* / CROSS MY HEART

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[venatorio]

onikind​:

鬼 “I’ve heard plenty of these “optical illusions” humans are always clamoring about. Something about a dress looking one colour to one human, but a different to another? Perhaps this is the same thing?”

“Can you truly not see the pigeon? It’s plain as day.”

     “Optical illusions... Is that what it is?”

Richter took another look at the painting, squinting his eyes. He was desperately trying to see the pigeon in the piece, but it absolutely just wasn’t coming to him.

     “Are you sure there’s a pigeon, because all I’m seeing is...      not a pigeon.”

[venatorio]

sanguisomnum​:

@venatorio​

While he did not truly part from his usual archetype, he did go for something perhaps a bit more dramatic and less ‘I did not do my laundry today and thus I am not wearing a shirt under my vest’. Of course there was a dramatic dip in in his shirt, and instead of gold, he had opted for a fitted red vest, nearly corset-like in nature, with a black shirt and long black cape. A gala meant it was time to use the clothes he had been collecting over his time here, and as they walked in, he held out his hand, palm-up, for Richter to take before they got into the room proper.

Golden hair in an ever-so-rare braid with a black ribbon, he smile a gentle smile that was typically only reserved for the person it was now directed to. While there had been similar such events in the city, it had been a long time since they had been to one like this.

“How rare that we get a moment like this together. Although I do not trust whatever event is being put on by those who have brought us here.” He gestures to the dance floor, “We should probably enjoy what we can, no?”

Richter did his best to dress nicely as well, considering the type of place they were going. He remembered the formal lessons that his father had taught him ( how to be a gentleman and not act like the was a pig in a mudslide, like maxim had always taught him ), and surprisingly it turns out that Richter Belmont: Vampire Hunter can in fact dress nicely on his own. Hair tied up as well, the clothes he adorned weren’t far from his usual nice attire, but still nicer and less dirty.

     “Oh, yeah. I don’t trust a lick of this whole place, but might      as well enjoy it, right? It won’t be too hard to escape this place      and grab out things - just in case.”

Looking at the dance floor and hand in hand, the vampire hunter couldn’t help but grin in a teasing manner.

     “I was gonna say... It’s been a while since I’ve been to one      of these events, but it’s probably been longer for you, right?      You’re basically a fossil!”

His ancestors would be shocked to see him calling the legendary Alucard a fossil, but to the two of them this was basically an endearing nickname.

[venatorio]

onikind​:

鬼 “Hm, I’m certainly no expert when it comes to the arts.” That couldn’t be farther from the truth. Oni had stolen art in the past, but only because human treated it with value. Shuten hardly cared for what was painted upon it even as she wandered the gallery now.

“But is this a pigeon?”

It was very, very obviously a painting of a rock.

     “...”

Richter squints at the painting. It’s a rock, he knows it’s a rock, this shouldn’t be a hard question to answer... And yet, he feels like this is a trick question. Is it a pigeon? Is it supposed to just be a rock.

     “M... Maybe?”

His head hurts.

[venatorio]

     “An art museum? Man, this place sure has been pretty      busy, huh? Maybe I should check it out... I don’t know,      I’ve never fit in those fancy schmancy events back home.”

[venatorio]

selfsinning​:

          ❝ Y’know, bar hoppin’ on an island gets kinda lame after the millionth time drinking between the same five bars. ❞

     “This doesn’t exactly seem to be a heavy-drinking kind      of place in general, thinking about it... Or maybe you’re      just not looking in the right places for new bars?”

Was this guy an alcoholic like Trevor? Should he be worried?

[venatorio]

bloodblades​:

     “– !?” jumping at the comment showed that he wasn’t aware of another soul nearby. He forced himself to calm down– it’s fine, or at least should be, no one knew who he is. Not to mention he’s not the only vampire in this place.

     “Don’t sneak up like that!” he retorts, “And what if I am? What are you going to do, exterminate me?” he tries to laugh but the thought of pain only made him wince. Should he prepare to run?

     “Er, sorry! Force of habit!”

Well, you know, slightly force of habit. Hanging around Alucard had made him a little more sneaky in his footsteps, it feels like. Not to mention... When you do hunt monsters, you’ve got to be a little quieter than usual as to not alert them. Richter simply blinks at the remark, only shaking his head.

     “You don’t need to worry. As long as you’re not hurting      anyone, I doubt anyone will go after you. I was just curious,      that’s all. I have a, uh... friend like you.”

[venatorio]

bloodblades​:

     “… I want to drink blood.” as if on cue, his stomach growled in agreement. 

When was the last time he even ate? 

     “Drink... Blood?”

     “You wouldn’t happen to be a vampire, would you?      Most vampires I know try to keep something like that      on the downlow.”

Honestly, how does he feel about vampires ( or dhampirs ) that aren’t Dracula or Alucard? He’s still navigating his feelings, but he’s not being too hostile at least... Just curious, really.

[venatorio]

sanguisomnum​:

@venatorio​

“Date night?” He offered. The moon was rising in the winter sky by the time he asked, but he held out his hand to Richter. “It’s been a long time, and today is about couples after all.”

“We can get dinner, go for a walk.”

     “Date night sounds good.”

Richter grinned at his lover, gently taking his hand in his. The moon may have bene out, but... Well, let’s be real - Alucard and Richter were creatures of the night. Figuratively in Richter’s case ans quite literally in the dhampir’s case. Still, Richter always felt at peace with the night.

     “Dinner and a walk sounds nice. Pretty romantic today,      Adrian. It’s not even my birthday!”

[venatorio]

     “I still don’t really get the appeal of New Year’s resolutions,      honestly... Most of the time it seems like people fail them.      Besides, why not just better yourself at your own pace      instead of setting some sort of deadline?”

[venatorio]

dissevered​:

               ❝  ❛ excess of sorrow laughs ❜…  ❞ he murmurs to no-one, and nothing, the gently falling snow sugaring his ink black hair and leatherbound shoulders, ❝  —❛ excess of joy weeps. ❜  ❞

       memories do not provide him comfort, as the festivities pass by unmarked.

     “Not too fond of the festivities I take it? I kind of understand      that feeling...”

Though things have gotten much better for Richter in the past few years... Well, memories tend to always follow people, like shadows at their feet. The holidays could be rough for a lot of people, even him.

[venatorio]

sanguisomnum​:

@venatorio​

“-and of course there wasn’t much need to go out during that Hallowe’en Maskerade nonsense,” arm hooked in Richter’s, he could see the amusement on his lover’s face, which did lighten his own features when golden eyes met blue. Indeed, there wasn’t much of a point in joining in on a holiday in which everyone pretended to be monstrous but there was some level of devilish amusement in watching them all reap what they had sown.

God he was starting to sound like his father now, wasn’t he? Good thing the next holidays were about merriment and cheer.

Although they had no destination in mind they were clad in the gifts they had gotten each other in years past, and something calm and linked arm-in-arm there really wasn’t much of a reason to fret over where they were going.

The singing coming from the Calliope courtyard rang through Archimedes, where they had ended up, and the cool winter evening air stung his cheeks pleasantly. It was a nice night.

“The winter sky can be so clear.”

“So full of constellations that I, myself could not recognize in the absence of that other my from that other island.” Eyes looked up, taking in the stars. “A lovely  night for a date.”

     “Yeah, I really didn’t want to deal with that. Either accidentally      becoming my costume or having to deal with everyone who      became their costumes... We already had enough to deal      with back home!”

Though Richter wouldn’t outright admit it, there was some amusement with seeing everyone reacting to what was going on around them. Some people weren’t used to monsters and creatures of the night like they were, so seeing someone’s first reaction to them was slightly funny. For Richter and Alucard, things like that were a regular Tuesday for them.

Arm looped with his lover’s own arm, Richter was mostly dragging Alucard around, looking at the sights before them. This certainly wasn’t the island’s first winter festival, but it was still nice seeing what activities were new and what ones were returning for the season. A gentle breath left the vampire hunter’s lips - visible because of the gentle cold of the night.

     “It is, huh? Winter nights are pretty nice... Though, I always      remember hunting demons and monsters during these nights.      I never got a chance to really appreciate them for what they      are...”

     “But it’s a nice night out for a date. But then again...      I think we’re both just drawn to the night, anyway.”

Neither men nor monsters, these two were.

[venatorio]

actuallymuffet​:

“Limited time offer!” she called out to the person walking by the little stall she’d set up on the Star Trail.

“For the low low cost of not free you can purchase a large cookie with your face on it!”

... Hm. He has questions.

     “Why would anyone want a cookie with their face      on it? Seems kind of messed up to eat your own      face, right?”

[venatorio]

sanguisomnum​:

“We both know retirement does not suit either of us.” That did elicit some amusement from him, his own voice dropped low as he listened to Richter, rare smile gracing his features and comfort filling his chest. If he was going to have someone by his side, he was glad it was Richter.

“Nor are vacations are forte, it seems, given the fact that we wound up here instead of on some beach.” He turns to Richter, amusement playing at his features for a few more moments. Hand on the metal handle, he waited for the beast to slog its way forward. They would have to gather supplies, food for Richter if they were going to be here too long, additional weapons, likely warmth if the cool door and walls were anything to go by and Adrian himself was not a source of warmth for his human partner.

“Make the most of it, right.” He whispered before wrenching open the door, stepping out and launching himself toward the beast in front of them. It was clear now something was off with these things, even more so with this island than they had caught. And as one of the malformed creatures lie at his feet - its own reaction slow but there with one clawed arm reaching forward, he turned back to Richter.

“Not demons.” He stood, the sound of more of them down the hallway as he looked back to Richter, sword still in hand. “Some…Kind of…” He looked down, he knew his vision in the dark was better than Richter. “Something was done to it. You can see the parts of it that were separate creatures, almost…Humanoid.”

     “Ha! You’re right about that! If I ever go into retirement,      I’ve been killed and replaced with some lookalike that      can’t get my personality right.”

Because Richter Belmont may be a slight slacker in other things, but work? Absolutely not, not when there was people who needed to be protected. His lover’s next comments made him sigh out, a little. Vacation really was out of their grasp, especially here. Not like they could go anywhere while on Radiale Island, but of course the one occasion where they can, they’re transported to some dangerous island.

     “Our rotten luck, huh? Well, we were never blessed in      the luck department either.”

Especially Richter. He was silent, waiting for the beast that stalked their outside door to be distracted. Quickly did the hunter follow the dhampir out, his hand on his whip just in case Adrian needed back up. Thankfully, however, it seemed like the male was fine on his own for now, The beast laid at their feet, Richer glancing over at the other with a serious expression.

     “If this was our world, this would have been done by a      Devil Forgemaster, but this isn’t our world. Probably the      same kind of magic, though. Turning something else -      a human - into a creature of some kind. Not a demon,      I know, but... Similar concept.”

A small hum, Richter looks down the hallway with his whip out now.

     “We’ll have to move fast. These things are probably as      hungry as us.”

[venatorio]

     “...”

     “This is a nightmare.”

[venatorio]

     “Next month is always when something spooky      happens. At this point, I expect something bad      to happen soon... again.”

[venatorio]

sanguisomnum​:

 “Now, Richter, no need to put yourself down.” He pushes some hair out of Richter’s face, becoming painfully aware of how touchy they were both being in such a public setting. Really now, he usually wasn’t like this. At least not in the middle of the street. Some hilltop, sure, but surely that was a place for couples to go. He wondered vaguely if their other selves were like this - affectionate. Annoyingly so, by the looks on Trevor and Sypha’s face when they all went ‘supernatural scouting’ together or whatever they called it.

More like, the Belmonts (+ Sypha) enjoyed stalking his father, and he went along to make sure they did not get into trouble. Being supernatural in nature himself it was difficult to hear all this talk and nonsense about demons and ghosts. No, dear Belmonts (+ Sypha) there was not much more than the vampires and the dragon who lived next door.

“Multiverse theory is actually quite commonly known. This has always felt as though it were an instance of that. The Adrian that is myself existing in a parallel Spirale to the fellow who calls himself Alucard and carries a sword.”

“Whatever he needs it for, it is certainly beyond the scope of our studying. Were it a prop piece, then he would not need to carry it everywhere he went, either.”

     “Not really putting myself down if it’s the truth, right? I’m      fine with not being smart! I know what I’m good at.”

At the very least, he doesn’t have to worry about proving himself to his family anymore. No, he gave up that life when he moved to Spirale City - there would be no family business being taken over by Richter. He was happy running his dojo and being with Adrian. The goofy smile on his face really did prove that - there was no fake smiles here, not like the other Richter.

Which, speaking of which...

     “Yeah, and the other Richter carried some kind of whip.      And his hair was much longer than mine. He looked a lot...      sadder? At least, much more sadder than I could ever be.      I only make that face when I drop ice cream on the ground,      but something tells me whatever he’s sad about is... well,      not dropping ice cream on the ground.”

Focus, Richter. That’s not the point.

     “Multiverse, schmoltiverse. I’d rather not think about it, if      I’m being honest. It won’t do me any good. All I know is      I’m me and you’re you - and that’s enough for me. Our      other selves... I think whatever they’re going through, they’ll      work it out together, because we always work out whatever      comes our way. The only difference between them is they      carry weapons.”

[venatorio]

sanguisomnum​:

@venatorio​

Gloved hand pressed against cool metal as he reached for the handle of the door. It opened with a noise far too loud for their location, eliciting a quiet hiss from Adrian as he closed it. Shuffling could be heard down the hall. Not the shuffling of man but,

“The irregular slogging of beast.” Not a wolf nor other natural danger, but something preternatural. Something not of this world but of another. And neither of them were in full form yet.

Listening at the door, hand still pressed against it, it approached. A hand went up to Richter, signaling silence, and then slowly fell back to his side as it passed.

“Luckily I do not need to tell you the kind of danger we seem to have found ourselves in, nor that this is some vacation spot like the one we chose.” His voice was low as he left the door and approached Richter.

“Nor do I have to explain that we are ill-prepared in the way of arms. But neither of us are prone to simply sitting around, are we?” A smirk played its away across his features, more of a rarity than ever but present nevertheless.

     “Great, and here I thought I was just settling into      retirement.”

Richter hissed between his teeth, his voice low so that whatever was stalking outside of the door wouldn’t hear them. He knew the sound of a beast slogging, no matter how irregular it might seem. His hand on his whip as he prepared for the worst, the vampire hunter could only let out a breath when the being passed by them.

     “It’d be nice to go on a vacation. Maybe we should go      to one of the safer islands when all of this is done - the      newer ones that popped up some months ago, I mean.      Not the... well, these islands.”

Because god knows that the other islands that popped up aren’t safer either. This one just so happened to be a pretty dangerous one.

     “Anyway, you know I’m not much of a sitting duck. We      should probably try and find some things that are useful      to us. We’re kind of stuck here for the time being, right?      Better make the most of it.”