Chapter 21 – Unexpected Conversations
After Katherine left his room, Walter headed to the infirmary, knowing Integra would require the surgeon's approval for him to return to work. He was fortunate that Dr. Trevalian was in his office.
The physician brought him to an examining room and had Walter remove his shirt and vest. The physician stripped off the bandage and whistled softly at the wound. It looked as if it had occurred at least two weeks ago rather than the previous day. There was no need to put another bandage on it.
"I would like to perform some tests, Walter. You've had an amazing experience, and I would like to analyze and document the results."
To the physician's surprise and disappointment, Walter respectfully declined after a moment. Unless Sir Integra ordered otherwise, he chose not to expose the American as a potential test subject, and too much documentation could put her at risk.
Dr. Trevalian was not pleased, but could not compel the tests for any reason other than his own curiosity. He reluctantly gave his approval for Walter to return work, but made a notation to follow up with Sir Hellsing in case she would be willing to overrule Walter's decision.
Not knowing if Sir Integra had been given her afternoon tea, he decided to stop in her room first before heading to the kitchen. She greeted with another unexpected and breathtaking smile, happy to see him so well recovered. He was pleased to see a tea tray on her desk, relieved that she hadn't been neglected.
"Walter, please come in. How was your conversation with Ms. Wilde?"
"Enlightening, Sir Integra" he responded calmly.
"How do you feel about suddenly becoming a decade younger? Or haven't you had time to consider it?"
"I cannot honestly say that I am dissatisfied with the change" he murmured with a small smile. "Dr. Trevalian authorized my return to duty based on the speed of my recovery."
"Then let me catch you up on what's happened in the last 24 hours" she responded immediately moving into her director mode. "The man who shot you was part of the conspiracy. He joined Sir Island's staff only three months ago and we are still validating his background information. Apparently, he had a minor explosive device implanted in or about his body, although the initial autopsy results imply it was inside. Katherine's kei'dran was able to trace the signal for the device to a satellite, but no further. At this time, we are assuming it was the same Millennium group that attacked the manor earlier this year, this time attempting a pre-emptive strike against the entire Order and Council."
"Katherine has also asked whether we would like to have her kael'dran or kei'dran investigate everyone on the estate to rule out a traitor in our midst. I am still considering that request, but after living with Alucard's intrusions in my mind all these years, I may not be objective about the issue. What are your thoughts?"
He considered thoughtfully. "It depends how intrusive the mental investigation would be. We could ask for a volunteer and determine the effects. If not uncomfortable, traumatic or harmful, it might be an avenue to pursue. I would be willing to volunteer, of course."
"Hmm, I'll consider it Walter. You've been through enough though. Perhaps I'll ask the Captain of the Wild Geese to volunteer."
"What about the barriers that locked out Alucard and blocked Miss Katherine's abilities" he asked?
"She was quite concerned about that as well. She thinks it might be a form of witchcraft and was going to follow up with some colleagues in the United States. Perhaps you could check our library as well."
"Of course, Sir Integra." He stood up asking "Is there anything else you would like me to pursue?"
"Not yet, thank you." He turned to leave, then paused as she asked "Walter, did Katherine say why she donated blood to you?"
"No Sir Integra, the topic did not come up."
"Odd, isn't it" she commented. "Your life wasn't in danger. I did ask the question though." Walter waited patiently. "She only said it seemed like an appropriate action at the time." She looked at him curiously, but couldn't read his impassive face. "Thank you, Walter. Please let me know if you find anything in our library about the barriers."
Walter headed immediately to the library to begin his research. The warm afternoon sun caused the room to feel stuffy, so he opened several windows allowing in a fresh breeze while he searched.
He pulled half a dozen books from the shelf and brought them to a table near the window to peruse. Outside, he could hear the Hellsing troops beginning evening training maneuvers.
He heard a song being hummed just outside the window, recognizing Seras Victor without difficultly and was pleased she was in a happy mood. The young draculina struggled so with her new life or unlife. Another cheerful voice drifted through the window as well.
"Good evening Miss Victoria! It is a pleasure to see you again. That's a very pretty tune you're humming."
"Oh, hello Miss Wilde! I didn't realize you were here" he heard Seras say timidly.
"Yes, Sir Integra was kind enough to invite me to stay for a few days." Walter could hear the smile in the American's voice.
"Are you one of us, Miss Wilde? I mean, are you a hunter? Do you fight vampires and impure things?"
"What am I? That's a very good question, Miss Victoria. Like most people, I'm very many things, but protecting and guarding innocents is one of the roles I take most seriously."
Katherine looked at the other woman and tipped her head. "What are you, Miss Victoria?"
"I…I…I'm a member of Hellsing", Seras finally stammered.
"And what do you want to be? What do you want out of life?" questioned Katherine.
"I…" Seras hesitated and then tried to think. What did she want? "I want to make my Master and Sir Integra proud of me. But I don't want to drink blood and that makes them disappointed in me instead."
"Why are you afraid to drink the appropriate nourishment? It's a donation, not something that is taken unwillingly." Katherine kept her voice soft and non-judgmental, trying to soothe the uncomfortable young woman.
"I don't want to lose what remains of my humanity" Seras muttered. "I don't want to become a monster that scares people, makes them turn from me in disgust or fear."
Katherine moved to the young woman and impulsively took both her hands. "As long as you care about people, as long as you have compassion towards others and an interest in those around you, you will never lose your humanity. It's not what you eat, but how you behave."
Seras looked unconvinced, almost stubborn and Katherine smiled warmly at her, dropping her hands as it seemed to make her uncomfortable. "Tell me, Miss Victoria, if you discovered that I preferred a thick steak to stir fry vegetables, would you think any less of me?"
"No, of course not!"
"What about someone who has an allergy to dairy products? Would you despise them?"
"No! That would just be silly."
"So why do you not trust those that care about you to feel the same way?"
"It…it's not the same…"
"Why is it different? You will get ill eating normal human foods. How is that different from someone with food allergies?"
"But…"
"Would Sir Integra be pleased if you consumed suitable provisions?"
"Yes, I think she's upset that I won't."
"Do you think Walter would be frightened of you if you drank what you need?"
In the library, Walter stopped looking at the books as his own name was mentioned. He had been aware of the background conversation, but now stopped to actively listen.
"I…I don't think so. He actually brings it to me every day."
"Is Walter someone you can trust and respect?"
"Oh, of course! He's one of the nicest people I've ever met!"
"Even though he can make deadly weapons that kill? Even though he has the ability to kill others himself?"
"But..he's not like that. He's skilled, but not evil. I would trust him with my life."
"If you respect him, can you not also trust his nature and know he simply accepts that you need a specific diet to be the best Hellsing agent you can be?"
"I…you..but…" Seras fumbled for the right words and failed finally saying "You're sneaky, Miss Wilde!"
Katherine laughed her rich velvety laugh and gave the little draculina a hug. "Aren't I though?"
Seras looked curiously at Katherine. "You seem to know a lot about Walter. Do you…like him Miss Wilde?"
Walter raised an eyebrow at the question and realized he should move away from the window. Eavesdropping about oneself was quite inappropriate.
"Yes, of course I do. He's an admirable man." Katherine replied immediately with unfeigned sincerity leaving Walter with a sense of relief and pleasure. Then his normally impassive eyes widened with surprise at Seras' next question.
"Umm…I mean…do you…fancy…him?"
Walter jumped and twisted in his chair as a loud hiss of laughter exploded immediately behind him.
Alucard had wandered into the library a minute earlier, and had noticed his old friend with books out. He sauntered over to see what he was doing and had several surprises. The first was how good his old friend looked. The second was that he smelled different. After so many decades, he was familiar with Walter's scent and it had changed. From behind Walter, he inhaled and recognized the faint scent of the American elementalist's unique blood in his veins. He grinned broadly at the implications.
When Walter turned his head to the window, Alucard listened to the conversation with him and as the last question was asked, he gave a hiss of laughter, startling Walter so much that he jumped as he turned towards the sound.
"Alucard", Walter nodded at him, rather embarrassed at having been eavesdropping and trying not to be upset that he missed Katherine's reply to the last question. Alucard responded by smirking and pointing at him, as his shoulders shook with silent laughter.
"Oh Angel…" He shook his finger in Walter's face, laughing more loudly as Walter batted the offending finger away in exasperation.