[open] Late September/Early October catchall

[cryptsleeper]

Who: Alucard + open
What: The comings and goings of a dhampir
Where: Libertas, the Horizon, Al’s sad sack not a crypt in the desert outside Cadens
When: Late September through early October
Warnings: Added as needed

Comments

[warfed]

[She smiles again as he steps back, dropping her arm to rest across her bent knee. Well, now that they've established neither is a threat to the other—]

Are you out here hunting, then? That is usually what is bringing me to the desert.

[The fact that this particular outing is offering a reprieve from the troubles in Libertas is just a bonus.]

There are no shortage of dangers here, but you do not seem to be worried about them at all.

[cryptsleeper]

[The wolf responds by stretching it's front paws out, the rest of it's body pulling back. And in that gesture, a long wolfish snout becomes a short nose, fur gives way to a black coat, blonde hair grows in place.

Alucard knows when the conversation demands he be people shaped. Even if he hates it.]

It's quiet out here, and with few people. One needs the break.

[warfed]

[Oh! Though Petra does, of course, look momentarily surprised as his shift, she is able to quickly attribute it to being something similar to stories she's heard back home. There is talk of the spirits granting mortals all sorts of gifts in times of need; the ability to change shape has come up in more stories than she can count, even if she's never met someone able to do so before.]

You are a shapeshifter!

[She's impressed, naturally.]

I have understanding. It is dangerous here, but quiet. The city... is being a little much, sometimes. I have been spending most of my time helping in Libertas, but also came here for a break.

[Now that he's in human form, however, he seems vaguely familiar.]

You have been helping there, too, yes? I am sure I have been seeing you before.

[cryptsleeper]

Of a sorts.

[Alucard has come to let people try and define his nature without him giving it away. It's been fascinating to watch the interpretation of abilities through the eyes of others, and it affords him a little privacy. A dhampir, as it has turned out, can resemble many other things.]

I've been helping with architectural plans there and reinforcing what remains standing there, yes. [Alucard will admit he's not subtle, even if he's dressed down and has his hair pulled back, as to not get in the way of recovery work/]

It's exhausting, being there after a while. Claustrophobic, even. It makes this place all the more inviting.

apologies if this is too old, this month has been a nightmare

[warfed]

Exhausting.

[She echoes him with a nod, her expression shifting as her mouth pulls into a thin, worried line for a moment.]

There is much about the situation to be exhausted by. I have been wanting to do all I can to help, but it is weighing heavily on the heart. It is good to get away, just for a little while— better to rest and regain strength.

[Even if most people wouldn't consider coming into the desert to hunt monsters 'resting.' It's familiar to her, restorative in a way— the wide open space offers a reprieve.]

Building is important work. You are an architect?

you're fine!

[cryptsleeper]

[Alucard would point out that one might be surprised by how many people do find monster hunting to be a means of reset, but the thought isn't voiced and he's not so bold as to suggest it himself. There is only a nod, short and sympathetic. He gets it, truly.]

I am, yes. [In that, there's a little flutter of pride, even if Alucard has felt himself tired lately. Defining himself by his work and what can be shown for it over anything else has been a luxury he never knew he was in want of before being summoned here. He's not a patricide, he's not The Alucard, he's just an architect. With works to his name and a few projects.]

It's a helpful skillset, but I'd rather it not be needed in quite the way it is now. Have you considered taking more than just a few days of resting? A week or even two might be more useful.

[warfed]

I think many who are helping wish their skills were not being needed in such a way, even if it can be good to feel useful.

[She gives him another faint smile with a wistful bent to it; the circumstances are undesirable, healers and architects and everyone in between who has made the effort to contribute will be well-appreciated by those they are able to aid.]

I had not considered taking so much time— it feels like it is a great deal to spare, but I will be the first to say that my work is not being so important. I have been a pair of hands wherever they are needed, but taking a week to hunt and take rest when there are people still suffering or working as hard as they are is feeling... selfish?

[Even as she says so, she knows she would offer the same advice he's giving were she speaking to someone else, but she, herself, wants to do more.]

I am mostly good for fighting. Aside from hunting for food, I admit that Libertas does not seem to be needing that at the moment.

[cryptsleeper]

[There is a quiet nod of agreement on that point. Just because you can help doesn't mean that needing to help in the first place is genuinely awful given the circumstances. Alucard suspects the feeling us universal among the Summoned of the Free Cities.]

Is it selfish if you return more capable of doing the work?

[A week, two weeks, is nothing in the grand scheme of things. Of course, Alucard knows he thinks of time differently given his longer lifespan, and that one of his parents was functionally immortal.]

There's plenty of monsters in the desert whose parts have values. Or else there's just the quietness of being out here.

[warfed]

[He asks an excellent question, and it's enough to get a brief laugh out of her as she realizes that she really may as well be listening to herself in this moment.]

I had been saying the same thing to a friend when he had worked himself to exhaustion. It is hard to be taking one's own advice, sometimes.

[He's certainly not wrong, though. She tips her head to one side, hefting her bow to put it on display before lowering it again.]

Hunting is most of how I have been making my living, but I am still learning what parts can be used for things like medicine. I am relying on clients to be telling me what they need, but learning for myself might mean being able to be offering something more to the relief efforts. But— you are here for the quiet, not the hunting, yes?

[cryptsleeper]

I suppose it is.

[Alcuard has at least been listening to his own needs to not be near others of late, so he can claim he does listen to his own advice sometimes.

It is easier to speak of the desert though and what lurks in the wide and open wilderness. To the question, he nods.]

Yes. Cities can be overwhelming, after a while. [As for the rest, he lets out a gentle shrug.] Some of the libraries here have information on basic herbal and other natural remedies. That may be the best place to start.