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.]

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Ah, you silly vampire.

[Gently, he works his hand free of Dimitri's so he can properly cup his face. Leaning in, Ashe kisses the bridge of his nose.]

Even humans can't move on very well. And you have had nothing but time down here to dwell on the past. It's not very surprising.

I'm sorry about what you've been through, but you don't need forgiveness from me.

...S-Silly...?

[A little gobsmacked, he blinks, startled by the endearment and the affection alike. To have lost Ashe now would have been all but a death blow to him, or so it feels. Yet Ashe does not reject him, or even seem upset by the confessions he's made; quite the contrary, he indulges him, lavishing affection and acceptance that makes Dimitri's black soul and blacker heart feel golden and light.]

You asked me once, do you recall, if there was anyone I was close to in the days when my brother still lived. I did not answer you then; I'm sure you suspected, but said nothing.

Just as you asked me never to turn you, and I said you might someday wish me to, to escape a different fate.

Oh, very silly.

[A small chuckle escapes Ashe, and he smiles at the vampire. The Doll lifts her head thoughtfully, gazing at the two of them, but saying nothing.]

I remember. And you avoided the question. I assumed that it was better to leave it alone until you wanted to tell me. I know how that kind of thing can go.

I can't imagine if there'd be a day that I ask, but I guess it's good that I still have a boon left, hm? You never know.

If ever I did, I do not think I could bear to be apart from you. To be without you would be as though I were without a part of myself, and I have lost my Ishilde already.

[He shakes his head, leaning down to rest his cheek on Ashe's shoulder. It's a little bit comical, with the way he's so much taller than Ashe is while seated, but he's desperate for the affection anyway.]

I sometimes think that she is the reason Rhea despises me so. She has always favored the emperors of Adrestia. Perhaps avenging herself upon me is on behalf of the Empire she cares so deeply for.

[At least, that's how he remembers things being, all those centuries ago.]

[It's like a big clingy cat -- or at least, that's the first thing that Ashe thinks of, anyway. Probably a strange thought, but he can't help but smile to himself as he reaches up to idly scratch his fingers through Dimitri's hair. Should it be so worrying how much Dimitri has attached himself to Ashe? Possibly, but he's also starving for affection in his own way, too.]

I suppose that might be so. Rhea is a bit hard to understand, but she's good at having people believe in her.

But when someone is self-assured enough, they can convince most people of anything, I guess.

Do you suppose Ishilde is out there somewhere?

I...don't know. I am not certain if I would know if she is dead.

[He closes his eyes, contributing to the cat perception with a low rumbling noise that trills like a purr, for all that it's also rather unearthly in its tenor.]

What torment it would be, if she were gone. To languish an eternity, longing for her, and knowing all the while that she would never return to me.

I don't know what that's like. I've never had anyone waiting for me. At least, not until I went to the Dream.

[It comes out without thought, almost blurting it out. It makes him feel hollow for a moment; all of his family died over the course of time to various sickness and plagues, and Ashe never could help any of them. He stole to live, hunted to live, and killed to live. Friends were few, and those in his memories seem so far away. Likely they'd have abandoned Yharnam for brighter horizons, surely.]

Well. Maybe that's something we should consider when we get you out of here. Maybe we can look for clues on her.

...Where you met your Doll. She is the one who waited for you in this dream?

[No wonder he's so attached to her. And what a surprise to hear of how lonely his little hunter has been, friendless in the world and left without anyone to miss him wherever he goes or comes. How familiar a tale it is to someone like Dimitri. How saddening it is to think that it's an experienced shared by someone he cares for so much.]

But now you have me, also. Longing for you from afar, wherever you go when you are away from me.

Yes. She's supposed to aid any Hunter that goes to the Dream. Helping them become stronger. But... well, I'm the last Hunter now, like she said.

[But it was also like... she raised him? For a moment, Ashe looks confused, trying to sort out his memories. He was fifteen when he was a Hunter, but it feels like he knew her sooner?

Fortunately, he stops thinking about it too hard when Dimitri speaks again.]

I guess that's true. I'm lucky that I have two people now. A-and you have me too, you know. I... always look forward to coming to see you again.

And if you were to use this Dream to help me escape this place. Would I then become a Hunter, myself? Such an amusing thought. A monster that hunts monsters.

[He sits up, breaking contact only long enough to reach over and scoop Ashe into his lap instead, wanting to hold him and determined to claim the satisfaction without hesitation.]

Yet you are the one I need to become stronger. You and your decadent blood.

That's like asking if she's a Hunter. It's a bit more complicated than that. Besides, there haven't been real Hunts for awhile.

[Suddenly being pulled into Dimitri's lap earns a startled squeak, but beyond that he lets himself become comfortable, leaning against the vampire. It's a bit embarrassing doing this before the Doll, but she doesn't appear to mind.]

Me, huh? Well... you and I both need blood for that. That's okay. The more I slay, the stronger I'll be.

So much the better that your Hunts have gone quiet. Perhaps one day you would have turned your sights on me, in a far deadlier fashion than you have already.

[He shifts a little, settling Ashe easily in his hold, until they're both snug and comfortable and easily reclining — a position that could last them for hours, if they desired it.]

May I set my teeth against you, pretty hunter? I will not bite, though I confess I may seek to nibble.

I can't really imagine how. Some hunters do get obsessed with it, though. The Hunt, I mean. I guess that doesn't matter anymore.

[Comfortably, Ashe rests against Dimitri. He raises his hand up, stroking down his cheek.]

Yes, you can. And a little bit of nibbling is fine. Resisting must be hard.

Resisting you demands every last bit of my strength.

[He leans in close to Ashe's neck, his tongue darting out to lick a slow wet stroke up the side of his throat, near where his pulse beats.]

And I have neglected your needs for far too long already. Your Doll says you missed me, telling tales with stars in your eyes. So it must be true; a lady so dignified and sweet could never be a liar.

[There's a shiver running up his spine at the tongue teasing close to his pulse. For a moment, Ashe is terribly distracted until he remembers to speak to Dimitri.

Predictably, Ashe blushes furiously.]

She's teasing me, in her way. But... yeah, I was telling her about you. I've never... felt so connected to someone before. Is that bad of me to say?

I care about people. Of course I do. All I've ever wanted was to actually be able to help people, but I've never been that close to someone. But it's different with you.

...Connected to me...

[What an odd thing to say — odd enough that he lifts his head and blinks at Ashe, regarding him curiously. It would be one thing to speak of simple relief, of an end to his loneliness, of his gratitude for the adoration Dimitri offers so freely — but there seems to be something more to it than that, and the notion gives him pause.

Ashe is a Yharnam hunter; the sharing of blood among that kind is something unique, he knows. Could a connection have formed when he tasted his hunter's blood? Truly, it is impossible to say.]

Tell me more of this. Tell me of this...thing you feel.

I... I don't really know how to describe it. Fondness? Longing, I guess. It's... a little embarrassing, but I, uh.

[He ducks his head a little.]

I'd hate to, um. Make you uncomfortable. With how much I want to be with you.

[As if somehow Dimitri wasn't already kind of oddly obsessed with him but don't worry about it.]

[For a minute, then, he's just quiet — staring openly at Ashe, processing the fact that yes, those words really did just come out of his mouth.

A minute after that, unsurprisingly, he's laughing.]

To make me uncomfortable...! With your — with your desires...!

[good grief he hasn't laughed like this in ages. or at least since the story about Loog and Kyphon and the goose.]

You are magnificent. And how tenderly you fear for my — virtue...!

H-hey! You're teasing me.

[Not that he can complain about the sound of genuine laughter from Dimitri, but... still!

Behind him, the Doll lets out a soft laugh as well. It's faint, like a hint of joy, but it's there.]

Aw, you too?

I am. Wicked creature that I am, tormenting you so.

[He laughs again, this time ducking back in close to Ashe's neck and giving him a light nip — barely a scrape of blunt teeth, nowhere close enough to slit skin, but a playful sensation nevertheless.]

Come, then. Make me uncomfortable. Ravish me with your insatiable desire, I am ready.

[For a moment, Ashe is huffing, at least until he feels the light drag of teeth which makes him gasp. He knew that Dimitri had warned him, but he still makes his cheeks go pink again.

He buries his face into Dimitri's neck.]

You're terrible. The worst.

[Naturally, he means nothing by that.]

Mmmm. Would you perhaps rather that your Doll did not watch?

[Not that he minds her company or anything, himself, but it's got to be awkward to have a vampire putting the moves on you while your oddly stoic mom watches passively from nearby.]

I have every intention of putting stars in your eyes, in one way or another.

[Honestly, he suspects that the Doll would not even care if they did anything -- but it's still something he can't help but feel terribly embarrassed about. The idea that she's here, watching them be so affectionate.

And the things Dimitri say do not help. Not one bit.]

I-- y-yeah.

[Should I leave?]

N-no, no you don't have to do that. I, um... it's fine.

Sweet lady, if I may presume — this place is to be your home for a time, as it has always been mine. Perhaps you would care to explore, and acquaint yourself. Choose a space of your own, whatever is to your liking, and I will make it comfortable for you to the limits of my ability.

[So he says, giving Ashe a surreptitious squeeze as he smiles at the Doll.]

Though it has been centuries since last I was a host, you will find that I have not altogether forgotten my manners.

[The Doll stands and she gives a small bow. There have been many hosts I've acquainted myself with. Your manners are more than I would ask for. Please, care for my sweet hunter. It is all I wish.

She turns and steps away, to explore as asked of her. Ashe watches over his shoulder, his fingers curled against Dimitri's shoulders.]

Sorry. It's just... you know.

[That's kind of his mom.]

fear the old blood

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