Wordcount: 4816

A/n: It's been a rough few weeks for my writing routine, which delayed my finishing this. But I have finally finished ch2 so have some wholesome content to brighten your day :) so whether you're stuck inside, or still working (like me), through the covid19 outbreak, I hope this is a nice little distraction in this difficult time. Please enjoy, review/comment if you can so I can decide if it's worth writing more of this and/or do a series 2, and please stay safe.

This one is inspired by my leaky ground floor apartment which has thankfully been fixed now (February was fun). And that scene in The Librarians where the guy slides down the bannister. It's a nice way of easing Haru into magic and its uses/mishaps. And Baron's dramatics.

Enjoy.

(episode 2)

Indoor Rain

When Baron walked back inside the Bureau doors, Haru still in his arms, both Toto and Muta immediately ceased their hushed and worried murmuring and leapt up from their crouched positions by the fire. The stack of Uno cards untouched.

"Haru!"

"Chicky!" they cried out in unison, when they saw the young girl being gently lowered onto the sofa by Baron. Equal parts horrified and concerned at the sight of the blood dripping down her arm from her wound.

Toto fluttered nervously around her while Muta nosed her face gently. "Hey, Chicky," he cooed softly. "What happened, are you okay?"

Haru groaned quietly and opened her eyes, focusing on the large white cat. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just ran into a bit of trouble in the woods." she said, reaching out her good arm and giving Muta a scratch on the head. "Don't worry about me, I'm fine."

Muta snorted. "Heh. Fine my ass. Yer bleedin' there, Chicky, ya can't call that 'fine'. That's the exact opposite of 'fine'."

Meanwhile, Baron busied himself with procuring a blanket from the storage cupboard and laying it over their patient. "Toto, bring me the first aid kit, and the usual healing ointments. We need to clean this quickly so it won't become infected."

"Right," Toto nodded and flew off into the other room to retrieve the Bureau's first aid box. Haru moved her tired gaze over to Baron.

"Can't you just use magic to fix it?" she asked, tired but hopeful. She was sure that mages tended to use magic even for small everyday problems, including injuries like this. But Baron just shook his head at her.

"We don't use magic for every little thing, Miss Haru," he explained gently. "Otherwise we'd have no energy left to use magic when we really needed it. Magic use depletes energy, you see, and the stronger the spell, the more energy it consumes to cast. But you'll learn all of this in your own time, when you officially begin your apprenticeship."

Haru opened her mouth to speak, to say she was ready to start right away, but Baron spoke first, as if he were reading her mind.

"After you've recovered from your injury," he added, and she closed her mouth again. It seemed there were a few things she'd have to get used to. Like having people around to monitor her. She'd been self-sufficient for so long now, that it'd definitely take a lot of adjusting to live with. But the Bureau were her family now, so she was determined to do her best to accept that. Their hearts, after all, were in the right place. And they did all have her best interests at heart. Baron had said as much when she arrived here.

But even so, she was still eager to get started learning magic right away. But it was at that moment Toto flew back into the room carrying the little green first aid box by the handle in his talons. Passing it to Baron.

"Ah, thankyou, Toto," he said as the crow perched on the coffee table to watch the Baron work at cleaning her puncture wounds with disinfectant and bandaging them up while the others watched.

"Say, Chicky, what were ya doin' out so late anyway?"

"She was out in the woods, lured by the fae," Baron explained. Which was met by gasps from both the feline and the corvid.

"What?!" Muta spluttered, "The woods?! Chicky, didn't yer momma ever tell ya not to go into the Deep Dark Woods alone at night like that? Ya coulda been killed! Or taken away to the Other Side by the forest creatures. Or the fae. Or... or the monsters..."

"I knew we couldn't trust those fae..." Toto muttered.

Haru blinked, a little surprised that they'd be so quick to jump to her defence with the fairy incident, or even show concern for her reckless behaviour. But then, she supposed this was just more usual

family-like behaviour she had yet to adjust to after not having a proper family for so long. She wondered idly whether she'd always feel this strange about her new set of circumstances, or if this feeling would fade the longer she was exposed to the Bureau.

"Now just hold still, Miss Haru," Baron told her, "I'll have this wound cleaned and dressed in a jiffy."

She smiled. "Thankyou, Baron." And relaxed while he worked. Letting her eyes close, just to rest them for a few minutes until he was done.

. . .

By the time Baron was done dressing her wound, he found Haru to be very soundly asleep on the sofa. Muta ambled over to them to take a look.

"Huh. Well I'll be... she fell asleep."

"Well, she's had a very exhausting day," Baron said gently. "Sold at an auction, brought by me, suddenly thrust into an unsolicited apprenticeship... and then the drama with the fae... anyone would be exhausted after that."

"Yeh, maybe. Except possibly you."

Baron snorted. "Yes, very funny, Muta." he said, moving to gently lift his sleeping apprentice into his arms. "Now do get the door for me, we need to tuck our new apprentice into bed so she can rest."

Muta did as he was asked, though he did give a very dramatic and sarcastic bow as he did so. "Yes, your excellency."

Baron rolled his eyes and shook his head, but walked through the doorway and up the stairs into the spare bedroom. Well, Haru's room now, he thought. Pulling back the duvet and gently laying Haru on the bed before pulling the covers over her.

"Sleep well, Miss Haru," he said, as he left, quietly closing the door behind him. Not forgetting to turn out the light before he left.

. . .

When Haru woke, it was sometime in the late morning. She stretched out her limbs and groaned softly, feeling the soft cotton of the bedsheets around her. Huh. That was funny. She didn't remember falling asleep in a bed... the last thing she remembered was Baron dressing the wounds on her arm on the sofa in the living room.

She must've been really out of it if she didn't even remember going to bed.

Nonetheless, she sat up and looked around her. The room she currently occupied was small, through well furnished. Cozy, even. A quaint wooden bed, bedside tale, a desk, wardrobe, chest of drawers. Though no decorations or knick-knacks, she noted. Probably a guest room, she thought, rising from the bed. Finding a clean set of clothes folded up at the foot of her bed. She dressed in them, liking the soft cotton shirt and pants, and headed down the stairs. Following the voices towards the living room.

They were all gathered there. Baron with his cup of tea and saucer to sit it on. Toto and Muta playing Uno again and bickering amongst themselves while an exasperated Baron looked on and shook his head.

"I don't care who started it. I'm finishing it!" he scolded.

"It's his fault!"

"No, it's his! He's cheating!"

Baron looked like he wanted to bonk their heads together. "Oh for goodness sake you two! If you simply cannot play fair then I shall have to confiscate the game."

Both the crow and the cat looked equally shocked and horrified.

"No!" Muta gasped.

"You can't take our game away!" Toto cried.

"What would we do with our free time?!"

"Perhaps you could be somewhat productive?" Baron supplied. "There are a lot of chores that need doing around the Refuge..."

Haru watched Toto and Muta both gulp in unison. "We'll play nicely." Toto ventured. "We promise."

Baron sighed and relaxed back into his chair again. "Make sure it stays that way." he sighed. It was a long-suffering sigh. And Haru could tell he'd had this same argument with them about a million times. She chose that moment to open the door and walk in.

"Good morning," she greeted them all, unsure of what reaction she would get. She had just walked right in on their downtime, after all. And she still didn't really know them all that well, so she was a little anxious. Though she needn't have worried, because the moment they saw her, they all broke out into huge smiles.

"Ah, good morning, Miss Haru," Baron greeted her. Cordial and warm as always. "I trust you slept well in your new bed."

"Very well, thankyou," Haru smiled.

"Good," Baron returned her smile. "That room is yours, by the way. You can furnish it however you like."

She smiled a little brighter at that. "Thankyou very much."

Baron nodded, and Muta took that opportunity to speak as she took a seat beside Baron on the sofa. "Heya, Chicky, glad to see yer awake. Wanna help me beat this birdbrain at Uno?"

"Well I would if you'd teach me how to play," Haru smiled.

"Well, first, Miss Haru is going to eat a nice hearty breakfast," Baron interjected. "She's no doubt hungry after sleeping for so long."

Haru's stomach growled loudly at the thought of food. "I am pretty hungry," she said.

"Excellent," Baron said, standing from his seat. "Then I shall make you some breakfast."

. . .

The others joined her at the table once breakfast was served, and they all devoured their meals just like any other normal family. Well, if a family with a human, a living cat figurine, a crow, and one fat street cat could be considered normal. Oh well, Haru thought. Normal's overrated anyway.

"So what are we doing today? Are you going to start my apprenticeship?" Haru asked them, eager to know when her training would start. She was going to be an apprentice mage, after all. And learn magic. She was keen to get started. Because what human didn't want to learn to use magic and throw fireballs or create magic potions?

"You, Miss Haru, aren't doing anything today." Baron told her, in no uncertain terms.

"But-"

"You are going to be resting and recovering today. I know for a fact that brush with the fae took a lot out of you. And we need you to be in peak physical condition if you are to accompany us on cases and begin your study of magic."

Haru fought the urge to pout. "But... can't you just tell me about magic theory? Just a little bit?"

Baron shook his head. "Sorry, Miss Haru."

Haru looked to Toto and Muta for help in her appeal, but they shook their heads as well.

"Sorry Chicky," Muta said. "If the boss says no, no can do."

"Better to wait til you're fully recovered," Toto chimed in. "You'll learn faster that way."

"But surely I'll-" Haru began, only to be cut off by Baron's finger on her lips.

"Rest, Miss Haru," he repeated. "I promise I will begin your apprenticeship upon your full recovery."

Haru frowned, not at all pleased with this. It was her arm that was injured; her brain was working just fine. But at least Baron had promised he actually would be teaching her some magic, so that was something at least. In the meantime she'd have to wait.

"Fine." she said. "I'll be good and rest."

Baron nodded at her correct answer. "That's the spirit. Now eat up, before it gets cold."

Haru resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She wasn't quite used to having other people looking after her just yet. Though from what she could imagine about life here at the Bureau as the other three discussed their latest case, she would be in due time. Especially given how Muta and Toto were comparing scars to see who's was bigger, telling her tales of their own injuries and how long they were out of action for to lift her spirits. Much to her amusement – and Baron's chagrin.

"You know, you two aren't supposed to be encouraging her to get more scars..." he sighed. Tired and long-suffering.

She smiled. Maybe she would settle in here quite nicely.

. . .

When breakfast was done and the dishes cleared, washed and put away, Haru watched the three of them get ready to go out on the next grand adventure. Well, really they were just off out to run a few errands, but they were mages, and thus knew magic, so Haru assumed that every outing to them must be like some grand adventure.

She watched Baron put on his coat and flick his cane to summon his top hat from the hat rack downstairs onto his head with a quick flourish. Haru grinned and folded her arms, leaning against the doorframe to her bedroom. "I thought we 'didn't use magic for every little thing'," she said, giving him a look. He simply dusted off his jacket.

"Well. Some things are allowed." he told her.

"Right. Of course."

Baron nodded. "Right then. We best be on our way. You know where everything is should you need it, Haru?" he asked her.

She just nodded. "I'm sure I'll manage."

"Very good. Now you get your rest and we shall be back promptly." he replied. Doffing his hat to her and giving her another gracious bow. "I bid you a good day, Miss Haru. You live here now, so make yourself at home."

Feeling a little awkward, she gave him a small nod in return, and then watched as he strode over to the bannister, sat on it, and proceeded to slide gracefully down the stairs while she stared after him in mild awe. Somewhere down below, once Baron had taken the few steps towards the door, she could hear Muta shouting "Show off!" at him. Which made her giggle. She had a feeling she'd really like Muta.

Once she was sure the Bureau was hers, she carefully made her way back down the stairs. Okay, she did promise Baron she would rest, but when would she get an opportunity to explore the Bureau unsupervised like this again? The place was just so full of all kinds of magic and wonder, and Haru was determined to see and feel and explore as much of it as she could.

It was such a cozy little place, she reflected as she made her way down the stairs. A quaint little cottage. But absolutely nothing about it was ordinary. Everywhere there were touches of magic, and signs that mages dwelled here. The wooden door had a colourful stained glass window. The kitchen housed a little cauldron as well as the usual pots and pans for cooking.

Here there were shelves of carefully labelled ingredients for spells and medicines.

There were little pots of herbs growing on the windowsill.

The living room she'd seen already, but she'd not had an actual look at it before. At first glance, it too, was completely ordinary. But on closer inspection it too was full to the brim with magic and magical items. A pot with a live, moving plant inside, complete with a little 'please pass the water' sign. Carefully crafted by it's owner. A box of scrolls in the corner. A pestle and mortar. A large vial of multicoloured liquid that couldn't decide what colour to settle on. On the sideboard, a little tank of the most unusual fish Haru had ever seen. Although they may have just been exotic fish. There was a slightly larger tank beside it that housed a miniature Kraken. An honest to goodness mythical seabeast, scaled right down to fit on a desk. She watched it swim upwards to the surface of the water in it's little tank, wrap it's tiny little tentacles around a little ship, and then drag the little plastic toy down to the depths of its tiny little lair.

Haru giggled, having to fight the urge to reach in and pet the little monster. She had no idea how friendly it was, but it was just so gosh darn cute. She'd have to ask Baron about it later when he got back. There was a story about it, she just knew.

But that would have to wait until later. In the meantime, there was exploring to be done.

Her eyes wandered around the room again, eventually landing on the big, wall-to-wall bookshelves that were amply stocked with books and lots of little knick-knacks. Those were all interesting, of course, but it was the books that grabbed her attention.

Haru had always been fond of reading, ever since she was a little girl. Although that had stopped when the rest of her 'family' began passing her around like a hot potato. They all favoured their own children with toys and gifts, but when it came to Haru, even a second hand book became 'too expensive', and suddenly nobody could afford anything.

But things were different now. Baron had said to make herself at home. And what better way to do that than to help herself to all the reading material.

She wandered over to the nearest bookshelf and scanned the titles. Only to find the words were written in some language she didn't recognise. How odd, she thought. Is it some kind of ancient mage language?

Her hand floated through the air, fingertips stroking each book's spine as she looked at all of the books, stacked ever so neatly on their shelves. A curious thing happening as she slowed down to pause a moment on one of the books. A voice echoed inside of her – her own voice – translating the title of the book she was touching. As if by magic. She was quite surprised, to say the least, and a little gasp escaped her.

But then, this was the Bureau. A magical place. It made sense the objects within would have magical properties, too.

She ran her fingertips over the title of that last book again. Magical Spells for Absolute Beginners. And decided it was perfect. She took it carefully off the shelf and moved to sit on the sofa to read it. Again, finding the book's magic allowed her to read and translate the words on the pages.

She was quietly astounded as she flipped through the pages. There were spells for everything one could possibly think of! And then some one couldn't. She flipped through the pages. There was a spell to conjure fire. A spell to cleanse a home. A spell to levitate objects.

So many spells!

Haru's lips curved upwards into a smile as the idea hit her. She could try one of these spells out, and then blow Baron away when he got back. It was perfect! Yes, a grand idea. Very grand if she said so herself. And so she turned the pages in earnest, trying to find a good spell to try out. Baron did hint at her having some magical ability, so she might as well put that to good use.

She looked through the spells until she found one that looked suitable. A spell to bring rain.

Yes, that would be perfect. It looked simple enough, and didn't require any real preparations. Or at least anything that wasn't readily available. All she needed was a bowl of water.

So she quickly went to procure a bowl of water and sat at the kitchen table with it, the book open on the page she needed next to her. Reading the spell and the instructions one last time, she took a deep breath and held her hands over the water, focusing and channelling her energy and focus like the book said as she recited the spell.

"Rain, rain, come our way,

Drench the land and calm our day.

Rain, rain, come I say,

April showers come in May."

Haru opened her eyes, expecting to hear the pitter patter of rain, or feel a drop of water on her head. But then she realised she was still inside. The bowl in front of her was empty though, so she assumed it must have worked. She got up and ran to look out of the window. And sure enough, dark clouds were beginning to gather where before there was nothing but bright blue sky.

"It worked..." she whispered, awed. "I... I did it!"

She smiled at her work and felt a surge of pride in her chest. She'd done it! Her first spell! Oh, wouldn't Baron be so proud of her!

Sure enough, a few seconds later, the downpour began. It was a light rain at first, gradually growing heavier, so the raindrops on the windows were big and fat, leaving big streaks on the window as they fell.

She was about to have a celebratory cup of tea, as a reward for a job well done. Or rather a spell well cast.

Until she felt a big fat drop of water land on her nose.

Haru blinked and looked up, noting with a mild horror the rainwater leaking from the spot in the kitchen ceiling right above her head.

"Oh." she gasped quietly. "Oh no."

The ceiling above her began to leak quite profusely the heavier it rained outside. And Haru's joy turned to ashes. Oh god. This was her fault. The water was beginning to pool all over the floor and the ceiling was starting to leak in another place now as well.

"Crap," she cursed, beginning to frantically search the cupboards for any bowls and buckets she could find to place under the spots the ceiling was leaking. She managed to find a couple of washing up bowls and a few baking bowls and placed them under the leaks to catch the water. Now the water wasn't going to make a mess all over the kitchen floor, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Her relief was short-lived though, because the next thing she heard was a loud clap of thunder and a huge gust of wind rattle the Bureau, and the rain outside suddenly got a lot more intense. And by extension, so did the leaks in the ceiling.

Water began dripping down in even more places now, and even started to leak down the walls. Haru watched it all with an increasing sense of anxiety and placed more bowls around the room to catch the water. Which seemed to be coming down faster than ever. Soon the buckets and bowls would overflow.

She needed a way to reverse this spell, and fix the damage and clear up the mess before Baron and the others got back. And fast.

She grabbed the spell book she'd been using and flicked through it frantically, trying spell after spell in the hopes of stopping the storm. But to no avail. The buckets were beginning to overflow and it was all she could do to keep emptying them and pour the rainwater down the sink. She scrambled through the Bureau in search of a utility cupboard in the hopes of finding a mop. It took a few minutes but she managed to locate both a mop and a bucket, and she ran back into the kitchen to start doing some damage control. And in the meantime, hopefully she could find a counter spell to make the rain stop. Quickly searching the pages of the book for some spell – any spell – that might help.

She had to fix this soon. Because the others would be home any minute now. And they'd see what a mess she'd made, and they wouldn't be happy with her or the state of their Sanctuary, no siree. And then Baron would lose his temper and shout at her and kick her out and...

She tried to take some deep breaths, realising she was starting to hyperventilate. And that her heart was pounding. She couldn't go back to her old life again. She just couldn't.

Tears stung her eyes as she carried on emptying the buckets and mopping the floor. Only able to do what she could to keep the water from flooding the Sanctuary and wait until Baron got back. Bracing herself for the scolding she'd no doubt receive when he returned.

. . .

Baron and the others stepped through the portal just on the outskirts of the Sanctuary's land. Greeted by howling gales and torrential rain. He had to keep a tight hold of his top hat, otherwise it'd be lost. And he'd paid a lot of good money for it, so he clung to that hat. Above him, Toto struggled against the high winds, having to land rather ungracefully, fold his wings in, and waddle against the wind on foot. The only one who wasn't too greatly affected by the gale was Muta, whose size and bulk were an advantage.

"Jeez, it's raining cats and dogs out here," Toto said. Then glancing at his two feline companions. "Sorry, Baron."

"Let's just get safely inside," Baron instructed. Muta nodded and led the group, shielding them from the worst of the wind.

It was hard going, but when they made it inside the Bureau again, everyone breathed a huge sigh of relief.

"Crazy weather, huh?" Muta remarked. Squeezing the excess rain out of his tail.

"I'll say," Baron agreed. "At least Haru is safe inside the warm." he added, removing his jacket and hat and placing them on the hat rack by the door. "Speaking of her, I should go and see how she's doing."

Muta and Toto nodded and Baron walked into the Bureau. "Haru!" he called out. "Oh, Miss Haru! I hope you weren't too lonely while we were away-"

He froze in the kitchen doorway, taken aback by the scene. It appeared to be raining. Indoors. And poor Haru was sobbing and mopping up the mess as best she could. Kneeling on the floor with a soaking wet cloth.

She turned to look at him with tears streaming down her cheeks. "Baron!" she sobbed. "I'm so sorry, Baron! I tri- tried a rain spell, and I made such an awful mess of things!"

Baron blinked at her, and Toto and Muta appeared behind him. Both stunned at the scene.

Baron walked quickly over to Haru and knelt down by her. "Not to worry, my dear. We can easily fix this mess. Now dry your eyes," he reached into his pocket and handed her a handkercheif, which she used to blow her nose and wipe her eyes. "Go with Muta and Toto now."

Haru sniffled and nodded, and rose to go and stand by Muta, who was ready with a paw to place on her shoulder. Baron stood up a little straighter and took out his cane. Ready to cast the counter spell.

He focused his own energy and took out his cane, gathering his own magic around him in the form of a soft white light. And then he recited the spell.

"Rain, rain, go away

Come again another day.

Rain, rain, leave our plane,

April showers down the drain."

There was a little shimmer in the air, and all at once, the indoor rain ceased. Haru could only watch in awe at his prowess with magic, and he sighed with relief, too.

"Now then." Baron said, "That's all sorted. Toto, come and help me clean up the rest of this. Muta, take Haru and have some tea in the living room by the fire. Miss Haru, I hope this has been a lesson for you."

Haru could only nod. Relieved that he wasn't going to shout at her. But at the same time, still ashamed of her mistake. "Yes," she said quietly. "I've learned my lesson. I won't cast any more spells on my own."

Baron nodded and beckoned Toto over to help with the cleanup while Haru stood awkwardly in the doorway.

"Come on Chicky," Muta said gently to her. Pulling her close with his large paw. "Let's go and have some boiled grass water and cake while the others clean up."

"I just feel so stupid." Haru mumbled as she sat down on the sofa by the fire.

"Don't worry about it, Chicky," Muta told her. Sitting down next to her and offering her a big slice of chocolate cake. "We aint mad and every apprentice always makes a mistake like this. Even Baron did," he added with a little conspiratorial smile. "But you didn't hear that from me."

Haru smiled. "Don't worry. My lips are sealed."

Muta smiled. "Now c'mon, lemme teach ya how to play Uno so we can trounce the Birdbrain next time we all play."

Haru smiled softly, feeling a little better already. "Thanks Muta, that'd be great."

END CHAPTER