[ 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.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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.]