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Alucard sat at the fire pit, as the embers smoldered into ash. Maria and Richter were asleep. The quietness of the forest at night felt like some of the only time Alucard got to think, And thinking is valuable to them, but everything is far too loud in the daytime.
Although there was no disdain for the humans, Alucard struggled to relate to them, and the way they lived. It seemed fun.. Rejoicing over things like food, or a good night's rest, but Alucard never felt hungry, or rested after they slept.
It was in the little things too... While Alucard does faintly recall a normal life, certainly their father never encouraged such liveliness.. Although, a lot of their memories have escaped them.
Richter especially was strange to Alucard... The way she was loud, and so clumsy.. Not to mention, her uncontrollable actions.
Alucard furrowed their brow slightly at the thought of Richter's possession. Especially the after-effects of such an event. It hadn't occurred to Alucard previously that Richter may have done something, or experienced something, to cause what happened.
Certainly, they didn't expect to learn that Richter has a history of outbursts.. If it weren't for Maria it would've definitely given off the wrong idea.. Especially for someone raised Catholic.
Alucard laughed to themselves, as if being raised in a church was a joke. It was, to Alucard.. Though they felt embarrassment, as Maria's words rang in their mind.
"Oh please, Alucard. Richter would never want to hurt anyone.. I know that you dont know her that way, if you did you would know that she wants nothing to do with that church. Do you have any ideas as to her possible motives? Its not fair to assume that Richter *wanted* this."
Alucard recalled, thinking about how they hadn't even thought twice about slandering Richter once they learned she grew up at the church, and how Maria still honored Richter's privacy in defending her.
"Trust me, Alucard. You do, don't you? I would never put you in harm's way... Richter... The behavior hurts no one but herself. You must see that, even though it is.. Concerning, at face value... I-.. I can't elaborate but please.. Just think about it."
The dhampir tried not to remember their own words here, or even what they said to start the conversation. The conversation was only earlier in the night, but Richter fell asleep long before Maria, and she quickly helped them grow out of such stubborn ignorance.. Maria's tolerance of it was lucky in hindsight.
That's something they were beginning to realize; they were selfish, at first. Mother wouldn't have been happy to see it.
Maria made sense.. Humans, theirs is a hard lot.. The most vulnerable Alucard has ever seen Maria is while she was defending Richter, she struggled to justify Richter's behavior but was clearly telling the truth..
Alucard was deep in their thoughts, and didn't realize they were staring at Richter, asleep in her bedroll. It wasn't long ago when they were grateful whenever Richter was passed out.. Especially when Maria was still awake.
However, now they secretly wanted to know more. Maybe Alucard could relate to Richter, if they tried to imagine.. If they had become angry enough at their mother's death, if they hadn't heard her last words..
The embers crackled as their light was almost entirely burnt up. Alucard stood from their spot against the tree, turning to leave the darkening campsite into the deeper darkness of the forest, hoping to clear their mind.
Maria said Richter was born with these uncontrollable behaviors, but that they were 'never this bad before'..
Alucard wasn't always this.. Vampiric. Seeing Richter so human, maybe it made them envy.. Such an emotional and chaotic creature, but she seems so happy with Maria.. They're loud but free.
Venturing further into the forest, the smell of the camp faded from their senses, a familiar cold, crisp air helped to clear their mind, but Richter stayed in their thoughts.. Alucard recalled Maria's words.
"Richter.. Used to be much different. Much more.. In control. A lot has happened, it.. It changes a person. I'm sure that isn't entirely unfamiliar to you, Alucard... Please, just- just give Richter a chance."
The events of the past changed Alucard too, irreparable damage. Thoughts of Richter didn't stop, it's evident now she is damaged, and Alucard was almost choked up, they began to head faster into the forest, running through the darkness.
The two aren't so different, had things gone differently it could have been Alucard in that castle. Humans; theirs is a hard lot. Even Alucard. they began to sprint.
Alucard leapt forward, manifesting into their wolf form without losing any sense of speed.
The wolf ran, the cold wind energizing them as they traversed the twisted trees of the forest with ease.
The worries of life slid off their back as they ran and ran, paws hitting the cold ground like a pursuit chase; this movement and the release of energy has always helped Alucard stay grounded. The wildness of this, it was like taking flight into life.
They can relate to Richter. Being a creature, and of chaos. It can help to free your soul.