New Beginning [Chapter XV]

[Stranger]

"No. There are freaks among their ranks however," Integra replied, "I may also wish to point out that not all the things in the dungeon are meat eaters. Some of them require blood."

---

Now standing before Joanns tomb she knelt down and turned the crest on it which had the Hellsing pentagram etched into its surface. As she touched it the entire pentagram lit up bright red, the lines etched themselves around all the seams of the tomb door before it slowly descended down into the ground. It was followed by a number of stairs that lifted and formed themselves into a perfect staircase into the under-coif.

"She will not be expecting you. So be on your guard," Integra warned before descending the stairs one by one. The hall way itself was dark until they got to the bottom where there was a single room large enough to fit Integra's sleeping chambers in it. The room was clean unlike the passage way down to it. There was a single table in the middle of the room with a couple chairs and a bowl of apples.

Aside from this there was only a wardrobe on the right hand side and a bookshelf that stretched an entire left wall that had hundreds of books spread across it. The only messy part about the room was the number of books and scrolls laying on the floor in the corner of the room.

Integra entered the room and looked around before saying, "Joann, show yourself at once."

[sebastian]

He made yet another mental note to leave some blood down there as well. This really was an... Interesting organization. He had been expecting new things, no adventures of sorts once he'd sealed the contract. But this had not been the top idea on his list of guesses as to what he'd go through. Actually, it hadn't been on the list at all. Becoming associated with vampires and other strange beings, serving a master who ran an organization which hunted and killed beings like him. It was making him excited, and he was looking forward eagerly to what would happen next. He'd never though that he'd ever say it, but he hoped the time to claim Integra's soul didn't come anytime soon. Never before had he gotten so much entertainment and suspense out of his Faustian service.

He raised his eyebrows as he knelt, feeling it was improper for her to have to do that to move a rock. She could have just asked him to move it for her. But when the strange lights came, he understood why she hadn't. It probably couldn't be opened by anyone except herself. Something to do with those alchemy symbols on her hands, no doubt. At her warning, he nodded; feeling a fresh surge of curiosity about this Joann person. "Yes, master." He followed her down the stairs, starting to pick up a strange scent from further in the tomb. Then they reached what looked like a small room, he was surprised by how tidy it was; despite the fact that they were underground. Of course, the scattered books were the first thing to draw his attention, and he had to resist a habitual urge to go pick them up and place them neatly on the shelf. He stood just behind and slightly to the left of Integra, his hands clasped behind his back as he looked around expectantly.

[Der-Sprecher-des-Wahnsinns]

Joann would materialize to the left side. She wouldn't be able to be tracked as she truly hadn't been in the room before now. Her sword was raised to Sebastian with the tip under his chin, "Yes Master. Who is the demon? He trespasses on my holy grounds." Joann eyed him up and down idly standing still in a very comfortable pose keeping her eyes trained on the demon. She sniffed the air around him as if she was picking up his scent, the sheer presence of her in the room would make Sebastian uncomfortable as her raw holy powers that flickered off her body threatened to do harm to his unholy body.

[Stranger]

Integra turned to see Joann standing there in a fighting position with her blade at the throat of Sebastian. She simply smiled knowing full well that if she didn't call her off quickly she would be out one butler, "Stand down. He is the new butler, you'll be kind to him, he may be helping you on the battlefield from time to time."

There was a brief pause before Integra stated her business here intruding upon Joanns living area, "I had a word with the Queen two days ago about sending aid to the front lines in the demon war. You are the best chance for complete annihilation of their demonic army, however. Your abilities will be limited due to some of the Queen's own demonic pawns being on the field. That means you cannot swipe your blade across the entire area purifying everything that moves, focus on their leadership and the open masses."

[sebastian]

Sebastian didn't so much as blink in surprise at her sudden appearance. He didn't move a muscle, and remained in his own relaxed position as the sword came up to rest beneath his chin. He did look down at the blade; but it was a look of admiration at her guts, rather than discomfort that he now had a sword at his neck. Not many would have the courage, or confidence in their abilities, to point a sword at a demon they knew nothing about. Those crimson hued eyes flickered up to lock upon Joann's burning gaze, apparently unperturbed by her open show of hostility. As for trespassing on her holy grounds... He took a small step to the side so as not to get impaled when he bowed in greeting. "My apologies, Miss. Had I known this to be Holy Grounds; I would have waited outside as a sign of respect." He straightened up, and resumed his calm demeanor.

Holy grounds... He had trespassed on them before, and he wasn't even slightly unnerved by the pure holy sense he was getting from Joann. It might have had something to do with his facing an Angel before, and destroying that angel in ten seconds. Or perhaps it was because he was here as another servant of Integra's; and there was no reason for him to feel unsettled by the possibility of a non-existent battle. As Joann served Integra as well, there would be no point in two servants fighting each other. Or of course, it might have also been because his path was different from normal demons; because he was unique. Others would have certainly shied away from the sheer force of the holy presence, or else attacked in a blind rage or fear. But for him... He and Heaven were strangers, yet he was perfectly comfortable standing before a being that used Heaven's powers. Oh yes, he was well aware of the fact her holy energies could probably tear him apart within seconds; and that there would be no regeneration of holy damage done to him.

But he feared neither pain nor even death. If he died, he would simply return to the bowels of hell; probably be put back together, and then return to the human world in a few years. If he was destroyed for good; then so be it. He had long since resigned himself to the fact that he would die one day for his affiliation with humans, he had accepted that when he chose to become servant to them in order to feast. They were just that fascinating to him, and he'd been given more than enough happiness and enjoyable moments of life through his way of living in the human world. Being immortal, unless special circumstances came in, could get quite boring as decades of life stretched into thousands of years. The few demons who shared his lifestyle usually seeked out a way to permanently erase themselves as they approached 2000 years. The only reason he had now gone beyond 3000 years was because of his way of relying on a contract for his occasional meals and entertainment. He sheltered a certain respect for human beings, and had embraced every opportunity to walk amongst them; rather than his fellow demons. If he was killed right there, where he stood, he would be content and satisfied with what he had already gotten out of life. This lack of fear was evident in his eyes and his relaxed stance. The gaze was one of polite interest as he continued to observe Joann.

When Integra ordered Joann to stand down, he simply dipped his head in another polite motion to the holy woman. If he was to be aiding her in battle, then it really was a bad idea to start off on the wrong foot. He listened carefully as the master spoke her business, and found the part about purifying everything in an area. Was this Joann really capable of such a thing? Well, she certainly radiated enough power to suggest that. He remained silent, seeing as this was discussion between Integra and another pawn; and it wouldn't have been proper for him to try participating in the conversation. Besides, he'd been ordered to not speak unless spoken too not long ago.

[Der-Sprecher-des-Wahnsinns]

Joann lowered her blade and sheathed it entirely. She had no love for the unholy, this was what kept her from interacting with most of Hellsing. Dark magics fluttered everywhere around Integra, however, she respected her master's power to control such powerful monsters with the simplest yet most ancient alchemy and runic powers. Joann stood there in a black dress with bright blond hair tied in a bun, she had chosen to manifest in a battle uniform just in case this demon was hiding himself to Integra.

That wasn't the case however. He was her butler.

"I understand. Is there any way the Queen could delay any of her troops from entering the battlefield so I could go in alone and finish this quickly? As you know, I have no problem killing the demons no matter how infinite they may seem, I can purify the ground and force them to burn as they are resummoned to this realm if need be. Others will only slow me down. Might you make this request?"

[Stranger]

Integra shook her head, "There is no changing what she has no power over."

The truth was that Lori had no power over the war, all she could do is fortify her location and send troops to aid in the coming battle at Kari. Integra knew better than anyone else that sending any aid was futile unless one of them could do massive damage to the enemy in a very short period of time. It was a problem that others would be on the field most likely intertwined with the demon forces facing them. Some of them would become casualties to friendly fire if she didn't specify Joanns orders.

"Do not harm any friendlies. Any on our side, demon or human will not die by your hands. Careful your every swing unless you can see a very obvious way to end the war in one swipe of your blade. I have faith in you, and the word of God is carried by your every action," Integra said in a very strict tone. She hadn't wanted to be this way about it, but she needed to clarify with Joann just in case. It was far too early for a ruined relationship with their new queen.

In their world, no demons were employed by the Queen or any nation. All freaks were enemies and Joann could clear city blocks by just releasing her full power. They always scattered like roaches. But here, everything was backwards.

[sebastian]

The Butler paid close attention to the words which were exchanged, though he appeared to remain disinterested. Joann seemed to be quite confident indeed, perhaps more so than was safe. But then again, he wasn't so different. He believed that when given an order, no matter how impossible it seemed; he could get it done quickly and efficiently. He believed that because it had yet to be proved wrong. Joann probably had yet to be proven wrong in her belief that she could do just about anything as well. Wipe out an entire area of anything unholy, with a single swipe of her sword...? Normally, he wouldn't have believed such a thing to be possible; but Integra certainly thought so. Joann had probably done the task before; which was why she was so confident in her own abilities. He and Joann... They weren't as different as some might have thought. They both served Integra; and they were both powerful beings, one of light and one of dark. They both felt they could do anything laid before them... The main thing about them was that wasn't similar was her holy power... Just by being holy, it would put him at a disadvantage if they ever clashed. But advantages never guaranteed a victory...

Lost in his silent musings, it was one phrase that drew his attention back in a split second: "the word of God is carried by your every action". He was a demon, such phrases meant nothing to him. But hearing them from his own, contracted master... It made it even more obvious that Joann's powers truly were of holy essence. But once again, it wasn't fear that reared its ugly head in his gut. It was sheer curiosity; a longing to see this strange person in action. He could only hope they fought side-by-side on a battlefield in good time; because he would be watching her tactics and moves with rapt attention. He took a moment to remove the watch from his pocket, and pressed the button to open it. The instant his crimson eye fell upon it, he straightened up purposefully. Once the watch was back in his pocket, he turned fully to face Integra and Joann. With his right hand resting on his chest as usual; he sank into yet another low bow; speaking as he did so. "Forgive me for my interruption, My Lord and Miss Joann. But it is now a few minutes after ten; and I believe you mentioned you had a visitor coming by around lunch time. Perhaps it is time to retire and prepare? I will begin preparing lunch as soon as we return to the mansion." He would wait until acknowledgement before he rose from his bow.

[Der-Sprecher-des-Wahnsinns]

Joann bowed to her master dropping to a knee as she spoke of her true master in the Lord. Though Integra and she were bound by the Hellsing seal, she still served as the voice of god even if he only resided in her as unlimited holy power. With the breaking of their reality he ceased to exist but as a gift she was allowed to absorb the vast amounts of his energies as use them as her own.

It truly was what set her apart from the other bible thumping holy rollers in the area, she was a serious threat to the Netherrealm by just standing before them. "Yes master. I understand my orders. When the opening is made I will eradicate the demon army." The moment was shifted as Joann literally began disintegrating through a holy light. A few seconds later she was completely gone and on her way to Kari.

[Stranger]

Integra watched Joann disappear and nodded to Sebastian, "You're right. Please go ahead of me and prepare tea and a light lunch. Seras and her men will be eating MRE's to fill their void. I'll meet you back in my office." Integra said walking back up the stairs and once both of them were out she pressed her hand against the marble stone and the tomb sealed itself once again the power of her seal returning.

She began walking back to the mansion and took to patting herself down only just remembering she had forgotten to grab a spare cigar, that was the problem with serving yourself for too long only to suddenly have a servant, you become slightly unprepared when the time arises. Integra instead took the long way around the back of the mansion to take a look at Seras drilling her men as they were chest deep in mud with their rifles over their head.

Finally she returned to the main doors and one of the regenerators opened the door for her allowing her in. Integra had killed a good fifteen minutes with her slow stroll before she began climbing the stairs and entered her office.

[sebastian]

When Joann seemed to fade from existence, he had no choice but to step back from the sudden surge of holy energy. It was like a repellant to him in the same way that insects were repelled by that spray. It wasn't exactly uncomfortable, but it was a rather unlikeable feeling to be in such close quarters to danger like that. No, he didn't fear death or fading from existence; but it was an instinctive movement on his part to move away from the power. Once she was gone, he turned his attention back to Integra as she spoke. He bowed his head in acknowledgement as she finished. "Yes, my lord..." He didn't even notice the old habit of his reply to a former master coming forward again.

He straightened up and exited the tomb ahead of her; returning o the mansion at an unnatural speed. She wanted a light lunch? Very well, but it would still be gourmet. It wasn't until he was at the front doors that he realized something. He turned to travel around the opposite side of which Integra would come; and he was waiting for her near Seras' training zone behind the majestic building. Sebastian extended his gloved right hand toward Integra; a fresh cigar and match rested upon the cloth. "I believe you may want this..." He said with a smile. Once he'd handed those over, he turned and walked back around to the front doors. Immediately upon entering, he turned toward the main kitchen on the ground floor. It was deserted, due to Integra's other pawns feeding themselves. He pulled a cart over to his work area, got out all the necessary equipment and ingredients he would need, and set to work.

It was exactly 11:00 when he found himself standing before the door to Integra's office; the time he had promised to have the meal ready at. The cart had only two covered platters upon it, but a remarkable scent was already wafting up from the small openings in the tops that served a cooling purpose. There were two plates and two cups, one set for Integra and another for the guest. There was also the usual pitcher of tea, with a smaller cup and pitcher holding sugar and milk respectively. Sebastian knocked lightly on the door to announce his presence, before opening it and wheeling the cart inside. He gently closed the door behind him; then proceeded to Integra's desk. He bowed again, then proceeded to prepare her tea as she usually liked it. "Here you are, master." He said pleasantly, placing the cup on a small plate as he laid it before Integra on the desk. Whenever the guest arrived, he would prepare some tea the way he wanted it; and then would serve the meal to them both. It would have been rather rude to go ahead and allow his master to start eating before the important guest arrived.

But that didn't mean he couldn't tell her what was on the covered platters. "For your light lunch, I have prepared Milk Risotto; cooked alongside three kinds of mushrooms, pork, and Pot-au-Feu wine to add to the flavor." He rested a hand on the larger of the two platters, before shifting the hand over to the top of the smaller one. "As a bonus, I have provided some dessert as well. Here we have a Foret Noire. This treat is comprised of layers of chocolate sponge cake and cherry compode, finished with a dressing of white cream. It is a rather popular dessert dish from the last human world that I visited." He rested his apologetic gaze upon Integra before speaking again. "Is it alright if I wait to serve the meal until the guest arrives? It is common courtesy after all."

[Stranger]

Integra continued to wait she lit the cigar Sebastian had given her earlier and leaned back in her desk putting her feet on the corner of it waiting. As 11 rolled around Sebastian had returned and her visitor was clearly late. What kind of businessman calls a meeting and is still late? It was infuriating. Sebastian entered the room presenting the food to her and she sat back up in a more lady like position. Her stomach turned over clearly retching in hunger.

"He's late," she simply told him as she was being presented the food. Sebastian continued on telling her what was on the menu before pausing to ask her if it was alright to wait for their guest. "Might as well wait, considering he's a very important man and I'd like everything to go right here."

[sebastian]

His eye rested temporarily upon the feet she had up on her desk as he entered, and felt a flash of amusement. Such actions were not proper for one of such high status, especially considering that her shoes might scuff the smooth desk top. But it was her desk, her mansion, and she was unlike other nobles. Some might have called him a stalker, or something of the like; but so many things she did were things he found fascinating. But she brought her feet down quickly. She deserved to be able to ignore the ladylike things which were expected of her 24/7; but she was rarely given the luxury of doing so. He almost felt sympathetic toward her. "You need not worry about displaying dignity before me; master." He said, failing to hide the bemused smile. "I understand you need a break from such unnecessary requirements whenever you get the chance."

At her "late" comment, he drew out his pocket watch and flipped it open. The visitor was indeed late... How rude... And he could hear Integra's stomach complaining at having to wait quite clearly. He sighed as he returned the watch to his pocket, before taking a cloth from the cart. He took a moment to remove the spec of dirt from the table left behind by her feet, then returned to the cart in order to bring out a neatly folded white tablecloth. He had sized it when he'd made this desk in his redesigning of the mansion. "Excuse me..." He murmured, spreading the tablecloth across her desk and smoothing out the folds. Next he placed the silverware and a cloth napkin before her. He shot a glance at the door, and returned his attention to the cart with a disgruntled mutter. "How inconsiderate... One would think that a man of his status would have no trouble arriving on time to a pre-arranged meeting."

He removed the cover from the larger platter, adding a generous amount of the meal to Integra's usual gold engraved plate. "As he is late for the meeting, then he shall be late for lunch as well. It's rude to keep others waiting." He laid the gourmet meal on the table in front of Integra, before replacing the top on the only half-empty platter. He would wait to cut the Foret Noire until Integra finished her main course. He stood straight-backed and stationary. by her desk, allowing her to eat some before asking the question. "Who is this rude business man who is supposed to be meeting with you, master?" He narrowed his eyes in disapproval, already not too fond of the late guest. The butler was extremely OCD when it came to being on time, very few things irritated him more than the presence of lateness.

[.:Amilia:.]

The jet black fusion core Hydra SX10 whipped around the corner screeching its tires and leaving large long black prints on the ground as it drifted around the corner. The car was going a hundred miles down the small narrow streets until he slammed on the breaks upon seeing the crowd outside the gates of the Hellsing manor. The car slid ten feet and the crowd began running in the other direction before it came to a complete halt. The suicide door opened blasting death metal into the streets and the man in a black suit got out. He bent back into the car to grab his suitcase and his phone. He put his phone in his jacket pocket and set the suitcase down to adjust his tie.

Finally the man picked up the suitcase and walked toward the crowd who were all eyes on him at this point. He pulled his car keys out of his pocket and tossed them in the middle of the crowd and walked right past them as they all converged to the center trying to get the keys. The Wild Geese guard at the gate opened them just enough for him to enter, "You're late, Sir Integra is in her office having lunch waiting for you."

"Yeah yeah. Lead the way."

Before too long there was a knock on Integra's door followed by the noise of someone stumbling before the door simply opened and the man entered with the Wild Geese member behind him, "Hey! You-"

The man wasn't listening he grabbed a chair and turned it around in front of Integras desk and at down in it after dropping the suitcase next to him. "My bad, I'm late. You might know me though, Constatine Harker." The Billion Dollar Man.

[Stranger]

Integra picked up her spoon and took a bite from her meal. Around this time Sebastian was asking who he was. And around that time Constantine barged into the room with one of the Wild Geese behind him yelling at him until he saw Integra hold up a hand and he turned out the room and closed the door behind him. Constantine was rather rude by the way he already approached this thing, but Integra was very used to his type of man considering she employed Pip some 15 years ago, and Alucard wasn't too far from barging in on her in mid meal.

"My bad, I'm late. You might know me though, Constatine Harker."

"My Bad?" Integra set her spoon back down after only taking a few bites. She tilted her head back slightly, "Yes, I've heard of you. And I know you have a business proposal for me as well. It can wait if you're hungry. Sebastian has prepared food for lunch."

Integra went back to eating.