Chapter 3: The Soil of her homeland

Present day:

The last glimpse of the sun set around the horizon and blond hair swayed in the wind. She watched it completely get consumed by the ocean, and then she turned around and headed for the entrance. Pip watched her as she went into underneath deck for the first time since arriving on the ferry. "Nighttime." He said to himself as he lit a cigarette. He suddenly coughed as the smoke was to thick in his throat. He looked around to see if anyone had seen that. No witnesses live to tell anyway. As he felt rather cool with the cigarette in his mouth. then he suddenly visualised the British steel woman and he spat it out. Leaning towards the railing on the ferry, he considered might going to his cabinet, for a quick nap. "Well, were on a boat. What can a vampire do?"

Seras opened the door that lead to a dark room, she turned the light switch on and walked over to the black coffin on the floor. she lifted the lid of as his shadows leapt out of it. He was asleep still. This was the only time of the day she truly admired him. He looked peaceful while sleeping. Oh my dear count. She reached out a hand to stroke his cheek. She hesitated for a moment, but found new courage. You never let me touch you. When her warm skin came in contact with his cold face, his eyes sprung open and he looked her straight in the eyes. Crimson met blue. Fire met Ice.

He was shocked by her sudden action. Why had she awoken him? And why in such a manner? He took her hand and led it away from his face. He then rose up from the coffin. "What is it?"he said in a low tone, almost a whisper. She stood up beside him. Why did he not turn around and face her? It always ended the same, that was why she had stopped trying. A long, long time ago. "Turn around, and face me. Please? Count…" She said, ad he could hear the sorrow, hurt and longing in her voice. Count? He had not heard anyone call him that for a long time. But he still did not turn around. "Was this the reason you woke me from my slumber? To ignore me forever? Bring me nothing but pain" She gasped and held a hand to cover her mouth. She shook her head while grabbed his arm as he turned around. Red streaks fell down her face. He wanted to reach out for her but, like always he couldn't. "I´m sorry." She said while sobbing. He turned around once again and she was now facing his back. His fists twisted and he let out a sigh. She ran out of the room and he looked back at the cabinet window. Darkness. Why did she expect anything else?

Victoria Manor, 1843:

"I don't know, I can't remember his words exactly." She lied to her sister. Julia, however did not seem content with her answer. She then laughed and snuck upon her sister. "It sure seemed you two were doing more than talking." Seras gasped. She then gently hit her sister on the arm, Julia responded with even more squealing. "So its true then sister? You're as red as a cherry." Seras opened her mouth to speak, but she then wisely closed it again. She knew Julia one not to be trusted. Whispers were on the street already that Seras and was the only one who had danced with the mystic foreign prince. "Well, did he tell you his name at least, before he stole your lips? Seres dragged her sister into the corner of their library. "Julia please, all we did was dance, and don't speak of such inappropriate actions when we are under the same roof as mother and father." The younger sighed heavily. "And actually, he never did tell me his name. So I don't even know for sure if it was the prince at all. What does it matter anyway?" Seras said as she had gathered the books in her hand. "Tell mother I´m at the Charpells or something, if she ask of me." Seras smiled to her sister, as she headed for the library. While walking out the door she saw a courier with at least two designs of red roses. He passed her at the way to their front door. Julia quickly answered the door, and Seras helped her with bringing the flowers inside.

Miss SerasVictoria

It was such a beautiful night, of course not as exquisite as you. I have wished for nothing more than to continue our rather intriguing conversation from where we had left of.

My sincerest apologies for the rush, I have but yet to introduce myself.

Until we meet again.

The Count

"My, my, what is this now, ladies?" Charlotte Victorias voice rang in the corridor at the sound of giggles from the entrance hall. A clear sign that something was happening and nothing, nothing got by under the nose of the lady of the house herself. When she arrived all she could do was stare at the big vase with all the wild roses in it. "It´s just a gift Mama, thats all." Julia scoffed off, but Charlottes eyes lit up from the dead with new hope. "Well from who? Who sent them? and to whom?" She asked demandingly. Seras turned around and gave her an look of puzzlement. "I actually don't know… I think it was intended for me." Julia raised her eyebrows. "Oh what in the world would make you think that?.." Julia said mockingly. "Speak up now my dear, don't you have the slightest idea?" Her mother clasped her hands together as Seras thought her mother could already hear the church bells ringing. "Well, I only danced and spoke to one man, but the problem is I don't know who he is or his name. He never got the chance to tell me." One of the younger maids just sighed. How romantic, she spelled silently with her mouth to Seras and gave her a hopeless look. Seras only rolled her eyes in return.

Leaving her mother in a stuttering state. Seres walked over to the window and sat down on the bench placed in from of it. Her visit to the library had been canceled due to the unexpected door delivery. She held the thick Crimson red paper in her hands. Her fingers caressed the thickness of it and the embroidery of black silk thread. She then lifted it to her heart. She would let none else read it, since it felt so personal. It was clearly only intended for her. She smiled at the thought of the mysterious man she had danced with the other night. Until we meet again, Count.

Present day:

Pip walked up to the tall man. He was looking over the shore, as they would arrive in short time at the docks. The frenchman was now standing beside him. "ready for departure?" Alucard asked silently. Pip noticed something different about him. His mood had changed since last time. The snickering grin was gone and was replaced with a thin straight line. Maybe he was just a little grumpy in the mornings, or evenings anyway. "Might I ask as what it is we will be bringing home with us?" The grin returned and the taller man turned to face the human. "You say that like it was the easiest thing in the world. Home. It not a word for you to speak of, boy." Now that was more like it. "And yes you might. Since you asked so nicely." Alucard said in a singing tone. All he needed was to be cheered up a little. He could insult Pip as much as he liked, as long as stayed five feet away from him while saying it that is. Seras had joined them looking at the shore as well. The grin on the monsters face faded once more. Pip noticed that her eyes were pink, and swollen. As she had poured a thick liquid into them or something similar. She then opened her mouth to speak."I need to collect fresh soil from the land where I was born."