imperial_stage | Well, since -he- gets one...

Well, since -he- gets one...

Who: Integra, a few of her unlucky men, and... whoever decides they really want to show up.
What: Integra's "bachelorette" party, AKA people show up and drink tea with her to celebrate this ever joyous occasion, and she'll just sit and twitch and nod.
When: February 25th, morning until... afternoon. LOL.
Where: Integra's favorite little tea shop. [NO SHENANIGANS, LADIES D:<]
Warnings: Tea time. Forever. I can't see this being very wild, this is Integra we're talking about here. Unless, naturally, someone decides to make things wild. I'm all for this, too. :D

Integra sat quietly in the corner she always sat in, very much attempting to go unnoticed by the rest of the world. With a hum, she sipped at the earl grey she'd ordered.

It was at this point, however, that the little bell on the door jingled, signaling someone else had entered. Integra's gaze lifted, to reveal three of her men, who looked somewhat... nervous. Her brows drew together. What could possibly bring them here, when they knew she was attempting to have her solitude?

Saluting, the all stepped up to her table. "Lady Integra," the first man soke up. He was tall and in his usual Hellsing attire. "I know it may not be appropriate, but the boys-- men and myself decided to pitch in to get you a little wedding gift," he blurted out wearily, the two behind him nodding quickly. Without a second thought, they shoved a tiny, horribly wrapped little box at her.

The heiress glanced at it, before shrugging and opening it carefully. Inside was... the most beautiful crystal cross necklace she'd ever seen. It was small and feminine, which, usually she would complain about or scoff at... but even she couldn't find it in her heart to do so. It was a nice gesture, and something that she'd never expected them to do.

"Thank you, it's lovely," she began, forcing herself to scoot over on her seat. "Won't you join me for a bit of tea?" she asked, wanting very much to send them away, and yet not being able to find it in her heart of hearts to do so after such a gesture. Unfortunately for her, the three sat right on down, and she sighed.

...And then, the bell jingled again.

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At times like these...it sucks being a vampire. He can't go out in the afternoon sun. Being a nocturnal creature of the dark and the night, he hates the day light of the sun. The sunlight won't kill him, but the sun can exhaust and drains his powers quickly. The sun irritates him and aggravates him.

In the meanwhile, when she was away. He was sleeping to get his rest. When he woke up in the evening, with the sky begining to darken at sundown, he had found that his Master is not around. Usually, he's fine with this and he can wait until she's returns.

But with the wedding lately...

The No Life is testy and edgy. Not to mention, impatient.

As usual, he waited outside on the front lawn for her return, brooding darkly, and the men and women of the Hellsing staff that knew of his existence, the ones who returned from the party, they knew better than to stay out of his way and out of his personal space. He's a Monster, after all, especially when he was moody.

And finally, here comes Integra, walking as per usual... oh. Nevermind, she's being accompanied by the original three men who had ever so thoughtfully given her such a lovely gift. As they approach the vampire, they seem a little unnerved, and for good reason. Integra senses this, and pauses enough to say her goodbyes. They stand at attention and salute her, and then scamper off.

Briskly, she approaches the vampire, humming. "Once again, Alucard... exactly how long have you been out here this time, hm?"

Finally! She returned.

Putting on a grin, pretending that nothing is wrong. "Oh. Nothing. I was just out for an enthusiastic time to go star-gazing under the moon. It's been an hour."

Riiiiiight. Star-gazing, he said. An hour. He's actually been there all evening waiting for her.

A slender brow arches, but she doesn't push the subject. Instead, she pulls one of her cigars out of her pocket -- she's been smoking more and more of them lately, they'll end up being the death of her if she doesn't watch it -- and she lights it up.

"If you're up waiting for orders or a mission, I have nothing for you tonight, fortunately but unfortunately."

Pouting, "I didn't want a mission. I'm just waiting for you to come home."

Then sighing, "You know, going to a tea shop doesn't sound bad. I would like to go..."

"...Waiting for me? It almost sounds as though my dear Servant cares about his Master's well being," she replied, lightly teasing. She can't be annoyed or angry at him for that, after all, and besides, she's in a good enough mood.

Tilting her head, she smirks. "Oh? I didn't know you liked them. You could have come along, had I known."

Averting his gaze from hers, his eyes turning sideways.

For once, he's feeling...

Gazing back at her again, gathering his thoughts. "Of course, I do. Isn't that a Servant's duty to care for his Master?"

Frowning at her. "You know that I can't stand the sun. I been out once and the next day, I was hammered."

"Serving, yes. Caring, no... my, you've gone soft in your old age, Count," she replies with a quiet chuckle. Out of all of her men, none of them show the devotion that Alucard does... then again, they are bound to her only by papers that can be easily severed. Alucard is not.

Ignoring duty, pride, and everything else that told her to remain standing and keep her militant disposition, she plopped down on the grass beside him unceremoniously. Taking a little time to talk with the vampire wasn't that difficult, after all. Besides, she somewhat owed it to him, did she not? He cared enough to wait for her for God's sake.

"That is what umbrellas and the such are for, Alucard. Furthermore, they are open in the evening as well. I could have waited."

"I haven't gone soft. I'm still the Monster for you to use as a tool." He said sternly. He doesn't want her to get any wrong ideas that he has gotten soft.

Especially that night in Chaodan when he felt some weird stirrings that he couldn't place, but don't know what.

"You do? Hm, I don't want to impose."

That had her smirking. "Yes, my soft, stuffed animal Monster," came her amused reply. That wasn't true, naturally... he'd show his true colors at her wedding, just like he always did when she truly needed him to.

Tucking her legs underneath herself, she placed her hands in her lap and shrugged. "We'll go there tomorrow night. Truth be told, because of the wedding, my paper work is practically bone dry... I suppose people think that since we are property of Amestris, they no longer need to call upon us. Fools."

"..." At that, the vampire scoot a little closer on the grass, but he's playing it cool. It's not like he's going to admit he liked her calling him that. But it's only. "Tell your staff that and I will loose my confidence as a man."

"So that means, you have more free time as the result."

Poor Alucard. Integra doesn't seem to even notice that he's scooting closer to her. Her smirk merely widens at his words, however, and she straightens up. "Even if I did, they would hardly believe me. They're still quite terrified of you, even after all these years."

She nodded to him, glancing up at the sky. "Yes. I've never had this much free time before... not even when I was a child. Back then, I was learning etiquette and all things vampire and occult," she replied. "But now, even as busy as we were... there are no more missions, ergo no more paper work or reports to be done."

"I haven't done anything to them yet. They're just..." Just what? "A bunch of humans coming in for work." He shrugged.

He glanced at the sky too, but he already done that for the entire evening, so he looked briefly. Then he glanced back at her, which lingered more than it should. After all, she's a lot more interesting than the stars.

"It's part of your education to hold the Hellsing tradition." He said. Then thoughtfully. "Hm, you think so? I don't think this is quite over yet. War is long-drawn affair."

And how many experiences she has dealing with war? None. That alone worries him too. If slightly. The battles she had with the zombies and the monsters is nothing compared to War.

At that, she quickly glances down at him. "You have gone soft, if you haven't even frightened the staff in ages. No wonder I haven't had to scold you in such a long time."

Oh, don't even remind her about tradition. "Yes, and tradition also states that I should be married and bearing unto the world at least one heir to continue the bloodline. That will not be happening anytime soon, thank you," she replied with a hum. "Mm? No, of course it isn't... they don't know that, though."

Indeed, while she is a good leader, she's a very inexperienced one. But she knows war is quickly approaching, and she knows that when the time comes, she will do her best to win it and protect the innocent.

Back in the day, he played his bag of tricks and mischief. There were days that he manipulated the shadows on the walls, leading the staff to think they saw something, but their eyes are tricking. Other times, he toyed with their dreams and becomes their nightmare. He played his hypnosis and mind-tricks, making them do his bidding and his will shortly until he's reported to Integra of him being bad.

It's all in good-fun and no harm-done. He knew he ends up being scolded by her by the end of the day, but the attention was worth it. "I just no longer have the reason to frighten the staff. With the Major's activities picking up, that becomes my prior." That's his excuse and good explanation.

And yet, she brought up a good detail that slipped his notice. His Master is really perceptive. He hadn't played his tricks on the staff in ages. Curious...but he knew better as to why. "I don't care about the tradition." Actually, he does care about the continuing bloodline. If she dies, he becomes a free man and he's no longer be the Helsing's servant.

But he'll ended up being alone. And there's no one to bother with his penny for thoughts. For that reason, she'll do her part when the right comes and he'll be there to be her intent for victory.

What a pitiful creature with the curse of immortality to do? He's only her weapon.

"Mm, even before the Major and his stupid ideas of war, you've been... quieter," she replied, frowning slightly. She'd half wondered if he was tired or something. Vampire or not, he was still very old, and old people get tired. Even old monsters get tired.

Shrugging at that next bit, she merely looked back up at the sky. She hadn't thought of that yet... the thought that he'd be alone. She'd always assumed that's what he'd like. So long as he were free, he wouldn't care. That is what she told herself, at least.

"It has been going on for 50 years. I don't see the reason to yap more about it. We are just merely waiting for him to strike into a full-blown war!"

At that, suddenly he thought of an idea. He's curious about something and wanted to see how she reacts. He leaned over, close enough for his face to be close to hers.

Speaking very softly. "Integra." Putting on a grin. "Does war excite you?

She was about to answer him, when she realized that he was... in her personal space. So much for being quieter. Still, she wouldn't let him win this, oh no. She merely stared back at him, unflinching.

And then, he had to open his fucking mouth. "...Why would you even think something like that?"

Ah, finally. Emotions they do stir. He's not moving from her personal space, oh no. He was merely teasing her. Testing her. How would she react? When things get quiet, he has to stir some emotions in her to be aware of the chaos.

Still smirking, his grin widens. His infernal eyes danced with delight, becoming alive. "Can you imagine it? Did you see the red black flames? Didn't you know that war like it's flames, it is my passion?"

So much for a peaceful evening. Her left eye twitched, and her cheeks were flushed with not only anger, but something very much akin to light embarrassment. She wasn't aware as to WHY the hell he was trying to provoke her suddenly, but Alucard always had his own agenda. She'd probably never figure the vampire out.

"It may be your passion, but it is most certainly not mine!" she snaps back, eyes narrowing dangerously. Secretly, however, the very thought of battle sends a tiny thrill down her spine. Not war, but simply of battle in general. The defeat of her foes, namely those undead in nature.

At that, the vampire began to laugh. It was an evil laugh, of course. He knows she is born for battle. She lusts for it, craves it, to see her enemies slain into a mountain of corpses. He'll be there to purge every freak and undead. It was she was born to do...like her grandfather's work before her. It runs in her veins.

It was her destiny and he knows this.

"Integra. Ha ha ha." You're too precious. "You're my Master. Your passion is my passion. War is my passion, but you will always be the one who decide who shall be mowed down and be tear asunder. On your throne, you decide who lives and who dies. Underneath your feet, there I lie. In your hands, you will held me as your sword. When I have the guns in my hands, my fingers eager to pull the trigger, you shout, 'fire' and I shall hear it from a thousand miles."

And before she knew it, he was right behind her. He placed his hands ever so softly and gently on the side of her head.

"These hands of mind can crush armies and nations asunder. By your wish, I carry out your will and obey, for I will never stray from your side, your most humbled servant."

His words, as annoying as they are, seemed to calm her ever so slightly, but she still eyed him wearily, waiting for the punchline to his little joke.

And then, suddenly, he was behind her. She had to supress the urge to sigh or even bat his hands away. Instead, she closed her eyes and frowned. "Yes, thank you for telling me what I already know, Alucard."

Finally, however, she did reach up and lightly nudged his hands away from her head. She could feel a headache coming on, nothing a little glass of brandy wouldn't cure. "I'm going inside now," she announced, standing up.

Annoying vampire likes to be annoying, but that because the handsome devil is becoming aware he is growing quite attached to her. He never felt this way before, not even with his previous master, her father.

The feeling is new.

"I'm just reminding you." He said, his voice rumbled. That little speech is just his way of expressing his creativity and he smiled because he's like sharing it.

Now that his excitement subsided, his eyes still glow back to their normal glow but with less intensity.

"Mmm." And when she goes, he walked right behind her. Her loyal shadow.

Perhaps this is payback for the time when she was thirteen, when she decided to try and get under his skin by asking him where babies came from. Naturally she'd already known, but she wanted to get a reaction from the vampire. She hadn't gotten much of one and it'd been disappointing, but still... perhaps this was why he felt the need to harrass her a good majority of the time.

Or perhaps it was because he was boerd. Either or, she merely shrugged at him and turned, walking into the house, not at all surprised that he was following after her. She stuffed her hands into her pockets, moving almost silently through the dark corridors.

"What do you plan on doing this evening?"

And he told her back then, "You'll find out when you get older." Which she did. And she was disappointed. Not as exciting, but if he said the stork delivered her, she could tell that he's telling tall tales.

Following right behind her. "Nothing in particular." Which is unfortunately the vampire's life most of the time through the years that she's growing up.

She'd hoped to have gotten a reaction like her father's had been. Arthur's cheeks had turned a bright shade of pink, and he'd stuttered and even flailed at her, telling her to go run and study. She'd already known the answer, but his expression was absolutely pricess. The vampire, on the other hand, had a much tamer reaction. How disappointed she had been.

Tiredly, she trudged up the stairs and into her office, pushing the door open. Moving behind her desk, she sat down and immediately lit up a cigar, sighing. There was absolutely no paperwork on her desk, a first in all the years she'd been running the Organization. "Hn... how boring, then, hm?"

The vampire is way too old, that's why.

He slipped on his favorite old couch. It was always the same couch he sat on, for every night they have a chat like this.

"At least your day is interesting. Going to a tea-shop, I mean. Meanwhile, I'm catching up the latest news of war that is happening throughout the nations." Smiling. "Would you like to hear them?"

"It wasn't interesting," she replied suddenly. "It was meant to be relaxing, but then a few of my men showed up," she continued, pausing. The day hadn't been a complete waste, and really, it had been a nice gesture. She couldn't complain.

A brow arched at his next question, and she merely shook her head, taking a long drag from her cigar. "No, I'm tired of hearing about war. We'll be dealing with it enough shortly," she replied suddenly.

There was a question on her mind, though. The No Life King was a confident King, yes, but she had to question him. "Alucard, do you ever get lonely?"

Such a shame. He would tell her about what he heard from the bar the other night. About a crazed man, a warrior that risen from Hell itself in Galumond and wreck devastation the entire country side there. Also, there is also a rumor that a war about a Holy Grail that is about to erupt.

How to answer that? Yes? If he said, no. She knew he would be lying. She's too perceptive and she's catching on to him too closely.

Not that he minded.

"Sometimes. Your father hidden me in the basement for many years until you found me. He deemed me as a too powerful a drug to be used as more than the occasional medicine."

She tilted her head, interested. Yes, she supposed twenty years alone, chained up and unable to move or feed in the dark would be a lonely existance.

Then again, hadn't he said that he had been content in his slumber? "I see... and do you still get lonely, even though you are not down in the basement on a permanant basis?"

Content? Yes, he was content. That was then.

This is now.

Master have so many questions. That haven't change ever since the first day they met. "That is my destiny and my fate. Maybe that would change in the future." If he has one.

But the future lies in the present, the now, and he's looking at her deliberately.

"I'm sure it will," she replied, picking up her cigar and finishing it off, before snubbing the embers out in said ashtray from before. Leaning back in her seat, she folded her hands neatly against the desk and regarded him quietly.

"Yes, indeed... I'm sure it will change. Things always change, and I believe that as the years go on, you can fit in successfully with the rest of humanity."

Fit in...? With the rest of humanity?

Now that's...Alucard doesn't know what to say that. It was here that they both differ in their point of views.

"I'm a Monster, my dear Master." At that he rose up. "I'm going for a walk in the woods." Because he do love those walks...to clear his head.

"You are," she confirmed easily, shrugging her shoulders. "But behind the monster, there is a man, is there not?"

At his announcement, she merely nodded. "Very well, then. Do as you wish, Alucard."

"Was a man." He was dead after all. Now he is just one nightmare away when the war comes and she was his to turn on the faucet of Hell that will sing in the dreams of humanity for generations to come.

Rising up from his chair, tipping his hat. "Good night, my Master."

Then a pause and there's a beat.

But behind the monster, there is a man.

Is there or is there not? He searched his heart.

Maybe there is a man within him after all. That man who is gasping, struggling, reaching up towards to the surface of the light. Pitifully. Weak. Fingers clutching on a fragile bird that slips away from his fingers called Hope.

Looking at her, deliberately, the Count finally asked, "Tomorrow night, shall we go to the tea shop together?"

"Good night, then, Alucard. Have a pleasant walk," she concluded, reaching down to grab her pen and-- ah, that's right. No paper work. She frowned, but then quickly glanced back up when he spoke again.

"Yes, that would be nice. I think that, perhaps, we both need to relax a bit... this downtime is only brief. After next week, we will have much to do, I'm assuming, considering there are going to be a lot of people after us. So yes, we will go to the tea shop and relax tomorrow evening."

Her habit of work, both habitual and automatic is comical. A small smile twitch on his lips, but he held back his laugh.

A pause. After one brief, intense moment. It was a downtime moment, yes, but it was quite intense.

"Indeed we do." Lots of people, she said. Where they do come from and will the madness ever end.

"Looking forward to it." And being a vampire, he merely walked through the door instead of doing the human way out and open it.

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Well, since -he- gets one...

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