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[ananym]

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(action) @ the june intense event

[diedeliberately]

[Things have become frightening, and this time, Neil is actually afraid. He hadn't meant to get caught outside on his own. He'd heard rumors about another illness, people changing, those crystals beginning to grow where they shouldn't again. Perhaps he hadn't taken the warnings seriously enough.

[He finds himself cornered, crystalline dragonkin pushing him back flat against an alley wall. He can't do anything but cower, pitiful, and shout, desperate:]

H-help! Please help!

[ananym]

[ there's a whistling sound in the air. a black blur of leather wings that descend down, blocking the creature from neil. alucard draws his sword, his expression grim. ]

Enough. You will go no further.

me realizing they've never met in person

[diedeliberately]

[The leather-winged creature is almost just as terrifying as the creature cornering Neil, but then it becomes human(-looking?), draws its (his?) sword. Neil stays planted behind the creature (person?), still flat against the wall. He tries to breathe quietly, despite it being no secret that he's there. Silently, he thinks to pray, though he's not necessarily convinced God is listening.]

lmao

[ananym]

[ under the light, alucard's form will seem less menacing. pale hair shimmers, falling in waves. he seems ethereal because he is. a strange amalgamation of forces in one person. a person who should have never existed to begin with.

the dragonkin bellows, aiming its fist at alucard. he does not balk, bringing up his own arm to block it and using his free sword hand to slash at its arm. this time, it bellows in pain, staggering back and eyeing alucard warily. this is no easy prey. ]

That is your only warning. I am Alucard, son of Dracula.

You will not feed this day. Begone!

there we go

[diedeliberately]

[Alucard. Neil only knows him from the voice he shared through their minds, but it's different, seeing him in person. In the right light, he almost looks like an angel. All Neil can do is stare as the creatures are pushed back. He cringes at the word feed, the dragonkin's disembodied arm. It's almost too much to watch, but he can't stop... It doesn't even feel safe to speak. Not until they're gone.]

[ananym]

[ the dragonkin hisses but by now, it can tell this is too much work and will not end well. with a glower, it retreats back from whence it came. alucard watches it for a long time, merely to ensure it does not intend to return before flicking the blood smoothly from his sword onto the grass and sheathes it.

then he turns to neil. ]

Are you unharmed?

[diedeliberately]

Ye-- y--

[He needs to breathe, swallow down whatever spittle is stuck in his throat, make his lips move. His heart races in his chest, knees weak. He nods his head, laughing purely on nerves; it turns into a whimper.]

I-I'm okay. I... We've met, you and I. Thank- Thank you...

[ananym]

[ alucard smiles faintly as he waits for neil to catch his breath. he is so inured to this life, but he forgets that not everyone else is. ]

Take your time.

If you want, I will escort you to your home.

[diedeliberately]

[Neil nods, mouth dry, tongue too large for it. It feels difficult to talk, but he must.]

Neil. Neil Perry.

[Does he remember? He says it like a 'thank you'. He'll say that too.]

Yes. Please. And thank you. [Desperately earnest.]

I'm not a fighter, I... I've had no idea at all what to do.

[ananym]

[ his expression softens. ]

There is no shame in that.

After all, that is why I am here.

[diedeliberately]

[Neil laughs, but it sounds like a sob. He shakes his head.]

I-I can't thank you enough. I didn't mean to get caught out-- caught out...in it. In this.

[ananym]

Of course not.

None of this is your fault.

[diedeliberately]

[Neil's vision burns and blurs. He has to thumb tears away, embarrassed, but more so:]

I'm afraid. You're so brave, but not me. Not this.

[ananym]

[ alucard's expression is still gentle as can be. ]

I am not brave. Merely used to the horrors. And I do not see the shame in fear. Why would you not fear them? Why would you not wish to run?

Is that not how one should feel?

[diedeliberately]

[Neil is quiet for a moment, eyes on Alucard, terrified to look anywhere else. He nods his head, blinking more tears away.]

You're right. Still, I... I just wish I could help.

There are some I know, even, who now... Now, they're... [He gestures usually, sucking in a sharp breath.]

[ananym]

. . . It is a terrifying thing. When people you know transform into something unknowable.

[ dracula's change never bothered the world. just alucard. because alucard had known the father, not the monster.

but then again. maybe he just transformed into an unknowable monster. no longer the monster he knew. ]

[diedeliberately]

[Neil nods, letting out another sob-like laugh. He tries wiping tears from his eyes but only more follow.]

I don't want them to die. I don't want anyone to get hurt.

[ananym]

Nobody does.

[ quiet, affirming. and yet. ]

But it happens anyway.

[diedeliberately]

[Neil's next sob sounds nothing like a laugh. He's never experienced grief, only caused it. His knees feel weak, but somehow, he keeps himself upright. He tries to slap the tears off his cheeks, shake his head through them.]

I shouldn't be crying like this. I'm sorry. I'm sorry...

[ananym]

[ he's never been truly good at comfort. alucard can be kind. gentle. even sweet. but he's never been warm. his own sorrow, his own grief that hasn't faded over hundreds of years is still etched upon his brow. and though he loves over and over, he loses over and over.

and yet. here he is. he reaches out to rest a hand upon neil's shoulder. ]

Never be sorry for a feeling.

This is what people fight for.

[diedeliberately]

[It's more a grounding touch than he's used to from adults like Alucard - or, perhaps, adults that are nothing like him. The words remind him of something Mr. Keating might say, and that just makes him want to cry harder. He still tries to suck it up, look brave, but...it's not very convincing.]

What do you mean...? What people fight for...?

[ananym]

It is what I fight.

Maybe there is no way to end horror. But at least people can be protected from it. Feeling sad, feeling scared . . . You should feel that way. And also know that I am here.

To shield you from the rest.

[ like his mother had wanted. ]

[diedeliberately]

[Neil's lip trembles. He nods his head, brown eyes held in Alucard's gaze.]

You're like a superhero...

Thank you.

[There's a brief glance around. He seems to remember his circumstances, arms wrapping around himself in a tight self-hug.]

I...I'm just a few minutes walk down that way. [A shaky point with his hand.]

Could we-- Would...you still walk me home? Please...

[ananym]

I'm afraid I'm unfamiliar.

[ no superheroes in the 17th century so far. alucard nods, gesturing for neil to start walking. ]

And of course. I will ensure you make it back safely.

[diedeliberately]

[It feels a bit strange to make simple conversation as they walk, but Neil finds himself clarifying anyway.]

Just like any hero, but with...[He tries to think of how to word this.]...extraordinary abilities.

They're only fictional where I come from. Really, I just meant...someone who saves others like that. It's noble...