A bit of a shorter chapter, but the next one is Christmas, so I wanted that all in one chapter. Anyway, I've been sort of waiting to update since I haven't finished the next chapter yet, but then I thought I should just go ahead and do it. As usual, let me know what you think. And now I'll shut up before this gets to be as long as the chapter itself.
Also as usual, the only person I own in here is Kiri...everything else belongs to someone else...
The next day, the three of them were at their bench, helping Kiri learn to read some more, when the man who had pushed Kiri the day before walked over to them, an apologetic look on his face. As soon as they noticed him, they all stood, Kiri moving to hide behind Nikola while he and Helen stood their ground.
"What do you want?" Nikola demanded. The stranger chuckled, a sound which, to Kiri's ears, sounded strangely menacing.
"I merely wished to express my deepest apologies," he began, bowing his head slightly. "When I saw that servant girl, I thought she was breaking in alone." At his words, Nikola stiffened, his eyes hardening.
"That 'servant girl' has a name," he hissed, clenching his fists. Behind him, Kiri tugged on his arm.
"Nikola, don't worry about it," she pleaded. He looked back at her, then nodded and forced a smile onto his face. He extended a hand, which the stranger took.
"Nikola Tesla," he told the stranger, bowing his head. "And this is Helen Magnus."
"Montague John Druitt," the stranger responded, smiling. He took Helen's hand and brought it to his lips, passing them across her knuckles softly. She blushed faintly, and Nikola stiffened beside her.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Helen remarked politely. Druitt bowed slightly and left, throwing Nikola a hard look. Once he was out of sight, Kiri stepped around Nikola and cocked her head in the direction he had gone.
"I don't like him," she commented, turning to face Nikola and Helen.
"He was better than most of the men here," Helen countered, a slightly wistful look in her eyes. Next to her, Nikola mumbled something in Serbian as he turned away, sitting back down. Kiri sat down next to him, giving him a look of understanding. Helen finally turned to join them, but turned back when she noticed James approaching them. As soon as Kiri saw him, she leapt up, curtsying deeply. James smiled at her and motioned for her to stand.
"There is no need for that, Kiri," he told her as he approached.
"Can we help you?" Helen inquired, smiling.
"Your name sounded familiar yesterday, and I've finally figured out why. You're Gregory Magnus's daughter," James said, looking at Helen with recognition in his eyes.
"Yes I am," Helen assented, nodding. "Do you know my father?"
"We met at a social function a couple of years ago. Since then I've been aiding Gregory in his work," he replied.
"Really? I suppose that's why he's never spoken of you. He doesn't tell me much about his work." Helen smiled at him.
"Well, I know your father is out, but I was wondering if I could come by this weekend. You see, Gregory and I recently discovered a new one, and I was hoping to get some data." James glanced at Nikola and Kiri while he spoke before looking back at Helen.
"Of course. I'll let the maids know that you're coming." James smiled, then bowed at Nikola and Helen before turning and walking away. Now free from interruptions, the three friends spent the rest of the afternoon teaching each other. Helen taught Kiri how to read, while Kiri and Nikola taught Helen Serbian. Soon, they worked out a system where every time Helen taught Kiri a new word, Kiri or Nikola would teach Helen what the word was in Serbian. They continued this pattern whenever none of them had anything else they needed help with, and soon a month had passed. James would occasionally join them and talk to Helen about her father's work or help explain something to one of them. It was early November, and they began to have their study sessions at Helen's house, where they could stay warm. One day, they had stretched out in front of the fire as they took turns reading from a book Kiri had picked out. The maid came running in, carrying an envelope.
"Excuse me, Miss. We received a letter addressed to you from Mr. Magnus," the maid told Helen, handing her the envelope.
"Thank you, Ellie," Helen responded, nodding in dismissal. Ellie curtsied and left as Helen opened the letter and unfolded it, reading it silently to herself. Suddenly Helen grinned and looked at Nikola excitedly.
"What is it?" he questioned, brow furrowed in confusion.
"Father is inviting you both over for Christmas this year. He says that he would like to meet my friends," Helen explained, grinning.
"Why?" Nikola asked immediately, his brow furrowing.
"I-I told him about how neither of you have family here, and he says that no one should be alone on Christmas." Helen smiled at them, causing both Nikola and Kiri to smile in reply. Suddenly, Kiri hopped up and turned to face Helen and Nikola.
"I should be going," she commented, picking up her satchel and walking away quietly. As was their habit, Helen and Nikola curled up together on the couch and soon fell asleep.
In late November, Kiri told Nikola and Helen that she would be gone for a while, and the next day she disappeared.
I might write an outtake about some stuff that Nikola and Helen do while Kiri's gone (I've had this idea about a snowball fight bouncing around in my head for a while now) Let me know if you'd like something like that.