IC INBOX FOR STARHUE VALLEY

[singinghuntress]

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[vlad_the_impaler]

Alucard gave Rip a few days of some space. After all, she did speak of wanting to own her own land to farm like everyone else and she'll need some time alone to figure out the lay of her own land.

She was afraid of him, asking for a reprieve, almost afraid to leave him even, and he has to teach her to don't be afraid of asking for a leave of him. After all, Alucard didn't ask her for 24/7 relationship and if there is several things Alucard isn't particularly good at, is maintaining relationships period. She isn't his shadow after all and neither is Seras. She is his fledging. Even Seras doesn't need to ask Alucard to leave and just learning to do her own thing, but she considered him her Master and eventually "Dad", which is her preferred relationship to him. As for Rip, that remains unknown...for now it's simply Fledging and Master.

He didn't mind letting her go and he would think it's interesting to see what she makes of it, of not being under his wing all the time. Better to see her being creative than being a tool of the group she once served, as that option is much better. And anyway, his own land is a mess and he wants to work on it on his own. He didn't have a house yet as he made blueprints in what is his ideal house should look like, and well...the drawings don't look anything concrete...at least not yet...until he's ready to hire some handymen and construction workers to build it.

"Rip, I'm coming over." He said in a voice message toward her phone. Later that night, he appeared on her land, surveying it, looking for her. Looks like Rip already made some visible work, which he noticed. He has a surprise for her, but first, he wants to hear how is she doing.

"Good evening Rip. How is your evening? Did you work a lot on your land?"

[singinghuntress]

A few days away from him on her own land. Rip had insisted on having her own space even if part of her was terrified both of him and leaving his side. It was that twisting duality that had made her so insistent she had her own farm to do with as she pleased to begin with! Rip recognized she desperately needed space just to think and so she made sure she got it.

And in those few days, Rip had surveyed the land she claimed, noting the lakes, the spaces.. then little wooded areas. There was too much open space and it made her feel uneasy. So, she had started drawing up plans with scribbled notes all over them. Rip had been thinking long and hard over what she wanted and at first, she was going for something more militaristic and utilitarian. Then she paused, and realized that no, that wasn't what she wanted.

So she tossed those plans and went for a walk. During that walk, she just tried to clear her mind. He wasn't around and despite her desire to be near him, she had to...be herself. Even if Rip barely knew what that meant anymore. For thirty years, she had wandered, observed.. murdered. She had been driven by an unending hunger and wanderlust before she settled in the wilderness of the Amazon. It had been a place she was familiar with, one that brought her peace. Until he came back and claimed her.

Dwelling back on that, Rip had to consider why that was. For one, there had been plenty of space to hide in. She wanted that back.. and a lot of it had been trees. Well, she definitely had the space for trees. So, what kind did she want? Rip thought long and hard about that very thing before settling on fruit trees. Apples, peaches.. even Cherry trees. She found those appealing and with that in mind, she planned out where she wanted the various fruit groves to be.

She also wanted strawberries.. hops, wheat..Rip thought it might be nice to make her own ales and beers eventually. She might need help figuring out how, but, this was a start, right?

Which meant by the time she settled down, drawing up plans she had calmed down considerably from the first day of separation from her Master. As for a house, Rip wanted something rustic.. a log cabin would suit her fine she figured and of course, she was drawing up plans, marking things out... She had been lost in her planning when her phone went off and didn't hear it. In fact, she barely saw the blinking message and only really listened to it a mere twenty minutes before he arrived, leaving her scrambling a bit.

When he showed up, Rip had been up in a tree, hiding. She watched as he surveyed the work she got done so far.. clearing out dead wood from where she wanted her groves and crops to be. It was hard work, but, she hardly minded. Rip had to admit, being stronger now had its perks.

She heard him.. and reluctantly answered as she moved to a lower branch of the tree she had been in. "Evening... Master." she still had mix feelings about that word.

"I've gotten quite a bit done.. plenty of land cleared und plans drawn up.

[vlad_the_impaler]

Alucard stood where he stand, surveying her land. The land she chosen is very vast, but plenty of space. While not the same vastness as the Brazillian jungles, there's a lot of arcres to cover still. Looking and feeling regal and noble, his black and red cape fluttered, flowing with the nightly summer wind, giving him an appearance of bat-wings, though his own is hidden and out of sight as he didn't will them out. Red eyes searching and surveying work with observance and curiousity. He looked up and saw she was hiding high up in the tree.

He waited for her to climb down. "That's good. Looks like you gotten quite a lot being cleared out and you have more space now." And the same can be said in what's running through her head as he spoke musing over the work of his servant. While it will take some time and adjustment for his fledging to get used to the idea that he is her Master, for there is no other vampire king than him, he spared her...for the purpose of having her join him in ranks as his close subject...though Seras is no subject, but his heir. However, it remains unseen as to what he makes of Rip. "It would look more impressive yet, if you work hard and be ambitious to strive toward working to your ideal garden."

Reaching inside of his pocket from his coat, he took out what seems to be a small ball, and pressed a button on it to make it larger. The ball opens to release a light, and out came a dark sinister looking hound. The pup sniffed around, makes a ruff, a bark, and then said, "Houndour!" as he wags his tail, running around Rip in circles.

"I come to see you today because I wanted to give you this. A present from me, so to speak. I believe it's a puppy and when he said that, that was his name because it's all he can say." At that, Alucard threw the pokeball toward to Rip. "Catch. And, he's yours to care now. Be careful, he set my pumpkin patches on fire and now I have to regrow them. He probably needs some training and bonding, which will be good excercise for you. I found him wandering around my property and I thought he will make a nice hunting partner for you in your hunts, He told me he likes long enthusiastic walks...just like me, only I don't breath fire."

At that, the baby puppy houndour made a burp, open his snout, and belched a stream of fire from it's mouth and setting a patch of grass on the ground ablazed.

[singinghuntress]

"I am vorking towards my ideal garden. I just need a lot of room before I can plant everything I vant." Like Apple trees which took time to grow, the same with the cherry and peach trees she wanted to try and cultivate as well. Not to mention other fruits. She wanted to fill all the open space to give herself places to hide in when she wanted.

Rip waited for a few more moments before dropping out of the oak tree she had been hiding in and stood there feeling slightly awkward. Rip knew that her status with him beyond fledgling was in question and that was something that wandered into her thoughts while she worked. There was no argument that he was her Master, not with how she desired to be around him or the way he could order her around if he desired. But, beyond that and her status of his fledgling..

Whether she admitted it or not, He was her King. What her fate was to be seemed to be in his hands.

However, hearing that he had a gift for her got a curious look as she straightened up a little, curious as to just what he might be giving her. So when he pulled out a ball and released some sort of baby hellhound. A houndour? She watches the pup curiously as it circles around her and then just glances up when he says 'catch' and automatically just catches the small ball.

As for the rest... The puppy breathed fire and enjoyed enthusiastic walks. And that fiery burp just proved the point as the grass was set on fire. She stared at it for a moment then smiled.

"He's perfect."

She knelt down to pet the puppy as she glanced towards the fire. "Zhis might actually make clearing zhe farm easier... I need to be digging fire breaks it looks like."

[vlad_the_impaler]

At that, he looked pleased that she is pleased with his gift. The hound took a liking to her already. With this much space, he has plenty of room to run around, and with training, a good hunting partner.

Ah, so she hadn't planted anything yet. That was why her land was so bare...but she confirms she is working on it. "Hmm, all right then." He doesn't have anything more to add. "I came here just for that. But I was wondering the development of your farm."

To tell the truth, he had no idea what he wanted to plant and grow yet...other than pumpkins, gourds, butterscotch, and yams. His barn is empty of livestock though he might purchase them soon. He did purchased horses to fill the stables as he is extremely fond of horses and riding on them.

"What were you planning to grow? If you decide to give horticulture a try, that would be a sight to see." With a smile, "But if I'm in the mood for hunting, I rather you join me. I heard the caves have interesting minerals and gems to dig and monsters prowling about in the lower levels, but I haven't checked that out yet."

[singinghuntress]

She nodded slightly as she crouched down to play with the pip who was very happy to have her playing with his ears and eager to lick her face. Rip was smiling and relaxed as she kept her attention on the pup for the moment.

With a little training, he'd make a good hunting partner and perhaps protector for her farm once things got planted. "..Once I haf more space cleared, I plan on creating an orchard filled vith Apple, cherry und peach trees. Maybe a garden vith some grains und fruits and vegetables as vell." Most of it she would probably sell when it came time for harvest and of course keep some for herself. Admittedly, Rip didn't need much in the way of food..

She hadn't even thought about raising animals yet. So, maybe once she had the orchard and gardens figured out..

Rip glanced up when he mentioned hunting and wanting her to join him. "I vould like zhat.. both hunting und doing a little exploring. If ve find a good vein of minerals or gems, zhey could be sold depending on vat zhey are." and it went without saying she'd love to see what kind of monsters might be lurking there to hunt. Rip did want her home to have more of a hunting lodge feel...

[vlad_the_impaler]

Rip's land was cleared and now there are summer crops growing on her farm. Of course, there are two months of summer left, but there is still enough time for them to grow ripe for a few cycles before fall season comes in.

Alucard moved in and he changed the way she worked around the farm. He figured out how to install a sprinkler system to help watering the plants during the day, so Rip can get some sleep. During the day without worrying if the crops need to be harvest, he does all of that to be shipped for the delivery man to pick it up. Running a farm this big required a lot of management, that he even hired a few locals to come during the day to help and work part-time with the crops alone.

Another plan of his is to save up money to buy a greenhouse for their estate, so it would be possible to grow crops from other seasons, but that would take time and money for the construction workers to come and construct it on their property. For now, he already hired the house to be upgraded and bought a double bed which they shared...though the both of hardly get any sleep at all.

Alucard works during the day which is against his own energy, and at night he comes often brooding and grumpy, and seldom talk other than Good evening and pleasantries. He becomes a work-addict just like Rip and at the end of the day, want some sleep. With her pregnant, the subject of sex is just...non-existent...or he wasn't sure if she desires it, as he also works to fulfill her weird cravings whenever he goes to town during the day to feed her.

Lately, once the work on the farm is manageable and functional, he has time to explore the caves and go mining. Usually alone, as there are beasts and monsters roaming in there, and he forbade her to fight with her current condition. The gun she carries is for self-defense to protect the farm when he's away. As to why he goes to the caves without her by his side, he kept that a secret...until now.

He came home very late, almost a few hours close before the morning sun rises. He came with a dirty bag carrying his haul from the mines, and in one hand, a brand new purchased an acoustic guitar. He approached her while she was working on whatever she is working on.

"Rip, I came back. Finish up whatever you're doing here. I have something for you." And he hoped she might like it.

[singinghuntress]

Since he moved in, Rip had been going.. crazy with all the new changes. It was still an argument at times whether or not she could work with him during the day which, he always seemed to win. It was surprising just how much more sleep Rip go with Alucard around like he had been lately.

With him running the farm and making changes for it to be more efficient, Rip was finding herself at a loss of what to do at night. So, she decided to do as he had suggested before and learn how to work the finances for the farm. It had taken a few lessons from one of the locals, but, Rip surprisingly took to it quickly and seemed to have a knack for accounting she didn't realize she had before.

So, every night she balanced the books and recorded everything he managed to do during the day. The sales, tallying the work done and purchases... She took notice of his grumpiness and brooding but, didn't say much considering she knew how hard it was working during the day and still wished he would let her help.

Even the upgrades to the house.. she had her input and the larger bed was definitely welcomed. As for her cravings, she had some strange requests. Tomato icecream, pickles and peanut butter. Just some of the strangest cravings that usually ended up being both savory and sweet. Though, lately she'd been delving more onto the sweet side with a desire for chocolate.

With the farm functioning how it should be, Rip didn't mind that he went mining though she sorely wanted to go with him and hunt again. There were nights she practically begged to go.. to hunt! Even in her current state Rip felt like she was more than capable of hunting like she always did!

As for that night, Rip had been working on the books again, focused on what she was doing as he entered. Tonight, she had decided on a simple blue dress to wear and to her amusement and annoyance, she had started to show signs of a slight baby bump. Only someone that knew how thin she usually was could really figure out she was gaining weight and with regular feeding, it was becoming apparent that she really was.

When he spoke up, she pulled herself out of the ledger she was working on to look up at him curiously and then get up from her chair with a stretch to toss some of her long hair over her shoulder.

"Vat is it? Did you find zomething interesting in zhe mines tonight?"

[vlad_the_impaler]

Which is good, since Rip needs to learn where the budget goes, and it seems financially they're doing well enough that they might be able to invest in buying livestock to produce dairy, meat, and other types of foods. He let her help within the limits, but he's really trying to prevent her and forbade to work during the day or go hunting, to prevent her from putting too much strain on her body.

"..." Well, she certainly caught his eye, as she's becoming more beautiful as he sees her. Though he already fought her attractive long before the gradual changes and her being settled here, but she is becoming a vision of loveliness. "I did. If you could find a comfortable place to sit...the sofa perhaps, I'll show you what I have brought you."

Once they found the sofa to sit side by side, Alucard took out of his bag, a fresh red rose and a necklace with a blue seashell, which he laid it on her lap. "They called that a mermaid's pendant. Apparently, for the human locals, they are given when a person wants to make a proposal."

Smiling, giving Rip some time to make her realized what is his true intention all the along. Then bringing up his guitar on his lap. "I knew some of the songs you sang for me, but you never heard mine. The song was on my mind when I think about you." He strummed through the strings, tuning it up, and giving Rip some time to realize what is happening here.

[singinghuntress]

Her curiosity spiked when he said they should sit down as he guided her towards the couch. Why did he have that guitar and what was he up to? Her question got answered once he handed her the fresh rose which she immediately brought to her nose to catch it's lovely scent before moving on to see what else he was giving her.

A mermaid's pendant..? It took her a few moments to register what he said and then she kind of froze as her fingers ran over the simple blue seashell necklace and just took a moment to realize what this was. He really was proposing to her! Her eyes were wide as she found herself at a loss for words as pure excitement and happiness swelled within her!

She turned her attention back to him as she finally caught what he said and just what the guitar was for. He had a song for her... She nodded, a blush gracing her cheeks slightly. "Zhen.. let me hear zhe song." she was definitely smiling and she slipped the necklace on.

That was a definite yes to his proposal. "Und.. Yes. Many times, yes."

[vlad_the_impaler]

He gave her a playful nudge. "I was about to ask the question after the song, but since you're eager." The reaction on her face is too priceless yet adorable. "Yes, I want to marry you for your heart and soul."

The strings on his guitar warmed up and he played a tune that is harmonious with his voice.

♪ "Alas my love you do me wrong
To cast me off discourteously
For I have courted you for so long
Delighting in your company
Greensleeves was all my joy
Greensleeves was my delight
Greensleeves, my heart of gold
And who but my lady Greensleeves

So Greensleeves now farewell adieu
May good fortune prosper thee
For I am still thy lover true
Oh come once again and love me
Greensleeves was all my joy
Greensleeves was my delight
Greensleeves, my heart of gold
And who but my lady Greensleeves" ♪

Who knew Alucard is a poetic type? He certainly doesn't look like it, but tonight she discovered a depth of him that is reserved to her alone. This part of him belonged to her truly. The song itself is a type heard in medieval renaissance fairs and in weddings, played by dreamy young lads and troubadours sung on the streets while serenading the maiden of their dreams. He played it slow, each tenor matched the strings and words perfectly.

When the song is over, and she was in trance, he leans over and whispers, "I love you" on her lips, closes his eyes, and kisses her. Even though the kiss, she might be able to tell that he is genuinely and very much in love with her. That somehow, against all odds, her once enemy can be turned around with love and love conquers all, even the past that tormented her in her nightmares.

[OOC: This version of the song in particular or this version.]

[vlad_the_impaler]

It was a lovely day in Germany and with the Oktoberfest festival, the city comes alive with its fairs and festivals. This year, the people constructed mechanical rides from the roller coasters to the Ferris wheel as one of the main attractions, and at night they light up with colorful lights that light up the sky at night. With food, games, vendors, and entertainment around the block, there is also no shortage of beer, one of the festival highlights and traditions.

Accompanied with his wife to check out and acquainted with her homeland that she hadn't seen for decades, he hoped to bring her here for their vacation to help her reconnect to the heritage that was lost on her along ago...and helped her see that her country has been modernized and rebuilt - risen from the ashes to become a unified nation that has joined with the rest of the world.

She was heavy with child and almost due at any time. It was a critical time, where their child's expected birth is any day now. So at times, Alucard has to slow down to allow her to catch up with him as they go for their leisurely walks through the city at night.

With so much beer around for sale, he often teased her. "Remember no drinking. You know that." Beer is everywhere and plentiful. "What you need to drink is a lot of milk." Easy for him to say since he can drink and eat to his heart's content.

[singinghuntress]

When he approached her about returning to her homeland, she was more than eager to go. Even as heavily pregnant as she was at this time, she wasn't going to let him change his mind on her.

So when they arrived she was amazed by the sights and sounds around them with Oktoberfest in full swing! She couldn't remember the last time she experienced this festival, it had been so long. Every sight, every sound.. even the scents in the air made her nostalgic and happy to be back.

From the ashes of the last war rose a beautiful country that had recovered. She's never seen her homeland this prosperous before. This unified.. It truly had grown from the horrors of the past, the very horrors she had once taken part in and now wished to distance herself from.

Rip was much slower than her husband and with their child expected any day now, she was determined to enjoy as much of the sights and sounds as she could. Even sample foods she hadn't had in decades if he'd let her. It was a pity she couldn't sample the beers with him. Already she could catch the scent of quite a few rather delicious brews she desperately wished she could try.

"How can I forget? You keep reminding me!" She shot him a playful glare and huffed as she rested a hand on her middle while another supported her back slightly. Really, she shouldn't be moving around as much as she was but, Rip was hardly one to listen and she was more excited to be back in her homeland than care about something as silly as due dates. As far as she was concerned, the baby would arrive when it wanted to.

[vlad_the_impaler]

With her being happy in her home country, that's good enough for him. What's worrying was that there were so many humans and tourists, especially gathering toward the tents where they serve the live entertainment, food, and the trademark beers, she might go into a bloodlust frenzy.

But so far, she haven't show any signs of her bloodlust in months. She was calm and mellow and their relationship was unexpectedly sweet...and romantic.

"I did mean to take you here for our honeymoon, so here we are. I mean to take you here sooner, but I was worried that you wouldn't survive the long plane flight." After all, it's a long flight, and they're together in a tight space. But they passed through it without strangling each other or pull out their guns. In fact, it was a quiet flight without any incident.

With so many sights and sounds, she seemed delighted. "Just wait until after our child is born, we can take a train and visit Paris."

There are many things she can try and not just the brews. "So why not we go find a tent where the people gathered to eat and try the signature pretzels and sausages?" With a smirk as he turns his head to look at the cute German girls, wearing those cute dresses as they walked passed by them.

"Maybe you should wear one of those outfits. They call it the Dirndls." What Alucard is referring to is the traditional dress that German women wear especially during the festival, which is a white blouse under a tight-fitting dress with an apron tied around it. "I heard only the cutest mountains girls of the Alps wear it. It might look good on you. Have you ever hunted around the mountains before?"

[singinghuntress]

That was a definite worry with how much more she's needed to consume daily to support herself and their growing child. And yet, her bloodlust seems to have been put on hold. Perhaps her instincts recognized the need for her to keep from something as dangerous as slaughtering and hunting humans just to protect the child growing within her.

Whatever the case, Rip was trying to not stare at the humans so much and focusing more on the food, sights and sounds. Though once she caught Alucard looking at some of the younger pretty women, she glared at him slightly and moved to grab his hand and squeeze hard to remind him his mate was right there.

As for his suggestion on the dresses? Well, she wasn't about to let it slip that she has worn them before, back when she was much younger and before she joined the army. "Pretzels und sausages zound good right now und I'll zhink about zhe dress as long as a certain husband of mine can keep his eyes from vandering too much."

She huffed softly before moving towards one of the tents. "Yes, I haf hunted in zhe mountains before. I much razher hunting in zhe forests."

[vlad_the_impaler]

Alucard is still a bit of a hound inside, the monster of humanity and men. While those girls are cute and it's easy for him to flirt with them (and go to bed with them even with the night was just only beginning)...he's really in love with his wife. She is the last vampire to him, after Seras. Those poor women, to tell the truth, he felt he doesn't deserve them...but he will never admit Rip that (...yet).

Just to prove it, he only smirked lightly when she squeezed his hand hard pulling him along, seeing a tinge of jealousy from his mate. "I only have eyes for you, my love. If you wear that dress, you got yourself a deal."

When they enter the tent, and there's loud music played by the musicians on the stage. "Forest and mountains, eh? Seem like a fun place to go for a picnic too." Though most likely they will stay within the city for the entire duration of the festival and until their first child is born.

Once they enter one of the large tents, it was really crowded and as they mingled with the humans, Alucard managed to grab one of that large glassed beer, and he looks mighty pleased with himself. As for the taste, "Well, this is crisp and refreshing. Can you find any seat and table for us?" Which is quite hard since a large of group humans are crowding around the main dining areas.

[vlad_the_impaler]

It's another quiet night, but no less an adventure. At this point, Alucard is accustomed to traveling, and for his family, he hoped it's fun and comfortable for them. They checked out of the hotel at this point and their next destination is Rip's hometown near the Black Forest.

He did tease Rip hours ago if she liked trains. The night train moved through the night silently through the provinces, cities, and towns of Germany, and passing by the glass windows the scene of endless green forests and fields of German countryside where the farmers live and worked. "They're just like the forest in Romania, only brighter," Alucard said.

To allow Rip and Victoria to sleep, he reserved the private sleeping cabin that comes with bunk beds and a private bathroom. Alucard spared no expense, and while it doesn't seem like it, but he knows how to really spend money. "Never rode on a luxury car before. They even served meals on board too." He remarked.

There isn't much space to sleep, so Alucard doesn't sleep at all, other than a few naps through the wee hours, and carrying around his child whenever she cries to let Rip get some whatever sleep she can through the long corridors of the car they're sleeping on.

When Rip was awake, and the first sight she sees is Alucard holding Victoria while playing on his phone. "You're awake? I wonder what your hometown is like when we arrived there." With how Germany is becoming modernized, the same can be said for her hometown. "Do you remember the name of your hometown?" After all, it's been over 50 years since she last left, and there's a question if it's still there or a new town has been rebuilt in its place.

[singinghuntress]

The last time Rip had been on a train had been a military transport train ages ago during the war. Since then, she hardly used them, even when she was alone and wandering in the years before Alucard found her again. So.. having a luxury private sleeping cabin was definitely making this trip a lot more enjoyable than her last.

Something she would amusingly tell her husband while she watched the forests and countryside pass them. "Sometime ve should visit Romania, if you vish." It was only fair since they were visiting her homeland that they should visit his, if he wanted to visit. She would leave that choice up to Alucard.

For the first hour or so of the trip, Rip managed to stay awake. She was still tired and exhausted but, she was also very stubborn and refused to sleep until they were well underway. Only then did she hand their daughter off to him and finally lay down and let sleep claim her. Even now, she was wearing dresses still, finding them easier to move in and considering how tired she still was, easier to sleep in. That alone she appreciated the dresses for right now.

As she slept, Victoria napped as well.. for the first hour before waking up and being fussy. Rip was too dead to the world to even hear their daughter so everything was left up to Alucard for her care. She would eventually calm down as he walked her and there were a few moments where she was fussy and needed to be fed or a diaper changed. Otherwise she was a good baby for her father.

When Rip finally woke up she realized Victoria wasn't next to her and for a second started to panic before her eyes landed on Alucard and their daughter in his arms. Of course she was alright..He'd never let anything happen to their precious daughter.

"...It vas a few miles from Staufen, near zhe Münstertal Valley. I zhink zhere might be villages there now. But, in zhis modern time.. I haf no idea if it still exists. It vas a small village just at zhe foot of zhe mountain range zhat zhe forest covers." Which was something she hoped to find out.

If it didn't... then at the very least she could see the forest again.

[vlad_the_impaler]

It was a good suggestion as any. With a thoughtful look, "Would you like to visit there? Perhaps I should take you to Transylvania, so you can explore the forest and then take you to see the Carpathian Mountains for the caves. The view is breath-taking and if you ever see any vampire movies, it can't be compared to the real location." He said. "Though I haven't been there in a decade. The last time I visit, it was..."

He took a paused, searching his memory. This scene of having a conversation with his wife and holding his daughter in his arms is surreal. He was about to bring up a woman he used to serve. But having a heart to heart talk was something that even now he was struggling with, as he's being trained to be more of a servant and soldier to Integra Helsing, and eventually a friend and almost close he called a family. But he and Seras were her servants first and foremost and the bond and live they shared tamed his blood-thirsty, violent streak...but when it comes to family, the feeling is not quite like this. It's not the same. Alucard no longer wore an armor, but he wore an armor around his own dead heart.

"It was after my Master died. Integra...was a descendant of Doctor Helsing. After the funeral, I traveled back to my homeland, but I didn't stay long. My castle, the Bran castle became a historic museum and one that of national pride and treasure. I realized I gave up my castle to serve as a reminder to my people of this generation."

Holding his daughter close, he gently placed her back in the mother's arms, so that Rip can hold her and care for her, and sat on the small bed.

"So...afterward, I left and traveled east toward India and the Himalayas to The Far East as far I can, because I think I was bored of living in Europe for far too long." And perhaps, he lost his soul and wanted to run away, having lived a long, dull boring life. With a chuckle, "You know, I lived on Earth for so long, over 600 years and close to 700 and I have no idea what America is like. Not once set foot over there, though my fledging Seras spoke of going there once. I'm not sure where she is, but I sense she is somewhere there or in Canada." No surprise since the mercenary boyfriend she ate is a French guy.

With a nod, he checked that on the map on his phone, "Staufen...it's a small city. Once we get off the train station, it's a bus ride there."

With a yawn, sleep doesn't come easily to him either. "Have you slept well? If not, I have a good mind to sleep here." With the bunker bed so small, he might as well sleep while sitting up and leaning on the wall. "But I can go fetch a cup of coffee and breakfast if you like."

[singinghuntress]

Honestly? Rip wanted to go there with him and see where he once lived all those centuries ago and even visit the Bram Castle even if it was a museum now. She felt it would give her even more of an insight to her husband. But, then again.. he did manage to give her insights whenever she could get him talking about his past, before they met the final time.

"I think.. I vould like to see it. Zhe mountains, forests, even zhe castle if you are villing." But, again, she'd leave the choice up to him. She could understand if it was hard to go back to considering how long it took her to even dare come back to Germany again. So for now, she listened as he spoke and before long she was taking their daughter back and moving so Alucard to lay down if he wanted and she could take the chair with Victoria. Rip was still exhausted, but, she felt she could manage even a little.

"It still amuzes me zhat you are so much older zhan me und perhaps one day ve can get in contact vith Seras again und you to can catch up. Vho knows, perhaps she'd like to meet our little Victoria."

She smiled a little and gently started to play with their daughter, letting her grab her finger and even chew on it a little. "I hope zhe bus ride isn't long. I'm already on edge having her around people vhile zhis exhausted." She sighed a little and then relaxed. "Yes, I slept vell. It vas refreshing though, I'm not sure how long I'm going to be staying avake. Perhaps...coffee und food vill help."

[vlad_the_impaler]

Even if it's up to him, he doesn't seem to mind taking her there at any given time. "I'll take you there someday. Probably soon, if you wish to see it. I haven't visited there for many years, so it has been a long while since I visit my homeland." It wasn't painful for him to visit. It was just that as much he loves his home, he had been in the darkness for so long, that a part of him wonder what the rest of the world he had been missing for all of these years.

At the mention of Seras, "I lost contact with her for the last decade. Usually, we vampires have the power of sensing each other through telepathy, but I have to be close to her, at least within a few miles to find her in my radar. So I have no idea where she went. So I went looking for her the same way I was looking for you, but I don't know where to begin other than the continent I never visited before is America and Canada. I was heading to those after I finish touring South America and that's where I found you."

At the mention of wanting coffee and food, Alucard quietly went up to go fetch it from one of the train attendants. It was a simple tray of breakfast food like a croissant, spreadable butter, sausages, scrambled eggs, a small fruit salad and a hot cup of black coffee.

"I don't think these foods will sit well in your stomach." He said. Still, he made coffee the way she like it, black and he made a cut with his finger using his claw to let his blood drip to mix it and stirr it with her coffee. "Here, drink this. You'll feel better."

A cup of hot black coffee is being offered to her on the small tray on the table.

[vlad_the_impaler]

Five years later...

It didn't take long for Alucard or rather Vlad as that's his official legal name to make up his mind to move to Germany. Though he made up a few identities and names, and he made it legal, and the purpose is for whenever he made a purchase and investment for his business. He wanted to move, for many reasons, but his main reason is for his wife's health. If they lived anywhere else, she is always lethargic and unable to do much, and be of much of help to him, and knowing his wife, she is driven by her need to be useful, which she need energy for.

Ever since that day what started as a vacation trip, it then turned out to be a seed of an idea. Since that vacation, it took him a while to sell the farmhouse in the valley to get money from that property. Though Rip may have missed upkeeping that farm where she spent months building it, the vineyards, making a brewery, and keeping up their finances, Vlad would rather have Rip focused on raising their child. He sold it to an interested family who wanted to move in, make a business out of it, and that was that. They no longer lived there in the valley.

With the large sum of money, Vlad searched the best property for sale within the area of Southern Germany close to her hometown and found a large piece of land within the forest. He bought the land, and just like he did with the farmhouse, he build a new house, a new manor from the ground up. Where they live now, which is a half hour walk to the closest town, through a trail in the forest, with a river running between the forest and the town or taking the road for a short drive by car.

Eventually, the manor was finished and completed in a year, though the final touches and adding more rooms take more than that. Meanwhile, Vlad filled out the rest of the land, turning it into yet another a farm, made more purchases in acquiring crops and livestock animals, so they can sustain their business, as he wanted his child to grow up in this kind of life.

All of that since Victoria was an infant, and the years passed by, when life was settled, and she has grown up to a precocious five turning six years old, and the ultimate debate between him and Rip is her education and schooling and where to sent her for school, or should she stay home a little longer, where Victoria is more interested in taking care of the animals and playing with them.

In the meaning, they're working on having a second child as Vlad very much wanted a son, though another daughter for Victoria to have a sister is fine...which they had been trying every night in his bedroom, with Vlad wondering if she's having that miracle baby bump yet. Vlad has been enthusiastic in the bedroom for that reason.

Any day now, he'll wake up one evening, and she'll announce that she will have that second bun in the oven. To Vlad, here's to dreaming, and working on that, making that a reality.

[singinghuntress]

Five years seemed to fly by for Rip. No sooner had they returned from the vacation than she was feeling lethargic again and trying her hardest to balance the workload and their daughter. Something she wasn't managing as well as she would have hoped.

So when he proposed selling the farm, she had mixed feelings before finally relenting and letting him do it. With the proceeds going towards their new home, Rip was left to tend to their daughter which she was more than happy to do. Victoria was given all the love and attention any child could ever want without being spoiled.

Even with Vlad changing his name, Rip kept her first name and willingly took his last name, leaving her own behind for their new start on life. Another part of her past gone for good...and a brighter future ahead of them.

With them living in Germany near her old hometown, she felt stronger, more energetic and was able to do things she never thought possible before. If this was what it was like to truly be home, she must have been an idiot to spend so much time in the Amazon. It may have been where she was created but, it wasn't home. Not like this.

During the next year Rip watched as the manor took shape, marveling at Vlad's strength and dedication to building a home that would last them for centuries and be perfect for raising any of their future children along with Victoria. As for Victoria's education, she worried about sending her off to school given what they were. Rip was still slightly over protective of their daughter, even now and half the time needed Vlad to talk her out of being too cautious with Victoria.

In a way they balanced each other out as parents which worked for them and their little family. Though, she still felt Victoria should be home schooled with how much she seemed to like taking care of the animals.

As for her husbands amorous attentions over the last couple of months..Rip was more than eager to try for a second child. Every night they tried...For the last three months.

However, tonight when he woke up, Rip wasn't in bed with him. She was in the bathroom and there were certain..unpleasant sounds coming from there. Unlike the last time she was pregnant and underfed, this time Rip was well fed so...Morning sickness was a thing. Admittedly, she might have been feeling nauseous the last few nights and not said anything. Tonight, it was hard to ignore.

Vlad may have just gotten his wish on her having a second bun in the oven as she exited the bathroom after brushing her teeth and looking a little.. sheepish. At least she noticed before he did this time?

[vlad_the_impaler]

It wasn't really Rip's fault that she's stationed in the Amazon. She was there by fate and by circumstances. With Rip taking his last name, she is a proud Tepes now, and it's her duty to carry the last of his bloodline and be in second in command of the household as expected of the only wife of the Tepes line

Though the manor is big and it's just the both of them running, Vlad has been wondering if he should hire servants to live with them, but that remains on the fence. Those servants will be human and they can end up on the menu for him, his wife, and even the child.

Vlad never really dreamed of children up until now. Though he tends to hide it under a mask of authority and being in charge, it took time for him to indeed to feel very proud to have a child, and it was something they strive and push forward, something to look forward to spending their long lives, building and raising a family. While there's no hurry to decide on Victoria's education, it should be soon.

It was a long dry spell, but Vlad is content with her, pleasing her every night on his bed. Though a part of him wondered how fertile she is. She can't be that barren, right? Five years...since Victoria was born with no results for the second child to inherit his bloodline. When he woke up one evening to find she isn't there in the bed with him, only to be alarmed that she was in the bathroom, going through the ritual...

He waited, being patient. What's going on? Can it be? Part of him is humored that it took her long enough. But there it is, a small baby bump, but at last, at long last, there shall be a second Tepes.

Being casual about it, but he can't hide how glad he is. A second Tepes is on the way. "Well, are you all right? You spend a long time in there." For him, it's been a long time since she went through this, five years ago to be exact. Despite her sheepish look, he rubbed her back encouraging. "Perhaps you need some water and some time to rest?"

[singinghuntress]

At least now he can be assured that Rip wasn't barren, it just took a fair amount of effort to get her pregnant which in itself wasn't too much of a surprise considering what they were and despite how sheepish she was looking at the moment, she was also pleased by how thrilled he was to realize she was pregnant again.

"I zhink vater und rest are a good idea." At least for a little bit anyway. Rip was still determined to go about her business like usual once she felt well enough. It just might be delayed an hour or so. Hopefully their little Victoria wouldn't mind.

"Our hard vork paid off, Victoria's going to haf a sibling in a few months." Even confirming it had her glowing with pride as she allowed him to lead her back to the bed to settle down for however long she needed.

It was still a little surreal for her to even say things like that even after five years. Before she married him.. before he rescued her from the amazon that fateful night, Rip never dreamed she'd settle down and have children. She'd just been focused on the hunt and attempting to quell her bloodlust as much as she could. It's amazing what five years has done to her.

She reached for him to tug Vlad down on the bed with her as she felt the desire to just be close to her mate in that moment, sharing her joy with him as she gently pulled his hand to that small baby bump that was just starting to form. "Our second child.. I can't vait for zhem to come into zhe vorld und meet our little family."