Saturday, April 14, 2012 11:00 PM. 49° W; 50° N Atlantic Ocean
The moon lit the great open expanse of water. The surface was smooth and clear as reflecting glass. Except when the light wind rippled the surface, creating small waves that capped white against the encompassing darkness. The cold night air hung between two halfmoons, one in the sky glowing fiercly amongst a thousand stars and the other reflected deep in the chill, black water. Helen stood on the bow of the ship deep in thought as it glided swiftly throught the water.
Will walked up behind her. He was bundled in a heavy parka with his hood pulled tight and still shivering.
"Are you ready to talk about why we re out here?"
"I told you its personal. And you didnt have to come."
Will nodded. "Alright. Whenever youre ready, Im here to listen"
"Did you ask Nikola?" She asked suddenly suspicious.
Will fidgeted. "Well. Yeah."
"And? His answer?"
"Ask Helen"
Helen smiled "Thats Nikola for you."
both turned to the vampire in question as he cut power to the engine. Even through the darkness of the wheelhouse glass, Helen could see His electric blue eyes trained on her. Nikola pulled the micrphone to his mouth and announced queitly "We're Here."
Will looked out over the vast nothingness and shivered. "Where is here?"
Henry and Kate came up from below decks in full winter gear and looked out over the ocean "Where are we and why are we here?" Henry asked Will who only shook his head and shrugged. Kate shivered violently.
"I'm f-f-freezing cold."
"last time I was here it was much colder." Helen said calmly.
Will stamped his feet to keep warm. "We re all Cold."
"Speak for yourself." Nikola smirked and sauntered over. "Vampire remeber?" He turned serious as he caught the look on Helens face. His old friend was staring at the water glassily. "Helen,dear? You dont have to do this." he reached one hand out to her .
"Yes I do. I have to be here now Nikola. " she answered in a quavering voice. Will looked around and shook his head. "Theres nothing Here!"
"Its Here." Helen replied in a quiet, solemn voice. "12,600 feet below us."
Henry squinted down into the dark abyss. "Dude"
"Youre absolutely Certain Nikola?" Helen asked, looking at her watch. Nikola smirked arrogantly. "Of course Im sure. I can feel the Iron hullfrom here."
"Wait, hull?" Will asked finally putting all the pieces together. This is the site of the Titanic?
"Whats left of her."Helen answered. "The glass and wood are long gone. painting Ink Paper... I remeber spending hours in the first class library." She sighed and fell silent.
Nikola pulled a small gold medalion from his pocket and caressed it with his thumb absently. Will looked at him quizzically. Niola Tesla, as far as he new, was never very religeous.
"Is that a saints medalion?" Will asked in surprise. Nikola nodded and handed it to him. "A young Serbian boy gave it to me about 100 years ago."
"Do you mean that figurativly or litterally?" Henry asked cautiosly as will handed the medal back. "Which Saint is that?"
"In Serbia, he is known as Saint Nikola"
"Great. The Patron Saint of Arrogance." Henry muttered. Kate grinned.
"So are you gonna chuck it overboard like that lady at the end of the movie?"
Nikola shook his head. "No. Palve made it to New york with Mater and Pater His story belongs to the living." Nikola slipped the medalion carefully back into his pocket. "Not the huge chunk of steel 2 and a half miles under the ocean. He survived something no one his age should ever have gone through. He wasnt claimed by the sea."
"What happened to Palve?" Will asked cautiously. Nikola shrugged.
"I dunno. I kept tabs on him for a few decades but I lost track about 70 years ago. Last I heard he was living comfortably with a good job. Married with two or three healthy, happy kids." He smiled and turned to Helen. Who sighed.
"Its a shame about Astor."
"Its a shame about Morgan." Nikola shrugged.
"NIKOLA!" Helen shot acusingly. Her watched beeped and she nodded to herself.
"Its time Helen." Nikola said solemnly, pulling a small wood box from his coat. Helen opened it and removed a single white rose.
"Not to be cold... so to speak."Henrey said. "But why are we here?"
"To remeber the 1,500 people who died here. And to pay respect to those who made it to new york. The other survivors couldnt come."
"Magnus, youre the only one still alive." Will pointed out gently
"I know. Thats why I had to come." she answered and threw the rose into the water. It bobbed for a moment on the surface, the whit petals shining in the moonlight against the blackness of the water. Then it slowly sank to the wheelhouse below.
Nikola wrapped a comforting arm around Helen. She leaned carefullly into his arms and sighed.
After a few long silent moments she nodded. "Lets. Go."
Niola returned to the wheelhouse of the yacht and revved the engine, turning back toward shore. Helen moved to the stern and watched the scene of the event that claimed so many lives, and almost her own. As it disapeared over the horizon, Helen Magnus vowed to never be so cold again.
Notes:
The Medalion Palve gave to Nikola is The Patron Saint Nicholas,protector of children. In Serbian Nicholas translates to Nikola. A happy accident I assure you.
JP Morgan Was an investor who backed Edison and snubbed Nikola. Morgan was suposed to be on the Titanic, after supporting Ismay finacially, but backed out on the last minute. To say He and Tesla didnt get along would be an understatement.
The Reason Helen (Or- well, I) chose a white rose is because White Roses symbolyze peace and remeberence. Also, it's from nature so it will degrade in time; many historians would consider anything permanent left on the Titanic Expos factos as 'litter'. Not just because its my favorite flower.
The Scientific term for the deepest part of the ocean is in fact called an Abyss Fun lil tidbit
Signing off:
Glitch 'Advisor to the Queen'
Slainte, Hobbit
* YourSweetDemise