Chapter 2: She walks the day

Present day:

Pip thought his head was about to explode. What could he say, what would be appropriate in this kind of situation? Small-talk was never the frenchman´s best area, but this was so awkward. All she did was sitting there, silent in the seat right before him. Even though the curtains was drawn, blocking both sunlight and view she still looked in the direction of the window. She wore an expression of train cabinet room was of brown colour and it was clear that this was a luxury room. "Well, where is the other one?" Pip started with a shaky voice. Trying to lift the atmosphere a little She then turned her look and directed it toward Pip. Its was like he could not move or breathe. Suddenly all the hair on his body stood up, as she stared at him. It was like a hypnosis. Just like that night he felt like running away from her in fear. she then tapped her finger in direction to the floor. "have you not read literature? He can't stand the sun at all." She then smiled a sad smile, while leaning her head in her hand. "He walks the night, so the at this time of the hour.. He sleeps." The way she spoke in soft matter about the creature created a unknown feeling in Pip´s stomach. Did she know him well, since she spoke so lovingly about him? Where they friends, or perhaps lovers. No, that can't be. As Pip studied her as her mind drifted elsewhere, he then suddenly realised something. "But, you´re here. During daytime I mean. Does that mean… That you´re not like that then?" Pip said while scratching the back of his neck. She only sighed. "I have wondered many times why, but when I step into the light. I have to leave him in shadows. Thats why I choose the night, even though I can walk during daytime, because I don't like for him to walk alone. So usually don't. Call this an exception, since I wouldn't voluntarily leave his life in the hands of someone like you." She said strictly. Lets just settle with that they know each other for the time present, and worry about details later. Pip thought. Wait, was that an insult? in his hands, like he where a weakling who couldn't do his job, which was just to protect the two immortals from any kind of assault. Well, in Pip´s eyes it was he who needed the protection, not them. It had somehow seemed that Sir Integer valued them both greatly, or was it just that she didn't trust them enough to go on their own. "I don't mean that in a mean way, its just that I don't know you, considering that Master Alucard and I would have no problem at all going alone." She said as she could have just said directly to him that he was useless, his only function as a monitor over them it seemed. "Master Alucard?" Pip asked, and she looked at him again without responding. "Is he the one that turned you then?" She did not however answer this time either. She only closed her eyes. "Yes." She whispered.

Pip knew from that day onward that he despised the monster. Why she seemed so fond of him he did not understand, he had practically doomed her soul forever. Trying to understand everything, he was still curious about this girl. How did she become like this? and then he remembered Sir Integra´s warning before leaving the mansion. Whatever you do Pip, don't question or ask about Seras past in front of Alucard. I have known them both since I was thirteen, and do not question me when I say, that you do wise to show no interest at all towards those creatures. Just stay away. But he could not help himself, she only spiked the interest of his unanswered questions. What was this? What did they mean to each other? How in the world did such a corrupted creature find this lovely girl, that once was human. And take her soul in all his selfishness. Pip grimaced and his disgust was clearly shown on his face. "What is your name?" She then said quietly. Pip jumped out of his head and looked at her once more. "My name is Pip Bernadotte." She then took his hand. "Pip Bernadotte.. Please do not act the way you think. For you will never understand. Just try to stay away. Its for your own good, believe me." She said while staring into his eyes. Had she read his mind? His thoughts? But the anger did not fade with her soft words. He hated Alucard, for what he had done to the girl. She was right, he would never understand that kind of cruelty. Pip pictured the crimson eyes, that only beamed with evil.

Victoria Manor, London 1843:

"Mary would you be so kind to inform my dear wife and Julia, that we are going to be late!" Her father said beside his daughter as they all awaited the grand entry of Charlotte and Julia Victoria. The maid nodded and stood up from her seat leaving the room. "She´s always like this. I was a fool for thinking that it would stop after we married. A fool indeed for thinking it was me she dressed up for me alone." He gave the eldest daughter a smile. and she laughed at her fathers joke. And then finally they both entered the hall with striking dresses. The mother feared a pink velour dress with plenty of ribbons and bows on it, her long brown locks where curled as she spun around. The daughters dress was in red silk, as Seras eyes stared win amazement on how alike they truly were. then suddenly her mother beheld her with wide eyes. "No.. I do hope you are joking Seras? why are you not wearing the dress I bought for you? And of all the others you chose ´that one´?" The corners of Julias mouth turned a bit upwards as the mother sighed. "What is wrong with this dress? Its just a ball Mama." Surely Seras had intentionally put on one of her more simple evening dresses, when she saw the dress the mother had picked out for her. "No daughter of mine, shall leave this house in a mere gown like that. When you´re married you can do whatever you want sears, no go change and we can finally start working on the matter." Her father let out a tired moan that only a man would do, in such a situation. "Charlotte let her go like this, Seras feel more comfortable this way.." Seras gave her father a compassionate look, but then she knew they all had to give into their mother at some point. "I´ll go change then." Julia smile faded, and she looked at her father. "But we are already late, father." He looked again at his wife. "Those who wait, does not wait in vain my dear. God did not give me such a beautiful daughter so she could wear rifles, oh no."

The carriage had arrived, and the four passengers had heard the music all the way from London. Walking through the gates and up to the mansion, they were greeted by one of the maids that took care of their coats. Mr. and Mrs. Victoria was at once greeted by the host and his wife. "I am so glad you accepted the invitation friend." The older man said through his white beard. "Of course, Sir. Grabor, it we who should say thanks to you Sir. My Lady." Charlotte bowed. "We brought our daughters as requested, I hope Elizabeth and Clair is here to join them tonight?" Julia was the first to arrive in front of the hosts. She bowed as the elderly couple gave her a smile, when she looked up again she realised that their gaze had somewhat shifted to a more interesting person. Seras had joined them. Jealousy welled in the younger sister gut as she sneaked a peek of her older sister. The dress her mother had bought was absolutely astounding. It was creamy blue, with white details. her golden hair curled only at the bottom. But that was the magic about Seras, she could wear anything, or refuse to bathe for days and she would still look breathtaking. In many ways, Julia cursed her sister for her beauty and charm. Why did Seras have to be her sister of all people? This was her moment to shine, her first ball. More people gathered around, and the"Oh my, Seras Victoria. What a sight. Where did you buy that dress?.." As a group of girls walked Seras away with grasp of her elbows. She turned to look at her sister, who could do all but give her elder sister a hand gesture much like a wave.

Since the upper class socialite girls had given up Seras disinterest in their small talk and gossip, Seras now roamed the room freely. She suddenly spotted her younger sister talking with two men, known through her fathers firm. Julia was smiling and laughing, and she could not help but to smile as well. Well done Julia. The younger sister then suddenly noticed Seras, and ended the conversation swiftly with the two boys to join her sister. "Oh Seras, you won't believe it. I just heard from Thomas and James." Julia took her by the arm and they walked up to a corner in the hall. "What is it?" The elder sister asked in a monotone way, knowing that Julia had just been informed of the lastest gossip within the four walls. "Sir Grabor have a invited a foreign friend of his. They say he´s a prince!" Julia waved with her hand to gather some air, from the excitement and the very tight corset. "Christine have already seen him, she says that he is young, beautiful with long black hair and he was absolutely breathtaking." Seras didn't know weather to laugh or not. Julia might find her knight in shining armour after all, and a prince no less. What where the odds. "Oh really, I must go find him. Charm him, and maybe he´ll take me back to his castle and make me queen. Can you imagine?.. Seras?…" The younger sister watched as Seras eyes went wide, for she was unable to move and speak. The air was cold and Seras could not feel her feet anymore, and all her hair stood up as shivers went down her spine. What was this feeling? It was fear. Run! Every cell in her body screamed for her to run, but she could not move. It was like she had lost control over her body. Then suddenly she turned around. A very tall man, with an alarming grin on his face. He was facing Seras and stood only a few meters away. He had red glasses, long locks of black raven hair. White skin and a grand cape in crimson velour and well as a jewelled walking stick. White gloves with almost a ring on each finger. There was no doubt that this was a man of wealth. No, this was royalty. He bowed in front of her. His face was young, yet somehow he looked old. If Seras was too guess, she would have settled on anything between twenty and fourty. "Miss Victoria." He said, with a musky voice that melted her bones as much as he terrified her. "May I have the next dance?" Seres could hear that he spoke in somewhat an eastern accent, then followed by the gasp from her sister at her side. Seres head nodded on its own accord and the grin became even wider. he took her hand. he stroked his thumb over her bare skin, as she did all in her power not to flinch. he then led her hand upwards and bent down to kiss it. but instead of kissing the back of the palm, he turned her hand and kissed her wrist right over her pulse. she exhaled as he led her out on the dancing floor.

The whole world faded next to him. in their waltz he led her as if she was as light as a feather. She looked at him in puzzlement, as she could not take her eyes off him. "What are you, why do you make me this way?" she whispered, and then she suddenly realised that she had said those words outlaid instead of her mind. Then she felt him getting more close than appropriate. When he was close to her ear he whispered. "Do you fear me?" She then pushed him a little and gently away from herself, well aware they were being eyed by everyone in the room. "No, I´m just curious." He then chuckled a little before tightening his grip on her hand and waist. "Then I shall ask you the very same question, Miss Victoria. What are you? And why are you making me this way?" He grinned, and Seras just hated the fact that she could not see his eyes. She wanted to know what he was thinking and what he was feeling. Then suddenly he had stopped and he looked through her with a angered expression on his face. "Well, I hate to do this after only just meeting you. But I need to make my leave, I´d rather not deal with those people and dance with you all night, but it seems faith won't allow it my dear." He said, and as quickly as he had stood before her he had left without a trace. Seres looked around only to spot an old friend of her grandfather, Abraham Van Hellsing.