Loud the winds howl, loud the waves roar, Thunderclaps rend the air;

[distant_one]

Who: D closed thread catchall
What: Mostly awful things because July was that kind of month
When: Late July
Where: Various places

Content Warnings:: To be added in comment titles

Comments

Closed for Alucard; CW Gore, severed limb

[distant_one]

[After the fight with John, D was not in good shape. Blood leaked from his ears, eyes, mouth, and nose and instead of his usual graceful walk D could only stagger. A large part of his right arm was simply gone and he had retrieved what was left of the limb and his sword with his left hand.

D's omen knew, as D did, that he needed help. It was also aware that calling help to him at the moment would be dangerous for most people who would respond, so it grew large enough to ward off the first two people who started to cross D's path.

The third, however, the omen remained small and didn't try to chase off.]

[ananym]

[ alucard has kept to himself lately. as kind as everyone has been, it was a little overwhelming still. and he has his own private griefs that swallow up his time. still, he makes sure to wander around time, acclimatise himself and also consider his own role.

and he smells it. blood. ]

This is a sight.

[distant_one]

[D's eyes still held a faint red glow and his fangs were coated in his own blood but still clearly visible. This is the Vampire half of a Dhampir.

He's recovered enough that he can hear Alucard's words and recognize him through the blinding pain in his skull and chest.]

I could use a hand.

[D's voice is as rough and unsteady as he is]

[ananym]

[ his own eyes flash red in response but other than that, alucard doesn't seem to react. he shifts to help D onto his feet. ]

Or a pair, it seems. What happened?

[distant_one]

[D is grateful for the help, staying upright on his own is a challenge right now.]

He can damage internal organs at will. Exploding or crushing? Not sure.

[D's made it far enough from the fight that the 'he' isn't obvious.]

Get me away from- people.

[ananym]

[ alucard considers protesting but decides against it. ]

Fine. But I expect answers later.

[distant_one]

If that's what you want. Just get me somewhere quiet.

[D is very reluctant to drop his sword or put it up, as weakened as he is. He's reasonably certain Alucard won't turn on him but this month has been very violent in its effects on Sleepers and Trenchies alike.]

[ananym]

[ alucard manages to get him to a solitary spot without much difficulty. he questions the wisdom of this, but puts it aside for now. ]

Can you heal on your own?

[distant_one]

[Rather than answer right away D sets down his sword and what's left of his arm to reach into one of his inner coat pockets and pull out a small jar. Opening it one handed would be tricky but D just holds it out for Alucard.]

Everything but the arm. I need you to eat a couple of the blueberries and then touch me. Their magic doesn't work on the person who eats them, only people they touch.

[When he started carrying around a jar of dried blueberries so he could help other people D never thought he'd be using it for himself.]

[ananym]

[ alucard gives him an irritated look but takes the jar all the same. ]

Trench magic or your own?

[distant_one]

Trench.

[D is tired enough that he doesn't hide his amusement at Alucard's irritated look.]

It's not a joke, I don't have that kind of sense of humor. Or any talent with that kind of magic.

[ananym]

I already guessed the former.

[ but fine, he chews on a few blueberries before laying hands on D. ]

[distant_one]

[Being on the receiving end of this is a strange feeling. The sudden regrowth of his arm is surprisingly less painful than he expected and while it doesn't do anything for all the blood he's covered in the pressure in D's chest and head ease up.

D's fingernails came back a bit longer than he'd like, too long to fit in his glove. But after a moment flexing and wiggling the fingers on his new hand he reaches in a different pocket for a different jar. Blood capsules like the ones he had Gaia give Alucard. He carefully takes four of them and swallows them without water.]

Ask your questions.

[D is just going to remove his sword's sheath from his back to put his sword into it and then lie down right there on the floor with the sword and sheath held in his left hand.]

[ananym]

Who did you fight with?

[ that seemed the most pertinent. ]

CW: vampirism, mental influence

[hammerbearer]

It's been a day or two since both Nara'a and Gaia awakened. The teen hasn't been to the outpost, though she had sent a message that she needed to take a time out to handle a couple of matters at home. She also left a message for D to visit her when he had a chance to talk.

It's evening but that's not a surprise. Gaia has found the sun almost intolerable and even though she forced herself to deal with a from sheer stubborn determination, she found relief in the dark. And there she would practice her newfound strength.

There's a generous piece of land around Gaia's home, unsurprising for Feed. While she probably still practices at Sasuke's dojo, she (and with his arrival, Nara'a) have places they hone their skills. For the teen there's a series of wood targets set in varying distances, heights and sizes for her growing archery skills. The cursed bite might not have given her better nightvision (more's the pity) but that's nothing some lanterns can't handle.

Arrows are notched and string drawn, fired and the actions repeated again. The sheer ease in drawing now of a bow that had been near her limits had been startling and a number of snapped bowstrings and one broken bow on the first day after her 'recovery' stood testament to why she's consistently working on the skill to make sure she could judge her newfound strength.

Mostly. There was something so exhilarating about this, what she witnessed during exercises with her hammer, her magic even seemed to come with fluid ease and strength. Everything seems to have grown by leaps and bounds and it's enough to have made Gaia feel giddy with the excitement of it and keeps her in a good mood.

It's not that she hasn't been diligent or thoughtless during the practice. But her confidence is high- perhaps frightfully so for all that she seems aware she needs to have a handle on everything before returning to the outpost- and the teen has even begun weaving the flow of aether into the basic archery skills Sasuke has walked her through.

Plain arrows seem charged with a balanced energy- not quite the flavor of 'dark' underpinning Gaia's nature though it's clearly her signature- but the addition of it seems to enhance the arrow, causing targets to be shattered or the arrow embedding itself deeper into the tree behind the mark than it rightfully should.

"Isn't it wonderful, Uri?" Gaia seems breathless as the last of the current targets are destroyed. There's more to hang but the teen pauses to share her enthusiasm with the loyal canine. The dog had been watching and seemed to be calm.

But if D is coming, the canine will have retreated. Perhaps nearby for the beast is loyal, but not where Gaia last observed. This isn't immediately a warning, mind you. Though frowning, it's not too seriously so. She at least half expects to see Uri having
gone off to do his business somewhere.

[distant_one]

D was ready to give Gaia as much space as she needed, but she was ready to speak to him again sooner than he expected.

Jarem and D are getting along better now, and it's the sound of those massive hooves that indicate D's arrival. He dismounts at a reasonable distance, but the nightmare shows no sign of wandering off. Evening means they're going to the outpost soon.

The sight of arrows sinking further into the trees and shattered targets is a good indication that Gaia is taking her practice seriously, but even from a distance she seems to be in a better mood than D expected.

"You're getting very good at that."

[hammerbearer]

Well that explains where Uri went.

Gaia turns after the shot is completed, having heard the sound of approaching hooves. The bow had been lowered but kept at ready with another arrow on the string. This had been a natural caution mind you, not because it was D.

A stranger on horseback in Feed or a monster with hooves were both always a danger.

The arrow is removed and returned to the side-slung quiver. She glances up at D with a look that's both wry and pleased.

"Thanks. I suppose I have you to thank for my improvement these last few days." It's easier to draw back, but also easier to keep the bow steady and therefore improves her aim in general since she has more time to do so.

Though Gaia does manage a stern look. "Mind you, you're still not off the hook for not asking. Or drawing Nara'a into this."

But one thing is clear, the teen's heart is not beating with fright or anger. The fast pace is one of excitement, of enjoyment.

"I think I'll be ready to return to the outpost soon," Gaia then adds briskly. Gesturing at the targets, then her bow. Be pleased, D. She isn't trying to just rush back out there.

[distant_one]

"Some of it, but the bite doesn't automatically improve your skill. It just gives you more strength and endurance." There were benefits of the bite after all, and a reason that human servants in a Noble's home often had a bite mark beyond just the extra temptation posed by an unmarked neck.

D didn't want a servant, he just wanted Gaia to be safe. "I'm glad you'll be coming back. I never wanted you to think I didn't want you there." Which was apparently something both Gaia and Nara'a assumed from what he said.

[hammerbearer]

That does get a soft hrmph. "I suppose that's a point." Deep down Gaia probably knows it's been a bit of a cheat, to get past the strengthening exercises that's the whole point of practicing with a bow so near to her limits. She's firmly telling that voice to be quiet and let her enjoy herself and this newfound power.

When this is all over she'll be mad, but at herself. But that's a problem for future Gaia to deal with. Actual discussion about the bite and having it directly mentioned has her subconsciously fiddling with the edges of the scarf D gave her. Maybe even a bit of unease, though she firmly tells herself it's fine.

The bite is fine, D not asking was not fine. But she's perfectly willing to adapt to this situation, particularly with the benefits.

"Yes. Oddly enough, I got that impression from you. Well, once I thought about it." Gaia's uncomfortably aware that her temperament and defensiveness to D's attempt to drive home his suggestions that night probably added fuel to the fire. The teen sets aside the bow and draws closer. Once there, she places her hands on her hips and tilts her head to look up at D.

"I'm still worried, you know. About you I mean. Are you sure you've been visiting the Sanctuary enough?" Whatever lingering irritation she has about the whole matter of permission, her concern is obvious and genuine.

[distant_one]

"I'm certain I'm not corrupted. I've been much more careful about that... I had problems with it last month after the expedition." He was definitely corrupted and under the influence of lemons when he'd bitten Luke last month. D is certain he's fine now.

"Have you checked to see what you've gained? Aside from strength." That much was clear, and D is fairly certain his bite will bestow regeneration. He's seen enough of his victims to know that the effects of both of their bites are strong.

[hammerbearer]

There is.... some doubt. But it's probably to be expected. Gaia's certainly trying to look at D's expression for any hint of deception or uncertainty. But even if there were, the dhampir does have quite the poker face. As far as she's concerned anyway.

"Problems?" Doubt turns to a startled expression. This is the first she heard about th-- of course it is. But the matter is quite easily sidestepped, whether or not intentionally, by bringing up the abilities she might have gained through the bite. While the teen is trying not to smile too much, it's clear she's willing to set aside concerns in favor of talking about what she's discovered.

"It's not like I went out and tried to test how fast I can heal, but I did try a small cut. There's certainly something there."

For a second Gaia's jaw works as if she were trying to swallow in a mouth suddenly gone half dry. Memory of her experiment came with the thought of blood spilled. And blood, even if hers was particularly strange, had been even more of a provocative thought than she had experienced before while struggling to cope with D's memories.

"Anyway," she continues briskly while folding her arms over her chest. "I can't say I'm sure about my endurance. I'd already got something like that when I came here as a Sleeper. But overall, I'd say there's a definite change."

Gaia is willing to admit some of the downsides however, though her grimace isn't really strong. "The sun's appalling. Nara'a and I checked on the rainfall and that's... well, I didn't particularly like going out in it anyway." She doesn't really bother to cover garlic since she never liked that anyway... right? At least it hadn't been in the house for ages and she's willing to believe it was something Alisae had brought in before she'd returned to the ocean.

The teenager is definitely going to gloss over the thirst she's experienced.

[distant_one]

"I'm sorry you can't enjoy the sun anymore." For all that it hurts D, he shares the same love of sunlight all those with the blood of Nobility in their veins suffer.

"Be careful not to fall into any water if rain bothers you." Even a shallow stream could pose a problem, but overall D is relieved that Gaia gained both strength and regeneration. She'll be much stronger with this kind of ability supporting her.

"How much did you explain to Nara'a?"

[hammerbearer]

"It's fine," Gaia brushes off the matter of the sun, but far too quickly. It's not fine but she'll deal with it like she always does. She nods in more seriously minded manner about the issue of water.

"I'll be careful," she promises; for any weakness in Trench tends to be a fatal liability. Although a face is made. "At least I can still bathe." Horrendous is the thought, apparently, if she hadn't been able to do that, though showers might be out for a while.

"I've told him everything you told me in the beginning. You know, when we first had a talk about your world and vampires," the teen then explains. "And to take what you told us about the bite's benefits and weaknesses as what to expect."

...More or less anyway.

"I didn't tell him any personal things. You know, from the memories. But if he has general questions about vampires and the like, I would probably answer them. I felt that anything in detail he should ask you."

Gaia then looks a little guilty.

"I did mention the only way to remove the bite. Though I did also point out that it wouldn't be a good idea, even if that's what I wanted right now. Given how strange everything has been with people dying this month."

[distant_one]

It takes less than a heart beat for D to think back and review what he told her, and he nods. He's not even too concerned that Nara'a knows how to free himself and Gaia from the bite. Even with that knowledge there's the matter of death and rebirth being tricky for now.

And D hasn't had the chance to see the effects of his own bite very often, but he's seen many of his victims. The mere fact that D doesn't want either of them to die might keep them from doing so. They might not even be able to seek out or go through with trying other methods, but if they are he'll have to talk about it with them.

To hear that Gaia doesn't want the bite gone is a relief. That she's seen the benefits and found them worth it will make everything easier. He still wouldn't risk turning her, that brings too many drawbacks when his bite will be enough.

"I'll leave some blood capsules with you, if that becomes necessary. If swallowing doesn't help you can dissolve one in a glass of water.

[hammerbearer]

Gaia jumps a little, startled.

"How did you..." ...Oh wait. He didn't say that he did. Just 'if it becomes necessary', so she just gave herself away. Momentarily she looks guilty again, though it's followed by pulling herself together and looking up. Gaia offers a firm nod.

"It's necessary." She's trying not to flush. "I should have said something sooner."

It's clear that it's just as well she outed herself. The one, maybe two capsules she kept back from talking with Alucard on D's behalf weren't going to last long if she even still had them.

"I'll check with Nara'a on that as well." She offers a wry smile toward D. "Nothing good comes without a price, does it?"

She seems oddly calm, all told, regarding the desire for blood. Not even a need. A desire. In a way, she understands that urge far better now than the memories alone could tell her.