If that's the case, then I confess myself surprised that none of them have moved.
[Alucard saw the village on the way to the forest, although he steered clear of it himself. Better and safer, and he has no interest of making himself known to the residents there.
It doesn't escape Alucard's attention that Lauralae's movements are different to what he remembers, although he couldn't name an exact particular example. Something is off. That is all he knows.]
[ Which isn't as damning as it might sound to other people: she means it in a genuine sense, in that humans are cocky, arrogant, often imagining themselves above these sorts of things, when they are not.
She remains here because she does not know where else to go, but also because it is a kind of safety.
Carefully, her hands press flat on her lap, clenching around the fabric of her dress as she pauses to think. ]
[ Not as though she has spent a long time debating the merits of humanity, considering their treatment of her. She has been more than content with shaming them for their choices and allowing that to carry her through the years of her life.
Once, it would have been her desire for vengeance that kept her going, allowed her motivation, but now... She feels as though, despite her relative youth, she is too old. The trail is cold and she has no hope for it to return to her.
Her gaze, when she looks at Alucard again, is unblinking and unwavering, eyes dark. ]
[He pauses, stretching out his legs for a moment. The knees crack just a little, which Alucard doesn't mind. He enjoys the occasional hint of age, all things considered.]
Most days, I look after a castle and those who live in it. Sometimes, when there are rumors of witch burnings, I try to see if lives can be saved. And then there are the times I come out to forests like this to fill needs for food or for magic.
[ She perks up at that. Lauralae's heart still seeks a place of safety and protection, somewhere that she can bury herself in and not fear being found or chased, and a castle certainly seems appealing to that.
There's more, though, and she frowns in confusion as she leans closer. ]
Mm. Large. Foreboding enough, but there is a village that has sprung up.
[Small. Alucard has known everyone in it since they were born, or else since they took up residence. He is everyone's perpetual uncle, and has found that fact a comfort in a rapidly changing world.]
Because most of them aren't. They're people doing their best or else doing something different. That shouldn't mean death. And for those who are truly witches, I've yet to see a truly malevolent one.
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no subject
[Alucard saw the village on the way to the forest, although he steered clear of it himself. Better and safer, and he has no interest of making himself known to the residents there.
It doesn't escape Alucard's attention that Lauralae's movements are different to what he remembers, although he couldn't name an exact particular example. Something is off. That is all he knows.]
The world is large. You could go anywhere.
no subject
[ Which isn't as damning as it might sound to other people: she means it in a genuine sense, in that humans are cocky, arrogant, often imagining themselves above these sorts of things, when they are not.
She remains here because she does not know where else to go, but also because it is a kind of safety.
Carefully, her hands press flat on her lap, clenching around the fabric of her dress as she pauses to think. ]
I... I do not know if I would be able.
[ She is afraid. ]
no subject
[Alucard still can't imagine it is a good idea. Regardless, he doesn't dwell on it. Humans are going to human, end of story.
Able is an interesting word of choice.]
The world is mostly made of forests as well. You wouldn't need to go close to most villages.
no subject
[ Not as though she has spent a long time debating the merits of humanity, considering their treatment of her. She has been more than content with shaming them for their choices and allowing that to carry her through the years of her life.
Once, it would have been her desire for vengeance that kept her going, allowed her motivation, but now... She feels as though, despite her relative youth, she is too old. The trail is cold and she has no hope for it to return to her.
Her gaze, when she looks at Alucard again, is unblinking and unwavering, eyes dark. ]
You make it sound so simple. Is that what you do?
no subject
[He pauses, stretching out his legs for a moment. The knees crack just a little, which Alucard doesn't mind. He enjoys the occasional hint of age, all things considered.]
Most days, I look after a castle and those who live in it. Sometimes, when there are rumors of witch burnings, I try to see if lives can be saved. And then there are the times I come out to forests like this to fill needs for food or for magic.
no subject
[ She perks up at that. Lauralae's heart still seeks a place of safety and protection, somewhere that she can bury herself in and not fear being found or chased, and a castle certainly seems appealing to that.
There's more, though, and she frowns in confusion as she leans closer. ]
Why do you care for witches?
no subject
[Small. Alucard has known everyone in it since they were born, or else since they took up residence. He is everyone's perpetual uncle, and has found that fact a comfort in a rapidly changing world.]
Because most of them aren't. They're people doing their best or else doing something different. That shouldn't mean death. And for those who are truly witches, I've yet to see a truly malevolent one.