Smoke

“Prof!” Ruby shouted as she approached the man leaning on the railing of the bridge.

Liam looked up at her. He was a bit taken off guard. He hadn't expected anyone to come looking for him. “What are you doing out here?” he asked.

“Howdy hello to you too,” Ruby mumbled, taking a place beside him and looking over at the water. It was a calm day. The water was still and quiet. She could understand why the Professor had wanted to stand out here for a while. It was so different than the scene inside, where the others were busy being loud and rowdy, “Whatcha doing?”

“Staring,” he replied simply.

“Mmm hmm...” Ruby muttered, shifting her gaze to the man beside her, “And while you've been staring, have you come up with any of your brilliant ideas?”

“Yes,” he said simply, “I should have cake more often.”

“Brilliant,” she nodded, “Now onto my next question. Are you feeling alright?”

Now it was Liam's turn to look away from the water. “What?” he asked, “Why would you think that I wasn't?”

The younger magician shrugged. “I dunno,” she said, “You just seem more worn out than normal. Are you working harder?”

“I'm always working hard,” Liam said, leaning his elbows against the wooden beams and propping his head on his hand.

“Yes,” Ruby said, “But it's not very good for you. Couldn't you just... work less hard sometimes? Or something?”

That caught Liam's attention. Within three seconds, he'd already transitioned from his relaxed state into lecture mode. “Ruby Dixon, I am a teacher, an inventor, and I have many other duties within the outside world and the outsiders village! I'm doing the best I can!”

Ruby sighed, giving him a wounded look after he snapped at her. “So it's us then?” she asked.

“You? What on earth do you have to do with anything?” he demanded, raising an eyebrow.

“'Cause if we weren't around, you wouldn't have to work as hard, right?” she asked/ It was alright for him to say it. Well, no, it really wasn't. But if it was true, then she was pretty sure he was going to say it anyway. He wasn't one for keeping his bluntness to himself.

“Maybe not,” he sighed, “Forget I said anything. I haven't been sleeping well lately.”

Ruby looked up at him. “You sure it's not us?”

“Positive,” he replied, offering her a slight smile.

The younger magician moved closer and wrapped her arms around him. She could feel him tense up as she clung to him, but she paid it no mind. Ruby never understood why the man didn't like her hugs. She really couldn't get people who didn't like to be touched. However, it was firmly planted in her mind that if she didn't hug the man occasionally, he'd forget she was around or something. She wasn't the loudest member of the team, after all.

“Ruby, let go!” he ordered, giving the younger mage a small push in the other direction.

The teen loosened her grip a bit, raising her head to look at him. “Why?” she asked.

“Because I don't like people on me!” he argued.

A scent caught her attention as he spoke. It took her a moment to pick up on it, but the second she did, her expression hardened. “Where are they?” she demanded.

“I-- What?” Liam asked, finally succeeding in shoving the girl away.

The younger mage didn't bother answering. She darted forward without warning and plunged her hand into his pocket. “They're in here, aren't they?” she muttered.

The professor jumped at the unexpected action, making an attempt to move away. When it was unsuccessful, he simply grabbed her arm. “What the hell do you think you're doing?” he scolded.

The girl removed her hand from his pocket. It didn't matter now. She had what she'd been looking for. She'd been content with the confirmation as soon as her hand had closed around the small, rectangular box. As she pulled back, she clutched it tightly in her hand. “How long?” she demanded.

He scowled, reaching out for the box. “I had one!” he grumbled, “They're supposed to calm you down, aren't they?”

Ruby moved back as he made a move to reclaim his possession. Without so much as a glance in his direction, she pulled her arm back and threw it as hard and far as she possibly could into the water. She found herself to be extremely satisfied with the splash that occurred when it hit the water.

Liam stood there for a moment gaping with his mouth open like a fish. Finally, he spoke. “Ruby Dixon! I do not appreciate my belongings being tossed out as fish bait!” he snapped, “What in the world has gotten into you?”

The younger magician shot him a glare. Her face didn't reflect a bit of humor as she spoke. She wasn't joking. It was serious. Or at least, it was serious to her. “Those things'll kill you,” she said simply, turning and heading back to the house without him.