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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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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.]

[ ..Shake works, she supposes. It's not as if she had given much direction in what she had been asking for really and it serves the same purpose. Despite his new form, his fur is, unsurprisingly, incredibly soft. Her fingers runs over it and the delicate little toe pads on the underside of his paw before spotting out of the corner of her eye the little tail wag. She can't stop herself from grinning. Or from booping his nose gently. ]

Don't huff at me, mister! You could have answered it first and then shown me after.

[He will huff all that he wants, thank you!

But he will lean his head in under Hilda's hand, giving her permission to pet. Alucard knows he is soft and fluffy, and he'll let Hilda get through that before he changes back to his regular form.]

[ She hopes that he knows at this point that Hilda will gladly take whatever opportunity is given to her. Gently laying his paw on the ground, her hand finds the place between his ears and begins giving him a rather enthusiastic scratch.

There's something soothing about being able to pet a creature and the same applies here even if she to make a concentrated effort not to forget that this isn't some creature wandering the monastery grounds, it's Alucard. ]

I know I complained just a little while ago, but I might not have any complaints about you staying like this if it means I get to pet you.

[ Hilda isn't being serious of course. Unless she is? ]

[Alucard sits still, letting the petting go on for just a little longer. He sometimes angles his head to get his head scratches juuuust right, but eventually he backs away. Shakes his head, and then he is a person again.]

Wolves don't have human vocal chords, so I am afraid that conversation in that form is rather impossible.

[ There's only a little disappointment when he turns back into his usual form but there's affectionate laughter in her voice as she straightens up. ]

Do men really need to talk though? Sometimes just being there and looking pretty is all you need them to do.

[ That's not actually what she'd prefer. In fact, she really enjoys speaking with Alucard; there's an ease to it, perhaps more so now that he'd shown he trusts her. Returning to her seat, she rearranges her skirt around her before picking up her spoon again. ]

So are you going to answer my question about if you've always been able to turn into a wolf or are you just going to huff at me again?

That does hurt a little.

[Although yes, he is evry pretty. Thank you.]

I've always been able to turn into a wolf, yes. It is a part of my father's side.

[With that, he settles right back in.]

So are the bats.

[ Her smile widens a split second before she juts out her bottom lip into a pout. Her eyes glisten with the threat of fake tears that he'll probably be able to pick out in an instant with how much time they've spent together. ]

Oh, you know I don't mean it. I would be so sad without you to talk to. Who else would I gossip with?

[ A somewhat serious question. The rest of the Old Public Hall management staff were obviously fun but it wasn't quite the same thing as gossiping with Alucard who had proven more than a little indulgent when it came to one of her favourite past times. ]

The bats make sense, but why a wolf?

Edited 2023-07-30 02:54 (UTC)

[Hilda, he's more insulted that you think the fake tears would work. There's a small little sniff of disapproval at them, asking come on, really?]

Jaskier? He's more dramatic than I am, that much is a statement of fact.

[He loves his buddy but truth is truth.]

Wolves are often associated with the night. My father's form is much larger than mine.

[ The look she gives him in return clearly says that she didn't expect them to work. They're just for effect. And like any skill, fake tears need to be put into practice so that one doesn't lose the ability to cry on command.

She's quick to roll her eyes and the misty eyes are dispelled as quickly as they'd come. ]

Okay, yes, Jaskier would be an excellent gossip buddy, but I'm trying to pay you a compliment and tell you that I like you for more than just your looks.

[ Huh. A larger wolf. There's a pause as she mulls over it. ]

Is that because your father is older than you? Would your form grow too?

[Hilda, you're meant for the stage. Truly.]

Oh fine. But the point stands. He gets me to be worse than I should be, it is terrible.

[There's a small shrug.]

I think it is because he is a full vampire rather than half, actually. I aged rapidly in my youth, but will look like this for a long time. Not that any of us know what my natural lifespan is.

[ Oh, she simply couldn't. She's too shy. And besides, she prefers creating things that would help others shine on stage.

There's a teasing lilt to her voice that sounds on the verge of laughter. ]

And you seem so bothered about that.

[ The talk of age between them has never come up actually and she cocks her head to the side. After discovering his lineage, she had assumed he was probably older than his appearance suggested. ]

How old are you exactly?

[ Decorum only suits her when she feels like it. And they're friends! Not that that she thinks Alucard minds either. ]

Very. Very bothered. So bothered I share an office and a business with him.

[Jaskier is just his bestie, that's the end of it.]

...Twenty two. [Yes, he knows. He is Baby.] Geralt thought I was a century old at first.

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1/idk probably 3

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