[Alucard groans lowly, placing forefinger and thumb to pinch at the bridge of his nose. It takes a moment more to ground him, although what really does it is the way that too-sharp iron hits his nose from Astarion's open wound.
Dryly, Alucard manages:]
Thank you, but I think I'm alright. We're really not having a good track rate with beds, are we?
He's quick to pull his arm away, a flicker of embarrassment crossing his features very briefly as he pulls away. ]
Speak for yourself - [ he counters - although he knows what he's referring to. This is quickly followed by a deep breath in and a sigh as he continues looking Alucard over with a hint of guilt in his expression. ]
I - apologize. I don't... I usually have better control.
[ He does, at least, feel better - minus the addition of guilt. His own wrist is still bleeding slightly, and he fusses over that for a moment. ]
[Alucard's laugh comes off as a bit of a wheeze, but his voice is less croaky than it was moments ago.]
Don't apologize. I figured it might happen. I'm actually sort of surprised that trying to pry you off worked. [But that isn't the point right now. Alucard doesn't move to sit up, but there. That's his voice entirely back to normal.]
[ Astarion takes the laughter as the good sign it is, rather than something to bristle about in his embarrassment. He pulls in a deep breath, smearing some of the trickling blood from the cut he'd made on his wrist with his thumb and resisting the urge to lick it. The wound is already healing, maybe a little faster than normal with the sudden influx of fresh blood in his system. For all the freedoms it's given him, the tadpole hampers his vampiric regeneration abilities for some reason. ]
It did, yes. [ To this he sounds relieved, but after a moment he touches his middle. ] But it's never quite held at bay for long.
[ He does have excellent control. One thing he can bitterly thank his master for, though the methods he wouldn't wish on anyone else. While it may seem like he means the urge itself, it's really the pain that comes with the hunger that he's speaking about. The hook in his belly, the constant gnawing like rats in his middle. ]
If you feel remotely more capable of functioning, then it's done what you've needed it to do.
[And Alucard's own blood has done just the same. He exhales and then climbs off the bed, eyes glancing around the room to take in the whole of the destruction. He pauses for just a moment, then looks back to Astarion.]
I can help you tidy up, if you'd like. No one would notice if I went and grabbed a broom for a bit.
[It is a task, and that's what Alucard would normally do in these circumstances. Find something to do. Something to focus on, occupy his mind.]
[ He feels more than remotely capable, although Astarion doesn't immediately stand up with Alucard. He watches him stand there in the middle of the room, looking handsome and elegant as usual despite the meager and messy state of this room.
With a deep sigh, he nods. ]
I suppose I should. [ Tidy up. He won't try to dissuade Alucard from helping either, even though this is barely a two person job. Maybe he genuinely appreciates the company. ]
I ought to start finally considering... new accommodations. [ Not that having his own room all these months hasn't been a luxury compared to what he came from, but... maybe it's time. ]
[There's some joke to make about when does a splinter count as a stake, but now is not the time or place. Instead, Alucard hangs onto the last word as his hand lingers on the door, clearly intent on actually getting that broom.]
In terms of just a new room, or more space to spread out?
[ He wrinkles his nose at the vampire joke and rolls his eyes, but for how long they knew each other in that other life, Alucard might get the sense of fondness behind the annoyance he projects. ]
More space - [ and he waves his hand at the door ] - go, I promise not to escape out the window.
[Alucard does in fact recognize a thin patina of fondness in all of it, and that? That is a pleasant surprise. It is the first time he's dealt with any positive recognition of the eight centuries that were not since all of them returned, and it is hard not to feel....he's not even sure how he feels. Like something halfway decent could come out of it.]
I'm holding you to it.
[He exits, returning a few moments later with a broom, dustpan, and an extra trash can which is absolutely not going to hold that much debris. The can goes down beside the nearest pile of pieces, and Alucard leans a bit more on the broom.]
Well, I guess the question about space collides with the question of living with another person, or would you still like to fall into certain bad jokes about vampires being territorial cats that hiss a lot?
[ When Alucard returns he'll find Astarion up on his feet, picking through the small mess he made - which includes the mildly spicy portrait Jaskier painted for him, the one with a single exposed nipple lovingly rendered. Thankfully, he didn't damage the canvas when he pulled it off the wall... he sets it back into place and raises an eyebrow at Alucard. ]
I am not moving into the cactus next door to yours, if that's what you're insinuating.
[ Look, exceptions can be made, he mostly takes issue with the cactus of it all... ]
I do. [ He agrees with a deep sigh, taking a step back to admire the art. ] Although I can't say Libertas calls to me... [ he may have done a fair amount of pickpocketing there when he first arrived... ] ... most of my work is either here in Cadens, or Aquila. [ He ducks down to retrieve a law book, some of the pages fall out. ]
Perhaps somewhere in Cadens would be best. With a view of the graveyard.
Libertas is best for visiting, I've found, and I'm fond of the place. [His eyes move over to the book, curious about the contents. Alucard's sight isn't so good as to be able to read from as far as he is, but he's curious and lets it be known with a soft
--Oh.
It's a genuine surprise, and in a good way.]
I can look around when I go there tonight and see if there's anything available. I've heard that the dead there sometimes howl in the middle of the night though. I trust that won't be a problem?
[ Astarion tosses the book onto his nightstand, gathering up the loose pages and shoving them back in without bothering to sort anything. ]
Oh - have I not mentioned? [ Maybe he did in their shared hallucination, but details fade fast. Anyway, fun fact: ] I don't actually sleep. A holdover from my elven heritage, we simply trance for a few hours and revive perfectly rested.
If you did, I think that detail got lost in processing everything else and...I'm going to be processing more in a bit. [but still.] That's fascinating. Baffling, but you're talking to someone who once took a nap for a whole year.
[One for restorative functions, but never mind that.]
Two things then. First, when I'm back, I'd be happy to help find a better place to live that I promise will not be a cactus or a weird cave in the middle of the desert. [Does Astarion know about the cave? Alucard genuinely forgets.] Secondly, thank you for being the right person to be around when the full of that nonsense began to crash down. It...I believe it helped greatly.
[ A year long nap... you know what, he'll ask next time.
As for the offer, he raises his eyebrow at first, then gives a genuinely gracious nod. ]
It would be most appreciated... [ and as for the rest... his brow furrows, because he's still not exactly used to this sort of expression of gratitude from anyone except Haelva. Although, maybe he is, with the memories of that life not yet so far faded from his mind. ]
Then... I'm glad to have been with you for it. [ His smile for once isn't sly or even particularly handsome, it's slightly tentative, but also warm.
They can continue picking up the clutter until Alucard is ready to leave. ]
The look on Astarion's face, the warmth from it, gives the dhampir enough satisfaction to know it was the right thing to say. It'd be pushing the envelope to add more, even if he quite liked Astarion at the fine old age of 1,000. That can come up some time later, when the entire experience isn't raw and awkward and creating a need for everyone to recalibrate their lives. Again.
It is easier to stay for a little while longer to help with the clean up. Haul large pieces out of the room so no one will notice, and then finally put the broom where it absolutely was this whole time, thank you. Alucard doesn't mind doing the work with minimal conversation, and once all is said and done, he gives a farewell and sees himself out the door.
He's not quite sure that Astarion needs more time alone. If nothing else, it's known that if it's a problem, Astarion need only ask and the dhampir will arrive.]
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no subject
[Alucard groans lowly, placing forefinger and thumb to pinch at the bridge of his nose. It takes a moment more to ground him, although what really does it is the way that too-sharp iron hits his nose from Astarion's open wound.
Dryly, Alucard manages:]
Thank you, but I think I'm alright. We're really not having a good track rate with beds, are we?
no subject
He's quick to pull his arm away, a flicker of embarrassment crossing his features very briefly as he pulls away. ]
Speak for yourself - [ he counters - although he knows what he's referring to. This is quickly followed by a deep breath in and a sigh as he continues looking Alucard over with a hint of guilt in his expression. ]
I - apologize. I don't... I usually have better control.
[ He does, at least, feel better - minus the addition of guilt. His own wrist is still bleeding slightly, and he fusses over that for a moment. ]
no subject
[Alucard's laugh comes off as a bit of a wheeze, but his voice is less croaky than it was moments ago.]
Don't apologize. I figured it might happen. I'm actually sort of surprised that trying to pry you off worked. [But that isn't the point right now. Alucard doesn't move to sit up, but there. That's his voice entirely back to normal.]
Did my blood actually do what we needed it to?
no subject
It did, yes. [ To this he sounds relieved, but after a moment he touches his middle. ] But it's never quite held at bay for long.
[ He does have excellent control. One thing he can bitterly thank his master for, though the methods he wouldn't wish on anyone else. While it may seem like he means the urge itself, it's really the pain that comes with the hunger that he's speaking about. The hook in his belly, the constant gnawing like rats in his middle. ]
no subject
[And Alucard's own blood has done just the same. He exhales and then climbs off the bed, eyes glancing around the room to take in the whole of the destruction. He pauses for just a moment, then looks back to Astarion.]
I can help you tidy up, if you'd like. No one would notice if I went and grabbed a broom for a bit.
[It is a task, and that's what Alucard would normally do in these circumstances. Find something to do. Something to focus on, occupy his mind.]
no subject
With a deep sigh, he nods. ]
I suppose I should. [ Tidy up. He won't try to dissuade Alucard from helping either, even though this is barely a two person job. Maybe he genuinely appreciates the company. ]
I ought to start finally considering... new accommodations. [ Not that having his own room all these months hasn't been a luxury compared to what he came from, but... maybe it's time. ]
no subject
[There's some joke to make about when does a splinter count as a stake, but now is not the time or place. Instead, Alucard hangs onto the last word as his hand lingers on the door, clearly intent on actually getting that broom.]
In terms of just a new room, or more space to spread out?
no subject
More space - [ and he waves his hand at the door ] - go, I promise not to escape out the window.
no subject
I'm holding you to it.
[He exits, returning a few moments later with a broom, dustpan, and an extra trash can which is absolutely not going to hold that much debris. The can goes down beside the nearest pile of pieces, and Alucard leans a bit more on the broom.]
Well, I guess the question about space collides with the question of living with another person, or would you still like to fall into certain bad jokes about vampires being territorial cats that hiss a lot?
no subject
I am not moving into the cactus next door to yours, if that's what you're insinuating.
no subject
Alucard squats himself down, focused on some of the smaller pieces that have gotten under the bed. A good place to start.]
And you need a better place to display that work of art. I think there's a few places near my office that may be for rent.
no subject
I do. [ He agrees with a deep sigh, taking a step back to admire the art. ] Although I can't say Libertas calls to me... [ he may have done a fair amount of pickpocketing there when he first arrived... ] ... most of my work is either here in Cadens, or Aquila. [ He ducks down to retrieve a law book, some of the pages fall out. ]
Perhaps somewhere in Cadens would be best. With a view of the graveyard.
no subject
Libertas is best for visiting, I've found, and I'm fond of the place. [His eyes move over to the book, curious about the contents. Alucard's sight isn't so good as to be able to read from as far as he is, but he's curious and lets it be known with a soft
--Oh.
It's a genuine surprise, and in a good way.]
I can look around when I go there tonight and see if there's anything available. I've heard that the dead there sometimes howl in the middle of the night though. I trust that won't be a problem?
no subject
Oh - have I not mentioned? [ Maybe he did in their shared hallucination, but details fade fast. Anyway, fun fact: ] I don't actually sleep. A holdover from my elven heritage, we simply trance for a few hours and revive perfectly rested.
no subject
[One for restorative functions, but never mind that.]
Two things then. First, when I'm back, I'd be happy to help find a better place to live that I promise will not be a cactus or a weird cave in the middle of the desert. [Does Astarion know about the cave? Alucard genuinely forgets.] Secondly, thank you for being the right person to be around when the full of that nonsense began to crash down. It...I believe it helped greatly.
no subject
As for the offer, he raises his eyebrow at first, then gives a genuinely gracious nod. ]
It would be most appreciated... [ and as for the rest... his brow furrows, because he's still not exactly used to this sort of expression of gratitude from anyone except Haelva. Although, maybe he is, with the memories of that life not yet so far faded from his mind. ]
Then... I'm glad to have been with you for it. [ His smile for once isn't sly or even particularly handsome, it's slightly tentative, but also warm.
They can continue picking up the clutter until Alucard is ready to leave. ]
/end!
The look on Astarion's face, the warmth from it, gives the dhampir enough satisfaction to know it was the right thing to say. It'd be pushing the envelope to add more, even if he quite liked Astarion at the fine old age of 1,000. That can come up some time later, when the entire experience isn't raw and awkward and creating a need for everyone to recalibrate their lives. Again.
It is easier to stay for a little while longer to help with the clean up. Haul large pieces out of the room so no one will notice, and then finally put the broom where it absolutely was this whole time, thank you. Alucard doesn't mind doing the work with minimal conversation, and once all is said and done, he gives a farewell and sees himself out the door.
He's not quite sure that Astarion needs more time alone. If nothing else, it's known that if it's a problem, Astarion need only ask and the dhampir will arrive.]