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
[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.
[But it's purposeful, so far as Alucard has been able to tell. He doesn't voice it, Strange already knows, and he won't waste his breath on what need not be said.
He resumes petting Bell, and leans his head back against the wall. Alucard closes his eyes, trying to equilbriate against himself.]
[ It takes Strange another five minutes and another two show-offy uses of magic, but eventually, he's done. The floor isn't spic-and-span levels of clean, but there aren't visible bloodstains and there isn't any trace of the ritual circle he drew.
All the while, Bell is sitting right next to Alucard, taking in as many pets as she can get. When Strange finishes, he gets to his feet. ]
I'd appreciate it if you stop spoiling my animus. It's done, by the way.
[But Alucard does stop all the same. He knows a thing or two about spoiled soul animals, after all.
The sound of Strange getting to his feet prompts Alucard to rise as well, and he does so. Alucard takes a moment to appreciate how relatively clean the floor now looks, then nods.]
[ Strange gestures to Bell, bending down slightly. She hops towards him and jumps in his arms. ]
Follow me.
[ And so, Strange leaves the building and starts walking. It's a bit of a walk to the black market area and honestly, he's not one for silence. There's an awkward pause before Strange starts talking. ]
There's one thing I'd still like more information on. How did your father's books make their way to the black market in the first place?
[ There's plenty of potential answers: no siblings or caretakers to watch the collection, someone robbed the place, dad was an idiot and sold them, and so on. Strange simply wants to know which is the actual answer. ]
[Alucard refuses to walk behind anyone. He instead keeps up pace, never letting his eyes leave his guide.]
Following my death, our libraries were raided. Material was stolen and traded into suspicious hands that either knew the true value of what lay within, or because some passer-by simply needed to grab something to exchange for coin so they could eat.
[He had thought about it a lot. It bothers Alucard, the gravity in his voice doesn't hide that.]
The castle's defenses fell over the century, obviously, with my father truly dead and none in his blood line alive to continue to keep those defenses around.
[ Strange can't help but make a small noise of disapproval as Alucard mentions the libraries being raided. He doesn't like the man and thinks that the vampire is a great idiot, but that doesn't mean his library deserved to be destroyed. Strange is obviously more concerned for the books than the dhampir. ]
What a waste of knowledge. I can think of so many things I'd want to research if your libraries were intact.
[ Unsurprisingly, Strange is picking up what Alucard's putting down. What a shock, the vampire might try and eat him. He rolls his eyes a little before talking again. ]
That's why I'd make certain you would be there with me. I suspect most fathers wouldn't try to kill their son's...well, we certainly aren't friends. Acquaintances?
Believe me, I'd just have you kicked out for your own good. You try my patience at every turn, I cannot imaginehe'd tolerate you for more than...maybe a minute? That's probably generous.
[You'd probably taste gross anyway buddy.
But that's...a fair point. Alucard shakes his head.]
Two diametrically opposed people who keep ending up in the other's orbit because fate is strange.
[ Most people would be annoyed at hearing that they try someone's patience. Strange just gives Alucard a wry little smile like 'fuck yeah I try your patience, I try it SO hard.' It's something he shouldn't be proud of but here we are. ]
Fate is strange and the gods have a terrible sense of humor. [ He stops walking for a moment, gesturing to another elf, standing near an alleyway. ] That's my contact, by the way. Hopefully he knows something about your missing second book.
Did you have a target of your annoyance earlier? [It's a question that's a little rude (okay, a lot rude), but also genuine. The dhampir's given up far more about his life than he ever anticipated on sharing with Strange, so it feels only fair.
I did, [ Strange admits. ] At least, I had a target of my annoyance before our resurrection. I'm afraid you're stuck with the role now.
[ But, he doesn't mind talking and this is one piece of his backstory that he doesn't have issues dancing around. So, Strange starts talking. There's a growing nostalgic tone in his voice as he speaks. ] There was a former mentor of mine, back in university, a man named Norrell. I respected his teachings and him as a person, but we were complete opposites in our ideology. We got into fights about magic just as often as we debated it. It was after one of those fights that I cut ties with him entirely and left the university behind me.
[ There's a little pause before Strange admits, ] I'd like to think we would have made up at some point. Of course, I can't do anything about that now, can I.
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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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[But it's purposeful, so far as Alucard has been able to tell. He doesn't voice it, Strange already knows, and he won't waste his breath on what need not be said.
He resumes petting Bell, and leans his head back against the wall. Alucard closes his eyes, trying to equilbriate against himself.]
Let me know when you're done.
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All the while, Bell is sitting right next to Alucard, taking in as many pets as she can get. When Strange finishes, he gets to his feet. ]
I'd appreciate it if you stop spoiling my animus. It's done, by the way.
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[But Alucard does stop all the same. He knows a thing or two about spoiled soul animals, after all.
The sound of Strange getting to his feet prompts Alucard to rise as well, and he does so. Alucard takes a moment to appreciate how relatively clean the floor now looks, then nods.]
Lead on, Strange.
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Follow me.
[ And so, Strange leaves the building and starts walking. It's a bit of a walk to the black market area and honestly, he's not one for silence. There's an awkward pause before Strange starts talking. ]
There's one thing I'd still like more information on. How did your father's books make their way to the black market in the first place?
[ There's plenty of potential answers: no siblings or caretakers to watch the collection, someone robbed the place, dad was an idiot and sold them, and so on. Strange simply wants to know which is the actual answer. ]
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[Alucard refuses to walk behind anyone. He instead keeps up pace, never letting his eyes leave his guide.]
Following my death, our libraries were raided. Material was stolen and traded into suspicious hands that either knew the true value of what lay within, or because some passer-by simply needed to grab something to exchange for coin so they could eat.
[He had thought about it a lot. It bothers Alucard, the gravity in his voice doesn't hide that.]
The castle's defenses fell over the century, obviously, with my father truly dead and none in his blood line alive to continue to keep those defenses around.
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What a waste of knowledge. I can think of so many things I'd want to research if your libraries were intact.
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I'm sure my father would have loved having you in the house.
[Yeah, no. Dracula would have had Strange for a snack.]
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That's why I'd make certain you would be there with me. I suspect most fathers wouldn't try to kill their son's...well, we certainly aren't friends. Acquaintances?
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[You'd probably taste gross anyway buddy.
But that's...a fair point. Alucard shakes his head.]
Two diametrically opposed people who keep ending up in the other's orbit because fate is strange.
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Fate is strange and the gods have a terrible sense of humor. [ He stops walking for a moment, gesturing to another elf, standing near an alleyway. ] That's my contact, by the way. Hopefully he knows something about your missing second book.
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Alucard does see the elf in the alley. He nods.]
If not, I appreciate the lead all the same.
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[ But, he doesn't mind talking and this is one piece of his backstory that he doesn't have issues dancing around. So, Strange starts talking. There's a growing nostalgic tone in his voice as he speaks. ] There was a former mentor of mine, back in university, a man named Norrell. I respected his teachings and him as a person, but we were complete opposites in our ideology. We got into fights about magic just as often as we debated it. It was after one of those fights that I cut ties with him entirely and left the university behind me.
[ There's a little pause before Strange admits, ] I'd like to think we would have made up at some point. Of course, I can't do anything about that now, can I.
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