#he’s not a golden retriever he’s like a beagle but we’re putting him down anyway

[nightcorecarseatheadrest]

Ok doodle I only posted on my tik tok before I go to bed

[castlevania-afterdark-imagines]

In celebration of 666 followers…

Castlevania Afterdark Presents…

Featuring our 5th most requested character...

The devil forgemaster and animal lover himself...

Interview 1 of 5: Hector

Mod Soviet: Alright, in our number 5 most requested character answers countdown we have Hector! Thank you for taking time out of your busy forging job to be here.

Hector: Of course, I'm glad to be here.

S: Let's be honest here, you're just here for the animals.

H: Well, you might have a point about that.

S: Well consider yourself lucky because the audience went easy on you this round. At least for the choice of animal.

H: I- what?

S: Release the hounds!

A barrage of puppies arrive on the scene, all different breeds. The two most energetic labs arrive at Hector's chair just as he gives a delighted laugh and dropped to the floor to sit with them. Soon he's surrounded by a dozen furry babies, all torn between tugging on his clothes and playing with each other. Hector finds the small Havanese among the mix that is trying not to get trampled and holds her to his chest.

H: This has undoubtedly become the best day of my life! (He's clearly trying to remain calm so as to not upset the puppy cuddling into his neck but the glee in his face is evident).

S: Good! Because that might change after these questions.

H: What?

S: Nothing.

Mod Rose (whispering, from off to the side): Ask him the Dracula ones!

S: Shhhhh! We'll get there!

Hector is trying to referee a beagle and husky nipping match with one hand, pressing his check to the Havanese now biting at his hair.

S: Okay first question, "Would you ever want to be turned into a vampire?"

Hector laughs, setting the puppy into his lap to he can lift the nippy beagle with both hands.

H: I see you're picking the easy questions first.

R: You don't know the half of it!

H: I'd thought about the idea, and Dracula had discussed it with me. In the end I decided against it. Despite my resentment for humans-

Rose and Soviet try to not react but Rose visibly flinches and sniffles.

H: -there are distinct advantages. For one, if I was only able to come out at night I don't think these fellows would appreciate it.

He reaches out to scritch at an exposed lab's belly, giving a grin when it turns to know on his fingers.

H: And I do enjoy being in the sun, though finding time for that lately has been difficult.

S: So in light of a love for sunbathing and puppies being able to frolic on a summer afternoon... that's a no for you?

Hector laughs, ducking as a basset hound tries to leap at his back.

H: Correct, at least those are some of the reasons.

R: Valid, except for the sunbathing part.

S: Agreed. Okay next one, "what will you do when Dracula has finished his war?"

H: I suppose it will really depend on the state of the world afterwards. I've thought about returning to Rhodes, but I like the countryside here. Perhaps I'd stay, find somewhere isolated that I can learn more about the types of wildlife in the North.

S: And add to your little friend collection?

H: I'd hardly call them that. (He's petting the Havanese snoozing in his lap, finding the spot under its chin that makes its paws wiggle in its dreams) But yes, I imagine I would find many companions here.

R: Can I volunte-

S: Next question.

R: You cockblockin-

S: "Are you a virgin?"

R: Oooh.

Hector makes a small grimace before quickly diverting his eyes to the pups.

H: Keeping a lot of reanimated animals is hardly an effective means of attracting a mate. Not to mention I found my distaste for humans very young in life-

S: So yes.

H: Yes, and I'm not bothered by it.

S and R: Valid.

H: Why would anyone want to know that?

S: (Raises an eyebrow) Oh, that's the tamest of the related question line.

H: Oh.

S: But let's begin with one of the more tame asks.

H: How generous...

S: "What would your ideal lover be like?"

Hector goes red at the tops of his ears, quickly becoming fascinated with inspecting the length of the basset puppy's ears.

H: Why would anyone-

S: So they can take notes.  (Soviet gestures at Rose who already has a pen and paper prepared.)

Hector grimaces a little before sighing and straightening his posture a bit.

H: Very well. If I had to list qualities they would be...kind, reasonable, and possess a love for animals, of course. (He smiles softly as he gently moves the sleeping pup from his lap so it isn't disturbed by the more rambunctious ones trying to clamber in for their turn.) I'm sorry, I'd never thought to try and come up with anything so specific.

S: That's fine, anything else you'd like to put on your wish list?

Hector laughs, running a hand through his hair.

H: They'd have to be alright with my forging, though it might be nice if they had an area of study they liked as well. Then we'd never get bored of each other,  because we would always have something the other doesn't know but could share.

R: (Talking to Soviet) This is a more pure response than I think we're used to dealing with.

S: Correct, but I mean- (She gestures at the man surrounded by puppies all either fighting for his attention or taking a snooze around him.)

R: You're not wrong.

H: If that's enough of an answer...

S: Sure, that's fine. Next one is more exciting anyway.

H: Oh, good.

S: "What if your significant other surprised you by waiting in your room in a lacey little snow white lingerie set?"

Hector breaks into laughter, which spreads to Rose and Soviet.

H: Again, I've never thought to consider something so specific! (He is shaking his head and grinning at the golden retriever that he's pinned in its back with his hand,  giving quick little pets to while trying to avoid having his fingers chewed.) 'What if' indeed. Well, I certainly can't say I'd object to it."

R: Oooh?

H: (He gives a shrug) I am only a man, and there are some things about our nature that will never change.

S: And that includes appreciation for snow white lingerie?

Hector huffs a laugh through his nose, turning a little red and directing his eyes down.

H: Something like that.

S: You're more than welcome to clarify.

R: Please do.

H: I will pass, thank you.

R and S: Damn. (This results in another little outbreak of laughter from all three.)

S: Okay then, "Do you have a crush on some in Dracula's court?"

Hector rolls his eyes, again turning his attention to the puppies.

H: No, I don't, white lingerie or no.

Rose purses her lips in a pout, but Soviet grins.

S: More specifically, "do you have a crush on  Isaac?" (Rose starts grinning again.)

Hector barks a laugh, spooking one of the pups. He quickly reaches out to scoop it up and set it on his lap.

H: Not at all, no. I respect him, and his work, but I don't fancy him. Admittedly he's made some remarks that I didn't understand, but that's no different than some of the others in the castle. I hardly understand Godbrand either.

Mod Rose and Mod Soviet exchange raised eyebrows, but don't interrupt.

R: Not even a little?

H: I... (Hector seems to turn the idea in his head, tilting his head a bit before shrugging). He is good looking, I suppose. But I prefer to keep things professional between us.

R: Don't sleep with coworkers is a pretty fair bit of advice.

Hector again rolls his eyes but he's chuckling. Now that the initial shock of questions is wearing off he doesn't seem as bothered at least humoring the proposed questions.

S: Uh oh.

H and R: What?

S: "Is it bothering to be the third wheel between Dracula and Isaac?"

R breaks into giggles while Hectors previous humor seems to have dropped back to mild confusion.

H: Third wheel between- no, it isn't bothersome because nothing is happening there. Or if there is I am not part of it.

S: Would you be opposed if there was?

H: I think the leader of the war and his two generals engaging in romantic affairs while waging said war would be a terrible idea.

S: (to Rose) I want to say that's wrong but...

R: Afterwards?

S: Afterwards.

Hector sighs, stretching out on his side to lie among the puppy pile that has turned into a cuddle puddle.  He's started rearranging some of them by size so nobody is getting squished.

H: I presume there's more asking this line of questioning. You did say 'Dracula questions' earlier.

S: "Do you call Dracula 'Daddy' in private?"

Hector chokes in a laugh, flopping into his back and putting a hand over his eyes. He's still chortling to himself when he finally uncovers them.

H: No, I don't.

R: A likely story.

H: Believe what you like, but I have more respect for him than I ever did for my father. Calling him that would be an insult.

S: I...I don't think they meant that way but also can't argue with that reasoning.

H: I also don't think his son would appreciate that very much either.

R: Who said he has to know?

H: I still wouldn't risk it.

S: Maybe this would be a better risk instead.

Hector raises an eyebrow, propping back up on his elbow.

S: "I have heard there are orgies in Dracula's court. Is it true?"

Hector shakes his head, having to lean up a little more to avoid a small weiner dog who has woken up and is trying to nip away his ear.

H: I don't know who said that, nor if that is true. I've certainly never been invited.

S: Maybe Cezar chews up the invitations?

H: He's more intelligent than I give him credit for if that's true.

R: You really wouldn't go?

H: Of course not. Even if these orgies were happening I know Godbrand would be responsible for starting it.

Both Mod Rose and Mod Soviet grimace.

H: That is exactly my point.

S: Now that that horrifying image is in my head forever... (Mod Rose gags in the background) This last question is probably the most lewd (Rose stops gagging and looks up), filthy (Rose’s eyes glitter), outright scandalous ask of them all. Are you ready?

H: No. 

R: Yes!

Hector lies back down, lifting up the snoozy Havanese and setting it over his eyes.

H: Just say it then.

S: The last ask is... "Can I please marry you and take care of you?? Sorry! I am just so happy you exist! 💜💜💜 have some cookies!”

Hector convulses with laughter, having to scoot the puppy off his face when it startles awake. Rose looks somewhere between delighted and very disappointed.

H: I- ha! You had me prepared for the worst.

S: Well the real bad news is the puppies got into the cookies before this. Thankfully no belly aches, but that’s no dessert for you.

H: That’s fine, this was fun.Though if I’m honest I much prefer that last question to the few previous. Though I admit I’m not used to being taken care of, so that would take some getting used to.

Hector sits back up, holding the Havanese to his chest.

S: Well, thank you very much for coming in.

H: Of course, my pleasure.

R: I’m gonna have to ask you to put the puppies down though.

Hector pauses mid shifting the Havanese to one arm so he can reach for the Weiner dog with the other.

H: What?

R: We need those for the next interview.

H: Ah, I see.

Hector makes no move to put them down.

S: Well...he could take one.

R: Two?

S: Fine, two.

Hector grins, shouldering up the pups into his arms and casting a wistful look at the remaining pack.

H: Well for their sake I hope it’s someone who is good to them and can care for them.

Mod Rose chokes on a laugh while Mod Soviet suddenly finds the ceiling very interesting.

S: Let’s just say they’ll do their best...