"Do allow me to present myself," Saing Gemain said as he bowed, narrowly avoiding Skylar's sword. "I am the Count Saint Gemain, scholar in residence to many of the great courts of Europe."
"Why are you cowering in a latrine hut in Wallachia?" Alucard asked, and Skylar kept a glare aimed at Saint Gemain.
"Oh," Saint Gemain chuckled, but Skylar wasn't amused. Neither were Tara, Tanya, nor the day creatures. "Is that a latrine? I just-- I just thought someone had gotten very scared."
"It is a latrine," Skylar snapped at him, her sword just barely cutting the skin of his neck. "Travelling for your own fucking objective?"
"Yes," Saint Gemain took a step away, his expression grew into a mix of forced greeting and nervousness.
"And are you enjoying your tourism so far?" Alucard asked, pulling Skylar back by her hips until she was flush against him.
"Don't answer that, you're just going to waste our time on stories," Skylar said, placing her free hand on Alucard's.
"Heh, I suppose you are correct, Skylar." Saint Gemain said. Alucard watched the two for a while. Then his eyes widened at a silent sound the others missed.
"Can you hear that?" Alucard asked as he looked towards the opening of the village walls.
"I hear nothing," Saint Gemain said.
"Me neither," Greta said.
"Yes, something is coming this way," Dracule said. Alucard began to walk to the open gates of the village. Skylar and the others followed him. Dracule walked on one side of Alucard while Skylar walked on the other side of him.
"It sounds like... a caravan?" Skylar said as faint clattering began to grow louder. A group of people rounded the corner, and the black horse that brought Alucard the message was with them.
"Someone brought your stupid bloody horse back," Alucard said. Skylar sheathed her sword.
"That's a good horse," Greta said as she made her way over to the new group. Skylar looked in the corner of her eye, and she saw that Alucard was watching Greta closely.
"She's very good, isn't she?" Saint Gemain said, Skylar glared at Saint Gemain as he stood beside Dracule. "It's a shame.
"What is?" Alucard asked.
"Well, such talent with common people, but it's wasted out here, don't you think?"
"Just shut up, Saint Gemain," Skylar turned to him, silencing him with a single glare. "If anyone wants you to give a sentence about anything, they would give you a coin."
"Regardless," Alucard began, snaking an arm around Skylar's waist. "I think she is right where she needs to be. And stop agitating my partner."
"I meant no disrespect," Saint Gemain said.
"Then stop talking," Alucard said, no room for any more argument.
"They're from Lasa," Greta said as she came back after speaking with the new individuals. "A village about ten miles away. They've been walking for hours."
"Were they attacked, too?" Alucard asked.
"..." Greta lowered her head. "Their village was put to the torch. They say they're the only ones. This group includes refugees from five other villages in the region."
"I see," Alucard said.
"They lost everything then," Skylar said, her hand on her opposite arm's sleeve, and balled into the fabric.
"They escaped," Alucard said, holding Skylar's side.
"They survived," Greta said. "They lost many people to vampire and night creature feeding attacks."
"Interesting," Saint Gemain said, his hand on his chin in thought as he watched the group enter the village. "Why would they be burning the villages, though?
"If vampires are involved," Alucard began. "This isn't the blind destruction we're all used to with night creatures. They're feeding them to sustain them through the ongoing battle. They're removing shelter, the possibility of aid, and potential witnesses. This is troubling in its complexity."
"I am of course not a military man, although I have certainly advised generals and kings-"
Shut up, Saint Gemain!" Skylar cut him off.
"Skylar, do you want us to keep an eye on him scheming?" Tanya asked, glaring heavily at Saing Gemain.
"Yes," Skylar said, matter-of-factly. "Abso-fucking-lutely."
"I am just trying to suggest that this village is inherently indefensible," Saint Gemain said.
"It hasn't worked out well, so far, has it?" Greta said.
"You may have a point, Saint Gemain," Alucard said.
Perhaps, just until we all find out what's going on," Saint Gemain began again. "Perhaps the remaining persons in your charge might be moved to a more secure location, like, um... Y-your castle... possibly."
"Hey!" Skylar snapped, and Alucard growled at him. Then, after a moment, Alucard sighed, his hands over his eyes.
"And God shits in my dinner once again," Alucard said. Skylar looked at him, concerned.
"Alucard, no," Skylar said, and Alucard realized who he sounded like right then.
"Oh no," Alucard said as he looked at Skylar. "I really am turning into Belmont. Is life even worth living now?"
"I will fix that when we get home," Skylar said and reached up, running her fingers through Alucard's hair. "So hold out until then, alright?"
"I can try," Alucard said, leaning into Skylar's touch.