Taking pride in sin
wedon't own Hellsing- no one here does either for that matter!
Integra walked into the outdoor patio of the restaurant, making sure she wasn't followed.
Many of the tables were empty and she had a habit of taking one that was. She really had no business sitting with someone when she was in a hurry, like the busy woman she was. However today was different. Given the circumstances that twelve of her men were sent to Rome and returned in body bags, she wanted to settle things with the arch bishop for good.
She took a vacant table on the outside, where she could see the scenery. Pulling out her chair she sat down comfortably, folding one leg over the other. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a metal container. She placed it onto the table and opened the lid. She removed one of the small cigars and brought it to her mouth. She moved her hands back down into the pocket and pulled out a small box of matches. She lit one and brought it up to the cigar.
"Didn't anyone teach you not to play with fire, you pagan trash rat?" she looked up to see the bishop Enrico Maxwell pulling up his chair on the other side of the table. He too had a small cigar in his mouth. He had sunglasses on and his hair was back in the usual ponytail. She lit her cigar and handed the match to him whom he gladly received from her.
"What is it you are going to do in return for killing my men you mangy mouse?" she asked him, removing the cigar from her lips. He rubbed the match into the ash tray. Maxwell leaned back onto the chair and the waitress came by placing the waters onto the table. She pushed the menus in front of both of the customers and left.
"What is it you would like from me?" he asked removing his sunglasses. He leaned forward and gently picked up the menu. Integra ran her finger down the set of choices and stopped when she found something fit. She closed her menu and looked up at the arch bishop whose menu was covering his face.
"You broke an important part of our treaty yet again Maxwell." Integra slammed her fist onto the table. Her glasses slid down the bridge of her nose and she pushed them back up. Maxwell put the menu down and placed his hand over it.
"Are you ready to order?" the waitress asked. She held a note pad in one hand and a pen in the other. Integra removed her hand from the table and placed her finger on the item she wanted. The waitress leaned forward to look at it and scribbled it down. "Anything you care to drink?"
"No, just water," Integra's glasses flashed at the man across from her. Integra handed the menu to the waitress and the waitress gathered it into her arms. She turned to the man and moved her pen into position.
"And what would you like sir?" she asked. Integra placed the cigar back into the corner of her mouth and inhaled the intoxicating scent into her lungs. Maxwell mumbled his order to the waitress who wrote it onto the pad and gathered the last menu into her hands. She left and Maxwell placed his own cigar into his mouth. Integra removed hers and blew out the smoke.
"I wish to replace twelve of our own best military officers for the one's we killed." Maxwell garbled with the cigar still in his mouth. "Would that be in your best interest?" he asked looking sir Integra in the eye. Her eyes were hard, no doubt why she lived up to her reputation as the woman of steel.
"Yes, I believe that is suitable." She agreed. She placed the cigar into the ash tray and rubbed it into the glass. The tip of it smoldered for half a second before turning grey. She retrieved her hand and placed it into her lap. Maxwell removed the small cigar from his mouth and held it in between his fingers, his elbow resting on the table top.
"Shall you try in wisp of this lady Integra," he said while offering the cigar to the stiff woman. "It has vanilla mixed into the leaves," he exchanged the cigar to the woman in front of him. She reached out with her soft gloved hands and picked the cigar up. She lifted it into her mouth and inhaled. It was a scent from heaven; it was warm and mesmerizing and sent her into bliss. She closed her eyes and removed the cigar from her mouth. She exhaled the smoke and handed the cigar back to Maxwell.
"You know as well as I do that this meeting isn't supposed to take place," Integra told the man across the table who had put the cigar back into his mouth. "The queen is holding a ball for all the knights of the round table and other esteemed delegates from countries we have friendly ties to. Shall you wish to come; I will see to it that you are placed into the guest list?" Integra folded her hands onto her knees. Her glasses were beaming and Maxwell looked into them.
Maxwell nodded. He looked at the woman of steel and then reminded himself she was of the protestant church. Yet for some reason behind the stern face she held, he saw a clever woman who was more relaxed and at ease. The corner of her mouth twitched. Maxwell was sure he saw it. It was the closest thing to a smile and he was sure he caught it.
Then the plates of food were delivered. Integra's meatloaf was placed in front of her and she placed the napkin into her lap. Maxwell's lasagna was put onto the table and he beckoned the waitress to lean closer to him. He whispered something into her ear and the waitress nodded with a smile. She disappeared and Maxwell placed his napkin onto his lap.
Integra watched as the bishop leaned over and picked up a box about a foot long and opened the lid. He pushed some tissue paper to the side and pulled out the top to what looked like a wine bottle. The waitress came back to the table with two wine glasses and the bishop tipped her five pounds. He pulled the bottle completely from the box and popped the crest off. He poured the dark red liquid into the glass and handed it to Integra. She took it from him with a smirk and Maxwell poured himself a glass. He raised the glass into the air and Integra followed in the suit.
"A toast to the treaty and to the upcoming ball," they clanked their glasses together. And they both reclined while sipping the wine gently. Integra pulled back from her glass, the wine stained on her lips and she toweled it off with her white napkin. Maxwell took and extra gulp and set it down onto the table. He picked up his fork and knife and cut into his lasagna. He took a piece and placed it into his mouth, chewing delicately while Integra looked on.
She took her knife and jabbed the meat loaf which was still steaming. She punctured it with her fork and raised it to her mouth. She kept her eyes on Maxwell whose cigar was burning itself out on the ash tray.
Meanwhile…….
Anderson, Alucard and Seras were all hunched over a white table twenty feet away from the two religious leaders. Anderson was glaring at Alucard and Alucard was staring at Seras who kept her cards out of Alucard's view. Seras looked down at the board and placed two cards onto the pile of other cards known as the crib (this is an actual game called cribbage. And I hope I got this down right…I haven't played it in ages).
"Anderson, go already," the blonde vampire pushed.
"Aye slow yer roll, ye heathen," he protested. He placed his cards down onto the table. "Fifteen tew, fifteen four, ah pair is six, an ah pair is eight." He moved his peg eight spaces and plugged it into the hole.
"Good," Alucard spat. "Cause you're going to need that crib to beat this. Fifteen two, fifteen four, fifteen six, fifteen eight, a pair is ten, another pair is twelve and they are all in the same suit as the jack which is fourteen. Screw you ya loser!" he moved his peg fourteen spaces and Seras sighed.
"All four cards are fives," she paused.
"So you want to help me count, Alucard?" she teased. She laid them onto the table and pressed her fingers on all the possible points the cards could add up.
"Fifteen twelve." (I hope that's right) she grinned. She was still ahead of everybody and she loved beating the guys. It made her feel better.
"Alright you dumbass priest, show us your crib," Alucard griped. Seras looked over at Alucard who seemed grumpier than usual.
"Thou must have patience, say tho lord," Anderson flipped over the small pile of cards.
"Damn you little heathen, you didn't help me hand." Seras giggled while Alucard inched away from her. Anderson scanned over the cards and rested them over the table as Alucard was gathering the rest.
"Fifteen tew, thaz all aye see," Anderson threw the cards at Alucard who gathered them up and shuffled them. Seras started to tap her nails onto the table and Alucard stopped shuffling.
Seras looked over at Alucard who was becoming excited.
"Hey Anderson," Alucard handed the cards over to Seras who cut the deck. His eyes glanced over to Seras's skirt which began to ride up and she struggled to keep it down. He blushed and shook his mind out of the gutter.
"Did you hear about the upcoming ball that her majesty is hosting?" Seras flipped the top card over and it was a jack.
"Man is luck on my side today," she smiled. "I guess I should go now, huh?" she asked while setting her cards onto the table.
"What of it?" Anderson asked.
"Are you going with Maxwell? He fluttered his eyelids, mocking Anderson. Seras rolled her eyes, appalled at the behavior. She couldn't believe the way he acted sometimes. A quick clatter of footsteps sent Seras's head up from dealing the cards and she turned her head to see the waitress stopped by the table.
"Do you wish to order?" she smiled looking at the three odd people sitting at this distant table. She brought out her note pad and studied the three odd characters. She clicked her pen and brought it to the paper.
Anderson's middle finger flicked upward to show Alucard his appreciation for the joke he just made and picked up his cards with the other. Alucard smiled and picked up his cards Seras stared up and jumped out of her seat. Anderson was so catholic she was sure he would never do anything like that. Alucard saw her leap out of her chair and caught her with the crook of his arm, switching his cards to the other hand.
"Now look what you've done to my innocent fledgling?" he paused. He was laughing so hard on the inside; he thought he was going to crack his rib cage.
"Care to place an order?" the waitress questioned them.
"Absolutely, strawberry champagne for the two of us," he pointed to Seras and himself.
"Care for some, oh Judas priest?" Alucard said mockingly. He turned to the minister, who was still sorting his cards.
"Nye, tho aye would like some scotch," he smiled at the waitress who jotted down the orders. She turned a quick heel and walked away rather briskly. They went back to the game and Anderson settled his cards onto the table.
"Fifteen two, fifteen four, fifteen six and an ace, duce, tres…just enough." She said while pegging the finish line.
"Looks lak yur win, even weethout the crib, Draculina," Anderson remarked while throwing his cards at her. "Let's see what yur got in your crib." She flipped the cards over, peering with utter curiosity, she looked on.
"Fiwteen tew, fiwteen fewr," Seras's head hung.
"And the rest don't score, not a bad crib police girl." Alucard smiled and looked over to her, letting his eyes wander for a moment. She glanced into the crib and found that someone intentionally put in a pair of fives.
"Who put these in here?" Seras asked. She felt Alucard's gaze and looked over to her master who plastered a sarcastic grin onto his already psychotic stare.
Back to Integra………
The waitress came around and removed the empty plates from in front of the two religious leaders. She started to walk away to the table with the three occupants were playing cribbage.
"Here you are," the waitress handed them the bill on a small black tray. Integra took the tray and glanced at it. She lifted her hand, there had been a mistake.
"Excuse me," she raised her voice and the waitress spun around. "Can we have two separate bills?" Integra inquired as the waitress came back. Maxwell stole the bill from sir Integra and smiled at her.
"Oh, don't worry about it," he gently waived and the placed the card delicately onto the tray. He handed it to the waitress who received it and turned away to the kitchen. 'Wow, Maxwell is really outdoing himself,' she thought. She hiccupped and brought a soft white glove to her lips.
He stood up and placed his napkin onto the table. Integra also followed in the same suit. She placed the napkin in front of her, on the table. The waitress came back and handed the bishop his receipt and card.
"The dinner was delicious and the wine was superb," she managed a small smile. Maxwell saw the effort but he wasn't going to chance asking her if she was smiling. He bowed and placed the card into the wallet.
"It is Italian wine," he said while grinning. "I apologize for the loss of your men who were killed in the battalion you sent to Rome. The twelve we are going to sent you shall arrive in two weeks." He placed the wallet into his back pocket and turned towards the card club some twenty feet away.
"Come father Anderson," and Anderson removed himself from the chair and took one last shot in before turning. "It has been a pleasure," Maxwell bowed to Integra. Seras and Alucard both looked up at sir Integra who called on them to follow her. They had left their chairs as well. They began to walk to the car they rode in to get there. Integra turned to follow them. She was half way there when she heard the bishop call her back. She turned to see the Maxwell in front of her.
"Lady Integra Hellsing," he paused and took a breath of air. "As a gentleman, I ask of you, will you be my escort to the ball your good queen was so kind of you to invite me?" Integra blinked twice; obviously the wine had gotten to him.
"As a lady, I accept your invitation," they both stared at each other before walking their separate ways again. Sir Integra walked to the car that was parked next to the curb and opened the door to the driver's seat. She pushed the key into the slot and turned it, starting the car. She pushed the gear shift into reverse and lightly tapped onto the gas petal. The car backed up and she switched to drive. She turned the wheel and drove off into the street. She was so out of it, must have been the wine. Alucard leaned forward and Integra watched as he lifted his arm.
"Did Maxwell ask you out to the ball after you invited him?" he asked. She slammed on the brakes almost missing the stop sign in front of her. She shook her head, and turned to face Alucard.
"Don't distract me!" she shouted and Alucard snickered. He phased into the seat in front of him. She began to push onto the gas petal, aware of the master vampire next to her. She leaned back into the seat and turned into the merging lane.
"You've had too much to drink," he told Integra. "Let me drive before we get pulled over," Integra nodded. She had several glasses of wine and an escort invitation to the ball from Maxwell himself. She pulled over and she climbed into the back. Alucard was in the driver's seat and Seras was riding shot gun. He pulled back onto the busy street once again and Integra fell asleep in the back.
They reached the manor and Alucard parked the car in the driveway. Integra slammed the card door shut after getting herself out and walked up the pathway and into her mansion. Seras looked up to Alucard who was pulling her away from sir Integra. Integra went in and Alucard waited for her to get a head start to her office. Alucard walked in making sure Integra was gone and he was followed by Seras who peered around.
"Did you have an enjoyable evening?" Walter placed the vase he was holding back onto the table. Alucard smirked and tilted his hat towards the butler. "Yes, it was quite a sundown," Seras walked away with Alucard. "Just one week away till the ball," Alucard whispered to Seras as they began to walk towards the library. She looked from his arm up to his face. She smiled and Alucard laughed. "Thank god that we don't have to attend." And Seras cocked her head to the side.
"Actually," Walter walked out of the double wood doors that lead to the library, "sir Integra insists that you go."
"How the hell can you appear and disappear like that Walter?" both Seras and Alucard had jumped back.
"Seras you are going to be babysitting him at the ball. Alucard don't grumble so much, the queen always invites you every year. Was her exact words," he bowed pushed his monocle up from the bridge of his nose.
"Yeah and every year, I have to watch the men make total fools of themselves while trying to ballroom dance with women who are twice as young as them. I am always stuck in the corner dealing with cobwebs and wedges from the pants she buys me." He protested. Seras looked to the side and shuddered. Her master had a way to state things he clearly did not like.
"Oh, it should meet your standards this time, now that you have somebody to go with," and the butler walked off, leaving the two vampires staring at each other in confusion.
Antidote: sir Integra… you take care of the paranormal right?
Sir Integra: yes why? looks suspiciously over her glasses
Poison: you take care of vampires, ghouls, and werewolves right?
Sir Integra: where are you going with this?
Poison Antidote: do you take care of aliens too?
Sir Integra: out of my office you two!
Poison: but sir Integra… there really is an alien in my room! His name is Freddy and he wants to eat my pop tart!
Antidote: yeah and he's green, has one eye, and he's got a goatee!
Sir Integra: grabs gun from her drawer I'll give ya two seconds to scram from my room!