[Catch All] Rebirth is just Necromancy with better branding

[petcromancer]

Who: Hector, open
When: the first half of Feb.
Where: The city of Aefenglom
What: Monthly catch all for Hector's first month. What do you do when you can't necromance good or do other stuff good too?
Warnings: Injured animals, poor decisions, language, will update as needed



The Early Days Out and About in the City

[If this is to be Hector's home-- and he is in no rush to return to whence he came-- then he needs to know it. After one monstrous post-festival hang-over, Hector resolves to find himself an apartment, and really settle in.

He rises with the sun-- it is nice, getting to enjoy the sunlight again-- and walks the city before the streets get too crowded with city-dwellers. On most days, Cezar the pug is at his heels, bounding from one place to another until his stubby legs tire and he starts to whine to be carried.

Hector scours the library for his sort of magic, but finds only bits and pieces of his craft within the transmutation and conjuration texts. To those he sees studying, he may try to probe to learn their manner of spellwork. There have to be necromancers somewhere, don't there?

And he searches for new pets. Every city is full of hurt and broken things, if one knows where to look. Hector has been looking, and finding, since his early childhood. On one memorable occasion, he climbs a tree after a wailing cat...only for the cat to look at him as he finally reaches the branch and bound safely to the ground, leaving Hector aghast. And up a tree. 'Well, fuck.']

The Full Moon closed to CR- let me know if you'd like him to call you

[The changes are not so noticeable yet. The tips of horns are starting to show through his hair, and the skin around them itches like a motherfucker. His hair is...fluffier, and when he strips out of his boots and pants, he finds himself hairier and with calluses along his feet.

He would claim there are no psychological changes to accompany the physical, but on the night of the full moon, he finds himself curled protectively around his puppy on the floor of his apartment.]

There are monsters out there, Cezar. It's too dangerous for you. Stay here. Right here.

[Hector has no means to protect him, to protect either of them. His forging powers are gone, and there is not even the threshold of a home to ward off the creatures of the night. He is alone, friendless, vulnerable. Easy prey.

His breath quickens, and he can feel his heart racing with paranoid fear. His hand goes for his watch, and he opens the device, hesitating over the selection.]

The Iron Price At the Desmodus Mori Bar

[Thankfully, the waning of the moon washes away some of the creeping terror, and Hector's life resumes. He's managed to scrimp together a little money from odd jobs thus far, but if he wants to support actual live pets, he needs more than that.]

There's no danger. You know exactly how much blood you can safely lose. [He reassures himself as he walks to the vampire bar he's heard whispers about.

He also knows that a vampire is not a slave to their hunger. If they kill a victim, it is because they choose to do so.

...and Hector assumes that there are checks in place to prevent that, if this place expects to stay in operation. So it seems like easy money- a quick stop here, and he'll be able to bring home kibble for some hungry mouths.

He takes a deep breath and wills away his pointless fears. If the vampires here are like the ones at home, they'll sense weakness and pounce on it.]

It's a symbiotic relationship.

[He opens the door and takes a seat. Order up on faun blood.]


A New Life Paid for in Blood Near the apartments in Haven

[The blood business affords Hector at least some basic supplies to get himself set up. Cezar seems happy and fed, and as they days go by, the communal garden at the Haven Apartments starts to see some oddities. A butterfly with mismatching wings. A pigeon with a stump-leg ending in a bandage. A cat with a shaved patch showing off a bite mark mended with careful stitches.

Hector comes and goes, bringing in new patients to his makeshift clinic and letting them free once they are healed. He pauses on the way in with a pail full of leeches, smiling as the animals dart between the plants with various degrees of mobility.

Find something hurt? You may get pointed in this direction to find help.]

Wild Card message me with any other thoughts or ideas

Comments

[petcromancer]

[Um, are you trying to tell Hector how to do his job, Alucard? Hector's eyes narrow.]

It wasn't my primary area of study, but I do know that leeches are effective when you need to restore bloodflow to damaged veins and prevent clotting. With any luck, they are going to prevent my patient from losing a leg.

[It's none of Alucard's business, but since Hector isn't doing something nefarious for once, he is fine with throwing it in Alucard's face.]

[cryptsleeper]

[Yes because he's an arrogant creature who definitely does not like Hector and kind of wants an excuse to harp on him.]

I mean this without malice, because of the nature of your previous work: human or animal patient?

[petcromancer]

[Hector rolls his eyes and steps to his door.]

I doubt you'll trust my word, so you might as well come in and see.

[Inside, there are more tools of Hector's trade strewn about. There are several convalescing animals napping on the couch, and Cezar has a place of honor on a cushion by the fireplace. The kitchen table has been repurposed into a surgery table, and there is an unconscious raccoon secured there. One of the back legs looks as if it has been run over by a cart.]

Were I at home, I would simply revive him after he died. But that isn't an option here, so I'm forced to intercede before he reaches that point.

[And thus, an industrial-sized helping of leeches.]

[cryptsleeper]

I actually might if it mean--

[meant getting away from Hector. But too late, Alucard's in Hector's weird little vet office now, and good lord. He's already acquired more animals, and this is just going to be what Hector does, isn't it?

He cringes at the raccoon's plight.]

I see.

[Can he go now.]

Then that's my curiosity satisfied.

[petcromancer]

[And this is why Hector, like a Romance Era novel heroine, has no Prospects for bonds. This is absolutely what Hector does now.]

What, your father's extensive medical library didn't prepare you for a real-life surgery? I didn't realize your kind could be squeamish.

[There's the door, Alucard. Feel free to flee leave. Hector, for his part, is moving to his raccoon patient and checking the wound.]

[cryptsleeper]

I can feel pity for a patient and their state, thank you.

[Yeah. He's going for the door. You deserve this Hector Bennet.]

I'll leave you to your work.

[petcromancer]

Pity isn't going to heal this broken leg.

[Hector says while he starts placing leeches at strategic points on the leg. He's already done what he could to straighten out the bone, so all that's left is to try to restore blood flow.]

Close the door on your way out. I don't need anyone running outside and undoing the work I've done on them.

[Was it possible for Hector's opinion of Alucard to get lower, because it seems like it did?]

[cryptsleeper]

I'd advice getting a small fence that a human can step over to ensure that for the future. [A baby gate. He's suggesting a baby gate.]

Good luck.

[He does start to make his way there. Alucard's careful when he reaches the door, and turns back to ensure he has no would be escapees trailing behind him.]

[petcromancer]

Usually, the only one using my door is me.

[You are vastly overestimating how many visitors Hector plans on hosting at this apartment, Alucard.

There is someone following behind Alucard as he leaves. It's Cezar, following close behind with tail wagging. A friend is here! Walkies?? Cezar is thinking walkies.]

[cryptsleeper]

All the same.

[Alucard looks down, and...of course. He sighs, clearing his throat so he can get Hector's attention.]

I think he wants to go out.

[petcromancer]

[Hector doesn't look up from his work.]

Leave him, he can w...

...

...maybe he can't wait. [Real live dogs have much more urgent needs than undead ones do, don't they? Shit. He's already had to push this surgery longer than he's wanted, getting the leeches. Now that he's started getting the blood flowing, stopping could be disastrous.]

The next few minutes are going to be crucial. Go take him out. If any harm comes to him, I will hunt you to the ends of the earth, dhampir.

[Don't think Hector didn't notice how much you liked a dog last time, Alucard. He knows you're good for this favor.]

[cryptsleeper]

Very well. I'll keep him out of your hair for fifteen minutes so you can work.

[Alucard walks over and actually scoops Cezar up first. It's like carrying a grape he's so tiny and light.]

I assure you, there will be no harm done.

[With that? Alucard's gone. With the pug. Who is better company than just about everyone lately.]

[petcromancer]

I'm holding you to that, Alucard.

[If he doesn't see Cezar returned in fifteen minutes, he's going to assume it's a pup-napping. Until then, the injured animal in front of him needs all of his attention.

Cezar snorts with excitement as he is carried outside. He'll happily show Alucard around the grounds and garden of the apartment, or follow if Alucard walks them beyond that. He knows how to be good company for someone who doesn't want to converse with others.]

[cryptsleeper]

Very well.

[Alucard closes the door behind them both, then sets Cezar down on the ground. He'll let the little dog lead, as there is precious little to do otherwise. He is very happy to be shown around, not wanting to go far after that icy good bye.

Instead, he settles down on a little spot of grass in the garden. Cezar strikes him as a very good lap dog.]

[petcromancer]

[Cezar bounds around the garden for a couple of minutes- barking at a cat with a bent tail, peeing on a tree, spinning in circles around his favorite spot in the dirt. Once all of this very important business is done, he returns to Alucard and hops into the open lap, which obviously belongs to him.

He barks at Alucard, then bumps his head into his stomach, begging for pets. A good lap dog, but a demanding one.]

[cryptsleeper]

[Give him like two seconds Cezar!

Alucard laughs softly, and moves his hand so he can scratch under Cezar's chin. His other? That's for butt scratches, duh.]

You do this to Hector too?

[petcromancer]

[Cezar snuffs and wiggles more securely into the lap. He can't answer, but with how he lounges like he belongs here, it's probably reasonable to assume he's well-accustomed to this treatment.

While they sit, Alucard may be able to catch glimpses of some of Hector's other projects, the ones who have come and been deemed well enough to release into the garden. Bizarre, but not evil, probably.]

[cryptsleeper]

[What a spoiled creature.

Alucard keeps scratching, but he picks his head up to look at the world around them. Hector's trademark is obvious, and the man is a good vet if there's ever been one. A shame about the rest of where his talent has pointed him.

He's good at keeping track of time, until it's just under fifteen. Alucard stands slowly, arms holding onto Cezar.]

Let's get you back inside, hm?

[petcromancer]

[What a loved creature.

When Alucard stands, Cezar seizes the opportunity to lick his nose. He is rarely in range with tall new friends, so he has to act when he is close enough.

Inside, Hector is applying a salve to the raccoon's leg. The leeches have been removed for now. He listens for the opening of the door.]

[cryptsleeper]

[Oh!! Well, that's endearing, and something that might be a noise of happiness escapes Alucard. It's rough and weak, but there all the same. What a good boy this dog is.

As for the rest, well. Alucard opens the door quietly so he doesn't disturb Hector's work. Hell, he makes sure to close it behind himself too, just so that there are no other escapees. Once that's done, he sets Cezar down, that way the pug can run to whoever he wishes.]

He was happy enough to be outside. I'll take my leave now, if it's all the same.

[petcromancer]

[Cezar rushes over to his master and dances around Hector's booted feet until Hector sighs and picks him up in one hand so he can see what is happening on the table. Cezar would make friends with every creature in this city, if he could.]

Very well. Go on. You're not a prisoner.

[Hector's not going to say 'thank you' for taking care of Cezar, because honestly, being allowed to take Cezar out is a privilege. Alucard should count himself lucky.]

[cryptsleeper]

I hope the recovery goes well.

[Cezar is so much better than Hector.

Alucard says nothing more and departs. There's no need for more here.]