Lydia's harsh glare softened only a bit as her body relaxed.
"I accept your apology Sir, but I still decline the invitation," Lydia said with a clearly stony smile.
With her accepting of Alucard's apology, Lydia turned and headed back towards the dance floor where she was instantly rushed by several fairly drunk young men. Begrudged, Lydia bit her tongue and calmly declined the young men. After she had cleared out the intoxicated men, a young gentleman, looking to be in his late twenties, bowed before her and requested a dance. Lydia smiled graciously and accepted the offer.
Alucard watched from his chair in envy as the young man danced with Lydia. He had yearned for something like that of old for some time, but there was no way now. Alucard watched mournfully as Lydia's feet swept across the floor with grace. She moved smoothly without a single falter in her step. The young man that has asked for the dance could barely compare to Lydia's grace. It was apparent that Lydia set out to learn things and learn them well.
As she skimmed the floor in the final steps of the dance, Alucard sloshed his drink about the wine glass before he took a full and sudden gulp of it. The taste overwhelmed him. The combination of a very old and delectable wine combined with a type of blood Alucard had never been fed before. It seemed to fill his power to capacity. He had never added wine to his blood before, but now as he stared at the maroon liquid taking in all its qualities he began to ponder why he had not.
"Enjoying your drink Alucard?"
Alucard looked up from his drink to the voice. A slender young woman stood before him. She had an entirely different stance than Lydia. She was definitely from a more modern era, but she still had a slight sent of Lydia held in her body. She reached out her slender hands and took the glass form his hand. She slightly impressed him. This girl was brave enough to look him in the eye without any fear, and take his blood from him.
"I haven't taken anything but an empty glass from you. Normally I wouldn't obtain someone who insults my master a drink but it seems to keep you preoccupied and away from her so I shall return," she said waving the empty glass in his face before she left.
At first Alucard was infuriated with the audacity of the young vampire. She had just fully and outright mocked him to his face without concern. But then he found himself more amused than anything. Apparently, Lydia's proud nature rubbed off on her apprentices. He knew he was going to enjoy Lydia's vacation, possibly more than she herself did.
Alucard rose from his seat at the start of the next song. Determined to get a dance in with the evasive Lydia.
"Alucard, let it go," Integra said in a strong stern voices as she stared at him over her wine glass.
"Whatever do you mean my master," Alucard said with a deceptive grin.
"You know exactly what I speak of. Leave her alone. She will only get annoyed with your persistence."
Alucard frowned, and moved through the table towards his master. Integra's face scrunched in fury. She readied herself to strike at Alucard's insolence.
"Why master, what little faith you have in me. I promise you I will show Lydia to a place her mind hasn't been in years."
Integra smacked her glass out of the way and stood up right.
"Damn it Alucard. Let her alone. She has no interest and messing with her will get you killed."
"Tut, tut. Integra, you assume so much of such a fair true lady."
"Alucard you'd be wise to walk on glass with Lydia, she already has shown that she is not too terribly fond of you or your existence," Athena said standing up to calm Integra down.
Alucard glanced at Athena. He attempted to smile politely, but failed miserably and in the end only offended Athena more.
"Now listen here. This is no laughing matter Alucard. Lydia is to be respected or you will be dealt with by my hand, and let me assure you when I am done with you, you will wish your master had been in charge of your reprimanding. Am I crystal clear," Athena hissed giving Alucard no softer than a steely gaze.
Alucard bowed his head. He had no intention on furthering the damage he had started; his reputation had indeed been his ruin in this situation. With a sigh of defeat, he stepped outside of the table and gave his master and Athena a proper bow before returning to his empty seat.
Alucard sat as he stewed, contemplating ways to satisfy his curiosity of Lydia. Something about her was drawing his attention. However, it was not that she was just drawing his curiosity; no, it was that this creature, this female, captured his attention. Unlike others before her, Alucard could not lose his interest in this particular vampire. No, not vampire, Alucard was not interested in her as a vampire, but as a person, a person with a long complicated story like his.
"I see they have talked some sense into you Mr. Alucard."
It was the girl that had taken his glass. She was still as confidant as ever. Her head was held high, and she was smirking at him. She was an insolent girl, how Lydia ever tolerated credit for her abilities he could not understand. This girl had to be much of a disappointment to Lydia.
"It's rude to think rudely about other people and never say it to their face. Regardless here is your drink. I am afraid the wine is not as delectable as the last, but that requires Lydia's authorization. Tata," she said setting the glass in front of him and turning away.
He picked up the glass slowly sloshing the red liquid inside. Alucard could see the blood swirl and mix with the wine. He sniffed it. This wine was not of a high caliber at all. At least compared to what he had for his last drink.
As Alucard busied himself with his drink, Lydia was slowly regaining her composure, and as a result, she was becoming rather disgruntled.
"Bryna," she growled spinning away from her dance partner and taking a firm grasp of her colleague.
Bryna gulped and allowed herself to be drug off to the booth by Lydia.
"What is this," she snapped pointedly at the top. "And these, are these cuts in pants?"
Bryna stared at her feet. She knew she was in for it. Lydia had not had enough to drink to keep her happy all night.
"Bryna! Answer me. Did you disgrace and expose my body," Lydia question in a tone that held immeasurable emotions.
"Lydia, we" Bryna began only to be cut off by Lydia again.
"Enough, this is not an agreeable outfit. I demand a change of clothes now, or I shall leave."
Bryna looked to Athena for assistance. Athena gave her an inquisitive look.
Just as Bryna began to say, something Jessie came to her rescue.
"Bottoms up Lydia," she said shoving the glass into Lydia's hand.
"Jessie I don't want any..."
"Lydia you drink that glass or else," Athena said cutting in. "Relax, most of these people are intoxicated and won't remember you tomorrow any way."
Lydia looked sorrowfully at her master and then the glass. The wine was that of her favorite winery. She smiled wryly and sipped it down. She looked at Bryna for a second, but then turn to Jessie.
"Get me a new pair of jeans, nothing tight, and a blouse of some sort, nothing low, and another glass, and I will stay."
Jessie shook her head and skittered out of sight immediately.
Lydia turned to Bryna.
"Bryna I am…"
"I know. I made a wrong decision Lydia, an' I'm sorry fo' tha'," Bryna said bowing her head to Lydia. "My hopes ar' tha' you'll forgive me'."
Lydia stood still a moment, then placed a single hand lightly on the captain's shoulder.
"Forget it Bryna. I do not wish to leave you behind on a sour note. It would leave me terribly upset, since our friendship has lasted so long."
As she finished Jessie returned with new clothes and a glass of wine. Lydia took the item, sipping down the wine and finishing not long after taking it. She then made her way to the restroom to get herself changed. Jessie had brought her back an ice blue blouse without sleeves. The blouse had a tie around to the back that tightened the waistline. The neck of the shirt dipped lower than Lydia's usual standard. The pants Jessie had brought back were black dress pants with a silver belt. The pants clung a bit to her backside, but nothing more. They hung loosely on her body, allowing her to feel more comfortable. She walked out of the restroom, head held high as always. Lydia grabbed a cold glass filled with a strawberry daiquiri, one cup of wine, and half a cup of blood. The ice crystals that had formed on the thoroughly cooled drink melted and dripped around her fingertips to the floor.
"Better now are we Lydia."
Lydia smiled, and slowly licked the red drink of her lips.
"Yes, I am rather content at the moment Jackson."
"Never get anything past you do I master?"
"Not now, not ever Jackson. It's a waste of your time trying really," she said turning around and smiling at the young vampire.
Jackson had only been eighteen when he fell for some vampire's trick. He was rather tall, and well built. Lydia had only saved him under orders, but in the end, she was glad she did. It turned out that his girlfriend had been the one who tricked him. Knowing how that betrayal felt Lydia took Jackson under her wing, and help him to heal. It had backfired on her once long ago, but she no longer worried about that. She was now his mother figure, and that put up a boundary of their relationship.
"It's a shame really master, the outfit was rather flattering," Jackson said with a sickly smile as he turned a left to the dance floor.
Lydia merely swallowed her drink harshly and let him go. She was not in the mood for more arguments, there seemed to be other more disturbing things that she felt needed her attention at the moment. Another vampire in the room was pressing into her thoughts. Whoever this vampire was, he or she was just as powerful and did not realize their actions. Lydia searched the room cautiously, dancing with a few people along the way. She felt out the source slowly so she would not draw too much attention to herself. It had not taken her long out figure out it was Alucard. Instantly her anger flared, perhaps she had been wrong. Alucard's arrogance had already proven itself capable of insulting her. A quick glare from Athena's direction silenced the growing emotion and forced it away.
Lydia watched Alucard sending stronger and stronger responses to his attempts at entering her mind. The other vampire seemed unfazed. He simply stared of sipping the wine set in front of him. Finally she gave up and walked towards Alucard until he took notice of her.
"May I ask why you see fit to enter my mind," she asked fighting back the urge to cause him considerable amounts of pain.
Alucard merely stared at Lydia for a moment. He remained completely unaware of his curiosities effect on Lydia.
"I'm not sure I know what you mean," Alucard said keeping a straight face though his own mind was spinning from the alcohol and her presence.
"If you really want a dance, you need to earn it. As you know sir you offended me," Lydia said changing her stance a tad, shifting her weight to one side.
Alucard shifted nervously. This was not going the way he had hoped.
"Miss Lydia, please forgive me for my trespasses in the past. I assure you that I had no intention of offended you so thoroughly. It has just been so long since I have met of a woman of your caliber, and it seems time has rusted my manners," he said as he kneeled before her.
Lydia was shocked at first, he was addressing her in way she had not been since the fifteenth century. At first, she did not react, but then she narrowed her eyes in thought.
"Mr. Alucard, if you don't mind me asking, what date where you born," she said politely summoning Alucard to stand.
"The year was 1431," he said politely.
"I see, that explains plenty," Lydia said relaxing only a tad.
Lydia took a second to calculate her next move. Before she was not interested in this Alucard, but his knowledge may have proved useful to him. Lydia even considered him a possible companion. She certainly did not want him around all the time, but perhaps she could stand him long enough to share some stories of old. It had been ages since Lydia was able to reminisce about the old days of her past.