If there was a time when one could say that they felt like the universe was against them, or that karma was finally getting their due. Today was indeed the shittiest of nights of work for Amaryllis. Not only were they short staffed, but quite a lot of people had decided to come to eat out tonight and she was trapped between running the hostess stand to sit people and hand out the take out orders, and taking care of her own customers. Her eyes were showing the exhaustion and she tried her hardest for the first 5 hours of her shift to keep smiling, but nearing the sixth hour, she was finding it quite impossible. What was it with people getting bitchy to staff lately? She’d never had any of these issues before but tonight of all nights, nothing seemed to be good enough for anyone.

Abigail was one of her co-workers this night and touched Amaryllis on the shoulder as she set down a bag of food by the front stand, looking apologetically at the women. "Lil, I know you're swamped, but someone should be coming in shortly for this pick-up order. I have to get back to the kitchen, could you take care of this? I'll get you dinner tonight." The brunette was offering up her most apologetic face as she smiled at her. Sighing softly as she ran a hand through her hair as she re-did the clip that was holding the wavy red hair out of her face. "Yeah, I'll take care of it."

She continued going about her work to try and placate her customers as best she could, hoping her tips wouldn't suffer tonight. She really needed the money in order to pay for her next week of living at the Motel. That or she would have to sneak out again and steal from some cash registers of some businesses that were closed at night. Which was getting harder and harder to do now that it's happened so frequently... Not to mention she had to make sure she was in a place that wouldn't get her in trouble with the families around here... because that was certainly the last thing she needed.

When she heard someone come in she hurried over towards the hostess stand, looking quite exhausted as she glanced towards the man, attempting to force herself to smile as she tried her best to keep up the customer service. God the last thing she needed was to lose this job for an attitude problem. "Welcome to The Grove, how many tonight?" It was just a lone man standing there, and her eyes noticed that he looked like he'd been through hell an back. His eyes, which were a strange reddish color, were sunken in and had an incredible amount of bags under them. Her eyes took on a tinge of pity when looking at this man, wondering what had happened to make him look like this. She felt a pang in her heart to see someone like this. "Sir... are you okay?"

He rubbed his hand over his eyes, trying to get himself to work up the ambition to go and actually pick up the food he had ordered from the Grove.  He couldn't even remember the last time he actually ate anything, the day before last maybe? He walked to the closet and grabbed a shirt. It was his last clean one, he pondered if he cared enough to clean his clothes.  He shrugged off the thought as he reached for his tie, and he was barely into the first fold when he just tossed the tie on to the floor and didn't even bother to button up his top two buttons.

He called a cab since his motorcycle was still in the shop for repairs after his accident.   When it arrived, he took a glance in the mirror before he headed out the door.  He stared for a quick moment at his bag-filled, sunken in eyes, scruffy unshaven chin, and his now concave cheeks. "You look like shit."  He told his reflection, before running his fingers through his messy hair. 

"The Grove Diner"  Alucard told the cabbie as he climbed into the back of the cab. 

The drive took a look in the mirror at Alucard and studied him for a second, "Penny for your thoughts mister? You look like someone who could use a friend." 

He was still in mourning, and the pain of losing Integra was still all too real for him.  He rolled his eyes, and just responded with a huffed followed by, "Just drive..."

When they arrived, Alucard told the cabbie "There's a good tip for you if you wait for me."

Then he walked inside and was greeted by a short very tired looking, red-headed waitress.  He blankly stared at her for a moment, her eyes looked familiar to him, but nothing else, he couldn't help but wonder where he'd seen those eyes before.  He was brought out of his thoughts when he heard the girl ask him if he was okay.

He sighed, "No I'm not. But a man has to eat, or so I'm told" he replied honestly.  

"So, I'm here to pick up an order I called in.  The name's Alucard."

Just hearing the man sigh, she could tell it was something heavy weighing on his soul. She wasn't bothered by his eyes at all, in fact, she found them quite interesting, though she couldn't help but wonder what had happened to this man to have such dull colored eyes. She had turned to grab his food for him before freezing in her place at the mention of a name. A name that she'd asked about a few weeks ago and had been told he was dead. Her mind raced as she placed her head on the bag and turned to look back at the man, her eyes now searching his as best she could.

"I'm sorry... what did you say your name was again?" She sounded as if she didn't believe the man, and her eyes gave away that telltale feeling all too easily as she seemed to really look at him with a quizzical look. When he repeated his name, her eyes widened slightly and her pale skin grew just a tad bit paler as she stared at him. "That's...." She grabbed the food and placed it in front of her. "How are you... I was told you were dead..."

She was quite curious as she stared at the man in front of her, wondering just how in the hell her father knew a man like this. Was it her father's death that had him like this? Was there something else going on that had him in such a shocking state he looked like he hadn't eaten for a week. Part of her wanted to help the man... to find out who this man was that her father had mentioned in his letter. "You aren't... anything I thought you would be... it sounded like you were more... I don't know.." She paused to think for a moment. "Rebellious?"

He blinked a couple of times, and shook his head trying to make sure he was hearing things properly.  He raced through his memories trying to figure out if she was someone he should remember.   Though her eyes were familiar, nothing else was. 

"I'm sorry, but... do we know each other?"  He rubbed his temple and scratched his brow. 

Another softer sigh escaped his lips, as he continued trying to figure out why this stranger would have been looking for him. He squinted as the lights hurt his eyes. In a very confused tone, he began speaking trying to piece things together. "Why would you have been told I was dead?" Then the heaviness of his depression hit him, and in a clear almost uncaring tone he continued, "It is not like it matters, the man I was did die. God willing, the body will follow suit."

He continued looking at the young lady, with an emptiness in his shallow eyes. "Were you lookin' for me or something?  If so, why?"

There was definitely something bothering this man, and Amaryllis wasn't sure why, but she had the strange thought flitter across her mind to try and console him over whatever it was. However, she didn't think there was anything she could have done, especially by the emptiness that was in his eyes. A sight that actually sent a shiver through her spine. Hearing his words, she did answer him, albeit slowly. "I stopped by a hotel that note told me to visit..." She paused as she held the food out to him. "My father had told me to ask around for a few people... said they might help me out... seeing as he's dead." She didn't seem upset by stating that her father was dead, shaking her head slightly as she realized this strange man probably didn't need to be bothered with her story. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to bother you... don't worry about paying for your food, I'll cover it... you seem like you need an act of kindness..." She offered a small smile to the man as she watched him quietly.

"I was looking for you though... My father... Jason had me looking for people since he was no longer around... I'm not really sure why he waited twenty years to think of taking care of me... but I guess I cannot complain."

A note? A hotel?  He had no idea what this girl was talking about. Although she said her father's name,  it never really hit him, that the Jason was his friend Jason, one of Integra's most trusted bodyguards. The tone of her voice sounded like she didn't care about her father dying, but her words seemed to speak otherwise.   "Even it was twenty years, at least he started trying to take care of you.  My mother threw me into a dumpster when I was an infant."  He replied, in a voice as empty as his eyes. 

Alucard gave a long heavy sigh.  "Sorry for that.  Look, do you want to talk about it, your dad or whatever?  I can tell my cabbie to move on, I'll buy you something to eat if you like?"

He nearly regretted the words almost immediately after speaking them. The very idea of being social, or wearing the mask of caring sounded unbearable to him... but he'd do it, if she took him up on his over. 

Amaryllis wasn't really sure at all why she'd said what she had to the man. Hearing a few people getting disgruntled, she glanced back towards her customers before sighing softly. Giving an apologetic look to the man, attempting to offer him an apologetic smile. Hearing him talk about how even if it was twenty years... at least her father had started trying to take care of her. It made some sense she thought, however, did that still excuse the man from basically hiding her away from the entire world basically and leaving her with a nanny.

When he mentioned how his mother had thrown him in a dumpster when he was an infant. "I'm sorry... that's horrible.." Her eyes showed the sympathy she felt for that statement, but something told her this man really didn't want to be here, so when he offered to talk and buy her something to eat, she shook her head. "No.. I've bothered you enough and I need to get back to work, unfortunately..." She shifted from one foot to the other as she felt a tap on her shoulder, hearing someone whisper into her ear as she sighed softly. Glancing back towards the man she once more offered him an apologetic smile. 

"I'm sorry again... for whatever you are going through. You do look like you should eat... I can make sure they have something for you to send to your place... That's.. awkward... I'm sorry. Please have a good night, Sir..." She was being tugged from the stand as she glanced back towards him before once again forced to run around to her different tables, blue eyes glancing back at the man, worrying about him and wondering why he seemed so different than her father had described. He didn't seem like a charming asshole... more like a broken shell of a man, which made her curious as to what had been so bad...

"Yeah."  Was all he was going to say, but he turned back after he'd opened the door to find the young woman looking back at him. "Sorry if ya get into trouble on my behalf kid."

For reasons, he couldn't quite place, he couldn't stop thinking about who that girl was.  Why she would have been looking for him of all people, and who on earth would have been foolish enough to send her his way.  During his slow walk back to his cab, it didn't hit him until after he'd opened to the door to get inside the car.  Those eyes, and that name... He needed to speak to her again.  He didn't know why he felt he needed to. Her father and the woman he loved were both gone and no amount of praying or good deeds was bringing them back.  He still threw some money at the drive and told him he could go.

"But how you gonna get back?" The man questioned Alucard.

"Meh..." Alucard said and he shrugged before shutting the door. He knew he wasn't too far a walk from the cemetery he had Integra moved to, he'd just sleep there. 

The broken man walked his way back to the front of the diner and sat on the bench just beside the front door. He ate his food as he wondered what the hell he was thinking, how long she was going to be, and why the hell he was even bothering.  The burger and fries were good but made him think of Integra and the fact she wondered how he could eat that kind of food.  It made his heartache, just about everything did, he guessed that's what happened when you lost your very soul. 

He sat outside for a little over two hours before the young red-head emerged from The Grove Diner.  He thought back to what the name on her tag said, "Hey Amaryllis."

The rest of the night went by just as hectic as the earlier hours had been, trying Amaryllis' patience quite a bit. Nights like this, it was a wonder that she didn't leave this job and find something that didn't deal with people as much. Course customer service wasn't the best paying job, but it could be one of the most rewarding ones depending on the people that came in to eat. Now that her shift was over and she'd put on her jacket and backpack to leave, she bid everyone goodbye before heading out the door. Startled slightly hearing someone say her name once she stepped out of The Grove and onto the sidewalk. Turning towards the voice, she was a bit surprised to see the man from earlier.

"You're still here. How long have you been waiting?" She looked at him with gentleness in her eyes as she moved to stand over by the man, noticing he'd eaten his food, which means he'd been here for about two hours or so. She went to sit next to him on the bench, leaving a comfortable distance between them as she watched him quietly. Wondering about this man her father gave a little description of. She didn't strike up a conversation as she sat there quietly, her hands folded on her lap as she just waited, for what though she wasn't sure. If they just sat there in silence she could do so for a bit, but she knew she needed to head home at some point. Yet, she couldn't force herself to walk away from this man. Judging simply by the fact he was still here, something told her that he probably knew her father, and she couldn't help but wonder what kind of man he had been.

He swallowed hard as the girl sat down beside him, he'd look at her and then look away again, completely unsure what exactly to say. So for a few minutes, he just sat there.   What the hell was he doing, he should have just gone back 'home,' at his food, and continue waiting for his old friend death to finally come knocking.   He didn't need to be sitting here, talking to some random girl he didn't know, and couldn't even tell for sure if he even cared to know.  Yet at the same time the emptiness that consumed him, just left him feeling like no matter what he did, didn't really matter in the end. 

"So, uh, you're Jason Sarantou's kid?" Alucard finally asked. "...the guy who was a bodyguard to Integra Hellsing?"

Alucard choked saying the woman's out loud, the pain it gave him clearly shown on his face and in his eyes. It was hard, yet he couldn't logically figure out why just saying the name of the woman he loved was so difficult. 

She stayed quiet as she watched this man, feeling a tug at her heart just for the pain he seemed to be feeling. He must have lost someone quite dear to him to be in this kind of state. She doubted it was her father, he didn't seem like the kind of man to get too close to anyone, but maybe it was different with this man. Hearing him choke on saying a woman's name or what she thought was a woman's name seemed to clarify it completely as to who he was pained about. Just seeing him in pain caused a look of sympathy to show in her eyes, her hand moving slowly to rest on top of one of his that was gripping the seat of the bench.

"For what it's worth. I'm sorry. It's clear you cared for them quite a lot... and I cannot imagine the pain you feel... so I'm sorry." She waited a few moments, staying quiet to give the man whatever amount of time he needed to have to himself. After quite some time, Amaryllis spoke again, softly so as to not startle the man out of the silence. "I am that Jason's kid... I guess there's no need to explain how you knew him..."

He froze, and slowly turned his head giving Amaryllis a terrified look as she placed her hand on his.  When was the last time he actually felt the touch of another person?  He wasn't sure how to process the comfort he felt in the warmth of the touch, and the unease he felt in the act itself. Still, he didn't pull his hand away.  He just quietly answered her question, his eyes staring blankly at the ground at his feet.

"Jason, he was, probably the closest thing I had to a friend in this world.  He, your father, died protecting Integra.... and she...."  Alucard's eyes closed, and his eyes filled with tears as his free hand gripped the ring hanging from a chain around his neck. He swallowed hard as the words stuck in his throat.  When he finally did speak again, his voice echoed the pain in his heart.  

"Tegs.  Saying she was the love of my life doesn't do it justice to what she was to me. She was my best friend, my savior, my light in the dark. Everything that was good in me was because of her, and died with her.  Life is a cruel mistress."

He paused, as he realized the awkwardness of the situation, HER father dying to protect the woman HE loved. This thought forced him to finally looked over towards the young woman at his side. "I am so sorry you lost your father Amaryllis.  I can't imagine what it's taking for you to be able to sit next to me.  I'm sorry, I should have known, I shouldn't have waited."

Alucard finally took his hand from hers, as he stood. "I... I..." He stuttered out, then shook his head, "You.  You have to be tired. I should go. I am sorry I kept you from getting back home."
 

Amaryllis watched the man, noticing he was clasping something that hung around his neck. She sat quietly as he spoke, letting him get his words out. The terrified look didn't escape her gaze when she'd placed her hand on his. She didn't really know what to say to comfort this man, to her it sounded like he had literally lost everything and was wanting to join them. She couldn't even come close to imagining what that was like. 

The moment he stood up and started to apologize, looking like he was going to leave, she didn't think. She simply just stood up and gently reached for his arm to stop him. "Wait..." Her eyes looked up at him, a look in them as if she was looking for something. "Please... don't apologize. I never knew the man...so please don't apologize..." She moved to stand in front of him, hoping he wouldn't leave. "I should be the one to apologize... seems I should be... I reminded you of him." She shrugged her bag onto her shoulder more comfortably before watching him. "Do you... want to just walk?" She wasn't sure why, but she felt like she wanted to get to know this man... find out maybe who her father was through him if he ever wanted to talk. 

"If you ever want to talk about them... I can listen... I know that probably seems strange of me to ask when I barely know you... But it seems like the least I can do for you..."

He looked down at the young Sarantou, "You have his eyes."

Alucard blankly said to her, both his voice and eyes completely detached from any emotion. He had no idea why this young girl who didn't know him seemed so determined to stay next to him tonight.  Her words say she didn't seem to care for her father, but her staying by him, wanting him to talk made Alucard think she did care in her own way. 

"Look, Amaryllis.  I'm not someone you should probably be associating with.  Plus where I'm going, I doubt you will want to come along."

He looked down and saw a compassionate, defiance in the woman's baby blue eyes.  He gave out a defeated sigh and offered her his arm.

"What do you want to know?"

Hearing the male state that she had her father's eyes, caused a slight pause in her movement as she watched him, hearing and noticing the void of emotion in him. It was the look of a man who had lost absolutely everything. A thought that once again caused a tug at her heart. Even though she didn't know this man, and only knew the fact that he and her father had been friends... had her wanting to help him if that was even possible.

When he commented that where he was going, he doubted that she would want to come along had the young woman crossing her arms slightly as she looked at him, almost as if she didn't believe his statement. When he offered his arm to her, she gently looped her arm with his, allowing him to lead. 

"In all honesty, I don't want to know anything about him... he abandoned me for his job. I did mean it when I mentioned, however, that I would listen to whatever you wished to talk about. It helps sometimes I've heard. Talking about things, not that you need to..." She paused for a moment before glancing up at him from the corner of her eye. "Oh, and I wouldn't doubt where I want to come along with... I'm used to walking alone through the alleyways at night to get... home. Walking with another person couldn't be too bad."

She was quiet for some time, thinking it seemed before sighing softly and speaking in a softer voice, seemingly giving up on an internal battle. "What was he like... What kind of man was he.."

"We aren't going anywhere dangerous Miss Sarantou.  Unless you fear the dead."   He looked down toward the woman at his side, "You don't fear the dead, do you?"

There was a silence after he asked his question, perhaps the lack of emotion in his question made it sound more threatening than it really was. A simple statement. When he finally heard her quiet voice question about her father, a small, uncharacteristic smile showed on the broken man's face. 

"So you do want to know about Jason.  I know it feels like he abandoned you for his job, and maybe to an extent he did.  But he did always make sure he could find you, he knew where you were, making sure you never went without. Ya know, food and clothes. I am sorry it took it so long to try and make things right.  What I knew of him, he was a good man.  He had earned Integra's full trust, which is something only a VERY select group of people had earned.  He was damn good at his job, and he cared about Integra.  He was able to put up with my shit, one of the very few that could, hell I think he even enjoyed throwing it back at me. "

Alucard paused for a moment.  Trying to think about the last time he spoke with Jason, her father.

"Our last conversation, before I left for England was me promising I'd take him for a ride on my motorcycle so he could finally wrap his strong arms around me like he's been dying to for so long... He laughed and told me he'd do more than just wrap his arms around me."  Alucard gave a half-hearted laugh, "Sad to think my last words to him were so ridiculous."

Hearing him ask her if she feared the dead was certainly not the question she had expected him to ask when he'd commented on the fact that they were going where dead people and ghosts were. She shook her head slightly as she did her best to keep up with his long stride. It was a bit difficult, especially since she was on the shorter side, but she didn't complain and simply just kept walking.

When he made the comment that she did want to know about her father, she simply just nodded slightly, not saying a word before just listening to everything this man said about her father. It was interesting to learn about this man from someone else's perspective, as strange as it was, but at the same time it was good to hear about him and sort of learn about who he was... maybe even allow her to think as to what kind of father he would have been had he put forth the effort.

Hearing that last comment about their last conversation, Amaryllis couldn't help but laugh softly, feeling a bit bad, seeing as it was a sad thing to think about, but the conversation in itself was not something she had expected. "Was he.... into men...?"

"Oh lord no.  That was just the way he and I talked and joked with each other.  I guess it was a strange way to show someone you care. It was something that I did with a lot of people, male or female didn't matter to me.  I just got a kick out of making people uncomfortable.  I don't find enjoyment from anything anymore though."  Alucard sighed heavily as he walked. 

He hadn't even bothered thinking about Jason, or Aaron since he got back. He wondered if Aaron's widow and child were spared, this was something he needed to find out, if they were alive he would make sure they would be well cared for in their future.   "Tegs..." he whispered to absolutely no one in particular as his mind wandered back over to his lost love. 

The two reached Laurel Hill Cemetary, he looked into the large plot of land where his Integra was buried, then back to Amaryllis. "This is my stop kid.  Is there anything more you'd like to know?"  He couldn't believe she would want to follow him in, and he thought about the young woman walking home alone at night "Would you like an escort home? Or I could call you a cab and wait with you. I would like to make sure you get home safely." 

Listening to Alucard talk about how her father and he talked and joked, brought a small smile to her face as she walked a little faster to keep up with him, enjoying the fresh night air. She was quiet as she listened to him talk, feeling the tug at her heart again from the pained voice he spoke in. It really did sound like he had absolutely lost everything and that tugged at her heartstrings. She knew she most likely had no right in even thinking of trying to help him out. What could a man like him need help from someone like her anyway? There was absolutely nothing to offer but her friendship...

Hearing him whisper a name, sounded like his heart was being ripped from his chest, worry crept into her eyes as she placed her other hand on his arm, not really sure what she could do for this man besides offering an ear to listen to him. When they came to the outside of the Cemetary, she glanced inside, she'd never been inside of one, as strange as that probably sounded. Hell, she hadn't even visited her own father's grave after everything. She wasn't even sure where he was buried, to be honest.

"What was she like..." She was surprised at even herself for asking something so personal of a man who she barely knew. "I appreciate the offer but a taxi is unnecessary. I've walked home around this time plenty of times... But if it would lessen your worry, I can give you your privacy while you visit... If you want to walk me home." She didn't think the man would sleep here, while it was pretty nice during the day, it still got a bit chilly throughout the night, and so she could not see someone staying out here for hours. Waiting she could do though, seeing as she, herself, normally went home much later than the current time.

"You don't want to wait for me, I'll more than likely be here until morning.  So let me walk you home."  Alucard offered up his arm again. He remained quiet for a while, as he let Amaryllis lead the way.  He thought back to what she had first asked before his mind went to making sure he did the proper thing, and walk the young woman home.  

"What was who was like?"  He was going through his thoughts trying to figure out who she meant, and he realized he must have actually said Tegs out loud. If he felt any surprise in realizing this, it didn't come through when he spoke, "Oh, you mean Tegs?"

Alucard scratched at the back of his head. "What are you want to know? I mean, I already told you she was my best friend, savior... the love of my life. I'm not sure what else you may want to know.  My turn for a question now,  what are you doing in Philadelphia? Did Jason send you here, why Philadelphia?"  

As they walked he couldn't help but wonder why this girl was sticking by him, what it was about him that was so interesting?   He's an empty shell of a man, no warm, no charm left inside him.   The only thing that made sense to him was that despite her words she was more interested in her father.  It was something he understood, even though he knew absolutely nothing of his father, Alucard would be curious if he met someone that knew the man.