Bast turned to Jesus Christ in disbelief. "To you, that constituted a double Negative?" (referring to the previous episode)
"Absolutely." Was Jesus' reply, but he saw she wasn't getting the full impact, so he went on with "Back in his day, Dracula was considered to be right down there with the Antichrist, and as Alucard is widely hated as the Antichrist to FREAK Vamps, I couldn't resist."
Bast faceaulted, fortunately not into the pool.
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Walter Dum Korne was a very steady man. Keeping a relative level of contact with Alucard off and on ever since World War 2 will do that, if it doesn't drive you mad, that is.
Fortunately for Integra, He's tough enough for it, and that toughness made him invaluable as general aide and savior for the Hellsing Institution.
Still, he nearly fainted when he went down to dust Alucard's crypt near dawn and found him still there, contentedly sucking on a blood pack with one of those little sharp straws they pack in with foil drinkboxes.
"What?" the amused No Life King asked the dumbfounded major-domo. "The blood's not the freshest, but I can tolerate it, I just hate the plastic getting caught in my fangs."
Walter calmed visibly, then spoke with his usual dry wit. "As Integra will likely tell you to go tanning at noon for this, I'll ask you now; Whay are you here? your coffin's just left Heathrow for Tokyo, and you are assigned to pick up that side project's results, that poor child, as soon as possible."
The vampire lord seemed to consider the matter, then opted for honesty with his old comrade, especially as it involved the safety of the Line. "Celes Victoria is in the coffin, and is taking the assignment, as she pointed out several facts that dictated I stay and she go."
Walter raised a eyebrow.. "And this mattered to you? You know full well I've stayed out of it, but your protections and assumption of absolute authority seem to counter that to those less than my own caliber. I had to explain the Integra why you treated Celes as you do."
Alucard said slowly.. "I will tell my reasons.. however unlike me it be.. if you explain what you saw that Master did not."
Walter nodded. "Very well then. You're her father now, in any way that matters, but you are trying to get her to show initiative and to be her own vampire, find her own answers, in short to come into vampiric maturity."
"Excellent, Walter. Here then are my reasons, and you may as well report them to Master as I rest. First, Incognito was aided by a group creating the FREAKs. That group remains. Also, there are the Vatican and the Round Table, one of whom's members is a traitor, to consider. Lastly for those reasons involving Master directly, she needs to despise me to fall back into the saddle, it's a part of her character."
Walter interjected "I know this is aside from the report, Alucard, but.. Integra doesn't truly hate you, but.."
Alucard interrputed him, with a gentleness the surprised major-domo respected, as it meant this was serious and he's tear Walter apart if it were ignored. "I know fully well she despises vampirism and cannot tell the differances beetween us True Vampires and FREAKs, or rather will not, and also that she loathes yet loves the Bonds between she and I. She needs to learn that Vampires and those coming from a Vampire are only evil if they are weak, like the FREAK vamps. Later. For now, she's recovering from a truly horrific experience, so I accept my continuing bondage.. for the Line's sake, Walter."
Walter conceded that silently, then asked once more for details. "You said that Celes went so you could remain, but you implied that wasn't all the reason. Explain, please."
Alucard smirked. "Never like you to miss a detail, you fastidious man! I see why you became a butler. As far as all that, Celes has found her will,and shortly thereafter drank of my blood in the Incognito fiasco. Therefore, she is free. But she remains here, of her own will, and serves Integra freely as well. She needs to do a solo mission and become accustomed to her new instincts and powers, as well as see I trust her with freedom. Besides, doign this herself will prove to Integra that she need not be killed. Finally.. In a very real sense, the child, Ranma 'Saotome', is her sibling, and they should get acquainted."
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In the City of Tokyo, even as dawn came and perchance required Alucard sleep it off and Walter report the latest stunt Alucard pulled, it remained dark. Timezone differance. This afforded Celes the chance to melt thru the sealed coffin and leave Narita International, using some of the newly discovered powers Alucard's blood and her own acceptance of herself had provided.
The Goal wasn't all THAT far away, as she ran at truly remarkable speed and without tiring, headed for a wooded patch with a young young child with a remarkable heritage indeed. She would DO this!
"Hang On, 'Bro', one cute Vampire to save you, coming up!"
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(Posted Mon, 27 Oct 2003 06:18)
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