"Sir Hellsing, I have a letter for you," Walter said through the door.
"Walter I am very busy, I don't have time," Sir Hellsing said as she placed her hand for to her forehead.
"Sir Hellsing the letter is from Athena, it was personally delivered," Walter said cutting Integra off.
"What? Who delivered it," Integra asked throwing open the office door.
"Captain Cathal dropped it off," replied Walter handing her the letter.
Integra instantly opened the letter. She knew Captain Cathal was Athena's top captain, and she wouldn't send her, if it wasn't important. Captain Bryna Cathal had been with Athena's agency since she was little. Bryna, Athena, and Integra had met each other on several occasions as they grew up, since all three families were in the same business.
Slowly Integra unfolded the letter, ripping the Greek Ambrose emblem, and read it.
Integra,
I'm sure as you are reading this you are assuming I am in a terrible predicament or something of the sort, but this is not the case. I am writing you to ask you for a favor, and to invite you to a celebration. As always anyone you wish to bring is welcome. The event will commence in two days around sundown. If you absolutely cannot make it, then please call me immediately. This is of a very important matter to me Integra, and you know I wouldn't bother you if it wasn't. I hope to see you around six tomorrow.
As always,
Athena Drea Ambrose
"Walter," Integra said as she stared at the curling letters. "Please make a call; we need to fly out immediately to Meteora Greece. Tell Alucard and Seras they will be going with us."
"Yes, Sir Hellsing."
With that said Integra turned immediately and headed to her room to pack. As she threw in her last bit of necessities the phone next to the bed rang.
"Yes Walter," she said answering the phone hurriedly.
"Sir Hellsing, Pip has requested to join us, is that alright," Walter asked peacefully.
"Yes, of course. Athena loves company," she replied smiling slightly.
It's been years since I've heard word from her. Integra thought letting the smile linger on her face.
Athena had often lent troops and supplies to Integra when she was in need. She had even offered to send a vampire in dire circumstances. Athena was by far Hellsing's greatest connection.
Integra wiped the smile of her face as she joined the others in the car. It was a nice October evening; the leaves were just now changing. Integra looked at Walter, who was humming and smiling. This confirmed her suspicions about Walter's excitement over this trip. Walter had often taken care of Athena when her butler Willow was out on a mission. Walter also had enjoyed Willow's company for she was a proud proper and intelligent lady who would talk with him of the old days and share her secrets on her irresistible tea.
The ride was silent until Seras found herself unable to contain her questions.
"Why must we drop everything for this person," asked Seras.
Seras knew Integra never dropped everything at once for anyone. Not once, even if they were dying.
"Because Seras, Athena is a dear friend of mine. She has never asked me for anything. Not once. She has lent us aid, and offered her strongest weapon to us," Integra answered coolly lighting a cigarette and not looking at Seras.
"Weapon," Seras said confusedly.
"Well, in a way yes. Her name is Lydia. She is very similar to Alucard in some ways, from what I understand. I have never met her but from what Athena tells me she is extremely valuable both as a possession and as a friend."
"Great, another vampire," Pip said with a sigh.
Alucard began to smile.
"Perhaps, this will be more interesting than I thought," he said in a sly tone that caused Integra to shoot a look at him.
"You will not lay a hand on her Alucard. She is no young vampire. You will respect her like it or not," Integra replied sharply.
Alucard frowned. He did not expect Integra to act so harshly to his comment.
The remainder of the trip was in complete silence. Seras was too busy worrying about this new vampire to ask any more questions. Alucard was trying to determine how he would keep from boredom, while Integra and Walter ran through memories of old.
"Will," Athena said as Willow arrived in the office with tea and blood for the soon to arrive guests.
"Yes Master Ambrose," Willow replied.
"Has Lydia gotten herself ready yet," Athena asked staring out the window at the home were Lydia lived.
"I believe so. She is currently in the garden of her home with the children. They were all crying this morning," Willow replied.
"Yes I know, but Lydia needs this, she is bored and overworked. The last time she was allowed out on her own was seventy five years ago," Athena said.
"I know Mistress," Willow said pausing. "Our guests are here. I shall bring them up. Lydia should be in shortly after she returns the children to Madrona."
With that said Willow left the office and proceeded to the foyer where she opened the door before Integra could raise her hand to knock. A smile on her face accompanied by a hug to each warmly greeted Walter and Integra. The hug and warm greeting shocked Alucard, Seras and Pip. They had never seen either of them participate in such an action.
Alucard slowly observed the woman, she appeared to be around Walter's age, but her age was only shown in her eyes and hair. Her eyes were green and lively but showed the wisdom that only comes with age. The women's hair was grey, but it was much closer to the color of the white fluffy snow topping the mountains of the area. Her height was also peculiar; she stood close to Walter's height.
Willow turned quickly, leading them down the Victorian decorated hallway to the office...
"Come in, the tea and blood are already upstairs, as is a bottle of Lydia's favorite wine. Athena is currently waiting for you, and Lydia will be in shortly," Willow said as she led the group to the office.
As they entered Athena stood and welcomed them to sit. She to greeted and was greeted with smiles and hugs. Athena then handed a single sheet of paper to Integra.
As Athena handed the paper to Integra, Alucard, Seras, and Pip took in the woman. Her smooth brown hair was swept neatly into a bun. Her eyes were grey but the life in them gave them a silvery tone. Athena stood at an equal size to Integra easily. Athena was wearing a military dress like uniform. The uniform was marked with several symbols including her family's seal. The biggest difference between the two women was that Athena gave off a softer less sharp feel than Integra did.
"The favor I have to ask of you is to allow my servant Lydia to take a vacation and stay with you. She will be at your services as payment for her stay. Lydia has become bored and restless with our late lack of activity, and I feel she deserves a sort of vacation if you will. She shouldn't be of any trouble. Her peculiarities tend to not affect those around her at all. She's very much a self service type of woman."
Integra scanned the paper.
Name: Lydia Irene Evania
Age: 557
Birth date: October 18th, 1450
Death date: February 14th, 1476
Height: 6'3"
Weight?????
Hair color: Dark Brown
Eye color: Blue
Master: Athena Drea Ambrose
Birth place: Meteora, Greece
Current living space: Grevena, Greece
Blood specifications: Three tablespoons of chosen wine with blood. Must be served in clean wine glass.
Sleeping arrangement: Must have one heavily curtained window and only sleeps in her original bed. Only sleeps one day a week.
Interest: Knowledge
Hobby: Music, reading, and painting.
Skills: Can play any instrument, fight with any weapon, can draw or paint with any substance, speaks numerous languages, and sings numerous songs
Weapons: Two guns. Morpheus and Hecate.
Special note: Lydia is capable of reproduction.
"Is that all she needs," Integra asked with a small smile.
"Yes. That and protection while she's weak for specially noted reasons," Athena replied in a serious tone.
"Well I doubt it will be a problem at all. I was expecting something bigger than this Athena," Integra said.
Athena laughed.
"Oh this is very big my friend. I trust you with my families most valued member. Lydia is not just our servant. She is a part of this family. I am expecting her back in one piece. You may enter Lydia, you drink is on the table," Athena said.
The doors opened again. Alucard turned his attention to watch over his glasses as Lydia entered. She was wearing a white blouse and jeans. Lydia stood slightly shorter than him, but that wasn't the first shock he got, nor was he the only one shocked. Lydia had tanned skin and blue eyes. Her presence was very alluring to Alucard. Her eyes bore a look of true wisdom, and her body an unspoken beauty. Her long dark chocolate brown hair reached her waist. Lydia's eyes were a deep sensational blue that not only spoke her wisdom but her beauty. But none of that was what truly perplexed him. What truly perplexed him was her sun kissed skin. But he wasn't the only one. All eyes remained on Lydia; she was truly a sight to see, especially since she was supposedly a vampire.
Lydia immediately bowed to her master and then passed her to sip down the blood in the wine glass on the table.
"Lydia, I would like to introduce you to Integra Wingates Hellsing, her butler Walter Dolnez, Hellsing's weapon Alucard, and Alucard's fledgling Seras," Athena said pointing to each as she went.
Lydia greeted Integra and Walter with a bow, which to Alucard's surprise was truly meant to honor. She greeted Alucard with a bow of the head, and Seras with the same.
Alucard smiled, she was undeniably a woman of her age.
"It is a pleasure to finally meet you Sir Hellsing," Lydia said bowing again to Integra.
"Likewise," replied Integra smiling.
"Thank you with supplying me with this vacation, both of you," Lydia said taking a seat.
Integra smiled, she hadn't had a true bow of honor form anyone except Walter in years.
"It will be an honor to have you on our team for a time," Integra replied.
A sudden interruption brought an unhappy glare to Lydia's face. Two of Athena's newly acquired and trained vampires entered.
"It'll be time to go soon Lydia," One said impatiently taping her foot.
Lydia turned to her master, wrinkling her nose a bit.
"Must I do this Master," she implored.
"Yes you must. You need to relax; you've been lurking in the halls to often lately. Now go with them and get ready," Athena ordered.
"Yes, my master," Lydia replied with a deep sigh.