[open] But I know I'll land here again

[cryptsleeper]

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.]

Comments

[redwhaling]

Or easily forged and replaced.

[ She's thought of those possibilities, hence asking around. ]

I don't have a clear description of their own necklaces but I wouldn't be surprised if they were blue. [ And since the cult didn't off Alucard with the rest of the poor masses in that pit, she's pretty sure he has an idea what that means. ] Not to mention they apparently have the good fortune to survive life-threatening injuries or be the only one who returns from dangerous missions. So, who knows. Maybe they are knights of Krimnos... or were, in any case.

[ Just not in the here and now. ]

[cryptsleeper]

Also an option, and you'd need to have seen both registers to make an accurate assessment. Have you tried looking at the historic ones instead? A century ago might at least let you note any ancestors that were in the same line of work.

[Some things are inherited, after all, and Alucard would not consider Knight of Krimnos to be something that a family expected at least one of their children to pursue as a career.

There is a look on Alucard's face at the word blue that makes it seem like he's drunk curdled milk.]

If they were, they've since strayed from that path. I...the mortality rate of missions would be the easier line of questioning to pursue in the future, perhaps. Ask as if you're a concerned loved one of someone who wants to enter that line of work/

[redwhaling]

I haven't yet but if sniffing around actual, live knights don't help me, I may as well hit the books again.

[ Though that Alucard would suggest approaching them as if she were concerned, well, that garners a snort of amusement from Billie, just short of an outright laugh. ]

And maybe that would work for you but faking concern, of all things? Chances are it'll come out like I'm making fun of how often they get themselves killed instead.

[cryptsleeper]

Mmm. There may yet be some fruitfulness in speaking to them, but you may need a different approach. Insulting collegues clearly isn't going to get you what you're looking for.

[Something something more flies with honey.]

Technically, that wouldn't be a lie on my end either. I can try, but will not promise any results.

[redwhaling]

[ Billie is all vinegar, so yeah, that saying might fly.

She slows to a stop once they reach the end of the street, where it cuts off by a fenced off cliff face and turns up towards the entrance of the airship docks. It's noisy here. That makes it safe enough to pause and turn, raising an eyebrow at Alucard. ]

That's nice and all but I'd like to actually know who it is who's trying before I tell you anything more.

[ In the pit or on the courier, they've never actually introduced themselves. ]

[cryptsleeper]

Mm, dire circumstances rarely allow for politeness, do they?

[His eyes remain focused on the docks for just a moment more, before he turns to meet Billie's gaze in full.]

I am Alucard. I live two days outside of the city, in what remains of my family's home.

[Name and calling card, such as it is.]

[redwhaling]

The name's Billie.

[ Billie who's going to take up leaning against the fencing that blocks hapless pedestrians from strolling off of the mountainside, idly folding her arms while she does. That Alucard includes where he's located is kind of funny, though all she can offer in return to that is— ]

Living nowhere in particular but generally stuck in Free Peoples. [ For reasons. ] I'll make a point not to rob any ruined houses two days out if that's what you're getting at.

[cryptsleeper]

I'm glad to finally have a name, instead of only awful shared experiences.

[Alucard moves to extend a hand to her, automatically, but Billie's demeanor suggests that she's not that sort of person. Alucard doesn't lean against anything, but he does laugh slightly at the comment about robbing.]

Oh, the only thing you'll find now is trousers and shirts. Not sure if that's worth the effort of lock picking.

[redwhaling]

They could be very nice trousers.

[ Considering how fancy Alucard seems, she's thinking they are.

In any case, Billie doesn't miss the move to extend his hand but it's true, she isn't that sort. She'll at least do him the favor of not staring at it rudely until it's withdrawn again. Instead, she glances back towards the airship docks, sprawled out over the edge of the city. ]

Hey, do you know if that place is open to the public or not? It would be a real shame to get this close and not take a look around.

[cryptsleeper]

Mm, I'll guard the wardrobe with a few extra spells then.

[It's a better joke than any low joke using the phrase fancy pants, at any rate.

As for the docks, Alucard's gaze rests there, quiet and considering.]

Well, there's no harm in trying. The worst that could happen is we get told no, and then there's a need to become creative.

[redwhaling]

[ To become creative, huh? Billie gives a faintly amused huff and turns back to eye Alucard again. ]

I suppose that depends on what you mean by creative. [ In her mind, it's breaking and entering, but only if that's how she usually does it. ] I'm not sure a walkthrough is worth raising too much trouble over if they do say no. Of all the places to get banned from in Krimnos, that's the one I'd least want. It's kind of the biggest reason to visit at all, right?

[cryptsleeper]

By creative, I mean I cannot possibly tell you what to do. If I did, that counts as conspiracy, does it not?

[Krimnos is the only access point Alucard has to the world. He absolutely cannot get banned.]

Agreed. But if you walked in by accident, a visitor from another city, more than a little lost...

[redwhaling]

That's no fun. [ Accurate, though. ] But I guess I'll just figure it out as I go.

[ Which is to say she already knows how to get in but if she can go through the docks innocently, that's just easier. In any case, she shrugs and steps away from the fence. ]

Anyway, I'll keep digging. They've got to have records going farther back than twenty years somewhere, so I guess I'm better off hitting the library again than I am the airship docks.

[cryptsleeper]

Somehow, I think you'll be just fine taking that particular approach.

[Billie has long come off as someone who clearly knows how to look after herself. That much Alucard is certain of.]

Please, let me know if you find anything. I'll see if I can manage anything more from a different few knights.