Musebox

[petcromancer]

A home for PSLs.

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[petcromancer]

[Ominous. Alucard's smile more than his words help reassure Hector.]

I suppose I should stick to Greek, then. That's the only chance I have of keeping up.

[He shouldn't be so nervous. He knows Dracula. But it'll be different when he reaches the castle as a guest. Especially when he is going in knowing he has deflowered his host's son....]

What about etiquette? What do I need to know before we arrive?

[See, they can fill their evening with things other than kissing. They just...need to keep busy, so they aren't tempted. Everything will be fine and not awkward.]

[cryptsleeper]

I...will be honest, I'm not sure about etiquette. It won't surprise you to learn that we rarely have long term visitors in the castle - or that my mother disdains most formalities.

[EXTREMELY HELFUL DHAMPIR RIGHT HERE. Alucard shakes his head.]

What as it like when my father visited you?

[petcromancer]

[SO HELPFUL.]

When you father came to stay with me, I was the host. By mutual agreement, we were loose with the laws of hospitality.

[Mostly, they'd been too busy geeking out having scholarly discussions, and they hadn't wanted to waste time on formalities.]

You truly think your mother won't care? Offending her is the worst thing I could do.

[Both Tepes men think she hung the moon, and getting on her bad side would get him kicked out in a heartbeat.]

[cryptsleeper]

I believe it will be much the same, given that you're coming here to study and take advantage of my father's vast libraries.

[UR GOING TO BE NERDS please chillax.]

My mother is...hm. How shall I put it? She may have derided my father for his lack of hospitality when she first knocked on his door, but in doing so she threw those same laws aside, dressed him down, and...well, I'm here.

[petcromancer]

[How did two kick-ass rebels make this straight edge child?]

You said I'll be the first long-term guest. I... don't want to be the last.

[He doesn't want to embarrass Alucard ruin this scholarship opportunity for future generations of magically-gifted humans.]

[cryptsleeper]

[With Dracula's dick.

And by being very adoring parents and Alucard wanting nothing more than to please them.]

Let them just set the standards when you get there. I can only guess at this point.

[petcromancer]

[Loving parents. No wonder Hector is confused.

He sighs. So much for his plan to keep himself distracted. This is making him even more nervous about reaching their destination.]

If I have nothing to brush up on, what should we do until bed?

[cryptsleeper]

[Well Hector they'll probably adopt you at this point, so.

Crap. They have run out of things, haven't they? Alucard sighs, then shakes his head to admit that he has no idea.]

I could turn into a wolf and you could treat me like one of the dogs.

[BELLY RUBS PLZ.]

[petcromancer]

[He KNEW you wanted those rubs. Fucking called it.]

Alright. Just for tonight.

[He doesn't want the wolf to become a crutch for them. They already have two support dogs.]

He moves over to the mattress and pats the space beside him.]

[cryptsleeper]

[THEY FEEL NICE OKAY?!?!]

I'll probably nod off earlier.

[However, sleeping isn't as important as belly rubs. In a moment, Alucard is in his wolf form, and he's quick to trot over and flop in a neat pile of limbs, stomach facing towards Hector.]

[petcromancer]

[He likes givin' 'em too.]

That's fine. If you fall asleep on the mattress, I'll take the hammock tonight, but we're switching tomorrow.

[He lets Cesar settle back into his lap and Antonius rest his head on one thigh so they don't get jealous as he leans forward and starts giving Alucard the royal belly-rub treatment.]

[cryptsleeper]

[There's a very agreeable snuffle from Alucard, and then--

--ah. Yes. This is what relaxation feels like, and the wolf's tail wags languidly. He's far too happy like this, closing his eyes and absolutely luxuriating here.]

[petcromancer]

[Hector doesn’t mind. He lives for spoiling his pets.

He settles his back against the wall so he can keep mindlessly petting into the night, until the dogs are all asleep.

Of course, then he’s trapped, unable to get up and head to the hammock without waking them. It’s fine, he’s slept worse places. He leans his head back and lets himself doze.]

[cryptsleeper]

[So the voyage goes. Alucard shifts between his forms, playing with the dogs to help tire them out, and then sitting with Hector to advise him of things like how the castle requires very strong legs because of all the stairs. He speaks a little of his parent's current research, and soon enough, they reach their destination.

From ship to carriage, from carriage to walking on foots into the forests of Wallachia, where the castle waits for them both. Within it's walls, the castle moves high into the Carpathian mountains, and Hector is properly welcomed.

For people who have not hosted guests in...well, never as a couple dealing with a human, the whole affair is pointedly low on formalities. Lisa is the warmest thing a room, asking Hector after his work and his personal life (and petting the dogs), with Vlad just beaming. Alucard listens, and then?

Then the work begins. Alucard doesn't have a need to be hovering with his father and Hector, and his own pursuits turn inward towards architectural design. He sits in his own work spaces, drafting, stopping for meals or to hunt for food, or to greet Cesar when the little dog pokes his head in.

Working with Dracula demands a night schedule though, and it's only now, a week in, that Alucard has well and truly seen Hector go past his own rooms. At that, the dhampir sticks his head out, an arm full of pug.]

Hector?

[petcromancer]

[The journey has been a whirlwind. Hector tries not to have a hopeless crush on Alucard as they travel together, but Alucard makes it difficult, by being Alucard. It's terrible.

At least when they get to the castle, Hector is too nervous, then too busy getting settled in to dwell long on his feelings. Dracula really is a genius, and Lisa has a way of making him want to do great things to impress her. He needs their parental approval, so sue him.

Hector's always kept strange hours, but getting onto a regular nocturnal schedule is tricky. He feels like he is just now getting his footing.

And he immediately loses it the moment Alucard calls his name. Literally, he misses a step and has to flail to regain his balance. Smooth. So smooth.]

Alucard, there you are. Your mother said you'd be up here somewhere.

[Maybe Alucard didn't see. With his superhuman eyes. That are looking right at him.]

[cryptsleeper]

[Alucard does see that missed step. He just has the good grace and manners to ignore it.]

I am. I was also wondering if you could take Cesar? As grateful as I've been for his company while I've been working, he's also terribly distracting.

[Yes, Alucard's been petting the dog on his lap for hours while trying to do architectural drawings.]

[petcromancer]

[Oh. Is that all Alucard wanted from him?]

Of course. He hasn't been making a nuisance of himself, has he? I thought he ran off to explore the castle. I didn't realize....

[That he'd made a beeline for Alucard's room as soon as Hector had gotten too engrossed in his work to pay proper attention to him.

Hector steps into the room to collect his wayward pup and also get a better look at what Alucard's been up to. He's wildly curious.]

[cryptsleeper]

Of course not. But I wanted to make sure he found his way to you without encountering too many stairs.

[Cesar seems happy enough to see Hector, although he does give Alucard a moment's look of betrayal. Alucard shakes his head, then steps aside.

It's a drafting studio, one with a large table and a number of plans scattershot over a few long tables. They show interiors with gears and other mechanical elements, not terribly unlike what exists in the castle at the moment.]

[petcromancer]

He made it up here on his own. Unless...he didn't make you carry him up here, did he?

[He wouldn't put it past the lazy little scamp.

Hector takes a look around Alucard's studio. What is privacy?]

Did you draw these?

[Hector only understands architecture as it relates to biology, so it all seems intricate and amazing to him.]

[cryptsleeper]

As much as I'd indulge him, I promise you he came here on his own.

[Alucard stands aside to allow Hector in properly. Cesar definitely wants attention, but Alucard has learned to ignore the pug. Sometimes.]

I did, yes. My father and I are collaborating on making a private keep for myself.

[petcromancer]

[Hector always tries to keep some sort of treat or toy on hand for Cesar. Today's distraction is a little strip of rawhide, which he tosses across the room. Cesar yips, then bounds over to it and flops onto the floor to begin chewing on it.

Hector shakes his head at the pup.]

At least he got some exercise on the way up. I'll have to carry him back down when I go.

[Which doesn't seem to be immediately. Hector's glad of the chance to catch back up with Alucard.]

Decided you needed a space of your own, huh? Has that been in the works long?

[cryptsleeper]

I think we both spoil him.

[Not that Cesar isn't worth spoiling. Alucard watches him go ham on the rawhide, smiling at the whole scene.]

This has been a collaboration for some time. It's more an exercise in creation rather than an intent to move out.

Your studies have been going well, I take it?

[petcromancer]

So you don't want your own place.

[Alucard. ALUCARD. Think of what you'd have the freedom to do in your own private keep. You are killing this necromancer.]

My studies are going well. Your father and I have theories about a new application of necromancy. He's getting the materials ready so we can start trials soon.

[Well, at least Hector has his work. They both have their work. Who needs kisses when there are theories to test.]

[cryptsleeper]

Not especially.

[LOOK MOM IS MORTAL HE ONLY GETS 1 LIFETIME WITH HER!!!]

...Materials. [For necromancy.]

I trust it will be ethically sources.

[That's a Lisa rule, to say the very least.]

[petcromancer]

Don't fret. We're starting with animals. Between the predators in the forests and animals slaughtered for meat, there's no shortage of materials we can collect without harming anything.

[Hector wouldn't kill an animal for no reason. His ethics are probably backwards, but they make sense in his little world.]

You know, having your own keep would mean having more independence. A quiet study. Privacy.