RP -- HELLSING -- INACTIVE -- Order 14: [HL][OA]

[Sir_Catherine]

So warm to her own cool temperament, how interesting it was that the two of them had formed a life together she mused. While she would argue with the inherent flippancy of "opposites attract" there appeared to be some grain of truth to the notion.
"After supper would work, assuming such isn't delayed."  

[Angel_Of_Hellfire]

"Alright. So tomorrow is planned. I suppose I should let you get back to work and such so we can meet up later then, eh?"  

[Sir_Catherine]

Her face tilted sunward a moment, eyes closed against the unclouded shine. "There is always work to be done." Her steps lead them back inside.  

[Angel_Of_Hellfire]

Walter awoke with a start this morning, his face betraying the panic he felt. A few breaths later and he realized he was indeed back in the waking world of light.
He came... the wolf... he came for me in my dreams... It scares me... He scares me. Always has; always will - Even if it is my only way to exact vengeance...
A smooth, dark voice interrupted his thoughts;
"Vengeance? Walter, your sin's not Wrath - it's Pride."
Walter then stood up to face Alucard,
"I know that."
"Anyway... didn't we kill them all some 60 years ago?"
Alucard chuckled darkly at the memories of a war long gone as Walter answered his query,
"I could not kill them all, my friend. Of course... you shouldn't talk. You ran away from the battle."
Walter gave Alucard a pointed look as the vampire's next self-sure words faltered in his throat and he got a cross, pouting look on his face akin to that of a child with wounded pride.
Walter shook his head and sighed,
"Leave me, Alucard. I must prepare for the day - Our Master will be expecting her morning tea shortly."
Alucard melded silently away into the shadows as Walter continued to get ready for the day ahead.
My Service... My Pride... My Vengeance... I never thought my future would be this difficult.  

[Sir_Catherine]

In gathering a list of items and supplies they would need several months hence, Integra was brought to realize one of the benefits of a close knit and caring family. It really was to bad, she reflected, that she didn't have such to draw upon. She wondered if Edmund had shared the news of her pregnancy with his family. They knew he was wed, but just how he explained them never meeting her she had avoided asking him.

"Do you have a preference as to where we stop first?" she inquired as they drove into a parking ramp. From here they'd take a taxi to and from the various shops. Most of what was needed could be sent to their address by arrangement, indeed even ordered from the house, but at least for the later they both wanted a bit more hands on involvement.  

[Angel_Of_Hellfire]

"Not particularly, no... Indeed, I'm not certain where all we are going, much less where to go to first..."
Edmund sighed his response and grinned sheepishly,
"I'm playing this day largely by ear, dear."  

[Sir_Catherine]

She passed over a the list of shops focused on baby wear and gear along side their locations.
"Nearest first then." She wasn't yet sure if the knot in her stomach was dread at the thought of walking into a shop full of joyful, eager mothers-to-be or anxiousness to perhaps discover some of that happiness for herself. On the other hand it could simply be her breakfast not sitting well. She hardened her resolve not to be ill in public and started out with Edmund.  

[Angel_Of_Hellfire]

As they neared the shop, Edmund spied a cute outfit in the window;
"Look dear! If it's a girl this would be absolutely darling to have!"
And he smiled at Integra with all the proudness a papa could possibly have.  

[Sir_Catherine]

Dear? Darling? His bubbling pride took her back a bit. "I suppose it would," she said distracted.
Perhaps it was disturbing only because she knew it wasn't her own, and thus outside the normal order of things. She could handle strangeness in herself but here it made Edmund's likely utterly reasonable remarks seem rather off kilter to her ears.

"Keep in mind what you like. Once we know gender we can choose specifics."
A quick step around a cluster of chattering womenfolk and Integra had the door open. Holding it enough for Edmund to enter after, she stopped not far in, looking about the multi storied shop with a mix of amazement and mild dislike.  

[Angel_Of_Hellfire]

Okaaaaay.... sheesh...
Edmund followed Integra wordlessly into the shop, his bubbling pride rather soured by her iciness.
"Yes dear..."
He poked at a few displays of toys noncommittally, and the nearby women made some comments softly to themselves about how cold this new arrival of a woman was and how sorry they felt for her husband.  

[Sir_Catherine]

Amongst the low murmur within the place the stray comments caught her ear. Phrases spoken without the words "cute", "adorable", "sweet" or "priceless" in them. Her expression never wavered but something in her winced.

She pulled herself together abruptly. Too bad a shop didn't have a guide book or in store directory. Edmund, over by the window toy display, didn't seem too intrigued by what he'd found.
"Shall we walk aisle by aisle or do you have another plan?"  

[Angel_Of_Hellfire]

Edmund shrugged,
"I have no plan, dear. Just.... playing this day by ear, seeing if anything catches my eye,"
He leaned in toward Integra and whispered,
"... and maybe getting you to lighten up, if possible."  

[Sir_Catherine]

Bristling, "What do you mean?" she responded softly, keeping her voice low to match his.  

[Angel_Of_Hellfire]

Edmund looked mildly shocked at her response;
"What do you mean 'what do I mean'?" You're addressing this matter so coldly. This isn't a business proposition, this is a child we're shopping for!"
He hissed quietly to her.