OFA: sticking it out

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Nikola has not left the Sanctuary. Nor does he intend to.

As far as he's concerned, Helen had a fit of temper, causing her to react rashly and foolishly, and when she's had a chance to calm down, she'll either forget all about it or apologize, and they can get on with things.

Really, he's being generous in his assumptions because he thinks her concern for Ashley will finally result in her acting in (what he assumes) is Ashley's best interest.

And if not...

Well, for the moment, he's holed up in his lab, and he's jury-rigged a pretty impressive lock/barricade to keep people out. He'd really like to see Henry try to get through it. (Or John. He'd really like to see John try.) He can stay for quite some time without needing to leave for supplies, and if anyone really needs him, there are certainly ways to communicate that don't require face-to-face interaction.

So he waits.

Comments

[doctor-weevil.livejournal.com]

Ah, but apologising to Tesla is step one of resolving Owen's latest crisis.

He doesn't know about anything that may have occurred between Nikola and Magnus. As it is, seems like Tesla is just being bloody-minded. He's certainly not going to give in and text him when he can shout through the door.

"Can you tell him that - I'm sorry if I offended him in any way. The zombie takes it all back and he knows he's been an idiot."

He peers hopefully through the keyhole. "And he'll do whatever Tesla wants if they can work together again..."

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Nikola hesitates before responding. He's not sure he wants to let Owen off so easily.

"He'll get back to you on that."

[doctor-weevil.livejournal.com]

Owen isn't really expecting to be let off that easily. As long as it doesn't involve hurting Will or anyone else, he is prepared to do anything Tesla deems necessary to becoming alive again.

"All right, whoever's in there." He sighs, going along with it. "Can you also tell him that the zombie knows Tesla thinks he's a piece of worthless crap, and fair enough - maybe he is. But he's stuck here anyway, and this could be - well, his life Tesla's holding in his hands."

He knocks softly on the door again. "An answer sooner rather than later would be good."

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As it happens, Nikola doesn't much care about Owen's life. He's that sort of bastard.

(He doesn't, however, think Owen is a piece of worthless crap, nor does he want Owen to think so. That was kind of the point of their argument.)

"He'll get back to you when he gets back to you," he says. He's got a small crisis of his own to deal with first.

[doctor-weevil.livejournal.com]

Owen did kind of take the argument the wrong way. He figures that if Tesla thinks being human is not the best thing to be, then he supposes Tesla also thinks he's wrong and therefore worthless for disagreeing. He also thinks Tesla has given up on the project, not even finding the science interesting enough to go on.

He's recently been told, extremely firmly, that he is a selfish coward. And his self-destructive streak seized on it and 'piece of worthless crap' really came from within himself.

But the piece of worthless crap was also told that by hurting himself, he hurts the people he cares about. So he's here. Giving himself another chance. Wishing more by the moment that he hadn't bothered.

"Why've you locked yourself in, anyway?" he asks unhappily, sitting down outside the door and resting his head on his knees. He's got to keep trying. Life; being human again will be worth it. It will.

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Nikola is fascinated by the science. He was never going to give up on the project entirely.

"A man can't want a little alone time?"

[doctor-weevil.livejournal.com]

"Why? Tesla, you haven't locked yourself in just in case I came skulking back to apologise, have you?"

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"No, I needed a good wank," Nikola answers dryly. "You've kind of ruined it, though."

[doctor-weevil.livejournal.com]

"I used to be very good at wanking," Owen says quietly and truthfully, and he leaves that open. He wasn't kidding about whatever Tesla wants. Just gotta keep trying.

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"Moving into necrophilia again," Nikola points out.

[doctor-weevil.livejournal.com]

"There doesn't have to be any erotic attraction between vampire and corpse," Owen points out numbly. "Not just for a good wank."

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"I find it difficult to perform while thinking of corpses."

[doctor-weevil.livejournal.com]

"So don't think of corpses. Let me in, Tesla. Think of me as you would any other abnormal. Not less than anything. Just different."

He's really looking forward to the day when he'll believe that, hoping he just sounds convincing enough now.

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Nikola laughs. "Not a chance, Dr. Death. That door stays closed."

[doctor-weevil.livejournal.com]

"I thought this project fascinated you. Tesla. Thought you might actually take an interest in someone but your own- "

He stops and forces himself to calm down.

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"Take a number," Nikola says. "You're hardly the only project on my docket."

[doctor-weevil.livejournal.com]

"What? I thought you'd given up on me, Tesla!"

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"Did I say that?"

[doctor-weevil.livejournal.com]

"The whole 'find someone else to keep you moving, zombie-boy' thing might have insinuated it a bit."

Well, this changes things. Owen had thought that Tesla thought he isn't even a bizarre specimen anymore. If he is still interested in the science, he only has to convince Tesla to actually apply it to him.

No worries, then...

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"So, no," Nikola points out. "I didn't say that."

[doctor-weevil.livejournal.com]

"So you're still working on the energy readings, but I haven't grovelled enough to actually get a look at them, is that what you're saying?"

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"I'm saying nothing whatsoever on the subject."

[doctor-weevil.livejournal.com]

"Why not?" Owen runs a hand over his eyes and makes a terrible face, glad that Nikola can't see him right now. "I've apologised, haven't I? I'm here, Tesla. Begging you for help through a locked door. Grovelling back to you."

He slams his fist into the carpet. "What else can I do?"

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"It doesn't matter what you do," Nikola snaps. "You're not getting in here, and I'm not helping you today. Deal with it."

[doctor-weevil.livejournal.com]

Not today. Owen pounces on that like a dog with a bone.

He sighs and gets up, leaning on Tesla's door and speaking more softly. "Okay. I get it. I'm going. You've still got my jacket. Tesla, can I have it back before I leave you alone... please?"