Monday, October 26, 2009

LETTERS FROM HELLSING XXX


I Dragged Seras off of her rock perch, brownie and all, and installed us both on one of the benches by the pool so I could fix my hair. Seras obligingly began digging through the bag and pulling out supplies. She took the brush from my hand and began gently running it through my hair.

“I like your hair,” she said, “it’s so much softer than mine and such a pretty color.”

“It’s brown.” I said.

“No, it’s lovely.”

“You know you’re the 4th person today to complement my hair or try and yank it out of my head. It must be the new conditioner.”

“Or the paste Andrew smeared all over it.” Seras giggled.

A strange electronic hum cut through the night music followed by brief static then an odd, discordant chorus of sounds like someone rapidly changing stations on a car stereo. There was another hum and a pop then a small cheer arose as the thumping strains of rock music (Meatloaf actually) began to roll through the cave.

“Sounds like Stewart and Zelig got the receiver hooked up to the antenna.” Said Seras.

“Outstanding!” I said moving in time to the music.

“Hold still!” She commanded. I closed my eyes and submitted humbly to her ministrations humming along with the song.

The pool and the wine had relaxed me quite a bit. The music and Sera’s rhythmic brushing of my hair further lulled me into a very pleasant stupor so I am not really sure when it was I stopped humming and started to sing. I just know that when the song “Arms of an Angel” came on a sweet, yet sad feeling washed through me and began to build and I just had to sing along.

“Spend all your time waiting for that second chance. For a break that would make it OK” I felt the music, like a living thing, flowing through me and around me, spiraling and dancing its way through the cave.

“There’s always one reason to feel not good enough and it’s hard at the end of the day.” I did not need to open my eyes to see the others. I could feel them, feel their emotions, sense them listening to the song, listening to me.

“I need some distraction. Oh beautiful release. Memory seeps from my veins.” I wanted them to feel what I felt in the music. Experience this living creature, this lovely, aching, yearning, fragile phoenix that was this song. “Let me be empty and weightless and maybe I’ll find some peace tonight.”

I wanted to share this beauty with them so much. The need to show them what I felt was overwhelming. The emotions were bursting from me, out of my control, flowing through the cave. “In the arms of an angel, fly away from here….”

I opened my eyes as the song ended, brushing away a few tears. No one moved. They were all staring at me somewhat astonished. I did not have time to get embarrassed. The next song started “We Belong”, still sentimental but more upbeat. Without thinking I slid into the music and started to sing along.

Four songs later, “Psycho Killer”, everyone was singing along and the party was really getting started. This is a fantastic station, I was thinking to myself. Lots of great dance music and so many female artists to sing along with.

Seras and I, being the only girls there, ended dancing with, well everyone just about. As each song ended I kept thinking, surely, this is it, they have to take a commercial break but then another great song would come on and we would all start belting out the lyrics, our voices rolling and echoing throughout the cave. I found the combination of music and friends intoxicating. I hoped it would never end.

As the last strains of “Love Shack” played out, I found myself near Sgt. Marks who was leaning casually against one of the stone “trees”.

“Good evening Miss Doyle.” He said pleasantly.

“Guten abend Herr Marks”

He chuckled. “I did not think you spoke German.”

“I know about 5 words.”

“We shall have to teach you more. There are many useful words I could teach you.”

“I’ll bet there are.”

“In fact, a few come to mind as we speak.”

“Oh yes?”

He leaned in closer, a devilish expression on his face. “Would you like me to tell you what they are?”

“Hmmm, let me think about it.” I said casually but was beginning to blush. Is Sgt. Marks flirting with me? Oh no, am I flirting back? I asked myself. It was hard to tell as I was not using my usual method of flirting which consisted of running in confusion and terror from the man in question.

“I assure you, I am an excellent teacher.”

I’ll just bet you are. I thought blushing still more, turning into a brunette tomato. I had made the mistake of looking into his eyes which were a light twinkly blue, brimming over with humor and something else perhaps a bit warmer. Oh my! I thought, gazing up at his rough handsome face with its strong jaw and boyish smile and that little scar just below his lip that one could just reach up and…Oh my!

I pulled my hands behind my back to curtail the urge and tore my eyes from his face and ended up staring at his broad shoulders and chest. Sigh. He was wearing his uniform sleeves neatly rolled above his elbows revealing his firm biceps and large, well formed forearms which were lightly covered with golden hairs which would probably feel very nice if one were to…Oh my! Oh no!

What’s going on?! Damn you Alucard! Puberty was bad enough the first time without all my middle aged body issues to pile on top of it.

I looked back up at Marks’ face and my knees went weak. He was so good looking. I wanted to cry. I wanted to throw up. I wanted to hit him and run away screaming before he could say something cruel or laugh at me for being so stupid in thinking that he might like me ‘that way’.

Ah, now at least, I was back in familiar territory.

I took a deep breath and met his warm gaze. Something of my emotions must have shown in my face because there was just a hint of concern in his eyes.

Don’t you ruin this for me! I silently screamed at my issues. You have been in control of my life long enough. Now, get in there Corrine and say something coherent, preferably charming, to deflect this train of thought before you blow it!

“Do you dance sergeant Marks?”

He blinked a couple of times. “Do I dance?”

Smile you stupid girl! I smiled up at him. “Yes.”
“Yes, I dance.”

Flirt with him darn you. You flirt with him right now! “I just noticed that you haven’t been dancing.” Little smile. Tilt head a bit. “Do you like to dance?”
“I’d like to dance with you.”

Bingo! “So, why haven’t you asked me to dance?” Casually examine hands then sly look back at him. Yes! This may actually be working. Shhh, steady now girl.

“Well, your dance card has been quite full. Someone else was always dancing with you.”

Don’t you dare, giggle. 40 year old women don’t giggle!

“You could have pulled rank. Captain Burnadett has done it at least 4 times with Seras and me.”

“Perhaps I was biding my time.

“Perhaps.”

“Waiting for the right song.”

“Oh yes?”

“A much slower song.”

Oh. Oh my! “Well I’m not dancing with anyone right now…” We cocked our heads to take in the “tune” currently rolling through the cave. It was Klaus Nomi’s cover of “You Don’t Own Me”. “Well, it’s slower anyway.” I said skeptically.

“Definitely not the right song.” We said at the same time and laughed.

He pulled out his flask and offered it to me. “Care to try some for non-medicinal purposes?”

“Are you sure you trust me with it?”

“Just don’t pour it on anybody OK?”

“Just in here.” I promised tilting it to my lips. I took a sip, smiled at him then took a good long pull. “Wow, good. Slivovitz yes?”

He cocked an eyebrow at me.

“You were expecting coughing and sputtering perhaps?”

“I find myself liking you more and more.” Another song started playing. “Ah, now this is more the thing.” He said. “Shall we?” He took my free hand and led me to the open area just in front of the pool that we had been using as a dance floor as Marc Anthony began to sing.

“They say around the way you’ve asked for me…”

Marks stepped in close and placed a hand on the small of my back.

Ooops. Real dancing. “I ah, don’t really know how to … um…Samba?” I guessed.

“There’s even talk about you wanting me...”

He chuckled and took the flask from my hand.

“Meringa?”

“I must admit that’s what I want to hear…”

“Don’t worry,” he said pulling me closer “I’m an excellent teacher”

‘I’ll just bet you are’ I thought as he guided me into the first few steps of the dance.

“But that’s just talk until you take me there…”

“Have another drink.” He said after I stepped on his foot for the 3rd time.

“Are you trying to get me drunk?”

“I need to know. I need to know…”

“If I said yes, would you become very indignant?”

“No, but is it wise to try and make me even less coordinated at the moment?”

“We in the Geese do not flinch at danger. Besides, I am wearing boots and you are wearing, very little so, yes.” He said looking teasingly roguish.

“Tell me baby girl cause I need to know...”

He stepped into the turn and dipped me then pulled me up and whispered softly into my ear. “Now, about those cookies for tomorrow night…I’m partial to peanut butter.”

I dissolved into laughter.

“Girl I’m exactly where I want to...” WHAM! The music was very decisively cut off.