middaeg | Intro Log: July, Overflow

Very well.

[Alucard's eyes move over to Roach as well, considering. He's no horse expert, so he can't read much of her body language besides guessing she's generally content with things.

Water may not be a bad idea for either of them, come to think of it. So he begins to move, just a little further north. He knows there's one there.]

Not too much further, if you need to refill.

[The brush isn't as thick here, and Alucard can move just that much faster for it.]

Not much. So long as you're alert, you will be fine. Thinking of staying for a while?

[ Geralt moves along. Out here, despite his unfamiliarity with these specific woods, it still feels closer to home than the city. ]

Might be. [ He's gotten a room in one of the buildings, mostly as a place to secure his belongings and so Roach can stable in the city. He might not be troubled by the Shades, but the last thing he needs is to wake up and find his horse being eaten.

A couple days wouldn't be amiss, though, out here in the woods. Could give him a chance to see what else was out here. ]

Thought I'd hunt out here, at least.

Hmm.

[Alucard's rumble is deep and considering as he steps over a fallen tree. Someone's project for wood gathering, as the stump to the right shows deliberate axe marks rather than a natural break from inner rot or a storm's high winds. It is just beyond that point that the sound of flowing water cuts in, and the dhampir inclines his head towards the noise to show that they are not terribly far now.]

I think you'd have some success with that.

[He crunches through a pile of dead leaves, the noise happy to fill in the silence.]

But for more than a daily excursion, you'd need a second in case of shades.

[ After having traveled either with the bard or by himself, having silent company is new. Not unwelcome, though. Despite the unusual flora here and there, the wildlife is common enough: deer, wolves, rabbits. It means he's not too concerned about where his next meal might come from. At least not until winter hits.

He stops at a stream trickling out of a small cave. The water's clear, with small water bugs swimming in the surface. He takes Roach over for her to drink. ]

I've heard. [ He crouches by the water, picking at a little plant peeking out of the ground. It's not one on the list, but he takes it for his own curiosity. ] I ran into one last time. It tried to attack a girl.

How well did you fare against it? And how large was the shade?

[Alucard doesn't trail after Geralt and Roach. If nothing else, he has gauged that Geralt is a man who likes his space, and the bare minimum that he can give the man is that space in these circumstances.

He also seems to like the horse much more.]

[ Those are both absolutely correct assumptions. Where someone else might've interpreted the distance as avoidance, Geralt seems unbothered. He lingers with his horse, keeping one eye on her while she drinks and the other taking in the forest. Bit by bit, he's learning landmarks here and there. ]

Mm. Deer, perhaps. Not large. [ From what he knows, they come in all forms and sizes, having corrupted the monsters that currently live among the populace. ] It didn't kill me.

[ Which is all that matters when it comes to how well. If he walks away in one piece, then a fight's gone well. ]

Obviously it didn't kill you.

[Alucard's tone is dry as the dessert at that, and he approaches the stream himself. There's a sudden thirst that's overtaken him, and grabs his own waterskin. Mostly empty - a good time to refill.]

But if it wasn't swift, I'd be wary and suggest you don't spend overnight trips out alone, just because of the nature of how these creatures are. I don't doubt your own abilities.

[ The concern is touching. Geralt leans back against a shaded tree, watching Alucard by the stream. Most people don't catch Geralt's interest, but Alucard's a bit of a curiosity. ] I'm not spoiling for a fight.

[ Capable or not, Geralt's well aware there's nothing to be gained from stepping into danger for no reason. He also knows there are few people he trusts at his back. To him, the company of anyone other than another witcher is an added responsibility—not a helping hand.

Maybe in time, he'll meet someone that changes his mind. Until then, he's willing to steer clear where he's able. The problem, as always, remains how often he's able. Guess he'll see.

He retrieves his horse when she seems ready to go. ] Thanks for the directions.

[As far as Alucard's concerned, those who don't like cities need to at least need to offer best advice when they can. This is just one of those moments, and Alucard expects he'll run into Geralt in the wilderness again.

He doesn't mind the strange meetings. The only other person Alucard's truly had that kind of experience with has been Maria, but her vibe? That isn't Geralt's, that much Alucard is confident of.

His waterskin is filled. There's no harm in splashing a little water on his face and arms, and it feels wonderful.]

Of course. Are you heading back immediately, or roaming for a while longer?

[ His eyebrow lifts, faintly amused. ] You're starting to sound like my old teacher.

[ Keeping tabs on the boys, lest they stray too far. For someone who keeps to the woods as much as Alucard seems to, he's more curious about others than Geralt might've expected.

He mounts Roach. Probably wouldn't have bothered answering anyone else, but the man did show him through the woods. Twice now, actually. ]

Sun's going down. [ He turns his horse towards the city, starting back. ] Could use a different sort of drink.

Well, rest well in the fact that we're from different worlds, so I could have never met him.

[Alucard would laugh if he knew the theory of keeping tabs lest others stray too far. That assumes a sort of authority that the dhampir absolutely doesn't have. Flattering, admittedly, but deeply laughable.

There's no way Alucard can keep up with a horse. At least not now, here and without his usual speed abilities.]

Then I'll fare you well as you go ahead. There's no way I can match your associate's speed.

[ Mm. Geralt's thoughts pause briefly on Vesemir before he puts it aside. It's not useful to think about for the moment.

Besides. Things are complicated enough.

Alucard's parting regards are nice and polite. Unfortunately, Geralt rarely does formalities, so he's already on his way without having lingered for the man's sentiments, much less give one back. Alucard gets a tip of his head before he's gone, and that's about it. ]

Intro Log: July, Overflow

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