[OPEN] nightcall

[reposing]

» WHO? Alucard & YOU
» WHEN? Anytime during May.
» WHERE? Various locations! They are listed in the prompts.
» WHAT? Alucard catch-all. Open prompts within!
» WARNINGS? N/A



❧ I. supply run [BAR]

[It was becoming quick to see that leaving this place would not be happening anytime soon. As the days continue to go by, the truth becomes obvious, and Alucard realizes that he does need to make sure they all live, no matter how he might feel about it. The more hands on deck, the more likely they will be able to escape.

And somehow, he will find his way back to Wallachia.

A year, he tells himself. He has a year to make this right.

And so, mentally, Alucard prepares himself as possibly the closest thing this place has to a doctor. He is trained in many ways, and in his heart he knew he'd always wanted to follow in his mother's footsteps rather than his father's, but...

As he steps into the bar, he lets out a tired sigh. There is no time to spare thoughts to the past. He is needed here, now, and he must delay his recovery as much as possible, no matter how ferociously hungry or exhausted he is.

Calmly, Alucard steps over the counter, reaching the drinks in the back. He places aside various opened bottles, disinterested, until he encounters one with a clear liquid. Taking off the cap, he gives it a sniff, then nods to himself in satisfaction before placing it into the bucket he's carrying with him.]


❧ II. sleepy beepy [SHOWERS]

[There's the distinct sound of water running, and it seems to have been for sometime. Steam has long since clogged the area, condensation dripping along the walls and mirrors.

On the floor is Alucard, collapsed, a bucket tipped over with a puddle of water pooling the floor.

He is breathing. That much one can tell.]


❧ III. in wolf's clothing [OBSERVATION DECK]

[Here resides a wolf. Strange, perhaps, it is to see a beast when the station seems to only have people aboard it.

The canine is slightly larger than likely most wolves anyone has seen or imagined. Though as impressive as that is, the wolf is curled up on the floor, gazing out the observation deck, looking either tired or even sad.

It does seem to be aware of company, his ears flicking, but not responding any further. A small boof escapes him.

Not exactly a conversation, but he doesn't seem eager to be aggressive.]


❧ IV. wildcard

[Make your own prompt, or request a custom one!]

Comments

@ the bar

[solarcharged]

Ohhh, I don’t recommend that one, [ Apollo warns from across the room and nods pointedly towards the bottle of alcohol in Alucard’s bucket. He sits in the far corner, barricaded behind a table that has a partially-assembled house of cards still in its infancy and only two levels high. In his hands are the next two cards to be added; he bends each one gently in his hands, curving them idly as he watches Alucard at the bar.

Apollo is exaggerating but that particular bottle of alcohol had tasted terrible enough to be memorable. He assumes (wrongly) that the other man wants to drink it. Drown his sorrows maybe. Far be it for Apollo to judge another man’s personal tastes but that particular bottle had a more potent burn-and-sting than the rest of the bar combined. He gives Alucard a rueful smile before turning back to his half-assembled house of cards, still only two levels high, and attempts to add the next two cards. ]

Not unless you want to go blind...

[reposing]

[The voice is one he's picked up from the network a few times, but not one he'd ever interacted with. Alucard turns his head, looking toward Apollo with a curious expression, studying as he plays with the cards.

There's a strange sense from this man. When Alucard steps closer, there's an uncomfortable sensation in his head, but he can't really describe it easily. Eventually, he ultimately dismisses it as his own general weakened state right now. He has a long road to recovery.]

Fortunately, I've no intention of ingesting it. It'll be a suitable replacement for our lack of medical supplies.

[Not that drinking it would do much for Alucard anyway despite being a foul taste, he muses silently to himself.]

[solarcharged]

Oh?

[ Apollo's expression transforms in to one of interest at those words, even while he continues to concentrate on the cards in front of him. Carefully, gently, he settles the next two cards in place, eyes trained intently upon them as if willing them not to collapse.

It's only when he's sure that they're not going to buckle and send the whole card house scattering across the table top that he finally looks up and turns that full expression of impressed curiosity towards the other man. ]

Good idea. Are you a doctor?

[reposing]

A fair question.

[How odd it feels, that even having a conversation right now feels utterly exhausting. Alucard braces a hand to the bar counter, to lean his weight to it with a soft sigh.]

I aspired to be one, once. Now, I am simply the closest thing this place has to one as far as I know.

II. like you thought i'd resist this one

[donkeyballs]

[He could use a shower, even though he'd been avoiding it for the last couple days, broken arm still in a sling. But showers were a god damn luxury, and he can't stay away for long. This time, though, he's surprised to find the steam already filling the room, so he hasn't even bothered to get changed, when he steps in to check, and finds a body--]

Hey-- [He turns around and yells back out through the door.] Hey! I need some help, over here!

[Then he's rushing over to the collapsed figure, reaching out and checking for a pulse, and breath. Good. Can't see any blood, so probably didn't hit his head--

He gives the man a gentle shake with his good hand, not really noticing that the water is now soaking through his own jumpsuit or his sling.]

Hey, hoss, you alright?

huehuehuehue

[reposing]

[Little noise escapes Alucard when he feels the shake. A frown forms on the dhampir's face and he breathes in; the yawn he has is less like one and more like a sigh before his golden eyes open.

He looks up at the stranger, then breathes in as he establishes that he's soaked to the bone.

Ah.]

I'm fine. [Alucard closes his eyes, scowling as he struggles a moment to sit up.]

[donkeyballs]

Yeah, you're definitely the picture of perfect health, partner. [He says it with sympathy, honestly, because he gets it. But.

He has the thought, then, to turn off the damn shower, at least, and reaches up to do so, before leaning back down to offer the stranger an arm.]

Come on, let's get you out of here, at least. Can you walk?

[reposing]

[Well, if anything, the comment earns a wry, tired smile from Alucard before he eventually accepts Alex's help up.

It comes with a struggle, but Alucard manages to his feet with a sigh before he leans against the wall. He's dripping wet, but he'll change out eventually. It's nothing that'll harm him.]

Yes, I should be able to.

Thank you for your help.

III

[potentite]

[A wolf! Or a large dog. He has no idea. But he's relieved to see someone he can actually relax around. Smiling, he approaches him.]

Hello! How did you get here, you little rascal?

[Jake extends his hand in case he wants to sniff. He wants him to trust him after all.]

[reposing]

[Slowly, the wolf lifts his head, looking at the stranger with golden eyes. There's a pause, then a sniff before his cold nose presses into Jake's palm.

This seems acceptable. He doesn't know anything about Jake, so he'll wait to see what he does.]

apologies for the delay! feel free to ignore

[potentite]

[Once it seems that the wolf doesn't mind, Jake smiles.]

It's something of a mystery why a pup such as yourself wound up here but maybe whatever nabbed us can nab animals too. As long as it doesn't grab any monsters, I think it'd be swell to see more friendly muzzles and snouts around.

[Being around animals feels infinitely easier than people. Jake sits down near the wolf and reaches out to see if he'll let him pet him. He doesn't want to spook him but he'd love to do that much.]

no worries

[reposing]

[In a way, he does feel a bit guilty. Isn't he himself a monster rather than the beast this boy would wish him to be?

The wolf closes his eyes and leans into Jake's hands, allowing him to touch and pet as he'd like.

He'll encourage contact, for the time being. Perhaps they both could use it.]

III

[veristitalian]

[Jasnah's heart just about stops in her chest when she sees the wolf.

It's not because of the mythology associated with the animal. It's because the thing is so purely alien, she can't honestly grasp it. A creature something like a large axehound, but instead of the proper carapace, shell and claws, it has hair all over it? Eyes set in the head, instead of on proper eyestalks? It sends her three quick steps backwards.]

What-

[Is it another strange fact of this station? An odd, nightmarish hallucination?]

[reposing]

[At worst, the wolf lifts his head to look at Jasnah with curious golden eyes. He doesn't rise up to attack or even approach her.

Instead, he huffs, his tail thumps against the floor, and he waits to see what she does.]

[veristitalian]

What are you?

[She asks softly- half to herself, yes, but also half to him. If the walls speak and machines speak here, than why should sentience be bipedal?

She doesn't really believe it, but it feels better to play it safe.]

[reposing]

[She isn't wrong.

The wolf's form suddenly melts into mist, reforming into the shape of a man. Alucard brushes back his golden hair with the back of his hand, and he gazes at the woman before him.]

Would you like to guess?

III

[ryuji]

[Sometimes, it's nice to just get out of the confines and lack of windows anywhere the station has to offer and take a look outside. It's not particularly anything spectacular anymore, at least not in the sense it was the very first time that Ryuji had chanced upon the observation deck... and then the second.... third. Once the routine gets established, it's rather boring for the blond punk, but he figures that it can't be worse than moping around, or trying to break his back cleaning the pool, or... whatever inspires him to get off his ass that day.

And then, chancing upon a wolf in the middle of the deck, he freezes for a moment, looks to see if it's aggressive, and then looks around the room. Is anyone else seein' this, or am I bein' haunted again?

It doesn't seem to pull off any sci-fi movie bullshit on him, so he approaches, somewhat carefully. He loved dogs back home, even if his apartment was way, way too small to be housing one for himself.

And he looks sad... he knows he should be way more timid, but... sad animals have always been a weak spot for Ryuji.

Actually- better idea. He heads back down, and a few minutes later, after a trip to the mess hall, manages to get a jug of water and a dish. A little ways away, he sets both down, one into the other.]

I'm guessin' your master's somewhere around here, huh? Here's uh. Here's some water if you want. You thirsty at all?

[reposing]

[Truthfully, he'd been content to ignore Ryuji, especially after the young man left to wherever, but...

When he returns with the dish of water, it's a curious bout of kindness. Slowly, the wolf rises up to its paws, slowly making its way to Ryuji before sitting in front of him, tilting his head.

Water will do little for him, but he may humor Ryuji.]

[ryuji]

[Just when he gets closer, Ryuji can't find himself smiling like the dweeb he really is. He looks back down at the water and then at the wolf.]

Sorry dude, I wish I had something better to share with ya.

[And leaning a little, he holds his hand out like he's attempting to earn a little bit of trust with the animal.]

Heh... man, you're kinda big. Don't... bite my hand off... How about some ear scritches?

II

[counterfeitheart]

[Kira is beginning to feel the whole thing by now. Being stuck on a space station, no cigarettes, no nothing to tide him over... he was maybe beginning to not smell the best so it was time to hit the showers.

And he spots the guy on the floor, the mirrors fogged up and everything disgustingly moist after he was already undressed and just ready to clean himself off.]

Are you fucking serious right now...?

[Wrinkling his nose, he kicks the guy in the ribs.]

Hey asshole! This isn't your mom's house anymore, you gotta save some hot water for the rest of us. Shit!

[And if he were a better Samaritan he might turn the water off now but nope, now that he's gotten in his griping, he's just going to take the shower for himself. This guy clearly is not using it anymore.]

The least you could do is pass out in the hallway if you can't make it to your room.

[reposing]

[For all of Kira's shouting, there is no reaction from the man on the floor. Even the swift kick earns nothing, and the man remains on the floor, facedown and soaked.

But he certainly isn't dead, that much is clear. Unconscious, though from what it is unknown.

Maybe from Kira's lack of showering until now]

[counterfeitheart]

[What a pain. Kira was assuming the guy had passed out drunk or something, considering he was face down and all. That was really not the best way to be laying, no matter who you were, so BEGRUDGINGLY... Kira sighs, rolls his eyes, and actually bends down to just grab the guy under his shoulders, making no attempt to ask before hoisting him up in order to prop him up against the wall, seated rather than face down.]

Geez. Didn't expect to be doing this for another disaster blonde so soon.

[He squats in front of him then, actually taking a moment to check up on the guy by trying to lift an eyelid before both of his palms smacked lightly at his cheeks.]

Yo. C'mon Goldilocks, I can't be seen leaving the showers with you lying here knocked out behind me. I'm already gonna have a bad enough reputation without that.

iii.

[spinals]

Whoa.

( kat's been visiting the observation deck on and off because she likes to look out at the stars. to imagine that her parents are out there somewhere and so is brand. at least her parents don't know that she's missing; they'll just assume she's still with brand, learning how to control the mag-tech, learning how to do things that might one day let her change things for the better.

that was the plan, before all this — but it's fine! she'll just. try to change things for the better here. try to get back home and keep learning. it's a temporary detour, right?

a temporary detour that apparently includes a big, big animal that looks kind of sad. do animals feel sadness? kat has no idea, but it still tugs at her heartstrings. )

Hey, you. ( she smiles, a little tentative, crouching down at a safe distance and stretching out a hand. )

[reposing]

[The wolf lifts his head, peering over at the woman. A friendly enough approach; in response, the canine tilts his head before slowly standing onto his paws and tiredly approaching her.

After a few sniffs, the beast presses his cold nose against Kat's palm, huffing against the hand.]

[spinals]

( it's a cold nose. somehow, she hadn't expected that. she can't quite swallow a noise of surprise, but then it turns into a huff of laughter, mainly at her own expense. )

Hey. ( she already said that. she's saying it again. ) Are you okay, buddy? Do you want water?