[In the midst of all the vampires and combat, it's only instinct to nock an arrow and have her bow at the ready when the sudden sound of underbrush rustling catches her attention. Anyone would be wary of such things, and especially so when it's a great white wolf she sights, because she's not altogether certain whether she's expecting a man or a wolf to come running at the sound of her call and she's hardly about to risk being wrong.
But then she sees the way his tail is wagging, and the flash of those familiar golden eyes, and in an instant she's returned the arrow to her quiver and shouldered her bow in favor of crouching down to circle her arms about his neck as best she can, all but burying them in the depth of his fur.]
Adrian!
[He's Alucard now, she supposes, which is a truly ridiculous name all things considered. Perhaps she'll have to ask him if she ought to go about as Allesor now, just the same. But that's a notion for another time, as she kisses the middle of his furry head and hugs him tight and resolves to just be glad she's finally, finally reached the goal of her long adventure, and what a happy relief it is for it.]
Oh, it is you, I'd been so afraid I'd have to walk all the way to Machecoul after you! Whatever are you doing so far from the castle? Goodness, did you know there's a whole town built up around it now? They were quite against giving me my bow back, I'll have you know! Something about keeping it in their Bell Mount Hold, if you can believe that. And another thing, are you traveling with a Speaker and a rather fearsome young lady with magic blades? I came across them on my way over, but they stayed to deal with the vampires. Which, I should say, what has gotten into vampires of late? I certainly don't recall them being so ill-mannered about your father's court. I think it's just awful to see, really —
[Planning on breathing at any time in there, Rosella? No? Okay, then.]
[Earnest whining escapes the wolf as he snuggles right into the embrace, tail continuing to wag excitedly as he takes all of her affection. It's been centuries since he's last heard that name, not that he regrets it. Certainly least of all from her.
And naturally, she can still talk like she doesn't need to breathe.
The wolf's form fades to mist before it is replaced solidly by Alucard himself, drawing Rosella into a proper hug now. It isn't just his childhood friend. It's like reuniting with a part of himself that he'd nearly lost.]
One thing at a time, Rosie. Before you turn blue.
[It isn't so surprising that she'd found him. Anyone from King Graham's family as he knows it would never know the meaning of surrender in any capacity. More the question is why she is here other than for a long awaited reunion.
They'll get there.]
I, regrettably, have a vampire I need to work on slaying who currently has one of two souls of an ancient Egyptian god, so I am on my way to Paris to keep her from becoming all powerful. [Dryly yet still so sincerely, he adds:] And how have you been?
[Spoken like a person who's had more than a few dealings with Green People™ of late. But then deep fur and a velvety nose slip away into mist, only just briefly before turning solid again, and before she quite realizes it she's the one who's been gathered up in a set of arms distinctly larger than she remembers, and presented with a face more handsome and fine than that of the young friend in her memories.
Of course he'd grown up; she has, too, after all. Aunt Lisa had so often said how the two of them looked like twins themselves, with their matching blond hair like hers. How funny to think that she had been a twin all along, albeit with someone who looks quite less like her from a distance than Adrian does.]
...A lady vampire? Not the same one Sir Olrox mentioned, surely?
[Ah, but the necessity of further explanation quickly catches up, and she hastens to clarify: ]
I happened upon him when I first crossed over into France. He...seemed a proper sort of vampire, so I introduced myself as your father's ward and asked if he knew where I might find you. Oh — that is, in the old way of his court, like he taught us. I wasn't careless, I promise.
[IT WAS A LITTLE CARELESS but she can hardly be faulted for not knowing it's been literal centuries, surely.]
He did make me promise not to tell anyone but you that I'd spoken with him. That's quite all right, I hope?
[The mention of Olrox earns a surprised raise of his brows, and he considers a moment before shaking his head.]
You're lucky it was Olrox.
[But it was what she was taught to do, and she had no reason to know that Dracula is long gone by his own hand. Fortune smiled upon Rosella of Daventry when it was Olrox she encountered. Reasonable vampires these days are too far and few.]
It's fine. But... it seems there's plenty for us to exchange.
[Gently, he squeezes her arms before parting from the embrace, giving Rosella one last fond smile before it's to business.]
The two you met earlier are indeed with me. Richter Belmont and Annette. We should regroup. I truly wish we reunited under better circumstances, glad as I am to see you.
We can answer each other's question after I'm sure there are no other stragglers.
...He said much the same. He told me when I went to Machecoul to keep far from a certain chateau called Vendée. That I'd catch notice for being...the right age, and pretty?
[She shrugs a little, lips pursing. It's not difficult to guess what those two qualities might add up to in a nation riddled with impertinent vampires, and the warning was a sound one. She does only have so many arrows, after all.]
I'm glad I found you long before I reached it. But of course, let's be rid of these woods. Your friends seemed to have things well in hand when I left them! Or, er. The lady Annette did, at least. The Speaker boy would have better aim if he'd stop sneaking glances at her in the midst of battle.
[She gets to her feet, dusting herself off a bit before examining her bow and checking her quiver, making certain she has an accurate count of her remaining arrows.]
Just like old times, then? You take up the van, and I'll support you at range?
[Young, healthy, beautiful -- a prime target for any vampire, but certainly for Erzsebet. It truly was fortunate that it was Olrox that found her, and once again he finds himself indebted to the vampire. It's certainly a rare occasion.]
As subtle as a rock to the head, isn't he? [It's wryly spoken; Richter certainly makes him nostalgic for centuries ago, in both the most charming and obnoxious of ways. A Belmont through and through.]
Just like old times. [He confirms fondly before he takes lead.
Not that he has much to be concerned with, Alucard is certain. Rosella is right, the pair of them should have matters well at hand, but he isn't going to leave anything to chance. The odds are, as ever, not on their side, including time.
For certain, Richter and Annette could finish off their quarry easily enough, but it doesn't stop Alucard from running in, impaling a vampire onto his blade.]
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But then she sees the way his tail is wagging, and the flash of those familiar golden eyes, and in an instant she's returned the arrow to her quiver and shouldered her bow in favor of crouching down to circle her arms about his neck as best she can, all but burying them in the depth of his fur.]
Adrian!
[He's Alucard now, she supposes, which is a truly ridiculous name all things considered. Perhaps she'll have to ask him if she ought to go about as Allesor now, just the same. But that's a notion for another time, as she kisses the middle of his furry head and hugs him tight and resolves to just be glad she's finally, finally reached the goal of her long adventure, and what a happy relief it is for it.]
Oh, it is you, I'd been so afraid I'd have to walk all the way to Machecoul after you! Whatever are you doing so far from the castle? Goodness, did you know there's a whole town built up around it now? They were quite against giving me my bow back, I'll have you know! Something about keeping it in their Bell Mount Hold, if you can believe that. And another thing, are you traveling with a Speaker and a rather fearsome young lady with magic blades? I came across them on my way over, but they stayed to deal with the vampires. Which, I should say, what has gotten into vampires of late? I certainly don't recall them being so ill-mannered about your father's court. I think it's just awful to see, really —
[Planning on breathing at any time in there, Rosella? No? Okay, then.]
no subject
And naturally, she can still talk like she doesn't need to breathe.
The wolf's form fades to mist before it is replaced solidly by Alucard himself, drawing Rosella into a proper hug now. It isn't just his childhood friend. It's like reuniting with a part of himself that he'd nearly lost.]
One thing at a time, Rosie. Before you turn blue.
[It isn't so surprising that she'd found him. Anyone from King Graham's family as he knows it would never know the meaning of surrender in any capacity. More the question is why she is here other than for a long awaited reunion.
They'll get there.]
I, regrettably, have a vampire I need to work on slaying who currently has one of two souls of an ancient Egyptian god, so I am on my way to Paris to keep her from becoming all powerful. [Dryly yet still so sincerely, he adds:] And how have you been?
no subject
[Spoken like a person who's had more than a few dealings with Green People™ of late. But then deep fur and a velvety nose slip away into mist, only just briefly before turning solid again, and before she quite realizes it she's the one who's been gathered up in a set of arms distinctly larger than she remembers, and presented with a face more handsome and fine than that of the young friend in her memories.
Of course he'd grown up; she has, too, after all. Aunt Lisa had so often said how the two of them looked like twins themselves, with their matching blond hair like hers. How funny to think that she had been a twin all along, albeit with someone who looks quite less like her from a distance than Adrian does.]
...A lady vampire? Not the same one Sir Olrox mentioned, surely?
[Ah, but the necessity of further explanation quickly catches up, and she hastens to clarify: ]
I happened upon him when I first crossed over into France. He...seemed a proper sort of vampire, so I introduced myself as your father's ward and asked if he knew where I might find you. Oh — that is, in the old way of his court, like he taught us. I wasn't careless, I promise.
[IT WAS A LITTLE CARELESS but she can hardly be faulted for not knowing it's been literal centuries, surely.]
He did make me promise not to tell anyone but you that I'd spoken with him. That's quite all right, I hope?
no subject
You're lucky it was Olrox.
[But it was what she was taught to do, and she had no reason to know that Dracula is long gone by his own hand. Fortune smiled upon Rosella of Daventry when it was Olrox she encountered. Reasonable vampires these days are too far and few.]
It's fine. But... it seems there's plenty for us to exchange.
[Gently, he squeezes her arms before parting from the embrace, giving Rosella one last fond smile before it's to business.]
The two you met earlier are indeed with me. Richter Belmont and Annette. We should regroup. I truly wish we reunited under better circumstances, glad as I am to see you.
We can answer each other's question after I'm sure there are no other stragglers.
no subject
[She shrugs a little, lips pursing. It's not difficult to guess what those two qualities might add up to in a nation riddled with impertinent vampires, and the warning was a sound one. She does only have so many arrows, after all.]
I'm glad I found you long before I reached it. But of course, let's be rid of these woods. Your friends seemed to have things well in hand when I left them! Or, er. The lady Annette did, at least. The Speaker boy would have better aim if he'd stop sneaking glances at her in the midst of battle.
[She gets to her feet, dusting herself off a bit before examining her bow and checking her quiver, making certain she has an accurate count of her remaining arrows.]
Just like old times, then? You take up the van, and I'll support you at range?
no subject
[Young, healthy, beautiful -- a prime target for any vampire, but certainly for Erzsebet. It truly was fortunate that it was Olrox that found her, and once again he finds himself indebted to the vampire. It's certainly a rare occasion.]
As subtle as a rock to the head, isn't he? [It's wryly spoken; Richter certainly makes him nostalgic for centuries ago, in both the most charming and obnoxious of ways. A Belmont through and through.]
Just like old times. [He confirms fondly before he takes lead.
Not that he has much to be concerned with, Alucard is certain. Rosella is right, the pair of them should have matters well at hand, but he isn't going to leave anything to chance. The odds are, as ever, not on their side, including time.
For certain, Richter and Annette could finish off their quarry easily enough, but it doesn't stop Alucard from running in, impaling a vampire onto his blade.]