*'Sanctuary' for Us *

[Asa]

Kate

Kate just nodded to Big guy but pointed out the fairly large feline bodyguard that seemed unwilling to move from Magnus side.

Umm should we let her stay just in case?

Isis

Isis was not as convinced as Big Guy that problems would not arise. Ashley had been like a niece to her and Helen an old friend almost sister to her with er own family normally wanting to kill her for her involvement with humans. She stood there in full HEP form not moving just watching the being within Ashley a venom to her stare she would protect Helen she hoped she could protect Ashley as well but she saw no path to do so other than release her from whatever life this was... She did NOT want to have to do that.

 

[DalekRasputin]

Big Guy acknowledged Kate's words and looked at Isis. Speaking to Ashley he said "I promise you if you don't try to harm your mother none of us will harm you".

Turning to the cat he said "They may want to be private, let's leave them to it but stay just outside." Looking back at Ashley he said "Harm one hair of your mother's head and we won't need Isis. I'll kill you myself. I hope we are clear on that". Then addressing Helen he continued "Mistress, we will be just outside."

 

[Asa]

Isis

Isis snarled but for now followed Big Guys words. She knew that she was more willing to kill than Big Guy normally was. However she was brought back to reality as the teeth wounds on her abdomen began to sting a little. She moved back out of the door so he could close it but remained in HEP form still standing guard. She looked around trying to hide the tinge of pain from healing.

Kate

She watched Isis... she could relate to her protective nature and her trying to hide the pain from her wounds. She glanced to Henry Will and Big guy to see if any of them saw it before doing like everyone and watching the door.

 

[YoungLisa]

Whether it was the emotion or the tension or just the strain of the past few days but Melaven suddenly stopped and knelt on the floor holding her head and screeching with pain. The sudden change was so urgent that Big Guy and Isis almost charged into the room thinking Helen was being attacked.

Looking at Helen Melaven cried out “I don’t know what’s happening to me, my head … my brain … it … feels it’s going to explode. Who … What …” With those words she collapsed on the floor.

(OOC I have a lot going on today in the real world so I’m going to jump Ashley / Melaven to the next scene. Others may wish to work round it or if you need me to amend, delete, or anything else I’ll do it. Also if you need to speak or act for my character please feel free to do so)

Somewhere on the astral plain the two beings of Melaven and Ashley faced each other and moved closer to one another. Each minute etheric particle exploded away from their astral bodies and began to fuse together into one. No longer would there be two separate identities inhabiting the same material form. Now there was only one with memories and personality forged from both experiences.

Laying on a hospital bed the body jumped and convulsed before opening its eyes and fo-cusing on Helen. “Mama? Mama is that you?” Ashley’s voice, Ashley’s smile, Ashley’s face looked up at her Mother. “I’m back Mum, we … nature … found a way to do it.” Sensing Helen was about to say something Ashley interrupted “You now have two of us, not one. Melaven and Ashley are now one being, one soul. And I’ve decided to give you authority to do what you feel is best for us. If you can accept us then we’ll work with you, for you. But if you fear my other nature then destroy us now.” And then with what was almost a warning she said “while you can … while I am weak because once I’m complete nothing will ever be able to destroy me again.”

 

[DalekRasputin]

Big Guy heard the terrible screaming coming from the laboratory and was on the brink of bursting in when he realised it was Ashley's voice and not Helen's. With his hand he signaled to Isis not to make an entrance befgore hearing a body crash to the floor.

Forcing his way in he saw the prostrate body and the concern on the face of Helen. Stooping down he picked the girl up and took her out of the room and straight to the medical centre where he laid her out on the bed.

Turning to the medics he said "Just make comfortable until her mother arrives. If anyone knows what she needs it's her."

 

[slippedhalo]

In the infirmary in the Sanctuary's basement levels Ashley lay in a hospital bed, strapped in for her own safety and for that of everyone else's since Isis and others still believed this split personality situation going on with her could possibly put them in danger as well. The EM shields were activated around the property, ensuring she could no longer teleport if she felt the need to try to escape the restraints. Helen stood by her daughter's bedside, afraid to move from the room lest this be some sort of dream or illusion and her Ashley would dissappear the very moment Helen's eyes were off of her...Isis and Will had joined her while Kate and Big Guy went back to their usual duties, added to them, assisting the new residents from the Hidden Isle in settling in and learning more about the Sanctuary.

Helen had been quite emotional during the moments between Ashley's collapse and the moments of silence to follow while she lay there, trapped in her head, no telling what sort of war Ashley was waging against whatever it was that was using her form...Helen had made sure she was left primarily alone during this time and the other's hung back out of respect for her but she also felt their presence not too far away, they were, of course, concerned.

When Will came to them Isis had been the only one who'd been tolerated inside the infirmary area with the two Magnus's but had been glared at hard enough by her old friend that she knew not to interrupt Helen's moment with her child.

When Isis went to block Will's entry too Helen shook her head, "It's alright, Isis. This is my...it's Doctor Will Zimmerman...he's...I kind of wouldn't mind him being here either." she said. It came out awkward. How could she explain this when she'd barely had time to think about it? Even to her oldest friend, it was difficult to find the words to explain Helen Magnus's feelings for her protegee. Helen waved him inside and Ashley awoke just as he joined Magnus at Ashley's bedside.

Laying on a hospital bed the body jumped and convulsed before opening its eyes and fo-cusing on Helen. “Mama? Mama is that you?”

Helen's voice caught in her throat painfully. Ashley hadn't called her mama since she was but a toddler, not even fully toilet trained yet. A chubby-cheeked, tow-headed ball of energy and cuddliness, her little Ashley had been a handful but such a miraculously lovely child. Helen had never felt more conflicted, this was her baby and yet she seemed to be in the grip of a monster. "Dear one, help me to understand...What's happened to you?" she asked, brushing the back of her hand against Ashley's cheek lovingly.

Ashley’s voice, Ashley’s smile, Ashley’s face looked up at her Mother. “I’m back Mum, we … nature … found a way to do it.”

Sensing Helen was about to say something Ashley interrupted “You now have two of us, not one. Melaven and Ashley are now one being, one soul. And I’ve decided to give you authority to do what you feel is best for us. If you can accept us then we’ll work with you, for you. But if you fear my other nature then destroy us now.” And then with what was almost a warning she said “while you can … while I am weak because once I’m complete nothing will ever be able to destroy me again.”

Helen looked from Will to Isis and back to Will again, "I don't think I could...destroy you, not unless I was certain you were a threat to others, Ashley. Tell me about Melevin. How can we help keep her...under control?"

 

[Asa]

Since the situation... Isis had remained close to Helen and Ashley. She stared down at the youngling laying there remembering the little girl that ran through the wildlands when she was a child learning and helping her mother keep Isis to some degree social with people. She was protective that was a given over Helen and Ashley though unable to think of any way to removed the other being from Ashley. As usual when in a stressful or mentally troublesome situation she remained in HEP form and this was no different. SHe had however seemed to prefer wearing some form of clothing even in this form. She needed to hide her wounds from her old frien for now Ashley needed to be the focus for both of them. She would heal she was not so sure about Ashley. She tensed as she heard the door attempt to open a snarl curling her lips as she moved to block the human's path from moving near Helen.

Glancing over at Helen's prompting to allow him to enter she stepped back but watched him warily. Hearing Ashley she realized that she was in fact now seeing one being... there were aspects of the other one the darker angry one as well as young Ashley. An unconscious growl rumbled low in her chest but she awaited Helen's reply to Ashley.

Stepping closer to them Isis looked to Ashley calm yet pained eyes studied the face of the young woman who she had viewed as family just like she viewed Helen.

Isis stared down at her clawed hands a well buried heart breaking at the thought of ending any of their lives even if it was to protect them. Suspecting that brutal task would fall to her or Big Guy or both IF Helen ever felt it a requirement to protect Ashley or the others, or if she or Big Guy had to protect Helen. Containing the desire to punch a wall or something she just stood there close to Ashley and Helen.

Deep down she was glad that there was something more important to keep Helen occupied so that she would not have questions to answer about the Calisar hounds or being in feline form around Henry or anything else for that matter. They both had a common focus for now and that was Ashley.

 

[Archangel1978]

Henry

He was on his way to look at the Calisars when he bumped into Will.
“Hey Will! How have you been man? That Scotland trip wasn’t what you had in mind was it?” Completely oblivious to the complex question he was posing Will.
“Can you do me a favor, can you check up on Isis our new guest and make sure her bandages are well set and get changed and also go check on the Doc? With Ashley being back and everything that’s happened I’m sure she needs an extra ear like yours. Thanks!”
Then he kept on heading to the Calisars. He observed them some more and then went to plunge himself into the favorite thing he loved….not. He moved like he had a purpose as the Doc would want to know what’s up.

Will

When Henry asked him about Scotland he raised and eyebrow like he was trying to say “what do you mean wasn’t what I had in mind?” Had Magnus told him? Should he say anything? He decided he better talk to her first after all this crazyness with Ashley and stuff calms down.
“Sure, I’ll look to Isis’s wounds. I was already on my way to check on the Magnus. The refugees are all squared away. We’ve got a lot of new guests from Scotland Henry, might wanna put in a request for some Hagus.” He shook his head at the word and continued on his way.
He found Helen and everyone. When he got a chance he gently spoke up.
“You must be Isis” He said to the strange figure he didn’t know. “Henry said to check on your bandages in the med bay and make sure your wounds were healing well.” He was trying to take in the scene and wonder what he could do for Helen but in front of everyone there was nothing. He would be there for her later.

 

[Asa]

Isis

Hearing Will ask about her bandages Isis head whipped around with a low and lethal snarl... Helen and Ashley had enough to worry about without knowing of her condition. She would not attack but there was the little matter of possibly needing to talk with Henry about this.

She shook her head no to Will if he neared her to check the bandages Ashley and Helen needed her not worrying about her. Helen knew how stubborn she could be as well and knew when to and when not to "fight" her on that. James would have simply kissed Ashleys brow and had Will help him tranc her and tend to the wounds. Tesla would know she was hiding them and make snide yet "brotherly concern comments" while John would probably just attempt to knock her out at Helen or James request. Luckily this Will did not look strong enough to do that without a weapon.

Kate

Kate sat staring at the hounds and how they were acting... pouring over her research. Grumbling as she rubbed her temples.

What the hell 150 years of research on these things and there is NOTHING about what could cause this psycho 180... AAAAGGGHHHH.

Her yell only prompting the animals to lunge at the barrier and hiss at her.

Ohhh Shut Up.

She snorted back and watched Henry walk in... she could tell he was upset about something but thats when he normally only talked to Magnus or the Big Guy... IF he talked at all.

 

[slippedhalo]

OOC: OK,
Will and Henry will go on assignment to deal with the mess on Hidden Isle as mediators.
We await a post from Young Lisa asap.
We need to have John or Tesla enter the situation soon.
I need to be briefed about Celazar Hounds and Melaven asap.
Thank you.

 

[YoungLisa]

Ashley looked at her mother and sighed “Mama, you don’t understand, not yet. You can’t keep ‘HER’ under control because I AM ‘HER’ and always will be from now on as ‘SHE’ will always be me. We are so entwined with each other we cannot be separated. I have my memories of the Tudor period, my lovers, my fights, my turning. I also have my memories of my time with you as a child and with …” She hesitated “… with Isis” Ashley became agitated “Isis … Isis is here, she … she’s hurt, in pain … I have to help her.”

With a massive show of force Ashley shattered the restraints holding her to the bed. Sitting up she saw her mother instinctively step back. “Don’t be afraid Mama … I … want to help.” Holding her left wrist to her mouth Ashley bit into it drawing blood. “Now … take this blood … this pure blood to Isis and it will heal her wounds. I … We … love her!”

Laying back on the bed Ashley said “And soon those EM forces won’t be strong enough, I’ll be able to break through them and go where I please.” She then proceeded to tell her mother about her Melaven experience and the time she spent as a vampire in 16th century England. “It was a hard existence, one in which we had to keep moving. But I was of pure blood, descended from the blood of the originals. Eventually I was captured and staked by my lover, my creator. With my dying breath I cursed the Tudor Dynasty and now I know not one drop of Tudor blood runs through the veins of the present British Royal Family. Wolsey too met a grisly end for destroying me.

“I lay in the ground for centuries, breaking down into fine dust until human blood
somehow seeped into my molecules and I was sucked into the ethers to embrace Ashley. Now we are one person, one soma and gaining strength every moment.”

Tears filled her eyes as she said “Mama, I’m sorry I had to kill those humans but I
needed their blood. And unless you can find a way to stop my needs I will kill again and again each time gaining strength. … But … I want you to help me … I don’t want to kill. … Except …” Ashley stirred, sniffed the air and said “Except for one. Even after all these centuries Roger de Blyth still lives. I can sense him, I can feel him. And I know I MUST DESTROY HIM!”

 

[slippedhalo]

Helen's eyes were wide as she listened to this tale. "Hang on, no one is going to be drinking or doing anything with your blood until it's been tested to know what it actually does contain." she said authoritatively.

She turned to beckon Isis nearer, "And, Isis will tell me why she's wounded and hiding it soon...won't you?" Helen then turned to Isis, her eyes asking the question even as she returned her attention to Ashely, who was now only lying on the bed voluntarily, the restraints were busted. "You know, Ashley, I'm expecting you to fix those when you feel better." she teased.

Helen kissed Ashley on the forehead, another uncharacteristic public show of affection. But, then she pulled out a syringe and took a sample of her daughter's blood before saying, "You stay here and rest. I'll be right next door in the laboratory. I want to test your blood and find out if it truly is as pure as 'source blood'. Then, I would like to check back on the studies I've done on Tesla and see if perhaps the treatments I have provided him with which curb his cravings for blood and his more violent vampiric tendencies could work for you as well. Maybe I could tailor a treatment for you which will make it possible for you to live among us and not need to drink from us. And, in the meantime, I suggest you work on learning to like the blood of small creatures such as rodents instead of human. I won't allow you to go on killing sprees, Ashley. Sentient life is too precious and I won't sacrifice people just to have you back. It wouldn't be fair. I love you, but we also have to live with ourselves at the end of the day...I can't face eternity knowing my selfishness and weakness for my loved ones allowed not just one but two murderers to roam the earth freely."

With that, Helen was off to her lab to start working on what she hoped could solve this problem with as little loss as possible.

 

[YoungLisa]

Ashley forced herself up from the bed and stood on her feet. Making her way to the door she opened it and walked down the corridor looking for the lab. Seeing her mother work-ing on the blood sample she tried opening the door but found it locked. Concentrating on the lock for a second it exploded away from the door and she entered.

“I thought you might need more blood” she said as she walked up to her mother and raised her arm offering the wrist. “Meanwhile, do you have any blood banks here? I’m starving!”


OOC. Do you want me to write for Roger de Blyth? He is part of Melaven's past - he won't make many appearances but I think he would enhance the storyline

 

[Asa]

Isis

When Ashley had first broken the restraints Isis was back at Helen's side with a snarl. Calming quickly as Ashley realized she was there too. She stepped back at the offer of blood to help her.

My wounds will heal... Ashley... your mother will focus on you...

Her eyes fell on Helen as if to say it was not up for negotiation. Watching Helen leave Isis placed a hand over where the bandages were. The two bites had in fact covered half of her torso from either side. What she had found was a fairly large male... that seemed to just appear in the wildlands sick and that meant venomous so she could not let it move closer to the city. And now there were two young males here with a female. It was hard to believe that such small hounds became such big deep jawed monstrosities as the one she killed. They had marks on them tags that she knew she recognized but she had no idea from where or why.

She followed Ashley and moved to stand there with them, till hearing Ashley asking about blood bank.

I can go hunt and bring something here for her to feed from if needed.

It would get her away from so many people attempting to worry about her which to her was not needed.

Kate

Kate radioed Magnus...

Magnus... the hounds... show no sign of carrying the toxin of the one that attacked Isis but... They also don't match the over 150 years of research the people have on them even if it is sketchy research.

So what do we do with them?

 

[slippedhalo]

Magnus answered the telephone call from Kate and shook her head, "I honestly have no idea at the moment, Kate. I guess we just take care of them for now and, well, I'm working on something at the moment...Kate, how do you feel about minotaurs? I need either you or Henry to escort Will back to the Hidden Island off the Scottish coast. There's a diplomatic mission necessary, um, a sort of mediation I had promised but...I'm a little tied up here in the lab at the moment. With Ashley back and no certainty of her safety in general populus just yet I'd rather remain here with her. Why don't you contact Will and Henry and figure out which of you should go with him there. Whomever is left behind has to aid Mr. Bigfoot in helping out with the new residents and, of course, then can deal with the Celazar Hounds when needed as well."

Once she had said goodbye to Kate Helen set her attention back to the blood samples before her. Her eye still warily on her daughter from time to time, not fully trusting that this was going to be so simple, her Ashley, back to normal after what she'd been through...Helen sighed, "Ashley, what I need isn't more blood from you. I just need time to come up with the solution to your cravings. I made it for Tesla, it should work for you much the same way."

With the thought of the man in question she had already dialed his personal mobile number with one finger on her phone.

"Helen, I knew you'd be calling me soon. Can't get enough of me, right? Or...is it something to do with the femme fatale in all the papers these days?" asked the cocky and astute voice on the other end of the line.

She resisted the urge to grin at his usual antics, "Ah, Nikola, so you've been noticing the news." she replied calmly.

''I have. I also happen to know you are in desperate need of the only vampire left in the world who could possibly help you to tame your lovely little monster. I think the favors you owe me are adding up, my dear. But, I'll be there in a few hours. You're lucky I happen to be in the neighborhood."

"Yes, thank you, dear friend..." Helen began cordially but Tesla's voice cut her off with a flirtatious chuckle.

"...Don't 'dear friend' me, Helen. I expect dinner will be one of my favorites this evening and the wine..."

"...my cellars are always at your disposal, Nikola, even though you nearly drained me dry on your last stay." teased Helen.

"Oh, when you've been drained by me, you'll know it." said Nikola Tesla in a purr that gave Helen an unconscious shiver of both fear and sexual excitement despite herself. "We'll talk more when I arrive. Tell Ashley to sit tight for now and not to drink any of the help."

Helen shook her head and smirked at Tesla's bad sense of humor as he clicked off. She hung up her phone and pocketed it getting back to work. Over her shoulder she said to Ashley, "You heard the man, Ashley. We have a few hours until he'll be here to help. Meanwhile, I'm going to try to work on something without his sample. I really don't want you roaming the Sanctuary thirsty and unescorted. Perhaps you should remain down here on this level for now....visit to the gym?" she suggested, hoping that something like that would tempt her daughter into redirecting her energy for the time being of the wait.

OOC: Really could use a Tesla. I guess we'll NPC him for now. Gotta love Tesla!

 

[Asa]

Isis

Just stood there shaking her head waiting to know if they wanted her to go hunting for something for Ashley to feed from. She remained silent at Tesla on the phone thinking it would be a fairly interesting surprise for him to find her there once more. They tossed almost sibling type verbal jab back and forth especially being for the most parts the last of their respective kinds.

Kate

Taking off and finding the guys she talked with them and since she had done more research on them the Calisar hound duty got left to her as the guys took off for Scotland but not before Kate had promised and then early physically kicked Henry out the door. He was more worried about Isis than Isis was... it was weird.

 

[slippedhalo]

Helen turned once more to Isis, hugged her in the first proper greeting she'd given to her friend since returning from the airport. "Isis, I'm sorry for being so distracted. We'll catch up soon, yes? You'll be here for a while, I hope? Nikola would enjoy having the surprise of you here. It should make suppertime a true treat." She watched as Ashley slid from the room and moved toward the direction of the gym. "Please...if there's something you can bring for her to feed from, do it discretely. We don't want to scare anyone."

 

[Asa]

Isis

She hugged Helen and reaching a hand to muss up Ashley's hair as if she were still a young child.

Yes catching up I know there will be many quuestions. First I think hunting is in order. I will bring the kill to the catacombs for her. Then we should find better clothes before dinner.

With that she took off to hunt.

 

[slippedhalo]

Helen colored slightly at the reminder of the ridiculous dress she still had on beneath her lab coat. Yes, she'd need to change clothes before Tesla's visit or she'd never live it down. Once again, she found herself grateful for her old friend back in her life. They had a lot of catching up to do.

And, back to work...In Helen Magnus's long life there had always been one constant for her, work was where she got her answers and work was where she found her comfort. It wasn't the warm, safe embrace of a husband or the laughter of their children but it was the thing in life she'd always had the most success and control over. Unlike so many work-a-holics, her job wasn't a jealous mistress, there was no one and nothing else which ever had come first once Ashley had grown old enough to become a part of it. And, now, her work was, in her mind, the sole way to protect and keep her daughter in her life a little longer. Sure, she'd probably still outlive her and that would be more painful than anyone else she'd lost so far (and there'd been so many loves outlived...) but for a long while she could keep her alive and keep those around her safe if she could just get the formula right...

These thoughts grew into obsessive plaguings in the back of Helen's mind as she worked and the minutes became hours before she knew any time had passed at all.

 

[Asa]

Isis

She managed to make it to the wildlands and then began hunting... deciding that something large might last her a little longer Isis tracked a fairly large buck. The hunt and the kill were easy though getting it back to the Sanctuary proved a little more difficult but not impossible as she made it along the alleyways and waterways till she reached the catacombs beneath the building. Carrying the kill into one of the empty rooms that could be locked if needed she then went to find Ashley to let her know.

She found herself wondering where James was... maybe Helen would know and could tell her later or Tesla might know he seemed to want to know everyone's locations in case a scheme failed and he needed bailing out.

 

[slippedhalo]

ooc: A chuckle while we wait.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjZQ25UMEXM

 

[YoungLisa]

Ashley made her way to the gymnasium where she was amazed to find no end of equipment she could use to keep fit. She did some weight training, cycling on the exercise bike and moved on to the running drive.

After several hours had passed the doors flew open and in came Isis dragging the corpse of a young buck. “I thought you were going to leave me here to starve” she complained as she approached the hunter. “And what in the name of fuck is that?” Seeing Isis getting uncomfortable she continued “I don’t mind killing people, but sweet animals? I don’t know if I can do this.”

Kneeling beside the beast Ashley bit into the jugular and spluttered “I’d rather drink my own piss! It’s cold, stale, and smells like a Tudor commode.” However hunger took over and she turned back to the prey and drank. As she continued to take her fill little congealed clots of blood form and Ashley bit into one spitting it straight out. “It tastes like ear wax! If you want to keep me from hunting humans you must do better than this!”

Finally her hunger was satisfied and Ashley stood and looked at Isis “I’m sorry” she said “I’m just so used to human blood.” Then reaching out she called Isis to her “Come here, it’s been such a long time. Tell me what’s been happening.”

 

[Asa]

A snarl fell from her as she knew it was not more of this Melevan being.

Helen says No Humans so NO HUMANS...

She could care less if this being had been royalty or some pompous aristocrat. It would follow orders as long as it was within Ashley.

Once it fed and returned to the sane mind of Ashley.

Your other half is going to need to learn to not be such an arrogant bitch especially with the fact that we have one en~route.

She neared them... Ashley... whoever it was warily.

Ask whatever you like or whatever your mother has asked you to find out... Little cub

She caught herself calling her that... she had not called Ashley that since she was a tiny child she had done her like she did Helen and called her by her name. She smiled at calling Ashley Little cub again.

I will need time to go and find some clothing instead of lab smocks since there is company for Dinner.

 

[YoungLisa]

Ashley smiled when she heard the phrase “Little Cub” and so many memories came flooding back. “You remember? O what I wouldn’t give to have those days again!” She felt the anger of Melaven being drained from her but there was a serious side to her dilemma as well and she had to address it.

“Isis, I’m not the Ashley you knew, and I never will be again. And I’m not Melaven either, I’m a new creature, I’m both and it’s just a freak of nature that I have Ashley’s appearance. So … Melaven isn’t my other side, I am Melaven as much as I’m Ashley.”

She turned to her friend and reached out her hand “You have to get used to it.” She hesitated “And … there’s more. There’s danger out there, something from my past from Tudor times. It’s evil and it knows I’m back. That’s why I need immortality because it is only by being immortal I can destroy it.”

Realising she may have told her old friend too much Ashley sought to lighten the mood. Then she heard her say “I will need time to go and find some clothing instead of lab smocks since there is company for Dinner” she had the ideal opportunity.

Laughing she said “Just make sure it’s better than that disaster Mom was wearing”. She chuckled as Isis took her leave.

 

[slippedhalo]

It had been several hours of working in the lab but Helen was pretty sure she had a comprised serum which would work for Ashley. As soon as possible she wanted to do some test trials. She called Ashley on the house intercom and got the reply that her daughter had worked out and fed on an animal (not very happily by her tone) and was just going to shower and change.

Helen looked back down at herself again and nodded. "Good idea, actually. I think I'm going to go up to my quarters and do the same. Meet me down in the lab in an hour. I think I've got a treatment to curb your vampire cravings."

....................................................................................................................................................

Forty-five minutes later Helen Magnus was herself freshened up and changed into an indigo, blue, and gray gauzy dress which was dress-casual and much more her style but also appropriate for a dinner party. As she did her hair and make-up and applied her favorite fragrance she felt much more herself and sighed in a brief moment of relaxing and taking stock of the whirlwind of the past few day's events.

She was just leaving her quarters and headed down to the laboratory to meet Ashley for a test trial when she heard the doorbell. She looked at her watch in disbelief. Was Nikola actually early?