World Tree MUSH

Winter exists in varying degrees for many a world, indeed, many a part of those worlds that sometimes have no real 'winter', just a time of slightly colder weather than their usual scorchers and humidity that drains away the lives of those who live there. 

Humidity is hell, don't let anyone tell you differently. 

In the case of the appropriately named city of 'Wintervale', winter is a pleasent experience, the city itself a juxtaposition between modern and fantasy--modern in the facets of having lamps, lighting and other key infrastructure like electricity, but also fantasy, in that magic and science are woven together much more intimately in their development, some of which had increased quite well with their world's gradual integration into the rest of the Tree. It also meant it was just the place to meet, away from danger but not so farflung as to be out of the way, a mere vine away in the case of this city.

One arriving here would be greeted by modest overcast, which has given way to a diminishing snowfall that's left the streets and houses practically frosted with just the right amount of white, casting a wintry feel that is not oppressive, but strangely invigorating. In the case of Sonia herself, welcoming city or no, she's making her way along one of the many wide streets that accomodate horse-drawn and magical carriage alike, but today such streets are sprinkled with the laughter of children that run to and fro.

It isn't that long before she reaches the suggested destination, a tavern and dining hall that, this early in the day, is somewhat sparsely occupied, but is warm and welcoming all the same. The crunch of snow and boots soon halting as she arrives at its front entry, but pausing first instead to let her senses expand; whether or not Alucard got here first or not, before she heads inside. Besides, she always did like the way the crisp air of winter felt, and she wasn't going to let the peaceful sights go to waste just yet. 

Alucard has not arrived first, as it turns out. Mainly because when he first arrived in this particular world, he hesitated to head in for a few moments. Mainly because he was trying to decide whether he wanted to just walk -- and travel as humans do -- or make his way via some form of shapechanging. Ultimately he decided to just walk -- he couldn't sense anything that could harm him, and he had a feeling Sonia might disapprove of him using bat or mist forms to travel purely so he could avoid having to exist in the same space as PEOPLE.

But her senses extending will probably be able to track his dark aura approaching the place once he's close enough. He's gone with a more modern clothing change for this place, though he might not have been too out of place if he'd left his layers of Victorian fashion. Here, though, he wears a charcoal gray blazer and slacks, a white button-up shirt with a crimson vest with silver-colored buttons on it, and black loafer-type shoes. There is a crimson scarf wrapped around his neck, and a black longcoat -- worn open -- over the lot.

When he approaches, whether that's with Sonia still outside or whether she's gone inside, he nods to her politely. "Greetings, Sonia," he offers. "How does the day find you?" See, he's learned a little bit of small talk! That's probably ALL he knows for small talk, but it's a start, right?

For what it's worth, Sonia *probably* would not have found fault if Alucard had elected say, a certain lupine manifestation, as opposed to bat or mist. Bat or mist definitely would've resulted in a mask of scrutiny worn upon the woman's face. Still, when she picks up on his presence, her head lifts a scant inch, reigning in the impulse to immediately look his direction--even here, she does have her own sense of propriety, or was it paranoia? Never you mind. No need to draw attention, after all. 

A wry smile once he draws closer and the Belmont's more able to assess his chosen attire; fits right in, though she's not too far off, at least from the outside. Still looks like one of those road-worn travelers or adventurer types which flit through here much like everyone else tends to. "Cold, but enjoyably so, Alucard." she replies with a hint of warmth as she draws her hood back, shaking off the edge of snow that'd settled on it and freeing that striking blonde hair of hers. 

"Come, let's be inside, a pleasent winter this is, I think you can agree it ill suits two friends sharing tales of their time lately." With that, she reaches to pull on one of the twinned wooden doors so as to duck in there, pressing a hand at the edge to keep it open for Alucard to follow in. And though the notion of warmth is ever an ephemeral thing, described differently by others, the interior follows a more rustic tradition, with lots of leather in terms of seating, oak bars and tables and while lit in traditional faces, there's a massive brick fireplace to one side where some are watching screens or engaged in conversations all their own.

Asides the bartender, there's a trio of waitstaff, two women and one man, alternating between cleaning and bringing orders to those walking in. One of the women, a redhead brightly calls out to the entering pair, "Have a seat anywhere you like, let us know what you might want!" 

Shouldn't be too hard to find a vaguely private booth from the look of it at least! 

Alucard is also dusting snow off his head as he enters -- he doesn't want anyone to see that his body temperature isn't high enough to melt it. It would mark him as different. Well, moreso than he already looks different, with the pale skin and angular features. But that's one of the reasons he wears his hair long, it covers his ears.

He nods as Sonia mentions heading inside, and follows her into the establishment. He pauses a moment once inside, to scan the interior -- looking for threats, no doubt. Old habits die hard, even in a place with the kind of home-grown warmth people associate with the term 'homey'.

The redhead's words get a nod from him. "Thank you," he replies quietly. He will indeed make for one of those more private booths, as far from the door as he can manage. This time it's not because he wants to be away from people (or, believe it not, not because he wants Sonia alone somewhere), but because it's likely they're going to talk of things that would scare normal people. That's an occupational hazard when dealing with things that eat normal people...

"I checked too," Sonia murmurs, loud enough for him to hear, but not so loud others could catch it. A glance behind and past her own bangs with a wry smile. "Much the same way I can pick up on you." Still, it goes without saying her own agreement as to one of the private booths--a booth tends to be her first choice in many an establishment. Or at least as further from people as she can, to watch them. Which makes the booth that is inevitably picked perfect, as it keeps their backs away from the entrance as needed! 

All that said, it's when they get to that booth that she undoes the clasp on that traveling cloak of hers--she's not wearing her usual affair given the winter weather, but a mix of white and purple with just a bit of green: a blazer-like vest with white pants and a shirt, but with an off-shoulders overcoat that makes her look like she *could* be ready to fight anytime soon to begin with! 

But that's not what they're there for, after all. 

"It's a nice place," Sonia begins with a faint smile. "I hope you've been well too, Alucard, and I feel I should thank you for indulging me. Given the holidays ere long, it felt like a good chance to pick somewhere like this to catch up." And not at all drag him into the light, nope we aren't admitting anything like that. 

Alucard pauses in his surveying of the place as Sonia speaks. He trusts her, and if she's checked it over for threats and found none (he assumes she wouldn't still be here if she'd found any), he breaks off his survey with a nod. And yes, the ghost of a smile haunts his face all of a sudden.

He also removes his overcoat before sitting down... though he also blinks a little at the attire presented with the unclasping of Sonia's travel cloak. It brings back memories, but it's not an unpleasant punch in the gut with said memories. His smile widens a bit, almost wistful, and he notes as he sits, "...It suits you."

He nods to the mention of indulging her to come here. "It has been some time... I wanted to see for myself that you were getting on reasonably well," he replies. Though he also notes, his voice lacking the usual hard edge, "...I have not celebrated these winter holidays in... a very long time. I have not had someone to observe them with in that time."

A reminder that this Alucard is... a fair bit older than Sonia perhaps remembers. His features, while fair, have lost most of the youthfulness that comes with the teenage years. Some still remains -- he's half-vampire; he may never truly lose the prime of his youth -- but it has mainly matured off his features.

"Not that you shouldn't look besides, I did the same before you found me here waiting," Sonia counters with a bit of matter of fact mirth to her tone. As it regards her chosen attire, she simply smiles a bit brighter, "Mm. Thank you. It's... interesting how easy it is to find someone to make excellent clothes if you go long enough searching. People are remarkably better able to accomodate those like us." 

She listens, and the corner of her lips quirks just a bit, a quick realization of a few things before she makes a quiet sound. "The Solstice is near as well. I think barring any troubles, you and I should observe the holiday together. It doesn't do to be alone when you don't have to be." Saying in such a way that sometimes, the holidays are ones spent alone when there's little choice. But if there's a choice not to, why make that choice? 

"Besides, I've heard tale of a town that has a rich tradition, which is a little to do with why I suggested meeting here." She pauses when the same redhead from before comes over, "Anything we can get you?" she asks brightly, leaving Sonia to look briefly thoughtful. "Ahhh... hmm, you have a dark apple cider of some sort?" the blonde asks, before the redhead beams, "Sure do! Small, medium--" Sonia blinks and gently waves down the size offerings, "Something in a small glass will be fine." Of course, that leads the redhead to turn to Alucard, "And how about you, handsome~?" 

... the remark does get Sonia fighting the urge to smile at that rather casual flirtation as she looks ahead at the dhampir, planting her elbow on the table to rest her chin on a hand. 

Alucard nods to the mention of finding clothesmakers. "The presence of the World Tree has brought a great many things to us that we would not have otherwise," he agrees. "It has taken the forms of both hope and despair. I suppose we must 'take the bad with the good'." As so often in life. That does unsaid though; at this point it hardly needs to be said. Sonia has just as much of an understanding of that as anyone.

And then the Solstice is brought up. He pauses, with a thoughtful look. "...It is," he realizes. He hadn't thought about it until Sonia mentioned it. And he begins to remember things. "...My mother often had small celebrations at the Castle when I was a child. Father allowed it, but rarely participated. He would sometimes observe."

He too pauses as the redhead comes to the table. He actually doesn't react to the light flirtation -- even in his time, tavern serving girls would often be flirty with the customers to encourage the purchase of more items to give the pretty server a reason to return to the table. Besides, he knows he's handsome!

"Mulled wine, if you have it," Alucard replies. "Small will suffice. Thank you." His words are terse, but his tone is even and calm. He isn't being rude, he's just naturally short with his words unless he knows the person he's talking to.

"That's one mulled wine and one apple cider, I'll be right along shortly you two~" Another quick, bright smile from the redhead before she heads back to collect the drinks as ordered. She probably understands, but hey, you can't stop her from having a good, cheerful attitude! It's Christmas, after all! Or the Solstice, or both, depending on what you're looking to celebrate. 

Still, Sonia turns her head to watch as the redhead departs, a slight huff of air from her lips before musing. "It's a little more extravagant in places and somewhat missing the point, I fear but..." Her head cants slightly, to look at Alucard out of the corner of one eye. "It's a good time to celebrate... but I can imagine how it wouldn't suit him." she murmurs, a somewhat deliberate tone as she wars with how best to touch upon the subject of a man who, ostensibly she had to try and slay, let alone Alucard's attempts to do so. Or how all of it was such a tragedy of humanity's foolishness as a whole. 

Leaning back, she heaves a quiet sigh before beginning anew. "Hope and despair. Life and death. The dawn. The night. All sides of same coins. Everything with its own sense of balance." A slight sigh from her as she shifts in her seat a little. "Ah, but where was I... yes. There's a town called Voaluri. I think it might be nice for you and I to visit it this Solstice. The traditions they have there involve a great deal of storytelling, to remember the times of the year so far, and the times that have come. A time when the long nights end." 

Alucard does nod politely to the redhead before she departs to acquire the drinks and bring them. He's not going to be rude to serving persons -- they're doing a job, that's all. And Alucard really is trying not to be a complete HUMBUG about the holiday, but it's more for Sonia's benefit than his own or anyone else's.

He nods, though, to Sonia's observation. "He was... already rather ill-disposed toward human celebrations in the first place," he noted. "Mother's assurances that it was not a celebration of the Christian god the way she observed it were the only reason he allowed it in his abode, or allowed me to participate." And for 'more extravagant'? That gets a bit of a disgusted look. "In some places there is little to the holiday but commercial nonsense -- spending money to buy things for greedy people. 'Tis not a celebration of religion... unless that religion is 'capitalism' and its god is Mammon."

He quiets as Sonia begins to speak of balance, and nods. "I suppose evil is necessary for good... the latter would never rise should the former not need to be stopped..." he observes quietly, thoughtfully. Maybe something of a revelation? He'd been working to destroy evil entirely... but would that also destroy good? Or would there always be some evil for good to stop...?

He puts that rather complicated line of thinking away for now; there would be plenty of time to mull that over later in more detail. He instead listens to Sonia relate the tale of Voluri. He does frown a bit at the mention of storytelling, though. "...Are you certain that is wise?" he inquires. "The stories we would tell, they would surely frighten the people there."

The concepts behind the increasing secularization of the Christmas holiday are ones best left where they lay, as nothing can truly stop the pursuit of the almighty dollar. She snorts a little at that with a wry smile as she leans and listens. Listens, as the conversation shifts to and fro, before she speaks again. 

The notion of good and evil, of one existing without the other is a heavy and complicated thing. By what do you measure good if you do not know what evil is? "Think of it this way, dear Alucard. Light and darkness both exist. As do good and evil. Yet these are not always as they are. You are someone whom others might think dark, or evil, because of your birth. Someone might think the same of me, because of the power I wield, and in fact, have." A small sigh as she reflects on such concerns before the World Tree itself became a factor. 

"There will always be some manner of evil that exists. It must. If evil didn't exist, we would not know what evil was. Whatever we did, simply would be. A world without darkness is stagnant, is blinded by the light. It is a gift, the choice to do good, or to do ill. Light must beget shadow, and shadows give way to light." A soft, wry chuckle from her as she leans forward to address Alucard more directly, "Things would be very different if you or I weren't necessary. Would it be any better? I don't know. For all the tragedy you and I have seen and faced personally, equal to it is the amount of triumph and experiences we have had for the better."

All the same, the question accompanied by that frown also elicits a sly smile. "Would they? Surely you and I know a few stories, a few legends throughout history that could be regaled to others? A story is a story not solely because of what it says, but what it conveys. Be it hope, wonder, a lesson to remember..." A soft smile as she sighs a little. "I apologize. I understand well your worry... but it is something that... between my mother and my father and the Speakers..." She trails off when she says this.

It's just as well she trails off then, as the redhead comes around just then with the aforementioned drinks in hand, "Here you go you two~! One apple cider for the lovely lady, and one mulled wine for the handsome gentleman. I'll be back to check on you later if you need, but I'll give you some privacy, alright~?"

Alucard thinks about much of what Sonia says... though he doesn't quite have the opportuntiy to respond to it just yet, because the redhead returns with their drinks. He nods politely to her and offers, "Thank you." He means for the drinks rather than the privacy, but she's free to think what she desires.

Once the redheaded woman is out of earshot, Alucard addresses the topics at hand. "Your power... people fear what they do not understand. And many people merely cannot stand the thought that someone possesses something that they themselves cannot have. Whether that be wealth or possessions, skill or ability, or something as small as 'luck'. Your power is no more dark than mine is light.

"But... there is a lot of sense in what you say, Alucard continues. His feelings on most of it are too complicated to discuss. Or maybe he just doesn't want to piss Sonia off, who knows? Either way, he'll stay silent on most of it. Her mention of stories he might know gets a thoughtful look, and he rubs his chin briefly. "...Possibly. But they would largely be stories Mother told me, rather than my own experiences..."

"Mm. Thank you." A quiet smile, the woman's gloved fingers reaching to bring the cup of cider to her lips as she seems to otherwise contemplate what's been said, not just by her, but Alucard's own words following hers. "Knowledge... is everything. More than people ever realize, you know." There's a slight gleam in her eyes as she takes another sip, a sigh escaping her before she sets it down, leaning forward to crisscross her fingers in front of her. 

"I think that's fine. I think even if you nor I relay anything more than the fables and stories our parents gave us, that would be something to experience. To share in knowledge, to share in wonder and imagination even." She smiles wider at that before unfolding her hands. "Would you believe, for instance, that there are automatons with a soul? Or... androids, as they're called." 

Alucard actually gives a half-smile at her words of the importance of knowledge. "It does not surprise me to hear you say this," he acknowledges. "Nonetheless, I very much agree with you." Misunderstandings, willful or otherwise, have cost him much in his life, as Sonia is well aware. "Knowledge is like any other tool... for it to be truly effective, it must be applied correctly."

The mention of androids gets a nod. "I have seen them," he notes. "The barren world of deserts, inhabited all but completely by hostile machines, with humans a literal world away from it all, while these 'androids' try to purge the hostile machines so that humanity may return safely. I have been in the world of the one called '2B'. Was this who you meant? Or were there others?" Pause. "Well. There ARE likely others... but was she the one you meant specifically?"

A warm smile comes at Alucard's response regarding knowledge. It too, is a double edged sword; imagine keeping knowledge from others, or using your knowledge in ill ways. Nonetheless, it's the kind of pleasent conversation from a kindred spirit she's found herself missing. "Mmm. Glad that you agree with me on that, I would be greatly surprised were you not so!" she teases. 

As to the androids, and specifically 2B, "I thought you'd met with them as well, at some point yes. Strange names besides, there was... a curious event recently. Murders of androids, done by things that were not. It turned out that it was another android, pretending to be a victim when she was in fact, anything but." Lifting her cup again, she sighs quietly. "It was a chance moment, to open my senses. As you know, when it comes to those living and dead, I can sense them, I can even speak with them and feel what they have felt. It was then that I felt... very human emotions. Rage. Regret. Things that you would not expect something that is... created as they have been." Her eyes lower for a moment to stare across the rippling surface of the cider. 

"... I'm left wondering what else there is to not just that world, but others when it comes to the notion of the soul in other Worlds." 

"The desert was difficult for one of my... particular heritage," Alucard remarks. "Far too much sun, and far too little shade or relief from." Nothing he could drink for blood, either -- a trifecta of 'this place sucks' (no pun intended) for a dhampir. Though that last bit (including the pun) goes unsaid.

He listens to the story of the false 'victim'. "She sought to deflect attention from herself to some mysterious 'other'," he conjectures. "It would not be the first time I have seen someone do this. That is generally the preferred way of doing things for those who would commit stuch crimes."

As for a machine having a soul? He tilts his head. "The same could be said of creatures such as vampires, or demons. I have seen the latter -- one who kills his brethren for their actions. Perhaps he is also half-human, I do not know. Perhaps, as I have heard, the soul is merely a form of energy. If that is so, this energy could potentially be placed into nearly anything that can contain it."

There's a faint grimace from Sonia as she does in fact, put imagination into the image of Alucard in a desert. No, even for humans places like that, as one might put plainly, sucks. Greatly so. "Mmmm. It'll be interesting to see... even more to the fact that, for not being human, many of those androids there are strangely humanlike in more ways than would expect."

Another light sip of her cup, a quiet smile on her lips. "My father and mother made mention of something like that. It was said not in so many words. But some of this... power is evoked by way of the soul, the energy, the power gleaned from others. It's simply that... mn. This might sound unkind of me, but 'tis passing strange to needs consider it. The presence of spirit has been something I felt in other things before, but nothing so close to that of a normal living being. It's difficult to explain," she admits, albeit somewhat sheepishly. 

Alucard nods. "I noticed this. The machines, however... they seemed to be rather emptily and woodenly mimicking the trappings of humanity," he points out. "I think none of them truly know the meaning or significance of the things they act out, but do so nonetheless. Which is noble in a way... but also sad. They seek to understand that which they have not the capacity to, by carrying out the same tasks their creators did."

He listens to Sonia's assessment of what she has felt, and nods. "No, I believe you, Sonia," he assures. "I cannot feel such things myself, but I have no doubt you could. Your power differs from mine; you use the light of that energy -- that 'soul' -- to power it. It would be stranger if you were not able to sense the presence of a soul in others."

"Just not something I expected to be doing further scholarly work on it," Sonia admits somewhat more wryly than even she was expecting to feel on discussing such matters. "Still, perhaps it's a good sign. For now, however... I think it'll be a matter to discuss somewhat more with 'TwoBee', as I've felt... you might say something kinlike in her. Given what they've said of their designation, she feels like I do sometimes. A hunter of the night." 

A slight quirk of her lips, as she seems about to add something else to it, before she elects not to. "Let's enjoy this time, and our drinks. Let me tell you a little about where to go to reach Voaluri when the Solstice arrives." Sonia offers, lifting her drink in a mild little 'toast' gesture as she smiles. 

Alucard nods. "I cannot claim the same," he admits. "Though I can... possibly feel the same of the machines, those that wish to live peacefully. They cannot, because their world is populated by hostile machines that look the same... and as such any good-will from them must be immediately held suspect for the aggression of their brethren. But, that said... I do hope that you can gain some measure of peace about it."

He smiles a bit at Sonia's suggestion. He's learned a little of enjoying his life in his time, and now that he's here, with a dear friend, there's no reason why he shouldn't. He thus lifts his drink in the same gesture. "A fine suggestion. Indeed, tell me more of Voluri..."