[He inclines his head, holding the mug in two hands while he waits for it to cool. Alucard lifts it to his face briefly to inhale the steam and inspect the mug.]
I will try it as is, thank you.
[Alucard spots the table and settles down there, crossing his legs. His posture is effortlessly elegant, he really does look out of place in the modern world.]
[soma sips at his own tea, taking in the surroundings of his apartment. they should feel familiar, and they do — but they also don't, anymore. it's like coming back to a childhood home one has forgotten about.]
...Miss my cat. I'd get a real one, but then I'd have to worry about taking care of it.
[The dismissal of the castle alone shouldn't have caused that, and he still holds Dracula's power within him. In theory, he should be able to do something simple like summon a cat. Alucard finally takes a sip. He appreciates the warmth, even if it's a far cry from that bottle of wine from before... or Soma's blood.]
[soma stands up. his apartment isn't very big; he walks over to a small workstation that's set up near his bed, moves some things around, and walks back with a notebook and a pen.]
I guess it's for the best. The less I'm like Dracula, the better, right? It's just... I got so used to it.
Spellwork alone would not make you like Dracula. Having a handle on your powers is a good thing. If you don't know how, I could teach you to contract with something small like that, though it would likely not be the same cat.
[He takes another sip. Teaching the holder of Dracula's soul magic like Dracula once taught him... there's symmetry to it.]
Really? Spells like Yoko casts, you mean? Huh... I don't know if I have any powers besides the power of dominance, though...
[the notebook is the sort with blank pages. there's a pencil on the tea-table already, so soma picks it up and flips the notebook to an unused section. he starts sketching out rough shapes.]
It's kind of a morbid power when you think about it. I only get stronger by killing things.
I believe you do have the aptitude to get stronger in other ways.
[There's no way he has Dracula's soul and can't use magic, that's just ridiculous. It's most efficient to absorb power and subjugate enemies, true, but with discipline, he could almost certainly learn other methods. Alucard glances at Soma's notebook briefly with curiosity, but he doesn't comment.]
There's no need to do so immediately, just think about it. For now, it is more important for you to become acclimated to your daily life again. Returning to the normal flow of time can be... disorienting.
[For a few seconds, Alucard makes a face like Soma just assaulted him. To be fair, he did assault his ears. Alucard is never really a fan of vulgarity under any circumstances — it's just so crass, and he is so very refined and aloof, so clearly he doesn't like to be around such things. Hearing it out of the mouth of someone with the soul of Dracula within them somehow compounds the offense.
His expression smooths out, but he still looks like he just smelled something rotten.]
If that language is any indication, you certainly need the schooling.
[Only uneducated people who don't have better words to use curse like that, Soma.]
[soma has the grace to look a little ashamed — mostly, it's just the shock of being admonished, as he's lived alone for so long that no one save his teachers at school would scold him — but then he just. snorts with laughter and shakes his head.]
[truthfully that just makes soma want to curse in front of alucard even more, but, whatever. he has the vague feeling that the half-vampire is going to fight with him on whether or not he should to go school tomorrow, but seriously — he's not going to fucking school. not after today.
soma keeps his head bent low for a while, neglecting his tea in favor of his sketch. after a few moments, he puts his pencil down in favor of taking up his black pen.]
[Alucard is more than happy to finish his tea in silence, but once it's done, he turns his attention to Soma hunkered over the notebook. His head tilts to the side slightly, trying to get a look at whatever it is he's working on — then he realizes it's probably impolite to peek.]
[he's doing this quick, and without an eraser, so it's not quite as complete as some of his other sketches. soma doesn't have a whole lot of time for shading, either, so quick, hashed lines will have to do. he just needs to define the cheekbones a little bit and — you know what, sure, the eyelashes could be thicker too...
after a moment, he lifts his hand, looking vaguely annoyed with some of the few ink stains on it, but he passes the notebook to alucard without turning his head to see the man's reaction.]
...Here. It's not super detailed, obviously, but this is basically what you look like.
[it's only alucard's head and neck, without his clothes, but soma's taken special care to render the face as accurately as he could muster in about forty minutes. soma's employed a realistic style, albeit an oddly clean one, and it is indeed a fairly accurate assessment of what alucard's unfairly beautiful face is like.
soma coughs, looking faintly embarrassed.]
It's. It's not that good, I could do better, but... if you don't believe me, you can look at the rest of the book. I have, um, pictures of Mina and cats and stuff. They're alright, I think. I don't know what kind of artists you guys had in the 1800s. Probably really good ones.
[Alucard takes the notebook quietly. He remains silent for a good long while as he looks down at the page. Drawn out like this, he really can see why people would say he resembles his father, and... there are traces of his mother in his features, too. He touches his face as he studies the picture, matching it to what's on the page and judging it to be fairly accurate. His fingers linger on the corners of his eyes and his lips, both softer than his father's and more like his mother's.
He looks a little nostalgic.]
No, I think you're quite talented.
[He can see the echoes of his family quite clearly.]
[soma feels like he did a good thing. he's pretty sure he did a good thing. and yet — he's so damn embarrassed that it almost feels like it wasn't worth it...!]
Th-Thanks...
[he feels like his face is aflame, and also like he wants to die. this is honestly more embarrassing than the first time mina caught him drawing her. soma takes a sip of his cold tea, and then wishes he could spit it out.]
[Hopefully he's not hiding any porn in the notebook, because Alucard will take him up on that invitation and start to flip through it. He wouldn't have if Soma didn't mention it, but here they are.]
You must be tired, [he murmurs.] Do not feel as if you have to stay awake for my sake.
[there's no porn in the notebook, gosh! it's his Pure Sketchbook for Pure Things! as he said, it's mostly mina and cats, with a couple of dogs mixed in. sometimes there are models from fashion magazines, both male and female, mostly as practice for drawing clothes than anything else. a few pages seem to have architectural studies.]
...It's hard to sleep after everything that happened. [zombies, animated skeletons, shrieking valkyries, demons...] I guess I should try, but...
[secretly, he's a bit worried about leaving alucard alone in a strange new world, even for a few hours.]
[wow, that is not a good time to suddenly remember that the last thing he jacked it to was the guy in front of him. the outrageously pretty guy in front of him, at that.
soma sort of gapes and sputters for a moment before he decides that he needs to take a cold shower and purge his brain. he sort of haphazardly leaps to his feet and tosses his notebook on his chair.]
I'll — just — take a quick shower and loosen up...
[why did he say "loosen up." why. that was a fucking mistake. soma presses his lips firmly shut and retreats into his bedroom for a change of clothes, internally screaming.]
[What could he possibly have said to fluster him so? Ah, youth. Alucard is left at the table wondering what a shower is and how it will loosen Soma up. Whatever it is, Soma clearly won't be doing it in this room. He'll take the cups and rinse them out, then he'll return to reading the manga from before — provided he can't find something a little more worthwhile, at least. If Soma has an encyclopedia, that would definitely be his top choice. He has so much to learn! It's a little exciting.]
[sadly, soma does not own an encyclopedia, because he has the internet, which eventually he will have to teach alucard to use. actually, maybe it's best if alucard never learns what the internet is. maybe that's why arikado seems so goddamn pissed off all the time. he's seen the worst of humanity.
regardless, the only books soma has in the apartment are manga (of various genres: he mostly only buys romantic slice-of-life stuff, although there are a couple of deep psychological thrillers and, hilariously, one vampire action series that has a little bl fanservice but listen, he likes it for the plot). he also has a shelf dedicated to the written word, with his own personal taste in widely-accepted literary masterpieces, but there's nothing like a science magazine that might shed light on some of the changes in society that alucard should know about.
soma flits from the bedroom to the bathroom; he closes the door, and then comes the sound of running water. eventually, it stops, and all is quiet for a moment before he comes out of the bathroom, fully dressed in his pajamas — a long-sleeved plain white shirt, yes, and then... rabbit-print bottoms. yes. for real. mina's touch.]
Ah, hey... if you like reading, tomorrow, we can go to the library and check out anything you want. Sound good?
[Unsurprisingly, Alucard's reading a proper book by the time Soma emerges from the bathroom. There's only so much he can glean from manga, though learning a little bit about the fashion of the time is somewhat useful. He lowers the book when Soma speaks to him, glancing up from his spot on the couch.]
I would appreciate that. ...I don't suppose you have any clothing that will fit me? I do not want to draw undue attention.
[That shirt Soma's wearing looks stretchy, he could just wear that shirt and keep his own pants and boots. It would be tighter than he'd like, but it doesn't really matter all that much.]
[we can work it out tomorrow, soma almost says, but then he figures maybe alucard wants to go outside while he's asleep or something — so he opens his mouth, closes it, and then goes back into his bedroom to rummage through his clothes.]
Everything I've got might be a bit tight on you... My parents don't really care what I buy as long as it's not too much, so we can buy you your own clothes, if you want.
[at last he comes up with a white v-neck that's a bit loose on his own frame — he usually wears it in summer for the extra airiness, but it should suit alucard's broader shoulders a bit better. it'd be better if he could get a collared shirt, but soma doesn't have too many of those, since his school uniform is more than stifling enough...
he comes back with the shirt and a classic blue trenchcoat — mercifully, it isn't furred or studded — for alucard. blue isn't really the guy's color, but...]
I think... these might fit? The coat might be a bit tight around the shoulders, but it's long enough for you.
[He takes it and stretches it in his hands slightly. Yes, this will be fine. Alucard starts taking off the shirt he's wearing to change into Soma's, speaking while he does so.]
I shouldn't have to wear it for too terribly long. I assume that I had other clothing in this era — Yoko would likely know where I kept it.
[But in his mind, clothing is secondary to getting access to more information on this era. He can just wear Soma's shirt for now, even if... well, that is a little tight. It's not uncomfortable, it would just be considered somewhat indecent when he's from. As far as he could tell from reading that manga before, this will draw less attention than his old-fashioned dress shirt, at least.
And it is comfortable. The fabric is marvelously soft.]
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no subject
I will try it as is, thank you.
[Alucard spots the table and settles down there, crossing his legs. His posture is effortlessly elegant, he really does look out of place in the modern world.]
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[soma sips at his own tea, taking in the surroundings of his apartment. they should feel familiar, and they do — but they also don't, anymore. it's like coming back to a childhood home one has forgotten about.]
...Miss my cat. I'd get a real one, but then I'd have to worry about taking care of it.
no subject
[The dismissal of the castle alone shouldn't have caused that, and he still holds Dracula's power within him. In theory, he should be able to do something simple like summon a cat. Alucard finally takes a sip. He appreciates the warmth, even if it's a far cry from that bottle of wine from before... or Soma's blood.]
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[soma stands up. his apartment isn't very big; he walks over to a small workstation that's set up near his bed, moves some things around, and walks back with a notebook and a pen.]
I guess it's for the best. The less I'm like Dracula, the better, right? It's just... I got so used to it.
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[He takes another sip. Teaching the holder of Dracula's soul magic like Dracula once taught him... there's symmetry to it.]
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[the notebook is the sort with blank pages. there's a pencil on the tea-table already, so soma picks it up and flips the notebook to an unused section. he starts sketching out rough shapes.]
It's kind of a morbid power when you think about it. I only get stronger by killing things.
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[There's no way he has Dracula's soul and can't use magic, that's just ridiculous. It's most efficient to absorb power and subjugate enemies, true, but with discipline, he could almost certainly learn other methods. Alucard glances at Soma's notebook briefly with curiosity, but he doesn't comment.]
There's no need to do so immediately, just think about it. For now, it is more important for you to become acclimated to your daily life again. Returning to the normal flow of time can be... disorienting.
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[there's a sudden and abrupt break in soma's voice as he realizes it's sunday, september 2nd, so he has school tomorrow.
soma's neck whips around at the calendar on the wall so fast that something actually cracks.]
Oh, fuck me! I have school tomorrow?! Are you fucking kidding me? Shit!
[he stares for another moment, and promptly decides the entire world can burn in hell.]
...Fuck it! I'm not going! I just saved the goddamn world from Dracula, I'm not going to fucking school on a fucking Monday!
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His expression smooths out, but he still looks like he just smelled something rotten.]
If that language is any indication, you certainly need the schooling.
[Only uneducated people who don't have better words to use curse like that, Soma.]
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My bad. Sorry, dad. Won't do it again.
[prissy mr. vampire.]
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Do as you please.
[Just know that Alucard will be there Judging if what Soma wants to do is curse like a bar-trawling piece of trash.]
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soma keeps his head bent low for a while, neglecting his tea in favor of his sketch. after a few moments, he puts his pencil down in favor of taking up his black pen.]
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What are you working on?
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[he's doing this quick, and without an eraser, so it's not quite as complete as some of his other sketches. soma doesn't have a whole lot of time for shading, either, so quick, hashed lines will have to do. he just needs to define the cheekbones a little bit and — you know what, sure, the eyelashes could be thicker too...
after a moment, he lifts his hand, looking vaguely annoyed with some of the few ink stains on it, but he passes the notebook to alucard without turning his head to see the man's reaction.]
...Here. It's not super detailed, obviously, but this is basically what you look like.
[it's only alucard's head and neck, without his clothes, but soma's taken special care to render the face as accurately as he could muster in about forty minutes. soma's employed a realistic style, albeit an oddly clean one, and it is indeed a fairly accurate assessment of what alucard's unfairly beautiful face is like.
soma coughs, looking faintly embarrassed.]
It's. It's not that good, I could do better, but... if you don't believe me, you can look at the rest of the book. I have, um, pictures of Mina and cats and stuff. They're alright, I think. I don't know what kind of artists you guys had in the 1800s. Probably really good ones.
no subject
He looks a little nostalgic.]
No, I think you're quite talented.
[He can see the echoes of his family quite clearly.]
no subject
Th-Thanks...
[he feels like his face is aflame, and also like he wants to die. this is honestly more embarrassing than the first time mina caught him drawing her. soma takes a sip of his cold tea, and then wishes he could spit it out.]
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You must be tired, [he murmurs.] Do not feel as if you have to stay awake for my sake.
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...It's hard to sleep after everything that happened. [zombies, animated skeletons, shrieking valkyries, demons...] I guess I should try, but...
[secretly, he's a bit worried about leaving alucard alone in a strange new world, even for a few hours.]
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Give it a try. If you cannot sleep, I will keep you company.
[He means that he'll be out here and they can sit together, but it does sound a little like he means he'll climb into bed with him.]
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[wow, that is not a good time to suddenly remember that the last thing he jacked it to was the guy in front of him. the outrageously pretty guy in front of him, at that.
soma sort of gapes and sputters for a moment before he decides that he needs to take a cold shower and purge his brain. he sort of haphazardly leaps to his feet and tosses his notebook on his chair.]
I'll — just — take a quick shower and loosen up...
[why did he say "loosen up." why. that was a fucking mistake. soma presses his lips firmly shut and retreats into his bedroom for a change of clothes, internally screaming.]
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regardless, the only books soma has in the apartment are manga (of various genres: he mostly only buys romantic slice-of-life stuff, although there are a couple of deep psychological thrillers and, hilariously, one vampire action series that has a little bl fanservice but listen, he likes it for the plot). he also has a shelf dedicated to the written word, with his own personal taste in widely-accepted literary masterpieces, but there's nothing like a science magazine that might shed light on some of the changes in society that alucard should know about.
soma flits from the bedroom to the bathroom; he closes the door, and then comes the sound of running water. eventually, it stops, and all is quiet for a moment before he comes out of the bathroom, fully dressed in his pajamas — a long-sleeved plain white shirt, yes, and then... rabbit-print bottoms. yes. for real. mina's touch.]
Ah, hey... if you like reading, tomorrow, we can go to the library and check out anything you want. Sound good?
no subject
I would appreciate that. ...I don't suppose you have any clothing that will fit me? I do not want to draw undue attention.
[That shirt Soma's wearing looks stretchy, he could just wear that shirt and keep his own pants and boots. It would be tighter than he'd like, but it doesn't really matter all that much.]
no subject
Everything I've got might be a bit tight on you... My parents don't really care what I buy as long as it's not too much, so we can buy you your own clothes, if you want.
[at last he comes up with a white v-neck that's a bit loose on his own frame — he usually wears it in summer for the extra airiness, but it should suit alucard's broader shoulders a bit better. it'd be better if he could get a collared shirt, but soma doesn't have too many of those, since his school uniform is more than stifling enough...
he comes back with the shirt and a classic blue trenchcoat — mercifully, it isn't furred or studded — for alucard. blue isn't really the guy's color, but...]
I think... these might fit? The coat might be a bit tight around the shoulders, but it's long enough for you.
no subject
[He takes it and stretches it in his hands slightly. Yes, this will be fine. Alucard starts taking off the shirt he's wearing to change into Soma's, speaking while he does so.]
I shouldn't have to wear it for too terribly long. I assume that I had other clothing in this era — Yoko would likely know where I kept it.
[But in his mind, clothing is secondary to getting access to more information on this era. He can just wear Soma's shirt for now, even if... well, that is a little tight. It's not uncomfortable, it would just be considered somewhat indecent when he's from. As far as he could tell from reading that manga before, this will draw less attention than his old-fashioned dress shirt, at least.
And it is comfortable. The fabric is marvelously soft.]
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phonetag ur face
iyaaan
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