Day 1

It was an apartment that looked like someone had gone through her mind, picking everything she loved, styles, textures, shapes, and designing the apartment of her dreams. Everything was perfect,

"Pinch me."

"You'll have to come to me for me to be able to do that," Moss chuckled. Turning around, Ruby found him still waiting at the entry; he didn't follow her into her new home. She furrowed her brow, oddly displeased. "Please tell me why you're still outside- you're not a vampire, are you?" She joked, and Moss chuckled, " No, definitely not a vampire, but it's school rules that nobody is allowed into anyone else's quarters unless invited. 

"Well, isn't that very forward-thinking?" Ruby grinned, "Come on in then."

Ruby's composure lasted long enough for Moss to enter and close the door before she let out a loud scream of excitement, running around and touching everything from the coffee maker to the nearby capsules in all the different flavors she loved.

"This is mine, and that is mine, and that and that," She spun around in circles, making herself dizzy, while Moss watched and took mental notes. Every time she touched something more than once, it seemed to change color or shape ever so slightly, and in short order, the already perfect lounge, kitchen, and dining room looked better. 

Yay, and it only took me hours to accomplish what Ruby did in minutes.

The Elven king pondered which direction to take while Ruby ran around like a child in a candy store. There was no denying it: Ruby was a special young lady. When he'd been given the assignment to befriend her and assess her potential after the parents had met with the Chancellor, he was far from keen. There were things going on in his kingdom that needed his attention, and Moss was intending to take a hiatus, but when he'd read the prophecy locked up and spelled to buggery, Moss knew he had to do this. Pretending to be eighteen again was a painful journey into the past, and he created the "character" he was to Ruby down to the finest detail, even orchestrating their "accidental" meeting on the rooftop of the Hunters' apartment building.

Two years earlier.

Moss was already on the rooftop, merging with the shadows as he waited for Ruby to come up to the hangout that held her special touch. Fairy lights (of all things) ran along the barrier, bathing the concrete in a warm glow. He couldn't help adding his own signature to the lights, flicking his wrist to the right, and heat mixed with light radiated true warmth, subtle enough to draw no attention, but magicked just right to keep Ruby comfortable. There were fruit trees in pots laden with fruit that wouldn't usually grow at this time of year, root vegetables in raised garden beds, enough for the whole building to enjoy, and beanbags, so many beanbags scattered everywhere, raised off the ground on pellets with tarpaulin covers for the beanbags when they weren't in use. A barbecue with chairs near the entrance looked clean and inviting for anyone wanting to use it, but that wasn't what made the rooftop special. It was the feeling of peace that touched anyone who entered.

Moss had rehearsed his first conversation with Ruby weeks before he was confident enough to make his presence known, and the Academy didn't want to wait any longer; it was time for Moss to earn her trust and become her best friend., they needed him to bring her into the Academy in a matter of months, not years and so here he was, waiting in the dark like a predator for a young girl. The doorknob turned, and the door opened; the Elf king gulped and stepped forward. This is such a bad idea. He edged closer to the main part of the garden area, and as usual, Ruby had her headphones on, dancing as she wandered around, breathing the city air and taking in the noise that only a city could make at night.

"Hello."

There was no response from Ruby; her eyes were closed, conjuring up mysterious worlds in her mind.

Well, damn, I am being ignored by a kid, waiting on the rooftop like a lecherous old man, glamoured to look like I'm in my teenage years, and I don't know what to do about being ignored. This never happens to me.

Deciding to be bold, Moss walked up to Ruby, whose back was turned as she began to give her plants their nutrients, and tapped her on the shoulder, trying to look like a relaxed teen.

"Aargh!"

One minute, Moss was on his feet; the next, he was being thrown over Ruby's shoulder as she grabbed hold of his hand, bent over, and used momentum to pull him completely off balance.

The ground was cold, soaking his clothes, and he stared up in confusion, trapped by angry amber eyes.

"Who are you and what are you doing here?"

Mustering his best smile and jumping into character, Moss laughed, getting back to his feet.

" Well, hello to you too, Miss feisty spice."