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a nocturne of recollection
It was with deep reluctance that they all parted ways. After all, he loathed to think that he would never see anyone else again, and in particular--
In particular, his heart had wrenched at the very thought he'd never see Connor again. He could not live with that idea, refused to accept it. How horridly unfair it is that he's been teased with this? To be given such love in his heart for another, only to have it stolen away. His life cannot be confined to a miserable, lonely existence in Wallachia.
So he'd promised. He would find Connor, even if it took years for him. Even if it took centuries, he would find him.
What he hadn't anticipated upon was forgetting upon returning to Wallachia. Everything, but the inkling that he had a task to do, something he had to fulfill after defeating his father. He couldn't say what it was, but it was comforting to know that he had something to look forward to even after committing patricide.
That in itself had been difficult. However, with the help of his hunter and scholar, the deed was eventually accomplished. Shortly after, the memory returned.
The station. Familiar faces. A promise.
So he committed himself to it. To finding the right combination of magic and science to transport him to another reality. After the passing of Sypha and Trevor, he knew there was nothing left for him in Wallachia. Both his parents dead, his friends dying of old age, and it meant he could fully commit himself to leaving. It took quite sometime, even some mistakes along the way, but eventually, there was success.
In a burst of lightning tearing through space-time, his father's castle appears in the middle of Lake St. Clair. Not terribly far from Detroit, though he knows little of the city itself except for what he remembers Connor telling him, what images he could share. Though it's been a few centuries for Alucard, he couldn't be sure how long it's been. From the looks of things, it shouldn't have been long at all for Connor.
Now it's just a matter of finding him.
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"I healed, eventually," he says softly, reassuring. "I was successful in stopping my father. I am not overjoyed in having assisted in killing him, but it was necessary. After that, I was free to live. I wanted nothing more than to see you again."
It has been years and years, but the regret he has regarding his father has not faded much. It is simply another burden to carry, but less dismal than if he had no hope to look forward to. As torturous as the station had been at times, it had also given Alucard a shred of hope to hold onto. Hope for humans, and hope for himself.
"And you? I wondered what might have become of you and your partner. I'd like to know what has happened since I saw you last. You were concerned about your mission as well. You mentioned once that you had spoken to an Elijah Kamski before we met?"
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He remembered magic, impossibilities, and hearing about Alucard's world, far in the past and intertwined with fantastical sounding creatures. If Connor required breath, it would have caught when Alucard mentioned having nearly immediately started to try reunite with him.
"1475..." The number tumbles out of his mouth before he could quite remember what it was, "You've been looking for me for 564 years?"
It was shocking. He knew Alucard wasn't a human, but still, that amount of time... It was difficult to wrap his head around, difficult to believe he meant so much to this man. Difficult to believe, but deeply touching.
"I- We're still partners," Although his smile was subtle, it's fondness spoke volumes about how important Hank was in his life.
"My mission..." His LED flickered yellow briefly as he glanced away, "Technically, I failed. Or succeeded..." Since Amanda had implied that they'd intended him to fail all along.
"It's a little complicated. I'm happy to explain it all to you, or try to," He turned to look at the empty park over his shoulder and then back at Alucard, "We could remain here or I could tell you while we make our way to my apartment... or, if you have a place...?"
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He has no jealousy toward Hank. Though their interactions had been brief, in a lot of ways Hank reminds him of Trevor: gruff, their skins made thick because of how cruel the world can be, soft when it counts the most. That and the alcohol, of course.
"I'm glad you two are still close," Alucard says honestly. "He is a good man."
The dhampir steps closer to Connor, but makes no other demands of his space otherwise. It's been centuries; he can wait a bit longer for whenever Connor is ready for him. "I suppose I technically have somewhere I can stay, but I would prefer to go to your apartment with you. Please, lead the way."
It's not as if he has any plans to return to his father's castle anytime soon. This is where he will stay, as far as he's concerned.
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"I agree. I couldn't ask for a better partner," He said earnestly. Or a better friend and mentor. Hank might not act like it, but he was actually pretty patient with him and Connor had always appreciated how blunt Hank was when Connor did something wrong. Overall it worked out quite well.
Connor can't help smile softly, subtle but it reaches his eyes, when Alucard steps closer.
He gave the dhampir a nod and kept their hands linked as his LED flickered yellow for a moment, calling a cab. While waiting, he began to tell Alucard about Jericho and about Markus and about infiltrating the CyberLife tower and awakening the other androids. He wasn't entirely sure if CyberLife had intended that part to happen, which brought him to what Amanda had said when CyberLife had tried to resume complete control over him.
He glanced over toward the street and nodded toward the cab, leading Alucard to it and opening the door for him before sliding in afterwards.
"I've replayed the events many times in my head and I'm still unsure what was planned and what occurred outside of the things CyberLife predicted I would do..." His LED flickered again as he frowned, "It's... disconcerting that they made me, planning that I would fail..."
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He listens to Connor's explanation, feeling a swell of pride knowing that Connor had undoubtedly made the correct choice. Gently, he squeezes the android's hand, very clearly pleased with him despite hearing what ultimately Amanda -- and by extension, CyberLife -- had to say about his deviancy.
"Either you agreed you were alive and they would attempt to take control, or you agreed you were a machine and did exactly as they asked. Perhaps CyberLife found it to be a matter of winning no matter what they did." Alucard sits closely to Connor, not shy about it, but willing to give him space if there's any indication of discomfort. "Not that I had any doubts about you. If anything, I see it as CyberLife conceding it was inevitable that you would realize what you are."
There is a pause, then he asks gently, "And Amanda? You have no connection to this A.I. any longer?"
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"I didn't realize they had those kinds of capabilities... but I should have. I nearly cost a lot of androids their lives. I did cost a lot of androids their lives," Even if it hadn't been his choice, he'd led CyberLife to Jericho and he'd come dangerously close to assassinating Markus.
After a moment, he nodded, leaning closer to Alucard, subconsciously searching for some physical reassurance.
"Sometimes I wonder if they designed me to deviate..." Designed him to fail, "No. Amanda is gone. And the Zen Garden... I can still go there but it's just ice and polygons."
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"It doesn't matter how they designed you. You are your own man now. You are as I always knew you to be: you are alive." He pauses, then he offers gently, "Not that I say this to dismiss your concerns and feelings. I know too well being concerned what one lives to do, or is fated to commit. Either by design, or by fate."
Amanda is gone. Good. He knows only what Connor has told him, but an A.I. designed to essentially guilt him never sat well with Alucard.
"I waited hundreds of years to meet you again, because you are very dear to me, Connor. That is the kind of person you are."