The Muse Manor

Without James to tell her she had turned into a lonely, bitter old woman, that was exactly what Helen continued to be. Adopting Rydia had been the best thing for her, but she was cut off from adult company, from those who understood how difficult it was to live as long as she had and experience the losses she had. Helen Magnus didn't get attached very often anymore, but when she did, she attached hard, in spite of her best efforts to the contrary.

Rydia and Dante were prime examples of this.

She wasn't even certain what was going on with the latter, only that she actually enjoyed his company and wanted to keep an eye on him. While they hadn't exactly seen perfectly eye-to-eye in the past, Helen was confident that they'd weathered the worst storms. For now, at least. Though with how closely he resembled Nikola Tesla, she doubted their current calm would last much longer. Still, she had wanted to extend the peace offering, make certain he understood that she was willing to overlook the past. As long as he didn't make the past into the future.

So, she'd invited him to tea in her office. He had access to the Sanctuary - oddly enough, she'd entrusted him with a passcode to the gates and front door early on - and so she was waiting in her office to see if he would take her up on her offer.