Tangled Alliances Are A Dangerous Thing

"They say knowledge is power; and perhaps they are correct. However, I like to think that power is an illusion of the mind, a trick if you will. A very fine deck of cards that is uniquely shuffled to the player's hand. Careful now, each card has its worth and the upper hand isn't always the best in the deck."

[capricious-ingenuity-blog]

There is a small part of me that wishes to flesh Alaric out further...

[lesfressange89]

                                        The Towering Babylonia

[capricious-ingenuity-blog]

My, my, it's been quite some time.~

[emelelizabeth]

[bejhonce]

[super-suit-man]

More men’s fashion inspiration!

[capricious-ingenuity-blog]

fearlessjinyx has a compromise;

♘ - Alaric was thoroughly surprised to find that he had a visitor; and that they had been let into his home at that. Perhaps his staff were ill. That, or they were in need of correcting. Nevermind that - the problem would be dealt with later. A black gloved digit pressed at the framing of his spectacles, pushing them to their proper position on the ridge of his nose. Studying the other, the male gestured for his...guest, to take a seat.

"Ah, my apologies. I would have been better prepared should I have been notified ahead of time that I'd be having a guest for the evening." His tone was smooth, yet not quite friendly enough to be inviting. It was polite as it would need to be but not for pleasantries.

[capricious-ingenuity-blog]

{ O f L i g h t -&- S h a d o w }

[capricious-ingenuity-blog]

♘ - It wasn’t until both of them were settled that Alaric let himself relax. Her question was an odd one, at that. He had expected something more serious; perhaps more so along the matters of business. Alaric had mentally prepared himself to go on about the finances and funding toward Hellsing’s efforts, or the companies that had agreed or disagreed to give aid in new lines of production or resource management.

"Ah, you caught me." He offered a sheepish grin, not unlike one a boy might give to a high school crush. The tone conveyed with his words however, did not match. It was cool and formal as it ought to be between fellow colleagues. “I keep myself away, Sir Hellsing. Simple as that really, but I shall indulge you if you’d like."

Shifting slightly, Alaric made to remove his glasses. With careful, but deft fingers, the man folded them into the breast pocket of his suit. Another light but generous sip was taken from his own glass, the wine beginning to diminish. Seemingly pleased, the knight set it down without disturbing the crystal or the table. “I am not a peoples man, Sir Integra" the man began.

"I prefer to perform my duties in a habitat more suited to my tastes - to my expectations. I cannot guarantee I will be able to provide and exchange pleasantries with all — and my temper, well it is quite short." Again, that boyish smile was given; though this time it wasn’t nearly as lively. The corners of his mouth twitched before turning down. “In short, I can’t seem to ‘play nice’ with the other children."

[consectatiox]

Oddly, the woman understood. Despite being socially apt herself, able to speak easily to anyone in any situation, she understood the younger mans quandry. After all, her own butler was similar as a child.

She nodded and held a hand up. “No need to explain more, I understand. The round table isn’t exactly full of those whom are easy to speak to, either…" she mumbled, following with a short chuckle. As for his temper, she could relate entirely.

He was so careful in every single movement, it was as if he calculated the distance the glasses would travel in his hand from his face to the table. It made her, who was just as careful feel clumsy.

"It shant be questioned again, Sir Alaric. In any case, how has business been holding up on your end?" No personal questions, nothing more than ‘how was your day’ or ‘the weather is particularly glum, isnt it?’. Neither were the type to share such things.

[capricious-ingenuity-blog]

♘ - He offered a chuckle in return for the one she posed. While the tidbit couldn't be considered smalltalk, it certainly felt light; or at least considerably so. It was good that despite their lack of interaction, the two could connect on a mutual level -- easily taking an understanding in certain areas that others might have more difficulty with. Ah, refreshing, really. 

"Ah, business it swell. I can't complain, though a few mix-ups seem to have happened. Regardless, we've stumbled across several findings that thoroughly please me. My curiosity has been well played." Alaric offered a small smirk on his part. It seemed devious; but whatever intentions it harbored, they were for something or someone else. "Though, it's also a very dangerous thing. The artifacts I take into hand, they are quite a problem; or can become one."

His head slowly fell to one side, a graceful gesture despite how odd or casual it might have seemed with someone else. His gaze was hard and he was studying her carefully; but not unkindly. It was more of a reserved curiosity -- guarded and kept at bay should it be considered as prying. After all, staring was rude and Alaric wasn't looking to get on Sir Hellsing's bad side. She was a well acknowledged noblewoman and wasn't to be trifled with. Then again, ruffling her feathers might be a bit of fun. "How are things on your end, Sir Integra? I do hope there haven't been any problems as of late."

[theseventhcirclex-blog]

ℓa bℯllℯ viℯ on We Heart It. http://weheartit.com/entry/68189990

[caffeinegalore]

[simplylovelystuff]

[les-muses-orphelines]

[ocean-ana]

[cashflowcashflow]

Black Gun

[capricious-ingenuity-blog]

{ A N i g h t & T w o K n i g h t s }

♘ -- An honored guest was what she would be; however, Alaric felt more at ease around Integra than he probably should. Perhaps it was the closeness in age, or maybe it was simply because her mindset was above the others'. Regardless, he had prepared one of the guest rooms and ensured that everything would be in place. The idea of another coming into his home and remaining there for any span of time longer than a handful of hours was a bit unnerving. In fact, Alaric wasn't entirely certain he was comfortable with the idea.

From the outside, the manor seemed simply elegant by daylight; however, when evening fell it appeared to sink into the shadows. The interior decor was done in light, calming colors -- at least, until one reached Alaric's personal wing. From there, it was primarily stainless steel, glass, and the occasional polished wood. Splendid crystal chandeliers hung from specific places in the manor; placed conveniently to catch the lighting and cast pigments along the floors and walls. This was a touch his mother had wished for that neither he nor his father had objected to.

Figuring the woman would arrive any moment, Alaric had ensured that certain measures were taken and both his parents cared for per his nightly routines. Now he stood at attention on the cobble steps leading up to the large cherry-wood doors leading inside. Black gloved hands were clasped neatly before him, his suit-coat abandoned long ago to leave only a pinstripe button-up in its wake. Its absence had been due to the tasks he'd tended to prior to waiting outside.

[claudiam16-blog-blog]

[marissaxxlove1]