Voice

[audacieux_et_beau]

Hm. What an interesting adventure this ought to be, then. Is this part of my next steps forward, or something entirely new? Suppose I'll find out soon enough.

Comments

[tesla_vampiris]

[He chuckled, quietly]

Indomitable, that's you. And I'll be around, you know. More frequently. Far less reason to wander off and cause trouble. Without you.

[audacieux_et_beau]

Good. Because I wouldn't want you anywhere else other than by my side. As always.

[chuckles]

Just no world domination for a while, hm? I've got enough on my plate without trying to foil your plans.

[tesla_vampiris]

[He contrived to put on a hurt look]

I'm past all that, Helen, you know that. I can suffice with the occasional chess game.

[Because he plays it like it's foreplay.]

[audacieux_et_beau]

[grins wickedly]

Bet I can still whip you at chess.

[turns serious a moment, smiling faintly still, just a bit more softly]

It will be nice to have you around a bit more permanently. Here I was about to lure you to stay with a new wine cellar and a lab all of your own.

[tesla_vampiris]

[He shifted his head, snapping his fingers in mock frustration]

Damn, if only I'd held out for a better deal.

[He smiled, then lifted her hand to kiss it]

Chess and your company will suffice, of course.

[audacieux_et_beau]

[laughs]

I'm still willing to hand it all over to you. I saved all the best vintages to stock this cellar with anyway.

[smiles, running her thumb across the back of his hand]

You may have to pull me away from work, but I'd be more than happy to beat you at chess and get into things, as always. Because there are quite a bit more things to do around here besides just chess.

[tesla_vampiris]

We'll both have to pull each other from work. We always have.

[He does grin, of course. She's always good at issuing challenges]

And what other things would those be?

[audacieux_et_beau]

Only if you promise to bath. I'm not stepping foot in your lab if you've been in there for days without a shower. [wrinkles her nose, is slightly serious, but still with the light, teasing tone she's so fond of]

You're a genius, Nikola. I'm sure between the two of us we could find something.

[tesla_vampiris]

[He laughed]

Well I won't get as obsessive so long as we don't get anything like a holographic puzzle-map to a lost world under the Earth.

And that is a fascinating idea. I'm specifically thinking that we should repair to your office and I should make you dinner.

[audacieux_et_beau]

Oh, but that was so fun.

[smiles brightly]

That does sound like a lovely idea. I think I'm inclined to agree with you, Mr. Tesla.

[tesla_vampiris]

[He winked at her]

I promise an excellent night. Then again, I always do. And deliver, I might add.

[audacieux_et_beau]

I'm almost afraid to ask if you're still referring to dinner, Nikola.

[tesla_vampiris]

Oh, I probably am.

[He paused, as he stood, pulling down his vest]

Probably.

[He reached out a hand]

Shall we?

[audacieux_et_beau]

It's that 'probably' I'm curious about.

[shakes her head and takes his hand]

Lead on, Nikola.

[tesla_vampiris]

Good.

[He led her down to her office, insisting that she sit.]

Now, you relax...and I'll start some culinary magic.

[audacieux_et_beau]

[lets him lead on, following willingly and sitting as instructed; can't help but smile at it all, rather amused]

I wasn't are you could cook, Nikola.

[tesla_vampiris]

[He grinned, leaning back around the door]

After a century and a half, do you think I'd still be eating bachelor chow?

[And he'll be heading for the kitchen. Feel free to follow]

[audacieux_et_beau]

Probably not. I just never pictured you as a sous-chef.

[grins and follows after him, but splits off to go grab wine and glasses from the cellar]

[tesla_vampiris]

[By the time she gets back, he's chopping up vegetables for a stir-fry. He's even got an apron on, having carefully hung up his suit jacket. It says 'kiss the cook', appropriately]

Well, I had quiet times, every now and again. Started watching Julia Childs. Loved that woman.

[audacieux_et_beau]

[stifles a laugh at his apron, setting the glasses down and pouring them both glasses of an appropriate vintage]

I can't imagine that, either, but I'll take your word for it since it already smells wonderful.

[offers him a glass with a smile, kissing his cheek, following the rule on his apron appropriate enough]

[tesla_vampiris]

[He got the stir fry rolling, adding in bits of diced chicken. And greatly enjoyed that peck on the cheek, even if she cleverly evaded his attempts to make more of it. He'd tried that trick, alas.]

That it does. And for dessert, we'll have whatever I can scrounge up. Who usually does the cooking around here, anyways?

[audacieux_et_beau]

[leans back against the counter, sipping at her wine and enjoying watching him cook; could probably get used to this]

The big guy. Though normally I don't eat it. I've been so busy I've been neglecting my appetite.

[tesla_vampiris]

[He snags his own wine with a flourish, raising it in salute before sipping]

And you can't do that, you know. You may live forever, but not if you stop eating properly.

[He paused]

Good heavens, I sound like a PSA...

[audacieux_et_beau]

Work comes first, Nikola, as always.

[laughs]

That you do. But you are one PSA I shall actually listen to.

[tesla_vampiris]

As always.

[He stepped to her briefly, cupping her cheek, his look kind but serious]

Try harder. It's one thing for me to starve myself for science, but I don't save the world as often as you do.

[Then he's back over the stove, moving the skillet with an expert hand.]