Rufus and Prudence: Even the Longest Journey Begins

Rufus awoke the next day crumpled and folded into a chair at an awkward angle - though he had woken up in worse positions in the past and all things considered, he was relieved to be waking up with the ability to move his neck. (Unknowingly thanks to Prudence.)

He sat up and stretched out, his joints making various popping noises as he did until he was satisfied he was all stretched out now. He rested with his elbows folded under his chin on the table in front of him, still trying to fight through the morning haze in his mind before his eyes caught something glinting and he blinked to focus on it.

A lantern. Prudence's lantern. That was...

His eyes widened as he slowly remembered all his/their shenanigans the night before and slowly raised upright in the chair he was sitting in. Every pore of his body filled with dread until he was grasping at the roots of his literal-wheat blonde hair and looking around frantically.

No sign of Prudence. Is that good or bad? What are the signs again and how are you supposed to read them?? He kicked himself under the table and cursed, trying to get up but performing all of this too quickly so he just ended up tangling his ankles together and falling forward. He caught his chin on the edge of the table with a loud SMACK before tumbling the rest of the way to the floor and out of the chair, which he sent falling backwards.

Hurriedly, he stood back up and rubbed his wounded chin (which now had a definite bruise forming) while righting the chair.

Well, at least he'd got up, as intended. That's all that mattered.

Except not really.



He attempted to rationalize with himself this was extremely unorthodox behaviour but regardless, he was essentially running down the hallway screaming at frequencies only dogs could hear (sorry Bridget Zimmerman and Redmond Montague) and going through all the ways in his head his behaviour the previous night was totally out of hand and more than likely unappreciated.

He realized in reality he had no idea where Prudence would be or even where he should start looking.

What if he'd made her quit? What if she was in the middle of filing a sexual harassment case against him?

What if she was talking to Cain right now?

Without stopping to give it a second thought, Rufus swung around to head in the direction of the stairs and took them four steps at a time. He may or may not have also tripped at one or several points during this journey because he really should've just stuck with taking the stairs three steps at a time at most, but he was in a hurry. Get off his back.

Somehow, just barely, he managed to contain himself enough to walk up to Cain's door like a normal human being and knocked three times, then shoved his hands in his sleeves and balled up his fists in the excess fabric so hard he thought if he wasn't wearing gloves he might draw blood with his nails.

'What if I chased Prudence out of my life.'

It wasn't a question. It was just a thought. A dreadful, terrifying thought.

At this time, Cain was enjoying his morning hot chocolate with the Noel Gazette as he did every morning in his office, and Ashley was, for some inexplicable reason, sitting on his desk instead of being in her own office (which she did have, he reminded her almost everyday to only see her shrug and mention there wasn't a desk in there anymore).



In the middle of nowhere, though, he felt like he was slapped in the face with a wave of what can only be described as sheer, unadulterated terror.



He tensed up and even wrinkled his newspaper a bit. In fact, it took everything he had in him not to spit his cocoa out on his desk and potentially on Ashley, but after a moment of regaining his composure, he swallowed hard and leaned back in his chair, waiting for the knock on his door.





The cloud of terror only became more aggressive as he waited, so much so, that it made even Cain (who had spent years perfecting being an empath without the negative effects) cringe. Ashley never even opened her mouth at first, knowing it was probably some crazy hormonal teenager coming down the hallway, but when he actually began to cringe, she raised an eyebrow at him.





Cain ignored her for only a few seconds before there were three hard knocks on his door.

Getting up so quickly that his chair spun behind him, Cain left his cocoa on his desk, grabbed his cane and went to the door to open it. He was a bit surprised at who was there, in all honesty. Trying hard to keep his composure, he (completely innocently) greeted his guest.

"Ah, good morning, Mr. Cornelius! Slept somewhere in the school, I suppose?" He looked around before closing the door between him and Ashley to step out and talk to Rufus. As he continued he had been busying himself with conjuring up two very comfortable chairs and moving the tables in the classroom to accommodate for them. He gently pushed Rufus into the chair before sitting down in his own. "What seems to be the matter, hm? What are we so frightened of?" he asked, dropping his voice a bit (much to the remorse of his assistant who had likely been trying to listen in on their conversation).

Rufus didn't put up much as a fight as he was escorted into the chair. He all but flopped into it and sat back with his arms still up his own sleeves, head bowed and wheat-hair a mess.

He bit his lip, debating if he should even say anything. He'd gotten a quick look inside Cain's office - and the only other occupant had been Ashley. No sign of Prudence.

But based on the slight glint in Cain's eyes, it wouldn't be so easy to claim he'd just been looking for someone and slip away. It also now occurred to him his friend was an empath, and Rufus probably just hit him with so much second hand emotion he was surprised the Christmas teacher was still standing.

"Ah, my apologies!" Rufus said suddenly, shaking Cain's hand as he did. "I forget my place. I'm sure that must've been unpleasant." He had no idea if he was sending out any kind of better emotional vibes now. He certainly didn't feel like it. He quickly put his hands back in his sleeves.

"I was looking for Prudence..." He trailed off, his face growing hot. "Have you seen her recently? Did she have anything... drastic she needed to speak to you about?"

In spite of the (still dreadful, really) emotions hanging in the air, Cain couldn't help but allow the corners of his mouth trail up a bit, defining the wrinkles near his nose and revealing the crows' feet near his eyes. He could tell it was was no coincidence that a bright blush began spreading across Mr. Cornelius's at the time he asked about the school's counselor. This was backed up by the fact that Cain had remembered thinking Miss White was leaving a trail of oddly enamored emotion earlier that morning for someone who wasn't seeing anybody. He chose his words carefully.

"Though I can't imagine why on earth you should be so terrified by whether or not Miss White was in my office this morning, I can confirm to you that she was only here for a moment to drop off some very routine papers, absolutely brimming with good emotion," he reported, sounding quite a bit more at ease than he did moments ago.

After making a few movements with his hands, the door of his office opened (Ashley was very near it, but pretending like she hadn't been there on purpose) and two mugs of hot cocoa and two small plates floated toward them. Cain grabbed the blue mug out of the air as one of the plates bobbed its way down to the arm of his chair and a golden mug hovered in front of Rufus, smelling of his favorite blend of hot chocolate (it looked very thick and had a hint of something spicy in it). The other plate (filled with small pastries and mini crepes topped with whipped cream and shaved chocolate) echoed Cain's, and began floating down to the arm of Rufus's chair. With another flick of his finger, the door closed, much to his assistant's dismay, and Cain began to stir his cocoa with a peppermint stir stick. He then snagged a bright red sugar cookie from his plate. Cain much enjoyed using his magic, but often didn't flaunt it in front of students. Considering how often it was he had a student in his office as opposed to an adult, he rarely allowed himself to use his magic freely and without remorse.

Shortly after taking a sip from his large mug, Cain asked, "Why do you ask, my friend? Did something happen that she would be concerned about?" The man knew very well that his friend likely wouldn't open up much, but Cain still felt the need to ask.

As Cain began to explain, Rufus relaxed slightly. He watched Cain display more magical abilities than Rufus had actually realized he had - seriously, practically self-delivering food? Who knew? - before he gratefully took the gold mug that floated in front of him.

'Gold, of course it is.' He grinned as he recognized the way he liked his hot cocoa was even in the mug. He peeked at the plate that had landed on the arm of his chair and was unsurprised, but delighted, to see it was covered in his favourite pastries. How did Cain even know all this? Maybe it was best not to ask.

Bidding for time at Cain's question, he nibbled on one of the crepes on his plate and couldn't help but let a bit more anxiety seep out again.

"P... Possibly." He said, his mouth feeling dry. He took a drink of hot cocoa before he continued. "I'm not entirely sure... I just need to see her." He gave a look to Cain he hoped accurately conveyed what he was feeling.

Chewing on a cookie thoughtfully, he thought about the look Rufus was giving him. Sometimes you had to be good with these things, he knew that, but sometimes it took a masterful approach, much like observing art, or better yet, like cooking and appreciating cooking, he supposed. One had to learn how to detect every simple spice involved. He didn't have to make these cookies to know they involved flour, sugar, egg, baking powder, cream of tartar and just a pinch of salt and a dash of vanilla. He was familiar with how each of those taste in a cookie or a cake. He knew each flavor, no matter how small, by smell, taste and name. After a while in the kitchen, a person learned to pick up these things. Rufus's look was much like that. After Cain closed his eyes and concentrated, he could sense regret, uneasiness, fear, anxiousness and frustration. That part was easy enough. But, just as there was a dash of vanilla, there was a dash of melancholy.

And just as there was a pinch of salt, there was undeniably a pinch of being hopelessly and completely enamored with someone.

Cain smiled before opening his eyes, and looked at Rufus thoughtfully. At times like this, Cain knew when to keep information for himself and when to share it. This time, he knew, he'd be stepping on toes if he was too charitable with his information. He chuckled.

"Don't worry about her," he said knowingly. "You don't need to be. Enjoy your cocoa and maybe a pastry and feel free to seek her out, but you can take time to fix your hair before you investigate your suspicions that she may be wary." Cain pulled his mug up to his mouth to sip from it, winking at Rufus while he did.



By Rudolph's nose, he even impressed himself sometimes.

With a woosh, Rufus felt the tension ease out of his shoulders almost completely at Cain's reassurances. Though he hadn't said anything for certain, Rufus perhaps put a little too much faith than was actually necessary into Cain's words. But the man had never steered him wrong thus far, and he seriously doubted he would do such a thing to him now.

He looked down into his own mug and smiled sheepishly before taking his time to finish it off. He spent a few moments chatting with Cain about this and that (and congratulating him, again, on his engagement), nibbling on the snacks provided before he decided he better switch gears again and stop dragging his feet just because he was no longer completely filled with dread.

He pocketed the remaining snacks that he could and thanked Cain very much for his advice, shaking the other man's hand and then bowing with a flourish before he left.

Ahh, but now what?



He walked down the hallways absent-mindedly, fixing his hair as he went and nibbling on the remainder of a cookie.

If she wasn't in the library and she wasn't speaking to Cain, where could she be? His next thought was the cafeteria, but at this time? The students might still be in there eating breakfest... He shrugged, and decided he might as well head in that direction for lack of any other ideas.

He tucked his arms into his sleeves again, his head full of thoughts of a certain ghost.



What if Cain was just very convincing in his beliefs that nothing was wrong? What if in fact something WAS wrong?

He mentally slapped himself.

'Stop it. You're a grown man.'

Having just caught sight of Rufus, Prudence was bobbing her way through walls and around people (apologizing quietly if she startled any of them) after him. She had been internally debating with herself how she should greet him. It was childish, it was silly, it was... everything she couldn't remember letting herself be unless she was with him.



He was heading toward the cafeteria (albeit, slower than she due to the fact she didn't have to navigate around walls). When he got there it would be nearly too late for anything too silly. She had to think fast. She allowed herself a moment to pace back and forth.



After deciding on something sickeningly cute and forward, she set off to put her plan into action, keeping an eye on the golden wheat hair as she did. Finding a perfect spot to sneak up behind him, she peeked out to make sure the coast was clear,



and began to follow him in the middle of the hallway.



For a moment, she could have sworn he seemed upset with himself, but she supposed she could try and change that right now! Creeping behind him carefully, she waited for a moment and dashed out in front of her (making certain she was tangible at this point) and wrapped her arms around his torso.



"Good morning, Rufus dear! I do hope you weren't too sore from sleeping in that chair all night?" she said brightly before squeezing him a little harder. "I was quite worried you'd regret our night, but we couldn't have that! I had a wonderful time," she chattered excitedly. After a moment, she inwardly slapped herself.

Prudence, she snapped at herself sternly. Stop it. You are a grown woman.

Startled, Rufus froze as arms wrapped around his torso and he felt a weight against his back. The sound of Prudence's voice immediately put him at ease... then made his back go tense again, but for entirely different reasons.



"And a good morning to you, dearest Prudence!" He laughed slightly, twisting in her grasp so he could face her. "And n-no," He cursed the falter in his voice, his face growing hot all over again. "I am neither sore, nor did I awake to have any regrets. I quite... fancied your company the previous night, as well."



'No no no, that doesn't sound right at all! That sounds like something you'd say to Cain! Not Prudence!'

Deciding to try that again, he lifted his arms and cupped either side of her face, before leaning down to plant a sweet kiss against her forehead. He thought he might have heard her squeak in delight, which was the reaction he was going for.



"Spending the evening with you was utterly enchanting, and I would be honoured to share your company in such a way again sometime. Should you be willing to do so with me."

After inwardly slapping herself for, in fact, squeaking in delight like a schoolgirl, she raised her hand and set it on his arm. As she did so, she looked up at him squarely in the eyes for a moment before shooting him a pout.

"Is that all?" she said playfully before closing her eyes and puckering her lips, blush deepening and filling almost her entire face at this point. Prudence prayed he would respond positively-- it wasn't often she allowed herself such childish behavior.

Rufus got very close, but instead of kissing her, he swallowed his frazzled nerves and decided he needed to say this now before his insecurities got the better of him.

"I would kiss you, but I feel I should clarify something." He teased, watching her eyelids flutter open in surprise.



"I am not one to kiss without some kind of attachment. So, if you want me to kiss you again," He used one of his thumbs, his hands still on her cheeks, to trace the outline of her lips.



"You have to be aware that it's more than just a kiss, to me."

Prudence was flustered at first. She wasn't quite sure what she had expected from a proper gentleman like Rufus, but she supposed she had assumed it would be more.... difficult? To earn such affection. And then this! Asking her if she'd be willing to allow him to begin courting her...

You must keep yourself reserved, Prudence, she told herself. You mustn't mess this up. You must keep your dignity and keep him interested.

Slowly, everything around them seemed to fade away as she raised her other arm and placed it on his chest.



After allowing herself to linger for just a moment, she raised her hand from his chest to his forehead to trace the scars on his eyebrow. After doing so, she fiddled with his scratchy, wheat hair for a moment.



She could have sworn she heard him suck in a breath. Prudence was, of course, hoping this was the case, because what she was about to do was quite daring, if she did say so herself.

In one swift movement, she placed her hand on his right shoulder before lifting herself up to his left ear. It was here that she giggled very briefly and very quietly before bringing her right hand up to his jawline on the opposite side of his face.

After just a moment, she whispered, "If you may be so bold."