Authors notes: Well folks, this is the new chapter. Sorry it took me so long to write. Since no one ever gave me any suggestions on what time they prefered Meg to arrive so I am having it before the Valintine brothers. Well, time to read on.
Hellsing Manor
11:00 pm
Meg's POV
"Oh. My. God." I wispered softly as Ojii-san led me to the enterance hall of the manor. The place looked like it cost thousands, but then again this was a castle. I suppose grandiose (and a little gaudy if you asked me.) just came with the teritory. Ojii-san was polite enough not to laugh at me as I stared dumbfounded at the ... room? Oh hell, I had no clue what to call anything here. I was an american to the core damn it. Of course I didn't say it out loud. What I did say was "I really hope the dude who designed this place didn't decorate the rooms, because this is just insane." Ojii-san turned to me , an eyebrow raised in amusement.
"Oh, and why would that be?" He asked, clearly amused.
"I like practicality. For example, there is no flippin reason to silk sheets or blankets on a bed. They don't keep you warm, plus they are an absolute pain to wash. Give me plain old cotton or polyester and day." I said while I looked at him. Here's to wishing I didn't offend him. Damn I was going to learn to keep my mouth shut. Well, at least I managed to stop myself from swearing in front of him. Yippe for me. Then, to my complete and utter astonishment, he laughed. A happy rolling sound that softened the lines of his face. With a start I realized that even in his advanced years he was surprisingly handsom. God I hoped that I preserved half as well as he did when I got old.
"You have no I idea how much of a comfort that is Meg. I have been worried this whole time that you were one of those girls who expected the world to be handed to them on a silver platter." At that I made barfing sound, earning another chuckle from him before he continued. "Yes, well that I know that much about you I have good athority to say that the your bedroom will be quite to your tastes. Sir Hellsing even gave permission for you to redecorate to suit your personality." My face brightend at that. Mabey she wasn't such a cold bitch as I thought. I managed to keep my opinion to myself were that area was concerned. It didn't take Einstien to see That Ojii-san respected her. "Shall we retire for the night. It has been a rather hectic day and you mut forgive for I am exausted." Oh god. He talked like he had eaten a grammer book as a child, but there was no arguing with what he said (Abit, in a windy manner, but he's old and british. They're supposed to have a pole shoved up their ass) so he led me through the maze that was the manor to our rooms.
At first I tried to keep track of where we turned and when, but lost track. I was going to need a map to get around this place. After a while I started to look at the decorations on the walls. A little too grand for my tastes but then again, my tastes didn't matter. We passed a hall filled with paintings of former heads of the Hellsing family. All of them were men, dating back to Abraham Van Hellsing himself. The next hall contained paintings of the monarchs of England. Another contained paintings of random people who helped the hellsing family. One made me stop. It was a woman. Quite probally the most beautiful I had ever seen. Her ginger colored hair was piled in lose curls above her head, leaving her slender neak exposed. On the creamy flesh were two small, circular scars. Fangs. So this is what Mina Harker had looked like. Now I knew why the vampire had desired her so much. I made a mental note to come back here the scurried off to catch up with Ojii-san.
We passed many people as we walked the halls, most of them soilders. They greeted Ojii-san warmly as they passed and well over half inquired as to who I was. It made me feel like I should have a big pin that read I am Walter's grandchild, not the new maid. Ojii-san introduced me to each one, and after they had walked away let me know which ones I was safe with and which ones I wasn't. Most of them were pretty decent actually, but I was still going to at least carry a knife with me at all times. Five of the men we crossed I had been specfically told to stay away from. Ojii-san had said they were the sort of people who didn't respect anyone they thought was weaker. To me it simply ment that I was going to have to train with the soilder-boys someday soon and show them how much damage I could do.
Anyhoo, after several stops we made it to the section of the manor that contained our rooms. It was quieter than the rest of the manor and was far more practical in design. I kinda figured that the wealthy didn't see this area too often. Then I noticed the soft sent of fresh greenery drifting the halls. It made me stop for a moment. It was the same types of plants my mother had in her garden back home. How unexpected, to come across something so familar half a world away. But with the smell came memories. Some I wasn't ready to handle yet.
Mom smiling as she tended to the garden at our home. Papa working the shop one a new carving that he would sell in his store. David instructing some students on how to hold a katana. And Shara, sitting at he window composing a new piece for me to play on the violin. Then the memories shifted. Me trapped in the back of the van, calling to my family. David's pale hand dangling over the seat, covered in blood. Mom moaning in pain as the glass stung her wounds. Papa not moving. Shara reaching out to me, begging me to help her. Her lips stained with blood she had coughed up, letting me know it was already too late. I shook my head violently, forcefuly banishing the thoughts and kept walking next to Ojii-san. If he noticed my strange behavor he chose not to comment on it.
"And here is your room" he said as he opened the door to a decent sized living area. It had a spacious bedroom and an adjacent bathroom that Ojii-san assured me was completely my own. "My room is right across the hall from yours" he continued as we piled my luggage next to the dresser. "Should you need anything Meg, don't be afraid to ask for it." I murmmed my thanks and began to rifle through my clothes for my oversized T-shirt. When I turned back he was still standing there, looking as thought he wanted to say more, but couldn't find the right words. Finally he cleared his throat and said "Meg, I know that this isn't going to be easy for you, but understand that I am here for you. And if you don't feel comfortable taking to me about something, then speak with Sir Hellsing. I know she seems cold and distant but she is truely a good person, and won't turn you away." With that he turned to leave.
"Ojii-san" I began hesitantly, not even sure of what it was I wanted to say. When he turned to face me I began to shiver. I knew It was pathetic, but I couldn't stop. As he reached out to hold me I felt my eyes begin to burn. Oh gods no. I was not going to cry. Not a chance. At least that is what I kept on telling myself, until Ojii-san held me and I came undone. The tears escaped my eyes no matter how hard I squeezed them shut. Dimmily I was aware that Ojii-san was wispering words of comfort to me. It was only when I realized that he was also sobbing softly that I let go of my emotions and clung to him. I cried for my family, gone from this world to never return. I cried for Ojii-san, who never even knew he had a living child but was now the gaurdian of an unknown grandchild. But I mostly cried for me, because I had no clue what to expect here and desperately didn't want to disappoint my new family.