Alucard stood behind the bar watching the patrons talk and gossip about meaningless dribble, honestly it bored the s**t out of him, he could care less about stupid gossip until he heard from some patrons that something went on in the forest near the mountains. A sickening grin dawned the Mad Kings face suddenly. As he listened he began to chuckle faintly.
"So, Yusuke found what he's been searching for after 13 years, and those gutless pigs have begun to make their move....how interesting, yes...I do believe it is time that I make a move of my own, and show those spineless dogs that I am not to be messed with..."
Alucard mumbled to himself as to not creep any of his patrons out. True he was a hired gun to the Yamaki family, however, he missed his former Master greatly but he wouldn't show such feelings in the heat of battle, showing such fleeting emotions were sign of weakness, and Alucard was far from weak.
On the edge of town stood the crumbled ruins of a church that appeared to be centuries old, its stone worn by the ravages of time and pouring rain. Leaning against the stone carved alter was mirror that had grown dusty though it was still intact enough to allow a sinister presence to pass through its mirrored surface, slipping through it like a shining pool of light lit by the reflection of moon in the glass. A towering blonde man would appear from within the mirror and landed gracefully on his feet in the adjacent cemetery cloaked in mist and shrouded in the shade of night. It had been decades since Stanislaus Nacht, a german man and well established vampire had stepped foot in Romania, the domain of his former master Alucard, the enigmatic count having grown into his pet name formerly given to him by the Hellsing clan. Along with adoption of a new name came the creation of a new life and identity, one according to various rumors that had the former king of the night serving others, a situation that left a bitter taste in his mouth and but he would not question the vampire king's motives instead Stanislaus was far more interested in being in the company of his former commander and Lord ,and to see if Alucard had grown soft in this rather dull lifestyle of his at least in comparison to the thrilling and reckless life Dracula had lived up until the middle of the Victorian age.
The German vampire travelled the labyrinth of streets and winding alleyways that served as the framework for this Romanian town, making it difficult for Stan to pinpoint his master until the blonde came in range enough that his superhuman senses caught a whiff of Alucard's presence, his scent possessing a woodsy and musky cologne to it that was sprinkled with notes of leather and alcohol that drew Stan to him like a moth to a light. Stanislaus stepped into the bar moments later, his towering form locking eyes with his former master. " Enjoying the life of a humbled man sir ? You have changed quite a lot from the man who enjoyed throwing grand parties, showing off Europe's most finest persons on his arm, and giving your enemies a reason to fear moonlit nights.. " The blonde commented as he slowly approached the older male, stopping short at the lacquered counter of the bar as Stan's lapis blues hidden behind mauve tinted shades locked eyes with Alucard's ruby reds, the German male's gaze holding a slight glow to it like a cat prowling the streets at dusk when he stepped into dimmer lighting , marking him as a vampire even though his fair features caused many humans to overlook look him in favor of the more widespread stereotype of pale skin and dark features that characterized the vampiric race, features that Alucard himself bore. " It has been so long my lord Alucard...if I had known that you broke the chain of servitude that the Hellsings had looped around your neck I would come sooner... " Stan said as his hands rested in the pockets of the emerald green trenchcoat with a collar lined thickly with fur.
Alucard was cleaning a glass by the time he heard the footsteps of someone who he thought had died some time ago, course his former fledgling was craftier than that much like his older brother whom he missed quite dearly since it was obvious he did not know that his brother, Mircea was still among the living. His crimson gaze looked to the man who stood before him, giving the man a faint huff of annoyance from not being greeted properly.
"People still do fear moonlit nights, Stanis. But, yes it has been some time since you last stood before my gaze. You haven't aged a day since that day centuries ago. Living the life of a humbled man is mearly a cover for me foolish boy, like yourself, I too have become a Jack of all trades since my former Master is no longer among the living. However, I am currently helping out someone for a price of course, my help these days doesn't come cheap. At any rate, what have you been up to since we unexpectedly parted ways? Also, next time you stand before my gaze, greet me properly, this time I'll let it slide, ungrateful brat."
Alucard stated as his crimson hues narrow, showing the man that he had not changed much either as his aura blazed like a raging fire that couldn't be quenched easily, no one dared to anger the Mad King, for if they did, that would not end well. After setting the clean glass down being rather calm as he did so while keeping his eyes on his former fledgling.
"So, what brings you here to Romania? Surely not just because I was here, what is your motive for coming to this place on such a lovely night Stanis? Or, are you merely passing through since your a jack of all trades yourself, correct?"
Alucard asked as he could tell that his fledgeling had become much like himself a mercenary that traveled from town to town looking for work as well as killing enemies on the side for extra gold in their pocket. Watching the blonde closely waiting for any signs of aggression from Stanis. Something was rather off, he could sense something happening not far off from his bar but couldn't quite tell what it was since he wasn't in range of the disturbance. Quite the odd timing for his fledgling to show up so suddenly when Yusuke just recovered his son and the remaining heir of the Sukikyo Clan, shaking off the thought that Stanis would even dare join the ranks of Kuro no Homura, that group of filth has always been a thorn in Yusuke's side since it was that same group that led to the death of his wife, Edenia, and the abduction of their only son, Souken. That subject had always left a bitter taste in Alucard's mouth as well as unsettling wave of anger.
The blonde would slide into casually upon one of the vintage stools, his green trench coat hanging loosely over the side, revealing the inside of the coat that was lined in sunset gold silk and that shimmered beneath the warm lighting of flickering glass lamp that sat suspended from the ceiling about a foot from where Stan was sitting. The German vampire removing his violet tinted shades and setting them gently on the counter with a soft clink and now with his shades gone Alucard could swim in the Persian blue waters of Stan's eyes. " It's not that I don't hold any respect for you my dear lord, after you became Integra's our bond was weakened somehow and I became my own man, my own sort of vampire. I no longer feel the pang to refer to you as master but nevertheless you are still my liege in my mind and in this centuries old heart of mine filled with cobwebs and regrets... " The blonde reassured his former superior with a hint of bittersweet on his silver tongue. " I never would have imagine that you would have gone back to serving at the beck and call of another but in exchange for payment. I find it hard to believe that you are a poor man so I can only guess that you are doing this because you have grown fond of life among the humans.. Am I correct?"
Stanislaus would cross one leg over the other and folded his hands neatly on the counter, hands that bore designer rings and looked baby soft despite after hundreds of years of use doing various rough and tough jobs such as serving as a court knight of Alucard's and entertaining this mercenary's work on the side as a way to have fun. Even with Stan's barbaric lifestyle and way of thinking, he carried himself very much the same as would a nobleman would have from a different era all together. " If you wanted you could return to your lifestyle as the top dog in the vampire world instead of being paid to clean up their messes, I could help you if you so desired, you need only ask... " Stan offered the older male before cracking a sharktooth lined grin at Alucard's questioning as to why the blonde was traveling in the dark depths of Romania after all of this time. " You have hit the nail right on the head my dear Domintori, I am here for you. And despite the level of sweet seduction in my words I am have no means in trying to persuade you to do anything... I am just curious. It has been ages since I have come in contact with a vampire greater then one of my caliber. The vampires of the modern age are immature and sickly, they have no sense of honor whatsoever. I tire of them oh so easily..." Stan said,referring to Alucard using a Romanian noble title. Even though their entire conversation had been in English so far, Stanislaus would not neglect to pepper their exchange with words and phrases from the language of Alucard's past, the very same language that the vampire king had taught the former holyman Stan all of those years ago.
Alucard listened to his former fledgling's prattling about how he was here for the Mad King himself, trying to sway him into doing what he did in the old days. However when he started mouthing off at how modern day vampires were weak in comparison to vampires of old, reaching out to grip Stanis by his chin pulling him towards the Mad King as Crimson locked with Lapis. Alucard's hues blazed with ferocity.
"You'd best watch that tongue of yours, someone I know may take offense to such words, he is like myself an original vampire, if he were here to hear such things, you my former pupil would be stuck in the closest wall. Yusuke Yamaki doesn't take kindly to such mockery, quite frankly, neither do I.. speaking of, rumor has it that he has recovered his long lost son who went missing 13 years ago at the age of 3, of course we all know who took him, those dogs in Kuro no Homura stole him from his home doing what they please with him, makes me sick to my stomach just mentioning it..."
Alucard spat with icy venom in his tone before releasing stanis from his grip and began pouring himself and stanis a glass of 100% human blood, setting one glass in front of stanis as he held the other and took a sip from it relishing in its flavor after so many years of not partaking in human blood. Looking to is former pupil as he was curious to what Stanis would say next.
"Hmph, I don't do this because I am fond of humans, I do this because it amuses me. It would be boring if I went back to my old ways, besides, this place is a sess pool of information about who comes and goes through this town. And what intel I do get goes to Yusuke, for a price. Instead of trying to sway me using that silver tongue of yours, I know someone you might find interest in, mind you, he is spoken for but I doubt you care considering your reputation as a playboy."
Alucard teased with his iconic grin marring his pale lips before taking another sip of blood from his glass waiting for Stanis to respond to his words.
The blonde's ocean blues would widen as his chin was taken into the older vampire's pale hand, contrasting vastly with the flesh on Stan's cheek that maintained a healthy shade of life and a youthful glow like that of sunshine that was unbecoming of a vampire nearly 400 years old. Even as his master spoke harshly to him he did not quiver although he was only but a nightingale at a smoking dragon's side. When the average man would have been quaking with fear if they had been put in a similar position Stanislaus instead remained perfectly calm and dug both his cheek and chin into the palm of Alucard's hand in an affectionate way, a playful and cheerful smile appearing on his face that was like a rare jewel, a shimmering sunstone that only a king could covet. " I mean no disrespect my liege, I had no clue that you were running with other vampires and a vampire not having descended from your strain but the father of a completely different line, its quite interesting. I know they existed but it has been decades since I last beheld one such being and to think they dwell upon the soil of your homeland and you are a hired arm for him eh? Very interesting.. I never thought I would see the day that you would pledge your services to another vampire even if it's for currency, what exactly are you planning to do with all those funds if I may pry sir?"
The German man would attempt to nuzzle the bone white fingers that loosened their vise-like grip upon his face, the man missing by only a few centimeters once Alucard had withdrawn his hand and went to pour them a drink. Even after centuries had passed, the No-Life King continued to withhold himself, toying with Stanislaus as if the blonde were a cat playing with a feather on a string that always seemed to be just a tad bit out of his reach, the feather itself being Alucard's affections that the man kept so heavily guarded. As disappointing as it was, Stan would hardly blink at his master's behavior but he would quirk a golden blonde brow at the sound of the man giving up information about another tasty morsel who was deserving of his attention. A taken man eh? Stanislaus had no qualms with being a homewrecker even in the slightest, if anything it was like a game that rarely ever ended up with consequences on his part, but as for that of the other person involved the same could not be said... " Are you trying to get me to play with this current ball of yarn that you have caught in those murderous claws of yours? If not I will gladly play the ivory bishop if you currently hold the obsidian knave in whatever little war game it is that you are playing hmmm? How about it sir...? Or have you lost your touch when it comes to playing chess?" The man teased playfully as he took the wine glass, swirling the crimson liquid within the crystal before he sipped it carefully.
Alucard watched Stanis nuzzle his hand like a cat showing its affection to its owner, this amused the No Life King, seeing his fledgling showing such affections like he did. Alucard then pondered on the question Stanis asked, what would he do with the funds he's earned over the years of being a hired gun? He could do anything with it really, he could perhaps use it to rebuild his childhood home, yes, he'll do just that. Alucard met Stanis' gaze once more giving him a cheshire like grin.
"This vampire is nothing like the filth I've faced, Yusuke, he is a good man, a bit naive because of a silly dream to unite all races together under peaceful terms, a fools errand if you ask me. Yusuke was created by the very witch he fell in love with. Through that love they gave birth to their only son and heir to the Yamaki Clan, Souken. Needless to say, their love was short lived since our enemy, Kuro no Homura had Edenia killed for doing something that was forbidden. A human falling in love with a vampire."
Alucard explained, how he hated vampiric politics, every being whether it were human or vampire had the right to fall in love with one another. The No Life King scoffed a bit as he took another sip of the crimson liquid before setting the glass down.
"This ball of yarn is not as docile as you might think, he is a brash young man with a horrible temper. Like myself he is a local to this town. He is a bit bullheaded like myself, course that is to be expected of Alistar Starborn, since he is a Minotaur. He is quite the looker, a fitting toy for you do you not agree Stanis? Considering, you are quite the manwhore, always trying to charm the stubborn ones into your pants."
Alucard cooed as he would lift up the glass again to finish off what was left in it, sending his former fledgling to play with the destructive bull was indeed a risky game, considering his draconic lover was not to be underestimated, that mans temper was just as bad as his own, he had to be careful and not let ryuu suspect that it was he who sent Stanis after the bull in this harmless game of chess.
Nathanial Hobbs -------------------------- " You are acting under the assumption this is going to change my answer." The tone was calm as the clipped words left his lips, a young man standing with his arms crossed absently across his chest and his fingers tapping against his elbow as though subconsciously ticking to the sounds of a clock lurking somewhere around him and his 'companion'. Though to use such a friendly term really was a stretch even mentally.. The figure in front of him, a massive female, hissed with displeasure at his unruffled stare; Her attempt at intimidation clearly falling flat as he once again denied her demands. Oh, internally he was acutely aware of just how much damage a rabid Lycan could dish out.. He'd just learned how to establish a decent poker face to get his job done. One had to use a spine in his line of work or they'd lose it, violently. His glance strayed around them in a bored sweep, studying the oblivious crowd seeking their own amusements in his time of ire, and Nate exhaled as a all-to-familiar hand waved in front of his face demanding his attention once again. Alright..
" My job was to supply the medicine that would help you suppress your blood craze in combat.." Untangling his arms he pointed down to the little yellow pill the female had dropped on the floor spitefully moments earlier, the dainty square only a inch from his sterilized shoe as he twitched his index finger towards it encouragingly. " .. and I'm not wasting another pill on a slobbering moron that is going to die the next time gunfire breaks out. So.. That one is yours. The fact it will keep you from shifting while in your system isn't that big a deal, you already look like a hideous beast after all." The woman balked, clearly debating throwing that punch towards him after all, and Nate quirked his pale brow expectantly.. Visibly daring the gesture. Whatever dirty dealings went on in this place they didn't humor outright violence, whomever tossed the first punch would be held accountable. After a long, tense, moment the female stepped forward and crushed the little pill under her boot, curling her lip in some crude-tongued curse before turning and stalking away from their secluded corner with a wrathful gait. Glancing down at the wasted lump of powder the floor the Doctor allowed his warm red gaze to close, irritated yet relieved as the woman abandoned her nagging and left him in peace. Likely not the last he'd seen of her, outside that door anything could happen to a human, but for now? Why worry over it. It wasn't like these little odd jobs he picked up on the sly were that challenging, some yielded decent profit but that wasn't why he tolerated off-the-books meet ups like this so late after office hours. No.. It was just good business to put roots down in the seedy underbelly of society and make connections, a web of debts where information passed as easily as money and unique drugs on the market. It made the task of setting up shop more promising; Nate had even hired a legit service for medical supplies to restock his clinic with the funds he'd shaken out of his late night clients. The name associated with the order, and the paperwork itself, was a bit dishonest for personal reasons.. but the money had been real enough to get the ball rolling and no one had batted an eye at the bribery. As long as he kept working things would be fine, sooner or later he'd find what he wanted sifting through the mess of clients in this new place. With luck his next contact would be more interesting than the jilted she-hulk, at least.
Sinking his hands into his pant pockets the male leaned back against the wall, allowing his nerves to settle after facing down such a brute-like foe, and despite himself a wistful little whistle escaped his lips.. His newfound freedom allowing him to observe the rest of the service-area of the bar from under the wintered fringe of his lashes. Freelancing wasn't exactly where he'd seen his future going when his mentors had agreed to let him study Medicine all those years ago, but.. honestly? He liked the work well enough. New places, new things, no fences or isolation unless he wanted it.. The only price of wandering was dealing with idiots from all sorts of species instead of just Humans. Worth it.
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