FOURTEEN

Smiling fondly, Klaus said, "Hmph, he's been pouty like that since before he could walk. That's my sweet little boy."

"Hey, Klaus, it's not funny," I complained. "You really hurt his feelings."

"I was being kind by telling him the truth."

"Then you should be nicer about it," I persisted. "Your words were too harsh!"

"If I beat around the bush I'll never get the point across," he said. "I always say what I think straight out even if there's a chance the person hearing it won't like it."

"You take everything to the extremes," I insisted.

"Extremes, huh?" he asked thoughtfully. "Perhaps. It's for a purpose, though. Why waste time hiding how I feel? Would you have me laugh and smile and say things I don't mean? How is that good for anybody?"

I sighed deeply. "I see your point, but what happens when nobody else understands your way of thinking?"

"I do have someone who understands," Klaus said with a smile. "Little brother understands me plenty."

"Really?" I asked skeptically.

"He gets sulky like that easily, but he'll always return to me for help," he explained. "He always knows exactly what I mean. Look…"

Klaus stepped over to a shelf and swooped a picture album down, setting it into my hands as he guided me to one of the chairs. I flipped through the pages and had to smile. "So cute? Is this little boy you?"

"It is," he said, leaning over me with his arm resting on the back of my chair so that we were practically touching. Heat swirled within me, mingling with delight as I examined all the pictures happily, pleased that he was showing them to me at all.

Even at five Klaus stood proud and tall next to the fancy chair. He had even donned formal clothes. He was utterly adorable and sophisticated. Then I saw a picture of Elias along with a bit older version of him.

"And Elias was so cute, clutching at your sleeve," I added. "And this one? Is this huge dog yours?"

Klaus smiled. "Mine and Elias'. His name is Rudolf," he said. "He always obeyed me but treated Elias as his minion. Rudolf would never climb on my bed but always made Elias furious when he used Elias as a pillow at night."

I giggled, watching the fond, gentle smile play across Klaus' face. I never knew he could smile like that.

"Every picture shows you and Elias, always together," I said.

"Elias has followed in my footsteps since he could walk," Klaus said. "Those memories are the sweetest moments of our childhood. I was the one who first taught Elias magic, too."

"You did?"

"Yes, I really drilled it into him good," Klaus said. "In fact, he's the one who triggered me to consider the idea of becoming a professor. I was teaching him one day and he innocently looked up and said, 'Klaus, you are such a great magic teacher.' That's what gave me the idea to teach others as well."

"What a sweet story," I said with a smile.

"Don't tell Elias I said that, though," Klaus added. "I only told you because…well, it's you. You must know why."

"Um…oh," I blushed slightly. Did he mean because we were Buddies? "Okay, I see now."

"Good," Klaus said, squeezing my shoulder. "Do you want a cup of tea?"

"Sure, thanks," I said as I watched him move towards a small tea set placed near a little oven at the back of the room.

"Go ahead and sit at the table, if you want," he offered.

I stepped further into the room, entering his more personal area for the first time, and took a seat at the table. Klaus whipped together some tea with a swift, practiced technique.

"You're very good at that," I told him.

"I like tea, so I make it every day," he replied. "Pouring water from higher up gives the tea some air, then you cover it with a cloth and let it steam up to enhance the flavor. And, for the final touch…Quinsud!"

Klaus held out his wand and tapped the pot, charming it. Tiny particles of light floated around the cups as well. He poured us our tea—an elegant, delicious looking amber.

"What was that spell?"

"It makes the tea taste and smell better," he explained.

I couldn't help but laugh. That was just too cute for him. I never would have believed he would use a charm on his tea.

"What's so funny?" he grumbled.

"Oh, n-nothing," I said, grabbing my cup and taking a sip. "This is English Breakfast, isn't it?"

Klaus sat down across from me, smiling. "I took the liberty of questioning Amelia about some of your preferences. Drink." Next, he produced a muffin which he set next to me as well. "Eat," he added.

"Wasn't that a bit high-handed?" I asked with a little frown.

"I wanted to know, so I asked," he shrugged. "It's how I am."

"Well, it is my favorite," I had to concede. "Thank you."

"Nice," he said with a grin. Then he plucked seven sugar cubes out of the server and tossed them into his cup.

I gaped at him. "Oh, you must have a real sweet tooth."

"You think?" he chuckled.

"Nobody needs so many sugar cubes in their drink."

"The amount is decent if you use your head as much as I do," he said. "My brain is way better than yours, which is almost empty."

"How rude!" I gasped.

"Anyway, I've got to replenish it with sugar."

Inwardly, I thought that he could have said that without making fun of me, but didn't say so out loud. Instead, I said, "Can I ask you something?"

"Like what?"

"I want to know a bit more about you," I told him.

"How about this, then?" he replied. "Whenever I answer your question, you must answer mine as well. Alright?"

"Sure," I agreed. "Okay then, what magic are you best at?"

"Spacial magic is my specialty," he said. "Particularly creating magic diagrams. Using a spacial magic spell, you can create a specific magical diagram and maintain it. It's particularly useful for making magical barriers. It requires you to constantly pour your magical power into maintaining its quality and shape."

"Oh, like the magic you're always making me practice?" I asked.

"Exactly," he said with a nod. "The training that you've perceived as boring and pointless will help you master your control over magic. That's the hardest part of casting a spell.

"Wow, I see," I said, impressed.

"Without that control, your power would run wild every time and those spells would fail," he said. "However, if you try to control power too much spells won't form either. Even if you succeed in casting the spell, failing to maintain the proper amount of power pouring into it may cause the magic to quickly dissolve or explode. This training is meant to address all those issues."

"I had no idea," I marveled.

"So, what kind of magic are you best at?"

"I'm good at—" I began.

"Oops, you're not good at anything, are you?" Klaus snickered.

"Hey, that's not true!" I protested. "I'm good at using magic to talk to and communicate with animals."

"Yes, I remember," he grinned. "Your one special ability. That's a natural talent not many people have. You should try to explore and improve it in the future."

"Oh, I will," I nodded. "Okay, so do you have any hobbies?"

"I've just picked up a new one, actually," he grinned evilly. "It's to pester and torture you until you completely break down."

"What?" I gasped. "That's the most terrible hobby I've ever heard of!"

"Just joking," he said, but with sinister delight just had to add, "Well, half-joking."

I cast him a glare of reprimand. "Klaus!"

"Fine," he chuckled. "I like reading. I'm always trying to gather information and further my knowledge. Elias and I often read books together."

"That's a much nicer hobby to have," I told him.

Leaning in a bit closer to me, he asked, "Do you have a hobby, Elizabeth?"

His tone sent a shiver down my spine, which I did my best to ignore. I said, "Yes, I do. I like making sweets."

"I remember you saying something about that," he nodded. "Anything else?"

"Oh, embroidery and sewing and domestic stuff," I told him. "I had to learn how to care for myself since my mother passed away."

"Oh, I see," he frowned. "I'm sorry I made you remember that."

"No, it's fine," I reassured him. I enjoy remembering my parents once in a while. Most of my memories of them are not sad ones. Sometimes remembering them actually makes me feel happy."

"Liz," he said softly, and his hand covered mine.

I blushed hotly, and suddenly blurted out, "W-what type of girls do you usually like, anyway?"

"Why do you want to know that?"

"Just curious," I hedged.

"Let me think," he said, drawing my hand into his own. "I prefer a girl who is stupidly cheerful and smiles like an idiot, who has something that I don't. One I find I can enjoy being with, and never tire of having her around. One who understands me well, and had committed herself to stay by my side. More than anything I prefer a girl like that."

"Oh, I see," I blushed hotly, looking down at our joined hands.

"What type of guys are you attracted to?" he wanted to know.

"Um, I—I guess I prefer whoever I fall in love with," I whispered shyly. When he frowned, I asked, "Is that not a good answer?"

"It's fine," he said, letting me go. "I was just realizing it will be dark soon. We should probably get you back to the dorm. Come, Liz, at this point we're going to have to fly."