Something in Common
By The Unseen Watcher
Disclaimer. Vampire Hunter D and Castlvania are not mine, but belong to their respective owners. I can live with that, but I kinda wish they'd animate the second one. So, by request and because I am a Girl of my word ^_^(also because I wanted to continue it myself), here's another chapter!
Chapter 4
---------------
It had been a week since D had found Alucard in the old ruin. One full of many surprises and revelations for Alucard. Few were pleasant.
They had bypassed the little town that D had first come upon in the area. Neither of them were comfortable with people, and D doubted that there was any reward the small community could muster up anyway.
They'd run into the occasional battle with various monsters on the road. Alucard had found them to be different from the one's he had known, but they still fell under his blade just as quickly. The more the pale dhamphir saw of this new world, the stranger it seemed. Everything was so different, yet so familiar all at once.
The technological advances, barely begun when he had gone to sleep, were now so far advanced that they often astounded him. D's horse was just one example. The various guns and riding vehicles he glimpsed from a distance and D helpfully described were even more so. He was even more stupefied to find that these things were only remnants of the highly advanced society this desolate planet once held. Apparently, there had been a war titanic enough to include the entire world, leaving civilization devastated and left partly primitive in its wake.
Even livestock were not left unmarked. The sheep looked more feral than tame. Sharp teeth and glowing eyes had replaced the previous characteristics of the no longer placid herbivore. The deer were huge. The predators even more so. Strange creatures that looked like hairless squirrels scuttled in the branches overhead.
The world had turned inside out, leaving Alucard feeling that he'd come in on the latter end of a book series after only perusing the first novel twelve books ago.
The one thing that hadn't changed were the constant battles, even if the foes were slightly different.
Alucard shook himself out of his musings. He was cleaning his weapons after the most recent battle between them and a creature that looked like a giant red cloud. He had made sure it didn't even touch him after it stripped a small creature to the bones by enveloping it in its crimson fog. It had felt quite solid on his blade.
Most creatures kept back from the two hunters, having just enough intelligence to sense that tangling with this pair would be a very bad idea. Monsters that wouldn't have thought twice about attacking a fully armed human caravan stayed away when they smelled the dhampirs. The stupid ones were made short work of.
Alucard looked sourly at the short sword in his hand. He badly missed his own sword, a gift from his mother. This dinky thing wouldn't have held through the first few rooms of his father's castle. He sighed. Well, there was very little chance he'd find it after so long anyway.
*
D glanced over at his companion, noticing his examination of his weapon. The small thing didn't seem to suit the elegant dhamphir. He seemed more the type to have a longer, more efficient weapon. One that dispatched opponents more swiftly.
*
Alucard noticed D's attention and shrugged in response to his inquiring gaze, sheathing the weapon.
"I had a better one, but unfortunately it was taken by the same scavenger that locked me up in that box." He explained.
D was silent, but Alucard could nonetheless sense the unspoken question. He didn't say anything until they had both mounted and started again on their way from the remnants of the small interruption in their journey. After a few minutes, Alucard started to speak, the sound easily picked up by D's sharp hearing as he sat in front of him.
"There was a vampire, a rather minor noble really, who sought to curry favor with his master by getting rid of me. He took my sword as evidence of the deed. He told me that he would tell him that I had been killed, while secretly holding me as a hidden card he could play if I was needed in the future."
*
D heard the bitterness in the otherwise calm recitation, and asked mildly, already suspecting the answer. "Who was the vampire's master?"
*
Alucard paused. "My father" he admitted quietly, the pain poorly hidden in his voice.
*
D made no other comment, simply watching the path before them. It was not in his nature to pry, for he understood well the need for secrets. He did not intrude in other's pasts. He would silently admit to a hint of curiosity about this displaced dhampir's history, but he easily dismissed it.
They rode in silence for some time after that, until D finally spoke. "That way," he said, pointing to the north "lies one of the few places considered a city. It is about a day's ride from here. We'll look into getting you a new sword and a horse of your own."
D felt the other's assent, but also his uncertainty. Going into such a populated place would be uncomfortable for the younger dhampir. D could relate. He never felt at ease surrounded by humans, his senses assaulted and almost overwhelmed the few times he'd had to go into such a densely populated area. True cities were rare, scattered across the planet's desolated surface.
Still, the best equipment and information could be found there, if you managed to avoid some of the unhealthier regions of the metropolis, which teemed with low-class mutants and monsters. The humans that survived there were even worse.
Alucard spoke up hesitantly. "I, I don't know if I can endure so many people around me at the moment. It had been so long. . ." D could almost smell the pale dhamphir's bloodlust, and the knowledge of it stirred up his own.
They had traveled through the day wrapped up in their protective cloaks, shielding against the light. D's hat shaded his sensitive eyes while Alucard had a hood that cast his face in shadow. Still, they traveled on, hitting a forest at dusk, and slowed to a leisurely walk. A faster clip would have only caused the horse to stumble over hidden roots in the little- used pathway. Few people wandered the woods, especially near nightfall.
Suddenly, D felt Alucard slide off the back of the saddle, his cloak making a faint whispering sound as it brushed against the leather. Looking back, the tall hunter pulled up, watching as Alucard stood in the trail and pushed back his hood, shaking his pale hair free and slowly inhaling the night's scents.
"I need to go on a hunt." Alucard said, smoothing his clothing after the long ride. He looked up, his golden eyes shining in the fading light. "Would you care to join me?" He offered, indicating the deeper woods with a tilt of his head.
D looked back at him for a moment, both puzzled and slightly curious. *What was he up to now? * Although he was tempted, he declined with a slight shake of his head, still eyeing the other.
Alucard nodded, shrugging. Then his form seemed to blur. Moments later, in his place, crouched the form of a huge silver wolf. The beast flicked one ear in his direction, then loped off on silent paws.
The sound of crickets was suddenly very loud in the stillness. Both of D's eyebrow's were raised, an action to him that would be the equivalent of another gaping in absolute astonishment.
{{Wow}} the voice of the symbiote said, breaking Its long silence {{I didn't know that anyone could do that. Can you do it?}}
D shook his head slowly, knowing the being in his left hand would sense it. His new companion continued to surprise him, a rare state of affairs indeed. He'd just casually displayed a power the tall hunter hand only heard rumors of. No vampire he had encountered in all his long life could do it. It was considered a lost power that the nobles, unwilling to admit the loss, denied as impossible. D decided to try to get a few more answers from the golden-eyed mystery when he returned.
Swinging out of the saddle, he set about making camp.
***
D looked up from the blazing fire to gaze intently into the night. The sound of something moving through the brush was loud in his ears. The crack and snap of branches would have alerted normal human hearing. Along with it came a scraping noise; something heavy being dragged.
Then the smell of fresh blood hit his nose, and he found himself swallowing against the sudden surge of bloodlust that rose in him like a wave. He stood in time to see a dark form drag a limp one twice its size into the firelight. As D's senses confirmed the first was the shape-changed Alucard, the last of the night blindness caused by the fire faded, revealing the sight of the still warm carcass of a giant elk.
The Alucard-wolf released his vice-like grip on the back of it's neck, padding over to its front and casually ripping its throat out with one convulsive movement of his jaws.
The blood-smell was now overwhelming, and D took an involuntary step forward before he halted, head unconsciously shaking in denial, fighting his enflamed instincts with the ends of his control.
The silver wolf regarded him for a moment with his golden eyes, then blurred back into his humanoid form. Those same eyes sought and caught D's blue ones, trying first without words to convey his message. Understanding and reassurance dominated his tone when he spoke.
*
"I hunt," Alucard stated quietly "So that I will not lose control in . . . other situations. I believe there is nothing morally wrong in enjoying a fresh kill, so long as it is not a human one. In the hunt, my dual heritages do not conflict. Besides, humans eat meat as well." he coaxed. Seeing the other's continued hesitation, knowing that words would make little difference at the moment, he decided to take a chance. He pulled a goblet out of a pouch at his belt, bent and filled it with the liquid still draining from the dead animal, and then pressed it into D's hand, curling his fingers around its sides.
When the other continued to do nothing except stare vacantly into the cup, he became impatient. "DRINK!" he barked, using the tone he remembered his father sometimes employed when he wanted immediate obedience.
*
The goblet was to his lips and the contents were sliding down his throat before D could even register the act. His eyes closed, a feeling of ecstasy washing through him as he drank the very essence of life itself. The warmth of it eased the constant hunger that he had carried for so long it now seemed a part of him. The feeling seeped down all the way to his toes, making him feel deliciously good. True, the taste was different from that of human blood, lacking a few elements while introducing new ones. Still, it was like drinking life-giving water after years spent in the desert.
He had strived to reject blood entirely, believing that it was wrong. It was a practice that had often tested his control to its limits, and caused him to isolate himself as much as possible from any human contact, save for in matters of vampire hunting. He had come dangerously close to breaking, a few times, but had managed to hold out.
Alucard, it seemed, had taken a different tact. He had simply switched his food source. Human blood was preferred, but this was good too. It was without guilt. It was wonderful.
Tension D had not even been aware existed eased, his shoulders loosening. He realized then that he was sitting down, one hand cupping his drink. Swirling the liquid absently, as if it were fine wine, he accepted the steaming steak Alucard cut for him from the carcass.
They didn't bother to use the fire.
***
A bright shaft of sunlight hit D's eyelids, causing the drowsing hunter to frown in annoyance, turning his head away from the unwelcome invasion of day. Reluctantly, he opened his eyes, and discovered that he was propped against one of the moss-grown boulders bordering the camp. Turning his head, he located Alucard in a similar position across the remnants of the fire, one arm flung over his eyes to ward off the glare filtering through the tree canopy.
D found that he was unwilling to move, so completely was he relaxed. They had gorged on meat and blood the previous night, until sitting up was a strenuous proposition. It was an indulgence that would have never occurred to D before yesterday. But somehow, with Alucard it seemed to be quite natural. Many things seemed less onerous with the other by his side. He also found it somewhat hard at the moment to be cold and unemotional like normal when he felt so Very good. All he wanted to do now was find a dry, dark place and sleep the day away.
Which brought him back to the problem of moving. He squinted as more light broke through the trees.
{{If you don't move, you're going to overheat.}} Lefthand commented, sounding amused. D frowned. "Silence." He muttered, shifting slightly into the boulder's shadow.
{{Why? He's asleep. Besides, you need to tell him about me anyway. Better sooner, before you have to use me in a fight.}}
D paused. It made sense. Surprises in a battle situation could cost precious seconds. But the idea of telling his new companion about the symbiote was . . .uncomfortable.
{{Come on D, you're not ashamed of me, are you?}} the being teased, mock hurt in its voice. D only grimaced. {{It's easy. All you have to say is that you have a semi-demonic entity bonded to your left hand that's can be very helpful in certain situations.}} Left-hand cajoled.
*Simple. * D thought sourly. He opened his mouth to reply.
"Sounds pretty straightforward to me." A calm voice called from nearby, banishing whatever D had been about to say to oblivion. Turning his head, he met the amused eyes of the other dhampir. Alucard shifted out of the sunlight, getting comfortable before resuming. "I was wondering where that voice was coming from." His eyes smiled. "Wolves have keen ears."
Lefthand was silent for all of two seconds, then-
{{You Know about me?! Great! Let me tell you how good it is to talk to someone besides Mr. Conversation here. The abuse I put up with simply because I . . .}}
It rambled on, as if trying to make sure that no silence intruded on the clearing. After five minutes, D was gritting his teeth and ready to fist his hand to shut the thing up.
"I had a sword familiar once." Alucard said, his voice cutting through the chatter, drawing D's attention once again. The younger dhamphir continued "It questioned my worthiness to wield it, it never shut up, and was more likely to be swinging at the ceiling when the enemy was on the floor." The golden eyes danced with amusement, his lip's quirking wryly. "I guess I got off easy."
{{Hey!}} The symbiote exclaimed, but cut off its' protest as D gave a low chuckle, the sound a bit rusty.
There was a stunned silence, then {{Whoa! He laughed! You made him laugh! That's it, the world's ending. Again!}}
*
Alucard only lifted a pale eyebrow, then hoisted himself up, using the boulder for support. His stomach protested, the heavy weight of all that meat pulling him down. His metabolism was designed primarily for a more liquid diet. The occasional solids helped dampen his darker instincts, but he'd gone just a bit overboard this time. It reminded him of a lighter version of his father's famous orgies. He figured he deserved a night off, and judging by how tightly wound D was, he'd need several.
"Let's not do this again for a while." He groaned, swaying slightly on his feet. He felt clumsy and slow. D silently agreed, grimacing in discomfort as he, too, rose. He no longer felt in the least drowsy. Saddling the horse would be a trial.
Alucard tried to stretch, but gave up the effort. He glanced at the remains of his kill, and decided to leave it for the scavengers. Burying it would probably be a useless effort, if the huge monsters he'd seen the day before were any indication. He'd take it away from camp, though. No use turning this nice spot into a hangout for predators. Grabbing a leg, he dragged it off into the brush while D cleared the camp.
They rode off in silence, Alucard slumped slightly forward, resting against the other's back. Most of the unease between strangers had vanished with the night, and they now rode in comfortable silence.
Next stop, the city.
------------------------------ Vell? Is good? Made up a lot of Shtuff, but ah, vell. Trying to be good. Only want to compliment. Comments always velcome^,-,^ Oh, yeah. I know both of them are about equal in hesitance to 'giving in' to their need for blood, but I figured that at least one of them could have found a better solution. Alucard seemed the logical choice.
By The Unseen Watcher
Disclaimer. Vampire Hunter D and Castlvania are not mine, but belong to their respective owners. I can live with that, but I kinda wish they'd animate the second one. So, by request and because I am a Girl of my word ^_^(also because I wanted to continue it myself), here's another chapter!
Chapter 4
---------------
It had been a week since D had found Alucard in the old ruin. One full of many surprises and revelations for Alucard. Few were pleasant.
They had bypassed the little town that D had first come upon in the area. Neither of them were comfortable with people, and D doubted that there was any reward the small community could muster up anyway.
They'd run into the occasional battle with various monsters on the road. Alucard had found them to be different from the one's he had known, but they still fell under his blade just as quickly. The more the pale dhamphir saw of this new world, the stranger it seemed. Everything was so different, yet so familiar all at once.
The technological advances, barely begun when he had gone to sleep, were now so far advanced that they often astounded him. D's horse was just one example. The various guns and riding vehicles he glimpsed from a distance and D helpfully described were even more so. He was even more stupefied to find that these things were only remnants of the highly advanced society this desolate planet once held. Apparently, there had been a war titanic enough to include the entire world, leaving civilization devastated and left partly primitive in its wake.
Even livestock were not left unmarked. The sheep looked more feral than tame. Sharp teeth and glowing eyes had replaced the previous characteristics of the no longer placid herbivore. The deer were huge. The predators even more so. Strange creatures that looked like hairless squirrels scuttled in the branches overhead.
The world had turned inside out, leaving Alucard feeling that he'd come in on the latter end of a book series after only perusing the first novel twelve books ago.
The one thing that hadn't changed were the constant battles, even if the foes were slightly different.
Alucard shook himself out of his musings. He was cleaning his weapons after the most recent battle between them and a creature that looked like a giant red cloud. He had made sure it didn't even touch him after it stripped a small creature to the bones by enveloping it in its crimson fog. It had felt quite solid on his blade.
Most creatures kept back from the two hunters, having just enough intelligence to sense that tangling with this pair would be a very bad idea. Monsters that wouldn't have thought twice about attacking a fully armed human caravan stayed away when they smelled the dhampirs. The stupid ones were made short work of.
Alucard looked sourly at the short sword in his hand. He badly missed his own sword, a gift from his mother. This dinky thing wouldn't have held through the first few rooms of his father's castle. He sighed. Well, there was very little chance he'd find it after so long anyway.
*
D glanced over at his companion, noticing his examination of his weapon. The small thing didn't seem to suit the elegant dhamphir. He seemed more the type to have a longer, more efficient weapon. One that dispatched opponents more swiftly.
*
Alucard noticed D's attention and shrugged in response to his inquiring gaze, sheathing the weapon.
"I had a better one, but unfortunately it was taken by the same scavenger that locked me up in that box." He explained.
D was silent, but Alucard could nonetheless sense the unspoken question. He didn't say anything until they had both mounted and started again on their way from the remnants of the small interruption in their journey. After a few minutes, Alucard started to speak, the sound easily picked up by D's sharp hearing as he sat in front of him.
"There was a vampire, a rather minor noble really, who sought to curry favor with his master by getting rid of me. He took my sword as evidence of the deed. He told me that he would tell him that I had been killed, while secretly holding me as a hidden card he could play if I was needed in the future."
*
D heard the bitterness in the otherwise calm recitation, and asked mildly, already suspecting the answer. "Who was the vampire's master?"
*
Alucard paused. "My father" he admitted quietly, the pain poorly hidden in his voice.
*
D made no other comment, simply watching the path before them. It was not in his nature to pry, for he understood well the need for secrets. He did not intrude in other's pasts. He would silently admit to a hint of curiosity about this displaced dhampir's history, but he easily dismissed it.
They rode in silence for some time after that, until D finally spoke. "That way," he said, pointing to the north "lies one of the few places considered a city. It is about a day's ride from here. We'll look into getting you a new sword and a horse of your own."
D felt the other's assent, but also his uncertainty. Going into such a populated place would be uncomfortable for the younger dhampir. D could relate. He never felt at ease surrounded by humans, his senses assaulted and almost overwhelmed the few times he'd had to go into such a densely populated area. True cities were rare, scattered across the planet's desolated surface.
Still, the best equipment and information could be found there, if you managed to avoid some of the unhealthier regions of the metropolis, which teemed with low-class mutants and monsters. The humans that survived there were even worse.
Alucard spoke up hesitantly. "I, I don't know if I can endure so many people around me at the moment. It had been so long. . ." D could almost smell the pale dhamphir's bloodlust, and the knowledge of it stirred up his own.
They had traveled through the day wrapped up in their protective cloaks, shielding against the light. D's hat shaded his sensitive eyes while Alucard had a hood that cast his face in shadow. Still, they traveled on, hitting a forest at dusk, and slowed to a leisurely walk. A faster clip would have only caused the horse to stumble over hidden roots in the little- used pathway. Few people wandered the woods, especially near nightfall.
Suddenly, D felt Alucard slide off the back of the saddle, his cloak making a faint whispering sound as it brushed against the leather. Looking back, the tall hunter pulled up, watching as Alucard stood in the trail and pushed back his hood, shaking his pale hair free and slowly inhaling the night's scents.
"I need to go on a hunt." Alucard said, smoothing his clothing after the long ride. He looked up, his golden eyes shining in the fading light. "Would you care to join me?" He offered, indicating the deeper woods with a tilt of his head.
D looked back at him for a moment, both puzzled and slightly curious. *What was he up to now? * Although he was tempted, he declined with a slight shake of his head, still eyeing the other.
Alucard nodded, shrugging. Then his form seemed to blur. Moments later, in his place, crouched the form of a huge silver wolf. The beast flicked one ear in his direction, then loped off on silent paws.
The sound of crickets was suddenly very loud in the stillness. Both of D's eyebrow's were raised, an action to him that would be the equivalent of another gaping in absolute astonishment.
{{Wow}} the voice of the symbiote said, breaking Its long silence {{I didn't know that anyone could do that. Can you do it?}}
D shook his head slowly, knowing the being in his left hand would sense it. His new companion continued to surprise him, a rare state of affairs indeed. He'd just casually displayed a power the tall hunter hand only heard rumors of. No vampire he had encountered in all his long life could do it. It was considered a lost power that the nobles, unwilling to admit the loss, denied as impossible. D decided to try to get a few more answers from the golden-eyed mystery when he returned.
Swinging out of the saddle, he set about making camp.
***
D looked up from the blazing fire to gaze intently into the night. The sound of something moving through the brush was loud in his ears. The crack and snap of branches would have alerted normal human hearing. Along with it came a scraping noise; something heavy being dragged.
Then the smell of fresh blood hit his nose, and he found himself swallowing against the sudden surge of bloodlust that rose in him like a wave. He stood in time to see a dark form drag a limp one twice its size into the firelight. As D's senses confirmed the first was the shape-changed Alucard, the last of the night blindness caused by the fire faded, revealing the sight of the still warm carcass of a giant elk.
The Alucard-wolf released his vice-like grip on the back of it's neck, padding over to its front and casually ripping its throat out with one convulsive movement of his jaws.
The blood-smell was now overwhelming, and D took an involuntary step forward before he halted, head unconsciously shaking in denial, fighting his enflamed instincts with the ends of his control.
The silver wolf regarded him for a moment with his golden eyes, then blurred back into his humanoid form. Those same eyes sought and caught D's blue ones, trying first without words to convey his message. Understanding and reassurance dominated his tone when he spoke.
*
"I hunt," Alucard stated quietly "So that I will not lose control in . . . other situations. I believe there is nothing morally wrong in enjoying a fresh kill, so long as it is not a human one. In the hunt, my dual heritages do not conflict. Besides, humans eat meat as well." he coaxed. Seeing the other's continued hesitation, knowing that words would make little difference at the moment, he decided to take a chance. He pulled a goblet out of a pouch at his belt, bent and filled it with the liquid still draining from the dead animal, and then pressed it into D's hand, curling his fingers around its sides.
When the other continued to do nothing except stare vacantly into the cup, he became impatient. "DRINK!" he barked, using the tone he remembered his father sometimes employed when he wanted immediate obedience.
*
The goblet was to his lips and the contents were sliding down his throat before D could even register the act. His eyes closed, a feeling of ecstasy washing through him as he drank the very essence of life itself. The warmth of it eased the constant hunger that he had carried for so long it now seemed a part of him. The feeling seeped down all the way to his toes, making him feel deliciously good. True, the taste was different from that of human blood, lacking a few elements while introducing new ones. Still, it was like drinking life-giving water after years spent in the desert.
He had strived to reject blood entirely, believing that it was wrong. It was a practice that had often tested his control to its limits, and caused him to isolate himself as much as possible from any human contact, save for in matters of vampire hunting. He had come dangerously close to breaking, a few times, but had managed to hold out.
Alucard, it seemed, had taken a different tact. He had simply switched his food source. Human blood was preferred, but this was good too. It was without guilt. It was wonderful.
Tension D had not even been aware existed eased, his shoulders loosening. He realized then that he was sitting down, one hand cupping his drink. Swirling the liquid absently, as if it were fine wine, he accepted the steaming steak Alucard cut for him from the carcass.
They didn't bother to use the fire.
***
A bright shaft of sunlight hit D's eyelids, causing the drowsing hunter to frown in annoyance, turning his head away from the unwelcome invasion of day. Reluctantly, he opened his eyes, and discovered that he was propped against one of the moss-grown boulders bordering the camp. Turning his head, he located Alucard in a similar position across the remnants of the fire, one arm flung over his eyes to ward off the glare filtering through the tree canopy.
D found that he was unwilling to move, so completely was he relaxed. They had gorged on meat and blood the previous night, until sitting up was a strenuous proposition. It was an indulgence that would have never occurred to D before yesterday. But somehow, with Alucard it seemed to be quite natural. Many things seemed less onerous with the other by his side. He also found it somewhat hard at the moment to be cold and unemotional like normal when he felt so Very good. All he wanted to do now was find a dry, dark place and sleep the day away.
Which brought him back to the problem of moving. He squinted as more light broke through the trees.
{{If you don't move, you're going to overheat.}} Lefthand commented, sounding amused. D frowned. "Silence." He muttered, shifting slightly into the boulder's shadow.
{{Why? He's asleep. Besides, you need to tell him about me anyway. Better sooner, before you have to use me in a fight.}}
D paused. It made sense. Surprises in a battle situation could cost precious seconds. But the idea of telling his new companion about the symbiote was . . .uncomfortable.
{{Come on D, you're not ashamed of me, are you?}} the being teased, mock hurt in its voice. D only grimaced. {{It's easy. All you have to say is that you have a semi-demonic entity bonded to your left hand that's can be very helpful in certain situations.}} Left-hand cajoled.
*Simple. * D thought sourly. He opened his mouth to reply.
"Sounds pretty straightforward to me." A calm voice called from nearby, banishing whatever D had been about to say to oblivion. Turning his head, he met the amused eyes of the other dhampir. Alucard shifted out of the sunlight, getting comfortable before resuming. "I was wondering where that voice was coming from." His eyes smiled. "Wolves have keen ears."
Lefthand was silent for all of two seconds, then-
{{You Know about me?! Great! Let me tell you how good it is to talk to someone besides Mr. Conversation here. The abuse I put up with simply because I . . .}}
It rambled on, as if trying to make sure that no silence intruded on the clearing. After five minutes, D was gritting his teeth and ready to fist his hand to shut the thing up.
"I had a sword familiar once." Alucard said, his voice cutting through the chatter, drawing D's attention once again. The younger dhamphir continued "It questioned my worthiness to wield it, it never shut up, and was more likely to be swinging at the ceiling when the enemy was on the floor." The golden eyes danced with amusement, his lip's quirking wryly. "I guess I got off easy."
{{Hey!}} The symbiote exclaimed, but cut off its' protest as D gave a low chuckle, the sound a bit rusty.
There was a stunned silence, then {{Whoa! He laughed! You made him laugh! That's it, the world's ending. Again!}}
*
Alucard only lifted a pale eyebrow, then hoisted himself up, using the boulder for support. His stomach protested, the heavy weight of all that meat pulling him down. His metabolism was designed primarily for a more liquid diet. The occasional solids helped dampen his darker instincts, but he'd gone just a bit overboard this time. It reminded him of a lighter version of his father's famous orgies. He figured he deserved a night off, and judging by how tightly wound D was, he'd need several.
"Let's not do this again for a while." He groaned, swaying slightly on his feet. He felt clumsy and slow. D silently agreed, grimacing in discomfort as he, too, rose. He no longer felt in the least drowsy. Saddling the horse would be a trial.
Alucard tried to stretch, but gave up the effort. He glanced at the remains of his kill, and decided to leave it for the scavengers. Burying it would probably be a useless effort, if the huge monsters he'd seen the day before were any indication. He'd take it away from camp, though. No use turning this nice spot into a hangout for predators. Grabbing a leg, he dragged it off into the brush while D cleared the camp.
They rode off in silence, Alucard slumped slightly forward, resting against the other's back. Most of the unease between strangers had vanished with the night, and they now rode in comfortable silence.
Next stop, the city.
------------------------------ Vell? Is good? Made up a lot of Shtuff, but ah, vell. Trying to be good. Only want to compliment. Comments always velcome^,-,^ Oh, yeah. I know both of them are about equal in hesitance to 'giving in' to their need for blood, but I figured that at least one of them could have found a better solution. Alucard seemed the logical choice.