As they sit together, Nuala takes the opportunity to study him for a moment - to see how his time here has molded him further from the man she first met, to gauge his mood and to reassure herself that he is well. They weren't quite friends, yet, but neither were they not and the both of them are inclined to a certain method of socializing that simply creates such intimacy as they might like.

There are some people she might never have met any other way but this; Major Benjamin, she sometimes thinks, is not quite one of them.

"As well as one may," she says, and there is tea already, hot as if it's just been poured, that Jack may avail himself of if he wishes. "To once again be welcomed promptly into Sir Hellsing's fold has been very heartening, and in truth I think the work does me worlds of good. And you?"