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

[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.

[reposing]

[Her insistence, her determination -- it does startle him, but not in a terrible way. If anything, he wishes he had that from her. That balance of knowing humanity in such a way. Perhaps it helps that she was human once.

For him, he never really belongs in either world, of nightly beasts nor mortals.]

They are lucky to have you.

[Humans, Jupiter, or Neptune. What a good comrade to have. A good devil.]

I am meant to save humanity when I return to Wallachia. No matter my thoughts on the matter.

[wingstosee]

...oh.

[ it's in response to a lot - his casual compliment, the way he assigns humanity almost under her care, and those words, save humanity. what is he, exactly? why does that fall to a dhampir, one who doesn't even sound really enthusiastic about the job? it's a lot to consider.

but probably even more for him, actually. so she smiles, even though she's blushing a little - and that just makes her dizzier, thanks, blood loss - and tries to reassure him. ]

I won't say they'll be grateful? Haha. But- I guess I am. [ the words are simple but effective - they say everything she might be trying to say and then a bit more. ] So remember that, okay? Even if it feels like nobody appreciates it, someone totally does.

[reposing]

[True, Alucard does not expect the gratitude of humans at all. Still, there is something to be said about Venus truly caring -- someone who had once been mortal herself, finding humanity worthy of protection.

A devil is but a name, as clearly her heart has the best in mind for others.

Alucard smiles at her kindly, if briefly.]

I will remember that the day I return to Wallachia. Thank you, Venus.

Humanity has individuals like you, even if you are no longer human. You were, once. I should remember that.

[wingstosee]

I'm glad. [ but she laughs at the rest of what he's saying - not mocking at all, but at least a little disbelieving. ] And I mean, yeah?? There's a lot of other bad kids. So... even if a lot of people can be kind of shitty, you've still got us?

[ she just sort of. reaches for his hand? good girls don't do that sort of thing, but she's totally not good. haha. ]

[reposing]

If nothing else, there is that.

[Alucard pauses, but he doesn't pull away. Gently, he takes her hand.

Though they've not known each other long, he feels that she is genuine. How fortunate Neptune and Jupiter must be to have her.]

[wingstosee]

[ it's not meant as anything romantic, even if the thought of him at her neck does make her stomach flutter a little. it's a reassurance, and nothing more. she smiles, closing her eyes and sinking back into the seating once again. ]

I guess... I should get back. [ she doesn't not want to go back. seeing neptune, and jupiter... falling asleep like this... sounds nice. ] Will you walk with me?

[reposing]

Of course, Venus.

[Alucard rises and holds out his arm to her.] I would be glad to escort you.

[wingstosee]

[ she takes it gratefully, linking her arm around it and putting- well, honestly, most of her weight onto it. ]

Then... lead the way.

[ she nearly does something stupid - calls him a knight, or a baron, or says something weird and vaguely flirty. but instead, she just leans her entire weight against him and tries to focus on walking. that should do for now. ]

[reposing]

[Her weight is manageable, and certainly more now that he's fed thanks to her kindness. Alucard smiles gently to her, and calmly leads the way, taking his time in order to ensure that Venus can keep up.

The way is quiet, and not for lack of enjoying her company but more to not exhaust her. When they do reach Venus' shared room, Alucard extends his arm out.]

Rest well, my lady. I thank you for your generosity once more, and your kindness.

[wingstosee]

[ she extends her arm without even thinking, offering him her hand with a small giggle. she's tired at this point, clearly - a bit of a sway on her feet, a small haze in her eyes - but nothing some sleep and some edible food won't fix. ]

It's really nothing. It's... it was fun? I kind of hope I can do it again, sometime.

[ she leans against the wall next to the door, shifting her weight enough that she can face alucard, before giving him a small wave. ]

Goodnight, Alucard.