Remember Me
Chapter Eight
The metal door felt heavier this time he opened it. The squealing whine echoing through the empty space of the basement. Walter frown discreetly to himself when a small dull ache appeared in his bones. Huffing a sigh, the butler continued to step in the basement where the old master dwell in more often these days. A tray in one hand containing two blood packs and a bottle of red wine. He paused at the entry way to take in the sight of the ancient vampire sitting in his throne like chair. Gone was his hat, disappeared in the void of the room. He knew it wasn't lost, however, knowing that the ancient vampire never loses his things. The red coat draped over on the arm rest, the hem barely touching the stone covered ground. Alucard had sat with one leg laying across on the other, hands folded in front of him as his thoughts ran about him. It was the image of a classical painting the longer he looked at the old vampire. A solemn expression laying across his pale face, eyes focused on the swirling dust in the air. Piercing, glowing in the darkness. It wasn't often that Walter got to see him in such a state. One that was of contemplation with the hint of anger. Walter had tilt his head in the slightest move. When was the last time he ever saw master Alucard like this? Over a decade ago, he would reason. Of course, he wasn't confident to say if that was true or not.
He was careful when approaching the old master. Steady and evenly paced in his stride. He had laid the tray down on the new table where he had found the two glasses prepared for his arrival to create his drink. Not a dust in site nor any kind of stain on the glass. His careful hands started mixing the blood and wine in measurements. Even while doing the task, Walter had kept an eye on the man sitting before him. Those red eyes kept it's gaze just before him. No words forming, no piece of thought shared about this evening's weather, nothing about the recent arrival of their guests. It was starting to be concerning how he didn't even start nick picking the new men that were suppose to keep guard of the mansion. A new contract that brought mercenaries from France to continue on for the fallen soldiers they lost just fairly recently. Alucard didn't react to him the entire time, but he knew the vampire had heard him. His ears perked when the glass was set back down on the table once he was done with the drink.
"Quiet night." Walter commented from the fact they weren't having their usual small talk. Alucard glanced at him then. Calculation and confusion could be seen the more he thought on whatever it was that swarm in his mind. His hands dropping just inches from his face as if ready to say something, but his tongue trapped behind his teeth. Fingers were twitching a little. It was a unnerving action for anyone who didn't know Alucard at all. After working for the Hellsing organization for decades now gave him enough times to get use to this behavior. "Something on your mind, master Alucard?" Walter questioned him in a soothing tone that was meant to bring some comfort. It seem to bring Alucard's grip to tighten with eyes growing dark.
Alucard turned away with a scowling frown. Even that raised concerns for the butler. Whatever answers Alucard is searching for must not be good. Because of that, he became very much vexed. Gloved fingers kept twitching in their grip, muscles tensing then relaxing then repeat. Eyes narrowing further into a glare.
He waited for a moment to let Alucard speak to him. The tray got tucked under his arm with eyes on the old vampire. Soon, when it was made clear that he didn't want to talk, the butler settle to leave the room. He'll talk when it was time for it. It wasn't like he was going anywhere anytime soon at the moment. Walter bowed to the vampire with a quiet departing words, feeling his eyes stayed on him when he started to the metal door. Then his voice echoed in the room, strangely calm and soft. Unlike him for being a crazed man that he is. "She seems to have an idea who we might be facing." The butler stopped right at the door. Walter's brows furrowed together at the words. Of course, Sir Integra would be the cause of distress to the count. And having a suspect in mind already.
"I presume she didn't share her thoughts with you." Walter turned to Alucard. There came a scowl from the vampire giving the obvious answer. Walter could see irritation from him as he was being held out of this important information. It wasn't like Sir to never tell him anything in any case. No reason for it when Alucard was the one eliminating all the targets and help solving the cases that occur. He would be bond to figure them out eventually. It was the first time for Integra to keep things to herself which left a bitter taste in his mouth. Walter tread back to him with mild ease. Foot steps didn't echo at all. "Is there any reason why?" He stopped just before him, back straight tensely as he remembered that sketch. Integra's fears starting to hit too close for comfort now that he thought about it. Walter clenched his jaw in when he remembered what he said to Sir the other night.
What could be the reason for Sir Integra to be silent? Alucard had been thinking on this question far longer than he have wanted to. There shouldn't be at all. Even when she was at her most angriest moment with him, she never failed at doing her duty to the organization and never withheld on him when it was far too important to let petty feelings get in the way. She wasn't the kind of person to do so. It started to get colder the more time he thought on it. More angry than he has ever felt in a long time. Alucard's eyes stayed on Walter, having no response for the man.
"I can safely assume that it's important to not jump to conclusions." Walter offered. Alucard sat there, arms falling gracefully on his lap. Walter grew stiff under the stare of realization. His shoulders seemed to get heavier, the cool air settling in around them. A silent pause came that left like time no longer moved.
"You know." The vampire accused darkly, warning.
Walter felt his shoulders slump down with a heavy sigh. He was getting too old. "I can only assume who she might have in mind. There is no telling if it's the same person." He told him. Alucard had leaned forward some, his full attention on the old man before him. Eyes glowing dangerously with a peak need to know his thoughts. There was no walking out of this without him knowing. Or die trying to escape. That made the vampire hunter to shudder to himself. The one thing he refused to happen in his life time.
"Tell me." Came the demand. Walter hesitated at this. While he knew Alucard should be informed potentially on who their enemy could be, he also knew why Integra felt the need to keep it to herself at the moment. But while she sat on this, the enemy could show up to reveal the very person they feared it might. He didn't dare imagine the rage he would have if that were to happened. His listed all the things on why he should tell him and why he shouldn't. What was the best course of action here? Walter stood straighter then, determine gleam in his steel blue eyes.
"It's a rather delicate matter. I don't believe Master Harker even knows." Reminded by the butler. He watched him lean further onto his legs. Like a dog eager to get a treat. "There's no certainty that it's who we think it is. Remember to keep that in mind." Alucard raised a brow at him when he said this, even more curious.
"Well, go on then." It was irritating with how he was stalling to answer him. Shifting on his feet some, straightening his tie, taking in a deep breath. His patience was treading on thin ice now.
Of course, even with that warning, Walter had prepared mentally and physically for an outrage that most likely will occur. "Sir Integra believes it might be...her." Both brows twitched with annoyance at the vague answers before the realization settle in. The old vampire becoming motionless with memories running past him. Silent, unnervingly calm when he started to lean back in his seat, bracing the arm rest like some kind of anchor to reality. Walter felt alarmed by this reaction. Chills started running down through his old bones, the room getting colder.
"Seras." Her name still tasted sweet on his tongue as it did that last time he spoke it. Sky blue eyes gleaming with joy with a smile to match it. Golden locks brushing against her shoulders with the strong breeze that swept in the dark of night, followed by the bitter memory of their last encounter. Tears soaked eyes, a terrifying fear of him and being left alone once more. In the mist of his memories, Alucard realized how weary the butler was getting by his lack of reaction. He found he couldn't care by that.
Seras, of course his master would think it might be her. There was motive, who knows what she managed to mix herself in during the pass five years. He was no longer connected with her to even get a hint of what that could be. It could very well be her attacking everyone in a rage of blood lust. Then again, there was little evidence to suggest it was. Seras was never one to be so violent like he was. Didn't take enjoyment of watching enemies squirm under her grip to start begging for their lives. She was set in her beliefs of fairness, seeing to justice even in the most cruel situation. He understood why she became a police officer to begin with. And he wouldn't believe it was her until he saw it with his own eyes.
Now that it was revealed, Alucard couldn't help the gleeful rage to bubble up in his veins. He let out a laugh to himself with pushing his hair back. He will have a long conversation with his master soon enough. Images of a hot temper woman trying to explain was enough to get him grin.
Walter watched with concern when Alucard was still processing the answer. Though, hearing those maddening laughter was relieving. "If I may ask..." Walter trailed off with finding the right words to ask this question that brought the vampire out of his imagination. "Why did you let Seras go?" That grin fell. Walter had swore silently to himself for the instant change of mood. It was still a touchy subject.
Alucard pondered on this, finding he really didn't have an answer like that night. It was still a wonder why he even thought of letting her go in the first place. There was so much anger about the fact she wouldn't accept who she became. Accept that she chose to keep fighting to live. There was too much shame for the fact she couldn't crawl away from that pure light she kept clinging to when around him. That precious humanity that she claims that even he has deep down. Such an angel that he still wants to corrupt, but at the same time wanted her to stay the way that she was. Most of all he felt regret for ever capturing an angel like he did. Thinking he could have it all to himself when she was never apart of his dark world to begin with. Just as before, finding that he couldn't keep her and so he had to let her go. When will he ever learn his lesson?
He stayed silent then not bothering to answer like he did with Integra. The butler seem to get the hint. He gave a bow departing with a low good night.
Alucard wouldn't believe it was Seras. It couldn't be. Mindlessly, he took the glass from the table swallowing the contents swiftly till it was all gone. He licked his lips to get the lingering taste away. As big as the room was, it began to feel stifling which brought him to stand up. The red coat in hand to put it on. It was a good of a night to go for a stroll, if only to try to clear his head of these damning thoughts.