A/N: Been a long time since I updated, and the explanation will be on "A Different Meeting," if anyone is interested. Thanks to the readers and reviewers!!!

Meeting the Locals

Seras stood uneasily in her new home, the open door letting in the last rays of the setting sun. She needed to find some candles before darkness overtook the large hall, and thought she might discover them in the pantry. Assuming the kitchen to be in the opposite direction of the parlor, she turned her feet to the left side of the house. Traveling through a long dining room, she arrived at the kitchen and began looking among the cupboards. Finding nothing, she turned her attention to two doors on adjoining walls.

Opening the first, Seras was met with the stench of decay and must. Apparently her new home had been equipped with a large cellar for storage. She doubted there were any candles down there, so the young woman turned her eyes toward the other door. Much to her relief, she found that the door opened to the pantry, which was generously stocked with preserves for the coming winter. One less expense for me to worry about she thought happily. Searching the cupboards and shelves, she was able to locate several large candlesticks.

Seras happily lit one of the largest candles just as the last rays of the sun settled below the moors. Feeling calmed by the glowing warmth in her hand, and with several more candles nestled under her arm, she turned to walk back to the main hall.

But as she moved toward the doorway, the sparse light from the candle fell across the form of a person. With a shriek, the extra candles tumbled to the ground, as she backed away from the figure in terror.

"Who are you?!" she nearly screamed, knowing well her vulnerability at the moment. She hadn't even heard the man come into the room.

"My apologies" the person before her said, stepping into the wavering candle light. Seras could make out the build of a tall man, attired in formal evening wear with a large cloak around his shoulders. Long dark hair rested on the cloth, and in one of his gloved hands he carried a black cane. An image of a wolf was carved into the head, and appeared to be made of gold. Seras attempted to catch a glimpse of his looks, but his face was still shrouded in darkness. "The front door was left open" the man spoke, a small chuckle escaping his lips. "I thought there might be an intruder."

Seras remembered she had forgotten to shut the door before her search for candles, and mentally berated herself for such negligence. Giving a small laugh herself, she realized she hardly met the standards of a burglar.

"I thank you for your concern" she answered, stepping toward her first visitor. "I shouldn't have been so careless. With my foolishness, my home shall be robbed within days."

Seras could feel, rather than see, surprise from the man before her. "So you are the heir to this estate? A relation to Sir Henry Victoria, then?"

Seras nodded her head, then realized he probably couldn't see her action in the dark kitchen. "Yes, that's correct. He was my uncle, though I never had the chance to meet him. Did you know him?" she asked curiously, wondering why the stranger was interested in the business of the estate.

"I knew him for many years" the man replied. There was an amused tone in his voice, as if he knew a secret she didn't.

Unconsciously, Seras shuddered. The man before her was indeed a bit odd, but seemed harmless enough. Letting her eyes wander about the shadowed room, she searched for the dropped candlestick. Unfortunately, the gloom within the kitchen was thick, and no candle lay within the light of the flame she held.

"If you'll excuse me" she said, dropping unceremoniously to her knees and blindly searching the ground. Formalities, though the young woman was accustomed to them, had never been in favor with her. The idea of hiding who you were had never appealed to her idea of human interaction.

"Allow me to assist you" he offered, apparently unperturbed by her sudden behavior.

With the assistance from the strange man, all the candles were soon accounted for. But Seras was left with more curiosity about the person than before, wondering about his ability to find the objects in the darkness. She lit several more of the candles, intent on obtaining a better view of her visitor.

With an audible hiss, the man stepped away from the light now cast by the many candles. Seras started at his strange behavior, her eyebrows raising in surprise. And some fear.

"My vision is most sensitive" he said, answering her curious expression. "I am more accustomed to the dark because of my condition."

"I'm sorry" Seras apologized, shielding the glare of the candle she held from his face. "Do you wish for me to put out the others?"

The man chuckled, leaning against a darkened wall. "I think there is no need, I merely came here to investigate the opened door. I will take my leave of you for tonight." With that said, the stranger turned to leave.

"Wait!" Seras nearly yelled, extended her arm out to stop him. "We didn't introduce ourselves. My name is Seras Victoria."

"Alucard" the man said, before turning and exiting the kitchen. Moving toward doorway, she watched as he strode over the main hall and arrived at the still open front door. Turning toward her, he bowed and left, closing the wooden portal behind him.

He makes no noise she commented to herself wonderingly.

Sighing, she reentered the kitchen and extinguished all the candles save the one she held. Retrieving her luggage from the hall, she made her way up the stairs and inspected the second story. Finding a large room, which appeared to be the master bedroom, near the end of the hall, she deposited her clothes into the dresser and groomed herself for bed. As her head settled down upon the goose down pillow, her thoughts wandered to the mysterious man named Alucard. As she slipped into sleep, the young woman wondered if she would ever see him again.

The following day, Seras awoke late, having been exhausted from the previous day's journey. She rummaged through her panty, intent on finding anything edible to create a suitable breakfast. Before she'd had time to scour the entire kitchen, she heard a loud knock on her door.

Opening the door, Seras was met with a curious sight. Standing before her were two people, a man and a woman. The man, who was obviously the elder of the two, was clad in a servant's attire. Long hair was pulled behind his head in a pony tail, while on his face sat a monocle. His face was soft but firm, showing his kind yet loyal nature. He stood a few feet behind the woman, who the young heiress now turned her attention to.

She was indeed an intimidating figure to behold. The woman was dressed in trousers, and a thick blouse and vest, with a large pair of glasses settled on her nose. A grim mouth rested on her face, while her cold blue eyes carefully examined the new heir to the estate. Seras had never before seen a woman dressed as such, and therefore her curiosity was peaked.

"May I help you?" Seras asked of the visitors, stepping aside and gesturing for them to enter.

"I'm afraid we don't have time for a long conversation" the woman spoke up, apparently done with her accessing. "We have only come to wish you a welcome to our community. And if you need any assistance with anything, you may call on us."

Seras smiled warmly, impressed by the hospitality she had received from the locals. "Thank you for your kindness, miss....?"

"Integra Hellsing" the woman answered, then gestured to her companion. "And this is my retainer, Walter." The man bowed courteously, giving Seras a small smile, before the woman continued. "My home is over the hill, down closer to the moors, if you ever require company." Seras didn't think the offer was genuine, by the strained features upon Integra's face. "I am also the local doctor, if ever you need assistance in that area."

"A woman doctor?" Seras asked confusingly.

"We are not so rare as you suppose" she answered coldly, her eyes meeting Seras'. "I would think an heiress to an estate as large as this would be a more uncommon occurrence."

Seras blushed, embarrassed by her rudeness. "I apologize. I was merely surprised by your choice occupation."

Integra nodded her head in understanding, then looked toward the sun. "I'm afraid we must be on our way. A patient is ill in the village, and I have been called to look at her." With a curt nod, the two left in their carriage.

At midday, Seras once more heard a knock on her door. Opening the portal revealed a tall middle-aged gentleman, dressed in a formal suit and carrying a suitcase in one hand. He removed his hat and bowed, addressing himself.

"My name is Thomas Morley. I believe you are Miss Seras Victoria?" Receiving a positive reply and accepting an offer to enter, Seras led him to the study.

"I have come on official business, Lady Victoria" he spoke, opening his suitcase on the large oak desk. "I have brought some papers for you to sign, along with the new property titles."

Seras nodded her head, fetching a pen and ink from the bookcase. "How long had you known my uncle, Mr. Morley?" she asked curiously, watching patiently as he removed the needed papers from his case.

"For about twenty years, when he first acquired my services." Placing the papers before her, he pointed to where she should sign, also mentioning several details about the estate and grounds maintenance. "A gardener comes every two days, to trim and cut the trees. There is also a maid who visits once a week, to clean the dust and such."

"Did my uncle ever mention a man named Alucard?" she asked curiously. Her nightly visitor still lay heavy on her mind, and he'd left so quickly she hadn't had a chance to inquire as to where he resided.

"Your uncle never spoke of a person by the name of Alucard that I know of. But he rarely confided to anyone his private matters" the lawyer commented, placing the finished papers within his briefcase. "Now I must be off." With a quick nod, he left Seras to her confused thoughts.