It was a beautiful night indeed. Alucard stepped through the littered patches of streetlamp light. Par usual, his mission on this particular night was to eliminate a local FREAK incursion. This time it involved a local bar, nothing particularly entertaining. Alucard approached the place along the sidewalk, keeping his distance par orders. He was only to interfere should the silly human squad fail to do their job. He shook his head absently. The humans were so incompetent, unable to take care of something so simple as a single FREAK at times. Settling into a shadow, Alucard waited for either the squad to return, or for someone to come crawling out the door, bleeding profusely. He chuckled, rather hoping it was the second. Things had been wretchedly boring of late. This had been the first incident in the last few days, and nothing even remotely interesting had occurred for the past week or so.
Motion from the bar doorway caught his eye. The door was pushed jerkily open by what appeared to be half of a human hand. Said hand was soon followed by the attached body, which was missing several parts. Alucard rolled his eyes and raised his Jackul, leveling the barrel with the ghoul, now halfway out the door. He pulled the trigger, hardly feeling the recoil as he watched in mild satisfaction, the freak falling to the ground and melting into dust.
And so, the night begins.
Emily Ellis arrived at the Hellsing gates, taking yet another doubtful look at the address on the newspaper clipping. She eyed the mansion, just down the road from the gate, wondering just what she was about to get into. Just why did the interview have to be so late… Or early, depending on your concept of time. Thoughts of explaining her lack of rent to the super of her apartment quickly silenced any apprehensions she had and Emily began to look around for an intercom or something.
"Welcome." Said a voice from off to the right. Emily jumped slightly and looked and found the intercom, just a bit higher than she was tall, built as part of the gate itself. She regained her composure and smiled politely.
"Hello. I am here in answer to your newspaper add." She said, holding up the clipping. "I called two days ago and set up an interview." Emily waited nervously for a reply of sorts. After a few moments, she was not disappointed.
"Ah yes, Miss Ellis. Welcome to the Hellsing Manor." With that, the gates opened, the steel hinges creaking slightly. Emily took a deep breath and walked down the drive, fiddling nervously with the corner of her shoulder bag.
Alucard returned to the manor, stepping from a wall-shadow in Sir Integra's office. He leaned idly against the wall, scanning the office. Integra sat at her desk, absorbed in something or other. He remained silent, not particularly interested in making his presence known. You can be sure his curiosity was piqued when a new presence entered his mind. He raised an eyebrow. Now this was interesting. The presence was female, but it wasn't a vampire… How strange, usually only the undead give off such an aura. Alas, he did not have long to ponder it. Sir Integra's desk-intercom piped up, Walter's voice filling the silence.
"Miss Emily Ellis has arrived for a job interview." Integra set down her papers.
"Thank you Walter. Send her in whenever you see fit." Alucard raised an inquiring eyebrow. Just what was his master up to this time? For whatever reason could she require another employee. Last he checked, the soldiers were not interviewed. Within minutes the door opened, admitting Walter.
"Sir Integra, Miss Emily Ellis." He said, gesturing the girl into Integra's study. This time both eyebrows went skyward as Alucard watched a slim young thing enter the room.
Emily looked around the study, careful to keep her expression one of polite interest rather than the awe she wished to express. Sir Integra's study was quite impressive; the bookshelves on either side adding to the grandeur. Emily took a few steps forward until she reached the deep red carpet that dominated most of the floor then bowed politely.
"Good evening Sir Integra." She said, keeping her voice in a schooled tone of soft respect.
"Good evening Miss Ellis." Integra replied, gesturing to one of the two chairs in front of her desk. "Sit and we shall discuss your credentials."
Alucard took this opportunity to tune out, making note of only the fact that the girl was to be hired as a secretary, keeping record of the various raids and making note of any patterns she might notice. Alucard's interest was once again aroused when he heard that this girl was to take reports from him. He grinned, noting that Integra neglected to mention his race. 'Tactful, but I have to wonder just when she will inform the girl.' He thought. He did not have to wait long.
"You seem competent." Integra said. "I will hire you if you still wish to work for the Hellsing Organization after I explain just what we do." Emily tilted her head to the side slightly. Integra went on, explaining ghouls, vampires and the entirety of Hellsing's purpose. Alucard was rather surprised when the girl simply listened, her expression remaining one of polite curiosity. If she took the job it would be quite interesting to see just how far he could push before that mask broke. Integra finished her explanation and prompted Emily for an answer.
"I still wish to work for the Hellsing Organization, Sir Integra. If I may, would it be alright if I took the evening to move my belongings from my apartment to my new quarters?" Emily asked.
"Of course, so long as you are back before dawn to record Alucard's report." Integra said dismissively, turning back to the papers on her desk. "Now off with you."