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Who: Alucard and Hilda
When: First half of July
Where: Old Public Hall, after hours
What: Discussing home spheres
Warnings: See thread markers

>[Old Public Hall will always have a sense of home for Alucard. It was the second major project he threw himself into when he came to the Free Cities, and it took well over a year of his life. The need to have a project helped center him, and the progress on the building was something the dhampir could settle against. It was easier to be human shaped with a project, with a need to finish something, and somehow everything else fell into place around the Hall.

It is why he's so comfortable now, comfortable in one of the chairs that occupies what is now Hilda's office. It feels homier somehow. Lived in, in a way he could never make it feel himself. There's a creative energy in it that is markedly different than the architect's need, all precision and properness. Now it's about keeping things running, but also about creating, and enabling others to do the same.

He lets out a little huff, eyes going over to Hilda's. How long have they been talking nonsense this evening?]

--Ah, I still owe you an explanation about the nervousness remark I made back in the Feywilds, don't I?

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Oh, it isn't at all.

[Look, Alucard doesn't know how that's supposed to work in the first place, he's pre-capitalism.]

Cooking isn't hard when you understand how ingredients work together in concert and when heat is applied in different methods. [There's a shrug. This is easy for him, at the end of the day.] Wallachian cuisine is fairly simple, so it could be done.

I might take you up on that offer. Do you want to do dishes now and let everything settle, or go onto the mousse I have for desert and risk being overly full?

That would explain why I don't.

[ Or, like many other things, she's never really tried aside from whatever wartime, on the road fare she had assisted with from time to time. But trying new things seems less daunting when Alucard is concerned.

Hilda mulls it over, taking the decision seriously - or as seriously as you can when it comes to deciding on dessert. Her wine glass meets the dinner table with a gentle clink before she pushes up from her seat waiting for him to get up too so she can follow ]

I suppose getting up and moving around is probably the smarter option. How long did it take to make everything?

You also probably never had a need to. My diet was a question mark for a little while, so it was considered best that I learn to feed myself.

[Alucard is not surprised that Hilda takes her time in debating desert or dishes first. That she decides to get up from the table is a little bit of a relief, as he would love to just have desert dishes be a very quick wash up.]

About an hour and a bit? [There is a light shrug as he reaches for Hilda's plate, piling it atop his.] Not very long.

Hey, what is that supposed to mean?

[ Her lips form a pout, giving him a light elbow to the side as he straightens up. She could cook if she wanted to. Other people were just better at it.

She doesn't move towards the kitchen though. Rather she lingers, waiting for him to collect their plates. As an afterthought she picks up some of the serving dishes before stepping in time with him towards the kitchen. This man better have washing gloves or something because she is not doing any dishes with freshly painted nails. ]

Just an hour? A meal like that feels like it would have taken far longer. I'd love to know what you could do with more time than that.

That you didn't have to figure out if you were blood only, blood and food, or food only.

[When Alucard grins back, there's just a little flash of fang. Because he's a mature adult like that.

Alucard considers the logistics of washing versus drying as he places the dishes down to one side of the sink. Then he reaches for a fluffy dishtowel that's bright orange, tossing it gently at Hilda.]

A whole roasted chicken, something wrapped in pastry with various fillings, layered mousses...plenty of things.

[ His words alone without the cheeky flash of the fangs might make her feel slightly obtuse, but as it stands it serves to make her giggle in an attempt to cover up the brief flash of embarrassment she feels. ]

I wanted to ask if that was true of the stories but wasn't sure if it was rude to or not.

[ The serving dishes are placed into the sink moments before the dishcloth is thrown at her. Luckily she's got some form of reflexes and catches it with a smile as if he had read her mind. ]

If you keep talking like that I may just have to invite myself over for dinner. [ There's a pause as the sound of water fills the space. ] Do you think you could teach me?

Not rude, it's been asked plenty of times. I don't need blood, but I enjoy it in the form of things like blood sausage and the blood wine that comes from Nocwich. I just don't require human blood.

[With that, Alucard grabs a sponge and runs it under water, ready to get started.]

If you'd like. I gave Gideon a hand written basic how to provide for yourself cook book a month or so back. Would starting with that sound reasonable?

Would you ever have to?

[ It goes without saying that she just wants to be certain that it isn't rude. Her curious nature coupled with her tendency to sometimes be impulsive has taught her that not everyone is so inclined to either of those things.

After all, she had accidentally called him 'Al' in Nocwich and had been told not to immediately after. It's not something she holds against him whatsoever, but she does consider it a lesson learned.

The offer for a book isn't the worst thing in the world, but it hadn't been what she had been vying for. ]

I'm more of a visual learner. [ There's a teasing lilt to her voice. ] Unless this is your way of saying that we've been seeing too much of one another.

On very rare occasions.

[He actually has done so once in Abraxas thus far, but only because curing Viktor had meant needing more blood than he could safely give at one time. Taking blood from someone else to replenish his own stock had made the situation workable and ensured Viktor's longevity.

Al is just...Gideon's privilege. No two ways about it.]

It is not. It is me suggesting you look first and decide on what's most interesting to you to start with, that way what we make is something you want to eat.

[ Well now he's just nudged the door open for her to continue asking more questions that she hopes won't end up coming across as totally rude or pushy. Fodlan had similar stories about vampires, so it isn't like she's asking these off base questions - but who's to say if any of those things held any real truth to them when they were simply stories? ]

Is it true with what the stories say about vampires biting people's necks to drink their blood?

[ Hilda may claim to be shy, but most of the time she isn't. Especially when she's comfortable with someone. ]

Can't I just leave it up to you? [ Her laziness rears its head. ] You know me well enough by now. I fully trust that you'll pick something easy and simple for my first dish. Or, you could teach me your favourite dish to make that's also simple and easy.

Yes, that's accurate. My father used that method, and many other vampires rely on it if they intend to kill the victim outright.

[It's about to get kind of grim though Hilda, make sure you want to follow through.]

Very well, I'll pick something straight forward. Maybe the chicken with garlic and roasted turnips, that's always reliable.

[ If she can commit to four-inch heels for a night filled with dancing, she can commit to gruesome details. Probably. ]

So then...how would you go about it?

[ Because unless it came to an extreme situation, she can't imagine him wanting to kill anyone outright. And is it a little strange that they're talking about blood and food? Maybe a little. ]

I'm in your capable hands then. And frankly that seems a lot easier than sword practice. [ If any dishes are done by the point she holds out a hand. ] Let's get moving on! Dessert is waiting.

<[Alucard pauses, weighing the options of how to answer the question most correctly without being too terrifying.]

Do you mean take blood if I need it in an emergency, or take from the neck with killing intent? Those are two different questions with two different answer.

[Excuse you, the blood is the life. Vampires 101.]

Maybe physically, but mentally it is a fairly involved thing until you're comfortable with what you're doing. [The dishes are more or less done. The rest need to soak.

To the fridge! And specifically the blackberry mousse with a little bit of sea salt sprinkled on top, served in a coupe glass with two perfect blackberries perched off to one side. It is the easiest thing to bring both portions over to the table and settle right back in.]

[ Hilda can't help but roll her eyes. ]

Take the blood if it's an emergency, obviously! But I guess it can wait until after dessert.

[ She's not a vampire but Hilda has a pretty good idea of how biting into someone's neck would kill someone. Her training at the Academy had prepared her enough for that and surely a blade or a sharp point would do the same work as fangs if you knew where to pierce.

Hilda makes quick work of the dishes that do need drying before following him from the fridge to the table. While Hilda didn't have a sweet tooth that rivaled Lysithea, she'd be lying if she said that she didn't approach them with a similar enthusiasm. The first bite is divine and taken with one of the blackberries, juicy and plump. The juice bursts, mingling with the mousse. Her eyes flutter closed as she savours the taste of it on her tongue. A soft sigh of delight and a declaration that sounds like she means it soon follow. ]

Adrian, I think I'm going to have to marry you.

You weren't specific! And it isn't that gory anyway. Usually I'd take from whatever side isn't that person's dominant, and probably rely on the wrist or elbow where their are veins but they can still function. The neck is no good, and while there is an artery on the thigh, that comes with other complications.

[There's a shrug. Alucard understands all of this as a matter of basic living rather than anything especially unsettling. It is one of the small ways in which he isn't human, and he's accepted that it will always throw some people off.

There's quiet satisfaction at Hilda's declaration. The dhampir's dessert remains untouched until she tries hers, and then he grins into his spoonful before taking a bite.]

That did come out rather well, didn't it? [And if only to play on the joke...] I'm afraid I don't have much of a dowry.

Well how was I supposed to know that there were multiple ways to bite someone's neck?

[ The ridiculous nature of the conversation doesn't escape her, and there's the clear sound of laughter in her voice initially until he goes on to explain how he normally draws it himself. It's...surprisingly considerate. Not that she'd expect anything less from him. Does it still weird her out a little that they're talking about drawing blood so casually? Maybe. But she doesn't feel as much discomfort as she thought she might. Maybe it's because she's talking about it objectively instead of seeing it happen in front of her.

Ah well. A bridge to cross when and if they get to it. ]

Oh, well I think we could probably overlook the whole dowry thing if it means you'll take care of me. [ She grins at him from across the table. ] Or, we could just have a longer engagement so you can earn more for the dowry. Not that I have anyone here for you to give it to.

[ She pauses, savouring the second bite in thought. ]

Actually, Holst wouldn't care about the dowry at all. You'd just have to fight him and win.

That's why I asked.

[Alucard doesn't assume expertise in vampirism, at least. It always seems rude.

As for the rest, this is just going to snowball into silliness. An ideal way to end a meal, come to think of it.]

Pretty sure I'd win. What weapons does he favor?

[ It's hard to tell if Hilda is being serious or not. It's probably a joke with the way amusement dances in her eyes and the way she's happily focusing on the desert in front of her and savouring every bite. Who's to say though?

And while Hilda hasn't seen Alucard in action yet (she had yet to follow-up on his offer to practice sparring with her because anything that involved sweating and training is the equivalent of pulling teeth for her Hilda), she hums, as if doubting the outcome of the match. And completely missing the part where he'd said that with a confidence like he was even entertaining the joke to begin with. ]

Axes, but he's adept with practically all of them and at grappling too. [ There's an amused air as she talks about Holst along with the undeniable sound of fondness. ] I don't think he'll be an easy fight.

[ Especially when it comes to letting someone marry his darling baby sister. ]

Oh, I imagine not. But I'll still win. [From time to time, Alucard does indulge in smugness. This is one such time, and he tilts his head ever so slightly.]

Do you think he can win against a bunch of bats? Or a large wolf with a sword?

[ The smugness makes her smile into her spoon despite herself. What can she say? She likes it when her future marriage prospects – even hypothetical ones – have some confidence. It was necessary against someone like Holst anyway.

Those scenarios though. She's never had to consider either of those as possibilities before. But then again, she didn't think she'd be having dinner with a dashing vampire and joking about marriage either. ]

Are the bats also carrying a weapon and how would the wolf be carrying his sword?

[ Because honestly, she could see Holst fighting both of those things weapons or not. ]

The bats are not armed. The wolf has the sword in his mouth, but he can throw and recall the sword at will.

[Oh. Yes, that's right, Hilda hasn't seen him feral and fighting. Just feral.]

Draw, at the very least. I move fast.

[ Realization dawns on her rather quickly and this time curiosity joins the amusement in her voice. Laughter threatens to crest, adding to the soft clink of her spoon against the glass. ]

Are we talking about you now or some friends that you might bring to fight with you? Because I want to see both now. And for the record I think Holst would probably have a ton of fun fighting a swarm of weaponless bats and a sword wielding wolf.

[ And then a follow up because the bats make sense. But the wolf? ]

Could you always turn into a wolf?

[ There's an unspoken, "And why haven't I seen it," is in there somewhere. ]

Edited 2023-07-27 01:44 (UTC)

[Alucard opens his mouth to clarify that no, he would not be bringing friends to this particular fight, but then Hilda's unspoken comment filters in. So rather than reply, he gets up from his chair and steps off to the side. There's a step forward, and then there is a white wolf staring at Hilda.

That should answer most questions.]

[ To say that she's surprised is a bit of an understatement. Hilda practically jolts when the vampire in front of her is gone, suddenly replaced with a wolf. Her eyes are blown wide like saucers even though her spoon is halfway to her mouth. Blinking several times the spoon is slowly lowered to the table with a soft clink before she pushes away from the table to kneel in front of the wolf.

Surprise turns to wonder as she slowly holds out a hand, hovering hesitantly between his ears recalling that she should probably ask for permission instead of stooping down and giving the wolf - er, Alucard - scritches. ]

Is it weird to ask if I can pet you? [ Wonder is tinged with a short laugh. Leave it to him to be dramatic about it and also not answer her question. ] And also, that didn't answer my question. I thought you were a vampire not a wolf.

[To the hand that is held out, Alucard offers a paw, because shake? is an acceptable question so far as he is concerned. There is even a tiny wiggle of his tail. The reactions to this never get old.

Hilda's question gets a shake of his head no. Then there's a huff because jeez Hilda. Wolves don't have human vocal chords.]

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