"Drink it."
"No."
"Drink it."
"No."
Seras Victoria and her master sized each other up, both wearing fierce and almost identical scowls. The argument had become a daily occurrence, and no matter how angry Alucard grew, Seras held to her decision not to drink blood.
"Police Girl, do you understand what will happen if you do not drink?"
"I'll become weaker..."
"Yes, and you will die."
She flinched at the word, turning her crystal gaze to the floor.
"You fear death, don't you?" Alucard asked quietly. "Why resist the call? Live if you wish to live. Take the blood."
"I... I can't..." she murmured, balling her fingers into fists. "It would be like living... without living. A half-life."
"There is no other choice before you. That half-life is your destiny, and if you do not accept it, you will not survive this world for long."
"And if I choose not to survive?" she asked in spite of herself.
The click of a gun made her look up, and she found herself peering down the barrel of Alucard's Jackal. "I can kill you right now," he prompted, "if that is your desire. This will be your second and final choice, Police Girl. Do you want to come with me?"
"Ma-Master...!" she stammered, eyes growing wide. "You w-wouldn't..."
"No, only you can make this decision," he said calmly. "It is one or the other. Either you are a vampire, or you are dust. I will no longer tolerate this behavior."
"But Master-!"
"Silence servant! Give me your answer!"
"Master, I can't!"
"Now, Police Girl!"
"Master..."
"Have you decided?"
Seras knew that there were crimson tears pouring down her cheeks as she rose from the chair. She kept her head down as she took a few steps toward him, and then knelt on the floor at his feet. She could feel his eyes piercing her, perhaps with curiosity, perhaps with distaste. She didn't care really. Right now, she didn't care what he thought of her.
Finally, summoning what courage she could, she jerked her head upwards and met his gaze. "I wish to remain with you, Master," she said solemnly.
"And you will drink when you are told?"
"Y-yes, Master," she agreed, her throat burning.
"Then do so. Drink the blood."
She rose, her entire body shaking, and picked up the clear plastic packet of blood lying on the table. She raised it to her lips, knowing that he was watching her, and extended her fangs. Their tips brushed against the plastic, hesitantly and almost teasingly, for a part of her wanted this as much as he did. The same part that couldn't say 'kill me'. The same part that lived only for him, only to please him.
And in the end, that was what she wanted more than anything, to see him look at her with something other than disdain. She slowly sank her teeth into the cool dark liquid and quenched her roaring thirst.
A gloved hand rested on her shoulder, and lips brushed against her ear. "Well done, Seras Victoria."
As much as she hated to admit it, those words meant so much more to her than her humanity did.