My word is my will

[integrability]

Who: Integra and Legato
When: February 3rd
What: Eris starts to have an effect on both
Where: The gym
Rating: Creeper? Idk...

Comments

[endthem]

The unending thoughts were obviously a sign that he was failing. They had to be. He wasn't doing enough-- merely letting this place rust and rot him. It had been an entire year, and he had done nothing of worth. For the past month, he'd even considered the thought that perhaps he was expecting too much of a dead man, and that maybe his all-important quest was nothing but folly.

Now, however... the fact that he'd even begun to entertain such a thought sickened him beyond words. He was nothing without his mission, and believing anything else was simple disgusting selfishness.

So, today he searched. He was looking for all the pieces, the cogs that would carry him forward. In his search, he nearly dismissed her, walking aimlessly past the gym, picking up and spitting out her presence as he'd done with the other mortals he'd passed that day... but he didn't get much farther than that, in her case. Backtracking after a moment of consideration, he stepped into the doorway to observe. Picking up her mental shape and turning it curiously, inspecting her as he mulled her worth over in his mind.

[integrability]

Integra may have no psychic powers, but she was observant enough to notice when someone was watching her. Refusing to allow herself to react until she had finished her current set of movements, even though she was struck with an odd self-conscious worry that whoever was observing would pick out the flaws in her form and technique, she finally sheathed her sword and turned.

That it was Legato somehow did not surprise her, he had a habit of showing up where she had not been expecting him. He reminded her so forcibly of Alucard. That same dark undercurrent of delight and intense slightly twisted way of looking at the world, comparisons she had not been able to help making even the first time they had met.

"It is rude to stare, Mr. Bluesummers."

[endthem]

Taking that as an invitation, he stepped fully inside the gymnasium. If there was some distant part of her that worried that her watcher was picking apart her movements and probing for flaws, it would not be an unfounded concern. It was precisely what he was doing, in fact, and he was finding this fact harder to hide, today. There was very little mask to shield the cold consideration from his gaze, as he forced a smile.

"Forgive me."

Really, there was something relieving about being able to focus all of the gnawing mental energy that had been haunting him, on one target. He found that zeroing in and feeling every one of Integra's gestures had a therapeutic effect on his edgy mind.

"Practicing, I see?"

[integrability]

With the way her thoughts had been going, she was unsure if his intensified gaze was truthful or just a product of odd mental state she seemed to have found herself in. Whichever, she schooled herself to remain unflinching under his stare and cool in her reactions.

Why was he looking at her like that? Could he see her imbalance? No... no, that was foolish. She had to get a grip on herself, this was ridiculous.

"One cannot expect their skills to remain sharp without practice."

[endthem]

"By all means, don't stop on my account. You wouldn't mind if I watched, would you?"

He couldn't entirely keep the slight edge of a dare out of his tone. Everything was a test, after all. Every bit of it.

[integrability]

Her spine straightened slightly. Even if she were completely wracked with doubt of her ability to stand straight, she would not allow herself to show it to those around her. The weaknesses of her mind were not to be put on public display, she was no foolish girl who could not control herself.

She heard the challenge in his voice, glasses flashing in the light as she tilted her chin up to meet his gaze unwaveringly.

"You may do as you wish."

[endthem]

"Wonderful. I must admit that I've been curious to see a Hellsing in action." --With all of the emphasis she liked put on her family line.

So, he found a comfortable place against the wall to observe from, eyes unfocusing as he paid far more attention toward the feel of her movements than anything he was watching with his eyes.

A few moments given to allow her to settle into the rhythm of practice before he speaks again. "...I met your new recruit the other day. Mr. Spiegel."

[integrability]

Regardless of what she may be feeling about her own abilities, she was a blade master and her movements were almost flawless. Strong and crisp and sure, everything her thoughts currently weren't.

Spike Spiegel? Another decision she had perhaps made too hastily. He had reminded her of Captain Bernadotte, and she had so few allies here that it had seemed a sensible decision at the time. But truthfully she knew very little about him, he had already proven to be less disciplined than was ideal. Was that a foolish choice to hire him?

She chose not to answer, focusing herself on the set of movements she had decided up and and not even looking at him again until they were over.

[endthem]

Every little thing--both spoken and unspoken--told him a little bit more. And he missed nothing.

When it is clear that she is going to continue her routine without responding, which itself is one more bite of information, he continues.

"He is an interesting man. Not exactly what I expected to meet, but I'm sure you have your reasons for hiring him."

[integrability]

When she finally completed her set of movements, she turned to face Legato once more and deigned to answer his question. Such a question shouldn't bother her, and yet it did. It brought into light all the reasons why hiring Spike had been potentially foolish, a loose cannon.

"I do."

Even if she is second-guessing each of them in this moment, she has to try and remain firm in her decision.

"None of which are any of your concern."

[endthem]

He smirked, just a little. "I told you that I would be paying closer attention to the movements of your 'organization.' So thank you for making it something worth watching."

Leaving the wall, he wandered a few steps into the room.

"And thank you for hiring recruits that happen to make the task much easier for me."

[integrability]

That smirk ran right through her and made her skin crawl, exactly the same unhealthy obsession that often lit Alucard's face. Enjoying making her squirm, enjoying getting under her skin.

When she had met this man she had assumed she was safe in allowing their continued acquaintance, she was sure of herself and strong, but now... Perhaps she had been playing with fire like a foolish child, about to learn its lesson now the house was aflame.

"Any benefit to you from my actions has been purely coincidental." She arched an eyebrow, attempting to keep hold of her cool visage. "I do not operate for anyone's amusement."

[endthem]

How much of her thoughts he managed to pick up from her actions and posture was difficult to tell, but his smile did slide a little wider, and he halted his meandering approach. Standing a conversational distance from her.

"Coincidental or not, the fact remains that your actions do benefit me. And I am still hoping that it can be a mutual exchange."

He still wanted to work with her... now more than ever. He couldn't help the thought.

[integrability]

"As long as we are both working towards the common goal of freedom, there is no reason our actions cannot benefit one another."

As soon as the words left her mouth she was regretting them, second guessing if they were the right ones. Should she have been firmer in wanting to know his ulterior motives? Was she playing into his hands?

[endthem]

The side of his mouth quirked, and there was the distinct look of approval at that. Whatever his motives, that was obviously exactly what he wanted to hear.

"Then, we are in agreement."

His eyes fall to her blade, then. Considering.

"So, is this the last line of defense that Sir Integra Hellsing relies on in the war against the vile monsters, if there is no aid to be found from her loyal pet?"

[integrability]

Angling her blade as he looked at it, she sheathed it while trying to seem unhurried and not as though his scrutiny had made her want nothing more than to remove the object from sight.

"I have many lines of defence, but to reveal them all would be foolish. No commander displays her full hand, even to allies."