Buster Bunny sat alone in his dorm with naught but the silence and his thoughts to keep him company. The thick textbook on various magics and illusionary chicanery was the chain that locked him away from enjoying the fun so richly offered to him.
Autumn was in full swing, and the buzz of Halloween excitement was fast approaching. Gone were the days when his sister and he would hunt for delicious treasure and dispense devious tricks on unsuspecting toons.
Now…. It was just him and his book. His test looming overhead like a guillotine, and uncertainty pushing against his competitive, perfectionist nature.
The Halloween party that all had been invited to attend took everything in his being to say no to, and while it was really out of the ordinary for him not to be pressured by Plucky or his dear sister into attending. He had determined that he needed to change as much as his sister had in recent months.
Given the apparent nature of Babs' newfound infatuation with her roommate, Sweetie, it was difficult to describe how lonely and alienated he felt.
He and Babs had been together through thick and thin, and dating seemed far away from their minds throughout high school. Now, though, he was certain his sister desired more than friendship with her roommate.
Indeed, he approved of Sweetie Bird, but he realized that made him a third wheel, and he wasn't ambitious to take on that role.
Not ambitious at all….
Buster's mind swirled with intrusive and distracting thoughts, and as he glanced over at the clock ticking loudly in the silent room. He was taken aback by how much time his daydreaming had stolen from him.
With a reluctant sigh, he placed a marker in the book and slammed it closed. Perhaps… he needed a break….
Going to the party was out of the question, as he would never leave if he did, but maybe a walk around campus would alleviate his overwhelmed thoughts and feelings.
Taking his hoodie off of his bed, he slid it on and placed the book gently on the couch for his return. He quickly grabbed his keys and exited the boy's dorm onto the beautiful, well-kept Looniversity campus.
…
…
…
Walking out onto the path, he was greeted by the last orange light hanging barely above the horizon. The dancing shadows as they moved across the landscape could only be described as capturing Halloween's entire essence and distilling it down into a moment.
The dead trees rattled as the colorful fallen leaves susurrated gently across the ground in the soft yet chilly breeze.
With an exhale, he looked down at the ground and felt happy. Despite being the only one out here, he found he wasn't as lonely as inside, but rather, calm.
He began to hope for his sister when he placed both hands into his hoodie pockets to keep them warm. Even if he had to be a tag-along from now on, he couldn't keep her to himself forever, and what better girlfriend could there be than Sweetie?
Acceptance freed Buster's spirit, and he smiled as he leaned against a stone wall that stretched across the beautiful landscape.
Taking in the scenery reminded him of days not long since passed, and it hurt to realize how quickly time came and went. He wasn't old by any stretch of the imagination, but the fear of adulthood intermixed with the uncertainty of the future was enough to make anyone yearn for the stability of childhood.
"…."
The sun dropped ever further, and Buster found himself unable to return to his dorm. He felt compelled to stand and watch the sun drop quietly as if it might be the last one he'd ever see.
"…"
"Here you are!?" Buster heard Fifi exclaim loudly from behind him.
The sudden voice frightened him, and he turned to glance at her standing on the walkway behind him.
"Oh, hey, Fifi…. What are you doing out here? I thought the party had already begun?"
Fifi padded across the leaves, crunching them as she went, and then spoke assertively. "Oui! I was looking for you when I did not to see you…. Everybody is there but you!"
Buster eyed the girl and merely frowned. "I thought Babsie told everyone I had to study for my exam tomorrow? That I couldn't make it."
Fifi seemed disappointed, but unconvinced as she spoke again. "And this is to be studying, Bustair?"
He turned away from her, unsure of what to say. It wasn't like he could tell her about what he was feeling. It made him feel stupid to be experiencing the emotions in the first place.
"…."
When Buster didn't respond, Fifi placed her arms on the wall and leaned next to him, then spoke. "Babs is to being very busy with Sweetie, and I am not to be hearing the news of you. So, I am sorry if I am interrupting."
Buster felt bad and shook his head gently. "Naw, don't be sorry, Fifi. Believe me, I want to be at the party, but I really did have to study for a test…. Things just distracted me…."
Fifi raised an eyebrow and stared at the dying sun. "Oui, I do find the beauty of nature distracting, as I do find the same in unique fashion."
Buster merely smiled at her, but then he became curious. Watching the orange light reflect across her shimmering purple fur was a sight to behold, and he had to wonder why someone so gorgeous was out here for him, of all people.
"Uhm….?" Buster murmured, getting her attention.
After that, he spoke.
"So erm…. Why was it so important I join the party? Usually, you have everyone wanting to talk to you at gatherings."
Fifi merely smirked and responded openly. "I am to be… how do you say? Bored…. Every boy talks Moi to death, that is, except for you."
Buster found that odd as a reasoning, so he merely scratched the back of his head. "Well, Sorry, I…."
"Non…." Fifi interrupted him. "I am quite relieved by it, as well as to be curious, why?"
Buster merely nodded and responded. "I just figured you didn't like being harassed all the time. It isn't like I was ignoring you, though. I asked you to go to the Bunniez II Rabbitz concert before I asked anyone else outside my family…."
Fifi got a playful smile on her face and responded gregariously. "Ohhh, oui! I didn't realize it was like that, Bustair!"
Buster became sheepish and shrank slightly. "I well, uhm…."
Fifi only laughed, and Buster responded with a hint of annoyance.
"Well, you said no, because you had multiple ex-boyfriends in the band, so it doesn't matter…."
Fifi merely leaned forward and frowned. "Oh, and is that to be being a problem for you, Bustair?"
Buster thought and merely shook his head. "No…. I don't care who you've dated…. I kind of just… really wanted to go with someone I like to be around…."
Fifi was entirely taken aback by his demeanor and attitude. True to her assumption, he was genuinely a thoughtful and kind person, if not a little over-passionate about certain things.
"…."
When she said nothing more, Buster turned away and merely spoke as darkness overtook the land. "Look, I am sorry if asking you brought up bad memories…. I…. I am just having a hard time with everything changing so fast. I know people can't understand, but it is hard not to have constant company, especially with Babs…."
The winds blew gently, and Fifi remained quiet. His difficulty was personal and painful, she could tell.
As Buster became increasingly anxious, he tried to eject from the situation. "I…. I probably should…"
"Non…" Fifi said quietly, her voice filled with sadness.
At first, Buster was ready to escape quickly, but seeing her dejected expression only made him speak openly. "Are you ok, Fifi?"
Fifi merely nodded as the area became illuminated by the lamps placed along the walkway. Now that the two were standing under a bright spotlight facing one another, she spoke.
"I am just to be understanding how you feel… All too well…."
Buster was surprised. Someone as outgoing and friendly as Fifi rarely showed this serious side of herself. As he waited for her to speak, she merely cast her gaze towards the ground.
"Oui… To be honest, I never told anybody that I am being an orphan…. I do not know my mother or father or whether I have siblings…. The loneliness, it is to be very tough along the holidays…."
When hearing that, Buster felt like a whiny baby, and he merely exhaled, then rubbed his arm. "Whoa… I… I'm sorry for whining, Fifi… That is…."
"Stop!" Fifi interrupted again, her voice an amalgamation of pain and anger. "I am to saying, I understand…. I have been feeling your loneliness…. It has been upsetting me to be seeing you absent."
It was now that Buster understood. Fifi was out here because she was worried about him because she cared about him.
It was no time for pity, sorries, or whining…. It was time to have gratitude.
"Fifi…. Thank you…." Buster began gently and continued. "It means a lot to me that you came to check on me…."
Fifi merely smiled and looked back at him in the chilly evening. Neither spoke words, but the gentle rustling of the trees seemed enough chatter to put them at ease.
After a moment, Buster spoke in a curious but kind manner. "So… Have you always been alone?"
Fifi merely nodded and spoke. "I was to be fortunate enough to live in an abandoned car during high school. I never had much, but I always tried to make the due…."
Buster felt pain on her behalf but shook his head. "Well, you certainly have a lot now."
Fifi beamed. "Oui, I worked hard to being where I am. I may be at a loss in romance and family, but am secured in my living…."
Buster could see she was proud of herself and deserved to be. He always had things she had lacked, which made her all the more impressive by his estimation.
With silence again taking over the two, Buster looked around at the night that had quickly befallen them. Perhaps he should offer to walk her to the party? That way, he could return to his work.
"Hey, Fifi?"
"Bustair?"
The two said at the same time.
"Oh… Excuse me."
"Excusez-moi!"
They uttered simultaneously once more.
Eventually, Buster just put himself aside and offered her to speak. "You first!"
Fifi looked at him and then nodded. "Oui… Well, I was going to ask if you would like spending just a teensy bit at the party? I am understanding your reasons for not showing now, but it might help you to be relaxing."
Buster was quiet. He, more than anything, wished to go. Even more so now that he was having fun speaking with Fifi. Still, his obligation and desire to not blow off his professor were at the front of his mind.
"I…. I can't, Fifi…. I am sorry."
Fifi looked genuinely crestfallen but merely accepted his response. "Well, then, I am to be supposing I shall head back to the party. First, though, what did you wish to be saying?"
Buster contemplated, and it was the perfect time to offer to at least walk her back. Still, as he looked her over, he had another idea creep into his head.
Confident he might be in many things, this might be too bold of a counteroffer. He feared she would take it the wrong way but, nonetheless, let it slip in spite of his worries.
"Well, I was, uhm…. I was gonna suggest that you come hang out with me while I study. I know it isn't as fun as a party, but…"
Buster trailed off when he realized how pathetic his offering was, but it only made Fifi grin almost deviously.
She put her hands behind her back and spoke confidently. "Why, Bustair! Inviting me to be alone with you in the boy's dormitory? Are you sure this is what you are wanting?"
Buster lost all nerve and shyly nodded, after which he spoke the only French he knew, having heard it from her countless times since she arrived. "Oui…."
Hearing him say the word made her giggle, and she responded casually to his use of it. "Vous pouvez parler français! Comme c'est excitant!"
Buster's utter confusion only made her laugh more, and she merely rephrased using words he could understand. "I accept your invitation… Let us to be going!"
Boldly, Fifi wrapped her arm around his and dragged him along excitedly. If Buster didn't know any better, she seemed more excited about going with him to study than to be at a swinging Halloween party.
"…."
…
…
…
When the two arrived at Buster's locked dorm, Fifi was taking in the quietness she was experiencing. Everyone was indeed at the party, and the peace here was quite a reprieve from the loud music near the girl's dorm.
After Buster opened his door, he held it and looked at Fifi as he spoke gently to her. "After you."
Fifi let go of him and responded as she entered. "Merci beaucoup, monsieur gentilhomme."
Buster smiled, getting the gist of the compliment, and then shut and locked his door behind him.
Fifi was glancing about and could see that the place was somewhat messy compared to hers. Eventually, though, her attention was distracted by Buster's sleeping area.
Looking up, she examined nearly all Buster's first-place awards for various toon-related activities.
"Ouah! You are to being quite accomplished, Bustair! I did not know you contained such accolades!"
Buster became embarrassed and stood next to her. "Yeah. Many of these are for Tooney Ball and pranking, my favorite high school class."
Fifi put her hand to her chin and examined the first-place pranking trophy. "Oui, I am to be impressed. I am always having trouble with pranking…. I suppose it is that I do not like to prowl around."
Buster smiled and then shrugged. "If you need help, I can tutor you. I have an A in pranking 101, so I think bringing you to that level should be easy."
At the mere suggestion, she became excited and spoke loudly. "Oui! I would love to have the help! I am not doing so good as I need to be in that class."
Buster nodded cheerfully and then walked over to the fridge. "We can walk together after class, and I can do my homework with you."
Fifi was as flattered as she was grateful, and Buster just pulled out some carrot juice and poured it into a glass. Once done, he offered her some.
"Freshly made~!" Buster said joyously, letting his guard down now that he had warmed enough to her to be alone with her like this.
Fifi came over and partook of the glass she was poured, after which her eyes lit up and she spoke her immediate thoughts. "C'est délicieux!"
Before Buster could even respond, she had the glass up to her mouth and was gulping it down. Finally, when she was finished within seconds and placed the glass on the counter, Buster couldn't help but smirk at the orange juice that colored the white fur on her face.
She noticed his look and seemed confused, but Buster admired her in such a vulnerable position. Fifi would be mortified to realize she looked foolish, but he found it sentimental and cute.
Like a private moment, he was only allowed to take part in.
As Fifi became unsure, Buster picked up a clean cloth from the counter and wiped her face gently to remove the excited mess she had created.
When the orange blanketed the cloth, Fifi indeed looked humiliated, but Buster just placed the fabric down and spoke. "I know you like to look pristine…. Don't worry, I won't tell anybody I saw it…."
His words were warm and inviting, and Fifi returned to a relaxed state. After that, she responded. "Merci, Bustair."
Having satisfied his thirst, Buster sat on the couch and picked up the book he had left there. Before opening it, though, he invited Fifi to entertain herself as she saw fit.
"I need to study, but help yourself to anything you want…. Turn on the TV, listen to music…. Whatever…. Just make yourself comfortable."
Fifi thought and then began to walk over to him. If he wanted her to make herself comfortable, she would indeed do so.
By the time Buster looked up to see what she was going to do, she had plopped herself right next to him and began looking at the text while invading his personal space.
The warmth of her made him shudder, and his pulse quickened as she pressed her bosom against his arm. "Ooo, what is it you are to be studying?"
Buster was so overwhelmed at their intimate proximity that he lost his mental faculties for a second and merely stared blankly at her with a dopey smile on his face.
Eventually, when she prodded him again by repeating her question, did he speak.
"Ah, well, it is prestidigitation for my mentor, Merlin. An entire section on illusion, sleight-of-hand, and imitation that I need to personally perform for him."
It sounded intriguing, and so Fifi asked a natural follow-up question. "Might I be seeing some?"
At first, Buster was against the idea, for he was relatively new to the concept, but the more he thought, the more he realized that this was a private audience.
A personal one that would allow him to perfect his showmanship in a way reading the technicalities would not.
After much consideration, Buster looked at the section of the book and then stood before Fifi. With the flick of his wrist, a silver coin appeared in his fingers before her, and she became visibly impressed.
After that, Buster began moving the coin back and forth on his knuckles, then tossed it in the air. Once he rapidly snatched it as it fell, he opened his closed hand to reveal the coin was missing.
"Très cool!" Fifi exclaimed as Buster held up his finger and waved it to silence her.
After that, he walked over to her and gently reached by her head. He placed his hand on her ear and pulled the coin free from it to present it to her.
Delighted and laughing, Fifi was happy and began to gently clap for him as he took a bow.
Soon, and like it became second nature, Buster began performing an entire set for Fifi. He would glance at the book, see what he needed to do, and then perform it.
While indeed the tricks were hit or miss in terms of adequately pulling them off…. Fifi remained engaged and supportive of each trick.
Her claps and smile were, if nothing else, a significant boost to his confidence. So much so that he began improvising tricks and going off of study material because he enjoyed delighting her so.
Before they knew it, the evening had turned to the twilight hours, and Buster had run the gambit of many tricks. However, as Fifi yawned due to how late it was getting, he began to feel like he wanted to do at least one more trick before sending her off to rest.
"I…. Fifi? Is it ok if I do one more trick for you before we call it a night? It isn't really for my test…. I dunno, I just want to do it…."
Fifi was immediately curious and nodded attentively. He had suddenly lost his confidence and was acting more skittish before her than earlier.
With her permission, Buster produced a wand by pulling it out of his long rabbit ear. Already, Fifi was smiling despite her tired expression.
Once he had the wand in hand, he told himself internally that this was "not flirting" and that it didn't "mean anything." His compulsion to do it was to just test it out….
As Fifi waited patiently, he swung the wand back and forth. After that, he pointed it directly at her so it was right before her nose.
She began joking and commented on his gesture. "Oh, Bustair, I hope you are not going to be turning me into the frog!"
Buster merely remained smiling and motioned his free hand slowly in front of her eyes.
One….
Two….
Three….
Fifi followed the hand intently with her eyes until it made the third pass. After which, it carefully ran along the wand in front of her nose.
Fifi giggled as she expected it to disappear, but she became surprised when it became a beautiful bouquet of roses instead.
Large, colorful, and smelling intensely of floral delight, the gorgeous composition was a spectacular surprise to her senses.
Fifi, at first, seemed unsure of how to read or react to them. However, as Buster kept them held out to her, she took them into her hands and gave them a big whiff.
They were as real as they looked, and she felt her heart racing faster than usual. Eventually, she held the roses close to her chest and spoke.
"C'était très magnifique! Merci, Bustair…."
Buster sighed tiredly and then plopped on the couch next to her. He didn't understand all the words, but her expression and tone said absolutely everything.
Sitting there in tired silence, he was surprised when Fifi placed her hand on his cheek and turned his gaze towards her.
"…."
The two were now staring at one another, and Buster was unsure what to do. He had convinced himself he wasn't being untoward or acting like other guys, but now he wasn't so sure.
Fifi gently placed the roses on the end of the couch and spoke softly to him. "Oui, Bustair…. That was to be my favorite trick of the night. I am thinking that perhaps I should return the favor with a trick of my own I am to be knowing…."
Buster was interested in learning she knew magic, so he nodded happily. "I didn't know you were familiar with illusionary tricks…. Sure, I will learn a trick from you if you are willing to show me."
Fifi got a grin that went from ear to ear and then responded calmly. "Oui, Oui, all that is to be required for this trick is for you to shut your eyes and count to the ten."
Buster was confused, but perhaps she was going to change shape, or maybe she was going to whip out some magical trinkets she had hidden in her sweater?
Still, even as his mind wandered about what she would do, he shut his eyes and began to count aloud.
"No peeking~!" Fifi said as the count began.
"One…"
"Two…"
"Three…"
As he reached three, he felt her hand caress his cheek, and as he moved on to four, he found himself suddenly unable to talk.
"…."
The feeling of warmth pressed against his lips, and he sat there frozen in fear. He felt hot, and as he began to sweat, he leaned forward, which caused the warmth to intensify on his lips.
There was a gentle gasp and moan from Fifi, as her lips parted, and their tongues found one another for the first time.
All in the blink of an eye, they began touching and feeling each other as Buster's exhilaration went into complete overdrive.
His body acted on its own excitedly, and his eyes remained tightly shut as Fifi took the lead of her little "magic trick."
After a moment more, their mouths parted, and Fifi gasped before speaking. "There, the magic trick is to be completed…."
When Buster opened his eyes, he saw her devilish smile and amused demeanor.
Still stunned by his first kiss, he just stared blankly at her.
After she wiped her mouth, she spoke. "So… Did you get the trick on your first try… or do you perhaps need another demonstration…?"
Buster turned pale and began to stammer over his words. "Well, I uhm…. You see…. Fifi…."
When his bashfulness took over. Fifi laughed, and she tried to calm his nerves down. "I am kidding, Bustair, kidding…. You don't have to be worrying about doing things you don't want to…."
Buster shook his head, and after taking a deep breath, he was honest about his feelings. "I… Maybe I do want to do it… more…. I, well, I have never kissed anybody before…."
Fifi only nodded and spoke. "Oui, then, are you being happy I was your first?"
Buster nodded slowly and responded. "I…. You are magnificent, fun to be around, and smart…. I am beyond happy…."
His stunned niceness brought some blush to Fifi's white facefur, and she looked him over. Of all the boys she had tried to have a crush on, Buster was definitely the easiest.
"Sorry, I am just overwhelmed…." Buster admitted and then continued. "I guess I just feel bad that I am terrible at that kinda' thing…."
Fifi shook her head and grabbed hold of his hand. "We all learn at our pace that feels comfortable. I may have kissed much and snuggled some, but it has never gotten beyond that…. I have always found the "true love" to be a difficult prize to obtain."
Buster was comforted by her words, and so he responded. "Thanks, Fifi…. For everything…."
Fifi happily nodded and then teased him again. "Well, if you are wanting to learn how to be kissing well. Then you have come to the correct professor…. I have practiced techniques with myself and others to perfection!"
Buster squeezed her hand and responded sweetly. "Only if you give me a chance to be more than just a friend…."
Fifi thought and then responded. "Why, Bustair Bunny! Are you asking Moi to be your girlfriend so quickly?"
Buster was uncertain now but ultimately spoke his mind. "I would like…. to try to be someone's boyfriend, as something new, I guess…."
With that said, Fifi leaned in and kissed his cheek. "When I first saw you, I thought you were just absolutely handsome…. Now, I am seeing the gentle soul that is also being inside…."
Buster was flattered and ran his thumb nervously along the top of her hand. "So, are you saying you have had a crush on me since we met?"
Fifi slyly smirked and then answered. "A girl is to never be revealing her entire hand, but let us just say, I have been thinking of you most often as of lately…."
With that stated, Buster felt satisfied and just sat there holding her hand. After more time passed, a glance at the clock showed it was nearly three a.m.
Upon realizing that, he let go of her and stood before speaking. "It is really late… should I walk you back to the safety of your dorm so we can get whatever sleep we can for afternoon class?"
Fifi stood up and ignored him, after which she flicked off the light of Buster's dorm room. "It is to being too noisy there, besides…. I am to be certain your bed can hold two people…."
Buster became excited, and when he felt her grab hold of him in the dark, he used his memory to guide them to his unmade bed.
It only took moments for both to find their way into it and for the covers to be over them. The still emptiness of everything was completely offset by the warm company one another provided to the other.
In the serenity, Buster felt Fifi wrap her arms around him and he heard her speak. "Merci, Bustair…. For being so nice…. That is to be what makes me the happiest about knowing you."
Buster ran his fingers along her arm that held him and responded back. "Thanks, Fifi… for making change far more bearable and exciting for me…."
With their words spoken, and sleep overwhelming them. The two lay in silence, images of different possible futures swimming around their heads.
For Fifi, she thought that perhaps this might be "the one." Completely different than any boy she had ever tried to date before.
For Buster, it was the excitement for a Christmas that would soon be upon them all, and with it, his chance to give Fifi a family to spend it with for the first time.
"…."
