Willow slowly pulled into the lot of the club. She drove carefully up and down each lane looking for the silver crossfire of Lydia's.
"It's probably in the front Willow. And it appears everyone else is here. I counted eleven jeeps and the two heavy armored jeeps for the captains," Athena said to Willow ignoring the others chatter.
"Ah you are correct I see it now, looks like she just had it polished," said willow as she pulled into a spot one slot down from Lydia's car.
The care was a perfect silvery shade, shiny and polished like glass. On the hood, there was a custom job creating a cross on top of the symbol of the Ambrose family. The lines seemed etched like someone had sketched them in, and the blood red color made it look as though the car were bleeding. None the less it was gorgeous, perfectly clean inside and out. The black leather interior that looked like it had never been touched.
Pip and Seras gawked at the car, causing a smile to leap to Athena's lips again.
"If you ask politely I assure you Lydia will let you ride with her. Though I have only let her drive me once, and never again, since she has no fear of death," Athena said with a slight laugh escaping as she spoke.
Athena turned to the door of the club just in time for Bryna to come out.
"Oy! Finally you all made it. Took you long enough. You should see Lydia Athena. It took several large daiquiris but she's calmed and mellowed. We got her dancing too; she's got a bloody list of people to dance with. We found it easier to keep track that way. It seems she's got every guy wanting a dance in there. I find it qui' funny," Bryna said cheerfully.
Athena smiled. She had expected this. Alcohol couldn't get Lydia drunk, but it loosened her up a bit.
"So how did the dressing go," Athena asked.
Bryna's smile faded a bit.
"Well, not so good at first. Since you know, I let Jessie do the shopping. Lydia burned most of it immediately. Threw it right into the fire. She was livid wit' me. But anyho' we got her into something tha' covered the corse' she insists on wearing. 'Spose it's what she's use to. And we got her into the pants, she burned all the skirts Jessie bought, claimin' anything above the calf was obsene. And she did, for the record have shoes on, but took 'em off since they were hurtin' 'er. I think you'll be amused Athena, I was when the finished her," Bryna said turning and opening the door.
A wave of sound came from the open door, filling everyone's ears with dance mixes.
"This way," Bryna said over the noise leading everyone to the large club box that the Ambrose family had saved for their soldiers to have.
As they walked Athena searched the crowd, she saw her soldiers, and her other vampires but no sign of Lydia. Suddenly a familiar melodic tone swept into Athena's ears. Her vision redirected to the stage as her body halted. A smile crept across Athena's and Willows faces as they watched.
"Ah. There she is," Bryna said pointing at the stage for the others.
Lydia stood center stage singing into the mike. Her blue eyes seemed aflame as she let the words simply flow off her tongue. Her dark brown hair had been trimmed and styled. It was parted to the left, and cascaded from the part to her shoulders in a rippling motion. Her lips held a soft pink tone that stood out against her darkened Greek skin. They had gotten her into a black halter top that hugged every inch of her skin. It sunk lower than anything Lydia had ever been seen in before. Lydia's figure was truly mesmerizing. The jeans they had put on her were faded and had small cuts in the mid thigh and mid calf levels. The jeans held loosely against Lydia's long legs, almost desiring to cling but seemingly pushed away by some invisible force.
Willow let out a small chuckle as she watched several young men try to pry their eyes off of Lydia.
"How on earth," started Athena completely shocked.
"How else, wine and blood. We just kept feeding it to her, She was so angry she didn't even notice," laughed Bryna.
Integra shook her head.
"Why do I get the feeling she won't be happy if the alcohol wears off," Integra asked solemnly watching Lydia be led off the stage.
"Because she won't. Hence why we'll keep her a little intoxicated till morning when she falls asleep and then we will move her. I'll stay to calm her and then take my leave," Athena said watching as a young man of about twenty seven took Lydia's hand.
"Anyho' this way ladies and gents," Bryna said ushering everyone off to the table.
Once they reached the table, Athena took the head chair. Willow sat at one side of her and Integra at the other. The other's filed in randomly and unnoticed to Athena. Her mind was focused on seeing the handy work done to Lydia. The full shine that applied as a lady that only Lydia possessed had not been seen in ages. Her eyes watched as gentleman after gentleman watched Lydia float about the floor with yet another dance partner.
"Bryna fetch Lydia please," Athena said her eyes narrowing and straining at Lydia.
Bryna looked at her oddly, shrugged and walked off.
"Oi! Lydia," Bryna called out with a demanding tone.
Within seconds Lydia graced the table with her presence.
"Yes master," Lydia questioned with a bow as she moved directly under a light.
Athena studied Lydia's face with a smile. Light makeup dusted her face. The true lady that was Lydia was present that night. Athena was delighted, and not the only one.
Alucard studied Lydia more closely now. There was something to her presence. The presence of a true lady. One of which he had not been graced with since his time before his transformation. He mused searching through his files of olden memories, smiling as he found what he hunted for. The memory of a small vacation involving a delicate invitation to a ball by a family friend. Yes, he had seen Lydia there. But at the time he met Lydia, he had pronounced her as too delicate, too special for himself. She had caught his immediate attention at the mere age of sixteen; she shined as a proper lady like none of the others could. Lydia, he recalled, had the simplest dress at the dance, but somehow she was the diamond of the ball. No other lady, no matter what status, could stand next to her. Yes, this was definitely the same girl.
"Just making sure they did you properly Lydia," Athena said with a doting smile.
Lydia laughed lightly.
"Can I be done wrong," she questioned with a sensational grin.
"You most certainly can Lydia. Makeup ruins your perfection," Willow said sipping her water.
Lydia smirked and nodded her head in agreement.
"You flatter me Willow," she said in a soft tone.
As the next song started up a smile grew onto Lydia's face. It was a present day latino song with a salsa pace.
"I believe this is a sign that I should return to the dance floor," Lydia said smiling and bowing to her master and company.
Just as she turned to make her leave, Alucard stood shocking Hellsing and her company.
"Perhaps I will jion you," Alucard said just loud enough for everyone at the table to hear.
Lydia paused but did not turn around. Alucard had made a wrong move. He had not adressed her properly face to face, nor had he requested a dance. Despite the fact that she had not turned to look at him he could tell there was insult and anger in her eyes. The emotion wafted over the table and directed themselves directly at him. He watched as Lydia's back straightened, and became more tense. Slowly all her muscles in her upper torso tightened.
"Lydia," Athena began. "I'm sure Alucard means you no insult. Perhaps he does not remember customs being how long it has been."
"Master, please do not feel the need to defend pigs it lowers the view of your standards," Lydia said sourly turning to glare at Alucard.
There was a slight pause, that showed signs of awaiting Alucard's response to the insult.
"Alucard, appologize or I fear will all be in deep," whispered Walter so only Alucard and Seras picked up on it.
Alucard scofed at the idea in his head, but he knew Wlater was correct. The only way to end this and lessen the damage was to appologize properly to Lydia. He hesitated slightly only because of her well placed insult.
To everyone's shock Alucard walked swiftly over to Lydia, and bowed down on one knee taking her hand into one of his. Lydia flinched and almost pulled her hand swiftly out of his grasp, but decided to allow him to attempt his appology.
"Please, dear Lady Lydia, I beg your forgivness for my tresspasses," Alucard said sorrowfully bowing his head.
Lydia glared down at the figure holding her hand and bowing before her debating on wether to except and reward him, or simpley give him a nonchalant sign of forgiveness. It all depended on whether she decided his intention were honest and noble or not.