Hide and Seek - Printable Version
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Hide and Seek - Rufus Bixby - June 21, 2018
June 16th, 1888 - The Leaky Cauldron & Bixby's Temporary Lodgings in London
@"fortuna lockhart"
Where are we? What the hell is going on?
The dust has only just begun to fall,
Crop circles in the carpet, sinking, feeling.
Spin me 'round again and rub my eyes.
This can't be happening.
When busy streets amass with people
Would stop to hold their heads heavy.
- Imogen Heap
The dust has only just begun to fall,
Crop circles in the carpet, sinking, feeling.
Spin me 'round again and rub my eyes.
This can't be happening.
When busy streets amass with people
Would stop to hold their heads heavy.
- Imogen Heap
When Rufus had received Fortuna's letter he'd felt the worry sink in at that very first line. Then he'd noticed the state of the letter. The contents of the letter hadn't done much to quell his worries either nor the fact that she had neglected to mention just where on the streets of London she was. He'd been a nervous wreck waiting for her letter back. The moment the owl had arrived Rufus had grabbed his overcoat and headed to the fireplace. He didn't think the Leaky Cauldron was terribly far from their lodgings but he didn't want to risk it. Grabbing a handful of floo powder he tossed it into the flames waiting for the emerald flames to lick the fireplace before stepping inside. "The Leaky Cauldron." He directed and was sent swirling to his destination.
The moment he stepped foot into the bar his eyes began searching for Fortuna. The evening had the pub rather full and it took Rufus a moment to locate her and her maid in a corner. Moving purposefully toward them he only stopped when he could fully take in Fortuna, make sure she really was alright. "For- Miss Lockhart!" He remembered himself just in time, refraining from taking her hand in public. "Are you alright?" He asked more gently, looking down at her with concern clearly written across his face.
RE: Hide and Seek - Fortuna Bixby - June 21, 2018
This whole thing was just awful. Tuni prided herself on being a rather intelligent and capable young woman but..well one never really expected to get stuck in London without any friends or family to call on. At least, none that she was aware of. Of course, she knew Rufus was there but could she really go and stay with him? She wanted to, that was for sure but it wasn't exactly the thing to do.
Regardless, she was stuck at the Leaky Cauldron until she had an owl back from her father. Surely he'd get a room set up for her somewhere, maybe even there at the Cauldron, but until then there was little she could do. And she'd already cried for Merlin's sake. Her poor maid was awfully distraught herself, unsure of how to help or what to do. Her presence was at least a comfort of sorts, having a recognized face around her.
All of that changed when she looked up and saw Rufus coming her way. She felt her eyes well with tears once more, though hopefully they'd be ones not shed. And while he had the sense to refrain from saying her name or reaching out for her, she did not. She was on her feet and out of her chair almost instantly and pressing her face against his chest, her fists balling up into his shirt as she those tears she'd hoped wouldn't fall did. "I'm such an idiot," she mumbled into his shirt. At least she wasn't fully sobbing and they were just silent tears.
Regardless, she was stuck at the Leaky Cauldron until she had an owl back from her father. Surely he'd get a room set up for her somewhere, maybe even there at the Cauldron, but until then there was little she could do. And she'd already cried for Merlin's sake. Her poor maid was awfully distraught herself, unsure of how to help or what to do. Her presence was at least a comfort of sorts, having a recognized face around her.
All of that changed when she looked up and saw Rufus coming her way. She felt her eyes well with tears once more, though hopefully they'd be ones not shed. And while he had the sense to refrain from saying her name or reaching out for her, she did not. She was on her feet and out of her chair almost instantly and pressing her face against his chest, her fists balling up into his shirt as she those tears she'd hoped wouldn't fall did. "I'm such an idiot," she mumbled into his shirt. At least she wasn't fully sobbing and they were just silent tears.
RE: Hide and Seek - Rufus Bixby - June 21, 2018
One look at Fortuna and he knew she wasn’t alright. Tears threatened to fall and no where did he see the brave young woman he’d often encountered these last few months. Not that he could blame her in this situation, he supposed even the strongest would be distressed in such a situation, especially with things as they were in Hogsmeade at the moment. Any annoyance at the situation that he might have been holding melted away as she threw herself into his arms. Ignoring the patrons and even Fortuna’s maid, Rufus wrapped his arms around her. “It’s okay. I’m here. It’s okay.” He murmured gently into her ear so only she could hear. “You’re not an idiot, it could have happened to anyone.” He assured her at her concerns, looking down to see the tears streaming down her face.
This was not going to look good. Rufus knew it, and as before, he felt a strong desire to protect Fortuna from the eyes and weight of the world. A glance around them showed him that they had captured the attention of several of the tables around them and Fortuna’s maid was staring at the couple with wide eyes. Luckily, beyond her maid Rufus recognized none of them and hoped that none of them recognized Fortuna. It was a foolish idea, but it may just be one that kept a bad situation from getting worse. “Play along.” Rufus murmured into Fortuna’s ear. Grateful for the dim light in their corner he internally focused his attention on changing his features slightly, his hair darkening to black, his nose widening, his eyes changing and his jaw lengthening ever so slightly, so he was less likely to be recognized. Hopefully no one had gotten a good look at him when he had come to Fortuna’s rescue.
“Let’s get you home, my dear.” Rufus said clearly so the room could hear. Then he looked at Fortuna’s maid, hoping that she’d play along. Surely she’d understand this was the best course of action for her mistress. “Come along, my wife has clearly had too much excitement for one day. We best get you both back home.” Rufus tried to make it sound as if these words were not out of the blue, as if he really were a stern husband concerned for his wife’s well being, at least enough that the maid might have the sense to play along.
RE: Hide and Seek - Fortuna Bixby - June 21, 2018
The tears continued to stream down Tuni's face. Maybe even more so at his kind words. She didn't want to let go of him though even if sense was starting to speak in her mind and tell her that she needed to. But then something changed. Him telling her to play along was confusing so as she pulled back and wiped at her wet eyes, her eyes widened when she saw that the man holding her was most certainly not Rufus. The changes were subtle but if she hadn't known better, he wasn't the man she'd fallen in love with. But when he spoke, it was still him.
She simply nodded in response, not quite trusting her voice to betray the confusion she felt. Luckily, her maid seemed to have picked up on everything and followed quickly. The meek woman was quick to agree with him and started leading the way out for them. Tuni felt her hands fall slightly so that she could loop one through his arm so that he could easily lead them out of the pub though her cheeks flushed some when he referred to her as his wife. She quite liked the sound of it even if he didn't look like the Rufus that she knew and loved.
Once outside, however, she turned a quizzical look up to him. "You never told me you were a metamorphmagus," she said quietly enough so only he'd be able to hear her.
She simply nodded in response, not quite trusting her voice to betray the confusion she felt. Luckily, her maid seemed to have picked up on everything and followed quickly. The meek woman was quick to agree with him and started leading the way out for them. Tuni felt her hands fall slightly so that she could loop one through his arm so that he could easily lead them out of the pub though her cheeks flushed some when he referred to her as his wife. She quite liked the sound of it even if he didn't look like the Rufus that she knew and loved.
Once outside, however, she turned a quizzical look up to him. "You never told me you were a metamorphmagus," she said quietly enough so only he'd be able to hear her.
RE: Hide and Seek - Rufus Bixby - June 21, 2018
Thankfully the maid didn't object and instead lead the pair out of the pub. The customers resuming their own conversations when it seemed a mundane matter of matrimonial bliss instead of a scandal.
Outside the cool London evening air greeted them and Rufus was careful to keep Fortuna tucked tight against him. He headed in the direction of the boarding house, not the best plan, but at least one of Pettigrew's employees staying there had to be a female, right? It was the best plan he could think of, perhaps Tommy might have a better suggestion.
"It never came up." Rufus shrugged. Besides it was common enough knowledge to fans that he hardly thought of it anymore. Unless the fans were under the impression he'd learned to dye his hair blue before every game. One never did know what they were thinking.
"Are you alright?" Rufus repeated again concern written on his unfamiliar features. He knew she wasn't but it didn't stop him from asking as again. Perhaps it was too soon but he added, "What exactly happened?"
RE: Hide and Seek - Fortuna Bixby - June 22, 2018
Tuni was having a hard time looking at him with his changed features. It wasn't that he was unattractive or anything. He just..wasn't the same. He wasn't her Rufus. And that thought brought a blush to her cheeks. When had she started thinking of him as hers?
Luckily, he was taking again so it brought her from those questions. She responded with a shrug initially. He had a point. It wasn't as if it was an awful secret or anything but it was an interesting one at least.
"Much better now," she answered him honestly but had to pause and think what had happened. It wasn't as if it had been planned but she'd apparently had awful timing. "Well my father decided it would be ok for me to go to the museum and speak to them about what a curator position might entail," she started to say as they continued walking along. Her maid had taken to falling behind them and the two women simply followed where he was leading them.
"We decided I should be fine to come over in the late morning. The fog wasn't in Padmore Park and surprisingly our house was pretty well off so I was able to floo. But," she paused as she thought of the moment she'd hit that hard wall while trying to floo home only to find herself still at the cauldron. It made her shudder at the thought and feel the ache her body. "The director was so pleased with what I had to offer that I was offered a position on the spot and a tour behind the scenes of sorts to see what it would be like."
She was smiling again at least, her eyes bright with the excitement she'd felt seeing such amazing things. "Oh Rufus it was amazing!" she exclaimed that excitement and enthusiasm evident but her brow furrowed some after as she continued on, "But it took far longer than I'd thought and before I knew it the sun was about to set. So we rushed back to the cauldron so i could floo home. But then I couldn't. It felt like I hit a brick wall and when I opened my eyes I was still in the cauldron."
Luckily, he was taking again so it brought her from those questions. She responded with a shrug initially. He had a point. It wasn't as if it was an awful secret or anything but it was an interesting one at least.
"Much better now," she answered him honestly but had to pause and think what had happened. It wasn't as if it had been planned but she'd apparently had awful timing. "Well my father decided it would be ok for me to go to the museum and speak to them about what a curator position might entail," she started to say as they continued walking along. Her maid had taken to falling behind them and the two women simply followed where he was leading them.
"We decided I should be fine to come over in the late morning. The fog wasn't in Padmore Park and surprisingly our house was pretty well off so I was able to floo. But," she paused as she thought of the moment she'd hit that hard wall while trying to floo home only to find herself still at the cauldron. It made her shudder at the thought and feel the ache her body. "The director was so pleased with what I had to offer that I was offered a position on the spot and a tour behind the scenes of sorts to see what it would be like."
She was smiling again at least, her eyes bright with the excitement she'd felt seeing such amazing things. "Oh Rufus it was amazing!" she exclaimed that excitement and enthusiasm evident but her brow furrowed some after as she continued on, "But it took far longer than I'd thought and before I knew it the sun was about to set. So we rushed back to the cauldron so i could floo home. But then I couldn't. It felt like I hit a brick wall and when I opened my eyes I was still in the cauldron."
RE: Hide and Seek - Rufus Bixby - June 22, 2018
Rufus was inclined to agree that she seemed better now as it seemed the tears had subsided as they began their walk. But he still watched her warily, concerned for her well being. The maid seemed alright as well, a bit shaken from her pale features in the gas lights and deepening evening light, but she had fallen into step behind them as if this were no more than a chance encounter on High Street.
While Rufus was glad to hear her father had relented he found himself frustrated at the timing. How could the man send his daughter out when Hogsmeade was all but under lock down. Selfishly Rufus was glad that Fortuna was with him for the moment, that she was out of the fog and whatever that meant for their community, but he still felt that she would have remained safer if she had stayed home. Displaying a good deal more patience than he might have in any other situation than new found love, Rufus allowed her to continue uninterrupted. Pulling her closer when she shuddered at some thought.
A smile crossed his lips at Fortuna’s excitement, he was happy for her, really happy. But now she was in this situation and it made him hesitate. He squeezed her arm against him for a moment to show her his support. “Congratulations.” There was an element of pride in that quietly spoken word, and hope. Hope for the future. Hope that their plans might actually come to pass.
At the mention of the feeling of hitting a wall worry crossed his brows again. “Are you harmed from the attempt?” Worry leaked into the words and he passed them on their path, facing her enough to eye her for any visible injuries.
RE: Hide and Seek - Fortuna Bixby - June 22, 2018
Tuni smiled as he congratulated her. For whatever reason, his acceptance over her getting a job far exceeded her desire for her father to. He had told her he didn't have a problem with her working but hearing him congratulate her made it all real in her mind. But while he worried about her being stuck in London, she found herself quite liking the idea. She could begin working right away now that she was there. It was almost a godsend in a way.
She nodded as she smiled up at him. "I'm fine. Just a little achy but nothing a warm bath won't fix," she said without really thinking. Her words sent a blush up her neck and colored her cheeks as a result.
She nodded as she smiled up at him. "I'm fine. Just a little achy but nothing a warm bath won't fix," she said without really thinking. Her words sent a blush up her neck and colored her cheeks as a result.
RE: Hide and Seek - Rufus Bixby - June 27, 2018
It wasn't that Rufus hadn't heard such comments before, but the unintentional brazenness from Fortuna surprised him, made him turn and face back on the street and lead them forward. The back of his neck felt warm and he wouldn't have been surprised if it was a mild blush there. Fortuna didn't need the unjustness of where his thoughts would go at such a comment and as such he attempted to push them from his mind. "Let's focus on getting you shelter first, then we'll see what we can do." He hoped that was gentlemanly enough to diffuse the conversation. He was sure she hadn't been implying anything and it had simply been a honest statement, but it could easily have been mistaken and Rufus wasn't going to be the one to mistake it. His first priority was to make sure she was safe and unharmed - even from himself.
"The Boarding house I have rooms at shouldn't be too much further ahead." He added after a moment, reassuring the two women in case they were tired or worried. And in part to try and change the subject.
RE: Hide and Seek - Fortuna Bixby - June 27, 2018
Tuni was glad that he didn't dwell on the slip she'd made even though she could almost feel her maid's questioning gaze on her back. She'd clearly heard it and thought Tuni had lost her damned mind. And maybe she had. She couldn't really help herself when she was with him. He had a way of making her lose herself some when she was with him.
"Thank you," she ended up saying after he mentioned they weren't far, "You really didn't have to do this. I'm sure my father will get rooms taken care of for me." She just hoped he managed to get it handled so she actually had somewhere to stay for the night. She didn't want to put Rufus in an awkward situation and have her stay with him. Even though she felt quite giddy at the idea.
"Thank you," she ended up saying after he mentioned they weren't far, "You really didn't have to do this. I'm sure my father will get rooms taken care of for me." She just hoped he managed to get it handled so she actually had somewhere to stay for the night. She didn't want to put Rufus in an awkward situation and have her stay with him. Even though she felt quite giddy at the idea.
RE: Hide and Seek - Rufus Bixby - June 27, 2018
"I was not going to leave you alone in London with no where to stay while you waited to hear from your father." Rufus's tone implied that there had been no other option other than him coming to get her. "Besides, communication to Hogsmeade has been unreliable and I wasn't going to leave you there worrying." Or leave himself worrying if he were honest. It was better that he could take care of her until her father would be able to figure something out for her.
RE: Hide and Seek - Fortuna Bixby - June 27, 2018
Tuni nodded, but blushed a bit at his sternness. She knew he wasn't trying to be harsh or anything but he made his position and thoughts of her quite clear to her without maybe even realizing it. The night in the fog came to mind, with the kisses and solitude, which should have been the best indicator of his feelings but this was different. He'd been worried about her and had cared enough to risk wagging tongues to see to her safety.
"Well, I very much appreciate it," she answered simply enough. And she'd find a way to make it up to him. Some how.
"Well, I very much appreciate it," she answered simply enough. And she'd find a way to make it up to him. Some how.
RE: Hide and Seek - Rufus Bixby - June 27, 2018
He looked down at Fortuna, his features softening, letting her know it was alright. "Surely you know I'd always come get you? No appreciation needed." Rufus told her softly enough that her maid might not overhear her.
"Although I admit I'd have felt much more reassured of your well being if you'd simply stayed in Hogsmeade." He admitted, a low tone of worry seeping into his voice. If she'd only waited a day she wouldn't be stranded in London. As happy as he were to see her, he would have felt calmer if he'd known she would be safe at home. He supposed there was nothing for that now, simply the situation at hand, and he'd have to do the best he could for her with that. At least they'd hopefully have more time together, he couldn't say he was unhappy with that outcome. At least until the fog cleared, who knew how soon or how long that might be. After all Pettigrew had been worried enough he had moved the team to London on his own sickle.
RE: Hide and Seek - Fortuna Bixby - June 27, 2018
Tuni nodded simply in response. She did know that. But she still felt the need to show her appreciation for it. And she'd start planning a way to really show it to him. She wasn't sure how but she would.
She did, however, frown slightly as he continued on. It almost felt as if he wasn't happy to have her there with them and she couldn't really help the feeling of pain she felt over it. Did he..have other plans while he was in London? Other than Quidditch of course.
"Well I thought after that night," she said, referencing the evening in the fog, "That I could help move things along if I secure my position at the museum sooner rather than later. If my presence is a hindrance to you here in London, I'm sure I can keep myself busy without you." She was hurt, that much was obvious, but she was trying not to be mad, too.
She did, however, frown slightly as he continued on. It almost felt as if he wasn't happy to have her there with them and she couldn't really help the feeling of pain she felt over it. Did he..have other plans while he was in London? Other than Quidditch of course.
"Well I thought after that night," she said, referencing the evening in the fog, "That I could help move things along if I secure my position at the museum sooner rather than later. If my presence is a hindrance to you here in London, I'm sure I can keep myself busy without you." She was hurt, that much was obvious, but she was trying not to be mad, too.
RE: Hide and Seek - Rufus Bixby - June 27, 2018
"A hindrance? Never." Rufus was almost aghast at the thought and Fortuna seemed upset at this words. Besides there was a warmth in Rufus's chest at the mention of their plans and that evening in the fog when they had built their hopes into a plan and realized what it was they were after. "But surely you understand why I might worry." He looked down at her concern clear on his features. "You have no way home and don't know when you might. We're both in a city we're not familiar with. I would blame myself if anything were to happen to you." He admitted honestly.
RE: Hide and Seek - Fortuna Bixby - June 27, 2018
Tuni chewed on her bottom lip as he spoke, nodding slightly in understanding. She did understand but she couldn't help the way it had almost felt like he didn't want her there. It made sense in her head but her heart made things far more emotional whenever it came to him.
"I do," she said softly, "But you almost came off as if you didn't want me here. I understand it isn't ideal but.." She trailed off. But they would make it work. There had to be a bright side to it all. "But I can start working now," she said abruptly, her face beaming with excitement at the sudden realization, "If I'm stuck here, may as well make the best of it and start working as soon as I can. I'm sure the director would gladly put me to work. I'll go back to the museum tomorrow after I've heard back from my father."
"I do," she said softly, "But you almost came off as if you didn't want me here. I understand it isn't ideal but.." She trailed off. But they would make it work. There had to be a bright side to it all. "But I can start working now," she said abruptly, her face beaming with excitement at the sudden realization, "If I'm stuck here, may as well make the best of it and start working as soon as I can. I'm sure the director would gladly put me to work. I'll go back to the museum tomorrow after I've heard back from my father."