"I'll get the straws." Henry blurted out after they all sat waiting for someone to begin.
Once all the large pillows and extra rugs were gathered into a large enough circle, some of the candles were placed in the center of the floor to mimic a campfire. Everyone had settled and found a cozy place to lay themselves.
"Na, I say Magnus goes first." Kate nodded her head as if to convince everyone. "It was her idea, and besides, don't you all want to hear another Magnus adventure? Some wild tale about her and Pocahontas or something. She's got hundreds of them and I'm sure we've only had the pleasure of, what? Like…20...25 of them. Come one Doc, were family here." The others began nodding their heads in agreement and looked to Helen.
"I'm hardly that old Kate." Even being a part of history for two life times didn't make her that old she thought a little disgusted. However she had to laugh at their bobble like heads. All but Biggy, who was stoking the fire and passing out hot chocolate, tea, coffee and a large bowl of popcorn.
"Impossible, every one of you." She thought for a moment then a wide smile crossed her face as an idea came to her. One of those smiles that pulls on one side more than the other. "Alright, have it your way. I have something for you. Will, please hand me that blanket." She wrapped the soft throw around her shoulders and readied herself against a pile of pillows.
"1866, Opening night at London's Covent Garden Royal Opera House and performing was Vincenzo Bellini's I Puritani."
Will interrupted. "Wait, hang on. 1866? What were you, 16?" His voice thick with skepticism.
"Yes," Helen's tone very matter of fact. "I was there for a late birthday outing with my father, he felt guilty for being away to long and surprised me with it." She was about to continue when Henry jumped in.
"Eh, I thought this was going to be a sanctuary style adventure?" Henry whined.
"Oh Henry. Just you wait and see."
"When you were 16. Did you really enjoy opera -" Will was about to start analyzing the situation when Helen cut him off.
"Do you want to here it or not?" Helen snapped gently.
Will sighed, "Yeah, ok. Go ahead."
"We had nearly arrived when the carriage had to slow a bit for all the people. They were everywhere, but as I sat waiting looking out the glass I saw an old woman. She was a very beautiful yet peculiar women. I noted that her clothes were clean yet of an old style from a forgotten time. Certainly not proper etiquette. The colors plain yet she wore them elegantly. Her hair grey and wild and she allowed it to fall loose around her shoulders. She also had no shall or over coat in the cold October air, but she didn't hold herself as a cold person would. Our carriage was several yards from where she stood, but even so I could see she had dark penetrating soulful eyes. The expression on her face chilled me the most. It was ghost like, icy, and oddly familiar. She looked directly at me making a cold chill quicken up my spine, yet I didn't look away. I couldn't, not until the carriage stopped with a jolt and the door quickly opened to let us out. As soon as my feet touched the ground I was pressed close to my Father amongst all the people and the old woman was forgotten."
"Oh it was wonderful! The street lamps were like crystal balls illuminating the ladies in their silky dresses with their handsome escorts leading them on toward the massive tiered stair case. More lamps were high on the towering marbled wall to light the upper levels and the crowd that filed in. The blanketing fog muted all the voices and in combination with the street lamps made the building glow." Helen closed her eyes reliving the memory.
"There was a collective excitement to get inside safe from the cold and to set eyes on the elegance that waited for them. My father was in a rush to get to our seats which I protested. I had wanted to look around with everyone else, but only got a cursory view. I wasn't disappointed for long when I saw we had a private box, The crushed velvet curtains were pressed into a rosette pattern so delicate I couldn't help but trace them with my fingers. From our location all I had to do was lean out over the edge just a little and I could just see the Queens box but didn't have the vantage point to see the woman. Once we were seated my father looked anxiously at his time piece and left me there alone for a short time. He never mentioned why."
"Then, not two minutes after the curtains settled behind him, someone slipped in and sat next to me. I should have called for help I suppose, but I was intrigued. I turned to face them and found I was looking into those same penetrating eyes from the woman outside. She laid an icy firm hand on my arm. 'Don't be afraid' she cooed at me, 'Mummy is here, Don't be afraid.' I thought she must have been mad and I moved to call for my father, but before I could get up she darted away as fast as she came. Shortly after, my father returned and he sat down ready for the opening act. Looking me over he asked if I as alright. I must have looked alarmed but I just nodded, smiled, and sat back in my seat."
"It took time for everyone to be seated and once the performance started it drifted over without really being heard. Before I realized it we were bundled up and on our way home. Thoughts of the woman lingered long after that night, but after a while it faded as life took hold of me." She shrugged her shoulders and paused to drink her tea before it got cold.
"Is that it? That was boring." Biggy broke the silence, disappointed.
Kate agreed. "Yeah, not the usually Magnus style we were all hoping for….ok who's next."
"Now hold on." Everyone turned to see Nikola leaning against the door frame. "If I know Helen, and I do, that tale is far from over." He scanned the room for a decent place to sit and selected the high backed wood framed chair that no one liked to use but he and Helen. It had always sat against the wall in it's stubborn burgundy shades and carved coiled wood daring anyone who thought to remove it. It certainly wasn't the most comfortable, but it was one of Nikola's high class favorites. Why it was sentenced to live out it's days in a rec room he had no idea. It now sat half way in the flickering shadows but still in Helen's view. She thanked him with a smile as the others looked back to her for confirmation.
"Quite right Nikola, just an interlude to the main event. So nice of you to join us." She raised her eyebrow at him. He cocked his head and raised his wine glass to her.
"You better not ruin the story Vlad. No interruptions." Henry was not thrilled the vampire was there, but didn't think it wise to make a bigger fuss. The dude is a vampire after all.
"As much as I'd love to spice this little narrative up, I'm afraid even I haven't heard this one." He pointedly eyed Helen as if to accuse her.
Helen grinned "I hardly tell you everything that has ever happened to me Nikola." At that Nikola slowly leaned back and the shadow enveloped him so she could only see his crossed legs and part of his left hand on the arm rest. She was certain he did that on purpose. Turning to the others. "Now, shall I continue?" They answered with silence.
