Insight

Hellsing Manor- The Drawing Room

Walter was used to all sorts of strange occurrences poking their nasty, little heads out as the sun set. Night-time emergencies had become his specialty, razor wires and a well-kept pistol never far from his side. He was prepared to stand and defend, eliminate any and all threats to his homestead and to attend to the needs of the military. Tonight, the need was for several, large pots of chai, mounds of sweets, and a full four-course supper for Captain Ari and his crew. The butler was used to feeding the endless stomachs of Hellsing troops and the Wild Geese, but these men were ravenous! They were polite, grateful for the meal after a long, rocky arrival from Pakistan, but they ate like Trojans! Bowls of soup were downed, bread-baskets ravaged, and steaming cups of tea guzzled while the order for a dozen well- done turkey steaks were called for .These were not men-they were bottomless pits!

Captain Bernadette was off to the side with Miss Victoria, a single cup of chai in hand, with an irked expression on his face. He was in no mood for this new company. While they were much better than a pack of drooling Zombies, it was neither the time nor place for dinner parties. It was bad enough that they did not know the plan for the evening, anticipating the worst from either Sir Integra or Lord Hellsing, but the fact that this rolly-polly, obnoxiously cheery mercenary had interrupted his private time with his sweetheart was nearly unforgivable.

"Merde, if I had just had another ten minutes-TEN MINUTES! Is that too much for a man to ask for, some damned private time with his fiancee? I DIDN'T EVEN GET A CHANCE TO FEEL HER UP PROPERLY!!," he silently ranted. The little vampire looked at her mate and cocked her brow.

"Um, honey, you really are thinking much too loudly.," she said softly. The man gripped his cup handle to the point of breaking.

"Sorry, I'm just really frustrated right now..." he replied through gritted teeth. She placed a gloved hand over his.

"So, do you really consider me your fiancee?", she asked. Before he could answer, Captain Ari bellowed out.

"Young lady, I see that you are not eating- are you not hungry?" he questioned between bites of meat and thick gravy.

"I had breakfast a little while ago, Sir. ", she replied politely. The man laughed heartily.

"Breakfast-HA! You British with your dry wit! How fortunate you are Captain, that your lady is so cheerful- not to mention absolutely lovely... " He stabbed the tender meal with his fork and delved into it. "She is such a gracious girl- your skin reminds me of the pearls around Lakshmi's waist and you have the sweetest smile." He raised his cup of chai. "To your bright smile, my dear..." The compliment made the creature flush pink and brought a small grin to her Frenchman. "Not to mention outstanding bosoms..." Ari continued with a smirk. Seras' eyes grew wide and the Captain's jaw dropped .

"Outstanding bosoms!," the Maharajas toasted. Walter shook his head- he was going to add "properly- burying -the -body -of- Captain Rumianni" to his long list of domestic chores for this evening...

Elsewhere- Maximilian Villa, The Gardens-

"Don't be afraid Paul, everything will be alright.," a smooth voice resounded in the dark. The little boy was shaking, not just from the bitter cold, but from icy fear that covered his body. He couldn't speak, a thick strip of rag gagged his mouth. Breathing was difficult, and the heavy scent of tobacco and spices flooded his nose. The tears that had slipped down his cheeks were plastered to his skin in sticky rivers and he could feel the pace of his heart running away from his body. All he could remember was that one of the priests, Father Christabello, asked him to come along with him, saying that he and a few of his friends were going to be moved into another part of the mansion. He had said something about the room not being properly warmed, and that there was another guest house across the grounds. Paul went willingly, after all, Father Christabello only wanted what was best for him. Perhaps, he should have listened to the tiny, scared voice in the back of his mind that thought it seemed funny that there were no other boys or girls accompanying him across the ice and snow and the garden shed seemed a little too small to be anything but a shed. He could have run back, returning to the warm house and the safety of his friends and Father Anderson, but when you are a child, a nice, loving child at that, you want to believe that something good must be going to happen.

The only other thing the boy remembered happening was something sweet and damp being clamped over his nose and mouth, lulling him into a deep, dark, sleep. When he came to, he was balled up, tied with strong rope and on top of what seemed to be a table covered with a rich, red cloth, candles, and bowls of rotting fruit. This is where he was now, shivering, watching the puffs of air from his nose turn into tiny, frozen clouds. In the dim space, Paul made out the figure of a man, his back to him, dressed in a long, black robe in the corner The man was chanting something in a garbled tongue- broken French and Creole and a strange, sing-song language Paul had never heard before. A sense of hope overwhelmed him- he knew that voice! It was Papa Jack! He would save him! He would set him free! He would-

The figure that turned to face the boy was no more his benefactor than the Devil Himself. Paul stared into the blank, blue-white eyes of a man possessed, over-ridden with a sinister, supernatural energy that froze his heart and made his very soul tremble. The face resembled a painted skull in black and white greasepaint and was the very visage of death- it was the Baron, leering and grinning into the child's face, eager for a fresh, new soul.

"Bon Nuit, Angel.," he whispered as Paul screamed through the rag.

Elsewhere- The Alter of the Blessed Rose.

Alucard laid back on the hard wood of the pew, fists and eyes sore. He had returned to the catacombs after the botched seduction only to be met with chiding company.

"Ohhh, looks like someone's upset-what's wrong, No-Life-King? Did she not play her role right?" a skull sang.

"No, it looks like the lady played it too well, eh old man?" another teased.

"What do you expect, after all, as much a bastard as the Bishop is, he's still human...." A jawless horror proclaimed.

"Still warm, still has a heart-beat..." one stated

"Still potent, able to sire human heirs..." another indicated.

"Why wouldn't she prefer him to you, who wants to lay with a monster..." Laughter resounded of the bone walls.

"Shut up!," The vampire snarled. Their empty noise grew deafening.

"Did you see them together, oh, I bet that was rich." one snickered.

"Did they coo? Were there sighs- how romantic!?"a voice swooned.

"Forget that- what about the good stuff- the hot stuff..." the tone grew bawdy.

"Did they kiss?'

"Did she cum..." The room chattered, and the creature grew ill. He should have ignored the stupidity of long-dead fools, but instead became enraged and smashed the skeletons, scattering fragments of bone deep into his own hands. He picked up the jawless tormenter and prepared to dash it to the floor, when the comment that stung the most was cast.

"Stupid bastard, you were the one who encouraged the act, or did you forget? Where you so eager to see her smolder that you forgot she's only human? "

Alucard lowered the skull and tossed it gently to the side. It was right; he was so wrapped up in the game of seduction and power that he forgot just whom he was using as a pawn. He looked down at his ragged palms, the flesh and cloth shredded to pieces, but the injuries were sealing up almost instantly. However, the hole in his heart gapped even wider. He made his way up into the sanctuary, a silent, comforting place to contemplate the results of this night. Being so linked to his master, he could read her thoughts and feelings as clear as glass, everything from memories to emotional states were audible to him. It just wasn't like he merely saw or heard these things, but felt them as if they were his own.

Even though it was a flash of hormones and friction, for a brief moment, she wanted him-him, that disgusting piece of human filth. He felt it run clean through his being- her desire boiling up inside her heart, aching for him. Certainly she had not planed for the reaction, but it still stung harshly, like salt water on a wound. It was his own fault- he had pushed her, coxed her, tempted Integra to find the femme fatale lurking just under her skin. Perhaps now the penalty for tampering with her maiden's armor was this God-awful feeling. Scenarios flashed through his mind- perhaps she did crave a human mate after all and was becoming his lover as he lay here. While usually in control of his fears to an almost obsessive level, the shadowy images of the two in the midst of the act made him shudder. To have her surrender her treasure to him and cry out Maxwell's name in rapture would be the silver stake through his heart. The creature clenched his teeth until blood flowed from his bottom lip in thick beads. It had taken years to finally melt her heart and taste her heat and now, he had just cast her away to the wolves. While the self-pity was heavy, a light voice called to him through the din of his own thoughts.

"Alucard?", his master spoke. The vampire first ignored it until his name was repeated and he felt her presence A pair of hands stroked his cheeks and he opened his eyes to the concerned azure gaze of Integra kneeling at his side. Traces of red ringed her irises and the look on her face was a mix of relief and guilt .

"I found you.", she whispered. The creature pressed her hand to his cold cheek and savored the touch. "I went to the catacombs, but the place was a mess- it was strange though, it was if a little voice was telling me to come up here." Alucard smiled in spite of himself.

"Nice to know that they can be useful after all." Integra looked confused. "Never mind. I'm sorry that -", before he could get out the rest, her mouth came down upon his firmly, not so much as a sign of passion, but as a plea for forgiveness.

"I'm so sorry, I never, never meant to hurt you. I didn't know what would happen, I feel like I can never forgive myself for this ."

"You can and you will- it was my fault as well to push you where you should have never went- I'm sorry, I have no right to be angry, none at all- " the pair broke from their kiss and touched noses.

"You know what I am, I cannot blame you if you want to leave and have a normal, human life with a man instead of a monster."

"I know what I want, and it's you. Besides, when have I ever had a 'normal' life?" The Cheshire King sat up and pressed against his master's side, arms wrapped firmly around him, her aura weary, but relieved. His own un-dead heart calmed to a smooth pace and hugged her back For a moment, he glanced up at the statue of the Lady Madonna and he could have sworn that the lips of the Mother were bowed into an approving smile. Strangely enough, the Scourge of Europe felt at ease.

"I am to be forever surrounded by virgins...", he thought.

"Hush." Integra countered him with a kiss.

Elsewhere-

"So, I should be expecting the other side of the Hellsing family by early morning, excellent! I do think that a promotion should be in order, Brother Valentino and when the mood takes me, I can be quite generous...," Maxwell's voice trailed off as his fingers played over the glass talisman strewn over his desk, the pale light filtering though the beads. "Just keep your superior from realizing the plan of action, I'm sure that we can deal with him when you return to the villa. Thank you, and God Bless!" He snapped the cell phone closed and grinned like a madman- what a night! It was perfect timing to have the other Hellsing heir coming over-it would be like meeting his in-laws before the wedding, how lovely! Also, there was a little home-warming gift especially for him, just in case his cousin could be getting a case of cold feet... A single bead was crushed under his firm thumb and the Bishop licked the blood clean away- success never tasted so sweet...

Lakshmi - Hindi goddess of opulence, music, arts, and beauty, often depicted as a buxom, heavily bejeweled woman with four arms.

"When the mood takes me, I can be quite generous"- what can I say... I did do the Rocky Horror Show for almost 8 years as a Magenta/Trixie... some of it is still being worked out of my system as we speak, shudder, shudder, twitch, twitch...