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Viviana
Cat tossed one way on the bed and then the other. She flipped onto her back and then promptly rolled onto her side. She pulled the covers up over her head and then changed her mind and kicked them off again.
Sleep just was not going to find her tonight.
She hopped down from the bed and pulled a thick robe on over her pajamas. The house was beginning to get colder at night and Integra showed no signs of turning on the heating.
"It's not even September yet we don't even need to think about heating until November," she had answered Cat about the heat briskly while she headed off to a meeting.
"Are you kidding!" Cat had called after her, "it's close enough to September! And it's frigid in here at night!"
She had tried to find a thermostat of some sort, but to no avail. She was beginning to think that there was no heating except for the fireplaces.
Now she walked down the long dark hall. She puffed a breath of air in front of her to see if it was visible, but it was not quite cold enough just yet.
"A few more hours and it will be," she shivered and pulled the robe up tighter around her. She headed down the hall and past Integra's office to the library. Reading a book in dim lighting would help her fall asleep faster even if it was freezing.
She walked into the dark library and paused for a moment to see if her eyes would adjust. They did not so she slowly crept into the vast room towards where she knew the couches and lamps to be. She felt the edge of the coffee table between the two leather sofas and scooted around it. Knowing where she was now she took a bolder step in the direction of the lamp and her foot caught on something solid.
"Damnit!" she hissed as she fell forward with her arms outstretched ready to protect her face from any sharp corners. Just before she finished her fall something cold and hard grabbed her arm and jerked her to the side so she fell on the soft cushions of the couch instead. She froze for a moment from shock and terror of finding out she was not alone, then she came to her senses and relaxed. She sat back against the pillows on the couch and reached for the lamps pull chain.
"What are you doing in here?" she looked over at Alucard as the light came on. He was not wearing his hat or coat and held a very tiny delicate looking book in his hand.
"The same thing you are doing in here Katherine," he looked at her and she thought he looked almost annoyed. It was not as though it was her fault he was sitting in the dark and she tripped. She wondered if it would be better to just go back to her room and read there.
"You're here because you can not sleep? Well I hate to tell you this, but it is the middle of the night and you can never sleep in the middle of the night. It is a symptom of the condition of vampirism and it can not be cured," she smirked at him and pulled a book out of a basket she had placed on the coffee table for just this occasion.
"You are mistaken. You are in here to kill time, not because you could not sleep. Humans can go to sleep if they really choose to. When one is up all night it is because they want to be up all night, very stubborn things you see," he looked away from her when she scowled and carefully opened his tiny book.
"What is that you're reading? It looks very out of place in your hands," she peaked at the cover of the book, but it had worn away ages ago.
"It belonged to someone I once knew a very long time ago," he delicately flipped a page to the book and sighed.
"Like an old girlfriend!" Cat giggled at him and hoped she was right. She knew that he had been a type of human once. Not a normal one of course. No normal man could change himself into something so terrible and stay alive for so long.
Despite their tendency to live forever Cat noticed that the world was lacking actual vampires. All the ones she had seen or heard of were very young things that got themselves killed very quickly. She wondered where all the original vampires had gone or if there were any left at all.
"They keep to themselves as real vampires should. It is most likely that you will never see another vampire that you are not required to kill," he crossed his legs and propped his elbow on the arm of the couch and rested his head in his hand.
"Integra doesn't make you kill all vampires?" she had not thought about it before, but maybe it was similar to letting animals that did not bother people live.
"It is precisely that. There is no need to waste efforts on things that do not interfere with us," he said it as though it should have seemed very obvious. Cat supposed it should have been, but she was still new to the world of story book things.
Cat decided to ignore his moodiness, "What kind of book is it?"
"A journal," he flipped another page and sighed again.
"Will you tell me about who owned it?" Cat had always enjoyed antique and old things. She figured it was why she was able to enjoy Alucard despite his obvious danger and often cruel behavior.
"I knew her when I was still in your state of being," he closed the book and covered it with his hands. "The day I met her I was twenty five years old and just beginning my second reign. I entered my mother's bedroom and she was dead. Next to her was the baby, covered in blood and shivering. She died in child birth and did not even have a third son to show for it. The midwives wanted to throw her out, so my mother could die with the pride of bearing only sons, but I would not allow it. A child who lay wet and shivering and still did not cry was a rare thing. I took her with me and I raised her. She was my sister, Viviana, and she was full of life," he looked at the journal in his hands and then handed it to Cat.
She carefully took it and cradled it, afraid the binding would disintegrate at her touch. "What happened to her?" she whispered.
"I kept her with me always, and when I died in 1476 I kept her with me still," he leaned back into the cushions to reminisce.
"You killed her?" Cat was a little shocked. He was finally speaking about something other than a gun fondly and then he adds in murder.
"No, you're misunderstanding," he shot her a look that would send a grown man screaming for his life.
"Well, why don't you explain it more," she tried to keep her voice soft to coax him into talking, but it did not matter either way. If he wanted to he would and if he did not she was out of luck.
"She wanted to go with me. She was so young and things were changing. There was nothing left for her in that life. She was not afraid of a death and then an everlasting life to follow," he resumed his relaxed position, starring up at the ceiling.
"And then what happened to her?" she whispered again.
"For two hundred and thirteen years we were together, and then she died again. After always being there I was finally too late to save her. It is interesting how things happen," he crossed his arms and put his feet up on the coffee table.
"How did she die?" Cat was enthralled. She had wanted to know about Alucard's past since she met him, but she never knew how to ask.
"Aren't you humans supposed to be discrete with things like this? If you asked another human about something as sensitive as death would you not be considered rude? Or cruel even?" he looked over at her but his face was not serious, only curious.
"Most humans I suppose, but you aren't human and death isn't a sensitive subject for you. It's really the only subject come to think of it," she could not remember a conversation with him that had not led to some form of dying or killing.
He nodded his head in agreement and continued, "She left our castle one night just after the sun went down. She was upset with me and so did not see it fit to tell me she was leaving. After living with the same person for over two hundred years I suppose it is understandable for one to get angry over little things. She went to a town not far away to terrorize and feed on the inhabitants."
He paused for a moment and Cat noticed the corners of his mouth twitch upwards. Of course he would show emotion when he mentioned terrorizing humans.
"There was a man there who knew about us. He was like Van Helsing in many ways, but only a boy really. He had fashioned a crossbow to eject small pieces of wood that he had sharpened. He hid from Viviana and when she turned towards him he shot her in the chest. I knew immediately that she had been hurt and I traveled to the town as quickly as I could. I was different then, than I am now. Not as spectacular," he looked at Cat and grinned, "When I got there he had already pulled the small crippling steak from her and drove in a larger blessed one that had reached her heart. He stood over her like he was some sort of King, but his face fell when he saw me. I ripped off his arms and then his legs and tore his torso in half down the middle. It was no less than what he deserved. Viviana turned into a pile of ash and I collected her and buried her beneath the castle. I had hoped to find some way of rebuilding her, but I know now that that is impossible. It is too bad; she was a very interesting person. You are much the same as she was before she was turned. I believe you would have gotten on very well," he sat back up from his slouch and put his feet back on the floor.
Cat held the journal back out for him to take.
"Hold on to it if you like. It is not in English, but perhaps it will help you some day," he stood up and went over to the library window.
"How is it going to help me if I can't read it? And with what?" she followed him to the window and looked out into the darkness.
"You never know. There are things in your life that you can not see coming, just as there are things in the darkness that you do not see. But they come none the less and if you are not prepared they will smite you down and move on and no one will mourn for you're unprepared lost soul," he spoke the last part as a joke and Cat was relieved.
The way he had been talking she was beginning to believe that there was really something outside in the dark that was coming.
"Oh, but there is Katherine. I suggest you go get dressed and armed. They will be here any minute and if I am correct there are three of them. Older and more experienced than what you are used to, but still only children, and from the states as well. It seems word of Hellsing travels far and all want the glory of taking it down," he laughed insanely and headed for the door.
Cat stood for a moment shocked and then darted after him, "You mean vampires?! You let vampires get this close to the mansion! Why! Why would you let them get this far! Why would you even let them get into London! Does Integra know about this, have you even told her?"
"I am on my way there now. Hurry and get dressed, they will be here shortly. I will get Walter as well so he can look after you," he turned to look at her, but she had stopped in the middle of the hall and was starring blankly at the floor. Her thoughts were hidden from him yet again and he surveyed her with a puzzled expression. He took a step back towards her and clapped his hands together briskly, "Go get dressed!"
Cat jumped at the loud noise, and then ran past Alucard back to her room. She threw on her clothes without thinking and holstered her guns.
When she was ready she left her room slowly and walked down the hall at an even pace.
Vampires from the states? Who had gone to the states and let loose a rumor about Hellsing? There could have been a vampire that had escaped and traveled there to enlist the help of others, but it did not seem likely. Maybe it was a vampire that simply went to live in the states and happened to tell some others about Hellsing, not meaning for them to attack it, but just in casual conversation. Did vampires have casual conversations with each other? That did not seem likely either. It would probably always be a mystery.
Once Cat reached the library she stopped. Alucard did not tell her where to meet so she looked inside. No one was there so she decided to just head all the way downstairs to the foyer. She began to turn the corner to get to the stairs, but saw Alucard come out of Integra's room down the hall. She stood and waited for him and then followed him when he passed by her and went down the hall to the stairs.
They walked in silence for a while until Cat became curious, "So what exactly is going on?"
"I've told you already," he sounded excited and Cat was sure now that he had known they were coming and let them get so close to toy with them and to have a thrill.
"Yes, but it doesn't make much sense. Why would vampires come all the way from America just to attack Hellsing?" she hurried behind him as he took the stairs three at a time.
"How would I know that? Perhaps they just wanted a bit of fun," he laughed and glided down the last of the stairs.
"Can't you read minds? Just read their minds and find out who sent them!" Cat was becoming frustrated. It should be a priority to find out why they were here. She highly doubted it was just to have some fun.
"I only read minds when I care to. I do not care why they have come; only that they have and now they will pay," he stopped halfway down the second stair case and looked up at her, "this is taking too long," he snatched her arm as soon as she was in range and dragged her body close to his. He wrapped his arms around her quickly and sank down through the stairs and to the foyer.
Cat felt the quick burst of freezing air whooshing past her and then the burning she had felt the night the werewolves attacked. It was over even quicker than before and Alucard let go of her before they had even reached the floor. She fell about three feet and gracefully kept her balance when her feet hit the floor. She was thankful for this sudden grace. It would have been very embarrassing if she had fallen flat on her face.
She glared at him as he drifted slowly to the floor, "A little warning would be nice next time."
"Warning does not change what is going to happen or how it is going to feel. It only causes anxiety," he touched down onto the floor then headed for the door where Walter was peering through the peep hole.
Cat opened her mouth to argue, but closed it again when she realized he was probably right. She walked over to the front door to peak out with Walter. Alucard simply put his whole face through the door.
"Can you see them yet Alucard?" Walter moved aside so Cat could take a turn at the peep hole.
"Oh yes, they're moving very fast. Whoever sent them here did not give us much credit. They actually think this will be a stroll in the park. How wonderful it will be to see the looks on their faces when I rip off their limbs," he pulled his head back through the door and leaned against the wall to wait.
"What are you standing there for?" Cat had assumed they would go out to meet the intruders and fight them safely away from Hellsing, "Are you waiting for them to ring the door bell?
"Precisely," Alucard said smoothly and not three seconds later the bell made its grand series of dongs.
"Well how polite of them to ring. Shall I answer it Alucard or would you like to do the honors?" Walter pulled his gloves tighter over his hands as he spoke.
"Why don't we let Cat answer it," he snickered at Cat, who had backed a good seven paces to the side of the door.
"It is not proper for a lady to answer the door in the middle of the night," she stuck her nose in the air and tried to look prim.
"I don't see a lady anywhere in this foyer. Answer the door and try to look cute," he faded away so only his toothy grin and eyes were floating by the wall.
"Of all the rotten things to say…," she glared at what was left of his face and made her way to the door.
"Don't be frightened Katherine, if they try anything Alucard and I will be sure to get you safely out of the way," Cat looked at his hands and saw the shimmer of the thin wires.
"The only thing I am ever frightened of Walter, is the prospect of being forced to live with Alucard for ever," she felt a flutter in her stomach, but ignored it and reached for the door. She straightened herself up to look taller and pulled opened the heavy oak doors.
Three vampire men stood at the door. The one in front, who Cat assumed was the leader, had long blond hair that was almost white and was loosely tied back at the base of his neck. He looked to be about six foot two and from under his clothes Cat could tell he was muscular. He wore clothing that looked as though it was from the early 1900's, but his shoes were brand new Nikes. The man who flanked him on the left was considerably shorter and stouter than the blond man and he wore much more modern clothes. Cat made a note not to underestimate him because he was smaller for he also had muscles and they were much larger than the first man's. He had a thick neck and his hair was buzzed to just an inch long. The man who flanked the blond man's right was as tall him, but had a much fairer face. His hair reached to just above his shoulders in soft black curls. He wore the same style of clothing as the first man as well, but much simpler. His shirt was white, flowy, and unbuttoned nearly half way down his chest. It was tucked loosely into his pants which were black and fit snuggly against him. He wore black square toed boots that had a square heel on them. They reminded Cat of pirate boots. The man reminded her of a younger Alucard though she had never seen any paintings of Alucard when he was young. She was sure this is what he would have looked like. She stared at the third man the longest. When he met her gaze she snapped back to attention and realized what they were here for.
"Can I help you?" she asked coyly.
"Why yes you can my dear. We are looking for the vampire Alucard. Might you go and fetch him for us, my sweet, so we can palaver?" the blond man flashed a dazzling smile and if Cat had not been so used to vampiric charm she might have swooned on the spot. Instead she surveyed him for a second longer, and then popped back inside to see what Alucard wanted to do. He reappeared his body and nodded for her to let them in.
"The vampire Alucard has decided to grace you with his presence," she almost giggled, but managed to keep her face straight. How could she be so calm in a potentially life threatening situation? "Please come in a make yourself comfortable," she waved them inside and shut the door. She hoped they would become too comfortable so it would be easier to slaughter them. It would be a shame though to see something so pretty go to waste.
The three men walked forward warily a few paces and then turned around to be pointed in the right direction. The blond and stout man's face's showed slight surprise at seeing Alucard standing at the door, but the prettiest one's face stayed as smooth as polished marble.
"Good greetings to you gentlemen," Alucard bowed deeply and smiled, "What a wonderful night for a palaver."