Log: Complete Chance Meeting

[master-lacroix.livejournal.com]

When; January 29; Wardrobe Switch Day; evening
Rating; PG
Characters; Integral Hellsing [steeldame], and Lacroix [master_lacroix]
Summary; Integral bumps into Lacroix on her way back from the store.
Log;

It was cold outside, the sky already darkened and people of the street walked in mismatched clothes. Among them, Integral Hellsing, joined the ranks of fashion cursed citizens, wearing Seras Victoria's uniform (a blue far too tight shirt with short miniskirt and white boots). She tried to look at the bright side and take comfort it wasn't the yellow one, the knight would attract more unwanted attention with it.

Quickly, she entered to the shop where she usually purchased her cigars. It was warmer inside, she would have wore a coat if the bloody article didn't vanish when she tried to put it on.

The sky growing dark it was time for Lacroix to do some acting. He had some 'searching' to do after all. Taking to the rooftops he looked around seeing who was out tonight when he spotted the youngest Sir Hellsing. Though she was dressed quite differently then he remembered. 'Must be that clothes curse that I heard about...' he thought simply. He watched as the she walked into a store and wondered if he should perhaps meet the king of the chessboard face to face.

She was indeed dear to Walter and very dear to one of the Alucards. He had already taken care of one human problem and now it might be time to scout a possible other. Though she was someone to save for last...the big prize so to speak. He easily landed on the ground and headed toward the same store for a chance meeting with one of the most coveted humans in the City.

It only took her a moment to purchase her cigars, a lighter and leaving the shop. Integral took out one and placed the box on the pockets in her chest. Smoking would warm her in her way to home. The building was six blocks away from the shop. Lighting the cigarillo, she tucked it inside her mouth.

At least Alucard hasn't made any of his comments, Integral thought, exiting the store and walking in strides back her home. She knew he was likely spending time with D while Seras and Captain did the same.

"That is quite an interesting uniform you are wearing Sir Hellsing. I take it you are curse affected today," Lacroix spoke from not too far behind her.

Giving her an appraising look, in person she was quite appealing. Her beauty reminded him very much of Fleur but he would not let nostalgia ruin any of his future plans.

That voice, she didn't recognise it. Her reflexes were quick, as she kept herself on shape to deal with the possible crisis in the City, Integral whirled and glanced at Lacroix, recognising him as the vampire who dallied with Walter.

"Seras Victoria's uniform," Integral answered, inwardly uncomfortable of the clothes but unwilling to show it. She had learned to master her reactions. No more shaking fists. "I'm afraid the curse chose me as one of its victims, though others were far more unfortunate." She exhaled smoke. "You must be Mister Lacroix, one of Walter's acquaintances. Introductions aren't necessary, I hope, is there something you want?" she asked in a non-nonsense voice. It was cold outside and she was not in a gregarious mood.

"There was nothing in particular. I just happen to notice you walking by," Lacroix said matter-of-factly. He too was rather good at keeping a neutral expression. Humans only read what he allowed them to read. "Since this is the first time that I have seen you in person I thought I would say hello. Though I must admit the uniform was rather unexpected," he added. 'Unexpected but very much appreciated.' He thought to himself.

"Have you or your people had much luck in finding the kidnap victim?" he decided to ask. She was already suspicious of him because of his taking an interest in Walter and the younger Alucard. This one he could see was very protective of her people like any good leader would be.

"This City always makes the unexpected quite dull eventually," Integral said dryly, turning to walk back home and motioning Lacroix if he wished to join her with an unspoken gesture. She did not care the man was a vampire, she was almost more comfortable around them than human beings lately. Her father being an exception but he was no longer living either.

"My subordinates haven't reported me any improvement. But, judging with her familiarity with Walter, I would venture an educated guess it was Millennium," Integral commented. She didn't know the girl or if she had enemies but the knight blamed Major, in any case.

Lacroix followed along beside Integral at her gesture. He would have raised an eyebrow at her guess but he was not the type to give himself away. Besides upon skimming her mind he knew that she was merely blaming her enemy because she could. There was not a shred of evidence that pointed at him or Doc save for the token he had saved for the effeminate Alucard. Luckily Alucard had never met the girl so he would not recognize her scent.

"Hmm, what do you think Millennium would do with her? She is only a teenage girl after all." He noted with a slight shrug of skepticism. Integral of course was completely unaware of the girl's strange ability like everyone else. So playing on that ignorance was rather easy.

Inhaling her cigar, Integral turned to glance at Lacroix briefly. She was studying him to further decide if she would soothe her concern regarding Walter and Alucard. That was the reason why she had not dismissed him immediately. The vampire looked… too neutral, almost unreadable. In her experience, those had more to hide.

"We don't know if she's only a teenage girl. If they are the ones who took her, I frankly doubt that the girl is not without a talent," the knight mused. Major wouldn't seek simple canon fodder. No. It would be too easy. "They are monsters," Integral continued, grimacing behind the curtain of smoke she kept exalting. "There are many theories, none too pleasant. Death isn't even a escape in this city."

"Hmm, the only remarkable thing I heard about the girl is that she faced that Pyramid Head creature of her own accord. So I gather that she is brave but honestly I do not see what could possibly be kidnap worthy about her," he said frankly. "But with all the different species mingling together in this City it is rather hard to pick up on motives," he added simply.

"A strong spirit, they could twist it like they did with Walter," Integral said, glancing at Lacroix. "What has a strong spirit, they could taint and modify in body." She finished her cigar, crushing it with her right boot. "It's possible someone else is to blame but they have been quiet, another signal of suspicion. They also need troops." Hurting Walter would get her and Integral suspected that Major wanted to reach Alucard and her using him.

Such a brilliant mind, when the time came to truly face her he would relish it. "Hmpf, an artificial vampire...to be frank I do not like the idea that someone plays with vampirism in such a manner. For the girl's sake I hope that is not the case," Lacroix said, showing a disdain that came with the pride of being a true vampire. "If death were permanent in this place I would find the one responsible for artificial vampires and kill him myself."

Point in fact if Doc dared to cross him he would shatter that man's mind into a million pieces, leaving nothing more than a mere shell of awareness within him.

"Artificial vampire?" Integral asked, very amused by that idea. Her voice denoted that. "Mass produced vampires, perhaps, but there isn't anything artificial in them. I had faced them, I had looked into their pitiful eyes and I find no difference from other monsters I had encountered, being vampires or those with beating heart." She paused, about to take another cigar but refrained to. She didn't feel like smoking anymore. The wind was weaker near the buildings. "Every each of them wanted to give up their humanity for a reason. That desire alone turns them into real monsters, their methods are of little consequence. Because they wish to escape death, age or simply gain power, they give up something to win a battle foolishly."

"To mortals there is little difference that is certain. I shall not endeavor to argue the difference," he said simply. Besides he was well aware that with each passing century vampires were becoming more of a joke. Many foolish upstarts knew nothing of the real power a vampire could hold. They only looked at the superficial benefits never deeper.

"I should be taking my leave. I'm going to have another look around and see if I can pick up anything," Lacroix said inclining his head toward Integral.

Her eyes narrowed. "I lived with the original vampire in my world, I was born to know everything about them. I discovered the difference between Millennium undead and those of his bloodline. Don't dare to say I wouldn't discern details in my subject." Integral lifted an eyebrow and listened to his remark about veiled ignorance. "Was I misunderstood? I said they were real monsters as real as perhaps most vampires are but I did not said your kind were all that way," she said, tilting her head. Seras was certainly not a monster, nor was Alucard. Not anymore.

Inclining her head, Integral bid farewell; her building was only a block away. "If that is the case, good luck, Mister Lacroix."