April 13 1912 5 22 pm
When Helen reached the first class dining hall, the dance was already in full swing. She stopped at the top of the grand staircase and took in the sight. The tables had been pushed to the edge of the hall to make room for dancing.
Shining above, a guiding star crowning the grand spectacle, the chandelier.
Helen smoothed down her ocean blue form fitting dress and skipped lightly down the stairs. She saw the Banks dance by and then the Astor's. And a third couple who had undoubtedly married a long time, waltzed across the foyer.
"Beautiful ain't it?" Maggie brown sidled up beside Helen with a large grin. "Mrs. Straus finally talked old Mr. Straus into dancing with her."
"How lovely." Helen smiled and wondered in the back of her mind if she would still be with John after all this time. She shoved it out of her mind. She opened her mouth but before she could say anything, she felt a soft tug on her elbow length black glove.
"Pardon me, I come to borrow Ms. Malis." Cameron swept up and pulled Helen onto the dance floor.
"If you please, it's Dr. Magnus." Helen replied coldly. Cameron smiled belligerently as though humoring a small Child.
"Ms. Magnus then."
"And you didn't ask if I wanted to dance." Helen pressed. Cameron smiled descending again.
"I would hardly call this dancing. Are you wearing lead boots?" He laughed and nearly stepped on her toes for the third time. She winced softly and swept her trumpet skirt out of the way.
"Oh don't make that face sweetheart. You aren't as bad as That!"
"No, but you are." Helen tried to pull away and looked at the man in distaste.
"Now Heather. You don't need to be difficult." Cameron missed the steely look in Helens eyes.
"I haven't even touched on difficult. Be very careful of your next move." Helen growled.
Cameron opened his mouth angrily when another man tapped him on the shoulder. "Might I cut in?"
"Yes." Helen agreed immediately and allowed the newcomer to sweep her away.
"Forgive me if I seem audacious." Helens new partner whispered. You looked like you could use a hand. He had a slightly clipped accent.
"Quite alright. Thank you." Helen smiled "Do forgive my asking, bit your accent... Serbian?"
"Russian. Is it too thick?" Her dance partner frowned.
Helen shook her head "No, no. It's just; a very old friend of mine had a similar accent."
"And this dear friend of yours, he was Serbian?" The Russian smiled
"I never said he was a dear friend. Just an old friend." Helen clarified, though she knew the distinction would have amused Nikola. She was still somewhat inclined not to speak of him, or the Five. Particularly to people she just met. "I'm terribly sorry. I haven't introduced myself. Doctor Helen Magnus."
"Pleasure to meet you. I am Lord Kolya Ivanous KIR Gustavo Du Bunlt but everyone simply calls me Kolya." He smiled and kissed the thick Ice blue ribbon laced across the top of Helens gloves. She blushed but smiled as the pair danced in amiable silence.
Of the five, Nikola alone enjoyed dancing. He was never self-conscious about asking her to dance. It was 3 months before she consented... Finally she said yes and the delighted Dhampire whirled her across the dance floor with extravagant flourish. Helen was left breathless and beguiled, with only the vaguest impression of lights and blurring faces as Nikola spun faster and faster with inhuman strength and speed. Slightly dizzy and out of breath, Helen had to admit it was the most fun she had in a very long time.
With enough brandy, and just the right finesse, Helen could entice John to dance with her. While she felt at home in his arms, he lacked the enthusiasm.
"You dance wonderfully well, Doctor." Kolya smiled. Helen blinked up at him and smiled.
"You are too easily impressed." Helen replied modestly. Kolya smiled.
"Perhaps you have many impressive qualities. Perhaps you take the small ones for granted."
"Ah. A charmer." Helen laughed and toyed with her silver pendant. The sapphire caught the light and sparkled from the Celtic knot it was set in.
"A gentleman." Kolya kissed her hand again as the song ended. Helen smiled then frowned as an iron grip closed in over her arm.
"I can take it from here." Cameron said in a voice of cold steel.
The Russian smiled unfazed. "But you haven't asked the lady."
For a minute Helen had a flash of Nikola and John, back in oxford fighting for her attention. She wondered with vague amusement if these two could so easily put in their place.
"I think I'll sit the next dance out." Helen fanned herself carefully. "I'm quite out of breath."
"Allow me to fetch you a drink." Cameron smiled. Kolya bowed with a flourish. "And I shall find you a seat."
The men glared at each other a minute longer then set off in opposite directions. As soon as they were gone from sight, Helen bolted for the door. She had endured such masculine tug of war games for half a century. She wasn't going through it again.
Especially with a pair she couldn't just shoot.
Notes Kolya is the Russian equivalent of Nikola. Another made up character.
The chandelier is still hanging in the first class dining room, 100 years later and 1200 feet under the ocean. (amazing isn't it?)
Dhampire Is a half human/half vampire, for those who didn't know.