[open] stories sown along the way

[funbreaker]

Who: Thancred Waters & YOU
When: Throughout July
Where: Thorne; the Horizon
What: Reacting to goings-on in the castle, hanging out in the Horizon, chocobo rides
Warnings: Will edit in as they come up!

[ Starters below in the comments! If you've got questions or want to plot out something not covered here, feel free to contact me on Plurk (demonology) or Discord (demonology#1725)! ]

Comments

[cryptsleeper]

[Alucard isn't inclined to have company, but he's also not in a position to refuse. He did trespass, and this is the most elegant out he's capable of having.]

Do you know that many people in the Free Cities?

[It is the same quiet stranger acknowledgement, phrased as politely as possible.]

[funbreaker]

[ That answers a question that Thancred had not yet gotten around to answering, and he sees that as reason enough to return the favor. ]

Not as many as I know in Thorne.

[ Still, he has no interest in being insular simply because his captors have decided to keep them close at hand, and so he is quick to add to his statement as they continue their walk, side-by-side now. ]

However, I did attend that town hall in the Horizon, and I was present for the Summit. I have had some opportunities to mingle.

[ Not that Thancred saw this man in either of those places, though in the case of the Summit enough had been going on that they may have simply missed each other.

After a pause, he nods to the stranger. ] Thancred. 'Tis a pleasure to meet you.

[cryptsleeper]

Ah.

[It is difficult for Alucard to keep the ice out of his reaction at the mention of the place. He was one of those dragged into Thorne, before the other places copied Ambrose's feat. The bitterness of imprisonment has yet to truly wear off.]

With respect to Sam and his goals, I find the town halls a bit self-selecting. The summit was...[he pauses, trying to figure out the right words. He settles on:] Well, it happened. I kept to myself.

[His general M.O., in truth.]

Alucard. Apologies for the disturbance.

[funbreaker]

[ That cold response the moment that Thorne is mentioned does grab Thancred's attention, but he is well aware of all the reasons that someone might not be fond of the kingdom. He isn't there because he particularly enjoys it, but because it's important to have a pair of eyes and ears in a place that means the Summoned ill. ]

The instances where all the Summoned can come together are few and far between, and I was curious to hear what he had to say. [ Thancred does not know Sam well, but he gathers that he is a good man trying to watch over the Summoned as best he can. ] Pertinent information was exchanged as well.

[ But he can gather that this Alucard is one who would rather do things his own way and not be in the center of such crowds. He knows the type. ]

You need not apologize. Now that I've answered your question, might you return the favor?

[ Which friend is he on his way to see? ]

[cryptsleeper]

[Thorne is truly, in the immortal words of Jean Ralphio, the woooOOooorst.]

I suppose the latter is the real advantage of it.

[And Thancred is absolutely correct in assuming that Alucard prefers to do things his way and avoid crowds. Especially right now, as he likes to just be left alone to do historical reconstruction and sleep in a graveyard while in the form of a wolf. War will happen with or without him around.]

I might admit I prefer to keep my friends private. [And again, he at least sounds apologetic. His nature is privacy these days.] They deserve that small luxury.

[funbreaker]

[ The information that both Sasarai and Himeka had brought up during the town hall had been worth noting, though in Himeka's case Thancred had already been aware of it. He has an interesting relationship with information and how it's shared. There are certainly times when all Summoned should be kept in the loop, and yet also times when he would rather keep things to a smaller circle.

Speaking of which, Alucard continues to be quite careful with his own intel, even when it's something as harmless as who he calls friend. Whoever that person is, they must be quite special to have earned the fondness of someone so private. ]

I suppose they do, given that all of us have been dragged to this other world without our permission. You strike me as the sort who takes great care with who you call friend.

[ At some point he will have to let Alucard head off on his own way, or the secret of who he is visiting will become far too clear. At the moment they're surrounded on all sides by different domains, city skylines and forested cabins and everything in between, making it a mystery where Alucard could be headed. ]

[cryptsleeper]

[Alucard inclines his head slightly, being as obvious and caught out as he is.]

I suppose some things are not subtle, are they?

[Alucard himself is about as subtle as a freight train, but he enjoys pretending otherwise. His want of privacy and constant feeling of the need to be alert do not always play nicely together. He's accepted at least that much, and right now he is being afforded that grace from someone else. Who is he to question it?

They're at a crossroad space now. Alucard's eyes scan what he can see and-- ah. Jaskier's. That'll do, as he needs to see the bard anyway. Tey have things to work on together.]

I will try not to trespass again. I won't swear to it though. These places shift and sway on a whim.

[funbreaker]

[ Thancred responds to the question with little more than a quirked smile and a nod. It's his business to read people, and their brief interaction has already made it clear how much Alucard values his privacy, and even extends that to others, not wishing to overstep.

Thancred does also notice the way Alucard glances in a direction and seems to settle on it, having decided on his final destination. Their walk hasn't been a long one, but Thancred hasn't minded the brief introduction and the chance to stretch his legs. Even if he's only doing so mentally. ]

There's no need to worry. [ He shakes his head. ] I'm all too familiar with how this place likes to toy with us or make an errant thought into reality. Mayhap next time you'll be welcomed in, if you desire a drink or a calm spot to sit.

[ With that he comes to a halt, intending to let Alucard continue on his way. ]

[cryptsleeper]

Should the need or opportunity arise, I'll thank you for the permission granted here and now.

[The nod Alucard offers is polite enough, and he pauses to return the offer.] If you run across a late autumnal wood that behaves in a similar way to your streets, then you know whose space you have entered.

[With that, the dhampir takes his leave. There are plans to be seen to, and this was a pleasant enough distraction.]