Alucard \\ Adrian F. Ţepeş (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
cryptsleeper) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
usir2019-04-09 06:48 pm
cryptsleeper) wrote in usir2019-04-09 06:48 pm
Entry tags:
[open] But I know I'll land here again
Character(s): Alucard + Open
Status: Open
Location(s): Krimnos -> Home in the mountains
Date(s) Start of April -> Einjar Expedition II, Electric Boogaloo
About: General catch all log
Warnings: To be added
Note: Castle is not representative of Usir canon castle, just roll with me on this
[Krimnos is mostly for picking up supplies these days, then departing for home. Alucard's affection for the city has grown slightly, such as it is. Any place that encourages such dedication to technological development has earned that much, just as it has focused it's efforts on exploration and understanding. Einjar was proof of that. But he doesn't linger in the city, not when home is two days away.
Those looking for him there are most likely to find him in market spaces, or else in the part of the city dedicated to invention. He does little but observe in the latter space.
On the road between home and Krimnos, Alucard is all too keenly aware of the world around him. There is, of course, the little hamlet that marks the half-way point between home and the city, and he rests there between his trips. With warmer evenings out, he takes advantage of the one inn that boasts of a patio for evening meals, and can be found there with food remaining on his plate and a glass of probably too-dark wine in hand, barely drunk. For all the world, they look closer to props that let him settle in for a time, taking in the world around him.
Home is still a crumbling castle, whose remaining spire still reaches up towards the heavens. It is aged, save for the new lock on the door that makes it clear that this long thought cursed relic is inhabited by the living.]
Status: Open
Location(s): Krimnos -> Home in the mountains
Date(s) Start of April -> Einjar Expedition II, Electric Boogaloo
About: General catch all log
Warnings: To be added
Note: Castle is not representative of Usir canon castle, just roll with me on this
[Krimnos is mostly for picking up supplies these days, then departing for home. Alucard's affection for the city has grown slightly, such as it is. Any place that encourages such dedication to technological development has earned that much, just as it has focused it's efforts on exploration and understanding. Einjar was proof of that. But he doesn't linger in the city, not when home is two days away.
Those looking for him there are most likely to find him in market spaces, or else in the part of the city dedicated to invention. He does little but observe in the latter space.
On the road between home and Krimnos, Alucard is all too keenly aware of the world around him. There is, of course, the little hamlet that marks the half-way point between home and the city, and he rests there between his trips. With warmer evenings out, he takes advantage of the one inn that boasts of a patio for evening meals, and can be found there with food remaining on his plate and a glass of probably too-dark wine in hand, barely drunk. For all the world, they look closer to props that let him settle in for a time, taking in the world around him.
Home is still a crumbling castle, whose remaining spire still reaches up towards the heavens. It is aged, save for the new lock on the door that makes it clear that this long thought cursed relic is inhabited by the living.]
no subject
[This is awkward and the height of absurdity. Alucard is standing with the hamlet behind him, cool mountain air still winding it's way down as spring begins in earnest. She's still in the wilderness, at least wilderness along this particular path. The horse is a surprise.
A dhampir and a dhampir meet in the woods. It sounds like the set up for some kind of joke, and yet...no. This is reality. Awkward, awkward reality. He doesn't move. The horse might spook. There's...there's a hatched dragon, so that's just a lot in and of itself, and Ellis is unmoved.
Things change too quickly.]
You look well. All of you.
no subject
Her eyes flare and her teeth are bared, just for a moment, before she realises the impact it is having on her horse. Reaching up, Lauralae strokes over his mane and body, calming him down gently and whispering in his ear before she steps around him to look at Alucard again. Rav'ahm is settled in the trees, talking worriedly in her mind, and Urmyria hides in her hair, small, flicking tail falling out of her hood.
She swallows. ]
Please do not hurt her.
no subject
[He had promised, after all. As furious as he is (and oh, he is furious) about the return of dragons, about there being any hatchlings, as wise as it would be to strike pre-emptively, he made a promise. Alucard has too much value in his own words to ever, ever prove himself a liar on such a thing.
He's far calmer than their last meeting, but that's no particular achievement.]
The horse is new.
no subject
Slowly, she steps out from around the horse, nodding slowly. ]
I found him in the forest and he has learned to care for me and Rav'ahm.
[ A wild animal, somewhat tamed, just as she is.
Hesitating, she leans down and holds out her hand. ]
Will - Ellis?
no subject
[They're dancing around so much. It's awkward, but awkward is better than angry by any stretch of the imagination. Alucard remains standing where he is, and in truth, he doesn't want to get closer. There's no trust in himself to still not have a strong reaction to the presence of the dragon (he can't know the name, he'll say something one day to the wrong person).]
That's for her to decide.
[But the wolf doesn't show any sign of moving. She's too connected to Alucard to bound over, all joy and big paws tripping over themselves. He's tense. He's been tense since the pit. She's better for Trevor's presence, but that's about it. There is a dragon here. It's the thing that makes the dhampir irrational. She cannot move in good faith.]
no subject
[ Which is a rare feat. Lauralae is not used to being liked, even now with her making more aquaintences in the world. She isn't sure what to do with herself now, halfway to the ground and desperately hoping for the friend she made to greet her but knowing it won't happen. Knowing that she will isolate herself again, that she will lose that shred of a familial connection that she had been so desperate to keep.
Another dhampir, someone who understood, who urged her to expand her horizons.
When Ellis doesn't come her face breaks and she looks like she might cry. ]
That is done, then.
[ Lauralae blinks, looking small and unsure, hands clenching in her cloak as she stands to her full height, tiny as it might be. She wants to touch his hands, to sink her fingers into Ellis' fur, but she can't take a step forward with her dragon in her cloak and curled around her neck. She has to protect herself first. ]
I APOLOGIZE FOR THE WOLF OH MY GOD
[He doesn't quite venture the word family in there, not yet. It's a raw thing, especially when it's clear that Ellis isn't moving. If anything, she's stiller than Alucard is. A near opposite of their usual roles, Alucard being the one full of tension and emotion, the wolf rolling around and absorbing attention instead.
It might be different, with the dragon not present. But it's a little factor that changes everything. They all know it.
Alucard forces the conversation, if only to manage a distraction from the decisions made.]
The place I suggested to you has been more than adequate, I hope?
LAURALAE MADE HER CHOICE
[ Her voice is stuck in her throat and she doesn't know what to do. She feels trapped - torn because she doesn't want to leave, desperate for any scrap of affection he or his wolf might give her, but desperate to escape the uncertainty of the pain coming from this reunion. She doesn't want this - she never wanted this. There's a reason why she had hidden for so long, why she had buried herself with animals and not people.
The death of her mother had broken her heart, and now she feels broken a second time. How could this be worth it?
Blinking, rapidly, she tries to keep herself tall, to act as if it doesn't bother her. Aramas had taught her to do that; Aramas had shown her how not to care (and how well that had worked out for her, blood on her hands and poison burning her skin).
She will pretend. She has to. ]
It has been fine. I live here, in the forest. I leave when I need to, but I stay here, for most of the hours of the day.
I STILL HAVE REGRETS
Are those in town used to your presence?
[Do they notice your comings and goings, and do they care?]
MY HEART HURTS
She's done enough for this lifetime, surely. ]
No. I - I do not let them see me if I can help it.
[ She is still afraid of the crowds, afraid of what people might do to her. ]
we fucked up
[There's a world of different opinions between them now, but this point has always been a truth. It will remain one, still a bedrock of whatever follows after this too awkward matter.]
If you must, think of it in practical terms. In the thin winters to come, you'll need supplies and this will be the easiest place to go. If you're known, it will be easier for all four of you.
[Expanded horizons. Kicking her in the pants gently, even with too much space between them.]
we fucked up so bad
I will not allow them to see me, to know - to have any understanding -
[ She grits her teeth, hands clenched, before she breathes out and closes her eyes, forcing herself to be calm, to be soft. ]
I will survive alone. I must.
how did we get here
[Somehow, that's what breaks Alucard from something formal and circumspect to the far more casual nature of before. There's about zero care in those words, and how he just goes from a stiff posture to something more fluid and definitely not impressed.]
it's all the dragons fault
[ She has Urmyria to protect now and no Alucard to guide her. She finally manages to look at him, breathing out sharply before she shakes her head. ]
I cannot... [ Trust anyone. He's proof of that, isn't he? ]
Correct.
Yes, they have. You're an adult. You've made choices, just as I have and continue to do so. Some choices end well, others poorly. If one thing is scuttled, you're going to what, give up entirely?
[He huffs, folding his arms over his chest.]
You're going to have a lot of choices to make in the future, now that you have the responsibility of three others. Think ahead. Think about what benefits them, not just what coddles your fears.
you're not my real dad alucard
So shall I walk into town and parade my dragon to the city? Shall I show everyone that choice? That I chose to save her instead of letting her die?
[ Lashing out is much, much easier than suffering the embarrassment of tears. ]
I am thinking of her!
he's so glad he isn't raising a dragon baby now he's ill suited
[He's named them for what they are, at least.]
When she's larger and capable of sitting for an hour or so on her own, break your own isolation. Come here. Be among people, and build the kinds of relationships that will see you all through harsh winters. When she's capable of half a day alone, or beyond that, then come to my doors.
she just wants to be loved!!!
[ Lauralae knows. She wants to take care of this small, dangerous thing, but Alucard wants her to kill it. She knows.
Still, his words make her pause and she shrinks, expression tight. ]
Why would you want me to come to you? Why would you say that when - when... [ When she was so sure that this was his way of showing her that he was done with her, that any kind of friendship - or whatever they had - was done. ]
well maybe if she wasn't mom to one of the things that's a super sore spot....
[It's a diplomatic way of saying it, isn't it?]
If you think I'm dealing with a pouting wolf all the time, you have another thing coming. You know how these friends of ours work better than I do, I suspect. That makes sense of her current state as well, does it not?
her dragon loves her thanks
[ Lauralae seems completely unsure what to make of things. She had been so secure in the idea that she might lose him, might lose Ellis, that this makes her feel as though something has been pulled out from under her feet. She swallows, bowing her head, and pushes her hair from her face. ]
If... If I send her away with the horse and Rav'ahm, can I... May I -
[ Something, some touch, something to ground her. ]
TRIES...TO FIX THIS....
[It's the best compromise he can think of, this. Remove the elephant directly from the room, and there is a chance for a few hours of managing pleasantness. Visiting. Enough careful guidance to force Lauralae to remain a part of the world, because it'll be a greater struggle now. Whatever happens with the world's views on dragons, she will bear it all.]
You don't have to do it now. [In fact, probably better.] A newborn being separated from it's parent is a horrible idea.
[He's angry. He's distrustful. He's not a monster.]
When you know you can allow time to pass without your presence, and you'll return to a whole house.
[It's time to digest all of this as well.]
i'll cry she'll cry it's perfect
The dragon nips at her neck and she tenses, just for a second. ]
No. She needs me.
[ To provide food, and warmth, and shelter, and to protect her. Alucard promised not to harm her, but the rest of the world would not be so kind.
Lauralae breathes out gently. ]
I do not have a house. We have a clearing. [ Metaphors are somewhat lost on her, it seems. ] But I will come, if you will have me.
this goblin i can't believe i have to type these words in character
[Alucard says it with a very weary sigh.]
Some sort of more permanent over hang, at least, so that there's shelter from the elements. I suggested you come here, and it'd be irresponsible of me to remind you of how harsh the winters become once they settle in. You're in the mountains. You'll need shelter from the cold far more than I can express.
[He'll argue more, if need be. But for now.]
You'll follow the road one day north from here. About three quarters of the way, you'll see a spire. Follow it, and you'll find my father's home.
how DARE you challenge her gremlin aesthetic
[ Does he expect her to just magic a house? It's something she could do, she thinks, if she put her mind to it, but it's not her focus right now. Perhaps Daenerys might - ]
I know how to survive a winter. I have lived in the wilderness for more years than most humans would ever hope to achieve. [ But she needs to make sure her horse and her baby are safe, at least, and it's clear that his words have settled on her if nothing else.
Looking the way north for a moment, she nods. ]
Should I send message before I arrive? [ To warn him. ]
GOD JUST LIVE IN A CAVE THAT'S A STEP UP!
[He grew up in a fucking castle. He's aware of how bad a look recommending a cave is.]
If only so I can plan a meal for the appropriate number of guests, yes. I would appreciate that.
LET HER BE A FOREST GOBLIN IN PEACE
no she's a parent now she can't just be a goblin there's Responsibility
goblins can be parents!!!!
LOOK IT'LL BE BETTER FOR THE TINY TERROT IN THE LONG RUN
don’t bring sense into this!!!!
too late
growls a lot
Okay I think that's a wrap!