Alucard \\ Adrian F. Ţepeş (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
cryptsleeper) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
abraxaslogs2024-03-09 09:46 pm
cryptsleeper) wrote in abraxaslogs2024-03-09 09:46 pm
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I'd say that is a strong possibility. Do you have much work you could do here with a truly ridiculous amount of stone and iron?
[The question is genuine, and Alucard tilts his head slightly out of curiosity.]
I will ask. It needs to be moved from the site either way.
[The question is genuine, and Alucard tilts his head slightly out of curiosity.]
I will ask. It needs to be moved from the site either way.
[ It doesn't entirely surprise the Doctor, either, given everything that transpired. In the back of his mind, he'd hoped for an opportunity to speak further with those on both sides, with due caution, of course. He's an outsider, still new to most. He seeks first to understand, as much as he can, every side of a situation, but this isn't his world and he doesn't have a place to go barging in on such a precarious situation. Or rather, that's been his modus operandi all his life and he's forced to change course here.
He does fumble things, of course. Like he had the first time he'd encountered the man lingering near the portal.
Quiet as he approaches, eyes lingering only on the portal for a long moment, the Doctor observes, holding a silent worry within for everyone on either side beyond their sight now. ]
I hope that too, and I like to believe there's always a bit of hope lingering about, even when it's hard to see. It's understandable they've closed, I suppose, given what transpired.
He does fumble things, of course. Like he had the first time he'd encountered the man lingering near the portal.
Quiet as he approaches, eyes lingering only on the portal for a long moment, the Doctor observes, holding a silent worry within for everyone on either side beyond their sight now. ]
I hope that too, and I like to believe there's always a bit of hope lingering about, even when it's hard to see. It's understandable they've closed, I suppose, given what transpired.
I'm certain I could find a use for it.
[Of course, if the citizens of the Free Cities are too fearful to use it, he'll have a lot of useless junk--but that's still better to him, than wasting it. If they're going to strip the bunker anyway...Viktor nods as Alucard finishes his thought.]
If they're providing the labor, then I suppose you're beholden to them one way or another. Have they sent any engineers?
[Of course, if the citizens of the Free Cities are too fearful to use it, he'll have a lot of useless junk--but that's still better to him, than wasting it. If they're going to strip the bunker anyway...Viktor nods as Alucard finishes his thought.]
If they're providing the labor, then I suppose you're beholden to them one way or another. Have they sent any engineers?
[ Good to know.
A pause. What could it hurt?
Geralt slides his gloves over. They're supple and fairly new, which suggests either a gift or he recently lost his gear to some monster's gullet.
Then he covers his cup of ale with a hand. As a precaution. ]
A pause. What could it hurt?
Geralt slides his gloves over. They're supple and fairly new, which suggests either a gift or he recently lost his gear to some monster's gullet.
Then he covers his cup of ale with a hand. As a precaution. ]
Oh, that second part I don't doubt.
[At the question regarding engineers, there is a very small laugh.]
A few, yes, to confirm that my plans will work out and that the structure will be stable. The overall verdict is that things will hold. Unfortunately that one scientific gentleman has opinions about design as well.
[No need to name names. Alucard knows he's obvious.]
Do you need a hand with the brushes? I don't know if you've run into any weird angles.
[At the question regarding engineers, there is a very small laugh.]
A few, yes, to confirm that my plans will work out and that the structure will be stable. The overall verdict is that things will hold. Unfortunately that one scientific gentleman has opinions about design as well.
[No need to name names. Alucard knows he's obvious.]
Do you need a hand with the brushes? I don't know if you've run into any weird angles.
[The precaution's a good one. Alucard makes a little amused noise, then sets to work.
There's a sugar bowl on the table. So he grabs that and dumps a little bit out, tracing a small circle in it before inscribing a set of lines. The gloves go down on top, and he traces the same set. A faint blue glow follows, then the gloves lift just a little bit more off of their sugar supports.
When Alucard hands Geralt the gloves back, there is sand mixed with the sugar.]
These are quite nice, by the way. Jaskier, or a gift to yourself?
There's a sugar bowl on the table. So he grabs that and dumps a little bit out, tracing a small circle in it before inscribing a set of lines. The gloves go down on top, and he traces the same set. A faint blue glow follows, then the gloves lift just a little bit more off of their sugar supports.
When Alucard hands Geralt the gloves back, there is sand mixed with the sugar.]
These are quite nice, by the way. Jaskier, or a gift to yourself?
Who, Klingel?
[Viktor will name names, because his distaste for the man is not a secret. He maintains a professional relationship mostly because he needs to, and might have even been surprised by the commendation because he'd been under the impression that Klingel did not particularly care for him, in turn.
Or maybe he's just like that. Viktor extends his knee, testing it out.]
I think it's fine for now. Are you going to try and make your way back there today?
[Viktor will name names, because his distaste for the man is not a secret. He maintains a professional relationship mostly because he needs to, and might have even been surprised by the commendation because he'd been under the impression that Klingel did not particularly care for him, in turn.
Or maybe he's just like that. Viktor extends his knee, testing it out.]
I think it's fine for now. Are you going to try and make your way back there today?
Indeed. I have to keep reminding all involved that people need to live here. It needs to feel like home and have greenery.
[So long as Viktor's the one naming and shaming, Alucard is dunk lightly.]
I'm going to see if including a few pigeons in the art on the walls helps.
[He's serious.]
At the moment, I'm undecided. I want to see how long it takes for this storm to sweep though, and see how long I can distract myself before I overthink it again.
[So long as Viktor's the one naming and shaming, Alucard is dunk lightly.]
I'm going to see if including a few pigeons in the art on the walls helps.
[He's serious.]
At the moment, I'm undecided. I want to see how long it takes for this storm to sweep though, and see how long I can distract myself before I overthink it again.
We went shopping the other day and got what we could.
[ "We" being Sylvain and Claude. But she had tagged along too if only because her guilt (and worries from last year's kidnapping) caught up with her.
It's like she's almost prepared to hear him say that he has no plans on staying put unless absolutely necessary. Considering their definitions of 'absolutely necessary' differ however, his answer comes of no surprise. Immediately he's met with a furious look. ]
That's an awful excuse! You should have thought about those things before. We're in a desert!
[ This is a losing battle though and she knows it. The annoyance lingers in her expression as she shudders in response to the thought of what had ended an otherwise very pleasant trip. ]
Honestly, I thought about that too. What happened to that vampire...it was awful. But if it's some relic tied to a god then he should have known better than to mess with it.
[ "We" being Sylvain and Claude. But she had tagged along too if only because her guilt (and worries from last year's kidnapping) caught up with her.
It's like she's almost prepared to hear him say that he has no plans on staying put unless absolutely necessary. Considering their definitions of 'absolutely necessary' differ however, his answer comes of no surprise. Immediately he's met with a furious look. ]
That's an awful excuse! You should have thought about those things before. We're in a desert!
[ This is a losing battle though and she knows it. The annoyance lingers in her expression as she shudders in response to the thought of what had ended an otherwise very pleasant trip. ]
Honestly, I thought about that too. What happened to that vampire...it was awful. But if it's some relic tied to a god then he should have known better than to mess with it.
Good. I've done the same. When I'm not in Aqualia I'll be in the office. It's comfortable enough, and I've reinforced the windows there already. Do you want me to drop off anything prepared?
[Alucard doesn't doubt that between the three of them, they can cook. The offer is simply there if they all need a break.
Sensing a potentially silly fight, Alucard braces himself.]
I did, but these storms are more intense than anything I've seen in my time here, and I can test options with reasonable certainty. It's an advantage, all things considered.
[Not that the next topic is any better.]
Apparently there may be an exact god it is related to. Someone in Solvunn was able to find out a name - Umbvagher, Herald of Abberations. Apparently he [Alucard is shameless in his air quotes] "indicates a coming turbulence" and "has a capricious nature." If the ability of the latchkeys really can cut through time and space, I think the giant rock is just having a hissyfit that it's not special anymore.
[He exhales, venom finally leaving his voice.] It was such a nice evening too.
[Alucard doesn't doubt that between the three of them, they can cook. The offer is simply there if they all need a break.
Sensing a potentially silly fight, Alucard braces himself.]
I did, but these storms are more intense than anything I've seen in my time here, and I can test options with reasonable certainty. It's an advantage, all things considered.
[Not that the next topic is any better.]
Apparently there may be an exact god it is related to. Someone in Solvunn was able to find out a name - Umbvagher, Herald of Abberations. Apparently he [Alucard is shameless in his air quotes] "indicates a coming turbulence" and "has a capricious nature." If the ability of the latchkeys really can cut through time and space, I think the giant rock is just having a hissyfit that it's not special anymore.
[He exhales, venom finally leaving his voice.] It was such a nice evening too.
[ In any other circumstance she would have jumped at the chance to have anything home cooked by Alucard. There's no shortage of good food in her life now, but she's always wanted more.
But with an impending storm and a lingering worry of what could potentially come, she doesn't want to take more than what she needs - particularly from someone important to her. ]
No, it's okay. We don't know what's going to happen.
[ Alucard's offer seems enough to staunch any further outburst from her. At least for now. Her brow furrows worriedly at the mention of abberations and turbulence, and of course by the mention of his exhaled thought. ]
Why can't gods ever just leave us alone? It's not like we're doing anything wrong. We didn't steal the latchkeys or even ask to be here! [ Complaint aside - ] How do you feel after...everything that happened?
But with an impending storm and a lingering worry of what could potentially come, she doesn't want to take more than what she needs - particularly from someone important to her. ]
No, it's okay. We don't know what's going to happen.
[ Alucard's offer seems enough to staunch any further outburst from her. At least for now. Her brow furrows worriedly at the mention of abberations and turbulence, and of course by the mention of his exhaled thought. ]
Why can't gods ever just leave us alone? It's not like we're doing anything wrong. We didn't steal the latchkeys or even ask to be here! [ Complaint aside - ] How do you feel after...everything that happened?
If you insist.
[This is a lie, he'll be dropping something off anyway. She can yell at him over delicious food, that's just fine.]
Truth be told, I already had strong feelings about religion before I arrived here. These incidents are genuinely not helping those feelings, and they're crossing from disliking clergy to disliking the divine more generally. [Alucard pauses, wondering if he should mention Jaskier's theory about how the gods may simply be former summoned who stayed long enough. No. That's the bard's theory to share.
A very apologetic smile crosses Alucard's face instead.] Well, I may have kissed Jaskier.
[This is a lie, he'll be dropping something off anyway. She can yell at him over delicious food, that's just fine.]
Truth be told, I already had strong feelings about religion before I arrived here. These incidents are genuinely not helping those feelings, and they're crossing from disliking clergy to disliking the divine more generally. [Alucard pauses, wondering if he should mention Jaskier's theory about how the gods may simply be former summoned who stayed long enough. No. That's the bard's theory to share.
A very apologetic smile crosses Alucard's face instead.] Well, I may have kissed Jaskier.
[ Interesting. Admittedly, dusting off his gloves would achieve the same results, but he can see the appeal where pockets are concerned. His bags have never been free of sand since he arrived in Cadens. ]
Neither. [ He retrieves his glove. ] A gift from...hm. [ What to call Blake? ] An acquaintance.
[ Unexpected, actually. At the time. He likes Blake, don't misunderstand. He'd just not thought they were close enough for gifts, though he's come to realize some people simply give them out for lesser friendships. ]
Neither. [ He retrieves his glove. ] A gift from...hm. [ What to call Blake? ] An acquaintance.
[ Unexpected, actually. At the time. He likes Blake, don't misunderstand. He'd just not thought they were close enough for gifts, though he's come to realize some people simply give them out for lesser friendships. ]
It's more impressive on larger pieces of clothing, admittedly.
[Gloves are very basic.
Alucard raises an eyebrow, then laughs softly.] Since when did acquaintances give gifts? Sounds to me like you're making more friendships.
[He'll admit that using the f word is maybe overkill, but it'll be worth the reaction. Alucard's gaze moves back to the storm though, frowning.]
Have you been outside the city limits today to get a sense of how the sand has shifted?
[Gloves are very basic.
Alucard raises an eyebrow, then laughs softly.] Since when did acquaintances give gifts? Sounds to me like you're making more friendships.
[He'll admit that using the f word is maybe overkill, but it'll be worth the reaction. Alucard's gaze moves back to the storm though, frowning.]
Have you been outside the city limits today to get a sense of how the sand has shifted?
[ She sighs. ]
Before someone even brought up the gods, I didn't even think it could have had anything to do with them. Or maybe it would be better to say that I hoped it didn't have anything to do with them.
[ Talk of religion and the divine is quickly derailed. There's a moment where she scrutinizes him, trying to interpret if he's trying to pull a fast one on her. When it dawns on her that he isn't – and that he's the one who initiated it – her eyes go wide like saucers.
Quickly she takes several steps up towards him closing the space, uncertain of how she feels about this news. Right now the only thing that matters are the details. ]
How? What? Tell me all the details you can't just say that and not accompany it without anything else!
Before someone even brought up the gods, I didn't even think it could have had anything to do with them. Or maybe it would be better to say that I hoped it didn't have anything to do with them.
[ Talk of religion and the divine is quickly derailed. There's a moment where she scrutinizes him, trying to interpret if he's trying to pull a fast one on her. When it dawns on her that he isn't – and that he's the one who initiated it – her eyes go wide like saucers.
Quickly she takes several steps up towards him closing the space, uncertain of how she feels about this news. Right now the only thing that matters are the details. ]
How? What? Tell me all the details you can't just say that and not accompany it without anything else!
I'm just glad someone in Solvunn was able to track down which god it might be. Not that I take comfort in the deity itself, but it is much better than going in blind.
[Alucard is not surprises that Hilda wants details. He considers maybe sitting down on her office sofa, but Hilda's desk is closer. So that's where he sits, eye level and extending a hand if Hilda wants to take it and join him.]
First of all, Jaskier started it. And insulted my bat form which is very rude, as we were discussing the various masks and I said that the wolf one for myself was obvious. But a bat one-- [He pauses, realizing Hilda hasn't unlocked this piece of Jaskier lore.] I've surprised him as bats few times and apparently he doesn't care for it at all. So this has developed into an endless back and forth.
[It will never stop, it will never improve. Hardly the point. Alucard waves a hand.] He gave me a fox mask instead, and there was banter about how the transformation differed from my usual wolf form. Mostly it ended with Jaskier having fun petting the hair on my chest, which I expect would have been done even if he hadn't been eating those sour candies. Those are no particular excuse for kissing twice, but that's all that happened.
[More honestly, and to the point, Alucard feels a little color rush to his cheeks as he admits:] The small spark of emotion I have with you wasn't there. I can say that much with certainty.
[Alucard is not surprises that Hilda wants details. He considers maybe sitting down on her office sofa, but Hilda's desk is closer. So that's where he sits, eye level and extending a hand if Hilda wants to take it and join him.]
First of all, Jaskier started it. And insulted my bat form which is very rude, as we were discussing the various masks and I said that the wolf one for myself was obvious. But a bat one-- [He pauses, realizing Hilda hasn't unlocked this piece of Jaskier lore.] I've surprised him as bats few times and apparently he doesn't care for it at all. So this has developed into an endless back and forth.
[It will never stop, it will never improve. Hardly the point. Alucard waves a hand.] He gave me a fox mask instead, and there was banter about how the transformation differed from my usual wolf form. Mostly it ended with Jaskier having fun petting the hair on my chest, which I expect would have been done even if he hadn't been eating those sour candies. Those are no particular excuse for kissing twice, but that's all that happened.
[More honestly, and to the point, Alucard feels a little color rush to his cheeks as he admits:] The small spark of emotion I have with you wasn't there. I can say that much with certainty.
I believe you. [ The remark is drier than the sands outside. He does believe Alucard, but it's difficult to resist poking.
Alucard quickly returns the gesture, anyhow. Geralt rolls his eyes. Which is all he'll dignify that assertion with. He brushes more sand off the table before taking a sip of his mug. ]
Mm-hm. Went northward. [ With Steve, specifically. Their excursion was not the most helpful, but he did get a good sense of conditions out there. ] Winds are blowing east. Farms might lose their topsoil. Nothing that can't be rectified.
[ The length of the storm is concerning, but the intensity isn't dire. Tipped awnings, shrubs blown away. Impossible to see shit out there, too. It's delayed his contracts, which means he's spent most of his time building more chairs and shelves. ]
Alucard quickly returns the gesture, anyhow. Geralt rolls his eyes. Which is all he'll dignify that assertion with. He brushes more sand off the table before taking a sip of his mug. ]
Mm-hm. Went northward. [ With Steve, specifically. Their excursion was not the most helpful, but he did get a good sense of conditions out there. ] Winds are blowing east. Farms might lose their topsoil. Nothing that can't be rectified.
[ The length of the storm is concerning, but the intensity isn't dire. Tipped awnings, shrubs blown away. Impossible to see shit out there, too. It's delayed his contracts, which means he's spent most of his time building more chairs and shelves. ]
When this is all over and you want to ensure your bags are completely free of sand, let me know.
[He knows it gets everywhere, Gerry. He knows.
Just as he knows that eyeroll is all they're going to do to discuss this friendship matter further. News of the storm is more important, and Alucard listens intensely.]
North is good. I need to head south for work. Not that the conditions aren't helpful in some regard, but I could do without the rock having a tantrum.
[Now is as good a time as any to let Geralt know about the commission.]
[He knows it gets everywhere, Gerry. He knows.
Just as he knows that eyeroll is all they're going to do to discuss this friendship matter further. News of the storm is more important, and Alucard listens intensely.]
North is good. I need to head south for work. Not that the conditions aren't helpful in some regard, but I could do without the rock having a tantrum.
[Now is as good a time as any to let Geralt know about the commission.]
You joke, but it really does. My tracking system was originally designed for small animals. I used his birds to appeal to him.
[Never say Viktor does not, on some level, understand politics--or at least what one has to do, to push their projects past the necessary choke points. If they have to incorporate pigeons into the design to gain Klingel's favor, well. It wouldn't be the first time.]
These are no ordinary storms. We might be here a while.
[So, plenty of time to overthink.]
[Never say Viktor does not, on some level, understand politics--or at least what one has to do, to push their projects past the necessary choke points. If they have to incorporate pigeons into the design to gain Klingel's favor, well. It wouldn't be the first time.]
These are no ordinary storms. We might be here a while.
[So, plenty of time to overthink.]
--I'll see where they would make the most sense. Having said it out loud, the inclusion of birds and air related motifs in the design might not be the worst idea. It would help keep things from feeling like a crowded dungeon.
[There. Everyone will win, and Alucard can be satisfied with that much.]
Have I mentioned lately how much I hate that rock?
[There. Everyone will win, and Alucard can be satisfied with that much.]
Have I mentioned lately how much I hate that rock?
A set of artefacts that are meant to cut through time murdering a well known and high class individual who orchestrated a giant crime that threatened to destroy a fragile peace does have a way of putting a damper on festivities and trading enterprise, yes.
[Alucard does not turn just yet. It is a bitterly disappointing thing, but it is better that both sides have not immediate launched into attacks against the other than....really any other outcome. What's beyond the portal could be diplomatic talks, but Alucard is not that hopeful.]
And who could have known that the giant rock could have a tantrum about it.
[Alucard does not turn just yet. It is a bitterly disappointing thing, but it is better that both sides have not immediate launched into attacks against the other than....really any other outcome. What's beyond the portal could be diplomatic talks, but Alucard is not that hopeful.]
And who could have known that the giant rock could have a tantrum about it.
Everyone hates that rock.
[And, as always, they're left waiting for the other shoe to drop--that's probably the worst part, knowing that whatever is causing these storms is likely only the beginning.]
All the more reason to do what we can, now, because of what might be coming.
[And, as always, they're left waiting for the other shoe to drop--that's probably the worst part, knowing that whatever is causing these storms is likely only the beginning.]
All the more reason to do what we can, now, because of what might be coming.
I absolutely wish that were only the plot of a gripping novella with a satisfying conclusion, and not something that actually happened to anyone here. Certainly opening the portal this go 'round is the least for them to worry about.
[ Not the sort of situation where you just take a day to regroup and go on carrying about as you did before. The Doctor has seen much in his travels, enough to unfortunately not be surprised that someone might have masterminded a crime like this at all. Like anyone, though (he assumes), he always hopes the occasions of events like Ikorr opening their doors after so long might have been met with a night of genuine celebration and frivolity and nothing more, concluding with the assurance they could do this again without a worry. Still, he hopes for better to come, even in the face of the opposite. ]
Yes, now that, that, is just the sort of coincidence that's actually anything but. I haven't been here nearly long enough to have an accurate measure, though, are you aware of it ever reacting quite this strongly before?
[ Not the sort of situation where you just take a day to regroup and go on carrying about as you did before. The Doctor has seen much in his travels, enough to unfortunately not be surprised that someone might have masterminded a crime like this at all. Like anyone, though (he assumes), he always hopes the occasions of events like Ikorr opening their doors after so long might have been met with a night of genuine celebration and frivolity and nothing more, concluding with the assurance they could do this again without a worry. Still, he hopes for better to come, even in the face of the opposite. ]
Yes, now that, that, is just the sort of coincidence that's actually anything but. I haven't been here nearly long enough to have an accurate measure, though, are you aware of it ever reacting quite this strongly before?
[ She might have very well misinterpreted what he meant by "going in blind", but a part of her hopes that he won't get himself tangled up in the business of Solvunn's gods. While she hadn't gone to Jocelyn's execution, she had heard enough accounts to know that they were very real in Abraxas and that they had no problem reminding them all of that.
But scolding and warnings can wait.
Alucard's silent invitation is accepted by slipping her hand into his as she comes to perch on her desk beside him. She snorts in amusement at his recount of Jaskier touching the fur on Alucard's chest - but pauses at his rushed admission that seemingly wraps up the story of his kisses with the bard.
There's a beat as she shuffles some of the things on her desk aside so she can sit cross-legged atop her desk to face him properly. She still doesn't know exactly how she feels about this news. It's layered, that much she knows for certain. And at the top of that is...pride that he's taking back his own autonomy when it comes to physical affection. As for the rest well - this isn't really about her right now, is it?
All the same his sheepishness is endearing and her lips can't help but curl a little too. In hesitation? Relief? Amusement? ]
That's a good thing, right?
But scolding and warnings can wait.
Alucard's silent invitation is accepted by slipping her hand into his as she comes to perch on her desk beside him. She snorts in amusement at his recount of Jaskier touching the fur on Alucard's chest - but pauses at his rushed admission that seemingly wraps up the story of his kisses with the bard.
There's a beat as she shuffles some of the things on her desk aside so she can sit cross-legged atop her desk to face him properly. She still doesn't know exactly how she feels about this news. It's layered, that much she knows for certain. And at the top of that is...pride that he's taking back his own autonomy when it comes to physical affection. As for the rest well - this isn't really about her right now, is it?
All the same his sheepishness is endearing and her lips can't help but curl a little too. In hesitation? Relief? Amusement? ]
That's a good thing, right?
[Alucard isn't sure how sitting with legs crossed like that is comfortable, but he isn't going to question it. What he is sure of is this:]
I think it's value neutral. Just what it is and what I'm feeling, and I am capable of articulating it, like I was able of enjoying myself on that overly comfortable sofa with you. And saying that Jaskier liked my fangs perhaps a bit too much.
[He does pause though, aware that Hilda's own entanglements are further reaching than his own. It feels...correct to acknowledge that.]
This isn't me asking for any deeper reciprocation either. I don't want it to come off as anything of the sort.
I think it's value neutral. Just what it is and what I'm feeling, and I am capable of articulating it, like I was able of enjoying myself on that overly comfortable sofa with you. And saying that Jaskier liked my fangs perhaps a bit too much.
[He does pause though, aware that Hilda's own entanglements are further reaching than his own. It feels...correct to acknowledge that.]
This isn't me asking for any deeper reciprocation either. I don't want it to come off as anything of the sort.
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