Wazaga says: "a normal type person, at this point, would probably complain and whine and apologize for the lack of updates for this or that reason. A sick mo-fo type person would probably curse and say horrible nasty things to the common reader that would either make the reader never return, or entice them to come back because the person's sick rant sounded funny for no reason other then it just does. However, since I'm not this or that type of person, this is what I'm going to say: supercalifragilisticexprealidocios."

To Kitala: "thank you, I didn't exactly plan them to be demon hunters or killers. I'm, quite literally, making it up as I write. Ideas just pop up and take a different turn when you're at the keyboard. Strange, isn't it?"

To Ephraim-kun: "oy, who ya callin a Dummy? I happen to have a life you know. Besides, I'm not a Dummy; I'm a finger-puppet. Quite a difference you see."

Chapter 7: "The Bookkeeper."

The trip to the library was uneventful to say the least. Alucard gave quick explanations about certain displays they had passed by, giving their history and legendary stories if they had any of interest. However, she stayed quiet through out the entire walk, only nodding every so often to show that she was paying attention. And even though her hood didn't allow him to see it, she was paying more attention to him then she was to anything else.

She listened to his musical voice as he spoke, catching every syllable that was laced with a soft tune. She watched as he gestured with his arm towards this or that, his movements seamed smooth, flawless. But above all else, she simply watched him. She couldn't understand how someone who was so beautiful could be so cruel. On the contrary, he was anything but cruel. He was, he was …….. She couldn't think of the right words to describe him. She felt confused.

They stopped in front of two huge doors that held a plaque with the word "Library" carven into it.

"And here we finally are at our first stop. Home to many books, scrolls, records and other such documents." He announced with a wave of his hands "but you might want to brace yourself for a very dangerous experience once we enter these doors. I should warn you."

"Why? What could be so horrible in there?"

"The librarian." He said opening the door.

When they first entered, she gasped at sight before her. Books were everywhere! Not only in the shelves in all shapes and sizes. But piles, stacks and maintains covered every inch of spare flood. They both had to tiptoe their way between the books so as not to ruin them.

"Looks like Nicolas has been keeping himself quite busy." Said Alucard as he crept around a stack of books that was a little higher then him.

"Goodness, I've never seen such a mess!" she said trying to avoid stepping on a stack of scrolls.

As they made their way deeper into the library, they were able to pick up a soft scratching noise. Followed by soft mumbling. Just as Alucard was about to call out, there was a sudden crash fallowed by an angry, voice that sounded like sandpaper.

"CONFOUND IT! THAT HAS BEEN THE FORTH TIME COMING! TAKE THAT YOU VILE THING!" the sound of a chair being thrown down was followed by more things crashing. Heavy things. "COME HERE YOU SAVAGE BEAST! YOU FILTHY VERMEN! YOU ATROSIOUS LITTLE IMP! I'LL BE RID OF YOU WITH MY AST BREATH IF I HAVE TO!"

Glass shattered and paper started flying all over the place. Books were falling from their places as the screaming, grumpy old man was chasing something and was headed towards Alucard and the woman.

A small, baby mouse leapt out from under a shelf and ran up to them. A crash of more books was fallowed by the old man waving a broom: "COME BACK HERE YOU LITTLE PEST!"

The mouse squeaked loudly and dashed up the woman's cloak. She let out a squeal of surprise and jumped knocking into a stack of boxes. She slapped at the mouse that had crawled into her cloak trying to get it out. She looked up momentarily to see the old man charging towards her, and in a panic, she tore her cloak off and threw it away. The mouse was tossed off and flew towards Alucard, who caught it in his cupped hands.

"Gotcha!" he said in triumph. But his claim of victory was cut short by the sudden broom that attacked him!

"TAKE THAT, AND THAT. AND SOME MORE FOR GOOD MESURE!" cried the old man as he beat the broom on him, trying to get to the mouse.

"Nick! It's me, stop hitting me with that thing." But the old man hadn't heard him "FOR THE LOVE OF HEAVEN, NICOLAS, SEASE YOUR ATTACK!"

Nicolas stopped with the broom held high over his head, he blinked his wrinkled eyes trying to focus his weak vision. "eh? Who are you?"

"Oh God. You're chasing a mouse, in the library, with a broom and you're doing so without your specs? I should be grateful you didn't kill me with the way you hit." Said Alucard as he picked the spectacles from the bookkeeper's pocket and placed them on his nose.

The old man blinked several times as his vision was suddenly cleared: "Master Alucard! Good Lord, my boy, what are you doing on the floor?"

"Hoping that that deadly weapon you are holding over your head doesn't make contact with mine."

It was then that Nicolas realized that he must have looked quite the sight. After all, how often do you see a scrawny old man with a long beard hold a broom so high over himself that the sleeves of his robes bunched all about his shoulders? Nicolas set the broom down and helped the fallen vampire up.

"Now that you are up, tell me Master Alucard. What brings you to visit my humble library?" asked the old man.

Alucard dusted himself off, noticing that he had lost the mouse during the struggle with the evil broom: "well, I'm sure you are aware that the castle has a few visitors"

"Indeed, my boy. Indeed."

"I was giving one of our guests a little tour of the castle, and she" Alucard had just then noticed that she was not in sight "madam?"

"Could someone please help me up?" she called from under the boxes that had toppled on her. Her arm pocked out waving to show her location. Alucard took hold of it and pulled her up while moving away boxes with his other hand. A young woman with long curly, sandy colored hair emerged from the pile. She stood up beside Alucard straightening out her dress. When she looked up he saw that she had deep green eyes. Her face was femininely oval with high cheekbones. Her lashes were long and her brows were straight thin, a shade darker then her hair. It seamed as though they had stared at one another for ages.

"Well, don't just stare at her as if it were the first time you've met. Introduce me lad. It isn't often we have visitors."

Alucard shook his head: "yes, of course. Madam, I'd like you to meet Sir Nicolas Hollow, retired scholar and keeper of books. Nick, this is, um…." It had occurred to him, too late, that he never asked her her name.

"Rebecca. Rebecca McGriph." She said with a small smile and gave a slight curtsy "A pleasure to meet you Sir Nicolas."

"Oh, aren't you a fine lady. Alucard, you can truly spoil an old man with such guests. Please, please, come this way the both of you where we could get more comfortable. Perhaps we could have a nice long discussion over a nice cup of tea. Come along now, this way. No dawdling you two." Said the old man in all livelihood.

He shepherded them into a large area filled with tables and couches. Most of which were piled over with more books. One table however held other objects such as ink pots, pens, quills, a globe, several telescopes, magnifying glasses and other such instruments. Another table was pilled over with maps.

The old man made sure they took the best seats available. And then disappeared around a corner saying he would be back in a blink. Rebecca sat with her hands in her lap, her eyes avoiding Alucard.

She seams so shy, he thought. Maybe that's why she walked around with her cloak on the whole time. He was about to ask her something when Nicolas came back with a tray holding a tea set: "there we are. Now we are all set for a nice little chat. Do you like cream with your tea Lady McGriph? Or sugar perhaps?" and so it was that the little tea party was started between the three. And it was quite fun for the most part with Sir Nicolas and his many tales. Rebecca even smiled and giggled a few times when the old man got into the moment of a particular story and he started jumping about acting out the events. Alucard was wandering what the time was when a clock chimed that it was half past something or other. He knew that they had spent more then a half hour there. But wasn't sure how to depart. He stared out the window watching the rain ripple down the glass.

"Then I noticed that the toad had somehow got into the my goodness! Look at the time, why, I have been keeping you both here for most of the day! Oh bless me, I'm sure you both have more important things to do then listed to the storied of an old goat." Said Nicolas as he looked at a broken pocket watch.

"Oh, it's quite alright." Said Rebecca "I've enjoyed your stories. They were quite fun."

"Bless you, m'lady. But you are too kind. Eh, perhaps you would visit again later on? I would like to show you a few things that you might find interesting."

"Of course, I would love to."

"Splendid, simply splendid."

Alucard stretched as he got up from the couch. Nicolas accompanied them to the doorway and bid then a goodbye.

"He was quite an interesting fellow." She said delightedly "so, what would you like to show me next?"

"With all do respect, madam. I would like to continue this some other time. For now, I shall escort you back to your family if you don't mind." He said in a rather passive manner.

For a moment she looked slightly disappointed: "as you wish, Sire." She said.