❧ every night, i dream you're still here; OPEN

[reposing]

» WHO? Alucard & OPEN
» WHEN? Post-event, 7/8 - 7/13
» WHERE? Various locations, primarily the clinic and Alucard's room.
» WHAT? It was too soon to say that the replicators were safe for Alucard. All too soon. After the events of the week, he becomes terribly sick, in need of fresh blood, and sees a ghost.
» WARNINGS? A lot of blood and vomiting.



❧ i. blood test | closed to CONNOR | 7/8

[So much guilt weighs on his heart now that his mind and body are clearer. The music has stopped, and all of the effects from both that and whatever chemicals were in both the replicators and water supply seems to have faded. Still, it does nothing to clear his conscience; he'd been cruel with his words, aggressive, and had simply taken whatever he wanted without thought.

If he could, he would shut himself away from the rest of the station to pay for his sins, but he can't do that forever. That, and he needs to reconcile to some degree.

In the first order of business, he's sent a message asking for Connor to meet him in his room. The interior is not unlike any of the other family rooms in terms of layout, but it is evident that Alucard has taken such immense time to scrub everything that he could to remove the grime. There is an arrangement of items on a desk: an odd looking thick cord, one bottle of seemingly ordinary water, and the other bottle of water seems to glow in some way. Next to the bed is a coffin, very traditionally vampiric.

When Connor enters, Alucard is bowing his head in greeting, quiet, not able to quite meet his gaze. In his hand, a container of blood to be tested.]

I appreciate you doing this.

[It's not an apology yet. Honestly, he wouldn't have been offended if Connor decided to not associate himself with Alucard ever again.]


❧ ii. repulsion | OPEN to ONE RESPONSE | 7/8

[It'd been maybe an hour at best since he'd ingested the blood that Connor had confirmed was in the clear. The conversation had left him still feeling unsettled, but it was about as far as he could go with it for right now. At the end of it, it doesn't matter how Alucard feels. He has to do right by him, and everyone else he's harmed.

At first when he feels the pain in his stomach, Alucard assumed it was due to how horrendous he felt emotionally. It would've been no surprise, but the aches become worse. He feels... nauseated.

Feeling sick is such a foreign sensation that he almost doesn't know what to do with himself. He can't regenerate from it, he can't ignore it, he can't control it. Alucard stumbles away from the clinic and into the hall, but doesn't go any further. He collapses to his knees, clutching his stomach.

A retching sound escapes him, and he proceeds to expel all of the blood he'd had. It practically pours from Alucard's mouth, leaving a distinct puddle to the floor. It doesn't stop with once, and he keeps going, the small pool of crimson increasing.

No-- why? It passed Connor's sensors. What happened?]


❧ iii. a mother's touch | OPEN | 7/10

[At last, whatever had been wrong inside of him has been purged. In the dead of night, or presumably the evening, Alucard is collapsed in the bed. The coffin felt confining, oddly, so he limply lays in his bed, his bat familiar curled up under his chin.

He sleeps, and oh how it comes so easily. Alucard hasn't felt this frail since his father nearly killed him in one single strike; his body feels light, like it's made of glass, but he can't do much else but rest.

What he could never expect is the press of lips on his forehead. It wakes him, immediately. Was he so asleep that someone managed to sneak in--?

Alucard's eyes open and he nearly chokes on the air.] No...

[Before him he sees his mother, tears rolling down her face. He forces himself to sit up, despite his familiar squeaking and clinging to him.]

Mother?

[He hears her speak.

He was right to hate humans. I did so much good for them and they killed me. Tell me, did he avenge me?

Suddenly, she looks furious, glaring down at him. Clear disappointment, maybe even blame.

Did you?

He can't speak in return, his golden eyes wide. Just like that, she fades away, like ash and dust.]

Mother-- Mother wait!

[With what little strength he has, he tears himself from bed. Charlotte, the bat familiar, clings to his hair and squeaks frantically. The door slides open and he looks out into the hallway, desperation in his eyes.

Nothing.

Alucard collapses to his knees. The day that his mother was burned at the stake was the same day that his father nearly killed him. Shortly after, he woke here, and has hardly given himself any time to think, to process what happened. He's thrown himself at one project after another. The closest moment he's had was briefly held with Rogue, but he hasn't truly mourned.

But he does blame himself. He couldn't save his mother, and she died screaming in flames and begging him to be better. He couldn't stop his father, because he just wasn't enough. Was he wrong? Is he wrong?

He has nothing left to hold him back.

Adrian Ţepeş weeps openly in the hallway, clutching at his scalp.]


❧ iv. visitation & regret | OPEN | 7/10 - 7/13

[Regardless of who you are, Alucard does not see fit to turn away guests. It isn't in him to refuse it, though he has a difficult time requesting help again when the replicators failed him so miserably. Though he'd been afraid to become sick because it would slow the healing of the grave wound on his chest, he didn't anticipate anything like this.

But he's hungry. He's desperate.

The door to Alucard's room is unlocked, should you wish to pay him a visit.]


❧ v. wildcard

[Make your own prompt, or let me know if I can make a custom starter for you!]

(♪)

Comments

i

[rk800connor]

[Connor had agreed without hesitation, still oblivious at this point that Alucard was wracked with guilt. Of course, he knew that the dhampir hadn't been in his right mind when he'd propositioned him. Everyone seemed to have suffered. At least Alucard hadn't winged him with a bullet while attempting to shoot out the non-existent speakers with his eyes closed. At least the damage to his shoulder had been minimal. Aesthetic at worst with a negligible loss of thirium.

He offers Alucard the same smile he always. As he stepped inside, his gaze fell to the coffin, eyebrows rising in surprise.]

What...? [He blinked, gaze moving back up to Alucard, giving him a nod.] Of course.

[He stepped closer, noting how Alucard wouldn't meet his gaze, but Connor had no idea what to say about it. Instead, he reached out to dip two fingers into the blood and then raises them to his mouth to lick them, LED flickering as he processed it.] Human, no contaminants found, A-positive, temperature: 74 degrees Fahrenheit.

[reposing]

[As if nothing had happened between them, Connor is complacently smiling, polite as ever. Their previous interaction, so to speak, is not even a matter he chooses to address.

Hesitantly, he takes the container of blood back, and murmurs:] Thank you.

[A slow sip is taken, then he lets out a sigh. He knows why this must be so simple for Connor, but it still feels strange to carry on in such a way. It almost hurts.]

I owe you an apology. For what I did to you.

[rk800connor]

[There didn't seem to be any reason to bring up the events of the previous day. They were both well aware of what had happened, at least he hoped Alucard had been of sound enough mind that he remembered, and there was no issue. So, why bring it up?

He opened his mouth to offer to let Alucard lick the blood off his fingers when he suddenly apologized. Connor was very obviously confused by it.]

You... don't. Why... Why are you apologizing? Do you... regret having sex? [Connor almost sounded a little hurt himself, but Alucard knew better. He was an android, the sentiment couldn't possibly be real.

He turned his hand over and held out his bloody fingers, the action full of uncertainty.]

[reposing]

[Hell, it sounds so real when Connor speaks like that. It almost pains him. Gently, he takes Connor's wrist, but resists licking off the blood this time.]

I enjoyed it immensely. But... I am concerned that you consented only because you felt like you had to.

I am not your master or owner. I never want to be. And yet, I cannot shake the feeling that I took advantage of you.

[rk800connor]

[His gaze falls to Alucard's fingers wrapped around his wrist, LED flickering blue for a moment before he tilts his head to meet Alucard's eyes again. He seems to be searching them for something, but even he has no idea what he's looking for. The truth, maybe, or a better understanding of the thoughts going through Alucard's mind.]

Then...? [Ah. There it was.

Connor tilts his head slightly, thinking.]

I... [His LED briefly flickers yellow.] I'm unsure if you did or not. Sometimes I find it very difficult to discern between my programming and... a choice I've made. [The joke was on him, all of it was programming.] You did give me the option to leave. I wanted to stay. At least... I think, I did.

I don't feel taken advantage of. You really should not feel guilty on my behalf.

7/9

[foolishjourney]

[The moment the music had stopped, Minato had dropped like a rock -- utterly and completely exhausted, he'd slept a complete day, needing every minute to recuperate after what had happened. Him and everyone else, really.

Awake again, Minato had one thing that was particularly on his mind: what he'd said to Alucard. It was still embarrassing to remember how vulnerable he'd acted, what he'd said, how he'd laid there in his arms... ugh. Minato hated feeling weak.

He needed to talk to Alucard about what had happened. Perhaps apologize for his outburst, but he was pretty sure the other man didn't mind. Either way, he wanted to talk.

So, it's a bit late that Alucard receives a knock to his door, and Minato waits for a response. Vaguely it occurs to him he should've messaged him first to figure out where he was, but whatever. He was pretty confident he'd be awake, at the least.]

[reposing]

[The knock at the door makes him exhale sharply. His guilt-ridden mind can't think, immediately, of who may even want to see him right at the moment -- but truthfully, there could be a handful. However, he is too lethargic to rise up and answer the door in person, far too weak to move much.

He sighs, frustrated.]

Charlotte. [His voice is but a whisper.] Open the door.

[The bat familiar lets out a squeak of affirmation, flapping over to the switch. It's basically a body slam, but the door does slide open.

Charlotte flaps over to Minato, landing onto his shoulder, squeaking in distress, as if somehow Minato will even understand her. From the bed, Alucard barely moves.]

[foolishjourney]

[Well, all thoughts of talking about whatever was on his mind fly out the window as soon as he assesses the situation, looking from Charlotte back over to Alucard with a knitted brow. Something was very definitely wrong here, and he needed to find out what.]

Alucard.

[He walks briskly into the room, leaning over him on his position on the bed with a look of concern.]

What's wrong?

[reposing]

[At best, Alucard is able to push himself up so he can sit against the headboard -- but that is the extent of his strength and he sighs tiredly, burying his face into his hands.

From here, he can hear Minato's pulse. His heart beating. Blood flowing. He's hungry and desperate but he'd just told everything he was fine, he didn't need it anymore--]

The replicator. When I drank blood from it, it's made me ill. Severely ill.

[foolishjourney]

Oh.

[Minato frowns, sitting down on the edge of the bed next to Alucard. Hadn't he only just discovered he could drink blood from the replicators, and now it was making him sick? That was extremely unfortunate, especially given that he'd announced to everyone he didn't need anyone helping him anymore...]

Do you... need help?

[The thought makes him a tad bit anxious, but it wasn't like he hadn't had his blood drawn before. It'd probably just hurt a bit more, but he'd had some serious injuries sustained in battle before and handled those just fine, so no big deal...?]

ii.

[eraserdad]

[Aizawa happens to be passing through when he sees someone suddenly buckle to the ground clutching their stomach. Given that that had happened to him not too long ago, he'd dismiss it as simply one of the side effects of waking up on this station, but then he sees the blood--and, suffice it to say, he's alarmed.]

Shit.

[he mutters, as he kneels by Alucard's side. In Japan, he'd simply call for an ambulance and then remain nearby until it arrived, but he has no such option here. He heard about a clinic on the network, the other day, but he's unsure if it's safe to move him. He could post a distress call on the network himself, but he's not sure if that would be faster than just bringing someone from the clinic here.]

Hang on, I'll get help.

[reposing]

[There's too much going on. He'd never felt like this before, the nausea, the dizziness, and the blood keeps being ejected from him. His ears burn, and he glances up at Aizawa's face, startled if only because he hadn't heard him coming. He's understandably too preoccupied with what's happening.

Without thinking, he fists Aizawa's sleeve. He could never say it, but he is terrified of what will happen. He isn't afraid of death, he's afraid of much, much worse things.]

Hurry.

[That's all he can manage before he's vomiting more blood, his body shaking from the effort.]

[eraserdad]

[The fist in his sleeve stops him in his tracks; his Hero instincts are pulled in multiple directions at this moment, and though he's usually decisive, trying to follow the most logical path as much as he can, he isn't a heartless man. If he tries to go to the clinic and doesn't make it back in time, he doesn't want this man to die alone in this horrible floating hunk of metal.

If he still had his goddamn capture cloth, he could use it as a makeshift shock blanket, but he doesn't even have a coat, here, so instead, he sits down next to Alucard, wrapping one arm around the younger man to pull him closer and offer some warmth as he uses his free hand to dig out his network device.]

Someone should be here soon. Stay with me.

[reposing]

[Never in his life has he ever felt like this, the nausea and being forced to reject the blood in this manner. Once he has it left out, it leaves him trembling, strength quickly dwindled.

Then he is being held. It is not unkind.

He can hear Aizawa's pulse. His heart beat. The blood flowing in his veins.

He grits his teeth, trying to steel himself.]

do we want to make a separate thread for naoya to show up or action on the network :o

[eraserdad]

[Alucard clenches his teeth as though he's in pain, and Aizawa feels that itch of frustration under his skin that literally everyone in his profession feels at some point or another. No man can be 100% rational at all times, and Aizawa is as susceptible to human emotion, to empathy, as anyone else. Seeing a person suffer is unpleasant, no matter how much you tell yourself that you're doing all you can.]

Try to match my breathing, if you can. It won't be long now.

[He tries for a distraction--the other man needs to preserve his strength, but if Aizawa does most of the talking, it should be alright, shouldn't it? Plus, he needs to keep the other calm and make sure he doesn't pass out, because he's not sure the man will wake up again if he does.]

My name's Shouta Aizawa, by the way. I'm a high school teacher from a place called Japan.

[A high school for superheroes, but that's a bit complicated to get into here.]

❧ closed to jennifer; 7/10

[reposing]

[He'd thought about it, how this is an absolutely terrible idea. That he wishes there was another way, but he absolutely cannot trust the replicators now. That, and Jennifer had indeed offered, and so earnestly.

Alucard wishes there could be another way.

Eventually, he calls her up privately.]

Jennifer.

I am afraid I am need of what you offered me before, if you are still willing.

[theunluckygirl]

[She answers immediately, frowning a little in concern. She remembers her offer, of course, but he's called on her to collect for it sooner than she'd thought.]

Of course. Are you alright? Where should I meet you?

[reposing]

I will better explain when you arrive.

My room, which is across from the clinic. Level six, room twenty-four. Bring something to eat and water. The door is unlocked.

[theunluckygirl]

I'll be right there.

[She's not sure what to bring in terms of food, exactly, but she grabs some snack items and water as instructed, headed for his room. Thankfully she's gotten enough of a head for the place by now that she doesn't get terribly lost.

There's a moment of hesitation before she knocks lightly on the door to announce her presence before slowly pushing the door open and peeking in.]

Alucard...?

III - Brings starbucks

[imperialsun]

Are you alright?

[The voice that speaks above him is Naoya's, but it sounds a little softer than usual. The usual teasing tone from the youth appears to be a lot more focused than usual, and he places a hand on Alucard's shoulder.]

Did someone hurt you?

[reposing]

[What a terrible feeling, to be caught like this. Alucard has resisted at every opportunity to let much of anything out. The closest had been Rogue's kindness, but he tried his best to keep that hidden from her. Here, he openly sobs, struggling to contain himself.

Still, at least Naoya is not unkind.]

I... I am unharmed.

7.10 checking in... only a century late

[theycalledmeacurse]

[ It's early, just the very start of the day ahead, but Rogue is already on a mission. After the musical chaos they'd all lived through and helping Ricki with whatever the hell the station was doing to him, she has someone else she needs to check on. Someone who means the absolute world to her on this floating tin can and who she worries about when people decide to be prejudiced idiots.

So she shows up at his door (she hopes she's remembering the right one) and gives a gentle knock, fingers proverbially crossed that he's awake and won't mind some company. ]

no worries i'm freakin late too

[reposing]

[Odd. He hadn't been expecting anyone. Alucard blinks slowly, then resigns himself to sighing and nodding. No, whoever it is must need him. That much is certain.]

Charlotte, please. Let them in.

[His faithful bat familiar takes off from his shoulder to open the door on his behalf.

Alucard, for his part, is sitting upright in his bed, looking worn out and exhausted. Paler, somehow, than is normal for him.

He does not expect to see her.]

Rogue...?

[theycalledmeacurse]

[ The bat takes Rogue a bit by surprise, but she's distracted before she can say anything about it, the sight of Alucard on the bed chasing away everything else from her mind. Stepping inside, she quickly moves over to the bed, not hesitating for a second before perching herself on the very edge of the bed and reaching out to set a gloved hand on his arm. ]

Sugar, what's wrong? You look awful.

[ Possibly not the most tactful way of saying it, but tact has no place in her world when she's worried for someone she cares about. ]

[reposing]

[A shuddering breath escapes Alucard and he shuts his eyes. He hadn't wished for her to see him like this. It's not that he doesn't think she wouldn't understand, but Rogue is so good. He hates to think about worrying her.]

I became... ill two days ago. A bad batch of blood from the replicators.

It's taking everything to recover, ever since.