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Post by Sparda on Aug 16, 2012 16:36:10 GMT -6
[[ This thread takes place the day after A New Day and Diggin' My Own Grave. ]]
He was being expected; that was a pleasantry to discover. The guards at the gate merely nodded at his approach and the threshold parted just enough to allow the Dark Knight passage onto the grounds of the new Hellsing manor, only to close just as quickly behind him. Security was quite tight, it seemed.
He crossed the grounds towards the large building, its immaculate facade a mystery in the midst of the destruction still being repaired in the area. Whoever had renovated this place for the organisation's use did a simply magnificent job of it.
He approached the tall front doors, flanked on either side by two stationary guards carrying assault rifles that appeared contemporary for his homeworld. One of them stepped forward to intercept him.
"Sparda, representing the Queen?" His tone was as businesslike as expected.
"That I am."
"Sir Integra is expecting you. If you'll wait inside, she'll send for you."
Nodding his understanding, Sparda waited for the doors to be opened to him, then smiled cordially at the guards and stepped inside. The interior was just as refined and opulent as the exterior, pleasingly enough. Idly tugging at his gloves and readjusting his monocle, the demon took a seat near the door and waited for this escort to be sent.
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Post by Stranger on Aug 16, 2012 16:47:56 GMT -6
Integra was in her study for a change. The room was on the right hand side of the mansion, it was large with one massive table in the middle and the walls surrounded by rows and rows of books. Integra was looking at a map of Jherra that was placed in the center of the table. As massive as the table was the map covered almost two thirds of it. she went over the fine details of the terrain she would be facing in the time to come when she mobilized her organization for war against the incoming armies in their later stages.
There was a light knock at the door followed by the door opening, the soldier walked in and bowed his head, "Sir Integra, the queen has sent Sparda. Shall I bring him up?"
"Send him up."
She never took her eyes off the map, little did she know that it would come in handy for when Sparda actually gave his briefing to her.
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Post by Sparda on Aug 16, 2012 17:09:32 GMT -6
He didn't have to wait long, observing the many soldiers that milled about on their assorted orders of business, before one descended the stairs from the right-hand wing and approached him.
"Sir Integra will see you now. Follow me to her study."
"Very good," came his reply, along with an amicable smile. Rising from the chair, he followed the soldier through the mansion into the southern wing. He stopped at a door at the far end of a middle-floor corridor, knocked briefly, and opened onto a vast room lined with bookshelves. The floor was dominated by a huge, round table, that same Jherran map from the castle spread across it, and Integra herself stood over it, eyes narrowed in scrutiny.
"Sir Integra," he called as the soldier left and closed the door. The demon bowed his head respectfully. "Thank you for having me."
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Post by Stranger on Aug 16, 2012 20:24:33 GMT -6
She looked up and stood up straight placing both of her hands behind her back. She nodded at Sparda as he thanked her for sheltering him for the meeting, "It's my pleasure. Please make yourself comfortable. I'll be gathering the leaders of each section of Hellsing momentarily. But first, I'd like to know."
Integra paused and tilted her head up, "Would you care for tea?"
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Post by sebastian on Aug 16, 2012 20:33:31 GMT -6
Sebastian was in the process of the dusting off the many shelves and all of their books; wondering what exactly Integra found so interesting about that map. She'd asked him to fetch one for her, and so he had. But she seemed quite focused on studying it... And he had yet to find out why. When the knock came, he raised his head expectantly, and felt a tinge of excitement. It was time for that meeting then? Wonderful... Oh yes, he remembered Sparda... It had been quite a show to observe from his station on a rooftop when the man was sparring with Arix. And now, he'd get to actually meet the man face-to-face; even if the only reason he remained here was to be present should his services be needed.
Just as he was finishing his dusting job of the shelves, the door re-opened and Sparda himself came in. Almost immediately, he noticed something he hadn't before... Sparda carried the scent of demon; though he was certainly not a Faustian Demon. There had been too many people present in that courtyard during the training session for him to pinpoint the scent, but now he knew... And the man's battle prowess made more sense. Sebastian took the cloth he had been using and placed it into the nearest trash bin. It looked perfectly clean; there hadn't been much dust here at all before he came through. But of course... Now that the cloth had specs of dirt of it; it was entirely useless to him. The butler brushed his gloved hands together to remove in traces of dust from the clean white fabric, before he moved forward to stand by Integra. He lowered himself into a bow of greeting to Sparda. "Welcome to the Hellsing manor, Sir..." He said silkily, straightened up. When Integra offered tea, he allowed his smile to soften ever so slightly. He had just been about to offer to make some... He fixed the crimson gaze on Sparda, awaiting his answer to Integra. He added a question for Integra then. "Shall I prepare some for everyone who is to attend this meeting, my lord?"
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Post by Sparda on Aug 16, 2012 20:41:14 GMT -6
From the corner of the room came a butler of sorts, who genuflected and dutifully welcomed Sparda to the building. The Dark Knight blinked for a moment, recognising that aura; this was the observer who'd been watching the first session of their Merjutsu trainees from across the castle. He smiled, politely but somewhat knowingly, inclining his head at the butler, and turned his attention back to Integra and her offer of tea.
"How very British," he remarked, "tea alongside the first order of business. I do miss the little pleasantries of my homeworld, though, so I'll accept your kind offer." He glanced at the butler again. "Earl grey, if you please, my man; two sugars and a dash of milk. But I'll take whatever's available if that isn't possible." Nodding his thanks, he stepped further into the room, looking down at the large map.
"If I may ask, Sir Integra... Will the No-Life King be joining us?"
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Post by Ayen on Aug 16, 2012 21:02:32 GMT -6
“You rang master?”
Maricul was the next person to enter the room. Hands tucked away into her pockets and her usual calm expression on her face. Sapphire blues looking over the man with silver hair and dressed in garb of violet before her eyes fell upon the map laying on the table.
“It's so strange not seeing the Crystal Expanse on that anymore.” |
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Post by Stranger on Aug 16, 2012 21:13:22 GMT -6
"I'm sure Sebastian can manage your wishes, please make yourself comfortable. It'll be a moment before," and by which time Maricul entered the room, "Yes. Settle in and make yourself useful by listening." She readjusted herself waiting for Sebastian to serve the tea.
"The No Life King? You mean Alucard? No, he is no longer under my service due to difficulties in believing in himself. With time I hope he'll pull himself together and reappear, until then, Joann will fill in his place even if she leans more with the Iscariot forces than my own. Until now, I have Seras filling his place."
Integra waited another moment before looking to Sebastian yet again, "I may have you round up the others since my guard seems to be doing a horrid job of the task."
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Post by sebastian on Aug 16, 2012 21:58:12 GMT -6
Sebastian bowed again to Sparda, taking notice of the recognition he sensed coming from the man. It seemed he knew who had been watching his training session now. "Indeed, sir. It will be no trouble at all." He said in his usual soft voice. He started toward the door, pausing for a moment. "It shall be ready in no more than 5 minutes." He said, directing his words to both of them. Just as he was about to open the door, the handle turned and Maricul walked in. He stood back to allow her to enter, inclining his head head in greeting; before turning back to Integra. "If I see either of them, I will direct them up here, master." With those words, he swept out of the room, walking with purpose until the door closed behind him. Then he blurred into his demon speed. 5 minutes to make tea? Yeah right... If he was going to take that long, he may as well bring up some food to compliment the tea. He flickered past Heinkel without stopping; seeing as she was already making her way up to the meeting. Once he'd reached the kitchen; it took no time at all for him to retrieve a cup for Sparda, Integra, Heinkel, Maricul, and Seras. He knew the latter two would probably not drink any tea; they were vampires after all. But it would be impolite to just not bring them cups, as if he was planning to serve them tea on command. Besides... Two extra cups was never a bad thing when it came to tea. There was soon a pot with water on the stove. He wasn't going to wait idly around for it to boil though. He set about preparing a nice dish to serve with the tea. As he left the kitchen 4 minutes later, he had an intricate silver platter balanced on the fingertips of his right gloved hand. Upon the platter was a large pitcher of tea, a bowl of sugar and a smaller pitcher of milk, 5 dainty little plates, and the larger covered plate from which a savory gourmet aroma was rising from. He started to head back up to the study with haste, yet there was very little motion of the liquid inside the pitchers. It was when he saw Seras down the hall that he stopped. "Miss Seras, the master is holding a meeting in her study as we speak; and she wishes for all Hellsing leaders to attend."He then continued to the study, expecting that Seras would simply follow him. He knocked lightly on the door with his free hand before opening it, and walked in. Exactly 5 minutes... Perfect. He held the door until Seras had joined them, and then proceeded to the desk. He laid the platter down on the small area left uncovered by the map; and poured some of the Earl Grey tea into two of the cups. Should the any of the others request tea, he'd pour them some as well. He added two tablespoons of sugar to both cups, and followed up with the preferred amount of milk for Integra and Sparda. Once it was all stirred in; the teacups were placed before the corresponding pair. He then took the cover from the dish. "I have prepared a deep dish of apple and raisin pie to compliment your tea." He cut two generous sized slices from the cake; placing each of them on one of the small plates and setting them before the important guest and master. Should anyone else want a slice, they needed only to ask.  |
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Elena
Vampire
Best Thread
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Post by Elena on Aug 16, 2012 22:36:39 GMT -6
Smoke drifted through the air and into the room as Heinkel was the next person to enter the room after Maricul. Dark eyes from behind their glasses shot a single glance at Sparda before continuing onward to Sir Integra's right hand side not even sparing a glance for the vampire freak whose crucifix It repossessed earlier in the day out in the mansion halls.
"Integra."
Was all the Iscariot's leader said as they waited for the meeting to begin.
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Post by Seras Victoria on Aug 18, 2012 10:51:21 GMT -6
Seras had followed along Sebastian to the meeting area. Once she had arrived she settled into a spot close to Integra. It was Seras's job to scan a room and locate vantage points and escape routes. This room had one entrance one exit, the only vantage point it had was the table in the dead center of the room. If there was to be any kind of assault at this very moment they would have no cover.
Not like that mattered at all given the kind of company Integra had around her right now, she may very well be the most dangerous human on the planet at this very moment with the company of Sebastian, Sparda, Herself, Maricul, and Heinkel.
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Post by Sparda on Aug 18, 2012 14:12:43 GMT -6
Sparda had glanced at a clock on the wall when the butler - Sebastian, was it? - left the room, and a young, raven-haired vampire entered and bowed to Integra. Sparda turned his head in Integra's direction just enough to pull off a double take of the new arrival and her aura. Maricul?! Another alternate version of the Seductress?
This was all getting more and more out of hand.
Shaking it off, the demon returned his attention to Integra to catch her address of his question regarding Alucard. He tilted his head in confusion at her choice of words and took a moment to find his own.
"Pull himself together? So all it takes to defeat a behemoth like him is an identity crisis?" He chuckled, his response in clear jest, not knowing how close to the truth he really was. He had no intention of belittling or underestimating the monstrous power of the No-Life King, having battled against it first-hand.
Following soon behind this alternate Maricul came a tall woman, garbed in a long grey coat and concealing the lower half of her face in bandages. Even behind her dark glasses, he felt the cold, scrutinising stare flashed briefly at him before she positioned herself at Integra's flank.
A mere minute would pass before Sebastian returned with a large metal tray of reflective steel, carrying cups for all of the room's occupants, a teapot, and a covered dish. Following close behind came a second vampire, of similar physical age to this version of Maricul but sporting an aura that was many times more powerful, and hauntingly familiar. A sire of Alucard himself, the Dark Knight surmised after a moment's examination, and a strong one at that.
He smiled and nodded his thanks as his tea was poured, smelling as close to perfectly made as he could ask of a stranger; then felt his eyebrows raise almost of their own accord when the exquisite-looking pie was revealed. "All this in just five minutes?" he remarked, looking up at the butler. "Sir Integra certainly keeps a fine standard of manservant. Very impressive."
Smiling, he raised the piping hot tea to his lips and sipped quietly, nodding his pleasure at the familiar taste. He set the cup back down, noting the large slice of pie for later, and looked around at his companions. The Hellsing leadership were assembled; time to get down to business.
"Well then, if we're all present... Leaders of the Hellsing Organisation, on behalf of Her Majesty, Queen Lori, I bid you welcome to the city of Hallowton and the mad world of Genesis." He bowed his head politely, the non-humans in the room able to feel the ancient power that radiated from him, his aura almost stiflingly dense even at total rest. "My name is Sparda, and I serve Her Majesty as an advisor and bodyguard. With Sir Integra's approval, I am here to bring you up to speed on current affairs in this world not our own, and inform you of the place Hellsing will be taking in the brewing battles to come."
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Post by Stranger on Aug 18, 2012 14:45:59 GMT -6
"Something like that," Integra had replied to Sparda's comment about Alucard with a brief smile. He was close to the truth yet so far away all the same. Alucard himself had become nothing more than a bunch of 0's and 1's by this point, he had to fix the equation before he could yet again ride at the helm of Hellsings power. It would be a terrifying day for their enemies when he returned beyond the power he once possessed.
Integra lifted her tea and took a drink. She would allow Sebastian to reply of course instead of stealing his thunder like she had done several times when someone pointed out how efficient he was. Integra had become proud of the core members of her group each one served their purpose well even Maricul would soon serve the purpose Integra had for her.
"Lets begin. Each member of Hellsing standing before you serves a purpose. There are three absent here now, the first being Joann D'Arc who as you know is tasked with the situation in Kari. The second is Constantine Harker, our financial back bone and one of the board of director members. Technically the only one until a board is fully created, the final is Captain Peter Fargason who leads my personal Hellsing security detail," Integra took another drink from her tea.
"The ones standing before you are no secret to one another. Seras Victoria, head vampire and leader of the Wild Geese faction which serves as the military power behind Hellsing. Heinkel Wolfe, who is the director of the Iscariot section XIII faction which serves as a freak elimination group. And Sebastian keeper of the Hellsing manor and my personal butler.
"And finally, I am Sir Integral Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing, you may proceed when ready," Integra said with a stern and strict tone to her voice. She did not forget Maricul, she just refused to introduce a freak to royalty.
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Post by Ayen on Aug 18, 2012 15:17:41 GMT -6
"Yes. Settle in and make yourself useful by listening."
“Yes master.”
"The No Life King? You mean Alucard? No, he is no longer under my service due to difficulties in believing in himself. With time I hope he'll pull himself together and reappear, until then, Joann will fill in his place even if she leans more with the Iscariot forces than my own. Until now, I have Seras filling his place."
"Pull himself together? So all it takes to defeat a behemoth like him is an identity crisis?"
"Something like that.
"I may have you round up the others since my guard seems to be doing a horrid job of the task."
"Indeed, sir. It will be no trouble at all. It shall be ready in no more than 5 minutes. If I see either of them, I will direct them up here, master."
"Integra."
Sebastian went out and Heinkel came in. Maricul stared towards the gender-neutral, as far as she knew, individual standing across the table from where she stood. Still angered by their earlier interaction in the hall but did her best not to show it. The last thing she wanted was to be publicly scolded by Integra.
"I have prepared a deep dish of apple and raisin pie to compliment your tea."
Maricul glance met Seras for a moment, mixed feelings running through her mind of the woman as Seras' blood still boiled inside her. Just this morning Mari had felt like doing a whole bunch of police exercises for no reason. She shook it off and looked to the tea and pie but of course didn't have any. Food and drinks were for the living and Mari personally found consuming them to be wasteful given what she was so she wouldn't have any unless she was ordered to for some reason. That and it was never proper for dogs to eat off their master's plate.
"All this in just five minutes? Sir Integra certainly keeps a fine standard of manservant. Very impressive. Well then, if we're all present... Leaders of the Hellsing Organisation, on behalf of Her Majesty, Queen Lori, I bid you welcome to the city of Hallowton and the mad world of Genesis. My name is Sparda, and I serve Her Majesty as an advisor and bodyguard. With Sir Integra's approval, I am here to bring you up to speed on current affairs in this world not our own, and inform you of the place Hellsing will be taking in the brewing battles to come."
"Lets begin. Each member of Hellsing standing before you serves a purpose. There are three absent here now, the first being Joann D'Arc who as you know is tasked with the situation in Kari. The second is Constantine Harker, our financial back bone and one of the board of director members. Technically the only one until a board is fully created, the final is Captain Peter Fargason who leads my personal Hellsing security detail.
"The ones standing before you are no secret to one another. Seras Victoria, head vampire and leader of the Wild Geese faction which serves as the military power behind Hellsing. Heinkel Wolfe, who is the director of the Iscariot section XIII faction which serves as a freak elimination group. And Sebastian keeper of the Hellsing manor and my personal butler. And finally, I am Sir Integral Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing, you may proceed when ready."
Maricul didn't react to not being introduced. She had come to expect it being considered as a mere house pet. The vampire in blue just stood there casually but like Seras ready to burst into action at any moment if someone was actually suicidal enough to make an assassination attempt on the master. |
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Elena
Vampire
Best Thread
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Post by Elena on Aug 18, 2012 15:36:14 GMT -6
Heinkel remained silently standing next to Integra. It was fasting and therefore would have to decline tea and pie. More for the rest. The Lone Wolf felt the anger coming off of Maricul at Its presence but paid her no heed. If Mari was dumb enough to try anything it just meant Sebastian would have to sweep her ashes off the table and into a dust pan.
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