petcromancer | Musebox

[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?

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?

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.]

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.]

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.

May I ask which animals you intend to begin with?

[Mostly so he knows if they're the kind he and Lisa use for food.]

I suppose. And the castle can feel as if it has no privacy even if I am in the tallest tower and I know my parents are in the underground chambers.

[Hector shrugs. It’s not the most glamorous, but...]

I usually start with rabbits. There’s never a shortage of them, and the successes make good pets.

[So hopefully the Tepes household likes bunnies.

...and speaking of dumb horny creatures....]

Yes, I would think a young man like yourself might appreciate a little space. For your studies. Or if you wanted a study partner.

[You know, either/or.]

Mm. Usually I don't hunt them either, so you won't be dipping into our food supply.

[Alucard usually relies on deer and wild boar for protein, and he keeps a careful eye on the populations as to not over hunt.]

Is that a proposition, Hector?

[Study partner. Right.]

That is the hope. I shouldn't need many to test the theory.

[It should be low-impact on the environment and sustainable. Dracula said that would be important. This is why Hector needs a mentor.]

It could be, if we had a little privacy.

[He gives an over-exaggerated shrug of his shoulders. Presumably, Alucard's quarters have some degree of seclusion from the rest of the castle.]

What is the theory, if I may ask?

[Alucard can read that shrug now. There's a few ways of responding to it, but they all begin with a very careful consideration. Hector is here, which means Hector probably should be prioritizing the work and not risking them both. ~~Hector stop taking calculated risks you're bad at math~~

Do you believe that wise?

I want to see if, instead of animating a body, I can use alchemy to create a new, viable body. Something made of rabbits, but not a rabbit. Something new.

[He wants to know if he can. Maybe he'll make a jackalope. It'll be great.

~~shhhh, leave his math alone.~~]

No, but I still want to. I said I'd leave it to you to decide. I'm just...reminding you of the options.

But does that mean you're transferring the soul of the original thing, or trying to create life in some other way?

[While jackalopes sound amazing, the rest is just interesting. Enough to make the vampire very thoughtful.]

Mm. I admit that one had not sprung to mind. Thank you for that.

Animals don't have souls, technically. They have spirits. It's semantics. Nature is full of spirits that are waiting for a new vessel, and I want to see if I can create a new body for one.

[It's more than a simple transfer. It is becoming a creator. The church would burn everything in a twenty mile radius if they knew. So that's fun.

If Alucard wants to distract Hector from the other conversation, this is the way. Focus back on the work.]

You're welcome to come to the lab when we begin, if you're interested.

So it's transmutation?

[Alucard this isn't Fullmetal Alchemist, stop.]

I'll await to see what happens, but once you have gone through the process a few times, I would be incredibly interested in observing.

Yes, but for living creatures.

[This is revolutionary, Alucard, be impressed.]

Alright, I'll show it to you when I have it perfected. But you're welcome to come observe me any time.

[He doesn't wink, but it's a very near thing.]

It doesn't need to be perfect. Just working. A third set of eyes less expert in this magic could be a potential benefit.

[Alucard's own interests mean that he pursued fewer dark arts than his father. He is literate and skilled in them, but re-animating the dead and interfering with souls? That is not the dhampir's domain.]

If you want to spend time with me though, you could simply say so.

You'll see the simple solution through the overly-complicated theories your father and I come up with, you mean.

[He's teasing, although it wouldn't surprise him if it turned out that way. Alucard or Lisa, raising a perfect blond eyebrow and pointing to the obvious flaw in the plan...]

I thought it was obvious that I wanted that, Alucard.

You said that. Not me.

[It's said with a crooked smile, along with some level of confidence that suggests that the exact scenario has happened before.]

Hm. I need to get groceries in the next few days. Do you foresee a hole in your schedule in the future?

We both know you were thinking it.

[No need to be smug about it. It hasn't happened yet.]

Yes, and if there's not, I'll make one.

[It's as simple as that.]

Good. In the mean time, if you could write a shopping list, I would be appreciative. I'd like to try and cook to your taste when I can.

Oh? Be careful. If you spoil me too much, I am not going to want to leave this castle.

[He likes the idea of Alucard cooking for him; it means he is thinking about Hector, even when Hector isn't here.

He'll write up a list, though. Is it sad that some of his 'favorite' foods are determined by what his dogs like? There's little that crosses his plate that doesn't end up having bits broken off to become treats for his pets.]

In truth, I already assumed you weren't

[Where else is he going to go that will be comfortable with a necromancer like this, after all?

It's not exactly a nice truth to think, but Alucard moves that fact off to the side for the time being. Instead he moves aside just a little bit more.]

You're free to look through whatever drafts are out.

[See, Alucard, if you say things like that, Hector is going to interpret it as flirting. Wouldn't it be nice to spend more time together?]

I'll try not to move anything around.

[That's something he can't stand when he's working, to have his notes reorganized or shuffled around. He goes down the desk, looking at the papers that are spread out on the table space, but not touching.]

These are good. Have you built any of them?

[Alucard walks back into the room. He settles down at his own drafting table, a version of the crypt room in Gresit in progress there. Most of what's out is for Gresit, save for one drawing that sits at Hector's right.

It's just a small room. One that's...very similar to the one they're in now.]

I'm working on the one by your right hand. Just expanding this room.

[Hector isn't familiar with architectural sketches, and it takes him longer than it should to reconcile the drawing with the room.]

Oh, you did this?

[He looks around at the room around him with a more evaluating eye.]

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