Oh, Pact looked so delightfully frustrated and embarrassed, which amused Alucard to no end, reminding him of his dear friend Trevor and how he behaved when teased by the dhampir. Ah, he missed that idiotic drunken fool, but he'd rather die than admit to that aloud. Even Sypha would probably feel the same way and she loved that twit. This caused him to chuckle again, but knowing Pact, she would think it was meant for her.
❝ Beef steak, hm ? Yes, I should have more meat available at home to make more. There's no need to be embarrassed though. Meat is very common to many people's diets here and why shouldn't it be ? Nutritious and delicious as I'm sure you'd agree. ❞ Pact didn't even have to drool for Alucard to know she was thinking about the hearty meal already, probably very excited to go eat, further complimented by the fact she was urging Alucard to hurry and leave with her.
❝ Ah, yes, yes, we're leaving, we're leaving. ❞ Gentle smile still on his lips, noting with amusement how she was tugging at his sleeve. This close contact was welcomed. In fact, it was rather cute, her impatience, much like a child.
Her question about his mode of transportation was not surprising, though his answer might be to her. ❝ I don't have a horse, I came by foot, but I certainly don't expect you to take the long way back. I can borrow a horse from the villagers as I am sure they would be willing or if you'd like, you can hop on my back, and we'll be back just in time for dinner. ❞ He didn't elaborate on this, but maybe he was doing it on purpose. ❝ Come now, I think you'd prefer to get home sooner than later. ❞ He went ahead and kneeled down for Pact to get on.
The promise of a meal keeps her motivated enough to stand through Alucard's silly reasoning of transportation. There's no way this fool arrived so quickly from the castle by foot when time and distance felt like it slowed to a molasses-like consistency on a horse-drawn cart ride.
But when Alucard kneels besides her, Pact realizes the man wasn't simply joking. Her mouth gapes in surprise, confusion, humiliation—— a cauldron's pit of whirling emotions that gives rise to a fierce blush upon her cheeks.
"W-Wh—What a-ar—— !?" Pact fails to deliver her question, stumbling over the words as she takes a faltering half-step away. He isn't so oafish to think she would easily climb his back in front of all these nosy villagers and plant the wrong idea in their minds as they ride off into the sunset, is he ?
Pact makes a sound of desperation in her throat and combs her fingers through the tail of her hair indecisively, a habit she cannot shake. Her voice is unsteady when she finds it again to ask, "This is one of your … powers, isn't it? Something about speed …"
She can vaguely recall Alucard explaining how it worked, but Pact offered little attention at the time.
"——A-At least have the sense to carry me more properly ! I am a lady, you know." Like on the comfort of his shoulder to feel the rush of the wind, or bridal carried in the safety of his arms with more care and respect—— on second thought, the former would be more dignified.
She retakes a step toward Alucard and then another, Pact drawing close enough to be well within the dhampir's space, waiting for his move. After all, despite the argument, climbing his back is still an option. "Just be on with it."