[Open]

[cryptsleeper]

Character(s): Alucard + Open
Status: Open
Location(s): Krimnos, the old homestead in the mountains
Date(s) June 1 to 17 (pre-Sirens)
About: General catch all log
Warnings: To be added




KRIMNOS
[The start of the month sees Alucard in Krimnos proper again, well aware that traveling between the city and home may grow dicey because of the rains. It is for that reason that he spends the first two days of June there, stocking up not only on staples for home, but taking advantage of whatever fresher options the market now offers (there is asparagus and peas and the first delicate herbs of summer, strawberries starting to trickle in). They'll endure long enough to make it home. Some will be pickled (that's the asparagus), other things inhaled as quickly as possible.

When not walking through the market laden with goods, dressed in his version of comfortable summer clothing (the other two don't know he bought a hat), Alucard's presence is among the inventors. He knows that Christine's book is still in progress, but there are other things he has heard tell of lately and this may be the only time he is in Krimnos for the month.

ON THE ROAD
[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. Tonight, there is only light rain, the kind that allows for establishments to still have their patios open, so long as there is a spell to ward off the rain.

He's sat towards the edge of one such spot, eyes focused skyward.]

This won't hold for every long.


HOME
[Home is still a crumbling castle, whose remaining spire still reaches up towards the heavens. It is aged, but there is now more than the lock on the door that shows that this place is lived in now. While rain thunders down, there are now lights in the castle's windows, and within, a dhampir, a goliath, and a tiefling.

It is a week into the rainy season that the dhampir stands at the front door of the castle, looking at the rising waters. There are great puddles along the path that leads up to the castle itself, and they're growing a little too steadily.]

Mm. I don't know how well the castle's drain system works these days.

Comments

[cryptsleeper]

I do not.

[Alucard's expression dosn't change with the lie, and he keeps gaze downward on Rocket. There's nothing that Alucard's impressed with at the moment, although he doesn't really get to say anything about taking the subtle approach. He, Trevor, and Sypha are not good exemplars of that concept.]

But I do know that it's easier to ask about several little things that are innoucous, that way you understand the big thing without anyone knowing you have this far more classified information.

[That much is a principle Alucard applied to collecting and curating over the years. Buy a few small pieces, then land the big, important thing.]

It gets more results, I've found.

[rocketraccoon]

That doesn't follow if I want answers quickly. You can't hide a whole airship even in a city this size, not for long. Not without employing some shady techniques that border the edge of classified information and mental voodoo. [He knows all about those oaths and the secret mission to Einjar, now that it's over and done with. He had asked a barrage of questions until he could get answers from a few people who had gone and seen the nightmares for themselves.

While he's more than a little miffed to have missed out on the ship, he has no regrets about missing out on the rest.]

People ain't great at subtlety. It goes right over their big heads. [He counters, tucking away his scroll and squinting at Alucard. What was this guy getting at with his lecture? He wanted Rocket to play dumb?]

If you dance around the issue then someone else'll come along and get all that information first. [Sure maybe Alucard applied his principles to old stuff he collected and things that weren't going anywhere too fast, but Rocket was a bounty hunter. If he wasn't insistent and demanding someone else would get the intel first and then he'd be out his money.] And then you're out your time and your prize.

[While they talk, the man Rocket had been bothering has packed up and taken off and when Rocket notices he gives a long, frustrated sigh and tucks the scroll away before looking Alucard up and down again.] Do you know where the black market is today?

[Rocket hasn't been to Krimnos in a while and it tends to move. Worst case scenario Alucard is one of Krimnos' knights. Rocket's pretty sure he can outrun him, and at the very least he knows plenty of ways to slip away during a chase. He has always been blunt and only bothered being 'coy' about things when he was worried his target might catch wind Rocket was on the scent and take off again.]

Or the good blacksmith. If this whole business is a wild unicorn hunt I might as well stock up on some supplies for my own projects. [If it wasn't already wildly obvious Rocket wasn't shy of wearing his intentions on his arm fur, his highly modified crossbow and the variety of goblin tools and explosives strapped to his belt do it for him.]

[cryptsleeper]

Magic can do quite a bit these days. [Alucard pauses for a moment, then consides the simple fact that that indeed requires quite a bit of magic. So there's one other solution involved, in theory, and that one is a little more straight forward.] Perhaps it isn't stored within the city limits at all.

[Surely there must be hangers and the like where additional airships are held, be it for testing, scrap, or like purposes. It would be far stranger if there wasn't such a space, and it is with that thought well settled that Alucard is happy to move away from the airships entirely.]

Going over their heads is rather the point. [But point and goal are two different things, and whatever the trade this gentleman (gentleracoon?) is involved in, speed is the priority above all else. The word prize hammers that much home.] But, as you like. You'll only run into more walls.

[Alucard is also pretty sure that if there's any Grand Theft Airship in the near future, the culprit is standing right in front of him.

There isn't an eye batted at the words black market, only a low noise that questions if Rocket is even allowed into such events, given that he's less subtle than the Belmont. (An achievement, to be certain.)]

While I can't say that I know what will be on offer today, I can say that I know the location. Tell me, do you always just go straight at a thing?

[Given that Rocket's walking around with actual explosives visible on his person, Alucard has suspicions. The question is mostly for him to determine if he wants to deal with such an escort into a place where he has marked interests. He's heard rumours of books with his father's ex libris. If that's true, then they need to be returned to the appropriate hands.]

[rocketraccoon]

[Much as he might be acting like it, Rocket isn't an idiot. He squints at Alucard, considering his response a moment before offering him a sharp smile.]

Are you asking if I know how to be sly? [There's a raccoon joke in there somewhere that Rocket is accustomed to, and he momentarily and very poorly feigns offense.] You want me to be dishonest?

[They can disagree on methods and results all day but if Alucard wants him to skirt the edges he can shut off the gung-ho rough and in-your-face methods for a while. His face turns serious and he tucks everything away, straightening his weapon and quiver and sizing Alucard up.]

I'm only to the point when I know I can still find my way to what I want if it doesn't pan out. [His whole aggressive demeanor has changed, the rowdy raccoon's posture and voice replaced with crossed arms, and a slower, more serious cadence.] When you're my size not being noticed is the easy part.

[cryptsleeper]

Not sly. Subtle. [The possibility of a raccoon joke had in fact gone right over Alucard's head, as his concern was very much on the present and ensuring that there would be no particular problems simply getting to the market.

He's also one of the last people to be questioning one's subtle credentials, given both himself and the company he keeps, but that is not the focus right now. The focus is on Rocket's demeanor, and the sudden shift seems to all but pacify the dhampir's concern.

There's a nod of understanding, and Alucard gestures to his right, indicating that the first steps towards the market's current location is that way.]

I see. And understand, there are always advantages when you're overlooked and underestimated. But you don't need me to state the obvious.

[That's as good a follow me as Alucard's going to voice, and he turns on his heel to start walking.]