A/N
will take in consideration any ideas for improvement to the story or characters, I really don't want my character to be a Mary Sue.
After almost an hour in complete silence, the car slowly pulled up to the main gate, Victoria had been lightly dozing and awoke just in time to see the gates slowly open, the silhouette of a large mansion was visible in the distance. She sat up and begun fixing her disheveled hair and clothes, just ale to fix everything before the elderly driver pulled open the car door and offered a hand to help her out. The young artist gently waved her hand dismissing his gesture, he looked so old and frail Victoria was afraid she'd tear his arm right off. She climbed out of the small car and grabbed her bag, swinging it over her shoulder. She could hear several joints crack and pop as she stood up fully and stretched, another grim reminder she should exercise more. The black clad driver pulled a small briefcase out of the trunk and locked the car, putting the keys in his breast pocket.
"Miss Stein, will you please follow me inside" The driver motioned for her to follow. His smooth British accent was more noticeable now that they were away from the noise of the city.
"Oh yeah of course" Victoria followed him to the door and avoided all possible eye contact with the two armed men guarding it. Once the driver unlocked the large wooden door, Victoria was completely amazed with the interior, the exterior building was huge and also beautiful, but the detail and elegance the inside contained was beyond words. Victoria always wanted a beautiful Victorian mansion such as this, but she was stuck he her small and dingy apartment, 'not everyone can be as lucky as this guy' she mused.
The elderly driver led Victoria to a large room in the west wing of the house, it had cream coloured wallpaper covering most of the walls, a large fireplace and two very old, very comfortable looking couches sitting adjacent to each other with a table in the middle. "Please make yourself comfortable while I fetch Sir Integra, im Walter by the way" the driver informed, Victoria nodded and he gave a low bow before leaving the room. Victoria considered the fact he might be somewhat of a personal servant rather than just a driver, she'd never known a driver to go to such lengths to welcome a guest. After he left Victoria sat down in the middle of the couch and saw a wide variety of sweet and savory pasties aswell as biscuits, recognizing the expensive brands, Victoria frowned and thought of her supermarket brand biscuits back home. The young artist peered at all the paintings on the walls, mostly portraits, very detailed and photo-realistic, as if she wasn't feeling nervous enough already, she had a lot to live up to.
XxX*3 weeks earlier*XxX
Integra looked at the portrait of her father hanging in her office, his soft kind face betrayed his true nature of hunting monsters. She couldn't remember much of what he was like, the former Hellsing leader was always attending to the organisation's matters, leading Hellsing was a 24/7 job, and there was no time for family matters. As much as the knight loved destroying monsters, she would give anything for a vacation. She was deep in thought when a loud knock resounded off the office walls, she knew it was Walter since no one in this place ever knocked. "Enter" she called to the door.
Walter, undoubtably one of her most loyal servants entered the room with a large silver cart, lined with tea, coffee and her daily mail. He gracefully proceeded to pour her tea and readout the daily schedule, "...and at four, there is to be a meeting with sir Irons". Integra's deep scowl betrayed her usual stoic demeanour. "Sir?" Walter stopped his reading of the schedule when he noticed Integra's glazed over eyes, it was easy to see the Hellsing leader wasn't at her usual level of attentiveness.
She was staring at a patch in the carpet, and had completely zoned out, after several minutes she lifted her head at Walter "I'm going to take a few days off" she informed, not leaving any room for arguements. The butler visibly widened his eyes, Integra was very against taking time off work unless completely necessary, however, she was still human, and he could see the stress taking the toll on her health.
Walter exhaled, "what about the round table? Surely they'll have fits when they hear your off duty" his face was completely emotionless "vampires don't rest either, what will you do if there's an attack?"
Integra lit a cigar, and took a long drag before exhaling slowly, "I've decided, and that's the end of it. I'm not going to lead an organisation and give out orders knowing that in this state I'll make a mistake and get someone killed"
Walter was silent for several minutes "very well Sir Integra, but what will you do in this time?"
Integra's eyes met with her fathers portraits', "it's about time I got my portrait painted, I've been the leader long enough" she paused "contact the woman that did Sir Penwood's, I was rather pleased with her work"
"Very well sir" Walter bowed and left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.
XxX*present day*XxX
Time seemed to drag on forever, but the artist couldn't be too critical of Sir Integra's tardiness considering she was incredibly late herself. Victoria was nervously fiddling with the corners of her shirt, when suddenly her stomach growled, loudly. Remembering that her breakfast consisted of a triple strength expresso and some tic-tacs, she reached out and took a medium sized brown biscuit off a plate, and scarfed it down quickly, then another, and then another, and finally a few more. She would invest in these, they were much better than the plain cardboard tasting ones she usually bought.
The door swung open and a tall regal looking women strode through the door, her long pale blonde hair contrasting with her olive skin, the diver/butler followed closely behind her, a notebook and pen in his gloved hands. Victoria immediately threw her phone into her bag as soon as the women entered the room. "Sir Integra, this is miss Victoria Stein" Walter informed. Victoria stood up as Integra walked closer, they met in the middle, Integra shaking the artist's outstretched hand firmly and exchanging greetings, the two women then sat down on the opposite couches, Walter stood awkwardly behind Integra and readied himself for note taking.
Victoria was surprised to say the least when she found out Integra was a woman, especially since Walter usually put emphasis on the 'Sir'. "Now, I'll make something clear right now, for the sum I am paying you, I expect only the highest quality in your work" Integra's strong voice and piercing eyes put Victoria at unease. "However" the knight continued, "I understand it requires time and effort to paint a portrait as detailed as you do, therefore you will be given the opportunity to reside here until the painting is completed, it will save the time and effort of driving here and back everyday". Victoria nodded and muttered a quiet thank you, Integra nodded back softly, "Now shall we begin the consultation?"
XxX
The artist spent the next hour going through her folios and showing paint samples, Integra would silently nod at things, murmur through her hands or ask to see things again. Victoria didn't mind too much as Integra was never too rude and she got to eat more biscuits. After almost and hour and a half, the consultation was beginning to wrap up, the date was set for the portrait to be painted, the canvas size was decided, and Victoria clarified the time frame and rules for being painted. "Now, considering the canvas size, paint type, and detail, I'm guessing it's going to take at least thirty to forty hours" Victoria clarified.
Integra's eyes widened slightly and the artist stifled a laugh with her hand, "it's okay, you aren't required to sit for that long, ten hours should be sufficient, then I can work from a photo". Victoria wasn't surprised at Integra's shock, she couldn't imagine sitting in a wooden chair for hours on end, while someone you barely know stared at you. "Plus, we can always take breaks, ten hours is a bit much".
It was decided that Victoria would come next Friday, she would stay over the long weekend or as long as necessary to complete the portrait. Both the women stood up and joined together for a parting handshake, Victoria thanked the knight for her hospitality and she was promised a packet of biscuits to be taken home.
XxX
As Victoria was being walked to the front door by Walter she was when he asked what she thought of Sir Integra, the artist thought this was a very out-of-place question, and being suspicious he might rely the comments to the woman herself. She kept it short and simple, saying she appreciated her hospitality and looked forward to painting her portrait, Walter gave a small smile and inclined his head slightly. As Victoria walked closer to the tinted windows she noticed the dark hue to the sky, dusk came early in winter after all. The soft patting of rain on the higher windows was barely noticeable, 'chances are it's a hurricane in my area', she mused bitterly, thinking of the puddles of water she'll have to clean up when she gets home.
Walter opened the great wooden doors and opened a large black umbrella, easily capable of covering the both of them. As they walked out the door into the rain, a blonde women in an unflattering mustard coloured uniform was marching in, she was completely drenched and scowl adored her face. Behind her was an extremely tall man covered in a red duster with a large red hat, a deep rumbling laugh could be heard as he walked past. Victoria didn't get a good look at his face, but she noticed the blonde women's quiet acknowledgement of the two, she stormed down the hallway out of sight. She thought that perhaps the man in the red duster was provoking the blonde, Victoria and her schoolmates used to do it to each other frequently, of course it's something you grow out of as you mature.
XxX
Another silent car ride was a reminder that her communication skills needed improvement. Not too long after she got into the car, her eyes grew heavy, the rain was beginning to fall harder, and sound lulled her to a dreamless sleep. Victoria awoke with a start when someone touched her shoulder, and she cursed her embarrassingly jumpy nature. Walter withdrew a gloved hand when he saw her reaction "I didn't intend to startle you, but we have arrived at your apartment" the butler reminded.
"No, it's fine" she yawned and blinked her eyes into focus. "These seats are more comfortable than my bed, I can't help falling asleep" she joked. Walter chuckled and offered a hand to help her out of the car, Victoria's whole body felt heavy, she took his offer and found him to be rather strong. She slung her bag over her shoulder, and the butler opened the umbrella and walked her to the lobby, he handed her a sealed envelope and more of the biscuits Victoria had earlier. She thanked him, and Walter bowed before striding elegantly back to the car.
As the elevator ascended, she opened the envelope to find it contained a reminder of the date and time she was to arrive at estate, it included a pickup time and a list of suggested items to bring. She stuffed both the letter and the biscuits into the bag and waited for the elevator to take her to her floor. When the elevator opened, she dragged her booted feet down the corridor to her apartment door. Victoria shuffled around her bag for her keys, and the most horrible noise she could imagine reached her ears, Scott was calling her name. She quickly jammed the key into the lock, tore the door open, and slipped inside, before the door closed she could see Scott's heavy build coming around the corner, thank god she remembered her keys.
The exhausted woman tore off her shoes, stockings, skirt and shirt, then changed into a large t-shirt, before wiping the makeup off her face and putting her dark hair into a bun and falling into her single bed, she fell asleep immediately.