You would too, faced with them.

Who are...?

The statues.

Man-size in marble - the City was never one to honor copyrights.

Energy vampires.

You can't get blood from a stone - amusing.

Well, it's a way of calling them.

Please forgive my sense of humor, it's a bit warped at the moment.

Psychic vampires disguised as common sculpture - clever hunting tactic. Angel statues are quite popular, one can see them almost anywhere and not question their presence.

Except starting from now.

Genuine statues would be regenerated overtime.

Then I won't feel bad for venting off on them.

To (cleanly) quote my brother: Vandalism is therapeutic.

Awake, Luke? You had me worried...

Whatever for?

Well, your body has been deceased for far longer than the standard 24 hours. Frankly, I'd expected you to recover far faster than the others, not the other way around.

What did happen? The staff wasn't forthcoming when I questioned them.

You don't remember?

[Standing up, the chevalier goes over to check his vitals.]

I left the Hall....

And then?

[Eyes closed; concentrating]

Heading for home...explosion...that's all I remember.

Hm, I see.

[Reaching out, Solomon paused for a moment to update his notes on Luke's condition. It was no surprise that no one had informed him of his grisly demise, but now that he was more lucid, it was only a matter of time before he found out. Better to hear it from a friend.]

Well, I'm not aware of the details naturally. Other than some fairly interesting information about your past. But it seems as if you were the latest victim in those string of murders that's occurred in the area.

[Eyes still closed. Face relaxes as he sighs in weary acceptance.]

Assassinated.

Yes.

[Solomon's mouth curved in a slight smile, his voice kept carefully pleasant.]

I do hope that if you should ever wish to leave ARTEMIS that you will do so in a more amicable way than you did for Millennium. If that is what truly happened...

[Half opens eyes. He's clearly unperturbed by the probing little statement.]

Kept us in the dark. Sent us to our death. After finding out the truth, why rejoin their ranks?

I don't disagree with that.

[It was a sentiment that Solomon understood quite well from his own dealings with his brother Amshel.]

I was just surprised to have found out that you were a part of that group. Although we really don't know that much about each other, do we?

It was never a secret.

No. Our acquaintanceship is clearly a present day one. Is there something you feel I should know?

'Acquaintanceship'. Really, Luke... so harsh. And after I've tended to you after your accident, too.

[amusement] 'Doctor and Patient', then.

... you're incorrigible. You know that, right? Still, it is one of the things I like about you.

[He smiled over at his 'patient', pleased that Luke was at least conscious enough to joke in such a manner.]

Very well then. As your doctor, I would like to keep you here for another 24 hours to be certain that there are no lingering side effects of your death. At that time, I can release you as long as you promise to take it easy for a few days.

Can assure you I will definitely be on circus desk duty.

[Solomon nodded, and made note of the instructions he'd just given to his patient on the clipboard.]

Good, good. I'll be wanting to come by to do a follow-up as well. Or you can stop by my office, if you wish. Either way will work.

[Idly, the doctor wondered if Luke would be as perfect a patient when he was awake as he had been while dead. Dead, it'd been easy to take blood samples, and perform his tests. Awake... well, that would remain to be seen. It was probably best to not test their friendship by pushing too hard on the matter, despite his curiosity.]

They're only statues.

You're back then~.

Not quite. I may need a day or two off from work.

Okay~.

I need to talk to you about it later.

And safely returned as well, then~!

Extensive mutilation did occur, correct?

It did. We might have been even a little too efficient (http://valentineluke.livejournal.com/93543.html).

Maybe. However, it did make the right impact.

No one as of yet has questioned me.

So it did. Glad you appreciate it.

Doesn't surprise me. It's not like it's such a mystery who is responsible for this. That's what we wanted after all. But if they do, what are you going to tell them?

Although has never been a secret, I did downplay my Millennium past. Now that it's in the public light, someone will eventually make a connection and pounce upon me.

I won't tell anything that isn't already known. Chances are, the Police Force still need cluing-in on your obviously enchanted ammunition.

Will they? They're not the quickest, generally.

Yes, they do not know, they do not know~. I did use my warhead only three times in the presence of others until now, only one of them truly, fully saw it. And I doubt we'd have to worry about Aion telling on that, do we.

Provided, Hellsing doesn't decide to actually speak with people for once.

You speak as if you're a man of the cloth.

Best not confess your sins for I am not.

Then I apologize, you sounded like one by your tone.