[OTA]

[fahrenheit1475]

WHO: Alucard
WHERE: Fountain
WHEN: 20 December 2018
OPEN TO: All
WARNINGS: Nothing probably. Maybe one whole swear.

---

Fountain Arrival
It's one thing to know how feeble humans are, and another to suddenly be as weak as one. It actually takes a couple tries to realize he somehow can't get himself out of the water without real effort, his waterlogged hair and clothes weighing him down.

Once out, he's slumped back against the side of the fountain, some of the falling snow sticking to damp hair, trying to sort out not just the weakness but the odd clothing. Alucard ends up talking to himself as he tries to puzzle this all out, grabbing what looks like a dry towel off the side of the fountain. "Was I expected, then? Perhaps this isn't something I can blame on father's castle after all..."

Comments

[skyward_eyes]

"Expected may be a strong word for it," Nida admitted, still sitting on the edge of the fountain as he regarded the newcomer. "Just happened to be on duty, as it were."

All that time keeping to his promise to Rinoa to watch the fountain at certain times, and for the first time Nida had managed to be here when someone arrived. Granted he'd gotten out a bit later than expected which meant he had arrived just in time to see the man panting, and had flopped the towel down in place.

"Take half a moment, catch your breath. Better not to stay out here long. The Inn is just across the way. The fireplace should be comforting."

[fahrenheit1475]

"I see." There's a beat of silence where Alucard gives the man a good look over. Not a vampire, probably, so maybe also not responsible. Some kind of local guard perhaps?

There's a strong urge to needle and see if he can get any kind of rise out of him, or more info. Nothing too aggressive yet, but testing to see where things stand right now. He's not trusting what he sees yet. "I don't suppose there's an option where I jump back in the fountain and go home. Or just decide not to listen to you..."

[skyward_eyes]

Really? Well, Nida's absolutely okay with the not being listened to, because he has long since come to terms with stubborn people. Especially stubborn people pointing the stubbornness at him. He lived with one, thanks.

"There is absolutely an option where you jump back in the fountain, but it won't get you home. If it did, I'd dive in right now. But you're welcome to the hypothermia. When you pass out I'll fish you out and take you to see Dr. Crusher. You're also welcome not to listen to me. But in that case I'll be taking the towel back because we've got a very small set of them at the house and I'll need it dried for a shower after my rounds."

Yes, a guard in some form or another, but not the sort Alucard would assume. More a 'protect the people from monsters outside' than the 'throw you in the 'jailhouse' sort. Especially since the latter would be difficult with that being a temporary barn.

[fahrenheit1475]

"It was worth a shot. And I'll keep the towel for now." Alucard frankly looks unapolagetic. Like a dog that shook out it's fur after unwanted bath. Nida is lucky he doesn't have his powers, or there might be an actual fight to start with rather than just a single set of verbal barbs.

He files the doctor's name away, but is definitely assuming it's a snakeoil type doctor and not the real kind.

As it is, he's weak and being given free information. No fights for now. He doesn't like sitting and being shorter though, so Alucard will stand to his full height now he's gotten his breath. "So you're trying to return home...that means you're not the one responsible." So who is? And he still doesn't know where he is, but his priorities are a little turned around right now.

[skyward_eyes]

Please, try him. Nida's new bo was resting in reach, far too long to be mistaken for a walking stick. Of course it was on the ground, a quiet suggestion that he is unarmed. See, see how nice he is playing.

Then Alucard was standing, and Nida found himself looking up at the man. Quite a bit. Oh dear, that was tall, quite impressively so. Nida let himself rise, stooping to pick up his fallen bo as he did so. Damn, the thing wasn't even as long as Alucard was tall. Impressive indeed.

"No. That would be our friendly neighborhood Observers. And no one knows where they are. We're stuck here. Welcome to... wherever in Hyne's name we are."

Later, in the inn

[fahrenheit1475]

At some point he ends up near the fire, a towel still kept to try and pat his hair down. He'd be fine to go back out into the cold now he's more situated and explore. But hair takes a long while to dry, and he's not about to risk the cold weather affecting him more than it already is. So he's here for a while. Sharply watching anyone who enters the room or walks nearby.

[to_defend]

Still feeling a little raw from the video that had popped up on the feed, 7's taken to darting eyes about herself. By some great miracle, however, she's leaving her spear at home, though, and gathers up a plate and goes to sit down.

As she entered, and as she collected her meal, she'd noticed a new face that was watching people the way she did. Food in hand, she hesitates, then makes a silent decision and approaches his table.

"Hey. Mind if I ...?" She motions to the empty seat next to him

[fahrenheit1475]

There's a clear looking her up and down that happens. She's one of the first to actually approach, and he's not sure what her deal is. But she is weaponless and carrying food. That's points in not seeing her as a threat.

"I don't see why not. " He's got a very slight edge to his voice, wary. Who is this, and what does she want?

[to_defend]

The mistake would be thinking she isn't dangerous because she's not carrying a weapon, but she's not in a mood to fight right now (which is a lot to say considering how on edge she was when she first arrived). She notes the edge in his voice, and settles herself across from him.

"You're new. Or, you've been hiding out somewhere." She's been here a couple months, but she is also no social butterfly; there were already too many people here for her to memorize every single one.

[fahrenheit1475]

Not an immediate threat doesn't mean not dangerous, but she is smaller than him. And eating.

There's a tiny bit of amusement that shines through at that statement. The sharpness hasn't left yet, though. "One of those two, yes. Care to make a guess which?"

[moderndayassassin]

Desmond has been hanging out on the other side of the inn in a corner, keeping to himself. He needs to come here to eat and take some things with him, because he doesn't really know how to cook. Outside of bar food, which isn't really an option. He likes to people watch, although being here means it'll be harder to flee if a certain someone came in. But he watches the dude from a distance, sipping water, and it's not like he's staring, he looks at everyone who comes in and out.

But he's supposed to be trying to be social. He isn't supposed to be brooding in public if he's going to come out. He thinks this guy might be new, he's not looking like someone who is used to being here. Those tend to be more casual. Desmond gets up from his far away corner and moves closer. Not all the way to where he is though. He stops at a table still a wary reasonable distance away. "Hey." God how to human. Was it going to ever be easy again? "You new?"

[fahrenheit1475]

Speaking of brooding, Alucard isn't the happiest to have his own moping time interrupted. But he won't turn down a self introduction, seeing as he still needs information.

He's verbally sharp, but not quite rude at this time. Sarcasm and wariness is his method of self-defense. "If by new you mean just climbed out of a fountain in an unnamed place I've never seen before, I suppose the answer might be yes."

[moderndayassassin]

"Yep, that's what I mean. I'm still not sure if the bunker option is better. I came in through the fountain." Desmond doesn't mind rude or sharp. He knows what to do with personality better than someone just being polite. He's sarcastic and wary himself, but he's also out of fucks to give at this point, so why not randomly talk to a new person.

"There's another place you can come in, it's this underground area. But I guess someone has to be there to take you out. And either you walk for seven hours to get back, or go underwater. I haven't been myself, but nearly drowning in the freezing fountain was no picnic." He leans his back against the table and crosses arms against his chest, facing Alucard from his safe distance. "You used to crazy shit or is this a new thing for you?"

[fahrenheit1475]

"Underground...it's been mentioned before. Is the entrance nearby?" Of course his immediate response is to demand information. He never quite learned manners.

"I am used to...a certain level of 'crazy shit' as you are calling it. However, this in particular is a first. Being informed that I'm essentially a doppelganger doesn't help with the novelty." He means clone. Someone told him straight up, and if anything it makes him more suspicious of the whole situation. Nothing he knows can transfer memories like this, so he must be the original.

i apologize in advance

[debrains]

For the most part, even the wary folks that Blaine's met so far have been friendly enough. He wouldn't go so far as to say social, or even necessarily genuine in their friendliness, but the second he walks into the Inn he feels someone's gaze on him. Hm. It only takes another to realize where it's coming from, as he's heading for the free seat by the fire and that's right where Sir Glarington is situated. He looks like he's just crawled out of the fountain, which... yeah, that arrival sucked, Blaine hated it too, but it's not his fault.

"That's some stink eye you've got," he offers casually as he takes a seat in his favorite spot, reaching his gloveless hands towards the warmth of the fire. Gotta find a pair of those, seriously. "Just got here, huh?"

never apologize for art

[fahrenheit1475]

Alucard pays special attention to anyone who looks like they're even going to consider approaching. Blaine catches that stink eye walking all the way up. He's not really the type to apologize for anything so he doesn't. He just confirms it. "I prefer to call it a wary eye."


"Is it the newness so obvious? Clearly I need to blend in better." He has no intention of blending in, if the previously mentioned stink eye is anything to go by. He knows he's being inconspicuous and just doesn't care in this moment. If he attracts attention maybe he'll get answers.

[debrains]

"As long as we're acknowledging there's an eye," Blaine says cheerfully, then nods. "Don't give yourself a strike this time around, it's the being soaking wet. Obvious giveaway... was there anybody at the fountain to greet you? Give you the run-down on how shit works around here?"

He knows they were organizing a watch for newbies, but hey, it wasn't his shift. He doesn't sound apologetic or responsible, just matter of fact. If this guy had bad timing it's not his fault, though he is sympathetic to how much it sucks to wake up underwater.

Out and about

[fahrenheit1475]

As soon as he found the black peacoat he put it on, both to keep warm and because it's much more his style. He spends about the next day following what seems to be major paths through the town, trying to visit the edge at each cardinal direction at least once. His goal is mostly just to get a lay of the land.

He feels awfully naked without powers, or at least a sword. But he doesn't want to seek anything specific out until he's got a sense of the place.

Poke the new guy?

Out and about

[mediumhoodie]

Kat was sitting outside of her house with a small bundle of feathers and fur in her lap. The bird-like kitten was odd but absolutely adorable as it pawed playfully at Kat's fingers. Unlike Alucard, Kat was wearing a dark hoodie and a pair of shorts. It was a little clod out but this was the only outfit she had from home and it was comforting to wear.

She looked up when she spotted someone stepping across the street and raised her hand in a silent hello.

"Hello." Vibrant emerald green eyes met his gaze as she spoke. "Are you lost?" Kat didn't remember him from the inn though she was sure that she didn't know everyone in the village.

Re: Out and about

[fahrenheit1475]

He'll step a little closer once acknowledged. It seemed to him this town was emptier than expected, and finding someone is worth noting. He's unused to her style of clothing, but won't comment on it more than a raised eyebrow. It's not the weirdest thing that happened so far.

"It sounds a bit like everyone here is." A little sharply said, but not focused on her so much as the circumstances. "Are you as well?"

Out and about

[mediumhoodie]

Kat's expression softens. "In way but not as much as others." It didn't matter where she was or what body she inhabited. Kat had a strong sense of self and it kept her confident and unphased, even in a world like this one.

"Would you like to come in for some tea? I might be able to help answer question you have or point you to someone more experiences."

[firacrux]

Some humans might take exception to Alucard's observation about their frailty. Some, in fact, pride themselves on not being very frail at all.

Not that any of that was particularly important to the situation at hand. What was important was a soggy person slumped against the fountain. A soggy person Seifer initially thought was a woman based on what little of the hair and frame he could see, until he heard the guy talk to himself. Which lead him to meandering closer for a second look, just to be sure. He'd been on his way to pester the Inn for food, might as well stop off to check on someone fresh the fountain spat out.

"Wouldn't call it expected. More like 'anticipated'. You alive?" Not drowning, maybe confused?

[fahrenheit1475]

Some humans are not so frail, yes. He knows a few of those. He didn't expect to count himself in their number.


"Alive? That depends on who you ask." He's definitely confused, but not drowning. He can talk so he's conscious for sure. He draws his gaze up towards the stranger, his face entirely wary of him. "Who is asking?"

[firacrux]

Welcome to mortality Alucard, it sucks.

Seifer just rose an eyebrow at that. Is it a joke? A reference to something? He doesn't get it. "The name's Seifer Almasy. You? And come on, the fountain thing's a real kick in the pants in the cold. Inn's not far, there's a fire in there."

[fahrenheit1475]

It is. He's watching to see if Siefer seems to recognize anything he's talking about. He tests people long before trusting them. "My name is Adrien Tepes. Most call me Alucard."

"An inn? I suppose that's an improvement to sitting here and remaining wet." He feels a little like a drowned cat right now, if he's honest.