Chapter 2: Prodding an Apple

Apple had been all too aware of her student goofing off. He had been gone for a good half hour. The women sighed wearily, used to his antics by now. She sat at a desk in the Budehuc library, where she and Caesar were usually found. Instead of her usual poised, stiff sitting posture, Apple sat hunched over the desk, chewing on the end of a pen grumpily and thumbing through one of the many books scattered across the table before her. Her slender chestnut eyebrows furrowed in annoyance, index finger pushing her round glasses up the bridge of her nose. That boy...he was such a child! He made her so frustrated sometimes. He had so much potential, but seemed to spend all of his time tormenting Apple by goofing off and taking naps. He was a brilliant boy, no doubt, he could just be a bit tiring. Groaning, Apple placed her glasses on the table and rubbed her eyes tensely from a head ache.

Landis' mouth tipped eerily as he longingly watched Apple at the desk from behind a bookshelf in the library. Gone was his wingard appearance, now disguised in the young strategist's body. She was the most beautiful creature Landis had ever seen. The way her hair caressed against her face, the way her glasses glared against beams of moonlight -- and especially those dark circles that were forming under eyes, no doubt from her troublesome student -- all drove him insane. His charcoal heart leapt every time he saw her. He was convinced she was to be the Grim Reaper's bride.

But, his expression faltered sadly. It was more than a bit strange for a wingard and a human to have a relationship. Even so, Landis did not give up hope. Apple was the intellectual type -- always up for a learning experience, right? However, every time he tried to approach her, he sensed Apple was in a hurry to leave.

Landis, or "Caesar", padded slowly up toward Apple, standing at the corner of the desk and watching her intently without a sound. His expression was grim but amused, a face only he could pull off. Apple sensed some one was there, and it only took one guess as to who it was. Without lifting her head from its position nestled closely by her open book, her eyebrows furrowed. "Welcome back, Dearest," her words dripped with sarcasm. Dearest! Landis nearly gushed as she called him that, forgetting it was Caesar who she was addressing the pet name. His malicious grin widened considerably down at her. "Hello...Miss Apple..."

Miss Apple? Since when did he call her MISS Apple? Her eye cautiously drifted to the side, catching a glimpse up at his face. As if startled by lightning, she jolted up and pressed her back against the chair, eyes wide up at him. The pen fell out of her mouth and into her lap. What a terrifying expression! That didn't look like Caesar at all! His once droopy green eyes were black and stoic, accompanied by that insane grin that sent chills down her spine.

"Caesar! What's that face for?"

Surprised, his grin evaporated. "I don't know what you're talking about...heehee..." Quickly he tipped his mouth cynically once more. "You are beaming with loveliness today as always..yuh huh..." His voice was low and monotone, but Apple seemed to disregard this and focused more on the sentence at hand.

"Don't you be sarcastic with me!" Her eyes flashed. "You've annoyed me enough for one day."

Again, Landis was shocked and confused. What strange creatures women were; were their emotions always so scrambled around like this? Most confusing. "But I am not. You are as lovely as a deceased, rotting, ancient princess...hee..." He grinned proudly at his compliment. He had been working on that one for a while.

To Landis' dismay, Apple's face darkened. Obviously, she did not find this flattery amusing. His proud grin melted off his face at the hurt and angered expression Apple wore. "Nice one, Caesar. Did you have to skip a whole nap to come up with that one?" Her words were dangerously sharp, like daggers. Landis liked that in a woman. Apple's face softened into a confused look, though, taking note of Caesar's expressions. And what he said next shocked her even more.

"Forgive me..."

His words were not coated with any sarcasm. They were actually...well...heartfelt, if you didn't mind the ominous tone of voice that said them. Her eyes searched his. This was not Caesar. In fact, he was acting a bit like...

"Landis."

Landis' heart jumped up into his throat. She had figured it out. She had figured it out before Landis could scout even a scrap of information from her. His hopes were lost. His eyebrows lifted and he tried his best to look confused. Still, it was impossible for Landis not to look grim.

"Why are you acting like Landis?"

A tide of relief swept over him. There was still a chance! He grinned reluctantly. "Heehee, why would you say that?" Apple lifted in eyebrow in question to his response, searching his face. She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms, thinking. His expression was so stoic. Caesar must have practiced. When Apple said nothing, Landis took a seat beside her, staring. "But...speaking of Landis..."

"Hm?" Apple lifted her head curiously at him.

"What are your thoughts about him? ...Yuh huh huh..." Landis hesitated before replying, his words dripping off his tongue rather than rolling smoothly.

"I...I don't know." Suddenly, Apple looked at her lap solemnly. Gloomy. Eyebrows were dipped in worry and her hands were cupped nervously on her lap.

Landis watched her. As much as he loved a gloomy woman, he knew something was amiss. After a moment's hesitation, he spoke lowly. "...Did I say something to upset you..?"

Apple waited twice as long to respond, her face lined with worry and anguish as she lifted her head at him. "Are you trying to break up with me?" Her words were solid and firm, unmistakable. Still -- he wished he had heard wrong. Confusion clouded his head like smoke. "Break..up...with you...?" Saying those words, his heart sunk into his belly and his face grew paler -- if that was possible, anyway. Had he misinterpreted the relationship Apple and her student had? What a dark day for the grim Reaper.

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Okay! That's it for ch. 2 w ;; I assure you though, there is nothing going on between Apple and Caesar. You'll just have to wait till the next chapter to see what I've concocted hoohoohoo.