a little touch of heavenly light [OPEN]

[reposing]

» WHO? Alucard & YOU
» WHEN? After the gravity has been reinstated.
» WHERE? Various locations, see within!
» WHAT? Catch-all for June. Prompts within.
» WARNINGS? Mention of blood, will update as needed.



❧ i. gym (man)

[Less than 11 months to go.

It's been too long already, and none of them have gotten any closer to finding a way off this wretched place. He's hardly had time to rest, drink, recover, and time is slipping away. He can't continue to wait like this, and it weighs on his heart terribly.

Alucard is presently in the gym, an incredibly long sword in his hand as he swings at the air, elegantly swiping at invisible opponents in his mind. He does not wear his jumpsuit, but rather a pair of black trousers and white tunic instead with his coat draped over a chair nearby. The focus is clear in his eyes, golden irises bordering on red.

Time is running out. How in the hell is the Sleeping Soldier meant to wake and find his scholar and hunter like this? How is he going to be able to--]

Hn!

[Abruptly, Alucard drops his sword and clutches his chest, baring his clenched fangs. He sinks down to his knees, trembling, dots of red appearing on his shirt.

There is nothing to prepare him.

A beastly noise escapes Alucard as he snarls, slamming his fist on the floor.

All he can do is continue forward, or die trying.]


❧ ii. gym (wolf)

[The pool is crystal clean.

There is nothing that could help Alucard feel comfortable enough to bare himself before others right now. It isn't as if he's ashamed of his wound, but he would rather keep it to himself. He doesn't want to think about it, its origins, what it means.

And having fur helps cover the truth of it.

If someone were to come into the gym and approach the pool, they will definitely find a large wolf throwing himself into the water and swimming away merrily. Once he reaches the end of the pool, he gallops around the edge to get back to where he started.]


❧ iii. observation deck

[The lack of windows in the station makes him feel trapped. Claustrophobic. Alucard is certain that he isn't the only one who feels the same way. The closest thing that they have to anything giving them the sensation of being open is either the gym, or this.

Alucard can be found within, calmly floating, his legs crossed lazily. Clinging to his golden waves of hair is a bat, who seems terrifically delighted to be where it is. Oddly, Alucard seems fairly preoccupied typing away, as if he's writing to someone's inbox. On occasion, he glances back up to look out the window, as if captivated by the darkness and stars out beyond.

Once he hears the door open, Alucard's shoulders slump and he sighs. The bat perks up and lets out an angry shriek, baring her fangs.]

Enough, Charlotte. [The bat continues her glaring, but settles back into his hair.]

If you wish, I can take my leave. [He tries to sound stern, but he just sounds exhausted.]

Comments

i.

[splinten]

[That looks bad. Dirk wanted to ask this guy if he wanted to Strife, but instead he asks,]

Do you need me to hunt down one of the healers?

[There has to be some still around; he can always open broadcast for it.]

[reposing]

[The voice makes him twitch, though not out of anger. Alucard feels a bit of shame for expressing himself in such a way before another, especially a stranger.]

No. I will be fine.

[Alucard winces, rising to his feet. Holding out his hand, he summons his sword back to his hand.]

I suppose I just need to relearn my limitations.

ii

[foolishjourney]

[A puppy... a dog... a good boy... even if he's huge and looks a bit more vicious than an average dog. Still a good boy.

Minato watches from the entrance to the pool area for a long moment, just enjoying the sight of Alucard enjoying himself. After a bit however, he'll head to the pool edge and crouch down, hands pressed against his thighs. A soft, rare smile is across his face, because boy did he have a fondness for animals, even if he didn't have a whole lot of experience with them.]

Hey, there.

[Vaguely he wondered if his owner was somewhere nearby, or if he'd just discovered another roaming pet, like Hinata had with the hamsters...]

[reposing]

[The moment someone enters, Alucard doesn't particularly mind. At the very least, he's had nothing but pleasant encounters in this form. He'll take it in as he can.

As he reaches the pool's edge and climbs out, that's when he sees Minato. Instead of feeling threatened, the wolf approaches, dripping wet. After a tilt of his head, the wolf leans in and sniffs, not at all aggressive.]

[foolishjourney]

[Minato holds still to let Alucard look him over, still crouched down to stay on his level. He offers out a hand for him to sniff further, the other hand curling into the fabric of his jumpsuit against his knee.]

You're pretty big, huh.

[Like, several times the size of his dog.]

[reposing]

[Alucard presses his wet nose against the palm extended out to him, letting out a huff. He'd been uncertain once before he'd used this form, but it seems like people are quite eager to be friendly when he's like this.

The wolf licks his hand once before letting out a soft boof.]

[foolishjourney]

[Minato was generally a pretty deadpan person as far as expressions go, but he just couldn't help but smile when he had a sweet interaction with an animal, and this dog(?) seemed as sweet as could be. God, he hoped he was a dog and he wasn't gonna get mauled by a wolf or something, that'd be a downer. Here lies Minato, dead by his own hubris of wanting to pet a good boy.

He's quietly delighted at Alucard's reaction to him and carefully extends his hand forward, trying to test his luck to see if he'd let him pet his head and give him a scratch behind the ears. If not, he'd retract his hand back.]

You could probably use a towel, huh.

II

[imperialsun]

[There's a dog in the pool. Or wait, no more like a large wolf in the pool. Naoya knows he should be preoccupied, but somehow this doesn't seem so out-of-place with everything else about this place.

Honestly the only real thing he's worried about is the wolf hairs in the pool, and hopefully the pool cleaning robot wouldn't get clogged with it.

But anyway, back to the wolf at hand. Naoya just raises his hand in greeting, as if he's expecting the wolf to talk back to him.]

Hello! I don't think I've seen you before.

[reposing]

[That's a voice he certainly knows. The wolf perks up and bounds out of the pool, dripping wet as he goes up to greet Naoya.

A good wag of his tail and a hearty boof is given. The wolf seems glad to see you, Naoya.]

[imperialsun]

[That...is the most adorable BOOF he's ever heard in his life. Naoya can't help but smile...a little confused why the dog seems to be this friendly but honestly he's not going to question it too much.]

I'm glad to see you too, whoever you are!

[Does this dog belong to someone?]

It's too bad I don't speak wolf...

[reposing]

[He's a free wolf. He don't need no man.

Alucard tilts his head a moment, then turns around and launches himself back into the pool. He could very easily clarify who and what he is, but for now, he's come to honestly enjoy himself.

So it's swimming time.

Maybe he plays, too, Naoya. Who knows.]

iii

[lightduties]

[The Observation Deck is one of Rhea'li's frequent haunts, being the place with the most visibility of space. It's painful to see that earthen nature is so far out of his reach, but it's more painful to be faced with endless walls of metal. Never would he imagine that his most difficult trial he would face is both boredom and this imprisonment, not all the endless fighting.

But he perks up slightly when he sees Alucard, ears pricking.]

Pray tell, why would I wish such a thing?

[He approaches with a smile. This time there is no summon following him.]

I find time spent in good company is far more pleasant than that spent in solitude.

[reposing]

[Alucard turns his head, immediately recognizing the voice. Visibly, he relaxes, letting out a sigh and a bow of his head.]

Forgive me, Rhea'li. It has been ... tense at times with others.

I'm glad to see you. Come join me.

[lightduties]

[It's kind of weird that Alucard is saying all this while floating. Only villains do that for any extended length of time! But you do you, vampire man.

He takes the invitation and sits down, tail half curled, though he does tilt his head.]

Have others given you trouble?

[He hasn't seen any reason for it. Though his gaze does briefly flicker to bat. Dude... did you know you have a bat in your hair...? Though it is rather tiny... Rhea'li is far more used to bats being around his size.]

[reposing]

[what bat what do you mean it's cool]

On occasion. Nothing on the physical level, but... it can be exhausting and trying my patience.

[Alucard holds out his hand to his hair, and the bat obediently climbs into his palm.]

One would think I ought to be used to it. I suppose I simply hoped for better.

iii.

[oddbod]

Nah. Stay.

[Clara leans against the window, propped up by a hand, and looks over at Alucard. If she's at all surprised or curious to find him floating in the observation deck, she says nothing of the sort.]

Who's your friend?

[Her eyes crinkle in a smile as she looks at Charlotte, all tangled up in Alucard's hair.]

[reposing]

[The bat squeaks and watches Clara very intensely, almost suspiciously. Alucard turns around to face Clara, bowing his head in silent thanks to her demeanor. After reaching back, the bat obediently climbs into his hand.]

I found her a few days ago. She is a familiar.

Her name is Charlotte, but I have found her to be... intensely protective. She will not harm you without my confirmation.

[oddbod]

Hey, girl.

[This is directed at Charlotte, as Clara leans in and waggles a couple of fingers, smiling. She's certainly more of a cat person than a bat person, but anything small and adorable is up her alley.

Then, to Alucard, ] Seems to be catching. There was a kitten in my sink, last week.

[reposing]

[Although at first, Charlotte seemed almost skeptical of Clara, she's quickly distracted by the fingers. Her head tilts, then she squeaks before burying herself into Alucard's hair.]

Hamsters, cats, raccoons -- all manners of animals showing up.

Though I could not say why. Perhaps it is a mixed blessing?

iii

[possidetur]

( vanessa hadn't expected to see him again so soon. perhaps it was to be expected with the close quarters of being in space but she had hoped for something different.

seeing him now, the bat with him, makes vanessa pause, not quite frozen but uncertain. she didn't know what to do, not knowing if she had the capability in her to end this creature's life, but at the same time wanting nothing to do with him.

that was exactly why her next thought made absolutely no sense, not with everything she believed deep down. but he'd been kind to her. before finding out what he was he'd been kind, offered conversation, and had seemed nothing like the vampires she'd met before. it didn't change what he was but for a reason, that vanessa didn't know she had questions, curiosities that needed answering.

the last time she'd spoken to a vampire she'd gotten no answers. perhaps this was that chance )

No. ( she's barely looking at him, uncertainty etched across her features ) Does it listen to you?

( the bat. charlotte )

[reposing]

[Ah. Her.

It was terribly unfortunate how their last conversation ended up, but Alucard wishes he could say he was surprised. It'd been nice until his revelation. He turns slowly, still floating with no resistance, as is part of his vampiric nature.]

As you wish.

[Alucard's voice is detached, distant. He refuses to get warmer than that. He will be courteous, but he does not offer more.]

She does. She is my familiar.

She will not attack without my order. You are safe from her.

[possidetur]

( if only that statement made her feel any safer. vanessa wasn't afraid, and not entirely defenceless, but safety and fear didn't always amount to the same thing.

her attention remains on the bat, for now, wondering how it was here, how many others there were. but they weren't important questions. if she asked something she wanted to make sure it was something that she truly wished to know )

And you? ( he'd already claimed no harm towards her ) You said before that what you wished was something I couldn't grant.

( specifically her or people generally she didn't care. she still wanted to know what it was that he wanted )

[reposing]

I've no reason to attack you. Even in self-defense, I would attempt to not bring you any harm.

[As frustrating as it would be, it is also the truth.

He doesn't hide his dissatisfaction upon her second statement. Terribly nosy. Perhaps before he'd have answered more easily, but now he scowls at her.]

It is something no one can grant me. [A cryptic answer is given instead.]

gym

[cheerleader]

[The pool is one of her favorite places to hide away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the crew. Some people don't know that it's clean now, which means that it isn't frequently visited. So she can sit for hours and just think and brood. She's more than a little surprised to see something that definitely looks like a dog in the pool. She only knows about Max that's here, so she hurries on toward the animal with an excited smile on her face.

It's only when she reaches the edge of the water that she skids to a stop, taking note of the fact that he seems to definitely have a routine going here.]

Okay, so bark twice if you don't mind company.

[wait.]

Do wolves even bark?

[She talks like it's normal to speak to animals like they're kids she goes to school with.]

[reposing]

[An excellent question, Claire. The wolf glances her way, swimming calmly toward the edge opposing hers. He shakes off his wet fur, then he lets out two howling-barks.

Well. He certainly seems to understand just fine.

Then he leaps back into the pool. Time to swim.]