, I'm human, I ca-

[A pause. Dawning realization. He can, in theory. Another thing that hadn't occurred to him, simply because it had never been an option before.]

Huh. [He'd say, 'I need to go', but Alucard is already leading him out of his domain.]

[cryptsleeper]

--Really?

[Hector. Hector how????]

[petcromancer]

[He flushes.]

In theory, we could probably walk through the sky, too, but we stay on the ground like we're accustomed to.

[He's so used to being a human surrounded by vampires who can transform, it's habit to think it is beyond his abilities.]

...and I don't know where to start. Do you start with your skin, or change your insides first? Or is it all at once?

[cryptsleeper]

We could.

[Okay, he's not going to be a dick about it.]

I honestly couldn't say at this point in my life. That'd be like asking me how I breathe. It simply happens, the mechanics are too ingrained.

[Regardless, they're at the wall of thorns now. A narrow doorway has appeared in them, allowing Hector safe passage.]

[petcromancer]

Helpful.

[But Hector's tone suggests that he gets it. There's a process to his forging, but the actual moment of sparking life is just... something he does, that he can't properly explain.]

Thanks. For showing me the way.

[Look at them, being practically civil!]

[cryptsleeper]

[He's going to even throw a bone.]

Would a demonstration help with visualizing?

[petcromancer]

Yes.

[He agrees before the shock of Alucard even offering fully registers. Damn, he should have ferretted the dhampir months ago.]

If you really mean it, yes, it would help. [He's trying and failing to hide the childlike excitement at the prospect.]

[cryptsleeper]

[He still hasn't found Gef II. Don't be so excited.]

I can't control the speed, so watch carefully.

[Alucard makes a point to take a few steps back. After that, and after making sure Hector's ready, Alucard takes a step forward. The second step comes with the full transformation, flawless dhampir features morphing into something fluffier.

And there his is. An awoocard.]

[petcromancer]

[Hector drinks it in, trying to note where the transformation starts and the motion that accompanies it. It's quick, but so is Hector's mind when it comes to retro-engineering magical reactions.]

That's brilliant.

[He squeezes his hand into a fist to rein in the impulse to pet the fluff. He'd probably lose the hand in the attempt.]

Can you go back? It would be awkward if I tried and got stuck. [Awkward for Hector, at least. Probably hilarious for Alucard, if that were to happen.]