Archive of Our Own ^beta

"So, you must be the new Belmont, hm?"

J turned, greeted by the sight of silver. Silver hair, pale skin, black vest with intricate silver-threaded patterns, and soft gray slacks with black boots. The only hint of color on this person was a long, rich purple coat, swaying in the slight breeze.

"Good job with the castle, and all that. Wasn't as interesting on my end, I'm sure, but we each had our roles. Now come on, won't you give me a proper greeting? I'm Joachim Armster."

The man bowed briefly--maybe sarcastically--before stepping right into J's personal space. Even Joachim's eyes, J realized, were a bright shade of silver. For a moment, J couldn't find the words. Joachim, though waiting for an answer, slowly lost his grin, frustration creeping into his expression.

"I- I'm J. You kn- Have we met?"

With one long, claw-tipped finger tapping at his lips, Joachim hummed. "Not properly. But that's how it is, I suppose. 'Can't let Joachim meet Belmont,' as if I wasn't trustworthy!" Joachim cackled. "Really, as if I haven't proven myself over and over, since Leon. Ah, but it seems your whole family has inherited that sense of righteousness he had. Perhaps the others are trying to protect you from that? Ridiculous. But what can you expect from those who haven't the experience I do? Ah, no offense to you, of course. I'm sure your... twenty or so years of experience are nothing to scoff at. Not for a hunter of the Belmont clan."

J's mind spun.

If this man did know of him, recognized him on sight, than everything he said...

J was a Belmont. J Belmont. He had family.

J had people looking out for his well being. (But where were they?)

J was about 20 years old.

But what really stuck in his mind, from earlier, he had to ask.

"The castle... you mentioned-?"

"Hm? Where was I, perhaps? Ah, making sure things didn't get too out of hand with the nearby monsters. And should things have gone horribly wrong, I was to act as backup. Nothing glorious, but I'm perfectly content leaving that to you Belmonts."

"And, the others?" J asked, heart pounding faster at the hints. "Where are they?"

"You don't know?" J shook his head. "How odd. Actually, I though having to track you down was unusual. Usually that overconfident mini-Dracula is hanging around, if not some of the others."

"Dracula...?" J whispered. He winced, something in him angry, and fearful, and determined all at once, but he couldn't figure out why.

"Come to think of it," Joachim said, leaning in even closer, "you've been acting rather odd yourself."

He grabbed J by the collar, pulling him in and sniffing at his neck. J flailed, thoroughly confused, until Joachim put teeth on him and bit down. Then something in J roared danger! He grasped the man's fine purple coat, and bright silver hair, twisting just right to remove the man from his neck before planting his feet and tossing him over his shoulder.

Surprisingly, Joachim landed well, crouched and unruffled. Looking up with slit pupils, the expression of a hunting cat, J felt all the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.

"No need for panic," Joachim said after licking his lips. "I was only checking. You are a Belmont, no doubt about that. And yet. It seems you're having trouble remembering some things?"

J pressed a finger to the bite, feeling some stickiness, and came away with a hint of blood. Not much, he was sure he wasn't even bleeding, but...

"You bit me." Joachim snorted at the stunned tone in his voice. J squared up as the man stood, languid and unbothered. "What the hell?"

"Language." Joachim tsked, grin firmly back in place. "Or has your memory left you with none of the houlier-than-thou sentiment towards me?"

"If you know about my memory loss, then just tell me where my family is!"

Joachim was quiet. J stepped forward, ready to try what fighting skills his muscles apparently remembered, but Joachim shook his head.

"I told you, they try and keep me from your family. Those goody-two-shoes, especially Dracula's little son. So I can't say where all your cousins, and aunties, or whoever- where they are. It was trouble tracking you down. Only managed it because you're alone."

A pang went through J, sharp enough he could believe a knife was actually lodged in his rubs.

"Now, no need for that face." Joachim slid up to him again, pressing a palm to his cheek, long nails just brushing against J's ear. "You aren't alone anymore, now are you?"

J had been alone. He had been alone in his foggy memory of collapsed stone walls, and when he'd actually woken in a hospital with a head injury, all bills paid for. No one could say who helped him, or hurt him, for apparently he'd just been dropped off near the front doors.

He hadn't found anyone. Until this man--strange and dangerous--found him instead. He took a steadying breath, pushing the cold hand from his face.

"No biting," he said firmly.

Joachim's face lit up. "Of course, if you desire. Not unless you change your mind and ask me, of course. I promise it can be much nicer."

J rolled his eyes at the wink. Despite the suddenness of Joachim's attack earlier, it hadn't ended poorly, and J got the sense--somewhere deep in his gut--that the odd man didn't mean him harm. He didn't have much for reference, didn't remember much of others he'd known, so he had to believe in his own feelings.

"Right. Since neither of us knows who we could talk to to, to find my family, we'll just be wandering. Traveling."

"As I usually do. At least in-between a few months of staying in a nice local. I'll admit to you, while I can travel during the day, night suits me far better."

"...Okay. Fine. We'll have to get jobs for-"

"Oh no no," Joachim said, waving off any dispute. "I have plenty of money. Too much. Don't know what to do with it. The least I can do is make our travel more comfortable."

J sighed, but acquiesced. Not like it would stop him if he really felt the need to help out somewhere, but hopefully his new acquaintance covering such basics would make things simpler.

"Let's go then." J turned to start walking towards the train station again. "We'll be catching an early one. ...Are you certain?"

"Oh yes. I wouldn't let go of this opportunity, believe me. Haven't really gotten it since Leon."

"You won't get bored?"

"I was trapped behind a waterfall for a hundred years, okay? Travel is a luxury. Being immortal puts a new perspective on boredom."

"I'm sorry, being what?"