A Servants Love

J: Integra's eyes hurt behind her glasses, a telltale sign of too much
strain for the young woman due to her job. Dropping the frames to her
bedside table a top files and allowance tickets, she raised her fingers to
her temples and rubbed the sore spots, trying her best to force the
tribulations of being a queen's guard out of her mind. In the struggling
process, memories of the night before played out, causing a small smile to
cross her features. There was still a tinge of surprise to the events in the
heiress' chest, but Integra would never admit to such.


A: Alucard gave a faint yawn of boredom as he phased through
the walls of Integrals office. moving to sit down at her desk in her chair,
he scanned over some of the paperwork left over and uncompleted. Knowing
that she would be pissed at first when she first found the papers missing,
he hoped that he could restore them in time. With that he disappeared to his
room, sitting on top of his coffin with the papers spread out. After quite a
bit of reading he began to fill them out, a rather intimidatingly large
stack waiting for his quill to touch them.


J: Opening her eyes once more, Integra, although her vision blurred
somewhat, searched and fixed on a small clear vase in the far corner,
holding the several roses she had been gifted with by the vampire. Their
heads had not yet shown any sign of decay, and very faintly their scent
trailed through the room. In a strange way, they came to symbolize the no
life king for the heiress, and in a rare show, she let her imagination have
it's spin, causing the roses to disappear and leave in their place,
Alucard. Embarrassed, the heiress turned her head away, mentally berating
herself for her foolishness.


A: It took a good deal of time but finally Alucard had
finished all the paperwork that would have taken Integral at least another
couple of days. Knowing her well enough that he knew what was to be signed
and in what way and what she would approve. Removing his coat and shirt, he
sat only in his leather pants, boots and gloves, the basement strangely warm
for this time of year. After a while he forgot about his state of dress and
began to walk up stairs. Looking over the paperwork as he went.


J: 'A glass of wine...a glass of wine would be ideal now', the heiress
thought to herself as she flipped the covers of her bed off. Legs
uncomfortably warm, she was almost happy that Walter had purchased the gown
for her, yet knew she most likely looked hideous in the white garment.
Unsure of who may appear unannounced on her midnight trip, the blond woman
tiptoed over the cold floor of her room and pulled up a matching robe to her
gown, throwing it over her shoulders quickly and tying the belt in a knot.
Moving at the same pace towards her door, Integra opened it and stepped
outside, hoping that she would get lucky and not meet a single person before
arranging the much needed glass.


A: Alucard sighed softly as he approached the stairs to
Integrals office. Looking to the bedroom door of his master and love for a
moment, wondering if she was having pleasant dreams. A small smirk touched
his features as he shook his head a bit and looked back down to his papers,
proceeding to step up the stairs slowly as he continued to look over the
paperwork carefully. - I hope this helps to relieve some of Masters
stress..- Alucard however, didn't hear the opening of the door as he began to
walk up the stairs.


J: Integra's eyes, small due to her lack of her glasses, continued to
squint over the hallway as she walked on towards the stairwell. Arms crossed
over her chest, she stressed over forgetting her shoes, but that was
instantly forgotten as she spotted a figure slowly ascending the stairs.
'Who..."Alucard?", she asked directly, noticing that he, like herself, was
out of their usual costume.


A: Alucard had looked up to see where her voice came from..
only to see her standing there like a shimmering angel of light. Being
caught off guard, he ended up hitting the edge of the next step with his toe
and falling on his face, the force of his body making him slide all the way
back down the stairs. Rubbing his chin he shook his head, disdainfully
looking at the scattered papers everywhere.


J: First came the initial shock of seeing the regal form hit the stairs.
Next came the biting of her lip as she watched him glide back down, as if on
a child's slide to the bottom. And finally came her laughter as she saw him
lift himself up, the product of shock and lost luck. After biting her bottom
lip till it was red, the heiress coughed and moved to the top of the stairs.
"Are you alright?", she asked as she looked down at him, wondering what all
the papers scattered on the stairs were about. Leaning down, she picked one
up, squinting her eyes once more as she read a few lines of it's body.
"Alucard..."


A: Alucard looked away from her as he began to pick up her
documents for her. "Forgive me Master, I didn't mean to make a mess of your
papers." with that he got up, wincing a bit as he rubbed his jaw, cracking
it a bit. " with that he finally looked to her, a bit of disappointment in
his eyes. With that being done he began to shuffle the papers, putting them
back into proper order as he stepped out of her way. "What keeps you up at
such hours?"


J: She felt angry when she noticed that the vampire had purposely taken
her paperwork, but when he began to apologize, Integra's position on the
matter softened. Quickly reminding herself that even Walter had, from time
to time, taken it upon himself to sort her never ending piles of political
rubbish for her, the heiress brushed off the offense, realizing that since
the vampire's confession the other night, he had no reason to cause her
trouble--at least when it came to matters of serving the crown. Handing him
the only paper in her possession, she stared back at him, void of any
reactions to the matter. "I had too many things on my mind to sleep...and
yourself?"


A: Alucard got the sense of anger from her at first, watching
her, waiting for her to yell at him. When she didn't however he felt a bit
relieved. taking the paper from her he put it in its place and looked into
her eyes. "The same. Only its strangely hot downstairs, I was hoping it
would be a bit better up here." he ran a hand through his hair before making
the papers disappear and reappear on her desk. " Care to talk about the
things plaguing you? or should I just leave you to your peace?" for some
strange reason... he just didn't feel like annoying her.. Its as though..
Dear god.. he was depressed. He looked away, confusion in his eyes as he
tried to understand why he could possibly be saddened.


J: Integra eyes followed Alucard's hand as it traveled through his hair.
As it stopped, so did her momentary loss of self, and coming back she
listened to his offer, giving him a nod in response that she wasn't entirely
sure he caught as he turned his head. "I do... but I wanted to go to the
kitchen to see if their was any wine left from dinner...you can walk with
me, or I shall see you in my study once I pour myself a glass." It felt
strange, to care for his well being, but at the same time, the blond master
warmed to the idea, not feeling as bad over it as she would in the past.

A: Alucard moved towards the kitchen still shaking his head a
bit, trying to get the last bit of disorientation to leave him. "If there
isn't any wine left from dinner, I will get you something from my personal
collection. I'm sure I can find you a good vintage." he raised a gloved hand
to his bare shoulder and rubbed it absent-mindedly. "There is no reason why
we cannot talk at the moment, call me impatient if you will, but after so
many years alone even now I'm still happy to have conversation again." he
opened the door to the kitchen for her and held it. "After all, at least one
of us is allowed to do such things." he furrowed a brow for a bit before
suddenly smirking. "Ah well.. C'est la vie." he seemed to be talking to
himself on the last note,to his thoughts aloud perhaps?


J: Intergra walked into the kitchen, her arms crossed. Reaching the
refrigerator, she opened it's metal doors and glanced at the contents
inside. An opened bottle of wine was indeed saved from earlier, yet as she
picked the container up, she noticed how little had been left inside.
Sighing, she set the bottle on the counter behind her and closed the doors.
"If you wouldn't mind Alucard, a bottle not full of air would be muchly
appreciated at the moment", she asked of her servant, her head turning
toward him. "Allow me that and soon we can converse as long as you'd
please." She was stalling, trying her best to think of where to begin to
explain her dilemma without sounding like a fool. Besides, his final
'quip' had puzzled her slightly, what had the vampire meant?


A: Alucard bowed and disappeared, going to his private stash
of wine, looking through the numerous bottles he finally selected a fairly
balanced vintage, not too sweet and not too dry, and returned with it in
tow. "1978 should do just fine." he rested it on the counter, the bottle
dusty but thoroughly chilled. "Now my dearest Integral, whats plaguing you?
Aside from me as usual." he smirked half heartedly, walking towards a chair,
pulling one out for her and another for himself.


J: Her eyes studied the bottle as she sat down in the chair allowed for
her. "I've wondered about what would come of us, Alucard, once things are
known by the queen and knights. I care little of what the bastards think,
but for the sake of this organization, I fear what they may conspire against
me. I am...stuck, for lack of a better term. And admittedly I am
inexperienced at what is happening and what I shall do about it." Her face
softened for a moment as she thought over her personal dilemma. Advances and
dates were not uncommon for the heiress, yet too far to be of much help in
her outlook on the situation, and what knowledge she had gained was based
primarily on required situations, for balls or other business occasions. "I
am stuck between what I want, and what I swore to uphold."


A: Alucard closed his eyes for a moment, reaching out to
gently play with a piece of glass fruit in his hand. "Integral... You and I
both know the queen. Surely she will see it as a wise investment. I will
strengthen this organization being even more tied to it... and to its
leader. Also, you will be stronger because of me. Not in terms of physical
strength obviously.. but while you are already a formidable woman on your
own accord, I am sure my personality in some form will rub off on you like
you have on myself." he winced at her last sentence, the glass fruit
shattering in his hand, shards causing his dark crimson to flow from all
over his palm and fingers. "Should anyone confront you about this, even the
Queen herself, I will take care of it." the look in his eyes told that no
matter what she said he would in some way or another have his way. He could
be quite persuasive after all...


J: Integra's brow deepened at the vampire's final suggestion, her eyes
moving from the shattered glass to his face. "You will not have such contact
with her majesty, Alucard", she stated forcefully and without explanation.
"Or any of the knights, for that matter." His declaration struck a cord
within the woman's pride, her manner only conveying a small portion of the
warming fury inside. Sliding her chair back, she lowered her head and walked
towards the glass rack in the far corner. Picking two from it's hold, she
returned to her spot, and slid one towards Alucard, keeping her own close to
her body before sitting it down. "Do not think me so inept as to not being
able to take care of personal issues", she advised him, her voice softer as
she sat her own glass down on the table. 'Some wine would be nice before I
snap', she thought to herself, quietly noting how raw her temper was
getting, and how it had not come from the No Life King's statements alone...


A: Alucard gave a soft growl and clasped a rather large shard
of glass between his fangs and pulled it out, swallowing it carelessly.
"Handle it as you will, But should an action be taken to come between us or
rend you from your position I will intervene despite these damned seals."
the marks on his gloves flashed a bit. At her one comment he shook his head.
"I have no doubt that you can handle personal issues Integral.. its issues
that challenge you in more ways then you are used to that concern me."
Reaching out he removed the cork from the bottle easily and poured the red
wine for her before pouring a bit for himself. Not seeming to care that the
glass was still in his hand.Eyes flaring to life momentarily, he raised his
bloodied hand to his face watching the rivulets of crimson intently.
A soft hiss escaping his lips. "I won't lose what is dear to me.. not again.
This I swear.."


J: "Hm...we shall see if such things arise." Raising her glass to her
lips, Integra's brow raised as she watched the vampire study his blood flow
down his arm. After a small taste of the red liquid, she sat the glass down.
"If I may ask, is there some reason you're obsessed with your own injury?
Would you like me to get tweezers for you?" Smirking, she relaxed in her
chair a small bit, pulling the glass towards her. She was ignoring his last
comment, not sure of how to reply. 'What is dear to him...', she could feel
the embarrassment rising in her veins, and quickly took another sip from her
glass to chase it back down again.


A: His grin would spread across his face, that long unnatural
tongue of his stretching out as he licked from his forearm up once then made
it all disappear. "Blood is a beautiful thing, In any form it is so...
delicate..yet strong.. not always seen but always needed.. Simple but
complex.. Bitter yet sweet." his gaze turned to lock with her own as he
spoke almost huskily towards her. "Reminds me of something else I think of
constantly." it was as though his words dripped with the essence of love
itself... but was it Love or Blood lust? smirking he would sip his wine as he
leaned back in the chair, hair lengthening and falling down his back as he
closed his eyes to savor the taste of the combination.


J: Integra coughed, the wine caught in her throat as Alucard turned his
eyes towards her. Unable to stop it this time, a blush set in her cheeks.
"Alucard...", she warned as her wide-set eyes stayed locked with his own.
She was certainly unfamiliar with this sort of situation, and once his eyes
closed, her jaw locked in anger. "I do not appreciate you toying with me,
servant", she commented, her brows furrowing again. Picking her glass up
again, she took a 'healthy' drink, turning her head away from him in the
process.


A: Alucard laughed softly. "Who said I was toying with you
M'lady? Simply being honest. Unless of course you would rather I lie to your
face." he opened an eye again, and seeing her not looking he moved
completely silent so that he was close to her face. "In that case, allow me
to lie to you outright. I think you are hideous, a horrible human being, you
deserve no respect and your father would be ashamed of you. There... enough
lies for you Master?" with that he stood up. "I say only what I mean, but if
the fore stated makes you happier then I will make it a habit to lie to you
if you wish." with that he headed towards the door.


J: He was answered with a wine glass flying by his head and shattering
against the door. Integra sat still in her chair, her legs crossed as the
silent fury raged inside. "More than enough", she finally stated, mad at
him, but mostly at herself for letting his antics get to her again. Stepping
off the stool, she went to get another glass, returning shortly to her spot.
His lies had 'struck a chord' in her, causing her worries to intensify. She
knew that he didn't mean them...what truly bothered her was if others would
in his stead. 'You are losing your pride, Integra Hellsing', she sadly
noted, pouring a new drink for herself.


A: Alucard laughed when he saw the wine glass crash near him,
however when he looked back at her, her back to him at his angle he gave a
soft sigh. "Integral.. Understand that what I lied about just now were just
that.. Lies. You are the most beautiful woman I have seen in all my
lifetime.. You are the only human I could ever respect.. and.." he sighed
and shook his head turning away, thinking it was too late to undo the damage
he had done to her. "I know your father would be proud of you.. no matter
the choice you made. That Integral.. is no word of a lie.." with that he
left and headed towards the study, cursing himself and his old ways. He was
so unaccustomed to being in love.. How did one act? How did one think?.. he
was so confused.


J: She sat the wine bottle down calmly, her features frozen as he told
the 'truth' behind his previous statements. Slowly her eyes trailed towards
the filled glass as she tried to comprehend the switch of his manner without
giving way to blushing once more. The words had steadied her worries for the
moment, and in just that, Integra found herself grateful of the vampire's
attention. Yet, she did not know of a way to express the same sort of favor
back to him, and saddened just slightly in the realization. Racking her
brain over what she could do, she remembered the gift he had given her
earlier. Taking hold of her glass and the bottle, the heiress moved down
from the counter, deciding to momentarily return to her bedroom.


A: Alucard flopped down on the couch in front of the fireplace
in the study. Stretching out he dangled an arm across the edge of the couch,
his fingers touching the floor with ease. He snapped his fingers and flames
sprung to life in the hearth before him. "Damn it.. " he closed his eyes and
before he knew it, as strange as it was for being night, he fell asleep.
Stretched out regally yet casually on the couch, the No Life King slept on
in peace, there were few things that could wake him up.. Integral being one
of them.


J: After being alone in her room long enough to finish two glasses of
wine, Integra reemerged in her nightclothes with a much calmer look across
her features. As she walked down the hallway, she was approached by Walter,
who handed her a small box with a smile. Waiting for him to say something in
regards to what she was about to do with it, Integra was shocked as he
simply stated that the vampire was in the study before bowing and walking
away. Integra clasped the box tightly in her right hand as she finally
reached the room and opened the door. Seeing his feet dangle a bit over the
arm of the couch, she walked over and looked down at the sleeping vampire.
"Alucard, wake up."


A: Alucard's eyes opened slowly, vision a bit hazy at first
as he was being a bit lazy in the process of getting up. Thinking she was
going to yell at him for earlier. Sitting up slowly he rubbed an eye lightly
before looking at her with a raised brow. "Yes Master?" he seemed oblivious
to the box in her hand, his concerns laying more on her facial features and
body language. Why did she seem so tense right now? Hair trailing over his
shoulder and chest from the movements he had made, he seemed like a demonic
Adonis.. Pale flesh only helping to accent he was most certainly fit.


J: Integra could say nothing when Alucard first stirred, her eyes glued
to his features. 'Gorgeous', she immediately thought, blinking suddenly
from the shock of doing so. "I...", she trailed off as she gathered her
thoughts, and held up the box. "I wish to give you this. It is something
that was given to my father before I was born and now...now I shall give it
to you, under one condition." Handing the box over to the vampire, she tried
to tilt her hand so that the top of it would not be visible to him. It was
an awkward movement, but she still felt awkward about the object around her
finger..."That is, that you will wear them when you accompany me tomorrow
night to a ball held by one of the knights for the queen's birthday. And I
hope you have a suit to wear them with..."


A: Alucard quirked his brow even further, looking at the box
and opening it slowly to see what laid inside. Smiling at her gesture when
he noticed what was on her hand, he looked to her face. "I'm sure I can find
something to wear.. I wouldn't wish to make my Master look bad." he gently
grabbed her hand, turning it over and placing a soft kiss on the back of it.
His fangs no where to be seen or felt. "Thank you Integral..it means a great
deal to me.."

J: Integra initial smile turned into a smirk as his last words were
spoken. "And if you damage them, you shall see how much those diamond
cuff links mean to me, vampire." She slowly pulled back her hand from his
grasp, her eyes flickering to the ring on her finger. "I will take care of
this in the same manner", she added softly, her cheeks flushed a bit. "As
much as it seems awkward for me to do such." She stopped smiling and stepped
away from the couch a bit, wanting to change the subject quickly due to her
uncomfortable feeling. "Why are you sleeping here?"


A: Alucard chuckled lightly, moving so she could sit down
with him. "I figured if I was going to over heat, it would be better to be
from fire and the radiant angel that is near me then the cursed heat
downstairs." he looked towards the fire and blew softly towards it. The
flames going out like a candle being snuffed. "Will you lay with me for a
while Integral? I can't remember what its like to have a good dream and I
have a feeling you could induce such for me." he moved towards the back of
the couch, making room so she would have plenty of space to lay down in front
of him, against him but in front of him none the less.


J: Integra could feel her heartbeat speed up a bit. She trusted the No
Life King, but being close to him after feelings revealed caused her to
question whether or not such an action would be wise. 'He will not harm me',
she tried to reason with herself, still staring down at the vampire's form.
"I will", she stubbornly decided against her better judgment, and walked
around the arm of the couch to sit at his side. There she continued to look
at him, as if to reconsider her decision at the very last moment. "No
tricks, Alucard", she finally warned, laying her body next to his.


A: Alucard's grin spread even wider then it ever had
before. When she got comfortable he draped an arm over her and smiled gently
to her. "Thank you Integral.." and with that the No Life King closed his
eyes, his form obviously much larger then hers, quite visibly so now that
she was out of her shoes and laid against him. Alucard would move his head
to rest it over her own on the arm of the couch, putting her face deep into
the crook of his neck. Not tightly as he didn't want to over heat her or
worry her, but it would prove to be comfortable if she would allow
such. Softly his gloved hand would trace its fingertips up and down her back
between her shoulder blades, once again he was asleep... but what was he
doing?


J: Integra sucked in air as she was adjusted close to the vampire, her
hands automatically reaching to hold on to his sides. Never had she so
casually embraced Alucard. The new action caused her face to blush brightly,
and she quickly closed her eyes, trying to will the embarrassment away.
After a few moments her breathing calmed and Integra began to feel herself
relax in his hold. And little by little she became surprisingly aware of his
hand at her back...did he sense that she was uncomfortable, even as he
slept?


A: Alucard could in fact sense her comfort levels.. having
been in tune with her for so long before this night increasing that bond.
After all, if she was in trouble and he was asleep, how else did he wake?
His hand was careful, pressing softly but firmly enough to be a light
massage. It was also a sign of affection from him, something he did without
thinking. His breathing was deep and slow, his cold breath brushing down the
back of her neck due to the angle in which he slept. It was rare that he
breathed, but it would make him serve as something cool to rest against,
having known before he slept that her body heat would bounce off him back to
her.. so why not act as an air conditioner?


J: The movements of his hand seemed to wipe away the heiress' fears as
it moved across her back, lulling her softly to follow him in suit. Integra
found it hard to fight back, her mind dulled by the cool air and wine from
earlier. 'I don't wish to...', she tried to reason with herself, eyelids
becoming almost unbearably heavy with sleep. 'I need to stay awake...', she
continued to fight, losing fast as they closed.


A: Alucard awoke a couple of hours later. Smiling as he saw
Integra still against him and asleep on her own. Unfortunately dawn had
come, and he assumed she would rather not been seen by the maids here. Ever
so carefully he picked her up, phasing through the walls to her room, only
to lay her down on the bed and cover her with a thin sheet. Then he would
take off to the kitchen and try his hand at making her a breakfast much to
the surprise of Walter. Mostly because Alucard did it shirtless.


J: Integra slowly awoke to a warmer room, somehow without the vampire.
She turned in her bed towards the windows of her suite, and blinked as the
sun's first rays barely lit up her dark room. The taste of wine coated the
back of her throat and she coughed, suddenly remembering why she had hated
drinking it before bed prior to last night. She wanted to move out of bed,
but found her body unyielding. Sitting up she settled on watching the
fuzzied light play on her curtains, thinking over her actions from the
night before.


A: It would take only a few moments for the smell of a
freshly cooked breakfast would grace her nose. However instead of being
greeted by the vampire, it was Walter who delivered it. Sitting it on the
end table after making room, he turned to leave. "Good morning Sir Integra.
Master Alucard told me to deliver this to you." on the platter sat a note,
Tea and her favorite of morning food specially prepared...along with a glass
of ice cold water.Inside the note in beautiful calligraphy would be the
following: Good morning Master, I decided to try my hand at cooking for the
first time in decades, I hope it turns out alright. I will be in my room, I
hope you will visit. Yours Eternally, Alucard."


J: Integra blinked as the butler sat down the small spread, slowly
reaching over for the note first. Reading it, she barely held back a smile
and and pulled the tray closer to her, picking up the glass of water first.
She was grateful for the simple thing, and quickly drank some to rid her of
the wine's taste. Still a bit lazy, she slowly picked at the items on the
tray, surprised at how delicious it all tasted. It wasn't until many moments
later that she reached for her tea and sipped it slowly, full from the meal.
'I shall have to find a way to thank him for this...', she noted, smiling
softly to herself as she blew across hot liquid in hand.


A: Alucard's room was decorated with red candles, each
shedding light on the form of the almost celestial being laying on his cool
coffin. Arms crossed behind his head he closed his eyes, he wasn't tired in
the least, but he didn't care for the sun and everyone in the Manor knew
that.-Better to be confined in darkness then out in sunlight.- he smirked
to himself, sensing that Integra was awake and seemed to be in a much better
mood. -Good.. perhaps she'll actually have a good day for the first time in
years.-


J: After finishing breakfast and a short shower, the blond master
dressed herself in her normal attire and quietly left her room. Walking
towards her office, she felt the strange weight of the ring on her hand and
looked down at it, a brow lifting as she fell into thought over it's
meaning. Everything between her and Alucard had sunk in last night when she
had slid the jewelry on, and to her surprise, it had not been as hard of a
decision as she had made it. Though it was hard for the heiress to express,
she did indeed care for Alucard more than she had initially realized.


A: Alucard began to think of what might happen if he knights
and the Queen disapproved... Would he be locked away again? Tortured? What
would they do to Integra? he cursed them all and how they controlled her..
How ironic. Shaking his head he cast those thoughts aside and decided to try
and think of something...happier. Like.. what would it be like if he and
Integra ever had a family? Would the kids turn out all right? Ah what was he
talking about! How pathetic had he become?....but still...there was a part
of him that wondered...and longed.


J: The papers were piled upon her desk, and Integra caught herself
sighing at their existence. Sighing she sat down at her desk and picked up a
pen. Forcing herself to pull a paper from one of the stacks, she tried to
read it, but found herself running over the same line again and again.
Integra groaned and pushed herself away from the desk. She wasn't in the
mood for this...she had been happy before this and to force herself into
delving into the empty-meaning documents was a small torture for her.
Standing back up, she called Walter to handle what he could of the mess,
promising a small bonus for the trouble. The butler denied the offer,
stating that he would do so, and that she should take the day to ready
herself for the ball that night. The heiress agreed and dropped the phone,
soon walking out of the office and down the stairs.


A: Snapping out of his thoughts, Alucard opened his eyes and
blinked a few times. "Damn it.. Abraham.. your daughter has weakened my
mind.." he mumbled to himself as he sat up. Looking around over his books to
try and think of what he would wear to the Ball with her in the evening...
the cuff links sitting on his small table nearby.-Hmm... I think I have just
the right suit...-


J: A maid, shorter than Integra by a foot, approached her as she was
opening the door to the manor. The woman's head hung low even after her
small bow, making the heiress wonder just what she wanted, and why it had
been so urgent as to stop her from going outside. Tapping her foot once
caused the older woman to jump, and quickly explain herself. The blond
rolled her eyes as she was directed back towards her study for a final
fitting, of all things. "He waited until now?", she asked the maid, who
sadly nodded in response. In just a few moments, Integra found herself
wrapped in a gown, uncomfortable and being poked carelessly by a fumbling
old man at her knee. 'Please let this be the only problem left today...',
she pleaded, kicking the pestering male from her leg.


A: Alucard would carefully piece the suit together by hand
using his shadows, remembering something from long ago. After a long while,
he would put the cuff links on it to make sure and smiled.. - She will
certainly like this..- with that he hung his suit up and began to search
for a good shirt that he could wear... finding a red one in a matter of
moments. Placing it on the table beside the suit he stretched, the rest he
would do before he left. Disappearing for a few moments before going
upstairs, he returned and found Integra in her study...finding her in a gown
with people poking and prodding here and there.


J: The tailor twitched as Integra tried again to shake him away from her
leg. "You have worked on that same spot for the last damned hour!", she
seethed. "I do not enjoy this, as you may think every woman should." Nerves
on edge, her brows furrowed as another woman came close, stacks of necklaces
in her arms. Integra glared at the female, silently daring her to even
bother asking what she preferred. 'If only I could attend the bloody ball in
my suit...', she cried, finally reaching out to try on one of the jeweler's
pieces. Dropping the diamond piece back into the box, she rolled her eyes.
"Pick whatever you think is best. I am not one to care."


A: Alucard held back a chuckle at the sight before him,
choosing instead to gently rap on the door frame with his knuckles to alert
her of his presence. "My my... there's something I have never seen before.."
he walked in, his one arm behind his back the entire time though he acted
nonchalant about it. Looking at the necklaces chosen he tsked and sent the
woman away. "Such radiant beauty cannot be dulled by gaudy necklaces such as
those." the woman blinked at him as he reached into a pocket and removed a
box. "This one would look better." Inside was something that most people
couldn't afford in their lifetime.. A necklace of platinum and genuine
rubies. falling in a wide V shape it would end at her collarbone with a
cross hanging down on a couple of well clasped platinum links.
The cross decorated at each end with yet another ruby. Simple yet elegant.
Smiling to her he tilted this way and that as though examining her before he
chuckled. "How could I forget to give you these?" and from behind his back
he revealed to her a bouquet of Red roses, so fresh that dew still sparkled
on the petals.


J: Integra could feel the silence in the room as those dressing her
stared at them, watching as she accepted the gifts. The necklace was
beautiful, so much so that she found herself lacking the words to express
her gratitude. Instead all she could do was watch as the lights played
against the rubies shine, until of course, she felt a familiar prick against
her leg. "Oh, you damnable man, move on!", she demanded as she turned a bit
towards Alucard. The maid from before approached to take the roses as
Integra was about to thank the vampire, but stopped as the heiress looked at
her in confusion, not entirely wanting to let go of the flowers. Finally
bringing the gift to her face, she turned an eye back to the No Life King.
"This is as feminine as you shall ever see me, Count", she announced,
closing her eyes before handing them off for the maid to take.


A: Alucard bowed lightly, taking the necklace softly and
clasping it behind her neck. "I realize that. However there is nothing wrong
with being a bit feminine now and then Integra should you ever wish to." he
lowered his head to her ear and softly whispered. "I will never think any
less of you for doing such. No matter how you act or dress you will always
be beautiful to me." and with that he would move away looking down at the
old man for a moment before, unbeknownst to everyone except Integra and
himself... he created a barrier around her leg which would move where ever
he moved to keep her leg from being pricked. With a smile and a nod, Alucard
would turn to leave her in peace.. with some parting words."Afterwards.. I
would like to share something with you.. If you don't mind being in my
room." he looked over his shoulder at her... he felt weird for what he
wished to show her... none had ever seen it before...


J: Integra nodded, laying her hand upon the jewelry not around her neck.
"As soon as everything is finished here, I will come", she responded, her
attention directed at a woman babbling on about 'shaping' the heiress' hair.
"...Perhaps sooner." Sighing, she allowed the 'team' of people to once
again descend upon her, muttering a silent prayer for their sudden
disappearance. There was little left to finish, she hoped, to distracted to
pay the vampire a final glance.


A: Alucard returned to his room, almost bored out of his
mind... if that was possible. Hiding his suit as he didn't wish for her to
see it when she came down, he went to his shelves and decided to read while
he waited for his Queen to descend from above.Ironically a book titled
"Dracula". -Pathetic... they didn't get anything right... I was not born in Transylvania!- he continued to read but all the while he picked it
apart..hard to enjoy a book when its written about you..


J: Asking the tailor to add a red sash to her dress had ended the last
bit of decisions to her outfit for the ball, thus leaving the woman alone to
regain her composure once more. After a moment's worth of silence she exited
the study and traveled to the vampire's room, forgetting to remove the
rubied piece from around her neck. Suit coat hanging from her shoulders,
she knocked once on the door to his 'lair' before opening it. "Alucard?",
she stated in a normal tone, knowing that raising her voice would be nothing
more than a waste of effort. "What was it that you wished to show me?"


A: The door slowly opened and she would see him laying on his
side on the lid of his coffin with that damned Dracula book in his hands.
Finally he would toss it against the wall in disgust. "It's no wonder there
are so many idiotic vampires out there.. they must all think they have to be
hopeless romantics and melodramatic fools!" he shook his head, however his
frustration went away when he saw her at the door. "I wish to show you
something very personal. Even your father never saw it." he stood up slowly,
motioning for her to come closer. "Trust me still?"


J: Integra's brow raised as the book slid somewhere to the floor.
"Yes..", she responded, her voice trailing off. She had trusted him enough
to dance with, walk through the air beside, and fall asleep next to --and
such, she couldn't imagine anything else that would top those three. "If it
is some secret I should keep, you know well enough how I am with those
matters." She was curious to see, that she couldn't deny, and undeniably
anxious for his 'revealing'. "Is it another token of your past?", she
wondered out loud, her eyes shifting about the candlelit room.


A: Alucard hung his head, a smirk playing across his lips.
"It is...and it is not at the same time." with that he gently tapped his
coffin... his most precious possession.. removing the lid, inside would be
black, lined with silk and incredibly soft for the days it was made in, the
only thing aside from cushioning on the bottom was a very thin satin sheet.
"Join me for a few moments, and you will see." His coffin was only part of
what he was revealing to her.. Abraham had never seen the inside of it.. so
he had most certainly never seen what Alucard wished to show her truly..


J: Integra could not stop herself from taking a step back. He wanted her
to join him inside his coffin? Were it not for her infamous pride, the
Hellsing daughter would have turned and walked away. But this, as she saw
every obstacle she came across, was a challenge, and something she could not
back away from. It was the same pride that made her foot move back and
continue on towards the coffin. Soon she stood beside the container, her
eyes flickering up to meet Alucard's. "And how will I 'join' you?, she
daringly grazed her hand against the coffin, accustomed to it's presence in
the room, yet admittedly wary of why she needed to be inside it.


A: Alucard could sense her uneasiness. "Lay with me, That's
all. However the lid has to be closed over us in order for you to see since
your eyes are not like mine." when she touched it he felt a shock wave
through his body, shaking his head a bit. "Integra..." he moved towards her
and looked at her solemnly. "I won't hurt you, this is no game, no trick for
me to taste your blood and this is as difficult for me as it is for you.
None have ever seen the inside of my coffin, let alone been in it.. but
that's not what's important.." he moved to sit inside it looking up at her. "I
want you to see something that only I have ever seen.." he extended a hand
towards her. "Join me for just a few moments and I will never bother you
like this again if that is what you wish. Just allow me to show you this."


J: "Alright, Alucard, alright...", she complied, taking hold of his
hand. "I trust you. If you had wanted my blood, you could have taken it
before now." Her movements were awkward as she tried to move into the
coffin, more so by her slowly dying worries than by actual merit. "If you do
indeed mean as you say, I am curious as to what it is you've hidden from
others..." Her pride grew, though she would not admit. Though usually
indifferent to the worlds of other men and women, she was happy to be
allowed to see a 'secret' bit of his...


A: Alucard smiled softly to her and helped her in, shifting
so she could lay down comfortably yet look up at the lid of the coffin.
Slowly the lid would begin to close over them, and Alucard had to stifle a
soft yawn. When her eyes settled, flashes would appear across the lid of his
coffin, engulfing them as though they were in the memories that went
fluttering past. Heartbeats could be heard, Screams, cries, Laughter..
everything from his life flashed by at a hyperactive pace..only to stop..
There above them was a beautiful woman, singing to a small child about 7 or
so. The boy was laughing as the woman and he danced, her hands clasping his
much smaller ones as they danced in a circle and then fell into the long
grass below. The woman moved and picked the boy up, cradling him in her
lap..until something interrupted, Men on horseback, dozens of them came galloping by. A man running towards them with a sword on his hip yelling something in a foreign language. But it was too late.. By the time the boy and the woman had got up to run, one of the men had shot an arrow..The woman shoving the boy out of the way and taking it in the throat. The man who had come let out
an enraged yell only to be sliced in the side and dropped to his knees.. The
men got off their horses and approached taking the Man away leaving the boy
with the bleeding woman.. Holding the woman's head the boy began to cry
uncontrollably but the woman simply smiled despite the blood and tears..held
his hand and in a matter of moments..she was gone.. The boy ran off crying
after the men who had done the deed only to see the man from earlier being
buried alive.. One of the formerly mounted men grabbing him by the shoulder
and forcing him to watch.. before the boy was dragged away and beaten..then
thrown into a cell. The memory ended, Alucard looking down at her as he
slowly began to open the lid. "No one aside from yourself and I know of that
day.."


J: Integra's entire self was filled with confusion as she watched the
events happen before her. She barely restrained herself from screaming as the
man was buried alive, his son left alone in a cell..."Alucard?", she
questioned as he looked down at her, her fist clenched as she tried to push
away the seen horrors. "What have you shown me?", she asked softly, scared
to know the truth. Her pride, once high from this event, had been forgotten
as she struggled with the lump rising in her throat. To have one's family
ripped away at such a young age seemed too personal for the heiress to
witness, but she knew she could not turn away from it now. "Why have you
shown me this?", she added finally, her eyes staring back into his.


A: Alucard frowned as he opened the lid. "That Integra.. was
the day my parents died." with that he would look away. "Its a memory that
haunts me to this very day.... centuries have passed and still... I can hear
my fathers yelling and see my mothers blood on the ground.." he grit his
teeth as his eyes flared but not from insanity. "I have shown you this
memory.. this nightmare of mine... because I trust you..and I believe you
deserve to know that you aren't alone in losing your family." he gently
squeezed her hand as he closed his eyes. "Now you know where the beginning
of my reign of bloodshed began."


J: She could only blink at first as he explained the visions, the
horrifying truth of his childhood. Slowly, Integra raised her free hand
and rested it against his cheek. "Showing me this is a gift above the
others", she quietly offered him, not wishing to let him relishing in the
memories for too long. "I am honored...", she continued as she studied his
features, "that you think of me enough to have allowed me this." Such words
were not often spoken from the woman to another, even to he that had been
her closest companion through her life. She would not speak on comparisons,
or pity, words such as those were not needed by the No Life King, and too
easy to give. "I will keep this close...your trust is not mislead."