Disclaimer: Most characters in this fiction belong to the great master Kouta Hirano, except Duke Milford, whom was invented only for this fiction. I'm not profiting of this, this is just made for fun.
(Re) Building an Empire
Third Day -Afternoon-
She wondered how come Alucard had made a male vampire into his childe, the more she thought about it, and the more ridiculous it was. That was probably the reason her servant never spoke a word of the matter. She had learnt some about the No Life King's past, she had heard the unrevealed stories from him, and from all those, not a single time he had mentioned... what was his name? Nevermind.
There was a sleeping unsealed vampire in a mansion which she didn't have the right to let a monster in. Integra was trying to regain trust, since Walter's betrayal had done wonders with her nerves! She thought sarcastically, there was no place for sarcasm out of her mind, but it was the only way she had found to manage the fact that she had realized how much hurt to talk about the traitor butler. She knew she had to trust Seras, the Draculina could manage the puny vampire the moment he goes wild; she had promised. This situation had left her in a bind; she had to trust a complete stranger, and a vampire, no less. It was so much to take.
Nor that she was afraid of her security. Realizing how awfully shaped the vampire was, even after his nightly meal, Integra wondered what kind of life (or un-life?) that person was having in America? A rich country where folk tales are taken more like fairy tales, he could gorge a new prey every night with no one ever noticing. And yet he was grayish like recycled paper. Why he hadn't talked about his coffin in that sole granted telephone call from last night. In the quietness of her office, she considered calling again to the same number. Her thumb waited halfway the redial button; it could be intruding in someone else's privacy. She pressed it unhesitant; this was a matter of a dangerous vampire, unwelcomed in England. It was her responsibility the moment he had stepped on Sir Irons's mansion and she had let him stay. In the line she could hear the tones dialing some unknown number, considering the quantity of digits it must have been long distance.
"Hello?" A deep male voice answered at the other side of the line. It was almost like listening to a baritone through the speaker, thus it was hard to guess the age of this person.
"Mister Jack, I assume?"
"Who's calling?"
"Sir Integra Wingates Hellsing, head of the Hellsing household." She had 'eavesdropped' the vampire's conversation. He had mentioned that Hellsing would take charge of him for a while. Perhaps this person was thinking the vampire was having an amusement trip, and Hellsing was a travel agency.
The man on the other side of the line sighed, then with a somewhat relieved voice said.
"Jack Clemens, what can I do for you Miss Hellsing?"
Integra didn't like to be called Miss, although this was the only time she'd let it slide.
"It's about..." Integra dead pan stopped, she didn't remember the vampire's name for God sake! The pause lasted longer than expected, while her mind wandered among dozens of male American names; she knew the vampire's name it was something related to the noblesse, Prince, maybe?
"It's about Duke isn't it?" Jake saved her the trouble. "He likes to mess with people's mind. If he doesn't like you, you most likely won't remember his name."
So that was it! Integra thought. After all, the newcomer was not much different than his creator. To play mind games and driving her insane was Alucard's daily fun, and it seemed Duke was in the same chord. Integra didn't need to say a word, the man on the other side of the line continued.
"When he called yesterday I knew he had messed up something," there was a pitch of concern among the annoyance of his words "but he's so spoiled that I decide he deserves a taste of his own medicine. Going to England by himself, with what's happening in there... no offense." His rant resembled to one of a concerned parent.
Integra smirked; at least this could save her a lot of explanation.
"None taken. Shall I understand you already know he's not human?"
"Yes, I know he's a vampire." He spat out. "And I already know you're a vampire hunting organization. I have my contacts, and no matter how appealing Duke disguises it, his lies are always blatant." This last statement was more like an advice for Integra.
"And you are worried by his security?" She had the impression that this man was more interested about the people in the mansion to get along with the vampire.
"He'll be fine. He'll learn to survive the tough way." More silence behind the line. The man voice started to tremble. "He doesn't like medical blood, he'd rather lick a small wound tenderly than drink a large amount. Please... don't hurt him, he might think inhuman thoughts but that's his nature, and he doesn't mean any word he says."
"Am I right that you are implying us to take care of your vampire?" Integra teased, though her voice was cold. "This is not charity Mister, as you already know our targets are the member's of Duke's kin, not a foster home for them."
"Do I have an option? Besides, he's not a pet; he's my... loved one." When Integra heard this a shiver ran along her spine. What were the Americans thinking? How someone could fall in love with such creature was beyond her. Tamed they could be useful, loyal, trustworthy. The vampires were charming creatures, but that was exactly what made them dangerous. In freedom, they were only a menace. She wondered if her musings were fair since her relationship with Alucard had been so close, however immediately after she set aside those ideas. Alucard was her servant, a tamed beast. She wasn't at any risk while living with him, for the bonds protected her from any harm; that was not the case with this man Jack, he was at continuous perils while living with a free vampire.
"What about the coffin?"
"Coffin?" His voice panicked, like he had imagined the vampire was already a pile of ashes. "What do you mean by coffin?"
"You know, vampires sleep in coffins. Is your... partner's coffin with you?"
There was a long pause the other side of the line. No wonder the vampire was so aged and decaying; it only consumed a mouthful of blood per week and never slept in his coffin.
"I remember now, there's a coffin hidden in a compartment under our bed! Duke's is not very fond of that thing, and honestly it gives me the creeps, even so he said he wanted it in there. Does he need it?"
"I'm afraid yes. His poor state is due to not sleeping inside it." Integra could hear the gasp coming from the other side of the line. "Could you send it to us? I'll leave you the address."
"Of course. I'll send it today as extra urgent package!"
By dusk the coffin had arrived to Sir Irons's mansion. It was someway surprising receiving a Fisk metallic coffin on the entrance. The design was an enclosed, air-tight space with an imitation mahogany finish; there was a curious window on its lid for seeing the white linen inside, and possibly the deceased's face when it was occupied. Certainly American, but hasn't Mister Clements explained the vampire had this coffin since his tuning in Transylvania? Did it mean Dracula had gotten someone to build an American coffin in Romania? Considering how indulging Alucard was with Seras, this meant her servant had a career spoiling their children since long time ago.
Author's Note: And TA DA! Sorry for the delay! So far I haven't been in the mood for writing fanfiction, of course this doesn't mean I'm dropping the project. I wanted Integra to make a point about why she was right with Alucard but Duke and Jack were wrong. Integra and Alucard relationship is still complicated to me :/
We'll probably won't see Jack in person in a while (for the characters it will be years).
(Re) Building an Empire
Two weeks
Duke was an odd vampire. Seras could see some smidge of her Master's deranging in him but that was it. It was baffling how he preferred to set aside his vampire antics to act human and yet rejoice of the no life. He yelped when saw his coffin lying next to him the night after his arrival, Integra had to push him inside and close the lid tight. Seconds later he was sleeping like a log. Also, his... beloved Jack, had embarked with the coffin most of his wardrobe. Vampires didn't need clothing, they'd form it!
Duke used to 'exist' in the verge of his health, refraining to drink blood from a plastic bag mostly because he didn't like the taste, unless it had flavor. This was the most unusual thing she would have even seen, the vampire liked to add vanilla, mint, even chocolate to his meals. She was bemused with someone of her kin not liking the blood taste at all. Probably that was why Master was so pissed with him as a fledgling.
His inner clock was all messed up, usually going to sleep at noon and waking up until midnight.
He didn't fancy war, a jumpy mouse was a better description for him. But Sir Integra had found him very useful with the paperwork. He used to run a company, but now that he was on a sort of retirement and his CEO was taking care of his finances he didn't mind helping the Hellsing household with managing the mansion's reparations, the accountability and the acquirement of more international aid for the victims.
And lastly in his list of oddities, the bath. Vampires never take baths, water is not exactly an element of their liking. Besides they don't need them, they can dematerialize themselves for removing the dirt, and they don't sweat; and yet Duke loved to take a hot water shower every night.
"Are you sure about this Mignonette?" Pip spoke softly to her, his familiar was literally a shadow on the sink, his holding of the camcorder gave the impression the device was floating. Seras chuckled, peeking out from her squished position in the bathroom cabinet. "He might notice my presence and..."
Seras shushed him. Eyes shining with expectation, amused smile flashing her pointy teeth. Duke hadn't been drinking a lot of blood recently, his senses were numbed, and he was down guard most of the time. He wouldn't notice them even if he pushed himself to do it.
As expected, the vampire entered the bathroom shrugged in a pistachio green towel. Seras put her hand on her mouth, killing her chortles. Then she peeked at the camcorder's screen, the angle was perfect.
Moving the shower door aside Duke got in, carefully placing his towel on the rack outside before enclosing himself. The glass door didn't give any privacy, but Seras didn't mind seeing him naked at all.
As he turned the hot water tab, Seras could swear her dead heart was beating madly with anticipation.
A piercing shriek made Integra lost grip of her not-yet-turned-on cigar. It was coming from...the bathroom? She ran through the hallways admonishing everyone in her way to stay out in safety. Her grip strengthened on the sword's hold. She stumbled upon the door ready to act, and then her eye opened like a hover.
Before her Duke was completely naked, thrashing madly, snarling and cursing between mumbles. His skin was turning black as white steam exuded from his body. He had slammed on each wall of the room leaving scorched trails of skin on them and it seemed he couldn't stop. Seras and Pip were rolling in laughter, the Draculina had bent holding her chest, and her familiar had fallen on the floor shape completely visible. A split-second made her realize what had happened.
"Officer Victoria" she roared. Mind numbed with pain and resentful rage, Duke dashed towards Integra. Seras snapped, pinning him down too late, as his assault reached their boss and a long scratch along her cheek had formed.
Seras gasped, and as odd as it might be, the smell of blood brought Duke back to reality. The elder vampire clumsily stood up apologizing over and over; befuddled, somewhat angry and flushed, as he covered his private parts with the near towel.
"Victoria. My office. NOW!" Integra roared while cleaning her cheek with toilet paper. Seras flinched and headed like a scared puppy behind her boss.
Like a little girl who had been just busted, she defended herself at last saying.
"I was Pip's idea!" Her worried voice muffled in the basement corridors.
Duke was at shock. His body still burning for the blessed water someone had thrown over him while showering. He heard some chuckle beside him. Pip stayed there as a shadow filming everything.
"Well I had my doubts, but it was a good prank after all."
Author's Note: I decide to make both chapters together because they fit the same arc. When he was in the Wild Geese, I bet Pip used to prank a lot his soldiers. He might have been the Master mind, but Seras was a great executioner.
By the way, I've discovered it's easier for me to make short stories than form a complete arc per update, would you like me to update shorter chapters more frequently, or it's ok with the long chapters?