Not an epilogue, the next chapter.

[teratologist]

It took time to settle in to the new Sanctuary. No longer the world wide network but one main facility with tiny satellite branches for necessary local use hidden about world. For starters it was massive, the subterranean grounds made some of the worlds major cities look shabby and small.

The venture had taken careful planning to grow through the 113 years of her hiatus from humanity, ending with an achievement Helen was exceptionally proud of. This single unit of habitats could house most, if not all, of the abnormal population of the world; with that came certain precautions.

Helen dare not let anyone into the confidence of it all until she was absolutely sure things were running as well as could be. This was by now a labor of love, and no one had the experience or commitment to preserving both spirit and letter of the Sanctuary foundation than she did. Eventually she brought the others in, Henry of course and her faithful companion Bigfoot came along right away. Will soon followed and Kate not long after, but there were others that required..well..the proper timing.

She had to give Nikola credit, he'd been vastly determined to not only locate her but try and gain entrance to the facility. She had enough time to plot this out though and Occam's razor prevailed. Nikola remained the last vampire on Earth, if she wanted to keep him out explicitly, she need only block that DNA. No matter how sophisticated a trick or trap he could make, the watchful eye of security would not allow him to pass, not until she was ready.

Three months, blink of an eye to their life times, but three months of denial was surely torture for Tesla. So, when it finally arrived the invitation came also with the balm a 2003 Opus One Bordeaux blend. Of course he couldn't have made finding him easy, it required most of her considerable resources and a bit of hunting by Henry to track down the genius and see that her invitation was passed along. So there it would arrive, a bottle, a single long stemmed blush rose and a rather poetic invitation written in Praxian so only they two would know what it said.

Nikola,
Forgive me the rudeness, but until now I'm afraid things weren't quite ready for you. But, if you're willing, you'll know how to find me.

Helen

Defenses down, his entry allowed, the new Sanctuary welcomed Nikola Tesla.

Comments

[teratologist]

"There were necessary steps, I had to give certain appearances at certain times. I had a plan, I had to have faith that it, and you, would rise to the occasion."

Helen slid her arm through his and turned them toward the large double doors of the main hall. "So, I can give you the tour, at least part of it. We can discuss business over dinner, if you'd like."

[tesla_vampiris]

He sighed, looking at her. "You always did know how to convince me of anything."

He started to walk with her. "In any event, dinner sounds fantastic - and damned if my curiosity isn't running wild with me right now. I want to examine the whole place. How big is it in comparison to the old one? Landscaping aside, you've got some serious square footage here."

[teratologist]

"It was an acquired skill." She laughed quietly.

"It's rather a bit larger, if it was necessary we could house the known population of abnormals here. That is just the residential quarters, wait until you see the lab and experimental sciences wing." She knew that would catch his attention.

[tesla_vampiris]

He grinned, shaking his head.

"You are the absolute master of continuing to sell once the target has been most thoroughly hooked."

Then he stopped for a moment, turning to regard her.

"There is...more we need to talk about. I think you know what. But because I am thrilled beyond all measure to see you safe, it can keep for a while longer. Just know that it will be there. But not tonight."

[teratologist]

"I know."

There was very much they would need to talk about, and that was perhaps the one reason for keeping him away all this time that she might never admit.

Things had change between them rather drastically in what for him had been three short years and for her, well quite a bit longer. She had seen Tesla as he was and as he became oft without him even knowing she was there.

"There is so much time for that, but so much more to see before then. So a brief tour and then dinner and more serious talk about you as my right hand here."

[tesla_vampiris]

He affected a look of mock annoyance.

"This is that patience thing you've been trying to teach me, isn't it? Ah, well. I think I can manage it."

He smiled, walking with her, for a moment as if nothing else had happened. "I hope there's a better kitchen set up this time. If I'm going to be your right hand - and maybe I'll be the scary enforcer one, so people are all the more eager to make better deals with you - I expect late night kitchen privileges."

[teratologist]

"You're doing well already, no badgering." She gently nudged his shoulder with her own and smiled as they walked through the entryway.

"Gourmet kitchen, latest appliances and convinces and we're on our own natural gas grid. I know how dear you have loved electricity but it is really not the best for cooking." Another jest, things were easing down comfortably for her.

"Oh, and 113 years gives one quite the amount of time to collect wine, you have your own cellar, unless part of the appeal was stealing it all from mine."

[tesla_vampiris]

"Only a small part of the appeal," he replied, with a slight grin. "You simply had marvelous taste and better resources in terms of acquisition than I had for a long while."

He paused, as he remembered an incident.

"Look, if you're referring to those steaks I cooked in Bolivia with my bare hands, they weren't that bad. Certainly not bad enough for you to wander off into the jungle looking for greens." He grinned, chuckling just a bit.

It had been a fun time, however.

[teratologist]

"If it increases your enjoyment, consider it my wine then." She gestured to the left to begin their tour in the upper containment and residential areas. The Sanctuary was every bit as impressive and expansive on the inside as the outside.

"I have almost forgotten that, thank you for so kindly reminding me why I never let you cook." Though it was said with a smile and soft laughter.

[tesla_vampiris]

"That was some time ago, and one can only batch it - or perhaps botch it - so long before one learns some rather important lessons in that regard."

He did, also, comment extensively on what he was seeing - and there wasn't even the tiniest shade of criticism from him. Aside from a remark about missing the wood paneling of the old Sanctuary. A fan of the classics, him.

But not really a criticism, per se.

[teratologist]

"Nikola our entire lives are to be learned from, if a man of your intelligence learned nothing that would disappoint me."

Helen let him comment, adding details here and there and answering the unasked questions his observations prompted. It was a magnificent structure and designed with certain people in mind, once they were immersed in the walls of the Sanctuary Helen steered him toward the wall.

"Yes, well I know how fond you are of the former architecture, but there are reasons." She splayed her fingers and laid them to the wall, encouraging him to follow her example. When and if he did, the entire flow of the place, the buildings equivalent of it's life's blood could be felt via EM flow. To Nikola, this particular construction would allow him to read the facility as easily as Henry and his entire and extensive security and maintenance network.

[tesla_vampiris]

He placed his hand on the wall, and a sublime smile spread across his face.

"Oh, you utter genius," he said, closing his eyes in deep concentration. He laughed, briefly.

"Got a burned out lightbulb three floors up. Good heavens. This is magnificent, Helen."

[teratologist]

"Well then, I can see this meets with your approval." As if there was ever a question? But it did show, should he care to apply a fraction of that commendable brain power, that she had Nikola in mind for this for some time.

"Thank you, I thought it was rather impressive myself."

[tesla_vampiris]

That fact was, slowly, sinking in. A bit delayed by his marveling at the architecture - but there it was, nevertheless.

"The most scientifically advanced building in history, so yes, I'd start with impressive. Work my way up to a marvel of scientific achievement."

[teratologist]

"Henry mentioned your disdain for the former era of the Old City Sanctuary, so I couldn't rightly expect Nikola Tesla to work in something beneath him could I?"

Compliment and barb in one, oh yes, Henry had told her what he said, even if it was under times of stress.

[tesla_vampiris]

He sighed.

"I'm going to have a word with him about private conversations, but then again, I should let him off the hook this time. He is expecting, after all. And if I want to be the Godfather or have a chance at it being little Nikola Foss, I'd better make a start now."

[teratologist]

"Do you honestly think Henry would name his child after you? No, Nikola, I think if you intend on namesake progeny that will be something you'll have to make on your own."

Helen had to laugh, as much as Henry admired Tesla, he was also driven half mad by him. There was no man or woman who could have influenced the naming of the child with two very strong willed HAPs as parents.

[tesla_vampiris]

He smiled. "It's always worth a try, you know. Better to attempt than not, as they always say."

He paused, frowning a little bit. "I was thinking of sliding a few patents his way, as a baby shower sort of gift. So he and Erika want for nothing." He would never, ever admit it, but he had something of a soft spot for Henry. A kindred spirit.

[teratologist]

"Of course, and you are nothing if not dogged in pursuit of your goals." Helen chuckled and took up their walk again.

"That is sincerely moving Nikola, I think Henry would be very touched. You might just have a shot at that name after all." Her arm looped through his again. "Just as well really, can you imagine the pitter patter of tiny Tesla feet? It could be an omen."

[tesla_vampiris]

"Only of good tidings, under an auspicious name," he replied.

He tilted his head to one side, whispering to her.

"Speaking of omens, you and I working together on a permanent basis? We'll turn the world on its ear. One might think you wanted me around."

[teratologist]

"Heaven forbid." Helen's made a mock look of shock at his whisper.

"Nikola, has none of this struck you as particularly convenient for you? I did spend rather a lot of time and money to make this a Tesla friendly environment."

[tesla_vampiris]

"I'm well aware," he said, a little bit more quietly, the smile fading just a little bit.

"I'm currently trying to catch up to the implications. Trust you to pull the rug and the world out from under me." It was a weaker attempt at levity, but it had a point behind it.

"I see them," he repeated, "I just don't know what to do with them yet."

[teratologist]

"It was intended to show how indispensable you are to me...to the Sanctuary."

They had agreed to talk about things later, so this was not the time to delve into such things. But later there would be time, all the time in the world.

[tesla_vampiris]

He nodded.

"And I find myself humbled by that, I really do. We've come so far in such a short time, you and I. I'd trust you with my life now, Helen, and I think this tells me that there is trust in return."

He took her hand, kissed it gently.

"And if I were completely honest, I'd admit that I'm rather content working for you nowadays."

[teratologist]

"As you said, discussions for a later time."

But how could she not smile to this show of affection and respect? Nikola could be utterly charming when he chose to be.

"I would hope that we would be working with each other more often than not. Of course there will be times when I may have to over rule your requests. I only say this because I know you, as you said, so well by now."