audio; un: alucard

[reposing]

I suppose it's best to be acquainted in this way. The message system is much more advanced than I would have anticipated; quick and efficient. Good.

I am Alucard. I see no point in compromising the truth, so I shall say it now to spare wretched and unpleasant surprises: I was sired by a vampire, my mother a human. So few are there like me, but we are called dhampir.

If you have no knowledge of what this means, I will explain and answer your questions accordingly, should you have them.

In any case, I will do whatever it takes to ensure we all leave this place as soon as possible.

I have no doubt some of us have certain deadlines to keep.

Comments

[wingstosee]

[ and there he is. venus doesn't let her apprehension show, too much - she just smiles, and waves, and laughs a bit. ]

It's okay. Really, it's just looking out for each other, right? Devil to dhampir.

[ it's not quite as smooth as she'd like, but, well... at least she's not freaking out? ]

[reposing]

[It earns a low, dry chuckle from Alucard.]

I suppose that is true.

[He holds out his hand to her.] If you would join me, my lady.

[wingstosee]

Haha. Wow.

[ that's not a sarcastic "wow," either. it's the first time she's ever been treated quite like that - and for it to come from a vampire (dhampir, she passively corrects herself) who looks like some sort of mysterious noble is. kind of a lot?? she lays her hand on top of this, smiling and trying not to giggle as she stands up. ]

[reposing]

[First, a delicate kiss is placed upon the back of Venus' hand.]

Know that I am grateful for what you are about to give, and that I am prepared to repay you should you choose.

[Alucard steps forward. Were it up to him, there would be a different way to go about this, but there is little choice in the matter right now.

He whispers:] Try to relax.

[The hand holding Venus' slips away, rising up to gently cradle the back of her hand, guiding her on how to tip and expose her neck. The dhampir leans in, and very precisely punctures his fangs into her throat.]

[wingstosee]

[ the kiss is what pushes this into unreal territory. venus watches alucard, absolutely entranced by the man's actions. there's no way around it - he's a vampire (dhampir), but he's a gentleman. he's like the fics she read when she was fourteen. he's like a lot of things that are suave that she's having trouble coming up with words for, but most importantly he's guiding her actions in a gentle but commanding tone, and she's more than happy to let him.

he tilts her head, and she willingly follows, and when teeth break skin she can't help the little gasp that escapes her - part pain, part released anticipation. ]

Ow.

[ okay, more than a part pain. she hisses the word out between gritted teeth, her breathing still soft and mostly even. she's felt worse than this in the scouts - honestly, she's felt worse than this at the doctor's office. but this is much more intense, in a bizarre way. for one fucked up moment, the thought enters her brain: does she need to apologize to jupiter and neptune for this??

but that goes away quickly, replaced at first by the pain and soon by its absence. venus's blood is light, as warm and unflinching as the sun's summer rays. it carries with it strange, alien tastes - human and devil and kindness all in one.

it's unmistakably her. ]

[reposing]

[He thinks, absently, to apologize for the brief pain later. It is surely forgettable in due time, but he still takes no pleasure from it. Were it up to Alucard, a needle would be more preferable, but there is nothing to be done about that with no equipment to speak of.

When Alucard drinks, he cannot think of a single being he's had that is anything like her. It is her sole uniqueness; nothing is foul in her blood, it is like daylight with no lingering pain. The light is hers, and hers alone.

There's the urging temptation to take and drink and drink. Slowly, some strength returns to him, more than he'd anticipate from any mere mortal. From a devil, it is empowering, and yet not enough to heal the damage done by Dracula.

Eventually, Alucard has to force himself away, fangs rising and a sigh escaping him. He cannot stop himself from licking his lips, but he does refrain from tasting the dots of blood at Venus' neck.]

I have never had anyone like that before.

[wingstosee]

[ blood is drawn from her, drip by drip, and what started as pain takes on an almost soothing tone. it's... not nice, but it's something like it. he jerks away after what feels like literal minutes, and she exhales all the tension of the feeding in a single shuddery sigh.

dang. wow. she's got shivers. ]

Haha, yeah. We're... kind of like that. [ there's a slight tiredness to her voice, a drain becoming more clear with each word she speaks. ] I haven't. Had anyone do that to me before either? So, like. It's new for both of us.

[ her fingers idly drift up, tapping gently against the marks where his teeth digged in just moments ago. the blood smears beneath the pressure, leaving light red trails as her fingertip moves away and back to her side. ]

So it worked?

[reposing]

Yes. I feel a little stronger.

[It's not enough. Gallons and gallons upon blood may be enough to heal the damage done, but for right now, this will have to do. He will not drain a person, not especially one who has been so friendly with him.

He gives a graceful bow to her, deeply grateful.]

Thank you, Venus.

Might I escort you back to your room? You may need some time to rest.

[wingstosee]

[ she gives a bow back to him, tilting her head down (and startling a little at how easily her balance shifts - it's a little more blood loss than she thought, clearly). but at his question, she shakes her head briefly. ]

Not yet. I was... kind of hoping we could just. Talk for a second? [ it's not a lie. but also, she is feeling a little dizzy. ] Not long. I won't keep you long, I swear.

[reposing]

[It should not surprise him so. From what he's seen from interacting with Venus thus far, she is pleasant and kind -- exceedingly friendly.

He smiles to her gently, guiding her to sit back down.]

Of course. It would be my pleasure.

Perhaps in all of the chaos, a fine conversation is what we both need now.

[wingstosee]

Mm. Yeah. I think so, too.

[ she leans into his hand, letting him guide her down into her seat. her back finally makes contact with the seat, and she relaxes against it, the tension slowly leaving her as she closes her eyes.

smiling, she starts off the conversation. ]

So... what did I taste like?

[ she sounds a little playful, and a little woozy, and given that she's not flushing beet-fucking-red she's also probably a little unaware of just what she's saying. ]

[reposing]

[Like this, she looks so content. It's difficult to not smile in return, even though she cannot see it.]

It's difficult to describe, but I will try.

Imagine... you could taste a fine summer day. The air crisp and clear, a few clouds, and you are content. You could bask, even sleep under the sun. I can only tolerate the sun for a period of time before it wears on me, but with you. You, it felt like this: daylight, without the harm.

It was wonderful. I could not imagine a devil tasting so fine.

[wingstosee]

Oh, wow.

[ her voice is breathy, delighted. what she's feeling right now is something she associates more with her limited alcohol experiences - that slight dizziness, the uncaring, the slow pull on her eyelids. and hearing something as poetic as that tumbling from his lips, well- it's nice. it's really nice. ]

Wow. I guess... I've got good blood. [ and she doesn't feel ashamed to say it. because she knows if he'd drunk of neptune, of jupiter, he'd be saying something completely different right now. ] Alright. I got a question. I guess... you go now?

[reposing]

You do. It is selfish, but I'm glad you let me do this.

[The question earns a tilt of his head.] I leave when you want me to. Unless you mean something else?

[wingstosee]

...huh?

[ it honestly takes her a few seconds to get just what he's saying - but when it finally clicks, she shakes her head emphatically (and tilts a little in the process). ]

Oh, no! No, I just mean, um... I guess I was thinking we could take turns asking questions? So that it wasn't just me asking stupid things. Haha.

[reposing]

None of your questions have struck me as lacking intelligence, Venus. But I understand what you mean.

Hm. How did it feel for you? Being bitten. Letting me drink. It can be a bit different for everyone.

[wingstosee]

I'm glad.

[ and she's happy to leave it at that. he's given her something to think about, right? so she thinks, her gaze actually rising up lazily and resting on the ceiling, before she finally offers: ]

Kind of like you bit my neck. [ haha. she sort of snickers, but- ] I mean, not... in a bad way? It hurt, but... It was kind of nice, too.

[ okay, now she's blushing. her gaze drops back down to the table. ]

I, uh- I guess it's my turn again, huh?

[reposing]

[Nice? How interesting. But Alucard doesn't call her out on it, leaving her alone despite his curiosity.

Kindly, he says:] If you want it to be your turn, then yes.

I'm glad I did not hurt you.

[wingstosee]

Yeah. Me too, a little. [ and she can't help but laugh at that. she drums her fingers on the table, trying to think of something appropriate, and finally moves to- ] Where are you from? I think you said Earth, but it seems... a lot different than where I'm from.

[ a lot more old-fashioned, if anything. ]

[reposing]

Wallachia. The stated year there is 1475.

I don't know what country you're from, or what year. Though perhaps some cultural differences are there, I truly don't think things are all that different. People let their blind, constricting love of their God contort what is truly beneficial for them, and they rob people of what they need.

I imagine the devils agree.

[wingstosee]

Oh, wow.

[ she's almost breathless, hearing all that. not just the year, although that's a shocker in and of itself - it's everything else. it's a lot to take in at once, and she doesn't formulate words for a second; she just looks at alucard with her eyes shining like stars. ]

Yeah. Yeah, it's... That's exactly it. [ her voice is soft, almost awe-struck, and for a moment she makes eye contact with him. then it drops back down to the table, the blush on her cheeks growing a bit more. ] It's, um- it's your turn.

[reposing]

[Alucard hums thoughtfully, his eyes going half-lid. He traces the table absently with his index finger.]

Do you think humanity is worth saving?

[wingstosee]

Huh?

[ that knocks her out of her reverie. the blush on her cheeks slowly fades away, and even if that dizzy haze is still in her eyes there's no uncertainty when she smiles and laughs awkwardly. ]

I mean. Yeah? Of course it is. [ duh, as neptune would so eloquently put it. ] Humans can do a lot of crappy things... but they can do a lot of really wonderful things, too. Most of them want to. They just... sort of need a little push. You know?

[ even the ones that wouldn't let the devil in. even if they can be assholes, some of the most devoted followers of god also did great things. ]

Don't you feel the same way? [ it's spoken softly, curiously, without a hint of judgment. she honestly doesn't know. ]

[reposing]

[He does feel a little bad just dropping such a serious topic onto her shoulders, but Alucard listens.

Fingers curl into loose fists and he shuts his eyes for a moment. He thinks of how much his mother loved her people, loved humans and their potential. He cannot deny that part of his heritage, but...]

I don't imagine it really matters how I feel.

[Alucard looks at Venus, tired but also a bit fondly.] It is easy to forget the kindness among the cruelty, I admit to that.

[wingstosee]

It totally does, though! [ it's surprisingly insistent, coming from her - even if it's still softly spoken, there's an unyielding will to it. ] Even if you don't agree. It's... I don't know? It's important that you be able to say it, at least.

[ she exhales, the tension of the moment gone, and nods. ]

Sometimes it's easy to forget the cruelty, too. I don't think it's right to skip over either.