Sir Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing (evening_epitaph) wrote in thedisplaced, @ 2018-06-26 16:36:00 |
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Entry tags: | !log/thread, alucard, integra hellsing |
Who: Alucard (Hellsing) and Integra Hellsing
What: A date, and figuring out where one another stands
When: Tuesday, after the plot
Where: Out and about on the streets
Warnings: A very vague mention of death, low otherwise
Status: Completed g-doc
While she had always understood the necessity of it all, there were times when Integra had wished she’d had a bit more of a public life. Not that she didn’t understand, but while she could name a dozen different ways of eradicating and removing vampires, she had missed out on a few things. During her youth, outings had never been something she’d had much of, and then after she’d taken over the Organization she’d dedicated her life to that. She’d read plenty, of course, and there had been those times she’d gone out when it hadn’t involved vampires but there hadn’t been many of them. Especially not after she’d realized just how many of her peers, and others, really bored her and just didn’t understand her dedication.
As such she couldn’t actually recall if she’d ever seen the ballet of Swan Lake in person. She knew the tale of course, it was hard not to. And there was something about seeing it in person. And so, she had to admit that the entire experience had been rather nice. She was, in part, allowing herself to be more her own person rather than the title. She still kept to her duty, but with the Organization being less useful, and less needed it was that or find herself at loose ends.
Upon exiting the building she glanced up to her companion. “What did you think?”
Alucard offered his arm to Integra as he joined her in the cool night air. Though he’d long ago abandoned the larger world’s definition of gentlemanly conduct, he’d been on his best behavior this evening, going so far as to hold the door for a pair of young ladies who’d been walking beside him and Integra on the way out.
“It was not the Bolshoi Ballet,” he remarked, “but one cannot discount the performers’ passion for their craft. Did you enjoy it?”
Though Alucard had paid attention to the dancers, he’d been far more interested in Integra. As rare as it was for her to venture beyond the grounds of Hellsing Manor outside of a mission, it was rarer still for the vampire to accompany her as sole escort. He’d been rather pleased to have no barrier between them save the grounds of commonly accepted propriety. No one would remark if he took her hand, or whispered a comment in her ear. They were, to those around them, nothing more significant than a couple enjoying an evening together.
While she'd always had some anonymity, as the running of the backbone of a country wasn't exactly something one could do publicly, she'd always had her name heralding her. Right now she was just another face in the crowd, which allowed her to relax more. She had stopped to wonder about eyes, and just enjoyed the ballet, and the company. Even now, that still lingered so she took his arm with a smile. No one here knew, or cared. There was a freedom in it she found enjoyable.
"I did, though I have no comparisons to make." Ballet, theater, those things had always been things she'd put in the categories of 'too long'. If she had been invited, or even cared to go alone there was always some chance something could come up so she'd always had to decline. And she needed to be available. Arguments could be made that she had a staff, but her word was the one needed to move forward with anything. And she'd grown up with the state of her office being one to be very hands on. "Although I will note even I've heard that the Bolshoi has no real comparison. I'll keep my eyes open should they decide to travel here. It should merit seeing." And what else had she but time? She worked, yes but in comparison to her previous hours it was an almost lazy thing. She kept half an eye on the other vampires, but they weren't threats. It was just habit. She trained the creature that had come with her from the other world and kept her own skills as sharp as ever but that still left her with plenty of hours where she had nothing but time. As someone for who 'idle' wasn't a natural state it was the hardest thing she found herself acclimating to.
And idle was what there was at home. And right now she was enjoying herself, and enjoying the freedom. "Care for a walk?"
“You know that I adore late evening strolls,” Alucard purred. He paused long enough for a small group of friends to cross in front of them, then turned to guide Integra down the sidewalk. The night air had brought some relief from the usual Texas summer heat. Though capable of withstanding any temperature, Alucard was inclined to complain of the high temperatures purely for the sake of it. He much preferred the cool environs of his rooms beneath Hellsing Manor.
“We ought to do this more often,” he remarked. “I’ve always found it a shame you spend so much time on work, and so little on yourself.”
It wasn’t England, and even if it was it wouldn’t be her England, but the place had a sort of beauty to it. And like him she was at least glad for the cooler air. The heat did not suit her, and she was assured that she’d spend the whole of the summer indoors. Despite her occasional annoyances with the portal, not that she’d forgiven the thing for the entire boat affair, it had also given her her car. She’d not need to deal with the heat more than she ought too. And with the lack of heat she could walk with ease. There was no hurry.
“Duty comes before self,” she offered in reply. “There wasn’t any time to focus on myself, even in the lulls there was always something.” She was still proud of her work, and she’d pick it all back up again within minutes if it was needed but now and here it wasn’t so much. Plus she’d always felt like she’d had to fight to keep her spot, follow some sort of guide so the other 12 never looked at her as anything but a Hellsing. “And then after there was the rebuilding. Now, however, there’s nothing but time.And what of yourself? No complaints at your own idleness?”
Alucard smiled, the expression playing lightly across his face, so subtle it would be easy to miss. “Without the hunt, I find I must indulge in other pursuits. I confess that I would likely go quite mad without your presence, my Master.” He had never been terribly reliable without an anchor of some sort. In life, he had had his country, his wife, his children, but when all of that had seemed lost to the enemy, Alucard had done terrible things, well beyond the horrors for which he’d already been known.
“Though it does vex me that there is so little to fight. I grow restless.” And, though Alucard would not say so, sullen, even depressed some nights. He had also never done well when given too much time to think.
She frowned, thinking. Ever since she’d woken him there’d always been something for him to do. She might, some days, be frustrated with the lengths he went through or disappointed at the violence but she’d always understood. And while she was glad she was an anchor, she did have enough of an understanding of life to know that sort of tie could be as firm as steel, or as easily broken as a piece of string. “Be patient a bit more. I had more before the entire boat debacle, but with the changes, well…” she motioned around like it would explain everything.
But she was settling herself into the operations of the bureau. It was easier then she’d expected, considering how she’d always been in charge of herself but she was making it work for her. “There are still answers we haven’t yet found, and I plan to find them. But I have never had a need to explain myself, and I do not plan on having people try and tell me what to do, and how to do it. And without any resources available, finding information is to be done the hard way. When you’re send, I want to ensure it’s the correct place lest the costumed Americans decide they know better.” Her opinion on those wasn’t one she kept to herself a lot. “But I will give you that while time needs to pass, there isn’t a lot one can do here. I can keep abreast on whenever the portal acts up and spits out targets, but that is a rather random occurrence. And, of course, there’s the others to keep an eye on.” None of which was really all too helpful, but she tried. “There is nothing in this town that holds an interest to keep you occupied?” She doubted it, but if there was she’d find a way to help.
“There is.” Alucard paused and turned to regard Integra more closely. “You.”
It was perhaps no secret that Alucard preferred the company of women over men as a general rule. Though he had little care for sexual preferences, men had generally been the source of his torment and pain in life and undeath - women, more often than not, the source of succor. Integra embodied the best of humanity in Alucard’s eyes. Since he’d been a child, he’d longed to see a human capable of withstanding the monsters. He had, in fact, hoped to become one. His failure to do so had sealed his descent into madness.
Of all those who had attempted to hold him back from his own savagery, Integra did so with the most aplomb, her deft handling of him truly an inspiring sight to see.
It brought her up a bit short and surprised her. It was not something she’d expected, and she wasn’t all too sure what to do. The worst of it was she knew she was blushing. It took her a moment to find her bearings. “Yes. Well.” She was finding ways to accomplish her duty, and ensure that Alucard wasn’t getting lost in himself. This was a sort of thing she didn’t have much knowledge of.
She took a long breath, finding words. In the end she settled simply for; “and how might I be of more aid?” It felt neutral enough, and yet still open enough. Then again, she had spent her entire life building a wall between her and the world, always feeling as if she had to be the nickname they’d given her. Letting people in wasn’t common, but then again Alucard was different. Always had been.
It was still different, and she wasn’t sure of anything but she could at least take this step.
“Does that trouble you?” Alucard released her arm, gently, so they could stand on more even ground. He did not wish Integra to be swayed by the roles implied when he had offered his arm to her upon exiting the theater. Though he rarely was shy about physical contact with her, he knew how persuasive it could be, how easily a simple gesture could encourage one to act as they otherwise might not.
“You have shown me kindness these many years, Integra. I serve because I choose to do so. If ever there were a Hellsing with the power to hold me against my will, save Abraham, it is you. Yet you do not. Indeed, it troubled you when I asked for the seals to be renewed. Yet you acted against your inclination because of my request.” He smiled faintly, and reached up to remove his spectacles. His eyes, though still their usual shade, seemed softer somehow than their usual wont.
“Aid, I do not, is quite the word for what I would ask of you.”
It was habit that when he released her arm she crossed hers. It was such an ingrained thing she didn’t even think of it, until she realized she’d done it. Then she set her hands to her sides. It also allowed her to gather her thoughts. “No. It took me by surprise, no more.” He had a habit of doing that.
She met his gaze evenly when he removed the shades. She did not think it needed to be said that she didn’t, truly, want to hold him against his will. And while she was an intensely private person at heart, and she’d much prefer to have a conversation in private she also was aware enough that she might find ways to go around it had she opportunity to hide behind a project. Given how long they’d known each other she could at least offer this. “I told you. You came back.” It had been plenty to her, and more. He could have gone anywhere. “But you did ask.” And she looked after those under either her service or employ. He’d earned his request.
“Then what is?”
“I came back for you. Because if I were to go anywhere else, something vital would be torn from me. I’m certain you could do perfectly well without me. Perhaps your life would be much improved without me in it. But I am selfish.”
He reached out then, gently sliding his fingers beneath her own as he attempted to coax her into relaxing her crossed arms. “I want you, Integra. Nothing more.”
She let him take her hands and relaxed her arms. None of what he said was really anything she didn't know. Hearing it voiced though, that was the difference. In this though, she was glad for the quiet streets. Her mind was less so, although it was not in disarray long. She'd always walked by her own rules, and let no other opinions colour her path. "My life would be much quieter without you. But not improved." Perhaps she was selfish in that too. Even in their own world she had Seras, and while she loved the girl it wasn't quite the same.
Again, she couldn't find words. So she wrapped her fingers around his until she found them. "Work remains that." That, she felt, needed to remain. There might be very little of that, but it needed to be said. "And any path walked is best walked side by side. I am not, by nature, cruel." She added glancing first to the new wards before holding his gaze. "Time will pass," her voice was gentle, but if he was offering this honesty, she could do no less. Besides anything else, she did have that concern.
“And you will not consider taking my blood. I am aware, Integra.” Alucard wished to have her by his side forever, but he understand that something fundamental in her would vanish should she come to his life. He could lose her just as easily by helping her become a vampire as he could leaving her to a mortal’s fate.
“Consider what I ask and offer. You needn’t come to a decision in this hour or at any time unless that is your inclination. Regardless of your choice, I remain your servant. Willingly.”
She hadn't wanted to say more until she knew he understood that. According to him when he'd returned in their world thirty years had passed. An age to her, less to him. And while she had an assurance of sort she'd live those years, in some fashion, and could live longer still there was the inescapable end. An end, she knew, need not come. But the risk of losing not just her humanity, was also the memory of knowing how it had affected him when instead of giving him the match as a man, Anderson had chosen to be a monster too. If she made that choice, she wouldn't just lose herself. Something in him might be lost too.
But still after his words she raised an eyebrow and stepped closer. "I do not run, especially not from you Count." While there was edge in the last word, there wasn't as much. "And not from this. I've considered and accept."
A slow smile spread across Alucard’s features. He pulled Integra in closer, more demanding this time, and settled a solicitous hand on her waist, the fingers of his left hand intertwined with hers. “Excellent, Countess.” He leaned closer, nearly touching noses, and the smile turned to a grin.
“I hope you understand that I can be … persistent.” He was teasing, mostly. Integra, as a Hellsing, knew his history.
To most, it would seem she had few reactions. but to those who knew her it was different. When he came closer she relaxed, and a smile curled her lips. Her free hand settled on his arm. For her, it was always the little things, especially with how she used touch, as it was not often something she did.
“You, persistent?” Her tone was dry, because she was very aware. “Perish the thought.” Her sense of humour wasn’t always noticeable, except to those who knew her. “Whatever shall I do?” She had, of course, plenty of ways.
Alucard laughed, a warm, rumbling sound seated deep in his chest. He wrapped an arm around Integra’s waist and pulled her flush against him so he could trace the line of her throat with his cool breath. “I can only imagine, my Master, but I look forward to it.” The vampire drew back and released her, smile lingering on his pale features. “Very much so.”