[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.
What, is a bit of food and some basic medical attention going to harm you? Is it akin to sheering Sampson's hair off?
[They aren't a crew, really, but Hector is still the captain, and he has a responsibility to see to it that those on his ship have their needs seen to. He doesn't expect the captain of the empty and ridiculous ghost ship to understand that.]
If the rumors are true, following them would take us across an ocean that your father controls.
[He thinks, drumming his fingers on the back of the chair.]
...I know a witch, living near the coast in the colonies. She might have some sort of charm or talisman that would prevent anyone from scrying for our ship. That's the only way I could see us having a chance of sailing the open waters.
[He stands when Alucard finishes the bandages and pulls his shirt back on.]
Julia is a genuinely good person, and she's kept herself away from the vampire's court. I won't lead them to her door. I will only take us to her if we stay far enough ahead that we can be to her and gone before any of our pursuers know.
I need at least ten minutes to myself to think and come to grips with the past several days, thank you.
[Alucard is very well aware that he's testing hierarchy here. Maybe in a better mood, he'd care. Maybe if he also wasn't the son of Dracula, he'd care. As it is, he is a prickly ball and well aware that he needs space so he can be a polite enough person to not only deal with Hector, but start to make some plans.]
That he controls for now.
[They're words said with no small amount of darkness in them, because Alucard knows the truth here. His father's reign needs too end. Full stop.]
Do whatever you think would help avoid detection, but I think there's still the risk of leading Carmilla and hers towards the witch. I...would like to avoid any more witch deaths at this point in my life.
[It's tempting to become a wolf right now and just...disappear.]
If there's space below deck, it'd be better if I just rest for a short period of time.
Fine. Get out. I need to change my clothes anyways. The crew doesn't use the bunks below deck, so there's plenty of room for you to go brood.
[Hector's limited patience is gone, so it's probably mutually beneficial to have Alucard out of his sight and resting. If the dhampir flat out refuses Hector's assistance, then so be it.]
Come back up at sunset. I've no use of you 'til then.
[Hector will figure out the current course on his own. A quick resupply from a discrete storehouse, then if he can get a message to Julia, he could have her send something through one of his devils, maybe. That would minimize the risk to her...]
[Alucad retreats without another word, taking the form of a wolf and not a man. It's not a clever attempt at a metpahor either, it's Alucard admitting that to be a person right now is the most exhausting thing. He'd rather have an inhuman form.
He sleeps as a wolf too, curled up in a small nest of blankets he assembles for himself from the bunks below deck. It isn't terribly comfy, as the blankets are coarse and itchy, but he's exhausted. No one cares about that once they're exhausted.
He rises with the moon. Well, a little before that, as he works to make himself presentable first. When Alucard returns to the deck, it's with his hair swept up and off his neck in a neat bun, his ankles and wrists healed, and a far greater sense of both decorum and presence than the stressed, terrified, exhausted mess he was earlier.
More to the point: he approaches Hector and the first words out of his mouth are:] I would like to apologize for my earlier behavior. The circumstances made me far more disagreeable than I wanted to be.
[Alucard has spent the day resting and pulling himself together; Hector has spent that same time wildly working to keep them ahead of any pursuit. There are a couple of newly cobbled winged creatures perched on the ship's mast, and in spite of the failing light, he still has the ship going at full speed.
He's running on fumes now (and no rum), and he's not interested in sweetly kissing and making up.]
Yes, no shit.
[Cesar is on deck, too. Hector had sent one of his undead crewman to retrieve him from the hold after Alucard went below deck. He, at least, pads happily over to Alucard to greet him.
Hector tosses a little pouch at Alucard. It smells of ash and blood.]
I've been very careful to forge my crewmen to obey none but me. [A necessary precaution when living among creatures for whom mutiny was the normal means of advancement in the ranks.] When I activate this, they will react to you as if you are me. You will command their complete loyalty.
[It's a dangerous thing to grant another person. Alucard could take control of the ship with what Hector is about to grant him. It's Hector's only choice, though. It would take longer than he's got to fine-tune the order of command in their minds, and he needs Alucard to be deputized to act while Hector speaks. Enemies could fall upon them at any time.]
If you're carrying anything especially flammable, you'll want to remove it before I trigger the enchantment.
[Alucard pauses, looking up first. The winged things are...who the fuck is he to tell what's new and what isn't? He was barely paying attention earlier today, and now is no time at all to ask questions.]
...As you like.
[He isn't going to press that issue then. Cesar will get a proper greeting in time, and for now, Alucard's eyes remain on Hector himself.]
I understand. Unless there is a true emergency, I do not plan on disturbing them from their current tasks.
[That much is a truth. More than that, Alucard hasn't truly commanded a full ship. Not really. Most of his were automated things, much like Dracula's, that responded through buttons and controls rather than man power.]
There is nothing of a flammable nature on my person. Am I allowed to ask after our route and current trajectory?
[Without ceremony, Hector snaps his fingers, and the pouch erupts in blue flames. It burns in Alucard's hand, consuming the pouch but touching nothing else and producing no real heat. When the pouch is completely burned away, the flame dissipates.
Cesar quirks his head and gives a snorty pug sniff at the dhampir. It is not a smell that lingers over Alucard, but the little dog has no other way of perceiving the familiar aura that now surrounds him. The crewmen and forged creatures turn their blue eyes in his direction for a moment, but in the absence of new orders, return to their tasks.
Hector leans against one of the rails, now that the spell is done.]
That depends. I know the strongest vampires have ways of seeing far beyond their reach. Does that extend to listening in as well?
[So far, the sight of just a ship in the water won't give their enemies too much context, but openly discussing their location could be far more detrimental.]
[There's no reaction from Alucard as the pouch burns, beyond a momentary look of discomfort at the sudden brighteness. Once it's done, Alucard simply breathes out, ignoring the stares. Cesar will get a few good cuddles once Hector's below deck though.
Alucard pauses at the question. He then nods.]
It could. I know most of those involved with my father's work aren't expert spellcasters, but some of their humans could be. It is a risk. One we should avoid.
[The nearest crewman turns to fetch quill pen and parchment at his master's orders. Hector sighs and follows him into the captain's quarters. It's easier to write at his desk than on the deck of a ship with failing light.
He writes out the following message, in Greek:
Resupply at Free Port Carmilla, if you read this, fuck you Verify rumors of the boogeyman Send message to the witch Reassess from there
[He translates the name of Freeport into Greek to try to further obfuscate their plans in case someone is watching, and also has a list of multiple coordinates scrawled on the page. The correct one for their destination, he smudges a drop of blue ink beside.
He sends the message back with the zombie and calls up through his door.]
I need to sleep. Wake me at the first sign of pursuit.
[For the past 24 hours, it feels like all Alucard's done is follow Hector about. To not have to do that is good, and with Hector out of sight, Alucard scoops up Cesar and starts to pet him right behind the ear. It's a form of stress relief, because now that Alucard's slept, his mind is a storm of trying to figure out what to do.
Hector's note doesn't fill him with too much hope. It's the start of a game plan, one that needs much more elaboration. There's no quill to respond with, and Hector cant' see him nod.
All Alucard can do is respond through the door:]
Understood on all accounts.
[The zombie is sent back with the message, so Hector can dispose of it. Alucard demands nothing more. No food or drink, just nothing but himself and the dog and the moon that is starting to rise in the sky.
To Cesar, the dhampir only sighs.]
I don't think there's a single steady course ahead of us.
[Cesar licks Alucard’s nose while he’s high enough to reach his face. To him, this is a wonderful adventure, and the number of masters to site upon him has doubled. All’s well in the dog’s world.
Hector drops the note into one of the oil lamps to burn. He lays down in his bed, but it takes a while for sleep to find him. He’s not used to his ship operating without him, and letting go of the control is hard.
He sleeps, but he’s up before the sun rises to make sure nothing’s caught fire in his absence.
Not hearing any alarms, he ducks into the hold and comes up with breakfast and a flask of ale. He has to be allowed to drink something, and spirits keep easier than fresh water on long journeys.
He has enough that he could share, but he’s no longer gong out of his way to push Alucard to eat.]
[The night is mostly spent balancing the wheel in one hand and Cesar in the other, the little dog barely being placed down unless Alucard absolutely must. The only time must enters the equation is a small change in the winds at 2 in the morning, and it's managed with a quickness and calmness.
He doesn't ask after breakfast when Hector appears on deck. What he does do is place Cesar back down on the ground so that the little dog can greet his person properly, that way Alucard does not appear to be a dog thief.]
There was little to be concerned with, and what small issues did present themselves, they were quick to be resolved. Cesar was also very good company, thank you for letting him stay up.
[He's formal, not only with explanation but with how he holds himself. It's an attempt to respect ship hierarchy, especially since there's been no insistence on it.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[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.]
no subject
[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.]
no subject
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?
no subject
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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What, is a bit of food and some basic medical attention going to harm you? Is it akin to sheering Sampson's hair off?
[They aren't a crew, really, but Hector is still the captain, and he has a responsibility to see to it that those on his ship have their needs seen to. He doesn't expect the captain of the empty and ridiculous ghost ship to understand that.]
If the rumors are true, following them would take us across an ocean that your father controls.
[He thinks, drumming his fingers on the back of the chair.]
...I know a witch, living near the coast in the colonies. She might have some sort of charm or talisman that would prevent anyone from scrying for our ship. That's the only way I could see us having a chance of sailing the open waters.
[He stands when Alucard finishes the bandages and pulls his shirt back on.]
Julia is a genuinely good person, and she's kept herself away from the vampire's court. I won't lead them to her door. I will only take us to her if we stay far enough ahead that we can be to her and gone before any of our pursuers know.
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[Alucard is very well aware that he's testing hierarchy here. Maybe in a better mood, he'd care. Maybe if he also wasn't the son of Dracula, he'd care. As it is, he is a prickly ball and well aware that he needs space so he can be a polite enough person to not only deal with Hector, but start to make some plans.]
That he controls for now.
[They're words said with no small amount of darkness in them, because Alucard knows the truth here. His father's reign needs too end. Full stop.]
Do whatever you think would help avoid detection, but I think there's still the risk of leading Carmilla and hers towards the witch. I...would like to avoid any more witch deaths at this point in my life.
[It's tempting to become a wolf right now and just...disappear.]
If there's space below deck, it'd be better if I just rest for a short period of time.
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[Hector's limited patience is gone, so it's probably mutually beneficial to have Alucard out of his sight and resting. If the dhampir flat out refuses Hector's assistance, then so be it.]
Come back up at sunset. I've no use of you 'til then.
[Hector will figure out the current course on his own. A quick resupply from a discrete storehouse, then if he can get a message to Julia, he could have her send something through one of his devils, maybe. That would minimize the risk to her...]
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He sleeps as a wolf too, curled up in a small nest of blankets he assembles for himself from the bunks below deck. It isn't terribly comfy, as the blankets are coarse and itchy, but he's exhausted. No one cares about that once they're exhausted.
He rises with the moon. Well, a little before that, as he works to make himself presentable first. When Alucard returns to the deck, it's with his hair swept up and off his neck in a neat bun, his ankles and wrists healed, and a far greater sense of both decorum and presence than the stressed, terrified, exhausted mess he was earlier.
More to the point: he approaches Hector and the first words out of his mouth are:] I would like to apologize for my earlier behavior. The circumstances made me far more disagreeable than I wanted to be.
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He's running on fumes now (and no rum), and he's not interested in sweetly kissing and making up.]
Yes, no shit.
[Cesar is on deck, too. Hector had sent one of his undead crewman to retrieve him from the hold after Alucard went below deck. He, at least, pads happily over to Alucard to greet him.
Hector tosses a little pouch at Alucard. It smells of ash and blood.]
I've been very careful to forge my crewmen to obey none but me. [A necessary precaution when living among creatures for whom mutiny was the normal means of advancement in the ranks.] When I activate this, they will react to you as if you are me. You will command their complete loyalty.
[It's a dangerous thing to grant another person. Alucard could take control of the ship with what Hector is about to grant him. It's Hector's only choice, though. It would take longer than he's got to fine-tune the order of command in their minds, and he needs Alucard to be deputized to act while Hector speaks. Enemies could fall upon them at any time.]
If you're carrying anything especially flammable, you'll want to remove it before I trigger the enchantment.
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...As you like.
[He isn't going to press that issue then. Cesar will get a proper greeting in time, and for now, Alucard's eyes remain on Hector himself.]
I understand. Unless there is a true emergency, I do not plan on disturbing them from their current tasks.
[That much is a truth. More than that, Alucard hasn't truly commanded a full ship. Not really. Most of his were automated things, much like Dracula's, that responded through buttons and controls rather than man power.]
There is nothing of a flammable nature on my person. Am I allowed to ask after our route and current trajectory?
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Cesar quirks his head and gives a snorty pug sniff at the dhampir. It is not a smell that lingers over Alucard, but the little dog has no other way of perceiving the familiar aura that now surrounds him. The crewmen and forged creatures turn their blue eyes in his direction for a moment, but in the absence of new orders, return to their tasks.
Hector leans against one of the rails, now that the spell is done.]
That depends. I know the strongest vampires have ways of seeing far beyond their reach. Does that extend to listening in as well?
[So far, the sight of just a ship in the water won't give their enemies too much context, but openly discussing their location could be far more detrimental.]
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Alucard pauses at the question. He then nods.]
It could. I know most of those involved with my father's work aren't expert spellcasters, but some of their humans could be. It is a risk. One we should avoid.
[Alucard pauses, then snaps his fingers.]
Something to write with. Use your native tongue.
[Greek, he means.]
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He writes out the following message, in Greek:
Resupply at Free Port
Carmilla, if you read this, fuck you
Verify rumors of the boogeyman
Send message to the witch
Reassess from there
[He translates the name of Freeport into Greek to try to further obfuscate their plans in case someone is watching, and also has a list of multiple coordinates scrawled on the page. The correct one for their destination, he smudges a drop of blue ink beside.
He sends the message back with the zombie and calls up through his door.]
I need to sleep. Wake me at the first sign of pursuit.
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Hector's note doesn't fill him with too much hope. It's the start of a game plan, one that needs much more elaboration. There's no quill to respond with, and Hector cant' see him nod.
All Alucard can do is respond through the door:]
Understood on all accounts.
[The zombie is sent back with the message, so Hector can dispose of it. Alucard demands nothing more. No food or drink, just nothing but himself and the dog and the moon that is starting to rise in the sky.
To Cesar, the dhampir only sighs.]
I don't think there's a single steady course ahead of us.
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Hector drops the note into one of the oil lamps to burn. He lays down in his bed, but it takes a while for sleep to find him. He’s not used to his ship operating without him, and letting go of the control is hard.
He sleeps, but he’s up before the sun rises to make sure nothing’s caught fire in his absence.
Not hearing any alarms, he ducks into the hold and comes up with breakfast and a flask of ale. He has to be allowed to drink something, and spirits keep easier than fresh water on long journeys.
He has enough that he could share, but he’s no longer gong out of his way to push Alucard to eat.]
She didn’t give you any trouble?
[He asks, referring to the ship.]
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He doesn't ask after breakfast when Hector appears on deck. What he does do is place Cesar back down on the ground so that the little dog can greet his person properly, that way Alucard does not appear to be a dog thief.]
There was little to be concerned with, and what small issues did present themselves, they were quick to be resolved. Cesar was also very good company, thank you for letting him stay up.
[He's formal, not only with explanation but with how he holds himself. It's an attempt to respect ship hierarchy, especially since there's been no insistence on it.]
How do your injuries feel?
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