A/N: Another chapter up, because I am really bored. Hope everyone likes it!!!!
Exploring the Countryside
After Mr. Morley had left, Seras sat for some time in the study, wondering about all the people she had met. They had all indeed been most unusual, with their manners of greeting being of the strangest. But then, she hadn't known many people in her life at the orphanage, and well knew how ignorant of the world she was.
Leaving her thoughts, Seras curiously gazed around the spacious room which occupied a large portion of the rear of the house. A substantial fireplace lay before the chair in which she sat, while large bookcases lined all but one wall. Many of the books appeared to be old and expensive, while the shelves upon which they were nestled were blackened with age. Portraits lined the available space between the bookcases, the people in them regal and fashionably dressed according to the clothing of their day.
Standing, Seras gave each of the pictures a closer examination. Each portrait was placed in an imposing frame, the canvas made of the finest material. Golden plates upon the bottom of the frames were inscribed with the peoples' names, with several studded with priceless jewels. After inspecting many of the pictures, she finally found, placed above the prestigious fireplace, the one which most interested her. The portrait of her late uncle.
Sir Victoria sat pompously in the chair Seras herself had just occupied, looking sternly down at his heir. His short white hair was combed back, accentuating his high forehead and bushy eyebrows. The clean-shaven face and stiff business suit showed a degree of professionalism, while the stern expression gave the impression of a seriousness not marred by laughter. By the portrait alone, Seras supposed he hadn't been the most agreeable of men. More than likely he'd had a stubborn streak within him, one which she inherited to some extent.
Peering at the portrait, Seras suddenly realized she knew little about her uncle. She didn't even know how he had died, and had neglected to ask Mr. Morley the cause of his death. He looked to be barely beyond the age of fifty in the portrait, which by the date upon the bottom corner was quite recent.
Pondering her uncle made the young woman realize how few details she had of her family, and their history. After all, she had inherited a large estate with obvious wealth. How had her family come by such means? What prestige did they have over the countryside and what was she to do with such honor, or even dishonor?
Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, Seras wandered to one of the many massive windows stretched along the final wall. Through the glass panes, she saw dusk settle along the grounds of the estate.
Watching the sunset, Seras was suddenly stuck with a desire to walk along the moors. The impulsive young woman walked out of the study and down the hall to the front door. Reaching the impressive wooden portal, she opened the door and welcomed the refreshing night breeze which wafted into the dark entrance hall. Stepping out, she was careful to lock the door behind her, mindful of the sudden entrance Alucard had made the previous night. Such an episode with a less friendly character would be embarrassing, and quite possibly dangerous.
With a light step, the young heiress strolled to the back of the mansion, following a gravel path along the side of the house. Lengthening shadows along the walk draped Seras in their dark blanket, adding to the almost magical atmosphere of the night. Stopping before a rusty gate at the end, she gazed at the sight before her.
The moors stretched beyond her sight, with not a speck of light from house nor shepherd marring the natural light. Pools of water dotted the landscape, with small, gnarled trees sparsely placed among the dense vegetation. A faint mist rose along the water's edge, and a waxing moon peered above the low hills. Opening the well-used metal gate with a squeak, she idly wandered down to the water's edge.
Finding a well-worn path which apparently led deep into the moors, Seras set her footsteps on the way. After strolling for several minutes, she found herself at a fork in the path. Turning her head in both directions, the young woman decided on the path leading toward the low-lying hills, where the silhouette of an old structure could be seen.
"Stop!!!"
Seras froze at the yell, her foot still raised to step forward. Looking up, she saw the young woman who had visited her yesterday, Integra Hellsing. The female doctor appeared to be alone, with a walking stick in hand and a grim look upon her face.
"You shouldn't wander the moors at night" Integra warned, carefully stepping her way toward Seras. "They are full of false ground and quicksand, with wild beasts taking care to follow what paths are safe."
"I didn't know" Seras said, blushing in humiliation. She waited patiently for the doctor to reach her, wondering at the evident skill Integra had at navigating the dangerous ground. "But you seem to know your way around quite well. Have you lived in the area for long?"
"Merely six months" Integra answered, reaching the young heiress. "But I am interested in the many paths along the moors, so I have explored them most thoroughly. You, for example, were about to make a very foolish mistake."
Picking up a small stone, Integra tossed the rock not a foot from where Seras stood. With a splash, the object quickly disappeared into what appeared to be nothing more than solid ground.
"The quicksand in this area is hidden by the thick vegetation which grows over the hills. Fortunately, all one need do is not tarry a step from the path to stay well away from danger.
"I see" Seras said, then a thought came to her. "Oh, I didn't have a chance to introduce myself the other day-"
"There's no need" Integra interjected, looking toward the moors. "Word travels quickly in the small village, and everyone already has knowledge of your name and business."
"Oh" Seras said, unaccustomed by the familiarity which small villages were known for. "Then there's no need. How was your patient?" she asked, trying to avert the conversation away from herself.
"Merely a case of exhaustion" she answered curtly. "But what are you doing on the moors at this time of night?" the young doctor asked, turning back to Seras.
"I thought a walk might be nice" she answered, averting her eyes from Integra. Seras now greatly regretted her decision, as her rashness might have gotten her killed. "The mansion was quite lonely without a soul besides me, and I thought the air might lift my spirits."
"Your uncle was also very fond of strolls through the moors, but he had more experience in the pathways" Integra spoke. The annoyance at having to watch over Seras was evident in her manner, with her interest turning away from the young heiress and back toward the moor.
"Did you know my uncle?" Seras asked curiously, remembering her earlier musings in the study.
"Few people were acquainted with your uncle, with his solitary ways. But we did meet occasionally along the moors, and I was also the doctor who attended to his body."
"Then do you perhaps know how my uncle died?" she questioned.
Integra turned to Seras sharply, giving her a calculating look. Apparently finding nothing to arouse her sudden suspicions, she gave a small sigh.
"He was found by the back gate, dead. His throat had been ripped out, apparently by some large beast. But his face....." Integra gave the young heiress an indiscernible look, before continuing. "His face was twisted in such agony, the idea of being scared to death came to everyone's mind who caught a glimpse of him. There also appeared to be two wounds along what remained of the jugular vein, though I can't be sure."
"He was killed?" Seras asked, covering her mouth in horror.
"Yes" Integra responded, her gaze once more turned to the moors. "Have you perhaps seen a gentleman strolling across the moors of late?" Integra suddenly asked the young heiress.
"No, I haven't" she answered, a questioning look on her face. "Why do you ask?"
"No reason, merely curiosity" the female doctor stated. Giving the moors one last penetrating stare, she turned away from Seras. "The night is getting quite late, and Walter will worry if I do not return soon."
"Then a good night to you" Seras said cheerfully.
With a final wave of her hand, Integra disappeared into the thickening mist, leaving Seras once more alone. With a sigh, the young woman resumed her course. Following the advice of the doctor, she carefully stayed to the path, occasionally throwing stones before her when the way became unclear.
After a journey of an hour, longer than she'd intended, Seras arrived at the old structure she'd seen from the moors. With the curiosity of an explorer, she strolled among the rubbles of the ancient building. Time had been kind to the stones, which the young woman found to be well-worn but still solid. Walking through one of the many arches, she gazed at the moon trailing across the sky.
With an unexpected stumble, the young heiress suddenly found herself on the ground. For several seconds she merely sat upon the moist grass, trying to collect her thoughts. With a short laugh at her predicament, she stared ahead and nearly screamed.
Before her face hovered a hand, with the dark shade of a person barely visible behind the appendage. Seras jerked away from the hand, startled by the sudden closeness. Lifting her head higher, she was met with a pleasant surprise.
Alucard stood before her, dressed in the same outfit Seras had seen him wear the previous night. A grin was once more upon his face, apparently amused by her startled reaction. Clutching her rapidly beating heart, the young woman was not humored by his sudden appearance.
"Good grief, Alucard!" she nearly yelled, annoyance in her voice. "Must our meetings begin with my nerves frayed?"
Alucard chuckled at her evident agitation, his hand still outstretched.
"I merely thought to lend my assistance to a lady in need" he spoke. His humor increased as he watched the woman blush at his words, unaccustomed to help from a gentleman.
"Then I thank you" she answered, her manners unwavering.
Turning her eyes to the outstretched arm, Seras noticed for the first time that his hands were lacking in the gloves of the previous evening. Reaching out her own hand, she drew back in surprise when their skins came in contact. His skin was as cold as ice, with no hint of warmth.
Alucard drew his hand back, the grin slightly faltering. Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew the familiar pair of white gloves. Seras regained her composure, as she watched him place the cloths over his long hands.
"How careless of me" he spoke, once more offering his hand. "I often forget how cold my hands feel to others. My circulation is of the poorest, and little warmth reaches them."
With a smile of her own, Seras boldly took hold of the outstretched hand, for fear of embarrassing the gentleman further. With more strength than she supposed the limbs had possessed, Alucard quickly pulled her up with little effort. Straightening herself and brushing the dirt and moss from her dress, Seras looked to her new companion. The young woman noticed for the first time that Alucard was wearing glasses. They were of a fashionable style, with the lenses red tinted and the frame wrapping around the eyes. She wondered how he was able to see, the dark and mist being enough of a hindrance for her own vision.
"I didn't think we'd meet so soon" she said, looking him over in the dim light of the moon. "And here..." she trailed off, waving her hand at the misty area around them.
"In such surroundings?" he finished, smiling.
"Yes" Seras said, laughing. People in the area did indeed keep strange hours. "What brings you out at this time of night?"
"The moon is magnificent tonight, and I chose not to waste such beauty" Alucard answered, peering at the pale orb in the sky. "Do you care to walk with me?"
"Gladly" she said, grateful for the company. The darkness seemed to be growing menacing, and the thought of wandering the moors alone was less appealing than before.
The couple first walked among the decrepit structures for a time, before following the path down the other side of the low hill. Alucard appeared to know his way well around the moors, as Seras noticed they often left the trail. They spoke little, each asking the other polite questions, no more than the beauty of the moon and the freshness of the air.
Before Seras knew the time had passed, the moon was lowering in the west. Also noticing the state of the night, Alucard set their path toward the young heiress' estate. They arrived at the main entrance as the sun's light was seen from the hills in the east.
"This is where we part" Alucard said, opening the door with the key Seras had handed him. "Did you enjoy the walk?"
"Immensely" she spoke, walking into the entrance hall. "But will I possibly see you tonight?" Seras asked. She would have been glad to know where he resided, but bashfulness kept her from inquiring.
"Maybe" he answered. With the return of the key and a final bow, her companion walked to the corner of the house and disappeared from view.
Closing the heavy wooden door behind her, Seras walked up the steps slowly. She was exhausted from the stroll, and was looking forward to a long sleep. As she changed into her night dress, she recounted the many visits and meetings of the day. Coming to the conversation she'd had with Integra, the young woman idly wondered about the person the doctor had asked about. Maybe she was looking for Alucard? After all, she had found him only minutes later, and also not far from the moors.
Shrugging her shoulders, Seras gave a yawn and eagerly climbed into the large bed. Before her thoughts could resume, sleep overtook her.