· CALL ME OUT (AUTUMN) ·

[hobbitholmes]

🎃 AUTUMN

it's a highway
highway to the dark
and a neon medusa
has got YOUR HEART

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[vampiris_tesla]

"It would be incredibly foolish if it involved the Source Blood," he responded. "But we have to learn from previous experiments."

He was quiet for a moment after that.

"We wanted to change the world so badly, didn't we? So recklessly. And in the end, the amount of change we could do was actually limited by the measures we took to make it happen. With such powers, we couldn't risk capture - couldn't risk others figuring out how to replicate our abilities, weaponize them. All of us became shadow creatures, in our way."

He turned the cup in his hands, look distant.

"But the idea, free of...interference...get the right minds together, support them so they can work...the concept is still sound."

He turned his head to look at her.

"I'm going to earn your trust back. With whatever time I've got left before, well, you're the last one left."

[notanemptymotto]

"You have a point. How else will we further what we know if we don't continue the work a bit wiser than we were?" Helen gave a one-shoulder shrug to show that she conceded the point.

"One could argue we changed the world in a larger way than intended." She shook her head slightly. "If nothing else by the ripples that we caused by how we changed. Some were for the better... some not."

The memories of the fall out of the Five certainly seemed to reverb through history, no matter what they did. John was one set of issues in his own. Ashley was another. Nikola's own experiments was one more. They had even lost the granddaughter of dear Nigel. That hardly even brought about the troubles caused by Adam by their neglect of the man.

"You may want to find a Greek name for your new Five. It sounds rather reminiscent of Socrates." Helen gave him a smile. "Oh, Nikola. I trust you immensely. I simply know how your ideas tend to get away from you."

[vampiris_tesla]

"They'll find their own way," he replies. "I'm setting it up and then...that's that. That's my role."

He leaves much unsaid with that, really - though she'll be able to put it together. He's not at all sure he'll last long enough for a decisive role, so why take one? Given the rate of attrition, it makes sense - and he, unlike her, works without a team.

[notanemptymotto]

"Sitting back and allowing the young minds to think over new ideas? That is very new for you." Her eyebrows raise. "I would have thought you would want to be involved in it at any level you could be."

Although, guiding young minds towards a better future is certainly one of his least underhanded ways of doing things. A perfect way to use his good nature of the best of things, quite honestly. She's rather proud of him.

"Would funding need to go to this new group of The Five?"

[vampiris_tesla]

"You are dead, remember? There is no Sanctuary network. I won't have you risk that. Besides, I've got enough old facilities and accounts hidden away from over the decades. Things left to accumulate interest. Don't numbers just get...old to you, that way? Ugh, finance," he ends, shaking his head.

"And I do want to be involved, but...it requires my absence, not my presence. I will, however, accept help in...selecting candidates."

/like 2000 years later cause of the holidays

[notanemptymotto]

"Well, one can always make a new identity." Helen gives a playful response. "One Helen Bancroft can at least be a mysterious benefactor for your new endeavors. However, you bring a fair point. At least for now as the dust settles."

Thankfully the tracking software of the modern day is far easier to trick than one might think.

"So, they may never know who picks them or brings them together. It is a breeding ground for conspiracies. Certainly theatrics."

[vampiris_tesla]

"It can be managed. A bequest, administered by, oh, someone who looks like me. Or possibly Will," he replied, airily.

He sipped at the tea, looking thoughtful.

"In any event, I'm moving on it. Time and tide and a plethora of enemies, and all that."

[notanemptymotto]

Helen can't help but smile. "You and Will working on a project without the bitter? I'd rather enjoy seeing that."

Some parties simply do not mix well. She rather thinks that Nikola and Henry get along far better than her protege and her oldest remaining friend. Ah, well. There are bound to be differences and clashes of personality in a work as long and old such as theirs.

"And do you have a very stunning and self-inspired name for this?"

[vampiris_tesla]

"Nobody would see it coming," he replied, with a smile.

"And no, nothing of the sort. Something...innocuous. Dull. That nobody will even think twice about."

He paused, looking over at her.

"I know I haven't always proven...reliable. But I will, I promise you."

[notanemptymotto]

Helen gave a small laugh and a nod, glancing down. It would certainly be something to see. There was a humorous shake of her head before she turned her attention briefly back to her drink.

"I rather doubt you could stand for a dull name. Perhaps something that is an anagram? A test, just to see who might catch onto you?" She looked back up at him and raised her drink as if to make her point. "Well, I was rather unlike myself the last year or so. Then again, living a hundred years over once more does cause one to have a different perspective."

[vampiris_tesla]

"Oh, tests, absolutely, top to bottom - but...no. It can't be like how I've operated in the past. It has to be something new."

His hand went in his jacket pocket, turning the tea in the other.

"I couldn't have done what you did. Too many temptations to make too many changes. Imagine how much less hassle Edison could have given us, for a start."