This fic was inspired by a moment of lunacy on my part to try something new. It's very experimental so do read it with a pinch of salt. In short, do not take this too seriously
I'm sorry if anyone's OOC cos I just had to dump this story somewhere to get on with my life. This is strictly anime, no more cross-overs. Though I continue to lament the fact that there was no mention of the Millenium Group in the anime.
You know the drill, people. Read and review. :D
Disclaimer: I do not own Hellsing, but Nathan is mine!
When Worlds CollideChapter One: Saturday Morning
The pavement was still wet, glistening in the pale light that managed to filter through the remaining cloud cover. The rain had proven to be much of a damper on the trip, but Integra continued to stride resolutely towards her destination. The air was welcomingly crisp and cool on her exposed skin. Weaving her way through the light mid-morning crowd, she spotted the little bookstore café in the corner. She flicked back a stray strand of fair hair out of her eyes as her hand made contact with the wooden door. Pushing it gently, the door opened, welcoming her into a world of warmth, fine literature, and the aroma of freshly ground coffee beans.
She made a beeline for the Classic Literature section, ignoring the various modern novels with their flashy titles and quirky covers. They were to her tasteless and shallow, unable to provide the intellectual stimulation she so desired and craved. Her eyes flicking away from the piles of silly love stories, mindless action novels, and never-ending fantasy quests, her gaze fell upon the rows and rows of Victorian literature. Selecting a title she had seen the week before, she flipped the book over to read the synopsis printed at the back. Satisfied, the young lady proceeded to lower her bag and place her book at a table in the café area. It consisted of some quaint chairs and tables near the windows, next to a counter that sold pastries and beverages. She went to the counter to order a cup of coffee, its heady scent already assailing her nostrils in a most pleasant manner.
Settling down with a sigh, she took off the large dark brown overcoat that she wore over an elbow-length black shirt and jeans. Crossing her legs, she flipped open the cover, her mind devouring the words within. Integra lived for Saturday mornings, the only time when she could abandon all responsibility to be herself. It was a brief but much-needed respite from her hectic life as Hellsing Director.
At the age of eighteen, she was already in charge of a secret Anti-Undead Unit that reported only to the Round Table and the Queen. It was a heavy burden on her young shoulders, and sometimes it suffocated her. Integra knew that she still had a long road ahead of her. Strange artificial vampires were beginning to appear all over Britain, preying on its citizens. They were as powerful as the original ones that her father used to fight. Integra sighed as the thought invaded her mind. She would think about her work later in the day. For now she would allow herself to sink completely into the world of the young heroine in the novel. She didn't even feel the urge to smoke.
Just as she was getting into the rhythm of reading, a male voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Excuse me, may I sit down?"
Integra lifted her blue eyes to meet the brown ones of the young man before her. He was tall, and clad in a long-sleeved dark blue shirt and black pants. His face was fixed in a warm but apologetic smile, his dark hair framing it in gentle waves. Reaching out a hand to the back of the chair opposite her, he indicated to her his intentions. Integra reached out a finger to push her spectacles up the bridge of her nose. It had involuntarily slipped down while reading.
Don't be rude, Integra. Be civil. After all, you're not Hellsing Director right now. You're just another person, remember.
"Please," Integra replied in an even tone, her hand palm-up as she motioned that the chair was free. Her eyes roamed all over the surrounding area. This was strange. There was still one table for two that remained unoccupied.
Not giving it a second thought, she lowered her gaze, retracing the sentence where she had left off. She was vaguely aware of the man pulling back the chair and depositing his bag on it. He left to order an expresso, and the heady scent of caffeine wafted into her nostrils again. As if it was a reminder to her, Integra lowered her book and reached out to grasp the coffee cup. Lifting the delicate porcelain to her lips, she lifted her gaze to study the young man's face and was surprised to see that he was doing the same to her.
They looked at each awkwardly for a moment, before he spoke to salvage the situation.
"Hi. You come here often? I always see you here on Saturday mornings."
Integra hesitated, all sorts of thoughts racing through her head. She would not tell him much. Perhaps something perfunctory, but nothing deeper. Her ties with Hellsing were too dangerous to be flaunted around. But then again, why was she so worried? This was nothing more than polite conversation with a stranger who happened to share your table.
"Yes. I'm usually quite busy. It's the only time I can relax." Integra replied with a tiny smile. That part was true.
"My name's Nathan. What's yours?" he asked. His spoke with a friendly grin that even reached his eyes.
"Meredith." Integra inwardly winced. The cynic inside her sarcastically applauded the creative use of the name of the heroine in her book. That was a bit too obvious.
He seemed not to notice, however. His eyes fell upon the cover of the book that lay near her right arm. She watched his grin widen.
"You and I have similar tastes, Meredith," he spoke, enthusiasm colouring his voice. "We both seem to like obscure Victorian novels. I've read that one. It's a masterpiece."
Integra blinked in surprise. She had never known any other person who liked books like that. Except perhaps her father. But then again, apart from Walter and the others she dealt professionally with, she never knew many people in the first place.
"I study Literature, you see. I once had to do a book report on that. What did you think was the reason for her choosing to marry the man she didn't love? After all, I never could comprehend why a strong-willed creature like her would allow herself to be chained like that. It just doesn't seem right."
Integra looked out the window for a moment, contemplating his question. Her shoulder came into contact with its cool and smooth surface. The pane of glass was the only thing that separated her from the world of the street outside. She watched as people went about their daily routines, all caught up in their own thoughts and feelings, living their lives in blissful ignorance. Various persons from all sorts of backgrounds trespassed along this pathway, each one lending a bit of character to the crowd. In a way the glass of the window represented a barrier. It stood between her real life of nights and bloodshed, and the life in the sun that she glimpsed for herself right now. The answer to his question she knew in a heartbeat.
"It was her duty as an eldest sister that influenced her decision. Her family was impoverished and they needed a union that would benefit them. She sacrificed herself so that her younger siblings would not have to make the same difficult choice."
"Well. She always struck me as stubborn and selfish. It was a surprise when she decided to marry that doddering old Colonel in the end."
Integra stared at him, her lips curved slightly again. Nathan had described Meredith and her situation in an extremely blunt way. It amused her.
"Yes, well, that doesn't mean she loves her family any less. Besides, I think it was because the Colonel was doddering and old that she agreed. Don't you see? Though she would be married to him, he would have no influence over her at all. She could continue with her freewheeling ways."
Nathan smile turned into something akin to raucous laughter. Integra's smile widened. His laughter was infectious. Several other patrons looked at them curiously.
"Spot on, Meredith. I think you just summed up in a few sentences what I failed to convey in my entire report."
She raised the coffee cup to her lips, inwardly beaming at his praise. She wondered what she was so happy about. After all, it was not as if she had successfully taken out a whole legion of ghouls and their Undead master? She had simply given him an honest opinion on a book she enjoyed. Nothing more.
That same book remained unopened for the duration that she was in the café with Nathan. They continued to talk for at least an hour more, both exceedingly interested in what the other had to say.