dear_mun | some characters just don't understand being retired, canon is Dracula

....it can't be...

[Well, well, look who's...alive.

Someone's wives are getting a stern talking-to the moment he's back in Romania.]

Ah, Mister Harker! Here you are! I had begun to wonder—yes, wonder—how you were faring! Odd, truly, to come to London without the very best of its solicitors with me, but stranger things have happened than a solicitor ignoring his duties, have they not?

[ His mind is having trouble coping with the very idea of what stands before him. And he speaks more to himself, trying so very hard to not address what is being said to him. ]

...but I killed you...

[What? Good, good. He, at least, realizes there's no "who" to Vlad. He's far, far surpassed being anything related to human at this point.]

I left you in the supposedly capable hands of my bridges, Mister Harker, I assure you that I am just as surprised as you are to meet yet again. I am not, however, going to lower myself to the level of stuttering, gobsmacked dolt because of my shock, so I am pleased to see you filled the role so readily.

[ His voice trembled with fear, still not fully processing what was being said. The brides had been frightening enough, he didn't want to be thinking of them again. ]

I....put a stake through your heart...myself! How...how is this possible?

[Oh dear. He had heard this story before, from the good doctor, had listened to that hideous old man van Helsing confirm it...and, yet, it had not happened.

He also just so happened to have actually read the book, his book, and spent a good deal of time countering it. That would be impossible with fools like Harker running around. Puzzling.]

I've not yet got to that point, my dear Mister Harker. [There's a moment, and then a smile the devil himself would be proud of:] I see you have not taken care with your hair, Mister Harker. Are you too afraid of cutting yourself on your razor's edge?

[ He fumbled about his neck, fingers seeking that comforting little pendant. The one that had saved him before. Trembling fingers dug under the collar of his shirt. WHERE WAS IT?!

He took a step back, struggling just to stay on his feet. ]

You'll have nothing more from me! Or from anyone! I'll put you down a thousand times, if that is what it takes!

[ But his voice shook so terribly, it undermined his determination. ]

[Another man—god—might find Harker to be melodramatic. Overreacting. Too alarmed from his mere presence.

Vlad doesn't even seem amused.]

I'll have nothing more from you? I had nothing in the first place. There is nothing to you to have you, you miserable, brainless, ignorant child. I used you, I broke you, and I left you to my brides to do the same.

And yet, here you are, alive. Breathing. Before me. There is no cleverness in you, that much is obvious; I hope you are on your knees thanking your miserable god for every breath you take.

[ There it was! His fingers at last pulled out the crucifix. As he held it out as far as he could, he felt a little of his resolve returning. Though it only made his voice sound more desperate. More on the verge of breaking. ]

You took from me my sister-in-law. You took my best friend! You nearly took my wife! You destroyed our lives! I thank God for giving me the strength to end your evil reign upon this Earth, and I pray He grants it once more!

[He cringes at the sight of the crucifix, one of the few things that is so obscene to his very being. It sets him on edge, it hurts him, and Vlad is not one who enjoys being hurt. Those were for other people—the blind, the lame, the diseased. Humans.]

You are making a spectacle of yourself, dallying with your superstition and pathetic trinkets so openly. Destroyed your life, Mister Harker? No. I gave you a purpose.

[ Seeing the vampire cringe helped restore enough courage that he was able to take a step forward. He possessed no other weapon, and had no means to end him here. But he dare not turn his back. ]

The only purpose you gave me was to avoid the dark places! To wake screaming in the dead of night, having seen your face in my dreams!

[If he was expecting Vlad to turn away or back off, he would be disappointed. Nothing could cause him to allow his proud to be wounded, even if enduring the very presence of it meant distress that ran to his very core.

His vile grin does drop, however; now, he is the picture of perfect innocence.]

If you were without the proper common sense to avoid dark places to begin with, at least I gave you an ounce of sense. You should be on bended me, thanking me for that much.

[ This was not at all going as planned. But he couldn't back down. Not now. ]

I will bend neither knee nor neck for the likes of you!

Oh, not for me. But for my wives, you will bend everything.

[Harker should also be thanking him for bringing him out of his sexual repression. He owes him so much, really.]

[ Not that he'd ever admit it, of course. But that would be thanks to the fear. Which was so great his hand was shaking. He was beginning to realize how powerless he was. ]

I'll not fall victim to their tricks again! Or yours!

Jonathon.

[Oh, and the way he speaks, it is so insufferable, as though speaking to a small child instead of a grown man. Which, in his eyes, Harker is barely on par with.]

You cannot say you did not take any of their tricks back home to your beloved Wilhelmina, so sordid did they treat, so thoroughly did they defile your pitiful resistance to their kisses. You are a fool, and you are a disgrace to the male of humankind. Is it truly my face you shriek at in your dreams, or is that I led you to a deviance you actually enjoyed?

[ He'd started to waver, his hand lowering slowly. Fear gripping him so tightly he found it difficult to breathe. That is, until the mention of his beloved. He jerked his hand back up, determination flashing over his face. ]

You leave Mina out of this! I rescued her from your wickedness and you'll not touch her again!

[It's too easy, Harker is too mind-numbingly stupid, so gullible, so easy—he couldn't have asked for a better solicitor to entrap.]

Tell me, Jonathon, since we did not have the time to speak as men do about the fire before I left you—that night, with the woman, so intent on saving her child—do you remember that night? How you fainted prior? Her cries, begging, the sound of her bones being splintered beneath the beautiful, elegant creatures of the night—do you hear her?

Edited 2012-07-14 02:14 (UTC)

[ There was a great deal that he did not remember. Memories repressed because he could not handle the horrors. But the mere mention of it made his stomach twist in fear and he involuntarily shut his eyes. As though that could block the horrible images that threatened to flood his mind.

His words were squeezed out, sounding closer to sobs than anything else. ]

Why? Why are you doing this to me?

[ He forced his eyes open, suddenly shouting as though it could drive the monster away. ]

WHY CAN'T YOU JUST LET ME LIVE IN PEACE?!

[Vlad is more than a monster—he is a presence, a fear, as real and horrible as such a thing can be. The confirmation that this "man" still remembers his castle, his brides, his failure at attempted murder, dulls the hurt brought on by his stupid little image of the dying savior...where was he when Harker was stuck in his castle?]

If you are asking, truly, I shall tell you. Come closer.

[ He took a wild, blind step backwards. Blurting out a response pitched far higher than he would have liked. ]

STAY BACK!

[Ah, he's making this difficult. For once, Vlad is prepared to be completely honest, and here Harker is, making a scene and kicking up a fuss. One would thing he had done something abominable to him.]

Do you honestly believe you could outrun me if I so chose to chase you down in any fashion?

[ Running, fleeing in any fashion was out of the question. He could barely coordinate his limbs at this point. He took another frantic step backwards, but his foot caught on something. In such a panic, finding his balance was out of the question.

He hit the ground, hard. Still gripping the chain for dear life, the jolt made the thing snap. It sent the crucifix skittering across the floor, well out of his reach.

Realizing it was gone, he could only stare up at the nightmare above him, trying to swallow though his mouth had gone bone dry. ]

I don't...need to outrun you. I know how to stop you.

[He'd actually never gotten completely used to the way Harker reacted so strongly to him, even though he mostly sneaked upon him on purpose. Most everything he did was weighed before done, including interaction with his solicitor.

Ah, yes. His.

Dark eyes glance over to the crucifix, though there's no cruelty in him as he steps forward, extending his arm to help the man stand.]

I envied you, Mister Harker. You had what I once did, so long ago, and I could scarcely bare for you to achieve what I no longer could.

[Is he speaking of things he knows will come? Yes. Is he being honest? Of course not, but the words, for once, are meant to placate, not to strike fear or create a feeling of inferiority. For all intents and purposes, he seems to be nothing more than a rich man offering aid.]

[ But Harker was too far gripped by fear to see anything beyond the threat of what the thing before him represented. The festering evil that he was.

The extended hand made him shrink back as though it were something vile offered to him. ]

The only thing you have left to achieve is a true death! One from which you will NEVER rise again!

[ His voice cracked with sheer panic. ]

Okay, just one before I run!

yes, yes, flee before him, good, good, this is going well already

Into the blistering heat of the summer sun! Where Harker would very much like to be.

Sorry bb he'll just follow sun ain't no big deal to him WHERE IS MY DAZZLE ICON

.....Sparkly Oldman. That's what the world needs!

*Sparkling vampire peacock Gary Oldman.

The epitome of fabulousness!

eff y eye i have never played with a harker before so i'm excite

So glad I could oblige! It's my first attempt at playing him, or anyone like him!

you're doing a good job! vlad is a bit rusty ngl

You're too kind. And your Vlad is awesome!

ty, bb, ty

He's such a damn creeper! I love it!

he will watch you and wilhelmina sleep together in the tree outside your house. forever.

A dazzling stalker? The girls would swoon.

OH BABY THEY ALREADY HAVE. Including your true love how's them sloppy seconds bro?

Far better than being a pile of dust and bones, that's for damn sure.

sry2say i wrecked that and you will never live up she'll always remember me~

Don't be so sure of that one, sweetheart. Youth can do things an old man would only dream of.

stop yelling harker you'll break your delicate lady lungs

Don't insult him! He might cry!

he found you, miss new booty

You're going to break him! And what use would he be, then?

it's like the end of there will be blood! ...only his wives drank harker's milkshake. no homo.

C'mon, I'll bet he's thought of it once or twice. A young and handsome enlishman!