More C&C!!!
Wheeee!!!
<snip>
>
> Set in the "Pulp Hellsing" timeline _not_ in the "Dances
> Set To The Music Of Time" timeline.
Just one question: who gets played by Tarantino? (:)
Tarantino's one of the IOU. ^_^
<snip>
> Chapter 4 Tea
>
> The sun was bright and beautiful.
Aaaaand, there's that chapter-transition thingy again.
It's a trademark for the series. Notice the other trademark narration style?
> Irritatingly so.
>
> Dame Integra Helsing rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and yawned,
> blinking back the powerful onslaught of the sun's morning rays in her
> eyes. Dressed in pajamas and a voluminous woolen bathrobe, rabbit
> slippers slapping lightly on the carpeted floor, she was the very
image
> of a beautiful young woman just awakened from her sleep and ready to
> face the challenges of the new day.
...rabbit slippers? INTEGRA?
......oy. I think you bent my brain...
That's why she takes the private stairs. Half of the servants would
probably be paralyzed at the sight. ^_^
> The memory of the name made Integra purse her lips and pause in
> midstep. Doctor Savage? Yes, that was why the name 'Clark Savage' was
so
> familiar and Walter did say that he was an associate of her mother's.
It
> seemed she still had friends she didn't know about. Integra just shook
> her head and brushed away a lock of hair and continued her downward
> trip. Enough time for that later.
Heh. I faintly remembered this, but it wasn't in any of the reposts.
Finally found it at Florestica, in the Prologue.
I reposted the prologue, if I remember correctly...
Have to check on that later.
> The family kitchen was still used mainly for the purpose of
> intimacy, though Integra thought her parents may disapprove of the
times
> she dragged Alucard into the kitchen to eat with her when she was
> younger. She sometimes cajoled Walter into dining with her there,
though
> the butler was clearly uncomfortable because of his ingrained
training.
> One does not dine with the master after all. But in her youth, she
> looked around for eligible surrogate family members and the two were
the
> only ones available .
It does say something about her life.
Family's an important theme for the series so I'm going to focus on that
a bit more in upcoming parts.
> Strange that her family would include a psychotic vampire and a
> butler that had a confirmed body count of more than a thousand human
and
> inhuman enemies, but an orphan could not exactly choose who to make
> family, a thought that was rather appropriate as Integra turned down
the
> final spiraling steps and smelled the wafting odor of freshly brewed
> tea.
Al's thoughts on the matter, of course, are unrecorded.
Al was probably torn between disgust and a slight warm feeling where
his heart would be. ^_^
> The sunlight glinted off her short blonde hair as Ceres Victoria
sat
> in what had become her chair beside the little round table that was
the
> family kitchen's centerpiece. Her ruby eyes were hidden by those
> horrible sunglasses she always wore when in daylight. Dressed in what
> was probably her only sleeping outfit, a rather thin ankle-length
night
> gown with ruffled sleeves, the sort of night gown that one would
usually
> only see worn by boarding school girls or on young ladies at the turn
of
> the century. Ceres' bare feet were playing with themselves, the white
"themselves" or "each other"?
'each other' sounds better but 'themselves' gives me a subtle ... onanistic
overtone. ^_^
> smooth skin of her ankles alabaster in the light. She was nursing a
cup
> of blood tea, a peculiar mixture of tea, water and blood, since
vampiric
> digestion seemed to allow any liquid items mixed with the vital fluid,
> her left hand slowly stroking a rabbit that she had gotten from
> somewhere.
But, being from the UK, can they still eat *blood pudding*?
Nein. Only liquids.
> It was a picture of beauty and innocence, radiating a soft sensual
> aura that was barely erotic but made Integra's spine shiver all the
> same. Her father had once told her that some vampiric bloodlines
> radiated that field of seduction like a bait for the unwary. Alucard's
> bloodline was one of those. Though the elder vampire almost always
went
> out of his way to be a total ass and present a slovenly appearance,
his
> handsome features and the majesty of his presence still shone through.
> His fledgeling it seemed was still unaware of what she was doing to
most
> of the people in her vicinity, most probably because most who come in
> contact with her were aware that she was a vampire and knew of her
sire
> as an entity that could make sure Hell was the place you'd be wishing
> for after he got his hands on you if they ever messed with her.
Al as an overprotective daddy? The mind boggles.
Why do you think Integra's called the Iron Virgin? ^_^
> Fortunately, the aura lessened whenever she was in the field or on
> active duty. Unfortunately, at times when she was relaxed the effect
> seemed to double in strength. Walter and Alucard, two of the three
> people Ceres would usually encounter on her down time, were immune to
> the aura, mostly because Walter had survived several years of exposure
> to something similar and Alucard, because he was the bloodline's
> progenitor after all. The third person who usually encountered Ceres
was
> Integra herself and she neither was a vampire nor had she experienced
> the full power of Alucard's aura.
Hmmm... one wonder's about Al's motives for exercising restraint.
I've
always suspected his feelings for Integra are more complex than mere
master/servant.
Al, in this fic universe, has a very weird relationship with Integra.
Anymore
would ruin the surprise. ^_^
> What was initially an attempt to gauge her new vampiric charge's
> abilities and personality became a daily habit of sharing morning tea.
> Integra had been trained to need only three hours of sleep every
twenty
> four hours and Ceres, like her sire, was what vampires considered a
> daybird and they both had a need for tea at the exact time in the
> morning, about nine o'clock. A weird friendship had blossomed between
> the two, both knowing enough to keep their professional faces when
doing
> work and leting their hair down during their morning encounters. It
> almost seemed like a game, Ceres trying her best to put a smile on the
> face of the older woman while Integra tried her best to keep herself
as
> grumpy as possible, a difficult task indeed while being assailed by
> Ceres' seductive aura and her strange, for someone who was undead,
> propensity for good cheer.
Maybe *that's* why Al turned Ceres -- he finally found somebody bubbly
enough to cheer Integra up.
That and one other _big_ reason...
> Thankfully enough, her parents had each taught her a few
meditative
> tricks that they believed would help her in carrying the burden of
being
> a Helsing. Still, even with her mental focus, Ceres managed to
convince
> her to go on a shopping expedition the past month.
>
> The shopping trip was not exactly the complete and total disaster
> that most people would usually imagine when a rather perky undead girl
> with a liking for brightly colored funky outfits and a rather dour
> living girl with a propensity to dress in men's clothing get together
to
> shop.
.....#PROCESS VIOLATION FAULT: Imagination Limit Exceeded#
LOL. I was going to write a little sidestory but my brain encountered the
same error. ^_^
> The experience was, Integra loathed to admit, rather fun. It was
an
> entirely normal shopping trip, with both women looking for apropriate
> outfits. It was a bit uncomfortable, mostly because of Integra's
> constant close proximity to the young vampire in various states of
> undress, but, after all was said and done, it was quite the success.
>
> Also, not all of its success could be attributed to Ceres'
> attraction aura. Integra liked Ceres well enough and they connected in
a
> certain way that the elder woman could not understand. There was a
> strange feeeling of sisterhood that she felt with the younger girl
that
> was difficult to explain.
Ceres *is* personable. And Integra has to be lonely, regardless of
what she tells herself.
Plus that 'sisterhood' thing just ain't some one-off thing. There are plans
withing
plans and wheels within wheels...^_^
> The last Helsing was not exactly the most sociable person in the
> world and her other friendships were mostly gained after periods
> of struggle that would sometimes be called epic. Ceres had managed to
> worm herself into her good graces with such seeming ease that it made
> Integra uncomfortable.
That's because Integra is so anal that she's terrified to acknowledge
that her emotions can act without permission of her intellect.
LOL. Good impression. ^_^
> "Good morning, Dame Integra!"
>
> Integra blinked and finally noticed that she had been gazing at
> Ceres for several long minutes. Thankfully, the vampire had not
noticed
> her arrival until now.
>
> "Good morning, Ceres. My tea ready?"
>
> "The pot's nearly on the boil. There." Ceres stood up as the
whistle
> of the teakettle alerted the room of its heated contents being ready.
> Her nightgown flattered her petite figure well and it made her bust
> seem-
>
> Integra shook herself. Control. Control. She walked to her chair
and
> sat down with a relieved sigh.
Hah. I wonder how much of this attraction is from Ceres's aura, and
how much is coming from Integra herself.
It's just Integra's hormones. ^_^
> "You know, Ceres, you really should get a new pair of sleeping
> clothes."
>
> "What? Is there something wrong with it?" The young vampire had
set
> the kettle on the table and bent around looking for a rip or a tear.
It
> drew the nightgown tight against her lithe curves in such a way that
> made Integra's mouth go dry.
<snicker> Elsa, Elsa, Elsa, are you going to go all yuri on us? I
admit, they *would* make a cute couple.
More than that, though, I *would* like to see either or both of them
have *someone* special for themselves. I'm a big sap that way...
I already have someone in mind for Integra. Ceres... my plans for her
are more vague but rest assured that she and Integra will be friends
for life. ^_^
> "You don't wear anything under that, do you?" Integra asked with a
> slight tremble in her voice, as she quickly poured herself a cup as
she
> turned her eyes away to look outside.
>
> "Well, no. I like the way it feels on my bare skin and it makes me
> feel more relaxed." The delivery was so innocent that it almost
bordered
> on pornographic. Even though she was looking away and Ceres was
wearing
> her sunglasses, Integra could see in her mind's eye that wide-eyed
> naive look on the vampire's face that she always found strangely
> attractive.
Innocence, thy name is Ceres.
Ceres can be a bit dim in a non-pressure situation. ^_^
> "Er...yes, well, I would prefer if you got a pair of pajamas or
wore
> a bathrobe over it. Who knows who might see you in that thing?" Plus,
Integra: (Like, say, ME!)
LOL.
it
> would contribute a lot to my peace of mind. "Actually, don't worry
about
> it. I'll have Walter get you both and have them sent downstairs."
>
> "No need to trouble him, Dame Integra. I'll just go out and buy
some
> next time."
>
> "Will you stop doing that!"
>
> "Doing what?"
>
> Integra was about to say that Ceres should stop smiling that way
> because it made her so damn sexy but she caught herself.
The way her self-control keeps slipping must be driving Integra
*nuts.*
Pretty much yes. See what happens in the later chapters. ^_^
> "Stop using my title. I've told you that there's no need for
> formality with me when you're here." Integra made herself smile to put
> the young vampire at ease. "Even Walter doesn't call me by my title in
> this room."
>
> "Um...sorry about that." Ceres, it seemed, had finally mastered
the
> act of biting her lips without drawing blood. "Just can't help
Gah, the *Cuteness*... I may go into sugar shock right here...
Vampire... fangs... cute.... I must now say the image was inspired by Ryouga
from Ranma. ^_^
<snip>
> "That's always how it works. Technicalities. So, technically you
are
> a Knight of the Order of Hellsing, one of the lesser degrees of
> knighthood, but a knighthood nonetheless, Dame Ceres."
(And I'm going to push the paperwork through, post-dated, tomorrow)
she
thought.
Technically, the knighthood falls on them the moment a Hellsin operative
dies... so no need for paperwork. Just a death certificate. ^_^
<snip>
>
> Integra suppressed a spurt of jealousy. For whom that little jerk
of
> her heart was for, she didn't know.
And she *not* going to examine it too closely.
Self-examination is not Integra's strong point. ^_^
> "Alucard rarely gives gifts to anybody, Ceres. I should think
you'd
> be happy." I know I would be.
>
> "Well, it's not exactly a gift." Ceres had left off stroking the
> rabbit and started to twiddle her fingers and her mouth was puckered
> into what Integra thought of as a sexy little pout, a thought that
> Integra crushed as quickly as possible. "He said it's my next lesson."
>
> "Hmmm?"
>
> "I have to kill George here."
>
> Integra spared the little lapine on the table a curious glance. "I
> would think that giving a name to something you have to kill would not
> exactly be conducive to the act."
Her lack of shock is telling.
Let's just say that she's had experience in Al's school of hard knocks.
> Though unseen, Ceres' eyebrows gave away the fact that she had
just
> rolled her eyes upward in a gesture of helplessness. "I didn't give
him
> a name, Integra. Alucard stole him from some little girl."
>
> Integra's eyes narrowed. "He took him from her? Personally?"
>
> "Well, I'm guessing he pulled George out of the yard or something
> like that. He doesn't like being seen by little kids. For a vampire,
> Master has this weird hang-up about children."
Some lingering sense of ethics?
Yeah. And children freak him out. ^_^
> I know. "So, you have to 'drink' from little George here?"
And I wonder just how much disappointment is in that "I know"?
Quite a bit. ^_^
<snip>
> "So, what did he called you?"
"Call"
Will fix.
> "I...well..."
>
> "C'mon, girl, spit it out!"
>
> "Well, he called me ... his 'sweet, little bride'."
>
> Integra blinked. "What!?"
The bomb squad later determined that the explosion that levelled the
Helsing estate had its epicenter in the small private kitchen, but found
no residue of explosives.
LOL
> Ceres flinched, alerting Integra to the fact that she had
screeched
> that last statement. She drew a deep breath and composed herself and
> repeated the question in calmer tone. "What?"
>
> "He called me his bride. I'd understand it if you get angry,
> Integra-"
>
> "Why should I be angry? Do I look like I'm angry? Do I sound as if
> I'm angry? Am I angry?"
I don't know, yes, yes, I'm pretty sure yes.
LOL.
> "Er... well..."
>
> "I'm not angry. There. I'm flatly stating it out. I am not angry."
"I'm also lying through my teeth, but we're all going to ignore that,
aren't we?"
Heh.
<snip>
> "I didn't want to worry you about anything." The words tumbled out
> quickly, so that they could not be interrupted. The room settled into
a
> frozen silence.
Not the best choice of words...
> Integra could feel Ceres being scared, a trick she had learned
from
> her mother. Why is she scared of me? I sit with her each morning to
> share tea and she's scared of me. I mean, doesn't the fact that I'm
> willing to spend my time with her signify nothing to her? Why, I
should
> be frightened of her, damned creature of the night that she is.
Another
> bright slash of fear pulsed across Integra's senses and she looked
> across the table at the pale undead girl. Ceres was hiding it well,
but
> she obviously wanted to leave.
You know, Integra, you *might* take this as a hint as to your
interpersonal skills, or lack thereof...
Integra's got that magic touch. You know the same one she shares
with Inquisition torturers... ^_^
<snip>
> "All right, Integra, the next time I want to know anything about
> Alucard, I'll just ask you."
...not going to say it.
She's better off asking Walter. ^_^
> "Good. Now, you want to know why he called you his 'bride'?"
>
> "Well, I think so."
>
> "Most vampire's of your master's age have a... harem of
"Vampires." No '
Will fix.
>fledgeling
> vampires of the opposite sex to... be their companions. They are
usually
> called as either 'brides' or 'grooms'. Alucard had a set of them
before
> he was bound."
>
> "Are they-"
>
> "I said 'had', didn't I?"
>
> "Oh."
>
> "I'd assume you'd want to know what brides did?"
>
> "Well..."
Details! DETAILS!!!!!
Yes. Sordid tales of vampiric sex lives... If I wanted that I'd buy
a Laurell Hamilton book. ^_^
<snip>
> Integra gaped at her. "Still?"
Well, after reading Ch7 and Sappho, we might know the reason for that.
LOL
> "Yes. Why is-"
>
> "One of the more important things that makes a person a prime
> candidate for turning is the fact that he or she has had no sexual
> intercourse in his or her life. A virgin."
>
> Ceres was obviously blinking with the way her eyebrows were going
up
> and down.
>
> "Does that mean Master's a-"
Al: "A-HEM."
Alucard, sitting ominously on his stone throne, sneezed. ^_^
> "No. That's another part of the ritual. The elder is supposed
to...
> deflower the newly turned vampire. Are you sure-"
>
> "We-well, everything was a blur and I- It felt so good when he bit
> me, it was like flying and I got sort of...what's sex supposed to feel
> like, Integra?"
>
> Oh, great. The image of her being a sexual consultant for a
vampire
> was almost too much for her and the absurdity of the situation took
her
> near to the brink of laughter. "I'm not exactly the person to ask that
> particular question."
ROTFL...
I agree with you. ^_^
> "Huh?"
>
> "Let's just say that in some circles I'm called, not exactly
> politely or respectfully, the 'Iron Virgin'."
She's not in bad company. IIRC, they called Queen Elizabeth that,
too.
Never more than once, though...
Integra's, coincidentally enough, a big of old Beth's. ^_^
> "Oh."
>
> "Yes. 'Oh'"
I'm still snickering over this entire conversation.
It's my best attempt at comedic dialogue in the Hellsing universe. The
chapter's technically one big joke actually, included to put a little
lightness in the setting.
> "I mean, you're so beautiful and-"
>
> Integra really didn't need for Ceres to tell her how sexy she was,
> she'd had enough of that during the shopping trip, besides it wasn't
> exactly helpful for her self-control to hear someone she found...
> attractive to tell her that. So, to forestall the incoming barrage of
> praise, she interrupted the young vampire before she could continue.
<snicker>
I agree.
> "We're getting off-topic. Are you sure Alucard didn't..." She left
> the question hanging.
>
> "Pretty sure. I don't exactly check that sort of thing. Maybe you
> can-"
>
> "I'd rather not, thank you."
That *is* sort of an odd request. HELLSING *must* keep at least one
doctor on staff. Then again, s/he's probably not a GYN...
The Hellsing doctor has a freakier reputation than most, which is
quite unfair. The fact that he's name Moreau and dabbles in a few
experiments on his off time does not make him a monster. ^_^
> "Er...ask a doctor to check?"
>
> Integra was thinking of someone else doing the checking, so it was
> with a definite effort that she suppressed a blush.
BWAHAHAAAA!
The exact response I was aiming for. ^_^
> "No. Besides, it
> would be rather moot with your vampiric healing, wouldn't it?"
....ow. I'm a guy, and that made even *me* wince.
Trust me. It hurts.
<snip>
> Then, Ceres blurred with vampiric speed and gave Integra a
friendly
> kiss on the cheek. She then wafted out of the room like the wind.
....ohhh, Ceres, if you only knew what you were doing...
Of course, Integra should realize that Ceres is even lonlier than she
is. But Integra probably doesn't make the connection between "unholy
creature of Darkness" and "human emotions."
Integra's dumb like that. ^_^
> The last Helsing was frozen. Then, with arctic slowness, she
reached
> up to feel the cold place where dead lips had kissed her. With Ceres'
> departure, everything seemed to go to normal. She abruptly realized
what
> she had just shared with the young vampire and the strange combined
> emotions of horror and pleasure enveloped her.
Heh heh heh.
> For some strange reason, she had this urge to slam her head on the
> table. Repeatedly. A question ran on endless repeat in her mind.
>
> Why do I keep on doing this?
What, she's done it before? Did she have a huge schoolgirl crush on
Al
or something.
More like why does she keep on having tea with Ceres. ^_^
Anyway, again, great C&C!
Next!
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