[Alucard returns to his little spot in the semi-circle of maps that he has set up, gesturing for Hector to come and at least stand where he is.]
The place is surrounded by sandbars from every approach save for one in the north east, here. [He taps a map that has the island on it, and it is a very small part indeed.] There's a channel that runs deep even at high tide, likely because there's a river or at least some kind of water flow from the island out to the sea. The issue is both how narrow it is and how to approach, as we don't want to give our approach away.
[Alucard then indicates a map of the waters leading up to the approach.]
There's a natural reef that makes approaching the area trickier, but we may be able to avoid it if the wind is in our favor. Of course, if we're dealing with a Belmont, we have to expect wards, traps, and other such nonsense even if we aren't detected.
What do we hope to get from the Belmont? Is stealth needed? If we want to treat with them, I can send a message by air. They’ll likely shoot it down, but if the letter’s in a flame-proofed bag, it will probably survive.
If we want to take the ship, we need to lure it out into open water. Make him come to us, rather than walking in to that death trap.
[He traces a finger along the treacherous shallows and reefs on the map.]
If it is integral to make our way there in stealth, I could probably forge something that could clear a path, but I’m loath to do that. The reefs are a delicate ecosystem and house some truly fascinating species.
[Hector’s priorities: he will make peace or war with the last of the Belmonts without qualm, but when it comes to destruction of wildlife, he hesitates.]
I...I think we need that first question answered. What do we want from the Belmont, Hector? What is the desired outcome of this situation?
[Alucard's been dealing with the thoughs on and off, of what he wants. What he really needs to do, but he's never given them real words. Never said them out loud.]
Stop my father? Simply escape with our skins? See to Carmilla but no other? And if we seek only escape, then going to the doorstep of a Belmont is death just in another manner.
[There's a moment where he's quiet, running his hand through his hair.]
And if we mean to stop my father, then it means his death.
[So they've finally come to it, then. The Talk. Hector sighs, and takes a seat on the floor, turning up to the ceiling so he doesn't have to look at Alucard.]
We're never going to be safe, if we run. Well, maybe you will be from your father, if Dracula's content to ignore you...but the others won't let either of us be.
[He pauses, not wanting to keep going, but he's really got no choice. Hector...knows what it means to be a patricide. It's a shadow that hangs over you for the rest of your life, and Alucard's will be a long one.]
We could aim to kill the other vampires, but so long as Dracula hungers for revenge, he will simply create more. So we either defeat Dracula, or we run.
...I will run, if that is what you want. He is your father.
We won't be safe if we stay either. That much is certain.
[Alucard knows that Hector will likely resent any sense of responsibility the dhampir feels for making sure that the necromancer's life endured. After all, Hector made this choice independent of Alucard. There is no true reason for Alucard to have that responsibility. All the same though, Alucard feels it and feels it keenly, aware and worried of imperiling the other man alongside himself.]
I've never known him to create another vampire. [Why would he? Another vampire with even a fraction of his powers? Unthinkable.] But no. The truth is clear enough.
[His gaze returns to the map.]
But that will make it easier to approach the Belmont. Offer help in destroying my father, and perhaps there will be a moment to make the case before a stake is driven into my heart.
[Hector didn't sign up for that part though, did he?]
[Hector draws up his knees and wraps his arms around them.]
I want to be allowed to sail freely with my dog, and study the living and unliving things of the world, and create new ones. What I want, I will never be permitted, whether Dracula lives or dies.
[His shoulders lift and fall in a shrug. Maybe once, he'd thought it possible, when Dracula told him he would seize control of the seas and regulate them. He knows now that it is folly.]
But, if I fight, and somehow don't die, maybe we'll kill all the vampires and I'll be able to go and see those turtles you spoke of.
[He looks up finally at Alucard.]
Do you think Belmonts can read, or are they the type of brutes you have to fight before they'll listen? All I know of them, I've heard from their mortal enemies, so it's likely all wildly inaccurate.
A quiet life on the ocean. Or just one island and it's infinite biodiversity.
[His voice is barely a whisper. But in there, there's some approval. That sounds nice.
Alucard closes his eyes, considering what the best step forward is.]
We would be best served by having a neutral party. I...the Speakers might be the best candidates, especially if I can take one of the life boats here in under a white flag. You wouldn't have to take additional risks beyond simply sitting and waiting for either me to return, or to be waved off by some other means.
If you wanted to get yourself killed, you should have said so back in the prison and saved me the trouble of jailbreaking you. Aren’t the Speakers pacifists? So they won’t be able to help you if the Belmonts attack first and ask questions never.
[He sets his jaw stubbornly.]
Between the two of us, we can hopefully keep whatever remnants of the Belmonts remain occupied until you or your Speakers can explain yourselves.
You made that decision long before I agreed or refused. [At least, that's Alucard's suspicion. He doesn't want to dwell on it though, as lingering on such a thought means thinking yet again about what Hector has sacrificed to be at this point.]
But yes, they are pacificts. I have one I'd ask, but they're a number of islands away.
[Sypha never really clarified her gender.]
In an ideal situation, it'd be only myself and the Speaker on a boat. Once at the island, I'd stay put while they made contact, and it would go from there. I feel a dhampir is already enough of a potential panic button for a Belmont. No need to add a necromancer in.
So I am to ferry you from island to island, then wait behind because my mere existence is so odious as to offend the Belmonts.
[Hector is used to a necromancer’s welcome (or more accurately, the decided lack thereof) where he goes, so he’s not sure why this instance irks him so. Maybe he thought it could be different with Alucard.
Maybe he is overtired and ill-fed.
He pushes himself up.]
Plot your course to the Speaker’s isle and make yourself ready to sail. I’m going below to eat before I transfer the crew to your control.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[Alucard returns to his little spot in the semi-circle of maps that he has set up, gesturing for Hector to come and at least stand where he is.]
The place is surrounded by sandbars from every approach save for one in the north east, here. [He taps a map that has the island on it, and it is a very small part indeed.] There's a channel that runs deep even at high tide, likely because there's a river or at least some kind of water flow from the island out to the sea. The issue is both how narrow it is and how to approach, as we don't want to give our approach away.
[Alucard then indicates a map of the waters leading up to the approach.]
There's a natural reef that makes approaching the area trickier, but we may be able to avoid it if the wind is in our favor. Of course, if we're dealing with a Belmont, we have to expect wards, traps, and other such nonsense even if we aren't detected.
no subject
What do we hope to get from the Belmont? Is stealth needed? If we want to treat with them, I can send a message by air. They’ll likely shoot it down, but if the letter’s in a flame-proofed bag, it will probably survive.
If we want to take the ship, we need to lure it out into open water. Make him come to us, rather than walking in to that death trap.
[He traces a finger along the treacherous shallows and reefs on the map.]
If it is integral to make our way there in stealth, I could probably forge something that could clear a path, but I’m loath to do that. The reefs are a delicate ecosystem and house some truly fascinating species.
[Hector’s priorities: he will make peace or war with the last of the Belmonts without qualm, but when it comes to destruction of wildlife, he hesitates.]
no subject
[Alucard's been dealing with the thoughs on and off, of what he wants. What he really needs to do, but he's never given them real words. Never said them out loud.]
Stop my father? Simply escape with our skins? See to Carmilla but no other? And if we seek only escape, then going to the doorstep of a Belmont is death just in another manner.
[There's a moment where he's quiet, running his hand through his hair.]
And if we mean to stop my father, then it means his death.
no subject
We're never going to be safe, if we run. Well, maybe you will be from your father, if Dracula's content to ignore you...but the others won't let either of us be.
[He pauses, not wanting to keep going, but he's really got no choice. Hector...knows what it means to be a patricide. It's a shadow that hangs over you for the rest of your life, and Alucard's will be a long one.]
We could aim to kill the other vampires, but so long as Dracula hungers for revenge, he will simply create more. So we either defeat Dracula, or we run.
...I will run, if that is what you want. He is your father.
no subject
[Alucard knows that Hector will likely resent any sense of responsibility the dhampir feels for making sure that the necromancer's life endured. After all, Hector made this choice independent of Alucard. There is no true reason for Alucard to have that responsibility. All the same though, Alucard feels it and feels it keenly, aware and worried of imperiling the other man alongside himself.]
I've never known him to create another vampire. [Why would he? Another vampire with even a fraction of his powers? Unthinkable.] But no. The truth is clear enough.
[His gaze returns to the map.]
But that will make it easier to approach the Belmont. Offer help in destroying my father, and perhaps there will be a moment to make the case before a stake is driven into my heart.
[Hector didn't sign up for that part though, did he?]
What do you want from here on out, Hector?
no subject
I want to be allowed to sail freely with my dog, and study the living and unliving things of the world, and create new ones. What I want, I will never be permitted, whether Dracula lives or dies.
[His shoulders lift and fall in a shrug. Maybe once, he'd thought it possible, when Dracula told him he would seize control of the seas and regulate them. He knows now that it is folly.]
But, if I fight, and somehow don't die, maybe we'll kill all the vampires and I'll be able to go and see those turtles you spoke of.
[He looks up finally at Alucard.]
Do you think Belmonts can read, or are they the type of brutes you have to fight before they'll listen? All I know of them, I've heard from their mortal enemies, so it's likely all wildly inaccurate.
no subject
[His voice is barely a whisper. But in there, there's some approval. That sounds nice.
Alucard closes his eyes, considering what the best step forward is.]
We would be best served by having a neutral party. I...the Speakers might be the best candidates, especially if I can take one of the life boats here in under a white flag. You wouldn't have to take additional risks beyond simply sitting and waiting for either me to return, or to be waved off by some other means.
no subject
If you wanted to get yourself killed, you should have said so back in the prison and saved me the trouble of jailbreaking you. Aren’t the Speakers pacifists? So they won’t be able to help you if the Belmonts attack first and ask questions never.
[He sets his jaw stubbornly.]
Between the two of us, we can hopefully keep whatever remnants of the Belmonts remain occupied until you or your Speakers can explain yourselves.
no subject
But yes, they are pacificts. I have one I'd ask, but they're a number of islands away.
[Sypha never really clarified her gender.]
In an ideal situation, it'd be only myself and the Speaker on a boat. Once at the island, I'd stay put while they made contact, and it would go from there. I feel a dhampir is already enough of a potential panic button for a Belmont. No need to add a necromancer in.
no subject
[Hector is used to a necromancer’s welcome (or more accurately, the decided lack thereof) where he goes, so he’s not sure why this instance irks him so. Maybe he thought it could be different with Alucard.
Maybe he is overtired and ill-fed.
He pushes himself up.]
Plot your course to the Speaker’s isle and make yourself ready to sail. I’m going below to eat before I transfer the crew to your control.