[ where he seems to be in control - even if only by a thread - integra by contrast seems to be a little drunk on his freedom. she's finally righted a wrong her family did over a century ago - a wrong she may not have continued, but has profited from for over a decade - and she feels... a little invincible. not to mention she's finally admitted to both herself and alucard how strongly she feels for him, something she's been fighting for quite a few years, and it's enough to make anyone act at least a little uninhibited.
she gasps when he stumbles, because it's such an un-alucard movement, and shivers at the sound he makes, even as she starts grinning in pure feminine delight.
her entire life, she's been fighting against people treating her like the weaker sex, seeing a woman when they should be seeing a leader, a fighter. she wears men's clothes - well, because they're comfortable, but also to keep others focused on her, not her body. now, she's letting herself be feminine and seductive, knowing alucard has only ever seen her as herself, and not just her gender.
they're suddenly in her room, and she blinks in surprise, but easily lifts an eyebrow at his remark. ]
As if you'd want it any other way.
[ reaching the bed brings back just a little of her anxiety, but anticipation overrides it, and alucard kissing her like she's the only thing that can sustain him makes her feel powerful, heady. she groans and clutches at his shoulder, grabbing at the fabric and digging her nails in, while her other hand tangles in his hair. ]
[ selfishly, he likes seeing her receptive like this, knowing she's as affected as he is. she's normally so stoic in response to his fervor and foolishness, and to see her opening up is a boon. especially like this, clutching her close with her face in his neck.
he does recover quickly from his stumble, but he hears her gasp and grins a little--that's what she gets for surprising him, after all.
alucard's always seen her as a person first, a woman second. she's always been something to covet though, even as a child. back then it was chaste, a desire to become her companion, to make sure she couldn't live without him, to insinuate himself as close as possible to her. it was only when she became an adult that his mind drifted to other possibilities, to coveting her in other ways.
and now he has her. ]
And why would I? You're perfect as you are.
[ her grip on his shoulder and her fingers in his hair only goad him on and he presses into the kiss feverishly, though he does remember that integra needs to breathe and pulls back for a moment, only to shift to press a kiss beneath her ear. his teeth catch the lobe of it gently, giving it a tug before he runs his tongue along her pulse point, enjoying the pounding of it. ]
[ she shivers and gasps lightly as he moves his attention first to her ear, then her neck; she knows he would never bite her, not without her express permission, but just having his mouth against her throat, his teeth so close, is the best kind of dangerous.
it's when he wants her to tell him what she wants that integra falters, her pulse skipping a beat even as her mind comes crashing to a halt. her head drops back to the bed and she groans in frustration, her fingers now digging into his shoulder for an entirely different, and not at all pleasurable reason. ]
How should I know what I want? I've never done this before. I can't even masturbate for fear you'll smell it on me, and never let me hear the end of it!
[ ...she didn't mean to say that last part out loud, but frustration has always loosened her tongue. her face heats up in a blush and she groans, covering it with one hand and knocking her glasses askew. ]
[ he enjoys pressing attention to her neck far too much. the temptation is there, and always will be, but she's right--he'd never bite without her permission. he knows better, even with as much as he wants it. she trusts him, and he doesn't want to shatter that in a moment of ravenous selfishness.
he lofts an eyebrow at her response though, not minding the dig of her fingers. her admittance pulls a low laugh out of him, but it's fond, not cruel. he tugs her hand away from her face, idling a softer kiss to her mouth before he speaks. ]
I would have heard you, too.
[ he would have, but now he's just teasing. still, he nuzzles against her jaw with a hum, perfectly innocent until he speaks again. ]
And you've never even thought about it? You're so eager now, I thought you must have some ideas for me. Have you wanted me this long but never thought about my touch?
[ his laugh, happy and bright compared to the darker tones he often uses, makes her heart jump in a completely unhelpful way. she still glares at him when he pulls her hand away, even through the kiss he gives her, which is a sweet thing compared to the passion they've shared so far.
it doesn't matter how much her body keeps telling her she's ridiculously besotted with him though, she's still embarrassed, which always manifests as anger. yanking her hand out of his, she starts to adjust her glasses, before just pulling them off and shoving them onto the nightstand. maybe if she can't see him clearly, he won't infuriate her quite as much. (she knows this isn't true, as evidenced by all the times he's managed it through phone calls and text messages. she wouldn't have it any other way either, but she'll burn in hell before she admits it out loud.)
the question makes her blush, which in turn makes her purse her lips and transfer her glare from his face to over his right shoulder. ]
And just how long do you think I've wanted you? Perhaps this is a new development.
[ she really shouldn't ask, because he probably knows just how long. even she's not very sure, although she remembers clearly the day she was seventeen and realized she was physically attracted to him. but even before then, he was one of her closest confidantes. only walter could rival his place, but she'd always considered him family, he'd always been around. alucard came later, at just the right time for her to latch onto him as someone who understood that she was a girl transitioning into an adult's world. so it was natural to form a crush on him, but in one form or another... she thinks she's loved him always. ]
[ he just grins in response to her glare, which is absolutely characteristic of him, but there's open fondness in his gaze now. he's happy to infuriate her at times, because it means he gets her attention. he's hungry for that, even when it's negative, because she's never been cruel to him, no matter how frustrated with him she is.
she does look cute without glasses, but it's about as cute as she looks with glasses, so he doesn't have a preference as long as she's here, as long as she's his.
her question just broadens his grin. ]
I'm not blind, Integra.
[ this is not a joke about her eyesight, he promises. ]
I've seen it for a long time, but it was never appropriate as your servant to initiate things. Nor would it have been appropriate for you, as my master, to initiate things. I knew you wouldn't, because you would wonder always if I was only acting out of obligation, taking your overtures as an order. But now I'm free to do as I please, and what I please is...
[ he tips his head down, planting slow, affectionate kisses along the column of her throat with a hum. ]
Pleasing you. And I can't do that unless you tell me what you want.
I hate it when you talk sense.[ it's said with a gasp, his ministrations to her throat wholly distracting.
that's exactly what she needs, though, to be distracted from her own thoughts, so she can speak from instinct. he's always been good about knowing just what she needs. ]
I want your mouth. I want... [ she gasps a little, a small part of her scandalized at the thoughts she's barely even dared imagine, now about to be spoken, and she's sure will quickly be acted on. but she's urged on by the fact that she knows, she's sure, down to the marrow of her bones, that what she says is exactly what alucard will do. ]
I want you to-- to lick me open, to press your tongue against me and inside me, until I'm ready, and then I want you inside me.
It happens so rarely that it has a larger impact when I do, no? [ murmured against her skin.
the fact that she's finally opening up about it makes him feel a little triumphant, because he's gotten through to her. her words just make him all the more ravenous though, and his teeth scrape her throat but don't bite down. ]
I can do that, and gladly so. I've thought about slipping between your legs many times.
[ he says it lowly as he shifts above her, fingers deftly beginning to work at her buttons. there's so many, but he wants her naked before him, so he can drink in every inch of her.
he pauses by her cravat though, which he's been avoiding. ]
Integra. Take off your cross.
[ it's not a demand, but he can't particularly touch it without burning himself, and while he enjoys the pain, he'd rather not right now. it's always been her last defense against vampires, protecting her from them, those that can't even get close to them. alucard is different, slightly more immune to them, but he's interested in what she'll do, being without it entirely. ]
[ dracula is, of course, a creature of the night. he stays hidden until evening, when he takes his time to acquaint himself with the streets of london. he watches jonathan harker, sees the lovely lucy, and covets her. never mind that she has three suitors and has apparently finally picked one, he plans to make her his own, and soon.
but tonight he's simply--observing the city at large. he's in a pristine suit, long hair tied with a ribbon at the nape of his neck, and soft amber glasses to hide the color of his eyes from the world. he uses a walking stick, wears a hat, and looks every part the gentleman. he almost fits in, if he didn't have a constant look of hunger about him.
and he is hungry. ravenous. it's not actually a physical need, but a mental one: he could go years without feeding with little consequence, but he desires and that's enough for him. he plans to drink from lucy, and soon, but not tonight.
tonight he'll find some simpler prey, a body to hide in an alley and leave for someone to find in the morning. it's of little consequence to him who it is, so he's simply waiting for someone to stick out to him. no one has, yet. boring, skittering humans. ]
integra thought she'd been desperate in the past. the first time, she'd been running for her life, and wound up waking the most powerful vampire and having him be her servant. in the war, she'd had no qualms about releasing her vampires seals, all of them, so that he might fight and protect them all.
that had been the beginning of the end, of course. and now, she's desperate again. not for her life, or even the lives of her countrymen. she's desperate for him. she has to believe he's still out there somewhere, but… ththen why hasn't he returned?
seras is worried about her. she hasn't been eating much, stays holed up in the library - not the one on the main floor by her office, but down in the basement, the occult library.
she's figured out how she can fix this. how to make sure alucard doesn't disappear because of the major's scheme. and that's by making sure ‘alucard’ never comes into existence at all.
it's taken her over two months, but she figures it out. she only has a finite amount of time, two weeks at the very most, but possibly less, but all her calculations seem to be correct.
when she arrives in london in 1898, it's not exactly what she wanted, but going back further wasn't really feasible, so she'll have to make it work.
almost two days are spent getting her bearings, getting appropriate clothes, and searching - but on the second night, she sees him.
she's never seen him look quite like this before. he's much more refined than she's used to seeing him, and integra has to remind herself that this is not the vampire she's known half her life. this is an evil creature, who feels no remorse or guilt for the things he's done.
he also hasn't been tortured for 80 years, and if she has anything to say about it, he never will be.
she looks like a victorian lady in her new dress, but she walks with her shoulders back, her head held high, and strides as if she's still wearing her customary suit. she has a silver cross in her hand, tucked into the folds of his skirt where he can't see it, but where she can pull it out if he attacks her, no matter how fast he is. ]
Count Tepes. I need to have a word with you, if you'd be so kind.
[ she deliberately uses the oldest name she knows for him, wanting to draw his attention but also his intrigue. she knows he's less likely to kill her if he's curious. ]
[ he notices her before she speaks to him. she's beautiful, he thinks, and considers her for tonight's feast before deeming it a waste of beauty. a waste of strength too, apparently: she walks with such purpose, with such confidence, that he's almost startled by it. it's not the fiery confidence of lucy, no, but it's something more deeply-set, something interesting.
and then she approaches him first and he reconsiders his original decision, if she's going to come to him--but she speaks, and he pauses, briefly taken aback. of anything he expected her to say, it wasn't that. he stills, observing her openly from behind his glasses, and when he speaks it's with a slow smile that doesn't reach his eyes. ]
I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage, madam. [ he could deny it, tell her his name is De Ville, but what purpose would it have? she clearly already knows differently. ] I haven't used that name in many a year, so why, may I ask, do you use it for me now?
[ she's not a vampire--he'd be able to smell that on her right away. no, she's human, and she's approaching him with full knowledge of who he is.
[ that smile gives her a chill, and for a split second, she questions this entire mad scheme. despite what she's been telling herself, what she thought she was prepared for, she sees 'monster' in his expression, and her fist tightens on the hidden cross.
it's only for a second though, before her resolve returns. she's not exactly expecting to get out of this alive anyway, whether because of him, or because she's changed the future sufficiently. with no alucard, there will be no one to stop richard from killing her.
she just needs to convince alu-- dracula, to forget lucy and mina, and leave england now. ]
Why else would I use it? I wanted your attention, of course. And now that I have it - I have quite a lot to tell you.
[ he wonders if she truly knows what she's getting into. she's even more beautiful up close, though: it would be a terrible waste to cut her down simply for knowing his original name, and she's intrigued him enough that it stays his hand.
he takes a step closer, white-gloved hand coming out slowly to grip her chin and turn her head this way and that, observing her. it's not violent, but there is something oddly clinical in it.
then he takes a step away, head canting aside--that much, at least, is the same. whenever anything interests alucard he tips his head like a curious dog, and that stays the same here. ]
Come, then. Tell me where you would like to speak. I will let you pick the venue before you tell me these things you promise.
dracula isn't a man, though, she reminds herself. he's not her friend, or her protector, and certainly not her servant. ]
There's a park only a few blocks away, I saw benches by the street. We can sit there and talk.
[ private, yet in full view and shouting distance of others. not that she expects he'd give her much time to shout, or even that there will be that many people passing them, especially on foot, since it's full dark now, but there are lamps lit near the benches, so they'll at least be visible. ]
[ he's thoughtful when he looks at her now. she's different from most women he interacts with, and he certainly likes that. had he not already set his sights on lucy, she may have enthralled him utterly. but he's a monster set in his ways, and he certainly wants to make lucy his own.
her suggestion is interesting, and when he smiles this time there's a hint of fang. ]
Alright. To the park, then.
[ it's late enough that there aren't many people around, and he inclines his head to her in a mockery of politeness before he starts toward the park. he knows which one she speaks of, having passed it just recently. he makes sure she's still by him before he speaks again, voice low. ]
Might I have your name? I'd like to know to whom I'm speaking with.
[ she's not going to admit he's also right. because he's still awful.
she keeps her face buried against him, mostly because she likes it there. ]
I'm always right, which trumps you're 'never wrong'.
[ now she's just being contrary. and getting away with it because she's drunk. ish. ]
Yes. I want a dog. I didn't even get to enjoy yours very much. And we can't bring them all home, some of them might not like your vampeerey-- your vampire...ness.
[ simply. then he huffs a laugh at her contrariness, nipping at her ear in retaliation. ]
Does it? I don't know...
[ more teasing. always. as for the dogs conversation he hums pleasantly, nodding. ]
Baskerville could only come out when I was unsealed for battle, really, so it made things complicated... It's a rule I didn't mind sometimes breaking when you were young and could use some canine companionship where I didn't suit, but as you got older I suppose it got less appropriate to set my own seals off to show you a dog that couldn't stick around long.
[ a low sigh, as he thinks. ]
You're right though, I'll have to hang back at first as you meet dogs until we're sure some will accommodate my presence.
[ she hums a little, not exactly in agreement, but not disagreeing that she likes him arrogant, either. shifting to turn her head and see him a little, she starts lazily tracing her finger over his chest. ]
It matches my arrogant, so.
It does, I assure you. And as we've just established, I'm always right.
[ a small mewl of displeasure comes from her when he mentions hanging back. it's what they've already talked about, and it makes practical sense, but that doesn't mean she has to like it, and right now she doesn't see the point in keeping her thoughts to herself. ]
I want to meet the dogs with you, though. Maybe I can... wear your coat in, and any dog that's not bothered, we can go meet together.
[ he smiles at the touch, relaxing in response to it. ]
I see. It's in my best interests not to argue, I can only assume.
[ her displeasure about the plan is well-known, but for her to showcase it openly is a bit new. he pauses, just looking at her a moment before he grips her chin to kiss her lightly, letting it linger a long time. gentle, slow, aching, loving. ]
That might work. Honestly, as soon as we get close, the ones that will be upset will make their displeasure known, so by the time we're close enough to meet them, we'll know.
Of course. You should never argue with me. Espesh'lly when I'm drunk. I'm more like... borderline tipsy righ'now, though.
[ she's more than that, but hope springs eternal. at least she hasn't decided she wants sex yet. ]
...but I still get to wear your coat, even if it won' really make any diff'rence. I look good in red, but i's not a color a 'respecabl-- re-spect-able lady shoul' wear.
[ it's good she doesn't, really, because he's had enough of being upset for one night. the smile makes him smile in return, a warm little thing, and he shifts to catch her lips this time instead, lingering a long moment almost as though he's trying to prove he's not angry. ]
That makes two of us yet again. We're both contrary, on most topics.
[ he sighs, ghosting a kiss against her jaw, then leans back in the chair. ]
[ she'll take every piece of affection he'll give her, leaning easily into the kiss, sighing contentedly. ]
Hmm. Yes, I have noticed that.
[ his declaration makes her look at him solemnly for a moment, brushing the fringes of hair off his forehead, turning the movement into a caress to his cheek. ]
I love you, too. I know it's hard, and sometimes I'm not easy to love, but please don't ever doubt that.
[ it does. when she speaks he listens, leaning into her touch, as always the affection-starved dog--but he frowns, lifting a hand to take hers in his own. he idles a kiss to her fingertips, thoughtful, gauging what he wants to say and how to say it.
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goneforawalk) wrote2019-05-11 10:26 pm
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[ where he seems to be in control - even if only by a thread - integra by contrast seems to be a little drunk on his freedom. she's finally righted a wrong her family did over a century ago - a wrong she may not have continued, but has profited from for over a decade - and she feels... a little invincible. not to mention she's finally admitted to both herself and alucard how strongly she feels for him, something she's been fighting for quite a few years, and it's enough to make anyone act at least a little uninhibited.
she gasps when he stumbles, because it's such an un-alucard movement, and shivers at the sound he makes, even as she starts grinning in pure feminine delight.
her entire life, she's been fighting against people treating her like the weaker sex, seeing a woman when they should be seeing a leader, a fighter. she wears men's clothes - well, because they're comfortable, but also to keep others focused on her, not her body. now, she's letting herself be feminine and seductive, knowing alucard has only ever seen her as herself, and not just her gender.
they're suddenly in her room, and she blinks in surprise, but easily lifts an eyebrow at his remark. ]
As if you'd want it any other way.
[ reaching the bed brings back just a little of her anxiety, but anticipation overrides it, and alucard kissing her like she's the only thing that can sustain him makes her feel powerful, heady. she groans and clutches at his shoulder, grabbing at the fabric and digging her nails in, while her other hand tangles in his hair. ]
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he does recover quickly from his stumble, but he hears her gasp and grins a little--that's what she gets for surprising him, after all.
alucard's always seen her as a person first, a woman second. she's always been something to covet though, even as a child. back then it was chaste, a desire to become her companion, to make sure she couldn't live without him, to insinuate himself as close as possible to her. it was only when she became an adult that his mind drifted to other possibilities, to coveting her in other ways.
and now he has her. ]
And why would I? You're perfect as you are.
[ her grip on his shoulder and her fingers in his hair only goad him on and he presses into the kiss feverishly, though he does remember that integra needs to breathe and pulls back for a moment, only to shift to press a kiss beneath her ear. his teeth catch the lobe of it gently, giving it a tug before he runs his tongue along her pulse point, enjoying the pounding of it. ]
Tell me what you want. I'm all yours.
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it's when he wants her to tell him what she wants that integra falters, her pulse skipping a beat even as her mind comes crashing to a halt. her head drops back to the bed and she groans in frustration, her fingers now digging into his shoulder for an entirely different, and not at all pleasurable reason. ]
How should I know what I want? I've never done this before. I can't even masturbate for fear you'll smell it on me, and never let me hear the end of it!
[ ...she didn't mean to say that last part out loud, but frustration has always loosened her tongue. her face heats up in a blush and she groans, covering it with one hand and knocking her glasses askew. ]
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he lofts an eyebrow at her response though, not minding the dig of her fingers. her admittance pulls a low laugh out of him, but it's fond, not cruel. he tugs her hand away from her face, idling a softer kiss to her mouth before he speaks. ]
I would have heard you, too.
[ he would have, but now he's just teasing. still, he nuzzles against her jaw with a hum, perfectly innocent until he speaks again. ]
And you've never even thought about it? You're so eager now, I thought you must have some ideas for me. Have you wanted me this long but never thought about my touch?
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it doesn't matter how much her body keeps telling her she's ridiculously besotted with him though, she's still embarrassed, which always manifests as anger. yanking her hand out of his, she starts to adjust her glasses, before just pulling them off and shoving them onto the nightstand. maybe if she can't see him clearly, he won't infuriate her quite as much. (she knows this isn't true, as evidenced by all the times he's managed it through phone calls and text messages. she wouldn't have it any other way either, but she'll burn in hell before she admits it out loud.)
the question makes her blush, which in turn makes her purse her lips and transfer her glare from his face to over his right shoulder. ]
And just how long do you think I've wanted you? Perhaps this is a new development.
[ she really shouldn't ask, because he probably knows just how long. even she's not very sure, although she remembers clearly the day she was seventeen and realized she was physically attracted to him. but even before then, he was one of her closest confidantes. only walter could rival his place, but she'd always considered him family, he'd always been around. alucard came later, at just the right time for her to latch onto him as someone who understood that she was a girl transitioning into an adult's world. so it was natural to form a crush on him, but in one form or another... she thinks she's loved him always. ]
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she does look cute without glasses, but it's about as cute as she looks with glasses, so he doesn't have a preference as long as she's here, as long as she's his.
her question just broadens his grin. ]
I'm not blind, Integra.
[ this is not a joke about her eyesight, he promises. ]
I've seen it for a long time, but it was never appropriate as your servant to initiate things. Nor would it have been appropriate for you, as my master, to initiate things. I knew you wouldn't, because you would wonder always if I was only acting out of obligation, taking your overtures as an order. But now I'm free to do as I please, and what I please is...
[ he tips his head down, planting slow, affectionate kisses along the column of her throat with a hum. ]
Pleasing you. And I can't do that unless you tell me what you want.
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that's exactly what she needs, though, to be distracted from her own thoughts, so she can speak from instinct. he's always been good about knowing just what she needs. ]
I want your mouth. I want... [ she gasps a little, a small part of her scandalized at the thoughts she's barely even dared imagine, now about to be spoken, and she's sure will quickly be acted on. but she's urged on by the fact that she knows, she's sure, down to the marrow of her bones, that what she says is exactly what alucard will do. ]
I want you to-- to lick me open, to press your tongue against me and inside me, until I'm ready, and then I want you inside me.
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the fact that she's finally opening up about it makes him feel a little triumphant, because he's gotten through to her. her words just make him all the more ravenous though, and his teeth scrape her throat but don't bite down. ]
I can do that, and gladly so. I've thought about slipping between your legs many times.
[ he says it lowly as he shifts above her, fingers deftly beginning to work at her buttons. there's so many, but he wants her naked before him, so he can drink in every inch of her.
he pauses by her cravat though, which he's been avoiding. ]
Integra. Take off your cross.
[ it's not a demand, but he can't particularly touch it without burning himself, and while he enjoys the pain, he'd rather not right now. it's always been her last defense against vampires, protecting her from them, those that can't even get close to them. alucard is different, slightly more immune to them, but he's interested in what she'll do, being without it entirely. ]
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time travel nonsense.
but tonight he's simply--observing the city at large. he's in a pristine suit, long hair tied with a ribbon at the nape of his neck, and soft amber glasses to hide the color of his eyes from the world. he uses a walking stick, wears a hat, and looks every part the gentleman. he almost fits in, if he didn't have a constant look of hunger about him.
and he is hungry. ravenous. it's not actually a physical need, but a mental one: he could go years without feeding with little consequence, but he desires and that's enough for him. he plans to drink from lucy, and soon, but not tonight.
tonight he'll find some simpler prey, a body to hide in an alley and leave for someone to find in the morning. it's of little consequence to him who it is, so he's simply waiting for someone to stick out to him. no one has, yet. boring, skittering humans. ]
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integra thought she'd been desperate in the past. the first time, she'd been running for her life, and wound up waking the most powerful vampire and having him be her servant. in the war, she'd had no qualms about releasing her vampires seals, all of them, so that he might fight and protect them all.
that had been the beginning of the end, of course. and now, she's desperate again. not for her life, or even the lives of her countrymen. she's desperate for him. she has to believe he's still out there somewhere, but… ththen why hasn't he returned?
seras is worried about her. she hasn't been eating much, stays holed up in the library - not the one on the main floor by her office, but down in the basement, the occult library.
she's figured out how she can fix this. how to make sure alucard doesn't disappear because of the major's scheme. and that's by making sure ‘alucard’ never comes into existence at all.
it's taken her over two months, but she figures it out. she only has a finite amount of time, two weeks at the very most, but possibly less, but all her calculations seem to be correct.
when she arrives in london in 1898, it's not exactly what she wanted, but going back further wasn't really feasible, so she'll have to make it work.
almost two days are spent getting her bearings, getting appropriate clothes, and searching - but on the second night, she sees him.
she's never seen him look quite like this before. he's much more refined than she's used to seeing him, and integra has to remind herself that this is not the vampire she's known half her life. this is an evil creature, who feels no remorse or guilt for the things he's done.
he also hasn't been tortured for 80 years, and if she has anything to say about it, he never will be.
she looks like a victorian lady in her new dress, but she walks with her shoulders back, her head held high, and strides as if she's still wearing her customary suit. she has a silver cross in her hand, tucked into the folds of his skirt where he can't see it, but where she can pull it out if he attacks her, no matter how fast he is. ]
Count Tepes. I need to have a word with you, if you'd be so kind.
[ she deliberately uses the oldest name she knows for him, wanting to draw his attention but also his intrigue. she knows he's less likely to kill her if he's curious. ]
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and then she approaches him first and he reconsiders his original decision, if she's going to come to him--but she speaks, and he pauses, briefly taken aback. of anything he expected her to say, it wasn't that. he stills, observing her openly from behind his glasses, and when he speaks it's with a slow smile that doesn't reach his eyes. ]
I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage, madam. [ he could deny it, tell her his name is De Ville, but what purpose would it have? she clearly already knows differently. ] I haven't used that name in many a year, so why, may I ask, do you use it for me now?
[ she's not a vampire--he'd be able to smell that on her right away. no, she's human, and she's approaching him with full knowledge of who he is.
he's impressed, at any rate. ]
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it's only for a second though, before her resolve returns. she's not exactly expecting to get out of this alive anyway, whether because of him, or because she's changed the future sufficiently. with no alucard, there will be no one to stop richard from killing her.
she just needs to convince alu-- dracula, to forget lucy and mina, and leave england now. ]
Why else would I use it? I wanted your attention, of course. And now that I have it - I have quite a lot to tell you.
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[ he wonders if she truly knows what she's getting into. she's even more beautiful up close, though: it would be a terrible waste to cut her down simply for knowing his original name, and she's intrigued him enough that it stays his hand.
he takes a step closer, white-gloved hand coming out slowly to grip her chin and turn her head this way and that, observing her. it's not violent, but there is something oddly clinical in it.
then he takes a step away, head canting aside--that much, at least, is the same. whenever anything interests alucard he tips his head like a curious dog, and that stays the same here. ]
Come, then. Tell me where you would like to speak. I will let you pick the venue before you tell me these things you promise.
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she's had to think carefully about this part. victorian england has so many taboos and social morés that even as a proper, no-nonsense british woman, her modern sensibilities mean she's more comfortable being alone with a man than is typical of the time.
dracula isn't a man, though, she reminds herself. he's not her friend, or her protector, and certainly not her servant. ]
There's a park only a few blocks away, I saw benches by the street. We can sit there and talk.
[ private, yet in full view and shouting distance of others. not that she expects he'd give her much time to shout, or even that there will be that many people passing them, especially on foot, since it's full dark now, but there are lamps lit near the benches, so they'll at least be visible. ]
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her suggestion is interesting, and when he smiles this time there's a hint of fang. ]
Alright. To the park, then.
[ it's late enough that there aren't many people around, and he inclines his head to her in a mockery of politeness before he starts toward the park. he knows which one she speaks of, having passed it just recently. he makes sure she's still by him before he speaks again, voice low. ]
Might I have your name? I'd like to know to whom I'm speaking with.
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tfln-verse
You're so arrogant.
[ she's not going to admit he's also right. because he's still awful.
she keeps her face buried against him, mostly because she likes it there. ]
I'm always right, which trumps you're 'never wrong'.
[ now she's just being contrary. and getting away with it because she's drunk. ish. ]
Yes. I want a dog. I didn't even get to enjoy yours very much. And we can't bring them all home, some of them might not like your vampeerey-- your vampire...ness.
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[ simply. then he huffs a laugh at her contrariness, nipping at her ear in retaliation. ]
Does it? I don't know...
[ more teasing. always. as for the dogs conversation he hums pleasantly, nodding. ]
Baskerville could only come out when I was unsealed for battle, really, so it made things complicated... It's a rule I didn't mind sometimes breaking when you were young and could use some canine companionship where I didn't suit, but as you got older I suppose it got less appropriate to set my own seals off to show you a dog that couldn't stick around long.
[ a low sigh, as he thinks. ]
You're right though, I'll have to hang back at first as you meet dogs until we're sure some will accommodate my presence.
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It matches my arrogant, so.
It does, I assure you. And as we've just established, I'm always right.
[ a small mewl of displeasure comes from her when he mentions hanging back. it's what they've already talked about, and it makes practical sense, but that doesn't mean she has to like it, and right now she doesn't see the point in keeping her thoughts to herself. ]
I want to meet the dogs with you, though. Maybe I can... wear your coat in, and any dog that's not bothered, we can go meet together.
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I see. It's in my best interests not to argue, I can only assume.
[ her displeasure about the plan is well-known, but for her to showcase it openly is a bit new. he pauses, just looking at her a moment before he grips her chin to kiss her lightly, letting it linger a long time. gentle, slow, aching, loving. ]
That might work. Honestly, as soon as we get close, the ones that will be upset will make their displeasure known, so by the time we're close enough to meet them, we'll know.
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[ she's more than that, but hope springs eternal. at least she hasn't decided she wants sex yet. ]
...but I still get to wear your coat, even if it won' really make any diff'rence. I look good in red, but i's not a color a 'respecabl-- re-spect-able lady shoul' wear.
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[ yeah, he doesn't mean that. he likes their softness just as much as he likes the play, the urgent jabs and arguments.
he smiles indulgently. ]
You can still wear my coat. Red does look good on you. [ his smile tips a little darker. ] I could devour you whole to see you in it.
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[ her tone makes it pretty clear what she's talking about. ]
[ she pushes herself up enough to be able to be eye-level with him, staring at him seriously. ]
I thought. We weren't talking about that while I'm drunk. An' I'm not gonna be a new familiar for you. Is all or nothing, Vlad.
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tfln continuation, 7/5.
[ it's good she doesn't, really, because he's had enough of being upset for one night. the smile makes him smile in return, a warm little thing, and he shifts to catch her lips this time instead, lingering a long moment almost as though he's trying to prove he's not angry. ]
That makes two of us yet again. We're both contrary, on most topics.
[ he sighs, ghosting a kiss against her jaw, then leans back in the chair. ]
I love you.
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Hmm. Yes, I have noticed that.
[ his declaration makes her look at him solemnly for a moment, brushing the fringes of hair off his forehead, turning the movement into a caress to his cheek. ]
I love you, too. I know it's hard, and sometimes I'm not easy to love, but please don't ever doubt that.
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[ it does. when she speaks he listens, leaning into her touch, as always the affection-starved dog--but he frowns, lifting a hand to take hers in his own. he idles a kiss to her fingertips, thoughtful, gauging what he wants to say and how to say it.
finally: ]
Loving you is the easiest thing I've ever done.