audio; un: alucard

[reposing]

[The video feed turns on, and Alucard can be seen combing out his hair thoughtfully, his brows knitted into a tight frown. He considers his words carefully, then he begins:]

I recognize that we've been successful, at least, in assisting in stopping the attack at the end of the festival. It seems we'd adequately identified that they were not related in any way to the Empress of the Crashing Wave.

However, I felt it important to mention to the rest of you that during combat, I did slay one of the masked warriors. It brings me no pleasure to inform you of this. At the time, it felt necessary. Looking back on it now, I regret my lack of restraint.

I hope that this does not reflect badly upon our mission. My apologies.

[Alucard bows his head.]

I shall end this message, though I welcome your questions and comments if you must.

Comments

[reposing]

[He had a feeling that 2B would understand; she and 9S are soldiers, based on what he knows. It would make sense.]

I am more concerned about how it may impact our mission. I hope that it does not. It seemed best to inform everyone.

[And... well, he hoped to alleviate Lucina's possible guilt for it, but that didn't work out. He Tried.]

[undeserved]

As long as you don't make a habit out of it.

[ it's rich, coming from her. She almost wants to kick herself for saying it. ]

[reposing]

[Wryly, he asks:] Is that a command?

[undeserved]

-- No, of course not. I'm sorry.

[ even if he's only half-human, that's 50% more than she is. 2B is quick to forget her guilt from a moment ago and transition into android obedience. ]

I only meant it as a suggestion.

[reposing]

[oh. whoops.]

Forgive me, 2B. In turn, I only meant my statement as a jest. I give you no orders.

[undeserved]

[ a sigh, small and voiceless. The humans here - even the partial ones - don't seem to see androids the way androids see themselves. To her, it's not a matter of class, or of self-worth; it's simply the nature of things. ]

Even if you don't, it's my duty to serve mankind. [ a beat. ] ... I'm not accustomed to speaking with humans yet. It was my mistake.

[reposing]

[There's a moment of hesitance. It seems so much like 9S and 2B are people, but they have programming to follow. That, he does understand, but he does not want to treat them less than they deserve.]

2B, how would you like me to speak to you? As someone who commands, or as your equal?

[undeserved]

[ ... ]

Up to you.

[ She doesn't actually know. She'd never spoken to a human directly before she showed up here - she has no idea how interactions between them should go. Not to mention Alucard isn't exactly a human. Maybe she should have asked 9S for his opinion... ]

[reposing]

[He lets out a light laugh.] Well, I don't know what would work best for either you or 9S.

Let us work this way: none of my statements will be construed as an order for either of you, unless so ended with "that's an order."

Will that work?

[undeserved]

[ even if he doesn't give orders, he's still her superior and should be treated as such... but it's not worth fighting him on this. If anything, he's being exceptionally kind to her. ]

... I can't speak for 9S, but that's fine with me. It wasn't my intention to make things difficult.