[Traps are par for the course in Dracula's castle. The structure itself is set on defending its lord, after all, and Alucard is very much here to put an end to him. Alucard's just making his way to the library when a strange, thick mist envelops the room, seeming to take the air away with it. He can't sense anything nearby that might be attacking him, so he can only assume that he had somehow triggered a trap. The fact that every breath makes him feel like he's choking and that he can't shift forms to alleviate the sensation just confirms it. Unfortunately, there's nothing he can do, and he loses consciousness after a few minutes of trying to find an escape.
When he awakes, he finds himself in another area entirely, one that he's unfamiliar with. While it's not unusual for the castle to shift, something is distinctly wrong. He feels curiously ill, out of place in a way he can't put words to. None of that discomfort shows on his face, of course. His expression is as placid as ever as he looks around, trying to figure out who or what did this to him —
Father?
Yes, it's unmistakable. He can feel Dracula not far from his current location. Why? Richter's been made to seem like the lord of the castle, and though he knows that's almost certainly a trick, why would Dracula or his minions abandon that setup so suddenly? He feels for his weapons, thankfully still present. His familiars won't answer his calls, but he's simply going to have to make do as he is. Filled with anxiety he can't quite shake, Alucard makes his way toward Dracula.]
[alucard may notice something even more unsettling: as he moves closer to dracula, dracula moves closer to him.
...not that it's because soma has any particular plans in mind. he needs to make his way to the throne room, he knows that much; he needs to steel himself for one last battle with graham jones. but it's hard to plan for a fight against someone who's ostensibly human. soma's in the middle of considering whether he should bring his holy sword or a normal handgun when he notices a familiar presence down the hall. he stops for a moment, then walks faster.]
Arikado? Is that you?
[he doesn't wait for a response.]
I know you're there. Stop skulking around like a creep.
[The fact that Dracula is coming for him has his perfect facade cracking slightly, his brows pulling down into a sharp frown. Alucard draws his sword, once again trying to summon a familiar. And once again, he fails. He doesn't want to face him like this, he knows he needs everything at his disposal if he's to win this encounter. Part of him feels like he should retreat, but he has too much pride to run.
He's preparing to strike when Soma calls out to him. A human boy, here? It must be another trick. Yet when he cautiously glances around the corner, sure enough, he sees Soma standing there in his seeming innocence.
A moment later, he realizes it's the boy that he's sensing. His frown deepens.]
What is the meaning of this? These tricks are beneath you.
[for a moment, soma's heart seems to jolt as he locks eyes with what most probably is the most beautiful creature alive.
...not that this is a new sensation. he gets this feeling every time he locks eyes with arikado — and now arikado is blond, apparently, which sucks, because soma likes blondes. this is uncomfortable, and weird. this is also, somehow, all mina's fault for pointing out arikado's perfect face to begin with.
soma shoves his strange feelings to the side.]
...Wh-What are you talking about? I didn't do anything. [a pause.] What's with the hair?
[It's a human. Dracula's power is emanating from a human. The confusion is apparent on Alucard's face for a couple seconds before he banishes it, approaching the boy. Alucard holds the eye contact, determining after a moment or two that he's just as confused as he is. Though he doesn't sheathe his sword, he does lower it to his side at least.]
What is your purpose here?
[Skipping right over the question about his hair, because what relevance does that have? None.]
[that's when soma shifts his posture, stepping slightly to one side in a ready stance to fight or flee as might be necessary. arikado wouldn't ask him what his purpose is, right? arikado knows what soma's purpose is. or is this some kind of weird test? is he just trying to make sure soma knows what he's doing?
is this guy arikado, or someone else entirely?]
I have to... I have to go home. I have to go to the throne room. Right?
[The throne room? No, that's exactly what he should avoid. No matter what shape the castle has taken, the throne room will be deep inside of it. Alucard shakes his head.]
You shouldn't be here. This is no place for a human boy, if that is truly what you are.
[If. He leans in closer, close enough to feel his warmth. Yes, there's no mistaking the human blood flowing through his veins, but there's also no mistaking the power he holds. Just what is he?]
[soma speaks in a strangled voice, unable to hide the absurd blush that tints his pale skin as the mysterious stranger leans in closer. no, this isn't arikado. this can't be. arikado doesn't wear clothes so fine, or wield a sword like that — but the resemblance is uncanny, and uncomfortable.
regardless. the castle has had ample time to teach soma that the beautiful demons are the worst — and besides, soma quite reasonably doesn't like to have strangers with weapons in his personal space. he takes a step back.]
["Kinda"? His speech is rather odd, isn't it? As is his behavior in general. He's acting almost like a shy maiden with that anxious blushing and trailing off.]
That is of no consequence to you.
[The answer is curt, but without malice. A part of him feels like he should offer to escort him out, but he currently has no idea which part of the castle he's in. Still — he should keep an eye on this boy. That power of his unsettles him. He can't imagine his father pretending to be a human boy, though. Unless... Richter truly had managed to kill him as he claimed? It's possible he's possessed a human's body.
There are too many questions he needs answers to. He'll have to stay close to him for now.]
[Neither the first name nor the last rings a bell, but at least now he knows that much. He decides to return the courtesy, though he'll withhold his last name.]
My name is Alucard, [he responds, inclining his head slightly. With only that slight concession, he's right back to asking questions.]
Have you experienced any strange shifts in the castle recently? For that matter, how long have you been in here?
[alucard sounds familiar, and also disturbingly similar to arikado, but soma doesn't get much time to think about that before alucard suddenly bombards him with questions. he bristles like some fluffy white cat.]
"That is of no consequence to you."
[soma repeats, in alucard's exact tone, mocking — but then he rolls his eyes and obliges the man's requests.]
...I don't know. I don't think time passes the same way in here as it does outside. I feel like it's been a couple of days or even a couple of weeks, but the castle's pretty static.
[Outwardly, he doesn't react to Soma's little passive aggressive jab, but inwardly he's mildly amused. How very childish. This alone isn't enough to make him believe that Soma's a simple human, but it's nice to see nonetheless.]
You've done well to survive for so long, but perhaps we should remain together for the time being.
[Boy, won't he be chafed when he figures out Soma can kick his ass. Alucard's bearing definitely makes it seem like he's the more powerful of the pair. Alucard takes out the map he's sketched of the castle so far, walking over to a window and glancing out to try and guess where they are...
[...wow. that's... actually kind of sweet. everyone else walks away from soma and says they have other duties, good luck, hopefully we meet again. what's this guy's deal?]
Don't you have other stuff to do?
[soma's still a bit wary of alucard, so he watches the man carefully as he... seems to try to compare his current surroundings to a bad map. is he... lost? and trying to offer soma protection? that's... honestly kind of cute. hilarious, yeah, and super arrogant. but kind of cute. definitely something mina might do.]
[His goals are on hold for the time being for obvious reasons, so Alucard doesn't bother to answer the question. There are more important things to worry about, such as where the hell he is right now. He recognizes almost nothing. How could Soma say the castle has been static when it's so clearly gone through a massive shift? He exhales sharply, an irritated sigh. The offer to look at Soma's map perks him up ever so slightly, though, leaving him looking mildly curious instead of caught in a state of perpetual ennui.]
I would appreciate that.
[He folds his own neatly and tucks it back into his coat, turning toward Soma and waiting patiently for him to approach with his apparently superior map.]
[...soma was actually going to say yeah? well, you can't see it until you answer my questions, but... the surprising politeness of alucard's response catches him off-guard. arikado would have just said yes or no or something. well, actually, arikado wouldn't need to look at soma's map to begin with.]
...Here.
[from within his voluminous fur coat, soma produces a neatly folded map of the castle grounds. it's totally complete, with various markings to indicate safe areas to rest and that sort of thing.
there are a few innocuous notes from soma himself — pirate ship, bathroom, fountains — basically whatever caught his interest. the titles of each area, however — the clock tower, the inner quarters, the chapel — aren't in soma's handwriting.
[Alucard inclines his head elegantly, stepping in close enough to take a look. He returns to the window once or twice, orienting himself fairly easily as soon as he spots the clocktower. As he thought, the castle is entirely different from before...
...there's something incredibly familiar about the handwriting on Soma's map. It's not an exact match since even Alucard changes over the centuries, but it's close enough for him to recognize it. His eyes widen ever so slightly as he reaches out, slender fingertips brushing over "the chapel".]
[His hand lingers on the map for a moment more, tracing what is almost undoubtedly his own handwriting. But of course, Alucard lowers it without comment. He's thrown enough that he actually offers a little information about himself.]
This is not the first time I have seen the castle shift. Admittedly, I do not think I have ever seen it shift so quickly.
[That Soma didn't notice it happening is disconcerting, as is the fact that he has a complete map with Alucard's handwriting on it. He's beginning to have some suspicions about what's happened here, but he can't trust Soma enough to simply ask.]
[Yes, the study. Close enough. It's not too far from where they are, thankfully, he's not sure if he's up to babysitting —
Apparently, Soma is thinking the same thing.]
I assure you, it is not.
[Which Soma will see for himself shortly when Alucard moves to round the corner and quickly takes out a tiny devil that was trying to sneak up on them while they were both distracted with each other. He doesn't even blink.]
[soma jumps, startled, when alucard abruptly whirls around and takes out a tiny devil, though it's more because of the imp's sad, lifeless squeak than anything else. he almost feels a bit bad for it — it wasn't going to hurt him! that much! — but he vaguely comforts himself with the thought that he could summon his own friendly devil if he wanted, and watches it disappear into darkness.]
...Alright. Cool.
[hey, if he doesn't have to do anything... he casually folds his arms behind his head, surrendering the floor to alucard.]
[The question is soft, more to himself than to Soma. He's been able to understand the boy's somewhat odd speech up to this point, but he can't parse "cool". Based on Soma's tone and what he said before it, he's guessing it means something like "that will do"...
He's from 1796, give him a break.
It's of little importance. Though he's reluctant to turn his back to Soma for various reasons, he'll do so without complaint as he turns to head toward the study. Though Alucard only looked at the map for a short while, he walks with confidence. This may not be a version of the castle he's used to, but it's still the castle, and he's spent a great deal of time here.]
[at first, soma's content to take the rear because he knows he can easily incinerate anything that tries to sneak up on alucard — but the longer he stays there, watching the guy strut down the hall like he owns the place, the more... uncomfortable... soma becomes. like, damn, that hair is really nice. alucard could be a pretty girl, from behind. but then his shoulders are too broad for that — even more broad than soma's, and soma's a pretty big guy, by japanese standards, anyway —
he needs to stop thinking about this. he needs — he needs mina around to distract him.]
...S-So, uh... what are you hoping to find in the library?
[Soma isn't really going to try and make small talk while they're traveling, is he? That's just begging for something to hear them and come looking.
Alucard stops short after a moment, glancing up at a switch he knows will likely open a shortcut to the library. He's low on energy after being stuck in that strange mist, but he has enough to manage this. In the space of a breath the man before Soma shifts into a massive bat. Alucard flies up toward the switch, pressing it with his claw. He'll listen while he's up there for the sound of anything that might be lurking in the passage, but if there is anything, it's being quiet. He returns to the ground and shifts back, continuing to walk as if he didn't just turn into an animal.]
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When he awakes, he finds himself in another area entirely, one that he's unfamiliar with. While it's not unusual for the castle to shift, something is distinctly wrong. He feels curiously ill, out of place in a way he can't put words to. None of that discomfort shows on his face, of course. His expression is as placid as ever as he looks around, trying to figure out who or what did this to him —
Father?
Yes, it's unmistakable. He can feel Dracula not far from his current location. Why? Richter's been made to seem like the lord of the castle, and though he knows that's almost certainly a trick, why would Dracula or his minions abandon that setup so suddenly? He feels for his weapons, thankfully still present. His familiars won't answer his calls, but he's simply going to have to make do as he is. Filled with anxiety he can't quite shake, Alucard makes his way toward Dracula.]
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...not that it's because soma has any particular plans in mind. he needs to make his way to the throne room, he knows that much; he needs to steel himself for one last battle with graham jones. but it's hard to plan for a fight against someone who's ostensibly human. soma's in the middle of considering whether he should bring his holy sword or a normal handgun when he notices a familiar presence down the hall. he stops for a moment, then walks faster.]
Arikado? Is that you?
[he doesn't wait for a response.]
I know you're there. Stop skulking around like a creep.
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He's preparing to strike when Soma calls out to him. A human boy, here? It must be another trick. Yet when he cautiously glances around the corner, sure enough, he sees Soma standing there in his seeming innocence.
A moment later, he realizes it's the boy that he's sensing. His frown deepens.]
What is the meaning of this? These tricks are beneath you.
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...not that this is a new sensation. he gets this feeling every time he locks eyes with arikado — and now arikado is blond, apparently, which sucks, because soma likes blondes. this is uncomfortable, and weird. this is also, somehow, all mina's fault for pointing out arikado's perfect face to begin with.
soma shoves his strange feelings to the side.]
...Wh-What are you talking about? I didn't do anything. [a pause.] What's with the hair?
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What is your purpose here?
[Skipping right over the question about his hair, because what relevance does that have? None.]
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is this guy arikado, or someone else entirely?]
I have to... I have to go home. I have to go to the throne room. Right?
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You shouldn't be here. This is no place for a human boy, if that is truly what you are.
[If. He leans in closer, close enough to feel his warmth. Yes, there's no mistaking the human blood flowing through his veins, but there's also no mistaking the power he holds. Just what is he?]
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[soma speaks in a strangled voice, unable to hide the absurd blush that tints his pale skin as the mysterious stranger leans in closer. no, this isn't arikado. this can't be. arikado doesn't wear clothes so fine, or wield a sword like that — but the resemblance is uncanny, and uncomfortable.
regardless. the castle has had ample time to teach soma that the beautiful demons are the worst — and besides, soma quite reasonably doesn't like to have strangers with weapons in his personal space. he takes a step back.]
If I'm human, what does that make you?
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That is of no consequence to you.
[The answer is curt, but without malice. A part of him feels like he should offer to escort him out, but he currently has no idea which part of the castle he's in. Still — he should keep an eye on this boy. That power of his unsettles him. He can't imagine his father pretending to be a human boy, though. Unless... Richter truly had managed to kill him as he claimed? It's possible he's possessed a human's body.
There are too many questions he needs answers to. He'll have to stay close to him for now.]
What is your name?
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I'm Soma. Soma Cruz.
[there. he did it. wow. such accomplish.]
...Yours?
[...okay, maybe he couldn't manage anything more out except for that one word.]
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My name is Alucard, [he responds, inclining his head slightly. With only that slight concession, he's right back to asking questions.]
Have you experienced any strange shifts in the castle recently? For that matter, how long have you been in here?
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"That is of no consequence to you."
[soma repeats, in alucard's exact tone, mocking — but then he rolls his eyes and obliges the man's requests.]
...I don't know. I don't think time passes the same way in here as it does outside. I feel like it's been a couple of days or even a couple of weeks, but the castle's pretty static.
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You've done well to survive for so long, but perhaps we should remain together for the time being.
[Boy, won't he be chafed when he figures out Soma can kick his ass. Alucard's bearing definitely makes it seem like he's the more powerful of the pair. Alucard takes out the map he's sketched of the castle so far, walking over to a window and glancing out to try and guess where they are...
...and it's entirely different. Well then.]
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Don't you have other stuff to do?
[soma's still a bit wary of alucard, so he watches the man carefully as he... seems to try to compare his current surroundings to a bad map. is he... lost? and trying to offer soma protection? that's... honestly kind of cute. hilarious, yeah, and super arrogant. but kind of cute. definitely something mina might do.]
...You know, I have a better map. Wanna see?
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I would appreciate that.
[He folds his own neatly and tucks it back into his coat, turning toward Soma and waiting patiently for him to approach with his apparently superior map.]
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...Here.
[from within his voluminous fur coat, soma produces a neatly folded map of the castle grounds. it's totally complete, with various markings to indicate safe areas to rest and that sort of thing.
there are a few innocuous notes from soma himself — pirate ship, bathroom, fountains — basically whatever caught his interest. the titles of each area, however — the clock tower, the inner quarters, the chapel — aren't in soma's handwriting.
they're in alucard's.]
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...there's something incredibly familiar about the handwriting on Soma's map. It's not an exact match since even Alucard changes over the centuries, but it's close enough for him to recognize it. His eyes widen ever so slightly as he reaches out, slender fingertips brushing over "the chapel".]
We are near here, correct?
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[really hard to explain to a stranger that you really wanted to get into that secret room near the ceiling now that you can fly.]
I gotta be honest, I didn't think you'd know your way around.
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This is not the first time I have seen the castle shift. Admittedly, I do not think I have ever seen it shift so quickly.
[That Soma didn't notice it happening is disconcerting, as is the fact that he has a complete map with Alucard's handwriting on it. He's beginning to have some suspicions about what's happened here, but he can't trust Soma enough to simply ask.]
We should make our way to the library.
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[well... graham's not going anywhere and arikado promised that yoko was going to be okay, so...]
Sure, why not? That sword better not be just for show, though. There's, like, spider ladies down there. And they're... not very nice.
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Apparently, Soma is thinking the same thing.]
I assure you, it is not.
[Which Soma will see for himself shortly when Alucard moves to round the corner and quickly takes out a tiny devil that was trying to sneak up on them while they were both distracted with each other. He doesn't even blink.]
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...Alright. Cool.
[hey, if he doesn't have to do anything... he casually folds his arms behind his head, surrendering the floor to alucard.]
Lead the way.
[ L A Z I N E S S ]
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[The question is soft, more to himself than to Soma. He's been able to understand the boy's somewhat odd speech up to this point, but he can't parse "cool". Based on Soma's tone and what he said before it, he's guessing it means something like "that will do"...
He's from 1796, give him a break.
It's of little importance. Though he's reluctant to turn his back to Soma for various reasons, he'll do so without complaint as he turns to head toward the study. Though Alucard only looked at the map for a short while, he walks with confidence. This may not be a version of the castle he's used to, but it's still the castle, and he's spent a great deal of time here.]
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he needs to stop thinking about this. he needs — he needs mina around to distract him.]
...S-So, uh... what are you hoping to find in the library?
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[Soma isn't really going to try and make small talk while they're traveling, is he? That's just begging for something to hear them and come looking.
Alucard stops short after a moment, glancing up at a switch he knows will likely open a shortcut to the library. He's low on energy after being stuck in that strange mist, but he has enough to manage this. In the space of a breath the man before Soma shifts into a massive bat. Alucard flies up toward the switch, pressing it with his claw. He'll listen while he's up there for the sound of anything that might be lurking in the passage, but if there is anything, it's being quiet. He returns to the ground and shifts back, continuing to walk as if he didn't just turn into an animal.]
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*love for HER
whoops
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