[closed]

[cryptsleeper]

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?

Comments

[theidlemaiden]

[ 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? 

[cryptsleeper]

[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.

[theidlemaiden]

[ 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?

[cryptsleeper]

[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.

[theidlemaiden]

[ 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. ]

[cryptsleeper]

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.

1/idk probably 3

[theidlemaiden]

[theidlemaiden]

[theidlemaiden]

[ Eventually the dial-up tone in her brain connects and she's run through all the possible facial expressions she can in regards to the news, Hilda lets out a gasp.

A large scrape against the floor sounds as she pushes herself up from the table in shock. Her spoon clatters to the plate in the process. ]

What do you mean you're twenty-two!? How are you not older than that?

[ Once the surprise wears off, she'll probably despair a little that he's far more accomplished than ever was at the same age (never mind that she's only three years older). ]

I can't believe I'm older than you!

[cryptsleeper]

[Telling Geralt was so much less dramatic.

Alucard sighs, leaning forward in his chair and hand resting against his forehead. He's so sick of this reaction he's going to--

--his head picks up. Eyes narrow. A verrrry suspicious tone ensues.]

Wait, is this all because you're older than I am?

[theidlemaiden]

[ Well when you think "dramatic" is Geralt really the first person to come to mind? Didn't think so.

Alucard leaning forward to do what is essentially an elegant face palm has a lot of comedic value to it. She probably would have laughed were it not for the fact that she's taken aback by his question. ]

Wha - no! [ It's not...not a lie. ] I'm just surprised because I thought you were older!

[cryptsleeper]

[No, but not even Jaskier would be this bad.

At least this isn't someone lording an age over him. That helps!]

Dare I ask how much older?

[theidlemaiden]

[ Let her be, Alucard. She hasn't had to deal with very many long life species who age incredibly gracefully.

So much for thinking that he wouldn't mind. And here she was thinking that he'd be at least a century old. He'd been through so much for only being twenty-two - but then again, she supposes the same could be said for others she knows who around the same age.

Slowly she sits herself back down into the chair. ]

Maybe like... [ She mumbles something indiscernible. All of a sudden she looks incredibly sheepish. ] Or something like that.

[cryptsleeper]

--Sorry, I didn't hear that?

[His hearing is great, but Hilda, you're killing him. Slowly.]

[theidlemaiden]

[ Suddenly she feels like she's being scolded by a teacher. A younger teacher. Which had ironically been the case if she had been on the receiving end of a disapproving stare from Byleth.

She lets out a nervous titter and can't seem to meet Alucard's gaze before hurriedly blurting out with a grimace - ]

At least a century or something?

[cryptsleeper]

--Do I really seem that old?

[The question is more amused than accusatory, at the very least.]

[theidlemaiden]

[ The feeling that she had done something wrong ebbs away if only just because she hears what has to be a hint of amusement in his voice. He wouldn't just string her along like that if he were actually upset, right? ]

Well you obviously don't look old. You just have this...mature air about you.

[ There's a pause, as if she has to continue making her case. ]

And you know, you've been through so much so that makes sense why it seems like you just don't accept certain kinds of nonsense.

[cryptsleeper]

...You'd probably be surprised at some of the nonsense I'll endure. But I take your point.

[He finally, finally picks his head up, and there's a small laugh that follows.]

Don't tell anyone else. I like hearing the guesses and how off they are.

[theidlemaiden]

[ It's only when Alucard laughs that she feels any trepidation leave her body fully. Soon enough she's giving him her own goofy smile. ]

I won't.

[ As if to prove her point, she crosses her heart with her finger. ]

I will say though, I'm really surprised you're giving me as many secrets as you are. What's next – a trip out to your desert vacation home?

[cryptsleeper]

Maybe as the weather starts to cool off. It is still terribly hot.

[But he said maybe. So that counts, right?]

[theidlemaiden]

[ The 'maybe' comes through clear as day and she grins. She'll take what she can get with him - and she knows that he's already given her so much, today's dinner aside. ]

You're right I don't do well in the heat. I just wilt like a flower.

[ As she returns to her dessert she lapses into a silence. For some reason their conversation about sparring comes to mind. It's not like she wants to become voluntarily sweaty, but after everything they had gone through there's a part of her that can't help but acknowledge that it might serve her well to brush up on her skills. ]

You know when we spoke about sparring a couple of months ago? [ Her eyes flit from her bowl to Alucard and then back down again. ] Do you happen to have any time to practice with me?

[cryptsleeper]

I recall.

[Alucard leaves the question of desert journeys aside for the time being. He's due out there for a little bit of decompression anyway, but he'd like to do that alone. It is a happier thing to talk about sparring and--

--he smiles, faint and fleeting.]

Name a time and a place and I'm happy to do so.

[theidlemaiden]

[ Staring into the depths of her dessert means she misses the smile. Her cheeks are flushed in embarrassment even though there's really nothing for her to be embarrassed about. He had offered and she's just following up on the request.

And this has nothing to do with her wanting to better herself or brush up her skills. This was for Petra who'd want her to do something like this. ]

I don't usually don't set sparring dates, it's sort of just a matter of principle. [ Finally she glances up. ] Besides I feel like you're much busier than I am. I'm happy to work with your schedule.

[cryptsleeper]

[Alucard doesn't nudge Hilda to look up from what remains of the mousse. That Hilda has asked at all is a big step and big deal. He can respect that it's already too much.]

Next week then. Same time. We'll meet here and then go find someplace.

[theidlemaiden]

[ Old habits die hard, apparently. Her voice slips out like a little whine. ]

Ugh, next week? So soon?

[ The corner of her lips lift. ]

Could we maybe throw some dinner in afterwards? All that training will probably work up an appetite, right?