[Alucard makes no sound as the silver falls away from his wrists or his legs. He can't, that'll give everything away. He can move with absolute silence, but he can't put weight on his ankles right now.
He catches the flask, opening it carefully once there is skin around his wrists again. The silver has worn down to bone in certain spots, and that? That's painful for vampire, dhampir, and human alike. It's awful, and Alucard knows that this will get worse before it even starts to remotely improve.
With the last lock picked, Alucard floats upward. Just a little. Just to show that he can move and move quietly, for what else can he do? Walking would be agony right now. The dramatic fuck he is, he'll just float behind Hector and pray it will be enough.
He nods once to show Hector he's listening. That he understands.]
[Hector takes a deep breath. Alucard can move, but he'll be limited in what else he can do. There goes the plan of walking him out of here as a wolf.
Well, this is it. He flicks his eyes to Cesar, then to Alucard. If Hector is masterminding this escape, he's going to need his hands free. Alucard will have to be responsible for the dog.
He holds up three fingers, two, one.
A resounding boom rings out on the far end of the prison. Hector waits a beat as guards rush past, and then he shoves the door open. He looks left, in the direction of the explosion, then right. Clear. He moves, heading in the opposite direction. His distraction won't take long for the pirates to figure out, but hopefully it will let them get to their ship and into sunlight.]
[He can carry Cesar. That's fine. Alucard holds his arms out for the dog to leap into, trusting the little thing to try and avoid the still healing flesh on his wrist. (The silver's lingering presence is delaying the otherwise instant healing.) He just. Gives the dog a gentle squeeze as a form of reassurance that this vampire isn't going to be mean or hold him hostage.
Cesar's more reassuring than anything else right now.
He's ready to go when the boom sounds, hovering right behind Hector. Alucard's a ridiculous sight and he knows it. He also doesn't care, not now. Not when he has to follow Hector because his life depends on it. It does, in fact, depend on it.]
[Hector makes his way down the corridor without hesitation. He has to trust that Alucard will keep up.
A guard from further down the way turns the corner and Hector takes his hammer and smashes the man's skull before he can even register the sight of Alucard behind him. They come in pairs, and sure enough, a moment later, the partner rounds the same corner and meets the same brutal fate.
Hector steps over the two of them and keeps moving. One more long stretch of hallway, then a short stairwell, then the guardroom. There are screams from within. The gaibon demon he forged to be the guards' backup, having the firy malfunction he planned.
He pushes through the door outside, and sees the sky with the slight glow just starting to spread in the horizon. They aren't out of danger yet, but the sight is a welcome one.
He breaks into a run. His ship is at the furthest dock, and his forged sailors are already on deck, making her ready to sail.]
[Alucard absolutely can keep up. Floating expends less energy than trying to run on his own feet right now, and his eyes are simply ever ahead. For all the violence happening in this escape, Alucard knows that he isn't useful right now. He's good for dog holding. That's about it.
The screams of pained guards give Alucard no pause. The sunrise doesn't either, because there is still enough time for one or two terribly quick vampires to still make good work of himself and Hector.
Once the ship comes into view though, Alucard no longer trails behind Hector. He instead matches pace, neck-in-neck with the forgemaster. His arms tighten around Cesar, making sure the little dog is secured as they reach the last leg of this horrible run for freedom.]
[Hector’s new ship is a lighter vessel than his last, chosen for speed rather than fire power. It’s not stocked for a long journey; he could only make so many preparations without arousing suspicion. It’s normal to be prepared for a few day’s journey on short notice, so that is what Hector did.
There’s a skeleton crew (literally) on board, raising the anchor and lowering the sails. None of his pets, other than Cesar. Too many of the vampires would take note if he moved all of them at once. He’s spent the last few days making them as whole as they can be, then releasing them into the wild, one by one, in secret. Cesar’s wholly unprepared to fend for himself, but luckily bringing him along to the forge is a common enough occurrence, so he got away with it.]
You two get below deck.
[He has one final weapon held back in case of pursuit. It was an idea of Carmilla’s, ironically. She’d asked, and he had acquired the necessary components and tested the theory.
If anyone tries to follow, Hector is going to pull out his reanimated bishop and bless the waters.
It’s a mad plan, and with the churning movement of the waves, the blessing will dissipate within minutes, but it will hold back the supernatural long enough for the sun to rise.
So Alucard better get his undead dog safety stowed where no sea spray can reach him.
The sails unfurl and the ship begins, agonizingly slow, to move from the dock.]
[He moves ahead of Hector at that. Alucard has instruction, he knows where he must go, and there's no need to dwaddle further. This is important, and so he darts ahead at the speed of a vampire, arms still holding Cesar tightly to his chest.
Once on the deck, Alucard slows, looking back to make sure Hector hasn't stumbled. The young man is still running, which fills Aluard with some concern, but it'll have to be what it is. Human speed takes him below deck, and once there, he places Cesar down on the ground.]
Find a good place to hide out.
[Alucard goes to the stairs that lead to the deck itself, just in case he's needed in a pinch.]
I'll make sure your owner doesn't get himself killed.
Damn show-off... [Hector pants as he runs after Alucard. It's good that he's moving quickly, though, burdened with precious cargo as he is.
He doesn't dare slow down to look behind him, but the hairs on the back of his neck are prickling. They need to go. He needs to act. Alucard had better be out of the water's range.
He raises his hammer, and the bishop rises from where Hector had stowed him behind some crates on the deck of the ship. There is a rope tied around his waist. He steps unwavering into the water and is caught suspended like a buoy in the waves.]
Bless it! [Hector commands, still running at full speed.
The bishop begins to chant in murmured Latin -Hector had replaced his voicebox with a fresher one to ensure he could deliver the blessing- and wisps of steam and power begin to rise off of the water.
Hector reaches the dock and takes a leap for the ship, but something crashes into his back and drags them both into the water. Before he hits the surface, Hector gets a whiff of them. Motherfucking Godbrand.
They fall, entangled, into the water, and Hector feels the arms wrapped around him begin to convulse in agony. Godbrand tears at him with sword and claws, but the cursed flesh is being stripped from his bones by the holy water. Hector thrashes and kicks his way free.
There are other vampires following behind, but they stop short of the dock, hissing, as the wind sends a spray of water at them.
Hector swims for the ship, which is moving further from the dock and picking up speed, praying that none of the vampires had a bow and arrows at hand.]
[Show off or not, it gets the job done. And it means the vampire can't float idly by either, not until he knows they're both safe. He floats up the steps, always careful to remain in the stairwell. It isn't a great line of sight, it isn't amazing in terms of fighting, but it gives him an idea of what's going on and--
bless it Hector commands and Alucard feels his gut wrench just a little. He can guess about the corpse. He can hear the Latin and that's all he has to know. It's fucked up. It's horrifying. It's a hell of a move and he's so relieved Hector is on his side. (Even if he's not in view.)
He's not in view for too long. Alucard swears softly, and heads below deck. He finds a sail cloth, and that'll be waterproof enough for now. Running onto the deck and aware of the risk, he makes quick work of at least releasing a life boat that ought to get to Hector's direction. He's tied a rope to it, so that it can be dragged in and Hector doesn't have to play catch up.]
[The life boat makes a loud smack as it drops into the water, and Hector hears it even partially submerged. He reorients to swim toward it, and it's not a moment too soon.
The vampires raging on the dock have realized that even if they do not dare cross the blessed water, they can still throw things. A barrage of projectiles -knives and axes, rocks, a goddamn wheel from another ship- sail at him, thrown by supernaturally strong arms, and Hector takes a few hits before he reaches the boat and hoists himself inside. He presses himself against the side of the boat and curls into a ball, shielding himself as best he can from the weapons raining down on him.
The splashes and thunks keep up as the boat is dragged behind the larger ship, until the sun creeps higher and the cursing vampires slink back to their shelters.
They'll regroup once they are safely inside and send out a party of mortal thralls or forged creatures to pursue them, but even that will take some time. Hector and Alucard just need to make the most of this head start.]
[Alucard does what he can to haul the boat in. There's holy water splashed on the deck, but he can step and avoid it for now. The boat itself? That'll be a problem but he will worry about that once they're at that point. He dares to stay on the deck as the sun rises, hoping to draw weapons and ire.
It's hardly enough to spare Hector. Alucard prays there's bandages on board to address that much, and once the sun is high enough in the sky, he starts to actually haul the boat up.
He burns himself a few times. No surprise, the boat and it's rope are now soaked in holy water. But it's more important to get the ship's captain into a position of command, and Alucard knows that. Moreover, he knows he can't take charge, not without Hector's say so.
Once the little lifeboat is hauled up properly, Alucard offers his hand out to Hector to help him disembark.]
[Hector is reeled in like a fish. He’s grateful for the assistance; ordering his crew to perform complex tasks when he’s otherwise engaged and out of mutual line of sight is tricky, so this is much faster.
He shoos away Alucard’s proffered hand, still dripping wet.]
Off with you. I can see your fingers sizzling.
[He doesn’t know what to do with the genuine thanks Alucard offers. There is precious little sincerity in Dracula’s court, so Hector isn’t prepared for it.
He climbs out of the boat and sags against the railing. At a silent order, the skeleton crew reels in the bishop...well, the three-quarters that are left of him. Still, in spite of the damage the water has done to him, he could prove useful again. Waste not, want not.]
You said it’d be my fault if you were discovered. I’m just making amends.
[That’s not really it, but that’s the easiest excuse at hand.]
[It is not fine. It hurts like hell, especially with the burns from the silver still a little too fresh for Alucard's comfort. He doesn't argue with Hector though, because now isn't the time. He withdraws instead, but is careful to give the bishop a wide berth. That's a face he remembers. That's a face he wants to tear apart with his own hands.
The desire to snarl at the figure is kept in check. Alucard's attention returns to Hector.]
Regardless, I am grateful. Your dog is below deck, I think he found himself a suitable hiding place.
[But then Alucard falls silent. Stands there awkwardly. This...no.]
[Hopefully Cesar isn't making too much of a nuisance of himself down there. Hector will have to retrieve them once he's certain the holy water has all diffused. The duration wasn't something he was able to test.
If Alucard wants to take his orders, Hector will put him to work.]
There's bandages in the Captain's quarters. No one but me ever needs them on my ship. You can decide if yours are worth treating until you regenerate. Mere human I am, I'll need to patch myself up.
[He steps to the wheel and pulls out his compass. They need to outrun Dracula's forces or hide from them, and Hector has a lot of thoughts but few solid ideas.
He calls back over his shoulder.]
We can't rival your father at sea. Have you ever considered moving inland?
[This replacement ship is able to fare the open sea, but it's not so large he couldn't take it up a river and out of Dracula's domain.]
I don't know if my blood can turn humans, and I'm in no mood to try. Pardon me then.
[Alucard begins to make his way to the captain's quarters, confident with where they're likely located. It's better, actually doing something rather than sitting around. It makes Alucard feel much more productive, at the very least.]
It would depend on where inland. Where are we?
[It's a question to wait on, as Alucard disappears into the quarters. It takes a few moments to find bandages and a few other useful things, and he comes back out on deck with only bandages pressed to his own wrists. It isn't much, just enough to absorb the thin stream of blood that's still trickling out.]
The port we just left was on one of the smaller islands in the Bahamian archipelago. We're headed due east, to get us into the cover of sunlight faster, but we can change course. North, to the American territories, or south into the jungle regions. We can't make it across the Atlantic on the supplies we've got now.
[Until they decide, he's focused on using the wind and the ocean currents to just get distance from their starting point.
Getting the ship up to speed, he hands the wheel off to the nearest crewman. He strips out of his still dripping shirt.]
Time to find out. I ache everywhere, but most of that was from Carmilla's friendly pats on the back.
[His torso is a mess of bruises and gashes from claw-like nails. There's a fresh wound slightly under and to the side of his shoulder blade; something bladed that had grazed him but dislodged and sunk into the sea.
The adrenaline from their mad dash to escape is starting to fade, and he's feeling everything now.]
There's also rum back in my room. Best medicine there is for hopeless cases like us.
I'd say north, but only if we have enough supplies to manage it. If not, then...
[Alucard shakes his head. The Speakers. No, that one Speaker. Maybe she can do something. Anything. She seemed so capable.
Now isn't the time to think about her. Alucard walks to get a better look at Hector's injuries, quiet and trying to be as professional as possible all things considered.]
I want to see how deep things are first. It may be best to have you sitting while I take a look - can you have one of your creatures take the wheel for a time?
[As for rum, Alucad sniffs.]
That is for disinfecting wounds only. We cannot hope to manage our current situation with it anywhere else.
'If not, then...' what? If you have a plan, out with it. A secret hidden base, or an alliance with the Belmont Armada, or anything that might keep us alive once the sun goes down?
[Hector's already gone past the point he planned for. He'd kind of assumed he wouldn't make it this far, so past Hector hadn't seen a point to trying to predict the circumstances and odds for that slim change of success.
And considering his plan has ended up with him trapped on a ship with the world's only abstinent vampire confiscating his rum, he might actually be dead and in hell at this very moment.]
If I die sober, I'm haunting your pale ass.
[He grumbles, but makes quick work changing the bearings of the ship to begin going north- it's as good a direction as any for now. Hector's the only one who will actually need to eat, so their supplies should get them there. He gives the wheel back to the crewman with orders to maintain full speed.
He sits on the deck, so Alucard will have the sun's light to work with. His quarters would be more comfortable, but dark, and there's no reason to waste a candle or oil for a lamp while the sun is up.]
I don't know, Hector! [He snaps far harsher than expected, but it's followed with a sobering sigh.] Just give me a few minutes to mull things over. I'll manage something.
[Because outside of Hector's escape plan, it seems like he needs to be the brain of this operation. That's just fine, but it does require time to think.
Thinking happens while Alucard begins to examine Hectors back, cold pale fingers being very, very careful as they ghost over bruises and bleeding marks. One or two get prodded at with a bit more intensity than others, but that's all.]
The good news is none of them seem to need stitches. I'd channel my mother and advise bedrest for a day or two, but that's not an option for us.
[Nothing is, it seems.]
Did you pack any salves or like ointments, or do we only have the rum?
[Hector blinks, shocked, when Alucard snaps. It makes sense, though. Hector has had a few days to prepare himself for this. Alucard was blindsided by his rescue and hasn't had a moment to process it. He's reacted admirably thus far, but it's no wonder he's reached the end of his rope.]
I'll have to fetch the medicines. It's a new ship, I can't remember exactly where I tucked them away.
[As banged up as he is, he's still in a more fit state than Alucard, who has seen the inside of Dracula's dungeon for more than a week and probably been tortured by the various vampires passing by in the night. If they're to complete this mad escape, they will need to keep moving both day and night. That necessitates Alucard being ready to take the wheel when the sun sets and Hector's human eyes fail him in the pale light the moon offers.]
You should see to yourself. You never told me what you eat, but I have a few days worth of rations below deck, or...
[He holds up his left hand, palm up, baring the wrist.]
...if you need blood to heal, no better time that when I'm getting bandaged up anyways.
[Alucard shakes his head, as if that will remove the shame he feels from snapping so suddenly at Hector. It doesn't work, but it's a decent enough attempt. He then pinches the bridge of his nose, certain that they'll manage this or else they'll kill each other first.]
Go do that. A few are probably in strange places for you to reach, so you may as well let me assist in the matter.
[Alucard's quick healing abilities made any sort of vampire torture boring after a while, along with Dracula's command that no one lay a hand on his son without his say so. The most torture was Carmilla's gloating, along with how she dared to comment on how Alucard was never quite a vampire anyway. Calling his mother a breeder was the most reaction she got, and that had nearly gotten Alucard a beating from her - in spite of Dracula's decrees.]
I don't need blood. Real food, perhaps, but I can manage for a day or two more without.
[Hector heaves out a breath, then pushes himself up off of the deck to get the medicine. He steps into the captain's quarters, which has a little light coming in through the window.
Turning, eying the various storage places built into the room, he goes to unlatch one of the cabinets set into the wall. The movement strains the cut on his back, and he sucks in a sharp hiss of breath. He gestures for Alucard to retrieve it.]
You should eat something. We're not so hard pressed for supplies we can't spare it, and I can't afford for you to not be at your best. You're going to have to at least direct the crew when I sleep, unless we can find somewhere within a day's journey to hide our ship where your father's fleet can't find it.
[He goes ahead to one of the drawers underneath his bed and gingerly tugs it open so he can grab himself a dry shirt and trousers to change into once he's bandaged.]
If we can get close enough to reach some sort of safe haven by the lifeboat, I could send the ship and the crew on as a decoy. Without my direction, they would only be able to maintain the course I set, but they might be able to buy us a day before they were caught and the ruse exposed.
[Hector has tried to think of plans, but he plays reactively in a game where all of his opponents plan their moves at least three steps in advance.]
[Alucard trails after Hector, careful and as respectful as he can be while within the Captain's quarters. It's still a private room, and that deserves some reverence, even though the situation is what it is.
Going into the cabinet, Alucard carefully evaluates the bottles there before picking one up. He recognizes the label, because it's a name for ointment his mother came up with. The handwriting? His father's, and that means it's an old jar. Before everything happened.]
We'll patch you up first then focus on my needs. [He's avoiding himself. It requires too much thinking and more processing than he wants to do right now.] A chair, sit with your front against it's back, or else a stool, please.
[Focusing on medicine is easier. More direct.]
I can direct them as is, I'm not an invalid or that weak. [He's maybe lying to himself with that, but Alucard's proven that he isn't falling over in spite of everything.]
The decoy would work, but I'd rather not sacrifice yet another vessel.
[Moreover:]</small
You mentioned the Belmont armada. The last I heard, they were branded pirates and were to be hunted down. Have they survived?
[Hector pulls out the chair that stows beneath his writing desk and straddles it.]
Your pride isn't worth both of us and my dog dead.
[One of these lives is greatly prioritized over the other two.]
When you're done with this, we will be attending you.
[A mastermind, he is not, but a stubborn bastard? Hector has that one down handily.]
The decoy's not an ideal plan, but it could work in a pinch.
The Belmonts...we thought their forces were all defeated and their remnants scatters to the corners of the world, but... it's another rumor. There was a convoy of vampires headed west, preying along one of the main trade routes. Only one ship of the lot of them made it back to port, and the crew said they saw the vessel that took the others down, and it was flying Belmont colors.
So that either means the Belmonts have returned, or that the crew of that ship had a grudge with the others and took the opportunity to founder their rivals, and sailed back to lay the blame at the feet of a bogeyman.
[Gossiping talking about the supposed Belmont revival is at least distracting Hector from Alucard's doctoring, even if it is all idle chatter.]
[There's that snap again. Alucard lets out a huff, unhappy with himself and his behavior but hardly feeling like now is the time to apologize. He just shuts himself up and does the work after that, fingers probably far too cool for this kind of work but knowing that there's no other option. The only good part is that doing the work means he has to be steadier, and that? That helps a great deal.
He listens though. Very carefully, and very considering.]
There would need to be independent corroboration of those rumors. [He says it finally, halfway through getting the bandages onto Hector. It's a steady thing - ointment, bandages, repeat. There's no interest in the blood that has gathered, because right now isn't the correct time to be looking at Hector and thinking "food."]
We need to resupply. That's the appropriate time to confirm or deny what was said, and move from there. If that fleet does exist then...
[Alucard shakes his head.]
I don't know. They may have an advantage. They won't harbor us.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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He catches the flask, opening it carefully once there is skin around his wrists again. The silver has worn down to bone in certain spots, and that? That's painful for vampire, dhampir, and human alike. It's awful, and Alucard knows that this will get worse before it even starts to remotely improve.
With the last lock picked, Alucard floats upward. Just a little. Just to show that he can move and move quietly, for what else can he do? Walking would be agony right now. The dramatic fuck he is, he'll just float behind Hector and pray it will be enough.
He nods once to show Hector he's listening. That he understands.]
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There goes the plan of walking him out of here as a wolf.Well, this is it. He flicks his eyes to Cesar, then to Alucard. If Hector is masterminding this escape, he's going to need his hands free. Alucard will have to be responsible for the dog.
He holds up three fingers, two, one.
A resounding boom rings out on the far end of the prison. Hector waits a beat as guards rush past, and then he shoves the door open. He looks left, in the direction of the explosion, then right. Clear. He moves, heading in the opposite direction. His distraction won't take long for the pirates to figure out, but hopefully it will let them get to their ship and into sunlight.]
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Cesar's more reassuring than anything else right now.
He's ready to go when the boom sounds, hovering right behind Hector. Alucard's a ridiculous sight and he knows it. He also doesn't care, not now. Not when he has to follow Hector because his life depends on it. It does, in fact, depend on it.]
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A guard from further down the way turns the corner and Hector takes his hammer and smashes the man's skull before he can even register the sight of Alucard behind him. They come in pairs, and sure enough, a moment later, the partner rounds the same corner and meets the same brutal fate.
Hector steps over the two of them and keeps moving. One more long stretch of hallway, then a short stairwell, then the guardroom. There are screams from within. The gaibon demon he forged to be the guards' backup, having the firy malfunction he planned.
He pushes through the door outside, and sees the sky with the slight glow just starting to spread in the horizon. They aren't out of danger yet, but the sight is a welcome one.
He breaks into a run. His ship is at the furthest dock, and his forged sailors are already on deck, making her ready to sail.]
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The screams of pained guards give Alucard no pause. The sunrise doesn't either, because there is still enough time for one or two terribly quick vampires to still make good work of himself and Hector.
Once the ship comes into view though, Alucard no longer trails behind Hector. He instead matches pace, neck-in-neck with the forgemaster. His arms tighten around Cesar, making sure the little dog is secured as they reach the last leg of this horrible run for freedom.]
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There’s a skeleton crew (literally) on board, raising the anchor and lowering the sails. None of his pets, other than Cesar. Too many of the vampires would take note if he moved all of them at once. He’s spent the last few days making them as whole as they can be, then releasing them into the wild, one by one, in secret. Cesar’s wholly unprepared to fend for himself, but luckily bringing him along to the forge is a common enough occurrence, so he got away with it.]
You two get below deck.
[He has one final weapon held back in case of pursuit. It was an idea of Carmilla’s, ironically. She’d asked, and he had acquired the necessary components and tested the theory.
If anyone tries to follow, Hector is going to pull out his reanimated bishop and bless the waters.
It’s a mad plan, and with the churning movement of the waves, the blessing will dissipate within minutes, but it will hold back the supernatural long enough for the sun to rise.
So Alucard better get his undead dog safety stowed where no sea spray can reach him.
The sails unfurl and the ship begins, agonizingly slow, to move from the dock.]
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[He moves ahead of Hector at that. Alucard has instruction, he knows where he must go, and there's no need to dwaddle further. This is important, and so he darts ahead at the speed of a vampire, arms still holding Cesar tightly to his chest.
Once on the deck, Alucard slows, looking back to make sure Hector hasn't stumbled. The young man is still running, which fills Aluard with some concern, but it'll have to be what it is. Human speed takes him below deck, and once there, he places Cesar down on the ground.]
Find a good place to hide out.
[Alucard goes to the stairs that lead to the deck itself, just in case he's needed in a pinch.]
I'll make sure your owner doesn't get himself killed.
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He doesn't dare slow down to look behind him, but the hairs on the back of his neck are prickling. They need to go. He needs to act. Alucard had better be out of the water's range.
He raises his hammer, and the bishop rises from where Hector had stowed him behind some crates on the deck of the ship. There is a rope tied around his waist. He steps unwavering into the water and is caught suspended like a buoy in the waves.]
Bless it! [Hector commands, still running at full speed.
The bishop begins to chant in murmured Latin -Hector had replaced his voicebox with a fresher one to ensure he could deliver the blessing- and wisps of steam and power begin to rise off of the water.
Hector reaches the dock and takes a leap for the ship, but something crashes into his back and drags them both into the water. Before he hits the surface, Hector gets a whiff of them. Motherfucking Godbrand.
They fall, entangled, into the water, and Hector feels the arms wrapped around him begin to convulse in agony. Godbrand tears at him with sword and claws, but the cursed flesh is being stripped from his bones by the holy water. Hector thrashes and kicks his way free.
There are other vampires following behind, but they stop short of the dock, hissing, as the wind sends a spray of water at them.
Hector swims for the ship, which is moving further from the dock and picking up speed, praying that none of the vampires had a bow and arrows at hand.]
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bless it Hector commands and Alucard feels his gut wrench just a little. He can guess about the corpse. He can hear the Latin and that's all he has to know. It's fucked up. It's horrifying. It's a hell of a move and he's so relieved Hector is on his side. (Even if he's not in view.)
He's not in view for too long. Alucard swears softly, and heads below deck. He finds a sail cloth, and that'll be waterproof enough for now. Running onto the deck and aware of the risk, he makes quick work of at least releasing a life boat that ought to get to Hector's direction. He's tied a rope to it, so that it can be dragged in and Hector doesn't have to play catch up.]
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The vampires raging on the dock have realized that even if they do not dare cross the blessed water, they can still throw things. A barrage of projectiles -knives and axes, rocks, a goddamn wheel from another ship- sail at him, thrown by supernaturally strong arms, and Hector takes a few hits before he reaches the boat and hoists himself inside. He presses himself against the side of the boat and curls into a ball, shielding himself as best he can from the weapons raining down on him.
The splashes and thunks keep up as the boat is dragged behind the larger ship, until the sun creeps higher and the cursing vampires slink back to their shelters.
They'll regroup once they are safely inside and send out a party of mortal thralls or forged creatures to pursue them, but even that will take some time. Hector and Alucard just need to make the most of this head start.]
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It's hardly enough to spare Hector. Alucard prays there's bandages on board to address that much, and once the sun is high enough in the sky, he starts to actually haul the boat up.
He burns himself a few times. No surprise, the boat and it's rope are now soaked in holy water. But it's more important to get the ship's captain into a position of command, and Alucard knows that. Moreover, he knows he can't take charge, not without Hector's say so.
Once the little lifeboat is hauled up properly, Alucard offers his hand out to Hector to help him disembark.]
Thank you. I...thank you.
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He shoos away Alucard’s proffered hand, still dripping wet.]
Off with you. I can see your fingers sizzling.
[He doesn’t know what to do with the genuine thanks Alucard offers. There is precious little sincerity in Dracula’s court, so Hector isn’t prepared for it.
He climbs out of the boat and sags against the railing. At a silent order, the skeleton crew reels in the bishop...well, the three-quarters that are left of him. Still, in spite of the damage the water has done to him, he could prove useful again. Waste not, want not.]
You said it’d be my fault if you were discovered. I’m just making amends.
[That’s not really it, but that’s the easiest excuse at hand.]
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[It is not fine. It hurts like hell, especially with the burns from the silver still a little too fresh for Alucard's comfort. He doesn't argue with Hector though, because now isn't the time. He withdraws instead, but is careful to give the bishop a wide berth. That's a face he remembers. That's a face he wants to tear apart with his own hands.
The desire to snarl at the figure is kept in check. Alucard's attention returns to Hector.]
Regardless, I am grateful. Your dog is below deck, I think he found himself a suitable hiding place.
[But then Alucard falls silent. Stands there awkwardly. This...no.]
You're the captain. Tell me what you need.
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If Alucard wants to take his orders, Hector will put him to work.]
There's bandages in the Captain's quarters. No one but me ever needs them on my ship. You can decide if yours are worth treating until you regenerate. Mere human I am, I'll need to patch myself up.
[He steps to the wheel and pulls out his compass. They need to outrun Dracula's forces or hide from them, and Hector has a lot of thoughts but few solid ideas.
He calls back over his shoulder.]
We can't rival your father at sea. Have you ever considered moving inland?
[This replacement ship is able to fare the open sea, but it's not so large he couldn't take it up a river and out of Dracula's domain.]
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[Alucard begins to make his way to the captain's quarters, confident with where they're likely located. It's better, actually doing something rather than sitting around. It makes Alucard feel much more productive, at the very least.]
It would depend on where inland. Where are we?
[It's a question to wait on, as Alucard disappears into the quarters. It takes a few moments to find bandages and a few other useful things, and he comes back out on deck with only bandages pressed to his own wrists. It isn't much, just enough to absorb the thin stream of blood that's still trickling out.]
Did you take any injuries to your back or sides?
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[Until they decide, he's focused on using the wind and the ocean currents to just get distance from their starting point.
Getting the ship up to speed, he hands the wheel off to the nearest crewman. He strips out of his still dripping shirt.]
Time to find out. I ache everywhere, but most of that was from Carmilla's friendly pats on the back.
[His torso is a mess of bruises and gashes from claw-like nails. There's a fresh wound slightly under and to the side of his shoulder blade; something bladed that had grazed him but dislodged and sunk into the sea.
The adrenaline from their mad dash to escape is starting to fade, and he's feeling everything now.]
There's also rum back in my room. Best medicine there is for hopeless cases like us.
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[Alucard shakes his head. The Speakers. No, that one Speaker. Maybe she can do something. Anything. She seemed so capable.
Now isn't the time to think about her. Alucard walks to get a better look at Hector's injuries, quiet and trying to be as professional as possible all things considered.]
I want to see how deep things are first. It may be best to have you sitting while I take a look - can you have one of your creatures take the wheel for a time?
[As for rum, Alucad sniffs.]
That is for disinfecting wounds only. We cannot hope to manage our current situation with it anywhere else.
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'If not, then...' what? If you have a plan, out with it. A secret hidden base, or an alliance with the Belmont Armada, or anything that might keep us alive once the sun goes down?
[Hector's already gone past the point he planned for. He'd kind of assumed he wouldn't make it this far, so past Hector hadn't seen a point to trying to predict the circumstances and odds for that slim change of success.
And considering his plan has ended up with him trapped on a ship with the world's only abstinent vampire confiscating his rum, he might actually be dead and in hell at this very moment.]
If I die sober, I'm haunting your pale ass.
[He grumbles, but makes quick work changing the bearings of the ship to begin going north- it's as good a direction as any for now. Hector's the only one who will actually need to eat, so their supplies should get them there. He gives the wheel back to the crewman with orders to maintain full speed.
He sits on the deck, so Alucard will have the sun's light to work with. His quarters would be more comfortable, but dark, and there's no reason to waste a candle or oil for a lamp while the sun is up.]
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[Because outside of Hector's escape plan, it seems like he needs to be the brain of this operation. That's just fine, but it does require time to think.
Thinking happens while Alucard begins to examine Hectors back, cold pale fingers being very, very careful as they ghost over bruises and bleeding marks. One or two get prodded at with a bit more intensity than others, but that's all.]
The good news is none of them seem to need stitches. I'd channel my mother and advise bedrest for a day or two, but that's not an option for us.
[Nothing is, it seems.]
Did you pack any salves or like ointments, or do we only have the rum?
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I'll have to fetch the medicines. It's a new ship, I can't remember exactly where I tucked them away.
[As banged up as he is, he's still in a more fit state than Alucard, who has seen the inside of Dracula's dungeon for more than a week and probably been tortured by the various vampires passing by in the night. If they're to complete this mad escape, they will need to keep moving both day and night. That necessitates Alucard being ready to take the wheel when the sun sets and Hector's human eyes fail him in the pale light the moon offers.]
You should see to yourself. You never told me what you eat, but I have a few days worth of rations below deck, or...
[He holds up his left hand, palm up, baring the wrist.]
...if you need blood to heal, no better time that when I'm getting bandaged up anyways.
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Go do that. A few are probably in strange places for you to reach, so you may as well let me assist in the matter.
[Alucard's quick healing abilities made any sort of vampire torture boring after a while, along with Dracula's command that no one lay a hand on his son without his say so. The most torture was Carmilla's gloating, along with how she dared to comment on how Alucard was never quite a vampire anyway. Calling his mother a breeder was the most reaction she got, and that had nearly gotten Alucard a beating from her - in spite of Dracula's decrees.]
I don't need blood. Real food, perhaps, but I can manage for a day or two more without.
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Turning, eying the various storage places built into the room, he goes to unlatch one of the cabinets set into the wall. The movement strains the cut on his back, and he sucks in a sharp hiss of breath. He gestures for Alucard to retrieve it.]
You should eat something. We're not so hard pressed for supplies we can't spare it, and I can't afford for you to not be at your best. You're going to have to at least direct the crew when I sleep, unless we can find somewhere within a day's journey to hide our ship where your father's fleet can't find it.
[He goes ahead to one of the drawers underneath his bed and gingerly tugs it open so he can grab himself a dry shirt and trousers to change into once he's bandaged.]
If we can get close enough to reach some sort of safe haven by the lifeboat, I could send the ship and the crew on as a decoy. Without my direction, they would only be able to maintain the course I set, but they might be able to buy us a day before they were caught and the ruse exposed.
[Hector has tried to think of plans, but he plays reactively in a game where all of his opponents plan their moves at least three steps in advance.]
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Going into the cabinet, Alucard carefully evaluates the bottles there before picking one up. He recognizes the label, because it's a name for ointment his mother came up with. The handwriting? His father's, and that means it's an old jar. Before everything happened.]
We'll patch you up first then focus on my needs. [He's avoiding himself. It requires too much thinking and more processing than he wants to do right now.] A chair, sit with your front against it's back, or else a stool, please.
[Focusing on medicine is easier. More direct.]
I can direct them as is, I'm not an invalid or that weak. [He's maybe lying to himself with that, but Alucard's proven that he isn't falling over in spite of everything.]
The decoy would work, but I'd rather not sacrifice yet another vessel.
[Moreover:]</small You mentioned the Belmont armada. The last I heard, they were branded pirates and were to be hunted down. Have they survived?
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Your pride isn't worth both of us and my dog dead.
[One of these lives is greatly prioritized over the other two.]
When you're done with this, we will be attending you.
[A mastermind, he is not, but a stubborn bastard? Hector has that one down handily.]
The decoy's not an ideal plan, but it could work in a pinch.
The Belmonts...we thought their forces were all defeated and their remnants scatters to the corners of the world, but... it's another rumor. There was a convoy of vampires headed west, preying along one of the main trade routes. Only one ship of the lot of them made it back to port, and the crew said they saw the vessel that took the others down, and it was flying Belmont colors.
So that either means the Belmonts have returned, or that the crew of that ship had a grudge with the others and took the opportunity to founder their rivals, and sailed back to lay the blame at the feet of a bogeyman.
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Gossipingtalking about the supposed Belmont revival is at least distracting Hector from Alucard's doctoring, even if it is all idle chatter.]no subject
[There's that snap again. Alucard lets out a huff, unhappy with himself and his behavior but hardly feeling like now is the time to apologize. He just shuts himself up and does the work after that, fingers probably far too cool for this kind of work but knowing that there's no other option. The only good part is that doing the work means he has to be steadier, and that? That helps a great deal.
He listens though. Very carefully, and very considering.]
There would need to be independent corroboration of those rumors. [He says it finally, halfway through getting the bandages onto Hector. It's a steady thing - ointment, bandages, repeat. There's no interest in the blood that has gathered, because right now isn't the correct time to be looking at Hector and thinking "food."]
We need to resupply. That's the appropriate time to confirm or deny what was said, and move from there. If that fleet does exist then...
[Alucard shakes his head.]
I don't know. They may have an advantage. They won't harbor us.
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