Disclaimer: I don't own Hellsing… oh but if I did… sigh
A/N: Hello again! Been a while, eh? Well… I had a whole speech worked out for this, but I left it too long, and now I forget… Oh yeah, for the second half of this chapter, I have German, but the English translations will be in the OK? Now, I just used a translator, so if the grammar in the German is REALLY off, I apologize, because I don't speak German, but really wanted to make the letter (you'll get it later) seem authentic and stuff. So… enjoy and tell me what you think!
Chapter 5
"May I help?" asks a small voice from behind me. I turn around to see tiny Yumiko staring at me through thick glasses.
"Ja, of course." She timidly walks up, takes a corner of the sheet and tucks it in between the straw ticks. Over the few weeks her family has been here, she's been a big help. Now her sister, Yumie, on the other hand, is a bit of a pain. I mean, she's sweet enough in her own way, but she should have been a boy, as everyone is always quick to point out.
I look at the little girl helping me to make the bed and wonder how two people who look so much alike can be so different.
"Miss Ria, where did you used to live?" This question surprises me, normally she never says anything.
I open my mouth to answer when the door bangs open and Yumie barges in.
"Hey Miko, look what I found!" She shoves her hand into her pocket. I almost fear to know what she'll pull out this time.
She pulls her hand out and holds it open. I suppress sigh of relief, it's only a grasshopper. Bugs I can deal with, but I draw the line at snakes, which is what she had yesterday. But, for Yumiko bugs are still pretty scary.
"Eek! Yumie put that away!" she shrieks. She jumps behind me and quivers.
"Yumie, please take that back outside." It's best to stay calm and cool when dealing with a girl like Yumie.
"I just thought it was neat… Oh OK, I'll put it back." She turns and leaves, passing Alucard at the door. He walks into the room that is undergoing cleaning for the next guest staying in it.
"Yumiko, your mother's looking for you downstairs." he says. She nods and scurries after her sister.
Oh great, now that we're alone what's he going to do? I ignore him and pick up a cloth out of the bucket on the floor. Time to wash the walls.
Actually, we're not officially going together, because after that afternoon he's failed to follow up on anything, and that was two weeks ago. I would be very upset if I didn't know he's just toying with me.
I ignore him for a few more minutes, yet he doesn't leave. I turn to him. "Can I help you vith something?" There's the smirk.
"I don't know, can you?" Again with the games.
"That depends vat you vant help vith." His smirk deepens and he pulls me into his arms.
"This," and he pushes his lips to mine. I wrap my arms around him and start to lean into his kiss, when I hear a distinct "Ahem" from the door. We break the kiss and look to the door where Mrs. Kutcher is now standing. I can feel my face heating up, and I know I'm blushing.
"Yes?" says Alucard in a calm, questioning voice. I groan and push him off of me. How can he be so calm in such an embarrassing situation?
"Mr. Nosferat, I can't have ya distractin' Ria from her work. This room has ta be done for this evenin' for when the train gits in, and if ya keep followin' her around an' kissin' her whenever ya feel like it, she'll never git any work done."
My face gets, if possible, redder. No matter how bad it had been having her walk in on us, that little speech had made it 1000 times worse. It proved that she'd seen us together before, but just hadn't said anything. Oh, this is just too embarrassing.
"My deepest apologies Mrs. Kutcher, and rest assured that I'll try to be as little of a distraction as possible. I actually had a purpose in mind when I came here, and if you'll allow me to complete it, I'll leave as soon as possible"
"Well then git to it."
"I will when you leave." She scowls at him. Normally, Mrs. Kutcher is one of the most patient, nicest people in the world. But when there's work to be done that's not getting done for no good reason, she can get quite grouchy. Needless to say, she was like that now.
"Alright, but hurry. There's a lot to do today and no time to do it." Then she's gone. But more likely then not she'll be back soon to see if I'm working.
"Well, now that she's gone…" Alucard makes to pull me into his arms again, but I hold up my hand.
"You said you vanted to ask me something, so vat is it?" I really do have a lot of work to do, and the sooner I get back to it, the sooner I'll finish. Besides, I received a letter from home this morning after breakfast, but haven't had time to read it yet.
"What's the rush? She won't be back for five minutes at least." He tries to hug me again, but I duck under his arm.
"I have things to do today. So vat do you vant?" Wow… I'm being really mean today. Oh well, I muse to myself as I continue to wash the wall, I didn't have a very good sleep last night.
"I want to take you somewhere." OK, now he has my attention. I turn to look at him.
"Vhere?"
"There's a get-together happening at the school-house and I was wondering if you would like to go with me?" Of course I want to go, but now it's my turn to tease him.
"Vell… I don't know… I don't know if I have a suitable dress… and you haven't even given me any details." Alucard smirks. He knows what I'm up to.
"Say you'll come and I'll give you all the details you need." he says, finally succeeding in pulling me into a hug.
"Vell, how can I argue vith such an offer? Alright, I'll come."
"Good," and he pulls me into another kiss.
"Well ya asked what ya wanted, now scoot!" I jump. There's Mrs. Kutcher standing in the door, tapping her foot and waving Alucard out of the room.
"Alright then," he says as he lets go of me, "I'll pick you up at 7:00 on Christmas Eve." Then he walks out the door, past Mrs. Kutcher, and disappears down the hallway.
He must be talking about the Christmas dance.
"Ria, ya have ta start worryin' bout yer chores more'n yer social life." I look at Mrs. Kutcher. She doesn't look angry, but amused. "He is the charmer though, ain't he? You two'll make a fine couple. Kain't wait ta see what yer kids'll look like." My mouth drops open.
"M-Mrs. Kutcher! It's to soon to be… I mean…"
"I'm jest foolin'. But I really would like to see 'em."
My face is burning. How can people just say something like that and not even feel the slightest bit embarrassed? I come to the conclusion I've come to many times before, people here have no shame.
"Anyways, when ya git this room cleaned out, come down to the kitchen and we'll start on lunch. Oh, and if Mr. Nosferat comes around agin, give'm a smack for me, would ya?" She walks away smiling.
"Oh I will," I say to no-one in particular. Now to clean the room.
It's after dinner now and I finally have a spare minute. The kitchen, where I know sit, is empty because Mrs. Kutcher is upstairs somewhere doing… mending I think, and Mr. Kutcher is outside.
I slump into a chair and roll my sleeves down. I've just finished the dishes and sweeping the floor, so now I think I'll read the letter that's been weighing down my pocket all day. I should probably go to my room. I pull myself up and make my way to the door.
Upon entering the hallway, I can now see that it's starting to get dark out. I sigh. Another day come and gone.
I walk quietly down the hallway towards the stairs. It's so quiet, but it's a peaceful, wholesome quiet. I drink it all in.
I start to climb the stairs. A yawn escapes my mouth. It's not even overly late, yet I'm so tired. Oh well, I worked hard today, so I deserve a break.
I push open the door to my now dark room. The window opens to the East, so all the sunlight is now gone. I shut the door, and walk over to the dresser to light a candle. Another yawn.
"I think I'll turn in early tonight, right after I read this letter." I say to myself.
Sinking onto the bed I pull out the letter. Looking at the writing on the envelope, I can see it's my mother's handwriting. Tears fill my eyes as I think about my leaving Germany.
She's ran along the train platform crying and saying "Meine Tochter! Meines Babymädchens, das mich! läßt!" My daughter! My baby girl's leaving me!
I silently cried all the way to the sea port. It hurt so much to leave my family and friends.
I blink back the tears threatening to overwhelm me and open the letter. When unfolded, I can see the flowing script of my mothers' handwriting.
The tears spill over. I miss home so much. I miss the mountains in Germany, the language… just everything. It's always a very emotional time for me when I read letters from home, which is why I always do it alone.
I sigh, wipe my eyes, and start to read
"Mein liebstes Ria,
Wie geht es Ihnen? Ich freute mich, Ihren letzten Brief zu erhalten und Sie zu hören seien Sie gut. Gehen Sachen Stille gut? Erinnern Sie sich, wenn überhaupt Sie Herz verlieren, gerechte Verriegelung das folgende Schiff nach Deutschland, und Sie werden zurück mit den geöffneten Armen begrüßt.
Wie sind das Kutchers? Ist Herr. Kutcher Brunnen wieder? Aber selbstverständlich muß er sein, für Ihren Brief bereits waren die Wochen alt, als ich ihn empfing. Ihr Bruder, Paul, war besonders glücklich, von Ihnen zu hören.
Er wird in Greta engagiert. Sie erinnern sich an sie, nicht Sie? Sie vermißt Sie auch, wie Sie zwei also nah waren. Sie spricht noch von, wie Sie zwei pflegten, den Jungen herum zu folgen, und tat nie alles, das normale kleine Mädchen. Amperestunde, die Gedächtnisse. Für eine Weile dort, Ich wurde von, wie Sie sich heraus drehen würden gesorgt, aber Sie waren, und seien Sie vermutlich noch, eine vollkommene Dame. Ich bin auf Sie so stolz.
Es kann Ihnen gefallen, das gestern zu wissen, Hans Geburtstag, wir gingen Blumen auf sein Grab legen. Ich entschuldige, mich wenn irgendein von diesem Sie umkippt, aber er würde sich freuen, zu wissen, daß Sie an mit Ihrem Leben tragen. Erinnern Sie sich, die, die wir lieben, lassen uns nie wirklich, und sie tragen an in unseren Herzen. Er ist mit Ihnen, Ria und kann Sie Stärke in dem finden.
Um hier nicht viel hat geändert, und Sachen tragen an, wie sie immer haben, aber es ist nicht durchaus derselbe ohne mein kleines Ria. OH-, wie ich Sie vermisse! Es schmerzt mich fast physikalisch, um an mein armes kleines Mädchen bis jetzt weg zu denken.
Obwohl ich Sie um um viele Male gebeten habe, mußten Sie wirklich gehen? Müssen Sie wirklich bleiben? Warum nicht Sie kommen nach Hause und beginnen rüber? Ich bin für das Wiederholen traurig, aber ich vermisse Sie so. Obgleich ich annehme, muß ich es tragen und lasse Sie die starke junge Frau werden, die Sie bedeutet wurden, um zu sein.
Bitte schreiben Sie zurück bald.
Ihr Wirklich,
Isolde van Winkle
Ihre liebevolle Mutter"
My dearest Ria,
How are you? I was pleased to receive your last letter and to hear you're well. Are things still going well? Remember, if ever you lose heart, just catch the next ship to Germany, and you'll be welcomed back with open arms.
How are the Kutchers? Is Mr. Kutcher well again? But of course he must be, for your letter was already weeks old when I received it. Your brother, Paul, was particularly happy to hear from you.
He is engaged to Greta. You remember her, don't you? She misses you too, as you two were so close. She still talks of how you two used to follow the boys around, and never did anything normal little girls did. Ah, the memories. For a while there, I was worried of how you would turn out, but you were, and probably still are, a perfect lady. I'm so proud of you.
It may please you to know that yesterday, Hans birthday, we went and laid flowers on his grave. I apologize if any of this upsets you, but he would be pleased to know that you are carrying on with your life. Remember, the ones we love never truly leave us, and they carry on in our hearts. He's with you, Ria and may you find strength in that.
Around here not much has changed, and things carry on as they always have, but it's not quite the same without my little Ria. Oh how I miss you! It almost physically pains me to think of my poor little girl so far away.
Though I have asked you many times, did you really have to go? Do you really have to stay? Why don't you come home and start over? I am sorry for repeating myself, but I miss you so. Although I suppose I must bear it and let you become the strong young woman you were meant to be.
Please do write back soon.
Yours Truly,
Isolde van Winkle
Your affectionate mother
I exhale, refold the letter, and replace it in the envelope. It was a nice letter, though a bit short. There was no mention of my father. He hasn't spoken to me since I said I was leaving, and hasn't written either.
Trying to push those sad thoughts from my mind, I undo my dress, pull it over my head, and pull on my noght gown.
I wonder what they'll say when I tell them about Alucard? is my last thought before slipping into the comforting darkness of sleep.
A/N: So… what do you think? I tried to make it longer by putting two parts in it. The next chapter is going to be the same way because I already started writing it, but if you liked it better the way before, just say so and I'll try to switch back… maybe. Anywho, the reason why I've been gone so long is a classical case of writers block, but it's gone now and I'm (hopefully) back on track! TOOTLES!