[ alucard sprawls a bit, tipping his head back to stare at the ceiling. things are more complicated now than ever, but at least he didn't manage to kill her.
he drops a hand to rest at her knee, a grounding gesture and little else. ]
It may be best to leave the place closed a few days while you stay here. I'll take care of finances while you're not working.
[ when she mentions the authorities intervened, he nods. ]
Either he escaped or he's rotting in jail. I'll go check tomorrow or the next day. As for you, I want you to remain armed at all times. He's a regenerator, but shooting him enough will slow him enough for you to get away.
[She takes the gesture for what it was, something to ground both of them. Rip couldn't lie that the encounter left her a little shaken even if she did manage to survive it. ]
Fine, but, I don't vish to leave zhe bookstore closed for too long. It vas already closed for nearly a month vith zhe entire..fort issue.
[She sighed and decided to scoop up the small dog to cuddle him against her chest. Baskerville definitely looked happy with the situation, especially with the constant attention she was giving him.]
Zhen hopefully I haf enough bullets to slow him down enough. I don't vant him close enough to use zhose blades ever again.
I'll see what I can do about him. I can't make any promises though, he's stubborn and I have something of his that he wants back.
[ he's not giving it back. ever. so anyway, he watches her with the dog, which is nice. it's cute. baskerville loves the attention, so why not? ]
I'll give you some of the extra guns from the fort. The bullets aren't useful in my guns, anyway. [ a sigh. ] You're lucky he only has two of them here. He normally has a lot more.
[Cute is something Rip does surprisingly well as she keeps giving Baskerville attention as she listens to what he has to say.]
Vell, I am beginning to zhink zhat everyone from our vorld is more stubborn zhan anyone has a right to be.
[Herself included. She almost wanted to ask what he had of the priests and thought better of it for now. Whatever it was, she'd probably find out about it eventually.]
Even a shitty gun can be useful in zhe right hands.
[Especially in hers. Though she tenses a little when Alucard mentioned the priest usually had more of those bayonets. Two of them were more than enough in her opinion.]
Zhen lets hope my luck holds out und he breaks or looses zhem somehow because becoming a pincushion is NOT zomething I vish to be.
[She sighs and cuddles the puppy close. Her back still hurt but, it was slowly feeling better after drinking his blood.]
What was your first clue? None of us know how to back down. He's more annoying about it than most, though. Even I can be flexible.
[ it's best not to know what he stole, after all, though when she does find out hopefully it's not including the information that he shoved a holy relic into his chest, consequences be damned.
so anyway: he nods, sighing. ]
True enough. I'll get them to you, I have them in my room.
[ locked in a trunk. it's fine. don't look at him. as for anderson's bayonets, he shrugs. ]
Usually he just leaves them everywhere, including impaling me, but he'll have to be more careful here unless he gets his hands on more. He's big on the pincushion thing. Should have seen what he did to me and the policegirl when we first met.
[ he makes a motion with his hand indicating a severing of his head. it's almost fond though, like he enjoyed it. ]
First time I'd been beheaded in years and he thought it would kill me. Very cute idea.
my first clue vas getting to know you better, zhen realizing ve are both stubborn as hell only, you outclass me.
[It was true at least. He was more stubborn by her by a long shot. It was probably also best that she didn't know about him shoving a holy relic in his chest part. Rip might have to yell at him if she knew about that and ask him what the hell he was thinking...]
I'd appreciate it.
[Pause. Rip was now very glad he didn't have more than two of those bayonets on him. She liked her head attached to her shoulders. And her body not filled with knives.
However, she had to pause again when he indicated he had been beheaded by the priest.]
He's not avare of zhat being a type of foreplay vith you, is he.
[She'd love to be around when Anderson does come to that realization....]
You know, he called me stubborn too while we were arguing. I like to think I'm just firm in my opinions.
[ yeah, sure. but yeah, the nail thing was a mistake. it only worked for like 30 seconds and alucard felt like dying the whole time.
he laughs at her last comment though, shaking his head. ]
Oh, he has no idea. He'd probably lose it if he knew. He's too... pure, to think of things like that. Even when I try to spell it out for him. I mean, he's very attractive, and he has to get his quota somehow.
[ wry. he doesn't want to see what the slut centers might do to him. ]
I was flirting with him but it just goes right over his head, then he has to open his mouth and annoy me.
Fine, zhen you're firmly stubborn on your opinions.
[There was definitely a bit of humor in her voice as she glances up at him before turning her attention back to cuddling the puppy.]
If he ever figures it out, I vant to hear every single detail about his reaction und regardless of how attractive he might be, I haf a feeling he's going to ignore zhe quota out of spite.
[...Rip might have found him attractive if it wasn't for his willingness to harm vampires for just talking to him.]
I'm also not surprised you vere flirting vith him or zhat he annoyed you.
[Pause]
If he's over here again, varn me und I'll stay hidden. You're zhe durable one of zhe two of us. I'm not.
[She blushes a little at the little show of affection as she keeps lavishing Baskerville with attention. At least the pup was loving it with every gentle scritch of her fingers. ]
Zhen being here is probably zhe safest place for me until he adjusts.
It is. Even when I'm not here, but I'll stay in to keep you company while you're here.
[ he sighs softly, watching her with baskerville. the dog is full of so much affection, and loves the attention a lot. ]
He likes you. Clearly.
[ the dog. there's a beat's pause where alucard considers something, then asks: ]
Do you think of our contract as me owning you even though I've tried to keep us on an even level? We argued about it before he left. I don't... like the concept of owning people.
I appreciate it. Ozhervise, I might get bored und vho knows vat kind of chaos I might come up vith vhile you're avay.
[Like redecorating or putting Baskerville in cute pink dog sweaters.. or who knows what else might come to mind really. There are reasons Rip owning a bookstore has her so occupied.
Letting her get bored was dangerous usually for everyone around her.]
Vat can I say? I like animals, despite my title of 'Huntress' among my peers.
[To be fair though, she hunted people more than she hunted animals...
However, Rip had to think about what Alucard was asking as she focused more on the affectionate tiny dog in her arms. Her attentions were slowing down as she thought about it.]
On paper, you own me even if you don't like zhe concept. But, I'm... finding zhat vith certain people I don't mind it zhat much.
I relished it vith Adam.
[She smiled fondly for a few moments before turning her attention from Baskerville to Alucard, studying him for a few moments with a slight tilt to her head.]
Vith you.. despite vat zhe contract says, ve haf a partnership of sorts. You provide me vith vat I need und I'd hope I provide you zomething you need.
Please don't create chaos in my apartment. I've already done that too much.
[ redecorating or putting baskerville in sweaters is fine though. that much he doesn't care about.
he smiles faintly at the 'huntress' nickname, shaking his head. ]
I know what it says on paper. I'm interested in what it is in practice, though, because I'm not... the owning type.
[ he tried to explain this to anderson: he's nothing, owns nothing. they're asking something of him that's the antithesis of what he is. but anderson doesn't get it. won't ever get it, he thinks.
rip seems to get it though, and without prompting. he nods, sliding over so that he can slump into the couch and nuzzle his face into the crook of her neck. selfish, maybe, but definitely affectionate. ]
That's what I tried to explain. That we exist as a partnership. Give and take, instead of me just taking. I don't think he's able to understand that, though. He certainly didn't try.
[She's teasing obviously though, she does get what he's saying with a slight nod. It also doesn't surprise her that Anderson doesn't get it like they do or that he was leaning into her and nuzzling against the side of her neck.
After a moment she was resting her cheek against the top of his head and just accepting the affection for what it was without complaint in the slightest.]
Or, at least he does not understand it yet. Zhe priest is new to zhe city und in for a very rude avakening eventually.
[She rubbed her cheek against the top of his head in her own version of an affectionate gesture.]
But, eizher he'll eventually understand or zhis city vill try and force him to zheir vhims like its done to most of us. I'm just curious to see if anyone can convince him to take a contract.
[ lightly. he leans into her, soothing, trying to help her forget what happened earlier that night. his teeth graze just beneath her ear but it's playful: baskerville shifts, trying to snuffle in against his ear, and definitely sticks his tongue in alucard's ear, whereupon he yanks back in surprise and shakes his head, rubbing his ear. ]
That's my trick, you brat.
[ but as for the conversation he nods, sighing and settling back. ]
I want him to figure it out before they force him. Their reprogramming doesn't sit well with me, and even worse when it concerns him.
[ a beat. ]
I tried to get him to contract with me and he wouldn't. Naturally. If one of the stipulations was he couldn't hurt you, would you be fine with that?
[She's snickering when Baskerville decides he wants attention from him. Even if she was surprisingly enjoying the feel of teeth against her skin. It's just an acquired feeling.]
Apparently he's learning zome of your habits~.
[She tugs the pup back in her arms and goes back to lavishing him with attention and affection as she turns her attention back to the more serious portion of the conversation. She knew the reprogramming didn't sit well with Alucard and several others. Even she wasn't too thrilled with the idea and tried to make sure her quota was met just to avoid it.
However...She tensed up slightly, her hands going still against Baskerville, making the pup whine at her for attention as she mulled it over.]
Maybe. But, I'm not sure I vould feel comfortable sleeping on my own vith him around vhenever I need to stay here.
[That's even if he stayed with Alucard after he accepted the contract.]
I keep him apart from my more lewd habits, thank you. He learned that on his own.
[ he's not surprised when she tenses. now that he knows what's happened between them, it's a conversation they need to have if alucard is going to snare the priest as his submissive at some point.
he hums idly, shaking his head. ]
You wouldn't sleep alone. I'd stay with you when you stayed here, if he became a resident. The man's not a liar, but I don't think him above finding a 'good reason' for divine retribution. I wouldn't let you be alone with him, and doubly so if you're not comfortable.
[ he sighs, closing his eyes. ]
I planted the idea of opening a church in him. If he manages that with my help, I think he'd live there.
[She nodded, accepting that and relaxing a little. Rip really did not want to be alone with Anderson anytime soon. Learning to trust Alucard was one thing. He actively tried to put her at ease and get her over her fears.
Somehow she doubted Anderson would be interested in doing the same thing.]
Good because being alone vith him could easily end up in my death if he vas so inclined.
[And that's something she wanted to avoid at all costs.]
Vell, zhat vould keep him busy und potentially vork in your favor in zhe long run. If he agreed to be your submissive.
[ as he sits, he moves to coil an arm around her and draw her against his chest. it leaves him laying on the couch, her resting on top of him, and baskerville on top of her. like a little pyramid of trying to relax. ]
It's on our contract that I'll protect you to the best of my ability. I've killed him once, I can do it again if necessary. I don't want to have to, but I will.
[ he runs fingers through her hair slowly, pressing a kiss below her ear. ]
I'm going to keep reminding him of the city's need for charity. He's extremely pious and worked with orphans at home, I'm sure he won't be able to resist long.
[She shifts with him as she feels his arm coil around her and pull her back as he lays down. There's a slight wince from her with the motion tugging at her healing back as she settles on top of him. The wound was healing much faster than it would have if she had been on her own and now was just sore and slightly tight. Something that would go away by the next day at least.
With Rip settled on top of him, Baskerville made himself comfortable on her stomach and nuzzling her hand with his nose every time she dared to stop petting him. Such a needy adorable dog...]
I know.
[She closes her eyes as she feels his fingers through her hair and even smiles faintly at the feel of his lips just below her ear. She's.. come a long way towards trusting him. Rip hated to admit the fort played a part in that. Especially with how grounding his touch was for her now.]
If you keep him busy vith charity vork, hopefully he von't attack anyone else. Some of zhe vampires here vould stand less of a chance zhan me against him und if he attacks zhe wrong one, ozhers vill be out for his blood.
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he drops a hand to rest at her knee, a grounding gesture and little else. ]
It may be best to leave the place closed a few days while you stay here. I'll take care of finances while you're not working.
[ when she mentions the authorities intervened, he nods. ]
Either he escaped or he's rotting in jail. I'll go check tomorrow or the next day. As for you, I want you to remain armed at all times. He's a regenerator, but shooting him enough will slow him enough for you to get away.
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Fine, but, I don't vish to leave zhe bookstore closed for too long. It vas already closed for nearly a month vith zhe entire..fort issue.
[She sighed and decided to scoop up the small dog to cuddle him against her chest. Baskerville definitely looked happy with the situation, especially with the constant attention she was giving him.]
Zhen hopefully I haf enough bullets to slow him down enough. I don't vant him close enough to use zhose blades ever again.
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[ he's not giving it back. ever. so anyway, he watches her with the dog, which is nice. it's cute. baskerville loves the attention, so why not? ]
I'll give you some of the extra guns from the fort. The bullets aren't useful in my guns, anyway. [ a sigh. ] You're lucky he only has two of them here. He normally has a lot more.
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Vell, I am beginning to zhink zhat everyone from our vorld is more stubborn zhan anyone has a right to be.
[Herself included. She almost wanted to ask what he had of the priests and thought better of it for now. Whatever it was, she'd probably find out about it eventually.]
Even a shitty gun can be useful in zhe right hands.
[Especially in hers. Though she tenses a little when Alucard mentioned the priest usually had more of those bayonets. Two of them were more than enough in her opinion.]
Zhen lets hope my luck holds out und he breaks or looses zhem somehow because becoming a pincushion is NOT zomething I vish to be.
[She sighs and cuddles the puppy close. Her back still hurt but, it was slowly feeling better after drinking his blood.]
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[ it's best not to know what he stole, after all, though when she does find out hopefully it's not including the information that he shoved a holy relic into his chest, consequences be damned.
so anyway: he nods, sighing. ]
True enough. I'll get them to you, I have them in my room.
[ locked in a trunk. it's fine. don't look at him. as for anderson's bayonets, he shrugs. ]
Usually he just leaves them everywhere, including impaling me, but he'll have to be more careful here unless he gets his hands on more. He's big on the pincushion thing. Should have seen what he did to me and the policegirl when we first met.
[ he makes a motion with his hand indicating a severing of his head. it's almost fond though, like he enjoyed it. ]
First time I'd been beheaded in years and he thought it would kill me. Very cute idea.
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[It was true at least. He was more stubborn by her by a long shot. It was probably also best that she didn't know about him shoving a holy relic in his chest part. Rip might have to yell at him if she knew about that and ask him what the hell he was thinking...]
I'd appreciate it.
[Pause. Rip was now very glad he didn't have more than two of those bayonets on him. She liked her head attached to her shoulders. And her body not filled with knives.
However, she had to pause again when he indicated he had been beheaded by the priest.]
He's not avare of zhat being a type of foreplay vith you, is he.
[She'd love to be around when Anderson does come to that realization....]
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[ yeah, sure. but yeah, the nail thing was a mistake. it only worked for like 30 seconds and alucard felt like dying the whole time.
he laughs at her last comment though, shaking his head. ]
Oh, he has no idea. He'd probably lose it if he knew. He's too... pure, to think of things like that. Even when I try to spell it out for him. I mean, he's very attractive, and he has to get his quota somehow.
[ wry. he doesn't want to see what the slut centers might do to him. ]
I was flirting with him but it just goes right over his head, then he has to open his mouth and annoy me.
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[There was definitely a bit of humor in her voice as she glances up at him before turning her attention back to cuddling the puppy.]
If he ever figures it out, I vant to hear every single detail about his reaction und regardless of how attractive he might be, I haf a feeling he's going to ignore zhe quota out of spite.
[...Rip might have found him attractive if it wasn't for his willingness to harm vampires for just talking to him.]
I'm also not surprised you vere flirting vith him or zhat he annoyed you.
[Pause]
If he's over here again, varn me und I'll stay hidden. You're zhe durable one of zhe two of us. I'm not.
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[ alucard definitely still finds him attractive, but she's right about him ignoring the quota. he's going to, and it's going to go badly.
he pauses to look at her before he lets out a faint hum and leans over, pressing his lips to her jaw in an idle affection. ]
Don't worry. While you're here with me, he won't touch you. He's more inclined toward killing me, after all.
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Zhen being here is probably zhe safest place for me until he adjusts.
[Is that a slight smile? Probably.]
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[ he sighs softly, watching her with baskerville. the dog is full of so much affection, and loves the attention a lot. ]
He likes you. Clearly.
[ the dog. there's a beat's pause where alucard considers something, then asks: ]
Do you think of our contract as me owning you even though I've tried to keep us on an even level? We argued about it before he left. I don't... like the concept of owning people.
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[Like redecorating or putting Baskerville in cute pink dog sweaters.. or who knows what else might come to mind really. There are reasons Rip owning a bookstore has her so occupied.
Letting her get bored was dangerous usually for everyone around her.]
Vat can I say? I like animals, despite my title of 'Huntress' among my peers.
[To be fair though, she hunted people more than she hunted animals...
However, Rip had to think about what Alucard was asking as she focused more on the affectionate tiny dog in her arms. Her attentions were slowing down as she thought about it.]
On paper, you own me even if you don't like zhe concept. But, I'm... finding zhat vith certain people I don't mind it zhat much.
I relished it vith Adam.
[She smiled fondly for a few moments before turning her attention from Baskerville to Alucard, studying him for a few moments with a slight tilt to her head.]
Vith you.. despite vat zhe contract says, ve haf a partnership of sorts. You provide me vith vat I need und I'd hope I provide you zomething you need.
Our relationship iz strange, but, it vorks.
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[ redecorating or putting baskerville in sweaters is fine though. that much he doesn't care about.
he smiles faintly at the 'huntress' nickname, shaking his head. ]
I know what it says on paper. I'm interested in what it is in practice, though, because I'm not... the owning type.
[ he tried to explain this to anderson: he's nothing, owns nothing. they're asking something of him that's the antithesis of what he is. but anderson doesn't get it. won't ever get it, he thinks.
rip seems to get it though, and without prompting. he nods, sliding over so that he can slump into the couch and nuzzle his face into the crook of her neck. selfish, maybe, but definitely affectionate. ]
That's what I tried to explain. That we exist as a partnership. Give and take, instead of me just taking. I don't think he's able to understand that, though. He certainly didn't try.
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[She's teasing obviously though, she does get what he's saying with a slight nod. It also doesn't surprise her that Anderson doesn't get it like they do or that he was leaning into her and nuzzling against the side of her neck.
After a moment she was resting her cheek against the top of his head and just accepting the affection for what it was without complaint in the slightest.]
Or, at least he does not understand it yet. Zhe priest is new to zhe city und in for a very rude avakening eventually.
[She rubbed her cheek against the top of his head in her own version of an affectionate gesture.]
But, eizher he'll eventually understand or zhis city vill try and force him to zheir vhims like its done to most of us. I'm just curious to see if anyone can convince him to take a contract.
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[ lightly. he leans into her, soothing, trying to help her forget what happened earlier that night. his teeth graze just beneath her ear but it's playful: baskerville shifts, trying to snuffle in against his ear, and definitely sticks his tongue in alucard's ear, whereupon he yanks back in surprise and shakes his head, rubbing his ear. ]
That's my trick, you brat.
[ but as for the conversation he nods, sighing and settling back. ]
I want him to figure it out before they force him. Their reprogramming doesn't sit well with me, and even worse when it concerns him.
[ a beat. ]
I tried to get him to contract with me and he wouldn't. Naturally. If one of the stipulations was he couldn't hurt you, would you be fine with that?
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Apparently he's learning zome of your habits~.
[She tugs the pup back in her arms and goes back to lavishing him with attention and affection as she turns her attention back to the more serious portion of the conversation. She knew the reprogramming didn't sit well with Alucard and several others. Even she wasn't too thrilled with the idea and tried to make sure her quota was met just to avoid it.
However...She tensed up slightly, her hands going still against Baskerville, making the pup whine at her for attention as she mulled it over.]
Maybe. But, I'm not sure I vould feel comfortable sleeping on my own vith him around vhenever I need to stay here.
[That's even if he stayed with Alucard after he accepted the contract.]
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[ he's not surprised when she tenses. now that he knows what's happened between them, it's a conversation they need to have if alucard is going to snare the priest as his submissive at some point.
he hums idly, shaking his head. ]
You wouldn't sleep alone. I'd stay with you when you stayed here, if he became a resident. The man's not a liar, but I don't think him above finding a 'good reason' for divine retribution. I wouldn't let you be alone with him, and doubly so if you're not comfortable.
[ he sighs, closing his eyes. ]
I planted the idea of opening a church in him. If he manages that with my help, I think he'd live there.
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Somehow she doubted Anderson would be interested in doing the same thing.]
Good because being alone vith him could easily end up in my death if he vas so inclined.
[And that's something she wanted to avoid at all costs.]
Vell, zhat vould keep him busy und potentially vork in your favor in zhe long run. If he agreed to be your submissive.
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It's on our contract that I'll protect you to the best of my ability. I've killed him once, I can do it again if necessary. I don't want to have to, but I will.
[ he runs fingers through her hair slowly, pressing a kiss below her ear. ]
I'm going to keep reminding him of the city's need for charity. He's extremely pious and worked with orphans at home, I'm sure he won't be able to resist long.
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With Rip settled on top of him, Baskerville made himself comfortable on her stomach and nuzzling her hand with his nose every time she dared to stop petting him. Such a needy adorable dog...]
I know.
[She closes her eyes as she feels his fingers through her hair and even smiles faintly at the feel of his lips just below her ear. She's.. come a long way towards trusting him. Rip hated to admit the fort played a part in that. Especially with how grounding his touch was for her now.]
If you keep him busy vith charity vork, hopefully he von't attack anyone else. Some of zhe vampires here vould stand less of a chance zhan me against him und if he attacks zhe wrong one, ozhers vill be out for his blood.