sleepytimejunction | fear the old blood

fear the old blood

[Rumors travel around in Garreg Mach fast. Most of the time, they're baseless and don't really catch Ashe's attention; he's admittedly more interested in making sure he's performing well. He has a roof over his head, and he wants to keep it that way, so he keeps his nose out of trouble.

But there is one that hangs on his mind. That there's something deep in the bowls of the church, a monster, a beast. That particularly bothers him, hangs over his mind, makes him think about how beasts have been improperly revered or maimed in the past. He's seen it in all manners by now. If the church does actually have a creature they're harboring, he can't help but wonder why.

It wouldn't be the first church to keep secrets, after all.

Ashe eventually decides that having all the facts won't hurt. If he's wrong, then he'll be happy to be. If he's not, well...

That's why he has his sword strapped to his back and his gun at his hip. He has more items he's harbored since the days before Lonato officially adopted him, most of them locked away in a trunk just in case. It's night, and most everyone is back in their dorm rooms. There's security, but Ashe knows their patterns enough to keep out of sight. He's spent his life as a thief, then as a hunter, now a student; he can manage.

It takes a bit of research, but he does find a secret path that starts in Rhea's office and extends to a rather old fashioned elevator. He opts to not use it in case it causes noise, instead climbing down the chain as he makes his way.

He doesn't expect what he finds, a grand room under the monastery, deep inside, full of stone caskets.

And something else.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Honestly, yes, he definitely had dick on the mind, but it's all vanished now that he's overwhelmed with the cuteness of Dimibat. The voice in his mind is briefly surprising, but then he nods, tucking Dimitri into the space of his jacket's pocket.]

I hope that's comfortable for you.

Goddess, what a nice surprise.

[Oh. This is remarkably snuggly, actually, finding a nice soft pocket that's just the right size for him to cuddle into and be confined there, where he can relax and conserve the little energy he has left for when he'll have to transform himself back.

Though he's a little reluctant to let go of Ashe's hand, happy as he was to cling to it.]

I have other forms, but...this is the most I can manage, now. I'm glad to have pleased you.

Other ones, huh? That makes sense. I read that the most powerful of vampires would have several forms. Even some beasts would change their shape in Yharnam.

Still, this is probably your cutest one, I bet. I like it a lot.

I imagine so.

[HE IS JUST A COZY LITTLE BAT IN HIS COZY LITTLE POCKET.]

Are your fingers all right? I can smell that the bleeding has stopped.

[now ashe has the idea to knit him a tiny blanket with a tiny pillow if this ever happens again. a tiny surprise for his tiny dimibat friend.]

I'm all right. I heal pretty quick in comparison to most people anyway.

How about you? Are you tired?

Only from the transformation. At full strength, I could make a change such as this a dozen times in a matter of minutes, with no ill effects.

[He rustles around a little in Ashe's pocket, mostly just so that his companion can feel him moving, not out of any particular discomfort.]

But I will nap, once you leave me. It will be blissful to sleep so deeply; I will welcome it.

I guess... down here, there's not much more you can do to pass the time.

[For a moment, Ashe is thoughtful. It seems to him that the only sin that Dimitri has committed was becoming a vampire, and he did so to protect his kingdom and family alike, to promise them victory. So cruelly, he's been starving down here, punished a hundred times over.

Maybe... he could afford to make some plans.]

What if... you had stuff to do while I wasn't here? I mean, other than after I leave today.

That you returned to see me a second time has already made me more joyful than words can express.

[Flatterer. Tiny bat flatterer. Although he seems sincere enough, in that...sort of intense way of his.]

What are you proposing, my little hunter?

[A soft laugh escapes him.]

You're the little one right now.

[His hand goes into the pocket, fingers offered out to Dimitri to climb up on.]

I may know someone that can keep you company when I can't be here. And I've felt bad just keeping her cooped up in my room anyway for most of the day. You both could be around each other until I can stop by.

Plus, she won't be afraid of you.

She?

[Curious, he clambers into Ashe's hand, clinging again to his fingers like he'd done before, so that he's secure to be lifted out.]

You would allow a woman close to me...? Even knowing what I am?

Of course. I'm not worried. First of all, I trust you.

[He lifts up Dimitri, looking at the cute little bat.]

Second of all, she doesn't have blood for you to drink.

What manner of woman has no blood for me to drink?

[His ancient Fódlan sensibilities clickety-clack away for a minute, pondering, but he winds up drawing a blank.]

Regardless...I trust you, too. If you think it prudent, then I have faith in you.

You'll know soon enough.

[Lifting Dimitri up, he gives his head another little kiss.]

I won't betray your trust. I'll try to be back with her when I'm able.

Do you want me to leave some of the books for now?

[Despite himself, he trills softly, making his approving noise through the bat's mouth instead of through their mental connection like a proper vampire ought to.]

Ah — yes, I would like that.

[EMBARRASSING...]

Let me change back, and kiss you farewell.

[Oh. That's such a cute sound. Ashe can't help but beam down at him, supremely delighted at the sound.]

Right! Of course. Here, let me put you down.

[Crouching, he helps the little bat back to the floor.]

Edited 2021-05-24 02:05 (UTC)

[He's grateful for the help, tired as he is, and as a result he takes a few extra seconds of just sitting still as a bat on the floor before gathering up every last vestige of his strength. He focuses, and his little bat form trembles; more slowly this time, a fog engulfs him, this time spreading outward until at last it takes a humanoid shape and reveals Dimitri, curled on his side on the floor.

He seems fine, for all that the position is odd. If anything, it doesn't look so much like he's in pain or distress as just...he fell over sometime in the transformation, and didn't quite have the strength or the interest in trying to get back up.]

Ah. Yes, I will need sleep soon, to gather my strength...but your delight made my little endeavor all worthwhile.

Oh, Dimitri...

[Kneeling down, he gathers the vampire into his arms, cradling him gently and helping him lean against Ashe's shoulder. If it really made Dimitri happy, then he supposes he can't be upset, but he still worries quietly.]

Do you need help to your coffin?

Hah...it seems so. Such a fearsome creature I am, mm?

[He sighs in faint relief as he leans against Ashe, collecting himself for a minute before gradually getting himself up to his feet and bracing against him to help keep his balance.]

I had thought to kiss you goodbye, but perhaps it will be you who kisses me goodnight.

I certainly have no opposition to that. I'm sure you're perfectly frightening when you're adequately full.

[A gentle bit of teasing, but he also truly has no doubt about that. That Dimitri is capable of being monstrous.

Carefully, he helps Dimitri over to his coffin, ensuring that he can settle back in comfortably. Once he's certain the vampire is prone, Ashe leans down, tenderly cupping Dimitri's cheek as he presses a sweet kiss to his lips.]

Have pleasant dreams. I'll see you again.

Is it wrong to hope that someday you will see me so? ...Yes, yes, of course it must be. I despair only that I have taken advantage of your kindness so much already.

[It really is a blessing, the way Ashe gets him back over to his resting tomb. Left to his own devices, he probably would've had to resort to crawling back and pulling himself up and into it — but he doesn't regret the expenditure of blood and energy, the choice he'd made.

How could he, when the memory of the kiss that so gently brushed the top of his fuzzy head will sustain him with elation for another hundred years.]

Be safe, little hunter. You take my affection with you when you go.

You only take what I've given you. And how selfish would it be of me to not accept both you as a man and you as a beast?

[And he imagines that Dimitri is quite capable of being a monstrosity. But then, so is a man under the right circumstances. Mortals can be just as wicked, and a monster's only sin is following their wretched instincts. Not all of them have the strength to battle it, and that ends tragically.

Dimitri is so much more than that. Perhaps it's foolish to adore him so much after a short amount of time, but there's something in the vampire that Ashe can relate to. Something that perhaps he himself does not quite understand yet.

Reluctantly, Ashe departs, giving Dimitri one last glance before he's gone into the elevator to slip through the night and remain undetected.

He doesn't think much of the missions the Academy undertakes, at least until they're forced to put down Sylvain's brother who becomes a beast. It was in that case that there wasn't much satisfaction; another occasion where he's had to help put down someone lost to madness and bloodlust. It was a cruel task to force Sylvain into, Ashe thinks; many of the students here still lack experience, after all. That, and he certainly trusts the church less and less as time goes on.

Eventually, in the week of a new month, he does execute his plan to return, gently guiding the Doll with him, her delicate porcelain fingers in his own. She doesn't have his abilities as a hunter, so they aren't as quick as he'd be on his own, but that's fine. He can keep the both of them unnoticed if they're careful.

She is tall, taller than most men, and certainly taller than Ashe himself. Yet, she appears so fragile. He waits in the elevator with her, content if nothing else to have her company. She's always been there, but there are some things that he can't exactly share with her the way he's bonded with Dimitri, after all.

The elevator settles, and he guides her into the tomb with him.]

Dimitri, I'm back. I'm sorry it took awhile. ...Actually, I have no idea if he's awake.

[Days no longer hold any real meaning to Dimitri, and haven't for some time; now his unit of measurement lies only in Ashe's goings and comings, his arrivals and his departures. Daylight is found in the warmth of his presence, bright and beaming and lively. When he leaves, like the sun falling beyond the horizon, nightfall comes, and it holds until his Ashe returns to him again.

The night has stretched on for a while, he thinks. He has no real judge of how long, but — it stretches on, until at last he hears the chains rattling in the elevator shaft all the way from where he's sleeping in his tomb, and anticipation leaps up to lodge in his throat.

He's a little stronger, from having rested, but his hunger is back again. Still, it's better than being exhausted; at least he's able to sit up, when he hears the footsteps beginning to sound on the stone.]

So it is true what they say. Absence makes the heart grow fonder — even a heart as cold and dead as mine.

[He smiles, faint but genuine, and flicks his gaze in the next instant to the...the puppet Ashe brings with him. There is no smell of life on her, somehow; there is no breath in her skin, because in fact she wears no skin at all. A pretty, lifelike simulacrum, mincing along on dainty feet at his hunter's side. And yet her clothes are so very fine, and her face so very pretty. She is much-loved, this one, and that's enough to leave him curious.]

And who is this that walks at your side? Lady, be at peace. Because you come in the company of my dear hunter, you too are my honored guest.

[The words make Ashe smile fondly, and he can't help but blush bright.]

You're such a romantic. [He says, as if he himself was not.

Right. The Doll. Ashe looks up at her and squeezes her hand gently; she can feel the pressure, even if there's no give in her fingers like flesh would be. Yet, he knows there is life in her, even if it is not like most others.

Letting his hand slip from hers, the Doll performs a curtsy, elegant but certainly mechanical in a way. A good evening to you and well met, sir. Ashe has told me much of you, night after night, stars in his eyes. I am a Doll, built to serve hunters, to strengthen their sickly spirit. Yet, it is only he now that I am for, as there are no others.

Ashe ducks his head, slightly embarrassed by how she described how enthusiastically he spoke of Dimitri.]

She's kind of like my mother. She looked after me while I was growing up and hunting. But... she's right. There aren't any other hunters anymore. I'm the last one.

Have times changed so much, that men no longer speak so softly to those they cherish?

[He's really not doing a whole lot to dissuade from that "such a romantic" thing, is he. Still, he gets himself up and out of the stone coffin, making his way over to stand in front of Ashe and his Doll. He's taller than her by six inches or so, but he's no stranger to towering over women; frankly, he'd find it stranger if he didn't.

She curtsies, and in return he offers her a lordly bow, reaching out to take her hand and kiss the knuckles with reverence. It's as much to investigate subtly what in the world she could be made of as it is to make a show of his courtesy, and he's surprised to find her "skin" is segmented at all the joints, and the hard smooth texture of porcelain.]

Did the church not find it strange that you brought your mother with you to the academy?

I think you'd hate knowing what people do up there. But, ah... I like the way you speak to me. It's sweet.

[The way he stands and greets the Doll makes Ashe smile, warm and fond. The Doll looks upon Dimitri kindly and patiently, both innocent yet ancient somehow.]

Well, um. She can become inactive, so she ends up looking just like a doll. Plus, unless you know what you're looking for, she doesn't seem like a person.

So instead, people can just think I'm kind of a weirdo if they break into my room. [He laughs awkwardly.

The children here have not seen much in the way of beasts. How could they think to look at a simple doll?]

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