- Part Two
Somewhere during the taxi ride, Integral started to space out again. Her eyelids closed out of the exhaustion of the flight and the heavy moisture in the atmosphere. She started to sleep, uncaring for Alucard's vain attempts to awake her, his words and light shaking ignored by her tired body.
The world changed within the confines of her mind. To another era, to another place. The sun was shining outside, but little light passed inside the grey walls of the castle, especially that corridor. It was a forbidden area, she knew, but curiosity won over futile warnings from the guards who tried to persuade her against her endeavour. They let her pass; she had ordered.
In her dream, Integral was wearing a long, blue gown that she had to practically lift in order to walk without stepping on it, and a silver ornament that heightened her head. She was not scared or lustful; she was curious and excited. She stopped her path upon reaching heavy wood gates; they were closed but she had the golden key to open the lock. The smell coming from the room was putrid and revolted her stomach-- yet, strangely, only increased her enthusiasm. She turned the key, twisted, and fastened the lock open. Hearing the click of victory, she lowered the knob.
"Cine esti?"
Integral heard a basso voice asking with a menacing tone. She recognised it and yet did not. As if a piece of information had not been patched together yet. Like it was the first time she had heard it.
The cell was even darker than the corridors. She did not dare to enter yet, but instead stood on the threshold, trying to discern where he was and allowing some of the light to illuminate the inside.
"Cine esti!" he asked again, growling.
She made a sound to introduce herself that turned into a half-hearted squeak when saw the source of the putrid fragrance. Rats, birds, cats - all impaled with pieces of chairs and tables lined upon just a few steps of the door. A frightening sight, certainly meant to intimidate the visitors, yet she was not scared; the feeling that sparked inside her was far from fear.
She stepped on the light further, her eyes drinking in the victim animals' twisted faces and telling herself, convincing herself how truly despicable this was. However, she could not conceal her expression of wonder.
She heard him approach, shuffling on the stone floor, breaking the fixation on his victims. His profile was still hidden by the darkness yet he extended his hands towards her.
"Intra sigur si nesilit de nimeni."
Blood, a small massacre and her family's prisoner. This scene replayed so familiarly. Integral took a step forward and left the door open behind her.
----
Integral stirred, curling snug with a satin cushion on the ample bed on which she had been deposited while she was sleeping. She blindly batted the candid rays of sun off her face and slowly started to awake. The odour of death was replaced by sweet perfume of the jasmines placed in a vase over the night stand. The knight missed the revolting stench. She told herself otherwise. She stretched her limbs, expression still lost in her dreams, and disoriented upon opening her eyes.
"Are you awake, Lady Integral? How are you feeling?"
Integral straightened her posture, sitting on the mattress, leaning on the soft cushions at her back. She looked immediately to the direction of the deep, female voice. There was a woman standing on the threshold, wrapped in a white sari and carrying a tray with fruits and a glass of water. Her hair was cut in a short, mannish fashion and wore no ornaments except for her bindi. She was an austere sight that contrasted with the opulent chamber, filled with jade and ivory statutes of Hindu deities.
"Yes, thank you," Integral replied, watching the woman's every movement as she placed the tray near the vase with jasmines.
"Namaste," the woman greeted, bowing and bringing her palms together on her chest. Integral inclined her head in return. "I am Mysore Sahib Dakini," she introduced herself, her smile waned into a serious expression. "You may call me Dakini, I'm the governess of the family. But I was chosen among the staff for my domain of English to welcome you."
Integral was thankful to have her name. The Indians were complicated when came to that. Her uncle had westernised his name due to business. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Dakini."
"Likewise," Dakini assured her with a lingering look on her face. "Your… companion is on the next room." Integral reached for the glass of water and started to drink it. "He carried you from the taxi, you fainted as soon as the taxi parked in front the residence."
Integral returned the glass to the tray, acting natural. She would not tell her condition to a stranger. "I have never travelled so far in a plane. The change of weather, the heat and the moisture must have triggered unwelcome reactions. It will pass when I grow accustomed to this type of atmosphere."
"I understand," Dakini said, sounding sceptical. Integral was uncomfortable with her scrutinising glance. "I hope you recover yourself, Lady Integral." She started to move, circling the bed and going in direction of the ample closet, opening it wide. It was filled with Integral's clothes. "The maid service unpacked when you were resting. They didn't take anything, rest assured, I was supervising," she smiled kindly. "There is also a collection of saris, a special gift from your aunt. You shall find jewels to accompany them in the drawers."
Integral distinguished the bright, glistening fabrics of the saris hidden between her clothes, standing up to her usual formal, dull colours. "I'll keep that in mind. Thank you." And I'll hide I have that in my closet lest Alucard gets ideas to insist I should dress more traditionally.
Dakini left the closet open and bowed, walking on front of Integral's bed. "If you don't need me anymore," she said, "Your companion will join you in a moment. His package just arrived from the airport. It was delayed. Your uncle and aunt will want to meet you after you are refreshed."
His last domain, Integral realized. She was happy to have been asleep. Alucard surely was unbearable in anxiety because his casket was not there yet. "I will be ready in an hour."
"Oh, and Lady Integral," Dakini commented, stopping under the threshold. "Do you usually mutter in your sleep?"
Integral guarded her expression. She surely was muttering during the strange dream. "Often since I was young," she allowed herself another lie without feeling an ounce of guilt. "It's not uncommon."
The governess pushed a short strand of black hair under her ear, her dark eyes fixated on Integral's for a brief instant. "That is a relief then," she informed her with a gentle nod. "I was worried when you started speaking loudly and fluently in a language that wasn't English. Namaste, Lady Integral." Dakini bid farewell and departed from her room.
Integral remained thoughtful whilst she listened to Dakini's retreating footsteps. She would not ask about what she had uttered during her slumber. She feared to know the meaning of the words; she was wary that her speech would coincide with her dreams. The knight reached for her glass of water once more, accidentally brushing one of the jasmines. The penetrating fragrance of the flowers tickled her nostrils; she sneezed and laid down, crushing the cushions. Somehow, Integral could still detect the stench of death under the perfumed atmosphere, always with her.
Closing her eyes, she stored those thoughts away from immediate concern and drank the water in silence.
The sluggish stillness of the afternoon did not last. Soon after she finished showering and dressing, Alucard joined her. First, Integral was worried she would be bombarded with questions about her health or the new wardrobe inside the open closet. Fortunately (or not; she had not decided if she was indeed lucky), the vampire was in a mood after the delay of his coffin. Ever since he arrived, he spent time smoking a cigarette, anxiously grinding his teeth while he started to complain for a half hour straight about the dreadful delivery service in Bangalore.
Integral finally understood why some women chose to divorce their inconsiderate husbands for petty reasons. Pretending to listen to his prattle, Integral settled placidly on her bed and ate a handful of the offered grapes.
"What do you think?" Alucard inquired, giving her a lunatic look. "I am allowed to?"
Integral did not need to pay attention to know what he was asking permission for. "You can't eat the delivery workers just because of a little delay, Count," she replied.
His mad expression faltered into a scoff. "A little? They took two hours and fourteen minutes longer than they agreed! I was worried for my last domain!"
"Which arrived safe and without a scratch," Integral pointed out firmly. "Don't complain. It makes you look like a grumpy old man, Alucard. It doesn't suit your current form."
Alucard sneered but dropped the subject; his attention was momentarily captured by the contents in her closet, his frown slowly turning up into a grin. That was what Integral feared, yet had braced herself to shoot down his lecherous hopes as quickly as possible. Before the vampire uttered any improper comment, someone knocked the door.
"Lady Integral. Count," Dakini said behind the door. "Everyone is waiting to welcome you two, as is proper for such honourable guests. Come with me, please."
Integral rose from the bed, straightened her suit and tidied her hair, nodding to Alucard to open the door. Dakini did a namaskar and guided them through the corridors.
The house, Integral noted, was a mixture of eastern and western flair. It was certainly an old residence with Muslim influence, judging by the small domes at the ceiling and the ample bathrooms. However, it was painted and modernized, furnished with western objects. The several parts of the building were downright baroque: enormous mirrors and paintings covered the walls, gigantic chandeliers hung from the ceilings, and hundreds of statues and Far Eastern urns populated the inside. The floors bore multicoloured marble inlay on a giant scale, with a calico effect. Even the lamps were detailed creations, especially those on the staircases, where metal women with multiple arms held a light bulb on each hand.
Integral could see, ahead of them, a zone where the corridors seemed to join; the ceiling was open above so that the moonlight from the skylights fell down through the house. A table holding an ornate floral arrangement sat in the middle of it. It stirred an odd sense of harmony within her. The knight did not know why she had started to feel so comfortable inside this building. Perhaps because, just like the city, it was filled with life, and she had spent so much time around devastation.
"This way, Lady Integral," Dakini indicated, opening wide two doors at their right. "The dinner was already served, so as not to keep our guests waiting with unnecessary hunger."
Integral entered first, then Alucard, while Dakini waited until they were inside to close the doors. As the governess said, the food was placed over the long table, a variety of rice, vegetable, soups and dry fish. There were five chairs positioned to the attendants.
"We are so glad to have you among us, Integra."
She turned her attention from the succulent table to the masculine voice that had just addressed her, recognizing her uncle from the pictures he had previously sent her during their brief mail contact. His skin was dark and his hair was greying, but his happiness seemingly kept him youthful. Dressed in a western brown business suit, Kumar Sahib saluted with a bright smile of yellowed teeth.
"Namaste. My wife and son will enter in a moment. We have prepared a special welcome for our guests." He shot a bemused glance at Alucard.
"Thank you."
"Dakini, bring the garlands." The governess inclined her head and disappeared on the back door behind Kumar.
"Garlands?" Alucard questioned, looking at Integral with sudden apprehension. Integral hid a smirk from his reaction, imagining her vampire covered with flowers.
"I doubt they are made of wild roses or garlic," she soothed in vain.
"It's a harmless tradition, Count," Kumar assured him, clasping his hands and approaching, appraising Integral from head to toes, pointedly ignoring Alucard's presence. She wondered if her servant made him nervous. "You look so much like my sister. Except for your eyes and hair, of course. Ishani has always been the spitting image of our mother with a darker complexion." Integral nodded, recalling her maternal grandmother was from France. "Pity you cannot meet your grandparents. My father refused to come, he's still sore of Ishani's desertion, and my mother is too ill to make it."
"I assumed as much. Don't worry, Mr. Sahib, I'm grateful for your invitation," Integral commented. Arthur Hellsing had been around her mother's father's age when he wedded her. A crib robber who had stolen the prized Asian beauty.
The knight saw the door open behind her uncle and Dakini emerging with two garlands made of white jasmine and orange marigold flowers. She handed them to Kumar with a respectable bow, and he turned to place them around Integral's neck first.
"Thank you," said Integral, accepting the gift as she elbowed Alucard to do the same. The vampire grimaced and mimicked his Master's motions, looking disgruntled with the blossoms adorning his white suit. "You look stunning, Count. Those colours suit you," she complimented, reaching to brush a marigold with her index finger. Alucard recoiled, face darkening.
"Indeed, Master? I would prefer them red, blood red."
Integral held her laughter when she saw him glare at her for the small torment. He seldom allowed himself to show annoyance at her words or antics. This moment was to be treasured! However, it passed, interrupted by her uncle clearing his throat and catching her attention. Two newcomers soon joined their small entourage.
"My wife, Pandara, and our son, Dakkar."
The woman was slim and pretty; not a breathtaking beauty, but the years had treated her well. She looked younger than her uncle, without silver strands on her long, braided black hair; the heavy make up hid any line of age. Her sari was orange and white like the offered garlands and she wore a nose ring, golden bangles and yellow thread around her neck. She smiled brightly and said Namaste without being able to bring her hands together; her aunt was carrying a tray with food and candles.
The boy was very distanced from Pandara, taking slow but firm steps forward, his gaze fixed on the ground. He walked right towards Integral. She could not see his features, but he was dressed in an endearing, formal way. He wore white trousers and a long orange coat-like garment with a length slight below the knee and opening in front with button-fastenings. He stopped just in front of the knight; his shoulders shrunk, appearing younger than he was (Integral could tell he was a teenager already) then fell to his knees, prostrating and touching her feet.
For an instant, Integral was stiff and speechless, looking at Alucard disoriented. The vampire bore a mischievous expression on his features, surely he was seeing her cousin as a possible way to exert his frustrations. If she asked his assistance now, he would probably kick the boy out of orbit.
"Touch his head," Dakini advised in a murmur, positioning herself at Integral's left. "He expects a blessing from the honourable guest as he does from his elders."
Elder? Integral was certainly no more than ten years older than her cousin. Forcing a smile, she inclined forward and touched Dakkar's head lightly. He rose carefully after that and hurried to hide behind the governess.
"Forgive him, Integra, he's very shy. He has been home schooled most of his life," lamented his father with a sigh. "Dakini has coddled him too much. It's a good thing he'll be attending an institute soon to solve that."
"It's quite alright, Mr. Sahib."
"Dear," Pandara interrupted, her voice was soft and patient.
"Oh, forgive me. This is our gift for our guests, a veneration offering for your visit to be auspicious. We call it Arati."
Integral surveyed the metal tray's content. There were five small lamps, and a wick made of cotton wool was placed over them. Aside from them, there was a white conch shell filled with water, leaves, flowers and incense.
They guided her and Alucard to the head of the table, where Kumar lit each lamp and rotated the tray in front of them in circular motion while he chanted in his language. After that was over, they assembled in their respective chairs and started to eat.
"I shall return when you are done eating, Lady Integral. Count." Dakini said, bringing her hands together to bid farewell. The boy Dakkar recoiled and looked lost when she disappeared.
"Dakkar, sit straight," Kumar scowled at him.
"Sorry, father."
"Your son seems attached to his nanny," Alucard commented, still sneering at his garland.
"Unfortunately," Pandara said with a sad smile, "She has spoiled him and barely obeys us anymore. We hope time away from home will correct that."
"And will she be unemployed then?" Integral asked, glancing at the introverted teen and grateful they had not yet started with any questions about her yet. She would like to avoid any personal interrogation.
"No, we'll find another post for her within the household," Kumar answered while a young maid filled his goblet. "She's Pandara's younger sister."
Her sister? Integral sipped the wine in his goblet and looked at Alucard, who promptly ignored the served dinner and stared lasciviously at the maid's arms and neck. He was in a mood since the flowers and it was better to let him unnerve others before he would turn to her.
"But Integra, enough of us! Tell us how your journey to India was!"
Integral had hoped that she could spend the dinner without touching them in any subject. "Pleasant enough," she replied curtly and braced herself to be bombarded with questions.
One hour later, they had finished dinner. Avoiding personal prying was easier than Integral had assumed. It helped that Kumar had been interrupted twice with calls from his working place and Pandara was focused on patronizing her son. The knight could sway the topics to holidays and the meanings of the garlands and traditions she recalled from her reading to avoid violent cultural impact.
Dakini had arrived to escort them to their quarters, but Dakkar jumped towards his aunt and demanded to be taken to his instead. "Excuse him, Lady Integral. He's not accustomed to important guests," she had apologised.
"It's alright," Integral assured her before Pandara had a chance to speak a word on the matter. "Go with him. Alucard and I know the way back, we won't be lost." She turned and did a Namaskar at her aunt to please her. "We'll retire early to bed, give our apologies to my uncle."
Marching out of the dinning room, Integral experienced a great relief. She had not practiced diplomatic briefing since Iscariot (and the nature of those were questionable), let alone face relatives, since she was thirteen years old. The feeling of not being prepared and in control was one she knew well and disliked above all.
"You didn't warn me about the flowers," Alucard grumbled, taking out his garland and sliding it over her head.
"What do you think you are doing?"
"It looks better on you, Integra. Looking like a forest nymph in a tailored suit."
Integral huffed and arranged both circlets; she felt heat rise on her cheeks. "You are being childish, Count. Your cheap compliments won't save you. I should hire a governess to keep you in line."
Alucard grinned shamelessly and changed subjects. As was convenient. "It went well… I wasn't insulted once."
"They are too polite for that."
"And they didn't mention your health. Not very considerate either."
"But convenient for me; I won't have any excuse for them to lock me up due to health reasons," Integral mentioned, lowering her tone, wary to be heard.
"Still, I'm surprised they didn't bring up what the governess heard you utter."
Integral paused; they were near their chambers. "It was probably nothing, Alucard. Feverish, inane chatter." She looked at him, unconcerned, and was surprised by how serious he appeared. His gaze searched for something within her eyes, making her shiver, as if he were scrutinising her soul. "What is it?"
Alucard chuckled and shook his head. "Nothing, Master."
"Don't lie to me."
What was he playing at? He knew very well she disliked when she was toyed with.
"Hoh? Well then, Countess, if you insist. When I was carrying you to your room, I thought I heard you speaking in old Hungarian, that is all. But as you said, it was probably feverish, inane chatter."
"Hungarian? I don't know the language, Alucard," Integral answered, furrowing her eyebrows. "Must be impressions of yours," she added quickly to abate his doubts and convince herself.
"Perhaps. Good night, my Master."
He vanished in front of her eyes so abruptly Integral could not say farewell herself. For a second, she had the obviously wrong impression he was running away and afraid to face her but dismissed such thoughts. Why would Alucard feel that way? It was utterly absurd, as was the idea of her talking in Hungarian. He's probably in a mood from the coffin delay and the garlands.
That night, Integral slept soundly, without bizarre visions and dreams she could recall nor her well needed rest upset.
Edited by VampKitty. Thank you for the feedback so far!
