Coworker/friend came visiting with Mom after lunch, looking Damien over carefully. He smiled sweetly and behaved as best as he could, resisting the urge to bite Coworker/friend or douse Mom in pheromones.

"Henry mentioned Tesla was agitated. Some kind of government agency trying to track him?" Coworker/friend asked Mom. Mom simply laughed.

"Oh hardly. You know Nikola. Anything for attention. He's being over dramatic. Again" Mom shot a semi bemused look to Spikey, who merely ruffled the paper he was reading.

"Really, Helen." Spikey sighed "Its one thing when you won't take these things seriously. But if you're going to mock me-."

"So there's no one coming..." Coworker/friend asked, sounding confused.

"Oh she's coming alright. You mark my words. And then you'll see." Spikey sighed melodramatically and poured more red liquid into a glass. Damien nudged forward hoping Spikey would share. Mom looked at him closely.

"It seems our little Nubbin is indeed part vampire. I wonder how he would interact with others of his species. The tricky part would be reintegrating him. They might register him as a threat- Oh really Nikola." Mom broke off as Spikey heaved another long sigh.

It isn't so bad for you Helen." Spikey said irritably to Mom. "She always approved of you."

Mom rolled her eyes and grinned at the questioning look from Coworker/friend. "His mother is coming over."

Coworker/friend looked over to Spikey in surprise. "Your mother? She's alive? I mean that would make her- over 170 years old..."

"Yes well I had to get my Vampire genes from somewhere didn't I? Certainly not from Father dear. Monsters make for bad priests. Or so he told me during my exorcisms." Spikey said in an almost bored tone.

"So you and your dad never got along?" Coworker/friend asked, sounding concerned. Spikey shot him a pouty glare and took another sip of red liquid.

"My father wasn't... shall we say 'forward thinking' I guess." Spikey replied. "Or my brother and sisters, I had the more vampiric nature. Well these things can skip several generations. "Spikey said almost sarcastically. "Not that I knew what it was then of course. But that didn't stop them from punishing me for it." Spikey examined his red liquid with clouded eyes. Friend/Coworker looked at Mom and then over at Spikey.

"Your father… Was strict?"

Spikey gave a soft growl in response. "My father was convinced I was possessed by some kind of demon. He tried to exorcize it more than once. I forgot I grew fangs as a child until I re-grew them again after the source blood." Spikey shot a furtive look to Mom, who smiled sympathetically. "Fortunately I had the others to... help." He smiled softly. Damien could smell the love chemicals and purred. Mom walked over and sat beside him.

"I'm sorry Nikola. I should have- I don't know. I should have done something. Research or tests or something. Found out how the source blood would affect you before injecting you with it."

Spikey smiled and took Moms hand with a reassuring smile. "Don't be Sorry Helen. I had never been happier than the time we spent in the lab together. Testing theories, working out equations… playing pranks on Nigel and James." Spikey smiled and took Moms other hand. Coworker/friend cleared his throat and set off for the door, closing it carefully behind him. "I always admired that about you Helen. You saw me at my worst and never once screamed at what I had become. You embraced my heritage and you were caring and understanding. You helped me with all the changes I was going through and taught me about Vampires and my culture. And you were always so strong and independent. I admired that about you too." Spikey smiled and moved closer to Mom, caressing her knuckles "I've always admired you."
Damien crept forward as Spikey leaned in to Mom. Mom closed her eyes and bent closer to Spikey with a soft anticipating smile. Damien wiggled his ears approvingly.

Suddenly the door flew open and Hairy set down a tea tray. Mom and Spikey leapt away from each other and smiled innocently. "Hrk...Hrk visitors" he said with a knowing growl at Spikey. Mom smiled and fixed her hair as she stood up.

Mom straightened her jacket and smiled apologetically. "Well we seem to have fallen under the Nubbins spell." she said slightly breathlessly and headed out the door. Spikey sighed and poured more red liquid out for Damien.

Hobbits notes

Milutin Tesla was described as a 'strict but loving' father and a loyal priest. Djuka was somewhat distant with Nikola after the age 0f 6 the rest is educated guessing and creative lisence.

Sliante,

Hobbit