abraxaslogs | open | excuse my ego, can't go incognito

[ part of her hadn't been expecting a real answer, but when it comes, she automatically tunes in to listen. she's fairly attentive despite the noise around her, only getting distracted once or twice, but she manages to take in everything he says regardless, nodding along once in a while. ]

Yeah. I can see that. Plays can tell us so much about the cultures they come from, regardless of how... good they are. Even just having the written plays from another time is valuable.

[ she wants to say their genre preferences kind of make sense to the species, but she's not sure if that's, like, offensive? not to mention she's still learning about how the residents of nocwich even function. ]

What other means do you prefer then?

Agreed.

[As hardly a dramatist - the flair for it just came naturally from both parents - Alucard knows he can't offer more insightful commentary. He's content enough to abandon the subject, focusing on a much easier question.]

Situations like the Square for one. Culinary arts would be another, I find it more revealing than many give it credit for. What other culture would think to make blood wine other than a vampiric one? [He's aware that the bloodwine is a little bit of an alienating topic for some individuals, but it is a very good example.] It is a far better introduction than the one we initially received when this place first opened. The people of Ikorr were overly formal and elaborated little on what they presented, going so far as to have art with no titles beside them on display. Luna was much more welcoming.

[ she should probably be weirded out by the concept of bloodwine, but mostly it does strike her as a very good example of what they're talking about, and she spends a moment thinking on it. it's definitely gross as far as she's concerned, but it checks out when she puts it against vampires. ]

Food and drink make sense. Like, so many cultures have bread and alcohol, but looking at how they make them and the variances can tell you a lot.

[ she hums. ] I guess the introductions can be telling too. How long as this place been opened for the Summoned to visit?

Precisely so. The other one I've found interesting is what cultures will put into sausage or other means of eating ground meat. It speaks to thrift, as well as a spice pallet. A noble is less likely to eat a blood sausage or head cheese, but during the winter months, it may be what gets a farming family by.

[There's a small shrug before Alucard moves on. He's accustomed to both of the listed dishes and has found blood sausage to be perfectly delicious with the right herbs and spices added. If it is a simple preference or weird underlying vampire genetics? He's decided not to question it.]

About a year and a half now, including the three month closure. Prior to it, there was no means for us to meet in person across the various territories.

[ she pauses. ] I've never thought about it with sausage. But you make a good point. Social status and wealth definitely play a part in food variety too.

[ annabeth had arrived when this place was closed, so the experience of suddenly no longer having the option isn't there for her, but she can imagine the frustration it would have caused. it helps a little that she's still very much getting to know this world and the people scattered across it, made even more challenging by getting thrown into a fake reality so quickly after arriving. ]

[ she's still curious though. ] I'm from a world where transportation is a little easier and faster to come by, so being so cut off is strange. Which territory are you from then?

I suppose it isn't a necessity in your sphere the same way it is for the residents of the obști back home. [What is the modern need for sausage in the 21st century? Alucard's not considered the long arc, even though he's the one that brought up the topic.]

I reside in the Free Cities, although I was among the batch that Thorne first summoned. Back then, they were the only territory doing it, and they put about half of us in their dungeons for reasons I've still not quite figured out. Where is it that you have landed?

I just don't really eat a lot of sausage. It's not like it doesn't exist - I mean, it's pretty big for the pizza industry.

[ she prefers mixing it with olives on her pizza, though the olives are the bigger pull. ]

[ but her expression shifts with some recognition and definitely interest. it draws her attention far more than sausages. ]

I'm in Thorne, though I haven't been here very long. Someone was telling me about that - how they almost executed some of the first Summoned and shoved a bunch in the dungeons, but they were able to escape. So you're someone who's been here from the very start?

[It is, perhaps, best to leave sausage aside for now and focus on the real questions, to which Alucard nods in confirmation.]

I am, yes. There's very few of us left, and many of those who were chucked into the dungeons left for the Free Cities or Solvunn the first chance we were offered. Out all of the territories, I believe Thorne has continued to merit the most disdain due to the relative lack of freedom it offers in comparison to the other two.

[ sausage begone. it's already out of her head. ]

[ she wrinkles her nose a bit. ] I've been getting that impression. Like, we get free beds and free access to lots of learning - but there are a lot of expectations and curfews.

[ annabeth is aware she has perhaps never sounded more her age than in this moment of disdain over curfews. in some ways it's been nice to not have to worry about lodgings or food - but it definitely comes at a cost, the more she hears about the other territories. ]

I guess the "Free" part of Free Cities isn't an exaggeration? Did you choose it, or just end up there when you fled Thorne?

The idea of enforcing curfews on adults is especially ridiculous.

[Alucard has never had kind words for Thorne, but even as he speaks, the venom he once held doesn't come out. That is a genuine surprise, one he files away as something to reflect on later.]

I chose it, based on the very little I had read about both territories. As it was, Thorne would let the Summoned who didn't get thrown below parole us for a few hours at a time if they so wished, which permitted me library access.

[That's not the point though, not really.] Cadens and the other cities do require having a job to make a living though, so there is additional pressure. I don't mind, and it makes coming to Nocwich that much more rewarding.

That kind of tight hold only ever makes people get resentful, and I can definitely see that already. I do really like the library, but there's a lot more going on.

[ and as much as she is appreciating some of the comforts right now due to personal bullshit, the overarching control and rules do linger alongside it. especially for someone who has often flouted rules when she thinks they're stupid. ]

Jobs are kind of normal, so it doesn't necessarily seem like a too troublesome thing. [ not that she's ever had a real job in that way, or lives in the free cities either. ] Unless the jobs are hard to find? I guess they don't deal in resumes here.

Knowing what you do now, do you think you'd still choose the Free Cities?

The only thing I can say for certain is that it is best to stay off of the Queen's radar. She is ruthless and on occasion, impulsive, from what I have seen and heard. I'd speak with Thancred for further details.

[Alucard will also admit to some bias there. Thancred's dislike of Thorne isn't subtle, and Alucard's never had much love for the kingdom either. It won't offer a fair perspective, but it will be a frank one. That's more important in his view.

To the matter of jobs, there's a small shrug.]

I have enough skills, and my business partner, Jaskier, makes up for the ones I lack. It helps that he's a better people person than I am as well. [Understatement of the year.

The reply to the question about choice is confident. Certain.]

Yes, absolutely. Solvunn's technology is far too behind what I'm used to, and Thorne's restrictions would chafe. The only other option I'd ever consider would be here in Nocwich, but I'd miss the sun.

I've met Thancred. I'll have to see if I can talk to him again sometime. [ he left a decent enough impression on her and implied similar things about the monarchy - and to be mindful of what she said and when. it makes her want to find him outside the castle and get a better rundown. bias perspective or otherwise, it's still better to get as much information as she can. ]

It's a shame we can't visit the other territories, to at least get a sense of what they're like beyond word of mouth. It'd be nice to see them for myself. But I guess that'd be too easy.

[ a beat. ] I'm not sure I could live here either. It's been nice to get out of Thorne, but I'd miss the sun too.

[ annabeth might be a bit of a library ghost, but she loves being outdoors just as much. ]

Maybe it's best to have that conversation here. Away from Thorne and prying ears.

[It's a gentle suggestion, but Alucard won't hide his concern either. Thorne's walls probably cannot be trusted these days, and while he's just met Annabeth, Alucard does know and care about Thancred.]

I had just cause to visit Solvunn once, but it was at the height of an emergency and all territories were working together on a matter. There was no real time to take in the sights, but it seemed quiet and nice enough. Just not right for myself. The museums and the art scene of the Free Cities also weighs my bias quite significantly.

[He's careful to mention exactly how much he's involved in the latter, in no small part because it sounds obnoxious. And because Jaskier does most of the connecting, Alucard tends to be in the background planning.]

It's a fascinating study in what grows in perpetual night, at any rate. My father's people would be envious. [By way of explanation, Alucard pauses for a moment, letting his fangs be a bit more obvious than usual.]

I've gotten the impression to watch my mouth. [ and she will try, she swears. maybe not for her own sake, but at least for others. ]

Museums sound nice. There's some cool sea glass art in Borrel, but we're only allowed day trips.

[ her attention snaps to the fangs pretty quickly once she notices them. it's knowing he's one of the summoned that gives her brief pause before she blurts out something rude, but she does seem a little surprised. ] You're a vampire? [ a beat. ] And you can go in the sun?

[ she can't explain why that sticks out most first! ]

The sea glass art does sound interesting. There are some monumental scrap metal artists in the Free Cities who do remarkable work, often relying on reclaimed mining material.

[Alucard's perfectly fine with explaining the contradiction. It is a routine now, and his response is automatic.]

Half. My father was, my mother was human. It comes with certain flourishes, like being able to go out in daylight and not requiring blood for survival. Those are the two important ones, so far as I've come to understand other spheres and their undead.

It makes me wonder what kind of art they might have in Solvunn, based on their natural resources? [ it's mostly a rhetorical question, annabeth thinking aloud. it happens sometimes. ]

[ she's a good audience for his vampire explanation, and maybe there's a world out there were it might be cause for alarm, but this man has been around for a very long time, and nocwich itself is proving safe. she can be reasonable. it's kind of helpful, honestly. ]

The closest we have to vampires back home are empousai. [ a beat. she might have some experience being half something. ] And if you're only half, sharing only some traits and lacking others makes sense.

[ she pauses again. ] I realize you just told me all about yourself and I don't even know your name?

[Alucard pauses at that, considering. Then a particular creeping feeling overtakes him and he lets out a mortified noise.] I cannot believe I've never thought to ask that.

[Even if the Summoned there have not engaged with the arts directly, they could still tell him. Alucard doesn't expect gallery culture, but he knows craftsmanship is likely of great value. He's an idiot.]

That's...Greek, yes? [His first language is Wallachian, but he's managed some reading skills in other languages. Polymath of a father and all that.]

I might say the same of you. [At least it means turnabout is fair play.] My countrymen call me Alucard.

[ she huffs out a small snort of a laugh before she can stop herself, though mostly at his tone. ] Not too late to find out now.

Yeah. They're usually creatures of Hecate, but they don't always follow her lead. They have one donkey leg and one brass leg, and somehow they still manage to seduce some men for their blood. Do you speak Greek?

[ sometimes (oftentimes) she finds herself enrolled in a conversation without introducing herself, and it feels especially true of being in abraxas. she simply has too many questions. ] I'm Annabeth.

It is not. I simply hope I'm afforded the grace not to look like that much of an ass. [It'll be fine. Alucard knows that, and he'll probably just ask Wanda and Himeka. It'll be fine.]

I can read small portions of ancient text. My first language comes from Latin, with some Salvonic as well. [Old Romanian isn't Old Romanian if they're still speaking it in your time period.] My father was a polymath, and language was included in his skillset. [Wait.] Am I correct to assume that these creatures are contemporary issues for you?

[The active tense suggests as much.]

Well met. I hope Nocwich is an improvement, or at least something to look forward to in the future for you.

Don't worry. I won't tell anyone from Solvunn. [ she says it a little teasingly, uncaring that he is, apparently, half-vampire. ]

My ancient Greek's better than modern. I can read it and speak it, and I know a few Latin phrases, but I'm not fluent in that one. [ she notes his pause and allows for one of her own. ] Unfortunately, yeah. I've fought them, with some annoyingly-semi-frequency.

[ stupid fucking kelli. ]

It's... interesting. I definitely want to see more of it. [ she's still formulating her opinions, but it's not like she has a bad impression so far. ]

Edited 2024-06-15 02:21 (UTC)

I appreciate it, thank you. [He can detect that tone, but that's why replying sincerely is funnier, in his opinion.]

That's still an improvement. At least the name has remained consistent over the centuries. What's Wallachian to me is Romanian to people from later centuries. It took a bit for people to connect the two here. [Never mind that though, he's interested in this version of reality.] The continuity of ancient monsters is new to me, although as a concept I suppose I shouldn't be that surprised. Is there a particular reason, or is it just the nature of your world?

[He nods, considering where else to suggest.] The woods are lovely, if you have good night vision and quick reflexes. It being nocturnal, wholly unique animals have evolved to live in it.

[ joke or otherwise, she snorts at the sincerity in which he replies. ]

I mean, we call it Greek, but it's not like the actual Ancient Greeks did. There are too many arguments and theories about that etymology to get into though.

[ annabeth pauses, mostly to consider how to answer him. ] It's more like the nature of my world. The Greek gods and all the mythological elements associated with them are real for me, and they've always existed beyond antiquity, though not everyone believes or knows it to be true anymore.

[ she wants to explore the woods!! but she might have some difficulties. ] Some of us need night vision goggles for that, unfortunately.

That is absolutely a road I don't wish to go down. Etymology is not something I follow easily, and I'm absolutely in no place to comment on it.

[A topic best left behind for more interesting ones. Alucard is quiet as he gets his answer, nodding along.]

A grander continuity, rather than one relegate to specific time and place. That's new to my ears, although the idea of creatures attacking the human world isn't. Is it only those particular mythological elements though, or are there competing pantheons?

[He doesn't like gods at the best of times, but at least these ones aren't here to make trouble.

As far as he knows.

Thank god for showing his ass about dumber stuff.]

--Well, those are provided. Apologies, I always forget that not everyone has been given that particular advantage.

[ annabeth snorts, but she's just as content to let the history of the word 'greek' slide away; it's not up her sleeve either, though she imagines her mother might have the actual answer. ]

Well, it mostly exists within certain pockets, what we perhaps egregiously call 'western civilization' - that's where their seat of power is. And the monsters don't attack human mortals as much as they do demigods, luckily for the former. [ she pauses. ] I know the Ancient Egyptian pantheon exists, but I don't know how it functions comparatively, and the two do their best to keep to their own realms and spaces, so it's not much of a competition.

[ her expression sort of becomes a literal "!!!" ] Really? Actual night vision goggles? That does open it up for me.

open | excuse my ego, can't go incognito

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do you want to aim to wrap in another tag or two?

yeah that works for me!

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