March 18th, 1888 - Padmore Park, Celtic Street Fair, prior to 'One of These Days'

This off season was much different than the ones that had come before it. Rufus was not willing to admit that it was because of a particular young lady of his acquaintance, a pen pal of sorts, but he had to admit that Miss T. had given him several more interesting subjects of discuss than simply running family errands for a family he no longer resided with. He would also be remiss if he didn't admit to himself that his very interest in the Celtic Fair was to speak with the mysterious Miss T. He had very much enjoyed their stroll the other week and, in fact, he had very much enjoyed even their happenstance meetings in the various stores of High Street. She was unlike many other young women he knew, she was not only easy to speak with, but she seemed so genuine that Rufus rather looked forward to their meetings - if only to continue their previous conversations. Not that the Celtic fair was necessarily a good place for simply having a discussion. But he did at least hope to see her during the course of the day.

Rufus walked the paths of Padmore Park eyeing the goods of the various vendors for something Sloane might like. There was a place selling ale not far off and he thought he might stop there as the day wore on. Another vendor sold statues of saints which Rufus was just about to look more closely at when he spotted her.

Miss T looked as bright and cheerful as she had the last time he had seen her in this park. A grin spread over his features as she caught sight of him. Without another thought for the vendor next to him Rufus started forward into the crowd, doffing his hat in greeting with a half bow as he reached her. "Miss T.! What a pleasant surprise to see you."

@'Fortuna Lockhart'

  

Fortuna had, quite honestly, decided to go to the Celtic Fair simply for the chance of running into Mr. Bixby. She quite enjoyed his company so it didn't feel quite as desperate as it sounded in her mind and she sincerely hoped he wouldn't think of her in such a way either. She didn't think he would, he certainly didn't seem the type to be so judgmental. He'd probably even be one of the types to understand why she didn't boast who her brother was, at least not to gentleman she found she quite fancied. Though, was she really worried about that or more about Magnus finding out and scaring Mr. Bixby away. She wasn't fully sure why she kept her identity a secret anymore.

There was little chance to think more on it though as she spotted the very man she'd hoped to run into. Her usual maid was with her but dutifully got "sidetracked" with a nearby stand once he had approached Tuni and greeted her. "Hello, Mr. Bixby!" she said pleasantly to him, wearing her usual smile when around him, "I'd quite hoped to see you here. I even brought my book on Greek mythology in case you were ready for it." That seemed a bit mundane but it was to be used as the perfect excuse should anyone question why she was meeting up with someone.

  

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Another Glorious MJ Set!

By the time Rufus had reached Miss T the young lady's maid had Slipped Away. Rufus’s grin had only grown larger as he approached her, not that he noticed. He chuckled at her words, the warm rumbling of surprise. “I am honored.” He told her as he placed the hat back on his head. “I don't suppose you'd care to stroll we me through the fair?” Rufus asked, adding a moment later, “I may need a favor though, as I'm looking for a gift for my sister again. ” Sloane would be home for Easter and he was sure she'd be disappointed at having missed this so it was the very least he could do. Besides, returning favors seemed to be a thing with him and the pretty Miss T.

  

There was no helping the widening of her grin when Mr. Bixby greeted her and even chuckled. The butterflies Tuni felt within her at said chuckle, however, was worth noting mentally. She really did enjoy spending time with him and conversing but she had been trying to remain wary, if not optimistic, on feelings she felt for him as a whole. After all, any time she'd felt she quite like a gentleman before he seemed to vanish from her life.

"A stroll sounds quite lovely," she said with a nod as she handed him the book she was carrying though ended up laughing herself as he mentioned a favor, "I'm always willing to lend a favor to you, Mr. Bixby. I'm sure we'll be able to find something here for your sister." She fell in stride with him then, noting that her maid did end up following as she certainly needed to but made a point not to get too close.

  

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Another Glorious MJ Set!

“Thank you.” Rufus smiled at the book she handed him. He wasn’t huge on books, or even history for that matter, but Miss T’s excitement on the subject had, let’s say, inspired him to attempt such subjects for her sake. “I shall look forward to reading it.” He told her genuinely.

They made their way into the crowd, the maid keeping a few steps behind them, out of earshot Rufus supposed. “Well we shall have to keep our eyes peeled then, for I’ve had no luck thus far.” He responded conversationally, enjoying the smile that lingered on her lips and the happy lilt of her tone.

  

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BEE-utiful set!

Tuni furrowed a brow slightly as she tried to think of what they could possibly get for his little sister this time. She blushed slightly at the private thought though, referencing herself as part of the gift giving. She only helped him after all. It wasn't as if she was actually a part of the giving of the gift. She shook herself mentally, trying not to get too lost in such thoughts.

It was then she noticed a small stand with what looked to be different sorts of jewelry. From his previous description of his sister, she didn't figure she'd be the type to wear much jewelry but perhaps there would be pendants. "Did you look there?" she asked as she pointed to the stall she had noticed, "The Irish believe four leaf clovers to bring luck. Perhaps a pendant of one for her to pin to her Quidditch robes for games?"

  

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Another Glorious MJ Set!

The stall that Miss T pointed out was not one he had noticed previously, or rather had previously skimmed over with no one in mind to purchase jewelry for. His brothers certainly weren’t interested in such things and he left his father to find such trinkets for his mother, which left his sister - naturally - who tended not to care for such things. But Miss T’s reasoning convinced him it was at least worth a look, whereas previously he had simply ruled it out on principle. “I hadn’t thought of that. I think she’d rather enjoy such a trinket.” Rufus admitted, leading them toward the stall. “Do you see one that might work?” He asked as they began to look over the wares.

  

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BEE-utiful set!

Beaming that he'd appreciated her suggestion, Tuni followed along by his side easily enough. She was actually quite surprised at the different bits of jewelry and trinkets spread out on the table before them. Her eyes scanned over the different items until they fell on a plate of nothing but pins. There were quite a variety of different things there but there was a small and dainty four leaf clover that caught her eye quickly enough. "What about this one?" she asked as she plucked it up and placed it in the palm of her hand for him to see, "It's small enough so as to not weigh anything down and it shouldn't get in her way." And really, it was all about the thought behind it, wasn't it?

  

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Another Glorious MJ Set!

A thoughtful frown pursued Rufus's lips as he took in the inventory of the stand. No, no, no, he ruled out pieces respectively as his eyes glanced over them. Nothing really seemed like Sloane he had to admit. Ruling out the possibilities before him Rufus instead watched Miss T browse, she was quiet for a moment before plucked up a pin in her small dainty hand.

Rufus leaned over the small silver pin in Miss T's palm and nodded. "I defer my judgement to this to those who are younger sisters themselves." Rufus smiled kindly at Miss T. "But to my unknowing eye, I'd agree that I think it is quite splendid." He accepted the pin from her and handed it to the stall keeper for purchase. He almost wished he could purchase something for the kind Miss T, but that was much too forward and he didn't wish to imply anything other than their easy friendship or put her in an awkward spot. His mind easily dismissed the idea of that merely of a friend wishing that another friend might not long for what another might have - nothing more than that.

With the gift purchased Rufus turned to the young lady with a successful grin on his lips. "Now, what favor my I help you with?" Rufus asked.

  

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BEE-utiful set!

Tuni continued to beam up at him as he took the pin into his own hand and examined it then proceeded to pay for it. There were times she'd wished for a little sister, or maybe even an older sister, so that she could buy pretty things for them. She hadn't ended up with either though Rue turned out to be a good sister of sorts after marrying Magnus. Then along came little Margery. The little girl was a doll and Tuni always made a point to spoil her whenever she could. Calvin got spoiled, too, but little girls were much more fun to shop for and she quite enjoyed it.

She tapped her cheek and thought silently for a moment when he asked her what her favor would be. She really couldn't think of anything off the top of her head so gave him a small shrug instead. "Nothing I can think of at the moment," she said with a smile as she looked up to him, "Perhaps I can save it for another time?"

  

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Another Glorious MJ Set!

Her smile was very pretty, Rufus had to admit as she cast it at him. “Of course.” It was easy to agree to such a plan for it ensured that Rufus would see the young lady again. Was it selfish of him to enjoy their time together as much as they did. “You may call it in whenever you are in need.” He added with his own answering smile.

“As there is no favor I can help you with at the moment, perhaps I can take you to see something of this festival that interests you?” He added, pointing back at the crowd that strolled the park’s paths.

  

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BEE-utiful set!

Tuni nodded, she'd certainly do that. She couldn't let their little favor game go without calling one in for herself, it was only fair after all. Besides, if it allowed for her to spend more time with Mr. Bixby or to speak with him more, she couldn't really resist. "I will most certainly do that," she answered politely and was just about to suggest simply strolling through the park to see what else there was when her maid cleared her throat. She'd forgotten about a dinner her father had insisted on her going to so she'd need to head home to get ready.

"And as much as I'd love to just simply stroll with you and see what they have, I must away home to get read for a prior obligation," she said a bit sadly. She would much rather remain at the park but she knew her father would be quite unhappy if she did, "Hopefully another time. Thank you for the fun we did manage, Mr. Bixby and I hope you enjoy the book!" She flashed him one final smile then before turning to leave with her maid.

  

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Another Glorious MJ Set!