For this conversation, Rufus remained. He stood by Viggo's side on his right and stuffed his hands into his pockets. He looked neither unamused nor enthralled by the conversation happening before him. Carefully, he leaned against the back wall, eyes stared fixed on the old man who spoke so happily to Viggo about who they were, their mission, and what they would like to accomplish. It was weird, and a bit suspicious. The Mayor was bright-eyed and incredibly enthusiastic about the entire situation, and it only made Rufus feel even more uncomfortable.
Viggo could tell. Rufus was easy to read for those who knew him as long as Viggo knew him. The Mayor wasn't helping any, and Viggo's curiosity was peaked by how friendly this person seemed to be. In their talk, Viggo learned that the Seeing Eye had fifteen students they were teaching, not including himself or his granddaughter. Among those fifteen people, at least five were capable of teaching others. Viggo's lips twitched as he listened. Carefully, he gathered what this man wanted. "Mr. Barkley," said the Headmaster, "what you're asking… I mean, if I understand correctly - you want to integrate your organization with my school? Combine the students into one safe place?"
"Why yes of course!" said Mr. Barkley. "The Seeing Eye would be disbanded, of course. We simply had no idea that your school existed, though I suppose we should have done a bit more research. We would offer you our services and teach the students here together." The old man frowned a bit at Viggo's expression. "You don't really trust us, I can see that-"
"Well, no, not really," Viggo interrupted. "You have to understand where I'm coming from. I've students here as young as 4 or 5. They're all in my care. I'm their soul protector, so it's only natural that I feel a bit concerned for their well-being."
"And we absolutely understand," said Barkley, "which is why we are offering to join you under the school and not as our own separate organization." He sighed heavily. "Will you at least consider our offer?"
"Hmm." He looked to Rufus who said nothing, but subtly moved his head. "Yes. We'll consider your offer. Is there anyway to reach you?"
"Ah yes. I have a cellphone, actually. You can reach me that way." He hesitantly reached for a sheet of paper and a pen on Viggo's desk and wrote down a phone number. Then, he and his granddaughter stood, thanked them and left with the assistance of another waiting outside.
"Will you really consider?" Mayor Dunne asked, taking her leave as well. "I hope you do. I'll call for you another time then."
"Mm," Rufus pushed himself from the wall and sat on Viggo's desk. "I think I'll do some background checks first."
"Yeah, that definitely needs to happen."
"But if they check out, I think they'll be okay to welcome." He picked at his dirty fingernails. "It'll strengthen the school and raise moral."
Shall I look into them?
Viggo's lips pressed tight at the hiss from the shadows. Rufus narrowed his eyes in the direction of the voice. "Yes," said Viggo, answering both. "I will welcome them if they check out, and you-" Viggo turned to the shadows, straightening himself. He and Rufus were greeted with a grinning mouth that hung sideways on the walls. Eyes narrowed to face the duo. "-you can spy but quietly. If I hear that you've done anything-"
No fear, Master Bainstale, the mouth moved slowly, the words not matching. Who do you think I am?
"Just shut up and go." The shadows twitched and settled once more. Bright blues turned to meet bright red ones. "I don't like him being involved, but if anyone can learn the truth, it'll be him." He rubbed his neck. "What'd the students say?"
"They're a bit excited by this," he said, "the potential to meet newbies. But they know to be on their toes until deemed safe." He shrugged lightly then and jumped off the desk. He walked towards his own shadow and touched the wall. "We'll get through this. We always do." And with that, he disappeared into the darkness, leaving Viggo Bainstale to be by himself.
The man sat down and rubbed his temples. This was far too frustrating to deal with.
A few days later, the Bainstale School of the Gifted welcomed the Seeing Eye as brothers and sisters in arms. Seventeen people walked in through the gates, and each were welcomed warmly. Viggo politely introduced himself to every single new student, and Rufus would show them to the dorms. Viggo was impressed. These students ranged in every style of power and shape and color. It was amazing.
It took less than a week for the members of the Seeing Eye to settle. Classes were actually held with more than four people to a class, and each class had actual teachers. Viggo was on the verge of informing the parents of his current students that any of their younger children would find a place for them at the school. Ed was excited to learn his baby sister, Sarah, would be joining them while Eddy was less than pleased by the news.
"What is your sister's unique gift, Ed?" Edd asked during free time. There was a swimming pool in the Mansion, making it easy for anyone who wanted to swim to do such. The dormitories were in the Mansion after all. Eddy sat on the edge of the pool, wearing an unflattering speedo. Edd wore black swim trunks and his hair in a swimming cap. Ed wasn't swimming, but he was sitting in a lawn chair with his homework nearby.
"She's really loud!" Ed exclaimed with a laugh. "Mom always said she knew Sarah's power before she knew mine because Sarah screamed when she was born."
"I don't think I understand," Edd said, treading water.
"Oh, she's got this powerful voice like a banshee!" Ed exclaimed with a laugh. "She can break glass just by saying something, guys."
"That does sound like a powerful gift," said Eddward, eyes flicking towards the shadows as Rufus Stephen stepped forward from them with red swim trunks and a hoodie to match. He yawned, looking half-asleep as he came by Ed. "Hello, Rufus! You look comfortable."
"I'm glad the pool's inside. It's getting cold out there. Are you not swimming, Ed?"
"I can if you want too!" Ed said, beaming brightly. Rufus gave him a tender smile, eyes half-lidded. Ed was such a sweetheart, and Edd had begun to notice the rather close relationship he and Rufus shared. He wanted to ask, to press on what the actual definition was, but he wasn't sure how to approach it. "I'll be back in just a tiny bit, Rufus!"
Ed didn't make it very far though, because a few moments later the giggling of three individual girls echoed close by. Eddy raised an eyebrow, curious to where the noise was coming from. Ed was immediately convinced it was ghosts, while Rufus stood there, looking unamused like he always did. Double Dee himself also looked a bit startled. "Where-"
"Hello, Puddin'!" came the voice of a young woman who quite suddenly appeared out of thin air. Edd gasped and splashed into the water, only to resurface with a gasp. He coughed up water while the blue haired girl giggled mischievously from the side of the pool. "I don't think we've met yet~"
"Wh-Who?" coughed Edd.
"Well, hello there, Handsome!" said a redhead, looming over Eddy. He glanced up at her and then looked away. "What? That's no way to treat a lady!"
"Oooh aren't you cute?" said a blonde, suddenly clinging to Ed. He looked highly uncomfortable by the sudden human leech attached to him.
"May! Lee! You're being rude!" snapped the blue haired female. "I'm trying to introduce myself to my puddin~"
"P-Pudding?" Edd said, treading water. The girl splashed into the pool and came over to him, grasping him into a firm hug without permission. He started to panic slightly. "P-Please let me go! I don't like being to-touched!"
"Oh Puddin', you're so silly~" laughed the girl.
From across the room, Kevin witnessed the entire thing. He frowned, taking a few steps towards them, only to be stopped by Nazz. She shook her head and pointed to Rufus. Kevin stood and watched.
"Excuse me, Miss," said Rufus, ever the gentleman. "You'll let go of Ed now, won't you?"
"Miss?" snorted the blonde. "I'm not a Miss! My name's May! And this is Ed huh? Hey, Big Boy! You doing anything later?"
Rufus smiled sweetly. "I'm sorry, but… you see he's taken." He flicked his wrist upwards and May quite suddenly found herself floating up. Her eyes went wide and she started to scream a little. Next, Rufus turned to the redhead who was pestering Eddy. He did the same with her and threw her high into the air as well.
"What the-HEY!" she snapped. "Marie! GET US DOWN FROM HERE!"
The blue haired one looked towards the girls in the air and snarled at Rufus. "You put them down or I'll- WOAH!" and up she went too. Edd sank into the pool then, going under the waters.
"Now, when someone kindly asks you to let them go, what do you do next time?" Rufus asked, slowly drifting them over towards the water. Ed watched with a furrowed brow.
"PUT US DOWN YOU BASTARD!" snapped Marie.
"Tsk, such a naughty mouth," said Rufus. He was interrupted by Ed's gentle touch to his shoulder. He sighed. "Alright, I'll be gentle." Immediately the girls hit the water, a good distance away from the Ed's and Rufus. "What? I was gentle."
"Rufus… oh! Double Dee!"
He surfaced with a gasp once more, Kevin having pulled him up. He helped him to the edge of the pool them and Ed bent down to grasp his new friend. "P-please refrain from- stop touching me." He jerked back, panting. Ed looked apologetic. Edd shook his head and got to his feet, slipping a bit before taking off and towards his dorms. Kevin stood by Ed, frowning.
"I'll check on him. Thanks Ed. Hey Rufus, nice job on the Kanker Sisters!"
"Oh is that what they're called?" Rufus asked, watching the girls struggling to swim to the ends to get out of the pool. He could hear Marie cursing him but didn't care. "You okay, Ed?"
Kevin quickly caught up with Edd, shivering as he did so. Away from the pool area, he began to realize just how cold it was getting outside. Both he and Edd dripped water down the halls, and he was fairly certain they'd be scolded for it. Edd made it to their dorm room first and slammed the door shut behind him. Kevin paused and knocked on it lightly, listening in. "Edd?"
"Please go away!" came the pitiful voice from the other side. Kevin could hear drawers being slammed shut. He might be changing. "P-Please leave me alone!"
"I can't do that, Edd," said Kevin, opening the door. "I hope you're decent." He was. Edd was hiding under his covers then, trembling. The redhead was sympathetic. "You okay?"
"Why do people keep touching me?" he sobbed. "All I ask is that they don't touch me unless they ask!" He pulled the blankets away and looked at Kevin with water blue eyes. "Why, Kevin?!" He didn't even realize his head was bare. Kevin's green eyes honed in on a large scar across the other's head before he hesitantly reached his hands out to wipe away tears.
"I dunno, Edd," said Kevin gently. He knelt on the floor before him. "But I do know I'll do my best to help you overcome this phobia if you want?"
"It's not what you think it is, Kevin," Edd hiccuped. "There's so much more to me than just what you see!"
Kevin looked down at his wet clothes and sighed. "Well, I've got all the time in the world. First, why don't we go and get warm showers, then I'll get us some hot chocolate and you can tell me all about it, ok?"
"Why are you so nice to me?"
"We're roommates aren't we?"
"We don't even speak."
"You don't really give me a chance too."
"I'm sorry," said the blue-eyed boy.
"I forgive you. Come on."