Character(s): Alucard + ???? Status: Open Location(s): Around, about, and up in the Krimnos mountains Date(s) August About: General August catch all Warnings: Added as required
Then who does it belong to? Someone who won't do a thing with it? Because I know you, Alucard, you're going to take that book and hide it away somewhere and not use it.
[ Partly because Alucard is obviously averse to blood magic, partly because Strange downright knows that Alucard doesn't trust him that much, partly because a small part of Jonathan 'I've also got some daddy issues' Strange recognizes that's something he might do. ]
This should be obvious, but I'm not your father. There's no need to mention what he did with regards to my work.
My father's and my mother's estates are mine. I have always been the curator, collections manager, and executor of such property, both in life and in death. I have granted access to researchers before, those of sound mind and judgement and whose work was long since proven. Unorthodoxy was no point against them, but pure recklessness?
[Looking at you, buddy.]
That was the point where I always denied access. And you? You have proven time and again that reckless should simply be your middle name.
[Damn right he's going to hide that book.]
Yes. This book will not circulate, but for reasons of sentiment.
[ He knows he doesn't have a leg to stand on with regards to recklessness. He knows that should he attempt to challenge that, Alucard will have a long litany of probably deserved accusations and that doesn't even count the deserved accusations that Strange knows himself but hasn't told anybody. He knows that he shouldn't fight this.
....but dammit, he really wants that book. So he changes tactics a little. ]
That book has magic in there that the world hasn't dreamed of. It's foolish to let such resources sit in a moldy old basement or wherever you keep your books.
[He says those words flatly enough, but now Alucard's eyes are moving around the horrible little room. There could be more than one book. It'll be the ex libris that confirms it, or else a shelf mark on the spine that has Alucard's call number system on it, for he had things organized in a certain way and invented his own version of the Dewey Decimal System in order to keep things well managed.
Strange's pleading for access though, that does strike a softer spot, or at least as soft as Alucard can be in the moment.]
There's one person I'd trust with work like this, and she lives with me as it is.
[ At least it's a library, Strange thinks. He then realizes that's the sort of thing his fuddy-duddy old mentor would say and instantly decides he's never going to think something like that ever again.
He's still trying to build his case, trying to focus on gaining access to the book even if he's no longer going to be able to keep it himself. ]
For her sake, I hope this person has experience with blood magic. It's dangerous to let a complete novice work with something like that.
Sypha is the one woman in the world I would trust with the worst of my father's library, because of her skill and her sense of responsibility with magic.
[His girlfriend is perfect okay?!
Alucard's eyes go back over to the door. And to Bell, to gauge if he's done the smart thing here in her eyes.
God help him, he's divining information via a soul rabbit.]
[ Bell nods. Good job Alucard, you kept her stupidass wizard alive.
Strange is still scowling and sulking, obviously not fond of the loss of his book. But Sypha? That's a name he hasn't heard. He'll have to look her up. ]
Sense of responsibility is different from experience. I know you think little of me, but you cannot deny that I have experience with that sort of magic.
[ he says, entirely unaware that Alucard might not know the full details of his sketchy blood magic past. ]
[ Strange looks over at Bell...who's still giving him a bit of a stink eye. He wipes what wet blood is still on his hands on his trousers, before bending down and making a kissy noise. Bell continues to give Strange the stink eye as she hops over towards him. He continues to explain as he bends down to picks her up. ]
My animus knows this is as much for her as it is for me. You may call me impulsive and reckless but Bell is worse than I am. If I can grow my magic to keep her safe, then of course I will do so.
I didn't choose a rabbit out of spite. The spell required a certain amount of blood. A rabbit fit the requirements and wouldn't be as missed like a cat or a dog would be.
[ Says the man who would 100% murder a cat if need be. As Strange maneuvers his hands, he starts to pet Bell...who just keeps staring at him in a 'bitch, please' sort of way. Strange 100% isn't making eye contact. ]
[Bell really is the best part of Strange. And that last comment has defanged all of Alucard's remaining venom. He simply clutches the book to his chest, a horrible keepsake and memory but still something of his father's legacy.]
There was a second book according to all the market rumors. Where is it?
[He barely registers the fact he's actually insulted the man. Alucard's also...not at the point of caring, and he'd be more than surprised to know that was a greater insult than say, running in, grabbing a book, and berating the man in a fit of red hot anger.]
Well now you know: I don't have that book. But I do know the man who sold me your father's book. I would be happy to go with you to meet him.
[ Because he sure as shit isn't going to tell Alucard the man's name by himself. Oh no, Strange wants to be here and wants to use take advantage of this tiny bit of leverage as much as possible. ]
[ Strange snaps, as he spins around and walks back towards his bag. Reaching into it, Strange opens up a wrapped bar of soap. With a gesture of his hand, a small rainstorm creates itself in his room, raining directly on the bloody ritual circle.
...might grab a seat, Alucard, this will take a bit. ]
[Alucard sighs, moving back towards the door and sitting in front of it. After all that anger, he's just tired now, and he settles down with one hand resting on the floor in case Bell would like pats that aren't slightly bloody. His other hand leafs through the pages of the old book, and there's a weariness that settles over Alucard. It was a book of some of his father's worst tendencies, oh yes, and it was one that he himself had touched before. The spine bore the numbers Alucard used to organize the books, and the inside cover had Alucard's handwriting as well.]
You're the only person who seems to have tried using a spell in here, at least.
[He murmurs it quietly, still flipping through pages.]
I try to keep abreast of things in the black market, [ Strange explains, as he continues to scrub the floor. ] While I generally believe that people should learn whatever sort of magic they wish, there is a bit of wisdom in keeping advanced texts away from complete neophytes. The moment I heard of the book, I made certain I was the first to buy it.
[ Despite the fact that Strange is very much Team Let Everybody Learn Cool Magic, there's also a sensible part of him that realizes it might be a bad idea if a total newbie to magic manages to get their hands on some horrible eldritch text. A little bit of moderation might be good.
Bell will happily take those pats. She hops over towards Alucard, sitting next to the dhampir so that she's in peak petting position, as she watches Strange clean up his mess. ]
[It's a noncommittal noise that acknowledge that Strange Has Said a Thing, but Alucard isn't about to say more. He instead focuses on giving Bell a very good scratch behind the ears (he's got a feeling about where the best spot is), still flipping through the pages of the book.
He doesn't look up. There's no need to watch a man clean, just as he hopes that Strange isn't looking back at himself and the face journey the book is provoking. There's horror that cycles through something fonder to near nostalgia, then anger, then back to horror again.
It's always been a nightmare, his father coming back. It was a fear in life, it's a fear now. And if there was anyone to contemplate that fear with, maybe it is Strange.]
Have there been any documented cases of those like us coming back from a space other than the battle field? Initially, I mean.
[ Strange does not look up. Partly because he's focusing on making sure all the blood gets cleaned up, partly because he really doesn't want to look at Alucard's expression as he says this. ]
No. As far as I can tell, we all came from the battlefields. We're also the only cases of necromancy this thorough.
[ Which still really pisses him off! And is yet another reason why Strange thinks the dragons had to be behind this. Of course they could do magic he never could. ]
[He says the word softly, the hand that's petting Bell going still for just a moment. If there was anyone half as invested in the necromancy of it all, it would be Strange, and there's so much relief in hearing that his worst fear is a bit more unlikely. He knows where his father's body fell and where his mother was burnt. Miles away, up mountains, and away some more.]
Before we revived, I'd have disagreed. Now, I'm not so sure.
[ Strange admits this in a quiet voice, as if he doesn't want to actually say this aloud to Alucard. Because before they revived and even in the first few months of his revival, he would have fought tooth and nail in order to bring his wife, his beloved Arabella back from the dead. But now that time has passed, circumstances have been defined, and he's found himself growing closer to other people, he's not so sure. ]
It does seem cruel, though. There are those who would give anything to see their loved ones once more, but they didn't die at the right place or the right time.
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[ Partly because Alucard is obviously averse to blood magic, partly because Strange downright knows that Alucard doesn't trust him that much, partly because a small part of Jonathan 'I've also got some daddy issues' Strange recognizes that's something he might do. ]
This should be obvious, but I'm not your father. There's no need to mention what he did with regards to my work.
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[Looking at you, buddy.]
That was the point where I always denied access. And you? You have proven time and again that reckless should simply be your middle name.
[Damn right he's going to hide that book.]
Yes. This book will not circulate, but for reasons of sentiment.
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....but dammit, he really wants that book. So he changes tactics a little. ]
That book has magic in there that the world hasn't dreamed of. It's foolish to let such resources sit in a moldy old basement or wherever you keep your books.
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[He says those words flatly enough, but now Alucard's eyes are moving around the horrible little room. There could be more than one book. It'll be the ex libris that confirms it, or else a shelf mark on the spine that has Alucard's call number system on it, for he had things organized in a certain way and invented his own version of the Dewey Decimal System in order to keep things well managed.
Strange's pleading for access though, that does strike a softer spot, or at least as soft as Alucard can be in the moment.]
There's one person I'd trust with work like this, and she lives with me as it is.
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He's still trying to build his case, trying to focus on gaining access to the book even if he's no longer going to be able to keep it himself. ]
For her sake, I hope this person has experience with blood magic. It's dangerous to let a complete novice work with something like that.
[ said as he gestures to the book. ]
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[His girlfriend is perfect okay?!
Alucard's eyes go back over to the door. And to Bell, to gauge if he's done the smart thing here in her eyes.
God help him, he's divining information via a soul rabbit.]
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Strange is still scowling and sulking, obviously not fond of the loss of his book. But Sypha? That's a name he hasn't heard. He'll have to look her up. ]
Sense of responsibility is different from experience. I know you think little of me, but you cannot deny that I have experience with that sort of magic.
[ he says, entirely unaware that Alucard might not know the full details of his sketchy blood magic past. ]
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But honestly, I don't care.
[Alucard knows that's cold. He doesn't care.]
I know enough of you to make my judgement. Have you cast any glances to your animus to gauge her reaction to the matter?
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My animus knows this is as much for her as it is for me. You may call me impulsive and reckless but Bell is worse than I am. If I can grow my magic to keep her safe, then of course I will do so.
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[Alucard raises his eyebrows, because really? At least Bell seems to be on Alucard's side on this.]
Secondly, take a good look at her expression.
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[ Says the man who would 100% murder a cat if need be. As Strange maneuvers his hands, he starts to pet Bell...who just keeps staring at him in a 'bitch, please' sort of way. Strange 100% isn't making eye contact. ]
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[Bell really is the best part of Strange. And that last comment has defanged all of Alucard's remaining venom. He simply clutches the book to his chest, a horrible keepsake and memory but still something of his father's legacy.]
There was a second book according to all the market rumors. Where is it?
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I've been keeping an eye out for the second book, of course, but I don't have it. There's market rumors but nothing's turned up a solid lead.
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And you're not being bold enough to just lie to my face about having it?
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In all of our conversations, have I lied to you? I may keep things secret, but I am not the sort of man to blatantly lie.
[ And it's true: he straight up doesn't have a second book. ]
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[He barely registers the fact he's actually insulted the man. Alucard's also...not at the point of caring, and he'd be more than surprised to know that was a greater insult than say, running in, grabbing a book, and berating the man in a fit of red hot anger.]
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[ Because he sure as shit isn't going to tell Alucard the man's name by himself. Oh no, Strange wants to be here and wants to use take advantage of this tiny bit of leverage as much as possible. ]
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[He pauses, then tilts his head at Strange entirely.] Cleaning up would be advisable.
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[ Strange snaps, as he spins around and walks back towards his bag. Reaching into it, Strange opens up a wrapped bar of soap. With a gesture of his hand, a small rainstorm creates itself in his room, raining directly on the bloody ritual circle.
...might grab a seat, Alucard, this will take a bit. ]
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[Alucard sighs, moving back towards the door and sitting in front of it. After all that anger, he's just tired now, and he settles down with one hand resting on the floor in case Bell would like pats that aren't slightly bloody. His other hand leafs through the pages of the old book, and there's a weariness that settles over Alucard. It was a book of some of his father's worst tendencies, oh yes, and it was one that he himself had touched before. The spine bore the numbers Alucard used to organize the books, and the inside cover had Alucard's handwriting as well.]
You're the only person who seems to have tried using a spell in here, at least.
[He murmurs it quietly, still flipping through pages.]
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[ Despite the fact that Strange is very much Team Let Everybody Learn Cool Magic, there's also a sensible part of him that realizes it might be a bad idea if a total newbie to magic manages to get their hands on some horrible eldritch text. A little bit of moderation might be good.
Bell will happily take those pats. She hops over towards Alucard, sitting next to the dhampir so that she's in peak petting position, as she watches Strange clean up his mess. ]
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[It's a noncommittal noise that acknowledge that Strange Has Said a Thing, but Alucard isn't about to say more. He instead focuses on giving Bell a very good scratch behind the ears (he's got a feeling about where the best spot is), still flipping through the pages of the book.
He doesn't look up. There's no need to watch a man clean, just as he hopes that Strange isn't looking back at himself and the face journey the book is provoking. There's horror that cycles through something fonder to near nostalgia, then anger, then back to horror again.
It's always been a nightmare, his father coming back. It was a fear in life, it's a fear now. And if there was anyone to contemplate that fear with, maybe it is Strange.]
Have there been any documented cases of those like us coming back from a space other than the battle field? Initially, I mean.
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No. As far as I can tell, we all came from the battlefields. We're also the only cases of necromancy this thorough.
[ Which still really pisses him off! And is yet another reason why Strange thinks the dragons had to be behind this. Of course they could do magic he never could. ]
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[He says the word softly, the hand that's petting Bell going still for just a moment. If there was anyone half as invested in the necromancy of it all, it would be Strange, and there's so much relief in hearing that his worst fear is a bit more unlikely. He knows where his father's body fell and where his mother was burnt. Miles away, up mountains, and away some more.]
Something good out of this nightmare.
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[ Strange admits this in a quiet voice, as if he doesn't want to actually say this aloud to Alucard. Because before they revived and even in the first few months of his revival, he would have fought tooth and nail in order to bring his wife, his beloved Arabella back from the dead. But now that time has passed, circumstances have been defined, and he's found himself growing closer to other people, he's not so sure. ]
It does seem cruel, though. There are those who would give anything to see their loved ones once more, but they didn't die at the right place or the right time.
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