I Walk Upon the River Like it's Easier Than Land
"Happy Valentine's Day!" Erika's voice chimes out of the screen and Henry grins back.
"Happy Valentine's Day" he smiles back. "And Happy Valentine's Day to you too" he coos at the round bump of his girlfriend's stomach.
"How have you been?" She asks. "I haven't seen much of you lately."
"Yeah I know. Sorry about that. Figuring everything out for the New Sanctuary, feeding schedules, security systems, it's been pretty crazy. Not to mention, I've had to keep it all incognito."
"Of course. I assume you've isolated your network and encrypted everything?"
"Yeah of course. I even set up a proxy through a coffee shop in Old City so that when I have to delve into any networks topside it traces back there."
"Oh that's brilliant Henry!" He blushes.
"Thanks. But enough about work. Did you get the things I sent you?"
"I did, thank you. The flowers were lovely."
"Good. I'm glad."
"I'm afraid I didn't have the chance to send anything off."
"Oh. That's fine. No worries."
"But I do have a present for you."
"Uhhh. You do?" Erika begins to unbutton her shirt, revealing a very nice black lace bra. "Oh. Oh. Ummm. I'm gonna go lock the door."
"Fix my computer"
"And a joyous feast of Saint Valentine's to you, my dear Helen"
"Fix my computer, Nikola"
"Ahhh but that would ruin my incredibly well thought-out plans for today."
"Nikola" her tone is chiding but his grin only widens under her glare.
"C'mon Helen. Today is one of those days that should never be boring."
"You know of all people I would think you least likely to celebrate this over-commercialised excuse for a holiday." He shrugs,
"Yes, well, we all have our fallibilities. And plus, isn't one of the big parts of this holiday wine?"
"Oh ho! So that's the real reason you've come to pester me. You want the key to the wine cellar!"
"Pffffft! Helen if you think I need to ask you for the key to the wine cellar than you might want to assign someone with slightly keener eyesight than your dear protege to do your inventory." She's really not at all surprised that he's found his own way in but she still feels as though she should be saying something. She settles for shaking her head disapprovingly and knows she's likely accomplished nothing but further egging him on.
"So if you're not going to fix my computer, what are your plans for today!"
"Ah Ha! For that, milady, you must follow me." He leads her down through the maze of corridors and out into the plush green lands of her sanctuary.
"Where are you taking me, Nikola?"
"Follow and ye shall find, or something like that."
She's more than slightly shocked when he leads her through a crack in the cliff, leading behind the waterfall and around it, into a beautiful little cubby hewn out of the rock on the far side, from which you can see the waterfall and look out at her entire Sanctuary; she thought no one knew of this place but she.
"Nikola how did you find this?'
"I still swim every morning, you know. And it's quite a nice stream to swim in, most of the time."
"Most of the time?"
"Hmmm. Have a seat and I'll tell you the story." She looks at where he's pointing and she's even more surprised: blanket, basket of food, and bottle of wine. He's being so incredibly thoughtful that she may even forgive him for filching one of her favourite comforters and laying it on the dirty ground. She makes herself comfortable on the blanket, slipping her heels off her feet, and Nikola hands her a glass of wine. Pouring one for himself, he begins. "I was, in the interests of maintaining my excellent physique" he winks at her and she laughs though, privately, she can't quite help but agree with his judgement, "having my morning swim. I decided that the top stretch of stream would be the best place for such activities. I may have... underestimated the force of the waterfall's pull."
"Oh Nikola! You didn't!" They laugh as he continues
"Oh I did! Not that it did much damage—vampire remember?"
"How could I forget?"
"Yes, well, after I had gotten out of the water and caught my breath I looked up and voila! Here I was, looking up at this idyllic little spot."
"It is quite lovely, isn't it?"
"Oh don't look so smug."
"Smug?"
"Smug. You are entirely too pleased with yourself for this whole place."
"Hello pot? This is the kettle calling."
"You orchestrated the building of an underground city and then blew up your house, I changed the entire history of the world and re-engineered science as we know it."
"You got yourself robbed blind by everyone you came in contact with and practically handed your work over to Edison."
"Oh please Helen, must you bring him up?"
"Your choice Nikola, it's either our beautiful new home or one Thomas A. Edison."
"How about neither. You are looking especially lovely today, Helen." He takes his time looking at her and she can't help but appreciate the way his eyes caress her body. She's dressed for what she thought would be a day of work, tight black pencil skirt and off-white blouse paired with a black cardigan and classic black pumps.
"I'm sure. As are you, Nikola." And in a dark grey linen suit with a pale grey shirt and blood red cravat he truly is.
"Really?" He's a little bit shocked but immediately he's turned to her, invading her personal space with a salacious glint in his eye.
"Not that good." He sighs, but retreats.
"It is an auspicious day, Helen. What better way to celebrate?"
"I'm sure our combined intellect can come up with something."
"We could go swimming?"
"I'm afraid that with the alacrity with which you ushered me from the house I didn't quite have time to grab my bathing suit."
"Exactly." She shoves at his shoulder to reprimand him and he laughs.
"Well at the very least we have good food and fine wine." She turns to asses their collection of such items. Opening the basket she finds some surprisingly edible-looking food, a bag of blood, and a plethora of wine bottles.
"A veritable feast!" She proclaims and he inclines his head.
"Yes well if the food tastes bad, blame Huggy Bear. He's the one who made it." And the fact that he stole the wine from her and the food from Will somehow makes the entire idea more palatable, more Nikola. She refills her wine glass with a smile.
"Do you remember that fabulous little restaurant in Vienna?"
"How could I forget?"
"Hey" Will plops down on the couch beside Kate. She's lounging watching some action flick. "You seen Magnus today?"
"I saw her and the walking ego going outside this morning. She not back yet?"
"Not that I can see."
"Huh. You know I'd never pegged her as the type."
"What type?"
"Dirty outdoor sex. I mean, I guess when you're a bajillion years old you gotta keep it interesting somehow."
"Oh c'mon you don't honestly think...?" She gives him a look. "With Tesla?" Kate shrugs.
"I dunno. But a girl's got needs."
"Let's never talk about Magnus'... Needs ever again. Please!"
"Okay, okay! I was just saying..."
"What movie are you watching?" Will asks, his mind scrambling for some way to change the conversation.
"This? Oh it's some crap action flick. Knowing. I dunno, it was on the drive."
"C'mon! It's Valentine's Day. Henry's upstairs talking to Erika—don't! Say anything—and Magnus isn't around. Wanna make fun of a romcom?"
"You know, Will, if you wanna watch a chick flick, you can just say so."
"I don't! It's just funny when they're really bad!"
"No no! I get it! You're a big sensitive man." She gives him a vapid smile and passes him the remote. "Choose away, Huggy Bear."
"How do you even—. Nope. I'm not gonna ask. And for the record, at least Atonement doesn't star Nicolas Cage." She snorts but makes herself comfortable on her end of the couch as they settle in to watch.
2 hours later both Kate and Will are sobbing openly on the couch. As the credits roll their eyes meet.
"We are never mentioning this again." She says, her voice still a little unsteady.
"Agreed." He replies, and both retreat to their rooms to regain some composure.
